Chapter 11: Tom Riddle
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The recognizable sections belong to JKR
Chapter 11
December 19th, 1992
The Gryffindors were shocked when they entered the Great Hall the next morning and walked past the giant hourglasses that showed each house's points. Somehow Gryffindor had lost nearly all of its points overnight and now only had a few shining rubies at the bottom of the glass.
Of course, everyone wanted to know what actually happened and somehow the rumor mill got spinning again.
Someone from Gryffindor, undoubtedly Weasley and Longbottom, came up with a crazy story as to how they lost that amount of points. Harry himself heard the story while listening to Katie Bell, who was chatting with Angelina Johnson about the whole event.
"I heard the story from Seamus Finnigan, Angelina! Potter attacked Hermione Granger for beating him in an Astronomy essay and used dark magic to seriously injure her. That is why the girl is currently in the hospital wing and no one was allowed to visit her!"
"I knew something was seriously wrong with him! The Potters were usually sorted into Gryffindor, him going to a different house just proves he is nothing like the rest of his family, but why did Gryffindor lose so many points then?"
"Well, apparently, Longbottom and Weasley saw Potter attacking poor Granger and retaliated against him. Amusingly they claimed to have gotten a few good hits on him before McGonagall caught them in the hallway and barely saved Potter from being hexed to dragon dung."
"Do you really believe that though? You saw how Potter dealt with Warrington and he is a fifth yeah. How would Weasley and Longbottom overpower him that easily?"
"I don't know, to be honest, but that's just the story I have heard. Since McGonagall only saw two of her Gryffindors attacking the famous teacher's pet, she deducted a whole bunch of points from both of them, even though they were only defending themselves, of course."
"That is so unfair! He cost us over 300 points and barely had a scratch on him this morning. You saw him at breakfast. He was acting as nothing happened and even grinned the entire time!"
"Well, I would be careful with Potter, what if he really is the heir of Slytherin. For all we know, he could be. He's even a Parseltongue! I wonder why he didn't get sorted into the House of Snakes in the first place."
"Maybe he was smart enough to choose a different house and not pull too much attention to himself. You know how cunning those snakes can be…"
"True… anyways, let's ask Wood about practice. We still have a match to prepare for!"
The girls left. How amusing, Harry thought, as he made his way to his next class. Well, this was properly three out of the four houses that hated him with a passion:
The Slytherins for embarrassing their prefect. The Hufflepuffs for "attacking" Finch-Fletcher with a snake and the Gryffindors for costing the house a whole bunch of points. Time to piss off the Ravenclaws I guess, Harry joked.
December 25th, 1992
The Christmas holidays had finally arrived, and most of the students left the Castle, scared of further attacks from the Heir of Slytherin. Just like last year, Harry used the additional free time to continue his own projects and find out more about the Chamber. There had to be an entrance somewhere in the school. The only places he could not check yet were the common rooms of the other houses.
Over the holidays he would try to use his invisibility cloak to sneak into the common rooms by following some students from the respective houses.
It was Slytherin's Chamber, so it would be reasonable to assume that the entrance was maybe in the Slytherin common room. He would therefore start with that one. He needed to get in there somehow.
Malfoy and his goons sat at the Slytherin table and enjoyed breakfast on Christmas morning. Harry waited for them to finish before he left half a minute after the trio was done. He followed them out of the Great Hall and quickly slipped under his cloak to get closer to them.
On their way to the Slytherin common room, they walked into the eldest Weasley: Percy Weasley was a sucker for rules and thought his shiny Badge meant that any other student should kiss his backside.
Weasley let them go with a warning after the four almost got into an argument.
"I've noticed him sneaking around a lot lately. And I bet I know what he is up to. He thinks he's going to catch Slytherin's heir single-handed." Harry could hear Malfoy say.
Harry rolled his eyes under his cloak at the Slytherin's choice of password (Pureblood) and quickly entered the common room after Goyle.
The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in high-backed chairs.
Malfoy ordered Crabbe and Goyle to wait really quick while getting something his father apparently sent him. He came back with a Daily Profit article about Weasley's dad, who somehow bewitched a muggle car. Apparently, the entire family apart from the twins was crazy.
Harry started carefully walking around the room, looking for any clues on the entrance to a hidden room, but couldn't find anything. Malfoys and his goons talked about the food at the feast for a minute, but Harry turned sharply and walked back over to them when they started discussing Colin Creevey, the second victim of the Heir.
Malfoy continued complaining about Harry himself and how people actually thought he was the heir. Finally, the conversation got interesting.
"And father won't tell me anything about last time the Chamber was opened either. Of course, that was fifty years ago, so it was before his time, but he knows all about it and he says that it was all kept quiet and it'll look suspicious if I know too much about it. But I know one thing… last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened a Mudblood died. So, I bet it's a matter of time before one of them is killed this time. I hope it's Granger, but from what I have heard Potter got her pretty good already. She is still in the hospital wing."
They continued talking and Harry found out that last time, the person responsible was caught. He also learned about some secret room under the floor of Malfoy Mansion... Something he would definitely remember in case he needed blackmail material at some point.
Harry had heard enough and retreated from the Slytherin common room. He was disappointed that he could not find any clues about the entrance to the Chamber. However, at least he got some additional information about the last time it was opened.
January 10th, 1993
Two more attacks took place after Christmas. Granger was certainly one unlucky girl. She had barely made her way out of the hospital wing after her furry problem had been cured when she ran into Penelope Clearwater.
Clearwater was applying makeup from a small kit with a mirror to prepare to meet her boyfriend, Percy Weasley.
She must have asked Granger for some help since the Prefect found the two of them standing petrified next to each other, both looking into the small mirror and seemingly checking Clearwater's reflection.
For Harry, this meant even more rumors. People already thought he was the one that put Granger in the hospital wing the first time. Her being the next victim of the Heir, only increased the suspicion against him. Harry reluctantly had to agree, from an outside perspective so far, it made sense to suspect him being responsible for the attacks.
Apparently, the Headmaster thought similarly. He of course had been told the true reason for Granger's stay with Mrs. Pomfrey. But even he couldn't deny that almost all the victims besides Clearwater were somehow connected to Harry.
Harry was granted entrance to the Headmaster's office and sat in the chair waiting for Dumbledore to make a move. Dumbledore looked tired. The school's governors must be putting pressure on him to find the culprit as soon as possible.
"Well, Harry you can probably imagine why you're here. But rest assured I only want to ask you a few questions."
Harry nodded and Dumbledore continued.
"While I do not believe that you're the one attacking the students, somehow you're connected to most of the victims. Do you have anything to tell me? Any suspicion or even any leads that you, yourself are currently following?
I simply try to keep my students safe and I have the feeling you are investigating the incident already. Just as you have suggested I have reached out to some shop owners in Britain and asked for Mandrakes.
Unfortunately, no one had any available at this point in time. There are a couple of offers from the continent, but the paperwork to import dangerous magical plants from foreign nations is very hideous.
The Ministry is afraid that importing a foreign magical plant might damage our own ecosystem. We cannot expect them to make a decision on the case until about next month."
"You are right, Sir. I am currently looking for the entrance to the Chamber but could not find anything yet. However, maybe you can help me complete a puzzle."
Dumbledore only rose an eyebrow and nodded for Harry to continue.
"I found out that the Chamber was last opened about 50 years ago and the culprit had been found back then. Who was it? Does he have any family that are currently attending Hogwarts, Sir?"
Dumbledore sighed:
"Harry, what I am about to tell you must stay in this room…
Harry signaled his agreement.
…Very well. Indeed, a person took the blame last time. He does not have any family here in Britain, but still attends Hogwarts."
At Harry's perplexed expression Dumbledore continued.
"Rubeus Hagrid was declared guilty of opening the Chamber, he was expelled, and his wand was snapped. I do believe he still has the pieces."
Harry came to the only logical conclusion:
"It wasn't him; he was framed. Hagrid wouldn't hurt a fly and he is certainly not a Parselmouth, Professor."
"Correct Harry, Hagrid became a victim of the rising anti-half-breed propaganda in the Ministry back then. However, he did hide a magical beast in the school, an Acromantula that is still living in the Forbidden Forest. However, Acromantula poison does not petrify its victims and leaves clear evidence when leading to death."
"So, Hagrid was framed and whoever actually did it, stopped the attacks right after? Why? Who caught Hagrid?"
Dumbledore regarded his student for a long moment before frowning:
"A brilliant boy named Tom Riddle reported Hagrid and received a special award for Services to the School. His achievement still stands in the Trophy Room."
Riddle… Harry had never heard of the name before, but Dumbledore was eyeing him curiously. Did the old Headmaster expect a different reaction from Harry?
"Why was the incident never truly investigated? Anyone with half a brain would have realized that Hagrid was innocent?"
"You must understand the circumstances, Harry. It was the word of the best student in his class, a Prefect and on with the best chances to become head-boy against a half-giant that was famous for being overly affectionate with dangerous magical animals."
"I mean…" Harry was interrupted by a silvery cat that jumped on Dumbledore's desk and spoke in the clear stern voice of McGonagall:
"Albus there has been another attack. Come to the fourth floor immediately!"
Dumbledore jumped out of his desk:
"Harry, do you have your cloak with you?"
Harry nodded.
"Please get under the cloak and follow me. Do not leave my sight!"
Harry did as he was told and hurried behind Dumbledore out of the office. Dumbledore made his way to the fourth floor in long strides with Harry right behind him. He arrived at the scene, where most of the other professors were already present.
"What happened Minerva?"
McGonagall pointed at the wall… In bright red letters it says:
"Her skeleton will lie in Chamber forever"
"Do we know who has been taken?" Dumbledore asked.
"All students, including Potter, who should have been in your office are accounted for. All but Ginny Weasley." McGonagall says with a fearful look.
"Very well," Dumbledore replies:
"I want all students in their dormitories packing their trunks. Hogwarts will close without further notice. We will call the Aurors and search the entire school. Have the students stay in their common room and gather in the Great Hall tonight. I will be meeting the governors now and plan the further steps to ensure the safety of all students."
The Professor nodded at the clear instructions. Lockhart looked as if he was about to wet himself. He raced down the stairs to his office. Harry made his way to the Ravenclaw common room to pack his trunk. This was wrong. He did not want to leave Hogwarts without at least solving the mystery first.
Who knew when the school might open again? It could take months, maybe even years until the day would come. Harry headed towards the Ravenclaw common room when suddenly he remembered something.
The little vial of Polyjuice, that he hid in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom…
Being able to transform into any person on earth was too valuable to be left behind in the Castle. He decided to make a detour for the bathroom and retrieve it before packing his trunk.
He opened the door to the bathroom and Myrtle dramatically appeared behind a stall.
"Oh… it's you again. I am mad at you Harry Potter!"
"Pray tell me what I might have done to foul your mood."
The weeks in which the three little Gryffindors occupied my bathroom to brew that nasty potion were quite interesting... I had regular company, even though Hermione Granger was very annoying."
Harry chuckled: "I can imagine what you mean. Unfortunately, I don't have much time to exchange pleasantries, I will just quickly pick something up."
Harry made his way over to the sink where he had hidden the vial.
"Be careful with that sink, I don't want to have to share my bathroom with you! You remind me too much of him."
Harry disregarded whatever Myrtle was prattling on about and approached the sink. All of a sudden, he felt something. Magic was deeply embedded into this side of the wall. One could almost taste it in the air.
Harry frowned, he must have missed it when he hid the vial the first time due to all the excitement going on. 'Magic always leaves traces' Dumbledore had sad. There were heavy traces of magic around him, but unlike anything, Harry ever discovered before. He remembered Myrtle's words…
"Why should I be careful around this sink Myrtle?"
"Because that sink is where it came from."
"Were what came from?"
"Well, whatever killed me, silly."
Harry was perplexed:
"You were killed in this bathroom?"
"But yes of course! I was a Ravenclaw student, about 50 years ago, just like you. But I was constantly bullied for my glasses and being a muggle-born by Olive Hornby and the other girls. One day I came in here to cry and that's when I died."
Harry's thoughts were racing. Malfoy mentioned that a muggle-born had been killed by the monster when the Chamber was first opened about 50 years ago. It was unlikely that a student dying in this school was a frequent occurrence. Could Myrtle be the muggle-born that fell victim to the heir's first attack?
"Myrtle, tell me everything you remember about the moment you died!"
"I don't like it when you yell at me like that… It reminds me of the girls that bullied me. You look way better with that charming smile anyways… Even if you look so much like him."
"Who are you talking about?"
"Everyone knew him when I went to school. He was a couple of years above me. His name was Tom, and he was very handsome, much like you."
Harry tried to ignore the fact that Myrtle called him handsome. But this was exactly the piece of the puzzle he was still missing.
"Myrtle, I am trying to figure out who is attacking the students. Please tell me everything you remember that happened before you died!"
"Oh fine! But promise me you won't tell anyone, okay? Good!
I was here in my stall. The door was locked, and I was crying, and then I heard somebody come in. They said something funny. A different language, I think it must have been. Anyway, what really got me was that it was a boy speaking. So, I unlocked the door, to tell him to go and use his own toilet, and then, I died."
"Wait, what do you mean, you died? Did he hit you with a curse or a spell? Did something attack you?" Harry became frustrated.
"No nothing like that, the last thing I remember is staring at a pair of bright yellow eyes."
Harry frowned… Was she killed by being looked at? He only knew of one magical animal which was capable of that feat. A Basilisk would make sense, it's the king of the serpents after all. Something worthy of being called Salazar Slytherin's Monster. But then how did the other victims survive?
The realization came to Harry while regarding his reflection in the pond of water that covered the stone tiles of the bathroom. Reflection… Of course none of the victims yet died because they didn't face the Basilisk head-on.
Filch's cat must have seen it in the water's reflection. Colin Creevey... The boy had been constantly taking pictures, maybe he saw it through his camera. Finch-Fletchley must have seen the King of the Serpents through the ghost, who couldn't die twice, and Granger and Clearwater were found with a mirror…
It all made sense. But the question was, how was he going to deal with it?
Well, definitely not alone Harry decided. He quickly made his way to Dumbledore's office. Hopefully, the governors did not arrive yet. On his way, he thought about ways to deal with Basilisk. He will ask Dumbledore to conjure a rooster. It was the only natural enemy to the King of the Serpents. Whoever released it on the students had done his Due Diligence. All of Hagrid's roosters had been killed at the beginning of the school year.
He arrived at the Gargoyle that protected the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
"Please, I need to speak to the Headmaster. I have vital information regarding the Chamber!"
The gargoyle regarded the young boy for a moment before granting him entrance. The door to Dumbledore's office opened for Harry and he saw a distressed-looking Dumbledore sitting behind his desk.
"Harry, as much as I enjoy your visits, you picked a very unfortunate time. The governors will arrive shortly and I have much to discuss with them."
"Headmaster, I know where the entrance to the Chamber is and I know what waits inside it. We might be able to save Weasley and keep the school open."
Dumbledore jumped up from his chair:
"Take me there immediately, Harry!"
Harry led the way:
"The entrance is in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. The Monster is a Basilisk. None of the victims died so far, because they didn't directly stare into his eyes"
"Brilliant Harry, Myrtle was the unfortunate muggle-born that fell victim to the monster 50 years ago, as I am sure you figured out already. I never imagined the entrance to the Chamber might be at the very place she lost her life. How did you find it?"
"Uhh... it's a long story professor, but I felt the traces of magic around a sink in the bathroom. I am sure you will feel it, too."
"Ingenuous… Who would have thought that the great Salazar Slytherin would hide the entrance to his legendary Chamber in a girls' bathroom of all places?" Dumbledore chuckled.
The pair arrived at the aforementioned bathroom and Harry led Dumbledore to the sink.
"You are right, Harry. Magic itself is trying its utmost to conceal something right in front of us. But this is not a ward I have ever encountered before."
Dumbledore waved his wand over the sink a few times.
"A password is required to pass this threshold. But I am unfamiliar with the language.