53 53. Confrontation

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The discussion between Happy and Snape went on for nearly an hour. Snape shared what he knew about Lucius and what kind of man he was in person. From the days in school to the dark times.

After noting everything, Happy assessed, "So he's an intelligent and manipulative man. Self-serving above all, and has no problem in appealing to any side as long as it's more beneficial to him? Disloyal and arrogant? But that also makes him a man who can be easily disposed of."

"Do not take him lightly. He has influence in the Ministry, and one word from him can bring you endless trouble." Snape sternly warned.

"That's why we need him." Happy said. "Don't worry, professor, I'm not delusional. I know Malfoys believe in blood purity. But they are one of the few families that can be swayed by money and the power that comes with money. If the plan works, the Dark Lord will have no followers left. We must harm his interests as much as possible before he returns."

With that settled, both of them made their way back to the surface. Sadly, Dobby forgot about them and never returned to get them. So the two had the help of Fawkes to fly them to the surface through various turns in the tunnel leading to an opening.

They soon arrived outside the school gates, and Fawkes dropped them there. With that, the two birds bid each other a short farewell, and only Koko was left perched on Happy's shoulder.

"Go to the Hospital Wing and get your wounds treated," Snape ordered Happy before swiftly walking away.

Meanwhile, Happy felt more hungry than hurt. "Well, things sure were different this time. But I don't even care what happens next year anymore because I know it will be unpredictable. Koko, let's go and get some treats."

"Mooooo!" Koko agreed with the decision.

Happy went straight to find the elves in the kitchen. Since the school was mostly empty, the elves had less work to do, which meant more free time.

"I'll give them the butter chicken and rice recipe today—I'm craving some good spicy food."

…

At the same time, Snape was quick to get the situation under control. He certainly had the thought of letting Dumbledore take the responsibility and never return as Headmaster, but then he remembered that Voldemort was trying to return to power. In that situation, there was nobody better suited than Dumbledore as Headmaster.

He used the official Floo Network to transport himself directly to the Ministry of Magic and headed to the Minister's office. Being a well-known man, he was quickly recognized, and no one dared to stop him from at least reaching the office.

The Minister's secretary hurried into the office to inform them about the newly discovered details concerning the events at school.

"Minister, there have been some discoveries at the school regarding the petrification. Mr. Snape is here to report it."

Minister Fudge, McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Lucius occupied the room at that moment, busy in a heated discussion about the school affairs.

"Severus?" Dumbledore muttered and glanced at the Minister. One look and the minister quickly allowed the visitor to enter.

"Greetings." Snape appeared with his iconic, ever-present, plain expression. He walked all the way to the Minister's table and placed a cloth-wrapped item on it. "The mystery has been solved. With the help of Happy Lestrange, I learned about the existence of the Chamber of Secrets. Upon further investigation, we found a Basilisk had been residing there for the past thousand years, from the days of Salazar Slytherin."

Lucius scoffed then and raised his finger at Snape, "Such unbelievable stories just to protect Dumbledore? I will not allow this!"

Snape disregarded the man and continued to speak, "In a battle, I was able to kill the beast with a killing curse, for nothing else worked on such a creature. Before you, wrapped in that cloth, is a Basilisk's fang. For further proof, you will need to personally enter the Chamber."

Minister Fudge's eyes fell on the item. Somewhat curious, he quickly unwrapped it and found a giant fang bigger than his palm.

"This is…massive!"

Dumbledore, with his decades of wisdom, inspected it closely. "It does indeed belong to a snake, that I can tell from its appearance. But to confirm…"

Along with Dumbledore, Fudge also stood up and placed his hat on his head. Then, Fudge glanced at his secretary and ordered. "Cancel all appointments. Only if the department heads inquire, inform them that I went to Hogwarts."

And with that, they used the Floo Network to reach Hogwarts, and after that, using apparition, they arrived at the massive Chamber of Secrets in the same condition as Snape left it. Right before them lay the enormous dead Basilisk, its eyes destroyed and its skin cracked due to the Killing Curse.

"Good Merlin!" Fudge exclaimed with fright. "How did you avoid its gaze?"

Snape was not one to lie, "Fawkes the Phoenix blinded it with claws, while Happy Lestrange's pet made rooster noises to keep it at bay. I merely dealt the killing blow."

Rubbing his beard, Dumbledore closed in to touch the snake's skin. He was also a seasoned politician in disguise, so he thought of a way to make a deal with the Ministry.

"I believe the skin, muscles, and venom of such an ancient beast would be quite valuable outside, don't you think, Cornelius?" Dumbledore said.

Of course, being a greedy man, Fudge smiled ear to ear. "You're certainly right, Dumbledore. Since the source of petrification is found, we have no reason to pursue the matter any further."

"No, the matter is not over." Lucius interrupted them. "The messages on the walls. Who opened the chamber? Who is the heir?"

"For that, we must return to the school above." Snape led them again.

…

By the time morning arrived and sunlight showered the school with its spring warmth, the matter was cleared, and the Ministry and the Board of Governors retracted their decision to remove Dumbledore from his position. Hagrid was also ordered to be released.

Furthermore, by Happy's nagging request, Snape argued in favor of Hagrid being allowed to keep a wand again since the mystery of what happened fifty years ago had been cleared. For Snape, it was a useless matter.

But for Happy, it was worth much more. He wasn't close to the gentle giant but respected the man. After all, before entering a coma in his last life, it was the actor who played Hagrid who came to visit him as his last request.

As for the others, Hermione was unharmed and merely weakened, while Harry had a few scratches here and there. Happy didn't even have to go to Madam Pomfrey as he healed on his own. The long series of stressful events had finally come to an end.

But one last thing was still left—an interrogation with Dumbledore.

…

Happy, Koko, and Harry stood before Dumbledore as the old man was seated behind his table, donning his usual pointy hat. Though today, his voice was sterner and particularly annoying to Happy.

"You both realize, of course, that in the past few hours, you have broken perhaps a dozen school rules."

"Yes, Sir." Only Harry replied.

"There is sufficient evidence to have you both expelled…Therefore, it's only fitting that you both receive special awards for your service to the school." Dumbledore smiled at the end, standing up from his chair. "First of all, I want to thank both of you. But I sense that something has been troubling both of you... speak openly, Harry."

Harry hesitantly talked about it, "I feel confused, and after what Happy said. Tom Riddle and…I have certain similarities, like Parseltongue."

Dumbledore nodded and placed his hand on Happy's shoulder while looking at Harry. "Mr. Lestrange is correct in that assumption, Harry. That night, when Voldemort gave you that scar, he transferred some of his powers to you."

"Me? Why?" Harry asked.

"Not intentionally, of course."

Harry looked down for a second. "Then… the sorting hat was right? I should be in Slytherin."

Dumbledore moved to sit back in his chair as he eyed both boys, "It is true. You possess many of the qualities that Voldemort himself values. Determination, resourcefulness… Harry, you are not alone in this. You have a very strong, wise, and food-loving friend beside you."

Harry looked at Happy with a smiling face.

Dumbledore continued. "Both of you, tell me why did you get sorted into Gryffindor?"

Happy replied instantly. "We asked it to."

Happy was, in reality, thinking about Dumbledore's words. He wondered if the old man knew Harry was a Horcrux at that point.

"Exactly! Both of you, it's not our abilities or our past that reveal our true selves. It's our choice. Both of you made a choice, and it led to your heroic actions, saving not only this school but also Hagrid. Now, I'm sure both of you are tired, so Harry, you may head first."

Harry understood the headmaster had something to talk about with Happy. So he silently retreated out of the room.

Finally, Dumbledore looked at Happy, "I feel a sense of discomfort from you, Happy. You did great. You should be proud of yourself."

Happy spoke, "Professor, could the Philosopher's Stone have caused a mutation in my blood? Make it magically potent somehow? I was able to destroy Tom's diary with just my blood."

The old man brushed his long beard while thinking deeply. "Your blood… is an enigma. I have no doubt no other wizard in history had the same condition as you. It could be a mix of your blood potent with luck and the stone that destroyed the diary. Sadly, since no precedence exists in history, we know nothing about your blood."

'Can there be some other positive effects of that stone? I did feel a strange tingling in my arm and my wand when casting magic tonight. What was that?'

But Happy decided not to confide that detail with the man.

"I'll take my leave now, Professor. But I just wanted to ask you something…"

"Speak your mind, Happy."

Happy stood up from his seat and glanced around at the various portraits and the magnificence of the room. The books on the shelves and the majestic Phoenix. It was the room where the epitome of power and knowledge resided… yet.

"Professor, how is it possible that a school, meant to be a safe place for all kids to learn magic, turns into a deadly mess? Twice in a row this time, first Professor Quirrell and now the Basilisk. I was wondering… How can the vanquisher of Gellert Grindelwald not keep all the kids safe? And should I prepare myself for more incidents like this every year?"

He did it. He had finally said what almost every sane man would say after learning about what transpires in Hogwarts. How was it called a school and not a battle royale? Where survival was left to luck and prophecies.

"I sense your frustrations, Happy."

Happy shrugged, "I'm not frustrated, Professor. I'm just worried that… if we don't take these things seriously, someone will eventually die. And honestly, I don't want to lose my first friends."

'In two lives,' He concluded internally.

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