TSS: Chapter 16: Raging Emotions

> *“Even if Potter is an Heir of Slytherin, which frankly, I would bet my wages he is not, being able to open a hypothetical Chamber that may or may not exist and knowing how to do so are two entirely different matters. Even if Mister Potter could hypothetically open the Chamber of Secrets, I see no possibility of him knowing how to do so. Doubtlessly, if a Chamber of Secrets exists at all, it is a mystery guarded selfishly by whatever remains of Slytherin’s line. This would mean that however this Chamber might be accessed, it is a family secret that one would likely learn during childhood.” Snape’s jaw tightened. “Seeing as Mister Potter spent his childhood in a mundane, muggle home, the two of you will forgive me if I think it unlikely that the boy has been enlightened on old, family secrets from a line which he likely isn’t connected to in the first place.”*
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— Severus Snape, clinically pointing out why Gilderoy Lockhart is a dunderhead.

## Summary:

The professors discuss the possible cause of the cat's petrification. Gilderoy Lockhart suspects Harry. Snape comes to Harry's rescue. Harry teaches Draco Malfoy a lesson and later on confesses to Calypso his belief that the Dark Lady has not been a pureblood either. Daphne and Harry have a talk about Harry's role as a leader in their group of friends. At Potter Manor, James finally decides to try to find out more about Harry's childhood.

## Plot:

**October 31st, 1992:** Harry is caught in the body-binding spell cast by Hermione listening as the crowd draws near. When they finally arrived, the caretaker tries to attack him for harming his cat. Fortunately for Harry, they are blocked by the intervention of Cassius and Calypso. Soon afterwards Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape and Lockhart arrive. The Headmaster disperses the crowd by sending them back to their Common Room whilst announcing that the castle is now in lockdown and that those who planned to leave for the night will no longer be able to do so. He then proceeds to guide Harry, the Golden Trio, the caretaker and the professors to Gilderoy Lockhart's office. There he examines the petrified cat and arrives at the conclusion that it is not death, only petrified. The professors discuss among themselves the possible cause for that and the possible culprit — as Dumbledore states that he does not believe Harry to be responsible — with Lockhart highly convinced that Harry is the guilty party. Snape comes to Harry's rescue by pointing all the ways in which it is unlikely that Harry is responsible for the opening of the Chamber of Secrets, and subsequently, the cat's petrification. Harry gets his wand back and the students are then dismissed to their respective Common Room. On the way to the Slytherin one, Harry is escorted by Professor Snape. On the way there, Severus suggests that it would be best if Harry would stay out of this whole debacle.

Harry returns to the Slytherin Common Room and goes to sit with his friends. He places some privacy wards and afterwards Tracey and Daphne start barraging him with questions. He ends up telling them an edited version of the truth in order to hide the fact that he had hear a voice. Right afterwards he sees Draco and his group return to the Common Room. Remembering his comments about 'mudblood' from earlier in the night, he comes to the conclusion that he had given the boy enough warnings and decides to take action. Just as Draco is walking in front of Grace Weitts, Harry sends a tripping jinx his way that throws him off-balance causing him to land of top of Grace. She winces and shoves him off. After Malfoy regains his bearings he notices that Harry is the one responsible, so, he ends up firing spells at him. A fight ensues between the two that ends in a resounding defeat for Malfoy. Harry is eventually stopped by Calypso and taken to an empty classroom. There Harry ends up explaining to her his problem with Malfoy using the 'mudblood' slur, his repeated warnings, and why it bothers him that much. The two talk, and Harry reveals that he is quite convinced that the Dark Lady has not been a pureblood either.

**November 1st, 1992:** The next morning Harry wakes up early planning to finally read the book on the Dark Arts gifted to him by Calypso. Once in the Common Room, he is greeted by Daphne who was waiting for him. The two of them go on a walk in the dungeons and have a talk. Harry confesses that he is good at acting and at pretending to fit in while in reality he still does not feel at home with the politics and the luxuries of the Wizarding World. He tells her that he has not been raised with morals, and so, he lacks a moral compass. Daphne expresses her confidence that eventually he will find his, but in the meanwhile her and his friends are willing to act as his. She professes to Harry that while the group will always be friends, Harry will always be their leader as he is the thing that holds them together.

At Potter Manor, James Potter receives a letter from his former Headmaster telling him that his Heir has been found at the scene of a crime connected to Salazar Slytherin himself. Dumbledore asks him to check his family's ancestry and find out if there are any ties connecting the Potters with the Slytherins. The letter also professes Dumbledore's fears in regards to Harry's potential disdain for muggles. Wanting to finally figure out what happened during Harry's childhood he asks Peter — as one of the top DMLE detectives — for a favour.