AN: Eh I got nothing today. But I also didn't think i'd be able to post this week, so i'm glad for that. Thank you everyone for reading. Follow/Fav/Review
Kicking a rock, Mortimer was having a grand ol' time observing Luna as she fed a small group of bowtruckles a plate of berries. They just outside the school grounds but not as near as the forbidden forest.
"Isn't this fun?" Chirpped the ravenclaw girl.
"Oh yeah. . ." Mortimer said in a dry tone. "I'm having the time of my life."
"Wonderful! Would you like to feed them?" Pushing a small wooded plate into his his face, Luna asked.
"No thanks." He frowns, shooing her hands away, he kicks another pebble.
Concerned, Luna sets the plate down. "Is everything alright?"
No, everything was not alright. Mortimer was having difficulty letting go of who exactly was the person claiming to be the heir. While no attacks have occured, there was the big question banging inside his skull.
In truth, he was doubting his own legitimacy. Was he really related to Salazar, or was this a case of mistaken identity? That he was just some random wizard who was taken away to go live somewhere else. Was Draco even his cousin?
It was starting to confuse him the more he questioned himself.
Taking a chance he asks. "What do you think about the attacks - or the lack of attacks?"
"Hmm..." Pondering, she raises a brow. "I'm not really sure. Everyone thinks it's safe."
"Do you believe them?"
Looking back at the small twiggy creature, she spoke. "If a creature is capable of petrifying students, do you think it'd be satisfied with just five people, including Mrs. Norris?"
Lowering his head. "That's what i'm afraid of..."
Luna nods. "Poor thing... Who ever it is, I don't think they'll stop."
"Why do you say that?"
Taking a berry, she feeds it to the reaching critters. "It's controlled by the Heir alone. Any good wizard would send it back to sleep, not let it hurt the innocent. . . Also, it's simply never easy."
"Agreed." Mortimer somberly looks up towards the sky.
Tilting her head, she gives him a curious look. "Are you guilty?"
Without staring into her eyes, he responds. "Yes? No? Maybe? I don't know... My house is being accused of being responsible." He hesitates on the last part. "I-I'm ashamed to be in slytherin - And Draco prancing around isn't helping either."
"Have you ever hurt someone?"
"No."
"Picked on someone?"
"No."
"Called someone a mudblood?"
"No!"
"Then you have no reason to be ashamed." Luna hopped once before turning her body away, feeding the little woodland creatures. "Maybe you can be the one to tell that to the others."
Having her back turned to him, Mortimer thought more about what she said. It was the same thing the sorting hat had told him. That maybe he can be the one to change things, change the slytherin image.
As of now, being in the house of snakes, there was nothing to be proud of. They're well known prejudice against the others can be dated back generations. Mortimer almost felt like he needed to be apologize for something that wasn't entirely his fault.
"Mortimer, help." Luna calmly called.
Looking up, Mortimer catiously noticed the army of bowtruckles surrounding her. "I think, we're going to need more barries..." She said.
Letting out a small laugh, Mortimer took the plate out of her hand. "Let's go fetch some more."
Back in transfiguration, Mortimer was working alongside with Granger, Porcupine to Pin Cushion. They were practicing the incantation before starting the wand movements.
Minutes of practicing, they swapped turns before preforming the spell.
"Remember, you have to trust in your porcupine. Otherwise it'll be difficult when transforming." Hermione insists, practically shoving him.
Putting distance between them. "I know." Mortimer grumbled under his breath.
Lifting his wand he concentrates and clearly words out Hystrifors.
Their eyes grew wide as the once porcupine had turned into a small soft pin cushion, with small needles poking out.
"You did it!" Hermione's voice was delighted.
Was there any doubt? By now Mortimer couldn't be bothered to express his small annoyance at the way Hermione tried correcting him. He's merely pleased that he was able to do it on the first try.
Turning the pin cushion porcupine back into its normal self, Hermione was given turn when she too was able to transform it into the same cushiony object.
"Good work today class," Professor McGonagall moves throughout the class. "I'm pleased that majority of you were able to complete the assignment – A special congratulations is in order for Miss Granger and Mr. Black for a successful first try."
Hermione smiled, feeling a surprising amount of delight, though Mortimer shied away from the attention, she found enjoyment the her praise.
The bell ranged and students fled towards the exit, calling it another day. Packing her belongings, Hermione spoke with a curious tone.
"I'm heading to library, you're free to join if you'd like."
Looking over her shoulder, Mortimer could see her two friends waiting for her. Not far from them, he could see Tracey and Daphne; waiting for him as well.
It has been quite sometime since they've studied together and now was a good time as any. "Thanks, but I'll be fine – Besides, I don't think your friends would like that idea."
"Rolling her eyes, the buck-toothed girl picks up her book as she told him. "Harry and Ron seem to think all slytherin's are bad people. . ."
"I get it." Raising his hand to stop her from saying more. "
"It's not their fault." She defends. "You have to admit, they aren't the friendliest sort."
"Then I guess that makes me a terrible person." He smiled at her, bitterly.
"I didn't mean it like that." Hermione took an involuntary step back at the irritation in those dark depths of his eyes. "I mean, look at Malfoy, he's been celebrating the attacks since it began – Not just him, every slytherin has. And who knows. . ."
Mortimer sighed, a hand at the edge of the smooth wooded desk. "You think I feel the same way?"
"I-I'm not sure."
The smile appeared as a warning. Mortimer didn't need to hear more than what was already said. "Right, I better go then – Got evil slytherin planning to do."
Quickly now, Mortimer leaves the bewildered gryffindor and heads towards Davis and Greengrass. "What did Granger want?" Asked Tracey as they walked out of the classroom.
"Nothing worth telling."
"I find that hard to believe." Eyes forward, Daphne says in jest.
"Believe it Greengrass." Shaking his head. "Why I picked a gryffindor as a desk partner, I don't know."
Tracey let out a small laugh. "It's either Granger or Brown. Take your pick."
Mortimer scrunched his face at the thought sitting next to Brown. He could almost hear her shrilling voice, Oh! Morty~ "Right. . . Never mind."
Sitting at one of the syltherin tables in their common room, Mortimer was in the middle of
writing his charms assignment. There were a few students lingering in the back as majority had gone and left to go find seats for the next quidditch match.
It was Gryffindor against Hufflepuffs, with most of them leaving, Mortimer was left to his own devices. Draco and his posse had gone to the quidditch grounds, no doubt to see if Potter will make a fool out of himself. Thankfully, because it wasn't a slytherin match, Theo hadn't forced him to come.
Scratching his head, Mortimer had closed his text book. A loud crack deriving from his neck. It's been a while since he was able to just sit here and not think about anything. This is what it must feel to be normal. No worries about ridiculous beliefs or crazed family members. Right, now he was a boy, simply doing homework.
Still, His time here so far had been an experience. Thinking back on a time before the discovery of witches and wizards, Mortimer never thought he'd be part of it. The idea never struck him, to be able to preform spells, creating potions, wearing pointy hats…
This might not have been what he envisioned, a few years ago, then again, he didn't think he'd live this long to see it all happening. But fate seemed to have other plans, throwing curve balls at him, shaking him around like some sort of used rag doll.
It took this long for his life to get to where it was, and with the chamber 'closed' things can finally go back to normal. Well. . . normal for the average wizard because there wasn't anything normal about magic. It was complex and explaining it would only confuse Mortimer even more, it was the reason why he stopped questioning everything.
He felt settled, settled enough to actually get up and leave the common the room. With no student in sight, Mortimer fancied himself a trip to the library. He always felt comfortable there, it was where he did most of his thinking. It was also a repellent for his slytherin companions, Draco and his goons wouldn't dare show his face here. It was wonderful.
The small journey towards the first-floor archive was short and thankfully, he made it without running into anyone.
A few minutes pass by, his body froze in the library's entrance, it was empty, quiet, it was expected considering where he was at. Yet, it felt different somehow, deadly, sinister and unnatural.
Playing with his fingers, he studies the surrounding area. Stepping inside, he passes a few rows of bookshelves. There was nothing out of the usual, though that quickly changed when he came into contact with the unimaginable.
There was a body laying in the middle of library. Mortimer seemed to think he was hallucinating, a trick of the eyes – His amble walk as he draws near, he finally manages to reach the unknown figure.
Eerie silence greeted him, an unknown wind kicking up, a shiver crawls down his spine. The need to leave and run away couldn't be helped, but had to shake his head in irritation for answers. There was no time to think as he walks over to bookshelves, taking a moment to peer over until he finally makes it to the source.
It is where he finds a bushy-haired girl.
Only Mortimer knew a girl with such unruly hair.
It was Hermione Granger.
Her eyes open wide, she was holding a mirror. The pose where she rested made him recoil.
"Oh God no…" Mortimer pressed his back against a the barrier of bookshelf columns in shock. There was nowhere to go unless he wished to run into whatever did this her.
Sure, he wasn't a muggleborn, but no one actually knew what fate awaited for half-bloods. Mortimer didn't want to stay here and find out.
A step backwards, Mortimer runs out of the library.
Where he's going, not even he could answer. Frantic and running out of breath, there was no telling just how far he's gotten. That is until he reaches the corner of the corridors. With all his fumbling, he almost runs straight into Professor McGonagall.
"Oof – Mister Black!" McGonagall yells when she jumps back in surprise. "What do you think you're doing? Running through the halls –"
"Professor! Professor!" Mortimer immediately fumbles in his words, "You gotta come with me!" pointing and gabbing her arms he tries pulling her into the library's entrance.
Ignoring the inquiries she was making, Mortimer's failed attempt at bringing here towards Granger was proving to be useless.
"What is the meaning of this?" The Professor was trying brush away his hands. "Mr. Black! Stop it – "
Fearing she might leave and miss the dire news, Mortimer tells her. "It's Hermione Granger." Mortimer shouts, letting go, he returns to the library. "She's been attacked."
Opposing her calls, Mortimer didn't need to turn around to know Professor McGonagall was following. It was happening all too soon.
Bursting through the doors, Mortimer ran towards the petrified gryffindor. From behind, Mortimer could hear the transfiguration teacher letting out a short gasp. "Oh dear –"
Clearing her throat, she speaks up quickly, "Mr. Black," descending on the floor. " go straight to your house and don't go anywhere else. It's no longer safe here."
When Mortimer didn't move, she raised her voice. "Mr. Black! Go to your dorm, now."
His body on auto pilot, Mortimer complies and somehow found his legs moving – more like running – towards the slytherin common room. Eventually, when he makes to his house, he was surprised to find it empty.
Good, this was good.
Mortimer feared his disheveled appearance would raise alarms and further questioning from his peers. So instead, before anyone could see him, a quick changes into his jammies. Mortimer climbed into his bed. Still, he was very much aware that he wouldn't be any form of rest.
He felt horrible for letting this happen.
Granger was one of the few people he'd expect to be targeted. A stupid thought, she was muggleborn, of course she'd be on the list. He thought, being friends with the chosen one might've gave her some sort of immunity. Seeing her now, he was sorely mistaken. Dumb enough to think the attacks have stopped, that everyone else was safe now.
How wrong he was.
Once word gets out about Granger, the school will be in shambles. What will Potter say when he realizes his friend's been attacked? What's Mortimer to do now? How is he to catch the imposter? There were no suspects, no one he could think of. There were many questions raging inside him. The complexity turn of events there wasn't anything to follow, nothing that would imply the abnormal traits of Slytherin's Heir.
Completely lost, Mortimer felt the frustration pouring down his core.
Letting out a groaning voice, stuffing his face deep in his pillow, he had not taken into account that an occurrence such as this would lead to Granger's petrified state. Her unmoving figure, along with her expressionless whitely pale face, refused to leave his mind.
If anyone could stop it, it should've been him. He was the heir... Wasn't he? maybe using his slytherin-ness powers could have prevented it; done something to avoid this from ever happening.
Thinking about it was no use.
He hated to think that only Potter could solve it, but at this point, it's what Mortimer was counting on. If anyone could safe their friend, it was him.
A few days into Granger's attacked, Mortimer had crawled back into his shell. He has all but isolated himself from the rest of his friends. Going as far as telling Luna to quit pestering him. A dumb move, he knows, but time has already been wasted. He was no closer to solving it, more so, far off.
Leaving the school grounds, he wonders off into the woods.
A clear mind, he needed a clear mind – Get away from the distractions that stopped him from coming up with a plan. Time was running out. The Mandrakes weren't ready, and with Granger being attacked, Mortimer feared the next person wouldn't be petrified. A fate far worse, there was no telling who'd be next.
One thing was for sure, Potter couldn't have been the one to open the chamber. The thought didn't cross Mortimer's mind, Potter was too innocent, incapable of hurting anyone. It was confirmed once Granger was petrified, aware that Potter would never go hurt his muggleborn friend.
Outside of the castle, he walked towards the forest grounds. Mortimer was pretty sure that he wouldn't be able to do it alone. And yet, he couldn't muster up the courage to ask. Then again, it's not like he could tell Draco; his cousin practically wished it. As for the slytherins, he couldn't very well ask Theo or the other girls, not without exposing his true origins. There'd be too many uncomfortable questions that would need answering before they'd agree to help.
No. Shaking his head, he thought, I need to do this alone, just got to think of a way…
"Master!"
Halting in the middle of a cordon of trees, Mortimer looked down to find his companion. "Tobey? Where've you been? I haven't seen you in months! I thought you'd left me already."
The snake pause before lifting its head. "I have traveled the grounds of this place. You have tasked me of following the other boy, I have done as asked."
"Yeah but. . . You never came to me." He said somewhat cranky.
"It was not worthy of being known."
"Then why are you here?"
Tobey hissed, sliding closer. "The boy is in danger, he has run off to find answers. . . to the evil that rests inside the walls."
Panic hits him, his eyes widen at the news. "What? Where?"
"Deep into the forest… bad, nasty creatures lurking, waiting for their prey." The snake spoke as it nudges the tip of his master's shoe.
Setting aside Potter's stupidity, Mortimer picks up Tobey, who quickly wrapped himself over his shoulder. "Stay hidden." He commanded before sprinting through the forest.
The forbidden forest – Tobey said – he wasn't far off but was still rather at a loss. He had no idea where to even begin, they could be anywhere. . . they could be dead for all he knew. But this was the chosen one; and God forbid anything happens to the-boy-who-lived.
Mortimer's running footsteps, as the tension in the dark murky forest grew, he tried to calm himself down by reminding himself he was doing this for the good. And yet, his stress levels increased once he spots two well lit orbs strolling behind a set of tall barricaded trees.
"What in the – " Mortimer whispered to himself when the lit orbs stopped moving.
As fast as his mind could process, the light had turn their direction towards him. There was loud rumble noise, following loud screeching.
Bursting and tearing branches of groves, Mortimer took a step back and watched the moving gleams come closer.
A slight moment of blindness, Mortimer squints his eyes, later to be surprised when he realizes it was an automobile that revealed itself before him.
Looking around, perhaps it was a trick. Though, a trick would mean someone has to be behind it. But was not the case as once the passenger doors had busted open, he was surprised to find it empty.
No one inside, he jumps at the sound of a honk! It was like it wanted him to get in. And as strange as it was, Mortimer believed this would take him where he needed to be.
And without a caring thought, he hopped behind the wheel before driving into the sunken depths of the forbidden forest.
Note to self – Listen to Ron more.
Their unceasing legs as they ran through the forest's grounds were met by scurrying eight-legged creatures, ready to feast on the flesh of such tender meat.
Harry didn't plan on getting eaten, he also didn't plan on getting chased by the children of Hargrid's old friend, Aragog.
But that wasn't important – Hagrid was innocent and he didn't open the chamber. Harry would've jumped for joy if he wasn't currently trying to outrun the terrifying spiders. His giant friend couldn't have been the one to murder the muggle all those years ago. Hagrid's only fault was bringing it on school grounds and housing it as a pet, nothing more.
Aragog mentioned to Harry, out of respect for the friendship he had with the giant, he'd never harmed a student. It had been a creature far worse; too horrible to mention, that killed the human girl.
One thing stuck out to him was where this particular person had unfortunately perished – The girl's restroom. The small detail alone had triggered something familiar, but where? It was hard to think when out of breath, screaming in terror as you run for your life, trying so hard to stay alive.
"What do we do?" Yelled Ron, avoiding the many shrubbery bushes. Along with Fang, Hagrid's cowardly hound, they continued to run through the grassy grounds of the woodland forest.
As Harry was about to answer, a loud honking sound catches their attention.
Mr. Weasley's very own vehicle had come to the rescue.
Chasing after the blinding headlights, they were both shocked to find Black - of all people, behind the wheel.
The car does a harsh turn, loud shrilling of the wheels, the doors open with Mortimer shouting. "Hurry!"
Dashing, both Fang and the boys quickly jump inside before roughly shutting the doors. They let out a scream when the insects throw themselves in front of the glass windows.
Mortimer could barely see over the steering wheel, but nonetheless steps on the gas pedal, driving off the vile pests.
They were chased for various seconds. Eventually, they had all given up and crawled back to their nests.
Once they felt safe, Harry and Ron sighed in relief. "I never thought I'd be grateful for a slytherin…" Panted Weasley, as he wiped his forehead.
"Yeah." Agreed Harry. "Thanks."
Fang also wanted to show his appreciation by licking Black's dried cheek. " Yuck! Gross – Stay back."
Wiping the slobbering drool off his skin, Mortimer keeps his eyes in the front. "Do you know how to drive?" He hears the red head ask.
A delayed answer, he said. "No."
Gathering himself, Harry asked. "What were you doing in the forbidden forest?"
At first, Mortimer opted to stay quiet. Doing so, would draw suspicions, he couldn't afford it. Quickly he made something up. "I…I was trying to get away."
"Get away from what?"
A small pause from the Black. "Everyone." He says plainly.
"How do we know you're not trying to get rid of us?" Back to his accusing state, Ron questioned while Harry observed him.
"Gee – I don't know? Maybe I should stop the car and think about it. . ."
"Wait!" Weasley panicked. Retracting what he said, Ron shook his head. "I-I mean, it's rather suspicious, don't you think?"
Harry nods. It was true, while Mortimer never really bothered him, he was still in fact related to Malfoy, the fact alone demanded questioning. "He's right. Draco could have sent you to come and spy on us."
Gripping the wheel, Mortimer couldn't believe this was still a discussion. "Malfoy doesn't own me. I'm not his lap dog or a mindless goon." He gritted. "I told you already, I wanted to get away and think."
"Think? Think about what?" Genuinely, Harry wondered the kind of person Black really was. At this point, Mortimer had done everything a Slytherin would never do and frankly, Harry was beginning to doubt himself.
"The Chamber." Mortimer confessed.
Ron's eyes flare in anger. "I knew it! It's you! Isn't it?"
"No, idiot. . ." Mortimer whispered, turning the wheel slightly he avoids hitting a boulder. "I want to know who attacked Granger."
Harry's eyes expand at the mention oh his friend. "Why do you care? She's a muggle."
"Yeah, I thought you'd be happy seeing them go one by one and whatnot" Chimed Weasley.
Rolling his eyes, Mortimer shook his head. "Trust me or not – I don't care – Hermione is a good person an-and I don't want to see her hurt. . ."
Ron scoffs. "You're a slytherin! Worst of all, you're a Black, you can't possibly mean any of what you say."
Mortimer didn't bother to reply, knowing they'd twist his words and accuse him of trickery.
Harry was inclined to agree but was thrown off when Fang had leaped into the passenger seat and nudged Mortimer's arm, he wanted to be petted.
Still quiet, Black gave into the mutt's request and rubbed his hairy head before returning to the wheel.
Well, least the dog believed him.
Tense after the chase, Harry asks. "Where are we going?"
Following the clearest path, Mortimer replies. "The castle – I didn't plan on coming here, I also don't plan on getting caught. Should any of us get busted, pretend this never happened, deal?"
Ron and Harry share a look before turning to Mortimer, nodding. "Deal." They settled together.
The rest of the drive was silent. Neither tried to strike up a conversation only shared a few glances here and there. It seemed almost surreal, a slytherin helping gryffindor escape from impenetrable doom. Even stranger when they began acting civil towards each other.
Drawing closer to the castle, the car comes to a halt, stopping near Hagrid's cabin.
Fang was the first jump out, unable to stand the car ride, the hound felt relief when it was able to touch sweet land. Taking it as a sign as well, Mortimer gets off. With Harry following, Ron opts to go hurl at pumpkin patch.
"Thanks again." Awkwardly, Harry says. Unbeknown he'd be thanking someone close to Malfoy.
"Don't mention it." Mortimer said, staring at a sickly Weasley. "No really, don't - The last thing I need is another argument with Draco."
At his response, Mortimer could see the bafflement behind Potter's spectacles. "I thought you two were close. . ."
"We are close. Though lately, we haven't really gotten along." Cracking his neck, Mortimer went on to say. "Draco doesn't like the company I keep... But I'm not going to stop hanging around my friends just to appease him."
Potter struggling to find a proper reaction. "I... I didn't know."
"Either way, it's none of your business. You two can go back to thinking all slytherin's are bad. And i'll go invisible else where. Goodnight." He said before storming off into the castle.
With any was luck, he might be able to avoid the prefects from catching him. Even better would be making it to the slytherin common room without rasing suspicion.
"What about the boy?" Sliding his out of his master's shirt, Tobey asked.
"Tomorrow." He tells his pet while peering the halls. "For now, rest."
Speeding walking through the entrance hall, he basically ran to the dungeons. "By the way, what's this I hear about you saving Luna's life?"
Tobey doesn't hide it when he responds. "The human girl is your friend, is she not?"
"Yes."
"Then, I did good."
Husing out the password, the wall revealed the common the slytherin room. There was no one here. Everyone was asleep, a small fire crackling in the fireplace and Mortimer quickly climbed the stairs to his dorm. When he made it, he glanced the dorm, changing into his pajamas, he springs in his bed, closing the curtains.
That was close, seeing the trouble Harry had put himself in. It was no wonder why they had Granger. She was practically their brain, always telling them what to do, what to say, everthing! It was now that he had decided to help them. With Harry dead, the secrets to the chamber might never be solved. Relieved, Mortimer hoped Harry found the answers he was looking for. That he's discovered a way to put an end to it. Anticipating Potter's next move, Mortimer trusted he won't need saving again.