Back to the Chamber
The atmosphere was tense in the castle over the following weeks, Harry was back to never being without an escort when he was moving around the castle. However the hardline against bullying which the new headmistress had taken and the presence of the two Unspeakables mostly kept tempers from boiling over.
There were of course incidents and Severus' cast iron control over his Slytherins was the envy of every other Head of House. Mr. Filch suddenly found had plenty of help with keeping the Castle spick and span; thanks to the many Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and even a few Ravenclaws who were caught firing sly hexes at Harry in the hallways and and in class.
All the Slytherins were keeping their heads down on the orders of their Head of House. Severus had warned them they were under more scrutiny than ever and now was not the time for them to push boundaries or break rules. They were to watch each other's backs but they were only to defend against attacks not instigate them; his students did not let him down but still Harry’s anxiety skyrocketed.
It did not help that while Hagrid was in London helping the Ministry with their enquiries, Harry was not able to spend Saturday mornings in the forest. Harry himself had not realised the full extent to which he had come to rely on his mornings spent with the Thestrals; until he was no longer able to go. Eventually Severus had to step in; he offered small groups of students the opportunity to come with him to gather potion ingredients in the forest just so Harry could tag along and spend time with the Thestrals.
Harry was in regular communication with his lawyer about Hagrid. Counselor Saari had assured Harry that the half giant was safe and while he was far from happy, he was doing as well as could be expected. She informed him that Hagrid was being kept at the Ministry for the duration of the investigation and would not be sent to Azkaban. Margarite informed Harry that the Department for the Regulation and Control of Dangerous Creatures had been investigating Hagrid’s claims that the ‘monster’ he had allegedly raised in his second year at Hogwarts had in fact been an acromantula called Aragog who now resided in the forest. One of the Unspeakables currently residing at Hogwarts had interviewed the ghost of Myrtle Warren, asking her to describe what had happened when she died. By all accounts Myrtle had been thrilled to be asked and had given her interviewer a very detailed account of the events. As a result the lawyer was confident that Hagrid would be back at the school very soon.
They had not spoken about Harry pursuing action against his Uncle for the abuse he had suffered as a child. Margarite was aware Harry was reluctant to go ahead with charges against his uncle. Severus had been to visit Vernon in prison and he had assured Harry that his uncle was doing as well as could be expected. The reality of his situation seemed to have finally hit him and he was much less vocal about being innocent and going to the press immediately on his release.
Vernon’s case had caused minor speculation about his life with the muggles and Harry was not happy about it. Petunia’s trial being held in the muggle courts at least meant there had been no details reported about Harry's childhood in the wizarding papers and Harry wanted it to remain that way. Lucius and Margarite had agreed not to pursue the case for now, instead they would bide their time until they could catch a much bigger fish.
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Tensions remained high but there was one remaining equaliser between the four houses - Quidditch.
The last Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw had been scheduled for the end of February. It had been postponed due to the attack on Penelope Clearwater and Colin Creevey and the students were not happy about it.
Ravenclaw needed to win by more than 180 points to play against Slytherin for the cup. However, following Dumbledore's suspension and subsequent removal from Hogwarts the new Headmistress had suspended all Quidditch training. Minerva, Severus, Filius and Pomona faced the difficult decision of what to do about the match.
In the end it was put to the two houses concerned and after much spirited debate it was decided to call off the match which meant there would be no final played and no house cup presented.
Noone was especially happy with the decision. Slytherin were particularly disappointed as they had been well ahead on points and had the best chance at winning the cup, however they accepted the decision of the other two houses.
Predictably, perhaps the Gryffindors made the most noise about the decision. Ron Weasley insisted that the Slytherin knew Ravenclaw had no chance of beating Hufflepuff by the required margin. He further suggested that the whole Chamber of Secrets thing was just Slytherins way of avoiding them being beaten by Gryffindor in the final for the House Cup.
Harry rolled his eyes every time one of the Lions yelled ‘coward’ at the Slytherins across the Great Hall and Severus delighted in taking points. Until Minerva finally stepped in and told her Lions that they would lose every point they had and be banned from Quidditch the next year if they did not cease their nonsense.
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The term was not going well for Ginny Weasley either; she had no idea what was happening but somehow she never seemed to be able to eat enough at breakfast; especially on the weekends. She began to wonder if she was forgetting to eat dinner. She was also really tired, no matter what she did, she felt like she never got enough sleep. Strange dreams of huge snakes and cold tunnels haunted the sleep she did get and sometimes she woke up with her body aching all over. Madam Pomfrey gave her some dreamless potion for the odd dreams she was having and prescribed a nutrient potion to help with her hunger. The worst thing was, it felt like this was not the first time she had experienced these symptoms. Ginny could not remember the small brown diary she had taken from Harry but the name ‘Tom Riddle’ echoed in her mind and chilled her to her bones.
Ginny’s clothing was also beginning to look quite ratty; as the only girl in her family, Ginny was fortunate enough to be given new clothes. She had been so pleased with the few new outfits her doting mother had purchased for her to bring to Hogwarts and she was always so careful to take good care of her things. However, her clothes were somehow being ruined. The house elves did their best to clean and repair the damage but all her beautiful new things were looking terribly second hand.
The young Gryffindor was both distressed and worried by these events. However, with Hermione petrified and her brothers no longer paying close attention, the only person who saw her struggle was Augustus Rookwood and he delighted in it. He was spending a lot of his time patrolling the corridors and he made sure he kept a close eye on Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter.
The Dark Lord had ordered him to watch them both but not to interfere. He was to ensure Ginny became completely possessed by the horcrux in her book he also needed to ensure that no one noticed until it was too late. Unfortunately the girl seemed to be more resistant to the influence of Tom’s soul this time. Since the attack on the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff; Ginny seemed to be able to push him out of her head enough that the horcrux could not get a strong enough hold on her. This meant it could not force her to go willingly into the Chamber. Rookwood had to walk a fine line between helping the soul shard do its work and making sure no one suspected anything was amiss. He made sure the girl was seen at most meals; even if she did not eat. He also ensured she got to all her classes with her homework completed and that she woke up in her own bed every morning.
It was frustrating work but the Dark Lord had been clear that it had to be Ginny and Ginny alone who opened the Chamber. The girl had to go there willingly or the sacrifice would not work. Rookwood could not compel her to act, Ginny had to go of her own volition guided only by the spirit of Tom in her book.
While he watched Ginny, Rookwood also kept a discreet eye on Harry Potter; he had to be careful not to draw Severus' attention. No matter how much the boy intrigued him, he had orders to leave Harry alone and though he very much wanted to talk to him; he knew better than to defy his master. Fortunately for Augustus the natural curiosity of young boys worked in his favour. Harry it seemed was not entirely unaware of the Unspeakable attention on him. As a result one Saturday while he was watching Harry interact with the Thestrals he was so fond of he noticed the boy watching him right back.
Harry had felt the man’s eyes on him for some time; this was nothing new, there was always someone watching him. This watcher however, was not like the other people who watched him. It had taken a few days but finally he realised the watcher was one of the Unspeakables. The one Severus called Rookwood and the one Harry was quite sure was working for Tom. Severus had warned Harry to be careful around him and Harry did not trust him.
Rookwood was annoying but his gaze did not feel hostile like the Gryffindors, nor was it protective in the way Severus and his housemates were, they were neutral, almost clinical; like a doctor or psychologist observing a patient.
Harry could feel the man’s gaze on him as he talked with one of theThestrals a mare who seemed to particularly like his company. He knew the beast could feel the magic too and he looked carefully around him trying not to be too obvious. He reached out with his magic searching for the magic of the person he knew was there just beyond the tree line, finally he spotted him.
“You do know it’s rude to sneak about and stare at people? It might even be construed as stalking,” Harry said softly, never taking his eyes off the mare he was patting.
There was no immediate response, but then someone moved his left, he felt rather than saw the movement. “You are very observant Mr. Potter,” he said smoothly.
“Humm,” Harry replied noncommittally.
“How did you know I was here?” Rookwood asked.
Harry had known because he had felt the man’s magic however, he knew that would not be a wise answer. “You sacred Mable,” he replied instead. “She could sense you, Thestrals are very sensitive to magic, you know.”
Rookwood moved closer, stepping carefully so as not to spook the animal Harry was grooming. “They are of course, I should have thought of that,” he said.
“Not much of a spy then are you?” Harry returned with a raised eyebrow. He stroked the beast's neck and then he sent her off back to the others with a soft whisper. Augustus looked at the young man in front of him. He was so small and insignificant to look at but the magical aura which surrounded him was immense and Augustus could not help but wonder how the boy contained it all in such a small frame.
“I am not a spy, no,” he said carefully.
“Hummm,” Harry said again. “Then why have you been following me?”
Rookwood raised an eyebrow. “Have I been following you?”
Harry folded his arms. “I am not sure, however, you were in the corridor yesterday as I walked to defence and again as I was going to potions and you are often in the dungeon corridor in the evenings. When I was in the Great Hall this morning you were watching me and now here you are,” he said defiantly.
“Very good, Mr. Potter. It is important to be aware of your surroundings. Severus has taught you well,” Rookwood said with a smile.
Harry did not reply immediately then he said “Professor Snape did not teach me. I learned to pay attention to my surroundings growing up with my muggle relatives. It was important for me to know where they were and what mood they were in,” he replied in a perfunctory tone. He was curious to know what response he would get; if the man knew anything about Harry’s past. He worked at the Ministry after all and it seemed he was the type to snoop.
“Ahh, a life lesson then, those are often the most useful lessons,” Rookwood replied.
“They can be,” Harry hedged, annoyed that the man had not taken the bait and even more annoyed with himself for expecting that he would, the man was unspeakable after all. “What do you want?” Harry demanded.
“I am simply observing and watching over the students. I noticed Professor Snape led you and the others down here and well the school is not particularly safe at the moment; I thought I would lend my eyes to ensure your safety,” Rookwood replied loftily.
“Rubbish,” Harry replied. “What do you really want?”
Rookwood eyed the boy, then tried a different tack. “I was watching you Mr. Potter, because you fascinate me. You are the 'boy who lived' and Dumbledore would have us believe you are the saviour of the wizarding world. The one who defeated the Dark Lord. I was curious, forgive me,” the man said, silky.
“Wondering how I did it, are you? How did I make the Dark Lord, as you call him, vanish when I was just a baby? Hoping to find some answers for him, are you? Is that why he sent you?” Harry goaded.
“You should watch how you speak about the Dark Lord, you should be more careful in what you say and who you say it too,” Rookwood snarled.
Harry smiled, at the crack in Rookwood’s facade. The man had finally given himself away. “Please, do give Tom my best wishes when you see him next,” he said triumphantly, before turned and walked away.
Rookwood watched him go his fists clenching uselessly at his side, the child was a disrespectful little toerag and he could do nothing about it. The Dark Lord had been very clear about that, Harry Potter was his.
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The elixir of life had worked much better than Tom had expected. The man who had styled himself as a Dark Lord had been a very handsome young man in his early years and the elixir had restored some of his looks. He looked older than he would prefer; he might pass for 60 and he was still deathly pale but it was a vast improvement. The horcrux in his diary was the largest of all the horcruxes, absorbing it would help enormously, it would make him younger and stronger, probably he didn't really need Ginny Weasley’s soul and essence. He just wanted it and he had decided it was her fault for her stealing the diary in the first place.
“Report Rookwood,” the Dark Lord demanded of his kneeling servant.
“My Lord, Miss Weasley is resisting the soul piece this time; she is able to push it out now. It takes a lot of effort but she can do it. I have been following her, watching her to ensure she is always where she should be. No one has noticed anything but it is going to take time,” Rookwood told him.
“Hummm, I suppose it is to be expected that she would have built some resistance Quirrell did eventually as well.” he mused. “I suppose I ought to just be patient, the elixir has done a very good job. I am feeling much more myself. Probably I don't need the girl so much as I need my horcurx, it would be a nice extra boost though,” he said more to himself than to Rookwood.
Uncertain as to whether his Lord was speaking to him or not Rookwood decided best to answer. “You are looking well My Lord, just think how much stronger you would be with both your soul piece and the girl's magic,” he intoned.
The Dark Lord glared at his servant. “You were never one for false platitudes, Augusstuss,” he hissed. “Why would you say such things now?”
“My Lord, I simply want what is…”
“Look at me, Augusstuss,” Tom hissed and the man's gaze was drawn irresistibly upwards until he was looking into the red eyes of his Lord. The man waved his wand and Rookwood cried out in pain as the Dark Lord forced his way into his mind. He searched quickly and without thought for the pain he was causing until he found what he was looking for, what Augustus was hiding from him.
Harry Potter walking in the corridors, Harry knocking on the door of Severus' office, Harry in class, in the Great Hall and Harry Potter standing with a Thestral. Shrewd bright green eyes looking back at Augustus “Give Tom my best,” the words echoed in the memory and Tom laughed. He withdrew from his servant's mind more gently than he had entered it.
He waited for Rookwood to get his bearings and then he whispered. “I see you have developed an unhealthy interest in young Harry.”
“My Lord, you told me to keep an eye on him,” Rookwood replied weakly.
“I did, and he saw you keeping an eye. No matter Augustus, I doubt even you can out fox Harry Potter, but do beware of Severus. If he were to realise just how closely you were watching the boy it would end badly. I do not want you expelled and replaced with another Unspeakable do you understand?” he said gravely.
Rookwood then decided to play all his cards. “Yes my Lord, but there is something you should know. Severus is betrothed to Harry and he is the boy's magical guardian; he seems to have quite the influence over him, My Lord.”
Tom raised an eyebrow. “You worked this out just from watching them at Hogwarts?” he asked curiously.
“Yes, and also from listening at the Ministry my Lord,” Rookwood replied.
Tom Riddle smiled. He was very pleased despite the fact he already knew of Harry and Severus' relationship, he was thrilled that Augustus had discovered it; he was very impressed and Lucius would be furious. “You are invaluable Augustus. Thank you, for the information, your loyalty will be rewarded,” He hissed.
“Yes, My Lord,” the Unspeakable said, pleased he had been able to offer his master such good information.
Tom looked down at the man kneeling before him. Yes, Augustus was an invaluable asset, he had proved his loyalty and his worth he could be trusted to move this along. Tom was tired of waiting. It was so very tedious.
“Now, I think we need to move things along. I want the girl in the Chamber, Augustus. I don't care what you have to do. I want her there before the end of this week,” he commanded.
A thrill ran through Augustus Rookwood at the long awaited command. “Yes, My Lord. I will see to it,” he said with a smile.
“I know you will, my most faithful servant. Now go and I will await your call,” the Dark Lord whispered.
Augustus Rookwood rose gracefully to his feet and bowed deeply to his Master before making his exit. Relieved and happy to finally have his orders to act. Ginny Weasley would be in the Chamber within days he would make sure of it.
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Hagrid sat miserably in his cell at the Ministry of Magic. He hated being cooped up in this stone cell; he needed to be outside in the sunshine, tending his animals being inside was not good for the half giant. His saving grace was knowing he was not alone; Miss Saari, his lawyer, was doing her best to help him. He had no idea where she had come from or how she had known he needed help; she had just appeared like an angel of mercy and saved him from being sent to Azkaban. She had listed laws and bylaws and demanded that the DLME investigate properly and present actual evidence of Hagrid’s guilt before transferring him to Azkaban.
Hagrid had answered what seemed like hundreds of questions and Miss Saari had sat with him the whole time. She had forced the Aurors to make the proper inquiries, he hoped Aragog had talked to the people from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Hagrid was not entirely blind to his pets violent nature, he couldn't take it if they took him away for eating a Ministry official.
Footsteps echoed down the stone walkway which ran past the cells Hagrid stood up; he knew he was the only prisoner down here, so whoever it was was coming for him. As they drew nearer he recognised the clicking sound of Miss Saari’s high heels but she was not alone there were at least two other people with her.
The people were talking as they walked and the closer they got the more he could hear their conversation. “...you can’t just come down here willy nilly, there is a process,” an angry male voice was insisting.
The three people drew to halt outside the door of his cell and Hagrid moved closer to peek through the small window at the top of the door. He saw his lawyer with Minister Fudge and Auror Shacklebolt. Margarite Saari was a tall woman with long, white blonde hair to rival Lucius Malfoy, she was wearing a dark blue muggle suit and a matching robe and she had a folder in her hands which she slapped on the Minister's chest. The portly man’s moustache quivered in fury at the actions of the woman but his hand came up and took hold of the folder.
“Yes, there is a process and I have observed that process, Minister. You have in your hands the relevant paperwork for Hagrid’s release. If you have any further issues, then you may take them up with Madam Bones. However I will be leaving here, with my client, today; there is no evidence he has done anything wrong and you cannot continue to hold him. Amos Diggory has given you his report about the acromantula, you have the evidence given by the ghost of Myrtle Warren and there is absolutely no evidence Hagrid did anything more than raise an acromantula. While that may be inadvisable in a school setting it is not illegal. You cannot prove my client had anything to do with the opening of The Chamber of Secrets now or 50 years ago. Now if you don't mind, Minister, I would like to take my client home,” Margarite said coldly, her ice blue eyes boring holes in the Minister for Magic daring him to argue.
“But…but if it's not Hagrid then who is it?” Fudge spluttered.
“That minister is not my problem but keeping Hagrid here will not help you find out who is responsible. If you are quite finished, I would like to see my client now,” Counselor Saari insisted.
The door to Hagrid's cell slid open and Margarite Saari appeared in the doorway with Auror Shacklebolt at her side, the Minister for Magic standing behind them looking furious. “Hello Hagrid, let's get you back to Hogwarts shall we. I am reliably informed that the Thestrals have missed you terribly,” the woman said with a warm smile.
Hagrid slumped in relief. “Thank ye Miss Saari,” he grunted and he collected his small bag and walked out the door a free man.
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Harry lay on his bed, he was furious with Tom. How dare the man send his minion to spy on him at school. What on earth could he want and what did it have to do with the new attacks at the school?
Tom had to be responsible of course, no one else could open the Chamber, except for Harry presumably and he knew for sure it had not been him. His mind wandered over the possibilities for how Tom could have done it.
It was possible there was another entrance maybe off the grounds, Fred and George had hinted at there being secret tunnels in the castle. They even suggested they knew of one which led to Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. If such a tunnel existed then surely there could be one into the Chamber from outside. If he had been Salazar Slytherin he would have made one, anyone with half a brain would have done so and the founder of his house was certainly no fool.
If there was a way into the Chamber then Tom could be in the Castle now. Harry considered the possibility. It did not feel right, he was sure if Tom was so close he would feel it. So what were the other possibilities, Rookwood maybe? He had supposedly sealed the Chamber the first time he was here; so presumably he could open it. If he did open it could he control the Basilisk? If he was working for Tom and Harry was certain that he was then maybe he had the diary; maybe the diary was possessing Rookwood and that was how the attack happened.
Harry had to find the entrance to the Chamber; if he could figure out how to get inside it and then maybe he could figure out how to stop Rookwood before anyone died. He pushed himself up from the bed and cast a spell to check the time. It was five minutes to midnight and everyone was asleep. Harry pushed back his curtains and stepped quietly out into the dark of the dorm. He stopped and listened to the deep, even breathing of his roommates before pulling his cloak over his head and making his way out of the dorm.
He moved silently through the empty common room and out the portrait hole into the dungeon corridor; from there he made his way to the second floor. The castle was unnaturally silent, there was no noise at all, no murmurs of soft snoring from portraits, no ghosts floating by haunting the castle as they usually did at this time of night.
Harry crept through the castle willing his footsteps to be silent and suddenly they were. He made his way up the grand staircase which seemed to be frozen in place. Harry paused, the stairs always moved. Why were they not moving?
Something in his head screamed at him to stop and go back, to go and wake up Severus. Harry however had never been good at following directions even those he gave himself apparently. He pressed on moving slowly until he reached the second floor corridor he walked carefully towards Moaning Myrtle's bathroom as he got closer he heard a man's voice - Augustus Rookwood his mind supplied. He peeked around the corner and he saw the door to the girls bathroom snap shut. He hurried down the corridor but by the time he got there the door was sealed and he could not open it.
It was then he noticed the red stuff on the floor he looked up and saw there was a new message on the wall “Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.”
Harry banged on the door but it would not budge, he cast every form of the unlocking spell he could think of but nothing worked. He swore in frustration he was too late and he would have to go and get Severus. He blew out a sigh as set off back to the Dungeons; his betrothed was not going to be pleased, he would not be pleased at all.