//------------------------------// // The Chamber of Secrets, Two Weddings and Most Likely a Funeral // Story: Scoti 2: Muggles and Mudbloods // by SamuelK28 //------------------------------// Dumbledore wasn’t a man who was easily taken by surprise, but even he had yet to get used to how easily Professor Discord could get through the wards and enchantments that surrounded the castle. Still, even as the apparent god suddenly appeared in his office only the keenest of eyes would have noticed a momentary shift in Dumbledore’s demeanour. “Professor Discord,” he said calmly while stroking his beard. “Congratulations on the engagement although I'm guessing this isn’t a social call to inform me when the wedding will be?” “Thank you and no, it isn’t,” Discord replied cutting to the chase and throwing the diary onto Dumbledore’s desk. “Although we are unable to prove it, Lucius Malfoy just attempted to plant this on the youngest Weasley child. Thankfully, my own daughter intervened. My immediate deductions make it out to be a Horcrux of some form. I shall deal with it in due course but wanted to see if you might have any further information about it first. It is radiating some seriously disturbing dark magic but from my initial observations the diary itself seems to be completely blank apart from a name, T.M. Riddle.” Dumbledore actually quivered for a split second at the mention of that name and despite his best efforts to maintain his stoic appearance, Discord had instantly noticed the headmaster’s reaction. “By your reaction, I’m guessing you know who that is?” Discord said seriously. “Yes, Tom Marvolo Riddle was a student here during my early days fifty years ago. You though are probably more used to hearing him being called by another name, Lord Voldemort,” Dumbledore replied in his usual unperturbed way. “I had presumed it would have something to do with him,” Discord growled. “What I’d like to know is why a diary and who did he deliberately murder to be able to create such a heinous artifact?” “I believe I can assist you with that one. You see, when Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin, they ensured it was built away from the prying eyes of Muggles who were fearful of wizards and witches at that time and often persecuted anyone they even mildly suspected could be one. The castle offered a safe place for youngsters who showed signs of magic and a place where they could be taught how to control their natural ability. Unfortunately, peace wasn’t to last. Slytherin believed that only children from all-magical families should be admitted to the school, calling those with muggle blood untrustworthy. It was not long until he fell out with the others and departed the school, but not before he had supposedly built a hidden chamber that none of the other founders knew anything about, the Chamber of Secrets. The legend goes that Slytherin sealed a monster within the Chamber of Secrets that only his heir could release and control to purge the school of all those students who were not pure blooded. It was long thought to be just a myth.” Dumbledore paused, lost in his own memories for a moment. “Until fifty years ago when Voldemort or Riddle, as he was known back then, opened it,” Discord finished for Dumbledore, stroking his own little beard and deep in thought himself. “Precisely, but it was never proven and, in the end, he was able to fool the current headmaster at the time, Armando Dippet, into believing it was Hagrid who’d been attacking the students, the half-giant having a prior record of keeping dangerous creatures on school grounds. It was the last thing the poor boy needed so soon after losing his father to be expelled and have his wand snapped in two, but Dippet was convinced and the attacks immediately stopped afterward. Alas, it came too late for poor Myrtle Warren who was murdered by the monster in the girls’ bathroom on the first floor,” Dumbledore finished with a tear in his eye as he removed his spectacles and cleaned them with his robes. “I see,” Discord replied now even deeper in thought. “So, Riddle, as the descendant of Slytherin, opened the chamber, tried to kill as many non-pure-blooded students as he could without suspicion and then closed it again before framing Hagrid for his crimes and creating a Horcrux from Myrtle’s murder, ingenious. Psychopathic, but ingenious all the same.” “Agreed. He truly was one of the most gifted students Hogwarts has ever had. It is just a shame he was consumed by darkness,” Dumbledore muttered sadly. “Indeed. This diary likely contains information that could see us not only locate the Chamber of Secrets but also kill whatever is inside it, but the book is simply too dangerous to mess with. Thus, I will just have to locate the chamber myself, starting with the girl’s bathroom on the first floor.” As he had said this Discord had plucked a fang from his mouth. With no remorse he slammed it down into the heart of the diary on the desk. A high-pitched wail erupted from the diary as black ink flooded out of it and covered the desk. Momentarily, the ghostly figure of a boy writhing in pain appeared between Dumbledore and Discord before vanishing into the ether. After a while Discord removed the tooth and returned it to his mouth. “Basilisk fang,” Discord explained nonchalantly. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve a mystery to solve before my daughter and her friends arrive for their second year in two weeks’ time. Because knowing her luck, she’ll probably accidentally stumble across the chamber and release whatever monster is inside.” And with that he turned to go, but not before Dumbledore called out, “Thank you Professor Discord. If you need any assistance, I’m sure Professor Lockhart will be only too happy to help. I’d also like to talk to you some more about your daughter’s new found heritage once this matter is cleared up.” “Thank you, I’ll call upon him to assist once I’ve located the chamber and I’d be more than happy to answer any further questions you may have on draconequui once this matter is settled,” Discord called out without turning his head back towards Dumbledore as he departed the office and headed straight to the girls’ bathroom on the first floor. Back in his office Dumbledore picked up the diary, which had finally ceased oozing ink all over his desk, and examined it intently for a moment. “So, Tom, you actually managed to do it. The question now is just how many times were you able to replicate the procedure?” he said to himself before placing the diary into the bottom drawer of his desk. * After Celestia’s return to sanity, Twilight had been offered the chance to return to Ponyville and the Golden Oaks library but the constant disturbances from tourists wanting to get a picture with Equestria’s newest alicorn and not at all interested in borrowing or discussing books had seen her split her time half and half between Ponyville and Canterlot. The benefit of this for her was that she still got to spend more time with her friends, aside Fluttershy, than previously, whilst continuing her research in the depths of the seemingly never-ending Canterlot Castle library. Over the past few years in her time away from Canterlot though Twilight had come to realise that nothing was ever perfect. The problem with her current situation was a certain dark blue alicorn who had a penchant to constantly play pranks on her whilst she was trying to study. And, as she mulled over the latest ancient tome she had found buried in the depths of the library, a pop and flash of blue magic saw her let out a heavy sigh. “Luna, if this is another pie by mail or exploding letter, I swear…” Twilight grumbled levitating the scroll and carefully unrolling it. You are cordially invited to the wedding of Princess Celestia of the three pony tribes And Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings Canterlot Castle Hearths Warming Eve “Seriously Luna? You think I’m going to fall for…” “It’s no joke. It’s what publicly you would define as a political marriage to avoid a war. Personally speaking though I think there is more to it than that,” said alicorn in question clarified appearing from behind a bookshelf. Twilight gave a dismissive laugh. “Seriously, that’s the best you could come up with, political marriage. Even for you that’s poor Luna. And I sure do hope that’s red wine you’re drinking.” “Half and half. You know what the other half is.” Luna opened her muzzle and ran her tongue over the two fangs that protruded from the top row of teeth. Twilight shuddered. Luna’s unique dietary requirements due to her thestral heritage always creeped her out. Luna let out a little snort of amusement. “Oh, how I do like to see you squirm. But dear Twilight let me assure you that this is no joke. Celestia asked me to tell you she wants us to be her bridesmaids.” “Pfft, seriously Luna, give it up already. The day I believe Celestia and Chrysalis are going to get married is the day Fluttershy finally loses her marbles and marries Discord,” Twilight stated firmly. And that was of course when a card conveniently floated down in front of Twilight: SAVE THE DATE: April 10th 1993 You are provisionally invited to the wedding of Disaster Cord and Fluttershy Breeze Hogwarts Castle April 10th 1993 “Hi Twilight, guess what! Fluttershy and Discord are getting married! Isn’t that awesome?” Pinkie’s voice echoed from a portal that had suddenly appeared right above Twilight. Twilight’s right eye began to twitch. “Well, that was an unexpected twist,” Luna commented with a wicked grin plastered across her face as she took another sip from her drink. “Oh, Moony, you’re here to0; that’ll save me a trip,” Pinkie said floating two more cards down for Luna. “Could you pass one of those onto Celestia for me as well, I’ve a lot of trips to make and not nearly enough time to make them all. Also, could you congratulate her on her own engagement for me. She and Chryssy make for such a cute couple!” “Of course Pinkie,” Luna replied taking the two cards in her magic whilst not taking her eyes of Twilight for even a moment as the smug smile on her face grew ever wider. “Thank you! And before I go, Discord also asked me to give you this Twilight.” She floated down a pink envelope to Twilight before the portal closed and Pinkie disappeared. By this point Twilight’s rational mind had all but disintegrated but to her credit she still somehow managed to open the envelope with her magic. She was instantly covered in confetti as a miniature Discord appeared from within and blew an equally miniature trumpet before exclaiming: “Discord, God, Lord, Master, and Ruler of Chaos is to be wedded to one Fluttershy Breeze. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to serve as best mare. As usual, should you or any member of your team be killed or captured, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This card will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Twilight.” Twilight’s right eye twitched ever faster as the miniature Discord exploded in her face and sent yet more confetti everywhere. Luna meanwhile was trying desperately not to drop to the floor in a fit of giggles. “Twilight Sparkle, more like Twilight Sprinkle,” the older alicorn jested referring to the colourful confetti that was now dotted throughout the other alicorn’s hair like sprinkles on an ice cream. “One more word and I’ll send you back to the moon,” Twilight growled her mane and tail igniting as her eyes turned blood red. “Oh shit,” Luna swore with a large gulp.