Dylan Potter

Madam Pomfrey was not happy when Dylan and Harry entered the Hospital Wing.

"Mr. Potter's nose won't be a problem, but mending bones is a lot simpler than growing them back," Madam Pomfrey sighed.

She turned to Harry and took out her wand. She pointed to Harry's nose and said, "Brackium Emendo". This was the charm that Lockhart attempted on Dylan, but unlike Lockhart, Madam Pomfrey did not fail and Harry's nose was fixed.

"You can fix it though, right?" Dylan asked looking at her boneless arm.

"Of course I can, but it will be very painful and unlike Mr. Potter you will have to stay the night," she sighed.

Massie, Alicia, and Hermione had went to grab Dylan's pajamas and then helped her change into them while everyone else waited on the other side of the curtain.

"How are you going to defend Lockhart this time, Hermione?" Ron asked from the other side.

Massie and Alicia gave Hermione a confused look.

"Do you actually like him?" Massie asked.

"Even I'm annoyed that he won't actually teach us anything," Alicia said.

It is quite funny that Hermione still respects Lockhart while Alicia Rivera sees him as a joke when Hermione is typically more interested in education while Alicia is more interested in gossip and attractiveness.

"Nobody is perfect and he made a mistake. Besides the pain is gone, isn't it?" she asked Dylan as she helped Dylan into bed.

"Well no, but that is because my arm has no feeling at all," Dylan said as Massie motioned that it was safe to come from behind the curtain. All of Dylan's Aliquam Velit friends were there along with Harry and Ron.

"They really should've stopped the game to investigate those bludgers," Alicia said.

"If they did, then Gryffindor would have had to forfeit," Plovert explained.

"But if Slytherin cheated, then it should be them that had to forfeit or at least they could schedule a rematch," Alicia pointed out.

"I have a feeling that most of our team wasn't involved with this," Josh said. Dylan noticed Kristen silently nod. They both seemed to have the same idea. Ron, Harry, and Hermione seemed to also know what he was trying to say. They believed that this was the work of Draco Malfoy. Even though charming bludgers in a way that wouldn't get you caught seemed to be a little advanced for Draco Malfoy if he was the heir of Slytherin he might know how to do more than everyone expects especially if he had help from someone older. Dylan noticed Ryan was in the crowd looking quite amused at everything happening. Dylan can't imagine that Ryan would have an issue with Harry, but Dylan knew that Ryan never liked Dylan and even though she doesn't openly bully her anymore she probably wouldn't be against helping out with a prank like this.

"Ugh no offense Josh, but I wouldn't put it past most of your housemates," Ron said. Dylan is quite pleased that Ron didn't group Josh with the rest of the Slytherin House anymore. That took quite a while, but after last year Josh definitely proved that he could be trusted.

"But why would those bludgers only go after Dylan and Harry? I mean we all know that Dylan is a very strong seeker and has proved herself to be one of the strongest on the team, but Harry is still new and hasn't proved to be a key player yet. Wouldn't it have made more sense for the other bludger to target one of the Weasley twins or Wood? Even Angelina would have made more sense since she is the strongest chaser as of now," Derrick pondered.

"It was more than trying to fix the match. I'm not sure if you guys have noticed, but most Slytherins are not huge fans of the Potter Twins," Harry pointed out.

Everyone was silent for a second. This was very true. Sure, most of the Slytherins did not like any Gryffindors, but Harry and Dylan did have an extra large target on their back. The only Gryffindors that even came close to getting as much hate from Slytherins were the Weasley twins, but that was because Fred and George liked to spend most of their time pranking the Slytherins. Massie probably came in a distant third because a lot of Slytherins were blood purists and did not like her father. Plus some were bitter that American Royalty was put into Gryffindor, instead of Slytherin.

"Well Draco shouldn't bother you guys anymore. I made sure of it," Josh said.

"Do you really think you can stop him?" Ron asked.

"Draco and I are not friends. In fact we are pretty much in-house rivals. He may talk a big game, but deep down he knows that I am going to go way farther than him in life and unlike him I won't have to rely on my family's name," Josh said smugly. Typical Josh, thinking that status is the best revenge. Dylan would never admit this out loud, but Draco and Josh definitely had things in common. Both believed that status was everything. However the difference was that Draco liked to surround himself with those who would never outshine him and even though he enjoyed having connections, he never wanted anyone in his inner circle to be better at anything which is why he keeps Crabbe and Goyle by his side. Josh, however, liked to surround himself with those who were more popular and better than him because it made him better. Josh doesn't want to associate with someone who could embarrass him in public. That is why he connected with Hermione Granger, despite the fact that she was kind of a nobody. She would eventually be a somebody in the Wizarding world and he wants to be able to tell people that he was friends with her before she changed the world.

Madam Pomfrey returned with a large bottle labeled Skele-Gro. Dylan has heard of it before, but she didn't know much about it. She did see Josh visible cringe though.

"What?" Dylan asked him as Madam Pomfrey filled a small cup with it.

"My parents had to make some for the hospital once when they ran out and needed some in a hurry. They told me that it was nasty stuff and let me try a small drop so that I would know to never mess with around with spells and charms that I wasn't taught to do. This was after they caught me playing with dad's wand trying to make my toy broom fly faster," Josh said.

Dylan completely understood Josh's cringe when she drank some. It was horrible. It burned and made her cough uncontrollably. Madam Pomfrey just shook her head and muttered something about careless professors before walking away leaving Dylan with her friends for a little longer.

"Well at least you guys won. Your catch was quite legendary," Derrick said trying to lighten the mood.

"Flint was losing it at Draco for letting himself get distracted and not noticing the Snitch right next to him," Ron smirked.

"I just wonder how he did it," Kristen muttered. She hadn't spoke much since coming here, but Dylan could tell that she had a lot on her mind. Dylan hoped that this "project" they were working on wasn't too much pressure for her, but by the look on her face it seemed that she was more determined than ever to make it work.

"Now I know Draco is a complete pest and was highly amused by everything, but he is only a second year like us. For him to be able to jinx a bludger that was guarded by Madam Hooch he would have had to do it during the match and use non-verbal magic which none of us have learned yet. I'm sure Madam Hooch will investigate this and the truth will come out," Plovert said trying to be logical.

Dylan isn't convinced that he did it without help, but decided not to share her opinion since the only way to explain it is to tell them the theory that Draco was the heir of Slytherin and that Ryan was helping him make their life a living hell. Then they are all going to either want to get involved with helping them which would be too risky or they would try to stop them so that they don't get in trouble which could also be a problem. Massie would probably go to Professor McGonagall and blame Harry so that he would get expelled and she wouldn't have to see him anymore. When that thought went through Dylan's head she noticed something. Massie was standing right next to Harry and wasn't trying way too hard to avoid him. She just looked at Dylan with a concerned look. She didn't even care that her former obsession was right next to her. Is this what had to happen for Massie to get over her "Harry Awkwardness". Did this mean that she could convince Massie to invite both of them to live with her in Aliquam Velit and leave the Dursleys for good? Dylan decided to not to push it yet. Especially since Kemp was also there and Dylan noticed that mean looks he was shooting Harry's way. Once again it seemed that he was blaming Harry for Dylan's misfortune. Dylan hated that Kemp had issues with Harry. Kemp used to be one of her best friends and they barely see each other anymore because he refuses to hang out with her twin brother. Dylan sighed to herself. That was a conversation she needed to have with him, but she would save it for another day.

The Hospital Wing door burst open and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team entered. It looked as if they just finished showering up because they were no longer muddy and soaked.

"That was unbelievable flying Dylan. You really showed Malfoy that you can't buy skills," George said.

They were all carrying sweets and bottles of pumpkin juice, ready for a party.

"I'm really sorry Dylan...and to you too Harry. I put a lot of pressure on both you to win," Oliver said, but Dylan could tell that he was struggling to keep the prideful smile on his face. Oliver had already apologized to both of them on the field and she is sure that he really did feel bad that they were hurt, but even Dylan could admit that the win against boastful Slytherin did feel good.

"Maybe I'll get lucky and Draco will get kicked off the team and I'll finally get my spot which if that happens you all better watch out. We all know I am a way better flyer than that joke," Josh smirked.

Josh, Kemp, Derrick, Cam, Plovert, Oliver, Fred, and George talked about Quidditch while Angelina, Katie, Massie, and Alicia gossiped about the game and laughed about how pathetic Malfoy was. Dylan looked over at Kristen, Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"We'll find out the truth soon, but for now try not to bring it up too much. I think Malfoy had help this time around. I don't want to say too much now, but lets meet tomorrow in the bathroom and I'll explain everything," Dylan muttered quiet enough so only the people she wanted to hear her would be able to hear. Hermione, Ron, and Harry looked confused, but Kristen seemed to know exactly who Dylan was talking about.

"But why?" Kristen asked in an almost silent whisper.

Dylan bit her lip. Kristen seemed to understand that Dylan was referring to Ryan. She was the only one who truly understood her relationship with Ryan. Ryan always bullied Dylan and made her dislike for her obvious. What Kristen didn't know what that Ryan knew things about Dylan and because of that Ryan could really set Dylan and Harry up big time. Dylan is pretty sure that Malfoy could not have done this prank with the bludger alone. She also knows that Ryan probably knows that Dylan can speak Parceltongue. What if Draco is the Heir of Slytherin and he convinced Ryan to team up with him so that they could try to set up Dylan and Harry up? If Ryan taught herself a little Parceltongue, she could use it to lead Harry and Dylan to the scene of the crime everytime. Maybe this bludger thing was just to mess with them and distract them from the truth. If Ryan was involved with all of this, the rest needed to know, but the only way she could make sense of her theory was to tell the rest that she and Harry were Parceltongue. That was terrifying. It really could change everything. Would they all turn on them? She'd like to think that Kristen would not, but the fact that Dylan has known that she was a Parceltongue for most of her life and never told her might make Kristen think that their entire friendship was a lie and she might think that maybe Dylan was also lying about being the Heir of Slytherin.

"It is time for everybody to leave! This girl has 33 bones to regrow and needs her rest! Get out! Get out now!" Madam Pomfrey said ushering everyone out. They all waved goodbye and left Dylan alone. The stabbing pains in her arm were now more noticeable because she had nothing to distract her.

Dylan tried to sleep, but it was hard with this intense pain. She kept tossing and turning. She would fade in and out of a dream. The dream was fuzzy, but she was able to make out a giant spider surrounded by smaller, but still big spiders. That was all she saw though. She couldn't make out what they were doing or what else was happening.

Her eyes shot wide open when she felt cold moisture on her forehead. Her arm was still in pain, but it was not nearly as bad. It was as if there were many splinters hidden under her skin. It was bad, but almost heavenly compared to the pain she felt earlier. She looked up and saw a small wrinkly claw holding a damp sponge and a pair of big eyes looking down at her. Startled, she jumped which caused the little creature to tumble off her.

"Dobby? What are you doing?" she asked trying to keep her voice down so Madam Pomfrey didn't rush in.

She saw that the House-elf had a single tear falling from his left eye.

"Dylan Potter and Harry Potter came back to school. Dobby told Harry Potter and Dylan Potter to stay away. Why didn't Harry Potter and Dylan Potter listen to Dobby? Why didn't Harry Potter and Dylan Potter go home when they missed the train?" he asked.

Dylan sat up and walked the cool liquid off her forehead with her good arm.

"How did you know that we missed the train?" Dylan asked.

Dobby looked as if he was about to burst into tears. That is when Dylan figured it out.

"Wait a minute; did you block the barrier?" Dylan asked.

"Yes mam. Dobby had to do it. Dobby hid and watched as Harry Potter and Dylan Potter got ready to go through so Dobby sealed the gateway. Dobby had to iron his hands afterward, but Dobby did it anyways. He thought that Harry Potter and Dylan Potter were safe, but Dobby never thought that Harry Potter and Dylan Potter would still make it to Hogwarts," Dobby explained.

Dylan noticed the bandaged fingers on Dobby's hands. House-elves punished themselves when they did something to disobey their masters which could mean one of two things. Either he was forced to punish himself for failing his mission or he blocked the barrier without his master's permission.

"Dobby why are you trying to keep us out of Hogwarts?" Dylan asked trying to keep her voice calm. She could have smacked the House Elf for almost getting them expelled, but wanted to know why Dobby was so persistent in trying to keep Dylan and Harry away from Hogwarts.

"It is not safe for Harry Potter or Dylan Potter. Harry Potter and Dylan Potter don't know what they mean to House Elves. Dobby remembers how poorly we were treated during the time of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's power. Dobby is still treated like vermin, but it is so much better for the rest of my kind. Dobby thought that his Bludgers would send Harry Potter and Dylan Potter home and keep them safe, but..." Dobby rambled before being cut off. Dobby's bludgers?

"You did this? Dobby you could have killed us," Dylan said trying to keep her voice steady, but it was getting harder.

"Dobby would never kill Dylan Potter and Harry Potter. He only wished to hurt Harry Potter and Dylan Potter enough to be sent home," Dobby explained.

Dylan bit her lip trying not to lose her cool.

"But why?" she said through her teeth.

"Dobby cannot let Harry Potter or Dylan Potter be here now that the Chamber of Secrets is open again..." he started before cutting himself off. He froze, then began to bang his head against the nightstand next to Dylan's bed, muttering "Bad Dobby. Bad Dobby".

The Chamber of Secrets? Open again? It was opened before? So Dylan was right in thinking that whoever opened the Chamber of Secrets had it out for her and Harry, but it seems that it wasn't what Dylan expected. They must not be trying to pin this all on the Potter Twins or else Dobby wouldn't speak of trying to save the Potter Twins life since the worst that could happen was them getting expelled and possibly sent to Azkaban. Based off of what Dobby is saying, the opening of the Chamber of Secrets is going to put them in danger. And apparently this isn't the first time it was opened.

"Wait, this isn't the first time that the Chamber was opened? Who opened it before?" Dylan asked.

"Dobby cannot tell you. Dylan Potter must ask no more. Dylan Potter and Harry Potter need to leave. They must not be here when the dark deeds happen. Harry Potter and Dylan Potter must go far away. Hogwarts is too dangerous for Dylan Potter and Harry Potter," he rambled. Dylan softly touched Dobby's hand trying to calm him down. Maybe she could convince the elf to help her. It could really help them find out the truth.

"Dobby I promise I won't get you in trouble, but please tell me. If my brother and I are in danger, we have to know what we are up against," she said softly.

"Dobby can't. Dylan Potter must return home and take Harry Potter with her," Dobby squeaked.

The words "Enemies of the heir, beware." flew through Dylan's head.

"We can't. We are best friends with a Muggle-born and if the enemies of the heir are at risk we can't leave them alone to be killed," Dylan explained.

Dobby burst into tears.

"Dylan Potter wants to risk her own life for her friends. Dylan Potter is equal in her brother's goodness," Dobby gushed.

Dylan tried to calm down the House-elf so that she could try to get more information on the Chamber, but then she heard footsteps coming towards the Hospital Wing. Dobby heard them too and grew silent.

"Dobby must go," he squeaked before apparating away. Dylan groaned that she lost her chance, then quickly ducked back under the covers and pretended to be asleep.

She opened her eyes only slightly so she could see what was going on. She saw Dumbledore enter the room in a dressing gown and nightcap. He was holding one end of what seemed to be a statue while Professor McGonagall entered carrying the other end. They placed it onto a bed, but it remained covered so Dylan didn't see what it was.

"Get Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore whispered.

McGonagall rushed away and quickly came back followed by Madam Pomfrey.

"What happened?" she asked looking closely at what was lying in the bed.

"There was another attack. Minerva found him on the stairs," Dumbledore explained. Dylan held her breath. Was that a student under those sheets?

"There was a pile of grapes next to him. We think he was trying to sneak up here and visit Miss Potter," McGonagall explained and taking off the sheet.

It was Colin Creevey, His eyes were wide open and his hands were held out in front of him holding his camera.

"He was petrified?" Madam Pomfrey asked quietly.

"Yes, but I fear that it could have been worse if Albus hadn't been heading to the kitchen for some hot chocolate," McGonagall said.

The three observed Colin as Dylan tried to not move too much. She kept looking at Colin. He was annoying, but Dylan never wanted him to be attacked. He was actually a pretty good kid who was just overexcited.

"Do you think he got a picture of the attacker?" Madam Pomfrey asked hopefully.

Dumbledore opened the camera. Steam hissed out of the camera and Dylan began to smell burnt plastic.

"It was melted, but how?" McGonagall asked.

"How? I have yet to figure it out, but what I do know is that this confirms that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened again," Dumbledore said.

Madam Pomfrey let out a small gasp as Professor McGonagall looked as if she was trying to keep her cool.

"But who?" she asked trying to keep her voice steady.

"Who is not the question we should be asking, but how?" he said.

Everyone stayed silent. What did Dumbledore mean by "how?"? If they knew who, then they could find out how. Dylan knew from experience that Dumbledore likes to speak in riddles, but now did not seem like the time. A student being attacked made this Chamber business seem a lot more serious which means that they better get some answers quick or else another student may fall victim and Dylan does not want that to happen.

Uh oh! Dylan has a lot more questions which is not helping her. It is time to start finding some answers! In the next chapter we will jump to Kristen as she works with the Golden Crew to put their plan into action. Then after that we will check back in with Nina Callas as she tries to get a little closer to Draco. Stay tuned!