Back to the Chamber
Harry looked back at those who were following. Hermione, he noticed, was staring at the large carcass with horror. The Ministry personnel were in shock. McGonagall was staring with a pinched look. Snape was blank. And Dumbledore himself looked taken aback.
The goblins started speaking with each other in their own language. After a moment, they moved forward to inspect the beast.
Before anything else was said, the unnamed phoenix appeared once more, this time bringing Hagrid.
Hagrid took one look and said, "Tha's what got me wand snapped?"
Amelia asked curiously, "What do you mean?"
"Back fifty years ago, I was accused by Tom Riddle of being the cause of Myrtle being dead. They snapped me wand but 'cause my pet was an Acromantula and there were no bite marks on Myrtle, I wasn't charged. But I wadn't cleared. Tha's why Fudge sent me to Azkaban – cause it was happening again."
Harry snorted. "Yeah, Tom was trying to throw off suspicion because he was the actual killer. It was the beginning of his career as Voldemort."
Amelia looked at the basilisk and back to Hagrid. "I will investigate. With the evidence, we should be able to get your name cleared."
Hagrid said with a hitch in his voice. "I'd 'preciate tha'."
Ragnok came back over as his people continued working. "We will have an offer soon. There is remarkably little damage. With the eyes destroyed but the eyestalks intact, there should be great value to this."
Dumbledore and Snape were speaking in the back, Harry idly noted as he acknowledged Ragnok. Soon Dumbledore strode forward. "Harry? I would like to make a request. With so much here, perhaps you could ask them to set aside a few vials of venom and some of the smaller fangs. Such ingredients might allow great strides in potions research."
Harry glanced at Hermione and Ron to see there reaction. Ron just was listening in. Hermione had that 'research enthusiasm' going on.
He looked at the Headmaster. "I'm surprised that you will have time to do any research considering how much of your time is taken with the jobs you already have."
"Oh, no, my dear boy. I would give the items to Severus to work with." Dumbledore was the image of sincerity.
Harry looked at the Headmaster and then finally replied, "No."
The Headmaster was taken aback. "Excuse me?"
Harry took on a determined look. "I said, 'No.' If Professor Snape wants to play around with basilisk venom, he can approach the goblins just like anyone else will have to once they acquire it." He turned to Ragnok. "How much loss is he asking me to take?"
Ragnok considered that. "A few vials and the smaller fangs might fetch you a thousand Galleons."
Harry thanked the goblin. "There. I see no reason to spend my money to assist a man with whom I share no regard."
"Professor Snape is a valuable member of Hogwarts' staff. He has my complete trust." Dumbledore was attempting to sound as though what he was saying was completely reasonable.
"And that's great. But this has nothing to do with you attempting to give him the products of my efforts." Harry was becoming annoyed. "I have been shunned and treated poorly since the incidents began, as though I was the cause of the students being under threat. No staff member has assisted in calming the situation. Professor Snape has made my potions education extremely unpleasant. I have no trust for the man. I have no love for the man. I have no respect for the man. I had to confront that beast because a fellow student was in danger – even though it is not my job. I will not go out of my way to make his personal interests any more pleasant or easy."
Snape, who had been standing back, sneered and said, "There is Perfect Potter, thinking everyone is beneath him."
Harry turned and yelled, "You, Sir, are here as a courtesy!" Those watching (save the goblins) were taken aback as a small aura appeared around the boy. "Professor McGonall! I ask that you keep your co-worker from making his comments as I requested before allowing him to come!"
Suddenly the unnamed phoenix, which had perched nearby on one of the statues, started singing a calming song. Harry, who had been already stressed due to coming back to this place, felt him anger start to ebb away.
After a long moment and once the song ended everyone stepped back.
Dumbledore, a little shaken at the spectacle, said, "I will speak to Severus about his attitude toward you. But there will be need for at least a single vial of venom. I suspect that there are things that will need to be destroyed before Tom is finally defeated and the venom is the best way."
Harry considered that. "Ragnok, can you deal with that? I prefer not to have any direct involvement with whatever he is talking about. I'm twelve and the adults should be handling that."
Ragnok nodded. "I will speak with him about it and get it resolved. I'll even only charge him a modest fee for my time."
Harry cracked a small grin at that. "Yes. Your time is, after all, valuable."
The Staff were looking very disagreeable at the exchange. Hermione looked horrified. Ron was just amazed. The Ministry staff were looking a bit shocked as well.
Ragnok went over to the fang that was lying in the middle of the Chamber, separate from the beast. "And this is the fang …"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, that's the one that went in my arm and the one I used to stab the diary."
Snape, having gathered himself, scoffed. "That's a lie. If you had been bitten you would be dead."
Before anyone else could comment, the phoenix flamed over to the sallow man, grabbed onto the back of his robes, and flamed out.
Severus Snape suddenly found himself above the Black Lake on Hogwarts grounds. He felt the force holding him let go. He screamed a little as he fell the fifteen feet into the water.
Several Hogwarts students who were hanging out on the grounds watched this with some shock. One of them started rushing back to Hogwarts to spread the information.
Those remaining in the Chamber were someone shocked at the disappearance of the disagreeable man so suddenly. They were still standing there when the phoenix flamed back in and lit upon the statute it had been sitting on.
Its song was not quite the same. Harry, listening, got the distinct impression of laughter in the phoenix's song.
Harry called out, "Thanks!"
The phoenix trilled in response.
Dumbledore spoke in disapproval, "Harry! You cannot just have people kidnapped if they are unkind to you."
Harry was amazed. "I did nothing! That phoenix acted – it had nothing to do with me."
Dumbledore didn't appear to be listening. "Kidnapping is a very …." Dumbledore was, himself, interrupted when the phoenix repeated the actions it had taken with Snape and flashed over, grabbed the Headmaster by the back of the robes, and flashed out.
Dumbledore was treated to the sight of the Black Lake.
Severus Snape and the students who were helping him out of the lake were treated to the sight of the Headmaster dropping into the Lake nearby.
The phoenix flashed away and made a stop in the owlery. After trilling at a white owl for a moment, the phoenix flew over and, lightly grabbing the owl, flashed away.
Those in the Chamber were astonished when the phoenix flashed back into the chamber over the statute.
The white owl looked around and, seeing her wizard, flew over.
"Hedwig!" Harry's voice was full of relief and love.
The watching witches and wizards left were treated to the site of Harry Potter greeting his familiar. Once could see the rest of the stress he was showing disappear at the presence of his oldest friend.
Severus Snape was torn between two emotions as he helped Albus Dumbledore from the Black Lake. He was torn between outrage at how he had been treated by that infernal bird, and amusement at the same thing happening to the Headmaster.
Severus Snape was not a nice wizard.
Amelia Bones noted that the phoenix seemed to be showing great intelligence. And so she walked over and said, "Might you take me to where you put those other two? Just to make certain that they are not injured?"
The phoenix trilled and flew over. Amelia reached out her arm and the phoenix grabbed it and flashed away.
Amelia landed on the shore of the Black Lake and was treated to the sight of the two bedraggled wizards being assisted away from the Black Lake. "Good enough."
The phoenix, who hadn't let go, immediately flashed her back.
Hermione, who had been appalled at what was happening, asked, "Did you find them?"
Amelia chuckled and replied, "I saw them. They were being assisted out of the Lake by several students."
McGonagall and Hagrid had looks of horror. Amos Diggory had a surprised look.
Ron and Harry, along with the goblins present, all laughed.
Hermione cried out, "Harry! Ron!" in protest.
Harry said with a grin, "Hey! I was feeling really stressed about coming back here. Suddenly, I'm feeling a lot less stressed. And like I told the Headmaster, I didn't ask them to be taken away – the phoenix acted on its own."
Hermione hmphed and looked in disagreement at the bird that was preening itself as though it was completely innocent.
The goblins had finished looking over the carcass. One came over and spoke to Ragnok. Ragnok turned and said, "Do you know where the beast's nest was?"
Harry nodded and called out, "Speak to me, Greatest of the Hogwarts Four!"
Those present watched in amazement as the large statute's mouth opened and a passageway was revealed. The goblins quickly moved to inspect the lair, one pausing to put a large rock at the hinge so it couldn't close.
The goblins worked quickly to determine if there was anything else of value. Operating on the basis of what was already said, any more random parts of snake would be paid for and the funds placed in the Hogwarts accounts.
The goblins did find a hidden cache of items and some gold. Gringotts was founded years after Hogwarts was founded and so there were no banks to store treasure during the Founders' time. The goblins were feeling rather triumphant upon locating the valuables.
With Professor McGonagall's agreement, the items were sent to the Hogwarts' vaults.
Harry, as an aside, said, "You might want to suggest to the Headmaster that the brooms could be replaced. Oh, and now he has the funds to buy more basilisk parts if he wants."
McGonagall had a pinched face as she agreed. She did not feel kindly about Harry's disdain for releasing basilisk parts without recompense.
Harry didn't really care.
Since the incident with the basilisk, a lot of his uncertainty seemed to wither away. He was not yet aware of why; because of his tendency to hide his scar, no one had yet noticed the difference.
Finally Ragnok and Harry spoke about what he would get for the carcass. Given a choice between having Gringotts render it and sell if for him for a commission and outright selling it to Gringotts, allowing them to read whatever profits, he chose to outright sell it.
It was, perhaps, less money, but the meat would need to age before it was at its optimum condition and he did not want the hassle of people trying to get items from him. Amelia Bones agreed to help negotiate and, in the end, they got a fair price – a large price.
Amelia also agreed to take a portion and provide recompense to the victims. She dissuaded Harry from giving most of it away. While she agreed that the victims deserved some compensation, she didn't agree that it was his complete responsibility.
However, as public relations it would be valuable. Amelia did finagle a small amount of funds for some equipment that the DMLE needed. As this was Harry volunteering rather than her asking she didn't feel too guilty about it. She would include the notice about the donation along with the press release about the resolution of the situation.
They finally returned to the waiting group and the goblins had wrapped everything they were taking in rope – they would transport it all at once.
Most of the goblins portkeyed ahead to ensure the arrival point was clear and the remaining one traveled with the carcass. Hagrid was taken away by the phoenix. The rest of the Ministry and Hogwarts people left up the long stairway.
When the reached the bathroom and the entrance was closed, Amelia asked, "Mr. Potter? Did you see the healer after your confrontation with the basilisk?"
Minerva was taken aback. She hadn't even considered that. Hermione was also horrified. Ron didn't really react – as far as he could see Harry was fine. Harry agreed with Ron. "I'm fine. I was all healed up by the phoenix that helped me."
Amelia disagreed. "That may be, but it would be best to allow her to check. I will go with you to ensure it is done."
Professor McGonagall said, "I will take care of it. He is my student."
Amelia replied, "That may be, but last night no one at Hogwarts seemed to consider it. As Child Welfare falls under my department, I will ensure that the needed steps are taken."
"We will both take him, then." McGonagall had that pinched face again.
Harry turned to his friends and said, "I'll see you guys in a bit."
Hermione said, "We'll see you at lunch." Ron became brighter at the mention of food.
Harry, with some annoyance, traveled to the infirmary, the two witches following. When he arrived, he found the Hospital matron in her office.
"Mr. Potter. What seems to be the problem?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
He sighed. "After my encounter with the basilisk last night, I didn't come to the hospital wing. Madam Bones and Professor McGonagall told me I had to come and get checked out."
She nodded and pointed him to a bed. He lay down and she started performing diagnostic spells on him. Madam Bones, watching, said, "He was bitten by the basilisk though it was treated by phoenix tears."
Madam Pomfrey was horrified and cast a few more spells. "Take off your robes and let me see the location."
Harry did so, grumbling to himself, and allowed her to poke and prod away. In the end, she could find no negative effects. "Well, Mr. Potter, it appears that whatever traces of the basilisk venom that may be left have been negated by the phoenix tears. You appear to be just fine." She cast a few more spells. "I do note that there seems to be a change from the last time you were here."
Harry was curious. "A change?"
Madam Pomfrey nodded. She looked at the boy's face curiously and reached down and brushed his hair aside. She was a little startled. For as long as he had been her patient, the scar from his childhood had presented as a heavy red line, as though it had barely healed. There had always been a trace of magic within it which had refused to be released.
Now, however, the scar presented as a light white line, fully healed, as though it was a scar that any child might have from childhood.
"Well, Mr. Potter, it appears that whatever happened has purged whatever prevented the scar upon your forehead from healing properly. The scar is now extremely faint and has no trace of any foreign magic."
Harry visibly flinched. "It's gone?"
Madam Pomfrey said, "No. Now it appears as an old scar." She retrieved a mirror. "Look."
Harry looked into the mirror and carefully looked at his forehead. A blissful smile came over his face and he could barely contain his glee. "That's absolutely great!"
Madam Bones and Professor McGonagall were just as surprised. Minerva decided she needed to alert the Headmaster.
"Well, then. You seem to be fine. You are free to go. Come back if there is any more change to your scar."
Harry jumped up and hurriedly straightened his robes. "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey! Will do!" He then rushed out of the infirmary to find his friends and tell them the news.
Harry rushed all the way to Gryffindor tower. He didn't see Hermione or Ron in the common room. He rushed up to the dorm. Neville was there gathering some books. "Hey, Neville. You see Ron and Hermione?"
Neville replied, "Er. No. Sorry. I was in the greenhouses. I just finished washing up."
"That's okay. I'll see them at lunch." Harry rushed into the bathroom. Neville was a bit taken aback. As long as he had known Harry, he had never seen his fellow Gryffindor so happy.
Harry went up to the sink and retrieved the comb he normally used to hide his scar. Putting it under the water to make it a little wet, Harry then started combing his hair straight back, allowing his forehead to be seen by anyone who looked. He was almost gleeful that he now looked a bit different.
Harry took one more look in the mirror and rushed out. He was going to the Great Hall and wait for his friends there.
Harry grinned as he saw Ron and Hermione come in. It was obvious that Hermione had dragged Ron to the Library – he recognized the expression.
The two saw Harry and came over. As it was toward lunch, Ron didn't actually have to be dragged.
"Harry! What did Madam Pomfrey say?" Hermione asked as she stowed her bag below where she was going to sit.
"She said I was fine," Harry said with a grin.
Hermione sat down and looked at him. "Why are you so cheerful?"
Harry actually laughed. "Hermione? I absolutely love you!"
Hermione actually blushed at that. "What's so funny?"
Ron looked and it even took him a moment to notice – and he was conscious about these things. "Harry! Your scar! It's almost gone!"
Harry nodded with a wide grin. "Somehow whatever happened caused the scar to go away. I didn't even notice this morning. That's why I love you, Hermione. You didn't even notice – which means you don't just see the scar when you talk to me." He turned to Ron. "You did pretty good too."
Nearby students who overheard began talking about it and staring over at the boy-who-lived. Harry almost militantly either ignored them or pointedly looked at them so they could get a good look at his almost completely clean forehead.
Hermione tried to badger Harry for details but even he didn't know much beyond the fact that it was almost healed.
The Great Hall seemed to buzzing about the lack of scar. Finally, Draco Malfoy followed by his goons sauntered over.
Smirking he said, "Well, Potter, without that scar you've got nothing to make you special. Just think of all those disappointed fans."
Ron had just started to get angry when he was interrupted by something that surprised him – and everyone else around. Harry laughed in Draco's face. "You think I liked having that scar?" Harry's tone was derisive. "You think I liked having something so obvious that reminded me that my parents were murdered and I somehow survived? I'm actually overjoyed. Unlike you, I have no fetish for flaunting myself" Harry chuckled again. "Thank Merlin I met you before I was sorted."
Draco looked a little upset that this confrontation was not going the way he had planned. Even Snape, who appeared to have cleaned up, seemed curious as to the interaction. "Oh and why's that, Potter?" Draco said snidely.
"The Hat tried to put me into Slytherin but I begged it not to send me there because I wanted nothing to do with you. And so I wanted to thank you for alerting me beforehand what you were like."
Oliver Wood, who was eating nearby, almost choked. "You were almost put into Slytherin?" he asked incredulously.
"Yeah. But Draco being there convinced me not to let the Hat put me there."
Oliver considered that. "Thanks, Malfoy. Considering how good he is on a broom, having Potter as the Slytherin Seeker would have been a nightmare. So – thanks!"
Several Gryffindors and other students nearby laughed. None of Slytherins who overheard, however, were laughing. As a matter of fact, several were looking at Malfoy with a bit of active dislike.
Draco looked at the laughing students and stomped off in a high dudgeon.
Ron looked at Harry. "You were almost Slytherin?"
Harry looked at the mildly horrified Ron. "Yes, Ron. But the Sorting Hat said you had to be a true Gryffindor to pull the Sword from the Hat. Considering I did that last night, you don't have to worry about Slytherin cooties." Harry was grinning at his friend when he said this.
Several students listening laughed at this. Ron just considered that for a moment and then said, "Yeah. All right, then." He then went back to eating. Harry just shook his head.