Learn From the History

Chapter 9: Voldemort

The Chamber of Secrets

Little did the other founders know, Salazar Slytherin secretly built a chamber in the school. He locked a monster there just before he left Hogwarts.

When the time came, his heir would open the chamber again and release the monster to purify the blood of the world.

Two entrances were made: One lay within the wall, where the mark of Slytherin was hidden. One lay beyond the wall, guarded by the Greek Guardian.

"Great. He did know how to leave a clue," looking up from the book, Alex said sarcastically.

After the night adventure, the two Slytherins successfully sneaked back to the dungeons without being caught. On the next day, the two boys gathered in the common room, reading the book excitedly.

Tom smirked at Alex's comment. "Well, at least we know the chamber really existed, and ..." He looked up at his friend. "do you think there's really a monster in it?"

"It seems so..." Alex looked down at the book again. "When the time comes, his heir will open the chamber again and release the monster to purify the blood of the world..." He rolled his eyes. "Here comes 'the matter of blood' again."

Tom shrugged. "It's what Salazar Slytherin always emphasized."

"Then I wonder why in the world did I end up in Slytherin..." muttered Alex.

Tom grinned mischievously. "Because you're sly, cunning..."said Tom mockingly.

"Who are you talking about, Tom?" said Alex, raising his eyebrows. "Anyway, what shall we do? The clue Slytherin left was nothing more than your last name."

Tom rolled his eyes. He turned back to the book. "Two entrances were made: One lay within the wall, where the mark of Slytherin was hidden. One entrance is in the castle then. The mark of Slytherin..."

"A serpent," Alex interrupted. "But it will take years to search a hidden mark in this castle. We don't even know the size and the form of it."

Tom sighed. "You're right." He looked up at Alex and smiled. "But we still have time."

Alex shifted uneasily. He didn't have time. He knew he had to leave at the end of the year, but he still hadn't told Tom. He should to be at Hogwarts until he regained his memories, or at least until he finished his seventh year, which was nearly two years later. Since he hadn't shown any sign of regaining his memories, no one had questioned him about his staying or leaving either. Worst of all, it was not simply leaving Hogwarts. He would be leaving this world behind. Which meant, there would be no way for Tom to contact him after he left.

Strangely, with only four months, the bond between the two of them became remarkably strong. They were closed and nearly inseparable. For Alex, the younger boy was like his... brother. After Tom had revealed to him so truthfully about his past, he felt that the boy was his responsibility. He wanted to protect him, to prevent him from being hurt again. He didn't want to leave Tom alone again, yet he had no choice.

"Alex?" said Tom, waving his hand in front of Alex. "Alex..."

Alex shook off his chain of thought. "Eh? What?"

Tom rolled his eyes. "Welcome back to the world of living."

"There's still one more clue, right?" said Alex, completely ignored his friend's last sentence. Looking down at the book, he read, "One lay beyond the wall, guarded by the Greek Guardian. Beyond the wall... that's outside the castle. The Greek Guardian? I guess it's a magical creature."

Tom nodded. "And probably even a dark creature." He eyed his friend. "It seems to be quite dangerous. Not only this guardian creature, but there's also an unknown monster in the chamber."

"But you still want to go on," Alex voiced his friend's thought.

Tom looked down. "Something is calling me there...summoning me there," he said quietly. "The more I found out about this chamber, the stronger the feeling became." he looked up, determination shown in his eyes. "I must find out why... alone."

"Hey!" Alex protested. "Look, I can't stop you from acting like a Gryffindor, but you are not going alone."

"It's dangerous," said Tom.

"Well, Mr. Riddle, you are a second year and I'm a fifth year. If it's dangerous for me, it'd be even more so for you," Alex countered. "You need some help. Besides..." He pointed at the book. "I helped in searching the book, so I'm already involved in it."

"Are you sure?" asked Tom, sounding both worry and hopeful. "You don't need to..."

"Do you trust me?" Alex asked abruptly.

Tom was startled by the sudden question and startled himself further by his own answer.

"Of course," he answered softly.

"Let me help you then," said Alex.

Tom hesitated and nodded.

Alex grinned. "Well, let's try the second clue then. Though it's as vague as the first one, I think we can at least find out what creature it is."

Tom smirked and raised his eyebrows at his friend. "Which means..."

Alex groaned. "Library again."

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Christmas was over and a new year began. For the fifth and seventh year students, it meant their OWLs or NETs were drawing nearer.

Alex didn't spend much time on researching about the Chamber of Secrets, since he already had enough homework to consume all of his spare time. On the contrary, Tom did spend quite some time in the library, studying and searching.

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Alex stretched his arms. He finally finished his transfiguration essay. He turned around to study the small figure resting under a tree.

'It's unfair. The second years have way too little homework,' he thought bitterly.

Alex and Tom were in "Tom's Forest" again, where Alex had spent most of his time studying and doing homework. Tom had finished his homework a long time ago and was now sitting under a tree, playing with... what?

Alex stood before his friend, who was now surrounded by flying letters. He studied the letters and raised an eyebrow at Tom.

"Are you really that bored that you need you play with your own name for entertainment," teased Alex.

Tom grinned sheepishly.

"I am thinking of a new name for myself," he said. Seeing Alex's questioning glance, he added softly, "I was named after my father. I...I don't want to use that muggle's name."

Alex nodded in understanding. He sat next to Tom silently. Eyeing the letters, he asked, "So, what have you got?"

Tom smiled and waved his wand, controlling the letters. He moved R, O, T and M in the air and lined them up in order.

MORT

Alex thought for a while.

"How about this?" he said. Waving his own wand, he added four more letters before Tom's.

VOLD MORT

"We can link them up with an E," Tom suggested, moving the letter E to the middle.

VOLDEMORT

"Voldemort," Alex read out the name. "What do you think?"

"Voldemort," Tom repeated and grinned. "I like it."

"How about those letters?" asked Alex, pointing his wand to the unused letter that was still flying in circle on top of him.

"I'm thinking of adding this..." Tom pulled down three more letters.

I AM VOLDEMORT

"We still have four left," said Tom, eyeing the four letters.

Alex looked at the four letters: R, L, D and O.

He grinned. "That's easy." He waved his wand in the air. "Since you're so ambitious..."

I AM LORD VOLDEMORT

"Lord!" Tom laughed out. "I'm not that ambitious. I don't want to become a lord or something."

"But are you telling me you want to insert four more letters in the name? That'd be awfully long," said Alex. "Besides, I like the name Voldemort."

Tom sighed. "So do I."

"Lord Voldemort, then." Alex grinned. "What say you, my Lord?" he added playfully.

Tom flinched. He shot Alex a glare. "Don't you ever call me that. It makes me uncomfortable."

Alex shrugged. "I'll use 'Tom' anyway, 'Voldemort' is still too long." He paused and suddenly grinned mischievously. "Or do you prefer 'Voldie'?"

Tom buried his head in his hands. "You'd better forget the whole stupid naming thing, Alex," he muttered.

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The OWLs had finally begun. As Alex chose to befriend Tom Riddle of all students, he had started to prepare for the exams more than six months ago. He actually was even quite confident in getting at least an "E" in most of the main subjects.

The last exam he had was Astronomy; it was nearly ten in the evening when he finished the exam. Before he entered the Slytherin common room, he heard a hissing voice.

/Alex.../

/What's it, Nagini,/ hissed Alex, looking around to check his surrounding. He lowered himself to allow the snake to move up but frozen when he heard his snake's next sentence.

/Master's friend is in danger./