October 31

Dear Tom,

Don't you love Hallowe'en? It's such a pretty holiday. I like the jack o'lanterns. Muggles think it's a scary night and they dress up for it - as witches and wizards and ghosts, dad says. That's so funny.

My knees hurt.

What from?

I don't remember it, but Polly said I was up walking about again, in the middle of the night. She said I was walking along like I was just learning how, and then I tripped and fell on my face. I can't believe that it didn't wake me up. She said she helped me get up and get back in bed, and she said I swore at her to let go of me.

Good heavens.

I know. I hardly ever swear. I know every single swear word there is, but I try not to say them because you don't KNOW what my mum does if you slip up and swear in front of her. Everyone else has done it - Bill and Charlie and Fred and George… well, Percy hasn't. Ron hasn't - yet. And I won't! I don't want to have my mouth washed with Serves-You-Right Soap.

They still make that?

Unfortunately. They have "Red Hot" and "Screaming". Mum only has the "Red Hot" kind, but it was enough to make even Charlie shout. Of course, Charlie shouted out a swear word and then he had to get his mouth washed out again right away. Why, did you ever have your mouth washed out?

.

Tom?

What? Yes. Virginia, would you forgive me, I'm quite tired. I can't explain it, perhaps it is the excitement of the holiday.

That's all right, Tom. You rest, I'm going to go and play a round of Terrifying Tales down in the common room. I saw the seventh years getting ready for it when I came up from lunch - they were covering up the windows and making the room really dark. You know Terrifying Tales, don't you? That's where somebody tells a story and the first person to cry or scream is out. I'm good at it. I get scared, but I can hold it in. I've played a hundred times with Fred and George, and that's good practice because they don't just tell stories. They sneak up on you and pounce.

Sounds wonderful. Go play - and Virginia, come back to me before your Feast. I want to… have a chance to wish you Happy Hallowe'en.

You'll be with me Tom, don't worry. I'll write to you as soon as we're done playing downstairs. Bye.


Dear Tom,

Ha ha ha! I didn't scream or cry, and I never went out of the game. Lots of older people did. Lavender and Parvati, from Ron's year, screamed on the very first round. Polly and Kathleen lasted till the third one, but Fred got them out. I should have warned them about the pouncing.

I wonder if Harry noticed that I didn't get scared. I hope he did. He never once looked like he was going to scream. He just sort of sat there with Ron, and looked like he was trying not to laugh. I don't think he's scared of anything, Tom. Hermione looked worried though. I noticed she started out the game looking like she thought she was above it, but Fred got her too. She would have been called out if she hadn't put both hands over her mouth, I saw.

I'm going down to the Feast in a minute. I wanted to wish you a Happy Hallowe'en too.

Are you there, Tom?

Tom, you don't have to answer me if you're still tired. But everyone else has gone down to the Great Hall and I need to…

Tom… there's such a funny noise in my ears. Like when I looked… at the taps…

.

.

.

.

Tell me what to do.

You are ready?

Yes.

You are mine.

Yes.

You serve me.

Yes.

I own and operate you. You are my body, my hands, my eyes.

Yes.

Now listen well. Soon I will not need to instruct you; my strength will be complete. But tonight you must listen.

I am listening.

You will wait until Gryffindor is empty. You will wait until the Feast is underway. You will go to the first floor girls' toilet without being seen. You will lock the door. You will go to the taps and watch them until they come alive as they did before, and then you will allow my voice to rise through you. Fear it not, or the strange language it makes, for it will open the Chamber of Secrets, which lies beneath Hogwarts, dormant and dead. Or so they surely have believed, until tonight. Tonight, the Serpent will rise again. And when it does, you must not stifle me - you must not fight. Know this now: if you fight, you will die. If you are not wholly mine, then the Serpent you call forth will kill you on sight. You must be mine. It must sense me. Do not fear it. Bid it follow you into the corridor - you will know what to say. In the corridor, you will bleed the serpent for your next task. Minuete Cruorem. When the Serpent's blood begins to flow from its scales, you will dip your hand into it and write a message, as fast as you can, as high as you can reach - I will give you as much height as I can. Write this: THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE. You will then use Nolite Delere to seal the words to the wall.

Are you prepared to do this?

Yes, Tom.

We need attack no one tonight. Let them wait in fear, let them wonder.

Let them wonder.

Yes… good girl... However. Should anyone find you - should anyone approach - you must bid the Serpent attack at once. You will know the words. I will give you words. You must not be discovered. Kill, rather than face discovery. Do not hesitate to kill. Do you hear me?

I…

Do not waver, my strong one. My brave one. My Virginia. Open to me. They deserve death. They deserve death. Those who have teased and hurt you, those who would mock and abuse you - find your hatred now. Call it into your mind and fix it there, let it burn against them all. Only I trust you. Only I need you. Only I love you.

.

.

.

I am ready.

What do you want, Virginia?

To serve you.

How will you serve me?

I will open the Chamber. I will write the words.

And if you are caught?

I will call for the Serpent.

Yes… my perfect servant… and do you want to do it now?

Yes. Now. I want to.

Go.