I certainly have no rights to Harry Potter, but this won't stop me writing this story. However, you probably already know this. As it is my specialty, and as in my other big stories, this shows how things go if something went different right at the beginning. Please note that I'm not a fan of bashing and also don't expect the pairings to differ from canon. However, the path to them sertainly will be quite different. I also want to try and subvert certain plots and things that became common in the fandom over the years.
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Chapter 23: The Curse Gets Worse
The newest incident had resulted in another lockdown for the night and even now students were strongly encouraged not to wander the castle alone and stay in the public areas. The message had not been taken seriously by many, thus the petrification of Colin had come as a nasty shock. It had not reached the newspapers due to the nightly lockdown, but everyone knew it would be printed in fat headlines in the evening edition of the Daily Prophet.
The school also seemed to no longer want to take any chances, as the students did see the animated suits or armor, which normally just stood around for decorative purposes, now actively patrol the corridors of the school, ready to report should anything of note happen.
The students themselves were now highly disturbed. Those who had not exactly believed the whole thing now faced an ugly wake-up call. The facts about the chamber and its history now were making their rounds, and the fact that it had been Voldemort who had opened it the last time - and thus was their Heir of Slytherin - was causing even more unrest. Not to speak the nature of the monster, which was the stuff of nightmares.
It was in the middle of this escalating paranoia that the faculty - again minus one certain teacher who didn't even notice being excluded due to being preoccupied with other things - had an emergency meeting.
"I did question enough people to conclude that Mr. Creevey left Gryffindor tower somewhat over an hour before he was found. He wanted to visit Mr. Potter in the hospital wing, but never reached him," McGonagall reported to the others.
"That reminds me of something that happened a few days ago," Hagrid now remembered.
It was unusual for Hagrid to speak up. "Rubeus, did something happen we should know about?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes... now that I remember what I read..." Hagrid looked furious with himself that he had brushed the incident aside. "A few days ago I found both of my roosters dead in the chicken coops. Both of them had their necks snapped. I thought it was a student being cruel."
Snape, being very knowledgeable about dark creatures, right away knew the connection. "A rooster's crow is deadly to a basilisk. Someone wanted to make sure nothing would go wrong."
That only made it even more obvious that someone with dark intentions had again infiltrated the school, only now there were even less clues who it could be. The Headmaster gave Hagrid a nod. "Buy new roosters and make sure they are protected this time. They are the most effective way of keeping the basilisk at bay."
"What about Mr. Creevey? Can anything be done about his condition?" Professor Sinistra asked.
Right at this moment, the Creevey parents had pretty much set up camp in the hospital wing beside their son's bed. After being told of the attack, they had insisted on spending the day at their son's bedside, even if he couldn't hear them. They were not exactly blaming the school for what happened, but should their son's condition last a longer time, the anger was sure to come.
Madam Pomfrey sighed, looking quite tired. "Theoretically, his condition is easy to cure - a potion that Horace or Severus can brew without much trouble. The problem is that the main ingredient of that potion is mandrake extract, which as you know is quite expensive."
"Can't the Board of Governors...?" Professor Flitwick asked.
Dumbledore shook his head. "I have already met with them in an emergency meeting. Alas, the majority decision was to not get involved in this situation. Meaning no action is taken for measures to ensure that the students don't have to spend the time outside of lessons in the castle - despite the monetary part not being a problem, as you know. I was also told that the purchase of mandrake extract is too expensive and since no one is in danger of dying, it could wait until we harvest our own Mandrakes to produce it ourselves."
"Our Mandrakes won't be ready for harvest until late May!" Professor Sprout gasped at that decision of the Board.
McGonagall also was shocked at these news. "This... this is such an utterly cold decision with no regard for the impacted students! What were they thinking?!"
"It is true they will make themselves quite unpopular with such a decision. However, you also have to remember that there are certain governors who feel that, since the basilisk was made to only attack muggleborn students, it benefits their goals. Also, I'm sure they do have their ways to pressure several other governors to gain the needed majority for such decisions... like today," Dumbeldore explained.
"Unbelievable that they endanger the lives of the students just for political gain." Slughorn might be a master of manipulation, but he did have his red lines he didn't cross. That kind of coldly calculated malevolence was something he would never do.
"So that means we get no help and no way to revive Mr. Creevey in a timely manner," McGonagall summarized where they stood at.
"Perhaps for now. However, do not be so sure about this being the final word in the matter." Dumbledore than saw he got the attention of everyone in the room. "The Board may have denied me, but there are other mechanisms at work that will make them rethink their decision. As for the mandrake extract... I do have well-founded hope the situation will resolve itself soon enough."
These words made them wonder what the Headmaster had done this time.
o
"This is unbelievable!" Sirius growled while pacing in a circle in the living room of his home.
"Padfoot, all of us are horrified at such a callous decision, but please stop that and sit down. Doing that won't solve anything," Remus told his friend, making it clear that was not a suggestion.
Sirius still was angry to no end, but realized he was not doing anything constructive. Sitting down beside Diane, he tried to reign his anger in. "Still, this is unacceptable. We can't let this stand."
It was a little over half an hour since Dumbledore had spoken with Sirius. While Sirius of course had been informed by Kreacher and Harry about what had happened the previous day - from Dobby's interference causing Harry injury to Lockhart's stupidity making it worse and why Dumbledore couldn't fire him right now, Kreacher chasing away Dobby to Colin Creevey being petrified by the basilisk - Dumbledore telling him of the Board's decision and his suspicions how that came to be was the biggest bomb.
If not for the petrification, he would have traveled to Hogwarts in order to rip that idiot Lockhart apart. Right now however there was a bigger problem at hand.
Thomas, Veronica and Remus had met with Sirius and Diane in their house, the children playing upstairs. All of them were equally concerned about what had happened and disgusted that the Board would make such a highly damaging decision. It went against all logic and human decency and thus to some of them was outright incomprehensible.
"How could a school board even make such a decision?" It was pretty obvious that Diane felt very strongly about such things. "I honestly didn't expect them to decide something so dumb and suicidal."
"Oh, Dumbledore tried to be diplomatic about it, but I nonetheless know who actually is behind that. Malfoy of course. He sees this as the perfect opportunity to make Dumbledore look impotent," Sirius explained.
They did remember the man from the scene in Diagon Alley and Sirius telling them what kind of character he was. "So this is political?! He wants to gain from this crisis by throwing the children under the bus?!" Clearly, Veronica also was not pleased to hear that.
"Would fit with him. After all, he escaped his punishment by claiming he had been under mind control." No way Sirius could say anything positive about Lucius Malfoy. "He doesn't care at all how this pulls the Board through the mud as long as he gets results to his liking."
"What a lovely character... So, why did you start all this when we arrived by saying right away that pulling Harry out of school would accomplish nothing?" Thomas asked Sirius, also being concerned about Mark's future.
"Because pulling him out means pulling him out of the sphere we can influence and that a tutor has to be hired. That in turn would mean having to deal with the Ministry and they will pretty much learn everything about us. Also, paradoxically, Harry would be in more danger out of school, since despite the protection on him, those that want to harm him could then just hire helpers that could get to him."
Hearing it put that way, it dawned on them that even with a basilisk right now in Hogwarts, it paradoxically was the better solution. It was pretty obvious Sirius had not made that decision easily, as he looked pretty uneasy about it. It was a nasty situation with no easy solution.
"I'm really uneasy about sending our children to that school if things like that happen," Diane finally told her husband. "I understand that if we don't chose Hogwarts, the loss of anonymity will make our lives a nightmare, but still..."
"By the time they are expected to go to Hogwarts, the problem most likely has resolved itself." It sounded like Remus put a lot of hope into that. "I think however we should concentrate on the issue at hand. Is there anything we even can do about it?"
"It not like..." Sirius suddenly stopped.
Diane could see the gears moving in her husband's head, knowing the signs after years of marriage. "Sirius, what are you cooking up now?"
"I just remembered. Malfoy clearly did that with the expectation that no one would have the means to do anything about it or wouldn't think about it. Well, too bad for him that I DO have the means to do something about it," Sirius finally said, suddenly looking very pleased with himself.
"Padfoot, what exactly are you talking about?" Remus hoped his friend wouldn't do something stupid.
"Something simple. I'm filthy rich and got the idea to actually use that to help. After all, even if I go on insane spending sprees, I would never be able to use up my funds," Sirius explained.
"Oh... sorry, it's just easy to forget you are practically a billionaire with all that old money, considering the lifestyle you've chosen," Thomas admitted, honestly having forgotten about that due to how humble the Blacks lived their lives.
After getting the entire Black fortune - minus the part that went to Andromeda - Sirius had worked hard to make all of that old money somewhat useful instead of it just sitting around. Not wanting to have all of his eggs in one basket, he had diversified significantly over the years, keeping almost half of his fortune either at non-magical banks or having invested heavily into non-magical businesses. He also had invested in magical businesses of course while keeping a considerable fortune still at Gringotts. He honestly was the richest man in Magical Britain, while on the non-magical side he was a shadow player in the leagues of George Soros or Rupert Murdoch.
"Padfoot, you mean you want to contact apothecaries throughout Europe to buy enough mandrake extract? There is a small problem with that plan. Only a certified healer can do so for stuff that's not for public sale, which you are not," Remus reminded his friend.
"Well, Moony, good thing that Andromeda is a healer - one fairly high up on the ladder, too. As soon as I tell Andy, she'll be all for helping me," Sirius returned. "Also a good thing that it's very likely the press is now hanging around Hogsmeade."
"Sirius, are you trying to poke a hornet's nest?" Seeing the smile Sirius gave him, Thomas sighed. "You want to make a big show of it. But why? To shame them for their inaction?"
"Well, they are clearly trying to not make a big spectacle of their decision, knowing how public opinion will turn against them, so maybe going public is for the best," Veronica suggested, seeing what Sirius was aiming at. "Suddenly being exposed will put the pressure on them and make it easier for the Headmaster to get concessions out of them."
"Not only they will feel the pressure. That will force the Minister's hand, and seeing that Malfoy is on the Board and thus not exactly a good source of advice for this case, he will come running to Dumbledore for help," Sirius added.
"Why would that force his hand? I thought the Ministry has no influence over the school?" Thomas asked.
Remus however understood where his friend was coming from. "Because the public doesn't care about those details and blame them anyway."
"I see you start to understand," Sirius said, trying to look like one of these one-dimensional villains from really old films while twirling his mustache.
There was some silence, before Diane brought it to the point. "Sometimes we also forget that despite being a good man, you can so really devious." Diane then gave his a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Get them, tiger."
...early evening, Hogwarts...
Students were gathered in small groups in their respective common rooms, whispering or exchanging theories. Today again had been a highly memorable day due to everything that had come out. Starting from the attack on Colin Creevey, things had only become bigger as the day went on. Now many students were reading the evening paper with awe at the latest twist in the story.
In the Gryffindor common room, six friends were also busy with a newspaper.
"Your Uncle Sirius certainly knows how to make a big entrance," Neville remarked while looking at the headlines of the evening edition of the Daily Prophet. Normally they wouldn't get the evening edition, but several of those had turned up in the castle thanks to Sirius Black.
"That's how he is. Unlike in his youth he doesn't like the spotlight much, but when he does use it, it's always epic," Harry admitted while looking at the animated photos of Sirius and Andromeda talking to the press in Hogsmeade.
They had not been there for it in person - which was little wonder since it had happened in Hogsmeade. Sirius and Andromeda had appeared in Hogsmeade in the early afternoon and quickly caused the press, who had been hanging out there, to converge on them. That actually had been exactly what Sirius had wanted to happen, thus giving him a big stage for his message.
Boy, did Sirius use that big stage to great effect.
It had come as news to everyone, them included, that the Board of Governors had decided to be as unhelpful as possible, even damning Colin and whoever else would get petified to losing months of their lives. The press had lapped up Sirius' condemnation of that decision and how cold and heartless it was. Sirius then had revealed the bomb that he would supply Hogwarts with the needed ingredient himself, asking for nothing in return since he felt it was the right thing to do.
Andromeda Tonks had also gotten in some choice words about the whole affair. Considering she was such a nice woman, it was a bit intimidating how scary she could be once being furious about something. The way she moved in the photo left no doubt she had the power and determination of a Black. She had also shown the secure box she was carrying, saying in it were enough bottles with the missing ingredient to cure fifty victims. The calculated price for that, printed in the article, made their heads spin. Sirius really was meaning business.
"I know Mrs. Tonks is a really nice lady, but she can also be really scary when she wants to be," Hermione remarked when reading some of the things Andromeda had said.
"That must be the Black side in her coming through," Luna commented. "The Blacks after all for centuries were a powerful and influential family. In her that power is tempered by love... unless of course she is wronged in some way."
Harry could believe that. It was that same with Sirius after all. He was perhaps one of the kindest people you could meet, but those that were his enemies could expect little mercy from him. Sirius has told Harry that being good and nice doesn't have to mean being weak as well.
"Will you ask Sirius why he did it?" Ginny asked Harry, playing at Harry's communication mirror.
"Yes, but I can already imagine his answer. Not that his reasons are that difficult to guess." Harry knew his Uncle Sirius had seen the massive injustice in the Board's decision and thus decided to take action.
"So, when do you think Colin will be back with us?" Ron wondered.
"Well, rumor is about this evening..." Harry flexed his arm while doing so, still amazed that after Lockhart's deboning it was back to normal with no ill-effects. "Let's save our questions for tomorrow. No need to crowd the poor guy."
"And what do we do once we know it from Colin? Do we actually want to find the monster?" Ron then wondered.
"Are you insane?! No chance! We would be out of our minds trying to search for a monster that can kill you with one stare!" Neville gasped, the mere idea causing him to feel cold. "We are not looking for that monster, right guys?"
While Neville's outburst was a bit strong, all of them knew actively trying to find out where the Chamber of Secrets together with the basilisk was located was out of question. Not only was that difficult to do anyway - after all many adults failed to find it - but also against any common sense. Not to speak that should they do so and get caught, they would be grounded for years to come.
No, they would not touch that one and agreed with Neville to not tempt fate.
In the hospital wing meanwhile, the Creevey parents watched while the potion was used to revive their son.
Colin did slowly regain mobility, then suddenly let out a big belch before all of the stiffness was gone. He did look confused when realizing he was in the hospital wing and his parents were present. "Huh? ... What happened?"
His confusion was not lessened when suddenly his parents hugged him and held him close. It was only after some minutes when they finally let go, and a bemused McGonagall asked the important questions. "Mr. Creevey, something happened to you on the way to the hospital wing. Can you remember what has happened?"
Colin needed a few moments, then he did remember. "I went to visit Harry. Suddenly there was that strange noise behind me..."
"What did it sound like?" McGonagall asked.
"It sounded like something big and smooth was rubbing over the floor. I took my camera to make a picture of whatever it was, turned around..." Colin then stopped. "I honestly can't exactly remember what I saw. I just remember a big head and bright yellow eyes. Then I woke up here."
"Thank you, Mr. Creevey. I'll give you some time with your family before I return to escort you to the tower." McGonagall then left and quickly made her way to the Headmaster's office.
"Ah, Minerva. You being here means Mr. Creevey is back to good health," Dumbledore greeted her as soon as she entered.
McGonagall sat down in one of the chairs. "Yes. I asked him what happened. He heard the basilisk approach - though of course without having any idea what it was - and turned around to photograph it. He could only remember its yellow eyes, but that is enough to confirm without doubt what happened."
The Headmaster leaned back. "Of course this only served to reinforce what we already know. Still, we have to be thankful to Sirius for his help, otherwise we could not have revived Mr. Creevey in such a timely manner."
"Yes, but did he have to make it such a media circus?" McGonagall said, pointing at the evening newspaper lying on the desk.
"Sirius actually is not doing this without reason, Minerva. The Board was trying to keep their decision low-key, so that the public would not be interested. That of course is now impossible. More than that, as illogical as it sounds, it will also reflect badly on the Ministry," Dumbledore explained.
That indeed was illogical, since the Ministry had little to nothing to say in how Hogwarts was run. However, people would care little about that distinction in their anger. "I can already see them being bombarded with Howlers besides all of the bad press they have now."
"And that exactly is what Sirius had been aiming for. I know Cornelius all too well. As soon as the true extent of this hits him tomorrow, he will come to me and ask what to do. There however also is a chance with that. The Board would continue to deny me, but the Minister is a different matter after this storm of bad press coverage," Dumbledore explained further.
"So that's what you meant." McGonagall had to admit to herself that she had underestimated Dumbledore - the man could be quite sneaky if he wanted to be.
...the next day, Headmaster's office...
Part of Dumbledore wished that his knowledge of how easily predictable Cornelius Fudge was had been wrong. Alas, he had been right on the money with this one. Sirius making a big spectacle of his contribution to the press together with telling them how the Board of Governors had decided to not lift a finger had resulted in a flood of bad headlines and angry letters not only against the Board but also the Ministry.
Thus, like clockwork, the Minister was now visiting him to ask for his advice on the situation.
On one hand he was pleased that Malfoy's influence on the man was not yet complete and he was still coming to him for advice as well. On the other hand it was a bit underhanded how he was planning on manipulating the man. Alas, the situation was already dire enough and thus he needed his help in order to get the Board to finally give up their now untenable blockade.
"This is really bad, Dumbledore. More than bad. The Ministry doesn't have have any form of direct control over Hogwarts, yet people are blaming us as well for the inactivity," Fudge told Dumbledore while nervously stirring a tea spoon in his cup of tea. "I shudder to think what will happen if this goes on. I'm now in a bad position."
"Yes, this is indeed a rather uncomfortable situation you are in, Cornelius," Dumbledore admitted while giving some meat to Fawkes, who gladly accepted it.
"Even worse is, that I have no idea what to do. I have to do something to placate the public, but there is little action I can take. If that goes on, public opinion will turn against me," Fudge admitted.
Concerned about your polls, Cornelius? Dumbledore asked silently, being disappointed in the man's motive. The public was concerned about student safety and the Minister had his popularity as his first concern.
However, that angle also was what Dumbledore needed. "Cornelius, you are not fully informed about my meeting with the Board. Besides them denying the purchase of mandrake extract, they also were against my plan on how to ensure student safety. Alas, the plan is nothing new - it indeed was a project in the works for years, but the Board never released the already set aside funds for it."
He knew he got the Minister's attention when Fudge looked at him with interest. "Please tell me more, Dumbledore. I am grasping at straws."
"Allow me to elaborate on problem we do face is, where to house about 350 students outside of the castle until the problem is solved, without making lessons impossible. My proposal to the Board had been about a project that could be easily repurposed, once built, to house the students easily. Alas, I was, as you know, denied," Dumbledore explained while taking a Sherbet Lemon from the tin on his desk.
"As you know, Hogwarts has not hosted any kind of events with a bigger number of guests for a long time due to the paradoxical fact that the castle does not have the needed rooms for a bigger number of guests," Dumbledore explained further.
Fudge did remember. Just last year the French Minister had gloated to him how Beauxbatons was host to important events on a semi-regular basis and could easily accommodate the guests due to an entire wing of the school building being dedicated to the task. The French Minister's 'innocent' question why Hogwarts was not having such reputation-boosting events had embarrassed Fudge greatly.
"Plans for a whole new guest building on the school grounds have been finished for many years now and the money has even been set aside for the project for almost two decades. However, despite all of this, the Board proved surprisingly reluctant to start the actual construction - I suppose some members suddenly discovered their conservative side," Dumbledore continued to explain.
Fudge didn't see the point in this. "That certainly doesn't reflect well on the Board, but I don't understand..."
"History aside, a building with somewhat over 100 guest rooms can also easily house about 350 students, even if it will be a little bit tight," Dumbledore finally came to the point.
Finally the Penny dropped for Fudge. "So if the Board could be convinced to finally give up its blockade on that..."
Dumbledore was pleased to see his plan was working. "Yes, as a separate building it would grant the students certain protection when the teachers are not present. And you, Cornelius, could be the one who has managed to make it a reality. I couldn't convince them... but you, with your considerable influence..."
"This... is a great plan, Dumbledore." All of a sudden Fudge's mood took a sharp turn up. "Your plan certainly is most promising in pacifying the public and let us do something. I will gather the Board today and strongly advocate for your plan."
"I'm sure you will get satisfying results, Cornelius."
Watching the man leave through the fireplace, Dumbledore knew after the media storm and angry letters - most likely many of them Howlers - the Board would see no other choice than to give in to Fudge. Denying him as well would pretty much ensure that the Board would be dismantled and replaced in record time. Even those with darker intentions knew not to risk that.
Looking to Fawkes, who recently had gone through his burning day and thus was more hungry than normal - Dumbledore sighed. "Sometimes we have to do things we don't like. Not that I believe in things like 'the greater good', as that is Gellert's philosophy and we all knew where that led to."
Fawkes gave him a telling look while picking up another strip of meat from the tin attached to his stand. "Yes, there is a fine balance. Certain things truly have to be done, while for others it's just a pretext to do what you want," Dumbledore admitted.
Leaving the phoenix to enjoy his meal, Dumbledore walked to the big window.
In a way it was perplexing. For all these years nothing had happened, but as soon as Harry started Hogwarts, Voldemort became active again. He had the strong suspicion that the prophecy, which had caused Voldemort to come after Harry in the first place, was at work in some way. He himself didn't understand some of the mechanisms, but did understand that it mainly was Voldemort's belief in said prophecy that was fueling its potency.
Yes, in the end it all came down to that prophecy.
...December 13th...
Life had continued despite the constant threat of a basilisk above their heads, but it certainly was different from normal, that was for sure.
For one thing, students roaming the castle was strongly discouraged now and also enforced whenever possible. Students were actually escorted by the teachers to their lessons now and in their free time almost always restricted themselves to their dormitories. The patrolling suits of armor had become a normal sight. There also was that strange atmosphere hanging over the school now. The students simply couldn't find it in themselves to be as free and careless as they were used to be.
It was like a cloud of depression had settled over Hogwarts.
Then there was the heavy construction work being done on the school grounds. The school had informed them about the new building being constructed, which thanks to considerable investment in magical processes would be completed roughly at the end of December. They would all move in there as soon as it was finished, which was a relief for everyone involved, as it meant regaining some freedom of movement.
Right at the moment however something else was important in the Gryffindor common room.
"A Dueling Club?"Seamus asked, hoping he had heard right.
"Yes. The teachers feel that considering the current situation it would be best for students to know how to defend themselves in a serious situation," Percy said, having been the one to announce the news to the gathered Gryffindors in the common room. "Participation of course is voluntary but encouraged."
"Are spectators allowed?" asked Romilda Vane, a first-year girl who knew she would never want to be in a duel herself.
"That actually is encouraged as well. The faculty hopes that seeing how real duels work will encourage participation," Percy clarified. "The club meets at eight in the evening in the great hall. All interested students and spectators will be escorted there."
Students quickly discussed amongst themselves.
"I highly doubt that a huge snake that can kill with one stare would care much that we can duel," Harry remarked, but he obviously was excited. "Still, actual dueling. Sounds like we should test it out."
"I wonder which teacher will be responsible for the club? Perhaps Professor Flitwick? I heard that he is a highly decorated multiple times dueling champion," Hermione speculated.
"Guess many that dueled against him just saw how short he is and didn't think he could be dangerous," Ron mused, remembering how short and laid-back Professor Flitwick was. "Reminds me a bit of Ginny."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Ginny questioned her brother.
Surprisingly, Ron didn't react much to her sudden anger. "You're the youngest of the family, yet you are without doubt the most vicious one."
Ginny wondered if Ron meant that as a compliment or not, but then gave him the benefit of the doubt and decided that it was the former. At times she was very tempted to rip into Ron for thoughtless behavior, but she only seldomly did so. Perhaps it was due to the contrast to the twins. Unlike them, Ron never was actively seeking amusement on someone else's expense - unless of course said target was really asking for retribution.
"You think we should go?" Neville asked. He himself didn't feel he could be a great dueler, but he at least could try. "I'm a bit unsure about the whole idea."
"While dueling of course would not be very useful against a basilisk, it would be helpful against some other unpleasant elements. Not all dangers are as obvious as a basilisk," Luna reminded them.
They knew where Luna was coming from. Last week in Potions, that cow Parkinson had tripped Luna when she was delivering the results of her potion to Slughorn's desk. Luna had fallen, nearly breaking her glasses, and her bottle had shattered. Thankfully, Slughorn was kind enough to not give her a failing grade for this, but sadly it also had been impossible to prove Parkinson had tripped Luna. While Luna appeared indifferent to it, they could tell that inside she was displeased at this treatment.
Her words did it and soon there was general agreement amongst them that all them them should at least try it out.
Time seemed to fly by on that Sunday and sooner than anyone thought students were escorted to the great hall for the formation of the Dueling Club. It seemed most of the school was present and judging by several teachers at the doors, the faculty knew as well that it meant a juicy target for an eventual attack. The hall also looked different from normal. The house tables and the benches were missing and instead a big dueling stage had been set up in the middle of the hall.
Excited chatter erupted when everyone saw Professor Snape walk onto the stage.
"He's the professor leading the club?" Harry wondered. True, they'd had little dealings with the man, but he was known to be strict and no-nonsense.
"It does make sense," Luna observed. "Professor Snape does only teach the upper years, so he would have the time for this. It's also said he's an excellent Defense teacher. Truly a pity that due to circumstances he can't teach all years."
"Yeah... we were stuck first with Voldemort's helper and now with Lockhart..." Despite Snape's reputation, Ron actually would have preferred to have him as a teacher.
"Silence!" Snape called and no one dared to go against the order. "In light of the current situation, the Headmaster deemed it wise to ensure that the students know how to defend themselves. I gained permission for this Dueling Club. Today will be open to everyone. Those thus interested are to approach me after all is said and done... To give you an idea, first off a demonstration. May I ask for a volunteer from the faculty?"
Many students hoped for an awesome duel demonstration between teachers, but were disappointed when they saw Lockhart - today wearing plum-colored robes - make haste towards the stage. Snape himself also seemed rather disappointed, before all of a sudden he became calm and something rather nasty shone through the outer shell of calmness. Those that saw it knew right away that Lockhart was about to get it from Snape.
"Professor Snape tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and I can't help but sportingly agree to help me with a short demonstration before you all begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry - you'll still have your professor when I'm through with him, never fear!" Lockhart announced.
Surprisingly, Snape stayed calm. "Well, all right, Professor Lockhart." Lockhart didn't seem to notice how Snape spat that title while they took position.
"One - two - three -"
Both men drew their wands, but while Lockhart seemed to have some kind of trouble, Snape knew what to do. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted. Red light shot from his wand. Not only did it knock the wand out of Lockhart's hand, making it fly clean to the other end of the hall, but Lockhart himself was violently blown off the far end of the stage, only coming to a halt when slamming against the faculty table.
A surprising number of students cheered at Snape's quick and overwhelming victory.
Lockhart seemed to have trouble getting up, looking unsteady on his feet. "That was a Disarming Charm - as you see, I've lost my wand - ah, thank you, Miss Brown - yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind..." Lockhart stopped when seeing the look Snape was giving him. "However, just to make sure, I now leave for the charming Madam Pomfrey."
"What a buffoon," Ron said quietly, being glad the man would no longer annoy them.
Seeing Lockhart leave in a hurry, things calmed down when Snape again called for attention. "That was what a real duel is about. No fooling around or showing off. Direct, powerful and decisive action to take down your opponent. Students can now duel on the stage, one pair at a time. Should you use any spells I deem too dangerous, I will stop the duel and you will have to deal with my... displeasure. Now... volunteers?"
Surprsingly, Ginny did not hesitate to enter the stage.
"Ah yes, young Miss Weasley. And who will be her opponent?" Snape then saw a third-year Ravenclaw girl walk up the stage. "Miss Blair. Good, then on three, this duel starts. One - two - three -"
Both girls pulled out their wands and Ginny threw herself to the side to barely avoid what looked like a stunner. In turn she quickly aimed her wand and called "Volatilis Lutum!"
Blair suddenly shrieked and dropped her wand while her nose bulged and black shapes with wings escaped from her nostrils, attacking her. There also was some blood coming out of her nose. Thankfully, Snape quickly canceled the spell and declared Ginny the winner, but gave her a hard look.
"Where did you learn that spell?" he asked her directly.
Ginny suddenly had a feeling something was wrong. "My mother showed it to me."
Snape looked quite ticked off. "Then I'll write Mrs. Weasley and ask her why she's teaching her eleven-year daughter such a dangerous spell." He pointed to Blair, who was still crying in pain while another girl was trying to stop the bleeding in her nose. "You clearly were not told of the dangers. Due to your inexperience, Miss Blair's nasal cavity almost got ruptured."
Now Ginny felt bad and she also wondered what her mother had been thinking when teaching her that spell.
Some more duels followed between students from various years and Houses, showcasing a number of skills and spells, before Ron decided to take the stage. He blinked when seeing that his opponent would be Daphne Greengrass.
"Oh, eh..." Ron honestly wanted to tell her he didn't want to duel her because she was so nice.
As if she could read his mind, Daphne gave him a look of challenge. "Don't you even dare to tuck in your tail. Perhaps it helps that I want this a clean, fair fight with no dirty tricks?"
"All right." Ron then surprised her at the duel's start when her stunner was deflected by a quickly conjured shield. Not a strong one, but enough to deflect it.
Daphne, seeing that she had to take this seriously, then barely deflected Ron's own attack. This went back and forth for a bit, being the longest duel up until now. It however finally ended when suddenly Ron conjured a ball of compressed air that slammed into Daphne's gut with the force of a bludger.
Is that how Quidditch players...? Daphne, no, hold it down! She lost that fight and her cheeks bulged before she vomited onto the stage. Ron looked a bit guilty at her predicament.
"Crude, but effective," Snape commented dryly while vanishing the vomit from the stage.
Daphne was still holding her gut, knowing that would bruise, while Dudley helped her down. Dudley, while doing so, gave Ron a questioning look. "Did you get that idea from playing Quidditch? That was like a bludger."
"Yes. I thought she couldn't block that with a shield. Eh... is she mad at me?" Ron honestly felt bad that he'd made her vomit in front of everyone.
Daphne didn't trust herself to open her mouth yet, but shook her head. "Nah, she isn't," Dudley told Ron. "After all, she dared you to give it your best, so she can blame no one but herself for this." He then quickly escorted her to a teacher who would check her over.
Some more duels then followed, students now being encouraged to un unorthodox and trying hard to top what had just happened.
Then it was Hermione's turn to duel, but she grimaced when seeing Pansy Parkinson walking up the stage to be her opponent. "Why you of all people?" Hermione grumbled.
Parkinson gave her a rather nasty grin before talking low enough so it couldn't be overheard. "Because I can't stand you. This is the perfect opportunity to put you into your place, since the heir is taking his sweet time."
Hermione honestly wasn't shocked anymore that Parkinson would say something like that to her. By now she knew that girl hated her guts. Oh, she knew that Malfoy and others like him hated her for her ancestry as well, but with Parkinson that hatred felt more personal. She also had no idea what kind of spells her parents had taught Parkinson and thus had to expect anything.
"One - two -"
Unexpectedly, despite everyone witnessing it, Parkinson already fired her spell at two, hitting Hermione straight into the face before she could defend herself. She fell back when suddenly a horrible pain erupted from her jaw.
"Ahhh... ahhh... AAARRRGGGHHH!" Screams of pain erupted from her when all of a sudden her teeth started to grow violently, threatening to rip her jaw apart. The teeth ripped her braces apart, shattering them utterly, and she honestly had to fear the pieces shredding the inside of her mouth. She could not even spit out the pieces.
She could not focus on anything other than the pain and the fear this could kill her. Then suddenly the pain was over and her teeth back to normal size. Panicked she started to spit out the pieces, hoping she could get out all of them. Considering how already torn up the inside of her mouth was, lots of blood followed.
"You stupid girl! Have you gone daft?!" Snaps shouted at Parkinson, who quickly lost the smirk she'd shown at her accomplishment. "You could have killed her with that spell! Better pray she doesn't suffer permanent harm from this!"
Hermione's friends watched with worry how she was quickly carried away to the hospital wing, hoping that Parkinson would get it for this stunt. Considering the looks of serious disappointment the teachers gave her, she would realize quickly that she had not made herself very popular with the faculty with this stunt.
Harry, already angry, stomped up to the stage and was not surprised to see that Malfoy would be his opponent.
"What, nothing to say, Potter?" Judging by his smirk, he had really enjoyed what happened to Hermione.
"You are even proud of it," Harry growled, his opinion of Draco having reached a new low.
Malfoy's mood didn't worsen. "Why shouldn't I? I told Pansy she can weather whatever others might think of her. After all, her parents will be proud of what she did to a mudblood."
Now Harry wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk off Draco's face but had a felling that Draco, like Parkinson, would cheat in some way. No way Draco would also draw at two - not with how much Snape now was watching like a hawk - but a dirty attack right at the start was most likely. No doubt his father had taught him some of the more dangerous spells over the summer.
Both of them were ready. "One - two - three -"
Harry quickly conjured a shield, but what Draco did surprised him. "Serpensortia!"
Panic erupted from the students, which was little wonder, since Draco had conjured a rather large snake. Considering all the fear of the basilisk, that had been the wrong thing to do. Harry saw the huge snake approach him, having no idea what to do against that, when he saw his friends rush to his side to help in any way. Clearly, the duel was abandoned by that point.
The damn snake was still closing in and Harry panicked. "Stay away from us!" he shouted at the snake. At the same time -BANG- -BANG- -BANG- the teachers used loud noises from their wands to finally get the students to calm down.
The snake has started to back off when Snape finally managed to banish it. He then looked in fury to Malfoy. "Idiot boy! What were you thinking conjuring a snake in the current situation?!" It was clear Snape was working hard on not doing something he would regret later on.
Needless to say that was the end for the day, Snape quickly saying that those who were still interested had to put their wish to do so into the box beside his office door, before hauling Malfoy and Parkinson off to the Headmaster's office.
"Harry... do you know what you just did?" Ginny hissed to him while everyone was getting ready to leave.
"No? I just saw the snake back off." Harry honestly was confused why his friends were so disturbed.
"Mate, you actually hissed like a snake when you did so." Clearly, this coming out of nowhere had hit Ron on the wrong foot. "That can't be normal! Just be glad no one else heard due to the loud noise."
"What is going on?" Harry wondered honestly, now being disturbed himself. "To me it sounded like English."
"Harry, this language you have spoken is Parseltongue. It's not that uncommon of a trait in the world, there are quite a number of those in India, but here in Britain it's associated with the Slytherin line," Luna reminded Harry. "It does create the question how you can actually speak it."
"Can it wait until tomorrow?" Harry now wasn't in a mood for another secret. "Let's see Hermione first."
Thankfully, they did manage to find a teacher with Professor Burbage who would escort them to the hospital wing before it would be back to Gryffindor tower. However, they had not went far, when...
"... kill ... time to kill ... I smell blood!"
Harry stopped dead in his tracks. "You hear that?"
Professor Burbage had stopped as well and listened closely, then frowned. "I only hear a faint... hissing sound..." She paled at the implication of what that meant. Harry however suddenly had the irresistible urge to run into the corridor from where he heard the voice.
"Stop! Don't go that way!" Professor Burbage called.
Harry however didn't hear her. He turned around a corner... and stopped dead in his tracks.
There, on the floor, was Sally-Anne Perks, a muggleborn girl from Hufflepuff in their year. Like Colin had been after being attacked by the basilisk, she was completely stiff and unmoving. What was worse however was what was hovering next to her. It was Myrtle, but she now was black and smoky, as if her entire nature had been turned around. She was also frozen in motion, but disturbingly, there was an expression of pure terror on her face.
...about an hour later, hospital wing...
For Sally-Anne Perks, it was a strange sensation. One moment she had turned around after hearing something from behind, only to see something horrifying. Then it was like she got a complete blackout and the next thing she experienced was waking up in a bed in the hospital wing, her concerned parents looking ready to almost hug her to death. They certainly tried to not let go of her once she'd asked what's going on.
It was only after her parents had separated themselves from her that Professor Sprout spoke up. "Ms. Perks, while all of us are glad that you are back in good health, could you please tell us what happened and why you were alone with Myrtle in the corridor?"
"It's a little embarrassing..." Sally-Anne blushed a little. "I realized I really needed to pee and Myrtle offered to escort me to the next girls' room. We talked so much we lost track of time before we started to walk back, with Myrtle following behind me. Then suddenly then was a strange sound behind me. I turned around..." She then fell silent.
"I know this is difficult, but what did you see?" Professor Sprout asked gently.
Sally-Anne shivered a bit at the memory. "I can't remember any details, only that there was a big head and... the one thing I remember clearly were these bright yellow eyes. Then I woke up here... Oh no, Myrtle! Is she...?"
"Don't worry. Due to the fact Myrtle already is dead, she should be fine. She actually saved you, since looking through her only caused you to get petrified. The Headmaster is about to revive her in a different room." Silently Sprout added that Myrtle would most likely react very poorly to what happened to her, thus why the Grey Lady was with the Headmaster and Slughorn while they revived her.
The caution was warranted.
In a different room, Professor Slughorn had just used a spray bottle to coat Myrtle in a fine mist that was slowly reverting her back to her normal state. They all expected Myrtle to have a very bad reaction once fully mobile again, and they were not disappointed.
"Nh... nh... AIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHHH!" The shrill scream of terror from Myrtle caused the glass in the window to shatter.
The Grey Lady wasted no time and quickly held the young ghost close. "Shhhhh... It's over. You are safe..."
Myrtle sobbed and cried for minutes, before she could form any coherent words. "The eyes... these horrible yellow eyes! ... The same ones that killed me! ... I saw the monster ... huge ... horrible... I don't want to stay in the castle until it's gone for good!"
Seeing how the Grey Lady would need more time to console the traumatized girl ghost, the two professors silently left the room, meeting up with the waiting Professor Sprout. They quickly exchanged what they had been told, so they got the entire picture.
The Headmaster sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "I see no other choice than to send the students home a week early. No one is allowed to stay. That way construction of the new building is finished by the time they return and they are not forced to reside in the castle until this crisis is solved."
"If this continues it could break the school's neck," Slughorn said in concern, clearly right now not feeling proud of House Slytherin, considering its founder's hatred was threatening to destroy the foundation of the school.
"Will the castle be searched thoroughly?" Professor Sprout asked.
"Yes, but it is doubtful anything will be found. Regardless how the entrance to the chamber is disguised, it works. Without knowing where it is located, there is little hope of finding it after all the past efforts." Dumbledore had no illusions about that fact. He knew it could be a small detail that held the solution, but if that was the case, he had overlooked it as well.
The school again was under lockdown, with all students confined to their dorms. Well, all except for one certain boy waiting for him in his office.
"Horace, could you please tell Filius to make the arrangements for Ravenclaw? I will tell Minerva personally in my office before I contact the Ministry about this newest development," Dumbledore told the two teachers.
"Eh... yes, no problem." Considering the way Slughorn was using his handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, the man was quite stressed by the situation.
"Good, then I will be on my way."
In the Headmaster's office meanwhile, Harry felt highly uncomfortable with waiting. He had not imagined being sent to the Headmaster's office could be even worse than it did in primary school.
Right after that discovery the teachers had separated them. Harry, as the one who had discovered the two newest victims of the basilisk, had been escorted by McGonagall to the Headmaster's office and told to wait there while McGonagall had seen it fit to inform Sirius and his guardians, since he'd done something almost suicidally stupid by running towards danger.
He'd gotten an earful for that once they'd arrived, and that rightfully so, before the adults asked him what happened.
Harry knew lying to them would be stupid, so he told them everything. It started with the Dueling Club and Sirius commented that he hadn't thought he would ever applaud Snape for something - in this case humiliating Lockhart. Everyone was shocked when hearing what had happened to Hermione and McGonagall assured them the girl was in good hands and her parents would be informed shortly. She also confirmed Parkinson would get punished for what she did.
Then came Harry telling them about Draco conjuring a huge snake. It was anyone's guess where he'd learned that spell - though everyone knew exactly who did teach it to him - and McGonagall also was firm on Draco's punishment for causing a panic. Then however came the kicker with Harry actually being able to talk to snakes and him later on having heard the basilisk. Everyone was floored, having no explanation how Harry could have gained that ability.
It was this that moment when Dumbledore entered his office.
"Headmaster, is Hermione...?" Harry started to ask.
"It speaks for you that your first priority is the well-being of your friend," Dumbledore cut him short. "There is no need to worry, Madam Pomfrey was able to heal all the injuries in her mouth. However, her dental braces were destroyed beyond magical repair, so she needs to get replacements."
"Albus, what about the two victims of the attack?" McGonagall asked.
"Ms. Perks and Myrtle were revived without trouble," the Headmaster told her while sitting down behind his desk. "They did both confirm that it was the basilisk that attacked them. Alas, Myrtle reacted very poorly to being attacked by the same monster that killed her and refuses to stay inside the castle until the basilisk is gone."
"Who can blame her?" Thomas did understand why the ghost would be scared by that, then decided to breach the topic that was concerning them. "Mr. Dumbledore, Harry told us something really weird and concerning we need your input on."
"Yes, because all of a sudden it turns out Harry can speak Parseltongue. That took all of us by surprise, especially Harry himself," Sirius told the Headmaster directly, then quickly told him of the incident in the duel and Harry hearing the basilisk. "It's an inherited trait, but neither James' nor Lily's families had any snake-speakers. Albus, is there something we need to know?"
Dumbledore himself actually looked somewhat surprised, then looked to Harry. "Harry, please first try to remember. Did anything like that happen before?"
Harry tried his hardest to remember any incidents with snakes, then a memory, one that had seemed so insignificant, came back to him. "When Hermione was buying her cat, I thought I heard a hissing voice, but only saw a snake in a tank. Also..." Suddenly Harry did remember something else. "When I was forced to help Lockhart with his mail, I did hear the basilisk! Though... nothing happened that night."
"Interesting..." Dumbledore honestly had no expected this after what happened with the dementor years ago. "I do have a very good theory what happened that caused you to gain this ability. You were not born with it, that much is true."
Veronica sighed. "Please, no dramatics. Our nerves are already strained enough as it is."
"To understand what happened, I have to explain that cold-blooded murder is something that puts fractures on the soul. With time it heals back together, but scars will remain. Voldemort had already done two hideous acts with the murder of your parents before he pointed his wand at you. His soul - as black as it is - already got fractures and when he was violently ripped out of his body, a piece... broke off," Dumbledore explained.
"But what does that have to do...?" Sirius asked impatiently.
"That splinter of Voldemort's soul didn't want to die, so it sought out the nearest place available for survival. Harry, why do you think your scar was unable to heal for the longest time?" Dumbledore asked Harry.
Harry looked in horror at the explanation. "You mean I have..?!"
"Had, Harry, had. Remember your scar got a lot better. When that dementor attacked you years ago, it turned from a tragedy into giving you back control over your life. It's gone now and will never trouble you again," Dumbledore gently told the boy.
Harry had mostly buried the experiences while being under the influence of the dementor, but the memories returned to him. At the time, all of it had been terribly confusing, but now it actually started to make sense. While he remembered, Harry touched his faint scar. "Thank all goodness. I most certainly don't want that in my head. Eh... but if talking to snakes is due to him, why can I still do so after its gone?"
"Alas, that's mostly speculation on my part. My educated guess would be that while the soul splinter got removed, the skill of Parseltongue by that time had already been imparted into your brain. Do not think this makes you dark in any way; it just is an ability. It is you who determines what you do with it."
"Uhm... When I heard the basilisk, it was like I was compelled to find it. Granted, it was still me who was stupid enough to do so, but what was that?" Harry asked, remembering the urge to do so.
The Headmaster thought for a moment. "Your inexperience with Parseltongue probably caused this reaction, due the basilisk being the king of snakes. Do not worry that it could alter your behavior, though I would suggest training it by trying to have conversations with a snake in a tank to make sure."
While Harry not being in any danger due to this revelation finally removed the tension, Sirius did have further questions.
"Albus... there's more to that, isn't it?" he asked, having the strange feeling.
It seemed Dumbledore had expected the question. "There actually is, though I hope Harry and his guardians do understand that this is sensitive information which I can only discuss with Sirius, Remus and Minerva."
"We won't take that personally. After all, the police and the secret service are also not in the habit of revealing classified information to the public," Thomas waved it off, not feeling offended. "But what are you doing about this new attack?"
"Ah yes... Considering that I can't justify leaving the students in the castle until the new building is done, they will all be sent home one week early - tomorrow. By the time they return, the construction will be done." Dumbledore then looked to McGonagall. "Minerva, I leave it to you to prepare the Gryffindors properly for this."
"So that means we have to start packing?" Harry asked.
"Yes. It would be good to do so now so that everyone can leave in a timely manner," the Headmaster confirmed.
"I don't envy you, Albus. After all, it's you who has to tell the Ministry so that they can arrange for the train to be there in time," Sirius told the Headmaster, not wanting to imagine the nightmare that would be.
Dumbledore didn't answer but reached into his tin for a Sherbet Lemon. That actually was answer enough that he knew it would be a huge headache for him and that he would find little sleep. Many people wouldn't be too happy with him, but the security of his students had the highest priority.
...December 17th, office of the Minister for Magic...
The sunshine flooding the office of the Minister for Magic through the big windows was fake, conjured by the magic in the windows that also simulated the skyline of London appearing on them. That was little wonder, considering the whole building was underground. However, all sunshine in the world wouldn't have helped the nervous mood Cornelius Fudge was suffering right at the moment.
"This is all coming at the worst possible time..." he said to himself.
The start of his first term had not exactly been smooth. He had not expected how many duties the Minister for Magic actually held and it had quickly proven overwhelming. He had reached out for all and any help he could get and recently Lucius Malfoy was becoming more and more indispensable. However, at the moment he was facing his yet most difficult time in office.
Last year's events at Hogwarts, as concerning as they had been, had not impacted him much. After all, it mainly was the school's fault that they had allowed a troll in and that one of their teachers became too greedy. This however was a completely different scale of problem. Someone imitating You-Know-Who and attacking the students with a basilisk was a huge problem. Even though efforts to counter the problem were already underway after him making the Board of Governors see reason about Dumbledore's plan for the new building, Fudge did feel the impact.
The latest survey showed that people were getting nervous and started to ask questions. After all, the security of children was a highly sensitive topic. Worse yet, his polls were starting to suffer and if this went on, his re-election would be in serious doubt. To him that was the most important issue at hand.
Dumbledore is already busy with the problem and Malfoy is on vacation with his family and can't be reached... He felt unwell since his usual paths for advice were not available. This will without doubt cost me sympathies.
"Hem-hem."
Looking up, he saw his faithful Senior-Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge standing in the door to his office. In his eyes she was good at her job and highly loyal to him, though her fashion sense left something to be desired (Fudge didn't see the irony of that statement). "Yes, Dolores? You need to bring something to my attention?"
"Minister, Mr. Crouch is here to see you. He says he has a proposal to offer," Umbridge said, her somewhat toad-like features contrasting harshly with her predominantly pink clothes.
Fudge honestly had not expected Crouch to come to his office. "Barty? Please let him in and order some tea for us. Anything to distract me from my current woes."
"Right away, Minister," she confirmed.
Umbridge left and moments later Barty Crouch entered his office. The man was as pristine as ever and also as stiff and formal as ever. As unimpressive as his Department of International Magical Cooperation was, he had made it highly efficient, ruling it with an iron fist. The man wouldn't make it to Minister with his past, even Fudge knew that, but he certainly was still trying.
"Ah, Barty. What can I do for you?" Fudge greeted the man.
"Good day, Minister. I'm coming here with a proposal that could greatly enhance the reputation of Magical Britain in the world," Crouch said while sitting down in one of the chairs.
"We could certainly use a reputation boost due to the current situation," Fudge bemoaned, then saw Umbridge return with the tea. "Thanks, Dolores." He didn't notice Crouch's quick look of irritation when Umbridge remained standing next to the desk. "Well, Barty, what is your proposal?"
"Myself and Ludo Bagman," Even Fudge could hear the barely hidden contempt in Crouch's voice, "have recently gotten into contact with the Ministries of Norway and France. Both of them are working on a very ambitious plan: the revival of the Triwizard Tournament."
Fudge seemed a bit clueless and looked to Umbridge for help. "Sir, this is a very prestigious tournament that was held every five years between the schools of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. In 1792 there had been a regrettable incident and no tournament has been held since. What a pity."
Crouch was doing his best to ignore Umbridge. "Minister, both Ministries are very interested in a revival of the tournament - of course with greatly improved measures to make it secure - but it would take your support to make it a reality. In turn, I can get the concession that the first tournament is to be held at Hogwarts, should you be agreeable."
Now Fudge's eyes were shining with glee. That was exactly what he needed to improve his reputation! "Barty, you have to tell me more about that proposal of yours."
"Gladly, Minister," Crouch said while trying to ignore Umbridge looming behind Fudge like a shadow.
Half an hour later Crouch was leaving the office.
He had known right from the start that Fudge - that narrow-minded little man - would want to make it look like the whole idea with the revival of the tournament had come from him. However, he would make sure that the revival would have his own stamp all over it. No one would be able to take that away from him. In the end, it would boost his popularity and hopefully clear the way to his goal after all the injustice done to him.
He hated that Bagman, that parasite, had latched onto his plan. Ever since Bagman had weaseled out of his just punishment by using his popularity, he hated the man. That trial had been a severe humiliation to him, and he would never forgive Bagman. Bagman also was a disaster as a department head, still living off his past fame, causing his department to become a chaotic mess.
There also was that disgusting Umbridge woman.
Unlike others, he was well-informed about her. Her whole official family history was a forgery and she was no pure-blood. No, her father had been a lowly janitor at the Ministry, her mother a Muggle and her brother a squib. That woman oozed insincerity from every pore, yet the Minister seemed blind to it. Either the man was even more stupid than he'd thought, or Umbridge was doing something for him. Crouch felt Umbridge was not above literally sucking Fudge's cock.
Should he manage to become Minister, his first act would be to remove that woman.
...December 31st, forests of Albania...
Existing as a shade was thoroughly boring. Even though he should have been above such things as boredom, he of course wasn't. After the disaster with the Philosopher's Stone, he had fled back to his hiding place in Albania. It after all had served him well for ten years, so it could fulfill that role for some more time. While the superstition surrounding the forest meant no one was entering it, it also meant the only living things he saw was the local wildlife.
That all meant he had lots of time at hand to think about the failure and how that could have happened.
He had been so close to getting the stone - literally only minutes - and then of course he had to run into Harry Potter and his friends. It was like that boy was shaping up to become the bane of his existence. All the more reason to get rid of him once he could do so. However, despite all the anger he had reluctantly admitted he had been too impatient at the end. He could have just kidnapped a student when the corridors were sure to be deserted.
That was something he had to remind himself about - patience. After all, he was immortal and could afford taking his time. However, being so close to his goal, only being thwarted at the very last moment, also reminded him that the careful and the non-flashy approach was a good way to success. At least something positive he could take home from that disaster.
His thoughts returned to what he would do, once being able to, his eyes glowing a brighter yellow.
Oh, how many of those who had sworn loyalty to him had used the first opportunity to claim they had never meant it? Had claimed he had put them under a curse? Right at the top of that movement was that faithless opportunist Lucius. They had shown their true colors by denying ever having been his followers to save their own skin and would suffer the consequences.
They will pay. For each year they have lived comfortably on their wealth after forsaking me, they will get one year of indentured servitude, Voldemort thought in anger.
But then there also were those who had stayed loyal to him and thus now were locked into Azkaban. First and foremost his faithful Bellatrix. Now, there was loyalty and devotion, and Bellatrix would be greatly rewarded for not straying from the path.
Immortal I may be, but I still have to think of the future. Yes, Bella will be richly rewarded.
He only had to wait until Pettigrew would finally find him. From what he had learned, the Carrows had vanished at the same time as him, so they were looking for him. Too bad that all three of them were not the sharpest tools in the shed - after all, a lowly Hogwarts teacher had found him first. Oh, he would judge all three of them once they knelt before him.
Then he noticed something approach him. Something rather big - somewhat too big for the local wildlife. He waited what that was about, since he didn't want to waste his effort on a dumb animal.
"Hmm, strange. What could this living shadow be about?"
That caused Voldemort's interest. That was Parseltongue and also way too sophisticated for any kind of normal or magical snake. The voice was decidedly female as well. Paseltongue was one of the gifts he could still use. "Show yourself. Who is bold enough to approach Lord Voldemort?"
"He did understand me?" It took a few seconds before Voldemort saw the source of the voice.
It was a snake, but not one he had ever seen before. While the size was still in the realm of the possible - and that snake certainly was no basilisk - the snake otherwise did not fit with any breed of mundane or magical snake. Also the fact that it seemed to be a venomous and constriction snake at the same time was bizarre. Now, that was an interesting mystery to solve.
The snake finally was in front of his, raising her head high. "You can understand me? After so many years finally someone I can talk to!"
"Most interesting. No ordinary snake would show this level of intelligence. You are a very interesting one," Voldemort observed.
"My name is Nagini, and I'm not a snake."
The tale that then unfolded before Voldemort was highly interesting. As it turned out, Nagini was a woman, and all women of her line got the ability to turn into snakes. However, that ability was a curse. As a Maledictus, from a certain age onward the ability would become gradually uncontrollable until they would be trapped for the rest of their lives as snakes. In Nagini's case she'd spent the last 30 years as a snake.
She also had lived a very interesting life, considering she had met Grindelwald and Dumbledore. Voldemort got the impression she was starved for attention after decades with no one to talk to. Also, the long time as a snake had clearly twisted her personality, as by now she found nothing wrong with killing people, and had even eaten a few over the years.
If Voldemort was honest, the twisted person Nagini now was, started growing on him. Her now having the body of a snake also was a plus.
"My dear Nagini. Perhaps you can tell me more about yourself?" These simple words clearly pleased the cursed woman. Voldemort was pleased that despite his current state, he still got his skill of charming people to his way. Some more time with Nagini and she would never want to leave his side ever again.
He then remembered that if his memory was correct, today was December 31st... his birthday. Happy birthday to me, he thought with satisfaction, since he had gotten a very valuable gift.
to be continued...
Next Episode:
"Agent Dudley - 00D"
Notes:
Here the notes.
In canon, the insistence that they HAVE to grow their own Mandrakes made little sense and obviously was just a not very well-thought plot device to make things more difficult. Since it otherwise accomplished nothing, I decided to show this was another way for Malfoy Sn. to make the school look bad. Only here Sirius managed to make it backfire big time.
I hope you like how Dumbledore plays Fudge like a fiddle. While Dumbledore clearly hates doing such things, it doesn't mean he isn't good at it. Granted, it's Fudge... The guest house is not just there for fun, it will be used for other things after Harry's second year.
Now, here my interpretation of the Duelling Club, where things go quite different thanks to Snape being the one who is heading the club. Of course Draco and Pansy think they are above the rules, but Snape here won't let them get away with it.
Of course another attack, though the victims are different from canon (and poor Myrtle, that must have been traumatic for her). I also finally give an explanation (though as Dumbledore said, more than an educated guess is not posisble) why Harry can still speak with snakes. Dumbledore also has no reason to not tell Harry about the splinter, now that it is long gone.
Of course we know what Barty Sr. is cooking up.
And Voldemort gets an important birthday present.