The Snake Twins || Book Two: The Chamber of Secrets

XXV

The three friends walked into the Great Hall, the chatter dying down. Archer walked straight up to the head table, noticing that Eden was gone, and Dumbledore had a smug look. Ignoring it, she walked up to the headmaster, Harry and Draco lingering behind her. When she got right in from of the old man, she slammed the fake diary down on the table, the thud and ringing of dish-wear filling the Hall. "Here's the stupid book you wanted. Destroyed." She snapped. Dumbledore's eyes gleamed even more. "Thank you, my dear!" He said cheerfully. Archer narrowed her eyes at the man, hissing softly. "Don't call me that again." She spat. Dumbledore's eye twitched slightly, but she saw that. She walked away and the three friends sat down at the Slytherin table, and dinner continued.

The Hall was all abuzz at the end-of-year feast, talking about summer and all they would do. Archer was picking at her food, the others in the group looking down as well. Then, the doors opened, drawing the attention of everyone, and Lilith walked in, her white hair and ears adorned with jewels, her black crown atop her head. Archer's eye widened upon seeing her. Lilith looked around the large room, looking distraught. Archer scrambled to get up, running over to her. Lilith saw this and a wide smile shone on her face. Archer tackled her in a hug, knocking Lilith's crown down slightly. "Don't scare me like that again!" She said, tears streaming down her face. Lilith hugged the red-eyed girl tightly, burrowing her face into Archer's neck. The rest of the Hall watched the two interact, shocked at Archer's display of emotion. Harry stood up and walked over, Draco following, intertwining their hands together. Draco smiled at Lilith, who's golden eyes were peaking up at them from Archer's shoulder. "Welcome back, mate!" Draco said, and Lilith let go of Archer to give the boys a hug. "I am so sorry for what happened, I never wanted to leave you guys." She told the group. At one point, Hermione had walked over at well, giving Lilith a hug. "It wasn't your fault, Lilith. Don't worry." She had told the albino. Lilith took Archer's hand, leading her to the Slytherin table. The others, including Hermione, sat down next to them. The Hall was back to normal, and Archer told Lilith everything that happened while she was gone, including them all finding out that Archer was a Basilisk animagus. When dinner was over, the group walked into Eden's classroom, which was empty.

"Where's mum?" Harry mumbled. "Yeah, she's been gone ever since the day we went down into the Chamber." Archer said. Harry and Archer shared a look, both thinking that something happened. After a while, Hermione had bid the rest good night, heading back to her common room. The four friends sat in the twin's common room, the blue fire dim and not as vibrant. Lilith and Draco helped the twins pack, then bid them a good night as well, Lilith giving the twins a hug, then the two left. Archer and Harry sat in front of the fire in their room, holding each other tightly. Harry started crying, burrowing his face into his twin's side. "I'm sorry. . . I just really, really scared all of the sudden. . ." He whispered between sobs. Archer sat there, mute. When Harry looked at her, he saw tears rolling down her cheeks as well. "I'll keep us safe, don't worry." She told him, holding her brother closer.

That morning, after breakfast, the group of friends were standing on the platform waiting for the train. "I thought Eden takes you home by apparation?" Hermione asked the twins. The two shared a look, which made the others feel uneasy. "Eden hasn't been here for a few days, we don't know where she is. . ." The twins said at the same time. Just then, Dumbledore walked up to the small group, a grim look on his face. Archer pulled Harry closer to her, holding his hand tightly. The rest of the group waved goodbye, as the train pulled into the station. "Can I help you?" Archer asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I have some news for you two," Dumbledore said, taking a deep breath. "Eden has been arrested for being in league with the Dark Lord, kidnapping, and trying to harm your aunt and uncle. She's been put in Azkaban for a while." He told them. Harry's eyes were wide, tears flowing down. Dumbledore looked at Archer, who's face was deathly pale. "My dear?" He asked. Harry fell down into his knees, sobs wracking his body. The silence was thick, then was broken by a ear-piercing scream. Students on the train opened their windows to see what caused it, and all their eyes landed on Archer, who was clutching her head, eyes wide, screaming. Harry was on the ground, crying quietly, and Dumbledore was standing there, looking concerned.

Archer's screams turned into loud sobs as she clutched her head harder, falling to her knees. Dumbledore kneeled down, placing a hand on the twins' shoulders. "I'm so sorry. . . But you will be safe back at your aunt and uncle's house." The headmaster said, mock concern filling his voice. After what seemed like forever, the train left, leaving the twins alone with the headmaster. "Come, I shall bring you there myself, you will be safe. I promise." He said, pulling the twins up. Archer had stopped crying, a blank expression on her face, the light in her eyes gone. Harry wiped his face, the light gone from his eyes as well.

The only family they told not to go away, was gone.