Chapter 11 - A Diary and a Memory
(A/N - Back to Harry for a while, then there's this interesting discussion going on in the Headmaster's study that I should probably continue with!)
Harry was starting to get hungry as he walked into the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning. Madam Pomfrey had barely looked at him before she said he could go, and he realized her performance the night before was more for the benefit of the Headmaster than because of any medical concern. As usual, he was surprised by the quantity and selection of food that was displayed on the five tables in the hall. "After a few weeks of eating whatever Aunt Petunia shoved through my cat flap, I don't think I'll have too much trouble getting used to this again!", he thought as his stomach growled. As he headed towards his regular spot at the Slytherin table, he noticed that only a few teachers were at the head table this morning. He was especially surprised to see that neither Miss Puckle nor Dumbledore were at their usual places. <Most of the time last year, they were the first to arrive - wonder what's up this morning?>
His attention quickly was diverted, though, as he got closer to his familiar seat. Sitting next to Draco Malfoy was what looked like a …very lifelike dummy. It was dressed in old Slytherin robes, had unmistakably messy black hair, glasses, and an exaggerated lightning-bolt shaped scar on its forehead. In case anyone didn't recognize who it was supposed to be, it had a large sign around its neck. The words, which were flashing and changing colors, read "Scarhead Potter, The Headmaster's puppet" Harry then noticed that there were strings attached to the puppet, and its mouth was moving, (saying in a quiet voice so as to not attract attention from any adults) "I do whatever Dumbledore wants, whenever he wants me to…I love my Muggle loving headmaster, he's so good to me…I love living with Muggles, they are so much nicer than Wizard folk…"
Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were barely able to keep their laughter under control. "Ah, Potter," Draco smirked, "there you are! When we didn't see you last night at the Sorting we were hoping that maybe you decided to stay with your Muggle family permanently! Where were you last night? Did you miss your Muggle bed so much you couldn't stay with your old roommates? We missed you so much that we had to come up with a substitute for you last night, see? Gave us a chance to practice things we studied last year before classes start up again, besides!"
Harry just stood there, not sure what to do. The student in him was impressed. The dummy did look a lot like him, and the charms necessary to make it look that way weren't all that easy. It also sounded much like his voice from last year, although he had noticed his own voice had deepened over the summer. He was just looking closer at the flashing paint on the sign when he noticed someone getting ready to take a picture of him with the puppet.
"All right, Harry? I'm -I'm Colin Creevey," he said breathlessly, taking a tentative step forward. I know I'm not in your house, but d'you think - would it be all right if - can I have a picture?" he said, raising his camera hopefully.
"A picture?" Harry repeated blankly.
"So I can prove I've met you," said Colin Creevey eagerly, edging further forward. "I know all about you. Everyone's told me. About how you survived when You-Know-Who tried to kill you and how he disappeared and everything and now you're in Slytherin, just like You-Know-Who was. Oh, yeah, I see it, just like the books said, you've still got a lightning scar on your forehead, just like your dummy, here! A boy in my dormitory said if I develop the film in the right potion, the pictures'll move, and with this talking dummy of you standing next to you, that'd be really great to send home to my dad, especially if you signed it for him. He's a Muggle milkman, you know!
"Signed photos? You're giving out signed photos…to Muggles, Potter?" Draco sneered from across the table. But before Malfoy could say anything else, another voice was heard coming up from behind him.
"Potter, Malfoy, my office, NOW!" Professor Snape's voice sounded tighter than usual. "And, Malfoy, bring that…that creation of yours with you! I am going to get to the bottom of this TODAY! Potter, you'd better not pull the same stunt you did last night to get out of this!"
The crowd of Slytherins that had gathered around to see Harry's reaction to Malfoy's little joke quickly dissipated as their Head of House began speaking. Even Crabbe and Goyle had attempted (quite unsuccessfully, of course) to look inconspicuous. Draco began to protest, but when he saw the look in Snape's eyes, he realized that was not the time to provoke the potions master. He took out his wand, and muttered a spell that made the dummy follow him as they headed towards Snape's office. "That will be five points from Slytherin, Malfoy, for using magic in the Great Hall." Snape said quietly. "After we have our little chat, I may see fit to add to that total."
******
Back in his study, Albus looked with interest at the small, thin book sticking out of a cloth bag that Harmony was carrying, being very careful not to touch it. "What is so interesting about an old diary, Miss Puckle? Why did you bring it to me? I assume this has something to do with the events of your timeline?"
"Yes sir," she said quickly. "This is the diary of T. M. Riddle, from fifty years ago as you can see by the date."
Dumbledore's voice grew serious. "Ah, Tom's diary! May I ask how this came into your possession? I didn't know any of his old school things were available to just anyone!"
"I recently took this from the cauldron of Miss Weasley, whom I'm sure you know. Lucius Malfoy put it there. I have no idea why he gave it to her in the first place, even in my time line. However, I DO know that this diary contains Tom Riddle's memories from when the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago, and Moaning Myrtle was killed by the basilisk. During my timeline, this diary was used to influence Ginny to assist the "image" of Tom contained in these pages in reopening the Chamber, resulting in the petrification of Argus's cat, some students, and Nearly-Headless Nick before Harry was able to discover the secret of the chamber and kill the basilisk as I told you last year. Ginny was almost killed because of this diary, since Tom was absorbing her life energy as she wrote in it. I was one of the students that was petrified, so much of this story I heard after the fact from Harry and Ginny, among others."
"I see," Dumbledore said. "Tom was always an exceptional student, of course. However, even I am impressed by what he accomplished here. No wonder he did so well on his N.E.W.T.s! But, Hermione," Dumbledore said with a chiding tone, "Why didn't you mention the existence of this diary to Minerva or me during this last year? If you had told us, we could have helped you in whatever planning I assume you did to recover it."
"I honestly don't know, sir. I guess it must have just slipped my mind last year. Up until Halloween, we were so busy figuring out what to do with Voldemort, how to protect my younger self and keep an eye on Harry, not to mention my actually having to teach Charms to quite a few students while doing it, I must have just forgotten," she said, sheepishly. "I just focused on one year at a time. When last year ended up turning out so well, especially after Hagrid found poor Professor Quirrell's remains, I didn't even think about what was coming. After the end of term last year, I went to Diagon Alley to a little flat that I rented for the summer. One morning, I saw the advertisement in the Daily Prophet for Lockhart's book signing at Flourish and Blotts the next day, and then, I remembered! By then, I knew that I would have to take care of it myself since I didn't feel I had time to contact you. I came up with a valid reason for me to be there, pretending to be one of Gilderoy's adoring horde of fanatic witches." Harmony's mouth wrinkled in distaste at the mention of Lockhart's name. "Then, I was able to exchange this diary for a new one I bought for Ginny. I know she actually can use a diary of her own this year, so I gave her one that wouldn't try to kill her."
"Well, I think we'd better bring this subject up at our next meeting with Minerva." Albus said, with a kinder tone in his voice. "While you did an admirable job of intercepting this diary, I would like to be aware of any other things you may have forgotten to tell us about your timeline, just so we'll be better prepared when we have to face them. Now, as to the disposition of Tom's book. I assume it is rather benign unless a wizard or witch writes in it?"
"That's correct, sir. Harry had it in his possession for a short time then, and he showed it to Ron and me. Both of us examined it, and I used both an Aparecium charm on it and a Revealer, but nothing happened. For some reason, Harry tried writing in it on Valentine's Day that year, and that's when he was able to communicate with Riddle through the diary. Riddle showed him the night he framed Hagrid's acromantula for Myrtle's death and got him expelled. Soon after that Ginny stole it back from Harry because she was afraid he would read what she had written about…well, her crush on Harry, among other things. Of course, that's a quick summary of what took most of a year to happen, but I think I covered the high points", Harmony said, taking a deep breath after her long recital.
Dumbledore then asked, "Hermione, do you know what Harry did to destroy it in your timeline?"
"Yes, sir. I just don't think his solution is such a good idea, though, from what he told me afterwards. It wasn't the safest method, to say the least," she spoke with a shudder at the memories. "When he killed the basilisk with Gryffindor's sword, he was bitten. He pulled the fang out of his arm, and after your phoenix, Fawkes, healed him with his tears Harry was able to use the same fang to destroy the book, and Tom's thoughts with it."
"Yes, I agree, I'd prefer to come up with a solution that isn't quite so…risky, at that." Dumbledore said with a wry grin on his face. "While I know that Harry is a unique wizard, your stories of his bravery from your past never cease to amaze me. I can see why you wanted to act so quickly to stop those events from having a chance to start if he was not involved. I will have to think about our options. In the meantime, I am sure I can find a place to store it temporarily until we decide what to do with it. It might be interesting to see if we can see if we can use it to uncover any other of Tom's effects that may be of interest to the Ministry of Magic."
"Thank you, sir. I'll be glad to be rid of that book. Even though I KNOW what it is, sometimes it took all of my willpower to not write in it after I first touched it. Please be careful, sir. I'm sure that Tom would love using your power to revive himself!" Harmony said, smiling.
"Thank you for your concern." Dumbledore replied. "I'm sure that Tom included a charm that would encourage anyone who handled it to be compelled to write in it, and I will take the appropriate precautions. For now, it will be safe in this room under Godric's watchful eye. Since he doesn't have a quill with him in that portrait, I'm sure things will be fine! Is that all, Miss Puckle? The students are most likely enjoying their breakfast in the Great Hall already, and we should make our obligatory appearance soon. First day of term, and all. Shall we?" he said, as they left for the outer door to the office.
As they entered the Hall, Harmony saw the rapidly retreating back of Professor Snape, with Harry and Draco right in front of him, headed out of the hall. It looked like Draco was carrying something that looked like a body over his shoulder. <That's interesting…wonder who Draco killed? Oh, well, I'll let Severus take care of his own house's problems! I hope Harry's not in trouble!>
*****
But, Harry was in some trouble, although from the way the conversation was going, not as much as his former friend. After entering Snape's office, Harry realized immediately that his best bet was to keep his mouth shut and not attract attention. Draco, however, didn't catch on quite as quickly; and as a result he was on the receiving end of Snape's full fury. "MR. MALFOY! I EXPECTED BETTER BEHAVIOR FROM SOMEONE WITH YOUR IMPRESSIVE WIZARDING BACKGROUND!" Realizing that he would probably lose his voice if he continued at that volume, Snape continued with a bit more control. "I have received many communications from your father over the past summer, Mr. Malfoy. After you were beaten by Miss Granger, 'a girl of no wizard family' as I was strongly reminded, in EVERY exam last year, he is…shall we say…concerned that you are not developing the skills you will need to meet your future family responsibilities. He, of course, attempted to blame me for a failure to teach you properly, but I was able to show him specific examples as to why you were not achieving the top marks he expects from his only heir. And now, on the first day of term, what is it I see? You, using the few skills you do possess in an attempt to embarrass a fellow Slytherin in full view of ALL other houses, I might add! Will the two of you tell me what is going on?"
He looked over to Harry, who was actually enjoying the fact that he was not at the receiving end of Snape's attack. "Potter, tell me what has happened this summer that led up to my receiving the owl you sent yesterday. Malfoy, keep quiet - you'll have your turn in a moment. In fact, why don't you wait outside for a while so you won't be changing your story as a result of what Mr. Potter tells me?"
After Draco went outside to sit in the hall, muttering excuses under his breath the whole time, Harry calmly recounted what had happened from when he left Hogwarts that summer. He told Snape about the two owls he had received at Privet Drive, and even explained why he was glad to have an excuse to turn down the offer from the Malfoys. He described the Howler, and how that had caused him to get in even more trouble with his uncle and aunt, but when he talked about Dobby's visit and what he had learned from the elf, Professor Snape became very interested. As Harry related this part of the story, Snape looked deeply in his eyes the entire time. Harry felt as if his mind was being inspected under a magnifying glass.
When Harry finished, Snape paused for a long moment before continuing. "A house elf, visiting you in a Muggle home? Potter, if I didn't know better, I would swear that you were trying to waste my time with a taradiddle. House elves are bound to their master's home with extremely powerful bonds. Either he was operating on direct orders to interfere with your return to school, or that elf has some serious problems with respecting authority. He didn't tell you his family's name, did he?"
"No, sir. Every time he even got close to the subject, he started hurting himself, banging his head on the window and such. He said he would have to shut his ears in the oven door for even talking to me. Sir, what kind of a wizard family would treat ANY creature that way?" Harry asked, puzzled. "I mean, for such a weird looking creature, he seemed pretty nice, actually."
Snape looked appalled as he said, "Potter, I am not going to sit here and discuss the treatment of house elves in Wizarding households. That is a matter that is best left alone and is only of interest to the master of the elf. I will say that if any elf I had in my service were found to be as uncontrollable as this one, they would be immediately dismissed and left to fend for themselves. Back to your story, Potter. Tell me again why you missed the Hogwarts Express yesterday. Quickly, now, classes will be starting in thirty minutes, and I still have to talk to your classmate alone. Well, well, well, he's going to be late to class on the first day, what a shame, Mr. Malfoy!"
Harry did a quick summary of his story up until the time Snape came into the Great Hall that morning, and Snape didn't interrupt or comment again until he was finished. "Well, Potter, I will want to talk to you later about the potion competition, but I am feeling generous today. I don't know who yet, but someone in Slytherin has already been awarded 50 points this morning! That puts us in the house cup lead from the first day, so I have the luxury of getting to the bottom of this before I make a final decision. By the way, Mr. Potter. I expect to see you at the Slytherin House Quidditch tryouts. You probably missed the announcement, but the schedule is posted on the board in the Common Room. Head off to class for now. I've got a lot of things to consider, and…well, let's just say Draco is on thin ice with his head of house at the moment. Send him in as you leave."
As Harry hurried down the hall towards his first class of the day (<Charms, with Flitwick and Puckle, then I get to meet the new DADA professor!>, he remembered with a smile), he was almost certain he heard Snape's voice in full uproar before the door closed. <Well, Golden Boy…> Harry smirked, <…hope you enjoyed your little joke. It was an amazing likeness, I must admit!>
Professor Flitwick was less than amused when he called the roll. "Malfoy?…Malfoy?...Malfoy? Malfoy?
Harry raised his hand. "Um, sir, he's…busy right now with Professor Snape." The class of Slytherin second years who had been in the Great Hall that morning, and those who had already heard the story from their classmates, snickered loudly at this.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter. But five points from Slytherin for Mr. Malfoy being late on the first day of classes. Two can play at that game, Severus…" he muttered to himself.
Harry was more pleased to see Miss Puckle there, assisting Flitwick in introducing the course objectives for that year. <I'll have to talk to her afterwards to set up a time for the Charms classes, and then I'll talk to Blaise later to see if he knows anyone that might be interested. After this morning, I doubt I'll be inviting Malfoy, Crabbe, or Goyle, though! That is, if Malfoy will even be allowed out of the common room without a prefect escort for a while!>Harry was surprised at how much he was enjoying the thought of his roommate getting punished. He thought of more and more bizarre detentions or extra assignments, and his smile got wider as the class went on until he felt someone come up behind him and tap him on his shoulder.
"Mr. Potter, are you still with us? Did you hear my question? I'll repeat it…again…for the third time, I might add!" Miss Puckle sounded quite annoyed. "Can you recount, from memory, the theory behind basic spell interactions that we learned last year? Also, explain why we need to be careful when casting multiple charms on a subject? This may just come up at sometime in your future, either on an exam or in real life, so I'd like your thoughts on the subject."
*******
After lunch, <Finally, something to eat…didn't get much breakfast this morning, did I?> Harry headed off to his first Defense against the Dark Arts class, <Ah, there's Draco, back from his meeting. Doesn't look too happy, does he?> with his seven Lockhart texts filling his backpack. He had actually looked over them while he was in his room at the Leaky Cauldron, but as he browsed through them, it seemed like he had already read them before. He also had a distinct feeling that he was reading fictionalized accounts of someone else's exploits, so he was very curious to meet the DADA teacher that thought this course material was worthwhile. As soon as he sat down, he realized who it was.
"Me," the turquoise-robed wizard said, showing the class his portrait on the back of Harry's Travels with Trolls. Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner…"
< - Of Witch Weekly's Most-Charming Smile Award, but he didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her.> Harry thought, annoyed. <Wait a minute, why did I know that he was going to say that? I've never even met the bloke before, and I know what he's going to say…This is strange.>
What was even stranger is that Harry got the highest score of all of his classmates on the quiz that Lockhart handed out, so he received ten points for Slytherin. <Why would I know that kind of stuff from books that I just skimmed through? It's almost as if I've been through this class before.>
Before he could ponder that any more, Lockhart was saying something about an unfortunate accident that morning with his planned demonstration of dealing with 'the foulest creatures known to wizardkind'. "Fortunately, a young witch in Gryffindor was of enough assistance that I was able to fight off the vicious attack. Poor girl, she was frightened out of her wits, of course. But, when she fainted, it distracted the beasts just enough that I was able to round up the lot single-handedly with a well-aimed Freezing Charm. As a result, I would just like you to write two scrolls of parchment on any one of my documented exploits in your texts, with extra points for creativity and expressions of gratitude for my service to the wizarding world. Class dismissed."
(A/N - Awww..no one's ever mentioned my very subtle reference to one of my favorite movies…so here's a big hint - it's when Flitwick is calling the roll.)