alt_mcgonagall | As all students have already heard...

As all students have already heard...

In light of recent events, exams and Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons have been cancelled. All other lessons shall continue as one might expect.

I have heard the most absurd rumors regarding what occurred last night. To put these wild speculations to rest, then: Hydra Lestrange was found to have been possessed by a malicious spirit, which was also controlling the actions of a basilisk hidden deep in the castle's plumbing system. Through courage, daring, and research, Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley and Harry Marvolo deduced these facts and sought adult assistance in resolving the situation. However, they discovered that Gilderoy Lockhart - our former Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher - was a snake in the grass. He forced them to accompany him to confront the basilisk, and when he was hurt in the pursuit, Mr Marvolo took the initiative and despatched the beast.

The potion to awaken the Petrified individuals has been administered, and they are slowly recovering in the Hospital wing - as are Hydra Lestrange and Ginny Weasley, who you may recall was missing last night as well. Professor Carrow, naturally, has been cleared of all wrongdoing in these matters.

As a result of these events, the Lord Protector has come to Hogwarts Castle. While He will not be available for the majority of the day, He will grace our table at supper tonight. A feast shall be held in His honor and all students are requested and required to attend in their best.

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Of course, there is far more to it than that.

Marvolo, Weasley and Malfoy weren't forced by Lockhart - but that is clear to anyone who reads these journals; it is merely a nice pretense to suggest that they were, which removes pressure from myself and the board of governors.

Generally speaking, it seems that the Lord Protector presented Marvolo with a journal which he intended Marvolo to write in - a journal which somehow contained a piece of himself, his younger self. Marvolo, all unwitting, gave it to Hydra Lestrange, who began to write in it. The Lord Protector's journal-piece, however, began to scheme against its maker, and control Hydra, releasing the basilisk and menacing the castle.

When the boys figured out the scheme, they went after Hydra in the Chamber of Secrets - fought the basilisk and so on. The way Marvolo did so is most surprising, however. He tells me that midway through the fight, a phoenix carrying a hat swooped in out of nowhere. He reached in the hat and pulled out a sword, which he used to kill the snake. The sword, however - I will swear that it is the true sword of Godric Gryffindor. Evidence, I suppose, that Marvolo is truly a Gryffindor at heart; but how did he come by the hat? What was the phoenix? Where did it come from and why? It took them out of the Chamber, as well, carrying them back up the pipes until they could scramble out themselves. But of course none of us saw it.

The phoenix makes me think of Albus, but who knows where he is? Could there be another sympathizer in the castle, who watched Marvolo more closely than I? What could their motivations possibly be?

In any case, it seems that the young Lord Protector appeared to Marvolo. The trust there is crumbling. I've been hard pressed to cover for the Lord Protector to the other Death Eaters; I have been doing so largely to save my own skin - if I help Him, He will help me. But it is heartening to see that these events have made his grip on the Death Eaters loosen the tiniest amount. We found a scape-goat, of course - a house-elf - but I don't believe that anyone really believes it.

Is Harry all right?

This journal--it wasn't one of the Ministry's magical journals that we can all read, then?

Do you have any idea how Ginny was involved in all this? Percy said she was having fainting episodes, and they often occurred at the time of the attacks--when the basilisk was out, I suppose. Did she have this journal for awhile?

No, it wasn't. Rather an older artifact, I think, perhaps even one of the Lord Protector's early prototypes of the idea.

Ginny didn't have the journal at all, from what I can tell; rather, it seems that she has fallen victim to fainting spells all this year. These stemmed from a particularly powerful Obliviation. The Lord Protector intends to pin it on Lockhart; but according to Hydra, she cast the spell, while possessed. It seems that the piece of the Lord Protector that was in the diary was overcompensating for Hydra's youth, and thus made the Obliviate far too powerful.

We don't know what brought on each incident of fainting - but Madam Pomfrey feels confident that the spell-damage may be reversed, given care and time.

I'll be blown.

only ever saw one pheonix before. and he'd be able to get his hands on the sword if anyone could.

damn him, if he's here, why hasn't he told us he's around? and if he isn't, who else could it be?

Good point, Frank.

Was it Dumbledore's hat, too, Minerva? I've heard of pulling rabbits out of hats (don't ask!) but swords?

Anyway, I thought when he last contacted us he was in America!

I don't know what to think, honestly.

Marvolo seems to be under the impression that it was the Sorting Hat - but if it was, it was neatly back in place when I returned to my office...

well it's not like we can pin the old man down. he's always done whatever he wanted, and it's not like this is the first time we were left out of what he's got planned.

Blimey, things have changed up there since my day. Most excitement we ever had was that time the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor 6th year prefects got into a fight over a girl and fell through the glass in Greenhouse 4.

Hey, kid - good to hear from you again! How are you recovering?

And I've a feeling that as long as Harry's at Hogwarts, we're in for more of this sort of thing. Strap in for the ride, kiddo.

'However, they discovered that Gilderoy Lockhart - our former Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher - was a snake in the grass.'

That's as opposed to the snake in the pipes, I take it, Minerva?

To be honest, while I'm sure he'd have fancied himself a python, Gilderoy Lockhart has never been more than a slow worm in a well-manicured garden.

Poppy - is Harry all right?

I suppose Minerva's a little fussed with Voldemort there and all.

Entirely safe - although, I gather, only by the grace of phoenix tears.

And he really went against a basilisk? By himself?

I -

I mean to say. I ought to be cross at him for taking such a foolish chance, but I can't stop grinning, all the same.

He's James's son, all right.

And a true Gryffindor.

I managed to hide the sword and the existence of the phoenix from the Lord Protector; Marvolo, fortunately, is sensible of the fact that his Father would not enjoy knowing that his son is a true Gryffindor - and that none of his dictums can suppress it.

I know. Oh, Minerva, this actually brought tears to my eyes. It makes me think of what Frank always says--go, go, Gryffindor!

It means that at least some of James and Lily must live on in the boy. And if the Lord Protector has taken him as his ward but still can't corrupt his essential nature...there may be hope for the rest of us yet.

He is all right, Sirius. But as Minerva has hinted, he suffered a bite and would undoubtedly have died in the Chamber had it not been for the phoenix's timely intervention.

I had very little opportunity to speak to the boy, you understand, but I did examine him and found him whole save for a few scrapes and bruises. He was most impressed with the phoenix, but then Malfoy put his nose into the office and the boy stopped mid-phrase and said not another word. I rather think he's decided not to say anything to them about it, which seems very wise.

Punning, Poppy?

I was grateful for the chuckle your phrasing inspired.

I wish I thought I would never again have to give Him a report on my treatment of that boy's injuries. Thank goodness it was nothing dire this time. I'm quite certain I couldn't have suppressed the business of the bite and the phoenix if he'd thought it more than a formality to question me.

Draco and Ron and Harry never did deduce that it was a basilisk, that was ME! And I know it wasn't them, I didn't have any paper in my hand when I woke up, I'd written it all down, so they must have come and found out from me while I was Petrified!!!

Nobody doubts your intelligence, Miss Granger; surely you can see that it would have gone the worse for you if you'd seemed to be sending them into danger?

In any case, surely that isn't your foremost concern? How does it feel to be up and about again?

Well, I only wanted to say so, because I was rather proud of myself, and the next thing I know it's like no time at all has passed but Harry's taking all the credit!!!

Anyhow, of course it isn't, you weren't there when I woke up, you ought to have seen - I'll write a bit about it, hold on!!

We'll give you every scrap of credit you deserve, sweetheart! It was extraordinarily clever of you. Thank you.

We know the truth, Hermione, and we're terribly proud of you too. And very relieved indeed to hear you're up and about again.

hey, kid.

course you'd figure it out before anyone else would. you're one of the smartest witches I know.

good to see you up and about.

Thank you Mr Longbottom!!!

Thank you, Minerva.

Of course, there are still matters to be addressed with the Governors - and perhaps we require stricter standards in our qualifications for teachers, given that twice running, now, a professor at Hogwarts has shown malicious intent toward Mr Marvolo.

But at least we may be assured that there is no further threat to the school, and, as we had all surmised, the 'Heir' business was nothing more than the use of an old rumour to create an opportunity for Lockhart to become a hero.

That he corrupted the elf is most disturbing - though truth be told, that elf probably ought to have been put down long ago as defective.

Indeed.

As for the elf, someone ought to give him clothes and send him away.

I have put in a request to dispatch of the elf myself.

Freedom? For that insolent creature?

Far too good for it.

Surely, for a house-elf, it's the worst punishment, isn't it? They enjoy being enslaved.

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