Harry Potter and the Founders Vault
Disclaimer: The same as always.
Note: So, I didn't get to post this last week, but here we are for this week. I hope you enjoy what happens going forward.
After the Chamber
Having been taken to the Headmaster's office, Harry, Harper, Hermione, and Neville now waited for the Headmaster himself to return. They had whittled away the small hours by Neville explaining what had happened for his Hufflepuff task, while Harry and Harper had told Neville and Hermione what had happened down in the Chamber – or most of it. They left out everything after they found Ginny.
The group had watched night become day before the Headmaster finally entered the office. "You know Professor, this is the second time you have left us in your office waiting all night. If this is going to become an annual thing you could put one of those couches in here that pull out to a bed," Harper remarked to the Headmaster, who raised an eyebrow at this.
"Harper," Hermione bemoaned, but the Headmaster seemed to find the comment amusing.
"How about, instead, I'll teach you how to conquer beds for yourselves? You all are talented enough to learn," Professor Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his eye which Harper had to smirk at.
"That would work," Harper bemused as Professor Dumbledore moved to his desk.
"I must apologize for leaving you waiting so long," Professor Dumbledore now remarked as he put what Harper and Harry realized had been Riddle's Diary down on his desk. "I had to get a letter sent to get our Caretaker out of Azkaban," Harry gave a smile at that, "and then I decided to wait for Ginny Weasley to get a full check over from Madam Pomphrey – you know, the young girl was very emotional while she explained the events of the year. But before we go into that, congratulations on retrieving the second key, Mr. Longbottom, but what exactly were you all doing in that bathroom?"
"It's where we were brewing the potions needed for the Hufflepuff task," Hermione explained. "No one would disturb us there, as everyone's too afraid of Myrtle."
"How very clever," Professor Dumbledore remarked at this, a small smile at this.
"It was just coincidence that we had the final task on the same night that Ginny…" Harry began.
"Indeed," the Headmaster looked at Harry at this, a curious expression on his face. "I've heard of Ginny's side of the story – how she believed this diary was a gift from her parents, part of the schoolbooks she'd found in her cauldron at the start of the year, how she wrote in it, and it wrote back and the power it soon held over her…"
"The diary wrote back?" Hermione asked at this.
"All in good time, Ms. Granger," Professor Dumbledore acknowledged Hermione at this. "I'm curious to know your side of the story. What happened last night?" As he asked this, he drew his wand and summoned four chairs for the group, in front of his desk. The children took them happily. Harper being careful to make sure the dagger she was still hiding under her clothes didn't accidentally stab her as she sat.
"Well, once Neville was unconscious doing the task Myrtle and Rowan warned us someone was coming, we put the Invisibility Cloak over Neville and hid in the stalls." Harry explained, his eyes going to the cloak that was draped over his chair now, Professor Dumbledore having given Harry back his father's cloak last year.
"We heard strange noises before we were free to come out again – and then we heard Professor McGonagall's warning," Harper added in.
"I used the cloak to spy on the teachers and hear what happened. It was a matter of minutes that we put together all the puzzle pieces we should have a while ago," Harry continued, "that Myrtle was the one killed last time, and the Chamber's entrance was in that bathroom."
"At this point, I was able to open the Chamber," Harper explained.
"And at this point, why did you not get a teacher?" Dumbledore asked.
"Because if a Parselmouth was needed to open the Chamber, we thought one might be needed in the Chamber itself," Harry explained. "No teacher would let Harper go down; Ginny's best shot at surviving was Harper going down – but I wasn't letting her go alone," Professor Dumbledore gave a nod. "When we got to the Chamber, Ginny was unconscious on the floor, the diary by her. And Tom showed up. He had Ginny's wand, he arrogantly explained what we had missed, and then revealed who he truly was."
"Who was he?" Neville asked; Harry and Harper had given their friends the cliffs notes version of what had happened in the Chamber but hadn't gone into detail.
"The same person he was last time," Professor Dumbledore explained, confusion Hermione and Neville. "You see, not many people know that Lord Voldemort was once Tom Riddle," the Headmaster said with a sigh, Hermione and Neville giving a little gasp at this, but the professor signaled for Harry and Harper to continue.
"He challenged me to a fight after we had a disagreement of sorts; the heir of Salazar Slytherin against the wielder of Gryffindor's sword." Harry said, deciding to leave off the fact he was Godric's heir. "He summoned the Basilisks and then–"
"And then Harry killed it," Harper said, cutting her brother off. Harry kept a straight face as he let Harper continue her lie. "I used my Parselmouth to distract the beast while Harry got on its back and threw his sword through the top of its head and into its mouth. It fell down dead. Once it was dead, we used its teeth to destroy the diary."
"How did you know the creature's tooth would destroy the diary?" The Headmaster asked.
"We didn't, but my sword didn't work. The teeth were just what we had on hand to try next," Harry explained, realizing the obvious of having his sword was put into question, but he continued regardless. "The book bled out ink and Tom yelled out as he just… faded away," Harry explained.
Professor Dumbledore looked at the two for a moment, seemingly giving them both a piercing deep stare at the same time, making the siblings feel like he was x-raying them, but he simply gave a nod. "Well, it seems you two have done this school a great service," the Headmaster smiled, but before he could do anymore, the door to the office burst open and all five of them looked up and around to their new visitor.
Tall, pale faced with long blonde-white hair, Lucius Malfoy stormed into the room, a familiar House Elf at his feet.
"Dobby?" Harry paused, shocked at the House Elf's appearance even though he shouldn't be. Dumbledore had told them a while ago Dobby belonged to the Malfoys. Lucius paused at this.
"I'll deal with you later," Mr. Malfoy bemoaned the House Elf, who whimpered at this. But Lucius's appearance had Harry knowing instantly that the elder Malfoy had a hand in this year's events, and now he knew how: Lucius had given Ginny the book, secreting it in the cauldron that day in Diagon Alley. He didn't need Dobby pointing to know that.
"Well, you're back, Albus," Mr. Malfoy said.
"When young Ginny Weasley was taken the other members of the board demanded my return. It seems most of them thought you would curse them and their families if they didn't agree to remove me. An overreaction, I am sure," Professor Dumbledore remarked pleasantly.
"Of course," Lucius said. "So, has the culprit been caught?"
"Yes," Professor Dumbledore said.
"And? Who was it?" Lucius asked, his eyes narrowing.
"The same person it was last time. Lord Voldemort – only this time he chose to act through young Miss Weasley by use of this," Professor Dumbledore held up the diary which had been resting on his desk. "I should hope none of Lord Voldemort former school supplies would fall into anyone else's hands again, Lucius."
"Yes. Let's hope," Lucius snapped, but then sharply turned around, demanding Dobby follow him.
Harry and Harper shared a look with each other – they knew what they had to do.
"Professor, can I borrow that for a moment?" Harry asked, pointing at the diary; Professor Dumbledore simply gave a smile, as if he knew what they were going to do as he handed it to Harry while Harper grabbed the cloak.
"Come on," Harper said to Neville and Hermione as they ran after the senior Malfoy.
-Harry Potter-
"Mr. Malfoy!" Harry called out as he ran down out of Professor Dumbledore's office. He had his sword in one hand and the diary in the other. "You forgot something," Harry shoved the book in Lucius's hand. "You put that in Ginny's cauldron."
"Excuse me?!" Lucius asked, holding the dairy now and looking affronted.
"When you took the book out of her cauldron to make fun of the Weasleys," Harper explained; Hermione and Neville finally catching up.
"After your fight with Arthur," Hermione said, realizing what the two had realized.
"We were all there," Neville finished.
"I don't know what you're taking about," Lucius snapped, giving the book to Dobby and Harry had to stop himself from smirking at this. "I'm sure you'll meet the same sticky end as your parents one day, Potter. Dobby come along."
"Dobby," Harry whispered, pushing off Lucius's threat as Mr. Malfoy went to walk away. "Open it."
Curious, Dobby opened the book and gasped. "Dobby!" Lucius called out, not turning around and not realizing what had just happened.
"Master has given Dobby a sock," Dobby said, now holding out a dirty sock.
"What are you talking about?" Lucius turned to see the book in one of Dobby's hands and the sock in the other hand.
"Master has presented Dobby with clothes. Dobby is free!" Dobby gasped.
Lucius's eyes were wide, staring between Harry and Dobby as Harry lifted up his trouser leg to show he was missing a sock. "You lost me my servant boy!" Lucius called, angry now as he went to grab his cane and took a wand from it. About to throw a spell at Harry; Harper, Hermione, and Neville had their wands out in seconds as Harry held up his sword to defend, if necessary.
None of them had to though, as Dobby jumped between the children and his former master. "You shall not harm Harry Potter – or his friends!" Dobby squeaked and snapped his fingers. Lucius Malfoy was sent flying back, crashing against the wall.
Jumping back up, the man glowered at the children and House Elf before turning on his heel and marching off, leaving the group.
"Harry Potter has set Dobby free," Dobby now squeaked, turning to Harry at this. "What can Dobby ever do to repay you?"
"Just one thing: never save my life again," Harry said with a smile.
"And maybe return that book to Professor Dumbledore for us," Harper added, giving Dobby a pat on the head, the group now moving off and leaving a stunned Dobby alone with the book and sock.
"Yes…" Professor Dumbledore appeared at this, walking out from the entrance of his office. "Mr. Dobby, why don't you come up to my office? I do believe that we have a lot to talk about – and do bring the book."
-Harry Potter-
As it was morning, there was little point in the students going to bed – not to mention their classes later – so decided to freshen up and meet outside the Great Hall.
Neville was the last to join them as Harper, Harry and Hermione waited for him over half an hour after freeing Dobby from the Malfoy's hold.
"You usually drink that for dinners," Neville remarked to Harper as Lucy moved over to Harry, who crouched to pet his crup.
"It has sugar and caffeine in it," Harper said, holding out her can of American drink. "Besides, we have classes today."
"Oh no, we don't," it was Fred and George coming down the stairs.
"Professor McGonagall announced all classes cancelled for the day," George said.
"Oh no," Hermione bemoaned.
"Why the complaint, Mione?" Harry asked, surprised at her reaction, but she just blushed at this.
"So, what exactly were you four doing before saving our little sister?" Fred asked, causing the group to glance at one another. "Still not telling us, eh?"
"We'll figure it out. Oh, and sorry," George spoke.
"Sorry?" Harry asked but didn't have to question further as arms were suddenly pulling him and Harper into a hug.
"You saved my baby girl!" Molly Weasley cried out; they hadn't seen Arthur and Molly Weasley coming down the stairs, but the twins must have.
"Molly, please let them go," Arthur spoke, and the death-grip was released on Harper and Harry, allowing the two to take a breath. "It does seem to be that you two have a habit of saving Weasleys. Ron last year and now Ginny. It seems that once again the family owes you a life debt, Harper, and now two to you, Harry."
"It was our pleasure," Harry said as he smiled at the two. "Where's Ginny?"
"Sleeping in the Hospital Wing," Molly said. "Madam Pomfrey thought it would be good for her to get some sleep with a dreamless sleep potion."
"Would you care to join us for Breakfast?" Hermione spoke up.
"A Hogwarts meal? Well, we can't deny that, can we Molly?" Arthur spoke.
"I couldn't cook even if I wanted to right now," Molly agreed as the now, rather large group, moved into the Great Hall; Harry and Harper noticed the looks and whispers from other students, but it wasn't like it had previously been – it seemed that some of last night's story had gotten around and people now knew the two had something to do with the Chamber of Secrets being closed.
The group sat at the Gryffindor table today, with Molly taking most of the conversation while the others simply nodded and agreed with her while Lucy made continuous begs for bacon, which Harry and Harper happily gave her.
It was when they were almost done when Professor McGonagall surprised them. "Good morning Molly, Arthur," she smiled at the parents before addressing Harry and Harper. "Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans, what is your favorite meal?"
"Erm, mac and cheese with meatballs," Harry and Harper said together.
"Why am I not surprised you choose the same thing?" Hermione joked.
"Wait, why?" Harper asked, confused as to why their Transfiguration teacher was asking them about food.
"Professor Dumbledore thought it would be good for the school to have a celebration tonight and you two are the guests of honor. The Headmaster has asked the House Elves to make American dishes but also wanted to know your favorite to add to the list," their Professor explained, stunning the two. "And Arthur and Molly, you two are welcome to remain for the day and the celebrations."
"What a wonderful idea," Arthur smiled.
"We weren't going to leave until Ginny was fine anyway," Molly stated firmly, but stood at this anyway; Arthur jumped to his feet too. "Join us in the Hospital Wing, Minerva?"
"Of course," Professor McGonagall nodded as the adults then took their leave.
"We're going to take Lucy out for a walk," Harper now spoke, giving Harry a look. The two needed to talk in private.
"Yeah," Harry said as he got up and whistled for Lucy to follow.
"I need to catch up on some Homework. Mione, do you mind helping me?" Neville asked.
"Sure, why don't you go grab your books and I'll meet you in the library?" Hermione said with a smile as she got up and followed Harry and Harper. "It was you two, wasn't it?" Hermione added, surprising the siblings who didn't realize their friend had followed them.
"I'm sorry?" Harry asked.
"The 2nd and 3rd heirs to Slytherin. Harper was the one with his power and you were the one without. That's why Harper speaking to the basilisk distracted it long enough for you to kill it," Hermione explained.
"Yeah…" Harry started, about to tell Hermione the truth.
"I mean I know we theorized it might not want to kill anyone from what Harper heard but I think it's for the best that it's dead," Hermione said before Harry could tell her anymore.
"Yeah," Harry said, quickly shutting himself up. "You're right."
"I knew it, but how? Harper is a second-generation witch," Hermione said. "Unless your great-grandparent or something had a kid with a wizard who just didn't get magic until your parents. I mean, is that even possible?"
"Your guess is as good as ours," Harper said to Hermione. "But you've got to meet with Neville. We'll be up later. We still have two OWLs to study for, after all." Hermione gave a smile before leaving them at that.
Harper and Harry walked away from the castle now and only stopped when they were by Hagrid's hut. The pair knowing Hagrid hadn't returned yet, meaning they could talk in private.
"You lied," Harry turned to his sister.
"I didn't hear you correcting me," Harper countered.
"We're lying to everyone – even Hermione," Harry stated.
"You could have just told Mione the truth," Harper remarked, and Harry paused. "What else was I supposed to say? I challenged Tom Riddle for who was the true heir and won? That the basilisk was still alive? You'd know what they'd want to do if they knew she was alive."
"Go into the Chamber and kill the basilisk," Harry said with a nod.
"And even if I refused to open it, they would eventually find a way in," Harper added, and Harry had to nod again. "And that basilisk is connected to our blood. Tom Riddle might not have cared but there's a responsibility on both sides with this kind of bond. We have to protect the basilisk as much as the basilisk has to follow my orders if I give them. We owe it to…"
"Salazar Slytherin," Harry completed his sisters' thoughts. "Who we're somehow related to."
"We can solve that mystery another day, but for now you're a basilisk slayer, Harry. It's the only way," Harper remarked, and Harry gave a nod.
Before Harry could call Lucy, who was playing around in the pumpkin patch, there was a pop and Dobby appeared before them.
"Dobby? I thought you'd be gone," Harry said, frowning at the House Elf.
"Master Dumbledore has hired Dobby as his personal elf!" Dobby squeaked happily, and Harper and Harry shared a look. "Master Dumbledore even agreed to pay Dobby and has given Dobby a budget to buy his own clothes! Dobby will be seeing Master Harry and Mistress Harper more," Dobby explained.
"Payment and clothes," Harper stated at this.
"Seems some progress is being made," Harry added.
"Master Dumbledore is giving Dobby one Galleon a week!" Dobby added, causing the siblings to pause, but the House Elf popped out once more, leaving the siblings in momentary silence.
"Is this a good thing?" Harper asked Harry who shrugged.
"Well, if it's my release yer talkin' abou', I hope the answer is yes," the pair were surprised by the gruff voice and turned to see Hagrid walk down the path. Grinning, the two ran to give him a hug as Lucy came running up to say hello too. Fang could be heard barking from the small house too, knowing his master was near.
-Harry Potter-
Later that day, Harry and Harper were walking into the Great Hall for the celebration, and they were amazed – the hall was decorated in a way they had never seen it before. Balloons and streamers across the hall in colors of red, white, and blue. There was even an American flag hanging across the hall. Before the two could go to a table though, Professor McGonagall called for them.
"Head table, you two," Professor McGonagall stated before they could join their friends.
"Go," Hermione said, waving her hands at them, as the two went to the head table.
"Wotcher Harry, Harper," the two heard a familiar voice and a young woman with bright pink hair was sitting down next to them. They grinned at Tonks.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"You'll see," Tonks said, giving them a wink.
The hall had filled up quickly and soon Professor Dumbledore was standing in front at the familiar eagle-winged podium.
"Attention, everyone!" Professor Dumbledore called out and waited until the whispers died down. "Now, before we get into a celebration, I would like to announce that Professor Lockhart resigned last night and fled. Due to leaving the school while the school was in danger, Aurors found him and took him into custody. Long story short, he is being charged with several accounts of illegal use of memory charm, due to fabricating his many adventures. It will be in this evening's Prophet in full, so keep an eye out for that."
Professor Dumbledore paused for a moment to let this information sink in. "Now, since it is February and we have several months of schooling left, I requested to Madam Bones, head of the Auror department, for an Auror to take Defense Against the Dark Arts for the rest of the year. She has sent Junior Auror Nymphadora Tonks to take over. As unofficial Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, we welcome Miss Tonks for the rest of the school year."
Almost before Dumbledore had even finished, Fred and George had stood up and started clapping loudly, followed by almost everyone in 3rd year and up who must have known Tonks during her years in school. The first and second years followed the example of the older students; Professor Dumbledore gave a smile and waited for the cheers to die down.
"And now for the bigger announcement, as the school seems to know already: The Chamber of Secrets has been found, the monster within slayed, and now it is forever closed by Harry James Potter and Harper Evans," Professor Dumbledore said and there were more cheers at this; Harry's eyes though found Draco Malfoy, who was simply looking confused at the information. "And as of such, both Gryffindor and Slytherin will receive 100 points apiece, and Harry James Potter and Harper Evans will be given special awards for services to the school."
Professor Dumbledore took out his wand and waved it over at the two students, and then suddenly a medal appeared around their necks; Harry looked down and took what appeared to be a gold medal into his hand. It had written on it 'Special Services to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly' and Harry knew there would be a trophy in the Trophy Room for them soon.
"Would you two like to say something?" Dumbledore asked.
"We just did what anyone would do in our positions," Harper muttered; Harry nodded at this.
"Very well. And now – a feast!" Professor Dumbledore called, waving his hands as food appeared across the tables. Harry and Harper could see the House Elves had taken an American feast seriously as the table looked like someone looked up popular foods in America and made everything from all over the country, from main Lobster Rolls to Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. There was even Jambalaya on the tables too. Harper and Harry were pleased Mac and Cheese with Meatballs were present too. The siblings happily talked to Tonks throughout the celebration as they ate the food.
Post Chapter Note 1: I hope you enjoyed that twist. One more chapter to go in Year 2 now.
Post Chapter Note 2: Due to my beta's life getting really busy, there will be a sizable gap/wait between the next chapter and the start of year 3, but I'll let you know more when the last chapter goes up in 1-2 weeks.
Karry Master OUT!