A/N: and here i am again with another chapter with the help form HowInMadeHowie. He had once again done very good work with correcting my mistakes and adding some details that deepens the story. But as we tried to merge two canon scenes into one, we needed more time to make it fit the story in a good way, that is the reason why it took a bit longer again.
Thanks to you readers once again for liking this story so far. Have fun and be safe
Draco Malfoy was getting nervous, as he remembered the last letter from his father. He received it a day after he had written to him about his punishment being scolded that he was not careful enough to do the job properly. As for his punishment, his father would see what he could do with the board of governors to lessen it once again. But Draco should not hope for it, as the last time his father had almost used all the favors he was owed, and it would not happen a second time without his father owing them a favor. And as his father wanted to make another stint as the head of the board but having his son in such a position diminished his chances to succeed with the punishment now in his record.
While they ate their breakfast on a Saturday morning, the door to the Great Hall opened with a loud bang and Lucius Malfoy walked in with an important looking document in his hand. His smile was unnerving, it looked like he knew something that could spell disaster for everyone else. Harry noticed how John stood up from his seat and placed his hand on the grip of his pistol. Clearly, he read the signs just as Harry had before.
Harry knew that Lucius Malfoy was the prime suspect for placing the diary that was responsible for Ginny to attack Mrs. Norris and Collin, and for the man coming into the school with such an expression would almost spell danger for anyone who knows what to look for. Harry then concentrated on his hearing to listen in on what Lucius Malfoy would say to the headmaster at the staff table, but Harry was surprised when he heard some small feet walking behind Lucius and so Harry looked where he heard the sound to see who it was. He soon found Dobby, the house elf, looking around with fear in his eyes.
Harry tried to catch Dobby's attention, but he could not find a good opportunity without Lucius also noticing that Harry knew Dobby already. The last time Harry had seen the house elf was when he was in the office from John after the bludger Dobby had jinxed to hunt him down at the Quidditch game last year. Back then Dobby could not tell them who he served, but now the puzzle pieces began to fit together more and more as Dobby being with Lucius Malfoy confirmed their suspicions.
Harry then turned his attention back to the older Malfoy, listening to what he was telling Dumbledore.
Lucius' arrogant drawl greeted the headmaster. "Hello, Headmaster. Sorry to intrude so suddenly, but I come today on an urgent matter concerning the status of this school. It has come to the attention of the board of governors that you did not report the attacks that had happened last fall on the caretaker's poor cat as well as a first year lays petrified in the hospital wing. We were also not informed that you decided to hire a Witcher to search for the attacker, which is a negligence on your part and caused us in the board to discuss your suspension from the post as Headmaster. Here is the official letter, you will see most of the board of governors has signed it." Lucius Malfoy placed the letter in front of Dumbledore, grinning while he watched the reactions from the headmaster.
Dumbledore read the letter with a curious expression and laid it back on the table after reading it. "Well, Lucius, you are correct in two things. Firstly, yes there were two attacks from a monster in this school, but as no one was killed by it I was not forced to report it to the board until the incidents were resolved. And that would be when Professor Snape had produced the potion to restore those poor victims. The second thing you were right about, I hired a Witcher to investigate it, but I paid him out of my own pocket, so there was nothing taken from the school budget and with that it was none of your concern. Now for my suspension of this post, I am afraid that you need a unanimous vote from the board of governors, and I see that three did not sign this letter. But I am sure you had known that, as you are the head of the board until the next vote session. Now as this is cleared up, do you have something that needs our attention?" Dumbledore looked at the blond man over his glasses, talking with him purposely in the Great Hall so it was on his terms.
Lucius was caught on the back foot, somehow this old coot had an answer to everything he could throw at the headmaster. But there was another issue he had to discuss, but first he took the letter back from the headmaster. Lucius had to school his face to hide his anger at being thwarted so easily but he glared at the old man as she spoke. "Well as it happens, I have another inquiry. About the punishment my son received; you must explain to me why you thought that such a harsh one was justified." Lucius looked sternly at the headmaster, not moving an inch in any direction to show weakness.
Dumbledore looked at Lucius with an equal stare but decided that this talk was better made in his office. "As the students should soon be finished with their breakfast and enjoy this fine day, I would suggest that we leave the Great Hall and go to my office. Chief Wulf, Professor Snape please accompany us as you both will be needed to explain the situation the young Mr. Malfoy is in now. As I also have the memories from Ms. Greengrass and Ms. Davis stored in my office for you to see, Lucius." As Dumbledore stood up, the silence in the Great Hall was noticed for the first time, as every student had forgotten to eat their breakfast.
While the four adults walked up the stairs to the headmaster's office, Lucius used the time to judge this "Chief" in his mind. He read about the man who taught the students physical exercises according to the reports he got from Draco and the meetings with the board. This was the first time he meeting him personally, and he had to hold back a sneer at the muggle before him. The only surprising thing about this man was that he was just shy of the size of Hagrid, something that was not normal. But the rest of Wulf was underwhelming to Lucius, as he thought that someone who trained his body was at a disadvantage against a strong wizard like him. Lucius decided that this man was no threat and ignored him and focused on the real threat, Dumbledore.
Harry in his case had already finished and was slowly drinking the rest of orange juice in his goblet, watching the adults leave the Great Hall towards the headmaster's office.' Callie told him that Cortana would call for them if he would be needed, as this would be the optimal time to free Dobby out of his bond with the Malfoy family.
Callie explained why they had to wait for the signal in the first place. "Cortana also told me that she had found something about ONI having secrets in their databases that I do not have any access to. We now wait for Roland to inform us how to proceed, as the environment Dobby is in cannot be healthy for anyone. I registered a high heartbeat, and I am sure you also have heard it. Dobby is afraid for his life right now."
Harry walked out of the Great Hall after he had finished his breakfast. With him were also Hermione and Daphne, Daphne asking the other two if they should go outside and take a breath of fresh air as they had done all their homework. Hermione tried to convince her friends to study for their next test, but when she saw the blue sky outside the walls, she also agreed that they still had some time to review what they learned and that it would be good for them to relax for the day.
Harry looked at his friends with a grin, as he told them that he still had some Quidditch practice today and originally was going to the obstacle courses to warm up a bit. But they were welcomed to work out with him when they arrived at the courses and Harry stretched a bit before removing his robes and walking to the starting line.
Just as Harry wanted to begin his run, he heard his name called by Oliver, telling him that he had told the others that they would practice earlier than agreed before. Oliver explained his reasoning for getting an earlier start. "The weather is perfect Quidditch conditions to not use it to our full advantage. So please go and get your stuff and come to the pitch. Your friends can come too of course. See you there." Oliver waved and walked down to the Quidditch pitch, while Harry grabbed his robes from the place he had put it and put them back on.
"Sorry girls, it seems that we must postpone our relaxing for another time. Like Oliver said, you can watch from the stands. I'll just run up to the dorm and grab my broom." With a smile he ran up to the castle, leaving Hermione and Daphne sitting by the tree next to the obstacle courses.
Both girls looked at each other with blushing faces, causing both to laugh at the expression the other had. Hermione was the first of the two to catch her breath and sighing. "Ah, somehow I am happy that I got the chance to experience something normal like other girls do at our age, like having such a childhood crush. But at the same time, I am sad that Harry seemed much more grown up then a normal boy would be. I know that he is a Witcher and according to my research of their order, it is said that Witchers do not have the capability to have feelings. We both know that this is complete and utter nonsense as we had seen firsthand how Mr. Geralt treats Mrs. Yen and how they raised Harry in their own castle. Without them having feelings, I am sure that Harry would have turned out completely different."
Daphne pointed out that Yen was not a Witcher and as such would be capable of having feelings for someone, so that was a point that could quickly be disproven. While Daphne stood up and patted her robes to loosen the dirt on it, she looked up at the castle where Harry had vanished through the entrance door. "I agree with you on that point Hermione, I am also glad that we can experience something so beautiful in an environment where we must watch out every day to not be hexed from behind. Luckily, many students know that we are friends with Harry and acknowledge that it would be a stupid idea to make him angry. And if it is only because the only two students that could beat him in the dueling club is either Cedric Diggory, a very exceptional duelist in his year, and Susan Bones whose aunt is the director of the Auror corps and with this background Susan is very skilled in combat spells."
Daphne shook her head and smiled at her friend. " But let's change the subject a bit. I guess you have received the note that I had sent to you. I think we need to talk about how WE handle this situation. Because I am sure that you also noticed that I had begun to fancy Harry. I do not want to endanger our friendship, besides Tracey you are my best friend I have in this school."
Hermione nodded at Daphne's reasoning, knowing full well that it was not guaranteed that their crush would develop to something more serious. Hermione was also acknowledging that Susan was developing feelings for Harry, as only the boy in question seemed not to see the signs.
As they were walking down to the Quidditch pitch, they began to talk about other things that happened in a school full of teenagers, and what they would expect from their chosen electives. As they arrived, Hermione saw that Ron was already sitting in the stands around the pitch. She shook her head as they ascended to their seats so they could watch Harry and the others fly.
Back in the headmaster's office, the adults had just left the pensive where they had watched Daphne's memory, showing to Lucius why they had put his son in detention for the rest of the year. Dumbledore sat back down behind his desk and looked at Lucius with a neutral look. "Well Lucius, you now have seen what your son tried to do. And as you may remember, we already warned him the next time he tries this that the punishment will be substantial if he does not change his ways." Dumbledore watched the head of house Malfoy with great interest for his reaction to this revelation.
Lucius hid his anger well, putting up a front of deep thought. His son never had reported that it was all his fault for the detention he received the last time. "Yes, headmaster, I see the issue. Please forgive my misunderstanding and be assured that I will speak with my son over the summer break. But you still need to explain what attacked the students and why you hired a Witcher." Lucius leaned on his walking stick, something that John watched with great attention. Thanks to the information from ONI agents, he knew that Malfoy had hidden his wand inside it.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his signature pose and began to explain. "Well, you see Lucius, after the first attack we all were wondering what it was, as we never have seen something petrifying just like what happened to poor Mrs. Norris. As for this reason, I have decided to hire a Witcher first as an adviser, as they have much more knowledge about monsters then we have. And yes, I hired multiple Witchers as the first that arrived in this castle could not tell us what it was exactly, but he had a friend who could confirm his suspicions. After Mr. Letho came into the castle a few months back, it was confirmed that the monster of the Chamber of Secrets was a basilisk, hidden there for over 1000 years. After investigating the chamber myself, thanks to the one who slayed the basilisk."
John noticed Malfoy grinding his teeth while his eyes widened. Cortana commented dryly for only John to hear. "You would think that Malfoy would have a better poker face and not show any signs of reaction to hearing this. I mean, seriously? Even Snape is doing a better job of not reacting and he's learning this for the first time." John subtly looked over to Snape and as Cortana said the man was remaining stoic. John had to admit that such a display of discipline was even rare in the UNSC, if you did not count the Spartans that is.
Dumbledore continued appearing to ignore Lucius's reaction to his words. "I confirmed that this monster must have been the same one that killed the girl 50 years ago. Which means that the chamber was opened back then too. And I do not know Lucius, if you were informed, but to control such a beast like it happened 50 years required someone to understand and speak parseltongue. So I would suggest we discuss the reinstatement for Hagrid's rights to use a wand, as he was innocent back then. But let's return to the topic, as I have mentioned before, the basilisk is dead and was already rendered by the goblin nation to a fair price. the money was transferred to the warrior who killed it, so he relinquished the payment we had agreed on as he was already paid up handsomely." Dumbledore purposely left out any names except Letho from Guleta, as this was the only name that Lucius could have known.
Lucius was thinking hard now, as his plans seemed to have backfired in a catastrophic way. Not only would that mean that the diary was useless now, but also that the mudbloods were safe now. But thinking about the diary, he wondered where it was now, as he would need to retrieve it to make sure that it could not be linked to him. "Now that is all well and good Dumbledore, but how was this monster freed in the first place? We all know that the only parselmouth in this school is young Harry Potter, so what evidence do you have that it was not him who opened the chamber and unleashed the monster on the school and its inhabitants?"
Dumbledore sighed, telling John that he should go and ask Harry to come to his office. He also dismissed Professor Snape, as his help was no longer necessary.
While John was outside Dumbledore's office he instructed Cortana to ask Callie to send Harry to Dumbledore's office while he heads down to his own office and suits up. Something told John that he might be better suited in his armor at this point.
Once the door closed the headmaster took out the destroyed diary and placed it on his desk. "For your question how the basilisk was freed, the heir of Slytherin had used this diary to seal a part of his soul in it, this way he could control whoever had it and order the person to open the Chamber of Secrets. This diary once belonged to Tom Riddle, better known as Lord Voldemort. As he was also a parselmouth, he could control the basilisk through the person he used to open the chamber. I talked with the person holding this diary, and I concluded that this student was innocent because this little book was put in the cauldron without the student realizing it." Dumbledore looked back up at Lucius, his eyes telling the other man that he knew who placed this book in the cauldron from Ginny Weasley and when it had happened.
Lucius was getting angrier by the minute, not only did his plan fail but he also had lost something his master had entrusted to him before he was beaten by that boy. Now all he could do was hoping that there was no concrete evidence that he was connected to that book, even if Dumbledore knew that it was him who placed it in the cauldron of the youngest Weasley brat. But to let off some steam, he kicked Dobby a bit who was staying right beside him. Now all he would need is a solution for that mess.
A short time later a knock on the door signaled the arrival of Harry Potter, entering the office wearing his Quidditch robes. "Professor Dumbledore, Chief Wulf told me that you wanted to see me while I was going to my dorm to get my gear for Quidditch practice." Harry tried to ignore Lucius, but the scoffing from the blond man was almost too loud. Harry did not respond verbally to Malfoy but looked at him with a raised brow, silently asking the older Malfoy if there's something wrong with that statement. Harry was not surprised that the man ignored his challenge.
Harry noticed, thanks to Callie, that John came into the office right behind him, but John had his active camouflage activated. After conversing with Callie and Cortana, Harry knew that John did that to make sure he and Dumbledore would be safe, as they thought that Lucius Malfoy would do something dangerous when he would finally snap.
Dumbledore watched Harry as the boy walked over to his desk and stopped before it, holding his head high. Dumbledore nodded towards Harry and began to speak. "Yes, Harry, thank you for taking the time. Now Mr. Malfoy here has the suspicion that you are the one who attacked our caretaker Filch's cat just like you could have attacked Colin Creevey. Please explain to him why this is a wrong assumption." Dumbledore walked over to his phoenix, petting it. John stood next to the door while Harry turned himself towards the older Malfoy.
"Mr. Malfoy, I assure you that I have not ordered anything since I arrived at this school. It is true that I can speak parseltongue and that some rumors in this school began because of that, according to them I should be the heir of Salazar Slytherin. But my best friend is a muggle-born, so I do not see any reason why I should order a monster to attack muggle-borns in this school. So, I was happy when the rumor was going around in the school that a Witcher was down in the Chamber of Secrets and killed whatever was down there. And I am sure that this Witcher would also have found out who was controlling that monster, so if I was the culprit I would not stand here before you."
Harry stood with his arms behind his back, so John could see that he held his dagger in his hand. Looking at Cortana with a questioning look, she told him that Harry was on edge as he heard Malfoy's heartbeat and the anger the man was feeling was obvious. Malfoy may think his silence is not giving himself away but his body was telling Harry and John that he was the guilty party.
Harry was now watching Dobby, who now looked around with a much greater fear but something like happiness was also shining in his eyes. Looking back up to Malfoy, Harry just wanted to save the house elf right here and now, he read about how he could do that in a book about house elf and their history.
Just in that moment, Callie and Cortana told their respective partners that they were cleared to get Dobby out of his bonding, it seems that ONI has a plan to keep the mission going even if Dobby was no longer in the service of the Malfoy household.
Dumbledore then told Malfoy that their meeting was at an end and that he had some other things to do. Lucius grinded his teeth again and bid his farewell, walking out the office. Dobby was walking just behind his master, but the elf was looking back at Harry and waved his hand to say goodbye.
Harry looked after Malfoy and Dobby, hearing Cortana what the plan was. Placing his dagger back in its sheath and then grabbing the diary after asking the headmaster if he could borrow it, he ran after them until they were in a corridor where no one could see them.
Harry called out to get the man to stop. "Mr. Malfoy, I think you have forgotten something." Harry handed the destroyed diary to Malfoy, who threw it to Dobby in disgust.
"And why do you think that I would need such a filthy, destroyed book?" Malfoy's tone was almost as poisonous as the bite from the basilisk was. Harry could see that the head of house Malfoy was only so much in control that he would not lash out at him.
Harry looked directly in Malfoy's eyes, noticing that John, still in his active camouflage, was preparing himself to step between Harry and Malfoy just in case the adult Wizard would try something dangerous.
Harry just shrugged nonchalantly, ignoring Malfoy's threatening tone. "Well, it is yours after all, correct? I think you must have lost it when we were in Flourish and Blotts last summer getting our books, and it somehow landed in Ginerva Weasley's cauldron. And if I read your expression correctly, I must have hit the nail right on the head." Harry smirked at the surprised look from Malfoy, but the wizard soon caught himself.
In Lucius's voice there was now enough venom that you could kill a dragon with it. "Well, good luck in proving that boy. I would suggest that you try more humility, as you will end like your parents otherwise. Dobby, we are leaving." Lucius turned around, walking past an unseen John and was almost at the stairs when he noticed that the house elf was not following him. "Dobby, come"
But Dobby was not moving. He holds the destroyed diary in his hand, opened with a sock placed inside it. His eyes were filled with tears of joy. "Master gave Dobby a sock. Master threw the book away and Dobby catches it. Master did not tell Dobby that the sock was for cleaning, which means Master gifted Dobby clothing. DOBBY IS FREE!" Dobby waved the sock over his head, jumping on the spot.
Malfoy finally snapped, he could no longer control his anger. "You- you cost me my servant from me." He then pulled the wand out of his cane but soon found he could no longer move his hand as something invisible and metallic gripped it. John held Malfoy's hand where the wizard held his wand, John deactivated his armor's camouflage.
Seeing an armored man materialize just before his eyes, Malfoy was surprised that the armor seemingly had magical abilities as no muggle could do what just happened. Malfoy would need to have a stern talk with his son, as Draco did not mention the armor even once in one of his letters. But what surprised him more that it almost hurt his wrist while the armored being held it steady. Just how strong was this muggle?
But before Harry could say anything, Malfoy was thrown back some meters and was almost falling down the stairs. Looking down, he saw Dobby with his hand raised, the fingers formed like Geralt would when he would use Aard, the telegenic wave from the magic Witchers could use. "YOU WILL NOT HARM HARRY POTTER! YOU WILL GO NOW AND NEVER RETURN!" Malfoy stood back up from his position and glared at the three beings further up the stairs. He grunted in pain from the feeling in his wrist muttering something and turned around to leave the castle as fast as he could.
Inside John's helmet he was watching Malfoy leave the castle but Cortana could not contain her shock. "Did Dobby just break your grip on Malfoy? He would have broken his wrist from that force of the fall and from your grip! I think we need to reevaluate how powerful house elves are." John did not want to admit it but his partner was right, it is not easy breaking a Spartan's grip if they want to hold on something they keep ahold of it unless they release their grip.
"Harry Potter and Mr. Wulf freed Dobby. How can Dobby repay you?" Dobby was now looking at his two saviors, still holding his sock in his hand. Harry smiled at him and kneeled down, so he would be at a similar height as the house elf.
"Well Dobby, I can think of two things. One you could go to Kear Morhen and help Yen and the rest to keep the old castle in good condition. For the other thing, I would like to ask you to listen to John while I return to my training. If everything works out, we will see each other in the summer." Harry stood back up, waving at his new friend while Dobby looked at the armored man right beside him.
Later that day Snape was making his way to Dumbledore's office, when the headmaster dismissed him he was curious about something that was said and made his way over to the library. Snape had a sneaking suspicion that he knew Dumbledore had the answer for. Giving the gargoyle the password Snape made his way up to Dumbedore's office briefly knocking as protocol dictated. Hearing Dumbledore grant him entry, Snape slammed the door behind him. Without any preamble Snape growled at the headmaster. "When were you planning to tell me Potter is a Witcher?"
Dumbledore sighed in resignation as he had suspected Snape would put the pieces together. Smiling genuinely, Dumbledore looked up at his potions master and shrugged. "I am not surprised you would figure it out after listening to me explain the situation to Lucius, but suffice to say Harry's status as a Witcher is not yet widely known. And before you ask he made the choice to go through the ritual himself after his encounter with Tom last summer."
Snape groaned as he sat down on a chair and regarded the old man. "Are you telling me that boy wanted to risk his life more than necessary? I mean, slaying a basilisk is one thing, going up against the Dark Lord and his army if, or when he comes back?" Snape glared at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore shook his head and sighed again. "You know as well as I do Severus, that Harry is destined to confront Tom. Harry just wants to do it on his own terms. He has been training since he was 7, also his own choice, to prepare himself for this. You have to consider the hidden benefits to having a Witcher here as a student."
Snape frowned at the idea that there are benefits, but said nothing.
Dumbledore continued. "Harry adds a hidden, subtle layer of security. It was Harry who brought the attention of the diary to me. Just as it was Harry who was present when Lucius smuggled the diary into Miss Weasley's cauldron." Dumbledore paused as he realized Snape was not present for that last bit of information. He decided to press on regardless. "Harry's revelation as a Witcher will be at his own choosing. Please honor that wish, Severus."
Snape sighed and nodded his agreement. "And the Chamber of Secrets? Did Potter find anything else besides the basilisk?"
Dumbledore nodded and stroked his beard. "Indeed, he, John and Triss found Slytherin's personal study. Alas some of the things in there have decayed. I suspect the stasis charms wore off. While I managed to restore some of the books some appear to be written in an unknown language, I suspect Slytherin has written them in parselscript. If so I would hazard a guess they are his personal journals. We would need Harry or another parselmouth to translate them."
Snape furrowed his brow in thought. "It is believed that Slytherin himself developed his own potions, if they are in his journals it would be quite a boon for potions masters. Perhaps you could ask him to look through them at some point to confirm that they are, in fact, written in parselscript to begin with."
Dumbledore nodded, I will ask him, but not just yet. We are in no hurry to translate them, after all."
Snape nodded and thanked Dumbledore for answering his questions before leaving the office. Just as the door closed, Cortana activated her projection and looked at Dumbledore. "Are you sure that was a wise decision Headmaster? We know that Severus Snape has changed sides back in the last war and was your top spy, but still he was a Death Eater. What if he tells Riddle that Harry is now a Witcher when he returns?" She crossed her arms over her chest, raising a brow in question.
Dumbledore smiled, turning his head so he would look directly into her projected face. "I trust Professor Snape with my life, as thanks to his help over that year we could hide the Potters, we saved more lives thanks to his information as if he would have worked against us. And even if Tom returns, Severus will not betray us." Dumbledore leaned back, hearing Cortana hum something and deactivating her projector again.