章 1558: 20
Chapter 20: Albus Dumbledore finds out that one shouldn't anger werewolvesNotes:
Good morning everyone! Here is the latest chapter for you all. As always, thanks very very much for all of your feedback, that's still one hell of a motivation.
Have fun with today's chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The days following the first attack, everyone was quite tense. This time around not really anyone started accusing Harry and it was mainly Ron glaring at him. Well, Seamus and Dean were not really sure what to believe, but Harry wasn't really close with them at all, so he didn't care.
To be precise, there were other people glaring at him, but those were just girls who were jealous. It seemed like Ginny had told her story from the train to Lavender, wanting to know if it was because Harry and Hermione were an item. That led to Lavender assuming they were, meaning Harry and Mione had dozens of glaring girls staring at him, for example Ginny, Cho, Marietta, Parvati or that Hufflepuff girl, whose name Harry couldn't recall. That friend of Katie's…Leanne, that was her name.
But that was not so bad, they could live with that.
In regards to the Chamber, the rumours and theories became crazier every day. Suddenly, all copies of Hogwarts: A History were borrowed from the library, a sight that would have made Hermione happy any other day but in that instance it just led to speculation. She herself knew how helpful the book really was in regards to the Chamber - not at all. That's why the question about it came up in a History of Magic lesson, but this time not from Mione.
"Yes, Miss Dunbar?"
"Professor, could you tell us something about the Chamber of Secrets? Hogwarts: A History doesn't really have much information about that in it."
"Miss Dunbar, I'm teaching history and that is all we are going to talk about in class. I don't have the time to discuss myths."
Now Hermione chimed in.
"But Professor, doesn't every myth have some sort of truth in it? Besides, you must have already been teaching here when it was opened last in 1943."
Harry wasn't sure who was more surprised by that statement, the students now finding out that it had already been opened once, or Binns being absolutely shocked that Hermione knew about it.
"And how did you get aware of that, Miss Granger? I'm very certain that Headmaster Dipped didn't share the specifics of the incident from '43 with anyone outside of the staff and the head of the DMLE."
"Oh, I didn't know for sure until now, but I've read about the death of Myrtle Warren and there are still some reports from students about writing on walls. Besided, as you might be aware, we attended Sir Nick's deathday party and had a conversation with Myrtle then. It was the most logical conclusion and you confirmed it"
The ghost looked upset first, but then gave her ten points for her brilliance before admitting that this was true. Myrtle Warren, also known as Moaning Myrtle, had been killed when the chamber was opened the last time, but then stated that the ministry had caught the perpetrator.
"Oh please, Professor. I think we can agree on the fact that it wasn't Hagrid. Yes, I heard he raised an acromantula in the castle, but that creature neither petrifies nor kills without leaving any marks on the body. They eat their prey. The ministry just broke his wand because he's a half-giant, or at least I'm fairly certain he is. That accusation is utter nonsense."
After that statement, the ghost actually had to agree with her but then continued to tell the story behind Slytherin's hidden chamber and the myth of the beast within it, which would some day purge the school from all unworthy to study magic. That did not really have any calming effect on any of the muggleborn students, neither in this specific class nor in the whole school, because by the end of the day everyone knew about it. At some point even old Dumbles himself heard that Miss Granger had been telling stories about the last opening of the Chamber of Secrets, and so he ordered his deputy to bring the girl to his office after dinner.
"Miss Granger!"
"Yes, professor, what can I do for you?"
"The headmaster has tasked me with telling you that he would like to see you in his office immediately after dinner. And before you ask, I don't know what it is about."
Mione nodded. To be honest, she should have expected something like that. After that history lesson it was about time that the headmaster would want to have a private word with her. And to her shock, he had even denied Minerva to join the conversation as Head of House, apparently the Hogwarts student statute only granted that right when it had something to do with a violation of the school rules or it was related to performances in class. Dumbledore had only changed that a few years back apparently, maybe even as preparation for the many times he would speak to Harry in his office.
Minerva led her student to the stone gargoyle, asking it nicely to allow Hermione passage, before conjuring a chair. No chance she would go away, she would continue sitting here until Hermione came back so she could check her for potions or charms. Or even better, she would check her for charms and then take her to Severus, he was much better with potions - obviously. She sent him a patronus message right away.
Dumbledore, who thought that his office filled with rare tomes and obscure magical artefacts would impress the young Miss Granger and get her in a mood for talking and spilling her secrets, was very surprised that the young witch was barely talking to him. After a very brief and almost clinical description of how she came to the conclusion in regards to Myrtle and the Chamber, she was silent and avoided his gaze, meaning he couldn't even use his legilimency skills on her. Well, he probably shouldn't do that either way. Not because it was very unethical, but rather because the bright young witch might even recognise his attempts or at least describe the feeling of his mind probe to Minerva or another teacher, wanting to know what that was. That girl was a danger to him and his plans.
Well, but maybe the Basilisk - he wasn't stupid after all, he had figured it out back then in '43 when he still had his hopes of Tom following him - would take care of her. Once the wards would detect another movement from the snake, then he could confound her and toss her somewhere in close proximity to it. Then all his problems would be gone.
To be honest, not all of them. He had no idea who the guilty one was. Last time it had been obvious, but allowing Tom to go through with blaming Hagrid had been the best solution to the whole issue. Now he had an obedient half-giant, owing him everything. And without his wand Hagrid would never get a normal job, so he was bound to Hogwarts after all. A very cheap way to manage the grounds.
"But Miss Granger, before I allow you to head back to your common room, I have another question. Why did you invite Harry to your home last Christmas without asking for permission to do that?"
Oh gosh, he knows about that, was all that Mione could think at that moment. But thankfully she was brilliant and had made plans how to respond to that together with Harry. But first, play the role of the naive kid.
"Headmaster, how do you know about that?"
He laughed and smiled at her in his usual grandfatherly fashion.
"Oh, I have my way to find out things, but to be honest, I just wrote letters to Harry's aunt Petunia and to Augusta Longbottom. Those were for me the most logical possibilities."
"Ah, that makes sense."
The girl was panicking a little bit, but if he hadn't unmasked their plans until now, then Minnie must have created some protective measures.
"Oh, I wonder what Mrs. Dursley had written to you. Harry had asked them via owl if he should stay at the castle and she replied that she would need his help for their annual New Year's Eve dinner, but then, on the day we left she had somehow acquired and owl - probably she still remembers things like the muggle parent owl service (muggle parents could order an owl via the normal mail if they wouldn't have an owl themselves) from her sister - and told Harry that she didn't need him anymore. But by then we were already on the train, so once we reached Kings Cross I asked my parents, we called the Dursleys and at some point in the holidays I even owled Professor McGonagall a letter about that. She said it was okay."
Dumbledore nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer and then sent the girl back to her common room.
After exiting the gargoyle both Minnie and Snape - who had rushed up here as soon as he got the patronus message - cornered her and cast dozens of spells to make sure she was fine. The girl didn't even complain, knowing it was the right thing to do. Once they had made sure all was fine, she recited the whole conversation, followed by asking Minerva - Severus had already put up a Muffliato - what she had done about the Dursleys.
"Oh, they don't get any owl post anymore, I asked Gringotts - since Harry is officially in my custody - to divert all letters that they would still get as his former guardians to me. In addition to that I put up wards to tell me whenever wizards visit there or anything else magical happens. I replied to Albus' letters."
Mione was so happy right now that the transfiguration professor was on their side, because she was a brilliant witch with whom no one would want to mess with.
Saturday was a day that Harry was dreading. Well, not Saturdays in general, but this one definitely. It was time for the Gryffindor - Slytherin Quidditch match, and if memory serves, then Harry would have quite the issue with a very nasty bludger all day.
On the bright side, Lockhart was not at school this time around, so he would at least keep the bones in his arm now. Oh, and right, in only a few days time Colin would get petrified, which would give Harry a lot more peace and quiet in his free time. Not that he didn't like the boy, but especially in this year with all the photographs…just exhausting.
The day of the game was very rainy and rather cold, so not really the most pleasant weather to play. Oliver wasn't really in the best mood either, because they all knew that the newest Slytherin seeker - Malfoy - was flying his brand-new Nimbus 2001. But he still held his usual motivation speech, not that it really worked.
The Slytherins started off with very dominant offensive playing, leading 40:0 within just under ten minutes, but then slowly the Gryffindor chaser line warmed up and took the lead with six quick goals, four of them alone scored by Katie Bell. Oliver now started performing on his usual level, not allowing any further goals. At that point the game was getting a bit boring, with the lions scoring just occasionally and the snakes not at all for over an hour, but then something changed.
One of the bludgers, which Fred - or was it George - sent towards Pucey, who was in possession of the quaffle, suddenly made a sharp right turn and aimed at Harry. Yes, George - well, at least the other Weasley twin - tried racing towards Harry, wanting to deflect it, but he wasn't fast enough. Luckily, Harry had outflown a full-grown Hungarian Horntail, a rogue bludger thanks to Dobby was no challenge at all.
After that happened around a dozen times, Oliver tried to use a timeout, but Harry intervened. He was having not really any problems whatsoever, it was actually fun.
Around twenty minutes, the score was now 80:50 for the lions, Harry spotted the snitch for the first time, dancing around Malfoy's broom, but the little ferret didn't even realise it. Acting like he would be taunting Draco, he came closer to him, dropping stupid comments about him having bought his way onto the teams, distracting the other seeker.
Then the bludger came racing towards him again and Harry thought that he better act fast now, rushed forward, grabbing the snitch which was flying directly underneath Draco's broomstick and ducked. Madame Hooch ended the game by blowing her whistle once she saw Harry raising his hand with the snitch in it, but then the metal ball flew towards him again.
Remus Lupin now had enough from that damn rogue bludger and cast a rare variation of the immobulus charm at the ball, making it drop down right away and before anyone could intervene he summoned it.
"So, I think we can all agree on the fact that something is wrong with that ball. I'll examine it and you all will get the results."
Not that far away from the quidditch pitch, a small house elf was fuming. Why had the stupid wolf immobilised the ball made to harm young Harry Potter so he would leave Hogwarts? Now Harry Potter wasn't hurt at all.
After this horrible failure, Dobby ended up punishing himself thoroughly for failing this mission, as well as disobeying his master's orders.
As one might expect, the party in the Gryffindor common room was damn wild and crazy. Thanks to the twins' friendship with the elves and their knowledge of the passageway to Honeydukes they had a lot of sweets and other food for their party. At some point, even Minnie joined in and ate with them, but then continued to send all the students from third year and below that to bed, giving the older ones a bit of leeway.
Remus on the other hand was busy analysing the magic on the bludger. Yes, he knew it was a house elf, and he even knew which one precisely it had been, but now it was about proving that.
And that task was seemingly impossible. Yes, he easily proved that a house elf had manipulated the iron ball, but elves did not have an unique magical signature. At least that's what he discovered after a few hours of research and, since there was hardly any unbiased and detailed information available, talking with some elves, both from the kitchens and from the Manor. For the latter he even left the castle so Dumbledore wouldn't pick up on any of that through the wards.
On the following day Remus went to the headmaster's office and presented his findings to Dumbledore, the four heads and Hooch. Everyone but the old meddler himself was shocked and they already started devising plans to find out more and prevent that from ever happening again, but then they were rather harshly interrupted by Dumbledore. He vehemently disagreed with them, called the whole incident "probably a joke, no big deal" and prohibited them from continuing their planning.
Severus Snape could not believe what he was hearing right now. The old meddler probably knew who the guilty party was and didn't want to take the whole thing seriously, just like the petrification incident in general. But before the potions master could raise his voice in disagreement, claiming he didn't want that to happen to his Slytherins, he was beaten to it by an angry werewolf.
"No, Dumbledore! You can't just ignore a thread, no, an attempt on any student's life, and as the closest thing to family that Harry has, I insist on an investigation. No chance I'll let you sweep the whole thing under the rug, just like you always do. You probably haven't even informed Amelia Bones that you have something petrifying people at school, haven't you? Negligent old fool!"
With that he just turned around and left the office.
Dumbledore put on his usual "disappointed grandfather" smile and was starting to say something, but was stopped by Minerva getting up and leaving without a word. After a few moments of shock and surprise, all the other teachers followed her suit, even Severus. That was what surprised the headmaster the most. How could his spy side with the werewolf that nearly killed him all those years ago.
Even the portraits of the former headmasters didn't start speaking, even his old friend Phineas hadn't said anything in months. Little did he know that this was Harry's fault.
After the destruction of the locket Horcrux, Harry, Hermione and Severus stayed for a while at Grimmauld Place, just a few hours to satisfy their curiosity. During that time, Severus was the first to encounter an empty picture frame in which a very familiar person walked in just as he was passing by.
"Severus? How did you get here, into my ancestral home?"
"Damn it. HARRY! I have a problem here."
The young boy came rushing towards him and immediately realised what was wrong.
"Headmaster Black! Your Heir Black commands you to keep his and his associates' secrets, especially from Headmaster Dumbledore. With the power given to me by our Lord Black I silence you to all outsiders!"
"Potter! You boy, how did you get…wait, what?"
Phineas Nigellus Black rushed out of the painting, presumably into his other frame, the one at Hogwarts. Just mere seconds later he returned, looking both upset and surprised. By now Harry was holding up his hand with all the rings, making Phineas realise he had been speaking the truth.
After a short retelling of all the wrongs Dumbledore had done (nothing about the time travel though), the painting was fully on their side and promised to gather intelligence for them, as this would be a proper Slytherin attempt to weaken an opponent.
Remus' outburst spread amongst the staff and at some point, probably thanks to Hagrid, even the students found out about it. The support from the heads of house was something that was very well received among all students. Yes, a few hesitant Gryffindors, Ron for example, were still strong supporters of the headmaster, but the majority was demanding further investigations in both the petrifying and the bludger incident. Not that the headmaster cared.
A few days later (later than last time around, whyever that was) Colin got petrified. Minerva made that announcement at breakfast after having forewarned her lions (at least those that had been awake and in the common room at that time) the night before. Dumbledore, who was sitting next to her, didn't look too pleased with that while Remus had a very visible smug grin on his face.
"And while I know that many of you might not feel safe on the corridors anymore, I have to inform you that neither DMLE nor staff and board of governors were able to get permission for the stationing of aurors as safeguard. Luckily, at least an investigation can't be denied so don't be surprised if you run into aurors or Lady Bones as head of the DMLE. She might even want to talk to witnesses, those interviews would have to be held in the presence of your head of house or a by them named proxy in case of being indisposed."
Any of Dumbledore's attempts of interrupting or expressing his disapproval were stopped, either by Minerva glaring at him or Filius discreetly throwing a silencing charm at him.
Harry wasn't too unhappy about that change, Dumbles did deserve that kind of treatment. Mione on the other hand was constantly complaining about the timeline but simultaneously couldn't deny that all the hatred towards Ronald and Dumbledore was very, very satisfying.
After breakfast they had potions class, nothing interesting since they were all very skilled at it. The four of them (Harry, Mione, Nev and Daph) often changed around the pairing during class so everyone could benefit from each other. This time it was Harry and Daphne. Because they were brewing a fire protection potion, nothing too complicated and the same one as from the potions riddle last year, they had lots of time to talk.
"So, still no change in Tracey's behaviour?"
"No, not really. By now she either hangs out with Parkinson and Bulstrode or is on her own. She's just… I don't know, closing off I'd say. And no, it's no longer only the thing with Nev and you guys, I think she just hoped nothing would ever change, always her and me like before Hogwarts. But with being around so many people for nine months a year that is absurd."
And while this was right, it didn't make anything easier. Harry began to wonder if people just tended to argue more this time around or if he just heard about it more since he was friends with much more people from his year. It wasn't only Daphne and Tracey, but the Patil twins too. Ginny was overall acting a bit strange, but that at least he could blame on something - her stupid crush and obsession as well as the diary. Then Seamus, Dean and Ron, who had massive issues with him, Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein were having major disagreements currently and it seemed like Lisa Turpin was not really talking to anyone right now. Luna had claimed that it was a heavy case of Nargles in her case.
The one person luckily doing very well was Luna. She and Padma were close friends by now, studying together and spending much time outside of class with each other. No one was even trying to bully the little blonde girl, but maybe that had something to do with Harry obviously befriending Luna or with Padma hexing Cho for a "loony Lovegood" comment. Maybe both. The only thing the little blonde missed on occasion was the long-time childhood friend, Ginny Weasley, though she was having a heavy case of Nargles (and Blibbering Humdinger too, apparently). Luna was still optimistic that she could win back her friend at some point.
Despite his thoughtfulness, Harry and Daphne still managed to brew a flawless potion and hand it in, receiving five points each. Didn't make Harry more popular with Ronald, the whole "fraternising with Snakes and Professor Snape" continued to convince him of Harry being dark. At least he didn't say it out aloud anymore (most of the time).
Somewhere in Hogwarts, on a late evening, a girl was once again writing down all her sorrows in her diary. At first it had appeared strange to her that it replied, but by now she was used to that. Her new friend - Tom, that's what he called himself - was always up for listening to her and her problems. Friends and family were just exhausting, had been for quite some time now, and school wasn't really better. Classes were not really nice and she hardly got along with anyone.
Once again the girl was complaining to Tom, this time even mentioning the blackouts she had started to get more and more often over the past weeks. For a while she even panicked that during those times she had done something to those petrified people, but Tom - the only one she could rely on - told her that this couldn't be the case. There was no way she would be able to do that.
Now reassured the girl returned to her usual complaints, and Tom listened. He always listened. Sometimes he even asked her things, be it about her family, her friends - especially her former best friend, with whom she had spent so much time in her childhood. Visits from the blonde girl with whom she had always been able to do crazy things had been everything to her - and on occasion even about Harry Potter. Whyever that was. It seemed like Tom had no idea what the boy had achieved, so she filled him in. He was very impressed by the stories, but also lacked the understanding of what had happened that night in Godric's Hollow.
At some point the girl said good night to her friend and closed the diary. She couldn't continue listening to Tom's rambles about Harry Potter this evening and since she was feeling weak, and has been the entire week - she headed to bed.
Little did she know that the spirit, the soul within the leather diary, was very happy. With every day that passed, he got stronger and stronger. In only a few months he would be able to come back through the girl. Her power became his, her magical core became his, her life became his.
Lord Voldemort would return from the dead.
Notes:
So, that's it for today. Things seem to get out of hand, don't they? Let me know what you think in the comments.
See ya all next week
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