Strange Potter

Dumbledore didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed. One Strange was not able to locate the Chamber as easily as the doctor believed he would. On the other, that meant they would have to endure more months of the sorcerers in his school. 

At least the students have been taking Wong's lessons with strides. 

Stephen and Sirius were sitting in his office. Strange has just told them everything he had discovered. Dumbledore felt he was holding something back.

"What are you planning to do about this?"

"Wait. If everything works out then the one responsible will be eager to begin again. I am also lowering the number of sorcerers visible to everyone."

"Lure them in," Sirius said. "Sounds risky."

"If someone has another plan besides shutting down the school. I am listening."

"I don't." Sirius sighed. "But if this doesn't work then the school may have to be closed."

"That would not be in the best interest of anyone," Dumbledore spoke. "That would only stoke fear in the public."

"Their children's lives may be at risk. I think they have the right to be scared." Sirius argued back. His own kid was one of them. He was considering Harry transferring and Regulus going to a different school.

Dumbledore shook his head. Hogwarts was a symbol. If it closed it would send a message to the whole world. One that would be disastrous for the future. He was left with few alternatives though. The board was too invested in the running now. He would have to follow whatever they decided. 

I wish I still had the same pull over them as I had. Sirius has caused too much divisiveness. Too many questioning his choices.

"On a slightly different matter. What's this about a curse in the defense position?" Strange asked.

"That is a difficult subject."

"It's a problem no one seems to want to deal with. Sirius, why didn't you bring this up before?"

"Honestly, I thought it was just a myth, but looking back I was foolish. With all the changes here I guess this one slipped into the back of my mind."

"You know how I am with excuses."

"Yeah, I do Stephen."

"What has the curse breaker you brought in said about the curse?"

"There was no need to waste one's time," Dumbledore replied. "I have exhausted myself looking into what Tom did and have, unfortunately, came up short."

"Hold it," Sirius spoke. "You never asked one to look into it? Why?"

"Because if Albus Dumbledore doesn't know the answer then no one else could." Strange answered.

"Do you think me so arrogant?"

"Why do you ask a question that you already know the answer to?"

The two powerful men stared off. Strange's smirk was maddening to the headmaster.

"When did he curse it?" Sirius asked. The rumor of the curse had been around before even he attended.

"I believe when he applied for the position."

"Voldemort tried to be a professor?" The Marauder was shocked.

"Before he became the monster you know he did indeed. I respectfully declined. Even then Tom's demeanor was off-putting. I didn't want him around children."

Odd. Dumbledore has always been suspicious of Riddle. Tom knew had to of known this. Did he come here just to curse the class? Seems unlikely. 

"Won't go over the room. If he is unable to locate the source there are other options. We move the class to a different room and seal it. It would also be wise to alter the name."

"It's been called that since the beginning of Hogwarts," Dumbledore replied.

"A good way to tie a curse." Strange argued back. 

"I'll bring that up to the board. It should be a simple change." Sirius shrugged.

"Very well." Dumbledore sighed. Did Strange think it would be that easy? Hopefully, this will show him his own pride can be blinding.

In the Ministry, others were discussing the same topic.

Lucius sat at the chair waiting for his dear 'friend' and his loyal toad to come in. He rarely waited for an audience with Fudge but the man was trying desperately to appear out in public to ease the tension caused by the werewolves and Hogwarts. Tensions he planned on capitalizing on.

"Lucius." Fudge greeted as he came in with Umbridge trailing behind. "I apologize for your wait. International Relations have been a welcome avenue for once."

"That is good news to hear."

"Yes, the werewolf cure and Greyback's death have raised our standing in the world."

Strange and the muggle may have been the engineers but with Britain being the test run for it the success of the population affected had been easy use. The trials were another positive too.

Most of the werewolves confessed to it without any Veritaserum, once Umbridge had threatened them with the cure, they would rather die as beasts than live as men in a cage. Most were given to the dementors. Nothing of value was lost. 

 "What brings you here today Lucius?"

"The incidents at Hogwarts."

"I thought Strange was handling that affair?"

"Something I was opposed to." The Undersecretary said. "We should be able to handle it without his involvement."

"It did save us from using resources there." Fudge defended.

"I believe even Strange will be unable to find the mythic Chamber. It would be best if the Ministry was seen taking the initiative." Lucius suggested.

"How so?'

"Records show that one student was found responsible for the 'tragic' death that was supposed to be related to the Chamber," Umbridge smiled. "Said student is still employed by Dumbledore."

"You could remove him from the school as a protective measure," Lucius said. He was glad that vial woman had some use and it would get that incompetent half-giant out.

Removing Dumbledore's well-trained guard dog would be a good aspect. 

"Yes, that would do." Fudge agreed. He could be seen removing a possible danger."

"Well, here we are back again." Harry sat as they loaded on the train. 

"Breaks are always too short," Neville replied.

"But very profitable." Blaise came in. "I need to thank you, Harry. Your insights into Starks company have paid off greatly."

"I know." Harry shrugged. "You're not the only one who invested in Stark industries."

"You made Colin very happy." Luna sat down. "He's still talking about it down the cart."

"He also has a new camera," Susan added.

"Hey, he has to stay away from me so, not to sound rude, not my problem." Harry grinned.

"No, you said no more surprising photos. He can still ask." Hermione corrected.

"Bollucks!" The boy groaned. Causing all the other occupants to laugh.

About two days after they returned to school Harry had a stop to make. One that required him to be alone at night.

"Back Fang!!" Hagrid said as he came to the door but was puzzled to find no one there.

"Hey, Hagrid." Harry pulled the cloak off.

"Arry?! You should be in bed."

"I should be. I have to ask you something. It's important."

"Come in."

Harry slipped in and patted the huge dog's head. 

"Tea?" Hagrid offered. 

"No thank you. I don't think I'll be here long enough for it to cool."

"Been busy? Haven't seen you for a while."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Wong and the safety precautions have been a bit of a pain to slip out and about."

"Been busy myself. Someone's been killing all the roosters. Every one of them. Started when everyone came back."

"Sure it wasn't an animal that did it?"

"Animals don't use knives."

The boy sighed. "Hagrid I need to ask you. Do you know anything about the Chamber?"

"Why would Ey?"

"Because you were blamed last time." Harry saw Hagrids eyes go big. "I overheard Sirius talking to some of the board. He defended you. Neither one of us believe you had anything to do with it, but I wanted to hear your side of the story."

"It was a long time ago."

"I like history."

Hagrid sighed, but before he could begin he heard knocking again. "Harry hide!"

The boy was already under his cloak.

Hagrid went to the door and in walked Dumbledore, Fudge, and Malfoy. "Headmaster?"

"Good evening Hagrid." Dumbledore greeted him. "There's some business the Minister needs to talk to you about."

"Business?"

"Terrible business, I'm afraid, Hagrid,’ said Fudge, in rather clipped tones. ‘Very bad business. Had to come. With the attack never answered for and Strange with no leads I need to act."

‘I never," said Hagrid as he looked to Dumbledore, You know I never, Professor Dumbledore, sir…’

‘I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence," Dumbledore said to Fudge.

"Look, Albus," said Fudge. "Hagrid’s record’s against him. The ministry’s got to do something."

"Yet again, Cornelius, I tell you that taking Hagrid away will not help in the slightest,’ Dumbledore argued again. He had said this several times and still, the man would not listen.

Fudge shook his head. "Got to be seen to be doing something. If it turns out it wasn’t Hagrid, he’ll be back, and no more said. But I’ve got to take him."

‘Take me?’ Hagrid asked as some fear began to seep into him. "Take me where?"

"For a short stretch only," Fudge tried to calm the giant but not looking him in the eyes. "Not a punishment, Hagrid, more a precaution. If someone else is caught, you’ll be let out with a full apology."

"Not Azkaban?" Hagrid looked pleading at Dumbledore.

"There's been enough delay," Lucius spoke finally. "It is merely a safety issue. It better to simply come along."

"Don't talk to me like that!" 

"I can't help but wonder what brought you along Lucius," Dumbledore said. 

"I asked him to accompany me." Fudge said. "Hagrid if you will." He motioned to the door.

"Follow the spiders. That's all ey got to say." Hagrid dusted himself.

When Fudge turned to the door he wasn't expecting someone already there.

"Going somewhere?" Stephen asked. 

"Dr. Strange?! A surprise." Fudge let out.

"I'm good at those. What seems to be going on here?"

"Given your lack of headway," Lucius said. "We were simply taking a precaution for the safety of the school."

"And how are you doing that?"

"Hagrid here has a history that makes him the most likely culprit. At least on paper." Fudge explained.

"Hagrid? Do you believe the keeper of the ground is responsible? He is too big. All evidence I collected points to someone much smaller."

"Yet none of that evidence has led to an arrest." Lucius said with a snide.

"We are merely removing the possibility. Hagrid will be in a secure place and if you find the one responsible then he will be released." Fudge explained.

"Would mind showing me the proof?"

"Hagrid's record speaks for itself." Fudge flipped his green hat in the air.

"No, it doesn't." Stephen turned to the headmaster. "Dumbledore what was Hagrid expelled for?"

"His pet at the time was a dangerous one. Unfortunately, a young girl died and all blame fell on it."

"Aargog didn't do it!" Hagrid argued 

"Aargog?" Strange asked.

"He's my friend," Hagrid said softly.

"An Acromantula," Dumbledore explained. "The pet which was blamed the last time the Chamber was allegedly opened."

"I'm not familiar with that magical animal."

"I thought you we well versed in everything." Lucius raised his nose.

"I have been going over each law and history of every ministry in the world. You will forgive me if I don't put magical creatures at the forefront if my research."  Strange snapped slightly at the man.

"An Acromantula is a large venomous spider, covered in thick black hair," Dumbledore said. "If memory serves Hagrids was the size of a bread box at the time."

"Spider? So there were clear bite marks? After all, a spider bite of that size would leave one."

"There was no report necessary. Hagrid was at fault for bringing in such a dangerous creature." Fudge said.

"No report?" Stephen rolled his eyes. "So you wish to lock a man in the worst prison in your country for...nothing?"

"A safety measure. The Ministry needs to be seen doing something."

"So you opt for doing nothing productive. Well if you must give the illusion of doing something then I will happy to assist." He turned to Hagrid. "Mr. Hagrid, how would you like to be a guest at my Sanctum? It's much more inviting than being tossed in a prison without cause or proper procedure followed."

"Now hold it, Dr. Strange..." Fudge stopped when he saw the annoyed look on Stephen's face.

"Mr. Hagrid?"

"Just Hagrid. If you would be so kinf." The half-giant looked at Dumbledore for the right option.

"I imagine Dr. Strange's residents would be more accommodating than Azkaban Hagrid," Albus replied. It would be better than the gentle man being locked in prison, plus Hagrid was very talkative about things so there's a chance he could overhear something while he was a guest.

"It is. For one it's not a prison." Strange cast a wide circle that went into the Sanctum. One of the sorcerers came to the portal. "Would you show Hagrid here to a spare room, he'll be staying for a while."

"Happy too." He replied.

"That it is if the Ministry has no issue with me taking Hagrid into protective custody." Stephen looked at the man.

"I...well I see this matter is well in hand." Fudge stammered. He couldn't argue because he could say Hagrid was no longer at the school. "Hopefully this business will be concluded and nothing more will be said."

"No, if Hagrid is found to be innocent you WILL do a full apology to him in person and the paper. Then you will work to undo his record of being expelled. Are we clear?" Strange glared.

Hagrid was stunned by the Surpeme arguing for him like that. "Thank you." 

"No thanks needed."

"You don't get to order the Minister around." Lucius defended.

"You stay out of this. Your opinion has no bearing here."

"Gentlemen," Dumbledore spoke. "I believe the matter of Hagrids past can wait until after the situation has been resolved."

"Yes." Fudge didn't like being between all of these people. Lucius was a dear friend, but Strange was not someone who cared about how upstanding a person was. "We can deal with that when the time comes."

"Yes, we will." Stephen motioned for Hagrid to go through to the sorcerer. "If you will follow him."

"Bloody odd magic." The giant tried not to touch the glowing circle as he went through. "Wait! Fang?!"

Stephen saw the dog hiding from the portal. "Go on."

Fang whimpered but managed to get through after Harry slipped a little magic into him to get him moving, and the portal closed.

"I think the matter for tonight is dealt with," Stephen said to the three men left.

"Yes, Lucius and I will take our leave." Fudge agreed.

"I will see you to the gate." Dumbledore led them out but stopped at the door. "Dr. Strange. Thank you. We may have our differences but you helped a good man today."

"It was the right thing to do." Stephen shrugged.

Dumbledore nodded and left.

Stephen watched them leave and sat down. "You can come out now."

Harry pulled the cloak off. "I love watching Malfoy lose."

"Big or small?"

"Both."

"What were you doing down here?"

"I overheard Sirius talking about someone being expelled last time and it didn't take much to find out it was Hagrid. I wanted to see what he had to say." He explained. "Good thing you got here when you did. He didn't deserve to be put in Azkaban."

"Agreed. What did he tell you?"

"Follow the spiders." Harry did the air quotes.

"How about you do not do that." The adult suggested.

"I wasn't going to. Well, not alone." Harry shrugged with a look of hope.

"Fine." Stephen motioned to the door. "Let's go."

"Yes!" The boy took off out of the cabin and ran to the woods until a glowing rope wrapped around his waist.

"With me."

"I don't need a leash," Harry mumbled as he stopped in his tracks.

"That remains to be seen," Stephen smirked but undid the spell.

"This is the first time I've been in the forest," Harry noticed as they walked in.

"The same for me." Stephen kept his eyes on the spider trail.

When they reached the best it was clear that there were bigger issues Strange had not known about going on at Hogwarts.

"Bloody hell." Harry let out as he saw all the spiders. "Weasley would lose it here." Ron's fear of spiders was well known.

"He told you to come here?!"

"I don't think he thought this through." Harry tried to defend. Hagrid was such a nice guy he doubted he was trying to hurt him.

"I will be having words with him." A huge colony of spiders the size of dogs this close to a school?!  

"Who goes there?" A huge shadow came out from a hole in the tree. "Hagrid?"

"Aargog I presume." Stephen greeted. 

"Who are you? You are not Hagrid." 

"Dr. Strange. Hagrid has been detained for the accusation that he was responsible for the death of a student all those years ago. The blame that fell on you."

"Hagrid did no such thing. I never saw the outside of the box I was kept in."

"I figured as much."

"The riddler claimed I did it. He blamed Hagrid."

"Riddler?"

"That was the name."

"Do you mean Riddle? Tom Riddle?"

"Yes, that was who Hagrid said." The memory was clearing up at that.

"Well that answers that." Harry said. "We should probably not over stay."

"Leave? No I can't allow that. It is to rare when a meal enters our domain." Aargog.

"You would eat us?!" Harry asked in surprise, He thought Hagrid would not send him some where deadly.

"I was going to give you some time after this before I informed the Ministry but that just sealed your fate. " Strange looked around "I can't allow a colony of any size this close to a school."

"He does not like hearing that," Harry said as he felt the anger from all the spiders.

"Be ready." 

Harry nodded and let his hands begin to glow.

"So I offer you a choice." The doctor said to the huge blind spider. "You and your family can leave peacefully to a place fit for you and with plenty of food. Or you can be forced to."

"Goodbye friends of Hagrid." The huge spider said.

"You don't want to do that," Stephen argued.

But it was not heard as the army of spiders descended on them.

Harry slammed his hands together and a massive red wave of magic went out. All the spiders blew back and hit the trees hard. 

Strange floated up with Harry and a huge portal opened under them. All the spiders fell in. Those that didn't were being pulled off the trees and branches by the two wizards and tossed in. Only Aargog was left, by the end.

"What did you do?!" The old spider demanded. He could hear his children or grandchildren anymore.

"Sent them away. They are safe. You are too old and I doubt you will survive much longer. So here is my next offer. You and two of your sons, too old to have any more children will be permitted to stay, until your passing. Then they will join the rest of your family." Stephen looked at Harry. "Or the boy here will simply remove all of you now."

"You..."

"Do you take the bargain?"

"Leave me."

"You will not tell Hagrid about what Harry did." To be safe Stephen erased the memory of the three spiders of all except him being here.

"Well, that was a waste of time." Harry pulled some of the silk off his hair as they left.

"Not entirely. We removed a very dangerous colony from being near a school and I know that Hagrid was set up by Riddle."

"Typical for him, but we still don't know who is behind it now."

"Not yet. Now, how about you let me deal with the investigation and you worry about your studies."

"But I can help."

"Yes you can, but that doesn't mean it's your duty."

"No but it's my classmates being attacked and I can't do anything to help because can't show everyone what I can do." Harry let out.

"It will come." Stephen put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "It won't be easy, you will be revered and called horrible things. I want to spare you of that for as long I possible."

"I know, it's just..."

"I know." Stephen did know. It was hard for him to do nothing. The boy had to act and do what he felt was right. It was one of the best qualities Harry had. "Go on to bed and let's keep this adventure between us."

"No argument here. Mum will flip if she hears of this. Sirius will laugh though."

It had been three weeks since the students had returned and no one had even come to the entrance of the bathroom.

For the two sorcerers on watch, it was mind-numbingly boring. They had taken the shift in the Mirror dimension about thirty minutes ago.

"I need to use the restroom." One said.

The sorceress motioned to the bathroom they were already in.

"Not here. I don't want to trip the wards and have Wong running here. I'll be back shortly." The sorcerer slipped out.

The remaining one was practically some spells when the door opened and the alert spells activated. She watched as a small redhead came in. She looked sickly and stopped at one of the toilets.

The girl must be sick. 

She came out of the dimension. She would have to recast the charms and tell Stephen it was a false alarm. 

The girl suddenly began tearing at the walls and screaming.

"Are you okay little girl?" 

The girl turned her eyes filled with tears. "I...I can't." She cried.

"What?"

Ginny sank into herself. She was losing her mind.

"Here." The woman laid her hand on Ginnys shoulder. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I'm sorry." Ginny sobbed.

"For what?"

"This." Ginny's eyes came met hers as a piercing heat hit her stomach. "Not really." A male voice said this time.

She saw a blade sticking into her as blood began to come out.

Ginny yanked the blade out and ran. Her eyes were cold as she took off back out the door. 

Strange came into the room from a portal as she took off. He found the sorceress on the ground holding her wound. "Helena!" He rushed to apply pressure to the cut. "Easy."

"I...I screwed up." 

"What happened?"

"The girl, she did this. I thought she was just sick. Until she stabbed me." She winced as Stephen used some heat to try to cauterize it. "I never saw it coming."

"Stephen!" Wong and two others rushed in. "How bad?"

"Bad. She needs to be to their healer fast. The blade hit the abdominal aorta. She'll bleed out in a few minutes if we don't hurry."

Wong cast a portal in the hospital wing. Stephen carefully picked the woman up. 

"Wait." Helena said. "She was young maybe twelve. Redhead. Very sickly looking."

"I will find her." Wong promised.

"Go I'll take care of her." Stephen said. He would be better off helping her since he had his hands back. "Send word to everyone." He stepped into the wing as Poppy rushed to them.

Wong nodded and his two others went out to search. They didn't see the girl hadn't ran far as she hid behind a suit of armor. Her eyes twitched as she moved back to the bathroom. She dropped the blade at the entrance and walked up to the sink. The sound of hissing left her mouth.

Outside a Ravenclaw, the blonde was skipping past. She saw Wong and some others going by but didn't want to get in their way so she used one of Harrys passages he had shown. It came out near the bathroom. Then she heard some odd sounds from in there. Inside she found the area very different than the one other time she had gone by. 

What happened to the sink?

"Myrtle?" She had heard of the odd ghost. She didn't mind her and was sympathetic to being alone.

"Run!" The ghost shot out. "Before she sees you!"

"Who?"

"Me."

"Behind you!!"

Luna didn't have time to when something hit her hard in the back of the head. She passed out as she felt her leg being dragged towards the hole.

"Stop!!" Myrtle shouted. "I'm telling!"

"Tell them." Ginny's glazed eyes had no emotions. "Tell them their bodies will rot forever. Or give me Potter." She disappeared into the hole with Luna being dragged behind her.

On the pitch, Harry was about to fly up for practice when he noticed one of his usual watchers was missing. "Hey Neville, where is Hermione?" He flew over.

"She said she had something to look into at the library."

"She should have just asked for a room there."

"They might do it." He laughed but was curious about what Hermione was looking for.

Might as well go see.

In the library, Hermione was in the restricted section. She practically had a year-long pass here due to her grades. 

"Shouldn't you be watching me on the field?"

She let out a squeak when she found Harry in his astral form floating above her. "Don't do that!"

"Shh." He whispered. "You might get caught talking to yourself."

"Or worse you."

"Nah. No one can see me unless I want to be seen, other than Luna and Wanda." Harry followed and sat across from her. "What's got you so interested?"

"A clue." She whispered back and opened the book.

"What are you looking for?"

"You said Hagrid said all the roosters were killed right?"

He had told them about his little adventure as long as they agreed not to tell Natasha. It was odd that was the thing she focused on.

"Yeah." He floated over next to her. "What about them?"

"We know something big with eyes petrified Colin and the cat. You said Dr. Strange said Myrtle was killed by eyes. Something that can kill with a look and now we have dead roosters!" She flipped to the page. "I knew it!"

Harry looked in and saw the name, Basilisk. "Bloody hell!! How did I miss this?!" 

"We have to tell Dr. Strange." She tore the page and ran out of the library.

"Wait!" He flew off after her. "Hermione slow down."

Hermione did, only because she saw the sorcerer who was guarding the hall on the ground. His body was frozen and it looked like a battle had happened. A large hole was at the wall. Pipes and water sprayed everywhere.

"Get out of here now!" Harry ordered when he saw the same sight.

She turned back to run back to the library. Thinking quickly she pulled out the mirror, but before she could use it the wall in front of her exploded. A huge snake hissed as it found its main target.

Harry flew in front of her and straight into the yellow gaze.

Hermione froze as saw the basilisk through Harry. She fell back petrified. Her mirror landed on the ground.

Harry was looking directly into the beast's eyes.

In the hospital wing Poppy was attending to the wounded woman. It was close but their magic had stopped the bleeding.

"Dr. Strange." Mcgonagall rushed in. "The portraits sent word. Is she alright?"

"It was close but she will recover." Stephen answered.

Snape and Dumbledore appeared next. Being headmaster had the perk of using Apparition in the school. Snape happened to be talking to him when they received word as well.

Stephen had laid out the details of who tripped the alert and wanted all the head of houses to begin looking for one their students.

"Dr. Strange!!" Myrtle flew in. "She's insane!" The ghost had spent the last ten minutes nutes looking all over the castle for him.

"Who?"

"She attacked your friend! Now she took the other into the hole!"

"Myrtle what are you talking about?"

"I saw her. She came back and opened the sink! Then that nice blonde came in. I tried to warn her but it was to late." She sobbed.

"You're saying the one responsible came back and attacked a student?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes. She was twisted. Those cold eyes."

"Damn it. I forgot to recast the charms before leaving." The dying woman took priority but how could he made such a mistake? "Get all the students to the Great Hall immediately. No one leaves until I give the all clear."

"I will go to the field and retrieve my lions."McGonagall said.

Suddenly the castle began to shake and spells went flying from Strange's cloak. 

"Dr. Strange?"

"The alarms." He flew off in the direction that the cloak focused on. "It's free again."

"Minerva do as Dr. Strange said," Dumbledore ordered. "Serveus go with her to assist and provide support. Watch each other's backs." He left no room for negotiations and hurried after Strange. 

On the pitch, Harry was flying back down when he suddenly froze up. He slipped off his broom and began plumbing to the earth.

"Harry?!" Oliver shouted.

Fred and George saw it and flew fast after their seeker before he became a stain on the pitch.

George managed to grab the stiff boy and landed with a hard thud on the dirt.

Neville rushed to the field as Hooch and the team gathered around.

"Everyone back!" Hooch ordered.

"Harry?!" Neville ignored her orders and grabbed his best friend to shake him. "Harry?!"

The cold stare of his eyes was all that he got back.

Harry was petrified.