It's a thief in the night

To come and grab you

It can creep up inside you and consume you

A disease of the mind

It can control you

It's too close for comfort

~ Disturbia x Rihanna

Chapter 25: Murder Mysteries

Dumbledore laid Mrs. Norris on Lockhart's desk. All the professors and the seven students gathered in Lockhart's office, since his was the closest to the crime scene. Tobias watched as the many Lockharts ran out of their portraits, their hair wrapped in rollers and all of them dressed in purple silk pajamas. He and Theodore were sitting on one side of the office. Ron, Hermione, and Neville sat near the door by Professor McGonagall, and Draco and Zabini sat on the other side of the office, next to Professor Snape. The seven second years all exchanged looks that portrayed either fear or anger.

Dumbledore examined Mrs. Norris intently, his eyes scanning her head to toe. Zabini looked at the man with disgust as his nose was just inches away from the cat's fur. Ron almost gagged when the headmaster started poking at the cat. And it wasn't just Dumbledore who didn't have a problem being this close to it. McGonagall was just as close, her eyes narrowed. Professor Snape walked up behind them, eyeing the cat with a glint in his eyes that Tobias almost recognized as glee. And then there was Lockhart, walking around the three giving his "opinions" on what he believed happened.

"She's definitely dead." He said confidently. "And it was a curse that did it—probably the Transmogrifian Torture—I had an incident like this in Russia." He shook his head. "So unlucky that I wasn't there. I knew the exact countercurse that would've saved her."

While the rest of the professors ignored him, Filch began shaking with anger. Theodore watched as the caretaker's body shook furiously—if he shook any harder, he may just foam from the mouth. Theodore jumped when he saw Filch eyeing him darkly.

"You!" He screeched, causing everyone to turn their attention to Theo. "You've murdered my cat! You've killed her!"

"I didn't touch your cat!" Theodore yelled back.

"I'll kill you!"

Theodore raised any eyebrow. "Is that a threat?"

"Argus." Dumbledore cut in, but the caretaker wasn't listening.

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

"ARGUS!"

Mr. Filch then snapped out of his rage, his lip trembling. "My cat's been murdered. I want to see some justice!"

"And you will, Argus." Dumbledore said calmly. "But please sit down. I need to check something and I need absolute silence."

Filch grunted but did as Dumbledore asked. The professor then turned back to Mrs. Norris, who was still laying there as if she had been stuffed with cotton. He pulled out his wand and began muttering words that Tobias didn't understand. But as he said these words, nothing happened.

"You know this reminds me of a case in Ouagadougou," said Lockhart. "Yes, yes, it was a series of attacks, all of it starting like this. Except it was a flying squirrel, not a cat. The full story's in my autobiography. I was able to provide the townsfolk with various amulets, cleared the matter right up."

Draco rolled his eyes at Lockhart's story, but the portraits of him nodded in agreement.

"She's not dead." Dumbledore said softly, standing up straight once more.

"Well that isn't strange at all," Lockhart chuckled. "I had another case like this in South Africa—"

"Not dead?" Filch croaked. "But—but why's she all—stiff and frozen like that?"

"She has been petrified." The old professor replied.

Lockhart snapped his fingers. "Just as I thought! Same thing as South Africa."

Dumbledore continued to stare at the cat through his moon- shaped spectacles. "But I'm afraid I cannot tell you why."

Filch shot up again, pointing a sharp finger at Theodore. "Ask him!" He snarled.

Snape shook his head. "No second year could have done this," He said firmly. He now realized what the Dark Lord meant when he said he didn't want the heirs caught in the crossfire. But of course, the heirs found their way into the flames anyway. "It would take Dark Magic of the most advance—"

"No!" Filch spat, enraged once more. "He did it! He did it!"

"Your proof?" Snape asked, his eyebrow raised.

"You saw what he wrote on the wall!" Filch continued. "And this isn't the first thing he's taken from me!"

"I didn't take anything from you!" Theodore shot back.

Filch stalked closer to the boy. "Yes, you did! He took it—from my office—my kwikspell—he knows—he knows that I'm a—a—" Filch spluttered nervously, his body still shaking. "He knows I'm a Squib!"

Professor McGonagall furrowed her brow. "Mister Nott is this true?"

"He has no proof." Theodore pouted.

"Mister Nott."

Theodore groaned. "Fine! I took his kwikspell! But that doesn't mean I touched his stupid cat!"

"Rubbish!" Filch hissed. "He's a liar and a thief."

"But where's the proof?" Theodore retorted back.

"If I might speak, Headmaster," Snape said slowly, eyeing the four heirs. "Nott and the others may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time." He then looked back at the cat. "But given the circumstances, I have my suspicions. Why were all of you in the upstairs corridor? I don't recall seeing any of you at the Halloween feast either."

"We were at Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party!" Neville blurted out, his nerves getting the best of him. "There we hundreds of ghosts there—they'll tell you."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "But why not join the feast afterward? Why go up to that corridor?"

Neville squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. "We heard someone…..screaming."

"Screaming?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Who was screaming?"

Neville shrugged. "I don't know. It sounded like a girl, though. We thought somebody may have been hurt."

Snape then turned to Draco and Zabini. "Any you two?"

"We were also at the party." Zabini answered, dusting off his trousers.

"And what were you doing upstairs?"

"We heard footsteps." Draco added in. "Somebody was running. We wanted to see who."

The potions professor then faced Tobias and Theodore. "And I can assume that you two were also at the party?"

Theodore nodded. "Correct."

"And afterward?"

Theodore sat back in his seat. "We wanted to watch the feast from that spot we found at the beginning of the term." He lied.

"But surely," Snape continued. "You were hungry. I didn't think ghosts provided food fit for living people at their parties."

"They don't" Theodore answered. "But me and Tobias weren't hungry."

"So you went to go watch the feast?"

"Well, yeah. We wanted to see if anything was going to happen—you remembered what happened last year. Quirrell ran in like a lunatic screaming about a troll."

Snape nodded. "I remember."

McGonagall scoffed. "It's obvious that someone isn't telling the truth." She turned to the headmaster. "Given the nature of what is written on the wall, the Slytherin students need to be further investigated."

"And why is that, Minerva?" Snape sneered.

"Oh you know exactly why, Severus." The witch snapped back. "Or should we deprived your house team three of your Quidditch players until the truth comes out?"

Snape stepped forward. "That would be reasonable—if the cat had been hit over the head with a nimbus two- thousand and one. But seeing as we have no proof of that or any proof at all, that would be unnecessary." He then turned to Dumbledore. "There is no evidence that any of my students were involved in this attack."

Dumbledore scanned the heirs as if he was X-raying them. "Innocent until proven guilty, Minerva."

Professor McGonagall looked livid. Filch looked furious as well. He sprinted across the room, grabbing Theodore by his robes.

"You think you can kill my cat and get away with it?!" He said lowly. "We'll see about that." He then let go of the boy, his lip trembling once more.

Theodore dusted down his suit. "For the last time, I didn't touch your bloody cat!"

"That's enough, Mister Nott." Dumbledore said sternly. "We will be able to cure her, Argus. Professor Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made that will revive Mrs. Norris."

Lockhart puffed out his chest, flaunting his robes. "I'll make it. I've done it at least a hundred times. I can whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in my sleep."

"No." Snape said shortly. "As I recall, I am the Potions master at this school."

"Of course, of course. But if you'd just allow me to assist you, I could—"

"No."

There was a long pause, and Theodore had to hold in the laugh that was begging to come out.

"You all may go," Dumbledore said to the second years. All of them rose, walking as quickly as they could to the door. When they were all outside, nobody said anything—they went their separate ways.

"Do you think I should have told them about the voice?" Tobias asked.

Theodore shook his head. "No way. Your grandfather told you not to—remember what he said? Even in the Wizarding world, hearing voices isn't a good sign."

"But you believe me? About me hearing them?"

"Of course, I do." Theodore said, clapping him on the back. "But ya know, it's kinda creepy and I will have distance myself from you if you pull another stunt like that again."

"Theo."

"Kidding, kidding." Theodore skipped ahead. "But really, who do you think did it?"

"I don't know." Tobias shrugged. "But we know it wasn't one of us."

"What was that writing on the wall about?" Neville asked. "The Chamber Has Been Opened….What does that mean? What chamber?"

"It rings a bell." Ron said slowly, his face still red with anger. "I remember my brother Bill…or maybe it was Charlie… telling me about a secret chamber at Hogwarts."

"But who could've opened it?" Hermione asked.

Ron snorted. "Isn't it obvious—it was Malfoy."

Hermione shook her head. "He wouldn't do something like that. I think it was Zabini."

"Zabini? Kill a cat?" Ron laughed. "I doubt it."

"It could be anyone of them." Neville said. "It said Enemies of the Heir Beware, but it didn't say which heir."

"Well, we know it wasn't us." Zabini said, his hands in his pockets. "I wouldn't touch Filch's diseased cat if it was the last feline on Earth."

Draco nodded. "But who could it have been?"

Zabini rolled his eyes. "It's obvious, isn't it? Enemies of the Heir Beware? There are four heirs—we know it wasn't us, so that leaves LeStrange and Nott."

"Tobias and Theodore?" Draco asked skeptically. "No, they wouldn't do something like that."

Zabini chuckled. "Just as you thought they wouldn't turn against you."

Draco balled his fist. "I know them."

"You think you know them." Zabini hissed. "But you really don't know them at all. You were sure they would be on your side—and now look. How are you sure this isn't something they would do?"

Draco said nothing. He knew in his gut that Tobias and Theodore weren't the ones who mutilated Mrs. Norris, but something in his mind wouldn't let him grasp that thought. Maybe he really didn't know them at all.

The House of Black was noisier than it had ever been before. Molly Weasley was screaming her lungs out and Lupin was on edge—given that today was Halloween. Mad- Eye Moody wouldn't sit down, paranoid that if he did, something may attack him from behind. Tonks was nervous, tripping over and knocking over everything she came in contact with. Snape was even worried. It was happening again.

The Chamber of Secrets had been opened again.

"How are we even sure that this wasn't just some Halloween prank?!" Lupin argued. "Today is Halloween!"

Molly Weasley scoffed. "And what child in this day and age is sick enough to joke about this?! A girl died last time it was opened!"

Mad- Eye grunted in agreement. "This doesn't sound like a prank."

Lupin growled. "Maybe if you would sit down, Alastor, you would see reason. The chamber has not been opened!"

"How do you know for sure?" Tonks asked nervously.

"Because," Snape cut in. "The heir of Slytherin would have to be at Hogwarts to open the chamber himself. And we all know who the last blood heir of Salazar Slytherin is."

"Last blood heir." Molly corrected him. "Not the last heir."

Lupin snapped his head at the woman. "What are you saying?"

"There are four heirs of the Dark Lord." Mad- Eye said gruffly. "One of them being the Dark Lord's grandson."

"No." Lupin shook his head. "No. Harry did not open the chamber!"

"We don't know that!" Molly shouted. "Voldemort could have appointed him to do it! Harry doesn't know what lies in the chamber—he wouldn't know!"

"He didn't do it." Lupin said lowly.

"Remus, please." Arthur cut in. "We aren't saying it is him, but there really isn't anyone else to blame. It's been fifty years. We would've known if Voldemort stepped inside the castle."

"Well, now we know why all this commotion with the muggle- borns has been happening." Mad-Eye took a swig from his flask. "Somebody knew what was coming—whoever it was, they wanted to protect the students."

"If they wanted to protect the students," Professor McGonagall said tightly. "They would've told Dumbledore."

"Still don't trust me, Minerva?" Snape drawled.

McGonagall pursed her lips. "Please tell me, Severus, how Lord Voldemort's most loyal and trustworthy servant doesn't know about his plans?"

Lupin eyes flashed furiously. "You knew?!"

"I don't know anything." Snape snarled. "You all may not trust me—do you really believe I'm that sick to let Voldemort unleash a beast unto the students?"

Everyone was silent.

"The Dark Lord instructed me to watch over the heirs. And just like the rest of you, I am also finding out why he asked me to do so."

Kingsley, who had been silent the whole meeting, finally spoke up. "So you don't think it's them?"

"No." Snape shook his head. "He must've known that we would point fingers at the boy or even the other heirs."

Mad- Eye sniffed. "Or maybe he did it to throw you off their trail."

"Or somebody else's." said Tonks.

"But we have no other suspects." Molly Weasley pointed out. "We're looking for a needle in a haystack. Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore was sitting at the head of the table. He looked calmed, but he was infuriated. He was nervous—afraid even. It was happening again. The chamber of secrets had been opened again—there wasn't any real proof yet, but he knew in his gut that it would be some soon. And the culprit? The old professor agreed with Snape—it wasn't the heirs. He knew it once he saw their faces.

"We can't assume that the chamber has been opened, yet." Dumbledore said.

Mad- Eye's jaw clenched. "So we just wait until a muggle- born student gets petrified—or dies?"

"It's a risk we will have to take."

Molly's mouth dropped opened. "Dumbledore you can't be serious? The student's lives are in danger and you want to play the waiting game?"

Dumbledore looked at the distraught woman. "What do you impose I do?"

"Bring in the heirs!" She shouted. "One of them has to know something."

"And if they don't?"

"Then, I don't know! But we can't just sit here and do nothing."

The next few days were filled with gossip. The topic of it all: Filch's cat and the writings on the wall. Tobias had hoped that the news would die down, but thanks to the caretaker, it was still fresh on everyone's mind. Tobias had seen Filch pacing the spot where Mrs. Norris had been petrified—no doubt waiting for Theodore to come back for another "attack." Tobias made sure to keep Theo away from that part of the castle.

The attack had affected all of the seven second- years. Theodore stopped pulling Francis out in class—saying that he was afraid that his pet beetle would be the next victim. Neville was careful not to walk around the corridors by himself—he made sure he walked with a crowd or at least had Hermione or Ron with him. Draco kept a particularly close eye on Tobias and Theodore, watching for any suspicious actions. Zabini watched Draco closely, though the blonde heir didn't notice. To be honest, Zabini wasn't completely sure that it wasn't Draco—he could be the next victim. He continued to watch Draco throughout the day—making note of any strange behavior. He would have to report to Weasley to keep up his cover.

Ron was more protective than usual. He walked with Hermione everywhere and even went to walking some of the muggle- born first years to class. Whatever was about to happen, it was coming fast—and Ron had to make sure that the people he cared about didn't get hurt.

Hermione was reading more than usual—and that was saying something. No matter how many times Ron and Neville asked what she was up to, she wouldn't respond—her head stuck in a book. Though she suspected Zabini, she kept her distance from all of the Slytherin heirs. She wasn't sure what this whole secret chamber business was about—but she was determined to find out as soon as possible.

Tobias had it worse. All the Slytherins knew that he was the top heir—meaning that he was the first suspect. He was getting so many different responses—he didn't know what to do. One minute he was being congratulated, the next minute he was being scolded. It was even worse outside of the Slytherin common room. When Tobias walked into the library, he noticed Justin Finch- Fletchley walking towards him. Tobias was about to say hello when the Hufflepuff went wide- eyed and ran in the opposite direction. Rolling his eyes, Tobias walked further into the library.

He could hear the whispers coming from the tables as he passed by, but he ignored them. His only focus being the red- haired first year sitting at a table alone. He raised a brow as he realized that Ginny seemed off—her hair was frizzy instead of its smooth and straight nature. Her face was pale though she tried to hide it with her interest in a nearby book.

"Are you alright?" Tobias asked, causing Ginny to snap her head up from her book.

"Tobias! I—uhhh—what are you doing here?" Her face was turning pale again.

"I needed to do some work." The boy replied politely. "But my question."

"Oh!" Ginny said, fumbling with her robes. "I'm fine. Just a little shaken up, is all."

Tobias nodded. "From Halloween."

"Yeah." Ginny lied. "I'm a really big fan of cats. It hurt to see Mrs. Norris like that." Ginny looked back down at her book, refusing to make eye contact with the Slytherin. That wasn't the reason she was behaving like a loony toon. It happened again—she woke up in a corridor, with blood on her hands. She didn't remember how it got there or how she even got to this part of the castle. Once again her diary was tucked in her robes pocket. Tom told her that she must be sleepwalking, but that didn't stop Ginny from worrying.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, then." Tobias said. "I didn't know."

Ginny nodded quickly. "It's alright."

Tobias was about to say something, when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. When he turned around, he staggered backward a bit as a fist came into contact with his cheek. Tobias's eyes frantically searched for the culprit, finally meeting eyes with Ronald Weasley.

"Trying to make my sister your next victim?" He seethed.

Tobias groaned in agony. "Are you mad?"

"Yeah I am." Ron spat. "Bloody furious."

Tobias pulled out his wand and Ron whipped out his. Tobias smirked. "Do you really want to do that again?"

Ron went red with embarrassment. He lowered his wand. "Just stay away from my sister."

Tobias scoffed. "I was just trying to see if she was alright."

"She's fine." Ron spat. "Now stay away from her."

"Are you really that thick? I didn't murder that cat, Ron."

"So you say. "

"Alright. Stop it."

Hermione stood in between them. One hand was holding a book, while the other was on Ron's chest, holding him back.

"Good, Hermione's here." Tobias said. "Now she can tell you how much of a dolt you're being."

"Tobias, you should leave." Said Hermione surprisingly.

Tobias looked confused. "But—"

"Now." The witch said shortly. Tobias narrowed his eyes at Ron and then at Hermione. He walked away, his robes swishing behind him. Hermione sighed sadly as the Slytherin walked away, but Ron was beaming.

"Glad you're finally seeing things from my point of view, Hermione." He said cheerfully.

Hermione frowned at him. "I am not seeing things from your side. I just don't want my two friends fighting over something stupid."

"How can you still call him your friend?"

"Cause he is." Hermione snapped. "This is exactly what I was afraid of. Everyone turning against each other."

The Weasley boy rolled his eyes. "This is the first time you've talked to me in days, and you lecture me about friends."

"I've been busy." She said simply.

"Doing what?"

"I've been trying to read up on the Chamber of Secrets, but all the copies of Hogwarts: A History have been checked out." She shook her head. "I wish I hadn't left my copy at home, but I couldn't fit it in my trunk with all the Lockhart books."

"The Chamber of Secrets?" Ron raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

"That's the thing. I don't remember. And the story isn't anywhere else."

Ron groaned. "Well, that's just great. But in other words, can I see your composition for Professor Binns?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, you've had ten days to finish it."

"But I only need two more inches."

"No."

Theodore could barely stay awake in History of Magic. Binns was going on and on about the International Warlock Convention of 1289. The only exciting thing that happened so far was Hermione's and Ron's bickering as the students walked into the class. Theodore noticed Draco tensing up as Ron argued with her. Theo shook his head—idiot. Professor Binns had been going on for at least half an hour when the next exciting thing happened.

Everyone looked up to see that Hermione had her hand raised—something that she rarely did in History of Magic. Professor Binns looked amazed when he glanced up and saw Hermione's hand.

"Miss—er—?"

"Granger, Professor," Hermione said. "I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets."

Everyone's attention was grabbed then. Theodore jerked himself awake. Zabini sat up straighter, his ears strained for answers. Tobias stopped drawing in his book, while Ron choked on his spit. Neville's elbow slipped off the desk and Draco dropped his quill.

The ghostly professor blinked. "My subject is History of Magic, Miss Greenery. I deal with facts, not myths and legends." He then turned back to the chalkboard, preparing to restart his lecture. But Hermione's hand went up again.

"Miss Grant?"

Hermione dropped her hand. "Please sir, don't legends always have a basis in fact?"

Binns stared at her in amazement. No one had ever interrupted his class, dead or alive. But here was Hermione Granger, challenging him in his own class.

"Well, yes," He replied. "One could say that, I suppose. However, the legend of which you speak is such a very sensational, even ludicrous tale—"

But even as he said this, the class was not convinced. Hermione had sparked everyone's interest, Binns had no choice but to give in.

"Oh very well." He tapped his forehead. "Now let's see….the Chamber of Secrets. Ah yes. Well you all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago. And that the houses that you all are divided into are named after the four founders—Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin."

Theodore held a fist up. "Hail, Salazar."

"They built this castle away from the muggles, putting enchantments around the campus so no muggle could come across it. For years they lived in harmony, working amongst each other as they taught youngsters of magical potential. But over the years, disagreements came about—between Slytherin and the others."

"Of course." Ron grumbled.

"Salazar believed that magical learning should be kept in magical- families. Meaning purebloods—he despised any student of muggle percentage—half- bloods and muggle- borns. He saw them as untrustworthy and after a serious argument between him and Gryffindor, Slytherin left the school."

Binns then paused.

"Legend tells us that while Slytherin lived at Hogwarts, he built a secret chamber in the castle—a chamber which none of the other founders knew about. Legend also tells us that before Slytherin left, he closed the chamber, claiming that no one would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school. The heir, and the heir alone, would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic."

The class was silent once Binns finished. Tobias could barely breathe—the chamber was opened again. Enemies of the heir—Salazar's heir. He looked to Theodore, Draco, and Zabini, who all had the same look on their face.

"The whole thing is arrant nonsense, of course," Binns said dismissively. "Naturally, the school has been searched for evidence of such a chamber, many times, by the most learned witches and wizards. It does not exist. A tale told to frighten the gullible."

Hermione's hand shot up again. "Sir—what exactly do you mean by the 'horror within' the Chamber?"

Binns sighed. "That is believed to be some sort of monster, which the Heir of Slytherin alone can control."

Everyone exchanged nervous looks. Theodore seemed astonished.

"I can't even control Francis," He slapped his hands against his cheeks. "How can I control a whole monster?"

Tobias nudged him. "Hush, Theo."

"I tell you, the thing does not exist," said Professor Binns, turning back to the chalkboard. "There is no Chamber and no monster."

"But sir," Blaise Zabini asked curiously. "if the Chamber can only be opened by Slytherin's true heir, no one else would be able to find, would they?"

"Nonsense, Zucchini." Binns said irritably. "If a long succession of Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses haven't found the thing—"

"But," Ron interrupted him. "you'd probably have to use Dark Magic to open it—"

"Just because a wizard doesn't use Dark Magic, doesn't mean he can't, Mister Wallabee. Now I repeat, if Dumbledore couldn't—"

"Well maybe you've got to be related to Slytherin," said a Gryffindor named Dean Thomas. "so Dumbledore couldn't-"

"That is enough!" Binns said irritably. "It is a myth! It does not exist! Now, back to the International Warlock Convention of 1289."

And that was the end of that.

"Do you think there's really a Chamber of Secrets?" Neville asked.

"I don't know." Hermione said. "Dumbledore couldn't cure Mrs. Norris, and that makes me think that whatever—"

"—whoever—" Ron mumbled.

"- attacked her might not be—well—human."

The three Gryffindors were standing in front of the vandalized wall. Ron suggested that after class they should come and look for clues. The horrifying message was still written on the walls, but there was no petrified cat hanging below it. Ron was on the ground, looking for who knows what.

"Ronald, what are you expecting to find down there?" Hermione said, crossing her arms.

"Just some clues—aha! Look! Scorch marks."

"Come look at this!" Neville said, standing at the window across from the wall. Ron got up from the ground and walked over, Hermione beside him. Neville was pointing to the top of the window, where a small crack was visible. There was a trail of black spiders crawling through the crack, a few of them fighting for their turn. It looked as if they were hurrying to get outside.

"I've never seen spiders act like that before." Neville whispered. "Have you?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. Ron?"

When Ron gave no answer, Hermione turned around to notice that he was far away from the window. His face was pale and it looked like he wanted to run any minute.

"You okay, Ron?" asked Neville.

"I—um—" Ron began tensely. "I don't like spiders."

Hermione furrowed her brow. "But you've used them in potions loads of time."

"Well yeah," said Ron, looking up at the window. "I don't mind them dead. I just don't fancy the way they move."

Neville giggled, and Hermione had to repress her laughter.

"It isn't funny." Ron snapped. "If you must know, when I was three, Fred turned my—my teddy bear into a great big filthy spider because I broke his toy broomstick. You wouldn't like them either if one day you're holding your bear and it starts sprouting legs and….nevermind."

"Is there any reason why you wanted to come back here in the middle of the night?" Theodore asked, holding his red stuffed duck in his arms.

Tobias was walking around the crime scene. "Any reason why you brought that?"

"Hey!" Theodore said defensively, clutching his duck. "Whiskers helps me sleep at night."

"But you aren't sleep Theo."

"Well I should be." Theodore pouted. "And what do you expect to find here? Everything's been cleaned up."

"Exactly." Tobias said. "Don't you remember, Theo? There was water on the ground when we found Mrs. Norris. Now it's gone."

"And?"

"I think I know where it came from." Tobias looked up, coming eye level with the girl's bathroom door. It had a large OUT OF ORDER sign on it, but Tobias and Theodore walked inside anyway.

"Well this is depressing." Theodore said as he walked in.

Tobias agreed, it looked as if no one had stepped in this bathroom in years. The sinks were chipped and the toilets were rusted. There were low burning candles and cracked mirrors. If Theodore knew any better, this sounded like the bathroom that—

"You two aren't girls."

Moaning Myrtle was floating in front of them with her arms crossed. Tobias had no time to meddle with the ghost, so he got straight to the point.

"That seems obvious." Tobias said. "But we came to ask you something."

Myrtle sniffed. "Are you sure you haven't come to make fun of me?"

Theodore groaned. "Yes, Myrtle, we got up in the middle of the night to make fun of you. It's my favorite pastime when I can't sleep."

"No need to be sarcastic." The ghost hissed.

"No need to be an intolerable swot." Theodore shot back, receiving a thump on the back of his head from Tobias.

"We wanted to know if you saw anybody come near the bathroom on Halloween night." Tobias explained quickly. "You know there was a cat attacked right outside your door, don't you?"

"I didn't see anything." Myrtle sniffed. "I was too busy trying to kill myself—Peeves upset me so badly that night I couldn't take it anymore."

Theodore snorted. "And how did that work for you?"

"I failed. Seeing as I'm already dead."

"Not dead enough." Theodore grumbled.

"MALFOY! ZABINI!"

Zabini cursed himself as he and Draco were about to open the door to the girls bathroom. He had received news from Crabbe and Goyle that LeStrange and Nott weren't in their beds. Zabini immediately woke Draco and they both went to search for the other two heirs. Just as they reached the crime scene, Zabini heard voices coming from the girls' bathroom—no doubt it was Tobias and Theodore. But before they could reach the door, they were caught by the Gryffindor Prefect, Percy Weasley.

"That's a girls' bathroom!" He roared. "What are you two doing near it?"

Zabini smirked. "The better question is what are you doing here?"

Percy glared at the boy. "I'm doing my Prefect rounds. And good thing I was, too. You are out of bed passed curfew."

"And so are you Weasley." Draco sneered. "Seeing as your rounds ended two hours ago."

Percy went red. "How do you—"

"This is how it's going to be, Percy." Zabini interrupted. "You're going to tell us what you're doing here, or we're going to tell Professor Snape that you're out of bed."

"Snape isn't my head of house." Percy laughed.

"But Snape is one of the head of houses." Draco said. "And as much as he hates seeing his precious Slytherins in trouble, he loves seeing the Gryffindors, especially prefects, fall from grace."

"You wouldn't dare."

"We would." Zabini smiled.

Percy looked between the two Slytherins. "Fine! I was here to check out the scene. My sister, Ginny, she's been on edge since the Halloween incident. I wanted to see the place for myself—so I can assure her that nothing was wrong."

At the sound of Ginny's name something snapped inside Zabini.

"I've never seen her so upset, crying her eyes out, all the first years are thoroughly overexcited by this business—"

"You don't care about Ginerva." Zabini said darkly. "You only cares about your status so you can be Head Boy next term."

Percy seemed flabbergasted. "Don't you dare question my love for my sister! I'll take points."

"He's bluffing." Draco said, folding his arms across his chest. "Now what did you find?"

"I—I—" Percy huffed. "I found nothing. Filch cleaned up the place."

The next day came and Ron, Neville, and Hermione were sitting in the library. Hermione had just finished explaining to the two boys her plan to find out who the real heir of Slytherin was.

"And you're sure this will work?" said Ron. "This polyjuice stuff sounds dodgy to me."

Neville nodded. "What if we get stuck looking like Slytherins forever?"

"We won't." Hermione assured them. "It wears off after a while."

"And you're sure that Malfoy won't know it's us?" Ron asked.

"Positive."

"And you're sure Zabini won't know it's us?" Theodore said, pacing the room. "These good looks aren't easily disguised."

Tobias rolled his eyes. "Yes, Theo. Polyjuice potion makes the drinker look exactly like the person they want to be disguised as."

"Okay, okay. Where'd you get that book anyway?"

Tobias was sitting on the floor, reading a copy of Most Potente Potions. "Restricted Section."

Theodore stopped pacing. "But how?"

"I have an invisibility cloak, remember?"

"Oh yeah."

"And Snape just gave you the book?" Draco asked, watching as Zabini flipped through the pages of the potions book.

Zabini nodded. "You ask too many questions, Draco. Do you want to find out who's behind the attacks or not?"

Draco sat down beside him. "Of course I do, it's just—are you sure Tobias won't notice that I'm not Theodore? And that Theodore won't notice that you aren't Tobias?"

Zabini sighed, becoming irritated with the blonde Slytherin's doubts. "Well, we will find out in a month won't we?"

Draco's mouth fell open. "A month?"

"More questions."

"It takes a month to make it?!" Draco continued.

Zabini closed the book. "Yes, Malfoy. Polyjuice potion is a very fragile and delicate potion. If one tries to rush the process, or skip steps—the result can be irreversible."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that you will look like Nott for the rest of your life. And we certainly don't need two of him walking around the castle."

Draco swallowed. "Right. Right."

Author's Note: I know I'm spoiling you all with these back to back chapters, but I've had so much time on my hands! How will this all play out? Follow, Fav, and Review!

~TheeStoryTeller