TSS: Chapter 33: The Sacrificial Slytherin

> *“Bellatrix Black is not a good person,” said Riddle, and the sadness was there once more before it was again crushed as quickly as it had appeared. “As I understand it, I — many years in the future, of course — gave her this diary and said that if I were to ever fall, it should be sent to Hogwarts. I told you already, I want to live. There is nothing I hate more than death, but the diary makes that feeling stronger. It takes it to a new level. The compulsion it subjects me to is stronger than anything I have ever experienced. I am aware of it, but not even the most powerful of Occlumency seems to be able to fight it, and I can’t muster up the desire to fight it, even if I wanted to. It is a single-minded compulsion to return at all costs.*
>
>

— Emily on Bellatrix Black's personality

## Summary:

The Unspeakables are on their way to Hogwarts to met with Gilderoy Lockhart. Lockhart and Charlus manage to enter the Chamber of Secrets. So does Grace and Calypso. Emily Riddle gains a new body, but not in the manner in which she expected. Lockhart makes promises and stalls by proceeding to tell a story.

## Plot:

**June 4th, 1993:** In his office, Gilderoy Lockhart is contacted via a magical crystal by Saul Croaker. The Voice of the Unspeakables informs him that the Aurors just left Hogwarts and that they will soon be replaced with three of their agents. He also informs the professor that they believe that he will be able to aid them in their investigation as his involvement should not be counted as an external one by the Hogwarts' Charter.

Some minutes later, Severus Snape announces to the Slytherins gathered in their Common Room the disappearance of Harry Potter and Ares Black, and the message left pertaining to their absence. He informs his students that this represent their last chance to come forward with any relevant information. Soon after Snape's departure, Charlotte, Blaise and Tracey convene in the boy's dorms to discuss. Before they can commence they are joined by Calypso and the Carrow Twins, and by Grace shortly afterwards. Grace Weitts mentions that she has placed an illegal tracking charm on a piece of Harry's jewelry, and thus she suspects that the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Shortly afterwards, they proceed, under the protection of the Disillusionment Charm, towards it.

Around the same time, in an abandoned classroom, Charlus Potter and Hermione Granger read the message delivered by Fawkes. Shortly upon learning about the Basilisk, Hermione is able to deduce that the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is most likely located in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Charlus leaves for Lockhart's office, followed shortly afterwards by Hermione. There they inform the professor of their hunch in regards to the Chamber of Secrets' location.

Meanwhile, in the Chamber of Secrets, Riddle pulls Harry's memories about Lady Voldemort, but she stops her search right before he writes for the very first time in the linked diary. Emily apologizes for the inconvenience, and for the ones that are to follow this evening. Thus, she ends up explaining the compulsion placed on the diary in which Ares wrote the whole year at the behest of her mother, of the compulsion that makes her yearn for a body by any means necessary, and for her plans to gain a new body by taking control of Ares once and for all, resulting in the young girls death.

Around the same time, Charlus, Hermione and Lockhart arrive in the haunted bathroom. After a short conversation with Moaning Myrtle, they are able to find the actual entrance in the bathroom with Charlus opening it with the aid of Parseltongue. Lockhart tries to stun the students but in the confrontation he ends up sliding down towards the Chamber. Charlus stuns Hermione, determined not to allow her to risk her life, and proceeds to follow the professor.

Some minutes later, in the Chamber of Secrets, Riddle finished the preparations for the ritual, and she starts to chant to channel the magic. By the time that Charlus and Lockhart enter the Chamber, the ritual is underway. Riddle has a quick verbal spar with the two before unleashing the Basilisk upon them. At the same time, Charlus warns that one should not to look into the eyes of the snake, while Fawkes appears with the Sorting Hat, and two additional people sprint into the Chamber of Secrets.

A couple of minutes earlier, in the haunted bathroom, Calypso and Grace make quick work through Lockhart's hastily placed wards. They then proceed to stun the rest of their friends and then they descend into the Chamber of Secrets. There they join the fight. Harry, stuck in the ritual circle, is extracted by Fawkes right before the ritual would manage to act its effect on him. He joins the fray, and ensures that Calypso is not killed by Riddle. Meanwhile, Charlus is able to kill the Basilisk with the Sword of Gryffindor. Before anybody is able to proceed, the ritual is completed, with Ares taking symbolic place of Harry in the ritual circle. As a result, Emily Riddle gains a solid form, making her alive once more, and leaves her unconscious on the floor. Harry tries to kill her with Lacero but he is disarmed by Lockhart that then proceeds to stall by promising Harry to tell him a bit about the diary, about soul magic, but not before he talks about the Legacy of Katalysator. The professor informs Harry that he will not stop him to kill her if his opinion has not changed after he tells his story.