Harry Potter

The Secrets of Hogwarts

By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Rating: K

Pairing: N/A (as of now)

Genre: Adventure/Friendship

Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.

Summary: One year ago Charlie and Riley learned the truth and their first year at Hogwarts became legend. Now another year begins. But little do they realize that History is about to repeat itself and the struggle for Hogwarts future will begin.

Author's Note: Chapter dedicated too Razmend, DJScales and new annoymous reviewer Aileen Autarkeia for their reviews last chapter.

Angry Outbursts

The news of Riley's attack spread like wildfire throughout the Hogwarts Castle and come the day for the students to go home no one could get out of the castle fast enough. Charlie Hunter on the other hand was one of the few that was staying, she wasnt going to run, she wasnt a coward, in fact she actually wanted to meet the Heir of Slytherin and the couple of days leading away from Riley's attack towards Christmas the second year Slytherin could think of nothing better to do with her time the spend it waiting for the opportune moment to meet the person who had Petrified her best friend. Of course this brought fear to her friends, especially the Slytherins who vowed to protect her and Riley. But of course they had failed miserably what with Riley being in the hospital wing and everything.

The night after Riley's attack had occured, there had been a full blown arguement in the Slytherin common room; Charlie vs. the whole house. She accused them of lying to her to protect her because was one of them, but they didnt really mean the protection they had given to Riley. She accused them of knowing about the Chamber of Secrets and not telling her because they wanted to protect her and she could understand that they wanted to keep her safe, now especially after Riley, but she needed to know the truth if she was to ever find the Heir of Slytherin and stop him. That was why tonight, Christmas Eve of all nights, the second year Slytherin was sitting on the floor near the fire, her arms wrapped around her legs as her head rested on the top of them as her gaze was attached to the dancing flames.

The flames reflected in the unshed tears in her eyes as her friends sat on the sofa's behind her, talking and occasionally glancing down at her. None of them could understand the heartbreaking longing that had resided inside the Slytherin Muggleborn, no one could understand why she was so broken and shattered after the attack. Yes, Riley was her best friend but everything was going to work out in the end, it always did. Magic couldnt fix everything but once the Mandrake's had grown up, chopped up and cooked the potion would be made that would revive everyone who had been Petrified. Riley would make it out alive, they were sure of it.

But still Charlie chose with withdraw within herself, refused to believe that any good could come of this. Many even went as far as to say that she was being over-dramatic, but they were shot down when Nikki reacted defensively and demanded to know how they would have felt it had been their best friend they had found petrified in the middle of a cold hallway all alone. Of course the whispered stories soon stopped about Charlie and everyone knew better than to say anything too or against her because of the older Slytherin's protection act. So, here she sat on a cold, wintery Christmas Eve night staring aimlessly at the flames of the Slytherin Common room.

"Charlie why don't you go get some sleep?" Nikki asked, the second year had been sitting in front of the fireplace non-stop for the past several hours now, and the older Slytherin was starting to question her health and ability to function. "Riley would never forgive you, if you let this destroy you"

Charlie let loose a shaky laugh, as tears appeared in her eyes "Is it even possible to feel this empty?" she asked "I feel so empty! Like part of me died when I found her, like a part of myself has been Petrfied too" tears were starting to fal now as she wrapped her arms further around her legs and buried her head in her knees.

"Its okay," Nikki said soothingly, as she sat down next to the second year and hugged her "Its gonna be okay"

Beneath her, Charlie's body shook hard, like she was shivering her breathing hitched as she choked back a sob and fresh, warm salty tears spilled down her face; as Riley's empty vacant eyes appeared before her very face. She would never get used to the fact that Riley wasnt going to be by her side for the next couple of months, she was like a sister to her. She loved her; Riley was funny, smart, sensitive; she always made her laugh and smile at her darkest moments, and now her best dark evading friend had become the darkness inside her very heart.

"Are you sure you don't know anything?" Charlie asked, looking up and wiping the tears from her face "Nikki, please, if you know anything...please tell me! I can understand that you want to protect me especially after last year; but I'll find out in the end. Just like I did last year."

Nikki looked nervous and her glances up at Marcus and the other Slytherins were only confirming Charlie's suspicions

"What?" the second year asked "Please guys, tell me. What do you know?"

"There is a story," Draco started, "My father didnt tell me about the Chamber once. Its been 50 years since the Chamber was last opened, he wouldnt tell me who opened it, only that they were expelled. The last time the chamber was opened, a Muggleborn died!"

Charlie paled at the news "That's why everyone is so nervous?" she asked "The students. The Professors. Their waiting too see which Muggleborn will die?"

The Slytherins on the sofa's nodded

Suddenly, and without warning Charlie jumped to her feet and panicked look on her face. Her eyes darted around the room before landing on the portrait hole; and before anyone could catch her or stop her, she was gone. Bolted through the portrait hole and blasted down the dungeon's, veering off in the Entrance Hall and sprinting as fast as she can towards the second floor. She needed to find Harry, Ron and Hermione before they used the potion.

"Guys!" she yelled, slamming open the door to find an empty bathroom "Harry? Ron? Hermione?"

There was a whimper from one of the stalls and the Slytherin moved to stand in front of them, she raised her hand to knock just as the door slammed open behind her and Harry and Ron appeared wearing Slytherin robes. Charlie frowned and looked between the two boys and the stall, what had she missed? "It was you pair," she exclaimed "that Crabbe and Goyle in the common room? It was you?"

Harry nodded "If we had known you could get Malfoy to talk we wouldnt have bothered with this potion"

"Well you didnt have complete faith in me," Charlie smirked "and I doubt he would have said anything if Riley hadnt been attacked"

Ron nodded "Good point"

Charlie turned back to the door "Hermione?" she knocked "Come out, we've got loads to tell you"

"Go away!" Hermione responded

"Wait till you see," Moaning Myrtle stated, as she stuck her head out of the stall door "Its ooful!"

The three students on the outside frowned "Hermione, are you okay?" Harry asked, pushing open the door

"You remember me telling you that the Polyjuice Potion was only for Human transformations?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron nodded. "It was cat's hair I pulled of Millicent Bulstrode's clothes" she added as she turned around to face her friends "Look at my face" she complained

Charlie couldnt help it, after all the crying she had done the past couple of days she needed something to cheer her up and this clearly did the trick "Look at your tail!" she giggled, as Myrtle cackled behind her.

Hermione's eyes narrowed as she glared at the Slytherin, before slamming the door to the cubicle.

Harry and Ron exchanged looks as Charlie cracked up with the ghost in Slytherin uniform behind them.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Christmas dawned the next morning, cold and white. Charlie and Daphne were the only ones left in their dormitory Millie and Pansy had gone home for the Christmas holidays again this year; but for the Muggleborn Slytherin it really didnt feel like Christmas at all. Rolling onto her left side she stared at Pansy's bed which was supposed to be occupied by Riley but instead it was empty because the Gryffindor who was supposed to spend Christmas in the Slytherin dorms was in fact stone still and locked in the Hospital Wing. At the memory of her petrified friend, Charlie's eyes welled with tears once more, how could this have happened? Why had this happened? Why now? Several days before Christmas? Was someone trying to prove a point?

Well obviously her mind cursed The Heir of Slytherin really hates Muggleborns. Thats why it targeted Colin. Justin and Riley. Because they are Muggleborns.

But im a Muggleborn she answered herself, as she lay silently in her bed staring at Pansy's empty bed Why havent I been attacked?

Because he cant get at you, maybe?

But Charlie's response was a heavy sigh, a throw back of her covers and a roll out of bed. She grabbed her jeans and t-shirt and claimed the bathroom first. Once she was showered, dressed and ready for the day she pulled on her trainiers, brushed her hair and was in the middle of pulling on a jacket when Daphne exited the bathroom fully dressed. "Happy Christmas" the pureblood smiled

"You too," Charlie nodded, really not feeling jolly or merry in the slightest

Daphne sighed "Come on, lets go wake the others" and grabbing their wands the two of them hurried from the second year dorms. They woke Nikki and together the three girls hurried up to the boys dorms. "Wake up!" the pureblood cried ripping back Draco's curtains and repeating the job with Nathan, Crabbe and Goyle. "Hurry up, meet us up in the 6th dorm room"

"Let me guess," Nathan yawned "Charlie's waking Marcus"

"Yeah," Daphne nodded "But she's not really in the Christmas spirit."

Draco nodded "Can you blame her? She expected Riley to be down here and not in the Hospital wing, like her current situation"

"I know" Daphne nodded "Just hurry up. You can have your present laters" and she fled the room to leave them get dressed.

Meanwhile, up the 6th year boys dorms Charlie had taken up residence in Marcus's bed as the older boy had been evicted and was in the bathroom getting dressed. Lucky for the Quidditch Captain all his room-mates had gone home for the Christmas holidays so he had free run of his dorm room.

"You guys do know, you're not supposed to be in here, right?" Marcus called from the bathroom

"Merry Christmas to you too," Nikki retorted

Several moments later Marcus returned, fully dressed. He glared at Charlie who was lying under his covers as she grinned innocently at him "Comfy?" he asked

"Very," she nodded "Your bed is so much warmer than mine"

Daphne entered the dorm at the moment, removed Marcus's cat from his bed and sat at the bottom as Charlie pulled the blanket up over her "That's because he's bigger than you, he warms more of the bed"

"Ah, that would be true" Charlie nodded

"So I was evicted," Marcus drawled "So you could jump in?"

"Pretty much," the second year nodded "Come on Daph," and she shuffled backwards a bit so her friend could occupy the bed too,

Daphne grinned "Hey, your right." she mumured "his bed is warmer than ours. What did you do?"

"Heating charm" he smirked, taking up residence on Higg's bed

"A what?" Charlie asked

Nikki chuckled "Its does exactly as the name says," she answered "It heats up anything its put on"

"Cool, I could use one of them on my robes during winter classes in the dungeons" the Muggleborn retorted, "Hey guys!" she added as Draco, Nathan, Crabbe and Goyle entered the dorm room

"Happy Christmas," Nathan and Draco responded, taking residence on another bed as Crabbe and Goyle occupied another one "You comfy in there?"

Daphne and Charlie nodded.

Once everyone was awake, Marcus and Nikki pulled Daphne and Charlie from the former's bed and marched them down to the Common room were they opened their gifts. Charlie recieved new hats and mittens from Draco -each in the Slytherin colours-, Nathan bought her a copy of Hogwarts: A History for any interesting facts that she needed to know about Hogwarts, Nikki bought her a Charm bracelet as Marcus bought her several charms to attach to it, four of them were the Hogwarts crests of Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Daphne had bought her several reading books, she knew that Charlie barely read non-fictional books but she had seen her reading Tales of Beedle Bard once before and decided it would be a good idea to get her friend several more wizarding stories that she may have found interesting. Then came the Gryffindors' presents, Hermione sent her a luxury eagle-feather quill, Harry and Ron had pooled their money together to buy her an assortment of sweets -much to the Slytherins displeasure and Charlie's amusement-, Mrs. Weasley had sent her the usual hand-knitted jumper and large box of toffee's

"Here try these," Charlie grinned, as she placed the toffee's on the table in front of her friends "Mrs. Weasley is an amazing cook. She even rivals the Hogwarts kitchens"

And while her friends munched on toffee's the Muggleborn shed her jacket and pulled on her Weasley jumper over her t-shirt. She then pulled her jacket back on and sat back in satisfaction. She loved the infamous Weasley jumpers they were so warm and comfortable.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Not even Charlie's depression and sadness over Riley could dampen the mood that was in the Great Hall during dinner that day. The Great Hall looked amazing, there were half a dozen frost-covered Christmas trees, thick streamers of holly and mistletoe criss-crossing the ceiling, and enchanted snow fell, warm and dry, from the ceiling. Dumbledore had them sing a few Christmas songs before dinner and by the time it appeared Charlie was laughing happily along with her friends at the Slytherin table; although she felt bad that Riley wasnt there to enjoy the festivties with her she knew that Gryffindor would slaughter if she was downheartened on the biggest holiday of the year.

It never once occured to Charlie that it wasnt just Riley who was in the Hospital Wing for the Christmas festivities. Hermione was also stuck up there too. So after dinner that day, the Slytherin met up with Harry and Ron and hurried on their way to wish Hermione a Happy Christmas, visit Riley before returning to their Common rooms for festive cheer with their Housemates. In the Gryffindor common room it was lucky enough to only be the Weasleys and Harry, whereas the Common room had six second year Slytherins and two 6th year Slytherins, but neither of the snakes seemed to care because the eight of them were real big friends and spent most of their feet time together whether it was during the Holidays or term time anyway.

Hermione was still in the Hospital Wing several weeks after Christmas, and when everyone had come to school there were rumours that she had been attacked during the Christmas holidays. Many students filed past the Hospital Wing trying to catch a glimpse of her, but Madam Pomfrey had already removed her curtains and put them up so no one could see Hermione with her cat face and whiskers. Her friends visited her every day, and when term started her homework was collected by them and brought up to her; Charlie even made a portfolio of Riley's work in hopes that the Gryffindor would be happy to do it once she was unpertfied. The shock of finding her friend was starting to wear off now, and Charlie was coming to terms with the fact that her best friend was going to be just fine once the Mandrakes had grown up properly. Although she was still upset that she didnt have her friend to laugh and joke aroun with, she could concentrate more on finding the Heir of Slytherin and making him pay for what he had done.

"If i'd sprouted whiskers, I'd take a break from work" Ron said, one evening after school had ended and he, Charlie and Harry were sitting beside Hermione's bed

But Hermione merely shook her head and looked over the work that needed to be done "Exams are fast approaching. I gotta be on top game" she told her friend

"Hey! What's this?" Charlie exclaimed, reaching for small object that was protruding from the bottom of her friends bed "Get Well Soon!" she read having swiftly tugged it out from under her friends pillow and jumped out of reach of Hermione's hand, she smirked and opened the card and began to read "To Miss Granger, wishing you a speedy recovery, from your concerned teacher, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honourary Member of the Dark Force Defence Leagure and eight times winner of Witch Weekly's most Charming-Smile Award"

By the end of the letter the Slytherin looked ready to puke

"Do you sleep with that under your pillow?" Ron asked, swiping the card from his Slytherin friend and reading it "Seriously Hermione?"

But Hermione was saved from answering by Madam Pomfrey who sweeped over her with her evening dose of medicine.

"Come on," Charlie said, knowing this was their cue to leave "Goodnight Rils" she added to her friend on the otherside of the room and left the Hospital Wing with Harry and Ron who were still discussing Lockhart as they walked away.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

The end of January came faster than expected, and soon it was a week before Feburary. One night after dinner, Charlie had met up with Harry and Ron just outside the Great Hall and were on their way up to visit Hermione and Riley when they found that the second floor corridor on their run was over-flowing with water. "Yuck!" Ron cried

"Looks like Moaning Myrtle's flooded the bathroom," Harry stated

Charlie glanced his way, before the three of them hurried towards the bathroom kicking up water as they ran. Once inside they could hear Myrtle's wails echoing loudly from the top of the cubicles, if possible she was crying louder and harder, she stopped when the three second years entered and turned in their direction.

"Come to throw something else at me?" she asked

"Why would I throw something at you?" Harry asked

"Don't ask me," Myrtle retorted "Here I am minding my own business and someone thinks its funny to throw a book at me"

Ron frowned "But it can't hurt if somoene throws something at you," he started, despite Harry and Charlie motioning for him to shut up "It'll just go right through you -" he was cut off as Charlie jumped on his back and wrapped her hands around his mouth.

But the damage had been done, Myrtle swooped down on them and shrieked "Sure! Let's all throw books at Myrtle because she can't feel it." she raged "Ten points if you get it through her stomach! Fifty points if it goes through her head!"

"But who threw it at you, anyway?" Charlie asked, dropping down from Ron's back

"I don't know," the ghost answered "I didnt see them. I was just sitting in the U-bend thinking about death, and it fell through the top of my head" she nodded, sobs coming back and she turned away from them tearfully, before floating away.

"Its hard to believe that she was once in Slytherin," Charile mumured watching the ghost float away

But neither of the boys answered her as Harry walked away and picked up an old worn book from the floor "What's that?" Ron asked

"Its a diary," Harry answered shaking the book of the water that was resided on the cover.

Glancing over her shoulder Charlie turned back to her friends "Someone's coming!" she stated "Maybe we should get out of here before we're caught"

The two boys nodded and they hurried off back to Gryffindor Common room.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

The first of February rolled around and Hermione left the Hospital wing de-whiskered, tail-less and fur-free. Her friends were there waiting for her, and they had returned to the Gryffindor Common room. On her first night back in Gryffindor Tower, Harry showed her the diary they had found in the Girls bathroom after they accused Myrtle of flooding said bathroom.

"Oooh," Hermione squealed when she first saw it "it might have hidden powers"

"If it has; it's hiding them well" Ron stated "Maybe it's shy. I don't know why you don't chuck it, Harry"

"I wish I knew why someone did try to get rid of it," Harry frowned

The red head shrugged

"What?" Charlie asked, noticing the look on Hermione's face

Hermione frowned "Well, the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago, wasn't it?" she asked

"Yeah," Harry nodded

"And this diary is fifty years old?" Hermione asked

"So?" Ron asked

Hermione olled her eyes "Oh Ron, wake up!" she cried "We know the person who opened the Chamber of Secrets last time was expelled 50 years ago. We know T. got an award for special services to the school 50 years ago. Well, what if Riddle got his special award for catching the Heir of Slytherin? His diary would probably tell us everything, where the Chamber is and how to open it -"

"And what sort of Creature lives in it?" Charlie asked

Hermione nodded "The person who's behind the attacks this time," she spoke up "they wouldnt want this lying around, now would they?"

Harry, Ron and Charlie exchanged looks; this was more than they expected.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Over the next couple of days, the inside of the castle had grown more hopeful. There had been no more attacks since that of Riley; that and Madam Pomfrey was pleased to report that the Mandrakes were becoming moody and more secretive, meaning that they were leaving childhood fast.

But no matter how many people thought that the attacks had stopped, there was always one who was ready for the terror to continue, and continue to place the blame on those who were deemed innocent in the eyes of the Headmaster. Jacob Scotts, a 2nd year Hufflepuff was still convinced that Harry or Charlie was still the Heir of Slytherins, that they had given themselves away during the Duelling Club or Charlie had lost her nerve after she had attacked her best friend, of course when he voiced these opinions in the middle of the Entrance Hall one morning after breakfast he didnt expect to land himself in the Hospital Wing after being jumped by an angry looking Charlie Hunter.

While his friends attempted to help him, Charlie wasnt letting go anytime soon "Get her off me!" Jacob shouted, as the students leaving breakfast crowded around to see what was going on

"You want a Heir of Slytherin?" the Muggleborn growled, "I'll give you a Heir of Slytherin. Just know that I would never attack Riley!" and she raised her fist to hit him again, just as someone appeared behind her and pulled her off of him.

"She admitted it!" Jacob cried, as his friends pulled him into a sitting position "She admitted to being the Heir!"

Charlie glared "I didnt say anything!" she growled "I said I'd give you a Heir of Slytherin if thats what you wanted so badly! I didnt say that I was the Heir of Slytherin!"

"Its as good as a proper confession!" he retorted

Susan Bones, a friend of both Charlie and Riley shook her head "Jacob, you just making it worse for yourself" she told him in her soft voice "Just leave her alone. Charlie cant be the Heir of Slytherin, she's a muggleborn and she's just too nice. And besides, she'd never attack Riley, their best friends"

"Dont defend the Slytherin!" Jacob snapped at her

Charlie struggled in whoever was holding her "Don't snap at her!" she yelled at Jacob "at least she understands! You go around saying that Harry or I is the Heir of Slytherin anymore and you're gonna wish you were Petrified!"

"Miss. Hunter!" screeched Prof. McGonagall's voice as she walked out of the Great Hal to see what all the fuss was about in the Entrance Hall "that is quite enough! Mr. Scotts, 10 points will be taking from Hufflepuff for provoking a fight"

Jacob looked crestfallen

McGonagall rounded on Charlie "10 points will be taken from Slytherin for bodily harm to another Student" she told the second year "and you will also recieve detention. Report to Mr. Filch at 7:00pm tonight. Understand?"

"Yes, Professor" Charlie mumured

The Transfiguration professor nodded and shooed the remainder of the students away, as she headed up the marble staircase and disappeared towards the seventh floor and her first class of the day. Jacob smirked at the fact that Charlie had gotten the worse end of the stick, before he turned and walked way with his Hufflepuff friends, dragging Susan along with him. Charlie, meanwhile was left standing in the middle of the Entrance Hall with her Slytherin friends, she pulled away from Draco and Nathan who had hold of her, and stormed towards the dungeons for her first period of the day which happened to be Potions.

"So much for a quiet here at Hogwarts," Pansy mumured to the others, as they followed after Charlie

A/N: Mhmm...so what do you make of this? Did Charlie over-react? Or would you have done the same?

Next chapter will be Charlie's detention what interesting facts will she find during this evening? Keep reading to find out.

Review (please)

~*Kara*~

All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Chapter updated 02/01/2011 at 05:29pm