Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
$Parseltongue$
Chapter 46
Recovery
After making sure that the basilisk was dead, the Headmaster told everyone to leave the library and sealed the entrance using transfiguration to prevent the entrance of curious visitors who wanted to take a look at the dead beast.
Professor McGonagall took all the students to the infirmary while Dumbledore and Snape went to investigate where this basilisk had come from since Harry was not fit to answer questions for the time being.
It was not hard to find the hole that the basilisk came out from. They followed the path until they reached the Chamber of secrets.
"Merlin! Is this what I think it is?" Snape was in awe.
"The Chamber of secrets…what a wonderful view." Dumbledore then looked to the floor of the inner chamber and saw the mangled body of Crabble.
"Ohh no." He swiftly made it there.
The body was hard to recognize but the robes made it obvious that it was a Slytherin student.
"Is one of mine. I believe Potter has some questions to answer." Snape said coldly.
"I doubt that this was the work of Mr. Potter, it seems that this poor boy was crushed by something very big and heavy, can you think of anything like that Severus?." Dumbledore was looking around when he spotted his phoenix laying down next to a sword.
"Fawkes" Dumbledore called and the little phoenix looked at him a made a joyful sound.
"I'm glad you a fine my friend…and this is?" He picked up the sword from the ground. His eyes opened like plates when he recognize the blade.
"This is!, the Sword of Gryffindor! I thought I would never see it again. But where did it come from?." The phoenix could not answer him so he turned to Snape who was carrying something in his hands.
"The student was wearing this. It may be related to this incident" Snape showed Dumbledore a very damaged silver tiara with a red stone embedded in it.
"I can feel some very dark magic coming from this thing. Store it with care Severus. We can study it later." Dumbledore said seriously.
After covering Crabbles body with a conjured blanket, the duo made its way out of the Chamber.
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It would take three days for Harry to wake up after being brought to the infirmary.
During this time Lord Goyle was informed of his son's death and came to Hogwarts to retrieve his body. Aurors had to be called after Lord Goyle tried to use the killing curse on the Headmaster, blaming him for his son's death. No charges were filed against him for the use of an unforgivable curse, given his circumstances.
They managed to retrieve the librarian's body from inside the basilisk and preparations for her funeral were ongoing.
During those three days, Susan and Hannah visited Harry every day and Luna would stay at his side until curfew.
When Harry opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Luna sitting on a chair next to his bed, reading a book.
Harry mumbled something and Luna rose her eyes from the book.
"Harry, you are awake!." Luna cheerfully said.
"How long" Harry spoke with difficulty.
"Three days. Madam Pomfrey said-"
"Mr. Potter, I see you are awake finally." Madam Pomfrey appeared out of nowhere and started casting some diagnosis spells over Harry.
She then nodded, looking satisfied with the results.
"It seems like everything is in order. But I have to say Mr. Potter that you were in very rough shape when you were brought here. Your muscles were severely damaged and the bones of your legs had many fractures…Whatever it is that you used…I would advise against doing it again." She looked at Harry with a serious face.
"I understand Miss Pomfrey," Harry said.
She nodded "I'm glad you do. I'll go fetch you some potions for the residual pain." And she left.
Half an hour later, the Headmaster and Professor Snape came into the infirmary.
"I have been told that He is awake already. I need to speak with Him please." Dumbledore asked Madam Pomfrey.
"Very well Headmaster, but keep it brief. He needs to rest."
Dumbledore nodded and went towards Harry's bed.
"Mr. Potter is good to see you awake and well" He then turned towards Luna.
"Miss Lovegood, I'm afraid we need to speak with Mr. Potter in private. And It's also almost curfew I believe."
Luna said her goodbyes to Harry and promise to visit the next day before leaving.
Dumbledore turned to Harry and smiled.
"You have good friends Mr. Potter. Miss Bones and Miss Abbott have also visited you often."
"Can we get on with this? I have important things to do. " Snape said bitterly.
"Yes, of course. Now Harry. We have some questions about what happened three days ago, but first, can you tell us your version of the events?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry proceeded to tell them more or less the complete story, only skipping a few details like the fact that the one that took over Goyle was not the real Voldemort but a fragment hidden in a diary that took over Lucius.
He also told them that he managed to spot Goyle acting suspicious by chance and managed to follow him into the chamber after Goyle opened it.
Otherwise, they would surely ask how did He manage to get into a Chamber that requires the use of parseltongue to enter.
He knew the Sorting Hat had listened to their conversation but the Hat is unable to disclose anything he learns while he is being used by a student. This was done to protect the student's privacy during the sorting, but it serves him well in this situation.
"Are you sure it was Him Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"That's what he said. He introduced himself as Lord Voldemort unless you want to believe he is an impostor." Harry commented.
"This is too soon." Dumbledore turned toward Snape. "Severus, how is the?..." The headmaster directed his eyes to Snape's right arm.
Snape just nodded and said. "Is stronger than before. If He is not back yet, it should be close."
"He will probably call you soon, be ready. "Dumbledore said.
"Should be discussing this in front of the boy?" Snape asked in an irritated tone.
Dumbledore turned quickly to Harry like He just remembered that He was there. "Ah Mister Potter, well leave you to rest. We can speak further at a later date. Oh and by the way. That was a very impressive demonstration of transfiguration you did back at the library. It took two days for that sword to disappear." He gave Harry a smile.
When Dumbledore and Snape were prepared to leave Harry spoke again.
"Wait. There is one more thing to discuss I believe."
Dumbledore was surprised for a moment "What would that be Mr. Potter?"
"The basilisk carcass. I believe that as the one who killed the beast, I have the right to It, according to wizard law. Am I wrong?."
Snape made an angry expression and was about to say something when Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder.
"There is a law like that, I'm surprised you know about it, to be honest." He then moved forward and got close to Harry.
"So, what would like to do with the carcass? I believe It may be worth a lot of galleons."
"Bring some goblins here to negotiate and make sure to include Griphook, my account manager. However, I am not a greedy person Headmaster. I am willing to donate to Hogwarts fifty percent of the earnings."
'That should make them more cooperative, after all, all I really need is a few vials of blood and some of the venom. The galleons are irrelevant for me, but it would be too suspicious if I only ask for some very rare and borderline illegal materials instead of money.'
Dumbledore opened his eyes wide and even Snape seemed surprised.
"That is very generous of you Mister Potter. I will make the arrangements."