What If? Year 1

Chapter 45

Mr. Malfoy storms down the corridor towards me.
"Of course, you have something to do with this!" He snarls, "where is Dumbledore?" I stare at him as he pushes past me. Dobby shuffles past me, trying to shine Mr. Malfoy's shoes. He throws open the door and follow behind him.
"Good evening, Lucius," Dumbledore says, pleasantly. Mr. Malfoy almost knocks Harry over as he storms to Dumbledore. Dobby stubbles after him and I go to stand by Harry. Dobby throw himself onto the floor around Mr. Malfoy's ankles.
"So," he says, "you've come back. The governors suspended you, but you still saw fit to return to Hogwarts." I look at Harry, trying to stop my trembling hands.
"Well, you see Lucius," Dumbledore replies, smiling serenely, "The other eleven governors contacted me today. It was something like being caught in a hailstorm of owls, to tell the truth. They'd head that Arthur Weasley's daughter had been killed and that James Potter's daughter was missing and wanted me back at once. They seemed to think I was the best man for the job after all. Very strange tales they told me, too... Several of them seemed to think that you had threatened to curse their families if they didn't agree to spend me in the first place." Mr. Malfoy's face pales and I narrow my eyes at him.
So- have you stopped the attacks yet?" he sneers, "Have you caught the culprit?"
"We have," Dumbledore says, with a smile.
"Well? Who is it?"
"The same person as last time, Lucius," Dumbledore answers, "But this time, Lord Voldemort was acting through somebody else. By means of this diary." He holds up the dairy, watching Mr. Malfoy closely.
Harry and I are watching Dobby. The elf was being very odd. His large eyes looking meaningful on Harry, he keeps pointing at the diary, then at Mr. Malfoy, and then hitting himself hard on the head with his fist. I move to stop Dobby from hitting himself, but Harry grabs me.
"I see...." Mr. Malfoy says slowly to Dumbledore.
"A clever plan," Dumbledore replies in a level voice, still staring Mr. Malfoy straight in the eye, "Because if Harry and Marigold here" - Mr. Malfoy shoots Harry and I a swift and sharp look- "And their friend Ron hadn't discovered this book, why - Ginny Weasley might have taken the blame. No one would ever have been able to prove she hadn't acted of her own free will.." Mr. Malfoy says nothing, his face like a mask.
"And imagine.. what might have happened then.... The Weasley are one of our most prominent pure-blood families. Imagine the effect on Arthur Weasley and his Muggle Protection Act, if his own daughter was discovered attacking and killing Muggle-borns... Very fortunate the diary was discovered, and Riddle's memories wiped from it. Who knows what the consequences might '-have been otherwise..." Malfoy forces himself to speak.
"Very fortunate," he says, stiffly. Dobby was still pointing, first to the diary, then to Mr. Malfoy, before twisting his ears. I understand immediately and whisper it into Harry's ear.
"Don't you want to know how Ginny got hold of that dairy, Mr. Malfoy?" Harry asks. Mr. Malfoy rounds on us.
"Because you gave it to her," I say, "In Flourish and Blotts. You picked up her old Transfiguration book and slipped the dairy inside." Mr. Malfoy's hand clench and he gets really close to me.
"Prove it." He hisses.
"Oh, no one will be able to do that," Dumbledore replies, smiling at us, "Not now that Riddle has vanished from the book. On the other hand, I would advise you, Lucius, not to go giving out any more of Lord Voldemort's old school things. If any more find their way into innocent hands, I think Arthur Weasley, for one will make sure they are traced to you." Mr. Malfoy stands there for a moment, his hand twitching for his wand. He turn to his house elf instead.
"We're going, Dobby!" He wrenches the door open and the elf gets kicked out the door. My heart aches for the poor thing.
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry says, suddenly, "Can I give that diary back to Mr. Malfoy, please?"
"Certainly, Harry," Dumbledore says, "But hurry. The feast, remember. I'll talk to your sister and bring her to the feast." Harry nods. He pats my arm before running after Mr. Malfoy.
"Marigold," he says, calmly, "Please sit down." I sit down in front of him, waiting for his questions.
"I've heard you say that you shouldn't be in Gryffindor because you aren't brave enough," Dumbledore says, "if this day shows you anything, it proves you wrong." I nod.
"I do have a question for you though, exactly how long have you been able to spirit walk?"
"I-i don't... I guess it was the beginning of the year."
"Can you see others?" His eyes tell me he already knows the truths.
"Y-yes s-sir," I stutter out.
"May I ask who? I'm sure they have sworn you to some kind of secrecy, but I can promise you, no one will hear it from me." I nod. My heart is racing as I remember what Regulus had made me promise when I first met him.
"W-well, I met Regulus Black first," I start to explain, "then Fabian and Gideon Prewett. Those are the three that I talk with the most. There are others but I don't really know their names. Then one night.. I heard the basilisk's voice and I tried to find it, in the spirit realm. I-... I ran into T-tom R-riddle. But-.."
"You met Tom Riddle? Why didn't you say?"
"He called himself Tom Marvolo, and I didn't think anyone would believe me." Dumbledore nods.
"Who else knows you can do this?"
"Ara, and the people.. who saw me tonight, in your office."
"They do not know what that was, is Ara is the only one?"
"Yes, sir."
"I won't explain it to your parents." He smiles. We wait in silence for a while before I work up the courage to ask.
"Am.. am I in trouble sir?" Dumbledore chuckles and my face turns pink.
"Oh, no. Quite the opposite, actually, you are receiving a Special Service Award and two hundred points to Gryffindor. You are certainly an extraordinary girl, Miss Marigold Potter. I have observed your study habits, and many I say, you are the smartest witch I've ever met. Your grades are also so high, that if you ever received extra points we would have to make a new letter grade for you. Since you are so smart, Professor McGonagall and I are wishing to test your knowledge. Exams are being canceled for the rest of the student body, but you. If you do well, I wish for you to study the second year material over the summer. Before term, you will take the second year exams and you will move to third year along with your brother." I stare at him, wide eyed.
"Y-you want me to skip a year?" Dumbledore nods, calmly.
"Your studies now are far to easy for you, and skipping second year might balance it out." My face is burning from the compliments.
"T-that would be amazing!" I exclaim, "Merlin's beard! I didn't even know that you could-.."
"It's never been done before, Marigold." That surprises me.
"N-never?" Dumbledore nods, smiling.
"You do have to pass the second year exams." I nod, excitedly.
"Thank you, sir!"
"Of course, why don't you go check in with Madam Pomfrey? I'll see you at the feast?" I nod, trying not to skip to the door.
"And I will send your parents to you." I nod again and walk into the corridor. I turn, making sure there was no one around before I let out a fangirly scream. I jump up and down, spinning around in a circle. I walk to the hospital wing, my heart jumping in my chest.