They set out in the middle of the night, each leaving from their own common room after everyone else had already gone to sleep. Ginny enjoyed the cover of the cloak and still, she couldn't help but start at each noise. Sneaking around after hours had never been for the faint of heart, but now it had become more terrifying than ever. It didn't help that she was on her way to commit what the new regime would no doubt consider grand treason.
Yet grand treason or not, the guards stalking the halls were absent tonight. The cloak's protection turned out to be a needless safeguard and when she shed it in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, it was a relief to see her companions had found their way here as well. Each looked pale in the darkness, their faces marked by the gravity of their task. Before, what they were about to do, could have been classified as a prank. Now, they knew it would be seen as sedition and resistance. And yet they persevered.
Ginny tried to ignore their looks on her as she hissed at the tap. This time, the right words came to her naturally and without protest, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets revealed itself. Five brooms disappeared into the darkness.
Descending into the Chamber with the DA felt wrong. Taking even Astoria there before had felt like sacrilege. For all the horrors that had transpired within, these were still hallowed halls. A piece of Hogwarts history witnessed only by a select few. To invite people in was blasphemous. Or maybe that was just Tom speaking.
Yet irreverent or not, they all navigated the dank pipes and then the crumbling tunnel, until they stepped into the Chamber itself. Whatever levity had still remained, was erased when they entered the main room. Each clutched their wand as they took in the sight, trying to ignore the shadows cast by shattered statues and the slain serpent.
"It's an actual basilisk," Chang whispered and Ginny could hear the grudging respect in it. "You faced that down?"
Only now she allowed herself to truly study the skull, unlike last time when she solely tried to ignore it. Its empty gaze was surprisingly easy to meet. It had no power anymore and after everything that had transpired, even its old threat paled in comparison. If only all their enemies could be defeated with a sword and a phoenix song.
Oh, look at what you monsters did to her. She was such a perfect instrument, Tom mourned. She ignored him, even as the memory of his eyes sent shivers down her spine.
"It was all Harry," Ginny admitted. "I was just along for the ride."
And what a ride it was. I miss it. Don't you? Tom asked her, his previous grief already forgotten.
"What a monstrosity," Padma said, approaching the skeleton but not daring to touch it. She was the only one who had moved so far. The rest remained huddled together, Susan looking positively green. A faint smell of rot still lingered, even years later. And the whispers of Tom still echoed, staying their hands.
Ginny took a deep breath. She could do this. They would do this and show Hogwarts the war wasn't over yet.
"Fine, let's get this over with. We have a lot to do and I'd like to get it in place well before the morning comes. If they catch us with it…" Ginny said, leaving the rest unsaid as she drew her wand.
The rest followed her gestures and approached the skeleton. Its teeth glimmered in the dark, still coated with poison. As usual, regular rules didn't seem to apply to Slytherins and their creations. A few teeth were missing though. That must have been Harry's work.
"Be careful, the venom's lethal," she warned them.
"Why don't we defang it first?" Astoria suggested. "A lot less dangerous, and there's quite the poetry to a toothless snake."
"I'm beginning to see why you like her," Padma said, dislodging a tooth with a flick of her wand. The rest soon followed her example. The teeth floated away and piled together in a heap, clattering as they landed, until the head had been rendered truly harmless.
Salazar Slytherin's statue watched in disgust as they worked in silence. The environment discouraged flippancy or even conversation of any kind. Time became fluid as they laboured in the near dark to a symphony of dripping water, grunting and the shattering of bone. Astoria kept casting worried looks at her watch, but if they neared the deadline, she did not speak of it. Instead, they just continued their work, spells digging into the snake's unyielding bone.
It was still dark when they finally left the Chamber behind, chilled to the bone, shoes soaked and eyes struggling to adjust again to the light of Hogwarts' halls, even at night. It took three of them to levitate their trophy, with Padma scouting ahead and Astoria covering the rear.
Still, even the Death Eaters dispatched by Voldemort must have had better things to do than stalk the halls at night. Indeed, tonight the castle seemed unusually silent. Not even the ghosts were about as they crept through the hallways towards the Great Hall. It felt as if Hogwarts itself approved, clearing the hallways for them.
#
Ginny could already hear the voices several corridors away as she made her way to breakfast. It had been difficult not to be the first one down, eager as she was to admire the result of their hard work in daylight. But that would have drawn unwanted attention and made it clear to even the most obtuse of observers that of course the last Weasley would be to blame.
So instead, she had waited until a large group of Gryffindors had left the common room and then tagged along. Two corridors in, she fought the urge to leave them behind, their slow pace infuriating. They clearly hadn't figured out that the noises coming from the Great Hall were a far cry from the usual ruckus of the morning.
In their case, the realisation only came once they stepped inside, freezing the second they reached the doorway. Their shocked gasps were music to Ginny's ears.
"Merlin," one whispered.
"Is that a snake?" a second said.
"There will be trouble," a third added, clearly the most astute of the group.
"Looks amazing though," a fourth contributed and then finally they spilled into the hall to get a closer look. Ginny followed, hot on their heels, and took in her work.
No one was eating, or even seated though most had gathered at their house table as they took in the spectacle. Except for Slytherin of course. They stood there in the middle of the Great Hall, clearly lost what to do as all eyes were drawn to their table.
On it rested the massive skull of a basilisk, defanged and with a hole in the front where the sword of Gryffindor had once pierced it. Flaming letters danced above it and Ginny couldn't help but feel a stab of pride as she read them again.
Slytherin's Heir has been defeated before.
A clear declaration of war, announced in the spell Tom had been so fond of himself, large blazing letters standing out against the dark clouds of the ceiling.
Even the Head Table was watching, mesmerised by the display. Most Professors looked amused. The Death Eaters looked stunned, unsure what to do in the absence of Rookwood or Snape. Ginny drank in the sight; clearly, they had not expected opposition of any kind and were uncertain how to proceed now that they had encountered it.
Nott, Zabini, Harper and all their friends looked equally dazed. For the first time since the fall of the Ministry, they didn't look proud. Their expressions shifted, torn as they were between angry and rattled and unsure just what emotion they could and should show. Finally, they felt how Ginny had been feeling for weeks.
A loud thunderclap broke the spell. Rookwood strode into the hall, wand raised above his head as a bolt of lightning sprang from it and for an instant lit up the whole Great Hall. Another rumble ran through the Hall as he marched towards the skull and ran his hand along it almost gently, his expression intrigued.
"Professor-" one of the Slytherins began but was cut off by Rookwood.
"Yes, yes I see it. There's a snake skull on your table, " he said as he dispelled the blazing letters with a flick of his wand" Very unsanitary."
With another flick of his wand, the skull was gone. Not even a single bone remained in its place. Then, his eyes glid over the Great Hall and somehow found Ginny in the chaos. A weak smile played on his lips.
"Got you, " she saw him mouth before he strode towards her.
Every instinct in her body screamed at her to run. But that would be an acknowledgement of guilt. There was nothing linking her to the skull, no one saw them, they had been careful. Surely he wouldn't act without proof? But as Rookwood got closer and closer, students parting before him, she could see the insanity burning behind his eyes and she realised she may have made a mistake. Unlike Umbridge, Rookwood might not care for even nominal proof. Unlike Umbridge, he might not care for legitimacy. Perhaps all that mattered to him was power and the difference between those who had it and those who didn't.
"Miss Weasley, would you be so kind to come with me?" he commanded as he came to a stop before her.
"Why Professor?" she challenged.
Rookwood raised an eyebrow and with a whispered incantation, her limbs began to move. He steered her like a conductor, marching her through the Great Hall in front of him. Even her eyes were rigidly staring ahead, though that didn't stop her from catching a glimpse of Astoria's worried face.
Yet somehow, Snape was at their side almost instantly, blocking their progress without looking like he was doing it. Ginny had never before been quite so happy to see Snape's greasy hair and hooked nose.
"Augustus," he greeted him while utterly ignoring Ginny. "What is going on?"
"There was a basilisk skull on the table," Rookwood said with a gesture.
Snape followed Rookwood's accusatory finger and raised an eyebrow.
"Yet somehow I don't quite see it. One would think such a sight would be hard to miss."
"I vanished it," Rookwood said, sounding impatient.
"Where to?" Snape asked, tone amicable as if asking after the weather.
"Where do vanished things go to?" Rookwood asked rhetorically.
"So much for a possibly unique biological specimen, " Snape said and Ginny could feel Rookwood's annoyance.
"I'd think that's hardly the point, Severus. What concerns me is who put the skull there. It is a direct challenge of our Lord!" Rookwood said.
"I doubt the Dark Lord would feel challenged by a snake's skull. If anything, he might consider it inspiring for a redesign of the dark mark. Unless it was his Basilisk of course? Did you bother to inspect that before you dispelled it?"
"Inspect it? What for? A name tag?" Rookwood snapped and Ginny could feel the spittle from his mouth land on her neck. If she'd been able, she'd have shivered in disgust, but despite his anger, the spell held. "We are getting off track Snape. Someone put the skull there and I intend to find out who," he said.
"And so you decided to start with Miss Weasley. Quite the mental leap you made from 'someone' to Ginny Weasley'."
"She is the logical suspect and once I'm done sifting through her mind, I'll have definite proof," Rookwood announced.
This time, not even Rookwood's spell could prevent her from shuddering. The thought of him pouring over her mind, laying bare her secrets with even less care than Snape was enough to terrify her. Could she keep him out with all her training? She doubted it.
You'd never be able to. But I'd be willing to help again, Tom offered. Ginny ignored him. Yet would she still be able to if Rookwood sat before her? If his insane eyes dug into her and his voice whispered that dreaded incantation.
He won't just uncover what you did. He'll make it hurt, Tom whispered, stoking her fears.
"Far be it from me to criticise your investigative skills, Augustus, but I struggle to reconcile this with your promise to Minister Yaxley," Snape said.
"I'm sorry?" Rookwood answered, clearly nonplussed.
"If I recall correctly, our newest recruit, Mr Weasley, requested that you would not single her out. Yet here we are, not even a week in and already you are blaming her for the very first incident. One would wonder how Minister Yaxley would feel about it. Or our Lord, if he were to hear you disobeyed his chosen instrument."
For a moment, both were silent. Snape looked as bored as ever, studying his nails with casual contempt while she could almost hear the gears turning in Rookwood's mind.
"What's your game, Snape?" Rookwood asked.
"My game? I don't play, Augustus. I simply observe. But perhaps we should continue this act of observation in my office?" he suggested, as if only now noticing the Great Hall who was watching with barely concealed fascination.
"If you insist," Rookwood grunted, marching Ginny off towards the exit.
#
The office hadn't changed much from Dumbledore's tenure. The only difference was that any trace of Dumbledore's personality had been erased, barring his own portrait of course. Snape either hadn't cared or hadn't found the time to replace the old trinkets with things of his own. Without the silver instruments and other clutter, the place looked rather desolate.
Still, he sat in Dumbledore's chair as if born to it, studying Rookwood and Ginny who both were seated in front of him. Any second now, Ginny expected to feel a Legilimency probe, but so far he seemed much more interested in Rookwood, who was fuming quietly, shifting in his chair like a man sat on a hedgehog.
"Is this a power play, Severus?" he asked.
"Hardly. Like I said, I don't play. Simply consider it a colleague looking out for you. If Miss Weasley is guilty, I'll gladly see her punished," he said coolly, his voice promising pain and horrors beyond imagination. "I simply believe it might be more prudent if I carry out the investigation in your stead. Especially as I am the headmaster."
"Do you even know Legilimency?" Rookwood asked, studying Snape with a scrunched-up expression.
"I am a passable Legilimens. Nothing like the Dark Lord. Possibly not on your level either," Snape said. "But a schoolgirl should not be able to keep me out."
"Fine, you do it then. The sooner we establish her guilt, the better," Rookwood said impatiently.
"With pleasure." Snape pointed his wand at her as their eyes met. His shared their emptiness with the dead basilisk. "Legilimens," he incantated.
Yet somehow, it is different from before. Instead of the expected pain, the deep dive into her memories, she just felt a simple brush on the surface, one loaded with contempt and – impossible as it seemed – caution.
He must still be afraid after last time. Rightfully so, Tom mused smugly.
"Pathetic," Snape declared as he lowered his wand. "Her mind is filled with fear."
For not having read her mind, he had a rather good read on her. His contempt stung all the more for being grounded in fact. She told herself fear was normal. Healthy.
If you're prey maybe. I never sought to excuse my own fear though, Tom countered. Ever since their visit to the Chamber he'd been particularly talkative, as if inspired by his old lair.
"And guilt as well I take it?" Rookwood pressed.
"No, nothing. It seems your earlier demonstration with Mister Creevey left an impact. The stupid child is innocent," Snape declared and Ginny couldn't quite believe her ears. Snape was still protecting her.
"Impossible," Rookwood protested, equally baffled himself.
"I am disappointed as well. But the truth is the truth."
"Impossible," Rookwood repeated, drawing his wand and pointing it at Ginny. "You're wrong. I'll have to look for myself."
"I would advise against it," Snape drawled, his voice so cold it gave even Rookwood pause. Snape's wand was still lowered, but he hadn't relinquished his grip. A nuance that wasn't lost on Rookwood either.
"I thought you didn't play, Snape," Rookwood challenged, wand still pointed at Ginny but eyes on Snape.
"I don't. But I am getting the distinct impression that you are. Because this sounds dangerously like insubordination."
"Simply a double-check. We did it all the time with the Unspeakables," Rookwood was quick to clarify.
"I care very little for double-checks. It implies… doubt," Snape said. "The Dark Lord is allowed to doubt me, but no one else."
Rookwood didn't reply, his wand shaking in his grip as his pupils flitted from left to right, focusing on everything and nothing. It looked like a nervous tic. Without another word, he rose and stormed out, wand still in his hands. She could feel the spell that had kept her in his thrall for so long break.
"Don't say a word," Snape warned, raising his wand and forming patterns in the air. The door slammed shut and something akin to buzzing seemed to descend upon the room. Only when his spellwork was concluded did he turn to Ginny.
"Stupid girl. What did you think to accomplish? This is not a game."
"You think I don't know that?" she threw back. "But we had to do something," she added, voice breaking.
Snape studied her, expression unreadable. She felt just as unable to move as she had when Rookwood's spell still held her.
"Do something smarter next time. For Merlin knows what reason, Albus decided to entrust invaluable information to you. You cannot afford to give Augustus Rookwood an excuse to root through your mind."
"Do you think he can get inside my mind? You didn't have much luck before," she threw back.
Tom laughed in her mind in shocked delight. Even she herself was surprised at what she'd just blurted out. Snape's face was as unreadable as always, though a vein throbbed on his forehead.
"You and Potter are just the same. Arrogant, reckless and short-sighted. What would happen if you were to die during Rookwood's interrogation? What would then happen to the task Albus set you?" he asked bluntly as he rose from his chair. "Do you even want to win this war?"
Snape had a way of making her feel stupid. It wasn't fair. She'd been trying, but had nothing to show for it. This had been the first time she'd felt like she'd made an impact and here he was ridiculing her.
"Easy for you to say. For all I know, you've already given up. You seem to rather enjoy being Headmaster," she said. Anger was easier than guilt or shame. She focused on that.
"Surely you are not that stupid? But then again, as you persist in refusing to share crucial information with me, perhaps you are." He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. "Leave, Miss Weasley. I suggest you spend some time contemplating what would have happened had I not interfered. If I recall correctly, you had a rather instructive example in Miss Granger."