"Are you absolutely sure you need to go for Christmas?" Hermione frowned as Lyra closed her trunk which made the Black heir chuckled.
"Yes Mi, i am quite sure beside i have a few things to do this holiday before next year" She lifted the trunk and walked down the steps, Lyra heard Hermione following her.
"What things?"
"Things to do with House Black, just boring heir business i need to attend to before next year" Lyra shot a smile behind her shoulder at Hermione who nodded "Now come so i can say goodbye to the boys"
The two boys were sat in the great hall "I really don't like this, what if you get a vision?" Ronald frowned at his chest set.
"Nothing should happen over the next two weeks and if they do i am quite sure you three will be fine" Lyra smirked before she threw a small pouch in front of Ron who grabbed it.
"What's this?"
"That is the correct amount of gallons for a new wand, try not to break the next one won't you?" she smiled and kissed his cheek before dropping a pairing kiss on both Harry and Hermione's cheeks "Now i need to go before i miss the carriages, happy Christmas"
~~~
First morning from Hogwarts Hermione had sent a letter which just made her grin, Hermione truly was the sweetest girl ever "Are you sure you want to do this?" she glanced up at Lucius.
"I don't want to no but i need to, this thing i need to get will help us win and if i do not get it could mean destruction for us all" she frowned and he nodded holding out his hand allowing her to take it.
"Take a deep breath" he warned her and she did just as he apparated outside of Gringotts, she whined and held her stomach as it churned, Lucius rubbed small circles on her back trying to help sooth her "Deep breaths Lyra" Once her stomach stopped trying to sent vomit up her throat she sighed and straightened up "Good girl" Lucius nodded holding his arm out allowing her to link her arm in his as he guided her inside the bank.
When they reached the main desk he paused, until the Goblin looked up at them "Yes?" Lucius looked down at her and Lyra stepped forward.
"Good Morning, i would like to have a meeting with the Goblin in charge of the Black family vaults" while she smiled she kept her words strong.
The goblin hummed as he stared at her for a moment "That would be Blordak" he pointed to a plump goblin who had quite a bit of wavy hair on his head and a pair of half moon glasses resting on his round nose.
"Thank you for your time" she bowed her head slightly before walking towards Blordak "Good Morning, i would like to having a meeting about the Black family vaults"
"And you would be?" the goblin raised a brow at her.
"I am Lyra Black heir to House Black"
Blordak hummed before he sighed and stepped down from the desk, he started walking towards what looked to be a meeting room, he moved to sit in the main seat waving towards the two unoccupied seats the other side of the desk "And what is this meeting consisting on?"
"I have clause to believe that a Black family object hasn't been handed over when Bellatrix Black became a Lestrange" Lyra paused in her statement "I believe she means to keep it, to steal it from my family"
The goblin bristled at the cursed word, everyone knew goblins hated thieves "And this object would be?"
"A very valuable heirloom" she worked on falling back in her 'pureblood' ways.
"I see" the goblin nodded "You must know i can not allow you to go into the Lestrange vault"
"I do, i also know that you do not take kindly to thieves, that heirloom was never meant to be in Bellatrix's hands seeing as she was never the heir to house of Black but yet somehow, she has managed to attain it and has tried to hide it away in your bank. I also know if i was to tell you the object in which i believe she is trying to steal you have enough clause to go and check for said object...I also can tell you she added this object after she married into the Lestrange family, in the middle of the war while my family were busy" Lyra stated calmly, it would do no one well to lose their temper with a goblin.
Blordak smirked his sharp teeth on display "I would indeed, what is this object?"
"It is a small golden cup with two finely-wrought handles and an engraved badger on the side, a very valuable piece that has been in my family for generations, i wanted to study it but come to my horror it was not there. The Lestranges while being a pureblooded family, would not have the sheer means to not only have but to keep such an object unless of course they stole it" Lyra leant back steepling her fingers together as she stared at the goblin.
Blordak nodded with a vicious grin "I believe i can go check, if i happen to find said object it will be added to your vault"
"No, i wish to take it out, i want to study it and i can not do that if it is here" she glanced around the office as if she wasn't trying to steal a horcrux from her deranged cousin.
"Stay here" Blordak stated and walked out without another word.
"You do know what you are doing Lyra yes?" Lucius whispered gently, if the goblins found out, hell if Bellatrix found out Lyra was lying...
"I am doing what needs to be done" she took a deep breath as she occlumented shutting out all nerves.
After what seemed like forever Blordak came walking into the room with a furious look on his face "I found the cup"
"So she did steal it" Lyra narrowed her eyes at the cup which was floating in the air beside the goblin.
"It is riddled with dark magic" The goblin glared at the cup beside him before moving the glare to her.
"Yes, which is why i want to study it, i will be working to purify the item" she answered as if it was nothing.
Blordak growled slightly before floating in front of her, Lyra grabbed a handkerchief from her robes and grabbed the cup from the air placing the cup into her deepest pocket "Thank you Blordak, you have been a massive help" she placed a pouch of galleons on the table "For your time and discretion"
The goblin's glare was wiped off his face at the bag instead a big tooth grin took over "My pleasure Miss Black, always happy to foil a thieves plans"
She bowed her head gently before walking from the office Lucius offered his arm and the pair walked from the bank as if they hadn't just done what they had, once outside Lucius apparated them back to the Manor which left Lyra hunched over once more. "It will get better my sweet" Lucius rubbed her back as she tried not to vomit "I am guessing Narcissa needs this memory huh?"
"Only of the object and where i got it, i really am sorry Lucius" she frowned looking up at him but he just smiled.
"I will get them all back once this is done and i am doing it to protect you all, there is nothing to apologise for. Now let's get inside before your elf tells me off"
Lyra nodded but she couldn't help but grin, she had the diary, the cup, Kreacher has the locket ready for her to take, she knew where the diadem was and she had Harry...All she needed was the ring and the snake.
~~~
"It was Hagrid, Hagrid opened the chamber of secrets 50 years ago" Harry said the moment she joined them after the holiday.
"Excuse me?" she frowned turning to face him.
"Hagrid opened the chamber of secrets" he repeated.
"No i heard you the first time, i meant what would make you think that?"
"I found a diary"
"A black diary? Leather bound?" she glared and he nodded, Ron and Hermione were looking progressively more worried "And where may i ask did you find said diary?"
"In the girls bathroom..." Harry muttered blushing red.
"Why was you in the girls bathroom, you three did not go ahead with that potion did you?"
"We...Well we"
Lyra glared at all three of them "I will have you know that diary is mine, it has a dark curse on it that i am working on breaking and i had it warded in my trunk, i want it back first of all...Secondly you three are absolutely ridiculous!" she threw her hands up "Hagrid did not open the chamber he can not speak Parseltongue, he was thrown out because he was keeping a acromantula in the castle and they thought it killed someone but it didn't"
Harry frowned at the information overload "It showed you too?"
"Show me? Harry tell me you did not write in the diary?" she pleaded as she stared at him but he flushed red "Oh for goodness sake!" He would have said his name like he did in the beginning and Tom would have changed his plan like originally instead of killing Muggleborns he'd go for Harry.
"Well why don't we ask Hagrid what he does know?" Hermione offered gently.
"Are we just going to pass over the fact Lyra was keeping a dark object!" Ron whisper making Lyra snap her head to look at him, his eyes bulged and he nodded "Yeah, defiantly passing over it"
"Hagrid is our friend, some random diary which just so happens to be able to communicate tells you he killed someone and you immediately believe it?" Lyra took the time to look at each of them slowly "That's not very friendly, i agree with Hermione let's go ask Hagrid"
"That will be a cheerful visit, 'Hello Hagrid tell us have you been setting loose anything mad and hairy around the castle lately?" Ron rolled his eyes.
"Mad and hairy, you wouldn't be talking about me now would you?" they all turned at Hagrid's deep voice.
"No" Harry, Ron and Hermione all echoed.
"Well actually..." Lyra started but yelped when Hermione pinched her arm.
"What's that you got Hagrid?" Harry changed the subject swiftly when no one spoke for a while.
The half giant held up a green can "Oh it's a flesh eating slug repellent, for the mandrakes you know? According to Professor sprout, they've still got a bit of growing to do but once their acnes all cleared up, we'll be able to chop them up and stew them and then we'll get those people in the hospital un-petrified" he glanced at all of them slowly as they nodded "In the mean time though you four must be looking after yourselves. All right?"
"Of course Hagrid, you should look after yourself too" Lyra smiled brightly and the man nodded before leaving the four alone.
Neville came sprinting over to them huffing and puffing as he tried to catch his breath "Harry! I don't know who did it but you better come!"
~~~
They all entered the boys dorm room and Lyra growled looking at the mess "You have got to be shitting me!"
"It had to be a Gryffindor, no one else knows our password, unless it wasn't a student" Hermione frowned as they watched Harry pick up his books.
"It was" Lyra huffed angrily but then smoothed her brows out, it wasn't the plan but if it's how it plays out she would go along with it. She would have one less Horcrux to destroy because Harry will do it, the Basilisk will be dead and she will have easy access to it's venom and a place to put the Horcruxes somewhere even safer then the come and go room seeing as even Dumbledore doesn't know how to speak Parseltongue.
"Whoever it was, they must have been looking for something" Ronald looked very spooked.
"And they found it, Tom Riddle's diary is gone" Harry glanced up at her and the others followed but she just sighed and gritted her teeth.
~~~
Lyra was dressed and ready to maybe play in the this game, it was Gryffindor VS Hufflepuff and everyone thought Gryffindor had it in the bag "Miss Black?" she turned her head from where it was studying the pitch, she was running all the plans through her head trying to remember every turn, every pass.
She paused when her eyes locked with Professor McGonagall's dark green eyes, she frowned seeing the parchment rolled in her hand "No..."
"Miss Black you need to come with me, we will be finding Mr. Weasley along the way" the older woman's tone was upset and cautious all at the same time.
She didn't wait though as she turned shoving her broom in George Weasleys hand she sprinted to the hospital. She should have known it had been this game but Hermione had told her she would not leave the dorm room having too much homework to do, Hermione had promised she wouldn't leave alone, she had swore it!
Shoving the doors open she didn't even flinch when they thudded loudly against the stone before trying to rebound on her, Madam Promfrey's head snapped up to glare at her but softened quickly when seeing who is was and who they'd be there for.
"Miss Black, this way" she whispered placing her hand on the girls shoulder she lead the second year towards Hermione Grangers cot.
"No..." Lyra moved forward seeing her friend laying stiffly in the cot, reaching up she gently cupped her hand over Hermione's, the girls hand felt like stone "No"
"Miss Black, i know it's hard but just know she will be fine, once Professor Sprout's.."
"If you say 'when her Mandrakes are fully grown' you are barmy!" Lyra glared gently at the Madam.
"Excuse me! I know you are worried right now but watch your tone young lady"
Lyra sighed looking back at Hermione "I apologise, it was unfair to place my frustration on you" the silence was tense until a soft hand laid on her shoulder once more.
"She will be okay" Madam Pomfrey comforted her before leaving the two alone.
"You told me you wouldn't leave the dorm room by yourself, you swore it!" she hissed at Hermione who stared up at the ceiling with a blank stare she sighed "You promised Hermione" before she could say anything else she heard McGonagall bringing in the two boys.
"Hermione..." Ron whispered looking at the girl wide eyed.
"She was found near the library, along with this" Professor McGonagall held up a heavy silver hand mirror "Does this mean anything to you three?"
The two boys shook their heads but Lyra recognised it "That's mine"
"Do you know why she had it?"
"No Professor" but she did, Hermione had figured it out and had probably grabbed the closest thing to her with a reflection "Now if you will excuse me i need to do something, are you going to inform her parents professor?"
"Soon Miss Black but Professor Dumbledore thinks it's best to wait for the mandrakes" Professor McGonagall answered but even she looked uncomfortable.
"I see, may i ask Professor why we haven't brought fresh mandrake to be made now?"
"I am afraid i can not answer that Miss Black"
Lyra hummed and waited for a moment before pressing a kiss against Hermione's cheek before leaving she headed straight to her dorm she headed to the first desk that was free, grabbing Parchment and ink from her bag she started writing letters.
Lucius,
The basilisk has been released, i had nothing to do with it but somehow the headmaster had been meddling. He had decided not to tell anyone outside of school about the problem, four students have been petrified as well as one cat and a ghost.
Dumbledore had also taken it upon himself not to inform the parents or guardians of said students.
He is waiting for some mandrake to grow which were potted at the start of the year instead of buy potion ingredients to un-petrify them as soon as.
I have no idea of his plan but Hermione was petrified today and i will not allow her to rot in the hospital wing because he wants to wait.
Please advise me on what i should do.
With love,
Lyra
She spelled it dry before stamping it with the Black family seal and placing it to the side as she wrote a second letter.
Mr and Mrs Granger,
I regret to inform you that Hermione has had an accident today, she is well but as of right now is unable to write to you.
I know this is probably horrifying and i know you haven't been informed but i want you to know that i will do everything i can to quicken her healing period.
If you need anything you can send a letter back with the owl i will send with updates regarding Hermione, i will tell it to wait for your reply. If you wish not to just tell it so and it will understand.
I am truly sorry you are hearing this from me and not the Headmaster of the school or even Hermione herself.
Do not be afraid to ask for anything, i will try to explain to the best of my abilities.
Best regards and deepest apologies,
Lyra Black.
Once more she spelled it dry before stamping it, grabbing both letters she moved to the bathroom in her room, locking the door behind her she turned "Kreacher?"
A gently pop answered as her elf popped into the bathroom "Mistress?"
"Kreacher, it is so good to see you" she grinned as she grabbed his hand gently the elf beamed up at her.
"It is always good to see Kreacher's mistress, what can Kreacher do for Mistress Lyra?"
"I need you to deliver these to Lucius please Kreacher, i fear if i sent these by owl from the school they may be intercepted but i trust you the most. I need Lucius to deliver this note to Hermione Granger's parents"
The elf straightened up at her compliment "Of course Mistress Lyra, Kreacher will do it right away" he took the letters.
"Thank you Kreacher you are just the best!" she grinned widely as he beamed and popped away with the letters.
She run down the steps but froze when she saw McGonagall "May i have you attention please, because of recent advents, these new rules will be put into effect immediately: 'All students will return to their house common rooms by 6:00 every evening', 'All students will be escorted to each lesson by a teach, no exceptions.' I should tell you this, unless the culprit's of these attacks are caught...It is likely the school will be closed" with that their head of house turned and left the common room.
Harry saw her by the steps and approached "Lyra, we are going to go talk to Hagrid, let's go"
"Talk for what?"
"To see what he remembers from his time at Hogwarts with the attacks" Ronald was the one who answered her question.
She really didn't want to have to run from spiders, she didn't want to see Hagrid get arrested, she also didn't believe she'd be safe but both the boys were looking at her with large puppy dog faces making her sigh "I don't want too, it's such a bad idea"
"Come on" Harry begged.
"If i die..."
"Die! We won't die!" Ronald spluttered and Harry nodded his head trying to calm the red head.
"Fine!" she snapped "But if there's a chance i am going to die you best believe i am serving one of you up as a replacement"
"How nice of you" Harry rolled his eyes "We meet here at 9"
~~~
Before meeting the boys a letter from Lucius had been placed on her bed probably by Kreacher, she broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.
Lyra,
Your letter was most concerning for multiple reasons, i have written to the school board and Fudge.
I have sent your other letter out and they should be receiving it by tonight, if they respond i will give that letter to Kreacher for you. The safety of the students should always take precedence which is why i am afraid your friend Hagrid will have to be investigated.
Do not try to find and kill the beast.
Follow the rules that have been put in place while i handle the rest and i have ordered some mandrake root which should be in by morning then Narcissa will brew it herself to be given to the children that are petrified.
You did well by telling me, i am proud of you.
Sincerely,
Lucius.
Lyra grinned as she placed the letter in her trunk, grabbing a dark jumper and a pair of trousers she shoved them on and tied her hair into a rough ponytail knowing what was to come. Kicking off her Mary Janes she laced up a pair of converses Hermione had gifted her the previous Christmas, Lyra glanced up to see both Lavender and Parvati's curtains were shut, Ginny was in the bathroom doing god knows what so she was quick to shut her own curtains and snuck out making it look like she was asleep.
At the bottom of the stairs a hand appeared out of no where and tugged her gently under a clock, she looked up and smiled at Harry and Ronald "Look at you two being on time"
"Yeah yeah, let's get this over with" Ron started walking forcing the others to follow closely, the journey to Hagrid's hut was a quite one even the ghosts in the castle were not wondering the halls, Harry knocked on the wooden door and the three held their breath.
"Who's there?" the door was kicked open and the two boys gasped gently seeing Hagrid holding a crossbow at them "Hello?"
Lyra ripped the cloak off of them all as the boys remained frozen, Hagrid relaxed and lowed the weapons "What's that for?" Harry demanded.
"Oh nothing, i was expecting erh...It doesn't matter, come on in i just made a pot of tea" Hagrid ushered them in to which they sat at his table, Lyra frowned seeing his hands shaking as he poured too much tea into a cup causing it to overfill, reaching forward she gently rested her hand on his bringing him to a stop.
"I have this bit Hagrid" he handed the pot over nodding gently as he watched her pour four cups of tea as she vanished the overflowed cups fluid.
"Hagrid, are you alright?" Harry asked gently having seen the whole thing.
"I'm fine, i'm alright" Hagrid nodded but his voice held none of his usual happiness.
"Did you hear about Hermione?" Harry asked once more as he watched Hagrid in confusion.
"Oh yeah, i heard about that alright"
"Look we have to ask you something...Do you know who opened the chamber of secrets?"
Hagrid sighed as he looked at them "What you need to understand about that is..." he was cut off by a knocking at his doors "Quiet, under the cloak. Be quiet don't say a word"
Harry wrapped the cloak around the three of them watching as Lyra waved her hand and three of the tea cups emptied themselves removing any traces of them being there "Oh Professor Dumbledore sir" Hagrid sighed as he opened the door.
"Good evening Hagrid, i wonder could we..."
"Of course come in, come in"
They watched Dumbledore walk in followed by another man "That's dad's boss Cornelius Fudge, the minister of magic" Ron whispered.
"Bad business Hagrid, very bad business. Had to come, Four attacks on muggleborns, things have gone far enough the ministry has got to act" Fudge frowned at Dumbledore.
"But i never...You know i never Professor" Hagrid pleaded with Dumbledore.
"I want it understood Cornelius that Hagrid, has my full confidence" Lyra rolled her eyes, was that it? That's all he was going to say.
"Albus look, Hagrid's track record is against him, i've got to take him"
"Take me? Take me where? Not to Azkaban prison!"
"I'm afraid we have no choice Hagrid" Fudge explained as the hut door opened once more to showcase Lucius.
"Already here Fudge? Good" Lucius drawled as he looked at the minister, Dumbledore and Hagrid, if this was true protocols the Minister wouldn't be here without at least two Aurors and Dumbledore certainly would not be allowed there seeing as he vetted for the man before, Lucius walked inside without another word.
Hagrid glared "What are you doing here? Get out of my house!"
"Believe me, i take absolutely no pleasure in being inside your..." Lucius walked into the room and the three under the cloak had to back up as to not hit him "You call this a house? Hm" he paused when familiar traces of a black cherry scent hit his nose and he narrowed his eyes knowing exactly who wore that scent.
"No, i simply called at the school and was told the head master was here" Lucius shook himself from his pause.
"Well what exactly is it you want from me?" Dumbledore questioned raising a brow at the Malfoy lord.
"The governors and i have decided it is time for you to step aside, this is an order of suspension, you will find all 12 signatures on it...I'm afraid we feel you have rather lost your touch well what with all these attacks there'll be no muggleborns left at this school at this rate and i can only imagine what an awful loss that will be to the school" he handed the signed parchment over.
"You can't take Professor Dumbledore away, take him away and the muggleborns won't stand a chance. You mark my words there will be killings next!" Hagrid snapped and Lyra's eyes widened, he was not helping his case, if he wasn't careful they would use that phrase to say he admitted to it.
"Calm yourself Hagrid" Dumbledore shushed him "If the Governors desire my removal i will of course, step aside. However you will find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it" His eyes darted to us all and Lyra frowned, that shouldn't be possible.
Lucius turned to look before facing the old head master once more the black silk bow in his hair shifting from the movement "Admirable sentiments, shall we?" he moved to the door and Dumbledore followed him "Fudge" he nodded his goodbyes to the minister.
"Come Hagrid" He shook of his shock and looked up at the half giant.
"If anybody was looking for some stuff then all they'd have to do would be to follow the spiders" Hagrid nodded "Yep, that would lead them right, that's all i have to say" Hagrid moved towards the door ignoring the deeply confused Minister "Oh and someone will need to feed Fang while i'm away"
When the hut was emptied of adults one of the boys removed the cloak "Hagrid's right, with Dumbledore gone there'll be an attack a day" Ron frowned facing his two dark haired friends.
"Don't be ridiculous Ronald, Dumbledore has absolutely no idea what it is or how to stop it, and if he did then it means he's been doing nothing, which if you actually stop and think he hasn't been, four students are rotting in the hospital while he waits for the Mandrake one of those students are our friend if you have forgotten"
"Look" Harry interrupted them as he stared at something, both turned and saw a single file march of spiders "Come on" he grabbed a large lantern off the side and moved to the door.
"Come on Fang" Lyra slapped her thigh twice and the large dog slipped from his sleeping spot on an armchair to move to her side in an almost perfect heel position, they moved outside to see the spiders crawling in the grass.
Harry nodded forward "Come on"
"What?" Ron whimpered looking pale.
"You heard what Hagrid said, follow the spiders"
Ron turned sharply to look at the Potter boy "They're heading for the dark forest!" but Harry just started following the said 8 legged beasts "Why spiders? Why couldn't it be follow the butterflies?"
The whole journey all Lyra could hear was Rons heavy breathing, the boy was one gasp away from a panic attack "Harry, i don't like this" he quaked and when he got no reply he choked again "Harry i don't like this at all"
"Shush!" Harry hissed looking ahead, Lyra reached over and took the boys hand she forced back the grimace when she felt how clammy they were.
Ron trembled clutching onto her hand tightly "Can we go back now?"
"Come on" Harry spoke more clearly and Lyra had to gently tug at Ron's hand to get him moving once more.
"They're getting bigger Harry" she stared at the spiders which resembled the size of large rats.
"What does that mean?" he whispered as he glanced back.
"It mean we're getting closer to the nest"
"Nest! Nest!" Ron looked ready to pass out.
Harry stumbled as well but collected himself "How big do they get?"
"15" she grimaced at what they were about to see.
"15 what Lyra? Inches?" Harry looked at her with wide eyes, branches in the near distance broke as something heavy stepped on them, the sound of loud movements could be easily heard "Lyra?"
She stared ahead "Feet, 15 feet leg span"
"Who is it?" a deep gravely voice called out, the hairs on her arms stood up on end at the sound of scuttling from all angles around them "Hagrid? Is that you?"
"We're friends of Hagrid's" Harry called out loudly making her yelp gently as Ron whimpers and squeezed onto her hand.
Aragog came out of the darkness and she took a single step back, this...This wasn't fun! She shouldn't have come "And you...You're Aragog aren't you?" Harry pondered loudly.
"Yes" the spiders black eyes glittered under the moonlight "Hagrid has never sent humans into our hollow before"
"He's in trouble, up at the school there have been attacks, they think it's Hagrid, they think he opened the chamber of secrets, like before" Harry explained while Lyra watched silently and Ron silently freaked about his surroundings.
"That's a lie! Hagrid never opened the chamber of secrets" Aragog growled.
"Then you're not the monster"
"No, the monster was born in the castle, i came to Hagrid from a distant land in the pocket of a traveller" Aragog gravelly voice shook Lyra to her core.
"Harry" Ron whimpered but Harry shushed him.
"But if you're not the monster then what killed that girl 50 years ago?" Harry questioned and Lyra realised her mistake, if she had told them about the Basilisk then they wouldn't be here right now.
"We do not speak of it, it is an ancient creature we spiders fear above all others"
"But have you seen it?"
"I never saw any part of the castle but the box in which Hagrid kept me, the girl was discovered in a bathroom when i was accused Hagrid brought me here" Aragog explained, beside her Ron tugged on her hand before pointing up, she trembled gently when she cranked her neck and saw the sheer amount of spiders that took the size of large dogs, some looked about horse size.
"Harry" she hissed and he looked at her.
"What?"
Ron was the one who pointed upward and Harry followed his direction "Well thank you...We'll just go" He stuttered as they slowly started backing up.
"Go? I think not, my sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid on my command but i cannot deny them fresh meat when it wonders so willingly into our midst, goodbye friend of Hagrid" Aragog chimed and she could almost hear a smile, if he could smile that was.
"Can we panic now?" Ron stammered with tears in his eyes as they were quickly surrounded, the three stood back to back with a large dog pressed between them all "Know any spells?"
"One, but it's not powerful enough for all of them" Harry acknowledged with a slight hint of panic in his voice.
"Where's Hermione when you need her" Ron ranted as they took in their situation.
"How about you just learn yourself and you wouldn't be so reliant" Lyra snarled before turning back to the spiders "Confringo!" she yelled and a large fireball erupted from her wand, it flew and exploded setting multiple spiders alight which made the others in front of her scamper away.
Two bright lights lit them up and she heard an engine rumble the sudden attack cleared the spiders momentarily "Go!" she screeched as she sprinted to the car, it hadn't even opened it's doors yet but as she neared the doors sprung open, she threw herself into the back quickly followed by Fang and the two boys.
Ron started driving and she climbed over into the front, placing herself into Harry's lap but she unrolled the window "Incendio!" she yelled hitting the spider attached to the hood of the car, it screeched as it burned and fell from the car "They hate fire, it's their biggest weakness" she panted.
Ron stopped the car "Glad we're out of there" he huffed but a spider popped out of no where like a horror scene and grabbed Ron.
"Arania exumai" Harry reached around Lyra to point his wand at the spider and a white light erupted hitting the spider it knocked it backwards from Ron.
"Thanks for that"
Harry nodded "Don't mention it"
"Go! Get us out of the forest!" she demanded just as spiders started hitting the crest of a hill, staring at them in the car she flung her wand out casting the confringo spell repeatedly.
"Come on go! Go faster!" Harry yelled before they all screamed as the car quickly turned around instead of driving backwards, seeing that she was quick to climb back into the back aiming her wand out of the large hole in the backscreen glass she kept casting confringo at the spiders who followed them.
"Get us in the air!" Harry demanded and she heard metal grinding behind her.
"The flying gear is jammed!" Ron yelled and Harry joined him in trying to flip the flying gear.
"Come on pull!" Harry screamed as they saw spiders ahead of them.
"I'm trying!" somehow in the panic the two boys managed to unjam the gear and the car took off into the air allowing them to get away from the spiders.
Back at the hut the car landed and the doors opened, Harry folded his seat back helping her out while Ron grabbed his seat from Fang "Follow the spiders, follow the spiders. If Hagrid ever get's out of azkaban, i'll kill him!" Ron snarled but stopped when the car started back up and drove off by itself back into the forest "I mean what was the point of sending us in there? What have we found out?"
"We know one thing Hagrid never opened the chamber of secrets, he was innocent" Harry answered and she snorted.
"I already told you that genius! God why do none of you listen to me, never!" she hissed facing them front on but she refused to talk to them anymore on the way back to the common room.
~~~
The potion to un-petrify the students would take roughly around a week and Narcissa had started it the moment she got the Mandrake ingredients. So everyday Lyra would go to the hospital and visit Hermione, she'd read what they'd learnt in classes, told her what homework they had.
Lyra would also brush Hermione's hair everyday spelling the curls neatly so when she woke they wouldn't be matted, Madam Pomfrey was cleaning all the students so that was already done.
"Not long now Mi, Narcissa is brewing it now and soon you'll be up and about, i won't leave you to stay like this until the end of term" she spoke softly she looked up seeing both Harry and Ron stood by the curtain sheepishly "Well are you just going to stand there or are you going to come in and talk to her"
Both boy entered the curtains, Harry was holding freshly picked wild flowers which he set in a free vase, Lyra had been getting new flowers every morning just as she had with the other students in there.
"Wish you were here Hermione" Harry sat on the edge of the bed "We need you, now more then ever"
"Take her hand" Lyra whispered and Harry frowned "Do it"
Harry took Hermione's hand and frowned once more pulling a piece of paper from her hand he looked up at Lyra and she nodded which lead him to unravel it "What's that?" Ron stared at the paper.
"This is why Hermione was at the library the day she was attacked, come on!" he stood and grabbed Lyra's hand on the way past making her follow him. Their apologises defiantly needs work but she would get to that later, right now they would need her comfort.
~~~
"Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land none is more deadly then the Basilisk, capable of living for hundreds of years instant death awaits any who meet this giant serpent's eye, spiders flee before it' this is it! The monster in the chamber is a Basilisk that's why i can hear it, it's a snake" Harry read the slip of parchment to them.
"But if it kills by looking people in the eye, why is it no one is dead?" Ron questioned and Lyra just waited but both boys looked stumped, she frowned and gently took Harry's chin turning his head to the window.
The Potter boy looked at their reflection before she saw the exact moment it clicked for him "Because no one looked it in the eye, not directly at least" he started walked and she smirked feeling quite proud of herself.
"Colin saw it through his camera, Justin...Justin must have seen the Basilisk through nearly headless Nick. Nick got the full blast of it but he's a ghost, he can't possibly die again. And Hermione...Had the mirror i bet you anything she was using it to look around corners in case it came along"
"Penelope was found with Hermione so she probably was using the mirror with her" Lyra nodded.
Ronald frowned "And Mrs Norris? I'm pretty sure she didn't have a camera or a mirror"
"The water, there was water on the floor that night, she only sure the Basilisk's reflection...Spiders flee before it, it all fits" Harry looked back at the parchment.
"But how's the Basilisk getting around. A dirty great snake someone would have seen it" Ron looked as Harry lifted the parchment by the fire light so they could all see it more clearly.
"Hermione answered that too"
Ronald gulped "Pipes, it's using the plumbing?"
"Remember what Aragog said about that girl 50 years ago? She died in a bathroom, what if she never left?" Harry lead off with his question and Ron grimaced slightly.
"Moaning Myrtle"
Lyra rolled her eyes as she started moving to the bathrooms "Must you call her that?"
"All students must return to their house dormitories at once, all teachers to the second floor corridors immediately" McGonagall's voice which had been magnified rang through the halls but instead of heading towards the dormitories like she had stated the two boys moved towards the second floor corridor which made her follow them.
"As you can see the heir of Slytherin has left another message, our worst fear has been realised a student has been taken by the monster into the chamber itself...Students must be sent home, i'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts" McGonagall informed the teachers who were gathered as the three of them hid.
Lockhart came waltzing down the corridor with a grin "So sorry, must have dozed off what have i missed?"
"A girl has been snatched by the monster Lockhart. Your moment has come at last" Snape reported simply with a hint of smugness.
"My...My moment?"
"Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the chamber is?" Snape answered and McGonagall hummed.
"That's settled then, we'll leave you to deal with the monster then Gilderoy. Your skills after all are legend"
"Very well! Uh i'll just be in my office getting...Getting ready" Lockhart nodded as he left quickly leaving the other teachers in the corridor.
"Who is it that the monster has taken Minerva?" Madam Pomfrey worried as she moved forward.
"Ginny Weasley" with that they all left to do god knows what leaving the message on the wall clear to the three who were hiding.
Her skeleton will lie in this chamber forever.