Chapter 10:
Alicia didn't eat breakfast the next morning. She didn't know what to do. It was too early for news of Collin to have spread so no one understood why she looked grave. Alicia, needing something to do, headed for the hospital wing.
"He's not taking visitors Miss Evans." Madam Pomfrey said in a hushed voice.
"I'm here to see Harry." Alicia admitted "Is he allowed any?" she wondered. Madam Pomfrey eyed Alicia before she sighed and nodded.
Harry hadn't awoken yet and Alicia laid her chin on her arms on the bed. The Chamber of Secrets had been opened again? When had it opened before? If Dumbledore knew who it was then it had to be someone recent-ish, at least in the last hundred years… She didn't know how old Dumbledore was but it would have to take a while to grow his beard that long… assuming it didn't take magic.
Assuming it was a long time ago, it would explain why Dumbledore was confused as to how the same person would be able to open it again. Did this mean it wasn't the Malfoy family? If Dumbledore knew who did it before, then he'd know the family line… if he was confused as to how it was happening this time, did this mean there was no family line? There was no other descendant this time around?
Suddenly Alicia doubted very much that it was Malfoy who petrified Collin and Mrs Norris. She looked over at Collin's bed, it was blocked from view by the high curtains Harry had changed behind yesterday.
Alicia looked up as Harry began to move. He opened his eyes and squinted from the sun that was filling the room.
"Morning." she smiled sitting up. Harry turned to her
"Morning. You're up early."
"Had a bit of trouble sleeping." she sighed and turned to where Collin was hidden behind the curtains, Harry followed her gaze.
"How'd you know he was in trouble?" he asked softly
"Cause I heard the voice saying it wanted to kill someone." Alicia admitted in a whisper.
"Is that what woke you up?" Harry asked. Alicia shrugged
"I don't think so. Why were you awake? Did you hear it too?" Harry shook his head
"Dobby paid me a visit last night." he admitted
"The house elf?" Harry nodded "Why?"
"Telling me to leave cause I was in danger because of the chamber being open again."
"Again," Alicia sighed
"He's also the one who stopped the barrier to platform nine and three-quarters and sent that bludger after me." Alicia looked at him surprised
"A house elf did!? All to what? Protect you?" Harry nodded "This Dobby's got a weird way of trying to protect you." Alicia admitted and Harry nodded again in agreement.
The two stopped talking as, seeing that he was awake, Madam Pomfrey came bustling over with a breakfast tray. She began bending and stretching his arm and fingers.
"All in order," she said as he clumsily fed himself porridge left-handed. "When you've finished eating, you may leave."
Harry rushed through his breakfast, got dressed as Alicia waited outside and the two moved off to the Gryffindor tower.
"We need to tell Ron and Hermione about Collin and Dobby." Harry said "Did you tell them?"
"I haven't seen them this morning yet. I woke up before them." Alicia admitted "Haven't been able to get out of my head what Dumbledore said yesterday."
The two arrived at the Gryffindor tower but Ron and Hermione weren't there.
"Where are they?" Harry asked disappointed
"Don't know. Let's check the library." and they headed off that way. They went to the Great Hall as well but they weren't there either. As they reached the corridor for the library, Percy Weasley strolled out of it, looking in far better spirits than last time they'd met.
"Oh, hello, Harry," he said. "Excellent flying yesterday, really excellent. Alicia you too, nice goals! Gryffindor has just taken the lead for the House Cup — you two earned us fifty points!"
"Thanks." Alicia smiled
"You haven't seen Ron or Hermione, have you?" said Harry.
"No, I haven't," said Percy, his smile fading. "I hope Ron's not in another girls' toilet…"
"I doubt that after the talking you gave him." Alicia smiled and Percy looked proud of himself while Harry forced a laugh. They watched him walk away before the two headed straight for Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.
Why Ron or Hermione would be in there was a mystery but it was worth a shot. After making sure that neither Filch nor any prefects were around, Harry opened the door and the two heard their voices coming from a locked stall.
"What are you two doing in here?" Alicia questioned with a sigh as Harry nudged her after shutting the door
"It's me," he said. There was a clunk, a splash, and a gasp from within the stall and they saw Hermione's eye peering through the keyhole.
"Harry! Alicia!" she said. "You gave us such a fright — come in — how's your arm?"
"Fine," said Harry, as he and Alicia squeezed into the stall. An old cauldron was perched on the toilet, and a crackling from under the rim told the two they had lit a fire beneath it. Conjuring up portable, water-proof fires was a speciality of Hermione's.
"We'd've come to meet you, but we decided to get started on the Polyjuice Potion," Ron explained as Harry, with difficulty, locked the stall again. "We've decided this is the safest place to hide it."
Harry started to tell them about Colin, but Hermione interrupted.
"We already know — we heard Professor McGonagall telling Professor Flitwick this morning. That's why we decided we'd better get going —"
"The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy, the better," snarled Ron. "D'you know what I think? He was in such a foul temper after the Quidditch match, he took it out on Colin."
"Did you know I'm the one who told McGonagall to look for Collin?" Alicia asked. Both Ron and Hermione looked at her stunned.
"I heard the voice again last night and the Fat Lady said Collin had left the common room." she admitted "I ran to McGonagall's office and we found Collin on the stairs. I then went to get Dumbledore."
"Alicia you didn't get detention again did you?" Hermione asked
"No. Dumbledore said because I was acting on worried impulses I didn't deserve punishment. I guess I looked really worried because even McGonagall wasn't angry after I explained why I was out of bed."
"There's something else," said Harry, watching Hermione tearing bundles of knotgrass and throwing them into the potion. "Dobby came to visit me in the middle of the night."
Ron and Hermione looked up, amazed. Harry told them everything Dobby had told him — or hadn't told him. Hermione and Ron listened with their mouths open.
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened before?" Hermione said.
"This settles it," said Ron in a triumphant voice. "Lucius Malfoy must've opened the Chamber when he was at school here and now he's told dear old Draco how to do it. It's obvious."
"I don't know." Alicia muttered causing everyone to look at her "Last night Dumbledore said, it wasn't 'who' that was the question as to why Collin was petrified, it was 'how'. If Dumbledore thinks how is a more important question then he must know who. If that's the case then wouldn't he stop it if it was Malfoy?" she asked.
"You've really thought about this haven't you?" Harry realised
"Since I woke up." Alicia nodded "I'm just wondering, if maybe we're jumping the gun. And seeing as Dobby wont tell us who's behind it…" she sighed and shrugged "I don't know." she muttered
"Well, if it's not him we can rule him out and find out who is doing it." Hermione said to her. Alicia nodded.
"Wish Dobby'd told you what kind of monster's in there, though. I want to know how come nobody's noticed it sneaking around the school."
"Maybe it can make itself invisible," said Hermione, prodding leeches to the bottom of the cauldron. "Or maybe it can disguise itself — pretend to be a suit of armour or something — I've read about Chameleon Ghouls —"
"You read too much, Hermione," said Ron, pouring dead lacewings on top of the leeches. He crumpled up the empty lacewing bag and looked at Harry.
"So Dobby stopped us from getting on the train and broke your arm…" He shook his head. "You know what, Harry? If he doesn't stop trying to save your life he's going to kill you."
"That's what I said." Alicia nodded.
The news that Colin Creevey had been attacked and was now lying as though dead in the hospital wing had spread through the entire school by Monday morning. The air was suddenly thick with rumour and suspicion. The first years were now moving around the castle in tight-knit groups, as though scared they would be attacked if they ventured forth alone.
Ginny Weasley, who sat next to Colin Creevey in Charms, was distraught, but Harry felt that Fred and George were going the wrong way about cheering her up. They were taking turns covering themselves with fur or boils and jumping out at her from behind statues. They only stopped when Percy, apoplectic with rage, told them he was going to write to Mrs. Weasley and tell her Ginny was having nightmares.
Naturally Alicia had been asked to help again.
"You seem to understand her." Ron admitted
"I'm a girl. I'm sure Hermione could do it too." Alicia shrugged "Growing up with brothers she needs a sister."
Meanwhile, hidden from the teachers, a roaring trade in talismans, amulets, and other protective devices was sweeping the school. Neville Longbottom bought a large, evil-smelling green onion, a pointed purple crystal, and a rotting newt tail before the other Gryffindor boys pointed out that he was in no danger; he was a pureblood, and therefore unlikely to be attacked.
"They went for Filch first," Neville said, his round face fearful. "And everyone knows I'm almost a Squib."
In the second week of December Professor McGonagall came around as usual, collecting names of those who would be staying at school for Christmas. Harry, Alicia, Ron, and Hermione signed her list; they had heard that Malfoy was staying, which struck them as very suspicious. The holidays would be the perfect time to use the Polyjuice Potion and try to worm a confession out of him.
Unfortunately, the potion was only half finished. They still needed the bicorn horn and the boomslang skin, and the only place they were going to get them was from Snape's private stores. Harry privately felt he'd rather face Slytherin's legendary monster than let Snape catch him robbing his office.
"What we need," said Hermione briskly as Thursday afternoon's double Potions lesson loomed nearer, "is a diversion. Then one of us can sneak into Snape's office and take what we need."
"Or we could use the invisibility cloak." Alicia shrugged. The three looked at her "It's a lot safer then just walking in."
Harry and Ron looked at the two girls nervously.
"I think I'd better do the actual stealing," Hermione continued in a matter-of-fact tone. "You two will be expelled if you get into any more 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."
Harry smiled feebly. Deliberately causing mayhem in Snape's Potions class was about as safe as poking a sleeping dragon in the eye.
"Why don't I just talk to him?" Alicia asked
"Why you?"
"One, he likes to ignore me as though I make him uncomfortable. Two, he hates getting me into trouble." she admitted "haven't you noticed when ever it's Harry and me he always acts as if I had nothing to do with it and pins it on Harry. The car to Hogwarts and the message in the corridor. Pretty sure I played a high part but both times he didn't bother add in my name."
The three shared a look.
"That might be a little obvious though, if someone actually talks to him." Hermione thought "No one does and you don't need to ask him anything and the boys wouldn't even try." Alicia thought before she grinned
"Then we cause havoc in his next class." she grinned.
Potions lessons took place in one of the large dungeons. Thursday afternoon's lesson proceeded in the usual way. Twenty cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on which stood brass scales and jars of ingredients. Snape prowled through the fumes, making waspish remarks about the Gryffindors' work while the Slytherins sniggered appreciatively. Draco Malfoy, who was Snape's favourite student, kept flicking puffer-fish eyes at Ron and Harry, who knew that if they retaliated they would get detention faster than you could say "Unfair."
Alicia however threw quite a few back as Snape just ignored her anyway. As Dumbledore had said last year, it was to do with her mother… Alicia wasn't sure what he meant but he wouldn't elaborate.
Alicia's Swelling Solution was perfect, while Harry's was far too runny, but he had his mind on more important things. They'd come up with a way to distract Snape long enough for Hermione to be able to grab the remaining ingredients they needed. When Snape turned away from Harry's potion and walked off to bully Neville, Hermione caught Harry's eye and nodded.
Alicia kept an eye on Snape as Harry ducked swiftly down behind his cauldron, pulled one of Fred's Filibuster fireworks out of his pocket, and gave it a quick prod with his wand. The firework began to fizz and sputter. Harry straightened up, took aim, and lobbed it into the air; it landed right on target in Goyle's cauldron.
Alicia, grinning, pointed her wand and the fire beneath the cauldron and it grew to three times the size, speeding up the process.
Goyle's potion exploded, showering the whole class. Alicia had held up her wand for a protection charm which covered her, Harry and Ron, leaving them clean of the potion. People shrieked as splashes of the Swelling Solution hit them. Malfoy got a face-full and his nose began to swell like a balloon; Goyle blundered around, his hands over his eyes, which had expanded to the size of a dinner plate — Snape was trying to restore calm and find out what had happened. Through the confusion, Hermione slipped quietly into Snape's office.
"Silence! SILENCE!" Snape roared. "Anyone who has been splashed, come here for a Deflating Draught — when I find out who did this —"
Harry, Alicia and Ron tried not to laugh as they watched Malfoy hurry forward, his head drooping with the weight of a nose like a small melon. As half the class lumbered up to Snape's desk, some weighted down with arms like clubs, others unable to talk through gigantic puffed-up lips, Hermione slide back into the dungeon, the front of her robes bulging.
When everyone had taken a swig of antidote and the various swellings had subsided, Snape swept over to Goyle's cauldron and scooped out the twisted black remains of the firework. There was a sudden hush.
"If I ever find out who threw this," Snape whispered, "I shall make sure that person is expelled."
Naturally Snape was looking right at Harry. The bell that rang ten minutes later could not have been more welcome.
"He knew it was me," Harry told Alicia, Ron and Hermione as they hurried back to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. "I could tell."
Hermione threw the new ingredients into the cauldron and began to stir feverishly.
"No, he just assumes." Alicia corrected
"It'll be ready in two weeks," Hermione said happily.
"Snape can't prove it was you," said Ron reassuringly to Harry. "What can he do?"
"Knowing Snape, something foul," said Harry as the potion frothed and bubbled.
A week later, Harry, Alicia, Ron, and Hermione were walking across the entrance hall when they saw a small knot of people gathered around the notice board, reading a piece of parchment that had just been pinned up. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas beckoned them over, looking excited.
"They're starting a Duelling Club!" said Seamus. "First meeting tonight! I wouldn't mind duelling lessons; they might come in handy one of these days…"
"Who's in charge?" Alicia wondered
"What, you reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?" said Ron, but he, too, read the sign with interest.
"Could be useful," he said to Alicia, Harry and Hermione as they went into dinner. "Shall we go?"
Alicia, Harry and Hermione were all for it.
"I'd love to beat up a Slytherin." Alicia decided. So at eight o'clock that evening they hurried back to the Great Hall. The long dining tables had vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one wall, lit by thousands of candles floating overhead. The ceiling was velvety black once more and most of the school seemed to be packed beneath it, all carrying their wands and looking excited.
"I wonder who'll be teaching us?" said Hermione as they edged into the chattering crowd. "Someone told me Flitwick was a duelling champion when he was young — maybe it'll be him."
"As long as it's not —" Harry began, but he and Alicia both ended on a groan: Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage, resplendent in robes of deep plum and accompanied by none other than Snape, wearing his usual black.
Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called, "Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!
"Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duelling 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."
Alicia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," said Lockhart, flashing a wide smile. "He tells me he knows a tiny little bit about duelling 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, never fear!"
"Wouldn't it be good if they finished each other off?" Ron muttered in Harry's ear.
"Oh yes please." Alicia agreed from Harry's other side "But one thing I'm really looking froward is for Snape to blast Lockhart."
"Really?" Ron asked
"Lockhart thinks he knows everything remember," Alicia rolled her eyes again "This'll show if he's actually telling the truth or not."
Snape's upper lip was curling. Lockhart was still smiling and Alicia just thought he was more stupid then usual. If Snape had been looking at her like that she'd have been running as fast as she could in the opposite direction.
Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.
"As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position," Lockhart told the silent crowd. "On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."
"I wouldn't bet on that," Harry murmured, watching Snape baring his teeth.
"One — two — three —"
Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Snape cried: "Expelliarmus!" There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor.
Malfoy and some of the other Slytherins cheered. Hermione was dancing on tiptoes while Alicia was laughing her head off.
"Do you think he's all right?" Hermione squealed through her fingers.
"Who cares?" said Harry, Alicia and Ron together.
Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end.
"Well, there you have it!" he said, tottering back onto the platform. "That was a Disarming Charm — as you see, I've lost my wand — ah, thank you, Miss Brown — yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very 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…"
Alicia's laugh stopped and she rolled her eyes yet again with a groan.
Snape was looking murderous. Possibly Lockhart had noticed, because he said, "Enough demonstrating! I'm going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me —"
They moved through the crowd, matching up partners. Lockhart teamed Neville with Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Snape reached Harry and Ron first.
"Time to split up the dream team, I think," he sneered. "Weasley, you can partner Finnigan. Potter —"
Harry moved automatically toward Hermione.
"I don't think so," said Snape, smiling coldly. "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 strutted over, smirking. Behind him walked a Slytherin girl who looked like a hag. She was large and square and her heavy jaw jutted aggressively. Hermione gave her a weak smile that she did not return.
"Miss Evans," Snape said "Mr Goyle." Alicia grinned as Snape turned away.
"Face your partners!" called Lockhart, back on the platform. "And bow!"
Alicia didn't bother and neither did Goyle. Her eyes were examining him as she decided which spell to use.
"Wands at the ready!" shouted Lockhart. "When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponents — only to disarm them — we don't want any accidents." Alicia's mouth turned into a smirk as she started at Goyle.
"One… two… three —"
"Stupefy!" Alicia shouted and Goyle went flying through the air. Many people stopped as Harry did the same and Alicia turned, her mouth opened. Harry had gone flying before Lockhart had even reached three.
Harry stumbled, but everything still seemed to be working, and wasting no more time, he pointed his wand straight at Malfoy and shouted, "Rictusempra!"
Alicia was laughing as Malfoy doubled over wheezing.
"I said disarm only!" Lockhart shouted in alarm over the heads of the battling crowd, as Malfoy sank to his knees; Harry had hit him with a Tickling Charm, and he could barely move from laughing.
Alicia turned to see Goyle looking angry as he walked back over and raised his wand. A jet of light went flying at Alicia but her wand was up,
"Protego." the jinx went flying back to Goyle who collapsed to the floor from a jelly leg jinx.
"Tarantallegra!" Alicia turned to see Harry's legs began to jerk around out of his control in a kind of quickstep.
"Stop! Stop!" screamed Lockhart, but Snape took charge.
"Finite Incantatem!" he shouted; Harry's feet stopped dancing, Malfoy stopped laughing, Goyle stood up and they were able to look up.
A haze of greenish smoke was hovering over the scene. Both Neville and Justin were lying on the floor, panting; Ron was holding up an ashen-faced Seamus, apologising for whatever his broken wand had done; but Hermione and Millicent Bulstrode were still moving; Millicent had Hermione in a headlock and Hermione was whimpering in pain; both their wands lay forgotten on the floor. Harry and Alicia leapt forward and pulled Millicent off. It was difficult: She was huge.
"Dear, dear," said Lockhart, skittering through the crowd, looking at the aftermath of the duels. "Up you go, Macmillan… Careful there, Miss Fawcett… Pinch it hard, it'll stop bleeding in a second, Boot —
"I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells," said Lockhart, standing flustered in the midst of the hall. He glanced at Snape, whose black eyes glinted, and looked quickly away. "Let's have a volunteer pair — Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you —"
"A bad idea, Professor Lockhart," said Snape, gliding over like a large and malevolent bat. "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 round, pink face went pinker.
"Alicia did a marvellous job." Dean pointed to which Alicia actually blushed.
"How about Malfoy and Potter?" said Snape with a twisted smile, ignoring Dean.
"Excellent idea!" said Lockhart, gesturing Harry and Malfoy into the middle of the hall as the crowd backed away to give them room.
Alicia grabbed Harry.
"Raise your wand and say Protego Horribilis. It'll block anything he throws at you." she whispered as she looked at Lockhart. Harry nodded and continued.
"Now, Harry," said Lockhart when he reached the teacher. "When Draco points his wand at you, you do this."
He raised his own wand, attempted a complicated sort of wiggling action, and dropped it. Snape smirked as Lockhart quickly picked it up, saying, "Whoops — my wand is a little overexcited —"
Alicia was standing as close to Harry as she could get, eying Malfoy and Snape.
Snape moved closer to Malfoy, bent down, and whispered something in his ear. Malfoy smirked, too. Harry looked up nervously at Lockhart and said, "Professor, could you show me that blocking thing again?"
"Scared?" muttered Malfoy, so that Lockhart couldn't hear him.
"You wish," said Harry out of the corner of his mouth.
Lockhart cuffed Harry merrily on the shoulder.
"Just do what I did, Harry!"
"What, drop my wand?"
But Lockhart wasn't listening. He looked at Alicia who was pointing at herself and giving Lockhart the 'you don't know anything look' she usually did in class. Harry nodded to her and seemed to understand.
"Three — two — one — go!" Lockhart shouted.
Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed, "Serpensortia!" The end of his wand exploded. Harry watched, aghast, as a long black snake shot out of it, fell heavily onto the floor between them, and raised itself, ready to strike. There were screams as the crowd backed swiftly away, clearing the floor.
Alicia was the only one who didn't move as she stood behind Harry.
"A snake?" she asked with a raised eyebrow
"Don't move, Potter," said Snape lazily, clearly enjoying the sight of Harry standing motionless, eye to eye with the angry snake. "I'll get rid of it…"
"Allow me!" shouted Lockhart. He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight toward Justin Finch-Fletchley and raised itself again, fangs exposed, poised to strike.
Harry looked at Alicia before he was walking forward as though he was on casters. Everyone watched as Harry shouted at the snake; "Leave him alone!" And miraculously — inexplicably — the snake slumped to the floor, docile as a thick, black garden hose, its eyes now on Harry.
Alicia smirked but no one else was.
Harry looked up at Justin, grinning, but Justin looked scared, even angry.
"What do you think you're playing at?" he shouted, and before Harry could say anything, Justin had turned and stormed out of the hall.
Alicia watched confused and looked at Hermione and Ron, both of them looked shocked.
Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake vanished in a small puff of black smoke. Snape, too, was looking at Harry in an unexpected way: It was a shrewd and calculating look. He was also dimly aware of an ominous muttering all around the walls. Harry turned to Alicia who was now standing beside him but she looked as confused as Harry did. Then he felt a tugging on the back of his robes.
"Come on," said Ron's voice. "Move — come on —" Hermione grabbed Alicia's arm and dragged her out after Harry.
Ron steered them out of the hall, Hermione hurrying alongside them. As they went through the doors, the people on either side drew away as though they were frightened of catching something. Alicia looked at them all confused but neither Ron nor Hermione explained anything until they had dragged Harry all the way up to the empty Gryffindor common room. Then Ron pushed Harry into an armchair and said, "You're a Parselmouth. Why didn't you tell us?"
"I'm a what?" said Harry said
"A Parselmouth!" said Ron. "You can talk to snakes!"
"I know," said Harry. "I mean, that's only the second time I've ever done it. Alicia and I accidentally set a boa constrictor on my cousin Dudley at the zoo once — long story — but it was telling us it had never seen Brazil and we sort of set it free without meaning to, we're still not sure which one of us did it — that was before either of us knew what we could do —"
"Plus Dudley was being an absolute bully, as per usual, and deserved to fall into the snake enclosure." Alicia shrugged
"A boa constrictor told you it had never seen Brazil?" Ron repeated faintly.
Both Alicia and Harry nodded.
"Wait, you can understand them too?" Hermione asked Alicia
"Yeah, it was how Harry and I met back before we turned eleven. At the zoo in the reptile house. Harry was being bullied and he was winked at by a snake when I walked over. That was when we set the boa free." she admitted
"It winked at you?"
"Yeah, at the time I thought it was strange too." Alicia admitted
"So?" said Harry. "I bet loads of people here can do it."
"Oh, no they can't," said Ron. "It's not a very common gift. Harry, this is bad."
"Bad?" Alicia and Harry asked sharing a looked
"What's wrong with everyone? Listen, if I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin —"
"Oh, that's what you said to it?"
"What d'you mean? You were there — you heard me —"
"He told it to leave him alone." Alicia nodded
"I heard you speaking Parseltongue," said Ron. "Snake language."
Alicia looked at him surprised, it was a different language?
"You could have been saying anything — no wonder Justin panicked, you sounded like you were egging the snake on or something — it was creepy, you know —"
"Wait what?" Alicia asked
"I spoke a different language?" Harry looked at Alicia
"It sounded like he was talking plain english to me." she admitted.
Both Ron and Hermione shook their heads as Alicia sat down in one of the other armchairs.
"But — I didn't realise — how can I speak a language without knowing I can speak it?"
Ron shook his head. Both he and Hermione were looking as though someone had died.
Alicia understood how this was bad now, if it wasn't common, and everyone was worrying about the air of Slytherin, Slytherin of who happened to be a parseltongue…
Harry apparently didn't understand.
"D'you want to tell me what's wrong with stopping a massive snake biting off Justin's head?" he said. "What does it matter how I did it as long as Justin doesn't have to join the Headless Hunt?"
"It matters," said Hermione, speaking at last in a hushed voice, "because being able to talk to snakes was what Salazar Slytherin was famous for. That's why the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent."
Harry's mouth fell open.
"Exactly," said Ron. "And now the whole school's going to think you're his great-great-great-great-grandson or something —"
"But I'm not," said Harry, panic in his voice.
"You'll find that hard to prove," said Hermione. "He lived about a thousand years ago; for all we know, you could be."
"Everyone already thinks you're the heir of Slytherin, you've just made it worse." Alicia put her head in her hands.
"I don't understand how you can both do it." Ron suddenly said "And you're both good at Quidditch. And you're both good in sticky situations. You're both from Surrey. Is there anything about you two that isn't the same?"
Harry and Alicia shared a look.
"What?" Hermione asked noticing.
The twins were silent.
"What?" Both Ron and Hermione demanded.
"There's kinda something we've been meaning to tell you." Alicia admitted
"What?" Hermione asked
"You're not related to Slytherin are you?" Ron asked
"No." they chorused.
Alicia looked at Harry before taking a deep breath.
"Harry and I are kinda… related." Alicia admitted
"Related how?" Ron asked. "Like distant cousins?" But Hermione gasped and her eyes darted between the two.
"More like… siblings." Alicia said. Ron's mouth fell open as he looked between them.
"You're Harry's missing twin sister!" Hermione realised, pointing at them.
"But…" Ron said as he looked at them.
The twins were silent as they waited for the other two to comprehend it.
"How?" Hermione asked
"Dumbledore told us when we were in the hospital wing at the end of last year." Alicia said
"But Alicia knew before that." Harry said
"No. I had an idea I was related to you, I knew nothing about being your sister." Alicia corrected
"How?" Hermione asked her
"The Mirror of Erised." Alicia looked at Ron "Remember it. It showed Ron being head boy and Quidditch captain." Hermione looked at Ron.
"Harry and I saw the same thing."
"At first I was confused by it, why I could see Harry's desires and not Ron's. The confusion grew as I realised I looked like Harry's mom Lily, but with James' black hair." she pulled on a strand of her hair.
"Eventually Dumbledore admitted it to us." Harry said
"He separated us for our safety but kept us close." Alicia shrugged
"We didn't tell you because Dumbledore said it was safer to keep it a secret. If Alicia remained an Evans."
"Though I don't understand how that works as Voldemort knows about me." Alicia sighed "He knew me the second he saw me."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Ron asked
"We didn't want to do it over a letter and we haven't had the opportunity, together, until now this year." Alicia said
"Sorry." Harry muttered.
"Well if you both can speak parseltongue and your siblings then it's even more likely you could be related to Slytherin." Ron worried
"You can't tell anyone we're siblings." Alicia said quickly
"It's dangerous if everyone knows." Harry admitted.
"Please?" Alicia said
"Of course not." Hermione said obviously.
Alicia nodded and let out a sigh of relief. She grinned as she looked at Harry
"Told you we'd tell them." He rolled his eyes.
The next morning the snow that had begun in the night had turned into a blizzard so thick that the last Herbology lesson of the term was canceled: Professor Sprout wanted to fit socks and scarves on the Mandrakes, a tricky operation she would entrust to no one else, now that it was so important for the Mandrakes to grow quickly and revive Mrs. Norris and Colin Creevey.
Harry was fretting because he wanted to tell Justin what really happened at the duelling lesson. He, Alicia, Ron and Hermione were next to the fire in the Gryffindor common room, while Ron and Hermione used their time off to play a game of wizard chess.
"For heaven's sake, Harry," said Hermione, exasperated, as one of Ron's bishops wrestled her knight off his horse and dragged him off the board. "Go and find Justin if it's so important to you."
So Harry got up before he paused.
"Alicia will you come?" he wondered, biting his lip. Alicia nodded, she wouldn't want to walk about alone either with what everyone thought about him now.
They wondered around wondering where they could find Justin.
"He could be in the library?" Alicia said "Taking advantage just before the holidays."
So they headed that way first.
The castle was darker than it usually was in daytime because of the thick, swirling grey snow at every window. Shivering, the two walked past classrooms where lessons were taking place, catching snatches of what was happening within. Professor McGonagall was shouting at someone who, by the sound of it, had turned his friend into a badger. Alicia stretched her neck to see a badger within the class room, running around as people laughed. She smiled as she and Harry walked on by.
A group of the Hufflepuffs who should have been in Herbology were indeed sitting at the back of the library, but they didn't seem to be working. Between the long lines of high bookshelves, Alicia noticed that their heads were close together and they were having what looked like an absorbing conversation.
While Harry wanted to see if Justin was there, Alicia wanted to know what they were in so deep discussion about. They were walking toward them when something of what they were saying met Alicia and Harry's ears. Alicia grabbed Harry and stopped him walking as they hid in the Invisibility section.
"So anyway," a stout boy was saying, "I told Justin to hide up in our dormitory. I mean to say, if Potter's marked him down as his next victim, it's best if he keeps a low profile for a while. Of course, Justin's been waiting for something like this to happen ever since he let slip to Potter he was Muggle-born. Justin actually told him he'd been down for Eton. That's not the kind of thing you bandy about with Slytherin's heir on the loose, is it?"
"You definitely think it is Potter, then, Ernie?" said a girl with blonde pigtails anxiously.
"Hannah," said the stout boy solemnly, "he's a Parselmouth. Everyone knows that's the mark of a Dark wizard. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue."
There was some heavy murmuring at this, and Ernie went on, "Remember what was written on the wall? Enemies of the Heir, Beware. Potter had some sort of run-in with Filch. Next thing we know, Filch's cat's attacked. That first year, Creevey, was annoying Potter at the Quidditch match, taking pictures of him while he was lying in the mud. Next thing we know — Creevey's been attacked."
"He always seems so nice, though," said Hannah uncertainly, "and, well, he's the one who made You-Know-Who disappear. He can't be all bad, can he?"
Ernie lowered his voice mysteriously, the Hufflepuffs bent closer, and Alicia edged nearer, Harry trailing with her so that they could catch Ernie's words.
"No one knows how he survived that attack by You-Know-Who. I mean to say, he was only a baby when it happened. He should have been blasted into smithereens. Only a really powerful Dark wizard could have survived a curse like that." He dropped his voice until it was barely more than a whisper, and said, "That's probably why You-Know-Who wanted to kill him in the first place. Didn't want another Dark Lord competing with him. I wonder what other powers Potter's been hiding?"
Alicia ground her teeth and walked straight out from behind the book shelf.
"That's the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard." Alicia said. The Hufflepuffs all looked up surprised.
"I can't believe you'd all think something that stupid. The boy didn't even know he was famous until he was eleven because those ruddy muggles kept his letters from him. Not only that but did you think he'd want his parents killed? Harry's in Gryffindor. Don't you think the Heir of Slytherin would be in Slytherin and be happy about it!? Harry would hate to be in Slytherin."
"And how do you know that?" Hannah wondered
"You're just sticking up for him cause he's your friend." Ernie said "You're probably helping."
"Are you listening to yourself?" Alicia laughed. She didn't get to say anything else before someone cleared their throat and Harry stepped out beside Alicia. Every one of the Hufflepuffs looked as though they had been Petrified by the sight of him, and the colour was draining out of Ernie's face.
"Hello," said Harry. "I'm looking for Justin Finch-Fletchley."
The Hufflepuffs' worst fears had clearly been confirmed. They all looked fearfully at Ernie.
"What do you want with him?" said Ernie in a quavering voice.
"I wanted to tell him what really happened with that snake at the Duelling Club," said Harry.
Ernie bit his white lips and took a deep breath.
"We were all there. We saw what happened."
"Then you noticed that after I spoke to it, the snake backed off?" said Harry.
"All I saw," said Ernie stubbornly, though he was trembling as he spoke, "was you speaking Parseltongue and chasing the snake toward Justin."
"The snake slumped down and stared at Harry." Alicia said, her breath coming out as laughs as she listened to them
"I didn't chase it at him!" Harry said, his voice shaking with anger. "It didn't even touch him!"
"It was a very near miss," said Ernie.
"You're stupider then Lockhart." Alicia insulted waving her hand.
"In case you're getting ideas," he added hastily, "I might tell you that you can trace my family back through nine generations of witches and warlocks and my blood's as pure as anyone's, so —"
"I don't care what sort of blood you've got!" said Harry fiercely. "Why would I want to attack Muggle-borns?"
"I've heard you hate those Muggles you live with," said Ernie swiftly.
"It's not possible to live with the Dursleys and not hate them," said Harry. "I'd like to see you try it."
"And did you forget, one of Harry's best friends is Muggle-born." Alicia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrows. "Not only that but Harry was passed out in the hospital wing when Collin was attacked." The Hufflepuffs looked somewhat confused, not sure what to make of that.
Harry however, turned on his heel and stormed out of the library, earning himself a reproving glare from Madam Pince, who was polishing the gilded cover of a large spellbook.
Alicia followed quickly.
"I actually cannot believe them. They make me want to laugh at their stupidity and curse them all." Alicia rolled her eyes but the look on Harry's expression made her drop the subject.
They walked up the corridor and Alicia assumed Harry had no idea where he was going in his fury. Alicia just followed, keeping an eye on where they were so that when Harry broke out of it she could lead them back to the common room.
The result of Harry's raging rampage caused him to crash right into Hagrid.
"Oh, hello, Hagrid," Harry said, looking up.
Hagrid's face was entirely hidden by a woolly, snow-covered balaclava, but it couldn't possibly be anyone else, as he filled most of the corridor in his moleskin overcoat. A dead rooster was hanging from one of his massive, gloved hands.
"All righ', Harry? Alicia?" he said, pulling up the balaclava so he could speak. "Why aren't yeh in class?"
"Canceled," said Harry as Alicia helped him to his feet. "What're you doing in here?"
Hagrid held up the limp rooster.
"Second one killed this term," he explained. "It's either foxes or a Blood-Suckin' Bugbear, an' I need the headmaster's permission ter put a charm around the hen coop."
Alicia eyed the rooster curiously. Where there ordinary foxes around Hogwarts? Something so simple just didn't seem right. Especially when there was an entire forest full of monsters right near Hagrid's house.
Hagrid peered more closely at Harry from under his thick, snow-flecked eyebrows.
"Yeh sure yeh're all righ'? Yeh look all hot an' bothered —"
Alicia looked at Harry who rolled his lips suddenly.
"It's nothing," he said. "I'd better get going, Hagrid, it's Transfiguration next and we've got to pick up out books."
Harry grabbed Alicia's arm and began to walk off.
"Bye Hagrid." Alicia waved.
Harry stamped up the stairs, still clutching Alicia's hand as she looked at him with a frown. They turned along another corridor, which was particularly dark; the torches had been extinguished by a strong, icy draft that was blowing through a loose windowpane.
The two were halfway down the passage when Harry, in front of Alicia, tripped headlong over something lying on the floor and pulled his twin with him. She let out a slight cry before hitting the cold floor.
Alicia turned to look at what they'd tripped over before her eyes widened and she sat up instantly.
Justin Finch-Fletchley was lying on the floor, rigid and cold, a look of shock frozen on his face, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. And that wasn't all. Next to him was another figure, the strangest sight either Harry or Alicia had ever seen.
It was Nearly Headless Nick, no longer pearly-white and transparent, but black and smoky, floating immobile and horizontal, six inches off the floor. His head was half off and his face wore an expression of shock identical to Justin's.
Alicia scurried to her feet, Harry beside her his breathing fast and shallow. Alicia's eyes were on the two figures before them before Harry taped her shoulder. She turned to and saw a line of spiders scuttling as fast as they could away from the bodies. The only sounds were the muffled voices of teachers from the classes on either side.
"We can't be found here." Alicia muttered "You're being suspected as causing this and I've found every body so far." Alicia admitted as she grabbed Harry's hand and began to pull on Harry's arm.
"We can't just leave them." Harry disagreed
"They'll be found as soon as the classes end." Alicia said "I know it's terrible but we could get in serious trouble this time."
Neither of them had the chance to do anything as suddenly the door next to them opened with a bang and Peeves came shooting out.
"Why, it's potty wee Potter and icy Evans!" cackled Peeves, knocking Harry's glasses askew as he bounced past them. "What's Potter up to? Why's Evans lurking —"
Peeves stopped, halfway through a midair somersault. Upside down, he spotted Justin and Nearly Headless Nick. He flipped the right way up, filled his lungs and, before Harry could stop him and as Alicia closed her eyes, she let out an irritated sigh as Peeves screamed, "ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!"
Crash — crash — crash — door after door flew open along the corridor and people flooded out. For several long minutes, there was a scene of such confusion that Justin was in danger of being squashed and people kept standing in Nearly Headless Nick. Alicia and Harry found themselves pinned against the wall, Alicia clinging to Harry's hand with hers as the teachers shouted for quiet. Professor McGonagall came running, followed by her own class, one of whom still had black-and-white-striped hair. She used her wand to set off a loud bang, which restored silence, and ordered everyone back into their classes. No sooner had the scene cleared somewhat than Ernie the Hufflepuff arrived, panting, on the scene.
"Caught in the act!" Ernie yelled, his face stark white, pointing his finger dramatically at Harry. Alicia glared at him so much he stumbled away from them.
"That will do, Macmillan!" said Professor McGonagall sharply.
Peeves was bobbing overhead, now grinning wickedly, surveying the scene; Peeves always loved chaos. As the teachers bent over Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, examining them, Peeves broke 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!" barked Professor McGonagall, and Peeves zoomed away backward, with his tongue out at Harry.
Justin was carried up to the hospital wing by Professor Flitwick and Professor Sinistra of the Astronomy department, but nobody seemed to know what to do for Nearly Headless Nick. In the end, Professor McGonagall conjured a large fan out of thin air, which she gave to Ernie with instructions to waft Nearly Headless Nick up the stairs. This Ernie did, fanning Nick along like a silent black hovercraft. This left Harry, Alicia and Professor McGonagall alone.
"Miss Evans, this is the third victim you've been found at." she pursed her lips.
"Professor —" Alicia began
"Evans, Potter. This way." she said not allowing Alicia to finished
"Professor," said Harry at once, "I swear I didn't —"
"This is out of my hands, Potter," said Professor McGonagall curtly. Alicia frowned and shared a look with Harry that said 'I told you so'.
They marched in silence around a corner and McGonagall stopped before a large and extremely ugly stone gargoyle.
"Lemon drop!" she said. This was evidently a password, because the gargoyle sprang suddenly to life and hopped aside as the wall behind him split in two. Behind the wall was a spiral staircase that was moving smoothly upward, like an escalator. Alicia, Harry and McGonagall stepped onto the escalator and Alicia's eyes were staring above them in wonder. They rose upward in circles, higher and higher, until at last, slightly dizzy, they saw a gleaming oak door ahead, with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin.
It seemed clear of where they were going now. This must be where Dumbledore lived.