Chapter 10: All about dueling
Chapter 10
December 18th, 1992
It was December already and an interesting event had been announced a week ago. Today would be the first session of a new dueling club that had been brought back to life. Hogwarts used to have a dueling club, however, a deadly accident during the first war with Voldemort led to its discontinuation.
Harry was very excited at the original announcement. This would be the perfect opportunity to test his power and see how far his practice with Nick had actually taken him. Hopefully, they would be allowed to choose their opponents. He really wanted a chance to fight some of the upper years. No one in his year had a realistic chance against him. Who knows maybe this will be an opportunity to intimidate a certain Slytherin a second time?
To Harry's great disappointment Lockhart would be overseeing the Dueling Club. He was hoping to be able to engage the former dueling champion, Professor Flitwick, in some conversation about the European Championship in Berlin the upcoming summer. Flitwick would be an excellent mentor and advisor.
As Harry made his way down to the Great Hall, he noticed that the club seemed to be far too popular for some reason. Many of the girls came in their best robes and had enhanced their features with makeup. Lockhart must have been the reason for that, Harry thought.
Still, many of the upper years were present as well. There would definitely be some competition. Roger Davies and Cedric Diggory are said to be excellent at dueling, at least for Hogwarts standards. Harry also noticed Hector Rosier. A seventh-year Slytherin that was supposed to be Britain's future dueling champion until he was disqualified from competing again for using some very questionable curses against his 15-year-old opponent back two years ago at the Championship in Rome. The Slytherin would definitely be someone to watch out for.
Harry entered the Great Hall and saw that the table had been moved aside. Instead, a large dueling stage stood in the middle of the hall with currently Lockhart and Snape on each side. Lockhart introduced himself and explained that Snape would be assisting him during their sessions.
Both professors started by demonstrating the disarming curse 'Expelliarmus', which Harry had mastered around this time last year.
Lockhart completely embarrassed himself by being thrown back against the wall after Snape easily disarmed him. He tried to hide his lack of knowledge of anything dueling-related by talking about 'providing a demonstration for the students' and being 'easily able to defend himself' if he only wanted to.
The students paired up and started practicing the curse. Harry paired with Terry, who showed great enthusiasm and was undoubtedly skillful compared to the rest of their year. The Great Hall was a mess. Wands flew from every corner and duels got out of hand when people started using other spells besides the disarming charm.
Lockhart blew a whistle and everyone turned their attention to the teachers on the stage.
"Well, that was not so bad. However, I think another demonstration from the students might be necessary to truly understand the spell. What about you two. Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy, why don't you come up the stage and show the rest of your peers."
Harry noticed how Warrington gave Snape a look and received a nod from his head of house in return.
Snape stopped Granger and Malfoy from entering the stage.
"A brilliant idea Professor. However, I propose a different pairing. Mr. Potter shows great confidence in his abilities and I have just the right student to humble him a little. Surely you agree that some of the more popular students will make an excellent demonstration for the rest of that class."
Lockhart whole heartily agreed, since so far Harry always managed to avoid him and he could use the publicity of being friends with The-Boy-Who-Lived.
"An excellent proposition Professor Snape. Mr. Potter, come up over here please! Harry, I may call you Harry right, perfect! Professor Snape, which student did you have in mind?"
Excited whispers went around the hall as Warrington stepped forward:
"Mr. Warrington will be an excellent representative for house Slytherin." Snape sneered
"You're dead Potter!"
"He doesn't stand a chance"
"Hopefully he takes him down a peck or two."
"Will he use dark magic against Cassius?"
Harry chuckled at the comments about him from the crowd of students. Lockhart did not seem to care about the age difference between the competitors:
"Alright Harry, as soon as Cassius raises his wand, you do the following!"
Lockhart tried and failed at some nonexistent wand movement and dropped his wand. Harry didn't pay him any attention anyways. His focus was on his opponent who whispered with Snape and turned to Harry with an evil grin on his face.
Harry calmed his mind. This was his chance… time to show what you're made of Potter. Make Nick and Penny proud. He took his stance and Snape's eyes widened, probably recognizing the stand of Antonin Dolohov.
Warrington seems to just wait to finally be able to cast against Harry. The anticipation was visible on his face.
"Alright gentleman" Lockhart shouted." No lethal spells and a fair match. on the count of three!"
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three, Begin!"
Either Warrington was deaf on both ears, or he deliberately started early. On the count of two, he started his wand movement for a stunner, followed up by a disarming charm. So far, his spells were all acceptable.
Let's see how long it remained that way.
Harry dodged the stunner and the charm following after. He would continue dodging until he found a pattern or obvious weakness that he could exploit. Warrington's technique was simply trash. His spells might be powerful for a fifth-year, but there was no tactic, no strategy behind his casting.
After only a minute of Harry dodging his spells, Warrington became frustrated. He sends a Confringo at Harry followed up by a Bombarda. Harry managed to dodge the first but was finally forced to conjure a shield. Snape's brows always vanished in his hairline at the sight of Harry's bright and strong Protego. The spell did no physical damage to his shield; however, it created some debris as parts of the platform were damaged from the impact.
Time for some offense Harry thought as he noticed that his opponent was getting tired. Harry levitated the debris in front of him and combined smaller pieces into chunks of roughly the same size, comparable to a golf ball.
Swirling his wand in a circular motion over his head, the chunks of stone started rotating around his body, like a moon around a planet. The chunks accelerated until one could barely make them out individually.
The entire hall fell silent. Snape looked like he knew what might happen next and was about to interfere on behalf of his student. With a flick of Harry's wrist, the first golf ball-sized chunk raced towards Warrington, who barely managed to dodge it. He managed to conjure a shield, which crumble under the onslaught as the second, third and fourth ball struck against it.
The firth ball connected with Warrington's chest, making him groan in pain and knocking the air out of him. Harry dropped the last two balls and send a hair removal charm at his opponent followed by a toenail growing hex.
Now it was time to embarrass his opponent and send a message to his peers: He was not to be messed with.
With a Densaugeo, Warrington's front teeth started growing uncontrollably, which combined with an overpowered tickling charm, led to some very painful wounds in his mouth. Harry lazily summoned the wand of his downed opponent and bound the fifth-year in some ropes for good measure.
The entire hall was silent. One could hear a needle dropping to the floor. A second-year just managed to embarrass a fifth-year Prefect, that most younger-year students were immensely scared of. All of a sudden someone started clapping.
"An excellent demonstration of some very advanced charms-work Mr. Potter. Way beyond your year! Levitating several objects simultaneously like that is almost OWL level. Take 20 points for Ravenclaw!"
Marcus Flint had enough. His best friend had been embarrassed in front of the entire school and Potter even received points for it. Not caring the the entire hall could see him he shouted:
"Serpensortia!"
A four-meter long thick Black Mamba exploded from the tip of Flint's wand and raced towards Harry, who was just about to start a conversation with Flitwick. Harry sensed the incoming spell thanks to his training with Nick and Penny and instantly flicked his wand back into his palm. With a Reducto he banished the snake backward from him.
The enraged snake seemed to not enjoy being treated like that and turned its attention towards Justin Finch-Fletcher, a Hufflepuff second year.
Harry tried to aim at the snake to stop it from attacking Finch-Fletcher but too many students were in the way.
He had a split-second decision to make. Justin might get seriously injured by the venomous snake. He could save the boy some pain by revealing his Parselmouth abilities. Should he do it?
"Ssstop! I order you to stand sssstill!"
The snake instantly stopped its attack.
"As you wish sssspeaker! Are you the one that called me?"
"No! You will soon return from where you have been summoned"
Harry gave Snape a nod and the Professor vanished the snake while still staring at Harry wide-eyed.
The entire hall was staring at Harry in shock. Many of the students looked outright scared. A couple of the upper-year Slytherins looked interestingly at Harry as if they were actually able to see him properly for the first time.
Harry turned to Justin:
"Mr. Finch-Fletcher are you okay?" Harry asked
Justin looked like he was about to pee himself: "Why? Why did you tell the snake to attack me? I have never done anything to you?"
"Attack you? What about you talking about? I literally told it to stand down and leave you unharmed!" Harry said, as he began to get angry.
"All I know is that the snake was attacking me and you were talking to it! Please just leave me alone, I promise I won't do anything to you."
Harry couldn't believe it! Were these people actually that stupid? Even without understanding his specific instructions to the snake, they must have noticed that the animal stopped its attack AFTER Harry spoke to it.
Not wanting to waste any more time with some mindless students Harry turned on his heel, stepped down the platform, and left the Great Hall as the students quickly created a pathway for him to leave as if he was about to attack them any second.
Harry was beyond pissed. His decision to help another student backfired again, just like helping Granger last year. 24 hours ago, he wouldn't have believed that his popularity among his peers could not drop any lower, however, it seemed as if fate was a bitch.
Even his euphoria due to impressing Flitwick faded by the realization that now anyone would truly think him the Heir of Slytherin and responsible for the attacks. Him being a Parselmouth must look like undeniable truth to those sheep.
He stopped his train of thought as he saw the Weasley girl walking down the stairs case.
"Don't worry, I won't attack you" Harry said annoyed but took a second look at the girl as she gave no response whatsoever. She seemed almost in trance. Not taking any notice of Harry walking right next to her.
Harry watched her from the third floor as she suddenly stopped at the entrance to the second floor and took a right towards the corridor in which Mrs. Norris was prettified a couple of weeks ago.
Even though her behavior was extremely suspicious, Harry didn't care right now. He just wanted to be alone, clear his head, and release some anger. He stepped into an empty classroom and began firing spells at the opposite wall until his core felt almost completely drained.
Tomorrow he would find Flitwick and try to talk to him. Ideally, the charms master would allow him to practice under his teachings or refer him to some people that could put his name into the Championship this summer.
Worst case scenario, he simply got some tips on dueling and maybe a reference to an interesting book. He had nothing to lose.
Harry woke up the next day and continued his workout routine just as usual. The benefit of staying in excellent physical shape was clear after he managed to continuously dodge Warrington's spells for over a minute with ease last night.
Making his way to the Great Hall for breakfast, Harry immediately noticed that the entire school was even more scared of him than last night.
Apparently, there has been another attack last night and Justin Finch-Fletcher and Nearly Headless Nick have both been found petrified. He did not even have a chance to sit at his table before his Head of House asked him to accompany him to Dumbledore's office.
Flitwick and Harry arrived at the Headmaster's office and were immediately granted entrance. Dumbledore, as always, sat behind his huge desk. Out of the corner of the office, Harry heard a thrilling. There on a perch sat a beautiful large golden and red bird-like creature. As Harry approached the Phoenix sang a sad short hymn but allowed Harry to touch and pet him, nevertheless.
"Hello, Fawkes." Harry replied to the bird's greeting with a chuckle.
"I did not know you have met before, Harry? Fawkes is usually very reluctant in letting strangers pet him." Dumbledore inquired.
"We haven't met before, Sir. But Nick and Penny me about your Phoenix. I am surprised I did not see him the last two times I have been in your office."
"Well, Harry, Fawkes does not really follow any schedule. Unless not one I could identify over the last 50 years. However, unfortunately, Fawkes is not the reason I invited you to my office today. I was hoping we could chat about what happened at the dueling match last night?"
Harry sighed:
"Flint was angry that I embarrassed his friend publicly. He conjured a snake and I banished it away after its first attack on me. The snake fell into the crowd of students and was about to attack Finch-Fletcher when I ordered it to stop the attack so that Professor Snape could vanish it.
I did not order the snake to attack Finch-Fletcher. Hell, I probably saved his life and still get shunned for it."
"How long have you known that you could speak Parseltongue, Harry?"
"Ever since my first visit to Diagon Alley, Sir. Do you think I might be able to speak it since I am a descendant from Slytherin?"
"It is a possibility, Harry. You would certainly not be the last member of the family with magical ties to Salazar Slytherin himself. That position unfortunately is already occupied by a different wizard, as you might know.
However, you might be related via your mother's side. Lily Evans could have been the last descendant of a Slytherin Squib-line. The ability to speak Parseltongue might have been reborn in you with the magically potent blood of your father. However, I have a different theory."
"And what would that be, Sir?" Harry asked curiously.
Dumbledore seemed very careful on how to form his next sentences:
"I think the night Lord Voldemort murdered your parents and failed to kill you, thanks to your mother's sacrifice, he unintentionally gave you some of his powers, including his ability to talk to snakes.
Your scar is no ordinary curse scar, as I am sure you must have noticed during your confrontation with Quirrell last year. Something extraordinary happened that night. But I am afraid no healer in the world will be able to explain exactly what."
Harry was deep in thought. Could that be true? Could some of his powers and skills merely be a by-product of Voldemort's failed attempt to kill him?
"Well, how do you wish to continue, Headmaster? I am not the one responsible for the attacks and I don't have a hunch at who it might be right now. The other students, no matter what happened, will still fear me and think the worst of me."
"Indeed, Harry. Unfortunately, the minds of children are easily impressionable. I will just ask you to report any suspicion you might have back to me."
Harry agreed and made his way to his classes after getting some snacks from the kitchen. No one interacted with him anymore. Even some of the professors seemed scared of him and limited their interaction with Harry.
Charms was his last class and Harry stayed behind to finally talk to Flitwick about dueling.
"How can I help you Mr. Potter?" the Professor asked, seeing Harry waiting at his desk.
"Sir, I really enjoy dueling. I was hoping you could give me some tips and teach me what you know. The European Championship will be held in Paris this summer and I was hoping to compete in the Under 14 Category."
"A very ambitious goal for someone who will barely turn 13 by that point in time. Your opponents at the Championships will certainly put up a better fight than poor Mr. Warrington last night. I am still very impressed by the abilities you showcased however.
Why don't we have a little friendly duel, and you show me some of your skills? I will give you my answer to your earlier question if I am satisfied with your current work."
Harry got slightly nervous at the thought of dueling with the charms master, but this was an opportunity he would not waste. With a flick of his wand, Flitwick pushed the tables and chairs aside and put up a couple of wards to limit the damage the classroom might take.
Harry took his position at the opposite end of the classroom and entered his familiar stance.
"A very interesting stance, you show there Harry. I have seen it before on a man that is currently imprisoned in Azkaban. While he was a competent dueler no doubt, I do hope that you do not follow in his exact footsteps."
"You think I would take up a death eater's mask and follow the man that murdered my parents, Professor?"
"I apologize, Harry, I did not mean to suggest that exact path, merely meant getting lost in the darker aspects of magic."
"Rest assured Professor, if I ever encounter the man himself, I will make what I did to Warrington last night look like a harmless Wesley Prank."
The dueling master chuckled but started his spell chain out of nowhere, hoping that Harry had gotten momentarily distracted. Harry expected that Flitwick wanted to test his focus. He quickly dodged the first couple of spells and shielded from the others before returning fire with some precise stunners to Flitwick's chest.
"Very good Harry. You don't let your opponent distract you," He casually said as he flicked away Harry's most powerful stunners.
"However, against a more agile and quicker opponent like myself, it is unlikely that you will outlast in terms of physical stamina. You have to be more aggressive and take the fight towards your enemy."
Harry went on the attack and distracted Flitwick with a couple of Reductos while banishing one of the chairs towards the tiny Charms professor. Flitwick stopped the chair midair, multiplied it with a Gemino spell, and shot them towards a wide-eyed Harry. Harry conjured his strongest shield and watched as the chairs crashed against it, the knockback almost making him fall over.
He collected the splitters of the wooden chairs and transfigured them into small spears which he sends flying towards his professor. Flitwick seemed unimpressed and battered the incoming spears aside with just a flick of his wand. The Charms Master closed the distance and started increasing the tempo of the casting.
His Confringos pushed Harry further and further back until he stood with his back to the wall. In a desperate attempt, Harry tried to hold the professor back with some ropes he conjured, but Flitwick cut through them by using the Defindo and holding his wand almost like a sword.
Finally, an Impedimenta caught Harry's leg and the student slowed down enough for Flitwick to banish him against the wall with a Depulso. A simple disarming charm later and Harry was panting on the floor.
This is a different level compared to any of his duels with Nick. It seemed as if Flitwick knew his next move and spell and had all the time in the world to prepare for it. Harry could usually rely on outlasting his opponents due to his better physical condition, but the tiny charms professor was much faster than him.
"Well done, Harry. You lasted over two minutes against me. You should be very proud of yourself; you showed some remarkable potential for a second-year."
"Thank- thank you, Professor." Harry panted and gladly accepted the glass of water Flitwick filled with an Aquamenti.
"I will practice with you on Saturday mornings once a week. If I declare your progress sufficient over the next two months, I will put your name forward into the Championship in Paris this summer. Show me your best, Mr. Potter. Your mother would be very proud of you." He added with a smile before saying goodbye and retreating to his office.
Harry made his way make to the Ravenclaw tower and was just about to answer the Eagle's riddle when Terry and Michael Corner came running towards him.
"Ah Potter, we finally catch up to you". Terry says.
Harry's eyes narrow ever so slightly. Terry and he were not friends, but they have been on first-name basis ever since the night after the sorting… What was going on now? He decided to go along with it.
"How can I help you, Boot?"
"Ahem, can we talk somewhere in private?"
They entered the common room together and Harry made his way towards his dormitory. For some reason Corner followed both him and Boot.
"What is it you want to talk about? I want to finish my transfiguration essay."
"McGonagall will give you an outstanding anyways" Corner snorted before Boot kicked him with his foot.
Something was definitely wrong. Michael Corner was an above-average student, but one of the few that never complained about Harry being the best in class and instead always focused on his own work. This did not match with his personality at all.
"Well, we wanted to know if you have an idea who the heir of Slytherin might be?"
Again, this was strange. Harry told Terry immediately after the attack on Mrs. Norris that it was not him and he had no idea who it might be. Why were they both acting out of character and asking questions they should be knowing?
Why were they even hanging out together? Besides polite greetings, Harry had hardly seen them engage in conversations. Harry had a hunch about what might be going on. He decided to test them.
"I do have a suspicion, guys. I think it might be Longbottom!"
Terry almost squeaked: "What, I am- I mean, why would Longbottom attack muggle-borns? Are you crazy?"
"Well as I said it is only a suspicion… but think about it. He is always the slowest to learn a new spell. What if he simply hides his true power and the whole 'Squib and magically weak' thing is just an act. No one would ever suspect him. I don't think even his closest friends, Weasley and Granger, would think about it…"
Harry enjoyed the shocked expression on Corner's face at his last statement. Corner looked at Terry in disbelief, who quickly shook his head.
Playing with them was truly hilarious, but Harry wanted to know what kind of spell they used to change their appearance. He only knew of glamor charms. But even Granger could never replicate Terry's and Corner's facial features that well.
It must be a potion, but the only one he knew about was Polyjuice and that was incredibly hard to brew.
Reluctantly he agreed, however, that Granger might be capable of it. She would have started about the beginning of November… maybe even right after the first attack.
Talking about Granger, where was the girl? Did she also take someone else's appearance? Did she not manage to get a hair from someone? Or did perhaps something go wrong with her transformation.
"Well, thank you for telling us about your suspicion Potter, but we better leave you to your studies now," Terry says, as he and Corner (or Weasley as Harry was sure) made their way out of the dorm and down to the common room. Harry gave them ten seconds before grabbing his invisibility cloak and following them.
The pair walked down the stairs and Harry stayed close behind them to catch up with their conversation.
"Well, that was a waste of time… I told you he wouldn't say anything to Boot or Corner. He isn't friends with them!" Corner said as his hair slowly turned bright red at its tips.
"Well, it was our best chance to get anywhere close to Potter!" Boot replies just as his face widened and the familiar baby fat of Neville Longbottom became visible.
"Let's tell Hermione and figure out whatever went wrong with her transformation. It can't have been that bad."
Harry was surprised as the two boys turned into the second-floor girls' bathroom. Apparently, some ghost called Moaning Myrtle haunted this very bathroom. He heard that it was very unpopular among the girls in Hogwarts.
"Hermione... were back!" Weasley shouted, now completely looking like his usual self.
"Go away!" replied Granger.
"Come on Hermione, it can't be that bad. Just let us help you."
Granger stepped out of the stall and Harry had to force himself to stop laughing. She was covered in brown fur from head to toe with bright yellow eyes, looking very similar to a certain cat Harry had seen in the Ravenclaw common room a couple of times.
"It was a cat's hair! Lisa Turpin must own a cat and when helping her up after our duel I must have accidentally grabbed it instead of one of Lisa's hairs."
Weasley and Longbottom seemed shocked.
"Okay, that's it." He flicked out his wand and fired three stunners in rapid succession. Then Harry filled the last bit of Polyjuice that was left into a vial and hid it behind one of the sinks in the bathroom.
Whistling a tune, he made his way to Professor McGonagall's office and knocked.
"Enter." Came the voice of Hogwarts' strictest professor.
"Good evening, Professor!", Harry cheerfully greeted her as he entered.
"Good evening to you, Mr. Potter what can I help you with? And why are you in such a good mood?"
"Professor I found three of your students in a very compromising position in the second-floor girls' bathroom. Two of them are boys I should say. They are currently stunned and waiting for you."
McGonagall jumped out of her chair behind the desk, made her way to the door of her office, and proceeded to walk towards the second-floor bathroom in long strides. Harry followed her. Not wanting to miss what was about to happen.
She entered the second floor-bathroom and found Granger, Weasley, and Longbottom unconscious on the floor. Luckily Granger still had her cat ears and fur.
McGonagall stared disbelievingly at the scene in front of her:
"Mr. Potter, for Merlin's sake, please explain what happened here!"
So, Harry started telling her about the suspicious-looking Terry and Michael Corner. How he noticed that something was wrong, and he was dealing with imposters.
He explained to his professor how he followed the duo back to the bathroom and discovered that they had used Polyjuice to disguise themselves as Ravenclaws and get Harry to admit that he knew something about the Heir of Slytherin. Finally, Harry explained Granger's furry state and the reasons behind it.
McGonagall's facial expressions became more sour with every sentence from her student:
"Well let's wake them up and see what they have to say for themselves, shall we."
She cast a Rennervate on all three of them and watched as they slowly regained consciousness.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Longbottom. Explain yourself now and don't even think about lying.
"Professor, Potter set us up. You have to believe us, you're our Head of House!"
"Mr. Weasley one more word and I will have you expelled. Mr. Longbottom, explain yourself!"
So, Neville told the professor how they had a hunch that it was Harry that attacked Mrs. Norris and tried to get him to confess to his fellow Ravenclaws. The additional attacks only encouraged them in brewing the potion to get the confession as soon as possible and save the lives of their fellow students.
Longbottom explained how they each got their respective hair during dueling practice and took the potions. From there on the story was pretty much identical to what Harry had told her.
"That will be 100 Points from Gryffindor for each of you. You will be serving detention with various professors until the end of the school year! I will also make sure that neither of you ever receive a position on the Gryffindor Quidditch team or a Prefect's badge!
I have never been so ashamed of students in my own house. Take Ms. Granger to the Hospital Wing and get out of my sight!"
Granger started sobbing while Weasley looked like life became worthless after not being able to ever make the team.
"Mr. Potter, take 20 points for identifying the imposters and some nice spell-work to bind them. I am glad you seem to be staying out of trouble unlike your father did during his tenure at Hogwarts.
You seem to have truly gotten the best from both of your parents: your father's talent in transfigurations and your mother's skill in charms along with a responsible head on your shoulders. Continue staying out of trouble, young man!"
Chapter 11
December 19th, 1992
The Gryffindors were shocked when they entered the Great Hall the next morning and walked past the giant hourglasses that showed each house's points. Somehow Gryffindor had lost nearly all of its points overnight and now only had a few shining rubies at the bottom of the glass.
Of course, everyone wanted to know what actually happened and somehow the rumor mill got spinning again.
Someone from Gryffindor, undoubtedly Weasley and Longbottom, came up with a crazy story as to how they lost that amount of points. Harry himself heard the story while listening to Katie Bell, who was chatting with Angelina Johnson about the whole event.
"I heard the story from Seamus Finnigan, Angelina! Potter attacked Hermione Granger for beating him in an Astronomy essay and used dark magic to seriously injure her. That is why the girl is currently in the hospital wing and no one was allowed to visit her!"
"I knew something was seriously wrong with him! The Potters were usually sorted into Gryffindor, him going to a different house just proves he is nothing like the rest of his family, but why did Gryffindor lose so many points then?"
"Well, apparently, Longbottom and Weasley saw Potter attacking poor Granger and retaliated against him. Amusingly they claimed to have gotten a few good hits on him before McGonagall caught them in the hallway and barely saved Potter from being hexed to dragon dung."
"Do you really believe that though? You saw how Potter dealt with Warrington and he is a fifth yeah. How would Weasley and Longbottom overpower him that easily?"
"I don't know, to be honest, but that's just the story I have heard. Since McGonagall only saw two of her Gryffindors attacking the famous teacher's pet, she deducted a whole bunch of points from both of them, even though they were only defending themselves, of course."
"That is so unfair! He cost us over 300 points and barely had a scratch on him this morning. You saw him at breakfast. He was acting as nothing happened and even grinned the entire time!"
"Well, I would be careful with Potter, what if he really is the heir of Slytherin. For all we know, he could be. He's even a Parseltongue! I wonder why he didn't get sorted into the House of Snakes in the first place."
"Maybe he was smart enough to choose a different house and not pull too much attention to himself. You know how cunning those snakes can be…"
"True… anyways, let's ask Wood about practice. We still have a match to prepare for!"
The girls left. How amusing, Harry thought, as he made his way to his next class. Well, this was properly three out of the four houses that hated him with a passion:
The Slytherins for embarrassing their prefect. The Hufflepuffs for "attacking" Finch-Fletcher with a snake and the Gryffindors for costing the house a whole bunch of points. Time to piss off the Ravenclaws I guess, Harry joked.
December 25th, 1992
The Christmas holidays had finally arrived, and most of the students left the Castle, scared of further attacks from the Heir of Slytherin. Just like last year, Harry used the additional free time to continue his own projects and find out more about the Chamber. There had to be an entrance somewhere in the school. The only places he could not check yet were the common rooms of the other houses.
Over the holidays he would try to use his invisibility cloak to sneak into the common rooms by following some students from the respective houses.
It was Slytherin's Chamber, so it would be reasonable to assume that the entrance was maybe in the Slytherin common room. He would therefore start with that one. He needed to get in there somehow.
Malfoy and his goons sat at the Slytherin table and enjoyed breakfast on Christmas morning. Harry waited for them to finish before he left half a minute after the trio was done. He followed them out of the Great Hall and quickly slipped under his cloak to get closer to them.
On their way to the Slytherin common room, they walked into the eldest Weasley: Percy Weasley was a sucker for rules and thought his shiny Badge meant that any other student should kiss his backside.
Weasley let them go with a warning after the four almost got into an argument.
"I've noticed him sneaking around a lot lately. And I bet I know what he is up to. He thinks he's going to catch Slytherin's heir single-handed." Harry could hear Malfoy say.
Harry rolled his eyes under his cloak at the Slytherin's choice of password (Pureblood) and quickly entered the common room after Goyle.
The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in high-backed chairs.
Malfoy ordered Crabbe and Goyle to wait really quick while getting something his father apparently sent him. He came back with a Daily Profit article about Weasley's dad, who somehow bewitched a muggle car. Apparently, the entire family apart from the twins was crazy.
Harry started carefully walking around the room, looking for any clues on the entrance to a hidden room, but couldn't find anything. Malfoys and his goons talked about the food at the feast for a minute, but Harry turned sharply and walked back over to them when they started discussing Colin Creevey, the second victim of the Heir.
Malfoy continued complaining about Harry himself and how people actually thought he was the heir. Finally, the conversation got interesting.
"And father won't tell me anything about last time the Chamber was opened either. Of course, that was fifty years ago, so it was before his time, but he knows all about it and he says that it was all kept quiet and it'll look suspicious if I know too much about it. But I know one thing… last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened a Mudblood died. So, I bet it's a matter of time before one of them is killed this time. I hope it's Granger, but from what I have heard Potter got her pretty good already. She is still in the hospital wing."
They continued talking and Harry found out that last time, the person responsible was caught. He also learned about some secret room under the floor of Malfoy Mansion... Something he would definitely remember in case he needed blackmail material at some point.
Harry had heard enough and retreated from the Slytherin common room. He was disappointed that he could not find any clues about the entrance to the Chamber. However, at least he got some additional information about the last time it was opened.
January 10th, 1993
Two more attacks took place after Christmas. Granger was certainly one unlucky girl. She had barely made her way out of the hospital wing after her furry problem had been cured when she ran into Penelope Clearwater.
Clearwater was applying makeup from a small kit with a mirror to prepare to meet her boyfriend, Percy Weasley.
She must have asked Granger for some help since the Prefect found the two of them standing petrified next to each other, both looking into the small mirror and seemingly checking Clearwater's reflection.
For Harry, this meant even more rumors. People already thought he was the one that put Granger in the hospital wing the first time. Her being the next victim of the Heir, only increased the suspicion against him. Harry reluctantly had to agree, from an outside perspective so far, it made sense to suspect him being responsible for the attacks.
Apparently, the Headmaster thought similarly. He of course had been told the true reason for Granger's stay with Mrs. Pomfrey. But even he couldn't deny that almost all the victims besides Clearwater were somehow connected to Harry.
Harry was granted entrance to the Headmaster's office and sat in the chair waiting for Dumbledore to make a move. Dumbledore looked tired. The school's governors must be putting pressure on him to find the culprit as soon as possible.
"Well, Harry you can probably imagine why you're here. But rest assured I only want to ask you a few questions."
Harry nodded and Dumbledore continued.
"While I do not believe that you're the one attacking the students, somehow you're connected to most of the victims. Do you have anything to tell me? Any suspicion or even any leads that you, yourself are currently following?
I simply try to keep my students safe and I have the feeling you are investigating the incident already. Just as you have suggested I have reached out to some shop owners in Britain and asked for Mandrakes.
Unfortunately, no one had any available at this point in time. There are a couple of offers from the continent, but the paperwork to import dangerous magical plants from foreign nations is very hideous.
The Ministry is afraid that importing a foreign magical plant might damage our own ecosystem. We cannot expect them to make a decision on the case until about next month."
"You are right, Sir. I am currently looking for the entrance to the Chamber but could not find anything yet. However, maybe you can help me complete a puzzle."
Dumbledore only rose an eyebrow and nodded for Harry to continue.
"I found out that the Chamber was last opened about 50 years ago and the culprit had been found back then. Who was it? Does he have any family that are currently attending Hogwarts, Sir?"
Dumbledore sighed:
"Harry, what I am about to tell you must stay in this room…
Harry signaled his agreement.
…Very well. Indeed, a person took the blame last time. He does not have any family here in Britain, but still attends Hogwarts."
At Harry's perplexed expression Dumbledore continued.
"Rubeus Hagrid was declared guilty of opening the Chamber, he was expelled, and his wand was snapped. I do believe he still has the pieces."
Harry came to the only logical conclusion:
"It wasn't him; he was framed. Hagrid wouldn't hurt a fly and he is certainly not a Parselmouth, Professor."
"Correct Harry, Hagrid became a victim of the rising anti-half-breed propaganda in the Ministry back then. However, he did hide a magical beast in the school, an Acromantula that is still living in the Forbidden Forest. However, Acromantula poison does not petrify its victims and leaves clear evidence when leading to death."
"So, Hagrid was framed and whoever actually did it, stopped the attacks right after? Why? Who caught Hagrid?"
Dumbledore regarded his student for a long moment before frowning:
"A brilliant boy named Tom Riddle reported Hagrid and received a special award for Services to the School. His achievement still stands in the Trophy Room."
Riddle… Harry had never heard of the name before, but Dumbledore was eyeing him curiously. Did the old Headmaster expect a different reaction from Harry?
"Why was the incident never truly investigated? Anyone with half a brain would have realized that Hagrid was innocent?"
"You must understand the circumstances, Harry. It was the word of the best student in his class, a Prefect and on with the best chances to become head-boy against a half-giant that was famous for being overly affectionate with dangerous magical animals."
"I mean…" Harry was interrupted by a silvery cat that jumped on Dumbledore's desk and spoke in the clear stern voice of McGonagall:
"Albus there has been another attack. Come to the fourth floor immediately!"
Dumbledore jumped out of his desk:
"Harry, do you have your cloak with you?"
Harry nodded.
"Please get under the cloak and follow me. Do not leave my sight!"
Harry did as he was told and hurried behind Dumbledore out of the office. Dumbledore made his way to the fourth floor in long strides with Harry right behind him. He arrived at the scene, where most of the other professors were already present.
"What happened Minerva?"
McGonagall pointed at the wall… In bright red letters it says:
"Her skeleton will lie in Chamber forever"
"Do we know who has been taken?" Dumbledore asked.
"All students, including Potter, who should have been in your office are accounted for. All but Ginny Weasley." McGonagall says with a fearful look.
"Very well," Dumbledore replies:
"I want all students in their dormitories packing their trunks. Hogwarts will close without further notice. We will call the Aurors and search the entire school. Have the students stay in their common room and gather in the Great Hall tonight. I will be meeting the governors now and plan the further steps to ensure the safety of all students."
The Professor nodded at the clear instructions. Lockhart looked as if he was about to wet himself. He raced down the stairs to his office. Harry made his way to the Ravenclaw common room to pack his trunk. This was wrong. He did not want to leave Hogwarts without at least solving the mystery first.
Who knew when the school might open again? It could take months, maybe even years until the day would come. Harry headed towards the Ravenclaw common room when suddenly he remembered something.
The little vial of Polyjuice, that he hid in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom…
Being able to transform into any person on earth was too valuable to be left behind in the Castle. He decided to make a detour for the bathroom and retrieve it before packing his trunk.
He opened the door to the bathroom and Myrtle dramatically appeared behind a stall.
"Oh… it's you again. I am mad at you Harry Potter!"
"Pray tell me what I might have done to foul your mood."
The weeks in which the three little Gryffindors occupied my bathroom to brew that nasty potion were quite interesting... I had regular company, even though Hermione Granger was very annoying."
Harry chuckled: "I can imagine what you mean. Unfortunately, I don't have much time to exchange pleasantries, I will just quickly pick something up."
Harry made his way over to the sink where he had hidden the vial.
"Be careful with that sink, I don't want to have to share my bathroom with you! You remind me too much of him."
Harry disregarded whatever Myrtle was prattling on about and approached the sink. All of a sudden, he felt something. Magic was deeply embedded into this side of the wall. One could almost taste it in the air.
Harry frowned, he must have missed it when he hid the vial the first time due to all the excitement going on. 'Magic always leaves traces' Dumbledore had sad. There were heavy traces of magic around him, but unlike anything, Harry ever discovered before. He remembered Myrtle's words…
"Why should I be careful around this sink Myrtle?"
"Because that sink is where it came from."
"Were what came from?"
"Well, whatever killed me, silly."
Harry was perplexed:
"You were killed in this bathroom?"
"But yes of course! I was a Ravenclaw student, about 50 years ago, just like you. But I was constantly bullied for my glasses and being a muggle-born by Olive Hornby and the other girls. One day I came in here to cry and that's when I died."
Harry's thoughts were racing. Malfoy mentioned that a muggle-born had been killed by the monster when the Chamber was first opened about 50 years ago. It was unlikely that a student dying in this school was a frequent occurrence. Could Myrtle be the muggle-born that fell victim to the heir's first attack?
"Myrtle, tell me everything you remember about the moment you died!"
"I don't like it when you yell at me like that… It reminds me of the girls that bullied me. You look way better with that charming smile anyways… Even if you look so much like him."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Everyone knew him when I went to school. He was a couple of years above me. His name was Tom, and he was very handsome, much like you."
Harry tried to ignore the fact that Myrtle called him handsome. But this was exactly the piece of the puzzle he was still missing.
"Myrtle, I am trying to figure out who is attacking the students. Please tell me everything you remember that happened before you died!"
"Oh fine! But promise me you won't tell anyone, okay? Good!
I was here in my stall. The door was locked, and I was crying, and then I heard somebody come in. They said something funny. A different language, I think it must have been. Anyway, what really got me was that it was a boy speaking. So, I unlocked the door, to tell him to go and use his own toilet, and then, I died."
"Wait, what do you mean, you died? Did he hit you with a curse or a spell? Did something attack you?" Harry became frustrated.
"No nothing like that, the last thing I remember is staring at a pair of bright yellow eyes."
Harry frowned… Was she killed by being looked at? He only knew of one magical animal which was capable of that feat. A Basilisk would make sense, it's the king of the serpents after all. Something worthy of being called Salazar Slytherin's Monster. But then how did the other victims survive?
The realization came to Harry while regarding his reflection in the pond of water that covered the stone tiles of the bathroom. Reflection… Of course none of the victims yet died because they didn't face the Basilisk head-on.
Filch's cat must have seen it in the water's reflection. Colin Creevey... The boy had been constantly taking pictures, maybe he saw it through his camera. Finch-Fletchley must have seen the King of the Serpents through the ghost, who couldn't die twice, and Granger and Clearwater were found with a mirror…
It all made sense. But the question was, how was he going to deal with it?
Well, definitely not alone Harry decided. He quickly made his way to Dumbledore's office. Hopefully, the governors did not arrive yet. On his way, he thought about ways to deal with Basilisk. He will ask Dumbledore to conjure a rooster. It was the only natural enemy to the King of the Serpents. Whoever released it on the students had done his Due Diligence. All of Hagrid's roosters had been killed at the beginning of the school year.
He arrived at the Gargoyle that protected the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"Please, I need to speak to the Headmaster. I have vital information regarding the Chamber!"
The gargoyle regarded the young boy for a moment before granting him entrance. The door to Dumbledore's office opened for Harry and he saw a distressed-looking Dumbledore sitting behind his desk.
"Harry, as much as I enjoy your visits, you picked a very unfortunate time. The governors will arrive shortly and I have much to discuss with them."
"Headmaster, I know where the entrance to the Chamber is and I know what waits inside it. We might be able to save Weasley and keep the school open."
Dumbledore jumped up from his chair:
"Take me there immediately, Harry!"
Harry led the way:
"The entrance is in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. The Monster is a Basilisk. None of the victims died so far, because they didn't directly stare into his eyes"
"Brilliant Harry, Myrtle was the unfortunate muggle-born that fell victim to the monster 50 years ago, as I am sure you figured out already. I never imagined the entrance to the Chamber might be at the very place she lost her life. How did you find it?"
"Uhh... it's a long story professor, but I felt the traces of magic around a sink in the bathroom. I am sure you will feel it, too."
"Ingenuous… Who would have thought that the great Salazar Slytherin would hide the entrance to his legendary Chamber in a girls' bathroom of all places?" Dumbledore chuckled.
The pair arrived at the aforementioned bathroom and Harry led Dumbledore to the sink.
"You are right, Harry. Magic itself is trying its utmost to conceal something right in front of us. But this is not a ward I have ever encountered before."
Dumbledore waved his wand over the sink a few times.
"A password is required to pass this threshold. But I am unfamiliar with the language."
"Myrtle said she heard someone entering her bathroom and speaking in a funny language," Harry explained.
"Well, it's quite obvious then, isn't it, Sir." Harry says as he points at the tiny snake engraved into the pipe of the sink."
Dumbledore's eyes widened at Harry's implication:
"Indeed, Harry. I'm afraid this will be for you to handle. If you would do us the honor, we have no time to waste!"
Harry looked upon the tiny, engraved snake and imagined it moving.
"Open"
The familiar hissing left his mouth.
Dumbledore and Harry looked down the long pipe that had surfaced after the sink gave the entrance away.
"Well, I always had a suspicion of who might have opened the Chamber back then. I can't imagine him jumping down a dirty pipe... I am mistaken as it seems." The Headmaster chuckled.
"Let me try something, Sir."
"Stairs"
Harry hissed.
Rough, dusty stairs appeared instead of the dirty pipe. Tiny footprints leading up and downstairs were clearly visible on each of them.
"Thank you, Harry, I am certain this will make our journey into Salazar's heirloom much more comfortable," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I would ask you to stay up here and remain in safety, however, I think you have earned this opportunity to prove yourself. Besides, I might still need your infamous ability to talk to certain reptiles Salazar was so very fond of. Just please follow all my instructions, including leaving me behind to save yourself. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded and together they made their way downstairs.
"Sir, I was hoping you could conjure a rooster, or a couple of them even... Just to be on the safe side!"
"I appreciate the background knowledge you gathered about the magical beast we are about to encounter. However, I am afraid that a conjured rooster will be of very little help to us.
Only an actual rooster, that was born without magical means is deadly to a Basilisk. Therefore, we will have to fight it with other means. At least I will."
"And I won't, Sir?" Harry asked perplexed.
"You are a Parselmouth, Harry. If the Basilisk deems you more worthy than whoever is currently controlling it, you have nothing to fear from it. If the legends are true, you will even be able to look the serpent into its eyes, thanks to your ability. However, that is something I would rather not test and risk your life in."
"I understand professor." Harry nodded thoughtfully.
"I am sure you also noticed that there was only one pair of footprints leading up and down the stairs several times. Do you know what this means Harry?"
Harry frowned as he remembered the Weasley girl walking around the Castle, almost in trance.
"It means that something is controlling Weasley since she is the only one walking up and down to the Chamber… Unless she is doing it on her own accord."
"I doubt that young Ginevra is volunteering in opening the Chamber and attacking her fellow students. I do not know what we are about to meet down here. I only hope that we will be able to save young Ms. Weasley and find out whoever is actually responsible for reopening the Chamber."
They arrived at the bottom of the stair and stood in a Chamber roughly the size of the Gryffindor common room.
"This is merely the ante Chamber. Whatever we might face must rest behind the opposite wall."
Harry agreed as he took a step forward. A dozen serpents spun around the crest of House Slytherin.
Well, let's try this again, Harry thought:
"Open"
He hissed.
Several loud clicks were heard as the serpents moved around the crest and finally parts of the wall shifted to the side and granted entrance to a large Chamber almost as big as the Great Hall, supported by pillars in regular intervals. At the other side of the Chamber stood a giant stone statue of Salazar Slytherin.
Dumbledore chuckled:
"The traits of House Slytherin must have changed over the centuries. At some point, they must have been being cunning, ambitious, and apparently having somewhat of an ego!"
Harry grinned at Dumbledore's reference but quickly frowned when he saw a heap of red hair lying at the bottom of the Chamber.
"Weasley" he nodded to the Headmaster, who seemed to be lost studying the impressive architecture of the Chamber.
They hurried over to the wall and Dumbledore leaned down to feel her cheek. Weasley was unresponsive and gave no visible reaction to some diagnostic charms Dumbledore performed on her.
Harry leaned down and noticed the small black book that sat on the floor next to the Weasley girl. He picked it up and frowned as a wave of magic surged past him.
The book felt like pure evil. Like a parasite trying to corrupt his every thought and corner of his mind. Something foreign penetrating against his mind shields and demanding entrance.
"Professor", Harry stuttered: "What the hell is this"
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at the book Harry held. He was about to give a response when someone else interrupted him.
"She won't wake up."
A boy had appeared at the foot of Slytherin's statue. He was tall with dark hair and eyes and undeniably handsome. His Hogwarts robes sported the Slytherin crest and right next to it was a Prefect's badge.
"Tom, I must say it has been a couple of years, but you do not seem a day older than back when I taught you."
"Besides the grey hair and beard, you look very much the same… Professor."
Harry could feel the amount of hate placed upon the last word. He was confused. This must be Tom Riddle. But according to Myrtle and Dumbledore, he was a student 50 years ago. How was it possible he is standing here in front of him?
"What are you?" Harry asked curiously.
"Harry Potter…"
Riddle looked at him with an interesting look in his cold dark eyes.
"Unlike our esteemed professor here, you are exactly the person I wanted to meet."
"Why are you so interested in me?"
"You are an enigma to me. A Ravenclaw that would have been much better suited in the House of the Serpents. A student feared by his peers, a brilliant child, capable of magic many students older than himself are unable to perform and of course, a Parselmouth."
Riddle's eyes narrowed at the last statement.
"You and I are so much alike, it's almost scary... We even look alike, don't you think."
Harry could not deny the last statement. Besides their eyes, the two boys did share a fair deal of physical similarities. Having never met another Parselmouth he was certainly interested in Riddle:
"Ssso, you ssspeak it too?"
"I do, a gift from my great ancestor." Riddle nodded to the statue behind him.
So, Tom Riddle was indeed the Heir of Slytherin, he was the one Dumbledore had told him about when Harry had asked for the origins of his talent. Riddle must have also been the one opening the Chamber back 50 years ago. He was controlling the Basilisk… but how?
"I'll ask you again, Riddle… What are you?"
Riddle regarded Dumbledore almost nervously instead of answering the questions. The Headmaster watched the conversation behind his current and former student with a sad expression on his disappointed face.
"Since none of you will leave this Chamber alive, I guess I can tell you. I am a memory, preserved for 50 years. A memory, but also so much more." Riddle said with an evil grin.
"Where did I fail you, Tom? Why did you choose this path?"
Riddle ignored the Headmaster.
"Since I have answered your question, it is only fair that you answer one of mine, don't you think? Tell me Harry Potter, how did you, a baby with admittedly a decent grab at magic and a small amount of talent survive the killing curse from the most powerful wizard of all time, while the caster himself vanished from the face of the earth? How did you do it?" He asked, the anticipation at the revelation visible on his handsome but cruel face.
"Why do you care?" Harry asked "Voldemort…" He noticed how Riddle's eyes narrowed "…came after your time!"
"You dare you say my name?" Riddle whispers. "The name of the greatest sorcerer the world has ever seen"
Harry frowned at the realization: "… you're Voldemort, his past at least… but I am afraid you are mistaken. Currently, the greatest sorcerer is standing on my side of the Chamber... and one day it will be me."
When Harry looked at his Headmaster, Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in pride at Harry's statement. Riddle laughed a humorless cold laugh:
"Dumbledore has been beaten by a mere memory of my former self. By but a fraction of my entire power. You cannot imagine the magic I wield! The unlimited power I possess…"
"Oh, but I can" Harry interrupted Riddle's monologue:
"I fought you last year, you attempted to possess another wizard but ultimately it was still you that I fought. And I beat you Riddle… again if I might add. That's 2:0 Riddle… want to make it 3:0 for me?"
Riddle got enraged by the foolishness of the child, how dare he. Harry however left him no time for further talk about his greatness.
"I have another question, though. Why the made-up name? Why not use your original one?"
Riddle's cold dark eyes pierced Harry as he pulled out what must have been Weasley's wand and began to trace it through the air, writing three shimmering words:
TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE
Then he waved the wand once, and the letters of his name rearranged themselves:
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
"You see?" he whispered.
"It was a name I was already using at Hogwarts, to my most intimate friends only, of course. You think I was going to use my filthy Muggle father's name forever? I, in whose veins runs the blood of Salazar Slytherin himself, through my mother's side?
I, keep the name of a foul, common Muggle, who abandoned me even before I was born, just because he found out his wife was a witch?
No, Potter, I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak, when I had become the greatest sorcerer in the world! But enough chit-chat. Poor Ginny here almost has no life force left and soon I will be truly free.
I am afraid your visit to my ancestor's Chamber comes to an end. Let's see what the great Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter manage against the descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself and his monster!"
He turned around and faced the Stature:
"Speak to me Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four!"