A/N: Hi everyone. Had a bit of a brainstorm and got 3 chapters written up back to back since chapter 24. I've finalised this chapter for uploading and I'll just check over the next 2 for a couple of days then I'll upload them too. If there's any problems with the chapter, please message me and I'll sort it out. Otherwise, enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 25: The Polyjuice Plan

Fortunately, Harry was discharged the next morning as Madame Pomfrey was able to fix the broken bone relatively easily. Once back with his friends, he told them about Dobby, how the Chamber had been opened before and that Colin was the latest victim. They all agreed to discuss the situation more at a later date as they needed to head to classes. Most of the classes went alright, until they got to Transfiguration.

Harry had noticed that Hermione had been wanting to ask something all day, but didn't seem comfortable in talking to any of their professors about it. It must've been a serious and difficult question. Could McGonagall give her the answers? She was probably one of the more knowledgeable professors after all.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Harry asked quietly.

"We need to know more about this Chamber. I didn't know whether the other professors would answer me properly, but Professor McGonagall just might as you said that she was with Dumbledore last night," Hermione answered quietly.

"She was afraid and shaken. She certainly knows more than the other professors, I'm sure. Though, I'd suggest that you ask her quickly before we lose the opportunity. It's still fresh in her mind, so she may be more predisposed to answering any questions about the Chamber," Harry explained.

Hermione nodded and raised her hand. McGonagall saw this and walked over to her.

"Yes, Miss Granger? Is there something you are not sure about?" McGonagall asked.

"Actually, Professor, I was hoping that you might tell us more about...the Chamber of Secrets," Hermione replied, her cheeks tinged red in slight embarrassment.

"Oh...I see...W-well..." McGonagall stuttered, shocking most students as seeing McGonagall get flustered was a first for many.

"Please, Professor...we need to know," Harry spoke up. His powerful and determined tone shocking McGonagall out of her stupor.

"Well...I suppose you ought to know after all...Now, you all know that Hogwarts was created by four of the greatest witches and wizards of the age. Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. Now, three of the four co-existed quite harmoniously...One did not," McGonagall explained.

"Three guesses who," Ron said sarcastically.

"Salazar Slytherin wished for Hogwarts to only take on students from all-magic families, otherwise known as Purebloods. Unable to sway the others, he left the school. It is rumoured that he created a hidden chamber in the castle known as the Chamber of Secrets. Though shortly before departing, he sealed it. It was to remain that way until his one true heir returned to the school. The heir alone would be able to open the chamber and unleash the horror within. The heir could then purge the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic," McGonagall explained, beginning to get quite emotional at the end.

"Muggleborns..." Hermione commented.

"Yes. Naturally, the school has been searched many times. No such chamber has been found," McGonagall said.

"Professor? What has been said about the horror that lies within the chamber?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.

"No-one is quite sure. However, it is only said that the chamber is the home...of a monster..." McGonagall replied.

Everyone knew from McGonagall's demeanour that the conversation was over as she went back to her desk, leaving Harry and Hermione to contemplate her explanation. Once the class was over, Harry, Ron and Hermione met up with Ginny to tell her what McGonagall had told them and discuss where to proceed from there.

"We've got to find out who's opening the Chamber. But who to start with..." Hermione pondered aloud.

"Let's think...Who do we know who thinks that all Muggleborns are scum?" Ron asked, clearly suggesting one person in particular.

~Besides you, you filthy mongrel? Beats me~ Sabrina hissed in amusement.

Harry fought back a chuckle at Sabrina's comment. It was fortunate that only he could understand her because he could only imagine Ron's face if he heard her and realised that they were on to him and Dumbledore.

"If you're talking about Malfoy, then-" Hermione tried to say.

"Just think about what he said at the scene! 'You'll be next Mudbloods'! That's what he said! He clearly knows something!" Ron exclaimed, pitifully trying to make them believe him.

"Ron, we've already been through this. Malfoy isn't the one who's opening the Chamber. But it is possible that he may know something of value. Lucius could easily get the necessary information and tell Draco about it. The Malfoy love to have information over people after all, I can tell that," Harry said, exasperated at Ron's insistence on accusing Malfoy.

"But how to we find out what he knows?" Ginny asked.

"Well...Wait! There may be a way. Mind you, it would be difficult. Not to mention that we would be breaking countless school rules and it would be really, really dangerous," Hermione answered.

"Whatever it is, show me," Harry said with determination.

"The only problem is that I heard that the only way to check it out is to get a book from the Restricted Section. I don't think that it'd be easy to just get permission from a professor for one book. They'll ask questions," Hermione explained.

"Or will they?" Harry asked, an idea coming to his head.

Harry led the group to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and went to Lockhart's office. Seeing that he was inside replying to his fan mail, Harry smiled as he realised that his plan could work.

"Right, Lockhart's sorting his fan mail out now. I need you, Hermione, to take a permission slip over to him and pretend that you want an autograph. Knowing Lockhart, he won't think twice due to his ego. Then, we're good to go," Harry whispered.

"This is so embarrassing...Oh, fine I'll do it," Hermione replied quietly.

Hermione entered the office and walked up to Lockhart, coughing slightly to get his attention.

"Ah, Miss Granger! What can I do for you today? I hope it's not too much as I am rather busy as you can see," Lockhart asked.

"I know, Professor. I was, umm...I was just wondering if I, uh...If I could have your autograph, please? I-it's for my friend, you see. She-she's such a big fan of your books, but she's just gets so shy around you so she can't get the courage to ask you herself," Hermione lied, panicking at possibly being found out.

"Not a problem, my dear. Anything for a fan," Lockhart said, taking the slip and signing it without hesitation, "There you go, Miss Granger. Give your friend my love, won't you?"

"O-of course, Professor. Thank you. Bye," Hermione said, rushing out as quickly as she could.

As she got outside, Hermione was red-faced, which made Ginny giggle a bit as the group left the classroom. Harry just smiled knowingly, with a hint of smugness at his plan working flawlessly.

"I told you that he wouldn't look. You didn't need to get so flustered over it. You should learn to trust me a little bit more, Hermione," Harry said with a playful smirk.

"Oh shut up, you! Lets just get to the library," Hermione said, slapping his arm softly in mock annoyance.

Hermione led the group to the library. They went and sat at a table in the corner away from prying ears before Hermione went to get the book she needed. The book that she took out was about advanced potions, which instantly piqued Harry's interest. She quickly flicked the pages and stopped abruptly as she got to her desired page. She turned the book around so that the others could read it. The idea behind it interested Harry greatly and he was intrigued at what Hermione had planned.

"Polyjuice Potion? So it can change the drinker's appearance for an hour to that of another person...What's your plan, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Well, we obviously won't get any answers from Malfoy as ourselves. But...what if we were Crabbe or Goyle, for example?" Hermione asked, waiting for a response from the other three.

"Wicked! Malfoy would tell us anything," Ron replied.

"All we would need to do is get them out of the way, take some of their hair and voila! You could get to Malfoy with ease," Hermione explained.

"But how long is this potion going to take to be prepared? And we'll need targets for each of us. Unless you plan for just me and Ron to go as Crabbe and Goyle? It would save having to get too many ingredients and prevent too much suspicion," Harry asked, knowing that he could keep a close eye on Ron if it was just them and keep the girls out of trouble.

"That does make sense, Harry. Ok, just you and Ron as Crabbe and Goyle is fine. However...it still takes time to prepare even a small amount..." Hermione trailed off, showing a slight sign of worry.

"How long, Hermione?" Harry asked, more forcefully this time, "Beating around the bush won't solve anything."

"A month," Hermione answered.

"A month?! But Hermione, the Heir could've attack half of the Muggleborns in the school by then!" Ginny exclaimed.

"I know...but it's the only plan we've got," Hermione said, a little put out by the reality of the situation.

"Maybe it can be ready earlier..." Harry commented.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Think about it. The lacewing flies need to stew for twenty-one days prior and the fluxweed needs to be picked at the full moon. What if we can get the ingredients already prepared?" Harry explained.

"Then the potion would only take a day or so to complete!" Hermione exclaimed, realising where Harry was going with this.

"I could order the ingredients prepared as stated so that we can avoid any...issues with getting them from inside Hogwarts," Harry said.

After all, it was either trying to get some off of Hagrid and him alerting Dumbledore unknowingly or taking supplies from Severus, which he didn't want to do as Harry knew that those ingredients weren't cheap nor did he want to involve Severus in something that was deemed to be rule-breaking. Plus, it would make Ron suspicious if Harry suddenly got the ingredients so easily and he didn't want to jeopardise Severus' position if Dumbledore found out.

"Are you sure, Harry? You don't have to waste your money on ingredients. We can find another way. Besides, won't ordering very specific ingredients raise a red flag?" Ginny asked.

"No, this is the best way to get this done as quickly as possible with the lowest risk. I don't like it, but my name alone will probably make the apothecary send the ingredients without questions. If it can prevent any more people from getting petrified or worse, then I don't mind," Harry said, smiling at Ginny to reassure her.

"Well...if you're sure," Ginny sighed, accepting defeat.

"Then it's settled. Harry will order the ingredients and we'll meet up and start preparing the potion as soon as possible. I'll write a list for you Harry and you can get it sorted," Hermione explained.

"I'll send Hedwig with the list to the Apothecary in Diagon Alley. I'll add some other ingredients to the list and mix the order up so that it doesn't look suspicious too," Harry said.

"Alright. You'll just have to let us know when they're on their way. Let me just write the instructions for making the potion down, then I'll write the list for you," Hermione said.

Hermione took a piece of parchment, wrote the instructions down, then got another piece for the ingredients. She took the instructions and passed the ingredients list to Harry. Hermione, Ginny and Ron got up to leave, but Harry stayed behind to make his own list for the Apothecary. Before they left, Ginny gave an excuse that she needed to check a book for an assignment. Ron seemed to be very hesitant and worried as Harry was still in the library, but Hermione dragged him away, knowing full well that Ginny wanted some time alone with Harry.

Ginny went back to Harry's table and sat down with him as he finished his list. She admired the determination in his eyes at this. He didn't want to burden anyone and just seemed to take everything on himself. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that he had to feel like it was up to him to solve the problems of everyone else. But it was like he said, he seemed to be the only one who could do it. Or at least the only one who cared to do something about it.

Ginny knew that she and Hermione cared also, of course, but it seemed as though Harry had a hero complex that just upstaged their care, even though he'd probably deny it. She was so deep in thought that she almost failed to notice him realise that she was there and address her.

"Ginny? I thought that you left with Ron and Hermione," Harry questioned.

"Well, I told them that I had a book to read. But really, I can't just leave you all on your lonesome now, can I?" Ginny joked.

"Suppose so. But I've finished my list, so you can't be just keeping me company for this. Is there something you need to talk about?" Harry asked.

"It's just...I can't stop thinking about how unfair this is to you. Anyone else would've backed out and left everyone to it by now. But not you. You will do anything, even paying for expensive ingredients, to see justice done. Don't try to tell me that they aren't expensive because I know. I've seen the Apothecary enough times to memorise the ingredients in there and the prices as my parents always mention it. But, why do you do it? You've had nothing but trouble since starting here, yet you still want to save everyone? Why?" Ginny asked.

"At first, I thought that I wouldn't care too much. I was focused on the wrongs in this world and was growing cold towards it. Sure, I helped people like Neville get their things back, but those were one-offs. If I was like I was back then, I probably would've let everyone panic and get hurt because so many of them seemed to deserve it. But then I met you and Hermione. You both helped me to warm up as it were. What happened last year started me off on this path, but then...I spent more time with you. You showed me so much trust and care that...You changed me, Ginny. You made me better. You made me realise that not all people are bad and deserve punishment. But...there's still a selfish reason that I have for doing this, after 'justice' for all as you said," Harry explained.

"What is that?" Ginny asked in confusion.

"You," Harry answered.

"Huh?" Ginny said in surprise.

"You are the reason. I know that the targets are supposedly Muggleborns, but what if the Heir doesn't stop there? What if he starts attacking 'blood traitors' too? You'd be the next target. I will not stand by while a psychopath is out there and you are in danger. If I lost you, then..." Harry replied, trailing off as the mere thought of losing Ginny seemed to cause his heart to stop beating for a second.

"Harry..." Ginny said, trying to find the words to respond to Harry's confession.

Ginny couldn't believe what she was hearing. Harry was doing this, burdening himself with the fate of the school and its students, for her? To keep her safe? It was like what he did to her mother and brother at the end of last year. Why would he do so much for her? Even he didn't seem to know and that confused, yet vulnerable expression he wore nearly broke her heart.

Before Ginny met him, Harry really had become cold, hadn't he? Warm emotions like love and friendship were still so new to him that it seemed to almost overwhelm and confuse him. He just couldn't piece it all together yet. Maybe he really did love her. In that case, she would just have to be patient with him. She would just have to show him what love really was. Maybe then, they could…

Shaking those thoughts from her head before she became too distracted, Ginny leaned forward and wrapped Harry in a hug. He stiffened slightly at the unexpected contact, but quickly melted into her warm embrace. What was this that he was feeling? He only seemed to feel this way around Ginny. Is this…?

"Quieten down over there or get out!" Madame Pince screamed.

Harry and Ginny quickly broke apart as they saw two students in the other corner, who had been laughing too loud, run outside so that they didn't have to face Pince's wrath. Harry and Ginny both blushed as they remembered their previous thoughts and their hug before they fumbled to collect their things to leave. Harry and Ginny then looked at the time and they realised that it was nearly curfew and they needed to leave. Packing their things, the two exited the library with smiles on their faces as they looked at each other and laughed at Pince's reaction to those poor students just having some fun.

Harry and Ginny made their way back to the Gryffindor common room and stopped as they got to the foot of the stairs leading to each gender's dorm. An awkward silence seemed to fill the air between them as they began to stumble over what to say in their minds. Eventually, Ginny steeled herself and leaned forward.

"Goodnight, Harry," Ginny said.

Then, Ginny kissed Harry's cheek. Her lips were soft and tender as they touched his skin, causing him to stiffen at her bold action. Her lips lingered for a few seconds before she pulled away with a heavy blush. He could feel his cheek burning where her lips had been, as if she had left a mark there.

"I-I'll see you t-tomorrow morning," Ginny stammered as she rushed up the stairs to her dorm.

Harry was still rooted to the spot as he stared at the top of the girls' stairs where he last saw Ginny. He reached a hand up to his cheek and caressed where she had kissed him. It still burned. She had burned the sensation of her lips into his skin and he knew that it wouldn't fade. As he finally came too and fully realised what had happened, he blushed himself. Why did he feel so good and happy about this? What was this feeling? And why was it always her?

Shaking his head clear as those thoughts began to overwhelm him, Harry marched up the stairs to his dorm and entered. He got ready for bed and laid down thinking about what had just happened and Ginny in general. Every time she would pop up in his mind, he could feel a smile coming. He put his Occlumency walls up as the thoughts began to consume him again. He needed to put them aside for now, otherwise he was never going to get some sleep.

Out of Harry collar came a familiar little serpent. Sabrina had been studying her master for the whole time since he confessed his true reason for helping to Ginny. She cheered for Ginny when she kissed Harry and had to choke back a laugh as he stood there mesmerised by Ginny's kiss. Both of them had it so bad for each other, but Harry's lack of understanding and residual cold nature was there again to squash his true feelings again. One day, he would realise the truth. She just hoped that he wouldn't do something stupid when the time came.