Time Warped Special: Harry Potter Part 4

Gryffindor Quidditch team walked onto the pitch to tumultuous applause. Oliver Wood took off for a warm up flight around the goal-posts, Madam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflepuffs, who played in canary yellow, were standing in a huddle, having a last minute discussion of tactics.

Harry was just mounting his broom when Professor McGonagall came half-marching, half-running across the pitch, a large purple megaphone in her hand. Harry’s heart dropped like stone.

“This match has been cancelled,” Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone, addressing the packed stadium.

There were boos and shouts. Oliver Wood, looking devastated, landed and ran towards Professor McGonagall without getting off his broomstick.

“But Professor!” he shouted. “We’ve got to play… the cup… Gryffindor…”

Professor McGonagall ignored him and continued to shout through her megaphone.

“All students are to make their way back to the house common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!”

She lowered the megaphone and beckoned Harry over to her. Conner fought his way through the crowd to get to him. He saw Ron, who lent a hand, and pulled him through.

“Potter, I think you’d better come with me…”

Wondering how she could possibly suspect him this time, Harry saw Ron and Conner detach themselves from the complaining crowd.

“Yes, perhaps you two had better come too,” said McGonagall.

Some of the students around them were grumbling about the match being cancelled, while others were looking worried. Harry, Ron and Conner followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase. But they weren’t taken to anybody’s office.

“This will be a bit of a shock,” said Professor McGonagall in a surprisingly gentle voice as they approached the hospital wing. “There has been another attack… a double attack.”

Conner’s insides did a horrible somersault. He remembered Hermione’s fate from the film, and he knew how upsetting it would be for Harry and Ron. Professor McGonagall pushed open the door and the three entered.

Madam Pomfrey was bending over Hermione. Harry and Ron froze. And on the bed next to her was –

“Georgia!” Conner groaned.

Georgia laid utterly still, her eyes open and glassy.

“They were found near the Library,” Professor McGonagall said. “I don’t suppose any of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them…”

She held up an old, circular mirror. Harry and Ron shook their heads, both staring at Hermione. She looked at Conner, who could only shake his head numbly. Georgia, lying on the bed, petrified… The mist rose up and consumed Harry and Ron. It was a relief for Conner. He decided he liked the mist, at least he wouldn’t see Georgia like that any more. McGonagall was lost in the mist, and the scene changed.

“All students to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers to the staff room. Immediately, please.”

Conner looked up from Georgia’s bedside to hear the announcement.

“Ginny must’ve gone to the Chamber…” he muttered.

He leapt up, and ran from the hospital, leaving a startled Madam Pomfrey to pick up a pile of towels he’d knocked over.

“Harry and Ron must be by Myrtle’s Bathroom,” Conner said as he ran to the second floor corridor.

He checked, but they weren’t there.

“That’s in the film…” he sighed. “Where did they go in the book? All teachers to the staffroom…”

He began to run again.

“It has happened,” Professor McGonagall told the silent staff room. “A student has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself.”

Professor Flitwick squealed. Professor Sprout clapped her hounds over her mouth. The Doctor gripped the back of a chair very tightly, and said, “How can you be sure?”

“The Heir of Slytherin left another message,” replied Professor McGonagall, who was very white. “Right underneath the first one. Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.”

Professor Flitwick burst into tears. Harry and Ron, hidden in the teacher’s wardrobe, looked at each other in despair.

“Who is it?” Madam Hooch asked. “Which student?”
“Ginny Weasley,” said Professor McGonagall gravely.

By the time Conner had reached the staffroom, it was empty. He tried to think where Harry and Ron went now. Georgia was better at this then he was.

“Of course!” Conner grinned. “I’ll go and see the Doctor!”

Knock, knock!

The Doctor stood up, and opened the door.

“Conner,” he said simply.
“Doctor,” Conner replied. “Did you hear about…? About Georgia?”
“Yes,” the Doctor said sadly. “What can I do for you?”
“You’ve read the Harry Potter books,” Conner said. “Where do Harry and Ron go after the meeting in the staffroom?”
“To Lockhart,” the Doctor said. “This means…”

Knock, knock!

Conner opened the door. Harry and Ron’s mouths fell open as he grinned at them.

“What are you doing here?” Harry asked.
“Well I was trying to see if the Doc… Professor Smith could maybe locate the Chamber of Secrets. Dark things usually leave traces of dark magic,” Conner said.
“Oh,” Ron said.
“Sorry about your sister,” Conner said quickly. “I’m sure she’s still alive.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Ron said, looking down.
“We came to see Professor Smith. We think we know where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is, and what’s inside it,” Harry said. “We thought a Dark Arts teacher would be most helpful.”
“Show me,” the Doctor said.

They led the Doctor out of his office and down the nearest stairs, along the dark corridor where the messages shone on the wall, to the door of Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom. The Doctor went in first, pulling out his wand, which, Conner noticed, faintly resembled the Sonic Screwdriver. Moaning Myrtle was sitting on the cistern at the end toilet.

“Oh it’s you,” she said. “What do you want this time?”
“To ask you how you died,” Harry said.

Myrtle’s whole aspect changed at once. She looked as if she’d never been asked a more flattering question. Mist appeared at Conner’s feet. He sighed, wishing he didn’t have to miss going into the Chamber of Secrets.

Fortunately, he didn’t, as when the mist cleared, he was stood in the same place. He looked at the sink – the entrance to the chamber. The tap with the tiny engraving of the snake on glowed, and began to spin. Next second, the sink began to move. It sank into the floor, leaving a large pipe exposed, a pipe wide enough for a man to slide into. Conner heard Ron gasp.

“I’m going down there,” Harry said.
“Me too,” said Ron, thinking of Ginny.
“We’re all going,” Conner said assertively.

Harry nodded, and walked over to the pipe. He lowered himself slowly in, and let go. Ron nodded at the Doctor, who let out a grim smile. Ron dropped into the whole, with a cry of, “Bloody hell!”

“After you,” Conner grinned at the Doctor.
“You alright?” the Doctor asked.
“Never better,” Conner laughed, pushing the Doctor forwards.

He lowered himself down the edge of the pipe.

“The Doctor is in!” he said, before letting go.

Conner looked down at the hole. He sat on the edge, and was about to lower himself in, before Myrtle interrupted.

“Tell Harry…” she said. “If he dies down there –”
“He’s welcome to share your toilet,” Conner sighed, dropping out of sight, leaving Myrtle more than a little shocked.

Thud!

Conner landed onto the Chamber floor. Harry and Ron were up ahead, examining where to go next. The Doctor helped him up.

“Come on,” he said.
“It’s this way,” Harry shouted.

Suddenly there was a rumble above. They looked up.

“The ceiling’s gonna collapse!” Conner cried. “Run!”

The Doctor pulled Conner across the bone littered floor. Harry and Ron ran ahead of them, trying to avoid the large stones that continued to fall. Conner felt the Doctor’s hand loosen in his, and it slipped, letting Conner’s go.

Conner hit the damp floor with a grunt of pain. Ron turned back and pulled him to his feet. Together they ran. One large stone dropped above their heads, and they scattered in opposite directions to avoid it. At last the rumbling stopped, and Conner slipped over, falling to the floor.

“Ouch.”

He stood up, and looked around. The stones had formed a rock face, blocking off the way back. He saw Harry stood next to him, with a cut on his hand.

“Ron?!” Conner called.
“M’all right,” a faint voice answered on the other side of the rocks.
“Try to shift some of these rocks,” Harry called. “So we can get Ginny back through.”
“Okay,” Ron’s voice said again.
“Where’s the Doctor?” Conner asked.
“Who?” Harry asked. “Are you hurt?”
“I meant Professor Smith,” Conner said hurriedly.
“Conner…” Harry said. “We lost Professor Smith when he let go of your hand. You fell, but he wasn’t there…”
“Ron?!” Conner shouted again. “Is Professor Smith there?”
“I’m sorry, no.”

Conner turned around sadly. Harry looked around as well, and saw a door, with several snakes carved into it, entwining around the edges.

“Open,” said Harry, in a low, faint hiss.

The snakes moved as the door swung open. Harry and Conner, shaking with fear and excitement, walked inside.

“I’m wetting myself,” Conner laughed as they stepped into the Chamber.
“Me too,” Harry grinned.

As they walked in the saw an ancient and monkey-like face, with a long thin beard parted in all directions. Its stone mouth was open slightly, revealing a tongue beneath. At the base of the stone carving lay a small, black-robed figure with flaming red hair.

“Ginny!” Harry muttered, sprinting towards her and dropping to his knees.
“What’s wrong with her?” Conner asked, stepping forwards and tilting his head.
“I think she’s…” Harry couldn’t finish.
“It’s a bit cold in here,” Conner said, wrapping his robes around himself tighter.

Harry glanced up at Conner. He was white in the face, and his eyes were dulling.

“Are you alright?” Harry asked, frowning.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Conner asked, feeling light headed.

Whatever Harry’s theories, Conner never heard, as he collapsed to the floor; his wand spinning off behind a long, serpent covered pillar. Harry dived over to him and clutched Conner’s wrist. He felt for a pulse. It was faint.

“Conner, wake up!” he urged.
“They won’t wake,” said a soft voice.

Harry jumped and spun around on his knees. A tall, black haired boy was leaning against the pillar, watching, clutching Conner’s wand. He was strangely blurred around the edges, as if he wasn’t quite there. There was no mistaking him.

“Tom – Tom Riddle?”

Riddle nodded.

“What do you mean, they won’t wake?” Harry asked desperately. “Are they –?”
“Still alive,” said Riddle. “But only just.”
“What happened to Conner? Are we safe in here…? The Basilisk could come any minute…” said Harry.
“I don’t know what happened to the boy,” Riddle said. “He seems to be undergoing an energy transfer of some kind.”
“What do you mean…?” Harry asked.
“It seems as if… Someone connected to him is leaving this world…” said Riddle.

The Doctor gasped, and rolled off the bed. He hit the hospital floor, covered in sweat. This didn’t look like the Chamber of Secrets… He looked up – the Colossal they had been chasing was on the bed, hooked up to a life support machine. It seemed stable enough. The Doctor glanced around as a female entered the room.

“Are, you’re back in the land of the living,” she said, smiling slightly.
“Who are you?” the Doctor asked, confused.
“I am the Huntress,” the Huntress replied. “You were captured by the Colossal and taken into the works of J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter. I shot the Colossal, that’s why the world is unstable, why you only experience certain parts of it.”
“What about my friends?” the Doctor asked.
“Come, see,” the Huntress said.

She led the Doctor into the next room, which was filled with monitoring equipment. Two screens were placed on the wall – Georgia was in one, petrified on a bed in the Hospital Wing. The second showed Conner in the Chamber of Secrets, collapsed, and become white on the floor. Something flashed across the screen, and the Doctor saw Harry Potter dodging the Basilisk.

“What’s wrong with Conner?” the Doctor asked, confused.
“The energy required to bring you out of that world has affected both of your friends. He should be alright in a few hours.”
“Is Georgia affected too?” the Doctor asked.
“Yes, but when she is revived by the Mandrakes she will be unconscious,” the Huntress said. “Likewise, she will be fine.”

The Doctor continued to watch Conner’s screen. He saw a flash of silver, and a splattering of blood.

“Report,” the Huntress said. “The Basilisk has been killed.”

The two stood silently in the room for a minute.

“As has Tom Riddle,” the Huntress added. “Ginny Weasley is awake, and the two are moving Conner Bennet out of the Chamber. Now, Doctor, as everything’s fine for a second, I think I have time to get you a hot cocoa.”

Conner opened his eyes. He felt the warm, soft pillows against his head. The room came into focus, and he saw several faces peering down at him; Harry, Ginny, Ron, Georgia and Professor Dumbledore. Conner groaned.

“How long have I been out?” he asked groggily.
“A day,” Georgia said, laughing with relief.
“You’re back!” Conner grinned, sitting up.
“And so are you,” Professor Dumbledore said. “I’d better go and inform the kitchens – we’ll need a feast – everyone can leave the Hospital Wing today.”

And he left, his robes sweeping behind him.

“I just wanted to say, thanks,” Ginny blushed squeakily, before hurrying away.
“Yeah, well done mate,” Ron said, before going over to Hermione, who lay on the bed.
“Harry?”
“Yeah, coming,” Harry said. “What happened to you Conner?”
“I dunno,” Conner said. “I just remember feeling really cold.”
“Sometimes I wonder about you two,” Harry said. “It’s like there’s something you know about all of us that you aren’t saying…”
“Ha,” Georgia laughed. “You would not believe…”

Harry turned away and went over to Hermione’s bed. Georgia hugged Conner, whose heart fluttered slightly.

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re back,” she said.
“What is it?” Conner asked. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
“Don’t be upset,” Georgia said. “But they searched through the rubble under the Chamber… They never found the Doctor.”

Conner was lost for words.

“You mean he’s back in the real world?” he asked hopefully.
“Yeah, I think so,” Georgia smiled, hugging Conner again. “Yeah, I think so…”

The mist rose up around them. Georgia continued to hold Conner, as the scene, and the school year, faded away.

End of Part 4