The Heir of Slytherin
The atmosphere in the Castle was sombre the next day as everyone came to terms with the fact Ginny Weasley had been taken into the Chamber of Secrets and her fate was currently unknown. At breakfast, an announcement had been made that classes had been suspended while a team of Unspeakables searched the school.
Students had been asked to remain in the Great Hall until the end of breakfast hours when they would be escorted to their common room by their Heads of House and Prefects. Harry had noted that the Weasley boys were absent from the Gryffindor table and guilt hit him hard. He kept his head down as he followed his housemates back to the dungeon.
Mr and Mrs Weasely arrived at the end of breakfast; Harry watched them as they crossed the Entrance Hall. He had never laid eyes on Mrs Weasley before, it was difficult to reconcile the sight of the plump, hunched-over woman, sobbing uncontrollably into her handkerchief with the woman responsible for the compulsion-laced letters. Harry felt awful for thinking so badly of her. They were escorted to the Headmistress's office by two Aurors whom he recognised as Aurors Robards and Shacklebolt. Albus Dumbldore was also with them and Harry could not help but scowl at the old man’s back.
It was not his fault that Tom had possessed Ginny; at least that's what Severus and Draco had told him. The girl should not have kept his diary, she should have returned it immediately when she found it. She was pureblood; she should have recognised the diary was cursed. She should have sought help when she was first possessed. Harry knew all of this but the fact remained that if he had just left the diary in his vault none of this would have happened.
Harry had gone straight to Severus after he had failed to open the bathroom door. He had been correct in his thought that his guardian would not be pleased to find that Harry had been out of bed and wandering about the castle; however, the man held off on recriminations and went to investigate the second floor himself before reporting the incident to the Headmistress.
While Severus investigated Harry had once again found himself sitting in Severus’ quarters in the middle of the night waiting for his father to arrive. Just like the night Dobby found Tom’s diary; Severus had sent a note to Lucius with Dobby.
Time seemed to slow as he sat on the sofa in Severus' room with Aspen curled on his lap. His mind was racing Tom was here in the Castle he had to be; it was the only way for the Chamber to be open. Finally, the portrait swung open and Severus stepped into the room looking cross.
“What on earth did you think you were doing, sneaking around in the middle of the night? I specifically told you, that you could have that cloak on the proviso you did not sneak sound the castle after curfew.” Severus demanded.
Harry was torn between fury at being told off and shame; Severus had been very clear about the conditions of him having his dad's cloak. He huffed. “I was trying to figure out who opened the Chamber this time because it can only have been a Parselmouth and Rookwood isn't one.”
Severus sighed deeply and sunk to his knees beside Harry. “You're sure of that?” he asked in a slightly softer tone.
“Relatively yes, the Chamber was built by Salazar Slytherin. I have read everything I can find about him and it makes sense he would guard his secret Chamber with Parseltongue. It's possible that only an actual heir can access it, either way, there’s only two possibilities and it wasn’t me,” Harry told him.
The fire in the grate flared green and Lucius stepped out of the Floo into the room. He looked like he had been woken from a deep sleep Harry supposed he probably had been.
“What’s happened, Severus?” Lucius demanded without preamble, his cane was clenched tightly in his hand.
Severus looked up from where he was kneeling next to Harry, at his friend who was at that moment every inch Lord Malfoy. “Harry went exploring and he discovered that someone had been taken into the Chamber. We think it was likely Miss Weasely. Minerva has requested all Heads of House to do a bed check. I have done so and all the Snakes apart from Harry are in bed asleep,”
He explained.
Lucius pressed his lips together. “Does that mean the Dark Lord is here? Here in the school again?”
“Yes.” “I believe so,” Harry and Severus both spoke at once.
Only a short time after Lucius arrived confirmation had come via a note from the Headmistress that the missing student was Ginny Weasely. Harry’s heart sank. He worried that Tom’s soul had not been in the diary and that somehow the Horcrux had still been inside Ginny, but that wasn't right. He had felt the soul's presence in that diary at Christmas when he had handed it over to Tom.
Finally, Harry understood; Tom had sent Rookwood to the school. The Unspeakable charged with keeping them safe had brought the diary back to the school and given it back to Ginny. It was the only thing which made sense. Rookwood was the link between Tom in the diary and Tom who Harry helped resurrect.
Two Toms, Harry closed his eyes and hissed softly calling for Bindi.
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Ron Weasely was sitting alone in the Gryffindor Common room; he and his brothers had been sent back to be with their friends while the Unspeakables searched the castle for their sister.
They had been woken up before breakfast and taken to the Headmistress office where they had met their parents and been informed that Ginny had been taken into the Chamber of Secrets. Now he was expected to sit here and wait for news and he was not dealing with it well.
Ron already felt guilty for not listening to Hermione; she had tried to tell him about the danger and her concerns about Ginny. He had not listened and Hermione had ended up getting petrified. Too late he realised Ginny was acting strangely but he thought she was better; she had been focused on her classes and eating again and he had stopped watching her and now she was gone - taken in the Chamber by the Heir of Slytherin - by Harry Potter. He had to do something.
Neville had been watching Ron all moring. He had not quite forgiven him for dragging him into the search for the Philosopher's Stone the year before, but he did feel sorry for Ron; it was his sister who was missing after all.
“Ron, are you ok?” he asked, as he sat down beside the boy.
Ron looked up his expression blank. “I heard McGonagall say Lockhart was going down there, to the Chamber,” he said.
“Ok, well that's good right?” Neville replied. “I am sure they will find her, Ron.”
“I am going too. I am going to find Lockhart and I am going to make him take me with him. I am not scared of Harry Potter or his bloody snake.” Ron spat suddenly and he jumped up and ran out of the Chamber before Neville could stop him.
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Once he had assured himself that Harry was unharmed Lucius went home to await the Ministry's owl. As a member of the Board of Governors, he would have to be contacted about this situation.
Harry sat curled up on the sofa and waited for his father to leave and then he met Severus' eyes. “I have to go, Severus,” Harry said calmly. “I am the only one who can get in there, I am the only one who can talk to Tom and make him listen, you know he will listen to me.”
The dark-haired man looked up and eyed his young charge. Harry was likely right; he was probably the only one who could get into the Chamber. As to whether the Dark Lord would listen to Harry well, that was anyone's guess; history suggested it was possible but Severus was painfully aware that trying to predict the Dark Lord was a dangerous endeavour. What worried Severus most was Harry’s conviction he had any amount of control over the actions of the Dark Lord.
“The Dark Lord may well listen to what you have to say, Harry, but do not delude yourself that you have any influence over him, he will do exactly as he pleases,” Severus cautioned him.
“I am not deluded, Severus but there is a chance I can save Ginny and I have to try: I am the only one who can. If I had just left that bloody diary in my vault…I have to try, please Sev,” Harry insisted.
Severus put on his best stern Potions Master face and considered his reaction. “I told you once to come to me with your mad plans before acting on them; I suppose I should be grateful that you are telling me at all. However, I am coming with you,” he told Harry.
Harry smiled at his betrothed, “Thank you, Severus. You know, if I had gone to Gryffindor, imagine how boring your life would be.”
Severus rolled his eyes and refrained from commenting.
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Ron Weasely was a man on a mission. He stalked through the deserted corridors to the Defence teacher's office. When he arrived he found the office door open and a panicked Professor Lockhart throwing things into a large bag.
“Professor? What are you doing? Are you leaving?” Ron asked dumbstruck.
“Ahh yes, most unfortunate I have been summoned…that is to say…my presence is required elsewhere,” Lockhart said looking nervous.
“But what about my sister? You're the Defence Teacher,” Ron yelled.
“Yes well the job description did not specify…that is to say the practical application was never mentioned in discussions prior to the contract being signed…so this really is not in my purview,” he waffled while still packing his belongings.
The man waved his wand and the last few items made their way into the bag which sealed itself before shrinking down and flying into the outstretched hand of Gilderoy Lockhart.
The man turned towards Ron, his mouth open ready to speak and found a wand pointed at his face.
“I don't think so, Lockhart. You're coming with me! You don't get to run away; not while my sister is the Chamber of Secrets! According to your books, you are one of the great Defence Masters and an expert in the Dark Arts; you have dealt with Vampires and ghouls and all sorts so you get your arse moving up to the second floor,” Ron yelled, waving his broken wand threateningly.
“Really, Mr Weasely, there is no point in me getting involved, the Unspeakables are…” the blonde said backing away slowly, his hands raised. Only to feel another wand stab into his back and he froze.
“I think Ron has a point, Professor,” a second voice said. “You are the Defence teacher, and your expertise is second to none. Isn't that right?”
“Neville?” Ron said in surprise.
Neville sighed “Yeah, I couldn't let you go off on your own, could I?”
“Thanks, Neville,” Ron muttered, “you didn't have to…you know come along.”
“What are friends for?’ He asked, rolling his eyes. “Now walk you,” he said, jabbing Lockhart again.
“Alright, alright just watch where you poke that thing, I bruise easily you know,” Gilderoy muttered, his mind spinning as he tried to figure out how he could obliviate both Gryffindors without his wand. Unable to think of a plan he walked as directed towards the second floor.
The unlikely trio made their way along the deserted Corridor; Lockhart looked like he was going to faint at any minute as he tried to convince the two Gryffindors to go back to their common room and leave the rescue missions to the professionals.
Shut up,” Ron growled. as they got to the bathroom door. Giving Lockhart a filthy look he pushed the door open and stepped back so Neville could herd Lockhart into the room.
“Looks like we are late to the party,” Neville observed, trying not to let his terror show in his tone.
Ron eyed the circular sinks in the middle of the bathroom uneasily. Truth be told he had not considered what he would do when he found the entrance to the Chamber.
The sinks had broken apart revealing a tunnel which went deep into the ground. “Yeah, it would seem so,” Ron replied, also working hard to keep his tone even. “Looks like we have to slide down here,” he said, glancing down into the open tunnel. He turned back to the trembling blond man. “You first,” he said with a scowl.
“M…me, w…why m..me?” Lockhart stammered.
“Better you than us,” Neville replied nastily.
“R…right, fair enough,” Lockhart replied.
Lockhart moved towards the opening and turned to back to say something but Ron gave him a hard shove sending him sliding down head first.
The two young lions learned over the entrance and listened. They heard a thump and crunch then Lockhart’s voice came up the tunnel “Oh! This is interesting,”
The two boys looked at each other then Ron shrugged and sat down on the edge of the tunnel and pushed himself off the edge. Neville hesitated weighing up his options. He did not want to go into the Chamber of Secrets. He had no idea what possessed him to follow Ron when he had left the common room; he had just followed without thinking. Now he was standing at the entrance looking down into a dark tunnel and he shuddered.
His mental debate was brought to an abrupt halt by a loud bang and the sound of falling rocks. “Ron?” he called. “Professor Lockhart? Are you alright?” he called down the tunnel. There was no response, Neville took a deep breath and jumped.
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Severus had survived the slide down into the Chamber with his dignity mostly intact. He was a little horrified Salazar Slytherin had not been able to come up with a better entry to his Chamber. He and Harry had picked their way over the layer of small bones towards a large round door Harry had been about to open it when there was a crunching noise as someone landed on the bones at the end of the tunnel. They looked at each other and then drew their wands.
“Someone must have followed us, I thought the entry would have closed behind us,” Harry whispered.
“It probably would have after a set time,” Severus replied.
They heard a second person exit the tunnel and the superior tone of Gilderoy Lockhart floated down the tunnel. “Ah ha! I’ll take that I think, we will not be going any further Mr Weasely, unfortunately, it would seem I was too late to save the girl and you tragically lost your mind at the sight of her lifeless body.”
“What,” Ron Weasely’s startled voice said. “Here, give that back.”
“I am afraid I can’t do that Mr Weasely, you see I am not one for getting my hands dirty in such a manner,” Lockhart told him.
“But your books…all those things you did,” Ron said, sounding confused.
“Ahhh well books can be misleading, however, one thing I am very good at is casting a memory charm. Obliviate,” he yelled.
There was a loud bang and the sound of falling rock and earth had Harry and Severus running; they arrived to find the rock fall had cut them off from the tunnel entrance.
“Ron!” Harry yelled. “Ron, can you hear me?”
There was a moment of silence then. “Yeah, Harry? Is that you?”
There was another thump and a crunch, then a new voice came from behind the wall of rock. “Ron, are you ok? What happened to him?” Neville asked.
“What’s going on, is everyone ok? Severus asked in his teacher's tone.
“Professor Snape!” Neville and Ron squeaked together.
“Yes, are you both alright? Severus asked again, rolling his eyes.
“Ron and I are fine,” Neville replied.
“Not sure about this git though,” came Ron’s voice.
“Oh hello,” said a strange voice. “Odd sort of place this, do you live here?”
There was another soft thump and a thud
“Mr Weasely? Mr Longbottom? What just happened?” Severus called out.
“Ron just hit Professor Lockhart with a rock,” Neville replied, shocked in his tone.
“We’ll just start moving some of this rock so you can get through when you come back,” Ron said as if nothing else had happened.
“Is Professor Lockhart breathing, Longbottom?” Severus asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Yes sir,” Neville replied. “He’s just been knocked out, he’s going to have a headache though.”
“Roll him onto his side and watch him,” Severus said.
Ok, Professor,” Neville answered.
Severus looked at Harry, “Come on, let's go,” he said with a sigh.
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They returned to the round door and Harry hissed “Open,” the snakes drew back one by one until the door clicked open and swung towards them. Harry looked in the Chamber beyond then back and it looked empty except for the body of Ginny Weasely lying on the floor in front of a huge head. Harry ran towards her and knelt beside her to feel for breath. “Ginny,” he called.
Severus followed behind the impetuous boy scanning his surroundings carefully as he walked into the fabled Chamber of Secrets. It was a cavernous space, the ceiling was as high as any cathedral, and the walls were rough rock but the floor was smooth slabs of stone.
Harry was on his knees beside Ginny Weasley; he was so busy checking her he did not notice the ghost-like figure standing over him. The figure seemed to be so intrigued with Harry he did not notice Severus.
“Who are you?” demanded the ghost curiously looking down at Harry.
Then from across the Chamber came another voice; one Severus was intimately familiar with. “Harry Potter?” the Dark Lord exclaimed.
The man looked exactly as he had the last time Severus had seen him in 1981 and he was smirking in amusement. “Hello Severus,” he added, his amusement only increased by Severus' pained expression.
Harry stood up and looked between the shadow of the boy who was not much older than him and the older man. “Tom?” he asked.
The opaque boy’s head snapped back towards Harry and he narrowed his eyes. “You’re Harry Potter?” he asked.
“Yes, I am and that…” he said, waving toward the older Tom. “…is also you, after you didn't die trying to kill me and spent ten years as wraith before I brought you back. This is Severus Snape resident Potions Master, Head of Slytherin House and my betrothed, and that is Unspeakable Rookwood,” Harry said finishing the introductions in the most polite pureblood heir tone he could manage.
“What?” the spectre demanded. “I failed to kill you and then you brought me back?”
“Well I was a baby at the time so I don't remember obviously, but that is the story I have heard. Why don't you ask yourself or Severus, he knows the story too. In the meantime I will just wake up Ginny,” Harry said conversationally.
Tom the ghost smirked, “She won’t wake up, I am draining her life force to bring myself back.”
“Oh no! No, no, no,” Harry said, jumping to his feet and taking three steps towards the older Tom Riddle. “Absolutely not! I will not deal with two of you, if you want my allegiance Tom you will deal with your…Tom,” he yelled.
The ghost raised his eyebrow. “Are they always this tiresome,” he asked Severus.
“You have no idea,” Snape intoned. “My Lord," he added.
“Humm,” he hummed. Then young Tom began to hiss. “Speak to me Slytherin, Greatest of Hogwarts Four. Come to me beauty,” the faint sound of something sliding across the wet floor broke the silence which had fallen. All eyes turned toward the mouth of Slytherin watching in trepidation as a massive basilisk slid out into the main Chamber.
“Don't look into her eyes,” Severus yelled as he closed his own eyes. Only Rookwood heeded him, snapping his eyes shut and falling to his knees; as hissing filled the air.
Tom, both the older and younger, began to speak hissing over the top of each other both attempting to command the snake at once. The Basilisk froze and dropped to the floor unsure what to do; both of these two were her master yet, neither was the one she had felt in the Castle the moment she woke up.
Harry watched carefully observing the snake and then he began to hiss softly. The great snake lifted her head instantly turning toward the one who was her master.
“Hello lovely,” he whispered to her. “I am the true heir, I defeated Voldemort as a baby. Since they are both Voldemort I have defeated them both. Listen to me beautiful come and sit here; though please do be careful not to petrify my betrothed,” Harry hissed gently. As he spoke his magic seeped out of him and it moved toward the beast swirling sound her caressing her gently
“Massster,” the basilisk hissed, laying herself down at Harry's feet. “I would not harm one of my master's blood nor your intended but what of the other one?” she inquired.
“Best leave him alone as well, he is a servant of the former heir,” he hissed. The snake lowered her inner eyelids to cover her deadly gaze. “Very well Master,” she replied.
“Thank you beauty, do you have a name?” Harry asked her.
“The young one only ever called me his beauty but my original master called me Aisling,” the basilisk replied.
“Aisling, that's a lovely name. Is there somewhere where I can talk to your first master?” he asked her.
“Indeed Master, his portrait hangs in his study,” Aisling replied.
“Harry? What is going on?” Severus asked nervously.
Harry closed his eyes and focused on switching back to English. “It’s all right Severus, you can open your eyes,” Harry replied.
Severus took a moment then he slowly opened his eyes and immediately wished he had not. Harry was face to face with the basilisk. She had lowered her head so she was at eye level with Harry and he was looking straight at her.
“It’s fine Severus, you have nothing to worry about, Aisling won’t hurt you,” he said by way of reassurance. Then he turned his attention back at Aisling. “I would like to talk to your first master but first I need to deal with these two. Can you tell me how you knew I was the real heir?” Hary asked the snake.
“They are both the same though one is less clear, they are the ones who came many years ago and found me. You smell like them but also not like them. You have something of them inside you but you also smell of victory in battle. You defeated them and took a part of them - something they did not give willingly, which links you to them,” she hissed.
The basilisk was now only inches from his nose. “You can feel it? The horcrux?” he asked her.”
Gasps echoed around the Chamber as all four onlookers watched in horror, all terrified but for different reasons.
“I can smell it, it has the same scent as my former master,” she said, almost kissing Harry’s forehead.
Harry considered that and then he cast a muffliato charm before speaking. “I have to save the girl and need those two in one body, any ideas?”
Aisling wiggled her her massive body and flicked something with her tail and a book flew through the air straight towards Harry. It was not the small diary Harry had expected but a copy of the Standard Book of Spells grade one with Ginny’s name written in it at the bottom of a list of names beginning with Bill Weasley.
“Do not forget Masster I am a basssilliskk,” she hissed. “I am deadly, I can kill people and I can destroy objects with my eyes and my venom,” Aisling told him.
Severus finally overcame his fear of the snake; he moved slowly to stand behind Harry and look over his shoulder at the book. He took out his wand and cast ‘finite incantatem,’ and the book changed back to its original form.
Magic once again began to seep out of Harry only this time it was due to anger.
“You,” he said, pointing at the older Tom. “You sent him…” he indicated Rookwood who was still kneeling on the floor with his eyes closed. “...here with the diary to lure an innocent first-year girl into the Chamber - for what a laugh? You think killing her is fun? You had the stone, you had your diary you did not need her,” he said furiously, his magic swirling threateningly around him.
“Now Harry, calm down and think for a moment. What does it matter if the girl dies? It is for a good cause after all,” Voldemort senior hissed softly.
“It matters Tom! You may not care about killing people but I do care and this death would be on me,” Harry argued.
“How do you figure that? I am the one who possessed her and took her life force," the younger Tom asked, looking confused.
“It's simple, if I had just left you my vault we would not be here,” Harry replied tersely.
“Hummmm, I suppose that's true,” young Tom mused.
“I will not involve myself with two Lord Voldemorts. One is more than sufficient,” Harry declared.
“Harry, you seem to be under the misapprehension that you get a say in what we do,” older Tom said with a smirk.
Harry turned his head slowly toward the older Tom and smiled dangerously. “Oh, I think I do, Tom. I am the one with the power to vanquish you after all. I’ve already done it once haven't I and we don't know the entire prophecy, do we? Severus only heard the first part before he was discovered, so we don't know how this is supposed to end,” he spoke slowly in English so everyone in the room could understand him.
He turned the diary over in his hand and he called softly to Aisling when she reached his side, he held the book out to the snake. “Basilisk venom is quite destructive is it not?” Harry asked casually as the snake flicked her tongue at the book.
This, it seemed was the right approach, the older Tom shuffled his feet. “There is no need for threats, Harry,” he said sourly. He waved his hand and vanished the younger Tom. The diary in Harry's hand glowed red and burnt hot; Harry dropped it onto the wet floor where it began to steam. Tom quickly summoned the book to him.
Ginny began to stir behind them and Severus moved to her side, he ran a diagnostic spell then he eased her back to sleep before she could see Harry facing off with Tom Riddle.
Tom tucked his diary into his pocket. “I think we are done here,” He said. “Stand up Rookwood and open your eyes, we will leave through the forest entrance,” he ordered.
“No, no we are not done. Rookwood, you need to stay,” Harry interjected quickly.
Tom blinked his eyes slowly “I beg your Pardon?”
“Mr Rookwood is the only one of us who can take Ginny out of this Chamber. You can't exactly waltz up into the castle with Ginny Weasley in your arms can you, Tom? Neither can Severus or me. Mr Rookwood is an Unspeakable, who had been employed specifically to deal with the Chamber and to rescue her, ” Harry said reasonably.
“There is also the matter of Mr Weasely and Mr Longbottom,” Severus reminded Harry gently.
“Merlin,” Harry growled.
“Can you fix the cave in, Sev?” He asked.
“I believe so,” Severus replied.
“Alright, Tom, you need to leave. You said there was a way out through the forest. Mr Rookwood, you will pick up Ginny and you and Severus will have to rescue all of us.” Harry told him.
Severus raised a questioning eyebrow. “What exactly is your plan, Harry?”
“We will have to obliviate Ron and Neville,” he said determinedly. “We will tell everyone Mr Rookwood made me open the Chamber for him so he could save Ginny; he told me to wait for him in the tunnel while he went in to find her. Then while I was waiting Ron, Neville and Lockhart turned up. Lockhart blew up the tunnel with Ron’s wand and I was stuck down here with a wall of rock and three unconscious people. Then you, Sev, came looking for me. You were trying to get us out when Mr Rookwood appeared with Ginny. The two of you cleared the tunnel and got us all out,” Harry told them.
“How do we explain Ginny getting in here? Severus asked.
“The diary,” Harry said
“You are not getting my diary,” Tom said indignantly.
“No, I need one without your soul in it. Can you duplicate just the diary, but so it still has some kind of trace of you? Just enough for Dumbldore to know it was you,” Harry asked Tom.
The man tilted his head to the side and thought about it. “Of course, I can,” he said, waving his wand.
A second diary appeared and Tom picked it up, he allowed some of his magic to infuse into the book then he handed it to Harry. Harry moved over to a pile of discarded fangs and picked one up then he stabbed the fake diary.
The diary in Tom’s pocket vibrated and the man placed his hand over it protectively. He sent Harry a furious glare; then stalked off down the tunnel, heading through the mouth of Slytherin Harry watched him go with some amusement.
Augustus Rookwood watched the interaction between Harry Potter and his Lord with confusion. He had never seen the Dark Lord back down like that, just what power did this boy have?
“Right then, let's get out of here,” Harry said happily.
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Rookwood cast enervate on Ginny before putting her in a deep sleep. He used magic known only to Unspeakable to cover Severus' spell; so when anyone checked they would only find the Unspeakable’s magic on her.
Much to Severus’ chagrin he became the hero of the hour as he led Rookwood, carrying a sleeping Ginny Weasley, an obliviated Lockhart and three second-year boys to the Headmistress's office.
The Gargoyle at the entrance to the office took one look at the strange party approaching and simply allowed them to enter. The door to the office opened at Severus’ knock and they all entered the room. There was a pained scream and Molly Weasely ran immediately to her daughter and began to try and wretch the girl from the arms of the man holding her.
Molly did not stop screaming until Ginny was in her father's arms and headed for the hospital wing. Arthur went first carrying Ginny, Molly grabbed Ron by the shoulder and hauled him along, while Madam Pomfry guided Gidleroy Lockhart out of the office.
Rookwood, relieved of his burden, took a seat next to the Minister of Magic, facing the Acting Headmistress and the Headmaster who was standing beside her looking far too happy. Severus put Harry and Neville on the sofa and called an elf to bring them some soup and sandwiches.
Harry could feel the Headmaster looking at him, he could feel the glee emanating from the old man at seeing Harry return from what he probably thought was an adventure akin to the obstacle course he had set up last year.
“Severus my boy, I see you found your wayward Snake and a bonus pair of Lions. Do share the story won't you,” he asked jovially.
Severus sighed and began reciting the story exactly and Harry had concocted it. Harry ate silently while his betrothed spoke. He was quite hungry he realised and he ate the sandwiches with relish. Neville was still a little woozy from the obliviate which had been expertly done by Rookwood again using undetectable magic so it would appear that both he and Ron had been caught in the blast from Ron’s broken wand.
“When I arrived in the bathroom the Chamber was open and I could faintly hear Harry calling for help. When I entered I found Mr Weasely, Mr Longbottom and Professor Lockhart all unconscious. Mr Weasley’s broken wand was in Lockhart's hand. I later learned the rock fall was the result of a powerful memory charm channelled through Mr Weasely’s broken wand. Mr Potter was on the other side of the fallen rock but he had made enough of a hole that I could hear him screaming for help” Severus told them.
“I see, and how did you find Miss Weasley, Mr Rookwood,” Albus asked.
“She was on the floor of the Chamber, the diary was lying beside her and a spectre who claimed to be Tom Riddle was in the process of draining her life force. I banished it and destroyed the diary with a basilisk fang. When the girl woke up she was in a bad way; her mind was badly affected by the possession. She fought against me, demanding I bring back Tom, I had no choice but to put her to sleep. The mind healers will be able to bring her out of the coma when they have healed her; if they can heal her.” Rookwood explained. He included some embellishments Harry had not thought of but they made the story much better.
“Mr Potter, if you are feeling better I would like to hear your version of events,” the Headmaster called.
Harry swallowed his last bite of sandwich and walked over to stand beside Severus. “Well sir, I was in my dorm room but I was still awake, sometimes I have trouble sleeping," he confessed, sounding reluctant to tell the Headmaster about his difficulty sleeping. Keeping his eyes on the ground he continued.
“I heard a noise and then Mr Rookwood pulled the curtain on my bed back. He told me to get out of bed. He said he needed my help so I went with him. We went to the bathroom and he told me to open the Chamber of Secrets. He said I could do it because I can speak to Snakes. I didn't know how; so I tried turning on the taps and saying open. Then I found a little snake on one of the taps and when I imagined it moving I could speak parseltongue. I told the Chamber to open and it did. We slid down a tunnel and then we walked through another tunnel to another door. I opened it the same way. Then Mr Rookwood told me to stay and wait for him. So I sat on a rock to wait. I don't know how long I was there but it wasn't very long before I heard people coming down the tunnel. I pulled my wand out and hid behind a rock. I saw Professor Lockhart come out of the tunnel then Ron and then Neville. Ron must have dropped his wand and Professor Lockhart picked it up while they were arguing. Professor Lockhart wasn't making any sense, he said he was too late to save Ginny and that Ron lost his mind at the sight of Ginny dead on the floor. Then there was an explosion and the tunnel caved in. I yelled out to them but they didn't answer me. So I started moving the rock using a spell Draco taught me for packing our trunks. It was pretty slow but I had just made a big enough hole to see through when I heard Professor Snape calling for me. He came down and helped me clear the tunnel and then Mr Rookwood came back with Ginny - will she be alright?” Harry asked innocently as he finished his story.
“I am sure she will be fine, Harry,” the Headmaster said dismissively. “But tell me did you see anything in the Chamber?”
Harry shook his head using the movement to avoid the Headmaster's eyes. “No sir,” I stayed in the tunnel,” he answered.
“Very well,” the Headmaster said, sounding disappointed.
“I think Headmaster it is time Mr Potter returned to his bed and Mr Longbottom should probably also go to the hospital wing,” Severus said
Minerva seemed to snap out of her stupor at that and agreed immediately that the boy ought to be taken to see Poppy. She bustled around the table and rushed Neville out of the room. Severus put a hand on Harry’s shoulder and guided him to the door; as he exited the office he heard the Minister burst into indignant blithering about the Saviour speaking Parseltongue and how they had to cover it up.
Severus took Harry to his quarters; he had intended to transfigure his sofa for Harry to sleep on but as they walked into the sitting room he noticed a new door next to his room. When he opened it he found another bedroom; saying a quiet thank you to Hogwarts he called Dobby to bring Harry’s pyjamas and he tucked the exhausted child into bed.
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Severus spent the next few days in his private lab brewing the potion to wake up the petrified students. Albus Dumbledore was reinstated as Headmaster; the board conceded that the man’s plan had worked. Augustus Rookwood had rescued the Weasely’s daughter just as the Headmaster had said he would.
Ron and his brothers were removed from the school by their parents. Ginny had been transferred to St Mungos, where the healers were trying to heal the damage caused by her being possessed before they attempted to wake. It was unclear if she would recover or not.
Neville’s grandmother arrived the next day and took her grandson home with a nasty glare at Dumbledore. No one knew what had become of Professor Lockhart.
The opening of the Chamber of Secrets was swept under the carpet, the fate of Gilderoy Lockhart providing the perfect distraction. Cornelius Fudge had insisted Harry’s role in the whole disaster be covered up so once again no one knew about Harry’s role in the events.
Albus was both concerned and delighted with the events, delighted because Harry was finally living up to his expectations of James Potter’s son. He was both excited and horrified that Harry had been able to open the Chamber. If Harry had been in Gryiffindor he could brush it off as a by-product of the attack by Voldemort. Harry would have gone to the Chamber without Rookwood and rescued Ginny himself he would have been the hero.
As it was Harry was in Slytherin and it seemed he was the Heir of Slytherin; he had opened the Chamber under the direction of an Unspekable and had not gone inside. Albus could do nothing with any of that. He sat in his office sucking on lemon drops wondering how he could get Harry to be the Gryffindor he needed him to be.
The petrified students were woken up in the second last week of school and Hermione immediately sought out Harry to demand answers. Harry gave her a sanitised version telling her about the diary possessing Ginny and Ginny being taken into the Chamber and rescued by the unspeakable. Harry decided against giving Hermione her blue book back; instead, he planted it in the Library for her to find, which, she did in the last week much to her confusion.
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On the second last night in the Castle Harry once again broke Severus' rules around the use of his dad’s cloak. Clutching his broom he made his way to the second-floor bathroom he whispered open to the circular sinks and slid down the tunnel into the antechamber, then onto the door to the main chamber.
The Chamber felt more welcoming this time perhaps due to there being no Tom, or maybe because he had been accepted as the heir by the guardian of the Chamber. He called softly to Aisling before he realised he would have to open the tunnel for her to come out.
“Speak to me Slytherin, Greatest of Hogwarts Four,” he called out and watched as the mouth slid open and Aisling appeared.
“Hello beautiful Aisling,” he hissed.
“Welcome back Massster Heir,” she replied. Have you come to meet the old master? She asked
“I have if he will speak with me,” Harry told her.
“He is looking forward to meeting you,” Aisling told him. “Follow me, Master.”
The great snake slithered back down the tunnel she had emerged from and Harry followed. After a short walk they came to another round door with the same snake lock at the entrance to the Chamber.
Harry hissed “Open,” and the door swung open and he stepped inside a sparsely furnished study. The walls were lined with books on shelves, a large desk was pushed against one wall and two chairs sat in front of a fireplace which sprung to life when Harry entered the room.
On the wall above the fireplace was a large portrait of a man, he was sitting in a chair in front of a fire very like the one Harry now sat in facing the fireplace. He watched Harry as he looked around the room before taking a seat.
“So, Harry Potter, you are now my heir,” Salazar Slytherin said in a loud voice.
“Yes sir, I defeated Tom when I was a baby. I have had an inheritance test. The goblins said I could have the ring when I am sixteen,” he reported.
“Aisling tells me you are betrothed, to a good Slytherin man,” The portrait went on.
“Yes,” Harry said lighting up the thought of Severus. “He is the current Head of Slytherin House.”
“Excellent you will bring him with you, next time you visit,” Salazar stated rather than asked.
“Of course sir, I am sure he would be honoured to visit with you,” Harry replied. He was sure Severus would be honoured, once he got over being angry about Harry sneaking back down here without him.
“Wonderful, now tell me young one how did you defeat Tom Riddle when you were a baby?”
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Augustus Rookwood sat upright in the small wooden boat. He hated the trip out to Azkaban but he could not complain he had volunteered for this detail. His Lord had a task for him and he would see it done. Barty Crouch senior had pulled some strings to get this visit to see his son on the pretext that his wife was dying and wanted to see her son one last time. Rookwod had discovered the man's plan to get his son out of Azkaban with a simple mind skim.
Barty Crouch and his wife sat on the opposite side of the boat the women looked like death. Augustus could tell she would not live much longer; so much the better he thought considering she would die in Azkaban wearing her son's face.
The switch was seamless, and Barty Junior was in terrible shape, Augustus noted. He doubted the young man’s father would do much to improve his son's health. He was confident however Barty would survive until they could arrange for him to rejoin his Lord.
As they were leaving the prison one of the prisoners stopped Fudge and in a voice which sounded far too sane for a prisoner of Azkaban, he asked if he could have the newspaper Crouch was carrying. Crouch obliged.
Augustus stopped and observed the dark-haired man curled on his blanket, greedily reading the paper. Sirius Black was in terrible physical condition; his clothing was little more than rags and he was skin and bone, his hair was dirty and mattered. However, his eyes were clear and he was far too alert for a man who had been here for twelve years.
Lucius Malfoy was in the process of having Black released; he would keep an eye on how that played out. His Lord had been very interested to hear that Sirus Black had been sent to Prison without a trial. As he watched a slightly crazed gleam lit the eyes of the ragged man but the next moment it was gone. Interesting Rookwood thought, very interesting.
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Sirius Black stared at the front page of the paper and rage filled his mind, heart and body. Peter Pettigrew was on the front page, sitting on the shoulder of a red-haired boy called Ron Weasley. The rat was alive and living with a wizarding family, listening out no doubt for news of his Master’s return. Sirus needed to get out of this place and find him; according to the paper, Ron Weasely was in Gryffindor at Hogwarts and he was going into the third year. If Sirius' maths were correct he would be in the same year and surely in the same House as Harry.
Forgetting all about Lucuis’ visit and promises of a special hearing to secure his release, Black transformed into a large black dog. The animal was as emaciated as the man and he easily squeezed out between the bars and followed the procession of people out the the gate to the boat landing.