She whispered

by Lucas Chesterton

  ‘You may want to go Filch has been on the warpath,’ Nick warned as Holly got ready to bolt, but Filch was already drawn in, by some unseen connection to the cat.

  The man had a bulbous nose dripping with snot, the salmon pink handkerchief didn’t help. ‘Can I help you?’ She sighed,

  ‘Filth, I just spent hours cleaning up brains off the ceiling.’ He cursed as Holly took out her wand, Filch froze as Holly tapped her head then she cast a worded spell as the mud was cleaned up. ‘Why didn’t you do that earlier,’ he hissed,

  ‘Well last time I blew up a plate, don’t want to destroy my robes. Why do you do everything by hand? Or I don’t know hire in some help to boss around?’ She asked as he went from concern to a grin.

  ‘Hire people, get out of here Potter, I find myself in a better mood,’ he waved off as the old man cackled st the idea.

  ‘What poor idea did you put in his head?’ Nick asked as Holly shrugged, ‘Anyone who went to school here would never take a job like that. Besides this place could always use more janitors it’s a big castle. Either way not in trouble.’ Holly shrugged, ‘Now then about that paper, if you can write and get letters why can’t you have a ghost ax to finish the job?’ She pointed at her neck.

  ‘You know I never tried, I could try that out.’ He brightened more than a person should at the idea being chopped at by an ax.

  She headed up towards the stairs when she realized she hadn’t visited her dad since he started and on a whim took a walk to the new teacher’s office. She knocked on the office door as she glanced around the class. the class she never really bothered to take in was very different long gone was the smell of garlic, with a few practice dummies lined up to the side as well as a few mats to fall on, as well as a mass of books plus a lot of extra lights to help illuminate with more warm colors and decor to help feel invited. ‘A place to make mistakes,’ as she remembered when he set up the room under their house. as behind the desk hung four banners one for each house that changed position depending on which house was being taught.

  ‘Come in,’ he replied, as she walked in to see her dad partially hidden behind a few books and papers, ‘Good to see, everything going well, how’s about some pumpkin juice?’ He offered, as he tapped the papers and let them grade themselves,

  ‘Sure,’ as the fireplace lit up as a few comfy, chairs were magicked into existence. He handed her a cup as he sat down.

  ‘Any issues, with that House Elf?’ He asked as he glanced at the fire.

  ‘Nope how’s Hector doing?’ Holly asked,

  ‘Good I tracked down his accuser a kid who up and vanished after a string of unsolved deaths. I am working on connecting the boy with Voldemort himself. I think I have it all snorted just need some more solid evidence.’

  ‘What was he accused of, I know he had his wand broken but nobody will say anything,’ Holly admitted as she drunk her pumpkin juice.

  ‘Not my place to say, but like all things the ministry half arsed the investigation.’ He grumbled. ‘So how are the classes going, any input?’ He asked,

  ‘Not really everything going well, everyone seems pretty happy. When will you start up the dueling club?’

  ‘November, after everyone has had time to rest the waters may break it up by years I don’t want to spread myself too thin,’ he admitted, ‘Well you may want to get going it’s getting a bit late.’

  ‘Right I already dodged Filch once,’ she admired as David chuckled

  Holly sat down in front of the fireplace as she pushed the idle thoughts about ghost papers and dads to the side she warmed up. ‘Holly, how was practice?’ Ron asked as he sat down, ‘same old,’ she waved off.

  ‘Have you seen Neville around he seems to be absent a lot?’ He asked as Holly shook her head. ‘Right, hey can you help me out with my homework?’ He asked with a nervous grin. Holly sighed but agreed.

  Holly joined the Halloween feast and got to enjoy some dancing Skelton’s as her school year seemed to be going without indecent.

  David found himself in a perpetual state of sleepiness. A lot of students had needed to be beefed up with such inconsistencies in education. Between the lectors, questions, and grading it was a task and a half to keep everything up. But the plan was to involve Sirius and Remus in to keep education as smooth as possible, but the groundwork needed to be laid.

  Cassius had left not too long ago they had stayed way over the intended time. He frowned as he worked over the papers a little ticked he missed out on the Halloween feast himself, but he was behind on his schoolwork. The thought of doing it himself was a pain.

  when he heard a disturbance, as he forced himself away from his work.

  He pushed his way through the student body as he made out the red lettering on the wall as his heart sank at the prospect of another adventure.

  ‘… enemies of the heir beware? You’ll be next mudbloods,’ Malfoy cursed,

  ‘Fifteen points from Slytherin, any more comments like that and I will see you in detention.’ He frowned as he walked into the clearing as he splashed into the water, as he spotted the cat strung up by its tail.

  ‘My cat, what’s happened to my cat,’ as he looked at the lone student. ‘You killed my cat!’ Filch accused

  ‘I didn’t kill nothing,’ Cassius defended

  ‘Argus,’ Sally cleared the air as he stepped forward.

  ‘Petrified, not dead,’ David realized, as everyone looked at him. ‘It takes six hours for rigor mortis set in, that would mean that the feast wouldn’t have started so she wouldn’t be this stiff. If they waited to do this Filch would have noticed the absence of her much sooner. So a mandrake potion should bring her round.’ He grinned as he rubbed his hands together. ‘So clear out kids, everyone heads to bed.’ He pushed,

  ‘My cats been petrified, I want to see some damn punishment!’ Filtch pointed at Cassius.

  ‘I doubt Cassius would do such a thing, perhaps just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.’ Snape defended his own house.

  ‘I agree, Cassius was with me he needed help with the dementor assignment, he was with me for a majority of the evening.’ David shrugged

  ‘Indeed,’ Severus eyed David, as Sally took the animal down, Filch sniffed and whimpered at the state of his cat. McGonagall started to urge the students to disperse.

  ‘We should discuss this privately, Cassius head to bed as well.’ David motioned, ‘the closest is my office.’

  The four headed in, David shut the door. ‘So I believe it would be best to chalk it up as a prank sir, it is well known the cat is well hated,’ Severus advise,

  ‘Or, just gonna spitball this we take into account that someone can petrify people, is willing to use it, and is running around a school filled with hormonal teenagers we are responsible for. Or did the nature of what prank qualifies as change when your house is on the line?’ David eyed Severus glared back with hate that had not diminished in the last decade. David rolled his eyes at the peer as he spotted the twinkle that showed his had. ‘Try to read my mind again Severus and will do the worst thing I could possibly due.’

  ‘What’s that?’ Severus grinned as he got up in his face.

  ‘Let you in, right into my memories of Lilly.’ He crossed his arms as Snape froze his face really twisted.

  ‘Enough, what do you propose we do David?’ Sally silenced and gave David the floor.

  ‘We tally up who would have had time, and keep an eye on them. Nothing serious but just keep an eye out, while I doubt the person is part of the student body it could be an imperious curse or something along those lines.’ David figured, ‘anyone missing memories or concerned blackouts no investing just let the staff know what to watch for. We have castle filled with ghosts and the greatest wizards and witches why not use them?’

  ‘That’s all how is that any different then my idea, we are not doing anything either way?’ Severus frowned,

  ‘Active vs passive, and you know it,’ David reminded Severus the git new the difference t
he man was far too clever but wouldn’t agree with him on principle no matter the cost.

  ‘Fair suggestion, I will take it into consideration when we have our staff meeting.’ He nodded,

  ‘Also keep an eye out for the name Tom Riddle,’ David said as Sally froze and Severus noticed it as well as he eyed David but said nothing.

  ‘Why do you say that?’ Sally asked as he looked at David.

  ‘I was investing the incident around Hector, this individual is connected to many unusual deaths, and I believe he is somehow linked to Voldemort.’ David explained as Snape eyed him with contempt and curiosity.’

  ‘You surprise me, David, I will do as you recommend.’ He nodded, ‘good night Professors.’ With that, he left as Severus glanced at him.

  ‘Pervert,’ Severus glared as he made his way to the door.

  ‘I would show her happy,’ David said as he watched the man freeze. ‘I know how to hurt you better than anyone else. Severus, there are memories in my mind that would cause you great pain, terrible pain. I fell Whatever our differences in opinion,’ David grappled with how much of an understatement that was. ‘I feel you have suffered enough.’

  ‘You know nothing of suffering.’ He glared over his shoulder, then walked out.

  The school was abuzz as the student body gossiped about the Chamber of Secrets. The history books were all checked out, as students bothered him about the chamber. He gave a few explanations of the lore of Hogwarts but after a few classes gave and gave extra homework the questions stopped. Hector was as nervous as he could be it seemed that he was concerned about the graffiti and even tried to pull out of the legal work, but he talked him back into it.

  Word his daughter had hung around the scene as he did his best to keep an eye on the location which was easy thanks to Myrtle.

  ‘Those brooms look so nice,’ Sirius admired the Nimbus 2001’s almost everyone sported. Though the rain made it hard to see them.

  ‘So any luck?’ David asked as they sat down at the first game of Quidditch Remus and Sirius sat in the stands.

  ‘The kid just vanished, well he’s older but you get the idea. We did some investigating into the last name, the kid was an orphan, this kid seemed to have been messed up, the cup was stolen, as well as a necklace I think, one uncle reportedly killed off the other side of the family. Poor bastard was part of an ancient Wizarding family called at school he was amazing, apparently, they expected a lot of him, but he went to work at Borgin and Burkes before he just vanished.’ He shrugged,

  ‘I feel like we are missing something, a vital bit of information as legally there is nothing to connect the man to anything bad, it’s just lined up this guy seems suspicious as hell,’ Lupin admitted.

  ‘Oh shit!’ David ducked under as his Daughter buzzed the seats.

  ‘Crazy woman flier!’ Sirius shouted. ‘Oh shit,’ he cursed as a bludger whipped after her like a homing missile. ‘I did my time dealing with those things that have been tampered with,’ He pointed at the three headed off to deal with it.

  David stood at the edge of the field as Fred bashed away to keep Holly safe as the blonde spawn seemed to take pride in the danger his daughter was in. The pair shot off like mad, as the bludger perused them as they went after the snitch. The three of them had wands out as the two-headed around the ditch dig around the field. The three blew the ball up after the two seekers shot under the bridge the trio was on. The ball was evaporated by the three as they turned to watch Holly catch the snitch as the game ended with a solid win for them.

  ‘Interferes,’ Snape raged, as he and Hooch argued over David blowing the ball up. Holly grinned as David still rode the feeling of relief that his Daughter was in one piece until he realized she had a broken arm.

  ‘Give me a second,’ he wordlessly cast the spell as the sound of bones cracking hit the ears as the bone shifted back into place as good as new.

  It took some talking but eventually, Severus blustered himself out and the catch stood, the Slytherin House booed, the rest of the houses clapped and cheered.

  ‘Are you sure about him?’ Holly looked at him,

  ‘Yes, he just needs to keep up appearances.’ He sighed as Severus glared at him from afar. ‘I need to talk to Hooch.’

  ‘Oh no, don’t you start in on me,’ she pointed at him as David rolled his eyes playfully.

  ‘No harm, I just want to look at your office, that bludger tampered with the least I can do is try and prevent it from happening.’ He sighed, as the woman softened a bit but David could still discern some suspicion.

  The two headed into the old supply room, he recalled many occasions were he broke in to nab whatever caught his interest back in the day. The box, the door, and everything seemed as is not marks for a break in, at least physically.

  He waved his wand nothing, the spell was to show if and what’s spells were used but nothing came up, ‘no spells in the last twenty-four hours.’ He frowned

  ‘I always have everything locked down you wouldn’t believe how many students try to break in.’ She nodded, as David smiled back.

  ‘What about house elves?’ He asked as he looked at her, she blinked as she processed the question.

  ‘Well they come in to clean the balls, and supplies so there wouldn’t be anything to prevent them. Besides, I don’t know of any spells to block them out. You don’t think a house elf would tamper with the equipment.’ She chuckled but her eyes drew to the supplies in concern.

  ‘Well it’s that or the last person who handled the gears,’ David shrugged, as Hooch glared back at him in restrained furry.

  ‘I would never.’ She responded,

  ‘We have a president for both sadly. Quirrell in one, as house elves I have been dealing with a rather enthusiast house elf who seems to think my daughter is in grave danger, has been flinching things all month.’ He slumped a bit. ‘I don’t suspect you, Madam,’ he admitted she relented but still seemed cross. ‘I doubt whatever tampered with the balls will do so again. But we are responsible for these students, there shouldn’t be a second time, can’t be too safe with all these kids around.’ He thought to himself. ‘Just in case we need to keep the supplies under closer watch.’ He smiled as he headed back out with a majority of the spectators had left as Severus stormed towards him.

  ‘Any luck?’ He asked,

  ‘No students but a house elf by the name of Dobby is my prime suspect the thing has caused a lot of trouble. The chamber rumor seems to confirm Dobby’s warning. But the Elf could be behind the petrification,’

  ‘I wouldn’t rule it out, however impossible it seems. Any ideas?’ Snape frowned, David was sure he was just humoring him.

  ‘Not one, if I knew who owned the elf I would know who to investigate. In the meantime, we need to find a way to catch this troublemaker.’ He had a few ideas.

  ‘Well if it takes one to catch one we have the perfect wizard for the job unless that month has shown you lost your touch.’ Severus jabbed,

  ‘Save it for the dueling club.’ David reminded as the pair separated from each other to find their own way to the castle as to not look at each other

  The familiar desk waited for him as he dropped back into as he readied the papers,

  A large knock hit the door as David felt the desire to hit the desk as the door opened up as Professor McGonagall rushed in as David got very concerned as he stood up.

  ‘A student has been attacked,’ she blurted as David all but leaped over the desk, the rush was fast and blurred as he burst into the hospital to see Colin petrified his hands frozen as he noticed the camera that sat near his head.

  ‘I wonder, is it possible he got a picture of his attacker?’ She asked as David was hit by the realization, as Sally released smoke and smell of burnt plastic.

  ‘Basilisk,’ he muttered as both Professors froze and looked at him.

  ‘You are sure?’ Sally asked, his voice grave ‘a Basilisk wouldn’t leave a victim petrified.

  ‘Indirect, the camera as w
ell as the water. Not to mention a detail you would have missed. We did have a student killed Miss Myrtle, the snake is also a symbolic of Slytherin as well, it wouldn’t take long to verify if we ask the ghost herself, but I am sure of my deduction.’ He concluded.

  ‘One would think we would notice a giant snake,’ McGonagall frowned as-as David had to consider that point.

  ‘We don’t know everything about Hogwarts, I say we keep a Roster on hand for all faculty in the meantime we have students escorted to be safe.’ Sally nodded as David sighed in relief.

  ‘I will look into this in the meantime we carry on and warn the students. Maybe required mirrors or something.’ McGonagall agreed, ‘this is concerning, I worry what we would do without you David she smiled. He nodded, as she walked away, David glanced at Sally who seemed hunched and distant.

  ‘Albus, are you okay?’ David frowned, as he looked at the headmaster.

  ‘It’s so obvious, I should have known.’ He sighed as David shook his head.

  ‘I was already neck deep, this is all fresh, Albus you would have figured it out.’ David encouraged,‘I know you would pull through.’

  ‘I am a great wizard, David, but that is all it seems. How did you do it?’ He asked,

  ‘Well I was trying to get Hector his magic rights back, so I had to touch on the death,’ he paused, as he looked at Sally, ‘What is it with that bathroom?’ David frowned.

  ‘That’s Not What I meant, I meant Change, you first came to this school, you were brash, arrogant, and if you don’t mind cruel. Disregard rules and reveled in rebellion. The teacher I see before me,’ he stood to his full height. ‘You are none of these things, humble, patient, and compassionate, I am aware of what you do outside of class even to the sons and daughters of death eaters. How did you change so much?’ He smiled fondly as David felt a burn of pride.

  ‘It was always there, it just wasn’t used properly, it needed the right person to bring it out, and the right people to foster it.’ His mind going back to the day Holly was born, you couldn’t go through what he did and not come out changed, he was just thankful it was for the better, it didn’t always work out.