Disclaimer: Don't own it. Never have never will….unless she sell the rights on eBay
Recap:
The basilisk slithered away and back to its hide out. It finally succeeded in killing another mudblood; the first in fifty years. His master would be please indeed.
Chapter 18: OMG it's _______!
Neville Longbottom was bored, tired, and worn out at Hogwarts. It had been months since Christmas break, and he still couldn't get over it. One of the healers thought his mother, Alice, had made a few movements. This shocked him and his gram, because his parents had been unconscious and in a magical coma for almost 11 years. They were held under the Cruciatus Curse for too long; the healers believed they were lost in their own minds and there was no way they could help them.
He and his gram rushed over to the hospital to find that she was still gone, alive, but nothing there; the exact same way as his father.
They were crushed. In those few minutes, they had high expectations of a Christmas with ALL of the people they loved, but Alice and Frank were not coming back anytime soon. He kept having the chilling feeling that he'd never see his parents awake and well; not at all in his life time.
His grand mum had gotten emotional about his parents and sent him home early during the break. So Neville was forced to spend Christmas alone in the Gryffindore tower. There were a few people left, Richard Polk, Anna Davis, and Meg Wright, but no one his age, no one he knew.
Since he spent all his time in his dorm room alone, Neville decided to indulge in the book he found in the girls restroom. There was a boy found petrified in the halls and everyone believed Harry had done it. Neville didn't know what to believe. On one hand Harry was a nice guy, very brave, and an average student. But as of late, Harry has been withdrawn to only Ron and Hermione, he speaks parslemouth like last Slytherin heir, and he's always seen with a frown.
Neville was at a lost of what to think anymore. He knew he's been through some changes too. He wanted nothing more but to hurt the people who put the Cruciatus on his parents, but he was a week little boy, a nobody. Was is definitely the key word. Everyone noticed the change in Neville. He held himself with more pride and power. He was still quite and a klutz, but no one teased him about it anymore…not even the Slytherins.
Flashback
Neville arrived in Hogwarts via floo. He was greeted by professor McGonagall and led to the tower…again. He ignored her comments of 'my greatest condolences'. His parents weren't dead it bothered him to hear people give him pity when nothing was wrong.
He rushed up to his dorm and slammed his trunk on the floor.
I hate this! Not only do I get my greatest hope crushed but I'm forced to spend the remainder of the holiday IN HERE ALONE!
He threw his photo of his parents against a wall and his heart tore as it shattered. He immediately regretted what he had done. He carefully picked up the pieces, hoping that he wouldn't cut or damage the picture.
His parents waved at the camera, smiling, happy, and aware of everything. He tried to calm himself. He couldn't blame anyone but the death eaters and Voldemort.
He decided to read the book he found. He opened it to find it was blank. "Why would someone have a blank book?... Maybe it's a journal. I could sure use one right now."
(A/N: I hope this isn't too confusing but Neville will write like this 'blah'. The response will be 'blah')
Neville began to write,
'Today was a bad day'
'Why?'
Neville was startled, and shut the book. After a while of thinking about it and his bordom settling in, he reopened the book.
'I'm glad you came back'
'Who are you?'
'I'm Tom, Tom Riddle. What's your name?"
'Neville Longbottom'
'So Neville, why was today a bad day?'
'My parents are in a magical coma and I thought they were well, but I was let down again. I'm stuck here in Hogwarts during Christmas break.'
'What do you mean let down again?'
'I guess others see me as the class klutz or nerd'
'Have you ever wanted revenge? Or more power and respect?'
'Ha! Of course I want more respect. I've only ever wanted revenge on You-Know-Who and his followers.'
'Hello?' The long pause continued.
'What if I told you I can help you?'
Neville thought long and hard about this anonymous source offering him help.
'Would there be any broken rules?'
'No. None at all'
'How can I trust you?'
'There is one way. You are writing to me in my journal. I can show you memories of my past and you decide whether or not to trust me"
Before Neville could write out his answer, he we sucked into another time. Tom showed Neville just enough to make him believe he was a nice guy. He showed him everything about the Chamber of secrets that led to Hagrid being expelled from school. After the memories were viewed, Neville was shot back into his seat.
He wrote three words that led to a series of bad events and mishaps.
'I trust you'
***December 26 Headmaster's Office***
Minerva was pacing in front of the Headmaster's desk. A student was found dead in the Gryffindore common room last night. It was all too familiar.
"Albus! We must close the school at once! I can't believe you're considering letting it remain open! The students are in grave danger!"
Dumbledore simply raised his hand to get her attention, "Minerva, we must remain calm and think about this. This only happened because the school is too empty."
She let out a gasp and her eyes widened, "How can you say that!? You know! You know this is what happened last time the chamber was opened! With the chamber opened NO ONE is safe! We must evacuate the building and get the aurors on the job!"
The old man was beginning to get frustrated. This was the last thing he needed. "MINERVA, ENOUGH!"
She stood there, mouth agape. He never yelled at her before.
"I know it is not safe! But whoever this is, is not in the staff!" he gave her a meaningful look "and I know for certain it's not Hagrid".
He stood up and walked over to the window and held his gaze on the few students outside enjoying the day. "Whoever the heir is, it's a student. There are still about 100 students in the school, scattered all over the castle. If we close Hogwarts now, we'll never catch the person." He took his seat again while giving her distressing look. "We will have the school on high guard until school starts. After that we will lower the amount of guards but keep some here patrolling at night. No prefect will be allowed to patrol anymore…Do you understand why I can't let this school close Minerva?" His eyes were almost pleading for her to understand.
She wanted to debate, but with guards around the school it wasn't like he was endangering them more. "I understand Albus"
End Flashback
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at their table trying to figure this mystery out, but they were getting nowhere.
"Look, whoever did this was here during the break and had access to Gryffindor common room. We can narrow it down from there."
Hermione gave and exasperated sigh, "No Harry, just because they knew the password doesn't mean it was a Gryffindor. You heard McGonagall, the rules are too strict but people still found a way to give out the passwords to people in other houses…We have to keep going along with this but it will be harder. It's been three and a half months and the aurors have been on your trail more and more. We can't even walk the hallways in peace, yet alone get information"
Ron mumbled something that sounded like the twins.
Harry quirked an eyebrow, "What did you say Ron?"
Ron squirmed uncomfortably and braced himself for attack, "I said the twins had the aurors break schedule for about a month now. They let me see it a few times"
Harry stared at Ron with and unreadable expression. Hermione on the other hand let you a furious growl, "ARE YOU BLOODY SERIOUS!?"
The boys gasped and cowered in fear of the petite girl. They were more afraid then if she said a swear word. "YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU SEEN THE…ARRGH!" She was so angry she couldn't even finish her thought.
"I'm sorry okay? I wasn't thinking of using it for that. Fred and George use it for times to sneak out and times to return. It just never crossed my mind"
Hermione's eye still had a slight twitch while Ron and Harry still had a slight shake. "Okay I'm going to try to stay calm" She forced a smile on her face, which was kind of scary, because the rest of her face said something entirely different. "Just do one little thing Ron- get the schedule from your brothers. I don't even want to know how you will do it, just be sure that you do." When they both nodded their heads Hermione asked, "What are you doing Harry? I was talking to Ron"
Harry sat up straighter in his seat, which shocked him because he never realized he was leaning away from Hermione. "Oh um…I was just agreeing with you. Wasn't I Ron?" He looked hopefully at him.
Ron scrunched up his face and gave a grunt, "It looked like you were scared to me".
Harry sent a glare at his friend. I wish he knew how to read facial expressions better.
"Well I'm going to head up to the dorm for the night, see you later Harry and… Hermione" Ron let down the silencing charm and paused when he noticed the other students were staring at the three. "Enjoy the show then!?" They all burst out in laughter at the boys.
Ron stomped up the stairs and Harry blushed. "What's so funny?" asked Hermione.
"Well Hermione you must admit it had to look odd. You down right scared us with that outburst and it wasn't even aimed towards me. Now imagine how that looked to them with no sound" Harry was laughing with them by the time he finished.
Hermione gave a small smile, "I guess it was kinda funny"
****QUIDDITCH!!****
It had been a few weeks since their last meeting and Ron had come through from them. He got a copy of the schedule from his brothers, and an apology from Hermione.
It had been a hard couple of months but Harry was excited today. He had another game and this one was against Slytherin. Every since he found out Draco was the new seeker, he's been waiting to have ago at him. And today was the day. He was dressed in his uniform and waiting to start the game.
The crowd was roaring! It seemed like all the houses showed for this game. Slytherin vs. Gryffindor, it was always the game of the year. Since Draco had enough training to start the game it was going to be even better.
"WELCOME ALL; WELCOME ALL! IT'S THE MOST ANTICIPATED GAME OF THE YEAR! SLYTHERIN VS GRYFFINDOR!"
The crowd went wild at the mention of Gryffindor. There was no doubt the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws wanted Slytherin to lose, but the silver and green still had their fair share of applause.
"I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY WE ARE HAVING THIS GAME. WE ALL KNOW SLYTHERIN PLAYERS ARE …"
"Mister Jordan! Keep with the game"
"Okay, okay AND NOW HOOCH IS OUT ON THE FIELD IN THE CENTER OF THE PLAYERS! GEEEEEEET READY THE GAME IS ABOUT TO START!"
Madam hooch released the bludgers and quaffle, blew her whistle. "AND THEY'RE OFF!"
Both teams took flight as the game began. Harry and Draco soared above the rest and glared each other down before starting their hunt for the snitch.
Meanwhile in the stands Ronald Weasley was going wild. "COME ON GO GRYFFINDOR" He was trying to start a wave.
Fred clunked him in the back of the head. "Ow! What you do that for?"
George spoke up "You're embarrassing us! Look at poor Ginny. She's trying to pretend she doesn't know us." Ginny was hiding behind Hermione, staring daggers at Ron.
Fred continued, "Now put your shirt on! I can't believe you painted yourself!"
"I never thought we'd be the voice of reason" George mumbled.
Hermione was a nervous wreck. She hated all the games he played, but Slytherin was known for playing dirty. With the determined look on Harry's face, she knew she may have a heart attack before she reached thirteen.
Deeper within the stands stood a three foot tall, big eyed, pointy eared house elf. This elf wasn't exactly the same as the others. He adored Harry Potter enough to bend the rules to warn him again.
"GRYFFINDOR SCORES! KATIE BELL IS ONE HOT-"
"LEE" McGonagall yelled again
"What? I was only gonna say she's a hot player of the game… THAT CAN ASK ME OUT ANYDAY"
She rolled her eyes and gave up trying to obtain the energetic boy.
Harry was trying to find it, but the little bugger was nowhere in site! Where could it be? I can't lose to Draco. Anyone but him. OH I see it! Now if I can only inch my way towards it without being caught.
"IT LOOKS LIKE POTTER HAS CAUGHT SITE OF THE SNITCH"
Harry rolled his eyes; I really hate it when he does that! Now Malfoy sees it too!
Harry took off in the direction of the small golden ball that whipped around the crowd. The crowd went crazy as the two seekers went full speed heading towards them. That excitement turned into fear when they realized that the two seekers were going full speed heading towards them! The snitch zipped higher and the seekers made a mad dash straight up just inches away from the crowd, leaving the students wondering if they had any extra pair of pants nearby.
Harry rush ahead of Draco, reached his hand out and felt the wind from the snitch's wings. His finger brushed against the ball, and he was thrown backwards. His reflexes were quick and hand grabbed the broom before he could fall. He was on an adrenaline high and pulled himself over his broom.
He glanced up and Draco was clutching his hand. OH NO! He didn't get the snitch did he?
Malfoy shook his hand and looked like he wanted to cry. Oh okay, but what's wrong with the snitch?
Hermione was looking through her binoculars and noticed the force both boys had when they came in contact with the ball. "Ron!" she looked at her red head friend bouncing up and down waving his hands with his face painted red and gold, and she rolled her eyes, "Will you stop it! Harry may be in trouble. The snitch just did something to him and Malfoy"
"Why would I care about Malfoy!?"
"…That wasn't the point Ron. The point was the snitch is cursed!"
"Oooh because with the snitch cursed this game will never end!"
She stared at him blankly. "Are you serious? Never mind Ron, let's just try to break the curse so we can…end the game. Now I read that the person needs to have constant eye contact. Do you see any of that from anyone?"
Ron looked around at the crowd and frowned at Hermione. "Are YOU serious? Everyone is watching the game! And you call me simple."
She rolled her eyes. "This may be harder than I thought."
Harry was frustrated. The snitch was zooming around right in front of him and he couldn't touch it. He made up his mind he knew what he had to do. He started for the snitch again but it wanted a chase. But Malfoy wasn't giving up; not with his father watching the game. He gave a signal and one of his horrendously bucked tooth slick haired cronies and he smacked a bludgers a Harry.
Hermione saw the entire thing and tried to warn him but, let's face it, she was drawn out by the crowd.
The bludgers hit Harry hard in the shoulder and sent him spiraling.
"POTTER IS HIT. THAT WAS A CHEAP SHOT FROM THAT BUCKED TOOTH-"
"A detention will be given!"
"ERRM I'M SURE THAT WILL GO ON HIS STATS!"
Harry was in pain. He but he was still on the trail. He made eye contact with Hermione in the crowd. She shook her head, no, furiously, but he gave her a final nod yes. He gripped the broom with his legs and reached with his free hand, as the other was searing pain.
Hermione saw his movements and pushed some students out of the way and aimed her wand. 'He's being stupid for a simple game, but I'm ready'
This is seriously gonna hurt
He reached out and clasped the snitch and immediately passed out when he felt himself being blown away from his broom. He was falling, the crowd in shock from the waves of energy and the sound the resounded throughout the stadium.
"Carpo bardus!" Hermione yelled. And Harry slowed down and hit the ground with a soft thud. She and Ron made their way through the crowd to get to the grounds.
The crowd was silent; "GRYFFINDOR WINS WITH AN AMAZING CATCH FROM POTTER! 320 TO 170."
Cheers and applause erupted in the field, with shouts of 'Gryffindor' and 'Potter'.
***Hospital wing***
"Is Harry going to be okay? Is he hurt? Will he wake up? When will he get up? Why isn't he awake yet? Are you ignoring me?"
"Miss Granger! I need peace. He was just brought in here 1 minute ago! I will dismiss you if you don't quiet down."
Ron snickered at Hermione's slack jaw. "You gonna pick that up Hermione?"
She looked down and said "Pick what up?"
"Your bottom jaw" She turned and ignored him and waited for madam Pomfrey to finish with Harry.
Ugh my eyes. Oh my arm. Come to think of it, my whole body hurts.
"Harry! Oh Harry you're awake!"
"Hermione?" He opened his eyes. "We won right? Did the snitch stay in my hands?"
"YEAH MATE IT WAS WICKED!"
"I seriously think you two need to get your priorities in order. Madam Pomfrey said you broke your arm during the fall. It was so horrible! We could see your arm bent out of shape, so Lockhart tried to repair it but he took all the bones away."
"What! Who let him get near my arm!?"
"We weren't there in time. We had to get through crowds of people and when we got there he already had the want aimed and the incantation flowing out his mouth."
"What about my arm?"
"She gave you skelegrow. It smelled so foul mate! You nearly choked in your sleep!"
"She said you will have a painful night Harry. Growing bones will be a painful thing"
Harry was asleep later that night and got a sharp pain in his arm. It was the seventh time he woke up from it. This time was different though. He opened his eyes and was greeted with even larger eyes two inches from his face.
"AAAH! Jeez Dobby don't scare me like that. What are you doing here?"
"Dobby wants to apologize to Harry Potter sir. Dobby made Harry Potter fly off his broom!"
"It was you! Why would you do that Dobby!"
"Dobby is sorry sir. But Dobby heard his master say your time is closer to and end. So dobby took action sir."
"If somebody else was going to kill me, I'd think you were trying to help them"
"OH NO SIR! Dobby would never hurt Harry Potter…on purpose. Dobby thought Harry Potter would stop after he got the shock. The big boom was supposed to be for mister Malfoy when he caught the snitch. Because Mr. Malfoy is stupid enough to still go after it!"
Harry looked a bit affronted that he was stupid enough to go after it, "Apology accepted Dobby, but PLEASE stop helping me! I appreciate it but you are doing too much. You could have simply snuck in and told me this like you're doing now… But I think you better go. And thanks Dobby."
The little elf's eyes shone with …love? He's great but he still scares me.
***Umm a few days later***
It had been a few days since the match and the trio was nowhere close to figuring out who the heir was. Harry and Ron were walking back to the common room when they ran into Neville, literally.
"Oi, Nev you should walk with us. You know we aren't allowed to walk the halls alone"
"I don't need your advice Ron" Neville snarled.
"What has your knickers in a twist? I was just trying to help you!"
"I don't need anyone's help" and he stalked down the hallway.
Harry and Ron looked at one another and shrugged. When they reached the common room they sat next to Hermione; she read a book and Ron ate an apple.
"Harry what are you thinking about?"
"Neville"
Ron stopped and looked at Harry while he was still in mid-chew. "Umm you're thinking about Neville?"
"Not in that way Ron! Just he's been acting weird lately. He comes back just before curfew, and he's the first one out in they day. Then his attitude has changed. He's…well he's acting almost Slytherin."
Ron continued to chew, "Yeah he reminds me of Ginny a few months ago…almost like her: mean, stupid, her odd streak wore off on him." Ron laughed.
…
……..
………..
"Oh my!" Hermione sure had another bright idea. "Whatever it was that was controlling Ginny has Neville now!"
Harry looked apprehensive, "That's a pretty broad thing to say. I mean, it could be just a mood change"
"Not like this Harry. Think about it. It was less than a month later and Neville started acting the same way. I'm going to talk to Myrtle, maybe she can help"
"Wait Hermione I know I may not be that smart but Harry isn't even following"
"We know the Basilisk is petrifying people and killed one student already. We don't know where the chamber is or even if it is on the grounds. Whoever the heir is may be using them to let the snake out! Think about it. Ginny was nowhere to be found when the snake was set free, and Neville you said it yourself. He's out late and up early. Maybe he's letting it out and putting it away! If we can find out who the heir is we can stop this person and save Neville."
Harry was in deep thought, taking in everything Hermione said. "Who said it's a person?"
"What? Harry what else is there? It has to be a person"
"No Hermione. We have talking pictures for crying out loud! Ginny! You remember? She said she got rid of IT. Maybe it's a ghost, maybe it's a painting, and maybe it's an object. But whatever it was Neville found it."
"I can't believe I didn't think of that before! We have an hour before curfew, let's go see Myrtle"
The trio made their way to the girls' restroom and found Myrtle singing in her stall. "Oh Harry I've missed you!"
Hermione stood in front of him, "Not now Myrtle, we need answers. We know the basilisk-"
"Don't say that! I don't like to remember it!"
"But it's been around again and it's hurting others. We need to know everything you know. Was there anybody suspicious around here? They say the boy that was petrified was found right outside this corridor. Surely you've seen something."
Myrtle hummed and after a few minutes, she finally decided to speak to them, "I saw the red head girl crying with her book. She was upset and must not have liked the book anymore because she flushed it. It was stupid move on her part because it stopped up the toilet…My favorite toilet"
Ron rolled his eyes, "Myrtle FOCUS!"
She giggled, "A little later a brown haired boy about your age came and got it out. He said that it was what had the toilet stopped up. He said something about water in the halls. I see that boy a lot now. He's cute."
"He's in here all the time?"
"Yes he just left." She whirled around the restroom and stopped behind Harry. "He's not as cute as you Harry"
"Oh erm…okay. But what is it that he does while in here?"
"I don't know. He always kicks me out when he's doing something. Just like Tommy and the red head."
All three pair of eyes scrambled and checked around the room. They saw no snake but they were ready to leave. They knew the chamber had to be connected to this room somehow.
"We have to go now!" Harry yelled. They ran until they stopped in front of the headmaster's office.
"How do we get in?" Ron was panicking.
They banged on the bricks that took shape of the door and they were not successful in getting in.
"What could be so important?" a cheery voice said from behind them.
"Professor Dumbledore! We know! We know where the chamber is!"
The old man's eyes widened and he ushered them into his office. They told the story of the chamber and about Ginny throwing away a book, Neville finding it, and all of their theories.
"You seem to be on the right track and I appreciate you trying to help the staff figure this out, but that restroom was the first place we checked. There is no chamber there. And maybe Miss Weasley and Mister Longbottom are just going though stages. You all are growing up after all."
Harry was furious, "How can you say that! We have spent all this time trying to figure it out and we got it!"
"Mister Potter you are mistaken. You don't know all that you think you do. Hagrid was taken away today. He was believed to be the last to open the chamber and since he is here they took him today. We know the animal is a Basilisk, like you said, but this chamber is far too hidden. We plan on getting it with our Aurors and professor Lockhart, when it is loose. We searched up and down that restroom it is not their."
Harry stood up angrily and left the room followed by Hermione and Ron.
***Gryffindor Common Room***
"If he believes we are imagining it all, we'll go there tonight."
Hermione jumped up and put a silencing charm around them, "Harry let's think this through" she pleaded.
"NO. Hermione we have no help. He won't help us. He thinks we're dumb kids!"
"They checked the restroom already Harry! What do you expect! We name the one place they first suspected!"
"WELL THEY DIDN'T LOOK GOOD ENOUGH!" Hermione flinched at how close he was. She hated debating with Harry.
"Hey mate, take it easy. I think she has a point, but I agree with you. If there is really nothing there we should check ourselves and have no problems then."
Harry looked over to Hermione and she nodded her head. She was in. "But Harry we can't do it today. The Aurors are doing their inspection tonight"
"It's settled then. Tomorrow night we will check the restroom ourselves"
A/N: Thanks to my betas again! Thanks for all the reviews! Don't forget to read and review this time too