With the first months of the school year coming and going as they usually do, Hallowe'en once again came around. I don't know why JKR decided to have something ridiculous happening twice in a row on that day, but it's a bit forced no? Wizard horror stories happening on Hallowe'en. Bah, oh well.
So the yearly pumpkin overloaded feast began once again. It seemed that the cabinet I had put in the place of the vanishing one i took was a fit replacement,since the golden trio wasn't here and neither were the ghosts, meaning the death day party was happening with them experiencing its wonders.
As the feast ended and everyone returned back to their dorms for the night, I decided to head to the second floor corridor quicker.
As I step on the splashing floor, due to the flooding the basilisk caused when it got out the first time, and I finally reach the trio.
"What are you three doing up here?" I ask, not letting them know I already knew.
""Aedan!"" He exclaimed 2/3, with all three freezing in place.
Then I looked at the wall they were looking at.
'THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.' Was written in what appeared to be blood and Mrs. Norris hanging on the torch bracket, petrified.
'So it begins again little Voldy. But you really can't think of anything original? You already pulled this crap last time.' I think to myself with a mental sigh.
"From the looks of horror I'm guessing it wasn't you three, right?" I ask them and get furious head nods in return.
But as I was about to speak, students flooded the corridor as they returned from the feast, making the trio's face turn pale.
And then when he arrived, Draco had to act like an idiot again.
"Enemies of the heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!" He said with a proud smirk on his face.
"Draco Malfoy! That is the second time I'm catching you using that word. Three days with Mr. Filch!" I declared making his smirk disappear in an instant.
Then we all heard a voice we recognized.
"What's going on here? What's going on?" Filch said as he made his way through the crowd.
When he finally spotted his cat, he lost it.
"My cat! My cat! What happened to Mrs. Norris?" He shrieked at his lost. Then he spotted Harry. "It was you! You murdered my cat! You killed her! I'll kill you! I'll kill-" he shouted as I got in front of Harry making him pause just in time for Dumbledore to arrive.
"Argus!" He authoritatively said. "Come with me Argus. You too Mr. Bones, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger." He said as he looked at us.
Then Lockhart tried to insert himself like usual. "My office is the closest Headmaster, feel free to use it.
"Thank you Gilderoy." Simply answered Dumbledore.
So the four of us with the Headmaster, Filch, Snape and McGonagall headed to the narcissists office. And yup, full of moving portraits and pictures of himself. All of them hiding in fear at being caught doing their beauty routines. I mean seriously, even the paintings are going through them.
The Headmaster along with his two trusted professors analyzed the cat, as Filch was crying in the corner and Lockhart wouldn't shut up about stupid stories he's spouting to try to make himself look better. Meanwhile the kids are looking extremely nervous in their chair.
"You three haven't done anything so don't worry about it. Everything will be fine, especially since she's only petrified." I say to the trio as they relax a bit at my words.
"Mrs. Norris isn't dead?" Said Filch suddenly as he heard my words. "But she's all stiff."
"Headmaster." I simply say.
"Mr. Bones is correct Argus. She is still alive. Although I cannot say how she was petrified, she will be fine just as soon as she's given the correct potion." He calmly explained to the man.
"Then ask him!" He yelled, pointing at Harry.
"Mr. Filch, complete petrification like that is the work of very powerful dark magic. Even some professors wouldn't be able to cast this, much less Harry." I defended calmly.
"Mr. Bones is right-" tried to assure Dumbledore.' Before being interrupted.
The conversation went on as canon once again, with Filch revealing he was a squib and Harry not knowing what that was. Until Snape finally came in and tried to take Harry off the Quidditch team for the hell of it. Dumbledore rejecting the man. Then he turned to Filch to inform him she will be cured quickly due to the school having Mandrake plants. Lockhart trying to steal some thunder again, but drawing Snape's ire. The Headmaster then dismissed everyone but me. The professors gave him a questioning look which he ignored, and the trio looked at me worriedly until I reassured them with a smile.
"What do you think Aedan?" He asked when everyone had left.
"The death day party is easy enough to know about. Plus the timing might be bad, but even if they wanted to head to the feast they wouldn't m have made it for the food." I answer.
"True enough, but I'm asking about the chamber. You know about Tom and his time here. You know what I'm asking." I replied while looking serious.
"Yes, but with no further proof it is hard to say anything. It might even be a completely new student who was inspired by the event and ideology. Or an extremely distasteful prank. All I know is caution will be key." I reply, hiding my foreknowledge.
"Further evidence will be needed, yes. I will ask you to keep an eye on matters amongst the students. And please keep an eye on Harry and his friends. They tend to find trouble." He said with a small chuckle at the misadventures they tend to experience.
"Will do Headmaster." I reply with a knowing smile.
"Before you leave, how has your private matter been doing?" He asked curiously and with concern.
"I am making good progress Headmaster. I can't thank you enough for helping me. I have a few possibilities so far and I'll send you a copy of what I come up with for you to review." I answer with gratitude in my voice.
"I'm glad these old bones can still help the youngsters." He replied with a warm smile.
"If that is all Headmaster, I'll head back to my house. I think many students will be alarmed due to tonight." I say with a small bow.
"Goodnight Aedan. Good luck as well." He said in response.
For the next week the school was abuzz, with only the message and the cat being the center of everyone's attention. Everything spreads quickly when a place is full of gossipy teenagers. Professor Binns decided to fill people in on what the Chamber of Secrets was, making a new wave of speculations happen.
Then came the first Quidditch match of the year, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Always them. Rowling really didn't care for the other two houses much did she? All she did was make one Diggory die the only year he was noticed, a sorta Asian girlfriend and everyone's favorite unique Ravenclaw. Who I'm pleased to announce has been coming to the Exchange and has avoided being bullied, mostly because of me and Christians interest in the girls different pursuits when it comes to knowledge. Her and Christian were really getting along well. The rest of the people from other houses were pretty much a one and done scenario.
Whatever, back to the game.
Dobby basically tried to crush a lot of Harry's bones again. Malfoy was playing like an idiot. Slytherin was flying much faster due to their brooms, but Gryffindor had skills. Finally Harry managed to snatch the snitch, winning the game and still getting the broken arm.
As he fell onto the ground, I rushed out to do my job before Lockhart can try to make it about himself again and fuck up the kids arm and night. I'll still send him to spend the night, but at least he won't be suffering through Skele-gro.
"Hey there Harry. Try to hold still and I'll have your arm fixed up in a moment ok?" I say to him calmly. It helps reassure patients when their healer appears calm and in control, good thing to be when your doing this stuff.
So with a wave of my wand over his injury, the bone snaps back into position and mends itself beautifully with a shout of surprise because of the sound by Harry.
"There we go kid. But you'll have to spend the night in the infirmary. I did fix it, but this is to make sure and Madam Pomfrey will not be happy if I don't make you go after an injury like that." I order him with a smile, to which he nod with a funny smile. It hurt, but he was overall happy they had won the game.
"Too bad i didn't reach the boy first. I would have healed him up in an instant as well. You remind me of a young me Aedan my boy. You might even come close to my abilities one day." I heard the purple clad nitwit say from behind.
I help Harry up from the ground and then turn to the ken doll.
"Thank you Professor, I was only doing what Madam Pomfrey trained me to do. Now if you'll excuse me, she'll want to take a look at the kid and double check my work. Good day Professor." I say with proper respect and my business smile.
"Ah yes, certainly my boy. One must always make sure they are in perfect health Harry. It is very important to not worry your fans." He then said with his 'signature' smile.
"I'm sure Harry appreciates the advice, now let's go." I say and guide Harry away.
Once we were far from the man he looked at me and asked.
"Do you actually respect Lockhart, Aedan?"
"Ha! Merlin's walking stick no! He's even worse than Quirrell at teaching and the man had a second face, with that horrendous stutter. Why do you think I made my 'review' sessions? It's to teach some actual DADA to everyone." I answer the kid.
"What? Really? Hermione and Ron thought you were a fan!" He said with a surprised look, almost causing me to vomit blood as the Chinese would say.
"I'm certainly not a fan, but if even they thought that, then the name was a good choice. Makes the idiot think I'm talking about him, instead of knowing I'm teaching what he's supposed to and making him look even more useless." I reply with a small smile.
"Oh. Brilliant then. Do you mind if we come too?" He asked in realization.
"No problem at all Harry. But do warn Ron. I have a good amount of Slytherin students who also participate properly. They listen well and actively try to learn. I don't want his bias against them to cause friction." I say with some concern.
"I'll talk to him about it. I'm sure that if they don't do anything he'll be able to focus on your class!" He said excitedly.
"I hope so Harry. It would do him some good to meet some decent people from the house." I answer to his excitement.