Author's Note: Hey guys! So my upload pattern will be every other day from now on and I'll try to stick to it as best I can. I already have most of Chamber of Secrets written, so I thought I'd just upload another chapter today since I can! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Harry woke up on Monday morning feeling even more tired than he had the night before. He sat up, rubbed his eyes and put on his glasses. Mara was sitting on the edge of her bed putting her shoes on, her hair sticking up in all directions. Harry felt a wave of anger and annoyance flow through him as he remembered the events of the night before.

"Was there any particular reason you were making so much noise in the middle of the night?" he said, a grumpy tone obvious in his voice. Mara's head snapped up as she finished tying her lace.

"What?" She asked.

Harry swung his legs over the side of his bed, stretching before standing up and walking over to lift out his robes.

"You know what." He replied. "I'm talking about your little fiasco in the middle of the sodding night."

Mara continued to stare at him, her face covered in confusion.

"Wha- what are you talking about?" she said, her voice sounding distant.

Harry stared back at her. In truth, she looked awful, like she was ill or something. Her face had paled, making the purple circles under her eyes stand out. Her eyes had lost their usual shine, and her cheekbones seemed more defined. Harry felt the anger leave him. He sat down on her bed next to her.

"Are you feeling ok?" Harry asked. Her eyes refused to meet his gaze.

"I'm fine!" she half shouted as she ran her fingers through her hair. She lifted her bag off the bedroom floor, grabbing the diary from her bedside table, and left the room without another word. When Harry emerged to the main room, Sirius was sitting at the table with a coffee in his hand.

"Did Mara leave?" Harry asked, grabbing a piece of toast.

"Yeah, just a few minutes ago." Sirius answered.

Harry nodded. He put his bag on his shoulders and lifted another piece of toast, deciding to have breakfast on the go.

"See you later, Sirius." Harry said, not even bothering to look back at his godfather. He was about to leave the room when he felt a grip on his shoulder turn his round. Sirius was right in front of him, staring down at him.

"What's going on, Harry?" he asked, kneeling on the floor in front of Harry, holding his shoulders firmly.

Harry shrugged. He didn't know why, but he didn't want to discuss Mara with Sirius right now. She was already in a bad mood. Other than that, he was genuinely fine… but he knew it was risky to not be honest with Sirius. He always knew, after all.

"Nothing." Harry said, determined to keep a firm tone.

Sirius immediately looked unconvinced. "You can tell me anything, you know that."

Harry nodded, suddenly feeling guilty for not telling Sirius his concerns… but he just couldn't. Not until he at least knew what was going on.

"I've got to go. I said I'd meet Ron before Defence." Harry said, suddenly desperate to get away so he wasn't at risk of saying too much.

Sirius sighed. He ruffled Harry's hair, smiling weakly at him.

"We'll talk tonight, ok?" Sirius said.

Harry smiled back and nodded, before turning and leaving the room.

Mara was already in Defence when he arrived, sitting in their usual seat. Harry sat down beside her, which she didn't react to, as Ron sat next to Hermione in front of them. Lockhart was at the front of the class, smiling his stupid grin.

"Good morning class! How are we all this morning? I must say I was feeling a bit under the weather when I woke this morning, but thanks to my skills, I healed myself thoroughly and here I am." Lockhart said.

Half the class groaned, Harry, Ron and Mara included.

"Give me strength." Harry heard Ron mumble.

The first half of the class was spent listening to Lockhart ramble on about his encounter with a vampire, which Harry had stopped listening to almost as soon as Lockhart had begun the tale. Ron had his head on the desk, a light snoring could be heard. Hermione was listening intensely, practically on the edge of her seat. Mara was staring in front of her, her dark eyes glazed over. Harry knew she wasn't listening at all.

"Why'd you run out this morning?" Harry whispered to her. Lockhart was so busy being self-obsessed, now seemed a good enough time to have a talk.

"So I didn't have to listen to you gabbling on about nothing." Mara answered, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"It wasn't nothing!" Harry argued, "You were standing in the middle of the room at god knows what time muttering to yourself!"

Mara's breathing quickened. Her hands gripped the edge of the desk, turning her knuckles red. Her eyes stayed locked in front of her, as if she didn't even know Harry was there.

"It was nothing." She said, anger growing with every word in her voice.

"No, it bloody wasn't!" Harry cried, frustration pouring through him. "You're lucky I didn't tell Sirius. Yeah, he was asking all about this morning. So unless you tell me what is going on then I will just let Sirius handle it."

Mara didn't look his way at all as she spoke. "Leave it alone, boy."

Harry felt his heart drop. Boy? She had never, ever, called him that, nor had she ever used such a tone with him. Harry was her best friend, her brother, why was she pushing him away? Harry decided there and then what he was going to do. He needed to see Sirius as soon as possible.

"Mara, I think I need to talk to Sirius." Harry said, not wanting to lie to her or go behind her back. But as soon as he spoke, her head whipped round. She stared straight at him, and for a split second it wasn't Mara staring at him. Her dark eyes were full of hatred, her mouth in a tight line. She reached out and grabbed Harry's hand under the table, squeezing it hard and digging her nails in. Harry felt pain take over his hand, and fought the urge not to cry out.

"You say a word… I'll kill her." Mara whispered, her voice an evil hiss.

As soon as she spoke, Mara's eyes softened, her mouth fell into a confused expression. She released Harry's hand immediately. She stared down at their hands, her face looking close to tears. Harry lifted his hand onto the table where he gasped. It was bruised, slightly swollen, and bleeding where she had dug her nails in. He turned to look at Mara, who was watching his hand as tears streamed down her face, and felt something he had never felt around her before. He was afraid.

"Harry- I-I…" Mara croaked out, but she couldn't speak. She stood up, lifting her bag, and ran from the room, Harry gazing after her.

"Miss Lestrange!" Lockhart called cheerily from the front of the room, but Mara had already gone from sight.

"Look at that, class. Miss Lestrange was so touched by my story that she couldn't handle anymore. That's what I aim to do, children. Inspire others." Lockhart said, before continuing with his story time.

"Jesus, Harry!" Ron exclaimed.

They were in the Astronomy Tower. It was after dinner, although Harry couldn't bring himself to eat a thing. He felt sick, he couldn't believe what had happened. Mara had not returned to any classes all day, Hermione explaining to the teachers that she was ill. In truth, they didn't know where she was, but Harry didn't have any intention of finding her either.

"You should see Madam Pomfrey about that, Harry." Hermione said.

Harry looked down at his hand. It was sore alright, and part of him knew that it needed medical attention. But how would he explain it to Madam Pomfrey who would almost certainly tell Sirius.

"It'll be fine." Harry said, gazing out at the lake.

He had told them all about what had happened in Defence, that Mara had hurt his hand.

"Why would Mara do that?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged. "Sirius reckons she's just 'growing up'."

"Her age has nothing to do with this, Harry. She attacked you for no reason!" Hermione said.

Harry hadn't told them what she had said as she squeezed his hand.

You say a word… I'll kill her

Harry didn't know what to do, but he knew Sirius was not an option. He couldn't help, not this time. Harry's hand began to throb, causing him to wince every so often when he moved. Finally, after he gave a loud cry, Hermione grabbed his forearm and dragged him from the room.

"We're going to the hospital wing right now." She said.

"Hermione- no! I can't- "Harry began, but Hermione cut him off.

"Shut up. Look at your hand. You need help!"

Hermione dragged him down the corridor, Ron behind them.

"I don't get how a girl as small as Mara could do so much damage." Ron said.

Harry stayed quiet. He was panicking so much the air wasn't going down to his lungs. They reached the hospital wing, the castle almost empty as most students had retreated to their common rooms for the evening. Madam Pomfrey was in her office by the door, sipping a steaming cup of tea. She spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione as soon as they entered, setting down her tea and walking out to meet them, a frown on her face.

"Hello, Mr Potter." She said, "What have you managed to do already?"

Harry stayed silent, not sure what to say. Thankfully, Hermione spoke for him.

"He's hurt his hand, Miss." She said.

Madam Pomfrey sighed. "Go take a seat on bed number 2, I'll be right over."

Harry sat down on the edge of the bed, Ron beside him and Hermione on the chair in front of him.

"What am I meant to say to Sirius?" he hissed at Hermione.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "You'll tell him the truth. Something is going on, Harry, and Sirius has a right to know."

"I can handle Mara, Hermione!" Harry argued.

"No, you can't. Look at what happened today. Sirius needs to know!"

"No, Hermione, he doesn't! He's my godfather, it's my choice!"

"Harry, will you stop being so flipping stubborn!"

Madam Pomfrey was walking down the hospital wing towards Harry, her footsteps echoing eerily on the floor.

"One word, Hermione, and I swear I'll never talk to you again." Harry hissed just as Madam Pomfrey arrived at his side.

"Right, Mr Potter let's have a look."

Harry lifted his hand gently, wincing slightly. Madam Pomfrey took his hand in her own, looking at it closely. Everyone was silent for a moment as the medi-witch examined Harry, before she looked up at him.

"You have several sprained fingers. Along with the obvious wounds. I can give you a potion to help the pain and ease the injuries, but I'll need to bandage your hand." She said.

Harry nodded, Hermione glaring at him. He stared back at her, giving her a warning expression to keep her mouth shut.

Madam Pomfrey had begun to bandage Harry's hand after poring a strange liquid on the cuts. It stung a little, but Harry was too deep in thought to even really care. Madam Pomfrey excused herself to go back into her office for a few minutes, leaving Harry and Hermione staring at each other and Ron shifting awkwardly where he was sitting.

Madam Pomfrey returned minutes later with two potions, and instructed Harry to drink them. They tasted terrible, making Harry feel even sicker than he had before. He put the empty vials on the bedside table, just as the doors to the hospital wing opened, and Harry's stomach hurled when he saw who it was.

Sirius was practically charging down the hospital wing, his eyes locked on Harry.

"Professor Black, there you are." Madam Pomfrey said.

Sirius stood in front of Harry, scanning his face for what Harry could only assume was answers.

"What happened?" Sirius demanded, looking at Harry's bandaged hand.

Harry stared down at his lap, avoiding Sirius's glance. They sat in an awkward silence for what felt like centuries, but Harry knew that Sirius's temper would soon crack.

"Harry?" Sirius said, his tone getting louder.

Harry kept his eyes on his lap. "I… I fell… down the steps… of the astronomy tower."

Harry risked a glance at Sirius, who looked so unconvinced that his face appeared angry.

"Harry James Potter! Now is not the time to lie to me. What happened?"

"I told you." Harry could see Ron and Hermione staring at him from the corner of his eye, "I fell."

Sirius scoffed. "You expect me to believe that? How stupid do you think I am?"

Sirius knelt in front of Harry, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look him in the eye.

"I'm sorry. But I need to know what happened? Did someone do this?" Sirius asked.

Harry thought about telling him, but how could he say that Mara had been the one to sprain his fingers and cut his hand. He just couldn't… he needed to talk to Mara first before he said anything to Sirius. He needed to find out what she had meant by 'I'll kill her'.

"No. I fell." Harry said again.

Sirius rubbed his face with his hands and groaned.

"You are way too stubborn sometimes." He sighed.

"Wonder where I get that from." Harry replied.

Sirius chuckled lightly, before standing up and turning to Ron and Hermione.

"I think it's time you both returned to the Gryffindor common room. You can see Harry tomorrow."

Ron and Hermione nodded, waved at Harry, and turned to leave the hospital wing.

"Oh, and if you see my niece on your way, can you tell her to get her ass back to my quarters?" Sirius shouted after them. Ron and Hermione turned around, looking horrified. Harry understood that the last thing they wanted to do was approach Mara after what had happened. They disappeared out the door, the sound of their footsteps echoing away.

"Come on, Harry. Let's get upstairs. I think we need a chat." Sirius said, grabbing Harry under the arms and pulling him gently off the bed so he was standing.

"Thank you, Poppy." Sirius said to Madam Pomfrey as they passed.

"Just rest it for a few days, ok?" she said, jerking her head at Harry's hand.

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." Harry said.

"Just don't let me see you back here until you're at least thirty." She said, smiling at Harry.

Sirius led Harry across the entrance hall, up the staircase and down the corridor. They walked in silence, the only sound their footsteps on the corridor floor. Harry wondered where Mara was. It was obvious she hadn't returned to Sirius's Quarters at all, so where was she? Harry hadn't seen her since Defence, when she had been… not herself? Harry didn't know how to describe it. But it hadn't been her. Mara would never have attacked him like that… so what was wrong with her? He needed to find out.

'Rip… tear… kill… let me rip… let me tear… let me kill…'

Harry stopped dead in the middle of the hallway. He spun around, the corridor was completely empty except Sirius and himself.

"Who's there?" Harry said, his voice shaking.

Sirius had stopped too, and was looking at Harry like he was a bomb about to explode.

"Harry...? What is it?"

'Rip… tear… kill… KILL…'

"Can't you hear it?" Harry asked desperately.

"Hear what?" Sirius said, his face drowning in confusion.

"The voice…"

Sirius was right in front of Harry now. "What voice, Harry?"

'kill…kill…kill…'

"It's going to kill someone!" Harry yelled, and before Sirius could stop him, he had taken off and ran down the corridor, the voice growing louder and louder.

"HARRY!" Sirius shouted from behind him, but Harry did not stop. He ran and ran, the voice ringing in his ears. How could Sirius not hear it? It was so loud.

Harry rounded the corner and stopped dead in his tracks. There, on the way in front of him, was writing… red writing.

Sirius caught up behind him.

"Holy shit."

Harry read the words in his head, his whole-body trembling.

The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware.

"Sirius… what- what's the chamber of secrets?" Harry asked, but Sirius didn't answer him. He had walked over to the wall, and ran his finger through a letter.

"It's written in blood." He said.

Harry felt light headed, his vision blurry. Sirius stood in front of the message, his head now turned to the right.

"Oh shit." Sirius said.

Harry managed to get his legs working as he walked forward to see what Sirius was staring at. There, hanging on the wall, was Filch's cat, Mrs Norris. She was deathly still, not even moving an inch. Harry could not even see her back move as she breathed… which made him suddenly think.

"Is- is she dead?"

Sirius walked right over to the cat, his hand outstretched when he suddenly heard a low rumble of voices. Harry turned around, thinking it was the cold voice he had heard earlier, but saw a group of Ravenclaw's coming down the corridor.

"Don't say a word, Harry." Sirius whispered to him.

The group had reached Harry and Sirius and were now standing, gobsmacked, gazing at the writing on the wall in front of them.

"Everyone just stay back, alright?" Sirius demanded.

"What's going on, professor?"

"What is that?"

"What happened to Mrs Norris?"

Questions were being fired at Sirius who hushed them all with his hands. The crowd had now expanded, with people from all houses watching them. Harry stood behind his godfather as many eyes stared him out.

"Why's Potter here?" a Hufflepuff boy shouted.

"Mr Potter was with me. Not that it is any of your business, Mr Halligan." Sirius responded.

There was a sudden breeze of air, and when Harry looked up the face of Albus Dumbledore was staring right back at him.

"Are you ok, Harry?" he asked, his sparkling blue eyes filled with concern.

Harry nodded. Dumbledore turned to Sirius.

"What happened, Sirius?"

Sirius began to tell about what had happened, how he and Harry had found the corridor like this. Sirius left out the part about Harry hearing voices, which Harry was thankful for seeing as the large crowd of students were still present.

"Minerva," Dumbledore said, making Harry aware that McGonagall was even there, "Could you please accompany young Harry back to where he belongs, please. We have some things to discuss here."

Harry felt a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, Potter." McGonagall said.

"The rest of you, bedtime!" Dumbledore shouted, and immediately the hallway began to empty. McGonagall directed Harry through the crowd. Harry turned back to glance at Sirius, but he was deep in a conversation with Dumbledore.

McGonagall took Harry back to Sirius's quarters, where she told him to stay put.

"Do not leave this room. If you do, I shall know. Sirius won't be too long." And with that, she swooped from the room.

Harry walked through the door at the top of the classroom, expecting to find Sirius's quarter's empty. Only it wasn't. Mara was sitting on the couch, the diary open on the floor in front of her, gazing at nothing. Harry felt a pang in his stomach.

"Mara?"

She didn't move, or show any signs that she had even heard him. She continued to be as still as a statue, not even blinking as she stared so intensely. Her eyes were like empty coals, so emotionless and dull that Harry wondered if this could even be Mara. Mara, who's dark eyes all glistened and shone. Her curly hair was wet, dripping on to her waist and down her arms, making her clothes soaking.

"Mara, are you ok?"

She didn't move. Harry rushed over to her, the panic building inside of him as he grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

"Mara! Mara!"

She didn't respond at all. The air around Harry suddenly felt suffocating as he tried to think of something to do. He looked around the room, but there was nothing to help him at all. Then he looked at the bathroom door. Water… yes, water seemed like a good idea. Harry jumped up and sprinted into the bathroom. He began to fill the cup by the sink with water when-

"What are you doing?"

Harry dropped the glass, smashing it on the floor. He turned to see Mara standing behind him, watching him closely, her eyes still empty.

"You're ok?" Harry asked.

"Of course I am." She said.

She turned and walked from the room, lifting the diary off the floor and holding it under her arm. She turned back to look at Harry, her mouth in a wide grin.

"You look pale. Perhaps you should sit down." She said. Harry would rather have chewed his own eyeballs out than sit down in a room with Mara… with this Mara.

"Why didn't you answer me when I was calling and shaking you?" Harry asked.

Mara laughed. "It was only a game, Harry."

Harry didn't like this at all.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?" Harry asked.

"Acting like what?"

"Like this!"

The door opened and Sirius appeared in the room, his face pale as he looked at Harry.

"Sirius, what happened? Is everything ok?" Harry demanded.

"It's been dealt with. I think you two should go to bed… Get some sleep." Sirius responded. He sat down at the table, summoning himself a glass of firewhiskey which he downed in one.

"Ok… well, night then." Harry said. He walked into his bedroom while Mara went to the bathroom. He pulled off his robes, careful not to hurt his hand, and climbed into bed. He lay in the darkness for a long while, thinking about the day and all that had happened. The door opened a while later, and Harry heard what he assumed to be Mara climbing into her bed. She was sniffing, like she had been crying.

"Har- Harry…" she said, every word sounding like an effort. She sounded strained but… normal, almost like her usual self.

"Yeah?" Harry replied.

"I- I'm- sorry…"

Harry could hear the pain in her voice, and could only imagine the tears rolling down her cheeks as she spoke.