Chapter 20
The next couple of days were boring for Harry. Besides Madam Pomfrey fussing over him due to him being bitten by a Basilisk he was otherwise unharmed. The Weasleys visited briefly; they were relieved that Ginny was okay, but chastised her for talking to anything without knowing where it keeps its brain.
Hermione and all those who’ve been petrified were unpetrified by the leaving feast. Dumbledore scans the room; future pawns are in the making. He was mulling things over when he was interrupted by McGonagall for closing announcements. Gryffindor won the house cup again (with some point adjustment on his end) with a total of 683 points; followed close by Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
Down at the Gryffindor table, Hermione was ecstatic that Harry and Ron figured out all the clues. Harry was going on being humble as ever. When the doors to the Great Hall opened, Hagrid sauntered through. “ Sor’y I’m late. The owl that had my release papers got all los’ and confused,” he looks over to the Weasleys, “Some ruddy bird name Errol”. Ron shrank from embarrassment as the closest Gryffindors laughed. The feast ended and everyone went to pack their remaining belongings for the ride home tomorrow.
Just as he was packing up in the morning Harry was on his way to breakfast when a note appeared before him.
‘ Harry,
Please come to my office directly after breakfast. It won’t take long. I’m in the mood for Acid Pops.
Headmaster Dumbledore’
After telling Hermione and Ron to go and that he’ll see them on the train he trudged up to Dumbledore’s office. He got to the hidden staircase and gave the password “Acid Pops” and walked up the stairs. He knocks on the door, “Come in Mr. Potter” called out Dumbledore.
Harry walks into the office, the portraits were either all sleeping or empty. Random gizmos shined brightly or whirred on the shelves that also filled to the brim with old books. Fawkes was perched on his pedestal near Dumbledore’s desk. “You wanted to see me Headmaster?” asks Harry, and takes a seat.
“Harry, my boy. Take a seat. Lemon drop?” he calmly says, a bit disappointed that the boy didn’t take the candy. “The reason why I called you here, my boy, was because in the last several hours you have broken several school rules” watching the boy with cruel mirth.
“Yes, headmaster,” Harry said, scarred.
“ And, there’s enough evidence to have you expelled” Dumbledore finishes with a smile.
Harry’s heart plummeted; he was going to be expelled.
“Do you mind telling me what happened down in the Chamber?” Dumbledore presses.
Harry goes into a full account of what happened in the Chamber of Secrets. “ I can’t help noticing the similarities between me and Riddle, sir. That he seemed to be the opposite of what I was told about him.”
“The boy is a psychopath. Harry. A master manipulator and holds no remorse to those he tortures and kills” the Professor explains. “ You are different, because of your mother’s love and sacrifice. I also know about you asking to be put in Gryffindor instead of Slytherin, Harry. For all intense of purpose, you are a different person.”
“But sir, he told me he would never make a Horcrux and was appalled when he saw that diary, and that you are not to be trusted.” Harry points out seeing that the diary was laying on Dumbledore’s desk; not seeing the professor’s eyes flash with anger. He didn’t want the blasted boy to know about Horcruxes yet; he only has a few moments before Lucius Malfoy shows up. He takes out his wand and points it at the boy, “Professor what are you doing?” asks the boy.
“I’m sorry, boy but I can’t let you have that piece of information quite yet.” He says with a calm voice, “ Obliviate”. The spell hits the boy, who looks around a bit dazed as Dumbledore wove a memory that Harry argues with Tom, showing that he was loyal to Dumbledore(while reinforcing the compulsion and loyalty charms on the boy)Tom set the Basilisk on Harry almost killing him before he destroys the diary and the basilisk. He pulls out of the boy’s mind, before saying “ I must commend you, Harry, you must have shown me great loyalty down in the chamber, only that could have called Fawkes to you.” Harry nods numbly.
Just then the door to the office banged open, and Lucius Malfoy strode in. Followed closely by Dobby.
Harry was surprised, “Dobby? So, this is your master. The family you serve is the Malfoy’s”.
Dobby gave a whimper and hid from his master’s gaze. “I’ll deal with you later.” The man hissed before turning his attention to the by and Headmaster. “ Dumbledore I see that you returned” the says with a drawl.
“ The Board of Governors say it fit to bring me back when they heard that the Weasley girl was captured,” the headmaster answers, “funny, Lucius, that half of them believed that if they didn’t vote for my removal that you would curse their families.”
“How dare you” Lucius retorted with a snarl. Albus raises an eyebrow. “ My priority has always been to the safety of the school and the students”.
A strained silence fell onto the room. The blonde was the first to speak again, “ The culprit was apprehended? I presume?”
Albus glares at the man before answering, “ Oh yes, Voldemort opened the Chamber again. Only this time he chose to act through someone else. By means of this” he holds up the diary. Triumph emerges on the old man’s face. “It’s also fortunate that Mr. Potter came across it before any lives were truly lost.”
“I see” Malfoy spoke, almost choking. Dobby made gestures between the diary and Lucius; Harry noticed and put one and one together. As the two men continued the impromptu meeting.
“One hopes that no more of Voldemort’s old school things will fall into innocent hands. The punishment for the party responsible would be severe.” Seeing the fear in the younger man’s eyes.
“Then let’s hope that Mr. Potter will always be there to save the day,” the man says looking at Harry with scrutinizing eyes.
Harry glares back, “ Don’t worry, I will be”.
The man leaves and Dobby follows behind. Harry was dismissed, and Dumbledore pretended he didn’t see the boy take the Diary from his desk and followed the man out.
Apparently giving a House-elf human clothes severs the bond of servitude with the family they served. Dobby was ecstatic, thanking Harry. Harry just made him promise to never save his life again. Harry was able to catch the last carriage to Hogsmeade station to board the Hogwarts express.