She was right, but the memories of what such a place did to people, what it had done to Sirius, still gave him shivers. Both fell into silence once more, until a thought occurred to him, "I'm kind of surprised you're up here not exploring the Chamber. Isn't it the mythic sanctuary of all Slytherins?"
Grace stared at him for a second, before shaking her head, "I've had enough of that place for one lifetime. When I was in school, we were told fairy tales of it. A place of all sorts of ancient knowledge and secrets, a place where only the chosen could gain access, could get away from everything and hide away to their hearts content. When Dumbledore and I finally entered though, when I saw the carcass of that monster, an attempted murderer still twitching on the ground, and you, deathly cold and unmoving… I want nothing to do with it. The Headmistress and I have even discussed putting seals on the inner door, preventing anyone from gaining access. There was already one horror in that place, no reason to tempt fate with unleashing another."
Harry nodded in both understanding and agreement.
"Besides," She continued, "I am far more concerned about you."
There was a slight blush on his face as he looked away. "I'm fine."
"You most certainly are not, and on top of it all it appears I have more competition to scare off."
He blinked in confusion, "What?"
"Lockhart" Seeing his expression fail to change the woman sighed, "She mentioned talking to your parents. Apparently, she gave you instructions while I was gone, and something… more."
There is something in her tone, something he recognizes this time.
Jealousy and anger.
It turns his stomach, anger spiking in his veins. Of all the damn ways she could have reacted this was one he wasn't in the mood to deal with. "What was I supposed to do!? You were gone, Dumbledore was gone, no one was doing anything about the giant monster attacking students!"
"So, you went to her?"
"I went to the person I could use to get what I wanted."
Grace's lips curled up into a sneer. It reminds him far too much of Snape. "Oh, I'm sure you did."
It felt like a slap to his face, and he resisted responding in kind. "The school was under lockdown. I needed a way to get to the Chamber without escort. She was the only staff member I could manipulate into it. So yeah, I put up with her lousy teaching and creepiness for an hour or two so I could save your miserable arse from prison and stop a monster from killing anyone because once again all the adults stood around being useless."
Oh
Oh
Grace had the decency to look embarrassed, "I didn't…"
"No, you didn't and instead of just talking to me you decided to insult me."
"I'm sorry… with everything that's been happening…" she shook her head, "No excuses, I was wrong and I'm sorry. It still doesn't excuse you putting your life on the line but… I should not have said those things or even though them."
And she was, but alongside the jealousy was something more, something she vowed to consider further over the summer. Minutes ticked by in uncomfortable quiet before Riddle managed the courage to look over to him. His anger seemed to fade, but there was still a noticeable pout on his features.
"Does this mean you aren't… interested in her offer?"
Harry glared, "I don't know what offer she made but if it involves being anywhere near her then no, I'm not."
His words meant relief for the woman and despite her best efforts a smile crept onto her face, the first one since her arrest.
****
He hadn't exactly been looking for her, but at the same time there had been no avoidance either. Instead, it was just a moment in which they were in the same hallway at the same time.
Alone
"You must be thrilled, what with everything going back to normal."
Harry didn't reply, merely waited, and watched.
"Riddle is back to her former positions and now you have an additional tutor along with her. How proud your parents must be."
Still, he didn't respond, still he waited.
The woman sneered, "And now she has taken credit for 'saving the day' once again. Single handedly defeated the Basilisk I hear, such a moment of triumph for her career. Not only does she have sole access to the Chamber of Secrets but the fame and glory that go along with it."
"Thank you." Harry Potter's two words had Snape reeling back in confusion. "For trusting her to save my life I mean. If you hadn't acted when you did, I would be dead."
Serena stared at him as if he had grown another head, before slowing nodding. "It was nothing."
Harry rolled his eyes, figured Snape would say something like that. "Still doesn't mean my parents trust you, or that I like you, but I appreciate you sparing them the grief."
"And what do they think about your newest teacher."
The boy-who-lived stared for a moment before snorting in disbelief, "Seriously? What is it with Slytherins? I didn't choose Lockhart because I want her to teach me. I know she's incompetent, she was in my world as well and her one 'lesson' was more than enough to see that. I asked her because I needed someone to keep me out after hours and I couldn't manipulate any other staff member to leaving me alone for long enough to get to the Chamber."
Once more the woman stared but it was with a hint a pride now. "Very clever. So that is why you didn't choose me."
He nodded once more, "Partially, but I also saw how much it pissed you off and figured this was a bit of payback."
A smile tugged at her lips, but she fought it back. Harry, on the other hand, grinned.
****
By the time Harry was up and moving about on his own the school year had only a few days left. As Riddle had hinted there was a shift in how the other students saw him, especially the Slytherins. Gone was most of the open hostility or contempt, replaced with more curiosity than ever before. Still, he didn't have much time to think about it before the year let out and he was on the Hogwarts Express headed home.
_______________________
A/N- 50% Discount for New Year's on Patreon
Read 50+ Advance Chapters-
patr*on.com/greg01