She had known, deep down she knew the moment the guards interrupted her silent evening that something had happened at Hogwarts, that something had happened to Harry. There hadn't been an explanation, just a 'request for your presence'.

But she had been rushed down the hallway and into an emergency Floo, normally reserved for medical issues concerning the guards and staff.

Dumbledore was there to greet them the moment she stepped from the green flames. Dumbledore, and Snape. One was clearly concerned for her wellbeing and the other was a bitch.

"What…"

"Potter accessed the Chamber. I was too late to stop him and can't open it."

Rage flashed into Riddle's eyes, and her fingers twitched, eager for her Wand for no other reason than to turn the younger woman into paste on the walls. She had one bloody job and apparently keeping a preteen from throwing himself into harm's way was too complicated for her.

Before she could express her opinion Dumbledore stepped in, "Take us there immediately, we have little time."

Serena gave a sharp nod and nearly ran from the room, the other two, along with several Aurors, close on their heels. The two elder witches nearly paused when they entered a bathroom of all places, but a swift gesture and an explanation had her hissing at the center of the room which quickly opened.

Grace wasted no time in leaping in and the Headmistress paused for only a second to give an order, "Stay here. If the worst comes to pass someone needs to evacuate the school and ensure no one else is harmed. A half-hour if you do not hear from us."

The potion mistress wanted to argue but seeing the fright in the eyes of the Aurors had her doubting they would be of any use to either those going down or in taking straightforward action. Thus, she nodded and waited, helpless once more.

****

It was dark, darker than it should have been with the illumination provided by their wands. The passageway seemed to stretch on for miles with no distinguishable landmarks, alternating paths, or signs of any life.

Time lost all meaning and despite their haste it felt as though the pair had been in the tunnels for days. Finally, something changed, a large doorway at the end with the crest of Slytherin adorning it. Once more Grace didn't even pause as she hissed out a command and the barrier opened.

It should have been a triumphant entrance for the woman. Ascension into the legendary Chamber of Secrets was something every member of her house dreamed of. There was said to be artifacts there, tomes of ancient knowledge, a place to make plans and simply get away from the hustle of the rest of the school. A place all to oneself, a grand home inside of the greatness that was Hogwarts.

Instead, it was just as Harry described it, a tomb.

There were no living spaces, no warmly lit hearths or bookshelves, no comforts, or joys. Instead, there was a massive carcass of a creature that should have been destroyed centuries prior, another large snake in the corner, and a boy pale and unmoving on the ground.

"Harry!"

Dumbledore reached him the same time she did and there was already a bottle in her hand. "He's still breathing," she noted, clearly trying to keep the panic from her voice, "The fang… it must be the venom."

She began administering what Riddle could only assume was Pheonix tears around the wound and then into his open lips.

Nearby a voice whispered out, one that had her spinning around, putting herself between the Headmistress, and more importantly Harry, and whatever new threat there might be. The original attacker no doubt.

"You came…" Grace's eyes widened in recognition, in realization. "I knew you'd come for me."

"Nagini"

The woman attempted to stand, clearly injured from whatever had befallen. She didn't see any obvious wounds, so it had likely been caused by her lover. "It's just like I told you, the Chamber, just like I promised. We can still get married here, we will say you killed the beast, restore your honor."

"You did this." Her words had the desired effect, earning a flinch from the prone woman. "Why!?"

"For you, for us! I did it so we could be together, so you would see me!"

Riddle's heart sunk in her chest. It truly had been about her after all. The students, Harry, had been put into danger because of her presence.

"Grace." A voice from behind snapped her attention back to the catastrophe at hand. "It's been too long. He isn't responding as he should. We need to get him to Pomfrey, immediately."

Harry was levitated and Dumbledore began moving him towards the exit. For a brief moment she considered taking out her anger and rage on the younger witch nearby. Surely with her false imprisonment and the Ministry's own incompetence hanging over their heads she would be forgiven if a few darker curses were used on the woman who had almost killed several students.

Her wand was raised, the curses burning on her lips, but the Magic wouldn't come, the words wouldn't flow, and instead Nagini was stunned and levitated along as well. Justice would be delivered, but not by her hands and not without trial.

_____________________

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