Chapter 55 - Chamber of Secrets

Harry had been yelling at Snape before the man had made any move to attack him. McGonagall moved instinctively to his defence and raised her wand. A few of the other Order members, Adie included, raised theirs also as the two teachers began to duel. Snape was no match for her and McGonagall screamed after him as the man in black flew out of the large back window.

"Coward!"

The crowd began to cheer as she relit the lamps with a flick of her wrist. A small smile crept on to Adie's face as she made eye contact with Harry. He gave her a stiff nod and they both jumped when someone started screaming. George reached for her hand and squeezed it gently as the students split so Harry could walk through them.

She returned the gesture as her friend moved about, and another girl began screaming. Then a cold and hissing voice filled the air.

"I know many of you will want to fight. Some of you may even think to fight is wise. But this is a folly..."

"A folly..."

"Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I will leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded."

There was a brief moment of silence.

"You have one hour."

Then it was gone. Adie felt her free hand quivering as the light began to glow once more. She met George's eye as the school backed away from Harry. Her friend stood alone as Panay Parkinson shouted loudly, pointing an accusing finger at Harry.

"Well what are you waiting for?! Someone grab him!"

She didn't move as her hands shook. Ginny stood defensively in front of Harry, and the Order followed suit. Behind him, Adie took Hermione's hand as Filch came puffing in.

"Students out of bed! Students in the corridors!"

"They are supposed to be out of bed you blithering idiot!"

The girls sniggered a little at the comical aspect of the scene. McGonagall continued.

"Actually Mr Filch, your arrival is most opportune...if you would could please lead Miss Parkinson and the rest of Slytherin house from the hall."

The witch jerked her wand in the direction of Pansy, who had lowered her hands.

"And where is it, I'd be leading them to m'am?"

"The dungeons would do..."

The other houses started cheering and the Slytherins began filing out of the hall. Professor McGonagall turned to address Harry whilst Remus, Kingsley and Mr Weasley began delegating jobs to teachers and the Order. Adie turned to Hermione and Ron.

"I'll meet you guys at the door?"

They nodded and backed away as she turned to George. He didn't say anything to her, merely lifted her hand...the one with the ring glittering on it...and kissed it gently. Her heart leapt into her mouth and she hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek.

"I will see you soon..."

"Love you, Adie..."

"I l-"

But she was interrupted as the sky rumbled and Harry made a dash for the door. George nodded as she looked back at him.

"I know."

She squeezed his hand and ran after Harry.

"Hey wait up!"

He turned fleetingly and offered her a stiff smile. Hermione and Ron joined her chase and managed to stop him on the stairs. They got him to turn and explained their plan.

"It doesn't matter if we find a horcrux!"

"What?"

"Unless we can destroy it!"

Adie nodded, still trying to catch her breath. Hermione and Ron continued.

"Well we were thinking..."

"Actually Ron was thing it was Ron's idea. It's completely brilliant!"

The blonde raised an eyebrow at her friend. Ron smirked and explained his idea.

"Well you destroyed Tom Riddle's diary with a basilisk fang, we think we know where we might find one."

Harry nodded, fumbling in his coat pocket.

"Okay, but here take this..."

He shoved the Marauders Map into Adie's hands and retreated down the stairs.

"That way you can find me when you get back."

The blonde called after him.

"Where are you going?"

"Ravenclaw common room! Gotta start somewhere!"

And with that he vanished up the opposite flight of stairs. Adie looked at her other two friends.

"Where can we get a basilisk fang? Snape's potion cupboard?"

"No. The Chamber of Secrets!"

"Come on, let's go!"

Ron lead the way as they began running down the stairs and towards Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and the Chamber of Secrets.

It didn't take them long to fall into the bowels of the castle. Had they not been on a mission, Adie would've been in awe of the vast tunnels and large snake skin in the belly of Hogwarts. However, there was no time for such things.

"How much further, Ron?"

The red head turned.

"No idea, haven't been here since second year. I don't think it should be much longer."

And as he spoke, a large round door came into view. Snakes were carved into the stone and the three of them stood side by side.

"How do we get in?"

Both Hermione and Adie looked at Ron as he formulated an answer. It was strange for him to take the lead, but they had faith in him.

"We have to talk to it in parseltongue!"

"Oh yeah, cause all of us took a class on how to talk to snakes!"

Adie's voice was thick with sarcasm, but she was left open mouthed as Ron made hissing noises and the door began to unlock.

"Harry talks in his sleep! Haven't you noticed?"

"No..."

"Nice one!"

The chamber was large and the stone bust of Salazar Slytherin was quite daunting as they approached. Silent bangs echoed from the above world as they saw the great skeleton of the long dead snake.

"Let's do this quick and then get back and help the others..."

"Yeah."

Ron marched up the the jaws and tugged at a fang. Hermione pulled out a small cup from her bag. Adie asked no questions, she knew what it was from Dumbledore's letter.

"You do it, Hermione..."

Her friend looked at her with wide eyes and Ron nodded.

"I can't..."

"Yes you can..."

"You're meant to."

Hermione attempted another feeble voice of protest, but Ron pressed the fang into her hand, while Adie braced the cup. They all crouched over it as Hermione raised her hand. The cup seems to pulsate under Adie's fingers and then the fang stabbed into it.

Water exploded from nowhere and the cup spun away. There was screaming as Ron grabbed Hermione and Adie. The backed away speechless, gawking as the water chased them towards the door and then washed over them.

Soaked to the bone Adie pumped the air.

"WE'RE ALIVE! Oh..."

She looked at her two friends, who were now embraced in a tight passionate kiss. Clearing her throat, awkwardly, she smirked as they broke apart.

"Not the time guys!"

Hermione blushed and Ron chuckled, causing them all to laugh embarrassedly. Adie slapped their arms and then turned to go.

"Been waiting ages for that! Harry owes me 20 galleons!"