Hailey, Ron, Hermione, Mandy, and Michael knew that Hagrid had an unfortunate liking for large and monstrous creatures. During their first year at Hogwarts, he had tried to raise a dragon in his little wooden house, and it would be a long time before they forgot the Cerberus that Hagrid named Fluffy. If, as a boy, Hagrid heard that a monster was hidden somewhere in the castle, Hailey and Michael was sure that Hagrid would go to great lengths for a glimpse of it. Hagrid probably thought that it was a shame that the monster had been cooped up so long, and thought it deserved the chance to stretch its many legs. Hailey could just imagine a thirteen-year-old Hagrid trying to fit a leash and collar on it, but she was also certain that Hagrid would never have meant to kill anybody.

Her friends made her recount the story many times, although she tried to avoid mentioning that Tom Riddle was handsome, because Michael got an odd look on his face when she told Mandy about it. After recounting it after a while, she was sick of repeating it and the circular conversations that followed.

"Riddle might have got the wrong person," said Hermione. "Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people…"

"How many monster d'you think this place can hold?" Ron asked dully. "Don't answer that you three." He had noticed that Hailey, Mandy, and Michael were getting ready to debate it.

"We always knew Hagrid had been expelled," said Hailey miserably. "And the attacks must've stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have got his award."

Ron said, "Riddle does sound like Percy—who asked him to squeal on Hagrid, anyway?"

Michael asked, "What does Riddle sounding like Percy matter to the conversation?"

"But, the monster had killed someone, you two," said Hermione, bringing the topic back around.

"And Riddle was going back to some Muggle orphanage if they closed Hogwarts," said Hailey. "I don't blame him for wanting to stay here…"

"I wouldn't want to go back to the Muggle world when there was a war going on," Michael responded.

Mandy asked Hailey, "Didn't you meet Hagrid down Knockturn Alley?"

"He was buying a Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent," answered Hailey quickly.

They fell silent and Michael looked through a book, while Mandy rolled a bottle of velvet purple ink back and forth between her hands.

"Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all?" Hermione asked.

"That'd be a cheerful visit," said Ron. "'Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?'" Michael chuckled at that.

In the end, they decided that they would not say anything to Hagrid unless there was another attack.

As more and more days went by with no whisper from the disembodied voice, they became hopeful that they would never need to talk to him about why he had been expelled.

Four months had gone by since Justin and Nearly Headless Nick had been Petrified, causing nearly everybody to think that the attacker, whoever it was, had retired for good. Peeves got bored of his, "Oh, Potter, you rotter" song, Ernie Macmillan asked Hailey quite politely if he can borrow some of her ink in History of Magic, one day. In March, several of the Mandrakes threw a loud and raucous party in greenhouse three, which made Professor Sprout very happy. "The moment they start trying to move into each other's pots, we'll know they're fully mature. Then we'll be able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing."

"And Mrs Norris," Hailey added quickly.

However, the Mandrakes throwing the party made Mandy a little grumpy, because she grumbled, "Why didn't they invite me?"

During the Easter holidays, they had to choose their subjects for the third year. Neville Longbottom had been sent letters from all the witches and wizards in his family, all giving him different advice on what to choose. Even Colton Taylor, Neville's cousin, tried to help out.

Hailey smiled grimly to herself at the thought of what Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would say if she tried to discuss her career in witchcraft with them. However, Percy was eager to share his experience.

"Depends where you want to go, Hailey," he said. "It's never too early to think about the future, so I'd recommend Divination. People say Muggle Studies is a soft option, but I personally think wizards and witches should have a thorough understanding of the non-magical community, particular if they're thinking of working in close contact with them—look at my father, he has to deal with Muggle business all the time. My brother Charlie was always more of an outdoor type, so he went for Care of Magical Creatures. Play to your strengths, Hailey."

Picking out classes was something that Hermione, Mandy, and Michael took very seriously.

"It could affect our whole future," Hermione told Hailey and Ron as they pored over their lists, marking them with checks in the library. However, Hermione signed up for everything.

"I just want to give up Potions," said Hailey.

"We can't," said Ron gloomily. "We keep all our old subjects, or I'd've ditched Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"But that's very important!" exclaimed Hermione, shocked.

"Not the way Lockhart teaches it," said Ron. "I haven't learned anything from him."

"All I learned was how not to set pixies loose," Mandy responded.

"I learned that they create mass destruction in about forty seconds," Michael stated. He looked over at all the subjects Hermione checked off. "You're supposed to mark off two classes, minimum, and three classes maximum."

Mandy looked over Hermione's list, too. "They would just knock off most of that." Hermione waved her hand at them. Mandy looked at the subjects and checked off Divination, Arthimancy, and Care of Magical Creatures. For extra-curricular she marked off Xylomancy and Ghoul Studies.

Michael asked, "Ghoul Studies? Why would you want to be in that class?"

Hailey looked at her list, where Ghoul Studies is described as learning about ghouls, ghosts, and poltergeists.

"It's going to be fun," Mandy said. "I hear that near the end of the year, the class goes to Hogsmeade Cemetery to learn about ghouls and then they go to London to learn about the ghosts there."

Hailey said slowly, "All…right…"

Michael looked at his list, and checked of Arthimancy, Study of Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures. For extra-curricular he checked off Ancient Studies.

"No Divination?" Hailey asked feeling slightly disappointed at the thought.

"I hear that it's boring," Michael replied, shrugging.

"Why Study of Ancient Runes, then?" Ron asked. "I hear that it's all theoretical."

"Being a Curse-Breaker doesn't sound too bad as a career choice," Michael muttered. "And I figure taking Ancient Studies might be useful."

Hailey figured he had a point there.

"I kind of wish Alchemy was optional for us," Mandy said sadly looking at the class which was marked for fifth, sixth and seventh years.

In the end, Hailey chose Divination and Care of Magical Creatures, like Ron did. If she was bad at any of the classes, at least they might have a chance to be together in class.

The next Quidditch game was against Hufflepuff. Roger Davis had insisted on team practice after dinner. At least the days were getting a bit drier.

The evening before Saturday's match, she went up to the dormitory to drop off her broomstick when she met Sue Li at the top of the stairs who was looking shaken. "Hailey—I don't know why—I just found—"

"What are you talking about?" Hailey asked.

Sue Li opened the door and everything was upturned. It looked like all the contents of the trunk were thrown everywhere. The bedclothes had been pulled off the beds and the drawers on the bedside cabinets had been upended on the beds.

Hailey's jaw dropped and she walked over to the bed. As she put the blankets back on, while Sue Li went around picking up stuff, Mandy, Lisa Turpin, and Padma Patil walked in.

"What happened?" Padma asked, confused.

"Don't know," Sue Li said.

Mandy went to her trunk and noticed the pockets on her robes had been upturned. "I think someone's been looking for something. Is there anything missing from you?"

It took a while, but they managed to get everything sorted, and Hailey tossed the last of the Lockhart books in her trunk, she realized the diary wasn't there.

"Riddle's diary's gone," Hailey whispered to Mandy.

Mandy gaped, "What?"

Hailey motioned toward the door and they left to the common room. Michael was reading some book called The Decline of Pagan Magic by Bathilda Bagshot. They joined him at the table and told him about what happened.

Michael looked surprised and a little uncomfortable at the news. "Only a girl could go upstairs."

"Only a Ravenclaw can enter," Mandy said.

"Hermione and Ron came in during Christmas. Hermione answered the riddle," Hailey pointed out.

"So, the person who trashed your dormitory is smart and a female," Michael said.

"Who else knows about Riddle's diary, other than Ron and Hermione?" Mandy asked.

"Hermione wouldn't trash the dormitory to look for it," Hailey said. "She knows which bed I was sleeping in and she wouldn't steal it. She would ask if she can have another look at it."

The next morning brought brilliant sunshine and a light refreshing breeze. The Ravenclaws were wearing their Quidditch robes and had their brooms with them. Hailey was reminded of Robert Hilliard, their previous prefect's, welcoming message, telling them to have make sure that they had everything with them, because of the riddle.

"This is perfect Qudditch weather!" said Roger Davis happily. He dropped toast on his teams' plates.

Hailey was busy looking at the Ravenclaws, wondering if any of the other girls stole Riddle's diary for some reason.

"Are you all right?" Cho asked looking at Hailey.

Hailey blinked, "I'm fine."

Mandy walked up to Hailey, "Michael says he that he has something important to tell us."

Hailey grabbed her broomstick and followed Mandy and Michael out of the Great Hall with Hermione and Ron following after them. Hailey was a bit nervous about what it was that Michael had to tell them.

"What is it?" Ron asked eyeing Michael.

Michael started, "It's about—"

"Kill this time…let me rip…tear…"

"What?" Hailey blurted out and the others jumped in alarm. "The voice!" she looked at them. "I just heard it again—You didn't hear it?"

Ron was wide-eyed and Mandy was looking like she was thinking hard. Michael was looking at the staircase and Hermione clapped a hand to her forehead.

"Hailey—I think I've just understood something! I've got to go the library!" Hermione said.

"I'll go with you. I think we need to collaborate on it," Mandy said, following after Hermione.

"What did they figure out?" Hailey asked bewildered.

"Loads more than I do," said Ron, shaking his head.

Hailey looked at Michael and squinted at him. "What were you going to say that was so important?"

"It's about Riddle's diary," Michael started.

"Did you figure out who took it?" Hailey asked eagerly.

"Actually…" Michael started, but people were now emerging from the Great Hall, talking loudly, and making their way to the Quidditch pitch.

"You better get moving—it's nearly eleven," Ron said. "The match—"

Hailey went after the Ravenclaw team to the locker room, wondering what it was that Mandy and Hermione figured out. She took slight comfort over the thought that at least there wouldn't be many targets for the voice to attack. There were Mandy and Hermione, but they were bright, they could handle themselves. After Roger gave the usual pep talk that boiled down to, "Crush our opponents into the dirt. Not literally but it won't hurt to try."

The teams walked onto the field to tumultuous applause. Roger Davis and Jason Samuels took off around the goalpost, for a pre-game warm-up flight. Madam Hooch released the balls, while the Hufflepuff team, in canary yellow robes, huddled together for probably a last-minute tactics discussion.

Hailey just mounted her broom when she noticed Professor McGonagall, half running and half marching across the Qudditch pitch, holding a purple megaphone.

Professor McGonagall said into the megaphone, "This match has been canceled." She was addressing the whole stadium. There was boos and shouts. Roger and Jason both looking devastated, landed. She continued, "All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!"

She lowered the megaphone and beckoned Hailey over to her. "Potter, I think you'd better come with me…"

Hailey passed her broom to Cho and ran after Professor McGonagall, wondering what it was that Professor McGonagall suspected her of doing. Ron and Michael ran up as they made their way to the castle.

Professor McGonagall looked at them. "Yes, perhaps you better come too, Weasely and Corner."

There were some students that were around them, some grumbling about the match being cancelled and others were looking worried.

The three second years followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase. Professor McGonagall led them to the infirmary instead of somebody's office this time. In a surprising gentle voice, Professor McGonagall said, "This will be a bit of a shock. There has been another attack…a triple attack."

Hailey's heart sped up, realizing who the professor was talking about. Michael grabbed Hailey's hand and gave it a squeeze. His hand was kind of sweaty and released her hand. Professor McGonagall pushed open the door. Madam Pomfrey was bending over a sixth year, with long, blonde curly hair.

Hailey gaped, "Penelope?" On the bed next to Penelope was—

"Hermione!" Ron groaned. On the bed next to Hermione's was—

"Mandy!" Michael gasped.

Hermione and Mandy both lay there, their eyes open and glassy.

"They were found near the library," said Professor McGonagall. "I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them." She held up a small circular mirror.

They shook their head, staring at Hermione and Mandy.

"I will escort you two to Ravenclaw Tower, and then escort Weasley back to Gryffindor Tower," said Professor McGonagall. "I need to address the students in any case."

"All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No students is to use the lavatory unaccompanied by a teacher. All further Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed. There will be no more evening activities."

The Ravenclaws packed inside the common room listened to Professor Flitwick in silence. He rolled up the parchment that he was reading from.

"So are they going to shut the school down?" Padma asked sounding worried.

"It is likely that school will be closed unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught," Professor Flitwick said sadly. "I urge anyone who thinks they might know anything about the culprit, come forward. Stay safe, everyone." With that, he walked out of the common room.

"Two Ravenclaws are now down, two Gryffindors, a Gryffindor ghost, one Hufflepuff, and a cat," Colton Taylor said. "Why hasn't any Slytherins been attacked yet?"

"That's because the Heir of Slytherin is controlling the Monster of Slytherin," Lisa Turpin said. "The Heir is obviously protecting them."

"Isn't Mandy a half-blood?" Marietta Edgecomb asked. "Why would the monster of Slytherin attack her?"

Michael whispered in Hailey's ear, "Now what do we do?"

Hailey thought about it. If the culprit wasn't caught, she would go back dealing with the Dursleys and Dudley's gang. She would probably get her head shoved in a toilet at Stonewall High, if Dudley was to believe. Tom Riddle turned Hagrid in because he was looking at going back to living at a Muggle orphanage during World War II if the school closed. Hailey knew how he felt, except for the war part.

"Do you think they suspect Hagrid?" Michael asked.

"We've got to talk to him," Hailey responded. "I don't think Hagrid released it this time. If he did set it loose last time, he would know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets. We have to ask him."

"How are we going to get Ron? We don't even know the password to Gryffindor and we're not exactly allowed in there?" Michael asked.

"I'll send a message to Ron through Hedwig, telling him to meet us outside his common room at a specific time," Hailey said, going up to the dormitory to get some parchment and a quill. She wrote a message down and folded it. She asked Robert Hilliard, Ravenclaw's Head Boy to accompany her to the Owlery to send a message.

Hailey waited for Sue Li, Lisa, and Padma to go to sleep, before picking up her Invisibility Cloak that she inherited from her father. After heading down the staircase, she saw Michael walking out of the boys' dormitory. He walked down the staircase and Hailey tossed the Invisibility Cloak over them.

"They were debating that the Slytherins are doing it," Michael whispered to Hailey as they walked to the dormitory entrance. "It adds up. The Heir of Slytherin, the Monster of Slytherin, no Slytherins being attacked…I think they're now terrified because Mandy's a half-blood. They believe that no one is safe now, not even half-bloods."

The journey to Gryffindor Tower was nerve-wracking because the castle was crowded, which teachers, prefects, ghosts, Head Boys and Head Girls, were marching the corridors in pairs, looking for any unusual noise.

After getting Ron, there was a tense moment when Ron stubbed his toes and swore, at the same time as Snape sneezed.

It was relieving when they got to the oak front doors and eased them open.

It was a nice clear, starry night. They hurried to the lit windows of Hagrid's house and pulled off the Cloak when they reached his front door.

Seconds after knocking, the front door flung open and they came face-to-face with a crossbow aimed at them. Michael grabbed Hailey's arm and took a step backward. Fang, the boarhound, barked loudly behind Hagrid.

"Oh," Hagrid said, lowering the weapon and staring at them. "What're you three doin' here?"

Hailey pointed at the crossbow as they stepped inside. "What's that for?"

"Nothin'—nothing'—" muttered Hagrid. "I've bin expectin'—doesn' matter—Sit down—I'll make tea—"

Hailey noticed that Hagrid hardly seemed to know what he was doing. He nearly extinguished the fire because he spilt water from the kettle on it, and then smashed the teapot with a nervous jerk of his massive hand.

"Are you okay, Hagrid? Did you hear about Hermione and Mandy?" Hailey asked.

"Oh, I heard, all righ'," said Hagrid, a slight break in his voice. He kept glancing nervously at the windows. He poured them large mugs of boiling water.

Michael held up his mug, looking at Hagrid, "I think you—"

He was interrupted by a knock on the door and Hagrid dropped the fruitcake he was holding.

Ron, Hailey, and Michael exchanged panicked looks. Hailey threw the Invisibility Cloak over them and they retreated to a corner. Hagrid checked that they were hidden, seized his crossbow, and flung opened his door once more.

"Good evening, Hagrid," said Dumbledore's voice. He entered, looking deadly serious, and was followed by a second, very oddly dressed man.

The man had rumpled grey hair and was looking anxious. He was wearing a pinstriped suit, a scarlet tie, a long black cloak, and pointed purple boots. He was carrying a lime-green bowler hat under one arm.

"That's Dad's boss!" Ron breathed from between Hailey and Michael. "Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic." Hailey and Michael both elbowed Ron hard to make him shut up.

Hagrid had gone pale and sweaty. He dropped into one of his chairs and looked from Dumbledore to Cornelius Fudge.

"Bad business, Hagrid," said Fudge in a rather clipped tone. "Very bad business. Had to come. Four attacks on Muggle-borns and one attack on a half-blood. Things've gone far enough. Ministry's got to act."

"I never," said Hagrid, looking imploringly at Dumbledore. "You know I never, Professor Dumbledore, sir—"

"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence," said Dumbledore, frowning at Fudge.

"Look, Albus," said Fudge, uncomfortably. "Hagrid's record's against him. Ministry's got to do something—the school governors have been in touch—"

"Yet again, Cornelius, I tell you that taking Hagrid away will not help in the slightest," said Dumbledore.

"Look at it from my point of view," said Fudge, fidgeting with his bowler hat. "I'm under a lot of pressure. Got to be seen to be doing something. If it turns out it wasn't Hagrid, he'll be back and no more said. But I've got to take him. Got to. Wouldn't be doing my duty—"

"Take me?" demanded Hagrid, trembling. "Take me where?"

"For a short stretch only," said Fudge, not meeting Hagrid's eyes. "Not a punishment, Hagrid, more a precaution. If someone else is caught, you'll be let out with a full apology—"

"Not Azkaban?" croaked Hagrid.

They're taking him to Azkaban? Hailey thought horrified, shaking at the thought.

There was another loud knock on the door and Dumbledore answered it. Lucius Malfoy was standing there and Hailey gasped. Ron elbowed her in the ribs.

Lucius was wearing a long black, traveling cloak. He smiled in a cold and satisfied way. Fang started to growl at him.

"Already here, Fudge," Lucius said approvingly. "Good, good…"

"What're you doin' here?" asked Hagrid furiously. "Get outta my house!"

"My dear man, please believe me, I have no pleasure at all in being inside your—er—d'you call this a house?" replied Lucius, sneering as he looked around the small cabin.

"Git," Michael muttered and Hailey reached across Ron, smacking him in the stomach.

"I simply called at the school and was told that the headmaster was here."

"And what exactly did you want with me, Lucius?" asked Dumbledore, politely.

"Dreadful thing, Dumbledore," said Malfoy lazily, taking out a long roll of parchment, "but the governors feel it's time for you to step aside. This is an Order of Suspension—you'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you're losing you touch. How many attacks have there been now? Three more this afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts, and we all know what an awful loss that would be to the school."

"Oh, now, see here, Lucius," said Fudge, looking alarmed, "Dumbledore suspended—no, no—last thing we want just now—"

"The appointment—or suspension—of the headmaster is a matter for the governors, Fudge," said Malfoy smoothly. "And as Dumbledore has failed to stop these attacks—"

"See here, Malfoy, if Dumbledore can't stop them," said Fudge. "I mean to say, who can?"

"That remains to be seen," said Malfoy with a nasty smile. "But as all twelve of us have voted—"

Hagrid jumped to his feet, his head grazed the ceiling and he roared, "An' how many did yeh have ter threaten an' blackmail before they agreed, Malfoy, eh?"

"Dear, dear, you know, that temper of yours will lead you into trouble one of these days, Hagrid," replied Malfoy. "I would advise you not to shout at the Azkaban guards like that. They won't like it at all."

"Yeh can' take Dumbledore!" yelled Hagrid, making Fang cower and whimper is his basket. "Take him away, an' the Muggle-borns and half-bloods won' stand a chance! There'll be killin' next!"

"Calm yourself, Hagrid," Dumbledore said sharply and looked at Malfoy. "If the governors want my removal, Lucius, I shall of course step aside—"

"B-but—" stuttered Fudge.

"No!" growled Hagrid.

Dumbledore didn't remove his eyes from Malfoy's cold grey eyes. "However," he spoke very slowly and clearly, "you will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."

Hailey was sure that Dumbledore's eyes flickered toward where they were standing.

"Admirable sentiments," said Malfoy bowing. "We shall all miss your—er—highly individual way of running things, Albus, and only hope that your successor will manage to prevent any—ah—killins." He walked to the door, opened it, and bowed Dumbledore out. Fudge, fiddling with his hat, waited for Hagrid to go ahead of him.

Hagrid, however stood his ground, took a deep breath, and said carefully, "If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they'd have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em right! That's all I'm sayin'." Fudge stared at him. "All righ', I'm comin'." He pulled on his moleskin overcoat and was about to follow Fudge through the door, when he stopped again. He said loudly, "An' someone'll need ter feed Fang while I'm away." He walked out and the door slammed shut.

Ron pulled off the Invisibility Cloak and said hoarsely, "We're in trouble now. No Dumbledore. They might as well close the school tonight. There'll be an attack a day with him gone."

Fang started howling and scratching at the door.

Michael went to the boarhound and started trying to comfort the boarhound. "It's going to be all right, Fang. We're going to try our hardest to get him out. We're not going to let him rot in that hellhole." He kissed Fang's head and the boarhound proceeded to slobber all over him.

A/N: What Michael was going to say about Riddle's diary will be brought up in a chapter, although I'm sure it would be easy to guess what he did.