𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊𓍊𓋼𓍊𓋼𓍊
Harry woke up early on Saturday morning and laid in the bed for a while thinking about the coming Quidditch match.
He was nervous, mainly at the thought of what Wood would say if Gryffindor lost, but also at the idea of facing a team mounted on the fastest racing brooms gold could buy. He had never wanted to beat Slytherin so badly.
After half an hour of lying there with his insides churning, he got up, dressed, and went down to breakfast early, where he found the rest of the Gryffindor team huddled at the long, empty table, all looking uptight and not speaking much.
Harry was also a bit upset that Crystal wouldn't be able to see his match.
Last night, Dumbledore had sent a note to her to talk the next morning at ten. He knew the meeting would go even past they start the match but a part of him also hoped that Crystal was not in trouble.
As he was sitting on the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, brooding over the thoughts and fighting his nerves someone nudged his shoulder with their elbow and sat beside him.
"Crys!" said Harry, all his gloomy thoughts vanished instantly.
"'Morning," said Crystal smiling and kept two lidded dishes occupying both her hands on the table, "Why aren't you eating?"
"Not feeling like it," said Harry. "What are those?"
Crystal slid the closed dishes in front of him and opened the lids. One plate had a slice of treacle tart and other had brownies.
"Tada! I knew you won't be eating so I went directly to the kitchens and baked these . . . " said Crystal pointing at brownies plate, " . . . as an apology for not able to come to your match,"
"It's not your fault!"
"It kind of is to be honest. . . Being a Calisto --- "
"No, it's not! Anyway, so you made all this for me? Really?" Harry asked surprised.
Crystal nodded.
"You've got to eat something that will keep you going. Just eat a little bit atleast."
"Yeah, Crystal! Make this boy come to his senses that he got to eat before match or he'll faint in midair." said Angelina.
"Harry, we can't take any risk today!" Oliver exclaimed, "we've got to win no matter what! Don't you dare choose today to faint and EAT!!"
"Well, Freddie, does it look like those mouthwatering brownies are only for Harry?" said George grinning at them.
"Oh, Georgie, what can we innocent and poor guys even do?" said Fred dramatically wipping a fake tear, "We don't get to eat the stuffs the princess makes with her own hands."
Crystal snapped her fingers and many similar dishes appeared on the empty table along with the breakfast.
"And the best drama queens of the year goes to Mr. Weasley and his brother Mr. Weasley," said Crystal, "I made plenty for the whole team, take a look."
Fred and George opened the lids off the dishes with huge grins.
"Just arrived a bit late," said Crystal added.
Everyone lunged at once to try as though this was once in a lifetime moment which if missed they'll regret forever. Those brownies looked mouthwatering.
"Woah! Perfect!" said Oliver, savouring the taste.
"So yummy Crystal!" said Alicia.
"It's better than the bakeries I went to! The sweetness is just on spot!" said Angelina.
"Yep! It's tasty! Crystal, you've got to teach me how you baked this!" said Katie.
Harry was really proud of Crystal of how she was changing from one of the biggest introvert of the world, who didn't know a thing about friends to making these many. It was remarkable. He was so happy for her as though the praises were meant for him.
"She can cook well, Harry ---" said Fred grinned.
"Lucky guy, Harry, lucky guy!" said George shovelling down more brownies, Harry looked at him confused.
"Excuse me." said Crystal. "What does Harry have to do with me cooking?"
"Everything!" The twins said together.
"Atleast he won't have to starve in future!" said George, winking at Harry.
"Your presence is enough to clear the heavy clouds of rain, Crysie," said Fred grinning towards Harry.
Crystal noticed Harry hadn't touched the plate she personally brought for him.
"You don't have eat this if you don't want to,"
"No no no! It's not like I don't want to but you didn't have to go through so much trouble for me, really --- it's not like I was upset or anything --- I understand you were called for ---"
Crystal shoved the spoonful of brownie in Harry's mouth while his mouth was open trying to find the words.
"I know very well. So. . . how is it?" Crystal asked eagerly and a bit nervous.
"Brilliant!" said Harry savouring its flavor before he swallowed, "It's just like how I had in one of those cake shops when I was ten or something, I really liked that shop but I was not allowed to go there again I don't know why --- "
"Who do you think I am, huh?" Crystal said swirling the spoon in her hand.
"Crystal Aviana Calisto. I know you're a genius who can do anything," Harry said smiling in daze.
"The name is mine but I'm not any genius, they're sort of mental. . . "
"Not all of them and I can't describe why I'm feeling this but I'm very happy you made friends, a lot of them actually,"
"Thanks to someone named Harry Potter," Crystal smiled, "You wouldn't happen to know him, do you?"
"Oh, I actually do happen to know him so well, " --- he casually leaned in sideways towards her to whisper in her ear --- "inside and out. Would like to know about him too?"
"I have . . . got way better things to do than knowing Harry Potter," Crystal said with a scoffing smile.
Harry didn't know what this fuzzy and ticklish feeling in his stomach was but he was sure that the sweetness of the sugar made him so happy that he couldn't stop smiling as he looked at her.
He could hear Fred and George giggle in the background.
"Now, will you take the spoon or do I've to babysit you too?" Crystal said as he looked at her surprised, breaking out of his daze.
"Er--- Y-Yeah, I'll take that, thanks . . . " said Harry sheepishly, as he took the spoon from her hand, "Why don't you have some too?"
"That's fine, I pretty much ate in the kitchen while taste testing, I'm kind of out of practice so this was the fourth attempt --- Oh right! Harry! Have you ever been to the kitchen--- "
Harry smiled as he ate and listened to Crystal talk and didn't even realise when his plate was empty.
He tended to forget everything and when Crystal truly smiled or laughed from her heart.
It was just like the sun rising behind the snowy mountains, which makes the snow glimmer like gold and refreshes the soul of an individual with new hope and happiness. He missed talking random things like that with her.
" --- Don't eat the spoon now," Crystal said removing the spoon from his lips. "You want to have some more?"
"Oh no, I'm fine," said Harry, putting his plate away, "It's time anyways,"
"Ah yes, I didn't realise it," Crystal got up to leave, "Good luck and break their necks!"
"It's break a leg, Crys," Harry said as he chuckled.
"Oh, Is it?" said Crystal and extended her fist which he bumped. "Then, just do that."
"And thanks for this, it was very delicious," said Harry, pointing his thumb towards the brownies.
"No problem, my friend. Enjoy your game." She patted Harry's shoulder.
He watched Crystal as she went to wish luck to others and waved them goodbye checking her wristwatch.
Harry felt jitters in his heart. His nervousness made a U-turn back as soon as she left.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
Crystal stopped before a large and extremely ugly stone gargoyle while the whole school was out.
"Lemon drop." she said. This was evidently a password, because the gargoyle sprang suddenly to life and hopped aside as the wall behind him split in two.
This was the part of her everyday life, in and out that gargoyle.
Crystal adjust the grip on the thick golden yellow book in her hand as she stepped on a spiral staircase and heard the wall thud closed behind her.
The stairs rose upward in circles, higher and higher until at last, she saw a gleaming oak door ahead, with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin.
Crystal stepped off the stone staircase at the top and rapped on the door. It opened silently.
She entered a large and beautiful circular room, full of funny little noises. A number of curious silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, whirring and emitting little puffs of smoke.
The walls were covered with portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all of whom were snoozing gently in their frames. There was also an enormous, claw-footed desk, and, sitting on a shelf behind it, a shabby, tattered wizard's hat --- the Sorting Hat.
Standing on a golden perch behind the door was a an old bird which was slowly loosing it's vibrant colour that Crystal got familiar since last year.
It was a Phoenix, at the last stage of it's cycle of new beginning from the end.
She had developed a strange and silent connection with the divine creature over the past year where they she just greet each other and stare, one could not tell if it was hostile, fear or fascination.
"Hello, Fawkes," She said, the bird dully looked at her in response. She staggered back a little away from the bird and her lips pressed in a hopeless thin line, helpless for his poor state.
Just as she went to take a seat and wait for Dumbledore, the office door opened.
"Hello, Crystal. I'm sorry to keep you waiting long," said Professor Dumbledore and smiled.
"Good Morning, Professor Dumbledore, I came in just now," said Crystal. "Is Fawkes still not feeling good today too?"
"Fawkes. . . unfortunately, is still not in a good state, it's getting old and you know what is about to happen next," said Dumbledore and sat in his chair behind his desk, "Please sit,"
Crystal sat across him.
"Have you read the book?" Dumbledore said looking at the book in her hand.
"Yes, there are a few things I would like to ask,"
"That's expected. You can ask them later. Can you brief me a summary?"
"Are you testing me?"
"I'm trying to understand your understanding."
"It starts from the origin of the Calisto family, a noble or aristocrats in Greece who 'migrated' to the British Empire centuries back. . . Umm, they were welcomed and counted among one of the most influential and prestigious family as they produced many scholars and most brilliant businessmen.
"That was until when they were framed for treason during a war almost three centuries ago and driven to bankruptcy. But that conspiracy was soon uncovered, Calistos they stood back again exempted from all the charges by exposing the real perpetrators and traitors --- This is just my opinion, but all happened because of their oath of neutrality when they left Greece and --- um, the one who raised the Calistos back from the ruins was a woman, in the era of the male dominated society in the world of magic.
"The family gained even more respect after the way Marjorie Calisto led and rose the Calisto's business from ash. This inspired many women to come forward in the society as equals to men.
"Oh --- and they were one of the major contributors in the making of the Ministry of Magic system that's existing today. They also contributed in many campaigns, welfare projects, societies and rule implementation, one of the most commendable being the rights of a woman to be a heir, a matriarchy system.
"They also invested in several small and large business and have their own major business of gems, jewels and unique magic items made from those gems which made Calistos among one the richest name in the worldwide Wizarding world.
"Also at some point down the line, they started funding the Hogwarts school too and started scholarship program to cover the educational expenses of the students whose financial conditions were not good but . . . it has stopped now after my grandfather's death --- I've an idea though, that the Lennox family is behind this."
Crystal took a deep breath and exhaled, "That pretty much sums up the important highlights of the whole book."
"And to the fact summary for this thick book," said Dumbledore proudly nodding his head, keeping the book aside on his table.
"But there's more to this, right?" said Crystal, "I mean, this book doesn't contains anything that I need to learn about their business or how to ---"
"Their again. Not their Crystal, it's yours now, everything is yours," said Dumbledore conjuring two teacups and pouring tea them, "You're not ready to take the responsibility until you accept it as your own. You must have an authority over it as the Master of the house."
"But neither have I been to the Calisto Mansion nor do I've ever known any member of the Calisto family in my life, how can I just own it all up? I've no attachments or affection for them, even my own mother. I'm weird, aren't I?"
"It's because you're the only Calisto left and you've never met them so it's natural to feel that way, you don't personally know your mother too . . . but I'm sure you do have affection for your mother. You feel it deep in your heart, it is hurting you." said Dumbledore and sipped his tea before putting the cup back in saucer.
"Well, she is my mother and she gave me life and saved my life, it did hurt me a bit on the day of her death anniversary,"
"That is love and it is powerful of all kinds of magic. Remember this feeling in your heart, Crystal, it will make you stronger." said Dumbledore, "Now, I'll tell you why I called you on short notice today. You might have wanted to enjoy the match on your weekend but the current situation now is not in your favor."
"What happened, Professor?" Crystal frowned a little.
"I got a message yesterday from my source about the current status of the Lennox --- after which I estimate that the Calisto is expected to declare bankruptcy way before I predicted earlier, we cannot wait for another three years for you to take over the position of Head."
"What?" said Crystal as her frown deepened, "Are they still not owning up for the illegal potions scandal? They ruined the lives of those innocent people and their family --- where did Lennox come from anyway?"
"They're your distant family --- well, not so much distant, your grandfather's cousin-sister's family, the Lennox, who one day appeared out of nowhere with all the legal documents when your mother died. They're regulating the Calistos internal and external affairs and now they have sinked deeply into the black market with all the illegal contracts,"
"By black market you mean stuff related to dark magic also?" Crystal had an idea but still couldn't believe her ears.
All that Calisto's money, her own fortune, was channeling to support dark magic which she hated more than anything.
"I'm afraid so," Dumbledore kept his empty cup on the table, "They mostly did partake in gambling here and there but now they are inclined to the dark side of the magic."
"Well, this is a big problem now . . . " Crystal mumbled, "Professor, how did they even enter the Mansion in the first place? Where did they forged the documents from?"
"I don't know. . . They might have been preparing for a long time, waiting for the right opportunity. Aviana died and at the time of your absence, Edgar Lennox and his wife Ophelia Lennox very cunningly and forcefully entered the Mansion and exploited the Calistos power and fortune."
"But Professor, when I went to the vault there didn't seem to be any money taken,"
Dumbledore let out laugh and shook his head. Crystal lips pressed in a thin line not understanding why people were laughing at her since few days for no reason at all.
"Crystal, I want you to keep your childhood innocence as you grow to become an adult early. Sometimes it feels like I'm not talking to a twelve year old." He saw her cup untouched, "You don't like tea? Shall I prepare something else?"
"No, it's fine, thank you," Crystal didn't understand what he was saying but nonetheless awkwardly nodded her head and sipped her tea.
"To answer your previous question, it's because the personal vault's key of the Head of the Calisto was under my protection for years until you have it now. It was protected by the Will of your mother. There is another separate business vault for management, budget and salaries of the employees and the funds had been exploited from there."
"Oh yes, makes sense." Crystal realised how silly the question was considering she had just started investment business that also had separate business accounts.
"Your mother, Aviana, I taught her too, she was quick for her age to find solutions to any kind of problems life subjected to her but she had no ambition to be the Head and just because of that she was not suited for the seat. On the contrary, I know you will greatly surpass her."
"Oh, that's --- I'm still not worthy enough for the praise. I've not accomplished anything yet."
"No dear child, you're doing more than enough, I'm sorry for escalating you on lessons but --- " Dumbledore slid the stack of five thick books towards her, "These contains the further details of your family and all business, how the management works, how internal affairs and budgets are managed. As you would be both the lady and head of the house, you have to manage both internal and external affairs of your castle whose queen you will be. Lot of work, you know. "
"What is the difference between Lady and Head of the House?"
"Generally, the inside and outside workload of the family are shared with the spouse. The Head works on the matters outside and the partner manages the internal. That's why the Succession Ceremony is held on the coming of age when the heir or the heiress is of marriageable age and they start looking for a worthy partner to fill the spot beside them.
"On your coming of age day, if the current head was alive, you would have been seen as the heir apparent but as there is no Head of the family, in your scenario, you will have the Succession Ceremony as the Head when you turn seventeen. But as of now, you're not of marriageable age till few years so you will have to take up on both the duties."
Crystal just nodded her head heavily, feeling the boulders of duties increasing her shoulders one after another. She put her empty cup back on the table slowly.
"In the absence of the Master, the Head Butler, currently it is Jonathan Craig taking care of the internal matters but Ophelia Lennox is inside that Mansion right now as the Lady and you're smart enough to know what might be happening."
"The bottom line is, my authority in the Calisto House is in danger as long as the Lennox stay."
"You understood," said Dumbledore leaning back in his chair.
"How much time am I left with?" Crystal asked slowly, letting the words sink in her mind.
"Less than a year. To be precise, you must take over in your summer holiday anyhow before it's too late."
"So if I don't take up the role of the Master of the House, the Calistos will be ruined by the end of the next year --- but as you said the Succession Ceremony takes place after the coming of age so how could I---"
"Crystal, Since there is no legal Master in the house, the legal heir can take up the role without objections, it was said in the Will. The law also says that. You can have a official ceremony when you're seventeen, until then just take over. I think we need to add one subject in your studies, the Law and Regulations."
"But we don't have much time . . ." Crystal said distressed, "How could we ever finish the things we decided to complete in the span of five years just in a few months,"
Dumbledore linked his hands on the desk and leaned forward a bit.
"We can first prepare by sorting the priority subjects and important things. The least important things can be learnt over the years after your take over, then we can confront the Lennox,"
"You know, professor," Crystal stood up, "Let's do it my way."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I'll kick the Lennox out," She kept both the hands on the desk and leaned forward, "For good,"
Dumbledore smiled and stood up too.
"Just ask me if you need anything,"
"Of course, I need your help," said Crystal.
"Right and when shall we get started with new schedule?"
"Now." Crystal said determined. "Right now."
Time ticked off and minutes turned into hours, the day became night.
Crystal had a quick lunch in the office that day. She was so busy that didn't even had time to think about Hermione, Ron, Harry or his match.
When they finally noticed that the sun had already set and it was dark outside, Dumbledore decided to stop for the day.
"I'll have those books send to your dormitory, I think that's too heavy for you carry." said Dumbledore, "And keep this confidential."
"Yes, I know," said Crystal, "Thank you and good Night, Professor." She left the room.
She went down the spiral staircase and she decided to go to the Great Hall, to meet her friends at dinner.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
Harry was lying on his bed unable to go to sleep. The day started beautifully, he felt he could do anything in the morning but it got ruined after that.
He was sulking because Crystal hadn't come to see him all day and probably she would be asleep by now.
"Sleep, you silly," He closed his eyes. "She's not coming, it's too late anyways,"
CREAK, CLACK.
Someone entered that room. Harry's mind was doing anything apart from sleep, wandering at smallest of the distraction.
But then he felt a soft hand, gently brushing his hair back. He opened his eyes to only see a hand floating in the midair.
"AGHHMmhff--- " The hand covered his mouth tightly and stopped him from shouting.
"It's me!" Crystal whispered and took off the invisibility cloak hanging it on the arm of the chair beside his bed.
"Crys! You really scared me!" said Harry breathing rapidly when Crystal released him.
"Honestly! It's your own Fancy Cloak and you don't recognise,"
"Okay okay, but what're you doing here, at this time of night past curfew?"
"Looking around the garden, yeah very pleasant, what do you think?"
"You can just simply say that you came to visit me ---"
"Fine, I left Dumbledore's office just before the dinner and ---"
"You were studying with Dumbledore since you left me in the morning?" Harry said shocked.
"Yeah --- so Hermione and Ron told me what happened today --- I was just going to see you and leave as you were sleeping, but you woke up shrieking like a girl---"
"Hey! I was not expecting you to visit me in my own Invisibility Cloak!" Harry exclaimed, "And I. Did. Not. Shriek. Like. A. Girl."
"A banshee ---"
"Crystal." He said in a warning tone sitting up sharply and winced.
"Okay, you didn't, happy?" said Crystal, helped him lay back down, "Oh God. It must be hurting, right? Don't get up." then said in low whisper near his ear, "Now, talk in very low whispers or I'll be caught and thrown out,"
"Fine, sit. . . " Harry whispered, heat raised up his cheek as her hair grazed his cheek.
Crystal silently pulled the chair close to the bed, Harry turned on his side to face her and talked, looking out for Madam Pomfrey every now and then before they slowly fell asleep.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
Harry woke up suddenly in the pitch blackness and gave a small yelp of pain: His arm now felt full of large splinters.
For a second, he thought that was what had woken him. Then, with a thrill of horror, he realised that someone was sponging his forehead in the dark.
"Get off!" he said loudly, and then, "Dobby!"
Harry looked to the side and saw Crystal sleeping very uncomfortably in the chair, her head was laying on the side of his bed with her arms as pillow. He had never seen Crystal actually sleeping before not even in his home.
He patted her head a few times as she seemed to waking up and left his hand in her hair as he turned to Dobby.
The house-elf's goggling tennis ball eyes were peering at Harry through the darkness. A single tear was running down his long, pointed nose.
"Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto came back to school," he whispered miserably. "Dobby warned and warned them. Ah sir, why didn't you heed Dobby? Why didn't Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto go back home when they missed the train?"
Crystal had already woken up when Harry patted her head. She was a little startled at first but then gently removed Harry's hand from her head and sat up squinting her eyes in the dark at the house elf.
"Dobby? Why're you --- careful, Harry!"
Harry heaved himself up on his pillows with Crystal's help and pushed Dobby's sponge away.
"What're you doing here?" he said. "And how did you know we missed the train?"
Dobby's lip trembled and Harry was seized by a sudden suspicion. Crystal let out a low laugh watching the house-elf's guilty face.
"It was you!" Harry said slowly. "You stopped the barrier from letting us through!"
"Indeed yes, sir," said Dobby, nodding his head vigorously, ears flapping.
"Dobby hid and watched for Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto and sealed the gateway and Dobby had to iron his hands afterward" --- he showed them ten long, bandaged fingers --- "but Dobby didn't care, sir, for he thought Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto were safe, and never did Dobby dream that Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto would get to school another way!"
He was rocking backward and forward, shaking his ugly head.
"Dobby was so shocked when he heard Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto were back at Hogwarts, he let his master's dinner burn! Such a flogging Dobby never had, sir. . . "
Harry slumped back onto his pillows leaning on the headrest of the bed. Crystal stood beside his bed with her arms folded in front of her chest.
"You nearly got Ron, Crystal and me expelled," Harry said fiercely. "You'd better get lost before my bones come back, Dobby, or I might strangle you."
Dobby smiled weakly.
"Dobby is used to death threats, sir. Dobby gets them five times a day at home."
He blew his nose on a corner of the filthy pillowcase he wore, looking so pathetic that Harry felt his anger ebb away in spite of himself.
"Why d'you wear that thing, Dobby?" Crystal asked curiously.
"This, miss?" said Dobby, plucking at the pillowcase. "'Tis a mark of the house-elf's enslavement, miss. Dobby can only be freed if his masters present him with clothes, miss. The family is careful not to pass Dobby even a sock, miss, for then he would be free to leave their house forever."
Dobby mopped his bulging eyes and said suddenly, "Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make ---"
"Your Bludger?" said Harry, anger rising once more. "What d'you mean, your Bludger? You made that Bludger try and kill me?"
"Not kill you, sir, never kill you!" said Dobby, shocked. "Dobby wants to save Harry Potter's and Crystal Calisto's life! Dobby wanted to send a bludger to stands where Crystal Calisto would be sitting but he couldn't find her anywhere! Better sent home, grievously injured, than remain here, sir! Dobby only wanted Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto hurt enough to be sent home!"
Crystal suddenly felt lucky. She had escaped her fate to be laid on the Hospital bed but she also felt bad for Harry's condition.
"You wanted to send the bludger at her too?! She'd have died the instant that hit her!" said Harry furiously and yanked Crystal's hand forward. "Look, how dainty and fragile she is! How could you ever think of sending a bludger at her!"
"Dobby is sorry, miss --- "
"I'm not fragile or dainty!" Crystal hissed at Harry and snatched her hand back.
"You --- " Harry winced holding his arm.
"Dobby," She looked at the house-elf and sternly said, "I don't suppose you're going to tell us why you wanted us sent home in pieces?"
"Ah, if Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto only knew!" Dobby groaned, more tears dripping onto his ragged pillowcase. "If they knew what they mean to us, to the lowly, the enslaved, we dregs of the magical world! Dobby remembers how it was when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was at the height of his powers, miss! We house-elves were treated like vermin! Of course, Dobby is still treated like that, miss," he admitted, drying his face on the pillowcase.
"But mostly, life has improved for my kind since Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto triumphed over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto survived, and the Dark Lord's power was broken, and it was a new dawn, miss and Crystal Calisto and Harry Potter shone like the beacons of hope for those of us who thought the dark days would never end, miss . . .
"And now, at Hogwarts, terrible things are to happen, are perhaps happening already, and Dobby cannot let Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto stay here now that history is to repeat itself, now that the Chamber of Secrets is open once more --- "
Crystal catched on the words, interested to hear him more now. Dobby froze, horrorstruck, then grabbed Harry's water jug from his bedside table and cracked it over his own head, toppling out of sight.
A second later, he crawled back onto the bed, cross-eyed, muttering, "Bad Dobby, very bad Dobby. . ."
"So there is a Chamber of Secrets?" Harry whispered. "And --- did you say it's been opened before? Tell me, Dobby!"
Crystal seized the elf's bony wrist as Dobby's hand inched toward the water jug.
"But we're not Muggle-born --- how can we be in danger from the Chamber?" Harry said.
"Ah, sir, ask no more, ask no more of poor Dobby," stammered the elf, his eyes huge in the dark. "Dark deeds are planned in this place, but Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto must not be here when they happen --- go home, Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto, go home. Harry Potter and Crystal Calisto must not meddle in this, sir, miss, 'tis too dangerous ---"
"Who is it, Dobby?" Harry said, keeping a firm hold on Dobby's other wrist to stop him from hitting himself with the water jug again. "Who's opened it? Who opened it last time?
"Dobby can't, sir, Dobby can't, Dobby mustn't tell!" squealed the elf. "Go home, Harry Potter, Crystal Calisto, go home!"
"We're not going anywhere!" said Crystal fiercely. "One of my best friends is Muggle-born; she'll be first in line if the Chamber really has been opened ---"
"We don't want anything happen to her --- "
"Crystal Calisto and Harry Potter risks their own life for their friends!" moaned Dobby in a kind of miserable ecstasy. "So noble! So valiant! But they must save themselves, they must, Crystal Calisto and Harry Potter must not ---"
Dobby suddenly froze, his bat ears quivering. Harry and Crystal heard it, too. There were footsteps coming down the passageway outside.
"Dobby must go!" breathed the elf, terrified. There was a loud crack, and Harry's fist was suddenly clenched on thin air.
He slumped back into bed, his eyes on the dark doorway to the hospital wing as the footsteps drew nearer.
"Crys, hide yourself!" He whispered quickly.
"I know!"
Crystal hid herself below Harry's bed having no time.
Next moment, Dumbledore was backing into the dormitory, wearing a long woolly dressing gown and a nightcap.
He was carrying one end of what looked like a statue. Professor McGonagall appeared a second later, carrying its feet. Together, they heaved it onto a bed.
"Get Madam Pomfrey," whispered Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall hurried past the end of Harry's bed out of sight.
Harry lay quite still, pretending to be asleep. He heard urgent voices, and then Professor McGonagall swept back into view, closely followed by Madam Pomfrey, who was pulling a cardigan on over her nightdress. He heard a sharp intake of breath.
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey whispered to Dumbledore, bending over the statue on the bed.
"Another attack," said Dumbledore. "Minerva found him on the stairs."
"There was a bunch of grapes next to him," said Professor McGonagall. "We think he was trying to sneak up here to visit Potter."
Harry's stomach gave a horrible lurch. Slowly and carefully, he raised himself a few inches so he could look at the statue on the bed. A ray of moonlight lay across its staring face.
It was Colin Creevey. His eyes were wide and his hands were stuck up in front of him, holding his camera.
"Petrified?" whispered Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes," said Professor McGonagall. "But I shudder to think . . . If Albus hadn't been on the way downstairs for hot chocolate --- who knows what might have ---"
The three of them stared down at Colin. Then Dumbledore leaned forward and wrenched the camera out of Colin's rigid grip.
"You don't think he managed to get a picture of his attacker?" said Professor McGonagall eagerly.
Dumbledore didn't answer. He opened the back of the camera.
"Good gracious!" said Madam Pomfrey.
A jet of steam had hissed out of the camera. Harry and Crystal, three beds away, caught the acrid smell of burnt plastic.
"Melted," said Madam Pomfrey wonderingly. "All melted . . ."
"What does this mean, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked urgently.
"It means," said Dumbledore, "that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again."
Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand to her mouth. Professor McGonagall stared at Dumbledore.
"But, Albus . . . surely . . . who?"
"The question is not who," said Dumbledore, his eyes on Colin. "The question is, how. . . ."
And from what Harry could see of Professor McGonagall's shadowy face, she didn't understand this any better than he did.
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On Sunday morning, Harry woke up to find the dormitory blazing with winter sunlight and his arm reboned but very stiff.
He sat up quickly and looked over at Colin's bed, but it had been blocked from view by the high curtains Harry had changed behind yesterday.
Crystal went back to her dormitory a few minutes after the Professors left. Harry insisted her on staying the night in the Hospital wing as the attacker might be still lurking outside.
"I'll be fine, whoever it is has alerted Dumbledore. I should go warn Hermione that it's attacking people now. So good night and grow your bones." Crystal said before sneaking out.
Seeing that he was awake, Madam Pomfrey came bustling over with a breakfast tray and then began bending and stretching his arm and fingers.
"All in order," she said as he clumsily fed himself porridge left-handed, how he wished his friends were there for breakfast with him. "When you've finished eating, you may leave."
Harry dressed as quickly as he could and hurried off to Gryffindor Tower, desperate to find Crystal, Ron and Hermione, knowing Crystal would've definitely told them about Colin and Dobby, but they weren't there.
Harry left to look for them, wondering where they could have got to and feeling slightly hurt that they weren't interested in whether he had his bones back or not.
As Harry passed the library, Percy Weasley strolled out of it, looking in far better spirits than last time they'd met.
"Oh, hello, Harry," he said. "Excellent flying yesterday, really excellent. Gryffindor has just taken the lead for the House Cup --- you earned fifty points!"
"You haven't seen Crystal, Ron or Hermione, have you?" said Harry.
"No, I haven't," said Percy, his smile fading. "I hope Ron's not in another girls' toilet . . . "
Harry forced a laugh, watched Percy walk out of sight, and then headed straight for Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
He couldn't see why Crystal, Ron and Hermione would be in there again, but after making sure that neither Filch nor any prefects were around, he opened the door and heard their voices coming from a locked stall.
"It's me," he said, closing the door behind him. There was a clunk, a splash, and a gasp from within the stall and he saw Hermione's eye peering through the keyhole.
"Harry!" she said. "You gave us such a fright --- come in --- how's your arm?"
"Fine," said Harry, squeezing into the stall.
An old cauldron was perched on the toilet, and a crackling from under the rim told Harry they had lit a fire beneath it. Conjuring up portable, waterproof fires was a speciality of Hermione's.
But someone was missing, it was just the three of them, "Where's Crystal?"
"Lessons with Dumbledore," said Hermione and smiled cheekily, "Why are you looking for her first thing in the morning? Anything special?"
"She's gone studying again? I hadn't seen her all day yesterday since breakfast in the morning, couldn't see properly in the dark yesterday night and probably won't see her today too! What is she doing anyways? Why does she need so much extra lessons? Is something going on?" said Harry rapidly. "And today is Sunday!"
"To rest you at peace, she went to see you early in the morning before she went to Dumbledore's office. And she didn't tell us anything but it's my hunch, she's probably preparing for taking the Head's position . . ." Hermione whispered. "Very soon . . . Let's just ask her when she back.
"Anyways, Harry, we'd've come to meet you, but we decided to get started on the Polyjuice Potion," Ron explained as Harry, with difficulty, locked the stall again. "We've decided this is the safest place to hide it."
"You know about Colin, right?" said Harry.
"I already heard from Crystal last night. That's why we decided we'd better get going ---"
"The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy, the better," snarled Ron. "D'you know what I think? He was in such a foul temper after the Quidditch match, he took it out on Colin."
"There's something else," said Harry, watching Hermione tearing bundles of knotgrass and throwing them into the potion. "Dobby came to visit us in the middle of the night,"
Ron and Hermione looked up, amazed.
"Crystal didn't tell me that?" Hermione said.
"How could she not tell you guys," said Harry perplexed, "Anyways ---"
Harry told them everything Dobby had told him and Crystal --- or hadn't told. Hermione and Ron listened with their mouths open.
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened before?" Hermione said.
"This settles it," said Ron in a triumphant voice. "Lucius Malfoy must've opened the Chamber when he was at school here and now he's told dear old Draco how to do it. It's obvious. Wish Dobby'd told you what kind of monster's in there, though. I want to know how come nobody's noticed it sneaking around the school."
"Maybe it can make itself invisible," said Hermione, prodding leeches to the bottom of the cauldron. "Or maybe it can disguise itself --- pretend to be a suit of armor or something --- I've read about Chameleon Ghouls ---"
"You read too much, Hermione," said Ron, pouring dead lacewings on top of the leeches. He crumpled up the empty lacewing bag and looked at Harry.
"So Dobby stopped us from getting on the train and broke your arm . . ." He shook his head. "You know what, Harry? If he doesn't stop trying to save your life he's going to kill you."
"But why didn't Crystal tell you any of this to you guys." Harry said his thoughts aloud. "What is she trying to do?"
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A/N:
I'm very sorry for the delay in updating this chapter, I had some personal reasons but it's all sorted out now.
So next update will be on either Saturday/ Sunday.
Do leave your feedbacks for this chapter and thank you reading this and voting if you did :)
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Cia🍸
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