McGonagall's face had grown pale as she read. The first section, 'Blood Purification', was disturbing enough, but at least it involved only magical creatures. That, she could still stomach.
But the other two... involved people. They described the subjects in cold, clinical language, transformations, their agony, all interwoven with brutal flesh-altering dark magic?!'
She shuddered. And for the first time, she looked at Lucifer with real fear, not of him, but for him.
"Mr. Morningstar..." she said quietly, but with the full weight of a teacher's authority, "You've read the last of these notes. You've seen the risk. Promise me you won't ever attempt this kind of magic. Don't study it, don't test it, don't even think about it again.
Your potential is already beyond extraordinary, you don't need something.... 'like this."
Lucifer turned to her with a warm, disarming smile, "Professor, please. This is far beyond me. I was only curious what kind of legacy the Founders would leave behind. Now that I know, my curiosity's satisfied. I'll leave the rest to you, and to Headmaster Dumbledore."
McGonagall studied his face for a moment, then finally relaxed.
Lucifer's memory, after all, was photographic. It only relaxed when he wanted to turn it off, putting brain to peace. That very happened in Flourish and Blotts, and he missed out crucial ingredients of Polyjuice. And besides, the writings were in Old Latin, not exactly bedtime reading for a 'second-year student.'
She had no idea that, as he read, every line had already been perfectly copied, projected into his inner brain, where evilish "Demon-kind" were now poring over the contents with fascination.
Still uneasy, McGonagall raised her wand.
"Best not leave it to chance," she muttered, conjuring a roaring flame that filled the chamber with heat.
Harry flinched as sweat trickled down his neck. But even as the air shimmered with fire, the carvings on the walls remained utterly untouched. Lucifer sighed.
Tom Marvolo Riddle.
"Professor," he said softly, "you don't need to blame yourself. Voldemort and Salazar wouldn't leave behind a legacy unless they'd made sure no one else could erase it."
McGonagall stared at the ancient runes glowing calmly through the fire. For the first time in years, she felt truly unsettled. Whatever this place was, whatever this knowledge was, it was older, darker, and more indestructible than even she could comprehend.
And Lucifer... had just read every word.
"Very well," Professor McGonagall sighed, lowering her wand at last. "We'll leave this matter for tomorrow, when Professor Dumbledore returns."
Then she turned sharply toward Harry, "Mr. Potter, that diary..."
The green eyes boy shook his head lightly, his expression stern, "I'll hand it to Dumbledore myself tomorrow, Professor. I think it's better that way."
McGonagall studied him for a moment but didn't press further. She merely urged both boys to get some rest, though she herself followed them back toward Gryffindor Tower, just in time to catch several restless students sneaking about.
She scolded them fiercely, docking a generous number of House points in the proc-----
Lucifer's head was pounding, his legs were aching, his arms felt like they were going to fall off!' It must be the Curses his body was countering off, and needed to reset. He could still feel veins moving inside, his vision going. He heard McGonangal shouting something, but he couldn't make out the exact words.
After that he didn't know. The last thing he saw was being lifted in the air before he blacked out.
.......
The moment Harry stepped into the Gryffindor' Common room, a crowd instantly surrounded him. Questions flew from every direction, what had happened, was he all right, did he really fight the Basilisk?
Harry wanted to disappear.
He was exhausted to the bone, his mind still reeling from everything that had happened in the Chamber.
All he wanted now was a bed in the Hospital Wing, and perhaps to never hear the word snake again.
xxxxxxx
Dumbledore ascended the moving staircases to the eighth. The castle was eerily silent. Too silent.
Even on a Sunday morning, the corridors should have been filled with laughter and chatter, the aroma of breakfast wafting from the Great Hall. But now... nothing. Not even the echo of footsteps.
A frown creased the Headmaster's brow. When he reached the stone gargoyle guarding his office, he expected it to step aside automatically. Instead, the creature was sitting there, chin propped on one stony hand, deep in thought.
"Ahem," Dumbledore coughed politely, "Would you mind letting me in?"
The gargoyle blinked in surprise.
"Ah! Headmaster, you're back already?"
It shifted aside, then abruptly threw out an arm to block him.
"Wait. Headmaster, I've been thinking. Students get summer vacations. Professors get holidays too. But me? I stand here every single day guarding this door. Don't you think I deserve a little break?"
Dumbledore blinked, utterly taken aback. "...Pardon?"
"I'm serious!" the gargoyle huffed. "Two months off. Maybe I'll travel, see the world! France, perhaps. Or Greece!"
The Headmaster's expression froze in disbelief. He had been gone for one day. 'One single day.' To appease Minister Fudge, and the fierce Head of DMLE, Amelia Bones to not send any more Aurors dealing with the Monster's petrification issue, and possible escape of Gilderoy.
Calming several pure-blood families of Hogwarts safety, and see what happened.
And somehow, in that time, the school had turned into a madhouse, burned fields, gaping holes in the castle walls, students missing, and now even the stone gargoyles were demanding paid holidays. Really.... And those Board Governors wanted him out of Hogwarts for months?
He pinched the bridge of his nose. It was going to be one of those days.
An utterly drained Dumbledore finally returned to his office after dealing with the drooling stone gargoyles. He consulted a few former headmasters in the portraits; they had heard some noises last night, but things later quieted down and no one came looking for Dumbledore, so they hadn't paid it much mind.
What in the world happened?
At the end of the day, Dumbledore really was quite impatient by nature, very much a textbook Gryffindor, he simply relied on sheer rationality and years of experience to keep that impulsiveness under control.
Fortunately, Professor McGonagall arrived very quickly. Unfortunately, the moment she appeared with a stony expression, Dumbledore's heart gave a heavy thump.
'Oh no. Minerva is furious.'
He hurriedly tried to recall whether he had recently done anything that might have angered her. But after a moment of thinking... nothing.
Had some other student caused trouble and provoked her?
"Minerva."
"Dumbledore! Why did you not tell me about something as serious as the Chamber of Secrets really existed and a cursed object bypassed Hogwarts wards without you knowing?!"
"And why, pray tell, did you insist on dragging Mr. Potter to pester him for questions, it only encouraged the foolish boy to find the culprit and enter into a dangerous situation?! What are the teachers supposed to be doing?!"
Dumbledore didn't even get to finish his sentence before McGonagall cut him off, fury blazing in her eyes. She thought Dumbledore was brilliant in many ways...but he hid far too much, planned far too many things on his own.
And even after making all his arrangements to guide young Harry, he never explained them clearly to anyone. No one knew what he was doing, or what he was thinking.
Dumbledore instantly understood why she was angry... But he still had no idea what on earth had actually happened.
Fine, he could accept Harry somehow being involved; deeply entangled in the whole matter. But since when had Lucifer jumped into this too?!
The old wizard let out a weary, helpless smile, this time not a pretense. He truly felt the weight of it all, "I returned to the school after caming down the Ministry only to find the Quidditch pitch and the castle in ruins. There wasn't a soul inside the castle. I had no idea what happened last night after Gilderoy wasn't found, so I asked poor Fawkes to fetch you. He is old, and needs rest.... Could you please tell me what happened before you continue scolding me?"
McGonagall's expression softened slightly, but she still recounted everything that had occurred the previous night. The castle's magical protections meant ordinary Repair Charms couldn't mend the damage. Manual repair was needed. To prevent students from wandering into the Chamber, house-elves invisibly delivered breakfast directly to their common rooms, and no one was allowed outside for the time being.
Dumbledore felt a headache forming.
He had a hunch, it might be the Basilisk, who was the monster asleep in the Chamber of Secrets'. But it couldn't be that simple, so he searched, proved, and thought.
Only to be led around in a circle, it turned out he was too paranoid, suffering from old age.
And Tom Riddle's personal diary had somehow passed the Castle's protection, that already was a feat of its own genius. But how had young Harry ended up dragging Gilderoy into the Chamber?
Ginny Weasely was used. Her older brother, Gryffindor prefect, Percy had gotten petrified. Lucifer Morningstar was put to be blamed, as if the luck had it, teachers had discovered the boy, and removed the blood from a dead ghost Myrtle's bathroom, the first victim herself.
And just why why... had that boy even released the Basilisk? Couldn't they have somehow dealt with it in Chamber with Harry, prophecy' and fates favouring him there?
Other people might not believe in Lucifer's abilities, but Dumbledore did. Never mind, he would gift the 'Fire-Calling Charm' as a belated Christmas gift, the boy could roast future problematic monsters roaming Hogwarts into a holiday feast, leaving the poor Castle alone.
What exactly had happened in between? Dumbledore wanted Lucifer summoned. However, the boy was out of commission due to magical exhaustion.
"....."
McGonagall could only relay what she herself had seen and heard, there were surely details she hadn't been told. But for now, calming her down was more urgent.
"Minerva, you are right, this was my mistake."
Dumbledore offered a sincere apology before continuing, "Spreading secrets solves nothing. Miss Weasely needs to be protected first. She's with Poppy, correct? It only increases the risk of future retribution and unnecessary bullying."
"I will check over the Castle's Wards, see if they have been tempered with. As for the Basilisk... it's ideal combat training for young Lucifer. Don't look at him as an ordinary student. Geniuses must constantly break through limitations."
Dumbledore gritted his teeth and took the blame. From McGonagall's retelling, it seemed Lucifer resting in her office, had already dumped every bit of responsibility on Mr. Potter.
"Then please show me more respect in the future," McGonagall said stiffly, "If you are making dangerous decisions, and schemes to get Riddle, as Deputy Headmistress I have the right to know."
"Next time, Minerva. I promise, next time, " Dumbledore answered with genuine earnestness, "Repair the damaged areas as fast as possible. Once we can be sure students won't wander off, let them move around again. They can't stay locked in their rooms forever."
"And please inform Mr. Potter, I need to speak with him at once."
xxxxxxxx
Lucifer awoke to the ceiling of McGonagall's Office staring back at him. The very moment he tried to move, his ribs felt like they had been hit with a sledgehammer.
He groaned in pain as McGonagall knelt down to check on him, "Morningstar, are you alright?"
"Fuck..." He groaned out, "My ribs..."
She pulled her wand out and aimed it at his ribs, "This will hurt, 'Episkey." He let out a sharp sound of intense pain. Nothing had ever hurt so much before that moment, when did he become so vulnerable?
McGonagall stood up and looked at Arthur Weasley with pursed lips.
She looked back to Lucifer, "Potter and young Miss Weasley explained what happened down in the Chamber of Secrets.... Your name was found on the wall in a message next to the original message from Halloween night. Truth be told, I 'firsthand' knew you hadn't taken Ginevra Weasley, and helped her with the Imperius, but some" she glanced again at Arthur, "were not so ready to have rational thought."
"That explains the pain..."
"The Heir of Slytherin framed you, by making us think you had been the Heir all year long, news got to Burrow, and the first thing he did coming through my fireplace was----"
McGonagall explained with a guilty expression.
"Yes Arthur, it would appear that... this diary had enchanted Miss Weasley, and possessed her to do things she could never have done herself," Dumbledore said, sitting behind McGonagall's desk with a weary expression, he had to stop a raging family head, his old bones couldn't take that, "And Mr. Weasley here, even after I explained that I don't believe you could ever be capable of doing such a thing as kidnapping Miss Weasley or attacking those four students, especially as one of them is your best friend, when he saw your motionless body, he lost control temporarily and kicked you rather hard..."
He finished with not a hint of kindness in his voice.
"So is Tom Riddle truly gone? The ghostly figure of him?" Lucifer asked, the Headmaster to verify who knew better than most, ignoring Mr. Weasley.
"Yes, after the remarkable description Harry gave us of your ending of the Basilisk, and your apparent immunity to its deadly gaze. How he stabbed the book with one of its fang that got cutoff and ended Riddle's reign of terror on Miss Weasley," Dumbledore was smiling, "and by extension, it's 'petrified victims."
"Has Madam Pomfrey gotten the Restorative Draught ready to go?" Lucifer asked him, while trying his best to hide the excitement.
"She will have it 'ready in a few moments. Then the people and cat petrified will be awake and well, including Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, lifting a huge weight off of Lucifer's shoulders.
"Speaking of Poppy, I believe Miss Weasley should be taken back up to her so that she may be rested. There will, of course, be no punishment towards her; older and wiser Wizards have been hoodwinked by Riddle before," Dumbledore smiled again, his eyes twinkling.
He rose from the chair and opened the door so that Ginny could be taken to the Hospital Wing, "Bed rest and perhaps a large, steaming mug of hot chocolate. 'I always find that cheers me up."
Molly and Arthur then took Ginny out of the office.
"You know, Minerva," Dumbledore said thoughtfully, "I think all this merits a good 'feast'. Might I ask you to go and alert the kitchens?"
"Right," she said crisply, also moving to the door, "I'll leave you to deal with Potter, Weasley, and Morningstar, shall I?"
"Certainly," he said and she left.
Lucifer looked at Dumbledore, holding his side as it was still in pain, despite McGonagall's spell usage.
Dumbledore, however, only addressed Harry and Ron, "I seem to remember telling you both that I would have to expel you if you broke any more school rules."
Ron opened his mouth in horror.
"Which goes to show that the best of us must sometimes eat our words," he went on smiling.
Lucifer smirked as well, "You all three will receive 'Special Awards for Services' to the School and---let me see --Yes, I believe One-Hundred and Fifty Points each for Gryffindor will be appropriate. From, Mr. Morningstar's share sixty rightfully will go back to Slytherin' which I 'deducted."
Ron went as brightly pink as Lockhart's valentines flowers and closed his mouth.
"But one of us seems to be keeping quiet about his part in this 'dangerous adventure," Dumbledore said, "Why so modest, Gilderoy, trying to escape on Auror's respective leniency?" He asked and looked to the back of the room.
Lucifer turned as well and only just realized he was in there as well.
"Professor Dumbledore," Ron said quickly, "There was an accident down in the Chamber of Secrets. Professor Lockhart---"
"Am I a Professor?" Lockhart asked in mild surprise, "goodness, I suspect I was hopeless, was I?"
"He tried to do a Memory Charm and the wand backfired," Ron said with a barely concealed laughter.
"He had your wand, did he?" Lucifer asked and Ron nodded, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually glad you crashed into the 'Whomping Willow'. Had you not..."
"Dear me," Dumbledore said, "Impaled upon your own sword, Gilderoy?"
Lucifer laughed, "Well, Hermione would be delighted either way.."
"Indeed. Everything in his books happened, that much is true, but he added so much 'flair' to the real events that other people managed to do... the good news is he won't be doing it anymore," Dumbledore smiled, while he relayed the news, "St. Mungos will have him, until he was declared fit to serve the punishment."
"Tsk..."
He turned to Ron, "Would you mind taking Lockhart to the Infirmary as well, Mr. Weasley? I'd like a few more words with Harry and Lucifer."
Lockhart ambled out and Ron cast a curious look back at them as the door was closed.
"Lucifer, can I ask you to wait outside? I'll have Harry send you in when I'm done talking with him," Dumbledore asked him and he did so without hesitation.
While waiting outside for a while, Lucius Malfoy suddenly showed up, looking rather furious, and he was being followed by a Small House Elf.
Lucifer assumed this to be Dobby, "Something wrong?"
"Don't pester me, Morningstar, you won't like it," Lucius responded.
"That's a threat I don't think you can back up," Lucifer said with a smirk, "You know, I've got recently unbroken ribs, a sharp pain still coursing through my hand, aching pain throughout my whole body, and I bet I could still tear you apart with my magic."
Lucius sneered at him and opened the door beside him so hard, it hit the wall. The Elf followed him in, and Lucifer stood up, to see inside.
"Good evening, Lucius," Dumbledore said pleasantly.
Lucifer walked in as it looked like Harry and Dumbledore were done talking anyway.
"So!" Lucius said hotly, "The governors suspended you, but you still saw fit to return to Hogwarts?"
"Well, you see, Lucius," Dumbledore said, smiling serenely, the man didn't even know he never left at all, "the other eleven governors contacted me today... It was something like being caught in a hailstorm of Owls, to tell the truth. They'd heard that Arthur Weasley's daughter had been killed and wanted me back here at once. They seemed to... think I was the 'best man for the job' after all. Very strange tales they told me, too... Several of seemed to think that you had threatened to curse their families if they didn't agree to suspend me in the first place..."
Lucius went even paler than usual, but his eyes were still slits of fury, "So--have you stopped the attacks yet?" He sneered, "Have you caught the culprit?"
"We have," Dumbledore smiled.
"'Well?" Lucius almost demanded, "Who is it?"
"The same person as last time, Lucius."
While Lucifer could almost swear he saw the Headmaster's mouth twitch into a smirk, "But this time, Lord Voldemort was acting through somebody else. By means of this Diary," he held up the small black book with a large, sword shaped slit through the center, watching Lucius closely.
Lucifer watched him as well, but his face didn't change to anything that gave way to suspicion, even though he knew it was him. His attention was caught by the House Elf, Dobby, who began hitting himself with his hands.
He didn't know a whole lot about this lower status breeding of Elves, or more specifically House-elves, ignoring altogether as mere servants to make him dishes in the kitchen, but seeing Dobby's defiance, he now had the urge to want to read up, and find all he could on them.
xxxxxx
"I see..." Lucius said slowly to Dumbledore.
"A clever plan," Dumbledore said in a level voice.
He continued to stare at Lucius, "Because if Harry here," Lucius shot the scar head a swift, but noticeable look.
"Lucifer here," Older Malfoy shot him a swift look as well, "and their friend Ron hadn't discovered this book, why--'Ginny Weasley might have taken all the blame.' No one would ever have been able to prove she wasn't acting of her own free will..."
Lucius said nothing, his face suddenly became masklike.
"And imagine," Dumbledore continued, "what might have happened then... The Weasley's are one our most prominent 'pure-blood families'. Imagine the effect on Arthur Weasley and his Muggle Protection Act, if his own daughter was discovered attacking and killing Muggleborns... Very fortunate the diary was discovered, and Riddle's memories wiped from it. Who knows what the consequences might have been otherwise?"
Lucius practically had to force himself to speak, "Very fortunate indeed," he said stiffly.
"And do you want to know where she got the Diary from, Lucius?" At this time, Lucifer suddenly spoke up.
"You will show me respect, boy-"
"You have done nothing to 'earn' that respect," Lucifer said in a calm voice, cutting him off, "She got the Diary out of her cauldron after it was given to her back at Diagon Alley before the year started. It was given to her... by you, Lucius."
Harry was nodding in agreement and Dumbledore was eyeing him.
"When you were insulting the Weasley's for having to buy 'Second-Hand school supplies', you took a book out of her Cauldron. And, when you put it back, the Diary went along with it," he eyed Lucius for a moment, "I'm right, aren't I?"
Lucius clenched and unclenched his hands, "I want you to prove it."
"Oh, that's quite impossible. No one will be able to do that," Dumbledore said quickly, smiling at the boy, "Not now that Riddle has vanished from the book. On the other hand, I would advise you, Lucius, not to go giving out anymore of 'Lord Voldemort's' old school things. If any more of them find their way into innocent hands, I think Arthur Weasley, for one, will make sure they are traced back to you..."
Lucius Malfoy stood for a moment, as though thinking of doing some brash, when he turned to his House Elf, "We're going, Dobby!"
He wrenched open the door as the elf came hurrying up behind him, he kicked him right through it.
Lucifer's anger flared for a moment; his mind made up, he would definitely be looking into House Elves over the summer, if he had the time.
Suddenly, Harry spoke, "Professor Dumbledore?" He said hurriedly, "Can I give that Diary 'back' to Mr. Malfoy, please?"
"Certainly, Harry, just don't dawdle too long," Dumbledore said calmly.
Harry then grabbed it and ran out, Dumbledore then turned to Lucifer, "I believe we have a fair bit to talk about..."
"I believe we do, sir," Lucifer went and sat down in front of the Headmaster.
"So, Harry told me that Riddle was surprised when you were alive?" Dumbledore asked him.
"Yes, sir... when Ginny figured out where the entrance to the Chamber was, I ran back down there to try and find a way to open it. But she wasn't herself, controlled by Riddle... she aimed her wand at me and said... 'Avada Kedavra'."
Dumbledore's eyes widened at that.
"It wasn't of her own volition, so she shouldn't be punished... but I raised my hand and... this may sound ridiculous to you... but I just grabbed the spell out of midair... closed my fist around it, and was blasted back into the wall. I guess Riddle thought I was dead at that moment and took me down into the Chamber to be feasted on by the Basilisk," Lucifer looked over at Fawkes, who was resting nearby, "I only woke up moments before Fawkes arrived to help."
"Most peculiar..." Dumbledore stroked his beard, "My dear boy, I wish I had an explanation, no book about Merlin has ever recorded something like this before."
"...Well," he suddenly said, "let's get to the feast, shall we? I'm famished and I'm sure you will want to see Miss Granger again?"
Lucifer nodded, wanting nothing more than to see Hermione okay.
He stood up with Dumbledore and walked down to the Great Hall.
________
On mid-way, Lucifer couldn't help himself, after excusing from Albus, he ran towards Hospital wing who chuckled at the display of youth, and shockingly found Snape walking towards him, "Severus, going to see the patient's, I see."
"When did you start joking? I am merely here to see my brewing's geniusness."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. It wasn't until the afternoon, the damaged floors were finally patched up.
.....
Meanwhile, Lucifer walked around the beds, students have now started to wake up, where he saw Madam Pomfrey leaning forward slightly. "Tell me, though--what happened that night? 'What do you remember?"
Penelope frowned, frustrated. "I... don't know. I wish I did. I'd just come back from the courtyard--it was raining, and I was soaked through. I wanted to change into dry robes before joining the feast. That's when I saw Mrs. Norris following me. I shooed her away, when---"
Her voice faltered.
"A sudden flash of yellow light filled my vision. After that... nothing. Until I woke up here."
Yellow light? Justin, Colin, and Percy Weasely sank into thought, searching their knowledge for a spell with such an effect. Yet, after several long moments, none could recall anything conclusive.
Lucifer who had stopped to listen, spoke in a softer voice, "What was it like--being 'unconscious?"
Penelope noticing him frowned in thought, "Like... falling asleep. At first, when I woke, I didn't even realize anything had happened. Only last night did fragments of memory return--the moments just before the attack."
Her tone was calm, even composed, though a flicker of worry lingered.
......
But then Lucifer saw her bushy brown hair. His head began to pound and he could practically feel his heart thumping in his chest, his nerves were fried, but he had to see her.
As he walked forward, and saw her dazed face, her cheeks frowned, trying to clear the vision, he also felt a teardrop streaming down his face.
Lucifer ran to her and threw his arms around the girl, letting out all the tension of the past, ignoring the slight pain in his ribs.
He moaned into her shoulder, clutching her robes, not wanting to let go, "I'm so s-sorry, Hermione..."
"...Lucifer, what are you sorry for?" She asked in bewilderment, after noticing the familiar scent, using her red nose to sniff around.
"For not keeping you s-safe... for letting you g-go alone... you figured it ou-out before I did..." he somehow managed to get out.
She rubbed his back soothingly, letting him cry it all out. Hermione didn't care if people stared, she was just happy to see her boyfriend alive and well, "Actually, I firstly wanted to ask--this won't leave me with... 'permanent damage, will it?"
Lucifer shook his head firmly. "No. You might not trust Professor Snape's brewing, but you should trust the Headmaster's judgment. He examined you himself--there's no trace of lingering Dark Magic."
"What you're feeling now is just weakness from going without food for months. Once Madam Pomfrey lets you out, I'll take you to the kitchens for a proper feast."
Snape's face went dark as his robes as he entered the hospital wing, while Dumbledore stroked his beard in clear amusement.
The old Headmaster even shot Snape a mischievous wink, as though to say, See? At least he speaks well of me.
Hermione blinked, bemused. "The kitchens? No, I don't want to disturb the cooks. Why not just eat in the Great Hall like everyone else?"
Lucifer grinned, "Because with me, you'll get the hidden menu. Well, I can have delicacies out for you in girl'd dorm then instead..."
"The kitchens have a hidden menu?"
It wasn't Hermione who spoke, but Dumbledore himself, his eyes suddenly alight.The old wizard realized he was out of touch, Hogwarts had a hidden menu he'd never even tried?
"I have... eclectic tastes," Lucifer explained smoothly, "When she got petrified, my tongue died entirely. So, I gave the cooks two entire new foreign Norwegian, and Australian books. They've been practicing ever since--some of the dishes are actually quite 'good now."
"Oh?" Dumbledore leaned forward, intrigued. "I must try them! Some students have complained of bland meals, but truth be told, compared to the fare elsewhere on this island, Hogwarts' food is already abundant."
"Ahem."
Snape's sharp cough cut through the air, dragging the conversation back on track, "Headmaster, it is still some time until lunch. Perhaps we should be discussing how to announce 'DADA's future."
"Yes... you're right, Severus." Dumbledore agreed mildly, rising to his feet, "But not here. This is a hospital wing--we should let everyone rest. Severus, inform Filius---come both with me. My office."
Once the professors were gone, Lucifer made to leave as well. But his girlfriend reached out, stopping him.
"Stay. Madam Pomfrey left, and she probably won't let anyone in once you leave. Just... talk with me for a while."
Lucifer settled back into his chair with an easy smile, "Seems everyone knows Madam Pomfrey's habits well enough. She's strict about quiet, no visitors-'only recovery."
"Morningstar..."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Call me Lucifer," he interrupted gently, with a grin, "Didn't you say hearing your surname over and over feels like you are being summoned for a disciplinary meeting with the prefects."
"...Alright then." Her lips curved into a small smile. She hesitated, then drew a breath. "I have something important I can't decide on. I'd like your advice."
Lucifer arched a brow. The tone in her voice hinted this was no trivial matter. But really--they'd only just met after months today. And, she was already spilling personal dilemmas.
Still, he leaned forward. "Go on."
Hermione's gaze turned toward the sunlight streaming through the window. It lit half her face in gold, her features sharpened, framed in brightness. After a long pause, she exhaled a quiet sigh.
"Lucifer... I'm grateful I woke up from an unconscious state. But it keeps happening, bad things, that means... I could be attacked again this term, or next year..."
Her fingers tightened on the sheets, "I'm thinking... maybe I should take a leave from Hogwarts next year. Step away and request for 'home-schooling. What do you think?"
Her words rang with the fear others dared not admit aloud. The whole school was nervous, yes-but few had felt the petrification. She had.
Colin Creevey hadn't awakened for almost the entire year. No time to worry, no choice to make, school time wasted. What about the possibility of something like it happening again, next school year?
Lucifer didn't answer at once.
"If you're asking this question... it means you've already decided," he said quietly.
"You're right." Hermione nodded slowly, "I am afraid. And I do want to run. But if it were you... what would you do?"
His eyes hardened, "I wouldn't run. I'd fight. Anyone who hurt me-or someone I care about-would pay dearly. I'd never stop until vengeance was mine."
Penelope Clearwater who was listening from nearby bit her lip, a little ashamed. A second-year boy, braver than her-a 'fifth-year prefect.'
He continued, his tone steady. "Since you asked me, I'll be honest. My advice? Stay. Hogwarts for all it's trouble is already one of the safest places in the wizarding world. Your 'future job' will be far more dangerous. If you run now, maybe it means you're not suited for this magical life at all."
.....Hermione had no answer. His words struck true. Would she go back to the Muggle world knowing it all exists? She could never rest or have peace of mind.
_______
Now removing her wand from the inside of the pocket, she pointed at the curtains, and they drew around.
The girl immediately pushed him down on the bed, and placed her head against his chest with a sigh.
"I missed you a lot," Lucifer whispered.
"I'd say I missed you too, but, well, I didn't really feel anything. One second I was at the library holding the mirror around the corner, next I was here. Hate the thought of you fighting that thing though. It was huge."
"I guarantee it was probably larger in Chamber, that thing took up half the floor. I'll show you one day."
"No thanks!" Hermione said, as she pulled herself tighter against him.
"So..." she said slowly after a long pause.
"So?" he said, looking down at her.
"Did you happen to... um... meet anyone else? While I was petrified..."
"I did learn from looking into Potter's eyes that I got a date with Myrtle set up for when I die, she told him I could share her toilet," Lucifer said, in a joking way, but it only made Hermione to smack his chest.
"Idiot!"
"Did you meet someone else whilst encased in stone? I've read Medusa-"
but he was cut off as another blow landed into his stomach.
"Ow!"
"Shut up!"
"You aren't meant to punch the guy in the Hospital Bed..."
"We're both in the Hospital Bed, Madam Pomfrey just told me you were a patient, 'it cancels out!"
"That's not how---"
'Thwack!'
"Okay okay I get it, jeez."
They lay there for a long while, neither of them saying anything, and when Hermione finally raised her head to look at him, he could see tears in her eyes.
Lucifer leant down and kissed her forehead, she closed her eyes as he did so and blushed.
"Come on, " he said, "As much as I want to just stay like this all evening, they have prepared a feast that we should probab---"
Hermione grumbled and yanked Lucifer back down onto the pillow as he tried to sit up.
"Granger," Lucifer said warningly, "I killed a basilisk, I'm hardly gonna be bossed around by-"
'Thwack!'
"Five more minutes it is then." he spluttered in defeat.
_________
The young wizards arrived earlier than ever, desperate to hear what Dumbledore who returned had to say today at feast. So far, the only rumor circulating was that the Basilisk had indeed come from the Chamber of Secrets.
But how the Chamber was opened, and who the Heir of Slytherin was, no one knew. Harry had been sternly instructed by Albus not to reveal anything that happened inside the Chamber:
Not Voldemort's words, not Ginny's manipulation, nothing. Absolute silence.
Luckily, Dumbledore didn't leave the students waiting in torment for long. At 12:30, the doors opened and he strode into the Great Hall.
The clatter of knives and forks went silent. Hundreds of eyes stared at him in perfect unison.
Dumbledore gave a helpless smile, "It seems everyone is very concerned about the safety of the school, so I'll say a few words."
A few words? NOW you want to keep it short?! Countless students screamed internally. We want details! Tell us everything!
"The legendary Chamber of Secrets does indeed exist, and it truly is a legacy left behind by Salazar Slytherin," His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried to every corner of the Hall. Many 'Muggle-born' students turned pale.
"Please do not worry," Dumbledore continued gently, "The legacy was not, as legend claims, meant to purge students Slytherin considered unworthy... It merely contains knowledge he hoped would not be lost."
"The Basilisk is the guardian of the Chamber. Unfortunately, it was manipulated by someone with ill intent, nearly causing irreversible harm." He paused, his eyes drifting, almost casually, toward the Slytherin table.
"According to the evidence I've gathered, the incident was triggered because someone brought a dangerous magical object into the school last year."
Malfoy's face turned as white as parchment. He didn't know about the diary itself, but he did know that his father, Lucius Malfoy, had done something shady.
During the holidays, Lucius had even warned him, "Don't get involved with anything concerning the Heir."
'And just now, Did Dumbledore look right at me? Did he... discover what my father had done?' Malfoy lowered his head in panic, too terrified to meet the headmaster's piercing gaze.
Fortunately, Dumbledore didn't press the matter. He paused briefly, then looked away. But that didn't calm Malfoy at all, because the students weren't letting the matter go.
"Who did it?!"
"That was a BASILISK! One look and you die! Someone wanted us dead!"
"Expulsion! They must be expelled!"
"No, send them to Azkaban!"
Now it wasn't only the Muggle-borns who were furious. Even many Slytherins were outraged. A Basilisk couldn't distinguish between pure-bloods and half-bloods. They had been in just as much danger.
Over at the Gryffindor table, Ginny clenched her fists so tightly her nails nearly pierced her skin. She forced herself to stay calm and glanced anxiously toward Lucifer down somewhere dining with a now awake and lively Hermione Granger.
He was sitting there, calm as ever, and even gave her a slight, reassuring nod. Her frantic heartbeat steadied instantly.
"Quiet! Quiet!"
Dumbledore had to raise his voice to suppress the students' outrage. Once the Great Hall settled into silence, he continued, "As for who brought the dangerous Dark artifact into the school, I do not yet know. But I am certain it was not their intention.
They were manipulated by someone with darker motives... I will continue investigating until the 'true culprit' is found and punished."
"Now then, let us speak of happier things." A gentle smile appeared on the old wizard's face.
"With the myth of the Chamber fully unraveled, a long-buried injustice from fifty years ago can finally be corrected. An innocent student who was expelled will have his name cleared.... And in the future, there is no need to worry about the safety of the castle. For that, we must thank Mr. Morningstar, Mr. Potter and also Mr. Weasely for their efforts."
He began to clap, and the staff and students followed. Harry felt this was unnecessary. His only contribution had been... matching into the party, and popping holes.
Ron was over the moon, and even patted Harry's shoulder for his bravery to stand against Lockhart.
Mr. Potter realised without him, the raid wouldn't have triggered. Wait, was he actually kind of important?
Dumbledore smiled when he saw Harry suddenly come to that realization, "For our three brave students, Gryffindor has already been awarded 'one hundred fifty points' each, Special Awards for Services to the School have also been earned, barring Mr. Morningstar' sixty given to Slytherin'... However."
He continued, "for risking his life and battling the Basilisk to protect the school and his precious friends..."
His voice hitched slightly. That phrasing... A Basilisk, putting you in danger? You fooled everyone else, but you can't fool me. Dumbledore wanted to refuse, really, he did.
But when he remembered Tom Riddle's magical Diary to be studied. And Lucifer's massive contributions this time... (The castle itself had taken structural damage!) He couldn't bring himself to deny it.
A little exaggeration wouldn't hurt. No one else knew the truth anyway. He also needed to soothe Minerva'
Thus: Including the Special Award for Services to the School, Lucifer was also given another hundred points, to Gryffindor. Whose students erupted, pounding the table with delight.
Three hundred points! Added with 390 fresh points already in House Cup ranking. Even if they slacked off for the rest of the term, they couldn't lose the House Cup. The other houses didn't find it excessive either, except Slytherin who shouted unfairly, and said Lucifer was from their house?!
Where was their sharee? Blasted Dumbledore, favouring Gryffindor, and striking them back down for his ruined reputation due to Lockhart incident. But many had witnessed his performance that Saturday, it had been no exaggeration to say he saved their lives.
As for where the life-threatening danger came from? Cough cough... Voldemort's fault. Definitely not Harry's or Lucifer's.
Then Professor McGonagall who was beaming with happiness announced that, as a treat for enduring the year, exams were taken under consideration to be delayed.
Hermione turned her face towards the boy, her left arm possessively around his waist, fixing him in the seat, looking stricken.
"Hey, you can take a break for one year. They were due to start in three days..."
'Three days?!" she shrieked, "How long was I petrified for?"
"A couple of months," Lucifer's tone was normal, but the girl had now lost her sense of reason.
"I'll have missed out on so much, so many lessons, you'll have to help me catch up, Lucifer. Over the summer-!"
"You're going to France. I already made several bottles on your request, so that you won't go hungry over th-"
And, Hermione gave another little squeal, began listing off how they can use the mirror, to help with the past lessons, but her mood became complicated when she heard, 'The Tale of Whipping Howlers~'
Draco Malfoy was no longer acting like he owned the place after his father had been sacked as a School Governor.
While seeing Ginny not looking pale and actually lively also made Lucifer smile, knowing she was free from Riddle's influence.
xxxxxx
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