"December 31, 1939."

Dear Descendants,

Our plan begins!

There was the by now familiar lurch and disorientation and Hinata found himself, surprisingly, in an unfamiliar bedroom that he was fairly sure was not in the Hogwarts castle.

For one thing, it so large Hinata almost mistook the room for an entire house if not for the lavish four poster bed in the center, engraved with what looked like actual silver.

"This is a terrible idea," Ichiro muttered and Hinata was pulled from his assessment to look at the two Slytherin teenagers, both now in their third year.

"Nonsense," Hisashi replied cheerfully, examining his reflection in the full length mirror and carefully adjusting his dress robes. "We wouldn't be going if it was a terrible idea. We are two highly intelligent wizards, after, all and tend to avoid all matters of terribleness. Therefore, as we most certainly are going, it cannot possibly be a terrible idea."

Ichiro looked unimpressed with his roommate's flippant response. "I can't even tell you how bad that logic was."

Hisashi snorted. "Fine, then believe me about this. I definitely wouldn't have spent an entire year's worth of my time training you on pureblood culture for something I thought would fail."

"Maybe this is just a part of a larger plan.," Ichiro argued mulishly, crossing his arms . "You take me to your fancy pureblood party and then have them tear me apart for being a muggleborn. Then, you can shrug and say 'Ah, poor Ichiro. Oh well, at least I get the room to myself.'"

"Oh, please, who do you take me for?" Hisashi grinned, swinging an arm around Ichiro's shoulders while being careful not to disturb the robes. "That's so convoluted. If I wanted a room to myself, I'd stick with the easy stuff. Like blackmail or bribery. Much less hassle."

Ichiro huffed out a laugh.

"Finally, a smile," Hisashi teased. "Might want to get some Spello-tape and stick it to your face unless someone sees your scowl and mistakes you for a troll, rather than a pureblood."

Ichiro rolled his eyes. "Remind me. Why I agreed to this again?"

"Because," Hisashi said, dragging him to the fireplace against the wall, "as much as your natural obstinate disposition would suggest otherwise, you actually are an opportunist. And, deep down, you know that this is the only way you're ever going to find respect in the Wizarding World rather than wasting your days as a muggleborn stocker at Borgin and Burkes. So, stop complaining and let's use that Slytherin ambition to show them why they should never forget the Noroi family or their allies."

Ichiro took a deep breath, settling himself, before nodding.

"Okay, you're right. Let's do this."

Hisashi smiled, before opening a jar on the mantle and throwing something into the fire.

The light turned from orange to a vivid green and both Hisashi and Ichiro stepped into it, albeit the later with clear hesitance.

"Ministry Atrium," Hisashi called and Hinata watched as the two teens both disappeared into the fire.

The room around Hinata started to go black and at first, he thought the memory was ending but then-

Hinata blinked and he found himself in an elegant hall turned ballroom, candles drifting through the air as finely dressed witches and wizards drifted around the room.

He turned to see Hisashi and Ichiro making their way out of a fireplace, still looking perfectly un-burned.

"Now, let's just find the right type of person to talk to first," Hinata heard Hisashi whisper as they got closer. "How about...yes, perfect."

Hisashi-followed by Ichiro, who adopted a mask of calm indifference-set off through the party until he was called to by a witch in a eye searing bright purple gown.

"Why it couldn't be little Hisashi Noroi, could it," she asked, eyes fluttering with mild interest. "Looking all grown up, aren't you?"

Hisashi smiled plasticly. "Ayaka Miura, so nice to see you were invited. I didn't know your family even worked with the Ministry."

"Oh," Miura said, smiling but now looking a touch more uncertain. "We don't yet. But Itsuo-you remember my husband, right?-is being considered for the open seat in the Wizamagot." She leaned closer. "Actually, between you and me, I was hoping to see your father here to inquire about his vote."

"Father was indisposed tonight," Hisashi said. "He came down with a nasty case of Dragon Pox."

"Oh my, I hope he's okay," Miura gasped, and there was something in her expression that reminded Hinata of a hunting bird.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to worry you," Hisashi replied, voice light and already smiling away her concerns. "He's already recovered, just didn't want to risk the party if he was still contagious."

Miura settled, looking almost disappointed. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. I'm sorry I couldn't see him here."

Her eyes flickered around the room, already looking for the next conversation when Hisashi spoke again.

"Thank you, I'll make sure to pass it on. Father sent me to attend in his stead and I'm sure he'll be quite interested to hear about my night," Hisashi's eyes glinted speculatively and Hinata noticed Miura had turned back her attention. "Especially about your husband Itsuo. It's not everyday we get the chance to support such a wonderful up and coming family."

"Why thank you. I can tell you're growing up to be a charmer just like your father." Miura smiled, eyes running over Hisashi and seeming to notice Ichiro for the first time. "And, who is this you have with you? I don't believe we've met."

Hisashi frowned in what almost looked like genuine confusion. "Oh, have you not? I'm sorry for not introducing you. I thought, for sure, you would've already met him at-" Hisashi shook his head. "Oh, but I suppose you weren't at that. Akaya Miura, allow me to introduce you to Ichiro Iganthe."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance." Ichiro held out a hand, speaking in a crisp clear voice with just the slightest hint of disinterest-as if he was still deciding whether the person in front of him was worth his time.

The tone obviously threw Miura off and she was a second late meeting his hand, making her look slightly frazzled in the face of Ichiro's cool countenance. "Iganthe? I haven't heard that family name."
"Really," Hisashi asked, with a slightly judgemental tone. "The Iganthes have been allies with the Norois for centuries." He tilted his head. "Though, I suppose they have been mainly in Greece since your family's rise."

"A foreign wizard," Miura said, seizing on some kind of perceived difference. "Well, then I'm sure it's taken you a bit to get used to the British wizard customs."

Ichiro shook his head with a laugh. "Oh no,the Iganthes are traditionally British wizards. My grandparents just believed Greece would be a lovely place to retire. I'm back now for school."

"Ichiro and I were lucky enough to be placed together as roommates," Hisashi said, smiling in way that suggested it had more to do with influence than luck. And, also, implying that the Iganthes and Norois were close enough allies to wish to secure rooming.

Miura nodded, taking a quick sip of her wine and tapping on the glass nervously. "You know I do think I've heard about the Iganthes now that you've jogged my memory. Your family's renowned for...potions, right?"

"Transfiguration, actually," Ichiro corrected. "Among a number of other things, of course."

"Of course," Miura parroted. "Well, then I find myself lucky enough to speak to not one, but two charming young wizards tonight. Aren't I fortunate?"

"And we, to speak with the wife of a future Wizamagot member," Hisashi answered smoothly. "If you'll excuse us, however, we haven't even gotten the chance to get our drinks yet and I must give the Minister a message from my father."

"No excuse necessary," Miura assured, looking relieved. "I'll believe I should go check in on my husband as well."

Hisashi and Ichiro nodded, heading off in the direction of the refreshments.

When they were out of earshot, Hisashi leaned over.

"Miura's the best gossip at this entire party," Hisashi whispered. "Trust me, by the time we get drinks, everybody's going to be talking about the famous Iganthe family's return."

Ichiro nodded, distracted.

"What's wrong," Hisashi asked.

Ichiro laughed, reaching a hand up to run it through his hair before stopping himself. "I just didn't' think it would be that easy."

Hisashi smiled widely, bumping a shoulder into Ichiro. "See, I told you that you should trust me. We're allies."

Everything blurred and this time, the memory really did end and Hinata was left sitting in his empty dorm room.

Hisashi had apparently been too busy to write a long entry for this memory and the only new words that showed on the page were:

I knew it would work.

Superbiam Nunquam Cadere

Hisashi Noroi

ooooooo

Bokuto waited as the rest of Investigators' Club passed the journal around, faces growing grim as they read the final entry.

When everyone was finished, Iwaizumi leaned back and groaned. "So, basically not only was one of the founders driven insane and doing who knows how many dark rituals around the castle. But, his Heir-the guy we're looking for-might also have snapped from the same ancient bloody curse and now thinks killing muggleborns is a good idea."

Oikawa hummed, running a hand along the journal entry. "If the Heir is affected by a madness curse that's apparently pretty easy to hide, it definitely will hurt our chances of deciphering a clear motive."

"Though, I'll say again, it could might not even be the Heir," Suga said softly.

Bokuto snorted, giving Suga a fond eye roll. "Come on, Suga, give it a rest. It's gotta be the Heir! Even if we didn't have the wall messages, the spooky stuff in the journal totally sales it."

"Not to mention, Slytherin's rant about the 'monster' matches perfectly with the petrifications," Oikawa added.

"And the the timing working out to be just a year after the Founders' Treasure was uncovered," Kuroo agreed.

Suga sighed. "Fine...but we still don't know if the current Heir of Slytherin is affected by the curse. It sounds like the curse only worked on specific generations."

"Yeah, but if anything, that makes it worse," Iwaizumi argued. "Either the guy's curse crazy and doesn't have any clear goals or he's been keeping his identity hidden and is working on some larger goal that we still don't know anything about. And we won't know for sure which one until after we figure out who it is."

Oikawa tapped the journal page. "So, we're just as clueless about the Heir, fine. What's bothering me is Hufflepuff mentioning evidence of a dark ritual."

Kuroo huffed out a laugh. "Yeah, mysterious dark rituals bother me, too. I think it's kind of their point."

Oikawa shook his head. "That's not what I meant. We've been looking at the petrifications as something caused by a potion, a spell, or a creature. We've already ruled out creature based on none fitting. But if the dark ritual Slytherin did was to create a potion? Then, it would've been in the same room as he died, Hufflepuff would have definitely seen it or even cleaned it up while she was cleaning the rest. There's no way the Heir could've gotten it."

"Maybe it was just a potion recipe and the ritual was to test it," Suga suggested, frowning.

"Then, the Heir could be using the recipe now and making the potion to petrify people," Bokuto added.

Again Oikawa shook his head. "Not if the ritual demanded the creator's life like it appears Slytherin's did. That leaves the other option as a spell but…."

"Spells are instantaneous," Kuroo finished. "If Slytherin was doing a spell, it would've been used then and there-not to help the Heir centuries in the future."

"Exactly," Oikawa agreed. "So that eliminates the three most likely options which means all that we have left now are the unlikely ones."

"What are the unlikely ones," Bokuto asked.

Oikawa thought for a second. "Either a charm or some kind of herbology project." He pulled a face. "Merlin, I hope it's not herbology."

Iwaizumi laughed. "Relax, Hufflepuff was a Herbology genius, right? I'm pretty sure, even in shock, she would've recognized some weird unidentifiable plant in the room. I think you can live to avoid plants another day."

Oikawa smiled, looking genuinely relieved.

"A charm would make sense," Suga continued. "Both Hufflepuff and Slytherin were known for them and...even with her expertise...a charmed object would've been much easier to miss if she didn't know what to look for."

"But, how did the Heir get the charmed object," Bokuto interjected. "I mean it's not like the guy could write it in his will like 'and to my Heir, I leave this cursed object. Petrify safely.'"

Kuroo snorted. "Maybe he told them about it beforehand and they knew where to find it."

Suga looked up suddenly. "Or….or maybe someone else found it and didn't know what it was."

The room quieted, thinking through the possibilities.

Finally, Oikawa sighed. "I don't know. A charm's the only good option but it just doesn't seem right. I mean it's not like Mori or Mananda were found holding something unusual or even around anything strange. A charm just seems too weird." Oikawa scrubbed a hand over his face. "This entire thing is a mess. I'm going to expand my research to see if I can find any old charms that would fit the description, too." He groaned. "As if translating through dusty spell books wasn't a nightmare already."

"Your service is noted and appreciated," Kuroo said dryly.

Oikawa made a rude hand gesture.

"I guess me and Bo will keep on looking for anyone going through weird mood changes or something." Kuroo shrugged. "Maybe we can find an angle on the curse that way."

"I'll keep looking into the Chamber." Suga stood, looking at Iwaizumi and Kuroo. "Now, if we don't hurry then you two are going to be late for class. I think we're already too late for breakfast."

"NOooo," Bokuto moaned piteously. "But, it's the most important meal of the day. Bro, I feel so bad for you."

Kuroo rolled his eyes while Suga smiled, pulling out a small pile of wrapped scones from his bag. "I might've had a feeling we'd run out of time. I stopped by the kitchen and asked the house elves to pack them."

"You're an angel, Suga," Kuroo said, already swiping a scone off the table. "Now, at least when I fall asleep in History of Magic, it can be with a full stomach."

"Somehow I doubt that'll keep Professor Naoi from giving you detention," Iwaizumi commented dryly, nodding a thanks at Suga for the breakfast.

"Never know until you try." Kuroo shrugged before directing his gaze to Bokuto and the two Slytherins. "You guys are so lucky you to start the first day back from break with a free period."

Oikawa smirked widely. "Should've been a Slytherin."

"Sometimes I'm still surprised Kuroo's not," muttered Bokuto, watching as Iwaizumi and Kuroo started down the hall. He blinked, turning to the remaining with large hopeful eyes. "We still have time for breakfast though, right?"

Oikawa snorted, pulling Bokuto down the hall in the direction of the Great Hall. "Yeah, I think we'll manage to fit into our busy schedule."

Suga hummed, catching up at Oikawa's other side. "Speaking about busy schedules, I heard Hara Naroko from Gryffindor asked you out yesterday?"

"What?! Seriously," Bokuto said, jerking his head over to Oikawa. "Bro, she's a fifth year, right? How did you do that? We've only been back like a day."

Oikawa blushed bright red, bringing up an arm to cover his face.

"I don't even know," Oikawa mumbled. "She just came up and started talking to me on the train and asking if it was true I went on a date with Mai. I've never even met her before."

"Did you say yes," Suga asked.

Oikawa shrugged. "I didn't say no."

"Oh my gosh," Bokuto interrupted, voice low and almost in awe. "This is the best thing ever. You got accidentally popular and you don't even know how to talk to girls."

Both Oikawa and Suga turned to stare at Bokuto before suddenly Suga broke out into loud peals of laughter.

Oikawa spluttered, glaring at Bokuto. "That's not-How did you even-I know how to talk to girls!" Oikawa shook his head, settling his thoughts. "And I'm definitely not popular. That doesn't even make sense. Merlin, over half my House is probably hoping I get petrified."

Suga's laughter slowed down and he wiped his eyes, smiling up at Oikawa. "But, it does make sense. You just don't see it because you're always with us. Think about it though, you publicly dueled and defeated our last Defense teacher-"

"Not alone," Oikawa argued. "Heck, Bokuto's the one who knocked him out."

"Yeah, but the duel's what the papers focused on." Bokuto grinned.

"Plus, you're consistently highest in grades for our year," Suga added.

"How do high grades make me popular," Oikawa asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It means people know you," Suga answered.

On his other side, Bokuto winked. "Yeah, only we know it's cause you're a nerd."

"And," Suga finished dramatically, "you're the first muggleborn in Slytherin in centuries. That means something to people."

Bokuto nodded in agreement.

Oikawa stared, opening his mouth before closing it and frowning.

Suddenly, he groaned loud enough to echo down the hall.

"But I don't have time to be popular," Oikawa said petulantly.

The answering sound of Bokuto and Suga's laughter, in retrospect, probably should've been expected.

ooooooo

"I can't believe it's almost done," Noya said in wonder and barely concealed excitement.

Sitting around their table in the Great Hall, the group looked down at the mostly completed map-watching as the names of professors and students moved quickly around the hall.

"I can't believe I'll finally have my free periods back without having to wander around every bloody hall in Hogwarts," Tsukishima said dryly, though it lacked some of the bite showing that even he was slightly pleased about the progress.

"Stop, you'll jinx it," Ennoshita warned

"What do we have left to do," Yamaguchi asked. "Until it's finished, I mean?"

Tanaka and Noya glanced at each other before turning back to the group with deceptively innocent expressions.

Ennoshita groaned. "I told you it would jinx us."

"Well, the only thing we really have left," Noya started.

"Which if you think about it is really minor stuff and totally worth completing," Tanaka put in, "especially when we're this close."

"Is the secret passageways," Noya finished.

The rest of the group looked decidedly unimpressed.

"Merlin, and with the Heir still around," Asahi asked nervously.

"Um, I mean technically no one's been petrified in a while, so…" Noya shrugged. "Maybe the Heir's already gone."

"I doubt the Heir up and decided to go on holiday," Ennoshita remarked.

"And, of course, we'd be super careful when going through the secret passageways," Noya cajoled. "Plus, we'll do it in the day so it still really won't be that dangerous."

Daichi rolled his eyes, standing up. "We'll talk about what we will and won't be doing later tonight. Asahi and I are already running late for class."

Asahi squeaked, looking down at his own watch before hastily grabbing his stuff.

"You'll at least think about it, right Daichi," Noya asked hopefully.

Daichi sighed. "Yeah, we'll see."

The two third years waved goodbye to the rest of the group and headed off down the hall.

"Do you think Noya was right," Asahi whispered as they got further away. "Do you think the Heir might've really quit?"

Daichi turned and opened his about to express his doubt, right before running smack into another student.

Years of being a Keeper kicked in and Daichi's hand shot out, steadying the other student before either one of them could fall.

"Sorry, I-," Daichi began, looking up. "Suga?"

Suga laughed sheepishly, already looking a bit breathless. "No, sorry, it was my fault. I was distracted."

On Suga's side, Oikawa sniffed. "Well, maybe if you and Bokuto weren't distracted laughing at the struggles of your poor friend-"

"But where would be the fun in that?" Bokuto grinned, lightly punching Oikawa in the arm.

Suga smiled, looking back at Daichi. "Please ignore the weirdness of my friends."

Daichi laughed. "I think you know, by now, that my friends can be weirder."

"We did say we were sorry about that," Asahi mumbled at his side.

Suga's smile grew and Daichi had a brief moment to think that maybe he actually did have a chance, even after his friend' "help".

"Also, rude, Suga," Oikawa added playfully. "At least we're not running into people in the hall."

Suga opened his mouth to respond before-

"Excuse me," a voice interrupted. "You're blocking the hall."

Daichi turned to see fourth year Slytherin Takeru Nakashima, standing behind them and wearing a slightly annoyed if still mostly friendly expression.

"Sorry," Asahi said politely, the group moving and letting the other teen passed.

Nakashima nodded shortly before quickly starting down the hall in the direction of the Divination classroom.

"I wonder where he's hurrying off to so fast," Suga asked with a frown.

Oikawa yawned, blinking after the teen disinterestedly. "Oh, you haven't heard? He was talking about it non-stop yesterday before we boarded the train. Thank Merlin, we got a separate compartment."

"Heard what," Suga inquired and yeah, now Daichi was kind of curious, too.

"According to Professor Onikobe, Nakashima's some kind of divination prodigy," Oikawa rolled his eyes. "Which probably just means his tea leaves readings are right once out of every eight….So, Nakashima apparently got it into his head over break that he was going to use his always ever so reliable divination powers to try to find out who the Heir of Slytherin is." Oikawa hummed. "Seems pretty confident about it, too."

Daichi processed this, trying to think back to his one year of Divination lessons and remember if Nakashima was actually any good.

"Aww man," Bokuto groaned loudly. "Why didn't I think of that? That would have been so much easier than looking through all those old books."

Suga's eyes flickered to Daichi and Asahi before he leaned over to Oikawa, his brows furrowing. "Why didn't you mention that earlier? When we were all meeting?"

Oikawa shrugged, unbothered. "Because most of Divination is a complete load of-" he glanced at Bokuto before clearing his throat "completely respected branch of magical study."

Beside Daichi, Asahi let out a quick surprised laugh.

Oikawa smiled innocently at Suga. "The point is I thought we had a much better chance with real solid research than relying on Nakashima's divination skills."

Suga nodded, seemingly accepting that answer though Daichi noted his shoulders still looked tense and his eyes were caught in some sort of thought.

Oikawa swung an arm around Bokuto. "Besides we've got this guy for all our divination predictions, remember?"

Bokuto grinned widely, holding up a hand to his forehead in a fake psychic pose. "Yeah, and I predict that today is going to be a totally awesome day and that nothing bad's going to happen."

There was a single beat of silence before-

"Oh no," Asahi moaned, looking down at his watch. "We're so late for class. Professor Naoi's going to kill us."

Daichi swore, allowing Asahi to pull him off down the hall.

Before he got out of earshot, he heard Bokuto say, "Um, it's possible my predictions need a little bit of work."

But as he glanced back and saw Suga smile while waving him off, Daichi thought that maybe some things were worth being a little late to class.

ooooooo

The late night found Yachi tucked down into her favorite corner of the library and surrounded by a pile of books. She scanned through another section, muttering to herself as she added it to her ever growing list of notes.

The sound of a throat clearing interrupted her from her reading and she looked up with a startled, "Eep!"

Shimizu-um, Kiyoko looked down at her with an amused smile.

"Sorry to interrupt your reading," Kiyoko said. "But the library's about to close for the night."

"What," Yachi said, glancing up at the clock. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Did I keep you here late? I did, didn't I? Oh, that's so rude. I promise I really didn't mean to do that. Please, don't hate me. I just always am here with my friends but their Quidditch practice ran late so I came here early and then I lost track of time and I…"

Yachi faded off at the sound of Kiyoko's soft laugh.

"It's fine. You didn't make me late, I normally stay here until now," Kiyoko reassured. Her smile grew a bit mischievous and Yachi suddenly felt entranced to see a new side of the older girl. "Actually, sometimes I get caught up myself and end up missing my own curfew. That's why I thought I'd better remind you so you're not late."

"Oh…" Yachi said, feeling an inexplicable blush raise to her face. "Thank you, but, um, I don't want to leave you with all these books to put away."

Kiyoko smiled, pointing her wand at the books Yachi indicated. "Et Levare Reditus"

The books levitated up in the air, looking almost weightless, before the stack separated and flew to different sections of the library.

"It's really no problem," Kiyoko told her. "Would you like me to walk you back to your dorm. The Gryffindor tower is on my way."

"Oh, that would….that would be great," Yachi said, gathering up the remaining books and putting them in her bag. "Thank you, I always hate walking alone."

Kiyoko nodded, leading her out and activating the locking spell on the library door.

"So, what were you reading," Kiyoko asked as they walked. "More history about the Chamber?"

"Ah, not directly," Yachi answered, nerves steadying as she got into a topic she was more familiar with. "I'm looking at Hogwarts building construction and maintenance requests."

Kiyoko hummed contemplatively. "How does that relate to the Chamber?"

"Well, I think…" Yachi wondered momentarily on how to put it into words. "If the Chambers in the Hogwarts and it hasn't been found then...it means that Hogwarts would have had to build around it. Because if the newer constructions had hit it then everyone would've known about it." Yachi pulled out her notes. "So, I'm trying to mark down every part of Hogwarts that's been built on or expanded since the Founding and then I can map it out and, um…"

"Then the areas that haven't been worked on would show the possibilities for the Chamber location," Kiyoko concluded, looking impressed. "That's really genius, Hitoka."

Yachi blushed again. "It's, um, it's nothing. I probably won't find anything. The Chamber could be off the castle somewhere or...well, you know, the castle moves by itself sometimes so that might throw everything off."

"It's still quite ingenious," Kiyoko corrected softly. "Looking for the absence rather than any mentions in the legend. I doubt anyone else has thought to go about it that way."

The blush darkened but Yachi decided to just nod rather than argue further. Sometimes, it was nice to just accept the compliment.

Yachi turned the next hall, looking back at Kiyoko. "Hopefully, I can find it before-Kiyoko?"

The Ravenclaw girl had stopped suddenly and was looking at Yachi with big wide eyes, her hands coming up to cover her mouth.

Slowly, Yachi turned to look behind her and-

Yachi screamed.

Standing frozen in the hall were the obviously petrified figures of Slytherin fourth and fifth years, Takeru Nakashima and Tatsuo Okamoto. A deep red puddle spread out beneath them, shining in the candle light in a way that Yachi almost mistook for blood until she looked at the wall.

Okamoto's hand was still dipped in the red paint and behind him read the unfinished message:

The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies of the Heir-

ooooooo

A/N: Thanks for your support!

Next Chapter: Getting Closer