7. The Truth
It was who knows how late when we sneaked back into the castle. All the corridors were deserted. Harmony hurried off to the Gryffindor tower while Velma, Bella and I headed to the Slytherin dungeons. When we got into the common room we joined Joey, Tom and Kyle.
"What's going on?" Bella asked. "Why is there no teachers or Prefects around outside?"
"We are going home tomorrow apparently," Kyle said.
"What? Why?"
"We don't know. Snape just said that the train is coming tomorrow," Tom said.
"Where have you been anyway?" Joey asked.
"Just on the school grounds by the lake," Velma lied.
"Why?"
"It beats this stuffy old dungeon," I said true enough.
"Shame about the school shutting early," Joey said. "I bet it has something to do with that Chamber of Secrets."
"I bet there's been another attack," Tom said.
"Attack?" Bella said.
"Yeah, that's why a few students have gone missing. You know like that Joanna girl and the others. Something - from the stupid Chamber apparently - has been attacking them and writing on some of the walls.
"Sounds like Peeves," Kyle laughed.
"But the Chamber of Secrets is a stupid Hogwarts myth. It's not real," Tom insisted.
"You never know it could be real. It is Hogwarts remember? Anything could happen," Velma said.
"I've had enough of myths," I said which was completely true.
I thought about what Tom had said. About the attacks, it might not have been the Gryffindor brother after all. That made me feel guilty. But then why did he attack us and have Joanna's wand? I pushed it out of my mind.
"Come on. It's our last night at Hogwarts let's make the most of it."
We stayed up all night talking, playing games and practising jinxes. Joey stole some Cauldron Cakes and Pumpkin Pasties from a second year.
I didn't want to leave Hogwarts yet. I didn't want to go back home - if you can call it a home.
At about six o' clock everyone dozed off but I was wide awake. I gentley pushed Kyle's head off my shoulder and carefully stepped around Velma and Joey who were sprawled on the floor and sneaked out of the dungeons into the Enterance Hall. As I hoped there was no Prefects or other students around to disturb me. I danced around the Hall absentmindedly. I could see the reflection of the sun starting to rise in the Gryffindor hour glass.
"Demi," a familer voice said. I frozed.
Professor Dumbledore.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I'll go back to my dormitory," I stammered about to make a run for it.
"No, no it's alright. I've been meaning to speak to you anyway," he said peering over his glasses.
I didn't say anthing.
"I heard about what you done in the Forbidden Forest and why."
I knew I was in for it. I thought I was going to get expelled for sure.
"I am so very sorry," I hung my head.
He chuckled. "And you and your friends shall all receive Special Awards for Services to the school."
I started at him. Bella always reckon he was a bit nuts.
"But why?" I asked. "We set a dead student on the school. Shouldn't we be punished?"
"True," he added. "But you all realised what a grave mistake and set it right."
"Yes but not after he killed some of the students in my house" I said. "It's my fault they're dead."
"The Gryffindor brother did not kill any student in your house, Demi."
"Then why have some of the students been missing since we read that curse out that brought him back from the dead?"
He stayed silent. Then I realised.
"The Chamber of Secrets? Is the thing in there got to do with it?" I asked.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that."
"Alright but answer me this. Is it a legend or not?"
"I'm sure you can keep a secret yourself right, Demi?" He said after thinking for a minute.
"Yes. Of course."
"Quite a lot of the myths involing Hogwarts are not always false you know. Some are exaggerated a little. Kind of like the Muggle game Chinese Whispers. Have you heard it?" He smiled.
I shook my head.
"It's quite an interesting game," he said.
"Are the students going to be alright then?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes," he added. "I trust you have given the Gryffindor brother a peaceful grave spot?"
"Yes," I hesitated but continued. "Professor Bartley-"
He interrupted me nodding. "Yes I know."
"We didn't bury him" I realised.
"Don't worry. I shall get somebody to deal with that."
"Wait," I said. "If the Gryffindor brother didn't kill any of the students then why did he have Joanna's wand?"
"Ah, Joanna left her wand on the school grounds I heard her say. By Hagrid's hut."
I remembered seeing the figure by the hut.
"He tried to attack us though," I said.
"He wanted you to kill him," Dumbledore said simply. "He wanted to avenge his death and then rest in peace and you and your friends helped him do just that."
Neither of us spoke for a minute.
"Oh yeah and Professor?" I said finally.
"Hm?"
"Do you think I'll be alright in Slytherin?"
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"You know. When I leave Hogwarts will I…" I couldn't explain it.
"I'm sure you will be bursting with potential to do whatever you wish when you leave, Demi. As long as you work hard and let nothing drag you down," he said, his eyes shining.
"Thank you."
Just then Bella walked came out of the dungeons and into the Hall yawning loudly.
"There you are!" She said. "I woke up and you weren't there."
She noticed Dumbledore.
"Oh! Sorry!" She began to retreat back into the dungeons.
"No it's alright. I was just telling Demi about your reward," Dumbledore said.
"What?" She came over. I explained to her about the reward and the missing students but missing out the whole Chamber of Secrets thing.
"I'm really sorry," Bella said. "I read out the curse, it's my fault-"
He held up a hand to stop her. "Enough of the apologises girls."
"When is the train coming, Professor?" Bella asked.
"Oh, it's not. Your not going home."
"Why?"
"We, the staff had a little scare that's all," he said hurriedly.
"What about?" Bella persisted.
"Never mind. You should run along to your dormitries girls before another teacher catches you."
We proceeded towards the dungeons but Bella stopped.
"Professor?" She said. "Do you know what…" she was trying to figure out how to put it into words.
"Go on," Dumbledore said.
"Well, when I read out the curse and when we opened the coffin there was some weird cold air which made me feel numb, the others felt it to. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes."
"What was it?"
"It's part of the curse. The curse Bartley put on his brother made him forgotten. That cold numbness is how anyone whose friends and family had forgotten them would feel inside."
"How do you get rid of it?" Bella asked. "Nothing would work for me."
"Love," Dumbledore said simply. "As you'll never be forgotten by or forget the ones you love. Contact with your loved ones gets rid of it."
"But I fell asleep by the fire place after Bella read the curse out," I said. "That helped."
"Was anyone you love around when you awoke, Demi?"
Draco was. Do I love him? Of course I do, he's my brother. But I was asleep so I didn't have any contact with him.
I suddenly remember my mother telling me that when I was little, when I used to have nightmares I would shiver and Draco would hold my hand until I woke up or stopped shaking.
Maybe he did that. But I doubted it, why would he? We're nowhere near as close as we used to be. But I remembered he was also in a good mood because he was on the Quidditch team. So maybe that's what happened.
"Yes," I said. "My brother was there."
"Yeah but you told me you got rid of those shivers by hugging Kyle. So how-?" She stopped then smirked. "You love Kyle don't you?"
"No!" I snapped. I didn't.
"Aww, Dem! Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I don't!" I said giving her a shove.
Kyle was my friend and that was it. There was no way I loved him anymore then that. So why could I feel my cheeks burning?
"Demi, Bella run along then girls," Dumbledore said.
We thanked him then went back into the dungeons.
Everyone else was awake by now. I saw Bella looking at Kyle. I knew what she was thinking of doing and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Don't you dare say anything!" I snapped.
She giggled. "It's cute though! I wouldn't except you to-"
"I don't! So keep your mouth shut!"
She told Velma and Harmony though. They were the exact same.
"Any of you say one word about it I will jinx you until the Gnomes teach lessons!" I told them and they thankfully kept their mouths shut.
Harmony was thrilled that she was getting an award. Bella was relieved that she happened set a killer on the school and Velma and me were just happy it was all over.
I enjoyed the rest of my term at school in peace. The time to jump back on the Hogwart's Express came all to quickly.
But I enjoyed my first year at Hogwarts. I had had a great adventure with my best friends and was glad that I had six more years ahead of me have some more.
A/N: Wow first story I've ever finsished. Please let me know what you think :)
I may do another Demi Malfoy story but unsure yet.
Reviews appreciated.
Thanks for reading!
