Overnight Changes
Harry Potter was at the feast which came as a result of the threat being over. Shortly after the students began gathering, the Weasleys showed up, including Ginny.
The twins, who had gone against the grain and had not been any of those who subtly (or not so much) shunned the infamous boy-who-lived, came over and said loudly, "Thank you, Harrikens!"
"You saved Ginny!" the other added
"No bludger will …"
"get anywhere near you …"
"next season!"
Percy, who had not shunned Harry but who had not treated him with any real concern had followed over and formally said, "Mr. Potter. As the eldest Weasley brother still within Hogwarts, I would like to thank you for your efforts in saving a member of our family."
Ron, while he hadn't been demeaning, had withdrawn from Harry. And that had been almost worse to the bespeckled boy than if he had started talking badly about him. However, he the young redhead was very embarrassed as he came up to his dormmate and friend. "Er. I wanted to say, 'Sorry.' I know I've been a bit of a berk. Even though I knew it wasn't you I haven't been a good friend. I didn't hold up and that's on me."
Harry, who knew exactly what Ron was talking about, was just relieved. "I guess it's okay this time." He smirked a little, "Do it again and I'll get Fred and George to prank you back to nappies as in 'you'll need nappies not to mess yourself'."
Ron sheepishly nodded and worriedly looked over at the twins who were making the rounds of the Gryffindor table.
Harry supposed that being twelve was enough pressure without all of the red of their housemates looking at you wish suspicion. He knew – he had borne the brunt of it. And without Hermione, who had been the force which kept the two strong, Harry couldn't really blame Ron. And so he accepted the apology which most purebloods would have rejected.
Besides, he figured that at least the Weasleys (including Ron) were publically supportive or apologetic rather than saying nothing like the rest of Gryffindor seemed to be doing. Harry wasn't feeling very generous. He'd wait and see if anyone else said anything.
Ginny just quietly sat with the other first years, seemingly too embarrassed to come up and say anything herself. But Harry had talked to her right after the incident so that was fine with him.
When the students had gathered, Dumbledore made his announcement that exams were cancelled (except OWLs and NEWTs of course). He also mentioned (as Amelia Bones was at the feast) that various Ministry personnel and goblins would be there the next day to visit the Chamber and ensure there were no surprises.
Finally, he announced that the students who had been petrified would be joining them shortly.
Harry felt a vast amount of relief when Hermione rushed in along with the other students from the infirmary. Hogwarts without Hermione wasn't normal and Harry craved normal.
As expected, she was talking at a mile a minute and it took considerable effort to get her to eat She was vastly disappointed to hear exams had been cancelled.
Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, sat in the rafters of the Great Hall, watching over the feast below. He considered what was required in this world.
While he often helped to overcome Voldemort early in most worlds, he also realized that he had to allow for growth for the people who lived in those worlds. If he just fixed everything, those who lived in the worlds he visited would never learn to do for themselves.
In this world, he had taken the place of Fawkes in the drama in the Chamber. It had been necessary. But how much should he do?
If he let things play out as "normal" then there would be struggle and many would die. But, in the end, those remaining would be stronger for it.
Finally, he made a decision. He would interfere a little bit more. But he would let them solve the rest for themselves.
And so, when the rest of Hogwarts had fallen asleep, the Traveler made his way to Gryffindor tower. He looked around and transformed outside of the second-year dorms. He pulled his wand and cast a sleep spell through the door – he would ensure everyone … and everything … stayed asleep.
He stole into the room. Moving to Harry's bed, he pushed the curtains back and cast Finite on the boy's scar. And, as it had in many universes, the scar let out mess of junk and a dark residue. He vanished the mess and cast a cleaning charm.
He felt for any change and noted that nothing was pulling him on. And so he went onto the next item on his list. He smirked at the "pet rat" which lay on Ron Weasley's bed.
Looking around, he searched for what he needed. He finally spied something: Several sheets of parchment that one of the students had thrown away in the rubbish. He wordlessly accio'ed the pieces and noted that it was Neville's rubbish.
Shrugging, he calmly transfigured the sheets into a cage and then walked over and picked up the ugly rat. Smirking at it, he placed it in the cage and then charmed the cage unbreakable. He put a "password" type enchantment on it – a trained Auror would be able to dispel it but most wizards would not.
He summoned a piece of parchment from Harry's supplies and wrote a note. Finally, he transformed back and flamed out.
Arriving in Amelia's office, he placed the parchment (sealed) on the desk along with the cage. He smirked as he ensured that the room would only allow Amelia to enter it before the spell dissipated.
He once again paused and felt for any pull and there was none.
He sat down and sighed. What should his next step be? He could gather the horcruxes. He could write a note for the local Dumbledore – this one seemed to be one of the passive ones but not Machiavellian.
The local Weasleys didn't seem to be giving off the "evil" vibe – but Ron seemed a bit more nervous than his own – he hadn't stood up as most Ron Weasley's did in the face of House disapproval. Say what you would about Ron Weasley – normally he didn't really care about what people thought (except about the matter of being poor, which bothered him greatly).
Harry felt no great drive to gather the horcruxes and so he decided to watch and see what moved him to act.
Early the next morning, Amelia Bones traveled to the Ministry to arrange for witnesses to go with Harry Potter and the goblins to look at the basilisk.
She noted, however, that a couple of her Aurors seemed to be trying to enter her office. "What's going on?"
Kingley Shacklebolt replied, "I was trying to leave a report on your desk but your office seemed to be warded."
Amelia looked at the door curiously. She reached out and turned the knob. The door opened for her easily. She was about to enter when Kingsley and Robards prevented her. "There might be a trap – set to go off when you arrived."
She rolled her eyes but allowed the Aurors to clear the room. They found nothing – except a cage sitting on the desk with a rat in it.
"Director? You can come in. I think I found the reason for the ward," the experienced Auror called out.
Amelia entered the room and saw the two Aurors checking on the cage on the desk. "What is it?"
"There's an old rat and a letter."
Amelia nodded. She went over and, after checking that there were no curses, opened the parchment. Her eyes widened as she read it.
Dear Madam Bones;
Hello! My name is Peter Pettigrew. I am currently visiting your office in the form of my illegal animagus form, that of an old fat rat. The cage can only be opened by an Auror, much like the cells here in the Ministry – same spell, or so I've been told.
I have been hiding out in a pureblood home around small boys and one young girl.
If you force me to change back using the animagus reversal spell, you will find my Dark Mark on the inner left portion of my forearm. I might also be carrying a certain wand that disappeared the night that my Master disappeared.
I have been hiding out so that the innocent Sirius Black will not be released and so that I can watch for signs of my Master's return. I framed my old friend by causing that explosion and then cutting off my own finger.
Lucky for me, the DMLE Director at the time, Barty Crouch Senior, just chucked Sirius into Azkaban without a trial, preventing inconvenient truths from being revealed. Such as that I was the Secret Keeper for the Potters and that Sirius was only a decoy to fool the Death Eaters.
I might warn you that you shouldn't visit Barty at home – you might see his son, Barty Crouch Junior, whom he has been keeping in his home under an Imperious Curse since Barty's wife traded places using polyjuice right before she died.
Bertha Jones saw Barty Junior and was obliviated – it might have made her a bit scatterbrained but, hey? Acceptable damage and all that.
Anyhooos …I probably shouldn't mention that all it would take to get Fudge to back your efforts to get Sirius a trial is to have him spin it that he's getting past mistakes by previous Ministers cleaned up and that this will show him as a real law and order type Minister. It will also make Harry look more favorably on him, seeing as the real traitor, me, will be getting his. Also, he would be seen as supporting a pureblood son (Sirius was not truly disowned and so is legally the head of the Black family even if he was the 'white sheep' of the family – go, go Gryffindor and all that).
I wouldn't let him get my old friend Lucius involved, seeing how he was the wizard that recruited me for the Death Eaters and that I might spill that information under Veritaserum. Also, Luscious Lucius thinks that if Black dies his son will inherit – ignoring the fact that Harry Potter, Sirius' godson, is his heir already.
Anyway, I just wanted to visit! Ta!
Amelia looked for a long moment at the letter and then at the rat. The rat was now running nervously around the cage as though it knew it was about to be on the barge for the River Styx. She put the letter on her desk and then cast a spell to lock the door and then a couple more to ensure privacy. "Shack, Robards. I have a couple of assignments for you."
Harry Potter was eating breakfast at the Gryffindor table.
While it had been a late feast, he was a growing boy and he didn't turn down food – unless he was really nervous. Ron and Hermione were nearby. Hermione was trying to force Ron to eat with a few more manners. All was back to normal.
For some reason, he felt really great this morning – far better than a good night's rest would allow. He felt cleaner, even. But he wasn't looking forward to going back down to the chamber that much. He knew it was coming though.
Toward the end of breakfast, Professor McGonagall came by. "Mr. Potter. I am to understand that you will be taking several people down to the Chamber of Secrets this morning?"
"Yes, Professor. They are going to look at the basilisk and make arrangements."
She nodded. "Very well. I would like to go down myself at the same time. As this is a Sunday, I do not have classes."
"Er. That's fine." He paused. "It is kind of dirty though."
Professor McGonagall gave a severe smile. "I am certain that I can handle a bit of dirt." She paused and then said, "I might also suggest allowing Professor Snape to come as well, as he is the head of Slytherin House and it is Slytherin's Chamber."
Harry looked over and saw that the Potions Professor was watching them with a blank look. "I don't know, Professor. Professor Snape doesn't particularly like me and, after dealing with him for two years, I don't particularly like him. I would rather not bring him along to hear him making," Harry paused and changed snide to something else, "unkind comments about me the whole time."
The Deputy Headmistress was taken aback slightly. But as it was said respectfully she had no grounds to upbraid her student for his comment. "I will ensure that he keeps control of himself."
Harry sighed. "Fine. But, please, keep him away from me during the trip down."
She nodded. "Very well."
Hermione, who had been listening in, said, "Do you think it's smart to alienate Professor Snape? He could make it worse during class."
Harry gave her an exasperated look. "It's already the worst class for me. How much worse can he get? I had to fight for my life there. I don't need him to make it even worse for me when I go down there again."
Ron interjected, "Harry's got a point. It's not his job to take Snape down there."
"Professor Snape," Hermione said.
Ron huffed, "Fine. Professor Snape. Anyway, Harry could have just said no."
Hermione huffed herself but had no response for that.
Harry sighed, "Please keep the arguments to a minimum. For my sake. I invited you two because Hermione helped figure it out and Ron is Ginny's sister. But it's already going to be stressful."
The two agreed.
After breakfast, Harry made his way to the area outside of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Hermione and Ron were waiting with him.
The first to arrive were Amos Diggory, who ran the Magical Creature Department at the Ministry and Madam Bones, who looked distracted but Harry figured that it had nothing to do with him.
Shortly thereafter Professor McGonagall showed up leading the visiting goblins. Harry noted Snape standing back but he didn't care enough to notice any more.
Ragnok greeted him with a, "Mr. Potter."
"Ragnok. Thanks for being here." Harry was trying to be polite.
"It's business. Interesting business. But still business." Ragnok was pretty blasé.
"Of course," Harry nodded.
Ragnok asked, "Where is your sword, Mr. Potter?"
Harry was confused. "What do you mean my sword? It's Gryffindor's sword. I left it with the Headmaster."
Ragnok took on a tone of disapproval. "The sword came to you. As the Magical construct said, it comes to a Gryffindor deemed worthy of it. You were, somehow, deemed worthy."
Harry sighed. "Yeah, well, I can't very well carry it around by the handle. And I don't need to be dodging criminals who think that killing me and taking the sword would be a great idea. Besides, the Sorting Hat said it would come to someone who needed it in defense of Hogwarts. I don't live at Hogwarts during the summer. If I need it again, I'll just get it."
Ragnok considered that. "Very well. But you should invest in a scabbard – or ask the construct for the scabbard that goes with the sword."
Harry shrugged. "I'll do that."
Amelia, who had been standing there looking at her watch, said, "It's 9:00."
Harry nodded. "Okay. It's this way." He started walking to the door.
Professor McGonagall said, "The Headmaster said he would be joining us."
Harry barely paused but continued on, forcing McGonagall and the rest to follow. "That's fine but he's not here. I told Ragnok 9:00. It's 9:00. I will be dealing with Ragnok and Gringotts far longer in my life than I will be a student. I'd rather not cheese off the beings who will be handling my money for the rest of my life, thank you very much."
McGonagall only took on a more pinched look.
Ragnok, though no wizard noticed, took on a small smirk.
As Harry walked up to the sink, Dumbledore himself strolled in a moment later. "I'm sorry I'm late. I had to deal with a student on the way."
Harry barely noticed the arrival. "Here it is. Give me a moment to concentrate." He concentrated on the snake and the room heard, "Abna," in a hissing tone.
The witnesses saw the sink separate and open to a tube in the ground. Harry nodded. "That's what I went down."
Ragnok looked down the entrance. "that's quite large enough for travel. Try asking for stairs or a stairway."
Harry did that. As Ragnok had expected, the smooth sides deformed into stairs going down into the depths. The goblins took the lead.
It took quite a few minutes more than just sliding down but eventually the group was at the bottom.
The team of goblins had a word with Ragnok and moved forward. He turned. "It looks unstable due to lack of maintenance. We will wait here until it has been declared safe."
Professor McGonagall looked at the area they were waiting in and said, "It's quite dirty down here." She pulled her wand and was about to cast a vanishing spell when she was interrupted.
Ragnok said firmly, "No magic until it is declared safe!"
The Professor nodded and put her wand away.
Ron kicked some of the bones and sighed.
Hermione, who had been watching everything, asked, "Ron? What's wrong?"
Ron just sighed again.
Harry said, "He's a bit worried about Scabbers. He disappeared last night."
Amelia, who was nearby, asked curiously, "Scabbers?"
"Ron's pet rat. He's had it for a couple of years since his brother Percy gave it to him when he got a new owl when he was made prefect," Harry explained.
"I see." Amelia couched her questions as mild curiosity. "And how long did your brother have the rat?"
Ron considered that. "He found it when I was a baby - Percy had him for years until he got an owl for making prefect. He gave me Scabbers so I'd have a pet."
Professor McGonagall, who was also listening, said, "That's remarkable. Is it a magical rat?"
Ron shrugged and said, "I don't think so, Professor. Just a common brown rat."
Professor McGonagall replied, "Perhaps you should get the rat checked when it turns up. Most rats live only two to three years."
Ron was surprised. "That's weird." He thought a moment and said, "I guess it's magical somehow."
Harry put his hand on Ron's shoulder. "He'll turn up."
Ron nodded and went back to brooding.
One of the goblins came back and nodded to Ragnok. He turned and said, "It's been deemed safe."
Harry nodded and started walking toward the inner chamber. They came across the shed skin. Hermione actually "eeped."
Ragnok asked, "Are you claiming this?"
Harry said, "That's not what I killed. The only thing I can claim is the basilisk."
Ragnok turned to the Headmaster. "Mr. Dumbledore. Would you like to sell this? It would fetch a few Galleons. Not many, as it is old and dried. But a few."
The Headmaster replied, "Yes. It does no good here. Take it and deposit a fair amount into the Hogwarts account."
Ragnok sneered but nodded. Harry noticed. He thought it strange that the Headmaster didn't even ask for a price.
Finally, the arrived at the inner door. Harry repeated his earlier action and the group went through the portal.
They walked down the large area and turned the corner. All could now see the very large snake laid out the chamber.
Harry said with some residue of antagonism toward the beast. "Yeah, that's it."