The Bludger came full speed ahead and ran straight into my stomach. "OUCH!" I cried, falling to the ground, the Snitch still beating frantically in my right hand. My left hand flew to my ribs, where it felt like my insides had been twisted terribly.

Gasps came from the crowd in the stands, and soon, the entire team and Gryffindor house, not to mention countless Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, surrounded me on the wet, muddy floor as I cried out in agony.

"Out of my way, quickly!" came a bright voice from the crowd. I groaned out loud—and it had nothing to do with the aching pain that came from my broken ribs.

"Haley, let me fix this for you," Lockhart said, crouching down beside me.

I struggled to remain conscious. "IT'S HAILE! And no!" I said, firmly. "Help. Please." Everyone in the crowd looking on, confused.

Hermione pushed her way to the front. "Um, Professor, perhaps I should just take her to the hospital wing?"

"Oh, how unnecessary," Lockhart said, airily. "I'll fix this right here!"

I was screaming before he even performed the spell. Then, the pain was gone. For a second, I actually cracked a smile. The crowd held their breath.

The teachers were now approaching hurriedly over, and even some Slytherins had curiously joined the large group.

I felt my stomach. Nothing. No ribs. I pulled up my shirt, and saw flat, pallid skin that had nothing support it underneath it anymore. I stared in horror.

"Ron? Hermione?" I said, somehow remembering them in my state of shock.

"Yes?" they asked together. They were at my sides at once, pulling me up.

"Take me…to the hospital wing," I choked out, feeling strangely empty and…floppy.

The crowd was also staring in horror. With Ron and Hermione's help, I staggered across the field. Snape stopped us. "Actually, Ron, Hermione, I'm sure Miss Potter can manage on her own," Snape said, evilly. "Why don't you let her go? Now. I need you two for just a moment." He smirked, as I nodded to them.

They let go of me tentatively, looking terrified, and I tried to stand by myself. I began to fall a bit, but a strong arm wrapped my waist, keeping me upright.

I turned my head, and saw Cedric Diggory's face. This was way too good to be true. I was obviously dreaming. So, I let myself fall into that state of unconsciousness.

I awoke to Madam Pomfrey's enraged voice. "Oh, I ought to go down there and tell that mannot to mess with injured students!"

I opened my eyes. Ron and Hermione were at my bedside, and they were looking at me with terrified eyes. "Hi," I murmured, closing my eyes again.

"You will be able to fix her, right?" Ron said, nervously. "I mean, her ribs…they're not even broken—I mean, they're not even there."

"I know exactly what went wrong in his pathetic spell," Madam Pomfrey snapped at no one in particular. "He didn't mend them—he made them disappear! Mending bones takes a second, but growing them back is a painful process that will take all night long."

I opened my eyes again. "All night long?" I asked, weakly. I inwardly cursed Lockhart. What a stupid bloke.

Madam Pomfrey had to literally force me to swallow the Skele-Gro. It tasted bitter, and burned my throat. She left after I was done, still shaking her head with anger, and Ron handed me some water.

"I don't believe it about that Bludger!" Ron said for the fifth time. "I've never heard of anything like it!"

Hermione nodded. "I wonder how Malfoy did it."

"Do you…know for sure it was Malfoy?" I asked quietly. My stomach was still feeling numb; the pain hadn't arrived yet.

"Well, who else would do it to you?" Ron asked blankly. "Of course it was Malfoy!"

I nodded. "You're right." I felt extremely angry then. I hadn't felt this fury before, but it creeping up now, like the pain in my stomach. I didn't know who to be more furious at: Malfoy or Lockhart. I concluded that my anger should be focused on Malfoy, whose fault it was in the first place. "That evil, little, slimy git. When I get my hands on him…"

"HAILE!" My name was shouted by about seven or eight voices. The rest of the Quidditch team came stomping in, still in their wet uniforms.

They crowded my bed, talking loudly and excitedly about my big win, and my big finish. Then, I remembered suddenly that Snape had taken Hermione and Ron away from me. "Hermione—Ron!" I said, suddenly. "Why did Snape make you let go?

"That evil bloke!" Ron muttered. "He just wanted to see you fall, the little git! He made Hermione and I run up to Madam Pomfrey to warn her you were coming. As if she need a warning."

"So, you two didn't carry me up here?'" I asked, afraid to hear the answer. "I think I fainted."

"You did faint," Hermione said, remembering. "But it wasn't us."

"That Diggory bloke caught you just as you fell," Alicia Spinnet said, giggling. Katie and Angelina joined her.

"He's so handsome," Katie said.

"Cedric Diggory carried me to the hospital wing," I repeated, feeling my heart leave my body and soar up in the sky, floating amongst the clouds. I almost forgot the sharp pains in my abdominal areas that were now extremely uncomfortable.

"Mmmhmm," Alicia said, smiling at me. "Aren't you lucky?"

"Oh, she's brimming with luck," George said, nodding.

Fred agreed, "It was sure good luck that Bludger took a liking to you, eh, Haile?"

"Luck, indeed," Wood put in. "That catch was absolutely amazing."

"After the match, Flint was chewing Malfoy's ear off. Something about flirting and not noticing the Snitch when it was right next to him. Freaking hilarious, dude," Fred said, laughing.

Finally, Madam Pomfrey had enough, and made everyone reluctantly leave. I was then left alone for the night, tired but unable to ignore the really hurtful, alarming pains that came from my newly growing ribs.

That Malfoy. Next time I see him I swear…and Lockhart…oh, that faking, lying moron! My teeth are fine. They are! Why, I'll… I drifted off into sleep.

I dreamed I had was flying on a broom, hurdling towards ground and I didn't—couldn't—stop. I heard a loud CRACK! just as I hit the ground.

I woke up screaming, gasping for air. It wasn't a frightening dream at all—hardly even a nightmare. So, I don't know why I screamed. The sound I heard as I hit the ground, however, made me simply startled.

Madam Pomfrey came bursting out of her room, her hair in curlers, slippers and a bathrobe on, and her eyes wide, but tired. "What is it, dear?" she asked, as startled as me.

"Oh, um, nightmare," I whispered, and then I felt the pains that were erupting from my stomach. I felt like someone was sticking numerous amounts of sharp needles into me.

"The pain probably woke you," she cooed, sympathetically. "Go back to bed—you only have a few hours left." She briskly walked back to her room, and shut the door.

I inhaled and exhaled a few times, pretending not to feel the overwhelming pain, and closed my eyes, prepared for sleep. Instead, I felt soft breathing on my face, and opened my eyes again to huge, green golf balls for eyes, and a pillowcase for a body.

Before I could scream, the little creature sitting on top of me covered my mouth. "Haile Potter," it said, and I smacked my forehead in realization.

"Dobby!" I gasped. "What—what are you—what are you doing here?"

"Haile Potter, ma'am, Dobby didn't expect you to be pleased to see him, of course. Dobby is certainly not pleased to see you. Dobby means," he recovered quickly, "it is always a pleasure to see you, yes, but here, no, you should not have returned to Hogwarts!"

"I told you Dobby, Hogwarts is my home!" I told him firmly.

"Dobby thought…after Haile Potter missed the train and was attacked by the Bludger…you would return home, but nothing works!" he said, tearfully.

Dawning realization poured over me, and I felt anger creep up again. I fought to keep my voice calm. "Dobby. It was you who sealed the barrier! It was you who cursed the Bludger!"

"Yes, Haile Potter," Dobby said, nodding.

I deliberated for a moment. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" I furiously choked out.

Dobby defended himself quietly. "Of Haile Potter's safety, only of her safety," he said quietly.

My heart melted a little. "I'm…I'm sorry for getting mad, Dobby. All I want is for you to understandwhy I want to be at Hogwarts. My friends are here…Quidditch…it's surreal…I love it here," I told him, smiling, despite the pain I felt.

Dobby cracked a crinkly-eyed grin himself. "Dobby wishes he could feel such a love for a home," he said, dreamily, and then turned to me, horror-struck. "Dobby doesn't mean! Dobby means to say—"

"Dobby!" I said reproachfully. "Listen," I continued warmly, "would you like to stay here for a while and keep me company? We could talk."

Dobby nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "Anything you should like, good, sweet Haile."

I chuckled. "Well, I'd like you to talk to me. About being a house-elf. For one thing, why do you wear that pillowcase? Tell me about your life at home."

Dobby opened his mouth, and then rambled on about how the pillowcase represents enslavement and if given a piece of clothing, freedom ensues. He then told me about five a day threats, and each punishment he gives himself on a weekly basis.

Then, when he was finished, I asked, "One more question. Why…exactly didn't you want me to return to Hogwarts?"

Dobby hesitated and said quietly, "Haile Potter, like Dobby said before, terrible things are about to occur here at Hogwarts. History is going to repeat itself, and Haile Potter must not be here as it happens. Now the Chamber of Secrets has opened for the second time…"

"What?!" I gasped, excitedly. "Dobby, again? So, it exists?!"

Dobby gazed at me, horrorstruck, and shook his head. "We'll speak again, Haile Potter, but Dobby must now go. Dobby has said too much!" And with a crack, he was gone.

A few seconds later, the door to the hospital wing opened. I pretended to be asleep, while really peeking.

Dumbledore walked in. My heart started to beat quicker. Professor McGonagall followed him, carrying a small figure, who appeared to be frozen, like a statue.

"What is it?" came Madam Pomfrey's voice, crossing the room briskly.

"An attack," Dumbledore said, quietly but always with the voice of authority. "I believe he was sneaking up here to visit Ms. Potter."

My stomach dropped ten feet. I stole a glance, and saw the body in which they had lain on the bed. It was Colin Creevey, he was holding a camera, his eyes open, but not moving.

"Is he…petrified?" Madam Pomfrey asked, horrified as me.

"Yes," Professor McGonagall said quietly. "Albus…what does it mean?"

"The Chamber of Secrets is open again," he said simply, but solemnly.

"Who?" Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall said together.

Dumbledore shook his head, staring into the two women's eyes. "Who did it is not important. How…how they did it, now that is the question."

I fell back asleep uneasily after that. Poor Colin Creevey. But…who did this to him? Or…what did this to him? The Chamber of Secrets existed, then. Dumbledore said it himself. And it was open again. Like it had been fifty years ago according to Malfoy. And the heir to Slytherin was the one to open it.

Now, who was it? And like Dumbledore had wisely said, how were they doing it?

In the morning, I felt my stomach. My ribs were there again. I sighed with relief, and then remembered last night. I looked around for Colin, but the curtains were drawn around his bed. Madam Pomfrey told me I was free to go, and I danced out of the common room.

I searched for Ron and Hermione, wondering why they didn't come meet me in the first place. They weren't in the common room, the Great Hall, or the library so my last conclusion was Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

On the way there, I passed Cedric in the hall. Of course. At least I didn't bump into him this time. He did keep showing up, didn't he? I didn't mind in the slightest.

"Oh, all better?" he said cheerfully, stopping.

"Yeah," I said, smiling. "And, um, thanks. You carried me up there, right?"

He grinned sheepishly back. "Well, everyone was crowded around you when your two friends left, and I just got there first…yeah, I did."

"Well, thanks again," I said brightly. "I'll see ya around."

"Great game," he commented, as he walked away. I smiled to myself before continuing on.

Ron and Hermione were in the bathroom, getting started on the Polyjuice Potion. "Can you believe about Colin Creevey?" Hermione asked me, stirring the newly bubbling potion.

"I know!" I told them. "And listen…" I told them about my visit with Dobby.

Ron's face lit up. "I knew it! It is Malfoy. Malfoy's dad did it when he was at school, and he's told Malfoy how to now. Malfoy was angry after the game—really, his temper was out of control—I bet he attacked Colin."

"Isn't there a monster to do that sort of stuff though?" I wondered.

"That's the rumor," Hermione agreed. "But what sort of monster could it be?"

We pondered that for a minute before leaving to go to class.

The whole school soon learned about Colin Creevey soon enough. Ginny Weasley seemed particularly upset, and when I tried to comfort her, she said the same thing all the time. "There's nothing you can do."

Everyone in Hogwarts started to be on the lookout, especially those that were Muggle-born and even Neville, who was a pureblood, but a poor wizard.

As the holidays came nearer, McGonagall collected names of those students that would be staying. Ron, Hermione, and I obviously put our names down, and when we heard Malfoy was staying, we decided it would be the perfect time to use the potion.

However, we still needed to steal some ingredients from Snape's office. So, one day during Potions, Ron and I distracted Snape by secretly putting a few drops of a very strong liquid in Crabbe's potion in front of us, to which he furiously had to help clean up, because some people were splashed by the explosion

Once Snape was finished giving antidotes to the people who had been injured by the exploding potion, Hermione was already back in her seat, the stolen ingredients in her bag, her cheeks flushed.

That night, at dinner, everyone was talking animatedly about the new Dueling Club that was to occur that evening at eight o'clock. "That sounds fun!" I said. Hermione and Ron shared my excitement and we all decided to attend.

When Hermione, Ron, and I arrived that night, there was already a crowd gathered around a large stage replaced by the big staff table at the back of the Great Hall.

Lockhart ambled onto the stage followed by Professor Snape. I groaned. My two favorite staff members. "Hello!" Lockhart said, dazzling the crowd with his immense smile. "Good evening! Glad to see you all have shown up to learn how to defend yourselves in the face of danger. Professor Snape has agreed to assist me here, and don't worry, he'll be fine, even after I'm done with him."

Snape and Lockhart faced each other, Snape's face glared daggers at Lockhart. Again, if looks could kill…. They bowed slightly to each other, and put their wands out in front of them. "This, children, is the accepted combat position. Now, when we count to three, we'll perform our spells."

"One, two, three!"

Snape yelled, "Expelliarmus!" Bright red light erupted from Snape's wand and Lockhart's wand flew out of his hand, and he was knocked backwards.

Hermione whispered to us, "The Disarming Charm."

"Thank you, Professor Snape," Lockhart said, climbing to his feet, snatching his wand up from the floor, and brushing invisible dust off his robes. "Fairly predictable, of course, but a good lesson for the kids to see."

Snape's lip curled.

"Okay, now we're going to put you into pairs and see how you do!" Lockhart said excitedly. "Snape, please help."

"Ron with Seamus," Lockhart said, and I moved closer to Hermione. Snape stopped by me.

"Absolutely not," Snape said, chuckling darkly. "Miss Granger with Miss Bulstrode—now." Hermione moved reluctantly towards a startling ugly, large girl who looked like she was going to pummel Hermione to a pulp.

"Miss Potter…how about you try Mr. Malfoy for size?" Snape said, his lips curling upward into a malicious smile.

I started to object, but Malfoy was in front of me in a flash. "Scared, Potter?" he said, raising his eyebrows mockingly.

"No," I shot back. "Why should I be?"

"Maybe because I'm going to curse your stupid scar-face?"

"Or maybe I'll take that big head of yours and shove it up your—"

"Friendly competition never hurt anyone!" Lockhart said, because Snape had started to move towards me, looking murderous.

I shrugged it off irritably and faced Malfoy, as Snape and Lockhart wandered away. Lockhart went back on the stage. "When I count to three! Disarm spells ONLY, please! One, two…"

Malfoy cheated. He started on three, but before he could perform the entire spell, I shouted, "Rictusempra!" which was a Tickling Charm. He double over in laughter, crying in hysterics, and I laughed with him, or rather, at him.

Lockhart yelled, "DISARM ONLY, HALEY, DRACO!"

Draco, however, disregarded this, and still giggling, shot a spell at me that made my legs dance uncontrollably. Snape appeared at my side, and said, "Finite incantatem!" Malfoy stopped laughing and I ceased the dancing.

I looked around for Hermione and Ron. Ron and Seamus looked unharmed, but Millicent Bulstrode had Hermione in a headlock, their wands lay forgotten. "Hermione!" I cried, and Ron hearing me, leapt forward and helped me rescue Hermione.

"Get off her, you stupid cow!" I shrieked, when Millicent forced to keep a hold on her. Millicent growled threateningly, but I just hopped back to a jaw-dropped Malfoy.

"Potter, Malfoy!" Lockhart said loudly. "Everyone watch. I'll use them as my volunteers to show you how to block spells."

Lockhart was unable to show everyone the proper way to block, so when Snape said in a clear voice, "Ready, kids? Haile, block Draco's spell. One—"

"Hey! He hasn't shown me how!" I tried to interrupt, but Snape had continued counting.

"Three!"

Draco yelled, "Serpensortia!" A huge, black snake appeared out of Draco's wand, and slithered across the stage.

Snape was smirking. "Stand back, I'll get rid of it," he said easily, clearing enjoying the horrified look my face.

Suddenly, the snake had reached Justin Finch-Fletchley. He bared its fangs, ready to strike. I screamed, "NO, LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

The snake immediately fell back. I was shocked. For one thing, I had yelled on instinct, and second, I had not expected the snake to listen to me.

I glanced at Justin, sighing with relief, and Snape got rid of the snake. However, Justin was looking at me, angry and terrified. "What do you think you're playing at?" he snapped, and stormed out of the hall, quite a few people following him.

My heart sank horrible as I looked around and saw horrified, confused, and curious glances all aimed at me. Even Snape was looking at me with a curious expression. Malfoy looked shocked. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but no words came.

Ron and Hermione were soon at my side, escorting me out of the hall. "HAILE!" Ron bellowed, then quieted his voice as people started exiting the Great Hall. "You're a Parselmouth?"

"No? What's that?" I asked, still horribly puzzled.

"Someone who can talk to snakes," Hermione breathed, looking startled and a little frightened.

"Oh, well, I've talked to one before. It was before I knew I was a witch. I didn't know…is it…unusual?"

"Even in the wizarding world," Ron said, nodding vigorously. "You see…Salazar Slytherin could talk to snakes. You know, lion for Gryffindor, snake for Slytherin?"

My mouth dropped. "B-but, why is everyone mad at me?" I asked, my voice raising an octave. "I told the snake to leave Justin alone!"

"Oh, is that what you said?" Hermione said, relieved.

"What? Yes, didn't you hear me?" I asked, impatient. What did everyone think I said?!

"We couldn't understand you," Ron said, eyeing me strangely. "It sounded like hissing to us—that's all."

"B-but…I didn't even realize…I didn't know…" I was almost on the verge of tears. "Why do you guys look like someone just died?"

"Everyone's going to think you're somehow related to Salazar Slytherin," Hermione said, practically. "And well, this doesn't help your case of being the heir, does it?"

I shook my head, frowning deeply, and Hermione and Ron escorted me back up to the common room. I sniffed the whole way.

The next morning, we did not have Herbology class due to a terrible blizzard outside. My stomach still uneasy and conscience unsettled, I set off to find Justin with Hermione. Ron stayed behind to work on homework on our free period.

We found a group of Hufflepuffs seated in the library. I walked right up to a boy named Ernie, and a girl next to him named Hannah. "Where's Justin?" I asked, sounding braver than I felt.

The rest of the Hufflepuffs looked away. Ernie looked at me, the color draining from his face "Upstairs, hiding from you, I presume," he said to me, rather coldly.

My insides churned. "Why? Listen, last night, all I told that snake was to leave him alone! I didn't even know I was a—a Parselmouth, okay?"

"Just a little weird, alright?" Ernie said, eyeing me suspiciously. "You got in trouble with Filch, right? His cat turns up petrified. And Colin Creevey is always annoying you with his camera—he turns up petrified. You-Know-Who tries to kill you when you were just baby—perhaps he didn't want any competition for the greatest Dark Lord of all-time?" He said this all very fast, and stopped, breathing hard, the rest of the Hufflepuffs now eyeing me curiously.

My cheeks flushed, and my eyes welled up with tears. I stalked away with Hermione, and I muttered, "I'm going to go check on the potion, you go on up." Hermione left me, looking worried.

I ambled down the corridor, running straight into Hagrid. "Oh, hello," I said, looking at the ground.

"Haile…how are yeh?" he asked me, gruffly.

"Not so good," I said, sadly. "All this bad attention lately. It's getting to me."

"Aw, Haile, we both know yer not any part of this mess. People will let it go soon," Hagrid said, and then walked away briskly, as if in a hurry. I sighed, and continued walking.

I climbed up a long staircase into a dark corridor. Up ahead, I saw two strange things. One was a body, frigid and frozen, on the ground, and a ghost, floating completely still. I ran to get a closer look, curiosity taking over my impulse to run away.

It was Justin Finch-Fletchley. I gasped in horror. Oh, if anyone saw me at the scene of the crime, it was over. My reputation was ruined. But, I couldn't just leave him here. I glanced at the ghost. It was Nearly-Headless-Nick! He was just floating there, staring the floor. Apparently, both had been petrified, like Colin.

Then, of course, just my luck, Peeves burst out of a classroom. "POTTY WEE POTTER, WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?!" He looked over the scene once and cried, "ATTACK! ATTACK! ATTACK!" He yelled and yelled and yelled and I backed against a wall, terrified.

Professor McGonagall was the first teacher to arrive, followed by tons of students, including Ernie Macmillan. "YOU SEE!" Ernie yelled, pointing at me. "LOOK! JUSTIN! SHE DID IT! LOOK!"

Professor McGonagall, white in the face, said sharply, "That's enough, Macmillan. Go fetch Filch to take Mr. Finch-Fletchley to the hospital wing along with Nick. Potter…you better come with me."

I graciously followed her away from the judging crowd, the malicious smiles, the terrified gasps, the shaking of the solemn heads…

"Professor, I didn't do it, I swear," I said, breathlessly, jogging to keep up with her brisk pace.

"Save it for the headmaster," she said, shortly, and we suddenly arrived at a gargoyle.

"Is this…?"

"Dumbledore's office. Yes," she said. "Lemon drop," she told the gargoyle, and it swung open. She led me up a spiral staircase, and finally to a large, wooden door. She knocked a couple times.

The door swung open, and McGonagall pointed at a chair in front of the desk. "Sit. Wait." She left.

I looked around in awe. Several knick-knacks adorned the walls and his desk, funny little noises came from everywhere in the circular room, and walls were covered in portraits of previous headmasters.

I spotted the Sorting Hat. I ran over to it. It was on a high shelf. I stood on a nearby stool to reach it. I jammed it on my head. It took a few seconds and said in my ear, "Ah yes, Miss Haile Potter."

"Hi…Sorting Hat…I was just wondering…"

"If I put you in the right house. You were very difficult to place. I stand by my word. You would have done well in Slytherin—" I took it off instantly. I put it back on the shelf, fuming.

"No," I told it. It didn't reply.

I heard a soft cooing from behind me. I whipped around. A bird was in a cage, cooing softly. It was very old looking. It looked like it could drop dead any minute. It resembled a very ancient turkey.

Suddenly, the bird erupted into flames. "Not this, too!" I screamed, looking around for water, a fire extinguisher—anything! Then, the bird was nothing more than a pile of ashes.

Dumbledore then entered the room. "Professor! Your bird! It—it just burst into flame…"

Dumbledore smiled. "Excellent; it's about time. You see, Haile," he explained, chuckling at my horrified expression. "Fawkes is a phoenix. They are wonderful pets. Faithful, can carry heavy loads, healing powers…when it is time to die, they are reborn from their ashes." A tiny bird's head peeked up from the black pile of ashes.

I looked on in wonder. "Awwww," I gushed, staring at the cute little birdie with a touched expression.

I turned around and sat in the chair quickly. "Listen, Professor Dumbledore, sir, it wasn't me," I said pleadingly. "I promise!"

"Haile, I don't think it was you," Dumbledore said, piercing me with his bright blue eyes. "I do have a question for you, though."

"You don't think it was me…" I repeated, sighing with relief. That was all I needed. "Thank you. What do you need to ask?"

"Is there anything you'd like to tell me?" he asked, looking down at me, over the top of his half-moon spectacles. "Anything…anything at all?"

I hesitated. I wanted to tell him about the voice I had been hearing. However, it seemed unimportant and childish at the moment, with all the attacks. But, what if it was connected with the attacks? But, what if Dumbledore thought I was insane and sent me home to the Dursleys forever because I was dangerous!?

I shook my head vigorously. "No, Professor," I said, firmly.

"You may go."