917Chapter 20 – Pointing Fingers
Letters
Minerva,
I hope receiving this reply so quickly does not make me seem over eager. Words cannot describe the honor I feel in this moment knowing that you think me both qualified to teach and personable enough to do so to children. I don't think I have to mention that teaching the son of two of my best friends is an even greater gift.
I suppose I should not be surprised that you thought of me; being my head of house you knew of my dream of gaining my defense mastery and then using it to impart knowledge. What you probably didn't know during that meeting is that I assumed I would never get the chance here in Britain and thought, if anything, my chance would be through private tuition.
It would be remiss of me if I didn't ensure that you knew all the facts. We spoke during Order meetings so you know of my affliction. I don't remind you of this to tell you I am a danger to anyone; I have always taken great precautions to ensure I am always safe. There are a number of options I can chose from, including spending those nights in London with Sirius so that I am not even near the grounds if that would make the other teachers feel more secure.
One to the topic of your second missive; I am beyond concerned that the legendary Chamber of Secrets has been opened once more (though if I am honest, I was not aware it had been opened the first time). I will be starting my own research on the subject as soon as I finish penning this letter; the Black library is extensive; someone might as well use it for good. If I find anything promising I will be sure to contact you immediately.
It will not take me long to get things in order and can be ready to start Monday as you originally asked. There are a few things I need to square away with Sirius or I would be able to start tomorrow. I may need to either spend the odd night with him or have clearance for him to sleep on the couch in my quarters; he is doing much better but still needs support when he is having a particularly bad day.
The last thing I think should be addressed is Severus. He and I did not have a good relationship in school, as you are sure to be aware; my question is, has Severus been informed? Is he at the very least indifferent to my joining the staff? I would hate to cause undo tension amongst my colleagues.
Unless I hear from you before then, I will see you on Monday. I look forward to working with you and am excited to begin teaching. If there is anything you need from me, simply let me know; you have always stood as a guard to the students and that is something I will always support.
Remus Lupin
…
Father,
Last night our former defense professor was petrified. Additionally, there was a note proclaiming that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened and the Heir would be seeking vengeance against those who opposed him. From what I gather, this was not the first time the chamber has been opened, that is what the Bloody Baron said when I asked. Others were petrified in the mid-forties, and there was one death. I need more information father. Things are not as they seem and I fear for my friends and for my own future should the heir succeed. What do I need to know?
You have never hidden the secrets of the past from me as long as you thought I needed to know or I asked. I am asking now. What do you know of the Chamber of Secrets? What do you know of the Heir? Is this the Dark Lord? Or is it some other delusional blood heir? What is the monster? Can we survive this?
Professor Dumbledore announced this morning that Madam Pomphrey would be able to cure the petrification with the help of Professors Snape and Sprout. There is a potion that can be brewed using the mandrakes we are currently growing; the only problem with that is, the mandrakes will not be mature enough for the potion until near the end of the school year. Is there another way to get mandrakes? I don't particularly care about Lockhart, but if a student is petrified, I think that is too much time to wait.
I am starting to wonder if Hogwarts is really worth all of this. Admittedly, things were much better after Quirrell was dealt with and a new history professor was hired. This year is just as bad as the start of last year. Well perhaps not quite that bad; no trolls yet and certainly no dark lords cursing brooms. But we got a terrible defense professor who was then petrified and the student body was threatened by a mad man who claims to follow Slytherin's prejudice. Why is it that my education has to suffer because of the mistakes made by men old enough to be my grandfather?
Ignore my melancholy words father, I am just frustrated. This morning has been difficult. The whole school is on edge and what walls we had broken between houses seem to have built themselves back up overnight. Most of the school is looking at my house like we are the harbingers of evil; Harry and the others aren't of course but it is challenging to be looking over my shoulder at every turn.
I will leave this for now,
Your daughter,
Daphne
…
Aunt Petunia,
Sorry for the delay in this letter, I needed to do some research before I could share what was going on. Things are crazy again.
I know I told you about Lockhart, and his inability to teach, but the good thing is, he was fired. At least I think he was fired. Dumbledore made an announcement that he had some great opportunity that was forcing him to leave but I really don't think that's true. I am sure Lockhart would have played it off that way too but he never got the chance.
He was late to the dinner that night and in fact he never showed up. Peeves, the hilarious poltergeist that I told you about, flew in to tell the Bloody Baron that another ghost in the castle was basically having a panic attack. Moaning Myrtle, so named because she cries all the time, haunts a girl's toilet on the second floor; Hermione told me that no one uses that bathroom because it is flooded so often because of her crying. She terrorizes anyone who comes in and, according to the twins, has boundary issues with male students she finds attractive.
It seems that Lockhart was attacked in her bathroom! When the professors found him, with a good portion of the student body standing in the hallway behind them, he was laying down on the bathroom floor in a puddle of water completely petrified. Fred and George managed to sneak a peek before the professors arrived and said he looked like a statue of himself, and he was frowning. Outside the bathroom, there was a note written on the wall in red. The message was written in red paint, that is what Professor Flitwick said; it is an easy enough spell to master so that makes sense.
"The Heir has returned. Those who oppose him beware, for his wrath will be sated in blood." Most of us didn't know what that meant; Daphne was the one who understood what it meant. She was standing next to Neville, Hermione and I, Blaise and Draco were right behind us. She said it was the Heir of Slytherin, Salazar Slytherin was one of the founders and history says that he wanted to keep muggle-born students out of Hogwarts. We did a little research, which is the reason my letter is later than usual, and found that he fought with the other founders and eventually left. Rumor says there is a secret chamber in the castle that houses his legendary monster, but no one knows what it is.
The castle is in a bit of an uproar. Hufflepuffs are running around like all of house Slytherin is going to hex them. Most of Gryffindor keeps their wands in their hands at all times, as does Slytherin; both are prepared to hex on site. Ravenclaw is probably the only house acting even remotely normal, unless you consider the fact that we spend even more time in the library.
Draco and Daphne wrote home to ask their parents about the chamber. Draco's father basically sent him a letter extolling the virtues of Voldemort, which confused Draco until we got Daphne's father's reply. It seems Lord Voldemort, the man who killed my parents, claims that he is the heir of Slytherin. This might be true, and it also might not be. Daphne says there could actually be a dozen heirs of Slytherin because of the pureblood magical world's need to keep non magic blood out. What her father did say was that Voldemort claimed to be the heir and that the chamber was opened back in the 40s. Mister Greengrass doesn't know for certain but he thinks that the one to open the chamber was Voldemort when he attended Hogwarts. There is no record of anyone by that name ever attending but he also said that it was probably a made-up name. Hermione says his name means flight from death in French, which is kind of pathetic if you think about it.
Anyway, the Chamber is open and someone is out to get me, at least I think they are. I am going to be very cautious and will be working to figure this out. I understand if you want me to come home because of the danger, but I would like to see what happens first. This could get cleared up soon; Professor McGonagall is on the warpath right now and Professors Snape and Flitwick are right behind her.
On to a less serious topic. I have been working with Professor Vector. She asked to meet with me and my Head of House because of what happened last year at the quidditch match and a few other things. She thinks I have some form of Mage Sight. I'm not completely sure what that is but she explained it as a gift that allows a wizard to see/feel magic differently than others. If you remember, Daphne said that Luna might have that. Professor Vector says she thinks I have it because I can tell the twins apart even when they are trying to switch places. I think she might be right. She asked how I could tell them apart and I said they felt different. She thinks I am feeling their magical signatures. She wants to work with me to develop my gift so that it could help me in the future. Professor Vector has a form of Mage Sight, which is why she recognized it in me.
And here is the best part, REMUS IS MY NEW DEFENSE PROFESSOR! Professor McGonagall announced it at breakfast yesterday. Most of the hall clapped politely, as you can imagine, my group was excited. Fred and George jumped up, dashed to the head table and started bowing, saying 'I am not worthy,' it was hilarious. Dumbledore's sour face was pretty cool too. Remus is going to be a great teacher, I can tell. We've had one class and it was already as good as the ones Professor Flitwick taught last year. I just hope he can teach again next year.
How is Dudley? Did that big test go okay? Is everything going well at work for uncle Vernon? Is Beans still driving you crazy? Do your roses look alright? Let me know how things are going at home and know that I look forward to the Yule holiday so I can see you again.
Love,
Harry
P.S. I promise to be careful and if I see anything, I will let the professors know.
P.P.S. The Quidditch practices are going great and I can't wait for the practice match and the rest of the year's competition.
…
Remus Lupin
Harry wrote to inform me of the changes at Hogwarts and I have to admit I am both terrified and relieved by what he wrote. This Chamber business makes little sense to me and I fear for his safety because of the implications he alluded to. What has given me some relief is the knowledge that you will be there to protect him. Harry has great things to say about a number of his professors but I have only met two of them and during those visits other things took precedence so I did not learn much about them and how they are around my nephew. You on the other hand, I have watched you give comfort and security to my Harry. I know what he means to you and that you would do anything for him.
I beg you, keep my Harry safe, and keep me informed.
Petunia Dursley
Defense Professor's Office
"You don't have to stand there," Remus did not look up from the lesson plans he was studying, "you can come in if you like. I don't bite."
"You almost bit back then."
He looked up then and examined the man who stood just outside the open door to his office. "I had no control over that instance and didn't speak to him for most of the rest of that year because of what he did to you. That was the first time in my life I was truly ashamed of my one of my friends but it would not be the last." Remus sighed and stood, walking around his desk toward the door, "I do owe you an apology. We started out trying to get laughs but eventually let prejudice guide our hands. What we did to you was horrible and I regret it to this day."
Severus Snape took a deep breath. Coming here, working with this man, was hard for him. He had a deep seeded fear of what he was because of that night back in school. Facing a werewolf at any age would be terrifying, but at that age, with so little world experience, it was the stuff that bread nightmares. "I know intellectually you had nothing to do with that night, had something happened to me, you would have been killed, but that does not mean that I don't still feel the fear of my youth when I think back on it. The apology is appreciated but I will admit that I gave as good as I got most of the time. You were the least cruel of your friends and I don't actually remember you ever hexing me, though I know I did hex you; perhaps it is I who owe you an apology for our time in school."
"I could have done more to dissuade them."
"And pigs could fly without the aid of magic; Sirius Black and James Potter did what they wished regardless of what you or anyone else said. Lily refused to even speak to Potter most of the time because of what he did to me but he continued in his quest to humiliate me until seventh year."
Remus smiled ruefully. "I suppose you're right; if Lily couldn't convince him to lay off, no one could."
"Good show," Filius Flitwick clapped from his perch on a desk. "Now that the apologies are out of the way, perhaps we should talk."
"Hello Professor."
"No, Mister Lupin, I am no longer your professor. I am your colleague. I had to break Severus of that habit too. Will you take more or less time to address me by my name, I wonder?"
"Sorry, Filius," Remus smiled and shook his head at the slight scowl on Severus's face. "What is it you wished to speak to me about?"
It was Severus who answered, "The Headmaster."
"Albus has been odd lately and we don't trust his judgement."
"His actions during the last school year and the hiring of Lockhart are not in the best interest of the students and Minerva informed us that the school has put him on a final warning."
The castle warning Dumbledore was a surprise but people losing faith in his guidance did not. "He made it so I was and still am unable to owl Harry. He was all that I had left of my family and Albus kept him from me. My trust in him was damaged when he would not allow me to see or contact Harry; he lost me completely when I learned what the goblins found in Harry's scar." He did not see any shock in their eyes; it seemed they had similar reasons for standing against the headmaster. "What can I do to assist you?"
"We are certain the headmaster knows more than he has reported about the chamber."
"He was teaching here when it was last opened and he sticks his nose into everything; how could he not know who did it."
Remus nodded, "Rumor is that Hagrid was arrested for it originally."
"I heard the same and that is what my research points to as well, but I can't see him being the one to actually do it." Severus added, "Hagrid and a monster together absolutely, but, if anything, a death would be an accident and there would be no petrification. He would say that the animal was just misunderstood. I can see him crying as he begged authorities to forgive the damned creature for making a mistake. Records also say the creature he kept was an Acromantula."
"If I am not mistaken, Acromantulas are also not capable of petrification."
"You are correct, Filius," the defense master agreed. "Acromantula venom typically causes paralysis so that the spider can feast on their prey while it still breaths. The person would still have movement in their eyes and chest from breathing. If they were particularly strong willed or had an immunity to venom, they might be able to move a finger or tow if bitten by a pure breed Acromantula." He looked out his office window toward the forest, "If I am not mistaken, there is only one true Acromantula in the forest now; the rest are his descendants and their venom's effectiveness would vary depending on what generation they are from. The question is, what creature does have that ability? I know of no spell that could do this and there are few individuals enough to perform rituals, particularly in school. A ritual would also require much more staging so we should be able to rule that out." Remus rubbed the back of his neck, "The only creature I can think of that can do anything remotely like this is a gorgon but the victim here is not actual stone, only frozen like stone."
Severus studied his former classmate, "It is nice to have a defense professor who knows his subject. While the duelist from last year was well versed in the spell portion of the curriculum, he knew next to nothing about dark creatures." He smirked slightly, "though we were stuck with Lockhart for a few weeks so maybe I find you this intelligent because of his sever lack of intelligence."
"I was in the top ten in our year Severus. I may not have done all that well in potions, not entirely my fault as the fumes still give me headaches, but I beat you more than half the time in defense." He returned his attention to Filius, "Albus would never believe Hagrid responsible, he is far too gentle. It makes me wonder who he thought was really responsible."
"The only one who could possibly know besides Albus is Binns and I'm honestly not sure if he knows what decade it is, let alone what century." Filius scratched his head, "Are you still in contact with Horace, Severus?"
"I could owl him, but I doubt he would give us an answer that differed from the one of record. Horace Slughorn was always more concerned with collecting the children of important figures and children he potential in. His Slug Club was all he cared about. Chances are, if the true perpetrator was in his club, all he would remember was how great the young man was in his studies. If he did know, he would play dumb and give you a false memory."
The small man sighed, "Reluctantly, I must agree with your assessment. I don't think I would have anything damaging enough to guilt him with or anything valuable enough to guarantee a straight answer so that is a lost cause."
"Who else stands with us?" Remus knew were the Charms professor stood, he was responsible for getting Harry to the goblins, and he would stand with anyone who stood for Harry.
"Most of the staff actually," Severus nearly shrugged. "Septima Vector and Bathsheda Babbling are perhaps the most active of the group, though Poppy is extremely vocal as well."
"Minerva agrees with our stance against Albus but we are only just pulling her in as she was slow to the uptake. Pomona has always advocated for the students."
"The rest don't see the students as often and aren't really considered by Albus. Aurora would be the only one with enough tenure and influence that he might consider seeking aid from but she is a Slytherin so is automatically lower on the food chain for the headmaster."
Filius nodded along with Severus's final assessment, "The only one I don't know about is Sybil, but she rarely leaves her tower."
"Hagrid is assuredly Dumbledore's man."
Remus couldn't help but nod, "That is to be expected. Who else would give him a job like the one he has? Dumbledore has always showed Hagrid the best of himself." He rubbed his temples. "It is hard to believe we have come to this. How is it that the man who stood for the light now moves so easily in the shadows?"
"I can't honestly say," Filius sighed. "He is not the same man he used to be. During the first war I did not question his motives at all. Did he keep things to himself, probably, but who could blame him? So many were lost and there were spies in both camps. No one knew who to trust."
"That's for sure," Remus growled. Peter's betrayal would always haunt him.
"Albus brought the light together and gave them strength to fight and hope for a brighter future. The children still came to school because, with him here, they were safe. Parents could trust that their kids would learn ways to defend themselves if they needed." The charms professor looked toward the window, watching the driving rain fall. "The ministry was barely functioning. Most walked around in fear while the Aurors and Crouch became almost as deadly as those they fought against."
"We all turned to him," the werewolf shook his head. "He defeated Grindelwald, so we looked to him to defeat this new evil. Headmaster, Chief Warlock, Head Mugwump. So many important titles; perhaps we gave him too much power for far too long; maybe he started believing that he was infallible because that is what most actually think."
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely," Severus drawled.
Remus snorted, "Normally I forget that you grew up in the muggle world, and then you say something like that. What would your pureblood friends say if they knew where that can from?"
Severus smirked, "I usually just convince them that I am the genius behind anything muggle I happen to say, as long as they think it brilliant."
Remus could only shake his head in amusement.
Headmaster's Office
"Albus, you must have something more to say on this matter," Minerva fumed. She was not getting kicked out of the castle because of his inaction. There was not much she could do as deputy head; she did not have access to the wards and could not enter a few select rooms. Additionally, Albus had been in the castle during the last opening, while she was still too young to attend school herself. A little research had told her that Hagrid had been blamed of the last Chamber incident but she just couldn't see it. The man may have giant blood and love dangerous creatures but he had a heart of gold. Rubeus Hagrid would never allow one of his pets to attack someone else.
What angered her most, was his sit and wait approach to curing the petrification. Why did he think that it was alright to leave Lockhart petrified for over half a year? "How can you possibly think that waiting until spring is an acceptable healing time for someone who was petrified by Slytherin's monster?"
"I am not bound to protect mister Lockhart's interests in this matter, my dear." Dumbledore looked down at his nails and noticed they were more than a little dirty. He started cleaning them while allowing his mind to wander, "He was no longer in my employ when it happened. I would think that saving funds to provide for the students would be more important than procuring a very expensive plant when we are currently growing ones that only need time to mature."
The deputy head tried not to scream at him. What he said was technically true. The way he worded it insinuated that he would acquire the missing ingredient were the victim a student, so the castle, and she, could say nothing about it. "While that is true, it does feel slightly underhanded."
"The students are my priority, Minerva. My entire focus will be searching out the Chamber and trying to neutralize the beast within so that no others are attacked like they were under Headmaster Dippet's tenure."
"Need I remind you that you were the Deputy at the time, Albus," Armando Dippet nearly growled. "I would have closed the school had the fiend not been found."
"Come now Armando," Albus turned his chair so he could look at the old man's portrait. "You and I both know that Hagrid had nothing to do with his. Acromantula can't petrify people."
"I hate to admit it," Dilys Derwent sighed, "but he is correct. It was discovered that young Rubeus was in possession of an Acromantula and I have studied Acromantula venom; it is only capable or paralysis; which affects people differently based on their magical power."
"I believe I told you that, Dippet," Phineas Black sneered.
"Thank you, Phineas," Dumbledore grinned.
"You forgot to thank Headmistress Derwent, you old goat and I didn't do it for you. I enjoy pointing out the failings of others."
"Well," Dippet growled, "if not Hagrid, then who? Tom was perhaps the most promising student in the school at the time and everything stopped after Hagrid was expelled."
"Does it matter who was responsible at the time?" Vindictus Veridian wondered. "There are very few in the castle now that were here then. Perhaps you could cross reference current students and their parents to see who which families have students here during both occurrences, but," he yawned, "I think it would be prudent to determine what could cause petrification."
"How are we to figure it out now if we couldn't then?" Albus wondered. He really didn't care what it was. If Tom was back in the castle somehow, that meant Harry would be tested again. Perhaps he could create a situation where Harry faced off against whatever incarnation of Tom was in the castle.
"Can I ask," Minerva spoke up before the portraits could go on another rant, "why is it that the castle is allowing Albus to stay? This is another situation where the students are in danger."
Headmistress Elizabeth Burke sighed, "This was not a problem of Dumbledore's making or his inattention. The Chamber of Secrets was made by the founders and has been lost, even to her, since Salazar left. While he is responsible for the children, the current headmaster cannot be held responsible for dangers placed within these walls centuries before his birth."
"While we would love to see him removed for this," Phineas Black rolled his eyes, "a student was not attacked and he has presented sound ideas to protect the students. His plans are more cautious than Dippet's, which is unfortunately in his favor."
Minerva frowned; she was not happy with this uncertainty. "I know none of you know what the monster is, but is there perhaps a ghost in the castle who was around during the time that Salazar Slytherin was here?"
"HA!" Vindictus shouted, "Your Deputy is smarter than you, Dumbles! Did you think to ask the ghosts, Dippet? NO, you did not. Good job, little kitty!"
Seeing Minerva's shock and irritation, Elizabeth Burke spoke up, "The House Elves like Vindictus for some reason. He talks to them about the staff and the house elves call you miss Kitty most of the time."
"Miss Kitty," Vindictus continued, "I would also like to applaud your hiring of the wolf. The castle and elves have always liked him. The fact that he can give Peeves hell will endear him to the students and prove that he isn't a complete moron, like everyone Albie hires."
"Must you make fun of my name so often?" Albus whined.
"I enjoy listening to you whine like a child," he smirked. "It proves to me that you are not as all mighty as you like to lead people to believe."
"While I enjoy watching you and Albus bicker like an old married couple," Minerva managed to maintain her stern expression, she was delighted to see the disgust cover both of their faces. "No one answered my question. Is there a ghost in this castle that knew Salazar Slytherin?"
"If I am not mistaken," Phineas Black interjected before Vindictus could get over his shock, "there are at least two. The Baron and Helena."
Minerva tilted her head in thought. From his description, the Baron could only be the Slytherin ghost; which she honestly should have thought of for that fact alone. "Who is Helena?"
"I believe the students call her the Grey Lady," one of the female Heads answered. Minerva was not sure which one as she was located in a far corner.
"And who exactly is she?"
It was Albus who reluctantly replied, "She is the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw."
An Empty Classroom
"Stop pacing, Harry," Neville shook his head.
"Yeah, Harry," Fred grinned putting an arm around Neville's shoulder, "You're making me dizzy."
"He's making me nervous." George said while lounging against the wall. "You didn't petrify Lockhart did you Harry? I could understand if you were Ron, but he really hasn't done anything to you."
"Maybe he is failing all his classes because Lockhart stole his brain before he was petrified."
"Perhaps, Fred, perhaps," George threw a grape at his brother's head, "but I think it more likely that he has decided to take over the school. Harry and the school have decided that Dumbledore needs to go and only Harry is worthy of taking his place."
"Oh, no, George, what is he going to do? We all know that he was scouted by the Ballycastle Bats, and the Cannons but he won't play there because they're the Cannons; who in their right mind would willingly wear that shade of orange? This is such a monumental decision. Does he follow his dream and play for the Bats or does he give it all up to instill knowledge into the minds of the youth of our great country?"
"Do you want to hex them?" Hermione asked Daphne. The two girls had come in just as the twins started guessing what Harry was going to do.
"I'm surprised I haven't hexed them already. Blaise," she turned to the Italian boy who was right behind her, "Why haven't I hexed them yet?"
He shrugged, "They are amusing most of the time. Plus, they are fourth years, it would be hard for us to take them on even with the aid of surprise. They are far trickier than most think."
"And Harry likes them," Hermione added. "I am fairly certain I just ignore them because they adopted Harry as another brother."
"This is true." The Slytherins nodded.
"Plus," Neville grinned from his place between Harry and Fred, "Their crazy ideas have distracted our nervous friend." This was true; Harry had stopped pacing to follow the twins ping pong match of ideas. "I do wonder where George got the grapes though."
"Kitchens," George said while tossing one in his mouth.
"No, I know that," the younger Gryffindor replied, "but you didn't have them when we got here so where were you hiding them and how long did you have them there? The three of us came here together from the tower and we didn't go down to the kitchens beforehand."
"Wouldn't you like to know," George smirked.
Harry shook his head, "I brought them because George asked for them when he saw me in the hall earlier and I was going to talk to Remus. I was going to be closer to the kitchens than they would be."
"Sometimes, you are no fun," George pouted.
"Harry," Daphne interrupted before the twins could start something again, "why did you want to meet us like this? And why did you want to meet without Draco, Susan and Luna?"
The green eyed Ravenclaw took a deep breath, "There is something I think you all should know. I discovered it last Christmas by accident."
"Why do you sound so nervous, Harry?" Hermione asked with some worry. "You know that we won't judge you, no matter what."
"Well, I might," Blaise smirked, "if you are dating Pansy or Millicent, I would definitely judge you."
"If you suddenly dumped us for Ron, we would be angered and prank the living daylights out of you."
The group turned their attention to Neville, thinking he would have another idea to make fun of Harry's nervousness.
"I already know what he wants to talk to you about and Harry and I decided we were twins, there isn't anything he could do to get rid of me."
"Thank you, Neville, the rest of you are children," Daphne sighed before moving to sit in a chair she purposely pulled directly in front of where Harry stood. "Just get it over with, Harry. We can't reassure you properly without knowing what it is you are worried about."
"Too bad you weren't sorted into Gryffindor," Hermione sighed, "I could have called you a cowardly lion."
"Didn't we already use that cultural reference?" Harry wondered.
"Yes, but it's just too perfect."
Harry shook his head with a slight chuckle, "Thanks, Hermione." He took a deep breath and then looked at all of his assembled friends. "I was planning on telling you all this before the whole Slytherin thing but now it's just more important. Apparently, I am a Parselmouth."
Daphne straightened first, her face not showing her shock like the others did. "You can speak to snakes?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't know?"
"I hadn't realized I was speaking anything other than English when I spoke to snakes in the past. It all sounds like English to me. I found a book written in Parseltongue in Flourish and Blotts while shopping last Christmas and just thought it was in English. Neville pointed out that it really wasn't and after I told him the title, he figured out what language it was and what it meant for me. With the Chamber of Secrets situation, I figured that I should let my friends know what I can do."
"Because, logically speaking," Hermione cut in, "Slytherin's monster would be a snake. Salazar Slytherin is perhaps the most famous Parselmouth in recorded history and his house's symbol is a snake. What else could it be but some kind of serpent. But," she wondered, "is there a type of snake that can petrify its victims? There are any number of venomous snakes in the world and many cause paralysis in the non-magical world; perhaps it is a magical version of one of those? I'll have to do some research." Her attention turned back to Harry fully, "Concerning Parseltongue, what have you learned so far? Is there any special magic you can perform? Can you teach others? Does the book have history? Is there any way I could read the book too? How can I help?"
"And there goes Hermione," Fred smiled at the group.
"I do think she is on to something thinking that Slytherin's monster might be a snake."
Neville tilted his head, agreeing with Blaise's assessment. "But what kind of snake and are we really the first group to consider that? I mean, wouldn't someone else have thought that? Didn't they considered snake breeds when the chamber was opened last time?"
"Perhaps we should leave any guesses for when we actually have research material," Daphne suggested while Hermione continued to ask questions about Parseltongue.
"I see why you didn't share right away," Blaise gave Harry a small smile, "and completely understand not having Draco here right now. He has yet to learn to hold his tongue, despite claiming to be the ultimate Slytherin."
"Is there anything we can do to help you?" Daphne asked.
"The biggest problem I have right now is that I can't differentiate English and Parseltongue," Harry scratched his head. "My book says that is fairly typical and that most won't be able to tell the difference until they reach their magical majority unless they practice with a snake and practice often."
"There are a few portraits with snakes in them," George put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "The one across from Professor Snape's office hisses at people a lot."
"I don't even want to know how you know that," Daphne shook her head, "While that is true, that probably isn't the best place for anyone not in Slytherin to hang around right now." She glanced at Blaise who nodded, "There are a few Slytherin students with snakes that might consent to having you speak to their snake."
"Really?" Hermione wondered; she would get more answers from Harry later. "With all the mistrust going on right now I would be surprised if many Slytherins would trust anyone outside the dungeons."
"Most probably wouldn't, but Imogen Aldridge, she's a sixth-year this year, does what she chooses no matter the current circumstances around her. Neutrality is what she insists on showing and she has made a point to continue to speak with people outside Slytherin and has ignored the distrust."
"Imogen is the only reason spells haven't already started flying in the hallways." Blaise added when his house mate paused. "There is a power structure in Slytherin that most don't realize is there. If Imogen forbids it, the house follows, or at least most of it does. The Quidditch team is about the only group who would cross her and doing so now would get them in trouble with Professor Snape and might see them benched for the season."
"She has said on a number of occasions that she finds you intriguing and I think this would be something she would agree to just for the opportunity to speak with you."
"And this is why it is hard to be a Slytherin," Fred sighed. "They can't do anything just because, there has to be an angle."
"That isn't entirely true," Daphne frowned at him, "I would do anything for Harry because he is my friend. Friendship does not need strings but you can't expect the same from someone you have never spoken to."
"Are there any other portraits with snakes?" attention turned to Hermione. "While it would probably be best for Harry to speak to an actual snake, I don't want him to owe something to a sixth-year. Maybe he could start with portraits and move to snakes as he gets more practice?"
George stood, "Most of the portraits with snakes are in the dungeons, the only one I can think of that isn't within spitting distance of the dungeons is across the hall from the headmaster's office and that seems to be an even more foolish place to sit and talk to snakes. Honestly, Daphne's idea is probably the safest."
"What about Sirius and Remus?" Neville asked suddenly. "I should have thought of this before. Couldn't they get you a snake?"
Harry nodded slowly, "While I am sure they could, if I did get a snake, I think I would like to do the choosing." He reached down for his bag and pulled out his Parseltongue book. Flipping to the page he wanted he, he read a passage, "The bond between a Parselmouth and his serpent is sacred and cannot be forced. While a snake will do as a Parselmouth demands, they can refuse if that demand goes against the ideals of their partner. This bond is like no familiar bond wizards have recorded. Serpent and wizard are a bonded pair; they aid each other, increase each other's strength. No Parselmouth can gain his true potential without a bonded, willing serpent at his side."
"A true partnership," Daphne breathed. "I'll talk to Imogen, explain what I can and get her to promise not to discuss it with anyone should she refuse our request. This feels too important to let it sit on the sidelines. You need to explore this and I will do everything I can to aid you."
"Same here," Neville bumped his shoulder with Harry's, "we are twins after all."
"We adopted you Harry," Fred began.
"Did you really think a silly thing like talking to snakes would scare us away," George finished for his twin.
"Actually, that could be really fun to add to a prank. When you get a snake, we are going to scare the crap out of people."
"And before they get going," Hermione pushed her way between the twins, "let me reassure you that you are my best friend and one of the few who can keep up with me; I'm not letting some wizarding prejudice break us up."
Blaise snorted, "She made it sound like you were dating." He wiped under his eye, pretending he had a tear there, "But seriously, you are the only one I can talk quidditch with outside of Draco, and he gets annoying after too long, so I'm not letting you go so easily."
The twins each dropped an arm over Harry's shoulder, "You hear that," they said as one, "You're stuck with us. Whether you like it or not."
Chamber of Secrets
If she could scowl, she would. The invader in her mind had been obnoxious from the first moment he slithered into her but he had become insufferable in the last few days. He crowed inside her mind about his rising, all because someone who felt like the blood heir had entered to Chamber a few days ago. She was forced to listen to the blood heir, at least to a point. Until the true heir arrived that is.
I don't know why you continue to fight the inevitable. You are Slytherin's monster; he and I are Slytherin's Heir. Magic will force you to obey now that my younger self is here and in an actual body.
You are still an ignorant child. She really needed to frown or scowl. Most of the time she found facial expressions to be useless but at the moment she couldn't even escape into her own mind to complain so she mourned the fact that snakes did not have facial expressions. My obedience is not guaranteed for anyone.
You followed without question before. You killed for me.
The true heir had not yet been born. When the true heir is not among the living, I am honor bound to follow the directives of the blood heirs as long as they do not counter my original purpose.
Well, he chuckled, then there should not be a problem. I seek to bring about Salazar's will. I will rid the magical world of those horrid muggle-born vermin. And what do you mean I am not the true heir? I am the last in Salazar's line.
As I have said before, you know nothing of Salazar's dream. He sought the protection of the magical world.
And the only way to protect it is to kill muggles, muggle-borns and muggle lovers. You still have not answered my question about the heir.
Salazar determined that blood could not chose the right individual to bring about the prosperity he dreamed of. The determining factor would be magic. Magic does not always travel down the bloodline or at least not down the direct bloodline. There are others who carry the bloodline, yet very few have the gift of understanding the true language.
And I have both the blood and the gift. So, I am the magical heir as well as the blood heir.
You are not listening, child.
I insist that you refrain from calling me child. I have lived for more than half a century.
And I have lived for more than ten centuries. You have lived a fraction of my life, to me you are a child. All are children when compared to me. Did he really have to be that obnoxious? If you were the magical heir, I would have told you then. If you were the magical heir, you would not be trying to harm a child within these walls. You are an enemy to Salazar and his true heir.
And yet you followed the other me.
He is not yet tainted by eternal darkness. He is at the cusp, but there is still hope for him.
He will become me.
Then he too will fall.
Who is the 'true heir' then?
I will know him when I meet him.
I am the true heir; you are just trying to irritate me.
You are annoying. I am done speaking with you.
He continued to rant in her head but she refused to answer. When Salazar had been alive, he complained of headaches all the time. She had never understood what he meant, but if they were anything like the pain the shade caused her, she felt sorry for her friend and partner.
The true heir could not come soon enough.
Sorry for those who already read this and noticed I miss spelled Horace Slughorn's first name. I was doing something with Egyptian gods and somehow combined Horus with Horace and got Horas. My brain auto corrects when I read things that are almost correct or sound right even if it is the wrong spelling for the same pronunciation, so sometimes I miss things.
