I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR DRACULA! REVIEW!
LADY OF THE NIGHT: YEAR TWO:
CHAPTER SEVEN:
Ron, Hermione and I sat in one of the stalls, where Hermione had conjured up one of her portable, waterproof fires to work on the Polyjuice. Hermione gasped the door to the bathroom, and Harry's voice spoke. "It's me."
"Harry! You startled us! Come in-how's your arm?"
"Fine."
"We would've come to meet you, but we decided to get started on the Polyjuice Potion. Hermione figured this was the place to hide it," Ron explained.
Harry opened his mouth to tell us about Colin, but I cut him off. "We know. We heard Professor McGonagall telling Professor Flitwick about it this morning. That's why we decided to get started." Ron scowled. "The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy, the better. D'you know what I think? He was so angry after the Quidditch match, he took it out on Colin." Hermione began tearing bundles of knotgrass and throwing them into the cauldron as Harry spoke. "There's something else. Dobby visited me in the middle of the night."
He told us what Dobby had said-or rather, hadn't said. "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened before?" Ron grinned. "This settles it. Lucius Malfoy must've opened it when he was at school here, and now he's taught dear old Draco how to do it. It's obvious. Wish Dobby would have told you what kind of monster's in there, though. I want to know how come nobody's noticed it sneaking around the school."
Hermione frowned, thinking hard. "Maybe it can make itself invisible." She prodded leeches to the bottom of the cauldron, and continued. "Or maybe it can disguise itself-pretend to be a suit of armor or something-I remember reading something about Chameleon Ghouls-" I chuckled, pouring dead lacewings on top of the leeches. "You read too much, Hermione."
Ron looked over at Harry as I crumpled up the empty lacewing bag. "So, Dobby stopped us from getting on the train, and then broke your arm...you know what, Harry? If he doesn't stop trying to save your life, he's going to kill you."
The news that Colin had been attacked had spread like wildfire throughout the entire school by Monday. First years were moving around in tight-knit groups, terrified they would be attacked if left alone. Meanwhile, hidden from the teachers, a trade in talismans, amulets, and other protective devices was making its way through the school. Neville bought a large, horrid-smelling green onion, a pointed purple crystal, and a rotting newt tail before we pointed out that he was in no danger: he was a pureblood, and hardly likely to be attacked. "They went for Filch first. And everyone knows I'm almost a Squib."
The second week of December, McGonagall came around taking the names of those who'd be staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. Harry, Ron, and Hermione signed her list. We'd heard Malfoy was staying, too, which seemed strange. The holidays would be the perfect time to try and get a confession out of him. Just as I was about to sign up, though, McGonagall pulled me aside. "Follow me, Miss Lestrade. The headmaster wishes to see you." With a confused look back at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, I followed McGonagall out of the Common Room.
I stopped beside McGonagall at a stone gargoyle. "Lemon Drop!" This was evidently the password, and I followed her up the moving spiral staircase. Before us stood a door with a knocker in the shape of a griffin. McGonagall knocked on it, and Dumbledore's voice came from inside. "Come in." McGonagall entered the room, ushering me inside.
My jaw dropped when I saw Renny sitting across the desk from Dumbledore. "Renny!? What are you doing here?!" Dumbledore glanced at McGonagall. "Could you give us some privacy, Minerva?" McGonagall nodded, and left. I sat down beside Renny, looking confused. "What's going on?" Renny looked at Dumbledore, then began to speak. "The Master, having heard about the attack on that first-year, insisted that you come back to his castle for the holidays, Miss Gabrielle."
"What?! But the Count doesn't ever ask me home for Christmas holidays! Why should that change now?!" Dumbledore sighed. "Perhaps he is simply worried for your safety."
"Why? I'm half-blood, not Muggle-born." Renny raised an eyebrow. "Somehow, I do not believe that makes a difference to the Master."
"I can take care of myself."
"Look, Miss Gabrielle. If I do not return with you in tow, the Master will be furious. I am positive that this upcoming summer would not be pleasant for you if that happened. Do you really want that to happen?"
"No, I don't. But what about my classes?" Renny looked at Dumbledore, who smiled. "I will arrange for a suite near the Gryffindor Common Room for Renfield to stay in until it's time for you two to return to the Count's home."
I led Renny to his suite half an hour later. Renny turned to me. "All right. I will escort you to and from your classes. And, Miss Gabrielle?" I looked up at him. "Yeah?"
"Please, do not do anything foolish this year." I avoided his eyes. "Sure thing, Renny." He raised an eyebrow doubtfully, but didn't say anything as I walked away.
Hermione, Ron and Harry stared at me in disbelief as we were once again barricaded in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. "You're saying your Uncle Renny's not letting you stay for the Christmas holidays?! And he's staying here until it's time to leave?!" I nodded glumly. Hermione frowned. "Evangeline, I thought your uncle was an atheist."
"He is. He just got nervous because of the attacks." Ron groaned. "That's just great! Now we won't have you to help us when the Polyjuice Potion's ready!"
"I know. I'm sorry. But I can still help you guys prepare it." Hermione nodded. "All right. Now, we still need the bicorn horn and the boomslang skin." I exchanged looks with Ron and Harry. "Hermione, the only way we can get that is if we stole stuff from Snape's private stores. Do you know what would happen if he caught us?"
"What we need is a diversion. I think I'd better do the actual stealing. You three will definitely be expelled if you get into trouble, and I've got a clean record. So all you need to do is cause enough mayhem to keep Snape busy for five minutes or so."
That afternoon, we headed to our double Potions lesson down in the dungeons. People were snickering and cracking jokes as Renny walked down with us. "Hey, look, everyone! Potter's got a guard on him now!"
Harry scowled as other Slytherins laughed. "Shut it."
"I'm surprised, though. I never dreamed they'd assign someone as pathetic as him to guard you."
"SHUT UP!" Renny grabbed my arm as I reached for my wand. "Evangeline! Enough!" He dropped his voice. "Do you think the Master would care to see you behaving in such an uncouth manner?"
He turned to the Slytherin boy. "Despite your delusions, young man, I am simply escorting my niece and her friends to her Potions class. Now, I believe you should be in class as well?" The Slytherin boy scowled, and stormed off.
At the door to Potions, Renny stopped me outside. "I will wait here. I do not wish to cause you further embarrassment by sitting in with your class." I smiled up at him. "Thanks, Renny."
We were making a Swelling Solution in Potions that day, and mine was way too thick. I noticed Hermione catch Harry's eye and give the slightest of nods. A minute later, Goyle's potion exploded, showering most of the class with his Swelling Solution. Malfoy got a faceful, and his nose began to swell. Goyle was stumbling around, his hands over his eyes, which had grown to the size of a dinner plate. Through the confusion, I saw Hermione slip quietly into Snape's office.
"Silence! SILENCE! Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draught-when I find out who caused this-" As people lined up, I saw Hermione slide back into the dungeon, her robes bulging.
When everyone had taken a drink of the antidote and the different swellings had subsided, Snape bent over Goyle's cauldron, and pulled out the twisted remains of the Filibuster firework Harry had thrown. The entire dungeon fell silent. "If I ever find out who thew this, I will personally make sure that person is expelled."
The bell rang, and we hurried out of the classroom, and I bumped into Renny. "Evangeline, what happened? I heard screaming from inside the classroom."
"Oh, somebody's potion went wrong." He nodded. "Very well. Shall I escort you back to your Common Room? You look tired." I hesitated, looking over at Ron, Hermione and Harry. Despite the fact that I wanted to work on the Polyjuice Potion with them, I knew Renny wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer. "Yeah, I am kinda tired. Sorry, guys. I'll see you later."
A few hours later, Ron chewed me out for ditching them. "Why'd you leave us, huh? Had to take a nap, did you?!"
"Ron-"
"Couldn't be bothered to help out your friends, I suppose?!"
"Ron-"
"Trust you to back out on us!"
"Ron, will you let her speak!?"
I gave Hermione a grateful look. "Thanks, Hermione. Ron, what I was trying to say is that it wouldn't have been possibly for me to get away from Uncle Renny in able to help you."
"Why not?"
"Well...he's kinda disturbed by all this Chamber of Secrets business, and insists on escorting me to my classes. In other words, I can't help you in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom anymore." Harry sighed. "All right...but you will be able to help after we investigate Malfoy, right?" I nodded. "Sorry I won't be there to help you in the Slytherin Common Room."
A week later, we were walking through the Entrance Hall with Renny when we saw people gathered around the bulletin board, reading something there. Seamus and Dean waved us over. "They're starting a Dueling Club! First meeting tonight!" He spotted Renny, and smiled nervously. "Oh, um...hello, sir." Renny smiled at him. "Do not worry, young man. I do not bite." I giggled at this. You do, however, know someone who does.
Dean grinned. "I wouldn't mind dueling lessons; they might keep in handy one of these days..."
"What, you reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?" Ron said, but he read the sign too, interested.
As we walked away, Ron looked over at us. "Could be useful. Shall we go?" Harry, Hermione and I nodded. Renny smiled. "I have not had a proper duel in years. My job keeps me rather busy, you see." Hermione looked up at him with interest. "Oh? What do you do?"
"I am a personal aide to a very important man."
"Really? Who is it?"
"I am afraid that is privileged information."
Ron spoke up. "So, you're a duelist, huh?" Renny smiled. "I am, but that was a long time ago." I grinned. "So? That doesn't mean you've lost your touch. Let's do it!"
At 8:00 that evening, we headed towards the Great Hall. The long dining tables had disappeared and were replaced by a golden stage, lit with thousands of candles floating overhead. The ceiling was velvety black, and it looked as though most of the school was inside, holding their wands and looking excited.
"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" Hermione said curiously as we wove our way through the crowd. "Someone told me Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young-maybe it'll be him."
"As long as it's not-" Harry never finished his sentence, but groaned instead. Lockhart was making his way onto the stage, followed by Snape. Lockhart waved an arm for silence, and spoke up loudly. "Gather round, gather round! Can you all see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent! Now, Professor Dumbledore has given me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions-for full details, see my published works."
I could see Renny shaking with suppressed rage beside me.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself, and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry-you'll still have your Potions master when I'm through with him, not to worry!" I groaned, and whispered in Harry's ear, "Wouldn't it be great if they finished each other off?"
Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed. Well, Lockhart did, with a lot of twirling of his hands, while Snape just jerked his head. They raised their wands like swords in front of them. "As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position. On the count of three, we will each cast our first spell. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."
Ron scoffed. "I wouldn't bet on that."
"One-two-three-" Both of them raised their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent, and Snape cried out: "Expelliarmus!" Lockhart was blasted backwards, slammed into a wall, and slid down to the floor.
Hermione looked worried. "Do you think he's all right?"
"Who cares?" Ron, Harry and I said together.
Lockhart got unsteadily to his feet. "Well, there you have it! That was a Disarming Charm-as you see, I've lost my wand-thank you, Miss Brown. An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was extremely obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you, it would have been only too easy-however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see..." Snape looked ready to kill.
Lockhart cleared his throat, and continued, "Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd care to help me-"
They moved through the crowd, and Lockhart paired me up with Renny. Snape got to the other three before Lockhart, though. He sneered, looking at Harry and Ron. "Time to split up the dream team, I think. Weasley, you partner Finnigan. Potter-" Harry edged nearer to Hermione. "I don't think so. Mr. Malfoy, come over here. Let's see what you make of the famous Potter. And you, Miss Granger-you can partner Miss Bulstrode." Malfoy came over, smirking, followed by an extremely ugly girl.
"Face your partners! Now bow!"
Renny and I bowed to each other.
"Wands at the ready! When I count to three, cast your charms to Disarm your opponents-only to Disarm them-we don't want any accidents-one...two...three-"
I raised my wand, and yelled out, "Stupify!" but Renny had already cast Expelliarmus at me, and I felt my wand fly out of my hand.
Other duels had gotten out of control. Lockhart was screaming for everyone to stop, but Snape finally restored order. A haze of green smoke hung over the scene. Neville and Justin lay on the floor, trying to catch their breath; Ron held up an ashen-faced Seamus, apologizing over and over for whatever his broken wand had done. Hermione and Millicent Bulstrode were still moving, though. Millicent had Hermione in a headlock and Hermione whimpered in pain. Both their wands lay forgotten on the floor next to them. Harry ran over and pulled Millicent off of her, which was no easy feat, considering Millicent's size.
Lockhart came through the crowd, looking at the chaos caused by the various duels. "Dear, dear...Up you go, Macmillan...Careful there, Miss Fawcett...Pinch it hard, it'll stop bleeding in a second, Boot..."
He looked around. "I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells. Let's have a volunteer pair...Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you?" Snape strode over. "A bad idea, Professor Lockhart. Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Finch-Fletchley up to the hospital wing in a matchbox." Neville's face went pink.
"How about Malfoy and Potter?" Snape said this with a twisted smile. "Excellent idea!" We backed away to give Harry and Malfoy room. "Now, Harry, when Draco points his wand at you, do this." He raised his own wand, mad a sort of wiggling movement, and dropped his wand. Renny smirked as he picked it up. "Whoops-my wand is a little overexcited-"
Snape whispered something in Malfoy's ear, and he nodded, smirking. Harry looked up at Lockhart and said, "Professor, could you show me that blocking thing again?"
Malfoy muttered something at Harry, who muttered something back.
Lockhart patted him on the shoulder. "Just do what I did, Harry!"
"What, drop my wand?"
Lockhart didn't seem to hear him, though. "Three-two-one-GO!" Malfoy raised his wand, and yelled out, "Serpensortia!" People screamed as a huge black snake shot out of the end of his wand. The crowd backed away, afraid of getting bit. Snape began to make his way towards the snake. "Don't worry, Potter. I'll get rid of it."
"Allow me!" Lockhart shouted. He pointed his wand at the snake, and there was a loud bang; the snake, rather than vanishing, had been flung ten feet into the air and fell to the floor, hissing furiously. It headed straight towards Justin Finch-Fletchley, fangs bared. Just then, Harry ran at the snake, saying some at it in Parseltongue. The snake eyed Harry, then turned away from Justin. Harry looked at Justin, obviously hoping for a 'thanks', but Justin was glaring at him. "What do you think you're playing at!?" Justin turned and ran out of the Great Hall as Snape made the snake vanish.
Ron, Hermione and I pulled Harry out of the hallway, followed quickly by Renny. We made our way up to the Gryffindor Common Room, and Ron pushed Harry down into an armchair. "You're a Parselmouth!? Why didn't you tell us?!" Harry frowned, confused. "I'm a what?"
"A Parselmouth! You can talk to snakes!"
"I know. I mean, that's only the second time I've ever done it. I accidentally set a boa constrictor on my cousin Dudley at the zoo once-long story-but it was telling me it had never seen Brazil and I sort of set it free without meaning to-that was before I knew I was a wizard-" Ron stared at him. "A boa constrictor told you it had never seen Brazil?"
"So? I bet loads of people here can do it." I shook my head. "No, Harry, they can't. Harry, this is bad."
"What's bad? What's wrong with everyone? Listen, if I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin-" Ron looked over at him. "Oh, so that's what you said to it!"
"What do you mean? You were there. You heard me."
"I heard you speaking Parseltongue. Snake language. You could've been saying anything-no wonder Justin panicked, you sounded like you were egging the snake on or something-it was creepy, you know-" Harry stared at the four of us. "I spoke a different language? But-I didn't realize-how can I speak a language without knowing it?" I shook my head.
"Look, do you want to tell me what's wrong with stopping a massive snake from biting off Justin's head?! What does it matter how I did it so long as Justin doesn't have to join the Headless Hunt?" Renny finally spoke. "It matters because being able to talk to snakes is what Salazar Slytherin was famous for. That is why the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent."
Harry gaped at him, and Ron nodded. "Exactly. Now the whole school is going to think you're his great-great-great-great-grandson or something."
"But I'm not."
Hermione sighed. "You'll find that hard to prove. He lived about a thousand years ago; for all we know, you could be."
The next morning, the snow last night had turned into a full-on blizzard. The last Herbology lesson of this term was canceled: Professor Sprout was going to fit socks and scarves on the Mandrakes, a job she entrusted only to herself, seeing as it was now very important to grow and revive Mrs. Norris and Colin Creevey.
Harry worried about this by the fire in the Common Room, because it meant he wouldn't have a chance to explain to Justin what had happened. Ron and Hermione had engaged in a game of wizard's chess, and Renny was helping me with my last History of Magic homework before the holidays started.
Hermione frowned. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Harry. Go and find Justin if it's so important."
Half an hour later, as we made our way to the courtyard, we heard Peeves yelling something, and dozens of students running towards one area in particular. I turned to look at Ron, Hermione and Renny. "Let's go." We raced through the hallways, finally coming to a stop. Hermione let out a gasp when she saw Nearly Headless Nick floating there, Petrified, beside Justin, who was lying on the floor, also Petrified. Harry stood beside them.
McGonagall restored order with a loud bang from her wand and ordered the students back to their classes. Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff, came running up. "Caught in the act!"
"That will do, Macmillan!" As various teachers examined Nearly Headless Nick and Justin, Peeves burst into song:
"Oh, Potter, you rotter, oh, what have you done,
You're killing off students, you think it's good fun-"
"That's enough, Peeves!" McGonagall snapped at him, and Peeves sped off.
Professor Sinistra and Professor Flitwick carried Justin up to the hospital wing, but nobody had any clue as to what to do for Nearly Headless Nick. Finally, McGonagall conjured a large fan, and handed it to Ernie, telling him to waft Nearly Headless Nick up the stairs.
McGonagall turned to Harry. "This way, Potter."
"Professor, I swear I didn't-"
"This is out of my hands, Potter." We watched silently as McGonagall led Harry away.
