The next day after breakfast I made my way to Myrtle's bathroom. I opened the door to find them all in a cubicle with the cauldron talking. I waved to Myrtle and listened. "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. Wish Dobby'd told you what sort of monster's in there though."

I opened the cubicle door. Hermione gasped.

"Okay, I know you're brewing a Polyjuice potion, I know you just accused my brother of being the heir of Slytherin and I know you have been talking to one of our house-elves. I want, and deserve, an explanation." I said sternly with my hands on my hips.

Harry admitted. "Yeah, you probably do."

Ron started "Polyjuice - we intend to disguise ourselves as three of your fellow Slytherins so we can interrogate you precious twin."

Harry then gave me a rather longer explanation "Dobby was intercepting my letters all summer, he then stopped Ron and I getting on to the platform and cursed that Bludger."

I mumbled "That answers a lot of questions."
So that's why Dobby wasn't at home over the summer, why my father was pissed with Dobby, why Dobby was, more than usually, terrified of my simply lovely father, why Ron and Harry drove here - still, they were being reckless Gryffindors, and why Harry just got out of the Hospital Wing. But it raised another question.

"Why did Dobby do that?" I asked.

"We don't know, he wanted to stop Harry coming to Hogwarts, protect him from danger." Hermione shrugged.

"The danger of whatever's in the Chamber of Secrets." I said under my breathe.

"We said we'd give you an explanation, not be your friends again, or let you try and stop us." Harry said.

"I'm not going to stop you, my brother is perfectly innocent, so is my father, you can interrogate all you like. I have new friends anyway." I said.

I walked towards the door. "Bye Myrtle," and left.
The news that Colin - of all people - had been attacked and was now petrified in the Hospital Wing had spread throughout school by Monday morning. First years moved in packs around the castle as though if they ventured along they would be attacked.

Ginny was distraught, Colin sat near her in Charms. Fred and George were covering themselves in fur and boils and jumped at her from behind statues. They only stopped when Percy told them he would write to Mrs Weasley and tell her Ginny was having nightmares.

The professors were unaware of the roaring trade of talismans, amulets and other 'protective' devices sweeping the school. Neville bought a large, evil-smelling onion - I persuaded him to bin that, garlics did not help Professor Quirrell, Neville seemed to forget it was an onion, I didn't correct him, he also got a pointy, purple crystal and a rotting newt-tail. Seamus and Dean helped remove those items from the castle by pointing out he was in no danger: he was a pureblood, and therefore unlikely to be attacked.

He replied to this with "They went for Filch first, and everyone knows I'm almost a Squib." But later that day he 'lost' his rotting newt-tail.

Our parents informed Draco and I that they were away so we would be staying at Hogwarts for the holidays so in the second of December Professor McGonagall collected our names on her list for those staying at school for Christmas.

Everything was rather uneventful until one Potions lesson on a Thursday afternoon.

I was partnered with Neville, who I think was pleased as I was top of the class in Potions, and Snape didn't bully me.
Our Swelling Solution was very good, Neville chopped and prepared all the ingredients and I used them. Sev came over and said "Longbottom -..." he looked confused at what to say "good work..." he mumbled.

As Sev turned away I patted Nev on the back - his grin went from ear to ear.
Then class was ruined, a huge explosion from Goyle's cauldron went everywhere. Seamus who was directly opposite me jumped to push me on the ground. I pulled Neville down with me, Dean was already under the table picking up his knife.

Luckily we all avoided the Swelling Solution - Draco ran to the front to get an antidote for his now melon-sized nose.

After everyone had taken some Deflating Draught and swellings had subsided Sev swept over to Goyle's cauldron and scooped out some black twisted remains of whatever cause the incident.
There was a sudden hush.

Sev whispered in a frightening voice "If I ever find out who threw this I shall make sure that person is expelled."

The bell rang a few minutes later and I said to Seamus as we exited the classroom "Quick thinking, thanks Seamus,"

A week later Seamus, Dean and I were reading a piece of parchment that had just been pinned up in the Entrance Hall.
Seamus and Dean beckoned Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Seamus said excitedly. "They're starting a Duelling Club! First meeting tonight! I wouldn't mind duelling lessons, they might come in handy one of these days..."

I said fairly "I could teach you, duelling is easy, the polite stuff." I shrugged.

"Not everyone has their parents train them in the Dark Arts, Malfoy." Ron said.
I glared, Seamus and Dean wanted to go so they went without me at eight o'clock, they even got Nev to go with them.

The next day Seamus and Dean told me in hushed voices that Harry was a Parseltongue, how was that boy in Gryffindor? Maybe, like me, he asked the Sorting hat... I mean, no Parseltongue would be in any other house than Slytherin, especially not Gryffindor. That wasn't what was bothering me though, why would he try and hurt Justin, he may be slightly snobby, but the Hufflepuff lad is nice enough.

I voiced my opinions to Myrtle, who wasn't much help, she was in a mood and the taps kept flooding the bathroom. I wandered around the castle, not really going in any specific direction.

Suddenly I heard Peeves "ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!"

I ran to the noise of Peeves whacking door after door behind me. I was pushed to the front, near a petrified Justin and a... petrified... Nick... Harry stood right next to them both. I gulped, what if Harry really was the heir of Slytherin?

Professor McGonagall let off a loud bang silencing the panicking crowd.

Ernie, who I thought was polite yelled "Caught in the act!"

"That will do, Macmillan!" Professor McGonagall said sharply.

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!" Professor McGonagall barked. The poltergeist zoomed away backwards and stuck his tongue out at Harry.

I was shivering a lot, Neville came over to me and squeezed my hand. I whispered as we walked "What if Harry really is the heir of Slytherin? He was my friend, Neville, one of my best friends and I cast him to the side because he hates my horrid family, my horrid blood."

He shook his head "Nash, you do not have horrid blood, you're lovely, and Harry is not the heir of Slytherin, and he doesn't hate you." He squeezed my hand.

"Yes he does, they all do, Hermione, Harry, Hagrid, all the Weasleys." I said almost in tears.

"Do Fred and George hate you? No, they love you. Does Ginny hate you? No, you're like a sister to her. Does Hermione hate you? No, she couldn't hate anyone. Do Mr and Mrs Weasley hate you? No, I don't think they are capable of that emotion. Do Bill, Charlie and Percy hate you? You've never met Bill and Charlie, and Percy is just stuck up. Does Ron hate you? No, I don't believe that, I think he just hates your twin. Does Harry hate you? No, he wants as many friends as possible. Does Hagrid hate you? No, if he likes monsters and beasts I think he'll like you."

"Neville you can stop rambling, okay they don't hate me, that's a strong word, they just don't like me." I laughed. "Thanks Nev. See you."