"Yeah," Harry managed with a small smile, "sorry, it's just…coming down here…I didn't realise it would bring it all back so much."
Remus nodded and catching Harry glance towards the Weasleys again, he smiled. "I'll go check on them."
Hermione's hand gently took hold of Harry's and he shifted his grip to hold hers in case she was feeling scared.
"I wish I'd been with you." She whispered.
"Me too." Harry replied, remembering how she'd helped him with all the traps with the Philosopher's stone. But at least she hadn't been hurt beyond the petrification. If she'd come with him and Ron, would she have ended up beside him fighting the basilisk or dead or…
"Wonderful!" Bertie's shout dragged Harry's attention to where everyone else was gathered.
Where there had once been a heap of rocks and stone stood a brand new archway built out of the rubble.
"That's a nice bit of transfiguration, Albus!" Bertie said.
Minerva nodded. "It'll hold for a good year or more."
"Would you give me an Outstanding then, Minerva?" teased Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling.
Snape rushed forward and started to examine the huge cast-off skin that lay on the other side of the archway.
Brimbold followed and turned to Harry. "How large is this beast?"
"I'm, uh, not sure of the size," admitted Harry, "but it was really big."
"I'd estimate around fifty to sixty feet based on Harry's memory; as thick as an ancient oak tree." Bertie said. "Harry, if you could, we're going to need you for the next bit."
They all carried on down the tunnel to the massive doors, a strange silence settling over the group.
Dumbledore turned around and held up his wand for attention. "It has been over a year since Harry defeated the basilisk so there is likely to be some decay. You may want to cover your mouths and noses until the smell has been dispersed."
"Here." Sirius handed Harry a handkerchief and conjured another for Hermione's use.
"There's a perfect spell called the Bubble Head charm for this type of situation but they don't teach it to us for another couple of years yet and, oh look! Professor Flitwick's demonstrating it." Hermione rambled in Harry's ear.
Harry looked at their Charms Professor and saw a strange translucent bubble surrounding his head.
"It's mainly meant to be used underwater like the old deep sea diving suits but an alternative use is in potions and as a supply of fresh air in spelunking." Hermione continued to ramble and Harry didn't object knowing it was her way of dealing with her nerves. "Of course, it is very unstable if cast inexpertly and can easily be disturbed which makes it very dangerous!"
There was a loud sob and they both turned to look at Ginny who was a trembling mess.
"That's it!" Molly declared as she rubbed Ginny's shoulders. "I'm taking you back up! I knew this was a bad idea."
"No…" Ginny sobbed. "I just…" her eyes snapped open and arrowed in on Harry. "Please, can I stay with Harry?"
Molly sent Harry a helpless look. Ron mouthed the word 'mental' at him.
Harry nodded reluctantly. He held out his free hand to Ginny who immediately rushed over and grasped it tightly. Hermione, who held his other hand, gave him a subtle squeeze of support.
"Well, since Harry's got his hands full, a handkerchief isn't going to work anymore so…" Sirius frowned. "Moony?"
"You always were hopeless at remembering the wand movements for the Bubble Head, Padfoot." Remus said, performing the magic so that a secure Bubble Head appeared around Harry. He did the same for Hermione and Ginny.
"Excellent work, Remus!" Professor Flitwick grinned at him.
Bill motioned for Harry to step forward and he whispered once again for the doors to open.
From the distressed sounds that the people with only handkerchiefs made, Harry was glad of the Bubble Head. Bill and Caro were both casting in unison and Professor Flitwick and Snape hurriedly moved alongside them to help.
It was Caro who gave the signal it was all clear and Harry felt the Bubble Head disappear, and wrinkled his nose at the slightly stale musty smell that remained. Bill entered with Caro and Harry waited patiently while others walked in; he was in no rush. Eventually Hermione nudged him gently and he cleared his throat.
"You ready, Ginny?"
She nodded, her face wet with tears.
Her mother had walked up to stand beside them and she took Ginny's other hand. "Come on, dear."
Harry was glad of Sirius's warm presence behind him; his hand on Harry's shoulder.
They cleared the doors and shuffled around the frozen group of adults gazing at the remains of the snake. It came into view slowly; a large green creature with torn sightless yellow eyes that had dimmed with decay. Its mouth was open and filled with sharp fangs that sent another shiver through Harry.
"Bloody hell!" Ron muttered under his breath and nobody remonstrated with him about his language.
Ginny raised her head from its hiding place in Harry's shoulder, took one look at the huge corpse of the basilisk and fainted. Molly and Sirius reacted quicker than Harry as Hermione had tightened her hold on his other hand. They both caught Ginny before she hit the floor.
"I thought this would happen." Molly muttered. "I knew she wasn't ready for this! But she was so determined and wouldn't listen to me! Her own mother!"
Bill hurried over to his sister's side. "How is she?"
Remus checked Ginny's pulse. "It's just a faint but I think it's best we get her up to the infirmary. I'll carry her for you, Molly."
"Thank you, Remus." Molly said. "Come on, Ron."
"But Mum…" Ron complained.
"You've seen the basilisk and the Chamber." Molly said briskly. "In fact there's no need for any of you children to be down here anymore."
"Mum, Harry needs to stay in case a parselmouth is needed and I'm sure he'd appreciate Ron and Hermione's support." Bill said, before anyone could argue.
Molly looked for a moment as though she wanted to protest but in the end gave a nod. She turned to Sirius. "Thank you for catching Ginny."
"Not a problem." Sirius said.
Harry frowned at the strain in Sirius's voice but waited until the others had left before he said anything. "You OK, Padfoot?"
Sirius nodded and clasped the back of Harry's neck. "Just…I know I've seen your memory of what happened but seeing that beast for real and knowing how close you came…" he stopped abruptly.
Harry sent Hermione a look and she let go of him so he could hug Sirius. He mouthed a thank you at her and she sent him an understanding smile back.
Sirius held onto him for a long time – long enough for the others to collect themselves and begin organising.
Brimbold had his team start on breaking down the basilisk with Snape hovering in wondrous appreciation for the potions ingredients. Bill and Caro moved ahead to examine the walls of the Chamber and the Professors followed after them, talking in reverential tones. A few of them, Hagrid and Moody in particular, looked sympathetically towards Sirius and Harry, and Minerva wandered over to engage Ron and Hermione in a discussion. Sirius stayed wrapped around Harry and for once Harry didn't protest the hug going on too long or in front of someone, knowing that it was Sirius who needed the comfort not him.
Eventually, Sirius took a deep breath and loosened the tight hold he'd had on Harry. "OK."
"Yeah?" asked Harry softly.
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