It had been a week since Hermione and Beatrice had been petrified. None of the students apart from Cedric had been allowed to visit the hospital wing. Y/N meanwhile had only left it twice. Both times to eat dinner and both times after visits from Professor Snape.

Harry remembered how Y/N looked. He was like a man devoid of life, like his very soul had been torn from his body. He hadn't been eating, he hadn't been sleeping. He just looked... broken. This terrified Harry far more than any monster roaming the castle could. Y/N hadn't spoken either. The most he had communicated was a small nod when Harry had placed a hand on his shoulder and told him they were there for him. Lavender had hugged Y/N but he hadn't reacted, instead he just stared straight ahead unmoved.

Harry thought back to the emergency assembly that had been called Sunday morning at breakfast. Dumbledore had taken the podium to address the students:

"Yesterday morning Hermione Granger from Gryffindor and Beatrice Haywood, Prefect, from Hufflepuff were found petrified. We are now introducing the following rule changes. All students are to remain in their common rooms at all times other than meals and classes. Teachers will accompany groups of students to and from classes and Prefects to and from meals.

Any breaking of this rule will result in immediate suspension from Hogwarts. Do I make myself clear?"

There was a murmuring of understanding from the student body.

The headmaster moved away from the podium and Professor Snape approached the stand.

"I speak now directly to my house but also welcome the other three houses to listen. I overheard several incidents over the past twelve hours where a number of Slytherin students felt what happened to Ms Granger and Ms Haywood was somehow justified or even humorous. Two students, who are especially close to Y/N L/N, ending up in this position."

The students in the packed hall whispered among themselves, absolutely dumbfounded at the venom in Snape's voice, and his eyes, as he glared at his house. His next words shocked them even more:

"For this reason, in consultation with the Headmaster, I have decided to take 250 points from Slytherin house."

All four of the houses were absolutely speechless. This was unheard of. Slytherin were now clearly in last place and Gryffindor had jumped to the lead. Snape continued:

"If anyone in Slytherin house thinks this to be unfair they can thank Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe and Justin Higgins for the loss of 50 house points each. I warn you now, the next student heard muttering that word will be expelled, instantly!"

He paused and his usual demeanour became even more hardened as he scowled at the Slytherin table.

"Finally, a reminder that Mr. L/N has been significantly impacted by this incident and we are well aware of his history. I would caution you all..." he paused and looked directly at Malfoy's group "...not to try and aggravate or mock the boy over this. We would no doubt be sending Y/N to Azkaban and your parents would be burying your corpse if you did."

He turned and sat down. The hall was silent and in shock.

Harry was pulled from his memory by Ron.

"So we're agreed Harry? We'll go down and see Hagrid tonight?"

Harry nodded. They were going to borrow Y/N's invisibility cloak and sneak out. Harry felt he owed it to Y/N and Hermione. Y/N had always looked out for and protected Harry, he was literally tortured to keep Harry safe. Y/N needed his time now, to be protected. Harry would be the one to keep him safe this time.

Lavender had agreed to come, but only as far as the hospital wing. She was desperate to see her friends. She hadn't been able to stop crying most of the week. Hermione and Y/N were like siblings to her and it killed her to think that Y/N was down there alone all week. She knew he would be torturing himself with guilt and blame. Lavender knew in her heart it was her fault. She shouldn't have let Hermione go to the library.

-~-

It was night time and Harry, Ron and Lav managed to sneak out of the Gryffindor common room under the cloak. The boys dropped Lav off at the hospital wing and went straight to Hagrid's Hut. They knocked on the door and were greeted with a crossbow to the face.

Ron squealed. Hagrid looked surprised.

"I was expectin'... doesn't ma'er... come in quickly, the pair o'ye"

Harry and Ron rushed in and sat down. Harry inhaled deeply and steadied himself. He looked Hagrid in the eyes.

"Hagrid, did you open the Chamber of Secrets?"

Hagrid had a look of regret on his face.

"What you hav' ter understand about tha' is-"

They were interrupted by a knock at the door and Fang barking.

"Under the cloak both of ye now. Be quiet!" Hagrid barked worriedly. He opened his front door and the Minister and Dumbledore were stood there.

"Professor Dumbledore sir" Hagrid greeted the Headmaster respectfully.

"Good evening Hagrid. I wonder could we..?"

"Come in, come in" he replied cheerfully. He always had time for Professor Dumbledore. The Minister For Magic followed Albus in and quickly spoke up:

"Bad business this Hagrid. Very bad business. Had to come... Three attacks on Muggleborns, things have gone far enough. And given the...circumstances.. of the last attack...The Ministry has to act.. that boy could..."

Hagrid interrupted him.

"But I never. Professor you know I never-"

Dumbledore answered quickly and with obvious regret in his voice:

"I want it understood, Cornelius, Hagrid has my full support and confidence."

The Minister looked frustrated.

"Albus, look, Hagrid's record is against him. I've got to take him. It's lock up a suspect or remove the boy before he finds a suspect. And if we try and take the boy... he could turn this school into a bloodbath."

Harry was shocked. The Ministry was afraid of Y/N?

"Take me where?" Harry could hear the fear in Hagrid's voice. "Not Azkaban prison"

"I'm afraid we have no choice, Hagrid" Fudge replied.

Ron and Harry were both stunned- the Ministry was afraid of Y/N, and they were sending Hagrid to Azkaban.

Hagrid's front door was suddenly flung open and a look of disgust grew on Harry's face as Lucius Malfoy sauntered in the door. He spoke with a sneer:

"Already here Fudge, good."

Hagrid exploded.

"Wha' are you doin' here? Ge' out of my house!"

Lucius sneered at the much larger man:

"Believe me, I take absolutely no pleasure being inside your... You call this a house? Hm?"

He chuckled, moving onwards and glancing around with distain. He stood only inches from Harry and Ron, facing a them. Harry covered his mouth. Lucius turned and continued:

"No, I simply called at the school and was told then headmaster was here"

Dumbledore looked angered.

"And what exactly is it you want with me?"

Lucius smiled wickedly:

"The other governors and I have decided it's time for you to step aside."

Hagrid, Dumbledore and Fudge all had a look of shock on their faces. Hagrid and Fudge's soon turned to horror. Lucius continued:

"This is an order of suspension"

He held out a rolled up scroll, or piece of parchment. Fudge tried to step between the two, stopping Lucius from handing it to Albus, but Dumbledore merely chuckled and waved the Minister off. He took the scroll as Lucius sneered:

"You'll find all 12 signatures on it."

Dumbledore slowly opened the parchment to read it while Lucius continued:

"I'm afraid we feel you've rather lost your touch. Well, what, with all these attacks..."

Lucius turned to face the boys again. He smiled wickedly as he did:

"There'll be no Muggleborns left at Hogwarts. I can only imagine what an awful loss that would be to the school."

He turned again to face the others as he finished. Hagrid suddenly exploded:

"You can't take Professor Dumbledore away. Take him away and the Muggleborns won' stand a chance. Not with Y/N the way 'e is. There'll be killings next, mark my words!"

"You think so? Oh of course- the Mudbloods great defender... well from what I've heard Hogwarts very best isn't at his best anymore is he Dumbledore? Poor little Ms. Granger" Lucius sneered. It took every ounce of the boys' willpower to stop them attack Malfoy then and there.

"There's no need for that language, Lucius" Fudge reprimanded him. It didn't seem genuine though from what Harry could tell. Albus spoke up calmly:

"Calm yourself, Hagrid. If the governors desire my removal, I will, of course, step aside. However, I think you will find Lucius, that help will always be given at Hogwarts, for those who ask for it."

Dumbledore seemed to look straight at Harry and Ron. Lucius looked behind him puzzled then grinned:

"Admirable sentiments"

He pointed to the door asking: "Shall we?" The pair walked out Hagrid's front door. Fudge looked up at Hagrid.

"Well, come then Hagrid."

Hagrid looked around the room and cleared his throat.

"If anyone was looking for some stuff then all they'd have to do is follow the spiders. Yep, that would lead 'em right. That's all I have to say."

He walked towards the door and Fudge looked at him like he was a madman. The last thing Hagrid said before exiting was:

"Oh an' someone needs ter feed Fang while I'm away."

The door closed and the boys removed Y/N's cloak.

"Hagrid's right. With Dumbledore gone there'll be an attack a day" Ron said in fear.

Harry looked over Ron's shoulder and pointed, muttering: "Look!"

He noticed a number of spiders walking up the wall in unison. They headed outside and saw a long line up of them heading from the castle and into the Forbidden Forest.

Ron looked at Harry in fear as Harry said resolutely:

"I guess we have to follow the spiders, Ron."