Hello everyone! Sorry for taking longer than I used to, but there were heavy rains where I live, and floods took place. So, my house it's pretty messed up! But it's okay now. Kind of. It would take me a bit more to update again because of that. But I'll be back!
Now, the updates are as follows!
-Harriet Potter: The Demon Empress (One more chapter)
-Overlord: The Demon Empress
-The White Lion of the Red Keep
-The White Wolf of Winterfell
I don't want to spend more time in the Chamber of Secrets as necessary, so it would only take two more chapters before it's over! So, see you all later in a few more days!
Also, like always, if you wish to support me with anything, please donate to my Pay Pal. It truly helps me a great deal and helps me keep on writing and updating. For the people who had supported me before and continue to support me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I hope my works are still worth your support and time!
(paulydppal (at sign) hotmail . com)
Chapter 24
The deepest darkness and coldness of the Slytherin Common room was a rough place for life or light to come to existence. A dungeon of many secrets and dangerous bets. A maze filled with half-truths, deception, and cunning. It was said that the students of the Snake house had no friends but allies or partners. A part of it was genuine, yet it was more than just that. The truth was more lighthearted and straightforward since Slytherins tried to keep it all relatively simple.
Slytherins operated in a political hierarchy. The most influential families would always be on top of everyone else. Still, the Slytherin house has what people call a small council where one rules over as the Snake King or Queen, an exaggerated title, sure, but one that serves them well. That person leads in the shadows and dictates what Slytherin could or couldn't do outside the house. Well, most of the time. The Slytherin council was led by students who were arrogant and prideful. Each was out for themselves, especially if the Snake king or queen was just there to serve as a figure and nothing more.
Few Snake kings and queens in Slytherin history ruled the house with an iron fist whose words were law. Yet, that hasn't happened in a long while. But, in current times, those on top of the hierarchy were children of Death Eaters who believed everything their parents taught them. They assumed their beloved Dark Lord would soon bring a new age upon the Wizarding World where the Purebloods would rule as absolute monarchs. They often use their house reputation to intimidate and blackmail those below them. It was a group of vandalizing students who dreamed of becoming like their Death Eater parents, making them dangerous to young students who wished to be left alone. Students who wanted to move away from that ideology.
"Please leave me alone," a fourth-year Slytherin student whispered, terrified, as she was cornered by two seventh-year students. She wanted to run away, but her exit was blocked by those two who leered at her.
"That we can't do," one of the boys whispered. "You had to pay tribute."
"Yes, tribute," the other one added. "It's necessary for you to follow the rules. No student is allowed in the common room at this hours. Only those in the seventh year."
"It was a mistake. I am leaving."
"No, we can't allow you to leave just like that. You must pay."
"I have no gold."
"Oh, truly? Shame, but don't worry; we can always accept other ways of payment," he purred, slowly approaching the girl who tried desperately to move away.
"Don't...! I'll scream! I swear it!" The girl yelled, hoping the threat of screaming would deter them from getting closer. Yet, that didn't seem to be the case.
"Go on, professor Snape isn't here, and we could Obliviate you. No one would ever know. Not even you."
The girl paled and quickly tried to bring up her wand, but she was too slow. Those two promptly pinned her to the wall and covered her mouth. She was furiously trying to escape, but to no avail.
"Don't worry; we are going to be gentle."
The girl started to sob and prayed for anyone to help her. No matter what. She just wanted to be saved.
And to her luck, a sudden sultry voice stopped both of them before anything could happen.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" A voice with dark skin and a penetrating gaze stared at both of them. "The Burke twins, eh? Couldn't find any decent girl to keep it down? Do you have to resort to rape? Shameful display for one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight. But then again, I am not surprised it was the Burkes house the one starting this."
One of Burke's twins hissed at him. "This is not your business, Zabini."
"Oh, I disagree with that statement. How could I stand idle when a fellow Slytherin is harassed by one of their own? Professor Snape would surely be displeased with this."
The Burkes twins dropped the girl to the ground as they glared at Zabini with murderous intent. They had their wands in their hands, clenching them with anger. They were waiting for an opportunity to strike, and how much they would have loved to do that if it wasn't for the fact that they were pretty unnerved by the second-year student. Blaise Zabini was the most lethal of all Slytherin students. He was beyond his peers, and even some of the oldest years were wary of the boy.
They all remember when a sixth-year-old student tried to teach him a lesson at the start of the year. But he ended up with a broken pelvis, dislocated arm, second-degree burn on her back, and a traumatizing memory of him eating raw maggots. The entire Slytherin house saw it and had to keep it secret, as it was one of the many rules of the snake house.
"Mmhm? What's going to happen now?" Blaise asked with a mocking tone. "Would you attack me? Would you be... that... foolish?" He said with a sultry voice.
"One day, Zabini... one day, I'll kill you," one of the Burkes twins hissed.
"Of course," Blaise replied, still mocking him.
The Burke's twin saw that from across the endless hallway, a girl was glaring at them in the darkness. It was Tracey Davis, and she was eating something. The sound the girl's mouth made as she chewed whatever was in her mouth made them feel chilly. Then, they realized they weren't alone. They saw Daphne Greengrass just lazily looking at both of them. As if they weren't anything but maggots.
"Let's go."
The Burkes left the girl alone, who was still on her knees, shaken up by what could have happened. Blaise hummed deeply. He didn't intervene because of the goodness of his heart. No, he was slowly gaining the addition of more tools for the future. The more people were in debt with his lady's group. The more powerful she'll grow. That's why Blaise used that tactic to gather minions of his own. After yesterday's reunion, I must do whatever I must to obtain more pawns for my lady's use. I need more agents across the school to know everything. But more importantly, I need minions who would do whatever I ask them to. Blaise thought deeply as he approached the girl on her knees.
"How are you holding up?" He asked as gently as he could.
"I-I, I thank you, heir Zabini," the girl replied, embarrassed. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Blaise replied with a gentle smirk as he offered his hand to help the young lady to stand up. "May I ask your name, fair lady?"
The girl blushed deeply. She tried to look her best, despite the current circumstances. Still, she was an heiress; acting accordingly was in her blood.
"I am Eli Travers. Heiress of the Ancient Noble family Travers."
Blaise's eyes shined at the name. She wasn't one of the biggest ones, but the Travers family was highly respected. But the last decades haven't been the best for them regarding gold or status. Blaise recalled that the previous living members were all incredible gifty Aurors and fought during the war. Not only against Voldemort but Grindelwald, and died. A lot of them died. Eli Travers was the only daughter left in the house. Nevertheless, Blaise wasn't going to leave behind a possible good pawn.
"A pleasure to meet you, heiress Travers," Blaise said. "Now that they are gone, I must ask you to be careful not to be alone."
"I know," Eli replied, annoyed not at Blaise but herself. "I should have listened to my roommate. It was stupid of me to go alone in these early hours. Especially when those on the small council are threatening everyone."
"They are truly being more open about it. This is the first time some small council members ever tried to force themselves on a girl," Blaise muttered slowly.
"We should tell professor Snape!" Eli exclaimed. Not only was she angry, but she also felt distraught. What if they tried to do it again later on? What if they chose a poor girl without friends or people to help her?
Blaise nodded. However, he wasn't going to do that. Again, not because Blaise was hoping for some punishment. But because he has a plan, he needs professor Snape to stay out.
Although, Blaise believed that professor Snape had an idea of what was going on with the students. But because of his role during the last war as a spy. Maybe he had a role to play still. Blaise thought Snape needed to keep his image of a stern teacher who leaned towards the Death Eaters and Voldemort. For that, Snape needed to let those Death Eaters' children play around with bullying and whatnot. He did put his foot down, but mostly he let them be. Maybe, Snape would lose his mind if he founds out those two were trying to force themselves on a girl. I wonder how I could use this information.
Regardless of what Blaise thought, Snape needed to play his role, not only for Blaise's plans but for his lady. That was the most important.
"Don't worry, I'll tell him about this incident," Blaise lied easily, hiding his intentions with a smile. "Now, we must be wary of them, be careful young heiress Travers."
Eli nodded quietly, feeling as if she couldn't speak more. She was just mesmerized by Blaise's secretive attitude. The elegance of his aura, how he doesn't even look concerned by those of the small council. She wished to be as strong as him, confident as him. Eli wanted to feel powerful and capable of punishing back those who had wronged her. However, there was something more, Eli wanted to be and was to be next to Blaise. Yet, she has no idea how to approach such a person.
"I... I have to learn more about him," Eli whispered, thinking to herself that it would be an excellent opportunity also to get some new allies.
"But how?"
Eli would need to think about it.
The Great Hall was filled with students, all waiting to see the reason for such an event. Professor Lockhart smiled widely at the students while polishing his wand. It was clear that he was excited about this course. But for those who already knew what type of teacher he was. Excitement wasn't a word they would likely use for whatever the professor planned.
"Gather round!" He yelled happily. "Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!"
Gilderoy smiled, enjoying the look of awe from the youngest students. Not all, but some.
"In light of the dark events of recent weeks. Professor Dumbledore has permitted me to start this Dueling Club to train you all! In case you ever need to defend yourselves... like I have done multiple times in the past," Gilderoy said arrogantly, smirking at them. "For more information, read my books."
Gilderoy then, like a diva, threw his cape away while a group of fangirls grabbed it, all giggling and smiling. Daphne, who had the misfortune to be next to them, gagged. Harriet was in her own little world, honestly not caring much for the class itself. Yet, she did notice the look of Severus Snape. If there was one person who honestly didn't want to be there, it was him.
"Whoah, professor Lockhart is such a brave chap!" A boy named Justin Finch-Fletchley whispered, while Harriet just rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, such a brave man."
"Don't be like that, Harriet!" Cedric said with his beautiful smile. "He's not that bad."
"Are you in love, Cedric?" Nymphadora teased while Cedric scoffed.
"I just think he is decent enough to teach."
"I haven't learned a single thing since he's here," Tasmin muttered. "How are we going to prepare for our OWL exams?
"I am worried about that too. I doubt learning Lockhart's favorite tea and Quidditch team would do us some good," Heidi added, as a few members of her year grunted among each other.
"Now, now, don't worry, lads! We can achieve anything if we work hard!" Cedric said, using his most lethal spell. His smile and his fellow Hufflepuff all groaned.
"Now, please let me welcome to my assistance of today's class, professor Snape!" Gilderoy exclaimed happily, and then everyone in the Great Hall stared at the Potion's teacher with big broad smiles. Even Harriet was now paying attention to what was happening.
"Whoa! Uncle Sev is going to destroy professor Lockhart!" Harriet exclaimed. Severus heard the girl with green eyes and glared at her. Harriet just waved at him with a big goofy smile.
"He has sportingly agreed to help with a short demonstration. What a good lad!"
Harriet snorted loudly, like so many around her.
"Now, I don't want any of you youngster to worry," Gilderoy smiled, winking a some of the girls. "You'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him. Never fear."
Gilderoy chuckled, now looking at Severus. "I'll be gentle, Severus. Don't worry. I don't wish to hurt you. My power can be quite hard to control sometimes."
"I am in your care," Severus drawled.
"Yes, you are!"
Snape's eyebrows twitched madly. Harriet swore she could see foam coming out of his mouth. It was clear that Severus was doing his best to control his anger. He was seething inside. Everyone could only see the pure rage in his eyes. Harriet was having a blast with what was happening.
"I will save this memory for later," Harriet whispered happily. "I'll show it to my dad, uncle Padfoot, and Moony."
"Do you think professor Snape would kill him?" Tracey asked.
"I do hope so," Daphne replied.
"It would be a very entertaining view," Fleur added. "But I doubt we'll see any type of carnage. Sadly."
"Mm, perhaps, professor Snape could poison him?" Susan added.
"Too cliche," Blaise replied.
"Maybe... assassination?" Hermione muttered, surprising them.
"What's wrong with all of you?" Hannah muttered.
Professor Snape and Lockhart walked at each other and prepared for the duel. Gilderoy had a wide arrogant smirk, and Severus looked like someone who killed a baby bunny and ate it raw.
They presented their wands and bowed before walking back to the edge of the ring. Then, they turned around and faced each other.
"One, two, three," Gilderoy said. However, Severus was ahead of him.
"Expelliarmus!" Severus yelled, showing a bit of his resentment, and the spell hit Gilderoy right in the chest, sending him flying away. Perhaps, too far away. It looked as if Lockhart just allowed himself to be pushed out. Harriet rejoiced in the sound of Gilderoy hitting the ground. She saw a smirk on Severus's face, who then glared at her with warning eyes.
You better don't tell anyone about this.
That was what Severus was saying, and Harriet only chuckled, nodding.
"An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape!" Gilderoy replied, hiding his pain behind his smile. "But if you don't mind me saying. It was obvious what you were about to do!"
"If I had wanted to stop you, it would have been easy."
Severus rolled his eyes and sighed deeply. God, give me patience.
"Perhaps it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, professor."
Severus said, with his famous drawling voice. Lockhart now honestly looked a bit embarrassed but quickly brushed it off by simply smiling.
"An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape!" Gilderoy then coughed awkwardly before then staring at Harriet.
"Now, what about some volunteer pair? Miss Potter... and Mister Weasley, how about you two?"
Harriet then glanced at the red-haired boy, who was surprised to be named, and groaned. Thankfully, professor Snape was brighter than Lockhart.
"Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. You'll be sending miss Potter to the infirmary in a matchbox... what about someone from my own house? Malfoy, perhaps?"
Harriet then looked at the golden boy, who glared at her with fear and anger.
"You can do it, my love!" Fleur exclaimed happily.
Harriet smiled as she walked towards Malfoy, who seemed somewhat nervous to face her. Both of them stood in front of each other, and Harriet sniggered.
"How's your nose?" Harriet asked mockingly.
Malfoy's face got incredibly red. It was clear he still remembered everything.
"Wands at the ready!" Gilderoy said.
"You'll pay for what you did to me!" Draco hissed.
"Cash or credit?"
"Uh?"
Draco and Harriet walked to the edge of the ring and got ready for the duel.
"On the count of three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent. Only to disarm! We don't want any accidents here," Gilderoy exclaimed. "One, two-!"
"Everte Statum!" Malfoy yelled, trying to surprise Harriet by attacking before the count of three. However, Harriet knew what Draco was thinking. The blond-haired boy was incredibly predictable. Harriet simply blocked the spell with nothing but waving her wand elegantly. The Girl-Who-Lived then moved her hand, casting a Non-verbal wandless spell that caused Malfoy's legs to lose strenght before falling to the floor.
"That's all you can do, my dear cousin?" Harriet mocked him.
The were many sniggering around, and Draco could feel it. The humiliation of the heir of the Malfoy house was over the roof. He was being made a fool in front of everyone in Hogwarts. But more importantly, in front of the Slytherin house. The seventh-year students were all whispering, clearly upset that their Snake House was being laughed at. Draco knew his reputation was on the line. He had to show them that the Malfoy house deserved respect.
That's why Malfoy tried to stand up, but it was hard to do since he was wobbling around; he glared at Harriet with fury in his eyes and cast another charm.
"Rictusempra!"
Malfoy cast, but Harriet simply shrugged the spell off again by casting a Protego charm without even muttering a word. Everyone laughed at Malfoy's attempts to push Harriet away in any way possible. However, there was also quite a spectacle for the people there. Harriet was showing everyone how powerful she actually was. Professor Snape knew the girl was a capable dueler. Yet, he never thought the girl would be proficient in wandless and no-verbal magic and dueling. Harriet Potter was such a threat to anyone while dueling.
I underestimate her. Severus thought grimly. This girl is years ahead of everyone. Could it be? That the dark lord was right about her? Severus did not want to think bout the prophecy or anything like that. However, he couldn't deny that the girl was special in ways he never thought possible.
"Well, it's time to just end it."
Harriet made sudden movements with her hand, and a yellowish beam of light emerged from the tip of her wand, hitting Malfoy right on his chest and throwing him to the ground.
"I say disarm only!" Gilderoy yelled.
"I disarm him," Harriet replied using her cute voice.
Draco stood up, barely, and slowly noticed how he was changing form. He had a long yellow mouth and feathers sprayed out of his hands. Draco Malfoy slowly morphed into a duck. Everyone started to laugh loudly as Draco began to quack angrily. Harriet smirked, and on her face, a shadow of mischievousness was visible for all to stare at. Snape sighed deeply. Much to his dismay, he remembered that Harriet was still James Potter's daughter.
"That would be enough," Severus said, waving his wand and returning Draco to his usual self. "Now, I think we could learn quite a lot-"
Before Severus could say anything, Draco let everyone know he wasn't done.
"Serpensortia!" Draco yelled angrily, and soon a snake came out of his wand, landing before Harriet, causing some girls and boys to squeal in horror.
"Who dared to dissssturbe my resssst!" The snake hissed violently. Of course, no one could understand it, but Harriet looked at Draco, highly annoyed and insulted.
"That spell is animal cruelty," Harriet said. "You can't bring a cobra out of nowhere and expect her... uh, him to not be angry."
"Move along, Potter. I'll get rid of it for you," Snape muttered while glaring at Draco as he went past him. And Gilderoy also approached trying to be first. Yet, Harriet didn't want the snake to die at the hands of either of them.
"Wait, no! Do not kill the snake," Harriet said. "He's here for Draco's stupidity."
"It's a Cobra and dangerous," Snape said, glancing at Harriet, who wondered what the girl was trying to do. Then, Harriet knelt before the snake and knew right then and there what the girl was trying to do. Foolish girl! Snape growled, knowing she was a Parselmouth, much to his dismay. But, if Harriet talked in front of everyone, like a snake, especially during the recent events. It would bring a wrong impression on the girl. He didn't want such a thing for her.
But it seems Snape's worries were unfounded. "AHHHHHHH!" A loud scream echoed in the room. Everyone's attention was brought to the Gryffindor girl, Tina, who yelled with all her strenght to make sure no one could hear Harriet speaking to the snake.
Snape then turned and saw Harriet's smile as the dangerous cobra snake cuddled with her, hiding on her arm. That smile was filled with arrogance. It was infuriating.
I am not that dumb. That was what Harriet's smirk seemed to say to Snape.
"Cheeky girl," Snape muttered as he grabbed Draco and guided him down. He would need to talk with him; hopefully, Draco would understand if he is not careful in the future. Something terrible could happen to him.
Harriet cooed the cobra, caressing the head of the snake, hissing at it with a tender voice. And while everyone seemed to be unpreoccupied by her. Hermione was rather shocked.
"You're a Parselmouth!" Hermione exclaimed, shocked, while Harriet kept on hissing at the snake.
"Yep, I am; please don't tell people around. It could bring horrible attention to me. Not that I care; honestly, I would have spoken with the snake in front of everyone, but I didn't want to give Malfoy the satisfaction to mess with things."
Harriet smiled as she then put the snake on the ground. "Goodbye, Bob, be careful."
The snake gave a bow and slithered away, disappearing into the forest near the lake they were currently standing.
"You named the snake... Bob?" Hannah asked with an incredulous face.
"Yeah."
"Bob?"
"Yeah."
"Why Bob?"
"Why not?"
"Bob, it's a beautiful name, mon amour," Fleur said, kissing Harriet's cheeks.
"Yeah... kind of, right?" Nymphadora whispered.
Hannah just shocked her head but smiled. "Bob, it is."
"Now that Bob, it's free. What have we found?" Harriet asked them as they all started to walk next to her.
"Nothing much, I am afraid," Blaise sighed, irritated. "I have to give credit where credit is due. Slytherin was a shrewd man. He knew how to hide a chamber."
"Are we sure he even hide it in the school?" Susan asked.
"Well, that's what the legends said in anycase," Daphne added.
"Mm, it seems we are in quite the hassle," Harriet muttered with a scoff. But soon enough, she noticed a rather peculiar thing. On his cottage, Hagrid, the gentle half-giant, seemed to be mourning his death roosters.
"Interesting. What did legends say about roosters and Basilisks?" Harriet asked.
"That it could hurt the Basilisks," Tina replied.
"It is weird that suddenly, Hogwarts roosters are being killed, eh?"
"Indeed, very interesting," Blaise murmured.
Harriet then approached Hagrid and gently tapped his arm.
"Hagrid, right?" She asked, as Hagrid then glimpsed at her with a big smile.
"Oh, Harriet! Yer here!" Hagrid exclaimed happily. "Yer remember me? A good friend of yer parents!"
Harriet couldn't hide her smile, Hagrid was not the brightest person around, but he meant well. A bit goofy and incredibly loyal to Dumbledore, but still a good person.
"Yes, they have told me a great deal about you. Especially, uncle Sirius, something about sneaking out to drink?" Harriet asked as Hagrid coughed nervously.
"Well, they... you know! It's hard to tell them no! Especially, James!"
Harriet chuckled. "Yes, I know, don't worry, that secret is safe with me."
"What can I do for yer? Want to come in?"
"Perhaps another time, Hagrid. I, however, would like to know what happened to your roosters. How did they die?"
"Oh, well, someone has been sneaking out at night!" Hagrid exclaimed a bit angrily. "My roosters are done for, I tell ya! Didn't have many to begin with. Now I'll have to get more."
"When did this happen?" Blaise asked.
"Mm, a few days ago, this one," Hagrid pointed to the one on his hand. "Was the last one I had. Poor Bob, it was my favorite."
"Bob?" Hannah muttered in the background.
"Hagrid, what do you know about the Chamber of Secrets?" Harriet asked, and the Hagrid grew quiet.
"What you must understand about that was that it was a terrible time for me," Hagrid muttered. A sense of grief was in his voice and anger.
"Can you tell me?" Harriet asked gently, using his usual charm to ensnare the half-giant. "Please, it is important."
Hagrid grunted quietly, not wanting to tell anyone about it. But looking at those green eyes was a powerful spell of its own.
"It happened fifty years ago... a death, a girl, was killed. They took her body away, and no one ever found the actual killer. The beast that took the young girl's life," Hagrid said. "I knew her, shy and not a troublemaker. She used to cry in one of the girl's lavatories every time they bullied her. That's where they found her body."
Harriet hummed deeply. "Wait, you were a student at Hogwarts?"
"Aye, I was, until I got blamed for her death. They expelled me and took my wand."
"I am so sorry, Hagrid," Hannah said, being the most gentle of all. She shares some empathy toward the gentle giant.
"Don't worry yourself about ol' me. I was able to return here, so no problem."
"What happened then?" Harriet asked.
"Well, nothing much. The charges were dropped when they couldn't find more evidence that it was me. And that's pretty much it. Good thing they never find Aragog."
"Aragog?" Fleur asked, confused.
"I shouldn't have said that," Hagrid muttered.
"Who is Aragog?" Hermione asked.
"A pet... I had at the time, nothing more!" Hagrid exclaimed.
"Maybe it's a key to discovering what happened then. Hagrid, can you tell us?"
Hagrid groaned loudly, but thankfully, the bell sounds saved him. However, Harriet and her friends weren't going to give up as quickly.
"If you wish to know more... follow the spiders! I'll speak no more!"
Harriet scoffed as she sat on the Hufflepuff table. "Follow the spiders? What does it mean?"
"That we should follow the spiders," Nymphadora said, earning a punch in the shoulder by Harriet itself.
"Yeah, but I haven't seen spiders around, or at least not that many."
Harriet said, not noticing Tracey's nervous face. "I... I think I know why."
"Uh?" Everyone then stared at her, confused.
"Ah... what about tonight? We could sneak out, and I'll take you where spiders are," Tracey said.
Harriet looked at her, wondering what Tracey's strange guilty face was. Nevertheless, she nodded. Harriet would need to end the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, so maybe following those spiders may tell her something she doesn't know.
But then, someone appeared out of nowhere and grabbed her by the waist, lifting her up from the table.
"Eiii!" Harriet squealed loudly, but the boisterous laugh from the man responsible for her shameful reaction made her groan.
"Padfoot put me down!" Harriet exclaimed.
"What? No love for your godfather?" Sirius exclaimed, offended.
"Put. Me. Down!"
Sirius chuckled, following Harriet's instruction.
"Lord Black," all of the kids said.
"Hello," Sirius remarked, grinning brightly. "Do you all miss me?"
"No."
They all replied instantly, making Sirius' body twitch nervously and hurt. "Auch, I thought my charisma would never fail me here."
"What do you want, Sirius," Harriet requested with a scoff. "I was eating."
Sirius smiled, fondling Harriet's already messy hair. "Just Auror business with your father."
"Oh, dad is here? That was fast."
"Well, when his dear daughter sent him a letter telling him that nasty things are happening at Hogwarts. Daddy James came here as fast as he could."
"Don't call him daddy James," Harriet gagged. "It sounds weird."
"Yeah, that's true. In anycase, things are going to be quite hard now. Parents are now aware of things and are demanding answers."
Harriet nodded, just wondering when the first edition of the Daily Prophet would arrive detailing all the things happening at Hogwarts. A part of Harriet shouldn't feel that happy for such news to come. But, she was curious to see the reaction of certain people. Especially Dumbledore.
"Where is dad?" Harriet asked.
"With Dumbledore, no doubt asking him all sorts of questions."
"Mmhm... oh, can I talk with him... and Dumbledore?" Harriet asked, and Sirius stared at her, confused.
"Ah, I guess... why would you want that?" Sirius questioned.
"There's something I'd like to know first... something I think Dumbledore would know."
"Alright, let's go then."
Harriet and Sirius walked towards the entrance of Dumbledore's office. That spiral staircase made her feel claustrophobic and anxious. A question emerged within her, wondering why professor Dumbledore would like to live in such an office. Maybe, Dumbledore didn't choose it. Perhaps it was given to him by the school. It didn't matter. Harriet just wanted to reach her destination. Thankfully, Harriet's apprehensions were gone when her father's voice was heard.
"A student is petrified, and no report has made it out. Why would that be, professor Dumbledore?" James asked his previous mentor. Dumbledore sighed deeply,
"I did report it, James."
"Only when a student was attacked. You should have done it long before."
"I thought I had it under control. I was wrong."
"Clearly."
James scoffed loudly, not liking that the school was again under such threat. He needed to do something before a student was killed. That would be catastrophic.
"James, professor Dumbledore," Sirius called, bringing the attention of both of them to Harriet. "Little miss Potter here wishes to speak with both of you."
Harriet kicked Sirius's shin as an answer to be called little. "I am not little."
"Sorry!"
The green-eyed girl approached her father and immediately noticed the dark circles around his eyes. The unshaven beard and her father's already messy hair just look messier. James hasn't had time to rest in the last week or more.
"Dad, are you alright?" Harriet's worried voice made James realize his current look wasn't perfect for him. He was indeed incredibly exhausted and still had an incredible amount of work. However, James wasn't going to show such a face to his daughter.
"Yeah, don't worry about your old man. I just need a quick nap, and I'll be like new."
"Sure you will," Sirius joked.
"Don't listen to him, now," James said. "What brought you here?"
"The Chamber of Secrets and the creature that has been attacking Hogwarts. I know what it is," Harriet declared.
"You know where the Chamber of Secrets is?" Dumbledore asked, eyes sparkling, and his gaze was hard as stone.
"No, but I know what creature has been causing problems. It's a Basilisk."
"A what...? A Basilisk?" Sirius replied, shocked.
"Harriet, how do you know this?" James asked with a harsh voice.
"I can hear him in the walls, crawling before the attacks. It sounded like a snake but clearly not of the same size, and knowing that the victims were petrified allowed me to theorize about the possible culprit."
Dumbledore hummed deeply, caressing his beard, thinking Harriet's words. It wasn't farfetched at all. It made sense; truthfully, he had his suspicions a while ago. But never concrete proof.
"Slytherin symbol is a snake... so, the Chamber of Secrets is his, hence a big snake guarding the entrance of that place."
"If you put it like that, yes, it does make sense," Sirius muttered.
"How big could the Basilisk be?" James muttered slowly.
"I honestly don't know. It sounds large, but how did something so big move through Hogwarts without nobody noticing?" Harriet pondered slowly.
"The sewer system?" Sirius said. "It's the only way for it to move all over the castle."
"Yes, of course," Dumbledore said, slowly looking around for a map of Hogwarts.
Harriet noticed the portraits and saw one of the previous headmasters of Hogwarts; among them was Phineas Nigellus, one of many ancestors of her. She waved at him, and the ancient headmaster sighed deeply, remembering their little chat not too long ago.
"Here it is," Dumbledore said, showing the group an ancient school map. "It's dirty, but we can see some tunnels."
"I knew Hogwarts sewer system was big, but this...! It would take us weeks or months! Before we could find anything," Sirius exclaimed.
"And some parts look rather breakable and dangerous," Harriet added.
"Yeah, but the safety of the students remains our top priority," James declared.
"Professor Dumbledor, this isn't the first time the Chamber was opened, right?" Harriet said and stared at the old headmaster, who took a deep breath.
"I believe you already know it," Dumbledore replied.
"I asked Hagrid about it. Fifty years ago, a student was killed, Hagrid was considered guilty, but I doubt that's the end of the history."
"That's something I didn't know," James stated, glancing at Dumbledore.
"It happened when I was a professor. Headmaster Dippet was distraught by that accident. Everyone was. We couldn't find the real culprit at the time. I didn't know. Well, I suspected there was something in Hogwarts but never a Basilisk. The Chamber of Secrets is something each generation of teachers has tried to search but has never been found."
Harriet nodded but could feel as if there was something more behind those words. Dumbledore was hiding something. She could sense it.
"Professor Dumbledore... you know something more. You suspected of someone, didn't you?"
Dumbledore chuckled slowly, smiling gently at the young girl. "You should have been in Slytherin, Miss Potter. Nothing escapes you."
"Perhaps."
"But yes, there was someone who I suspected had something to do what that incident," Dumbledore stated.
"Who?" James asked, and Dumbledore took a few seconds to reply. He seems lost and thoughtful. Maybe, the old headmaster was genuinely trying to change his way. Or perhaps, it was something else.
"A Slytherin student who charmed everyone. He was the top student, popular, and attractive. I didn't have evidence or anything for that matter, just my gut feeling."
"Your gut feeling?" James replied, not believing much of what Dumbledore was saying.
"Yes, but as I say, it was only a feeling. It's not enough for me to actually move and claim he was."
"But you did help Hagrid, didn't you?"
"Of course, Hagrid was an innocent student wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit. But, they wanted someone to be held accountable. So, they could say they did their job and leave the nasty business behind."
"No much has changed," James hissed. "I don't doubt Fudge would do something like that if a student were to die now."
"I am terrified of how accurate that is," Dumbledore replied with a sigh. "Fudge would surely do something like that. Blame an innocent person, so he could look like a capable leader."
"Mm, I'll look into this incident," Sirius tells James, ignoring Dumbledore. "Maybe, there's something in our files."
"Do it," James replied. "Still, the Basilisk is a problem. We need to send an alarm and let the parents know about this."
"If this goes out, Hogwart will be close for the rest of the year," Dumbledore pointed out.
"Good, it's better that way than risk the lives of children," James added sternly.
"And I understand, but Cornelius won't allow the school to close or the news to be out. You know this," Dumbledore said, now with a stern voice. "He'll pull his strings and make sure it never reaches the Daily Prophet."
"I'll speak with Amelia about it. For now, I suggest all students remain in their common rooms."
Dumbledore and James gazed at each other, and for a few minutes, none said a word.
"I'll tell Minerva. She'll speak with the rest of the professors."
"Thank you. I'll bring some Aurors with me, so we can start searching for this beast," James said, and now he turned to his daughter.
"And you need to return to your common room."
"I could help you," Harriet said. "I can hear when the Basilisk is nearby."
"No, I will not risk your life," James stated fervently. "This is way dangerous for a child."
"But, dad-!"
"I say no!" James shouted, and Harriet's body was shocked by it. She wasn't used to hearing her father scream at all. James wasn't a man that enjoyed screaming at all. It scared her. Harriet's past memories of her old father weren't pleasant. The screaming, the beating, and more. It didn't suit Harriet well when James yelled at her when he got angry at her.
"I'm sorry," Harriet muttered softly.
James sighed deeply. He didn't like shouting at all, especially at his child. But he couldn't think of something worse than allowing his child to go with him.
"Harriet, sweety, listen to me," James knelt before her, smiling gently. "Protecting your life is my only goal. That's what a father should do. I love you, and I can't think of even putting your life in danger. How could I call myself a man, a father, if I think of risking the life of my own child?"
James stated slowly. He knew that he had failed before. It was painful to accept that he wasn't doing his utmost best to keep his child safe. That's why never in a million years. He could knowingly ask his daughter to be put in a dangerous situation. Not like before. Never like that.
I may not be the best father for you, Harriet. I have my shortcomings. But, I rather die first before allowing any hurt to fall upon you. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you.
James thought as he softly kissed Harriet's forehead. "Please, I just want you to be safe here. That's all. So, would you please, listen to me?"
"I could help you," Harriet muttered gently.
"I know, Harriet. You're a powerful witch, incredibly smart and capable. And I am not doing this because I see you as a child or because I don't think you wouldn't be able to defend yourself," James said, caressing Harriet's messy hair. "I do this because I worry for you. Putting your life at risk is something I wish to avoid at all costs."
Harriet stared at his father's eyes and could only feel her heart beating hard. Is this what having a father is like? To have someone who cares for you, who wants nothing but the best for you? It feels nice. This feeling in my heart, I like it."
"I understand, dad."
"I know you do," James said. "Don't worry, let your old man take care of things. I'll get some roosters; it's going to be fine."
Harriet nodded, but while she would like to let things go by and let her father do it. Things were more complicated than that.
Thank you, dad, for being honest with me. And for loving me the way you do. But... I'll have to disobey you again, just like you wish to protect me. I want to protect you too.
Harriet thought as she would find out where the Chamber of Secrets was, the Basilisk and what happened fifty years ago. I'll find it.