Chapter Ten
Harry was left alone, the lights were turned off soon after they left and he tried to sleep. He actually fell asleep fairly easily, despite the stabbing pains in his leg. He woke hours later; the pain in his leg almost unbearable. However it wasn't the pain that woke him up but the small elf sitting on his chest.
"Dobby?" Harry said, heaving himself to a sitting position, "What on earth are you doing here?"
"Harry Potter didn't leave." there was tear was running down his long nose, "Harry Potter came to school."
"Of course I did." Harry said, "I told you I'm fine here. I got into a lot of trouble for that prank you played with Aunt Petunia though."
Dobby hung his head in shame, "Dobby got into trouble as well. Master was very unhappy with Dobby. Said he could have exposed magic."
Harry fought the urge to hit the elf, his mother would be very unhappy if he did and he was already in trouble with her for saying mudblood so he rolled his eyes instead, "If there's a danger Dobby you have to tell Lord and Lady Malfoy."
Dobby shook his head, "Dobby was very upset when I heard that Harry Potter had managed to get to school. I thought closing the gate would stop Harry Potter."
"You?" Harry said sitting forward, "You closed the gate? It didn't even touch me; it stopped Ronald! He nearly got expelled! Loads of people saw the flying car! Dobby that was very bad!"
"Dobby knows sir. Dobby had to iron his fingers."
"Dobby no one made you do that." Harry told him.
"Dobby is sorry, the voices told Dobby sir!" Dobby began to cry again, "Dobby just got confused. Very confused when the red headed boy almost went through the barrier I thought that he had and Harry Potter was the last one left."
Harry lent his back against the headboard and took a few deep breaths, "Dobby, who are the voices?"
Dobby shook his head, "Dobby doesn't know sir. They tell him to punish himself sir or..." he took the jug on Harry's night stand and began to smack himself over the head, splashing the last few bits of water over Harry's lap.
"Dobby….you can stop now." Harry said, softly.
Dobby put the jug down and sniffed, "Dobby is sorry for Harry Potter's leg."
"This was you too? You sent the bluger after me?" Harry hissed angrilly "I could have died. My leg is killing me!"
"Dobby thought that if Harry Potter was badly injured he would be sent home." Dobby sniffed.
"How did you even know I was going to play?" Harry asked, he thought back to Draco becoming ill so quickly, "You made Draco ill?"
Dobby's cheeks had turned red, "Yes Harry Potter. It wasn't long lasting. Dobby had to make sure it was Harry Potter who would play."
"You need to go home Dobby. What you're doing is bad! Do not listen to the voices any more." Harry told him firmly.
"Is Harry Potter going to tell master that Dobby was bad?" he looked very sorry for himself, folding his ears over his eyes.
"I have to Dobby, but they wont hurt you. Mum would never let them. I know things were bad before but that was a lot of years ago now."
Dobby burst into tears, "Dobby can not let history repeat itself sir! The Chamber of Secrets is open again and it must be stopped. Dobby can not let Harry Potter get hurt."
"Wait did you say it's been opened before? Dobby do you know what happened then?" Harry said, suddenly paying more attention.
"Dobby can't say sir, it will encourage Harry Potter to go looking. Harry Potter will get hurt!"
"I need to know Dobby. If you can't tell me at least tell someone!" Harry begged him, "At least confirm or deny that there is a Chamber of Secrets? For sure."
Dobby shook his head, "Harry Potter is in terrible danger. Such a terrible plot." he wailed.
"Dobby tell me now!" Harry ordered him,
Dobby shook his head, "Harry Potter must go home!"
"I can't, I won't." Harry said firmly, "I'm not even a muggle born so how can I be in danger? But I do have a friend who is muggle born and a Gryffindor. So she WILL be in danger if I just run away."
"Harry Potter is so brave. So noble! To put friends before himself!" Dobby said with wide eyes, "To be friends with someone who is both muggle born and a Gryffindor."
"I don't care which house someone is in or who their parents are, you should know that." Harry said shaking his head.
Dobby clamped his little hands over his eyes and screwed his eyes shut, "Dobby must not listen!"
"Listen to what?" Harry asked, "What are the voices saying?"
"Someone's coming." he whispered, and clicked his fingers vanishing from sight.
Harry quickly shuffled further down the bed and lay back down quickly, ignoring the pain burning in his leg, and pretended to be asleep, seething inside from what Dobby had said and had not said.
Harry heard a long set of footsteps going past his bed to Madam Pomfrey's quarters at the end of the room "Is anyone awake Poppy?" he heard Dumbledore say.
"I don't think so. I checked on Potter just half an hour ago and he was fast asleep. He's the only one in here." Madam Pomfrey answered.
He could hear footsteps and risked opening his eyes to see what was going on. Madam Pomfrey had come quickly into the room and was wrapping a dressing gown around herself.
"What's happened?" She asked pulling back the curtains around the corner bed.
"Another attack." Dumbledore said gravely, "Professor McGonagall found him on the stairs."
There was a dull thunk.
"He had a bunch of grapes with him, I think he must have been coming to visit Potter." Professor McGonagall said softly.
Harry risked raising his head a little but could only see the teachers backs, Madam Pomfrey moved to the side slightly and Harry had to bite his tongue not to make a noise. There, lying on the bed, was the still statue of Colin Creevey. His camera still in his hands.
Harry lay back on the bed and tried not to panic.
"Petrified?" Madam Pomfrey asked running her hands over his fingers that were still stuck up by his face.
"Yes." Professor McGonagall said shivering, "But I shudder to think what could have done something like this. If I hadn't been heading down for a hot chocolate, well he might of-"
"But you did find him." Madam Pomfrey reassured her.
Dumbledore leaned down and with some difficulty prised the camera from Colin's fingers.
"Do you think he may have gotten a picture of his attacker?" McGonagall asked.
Dumbledore said nothing but pulled open the back of the camera. Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall took a step back as a small jet of steam came from the camera.
"Good heavens." Madam Pomfrey said, placing a hand on her chest.
Harry wrinkled his nose, even three beds away he could smell a horrible, burning plastic, acidic smell that, if he hadn't wanted to keep listening to what was going on and therefore had to pretend to be asleep, would have made him gag.
"Melted." Madam Pomfrey said, "It's completely melted. What does this mean Albus?" she asked urgently.
Dumbledore sighed and stroked his chin, "It means that the Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened again."
Professor McGonagall stared at Dumbledore horrified; while Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand over her mouth.
"But, but Albus, really….who?" McGonagall asked.
"The question is not who, but how…." Dumbledore said, his eyes still on Colin's lifeless body.
Harry rolled over in the bed, unwilling to look over at Colin's bed and managed to fall into a restless sleep.
Harry woke the next morning early. Sun was streaming into the hospital wing, through the large windows. He blinked a few times and sat up, shoving his glasses on. His leg was solid again now and not painful, although a little stiff. Madam Pomfrey came over and checked over his leg, moving it and making sure the knee bent correctly.
"Well you seem to have healed up rather satisfactorily." She said with a small smile, "After you've had some breakfast, you can be on your way. Take it slowly; your leg may feel a little wobbly at first."
Harry nodded and quickly ate the porridge and toast he was brought. He found himself surprisingly hungry for having not done anything but sleep.
He kept trying to look over to see Colin but his bed was shielded by large screens on wheels as well as the normal drapes.
"I hope everyone is OK." Harry said to Madam Pomfrey, pointing casually to the hidden bed.
Madam Pomfrey frowned, "No need to worry yourself Mr Potter." she said tensely, "Best be running along. You might even be able to catch the last of breakfast if you're still hungry; growing bones uses up a lot of energy."
Harry took the hint and dressed quickly before leaving to find his friends. He needed to fill them in on everything that had happened. He was very grateful to see that breakfast was still going as his stomach rumbled at the smell of bacon. Sally saw him and waved him over.
"Well done Harry." She beamed, "Excellent flying yesterday. We won fifty points as well, Slytherin has taken the lead on the house cup."
Harry smiled, "Thanks."
Sally patted him on the back and sat back down. Harry made his way over to his friends and sat as well.
"How are you doing?" Draco asked, as Harry clumsily lifted his leg over the bench to sit down.
Harry nodded, "It's just stiff. I have a lot to tell you though."
"Well?" Daphne asked leaning forward.
Harry looked around, everyone felt to close, "Not here." he said piling his plate with food, "I don't want people over hearing."
"We can go back to Myrtle's bathroom." Pansy said quietly, "No one goes in there so it should be safe."
"I'll let Neville and Hermione know." Draco said, standing up and wandering to the Gryffindor table. Percy was not impressed and shooed him away quickly. Draco swaggered back, laughing at the evil looks he was getting from the Weasleys.
Severus came over soon after Harry had sat down.
"Are you all right?" he said sitting down.
Harry nodded and smiled, "I'm fine. Madam Pomfrey informed me that I healed 'quite satisfactorily'." he grinned.
Severus smirked, "I'm glad. Your mother and I were, are, very worried about you. Things….things are very difficult at the moment."
Harry nodded, he thought for a few moments, "I have gotten some information; about Ron's little trick with the car on his way to school."
Severus looked thoughtful and nodded for Harry to continue.
"The barrier was closed, he thought that he had no other way to get to school." Harry said.
"If the barrier was closed it was because Mr Weasley was late. That's still his, and his parents, fault." Snape pointed out.
Harry shook his head, "No. Dobby closed to the barrier. He thought it was me trying to get through, he said the voices told him to or something."
Snape sighed, "I see. Well I understand how upset Mr Weasley must have been I will inform Professor McGonagall and Mr Weasley. Unfortunately he still stole an illegal car and he was seen. It is complicated, but he must take some of the blame."
Harry nodded, "Yeah I know. I just thought that you should know."
Severus smiled and gave him a quick pat on the back before heading to his office to write to Lily. Harry finished his breakfast quickly and stood, his leg was thankfully back to normal now. Neville and Hermione wondered over as soon as Percy and Ron left the hall.
"Watch out the twins are still here." Harry said pointing to their scowling faces.
"The twins aren't so bad. Ron is not happy and has said a lot of stuff that isn't exactly true. Can't blame them for wanting to protect their brother." Neville shrugged, "Also, you know, I don't care."
Draco laughed.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Hermione asked, "We have to be quick, we have Charms first."
Harry nodded, and led them quickly to Myrtle's bathroom. He didn't hesitate before going in this time; he could hear Myrtle wailing away in the drains but she seemed in her own little world.
Once they were in Harry shut the door and locked it.
"Dobby came to see me last night, in the hospital wing." Harry said quickly, "I have a lot to tell you so no questions till the end. One; Dobby shut the barrier so Ron couldn't get through, he thought it was me and wanted to keep me away from school. He knows something bad is going on but he wont tell me. He also set the bludger on me. Two; the other thing with Dobby that I have to say is that he said something very telling; he said that the Chamber of Secrets was opening AGAIN. Three; someone else has been attacked, Colin, the little first year Gryffindor with the camera, he was petrified like Mrs Norris. Whatever it was melted the inside of his camera."
"Opened again?" Hermione gasped, "So it's been opened before? When?"
"I'll talk to Mother and Father about Dobby. He seems so much worse than normal at the moment though." Draco said shaking his head.
"Well I think the main thing we have to work out is when the Chamber was opened before. It's going to be very important to know how to close it again." Hermione said, "I did something bad."
They all looked at her with a look of shock and confusion.
Hermione shrugged and blushed, "I managed to get Lockhart to sign a book release form that didn't have the book name written down. We can get a book from the restricted section now if we have to."
"Well done." Neville smiled, approvingly.
"That guy is an idiot." Draco said shaking his head.
Hermione looked rather upset, "I don't think so." she said awkwardly, "He's done a lot of brave things, his books are filled with them."
Pansy smiled, "We just had a rough class with him. We're not a fan of Pixies."
"I do wish he'd do something more than just read though his books with us," Hermione sighed, "I want to see some practical stuff. I've already read through his books several times."
"Having an open book release is going to be very useful." the bell rang and Harry shrugged, "Right, it's time for class. Everyone look into everything that Petrifies and the Chamber of Secrets, anything you find record it and we can compare notes at study on Friday."
Everyone nodded and headed towards the bathroom door. Harry caught Hermione's hand just before she left and pulled her back.
"Be careful Hermione," he said slowly, "I know you will be but, well you're muggle born and therefore more at risk than the rest of us."
Hermione smiled, "Don't worry. I have no intention of failing all of my exams because I'm stuck frozen in the hospital wing."
Harry grinned to her and they left the bathroom, Hermione hurrying off to Charms class. Harry was heading for Defence Against the Dark Arts and felt in no particular rush to sit in a classroom listening to Gilderoy Lockhart drone on about himself.
He was walking slowly, trying to kill as many minutes as possible when he ran into Ginny. She was huddled against the wall wiping tears away from her pale cheeks.
Harry stopped and sighed, "Are you OK. Ginny isn't it?"
She nodded, "You always remember me." she gave a small smile.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Colin isn't well. They're saying he's been petrified as well. He sat next to me." Ginny sniffed.
"That sucks. They'll work out what's going on, don't worry about that, and the mandrakes will cure him. Besides you're a pureblood so you're safe." Harry tried to reassure her.
Ginny let out a loud sob. Percy swept down the corridor and tucked Ginny into his side.
"You should be in class Potter rather than making my poor little sister cry." he snapped.
"You should also be in class Weasley and I was just trying to help." Harry snapped back.
Percy rolled his eyes, "You've never helped with anything. Look at her! Now get to class before I have to run and tell Professor Snape you're turning out just like you real Father."
Percy dragged Ginny down the corridor pinned to his side as she looked back sadly at Harry. Harry, fuming, stomped to class.
"Harry!" Lockhart beamed as he came in, "What time do you call this? You're almost ten minutes late."
Harry mumbled his apologies and flopped down into his chair.
"Can't be using your fame with me in the room! Haha." Lockhart gave a rather awkward laugh, "Well at least you're not too late." he turned back to the class, "We'll be reading from Tear with Teti today."
Hermione and Neville came and sat with them at lunch, Professor Snape came round soon after with a clip board.
"Anyone staying for the holidays?" he asked a little way down the table.
Hermione played with a forkful of mash potatoes, "I was thinking about staying." she said slowly.
"Why?" Daphne asked
"To keep researching, my parents want to go to France to visit some relatives so I thought I could stay here and keep looking things up." She explained, "We still don't seem to have found much."
"You should go with them." Harry said.
"We're all going home and we'd worry about you being here alone." Draco smiled.
Hermione smiled, "All right. If you're sure."
"Anyone staying for the holidays?" Snape asked them,
"Nope." Harry smiled at him.
"Excellent, Miss Granger, Mr Longbottom please return to your own table before you get into trouble." He said with a smirk.
Neville and Hermione nodded and grabbed their plates heading to the end of the Gryffindor table. Harry looked over and spotted Ginny. She looked awful.
"They need to take her to Madam Pomfrey." Harry muttered.
"Who?" Pansy asked looking behind her over to the table.
"Ginny Weasley. She looks awful, like she's not slept in a week." Harry said pointing her out.
"She has looked better. She looked so perky the first day of term. I wonder what's happened?" Daphne said.
"She's likely home sick." Pansy shrugged.
Harry tried to push the thought from his mind but he couldn't escape the feeling that they was missing something.