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Chapter Eleven: Snape's Horror

"They took both the diary and the Portus-Amulet!" cried Hermione, looking positively horrified at the implications of the theft that had just occurred.

Daphne, Theodore, Hermione, and Harry were talking outside the Slytherin Common Room, in a corridor about an hour after the theft happened. Harry had silencing charms on so no one would hear their conversation. Harry just nodded, fear in his eyes. Not of what might happened to him but what might happen to more innocent victims or worse yet, his friends.

"Harry, you have to get both back, I just don't know how," said Daphne. "Any clue leads on who stole it?"

"It had to be a Slytherin, that much is for sure, as they are the only ones other than Dumbledore who knew the password," said Theodore. "We’ve already ruled out Dumbledore, because I agree with Harry, this is not his style and he would be a bit more adept to cover his tracks."

"Yes and this person must have wanted to cover up their misdeeds by taking the diary," said Hermione reasonably. "Although the theft of the Portus-Amulet may have not been decision on their part."

Harry nodded, attempting to figure out what course of attack he was going to take. One solution kept going over Harry's mind; he needed to have a word with Professor Snape, as Snape may have heard of this Tom Riddle person if he was a dark wizard.

"I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, Hogwarts will be closed soon if too many more attacks happen, mark my words," said Harry grimly. "And without the Portus-Amulet, it's going to be a long swim back to New York. I need to retrieve both it and the diary before its two late. Now if you excuse me, I have to say Snape, as I’m sure he’d be interested in a theft in his house.”

Harry pulled himself up to his feet, as Hermione, Daphne, and Theodore watched him leave.

"I just hope he won't do something to get himself killed," said Daphne.

"You mean like facing the attacker because now with the kind of power he has, it would be stupid," said Theodore.

"Exactly, which I am afraid that is exactly what Harry is going to do," said Daphne. "I fear another attack may push our friend over the edge."

"Still, nothing seems to fit here, people looking like they are out of stone once they are attacked, spiders fleeing, and Harry told me about the roosters getting strangled," said Hermione frowning, as if trying to place something she once read but nothing was clicking in her mind at the present time.

Harry walked down to Snape's office. He knocked on the door.

"Is this matter urgent?" asked a cold voice behind the door.

"Very," responded Harry darkly.

"Do come in, Mr. Potter." said the voice of Professor Snape.

Harry opened the door and Snape was sitting behind his desk, grading Potions Essays.

"Well, Mr. Potter, what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit," said Snape in a calm tone of voice.

"I need to report a theft, a very troubling theft," said Harry. "Property of mine has been stolen, a very powerful amulet has been swiped by the Heir of Slytherin."

"Indeed," said Snape in a bored tone of voice. "I am not quite sure how the theft of a mere piece of jewelry is relevant to the attacks."

"If I told you this piece of jewelry can transport the wearer through anti-Apparition wards, Anti-Portkey wards, and have unlimited trips with its power, than what would you say about the attacks," said Harry, matching Snape's calm tone of voice.

Snape raised his eyebrows briefly.

"That is not all that was stolen," continued Harry. "A very suspicious diary was stolen from my dormitories, this diary could have been behind the attacks."

"A diary behind the attacks," said Snape, although the Potions Master had a very bad feeling he knew where Potter was leading with this.

"A person could write in this diary and wrote back, but the person behind the diary did have a name," said Harry. "Tell me, sir, are you familiar with someone by the name of Tom Riddle?"

Snape looked at Harry in numb shock for about thirty seconds but an expression appeared on Snape's face, something that Harry never seen before. The Potions Master looked positively horrified when he heard the name Tom Riddle. Harry knew Riddle's nature must be awfully bad if it would have unnerved Snape to this extent.

"Potter, listen to me and listen to me good," said Snape, struggling to keep any emotion out of his face. "If by any chance you should come across the diary ever again, you are to bring it to me straight away. I don't care if it falls onto your head in the middle of Potions, you will hand that diary straight to me. I know of the person who created this diary, any creation of his is way too dangerous to be left in the hands of students. No matter what, Potter, once you find it, the diary must be given to me, no one else must acquire this dark artifact."

Harry nodded in agreement. He wanted to ask Snape how he knew who Riddle was but he did not want to press his luck with the mood Snape appeared to be in at the moment.

An uncomfortable silence appeared in the office for a moment but it was broken when a frantic looking Professor McGonagall entered the office.

"Severus, an urgent matter has presented itself, an emergency staff meeting is being held in twenty minutes," said McGonagall.

"On what grounds?" questioned Snape although Harry had a shrewd suspicion the Potion Master knew.

"Four more students, third and fourth year Gryffindors have been attacked by the Heir!" cried McGonagall, a rare show of emotion being shown by the stern Transfiguration Professor. "The meeting will be held to make a decision what to do as it pertains to tighten up security."

"I assume there are no fatalities," said Snape.

"Not as of yet, but the rate the attacker is going, they may be inevitable," said McGonagall in a near whisper.

"Mr. Potter, remember what I told you," said Snape as he left with McGonagall.

Harry got up, the fear within his mind realized. Not even a few hours after the theft of the Portus-Amulet and the reclaiming of the diary, the attacker had made up for lost time. Four more people have been attacked and Harry felt there would be more to come.

Hours after the staff meeting, Dumbledore was sitting in his office, thinking over what has happened today. The attacker seemed to find a way to become more efficient and had even slipped out of Dumbledore's line of sight. Albus decided it was not his problem anymore, as the more people who got struck down, the better as the Weasley girl would be drawn closer and closer to death and thus his plans for Potter will be closer to coming to pass. The boy would be under his thumb by the end of the year.

Dumbledore had also heard rumors that Lucius Malfoy was attempting to manipulate Dumbledore out of the school by way of the Board of Governors. If Malfoy thought he was going to out manipulate Dumbledore, a master at manipulation, Lucius had another thing coming, as his attempts would prove to be futile against the master of manipulation. If Dumbledore left the school, it would be under his own power and he may play along with Malfoy's little plot for a short time, but it was inevitable Dumbledore would return to his rightful place as Headmaster. No one especially Lucius Malfoy would compromise the Dumbledore’s plans.

Security appeared to be tightened around the school, as teachers patrolled the hallways and escorted students to every class. This caused great irritation for most of the students in the school but especially Harry and his friends.

"It was bad enough we’re in danger but what's the point of even keeping the school open, if we can't have any freedom," said Daphne in an agitated tone of voice.

"I believe Dumbledore is trying to keep the school open as long he can," said Hermione frowning.

Harry said nothing, Dumbledore was playing a very dangerous game and Harry was extremely close to slipping a monitoring charm into the Headmaster's office, once he could used these charms with perfection. The problem existed as from what Harry could observe from Dumbledore, he was not the type to broadcast his plans out loud, the old man kept his cards close to his chest.

Plus, Harry sensed Dumbledore had a great deal of security spells around his office and Harry could not get too close without Dumbledore being alerted by his presence. The office was a well guarded fortress Dumbledore was about as crafty they came and no doubt had a few nasty surprises for anyone who attempted to tamper with Dumbledore's security. What Harry needed was a way to work around the spells, but Dumbledore had decades more experience and knowledge than Harry had at such things.

"Harry, are you okay?" asked Hermione in a worried tone of voice.

"Just thinking about ways I can find out what exactly Dumbledore is hiding," said Harry. "The old coot seems to have layered his office with security spells and some of them might be a bit dark in origin. The only reason I can tell is because of my unique skills, I doubt they can be seen by the naked eye."

Harry's friends nodded grimly, Dumbledore seemed to have planned for every contingency.

Classes went by in their usual manner, except for the uncomfortable bonus of teachers following the students from class to class. Even with these extra security measures happened, the Heir of Slytherin claimed five more victims. Two Hufflepuffs, a Gryffindor, and two Ravenclaws, all under fourth year had became petrified, all of the victims much like the previous ones was muggleborn. The mandrakes were going to be ready in a couple more months but Harry feared half of the school might become petrified before that time was reached.

Harry managed to elude the extra security by his stealth abilities by sticking to the shadows, with a bit of help from the Invisibility cloak. He went down to the Slytherin Library, researching extremely advanced forms of magic, including advanced stealth and illusion charms, which were Auror training level Magic or at least were when these books were written over a thousand years ago, and there were few things more advanced, other than some of the more advanced and nastier forms of the Dark Arts. Anything he could use if worse came to worse and he had to battle the one behind these attacks. Harry also needed to find someway to unlock his mystic abilities because they could very well be an advantage if he had to fight the monster of the Chamber of Secrets. In addition, the amount of homework the teachers was piling up, which Harry suspected was to keep students out of the hallways so the chances for attacks can be limited, he risen so high, Harry had less time to spend with his friends than ever before.

Many events appeared to happen all at once, with the teachers piling on more homework, the freedom of the students being restricted, and the thing that hit Harry about in the late part of March pushed Harry closer to the brink of a meltdown. A late night call on the two-way mirror from Master Splinter had some grim news.

"They’ve not gotten back yet," said Harry in a worried tone of voice. "They left in the second week of January, the day I was to return to Hogwarts, and they still have not returned."

"They did return for a brief time, a little over a day after they left to investigate the disturbance," said Splinter grimly. "They came back to prepare for a journey which they only hoped would be a few weeks but it is rapidly turning into over two months. They went looking for information and I fear they may have found more than they could bargain for. I still hold hope what I thought them in the martial arts can help them survive and find their way home, but hope grows grimmer by the day."

"They left no way for you to contact them," said Harry.

"No, as I said, they only thought it would be a couple of weeks and did not bring any form of communication in case of the emergency," said Splinter. "Still Harry, do not trouble yourself over this and do not come home, you must remain in school."

"I couldn’t leave even if I wanted to," said Harry. "I have been busy for some time and I have not talked to you, but my Portus-Amulet has been stolen and not recovered. I fear the attacker may be using it to commit the assault upon Hogwarts."

Splinter frowned, with a dark expression growing on the wise old rat's face.

"Exactly how many more attacks have happened since we last spoke over the Christmas Holidays," said Splinter.

"Nine and counting," said Harry darkly.

"Very troubling, this attacker seems to be growing more and more dangerous as time progresses," said Splinter. "I fear the attacks may spread outside of the walls of Hogwarts in the very near future. Good-Bye, Harry, and I need not remind you to be careful."

"Right, Master Splinter," said Harry absentmindedly as the mirror went blank.

His brothers had gone missing during their trip to investigate a mysterious disturbance deep beneath the ground. Harry shuddered to think what might have been lurking down there and without the Portus-Amulet; he may not be able to go home.

Harry looked around; he wondered what else could go wrong in his life. Going back to the advanced text in the Slytherin library, he began mentally noting more magical methods that might come in handy if danger should ever meet him.

The time into the Easter Holidays had been quiet, as it seemed the attacker had stalled the attacks, to no doubt lure the people of Hogwarts into a false sense of security.

Another task was brought forth to the second years, as they were to sign up for addition classes for the Third Year.

"Hermione, I do sometimes question your mental stability signing up for everything," said Harry as he, Hermione, Daphne, and Theodore had been attempting to decide what classes they were to take while in the library. "Sure, I understand your ability to gain more knowledge but the truth is signing up for Divination seems to be a waste of time, as all it appears to be is fortune telling and it’s sketchy at best, and what's the point in signing up for Muggle Studies, as you are muggleborn already."

"I really don't want to miss out on anything, plus don't you think it would be fascinating learning about Muggles from the Wizarding point of view," said Hermione. "After all, this an important part of our magical education and not taking all that is available could restrict what we could used for in the future?"

"Still Hermione, I wonder if there may or may not be enough time," said Theodore. "After all, taking three extra classes like Daphne, Harry, and myself are taking is pushing it already, but five."

"Still, it should be fun to see them try and schedule that," said Daphne looking amused.

Daphne, Theodore, and Harry had elected to take Arthimancy, Study of Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures. Hermione had decided to take the same but also took Muggle Studies and Divination in addition. It was an unwritten rule in Slytherin than no one took Divination, as both the subject and the teacher were considered to be a big joke. Harry personally felt it was useless as he did not believe in fate and felt that people were free to choose their own destinies. Thus, he felt attempting to predict the future was a bit idiotic.

Still, it was becoming extremely hard to have any leisure time with his friends, due to the increased security restrictions and besides, homework had become strict, with the exception of Lockhart who seemed not to be competent enough to give out anything that was remotely difficult. Not for the first time, Harry wondered if he would see the end of the year.

Quidditch seemed to be the only freedom left open for the people of Hogwarts but each house was only limited to two practices a week for only ninety minutes in duration. Slytherin was scheduled to face Ravenclaw in the middle of April, a week after the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff match. Somehow, Flint seemed to work them as hard as he could when he had five practices a week with two but Harry felt the chances of victory was high. Still, the fact remained if one more attack happens, even Quidditch would be pulled away from the students of Hogwarts.

Harry was preparing to go out to watch the game between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff when he walked into three people he did not want to see. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing in the hallway.

"Greetings, Potter, tell me, petrified anyone as of late," said Malfoy in a low voice as Crabbe and Goyle laughed. "No, actually, I know someone like you would not do it, as you seem to not have any proper Wizarding feeling, after all, you are friends with that Mudblood, Granger."

Harry said nothing; it would not do him any good to lose his cool at this moment.

"Still, it's a shame that the Heir is just attacking Mudbloods and not blood traitors," said Malfoy in a low voice. "After all, the girl Weasley would fit right it if the Heir took that course of action. It would do me great pleasure to see her flat on her back, with her mouth wide open, legs spread. I must say, even if she does not get petrified, that position could be what's in her future."

Harry clenched his fists, held his breath, and began to count to ten. He must not attack Malfoy; his reputation was already bad enough.

"What's the matter Potter, can't think of a witty comeback for once?" drawled Malfoy. "Sad really, the fact you actually are friends with a low life like that Weasley girl. Call yourself a Slytherin Potter with the company you keep, you are nothing but a coward who is not even worthy to scrub my floor. When these attacks continue, I hope the next one dies and I hope it is Granger. Wouldn't that be fun, Potter?"

Harry pulled out his wand, losing his cool.

"Effrego," said Harry, shooting a red light towards Malfoy's nose. A crack was heard, as the bone-breaking curse shattered Malfoy's nose.

Harry looked at Malfoy, as Malfoy's nose appeared to be crushed and he was bleeding profusely. Turning on his back without a word, Harry walked off, to join his friends for the Quidditch Match.

Draco looked at Potter with disdain. How dare he attack one with such noble blood as Draco Malfoy? Still perhaps he had underestimated Potter, using what could be considered a borderline dark spell. If Draco was honest with himself, he would admit his father was right in his assumption Potter is not a person to be messed with.

"You two buffoons, what are you standing around for, go fetch Professor Snape, can't you see I am grievously injured!" demanded Draco.

Crabbe and Goyle walked off. It always felt good to be able to boss around lower life forms than yourself. At least it was to Draco.

Draco was jerked out of his thoughts of superiority with a hissing noise. Turning around, he saw the Weasley girl, apparently talking to something.

"Weasley, what's the matter lost down here?" taunted Draco. "It is just as well, you don't belong down here with all the other snakes."

"Actually, I do, little boy," hissed Weasley. "I am more of a Slytherin than you are ever will be.”

Draco sneered but that look quickly turned into a horrified one as he looked at the girl's eyes. They appeared to be glowing a deep demonic red. Still, the Malfoy heir attempted to cast the slightly disturbing thought out of his mind. Draco turned, muttering a reflection charm in mid air. This charm was required to be learned by all pure blood nobility to check out their appearance to see if they were presentable at a moment's notice. It appeared Potter had done a number on his nose.

"You are well to look at Lord Voldemort when he is addressing you, you insignificant little worm," hissed the Weasley girl.

Draco turned around, looking at the Weasley girl with a sneer.

"You think of yourself as the Dark Lord," said Draco incredulously. "I must say the Weasleys are not known for your intelligence but you, tramp, seem to be achieving a new level of stupidity."

"Silence cretin. I am Lord Voldemort and I was the one behind these attacks," said the Weasley girl in a cold voice.

The situation struck Draco suddenly and he had managed to put the pieces together.

"My Lord, you are possessing this girl to do your bidding?" inquired Draco, bowing low.

"On your feet," hissed the Dark Lord through Weasley. "I have no use for a servant such as yourself, I have all the help I need. With the Portus-Amulet and the Basilisk, I will be able to take out the Wizarding World, and no one will see it coming."

"I am the son of one of your most faithful servants," said Draco although he looked a little fearful. "Surely, you must have a use for me. We Malfoys are of the purest of blood."

The Dark Lord used the Weasley girl to give a cold high laugh that sounded positively demonic coming out of Ginny.

"I have little use for incompetence," said the Dark Lord coldly. "It matters little too me of your blood, as I am not going to share power. My future self made a mistake of relying on others too much and I daresay I will not make that error."

"Future self?" asked Draco, looking rather confused.

"Yes, Future Self, and already Draco Malfoy, you now know and have seen too much," hissed the Dark Lord coldly. "You must be exterminated."

Draco suddenly felt fearful and turned around, attempting to make a break for it. He needed to warn Professor Snape that a rogue fragment of the soul of the Dark Lord's past self had been doing the attacks but he saw a pair of yellow eyes reflected in the mist left by the reflection charm. With that, Draco crumpled to the floor, in a state of petrification.

The Dark Lord used his puppet to look at Draco's fallen body, forcing Ginny Weasley's mouth into a sneer. Tom forced the Weasley girl to tap her wand to the Portus-Amulet. The girl ported out of sight, with the consciousness of Tom still very much controlling her body and mind. Tom hoped to make more final assault on this day.

Moments later, Snape walked into the scene and saw a grisly sight. Draco was lying on the floor, petrified. Before now, the Heir had not touched students of the Slytherin House or students that were not Muggleborn. If Snape did not know any better, he would say Mr. Malfoy had seen something he should not have and thus was silenced.

Snape knew everything was going to go all to hell now, and Lucius Malfoy was unlikely not to act to remove Dumbledore, especially with his own son becoming petrified.

Elsewhere, Harry had made it out to stands of the Quidditch Pitch. He joined Daphne and Theodore. Ginny had complained about headaches in the morning and thus decided to sleep in. Hermione was missing.

"Where is Hermione anyway?" asked Harry.

"She had a sudden brainstorm and decided to make a quick trip to the library," said Theodore. "I wonder what was so important that she would risk going in alone."

"I think she may have figured out what kind of monster is doing the attacks," said Daphne absentmindedly as the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor Quidditch Teams came out onto the field. "What took you so long, Harry?"

"I met Malfoy and he said the usual," said Harry. "Still, I hoped Hermione might have figured out what was doing the attacks, as I am a lost to find out what."

The Hufflepuff and Gryffindor Quidditch Teams prepared for action but Professor McGonagall sped out onto the field, looking rather fearful, with a megaphone in hand.

"Everyone, Quidditch has been called off, as more attacks, three more, have occurred by the Heir of Slytherin," said McGonagall. "Everyone, come back inside, promptly."

Harry, Daphne, and Theodore walked down from the stands but McGonagall met them at the bottom.

"You three had better come with me," said McGonagall in a dark voice.

The three Slytherins followed McGonagall all the way to the hospital wing. A feeling of dread washed over Harry and when he arrived, he saw the feeling was completely justified.

"This isn't happening," whispered Harry in a low voice, attempting to keep himself calm but failing miserably.

Harry did not pay attention to the other two attacked, which were Draco Malfoy and a sixth year Ravenclaw Prefect named Penelope Clearwater. The identity of the third victim caused Harry to nearly go into shock.

Lying on the bed, her face looking like it was carved out of stone was Hermione. The attacker had claimed the first victim out of Harry's circle of friends. Hermione had been petrified by whatever the monster was in the Chamber of Secrets.