Chapter 25: Death in the ChamberNotes:Here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoy it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Hermione opened the Room of Requirement with a bit of guilt. She had left Tom with the intention of coming back right after the school was opened but after the two months had passed and she finally returned to the school, the Professors had taken the student's absence hard and increased their workload to compensate. Then the whole scandal with Lockhart's affairs and his subsequent death happened. The idea that Lockhart was a rapist never even crossed her mind and she, like everyone else, had defended him at first. He was an established author and hero after all. His death during the court hearing came as quite the shock but the article that soon followed detailing all the authors, witches and wizards that he obliviated and then took credit for all their hard work shattered her perception of the former professor. When she first came to Hogwarts, she had thought of magic as just another tool to use. Sure, she knew there were people who abused magic and everything but it all seemed so distant to her. Even the war she had technically been born during was something most people of the magical community treated almost like it happened a long time ago, with Grindelwald's War being even more distant in people's memories. She knew that Harry had been orphaned by the last war and that Neville's parents were in St. Mungos, something her friend admitted to when he left to see them during Easter Break, but even then she had felt that things like that couldn't happen anymore.
Learning about deadly curses had been surprising to her and the lesson was reinforced when a Senior Auror, Kingsley Shaklebolt, took over the Defence position for the remaining months. He taught them about a few more defensive and offensive spells and actually taught them how to duel properly. Then someone in class, a Hufflepuff called Sally, asked the Auror about the curse that killed Lockhart. He explained that the magic was something called Witchcraft which, unlike the magic studied in school, required several magical ingredients, a lot of now lost incantations and a good understanding of the practice to manage it successfully. The curse had been placed on Lockhart at an unknown time by an unknown person, as there was no way of tracing back how long it was in him, meaning it could have been on him for years. There were no real known Witchcraft practitioners in Wizarding Britain at all that could have been responsible for the curse; the specific ingredients, incantation and delivery method lost to time. It was considered a mostly dead craft, even by the ICW, which made the DMLE and Wizengamot restless, but unable to do anything about it since there was nothing to trace except that it existed at all. What was known was that the curse could only trigger if the person lied after swearing not to and that it turned fatal after lying repeatedly without a shred of remorse or guilt about said lies. Lockhart's solicitor was besieged by many angry witches and wizards after the news of the curses conditions broke out, so many people disgusted that he almost got a serial rapist free of all charges and back into the school. He closed down his business and his license was terminated by the Ministry.
The change in Professors, the heavy course load and the constant concern over the Heir of Slytherin making another attack made Hermione completely forget about Tom until the end of April. She promised herself to visit him and she finally made the time for it as people were forced to skip this year's Easter Break to catch up with the classes. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the book was still in the specific room Tom had set up for the book and started writing in it. She was surprised how mad Tom sounded with his words at first but he eventually settled down and apologized. While five months may have felt like nothing to you, it felt longer to me. I spent decades sealed away, not hearing a word about anything until you came around. The thought crossed my mind that I may be lost once again, this time permanently, and it festered as I waited. My apologies. Hermione wrote back to him. "I am sorry. It just never occurred to me that magical books could think about such things. I tried looking up facts concerning magical books but there wasn't a lot on them, beyond the ones used to conceal the things the owners wrote in them. Though apparently there is a Care of Magical Creatures book that behaves exceedingly like a beast itself." Tom took a second to respond. That is an odd way of enchanting a book, though I can see some educational value to it. Anyways, apology accepted. Now, what has happened while you were away?
Feeling relieved, Hermione told him about the things going on at Hogwarts, covering the story of Lockhart and his death. "There is also word that the Board of Governors is unhappy with the Headmaster about Lockhart and the petrifications. The older students find it odd that the Board is so actively engaged with the school, since they usually allowed Dumbledore to handle the school on his own. They were bothered enough by his response to the Heir that they allowed him to reopen the school only after he agreed to stepping down if he didn't put a stop to the incidents himself. The whole Lockhart scandal has apparently made him even more unpopular, especially with the former Slytherins on the Board." Hermione could see a few ink points appearing on the page, almost as if he was tapping in thought. The situation with his Defence Professor and the chaos of the Heir of Slytherin seems to have eroded his image quite a bit. If what the students say is true, and the man could be fired after another attack, then the school could be closed down by the Board of Governors for a while soon afterwards. Such a shame. Still, nice to hear there are people out there that still practice Witchcraft in Western Europe. I heard the practice was more common in the Eastern edge of the European Continent and in the South American Continent, but that the practitioners kept to themselves. Oh, I almost forgot. I promised you a surprise. Care to see a class of Spell Creation? I had the chance to sit in one for a bit.
After Hermione agreed, the book glowed and her mind was drawn inside. Meanwhile, the diary was closed softly and someone sighed. "That could have gone better. Still, despite the delay, it seems we have much to benefit from. Dumbledore's reputation is damaged and the school could be closed quickly without much effort. What a shame that would be." After storing the Diary in a pocket of the girl's robes, a mirror appeared in the room and Tom looked into it, his eyes taking in the girl's form again. He tries to focus his magic to sense what he might still gain from her if he decided to devour her essence soon. "Not a lot of magic, but more than enough for what I need. I had planned to use her more, maybe twist her mind into a disciple, but the girl is far too academically minded, especially if her studies were justification enough to leave me alone for months because of classes. Keeping her around would be too much effort and require way too many questions that I don't need to be answering." He pulled the girl's wand out and felt how sluggish it was in his hands again as he casted a Tempus spell. "Hmmm, perhaps I should keep her in the memory for a while longer. Depending on how many people the Basilisk petrifies on this night, I might get the school closed down soon. A shame I couldn't gather any more information on Harry Potter, but I doubt the boy was able to actually defeat me himself." He fixed Hermione's tie and skirt and stepped out into the hallway, making his way down the Dungeons. He had a snake to release.
-∞-
Horatio stared at Croaker. "Well?" The Director of the DoM sighed. "The cover up of the aftermath is complete. All the Aurors are clear on what the official statement is, they are aware that Director Bones understands their concerns over the deadly nature of the incident but were warned that the fault on the degree of violence fell on the unplanned and unexpected complications that arose in the mission. The Manor is currently a pile of ash and stone, minus all the paperwork Williamson had in his office. The DMLE has years of paperwork to sort through and a dead Death Eater financier. No one is particularly displeased, except for Scrimgeour. Rufus was always politically minded so that's no surprise since he fears a potential scandal from this." Horatio grunted. "The Minister and Dumbledore?" Croaker tapped his fingers on the desk. "Informed of the revised facts. Amelia shared some of the man's records and the photos of the dead muggles. The Minister, while hesitant, did accept the story and has distanced himself from Williamson and his crowd. Even Lucius has been getting a bit of a cold shoulder of late." Horatio snorted. "The bastard deserves it. He's lucky the arrest in the Illegal Dueling Circuit didn't ruin him. Still, those Malfoy Vaults should be rather short on Galleons by now."
Croker nodded. "Indeed. As for the Chief Warlock, he gave his standard disappointment on the loss of life speech and Williamson's own crimes didn't seem to face him all that much." Horatio stared at Croaker feeling his stomach churn. "Hazel's assessment of her own Dumbledore doesn't seem so distant from the man in this world now. He clearly cares about the magicals that get killed but not the non-magical population. Certainly explains his hesitancy to disapprove of Grindelwald and his war. At least at first. The moment the magical population was targeted, he finally started to take notice and advocate against his old flame." Croaker lowered his papers. "So it seems. At least the Board has taken advantage of the Lockhart fiasco. All future Professors will need the appropriate NEWTs or Masteries to take the job and while Dumbledore may recommend candidates, the Board now has final say on who gets selected and can submit their own candidates for consideration, ignoring the Headmaster. Augusta's handling of the Wizengamot has been a sight to see too. We might get the Judicial Reform proposal finalized before September." Horatio hummed. "Good. So, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Should I slug you or stun you before you try and run away again? It's been three days and I am not dropping my concerns." Saul rubbed his eyes. "Very well. What exactly do you want to change about our arrangement with Operations?"
Horatio leaned forward as he placed his hand on the desk, his eyes staring deep into Saul's. "I have final say on any and all missions for my Operatives from here on. You and your trust in the DMLE almost got my Recruits killed. Sure, they knew the risks going in and accepted the mission, one of them clearly more concerned than the other, but they were there because of your approval. Any missions go through me and are approved on by myself and the Recruits independently of any interference. I won't have Aurors on site guilt tripping them into agreeing into a disaster again." Croaker stared at Horatio before lowering his eyes. He sighed deeply. "You are right. Rufus' proposal was too scant on details and I agreed to their deployment too easily. You know what to ask and what's at stake better than me. I will leave deployment of the Operatives, including DMLE assignments, to you." Horatio sat back down onto his chair. "Good. As for my Recruits, R1 will soon be ready to be upgraded to full Operative status. She handled the crisis well, focused on the main priority, her partner's safety and her own, and has shown the skill set needed. Sure, she is a walking death sentence, but her control has improved, though I still need to curb some of her violent tendencies with regard to her creative interpretations of orders. Andromeda is looking to expand Hazel's healing capacity but she has admitted it may be limited completely. She has attention to detail, magical control and the power to do it but she lacks one aspect the magic needs to work."
Croaker thought about Hazel. "Empathy. She can't feel the need to care well for another unknown person and fails at it because her will and intent don't align with her magic." Horatio nodded. "Indeed. I believe she may advance further with Nymphadora's aid, but she will never get Field Medic certification. Neither will Dora, if Andromeda is correct. She has the empathy but lacks the discipline." Croaker tapped his desk and looked at Horatio. "A third Operative?" Horatio shook his head. "Maybe, but unlikely. Those two have bonded well together and the memories from this last botched mission showed that they are only getting better working as a team. Getting a third person into the mix could be disastrous. We will keep an ear open for potential Field Medics but I won't hold my breath on a third Operative for a while." Croaker nodded. "Ok, so Hazel Peverell could be promoted soon. What of Nymphadora?" Horatio crossed his arms. "That is harder to say. She is much better than when she started but she still has a confidence problem. This last incident could slow her down, though I see her partner dragging her through it safely. I am willing to give her a break to recover from this ordeal and re-evaluating her in a few months. Depending on their situation, however, we could delay both their promotions for a bit longer, just to be on the safe side." Croaker nodded in response. "Very well. I will get the paperwork started and leave their final assessment to you."
As Horatio stood back from the desk, Croaker's Floo Terminal lit up, followed by Amelia's voice. "We have another attack at Hogwarts. Three students petrified, two are Prefects. Dumbledore is being summoned by the Board and we expect Minerva to take over as Interim Headmistress until the matter is settled. Call me when you have a response in place." The green flames died out as Croaker looked to Horatio. "Our Operatives?" Horatio raised an eyebrow. "R1 is partly drained magically though showing decent recovery and R2 is still recovering from the Draught of Living Death's effects on her body. Andromeda is already sharpening her scalpels for you, so I would avoid visiting the Medical Wing until R2 is discharged." Croaker shivered. There were times when he regretted signing up a Black as a Healer, but Andromeda was too good a Healer to pass up. "Ok, so R1 is our only possible response. But why would the Heir attack now? Is he making up for lost time?" Horatio thought for a second. "How widespread was the news of Dumbledore's likely removal from Hogwarts after another attack? Especially after Lockhart's trial?" Croaker frowned for a second before he cursed. "He heard. He wants Dumbledore out of Hogwarts and Lockhart's trial gave him the appropriate backdrop for it to happen quickly. But what does he gain from it? What good does Dumbledore out of the Headmaster's office do to Riddle now?"
Horatio thought back to Hazel's debriefing. "Hazel's Riddle needed a living person to take back physical form. This one must be trying it too, though the timelines don't match up well. While the school is open, he can't settle down and act, but what if he forces the school to close, with Dumbledore kept away from the wards, and takes a victim? He would have months locked within a secure position to devour their soul and magic and integrate themselves into the flesh. By the time the school opened again, Tom Riddle could be alive once more, remade." Croaker nodded. "Ok, that seems the likely target. So, what's our response? We can't leave the school open and the students there as a deterrent. He'd just get more violent with the attacks." Horatio smiled as a thought occurred to him. "Close the school. Today." Croaker looked at him and blinked. "Why?" Horatio sighed. "Get him to panic. Close the school, have the students ready to leave by dinner tonight and have the Potter elf watch the students. Someone will make a break for it and if the bastard is keeping the openings for the Basilisk sealed, expecting another attack, he would go straight for the Chamber's entrance to lock himself away." Croaker eyed his Floo Terminal. "This is going to be a hard sell to Minerva and the Board." Horatio opened the door of the office. "Too bad, that's your job. I have an Operative I need to check on. We are going to need her there to finish this mess."
-∞-
OW May 1993
Hazel stood stunned as she entered what she assumed was the Chamber of Secrets. It had taken way too long for her to get in. She knew the passageway in her Sanctuary had to open up, but for months it seemed to be locked. She hoped it being open now wasn't a bad sign of what she was about to encounter as the last door opened slowly after she asked it to open in Parseltongue. The darkly lit area was sure to be interesting, but Hazel wasn't looking at the architecture or at the still body of Lavender Brown on the floor. What held her attention was what appeared to be a somewhat solid looking Tom Riddle who was passing back and forward, muttering to himself. "Tom?" The boy stilled as he heard his name and turned to her. He smiled at her warmly. "Oh, I suppose I opened the entrances too early. At least it's you here and not Dumbledore. Tell me, did you like my gifts?" Hazel stared at him before the events of the last few months clicked into place. "Wait. The Hufflepuffs and the dead Lockhart. Those were gifts for me?" Tom nodded. "Of course, you told me how they treated you. As a fellow Parselmouth, I had no intention of letting you suffer that disgrace further. As for Lockhart…" Tom had a distant look on his face. "Finding my possessed body getting pulled into a classroom and stripped by the man wasn't all that pleasant. I stunned him and summoned the Basilisk to me. I wonder what bothered Dumbledore more, the fact I killed a rapist in his school or that several young girls probably got their innocence stolen from them under his nose?"
Tom watched as Hazel moved up and checked on Lavender, before Hazel stared at him. "And her? What are you planning for her, Tom? Also, why did you possess her anyways? Weren't you happy staying with me? We had a great time on your birthday." Hazel watched as Tom's face shifted, as if he wasn't entirely sure why he did what he did. "Oh Hazel, I was quite happy. I never lied to you. Though I will be honest and admit I tried to possess you a few times. Yet nothing happened. Even when I pulled your mind into the book, your body remained outside of my influence. It was frustrating at first but I can't deny that I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations." Hazel shook her head. "Then why? Why leave? I could have taken you safely out of the castle." Tom frowned. "And then what? For me to remain inside the book for the rest of my days? My true self may have been happy to abandon me as a mere trinket he made, but I want something more for myself." He smiled. "I want to live again. To start anew." He eyed Hazel. "And I want you by my side. Think of all the interesting things we can uncover as a pair of tongues."
Hazel felt torn. What he offered her was tempting. It was better than everything the wizarding world offered her. But she had felt that way before. She had been betrayed too many times by people saying things that were too good to be true. "Did you consider what I may want out of my life? That I might want to be left alone? What my plans for the future might be?" Tom waved his hand dismissively. "Come now, I can offer you a treasure trove of ancient books, magics lost to time and the pleasure of my continued company. Why would you even need to to think about it?" Hazel stilled. She closed her eyes and wanted to scream. Because he was the same. The bastard was the same as Dumbledore, as Voldemort and as this godforsaken world. They all had plans for her but no one cared what she wanted. She was just a tool to them! She clenched her fists as she opened her eyes. "I met a man who seemed a lot like you before. He made similar promises and requests of me. He went by a weird name. Voldemort." Tom blinked at her. "Oh, my other self is still alive? Well, that's interesting. I suppose I am going to have to find him and deal with him. Can't have two of us running around carrying out our own plans. That would probably end badly. Not to mention it could get quite confusing. Anyways, please wait one moment while I make sure the school stays closed. You're welcome to spend the next few months with me here."
Tom turned around and spoke in Parseltongue towards the massive carved face on the wall as Hazel knelt down to the girl. Was it worth it? Having another Voldemort in the world? She remembered what Quirrell was like and looked at Tom. They were the same. They didn't care about anyone but themselves. If he got a body again, he would be just another person trying to use her. Sure she could learn much under him but she would probably become just a plaything to him. He probably wouldn't think twice to dispose of her, just as he planned to dispose of his other self. How the hell is it that the two people she ends up liking the most are not only the same person, but both of them view her exactly the same? Was she cursed? Shaking those thoughts away, Hazel pulled the Diary from under the girl's body and held it gently, feeling the magic from within its pages. Tom turned around as he sensed a shift in the magic of the book. "What are you doing with that?" Hazel looked at him, her eyes beginning to shed tears. "I really liked you, you know? I thought we could have helped each other. But I am just another tool for you to use. Everything you did, you may have been inspired by me, but it was never about what I wanted or needed. Sorry Tom, but I refuse to be just another puppet to be casted aside when you have no further use for me."
Hazel watched as Tom rushed to her, but it was too late. " Ignis Obscuras ." The black flames jumped from her fingers and latched onto the book and devoured it hungrily as Hazel watched Tom become enveloped by the same black flames, his voice filling ears with an unearthly scream. "Bye Tom." Hazel looked down as she felt the book turn to ash before she looked up again at where Tom had been. She cursed under her breath as a huge snake licked where Tom had once been before its head looked towards her. She remembered Hermione saying that the creature was probably a Basilisk and averted her gaze as she ran for the nearest bit of cover, the sound of sloshing water letting her know the creature was right behind her. "Shit, shit, shit, shit!" Hazel dove when she felt the ground shift, the Basilisk head just barely missing her as it struck the ground where she had just been. She ran from cover to cover, spying on the creature's large body before moving again. "Dumbledore, if you or one of your spies is watching, a bit of help would be appreciated!" Her prayer was partly answered when she heard the song of the damned phoenix echo in the room. She did, however, scream internally as the only thing the bird dropped for her was the Sorting Hat.
Placing the Hat over her head, Hazel barely slid into one of the Basilisk's tunnels, as the massive snake's head struck the outer wall. Please tell me you have a plan to survive a Basilisk! The Hat hummed quietly. I see you still don't fit in well with any of the Houses. How distressing. Hazel wanted to just drop him down one of the passageways right then. You are not here for a Sorting! There is a Basilisk trying to kill me for ending it's master's life! The hat chuckled. It chuckled! She bit her tongue trying not to give away her position as she fled from tunnel to tunnel, the giant snake causing the stone to shake around her as it followed close behind. True, but I am the Founders' mouthpiece. I was here when Salazar bred Meret. Have you tried talking to her? Hazel sighed in exasperation. Sure! Hey big snake, I know I just killed your master. Care for a chat? You know, after you stop saying, "kill, rip, tear, devour" over and over again. Are you bloody mental? The Hat sighed at her mental tirade. Well, you certainly don't fit well anywhere but you are just stubborn enough to match Godric on his worst days. Do try and avoid drinking like he did. Here. Hazel felt an object smack her in the head, hard. "Ow!" She lifted the rim of the hat and stared at the sword she drew out. A very small sword. You know, if it weren't considered a sacrilege or that my kids, if I somehow have any at all, would be mad at me, I think I would burn you just like I burned Tom. The hat laughed in her mind. Trust me, dear. You wouldn't be the first to try. Though if your memory is any indication, you just might be the first to manage it.
Hazel wanted to respond when her latest turn landed her in a far more inclined tunnel than the rest, where she was forced to slide down in the barely lit passageway. She landed straight into the pool of water within the Chamber, the hat slipping from her head in the water. Gasping for breath, she lifted herself over the edge and tried to move as she felt the Basilisk splash down into the water behind her. The snake lunged at her, but Hazel slipped on the wet ground after taking a few steps away from the edge of the pool, falling onto her back and being spun around as she tried to get up. The creature's maw and belly slipped past her, just a few inches above her body. Hazel, in desperation, thrusted the sword into the creature's underside. She held on for dear life as it tried to pull away from her, the sword tearing an even bigger gash in the soft hide as the creature screamed in agony. Hazel closed her eyes as soon as the maws of the beast appeared in her vision and she pulled her sword back. Her eyes flew open and she screamed in pain when she felt several fangs pierce her body as the creature picked her up into its mouth, before it started shaking her around.
Not wanting to become a Basilisk's last meal, Hazel desperately jabbed the inside of the creature's mouth with the sword until the beast opened its mouth and she was unceremoniously dropped onto the floor, her body wracked with pain from the impact. Hazel heard the Basilisk give a final death rattle before it's head slammed into the ground beside her. After waiting a second to make sure it was dead, Hazel tried to stand up but her body felt almost numb, her skin a mix of burning fever and cold clamminess. She started coughing heavily, blood leaking from her mouth, as Fawkes landed beside her. She looked at Dumbledore's bird and gave him a bitter smile. "Sorry Birdie, but your master will have to find another saviour. Take care of Hedwig for me, would you?" Soon enough, she lost all strength in her extremities and she laid back down fully, her head hitting the wet ground harder than she would have liked. Hazel felt her eyes grow heavy as her limbs stopped responding to her at all, a bitter coldness settling in. She smirked as she thought that maybe dying down here wasn't so bad. Maybe she would finally get some peace. She closed her eyes, a smile spreading gently on her face, before drops of piercing heat suddenly started landing into her open wounds. She screamed again, louder and louder, as Fawkes kept crying onto her. Her screams of raw agony filled the ancient Chamber for many hours to come as Hazel begged the bird to just let her die.
-∞-
NW April 1993
Harry followed the trail of Hermione's footsteps on the map as he rushed down hallways within the Castle. His best friend had been acting weird ever since yesterday night. When the announcement came of Dumbledore being summoned by the Board in the morning after another attack that saw Percy Weasley, Penelope Clearwater and a girl from Ravenclaw petrified, she had looked strangely giddy at the news, as if she was happy Dumbledore was going to be sacked. When McGonagall said at lunch that the school would be closing and that all students were to prepare to leave after the Dinner Feast, Hermione suddenly looked panicked. She brushed him off saying she simply didn't know what she would do as she lived with muggle parents, but Harry could tell it wasn't the whole truth. He kept his eye on her until she vanished around a corridor near Gryffindor Tower as McGonagall brought them up to pack. After informing his Head of House, McGonagall searched frantically for her as well, but Hermione was just gone. The Professor vanished into her office to call the Aurors when Fred and George pulled him aside. "Hermione is rushing down hidden passageways, probably heading for the Dungeons. Take this and see if you can catch up to her. We'll tell McGonagall where you are heading towards when she returns."
Rushing desperately through more and more hidden corridors, Harry kept his eyes on Hermione's name on the Twins' map. He grew frantic when her name suddenly vanished off the map right nearby where the Slytherin Common Rooms were marked. He rushed as fast as he could until he barely caught a glimpse of a stone wall moving into place, before becoming flush with the rest of the wall. He slammed into it and looked desperately for a way to open the wall back up again. "The Great Harry Potter should go no further. Bad snake hiding behind the wall." Harry turned around and saw a familiar looking elf. "Dobby?" During the Summer, Dobby had intercepted his mail and tried to tell him to not return to Hogwarts. The elf appeared again on Christmas at the Dursleys, dropping off a picnic basket full of Christmas desserts for him with a note saying that he was now working for the people keeping Harry safe. He had caught a few glimpses of the elf since, but this was the first time he responded to him since Christmas. The house elf nodded. "The Great Harry Potter should wait here. Scary Mistress will be along to help." Dobby popped away as Harry tried to control his breathing. He was really glad Neville had been pushing him to run for longer periods of time, or he would have missed where the door was. Dobby popped back, with a familiar looking Auror holding his hand. She was also holding her stomach. "Dobby, reminder to not do that with me again without warning. I don't think elf magic and mine mix all that well." Dobby nodded as Hazel's eyes locked with Harry's, the familiar shade of green making him pause for a moment. "So, this is the wall?"
Harry pulled away from it as Hazel pressed her hand against it. "Yeah, Hermione had been acting weird today before the announcements about the school closing came up. She vanished as soon as we were close to Gryffindor Tower." Hazel hummed to herself before Harry heard her say "Open" . He blinked. "Wait, you're a Parselmouth too?" Hazel nodded. "Speaker yes, but not a caster. Never did find any books on the subject back home. Sadly, good old Tom here is a paranoid bastard. It's locked." He watched a wand snap into her left hand. "Though fortunately for us, the full castle wards aren't up on this wall just yet. Get back and cover your ears." He took several steps back as Hazel aimed her wand at the door. " Perrumpo Expugnatio! " Even with his ears covered, he felt and heard the impact of her magic into the wall as a cloud of dust and pebbles rained down onto him. He watched as the cloud vanished at the wave of her wand, revealing an open passageway that seemed to suddenly stop. "Dobby, fetch Harry's Invisibility Cloak." The elf popped away as Hazel casted a few spells into the passageway before she sighed in relief. "No traps. Guess they never expected someone to breach the stonewall and the wards." She took the cloak that Dobby handed to her and wrapped it around Harry, looking him in the eye. "Stay here and under Cloak. Don't trust anyone except for me, Andromeda or Madam Bones. She's a scary redhead that looks a lot like an older Susan Bones. Stay here and be safe."
Hazel turned to the opening and descended quickly. She knew her siege spell would have been heard by both the Basilisk and Tom. She had to hurry. Finding her comm not working because of the heavy wards and the thick walls of stone, Hazel lifted her hand up and summoned her Patronus into it. A small ball of light took the form of a small, skeletal dragon. "Dungeon Level, near Snake Pit. Big hole in the wall. I'll send another once everything is cleared." The little dragon took off towards Horatio as Hazel found the second door to the Chamber proper. It was locked as well, but unlike the wall, this one had no connection to the Castle's primary wards. Hazel pulled her Cloak over herself before she blasted the locked door into smithereens with another siege engine spell, sending a cloud of dust into the dimly lit room. "Do you have no respect for a Founder's Legacy!?" Hazel casted a spell on her voice that would make it echo across the chamber, hiding her location. "Sure, but I am not the first to desecrate Salazar's noble beast and neither are you, Tom Riddle." Hazel watched as the sixteen year old apparition waved a wand around, clearing the air around him, the Basilisk towering behind him. She also noticed Hermione Granger laying on the ground next to them. She focused her eyes on the creature. " Does the Gaunt Heir follow in his forefathers' footsteps or in Salazar's, Meret?" Hazel watched as the creature reared its head, looking around. " Who?! How?! My name gifted to me by my massster! Where did you hear it, Ssspeaker!" Hazel hummed, glad their worlds were close enough to match that fact down as true. "I read it from Sssalazar's notesss. I know why he raisssed you. You are no killer of children, Meret."
Tom hollered, sending curses flying everywhere but missing Hazel entirely. "Silence! I am Salazar Slytherin's Heir. I am the master of the Chamber. The Basilisk and its purpose are mine!" Hazel eyed the snake, seeing the weight of her master's words trying to settle onto her. " You were born to protect Sssalazar's nessst and the nessst of hisss ssstudents from thossse that sssought to harm the nessstlings. Two leggersss who dared to condemn the gift of magic asss blasssphemy. You, named after a Goddessss from the endlessss sssea of sssand, were meant asss thisss Sssanctuary's final guardian. No two leggersss could sssurvive your gaze, the ssstudents would find sssafety behind your ferocity. You are no killer, Meret! You are a Guardian. Do not anssswer to the Gaunt'sss Heir. Essspecially not thisss fragment of hisss." Tom reared up in surprise when he heard that. "You know! I will end you now, traitor of our blood. Basilisk, I forbid you to listen further. Find them and kill them!" Hazel watched as the Basilisk shuddered, fighting the orders as she reached the still form of Hermione. She dug into the girl's robes and pulled out the Diary, feeling it's familiar magic. Hazel smiled to herself. " I know you quite well, Tom. I know your fearsss and your ambitionsss. I alssso know jussst how far you are willing to go to achieve them. Don't worry, fragment. I will sssend the ressst of you to hell sssoon enough. Ignis Obscuras."
Hazel felt her memory resurface as she watched Tom die to her flames one more time. She bit her lip, forcing the feelings she had about her Tom down. This fragment wasn't hers and didn't deserve the pity she once felt as a child. She turned to the Basilisk as soon as the apparition was gone for good, seeing it's movements being more fluid now. " Will you ssshield your gaze for me?" The creature nodded and Hazel removed her Cloak. The Basilisk looked at her closely, it's forked tongue tasting the air around Hazel. "I sssmell… my kin. How?" Hazel reached out and touched the Basilisk gently on the snout. " Once, in my youth, I too faced another of your kin. I besssted her but sssuffered greatly from the venom within itsss fangsss. A ssstubborn phoenix denied me a fitting end, for ssslaying a beassst driven mad by age, compulsssions and violence. " Basilisk looked into her eyes, it's deadly gaze averted by thin, almost transparent membranes. " Would you honor me with the sssame fate?" Hazel's hand stilled. " Why?" The Basilisk turned towards the still living body of Hermione. Hazel also frowned as she saw Harry, under cloak, checking on the girl. Bloody Gryffindors. " I wasss born to protect the hatchlingsss, yet I have harmed them. Another of the True Ssspeakers may compel me to harm them again. I do not wisssh to betray my father'sss wissshes again." Hazel sighed and pressed her head against the Basilisk's. " Are you certain of thisss, Meret?"
Meret's tongue licked her softly across her neck. " Yesss. Aid me asss you aided another, Ssspeaker. Free me from the burden of a life lived againssst my wissshes." Hazel breathed deeply as ran her hand down the Basilisk's scales. " I ssswear to you, Meretseger. Your fangsss, your venom and your ssscales will ssserve your father'sss purpossse for you. Hogwartsss will be sssafe for hatchlingsss like my own to learn and grow with the great gift. " The Basilisk closed its eyes. " My gratitude, ssspeaker. May your ssstrength never waver in the protection of your hatchlingsss. " Hazel looked deep within herself, searching for that one small piece of her capable of granting Meret a fitting end. Her Godmother's face flashed before her eyes, Hazel taking in her beautiful brown curls and those dark grey eyes from her memories. Her voice echoed in Hazel's mind and her heart. "Death isn't the worst fate you can inflict onto another. It can be mercy. An act of love. When the alternative lies between a prolonged torment or a swift end, remember this, my dearest sapling. Look deep within yourself, find the person you love dearly and find the courage to send them on their way. Let the last thing your heart knows be the love you have for another as you cast the spell that has been twisted and warped by hate."
Taking a deep breath, Hazel brought her fingers to a seam in the Basilisk's scales. "Fair night to you, Meret. May your father welcome you in Anwn, beloved daughter and Guardian of Hogwartsss ." Her Godmother's smiling face flashed one last time in her mind and Hazel whispered the incantation. " Avada … Kedavra. " A brief flash of cyan light lit up the room as Hazel felt the Basilisk's body relax and grow slack. The head hit the ground with a soft thud as a single tear escaped Hazel's eye. She brushed it away as she went to Harry, who stared at her. He looked a lot more surprised when she pulled the Cloak from his body. "Sorry kid, but I am the one of a few this cloak cannot hide you from." She knelt down and checked on Hermione, as Harry looked from Hazel to the snake. "That was Salazar's monster?" Hazel pulled the unconscious body of Hermione into her arms, burying any lingering feeling of hate that resided in her towards the girl. This wasn't the person who betrayed her. Hopefully, she would never become that person again. "No Harry. That was Salazar's final contribution to the castle's defences. A guardian meant to protect the children from muggle religious zealots. The Gaunts, the forebears of Lord Voldemort, twisted and warped Meret and her father's legacy to one of prejudice and hate. Her name was Meretseger, named after a goddess of Egypt. A protector of the great works of the ancient crafters." Harry followed Hazel as she headed back towards the entrance. "Binns hasn't covered that in History." Hazel chuckled. "No, I don't suppose he has."
Notes:So, how was it? Let's be honest, while the whole sword out of a hat was interesting, there is no bloody way a person wouldn't be disappointed in getting that when facing a thousand year old Basilisk. Also, no one who doesn't take fencing or swordfighting classes will know how to use it properly. Hence why Hazel used it sparingly and only in attacks of oppertunity. Phoenixes are great and all but to those who crave death, they are symbols of eternal suffering. This chapter was one of my favorites to write posted so far. Hope you all liked it.
Next Chapter?: The Fallout
Started Chapter 61, though only two scenes in, though more outlines were filled in. Had a bit of a rough few days so I treated myself to some tv. At least I finished Castlevania the series, as well as Godzilla Singular Point. Soon you guys will be starting Year 3, the one I was waiting for. Hope you all look forward for what's to come.
Leave a comment, discuss and see you all in three days.
Chapter 26: The Burden of Another's SoulNotes:Here is the next chapter. Hope you like it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Hazel lowered Hermione's body onto the nearest medical bed of the Hospital Wing as Madam Pomfrey came over to check on the child. "What happened?" Hazel eyed the matron. "Contact with a cursed object, likely possession over a period of twelve hours, maybe longer. Possible compulsion charms and other forms of Mind Magics." Pomfrey sighed as she started scanning. "I am not certified for Mind Magic maladies. The best I can do is diagnose her." Hazel stood up and summoned her patronus into her hand again. " All clear. Possession victim in Hospital Wing, send Healer expert in Mental and Soul Magics. Prepare a retrieval team for Xtimes5 carcass and summon DMLE1 to arrive first. I will try to get access through the Floo network. Standby." Pomfrey froze. "Soul Magic?" Hazel allowed her dragon patronus to take flight before she looked over at the girl. "The cursed object had signs of Soul Magic and carried out a partial possession over her. The damage can depend for how long she was in possession of it and how long the object affected her." Harry chimed in. "She's had it since September 19. She got it as a birthday present from Ginny Weasley." Hazel turned to him, making him feel a little uncomfortable under the scrutiny of her green eyes. "That object wasn't bought in a store and I doubt Mr. Weasley has cursed objects like that lying around in his home. We are also going to have a word about following instructions. The Cloak keeps you effectively safe from humans, not creatures. At least not until you realize just how they can perceive the world differently than you. Got that?" Harry lowered his eyes and nodded.
The sudden opening of the Hospital Wing's doors drew Hazel's attention and on seeing the arrivals, she made sure to switch her eye color to blue. "Surprised to see you here, Chief Warlock. The Board hasn't reconvened yet." The old man looked at her with curiosity. "I don't believe we've met, Auror." Hazel gave him a toothy smile. "We haven't and it's Hit Witch. Sorry, but my name is currently not available to you. I am, however, going to have to ask you to leave. The Castle is an active crime scene until the Head of the DMLE signs off on it and you have no reason to be within its walls currently." He stared at her. "Young lady, while I have been removed, it is only a temporary measure. I have a right to check in on the wellbeing of my students." Hazel resisted the urge to draw either of her wands. The Elder Wand would be a dead giveaway to him that something was off and the Holly Wand right now might be too familiar to him if he spent any time with Olivander checking for Voldemort's brother wand. Instead she waved her hand and banished him out the doors before sealing them with a charm ward. She turned back to three people looking at her with surprise. "What? He was notified that he wasn't welcomed here. I won't have him impede our investigation. Now, Headmistress. As a bit of warning, you might want to be careful how much support you provide your old boss and mentor. You have had the position for a day and granting him entry violates his removal."
McGongall clenched her jaw. "I understand that, Auror, but the man is among the most knowledgeable wizards in the country. He could be of help with the girl." Hazel chuckled. "I'll be sure to tell the experts that when they arrive." Hazel eyed the Hospital Wing's office door and turned to Madam Pomfrey who was writing her diagnostics down. "Mind if I use the Floo?" Pomfrey eyed her carefully. "It's warded to my magical signature. Only the Headmaster can change that." Hazel nodded. "Right then." She poked the Healer with a needle, eliciting a soft yelp from her and left towards the door. She spied Harry looking at her and held a finger to her lips. "Never try that yourself. I am a bit of an expert and as you can see, I can deal with most people who decide to be… difficult." She winked at him and stepped into the office as Pomfrey rubbed her hand over the site of the jab. "She… oh! Of course she wouldn't give her name." She looked at Minerva. "Don't say a word about that to Albus. I can't begin to guess how much trouble he would cause her and she to him. As a Hit Witch she is sure to have permission, but the Blood Magic she practices isn't a pleasant one in the eyes of others." Minerva sighed before looking at Hermione. "How is she?" Pomfrey casted another diagnostic spell. "Magically drained severely, but not to a deadly degree, signs of Compulsion Charms that became partially unravelled. The witch mentioned another layer of potential damage, but I don't know how to check for it."
The door to the office opened and Andromeda Tonks rushed forward to the bed, her healer's kit in hand. "Poppy, Minerva. Is this the girl Hazel told me about?" Pomfrey looked over Andromeda's shoulder and spotted Amelia stepping out with the Auror she assumed was called Hazel. "She is. Her assessment is distressing. Are you…?" Andromeda placed her Healer's kit down and drew her wand. "Certified for Mind and the other magic she mentioned? Yes. The latter I got recently. If you excuse me." Amelia signalled McGonagall over and the Interim Headmistress stepped up to her. "When you told me there was a plan to end the threat quickly, I was expecting in a week, not within the day of my announcement." Amelia gave her a smile. "Sorry about that, Minerva, but we had to move quickly. Now, my Hit Witch here tells me the entrance is in the Dungeons, opened but warded and concealed by her. I can assume Albus will be pressuring the Board to be reinstated soon. Can you grant access to a certain group of people to secure the scene and retrieve any dangerous artefacts before the Chief Warlock gets his position as Headmaster back?"
Minerva eyed Hazel who seemed to be moving one of her hands oddly. "Are you alright?" Hazel chuckled. "Peachy. Just cycling wards on the door as the former Headmaster keeps trying to unlock it. He's getting quite frustrated. It's actually quite fun." Amelia pinched the bridge of her nose. "She isn't fond of the Headmaster and, right now, neither am I. An answer would be most welcomed before she goes for the direct approach and I get to file a few new stacks of documents concerning the Chief Warlock's wellbeing. Well?" Minerva looked between the two before turning to her student lying on the bed. She frowned sadly and nodded her head. "Do it. I'll cordon off the area and you can place your wards. Get it cleared out quickly. Albus won't wait long at all." Amelia nodded and tapped Hazel's shoulder. "The Floo?" Hazel waved her towards it. "Opened completely until I or Pomfrey relock it. Call our people in and send Alastor to the front door. That should get the old goat's attention." Amelia nodded and left for the office as Minerva looked closely at Hazel. "Were you one of mine?" Hazel bared her teeth at her. "Yes and no. I look very different from the last time I walked these halls as a student. As you can guess, I am not willing to give my old or new identities away. Not just yet." Minerva closed her eyes. "Are you the one Amelia mentioned? The one who hated me?"
Hazel sighed and looked towards the two Gryffindors as Harry watched Andromeda work on Hermione. "I used to hate you. Lately you have been doing better, or so I hear, but clearly not enough. You still depend too much on the old man." Minerva looked at her closely. "We owe a lot to him." Hazel blinked at her. "You owe your students more, especially him." Hazel gestured with her head to Harry. "Two of your students were dragged into the war, were forced to go into hiding and gave their lives for the boy. Have you sat down with him for tea? Told him about the stunts James pulled to catch Lily's eye even as all he did was piss her off more? Or how despite all of that, Lily still would laugh at his antics in private, especially after James matured in his later years? The boy lost everything and you, the woman Lily considered as a possible godmother to him, did nothing to give him something back in return for what he lost. Tell me, Minerva, how much more do you think you need to do to be a proper Head of a Hogwarts House, let alone a pseudo family member, to a boy who lost everything as a one year old?" Minerva lowered her eyes. "Not nearly enough, it seems." Hazel nodded. "I hope that by September you do better. If my son, who will be entering the school then, ends up in your house by a stroke of luck and you fail him, disappointing your mentor will be the least of your concerns." Minerva watched a line of Unspeakables, covered head to toe in their cloaks, walked out from the office and headed straight for the Hospital Wing doors. Hazel dropped her hands. "Now if you excuse, I have a few spooks to send towards the Chamber of Secrets. Good evening to you, Headmistress."
Deciding to let the Unspeakables handle Dumbledore first after she gave them the directions to the warded wall, Hazel went to sit down by Harry. He lowered his head. "I… am sorry I didn't listen to you. It's just… if she had that book for so long, if she was behind the whole Heir of Slytherin mess…" Hazel sighed, shifting her eye color to green for him. "Harry, what exactly would you have done? You saw the Basilisk. It refused to respond to me completely until the book was destroyed. It could never have responded at all. A thousand years is a long time to be alone, buried under the castle." Harry shivered at the thought. " I just wanted to help." Hazel lifted up his chin and looked him in the eyes. "And you did. You went after her and pointed me at the right wall to break down. She is alive as much because of you as because of me. The watchful eye of a guard can save a thousand lives, before even the first soldier raises his weapon." Harry stared at her, seeing the truth in her eyes. He nodded. "What happens now?" Hazel lowered her hand and looked towards Hermione. "Her family will be notified, the people petrified will be restored and the students will go back to classes, while the victims recover." Harry turned to his friend. "I wish I could have spotted it sooner." Hazel looked at Harry from the corner of her eye. "If you did, any number of things might have happened. You could have been killed. The girl could have been dragged down earlier and her very life essence stolen from her. As much as we might want to end things quickly, sometimes you have to let events play out so far. For everyone's sake."
Getting a tentative promise from him to be careful, because she knew that was the best she was going to get from him, Hazel stood up and walked up to Andromeda. "It's a bit early to tell, but it seems her mind was locked up. I got through to her but I am keeping her asleep for now." Hazel nodded. "Probably for the best." She eyed Andromeda. "Make sure she has no other compulsion charms or potions in her from … other sources." Andromeda nodded. "I will handle her continued medical attention. The damage to her mind doesn't seem excessive but she has to be devastated by this." Hazel thought back to her own days with Tom. "She will be. Tom is very good at integrating himself with people. Make them dependent on him. She will feel betrayed and lost. Also, please tell me you can inform her parents. Dumbledore will try to bury this, them being muggles and all." Andromeda smiled at Hazel. "Trust me, they will be informed. Unlike Pomfrey, I have no restrictions beyond those you are aware of. Now go. It looked to me like Dumbledore was making his way to his office to summon the Board. Get that Chamber cleared out and sealed up tight before he gets his position back." Hazel chuckled. "Yes ma'am." Hazel left the Hospital Wing and found the Unspeakables dismantling her ward. It gave her some pride that it managed to survive their concentrated efforts as long as it did. Leading them in, the hooded figures got to work, as Hazel eyed the walls. Time to see if this Salazar was as careful about his legacy as hers was.
-∞-
Croaker eyed the two witches at the table. "Well, I will get started. The Department of Mysteries, despite Dumbledore's protests, removed the carcass of the Basilisk from the school and is in the process of rendering it down safely. The scales and hide will be preserved and studied to see if they can be adjusted beyond what typical dragonhide gear can manage. The blood, eyes and venom have been stored for further study and the fangs are being worked on as potential tools or weapons. The organs are being studied as well, but the meat proper has been divided. Some of it has been sold to the Goblins, who were quite displeased about not getting the full supply, but they paid well for it. The rest is being traded to the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest." Augusta looked at him oddly. "Why trade with them?" Croaker chuckled. "Hazel initially gave her original Basilisk's meat to the Centaurs due to limited resources and fear that her world's version of Dumbledore would try and appropriate her earnings. The Centaurs took the gesture well and made sure to keep her safe at all times in the forest. Hazel is currently negotiating with them for a similar arrangement and in hopes of further cooperation in the future. Despite the Acromantula colony within, the forest is mostly Centaur territory and securing it will be important for the safety of the school."
Amelia smiled as she drank from her tea. "That's good to hear. The DMLE and the DRCMC have always had trouble with the Centaurs on the Hogwarts grounds. Having friendlier relations with them will come in handy in the future, especially as Crouch and Dumbledore are already making their request for the reinstatement of the Triwizard Tournament." Croaker winced. Hazel would not be happy about that last part. She hardly spoke of her time as a champion beyond the fact she killed the dragon she was tasked with, the only Champion to do so. "Amelia, do me a favor and warn me if Crouch starts looking for Dragons for his Tournament." Amelia eyed him, having a good idea as to why the specific nature of that request. "I will. Anything else of note from the Chamber?" Croaker lifted up his report. "Hazel uncovered Salazar Slytherin's repository and we retrieved all the books and scrolls in there. We intend to return them to the school, once they have been evaluated. No point in submitting a book back to Hogwarts, only for it to be locked away to never be seen again. So far some of it matches the ones Hazel hand copied and brought over with her, with a few interesting exceptions. Helga was apparently quite the Animal Tamer and Salazar had a copy of her efforts to tame various creatures. She was also looking for a way to learn Parseltongue or receive the gift herself, but there were no further notes on that."
Augusta chuckled as Amelia choked on her tea. "Well, the DoM certainly came out well from the situation." She turned to Amelia, who was cleaning her face with a napkin. "What of the DMLE and the Ministry?" Amelia lowered her hand from her face. "The Aurors have cordoned the Chamber off for now. We are waiting for DoM cartographers and map makers to come in and document the tunnels, pipes and passageways that are tied to the Chamber. Our Curse Breakers aren't sure if they can disable any of the Parseltongue wards in place without a Parselmagic practitioner around, especially since most seemed to be actively tied to the Hogwarts wards. This leaves the main entrance as the only access point. We will bring this up with the DoM to figure out whether we seal the entrance or have it accessible to a select few." Croaker tapped his chin. "Keeping it sealed will be the best for now, with the DoM maintaining control of who can access it. Perhaps once we have the texts verified and translated, we could potentially open it to the school to showcase a Founder's legacy but until then it's best to leave the Chamber alone. Any idea on potential charges being filed?"
Amelia sighed and checked her papers. "We applied the Restorative Draught you provided to the victims and most confirmed Hermione Granger was the only person they saw before they were petrified. However, the clear evidence of possession and light compulsion charms makes any potential charges against her mute, which they ought to be. The question we have left is the matter of Lucius Malfoy. When Hazel questioned Ginerva Weasley, the girl mentioned she had thought the book was a present from her mother but after verifying with Molly Weasley, the girl only remembers having the diary appear among her books after they were looked at by Lucius Malfoy. Harry confirmed the incident, as did a few other witnesses and he mentioned he thought he saw a new book being added by Lucius but wasn't sure what it meant or if he saw correctly. Hazel's elf, Dobby, confirmed the book was in his former Master's possession." Augusta drank from her tea. "I get the feeling we won't manage to charge Lucius with much?" Amelia shook her head. "Possession of a cursed item, perhaps. Fudge, despite the recent tensions, will delay the process in the Wizengamot for sure or dismiss it. I mentioned it to Julia, who will be addressing it to the Board. Though with the judicial reform coming up, Lucius might push for a trial earlier, before he gets caught by the new rules coming into play. He might not see Azkaban for this, but the incident will diminish his standing further among the Wizengamot."
Saul chuckled. "Worthless evidence in the current court, but plenty of value in removing him from his position on the Board. Lady Greengrass must be quite pleased with that. We have a bit more on Lucius currently, thanks to his elf, but our Legal Division has suggested we wait for a more appropriate time before revealing all of our evidence, with any charges being brought up after the reforms are approved by the Wizengamot. So, Augusta, anything else from the Wizengamot about the issue?" Augusta nodded. "Sure. You want to submit your Operative to an Order of Merlin award?" Croaker shuddered. "I have nightmares about the potential danger she brings to the Wizengamot alone as a guard. Thank you for those, Amelia. No, I am not placing her in the spotlight surrounded by the very people she has on her shit list." Augusta smiled. "Then not really. A few might request a report on the findings of the investigation, but your Department isn't required to answer in a speedy manner. The only thing I expect is the Chief Warlock trying to find out the name of the Auror that banished him from the Hospital Wing." Croaker shook his head. "He can ask all he wants. We are keeping her identity secret until the boy's Sorting on the first of September. Until then, he can enjoy being denied by the Ministry. Might do him some good to know he isn't all powerful." Amelia stood up. "Well, if you excuse me, I need to go verify a few things before dinner with Julia. I imagine she will have a lot to share concerning the Board's decisions."
-∞-
"I protest! Those accusations are nothing but slander." Julia raised an eyebrow at Lucius' outburst. "Really? Care to submit your memories of the event? We have the memories of several people who confirm your actions in the bookstore and the placement of the cursed object that was destroyed in the cauldron of a young girl. Care to submit your own to refute their claims?" Lucius huffed. "I have no need to do such a thing." Julia nodded. "You do not, but the law is changing since the last time you were accused of a crime, Lucius. Just because you refuse to provide evidence of your innocence doesn't mean you are free from being charged through the verified memories of another. The Minister may keep your case from being seen in court fully but the evidence has been provided to us by the DMLE, as this was an action that threatened the life of a student. It's sufficient grounds for dismissing you of your position and seat on this Board." Lucius stood up. "You do not have that authority." Elphias Doge spoke up. "But we as a whole do and I agree with Lady Greengrass. There is sufficient evidence for us to make our own decision, regardless of whether this case finds its way to the Wizengamot Court. I vote for Lucius Malfoy's eviction from the Hogwarts Board of Governors."
Julia sat down. "I second it." Doge nodded. "All those in favor?" Julia smiled as all but Lucius raised their hands. Doge pressed on. "By unanimous decision, you, Lucius Malfoy, are hereby removed from the Board of Governors of Hogwarts Castle. Please leave the Castle grounds." Lucius stood up and glared at them all before leaving the room at a brisk pace. Doge sagged in his chair. "Good bloody riddance. I couldn't stand that man." The room chuckled and Julia stood up. "As the Board now holds an empty seat, I vote to leave the selection of the next chairman until said seat is filled and we focus instead on Board member nominations. Preferably someone that won't make Lord Doge here want to curse them in every session." Doge smiled at her. "I second the motion, though I believe you should take the position as Interim Chairwoman for now, Lady Greengrass." Julia had to forcibly close her jaw as the rest of the Board agreed. She never expected to be chosen. Doge was clearly the favorite for the position. "I am honored, Governors. I suppose we should get started on the next pressing matter." The Board summoned Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall to the meeting.
Seeing the expecting look on Dumbledore made her want to glare at the man, but Julia kept her face impassive. Her daughter took after her, not her dead husband, for a reason. "Firstly, the Board wishes to thank Professor McGonagall for her expedient acceptance of a DMLE proposal to solve the situation within Hogwarts quickly and decisively. The matter was taken seriously and her expediency ensured the safety of the student body of Hogwarts in its entirety." The members applauded as Minerva blushed under the praise. Julia read from Amelia's report. "The DMLE will maintain the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets sealed separately from the rest of the school's wards as the connected tunnels are mapped and explored. Curse Breakers have confirmed they are sealed with the aid of the Hogwarts wards, but until we can summon a Wardmaster to the school, that matter will be set aside for now." Julia noticed Dumbledore looked relieved. She would have to see if they could commission a Wardmaster soon. "This leaves us with the matter of the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts. While Lucius Malfoy, who has been dismissed from this body, made the proposal, I am hesitant to give any support for the reinstatement of Albus Dumbledore to his previous position."
Lord Doge looked at her with interest. Julia knew the man was a supporter of Dumbledore and a former member of his Order. She was certain her objection would fail but the pensive look on everyone was good to see. The Board could potentially be swayed in time. Dumbledore, however, was not pleased. "On what grounds?" Julia leaned forward. "The actions against the student body were analysed by the DMLE. The last massive attack took place after news of your agreement with the Board was leaked to the students. The perpetrator acted with the intention of harming your position, Dumbledore. I am concerned they won't be the last to target the school simply because you are employed there. While you were hired as a Master of Transfiguration, you remained at the school during your participation in Grindlewald's War and were even awarded several political positions for said participation. Who is to say the next person won't seek to attack the school and it's students for your policies and behaviour on the Wizengamot or on the ICW Assembly? You are by your presence alone a danger to the school." Dumbledore stared at her. "By that logic, Harry Potter himself is a danger to the school. Would you ask him to abandon his education for the safety of the other students, Lady Greengrass?"
Julia shook her head. "Not at all. He is a student and the Charter is clear that all students who conform to the rules of conduct and meet the appropriate academic requirements may stay, regardless of their personal situation. The same cannot be said about you, Headmaster. You are an employee of the Castle and were selected to represent it. I simply question whether you should continue to do so." The Board remained silent as they contemplated Julia's words before Lord Doge spoke up. "You raise an interesting argument, Lady Greengrass. I vote for it to be shelved for a later meeting, one where we have the empty Governor seat filled." Julia sat back. "I accept the request. I merely wished to voice my concerns of the matter before any other decision was made that could have been seen as an act of support. I believe the time that the Board of Governors remained silent concerning the future of Hogwarts should be at an end." The Board voiced their agreement of Julia's position and Dumbledore was reinstated as Headmaster with a clear understanding that his continuation in the position was not a guarantee. Julia pulled up a bit of parchment. "Now then, let's get onto the matter of the Professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts. Have you located someone who matches our new standards for the job?" Julia smiled, as seeing the obvious signs of Dumbledore's irritation was something she was enjoying greatly. "I have. He is currently completing employment in France and should return to the country before the first Board Meeting during the Summer Recess, along with the appropriate documentation of his NEWTs."
-∞-
Hazel swallowed the rest of the contents of the bowl before returning it to the female Centaur who bowed her head softly to her. She was glad her body had become a bit less susceptible to poisons since she held the Hallows as she could feel the growing numbing effect of the concoction in her stomach and through her throat. Not that it was a poison. Based on the way it behaved, she could imagine that a heavier dose would have either hallucinatory effects and a severe numbing agent. The Chief Elder nodded at her for taking the ritual drink without complaint. "We thank you for respecting our ways, Witch. The proposed trade is quite tempting." Hazel heard a dismissive snort. "Her kind will seek more "trades'' with us. Today they ask for safety within our forest. One day they will ask for the land itself. Then they will ask us to leave. When will it end? When every single one of us is dead?" Hazel kept a watch on the young Centaur male as another, a female Elder, spoke up. "Is that something you see your people doing, Witch?" Hazel sighed. "I will not lie and say they would not. It is in the nature of the corrupt and the greedy to crave that which is not theirs, especially when they are told not to desire it. Sadly, even what lands that are yours by blood and right may yet be taken from you by those who see not living souls but mindless beasts."
The Centaur she was sure was Bane came forward. That centaur had never been fond of her, even in her old world. "See? She admits it. What do we gain from this trade but the threat of greater loss to our Herd? The loss of the meat she offers is nothing compared to the damage we do to our people." The Chief Elder eyed her carefully. "But you do not speak for the corrupt and greedy." Hazel didn't dare to drop his gaze. "I try never to do so. The offer comes to you from a group that seeks a change to our world. This includes respect for magicals and non-magicals alike, regardless of their form or way of life. The offer comes from a branch independent from the Ministry. Our oaths are our own and we choose to keep them. Should the Ministry betray you, we would come to your aid against them as we would expect you to come to the aid of the innocents that live at the edge of your lands." The Elders deliberated as Hazel saw Bane move closer before another Centaur stopped him. "Enough Bane, let the Elders decide." Bane huffed and returned to the circle as Hazel felt a memory surface. The person she remembered as Firenze looked at her. "You know me." Hazel shook her head. "I know of one who looked like you, but in a different life." Conversation around her ceased as Firenze came closer to her.
"The stars speak to us. A change occurred almost two summers ago. The stars dimmed and rippled as Vega brightened. Many fear what the bird of the heavens brings in its wake, but we believe some good may come of it, as Mars has dimmed and Venus has remained steady in her warm embrace." Hazel tried to remember what little she knew of Divination but nothing Firenze taught her for those brief months she spent chatting with the Centaurs came to mind. "I am afraid I am not versed well in interpreting the stars, Observer of the Sky. All I can ever do is be honest to myself and protect my son. I have long abandoned any faith in prophecy or humanity as a whole." Whispers broke out around her as Firenze nodded. "Then you have no more to hear from me, Witch. Your words hold much truth and pain, yet there is more there for those deserving. That you speak my title reveals you know of us, even if only in shadow. That is enough. Good hunting, Witch." Hazel watched him return to the Herd as the Chief Elder rose. "We have agreed to accept the trade and agreement and look forward to a beneficial arrangement between us in time, Huntress. Firenze's kindness to your kind is known to us but his choice to share a vision speaks well of you. Go in peace, Witch. Your younglings will be safe on our lands."
Hazel stood up and bowed. "Our gratitude, Chief Elder and fellow Elders of the Herd. A bountiful harvest to your families for the coming years." Hazel walked away from them as the Centaurs opened a path for her as she left the village, her thoughts turning to another problem. Harry had shown her the map he used to track Hermione to the Dungeons but when she checked the names, she had been confused. She could recognize only one name, the one she knew was James Potter. One was obvious enough that it was likely to be Remus. How they thought naming him Moony was a good idea, she honestly couldn't imagine. The other two, however, made no sense to her. Were the Marauders here different from hers? Is that why the map had somehow been left in Filch's office for the Weasley Twins to find? Hazel sighed as she thought back to the day her godmother gave her the map. It had made sneaking into Salazar's repository a lot easier. It gave her a safe place to train and prepare for the Triwizard Tournament. Hazel had confiscated Harry's map but she assured him she would return it. The DoM just had to inspect it first. Her map had not connected to the wards here, but with one map they could compare to and another fully functional, Hazel was sure they could duplicate it. It was just a matter of when.
-∞-
"Dora!" Nymphadora felt the kid tackle her and she wrapped her arms around him. "Hey Teddy. Mom finally allowed me the chance to leave the Medical Wing. How are you?" Teddy smiled. "I am good. Mom's been in the kitchen the whole day." Dora heard her stomach grumble and Teddy laughed. "Yup, mine's been doing that too. Come on! Q is here too!" Dora followed him down the hallway until they opened the door to Hazel's apartment. "Found Dora!" Quetz stood up and pulled her into a hug. "You best not be pulling stunts like these often, coneja. My nerves won't take it. When you are back on duty, drop by Appropriations. I got your suit fixed up and reinforced a bit." Dora hugged her back. "Thank you. I'll get it soon. Also, what did you call me?" Quetz laughed. "Nothing for you to worry about, amiga. Come on, your amada has been cooking your favorites for you all day." The moment she heard the oven door open, the room was filled by the scent of meatloaf and roasted vegetables and Dora sighed. "I am going into a food coma tonight."
Hazel laughed as she placed the meat on the countertop. "We will see. Maybe Andromeda allowed you out of her sight, fully aware you'd be unable to move today." Dora pouted. "Traitor." Hazel came around the corner and pulled her oven mitts off her hands. "For you? Maybe." Dora whined as Hazel gave her a very deep kiss. They pulled apart and Dora watched as Hazel ruffled Teddy's hair. "It's safe to look now, son. Mushy stuff is over." Teddy lowered his hands from his eyes and headed for the living room. Hazel gave Dora a smile as she summoned a bottle of beer. "You get two tonight and no more." Dora hugged Hazel warmly as she took the bottle. "I think I might be falling in love." Hazel pulled back and lifted an eyebrow. "You better. I don't let just anyone into my bedroom. Dinner will be ready in five minutes so go wash up and maybe switch into more comfortable clothes." Wearing her favorite Weird Sisters t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Dora returned to the table and dug into her food hungrily. She eventually sat back and felt a belch leave her but was surprised by how silent it was. She blushed when she felt Hazel dispel a silencing spell on her with a wave of her hand.
Quetz sat back, a bottle of beer in her hand. "Por el amor de la diosa, you certainly gave the DoM a lot to work with. I got a fair bit of scales and hide to work on but I am waiting to hear from Research before I start working it into anything. The fangs though are being shaped and formed into knives. I recommend you don't go out with them every day. Getting a prick from those will be the last thing you do." Dora hummed. "I'll leave mine with you then, since it's not a priority of mine. What about you, Hazel?" Hazel nursed her glass of sparkling grape juice. "I'll leave mine behind too. I got a safe means of cursed object destruction already and I can conjure any weapon I need. Might stop by and check it though. I am curious if I can match the toxic venom properties with Conjuration." Quetz chuckled. "Claro. I make you a fine piece of craftsmanship and you duplicate it for your own use." Hazel hummed. "Will you forgive me if I swear not to make it identical to your work and that I am doing it because conjurations are expendable but your work isn't?" Quetz pouted. "Low blow, amiga. Can't stay mad for that. You got yourself a sneaky bruja, Dora."
Quetz left for her apartment soon after and Dora watched Hazel tuck Teddy into bed before closing the bed. She noticed Hazel looked sad. "What's wrong?" Hazel shook her head. "In two months or so Teddy will be getting his Hogwarts letter. I … don't like how empty this place will feel without him." Dora watched as Hazel shivered and she pulled her in for a hug. "It's not just about Teddy, is it?" Hazel took a deep breath, Dora's scent calming her down a bit. "I've been in a lot of places that have been great to me at times, but they all became empty eventually. My Godmother's home, Andi's, even Hogwarts. Something always happens and the place changes for me. I am worried the same can happen here." Dora rubbed her partner down her back. "I promise it won't be the same. You'll have me here, and Quetz and Mom. Teddy will be back for the holidays." Hazel hugged Dora to her and guided her gently to her room, kissing her lips gently. "I left you behind for the Basilisk. I feel like I cheated you out of something." Dora breathed deeply, feeling her girlfriend's body rubbing against hers. "It's ok. I know you had to go or risk losing the trail again."
Hazel pushed Dora to sit on the bed and straddled her, her hands cupping Dora's face. "Try and stay safer for longer. I want you by my side Dora, and not just when I need you." Dora nodded and kissed her warmly. "I promise I will be safer. Might need some lessons in wandless casting though." Hazel sighed and nodded. "I'll try. I can manage it because of the excess energy running in my body. You might manage it but it could mean less shifting. The magic inside of us has a limit after all." Dora ran her hands up Hazel's body and felt Hazel grind down on her. They both groaned. Hazel bit her lip in thought before shifting her position and dragging Dora on top of her. Dora looked down at Hazel and shuddered as her girlfriend's hands began to dip beneath her clothes. "Hazel." The white haired witch smiled at her. "For tonight I think we can go a bit differently. I want you to take me." Dora stared at her. "You sure?" Hazel pushed up and kissed Dora. "Yes. Make love to me, Dora. Show me how badly you want me." Dora's mind melted and she pushed her lips and hands roughly onto Hazel's skin. Her girlfriend's voice and noises made her crave her more and she gave in to her need to taste her. The next morning Dora tried to apologize to Hazel for the amount of bruises and hickies but her girlfriend refused to accept it. She settled with casting as many episkeys as she could on her. Neither of them wanted to be the one to explain to Teddy what those meant. Not yet.
-∞-
Hazel eyed the familiar room as Dora came up behind her. "So, why are we here?" Hazel moved deeper into the piles and corridors of junk. "Hermione Granger's testimony said that she used the Room of Requirement to hide the Diary while we searched the castle. Though the room she used was a specific one and not the entirety of the Room of Requirement, I am wondering if the Room of Lost Things could hold a few more Dark Artefacts. We were sent to the school to hunt them after all. Especially now that I know where the stupid room was. Back home it stood in a hallway opposite to a tapestry of dancing trolls. Who the hell places it in an intersection where anyone can see you opening it if they bothered to look?" Dora looked around the massive piles of books, brooms and desks, her frown growing. "Hazel, this place is massive. How do you expect us to find anything Dark here? It's probably full of them. We could be here for ages." Hazel hummed, and lifted her wand. "Fiendfyre?" Dora slapped her partner's hand down. "We are here to save the school, not burn it down." Hazel pouted at her partner. "It would make my September a little more enjoyable." She looked around as she walked further in between the rows of junk before she froze. "Oh, I just remembered something that could be here. Something a lot more specific that needs to be handled now." Hazel rushed through the stacks of junk, her eyes darting everywhere. "Where are you, you hunk of junk." Dora tried to keep up. "What are you looking for?"
Pausing for a second as she casted a detection spell, Hazel made a right turn. "You know how I said I know Voldemort pretty well?" Dora huffed behind her. "Yeah? Not seeing the point there, Hazel." Hazel slowed down, her eyes sweeping a stack of vertically placed tables before moving on. "I don't know about your Voldemort but mine had an ego that was bigger than the size of Hogwarts. He loved to talk, especially to me." Hazel shuddered. "The bastard managed to sneak himself and a few Death Eaters into the Castle. They damaged the Castle's wards and killed Dumbledore." Dora blinked. "Ok, and we are talking about this, why?" Hazel glared at her. "Because the bastard was so sure of his victory, he told me how he did it. And that was through an object in here. A Vanishing Cabinet. His Death Eaters had it's twin." Dora felt her mouth clamp shut. "Right. We need to find that." The two of them searched separate sections of the massive expanse of lost items, storing anything they detected as dark into the expanded bags Croaker sent them out with. Hazel just finished storing a book when Dora's voice called over. "Found it!"
A few minutes later, Hazel stood with Dora right next to the thing. Dora eyed her. "Now what?" Hazel shrugged. "Normally I'd destroy it but maybe having the Unspeakables checking it over could be a good idea. Maybe they could set up a ward that blocks the blasted things. I mean, we literally found this here. What's to stop someone from bringing another one into the school?" Hazel casted a diagnostic on it. "And a working one." Dora raised her wand. "Point taken." A few waves and the shelf was shrunk down to the size of a box of lenses. Dora stored it into a bag and turned around, noticing her partner had left her side. "Hazel?" Turning a corner, she found Hazel staring up at a manikin. "Hazel, what is it?" A banishing spell launched Dora back a few feet, forcing her to land on her rear. "Dora, stay back there. I need you to leave the Room and call our Boss. We have a complication." Dora stood up and dusted her pants. "Ok, what's the complication?" Hazel turned around. "Make sure no one hears you. If you need to deliver the message in person, do it." Hazel turned back and looked at the mannequin. Or more precisely, what was on top of it that felt familiar. She knew what the piece of jewelry contained. She carried one on her person for almost a whole year. Hazel rubbed her hair and sighed. "Tell him it's a complication in our long term plan, one that needs to be looked into. Quietly."
Notes:So, how was it? The powers are shifting further and further away from those who once held them. Also, Diary Tom shows that he had a better brain than Voldemort. Then again, Pride does account for a lot of errors in judgement.
Next Chapter?: A letter arrives and a name appears on the news
Not much writing the last few days, but plenty of editing. Also, first time since a Hurricane that I had to "shower" under the rain. Price of not having water because of "reasons." RL sucks sometimes. Anyways, we are now entering year 3 in the posts. Hope you are all still enjoying the story. I just went through all of it in editing. What mistakes one makes without noticing. Then again, that's just me.
Leave a comment, discuss and see you all in three days.