'Harry started to tell them about Colin, but Hermione interrupted 'we already know, we heard Professor McGonogall telling Professor Flitwick this morning. That's why we decided we'd better get going-'
November 8th 1992
Hermione and Ron had both woken early the morning after the Quidditch match and had gone down to the Great Hall for breakfast before most people were stirring. They both wanted to make sure they met Harry as soon as he was let out of the Hospital Wing this morning. They hurriedly ate scrambled eggs and toast before heading back up the marble staircase in the direction of the Hospital Wing.
"He's a git, and I don't know how you can defend him after what he did to Harry" Ron said, shaking his head. They had been repeating the same argument for the last twelve hours.
"Don't call him a git Ron" Hermione retorted "he made a mistake, are you telling me you never make mistakes?"
Ron scoffed "Well so far in life I haven't managed to make all the bones disappear out of my best friend's arm so I'm doing better than he is"
"No, you've just nearly killed yourself and Harry by stealing flying cars and and driving them into trees!"
"That is not the same thing and you … Hey!" Ron yelped as Hermione grabbed him quickly by the arm and wrenched him backwards slightly, into the nearest niche where a suit of armour stood.
"What the bloody hell do you think your…" Ron got cut off again at Hermione clapped a hand over his mouth and made a shushing noise, holding the finger on her free hand to her lips.
There was a beat of silence then
"Say that again Minerva, what's happened?" It was Professor Flitwick's squeaky voice. He and Professor Mcgonogall seemed to be standing just around the corner Hermione and Ron had been about to turn down.
Ron and Hermione both seemed to stop breathing as they strained their ears to listen to what the teachers were saying.
"It's just as I said Fillius. Last night little Colin Creevey was attacked. He's been petrified just like Mrs Norris" Professor McGonogall whispered urgently.
"Merlin's beard!" yelped Professor Flitwick "Is he muggle-born?"
"Yes, I delivered his Hogwarts letter myself to him a few months ago. His father's a milkman" Professor McGonogall's voice shook slightly and she gave a great sniff.
"The poor boy" Said Professor Flitwick, sadness in his voice "what on earth are we going to do next? What does Albus say?"
"That the Chamber of Secrets really has been opened again!" Professor McGonogall sounded more emotional than Hermione had ever heard her.
There was a silence that seemed to stretch with the tension, Professor McGonogall gave another great sniff.
"Dear Merlin" Professor Flitwick said quietly, then "You look worn out Minerva, have you eaten yet? Come and have breakfast."
Their voices grew fainter as they walked away. Ron and Hermione both let out a long breath and turned to face each other, apprehension reflected in both of their eyes. Ron cleared his throat and stepped out of the niche, running a hand through his hair. Hermione was silent for a moment then;
"How, HOW could somebody do this. Collin's eleven years old, he wouldn't hurt a fly! Somebody tried to kill him just because he's muggle-born!"
Ron folded his arm, his expression was hard to read, a mixture of anger, revulsion and pity.
"But we can stop it Hermione," he said slowly "the polyjuice potion. If we can find out it's Malfoy we can stop him before anybody else gets hurt!"
Hermione noted that Ron seemed a lot keener on the plan now than he had last week.
"Let's start now, whilst everyone's still in bed!" Hermione said, finally pulling herself out of the niche in the wall "Harry can find us or we'll catch up with him at lunchtime. I want to catch Malfoy if it's him"
And they hurried off to grab their potion ingredients before heading to Moaning Mytrle's bathroom on the first floor.
Really short one so keep your eyes peeled for a cheeky double upload later this evening!
