Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.

A/N: Thanks to PenguinLord0029 and Gazaran, who beta this story.

Chapter Forty-Two

Polyjuice Potion

Harry found himself alone in Dumbledore's office, his heart pounding in his chest. Just minutes ago he had found Justin and Nick petrified in the corridor and yet again he was made the prime suspect of being the Heir of Slytherin. He could not believe his awful luck.

He tried to keep himself busy as he looked at the portraits of the previous headmasters, all of which seemed to be sleeping. However, he could still see the look of terror frozen on Justin's face, as he looked at … what Harry did not know, but it must have been terrible.

He heard a noise and turned his head to find that he was looking at a very odd looking bird. It gave a weak thrill at him and he tried to smile at it, but it just made him feel sad. The bird looked like it was about to die and though it was not a very good looking bird, there was a certain majestic quality to it. Suddenly the bird was on fire and Harry gasped in shock.

He was trying to think of a way to help the bird, but he knew it was too late to do anything when Dumbledore walked into the room.

"Sir … I'm sorry … you're bird … it just caught on fire!" Harry exclaimed.

"Good, I've been telling him to get on with it for days now," Dumbledore smiled at the burning bird.

Harry looked at his headmaster confused before he looked back at the bird that was now a pile of ash. Suddenly he understood what was going on here.

"It's a phoenix."

"Yes, he is," Dumbledore smiled. "You should watch this, though Fawkes isn't quite as beautiful on burning days, I found watching him grow out of the ashes quite fascinating."

Harry turned around again to watch the bird form in the ash and saw what Dumbledore meant. When the phoenix was completely formed again it gave another thrill.

"I am sorry, my friend," Dumbledore chuckled as he looked at Fawkes, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I just meant that you're breathtaking when you're fully grown …"

Harry chuckled at this interaction between the most powerful wizard and his pet phoenix.

"Now Harry, it's time to get to more serious business," Dumbledore said sitting down.

"I didn't attack those people," Harry sighed, bowing his head. "I know I look suspicious, but I swear …"

"I don't believe you attacked those people," Dumbledore cut Harry off and he looked at his headmaster hopefully.

"You don't!"

"No," Dumbledore said simply and then looked at Harry with a piercing look. "Is there anything that you want to tell me?"

Harry hesitated, wondering what he should say. He knew he couldn't tell Dumbledore everything, but he felt compelled to tell him something.

"All I know is that the Chamber of Secrets has been open before," Harry started to say.

"I suppose Remus told you that," Dumbledore said calmly.

"That … and I kind of heard you say that when you brought Colin to the hospital wing," Harry admitted. "Sorry, sir."

"No, I should have realized you would be awake," Dumbledore smiled at him amusingly.

"What did you mean when you said it was how the Chamber is being open that's more important that who's opening it?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore amusement died as he sighed. "I would prefer it if you didn't worry about that."

"Sorry," Harry sighed, looking down. "I was just curious."

"I understand, curiosity is a great thing, but it can also be dangerous," Dumbledore said. "Is there anything else you have to say?"

Harry frowned, feeling less compelled to tell Dumbledore anything, knowing that he wasn't going to get any answers himself. Still, he wanted the Chamber of Secret closed, and it was best to tell Dumbledore what he knew. "A house-elf came to visit me over the summer …"

"Yes, Dobby I believe his name was," Dumbledore said and Harry was shocked. "Remus informed me of this over the summer."

"Of course," Harry rolled his eyes. "But I just wanted to add that I figured out that he was the one that was trying to stop me for coming to Hogwarts by closing the barrier between King's Cross and Platform 9 ¾ and he also sent the rouge Bludger after me."

"I see," Dumbledore was frowning now. "And you still don't know whose family Dobby belongs to."

"No," Harry shook his head. "But there's a high chance he belongs to whoever it is that is opening the Chamber."

"Hm …" Dumbledore said thoughtfully.

"I guess that's all, sir," Harry said and Dumbledore nodded his head as Harry got up to leave.

O

"It certainly is nice having everyone gone," Harry said sitting on the common room couch on the first day of Christmas holidays, the Weasleys and Hermione were all in the room too.

"What, you didn't like all the gawking you were getting from everyone?" Fred said shaking his head in mock disbelief.

"Perhaps if you didn't shout about the corridors that Harry was seriously dangerous, he wouldn't have been gawked at!" Percy said pompously.

"Come on Perce, you know that he was being gawked at before that," George said.

"We were just having a bit of fun," Fred said.

"Your bit of fun only made the first years more worried than they already were," Percy said shaking his head, but his eyes were on Ginny as he frowned. He noticed lately that his sister was not looking so well and he was worried about her.

"I actually appreciated what they were doing," Harry said to Percy. "It's nice knowing that at least some people believe that I'm not some kind of madman."

"Oh Harry, we think you are a madman," George said looking offended about what Harry has just said.

"We just know you're not the kind of madman that goes around petrifying Muggle-borns," Fred added.

"Let's talk about something else!" Ron said firmly, his eyes were on Hermione, who had shivered at what Fred had just said.

The twins both frowned slightly, showing that they were not oblivious to Hermione's reaction and nodded their heads.

"So, have any plans for this holiday break," Fred said.

"We could come up with some kind of prank to pull on the Slytherins," George suggested.

"You will do no such thing!" Percy huffed.

"Come on Perce, you need to lighten up," Fred suggested. "Just let us have one prank and we promise that we won't pick on you for three whole months."

Percy looked coldly at his brother, "If you think I would succumb to such a deal you don't know me that well."

Fred just shrugged at his brother, even though he was secretly pleased by this response. Percy might be the world biggest prat, but at least he stood by his principles.

They all just hung out in the common room playing games, or chatting about stuff for the next hour before Percy left to do something. Immediately after their brother left the twins walked over to Harry, both wearing similar frowns.

"What's up guys?" Harry asked.

"Harry, my boy, I would just like to start off by saying that the new map you gave us is brilliant!" George said.

"Right?" Harry said, knowing there had to be more to this than that. "But …"

"It's this Hocus Pocus thing," Fred said. "It just doesn't seem like the best password."

Hermione and Ron chuckled at this as Harry grimaced.

"I don't see what's so funny," George huffed.

"Ha! Pay up!" Ron said to Harry. "I told you they would come to you before Christmas."

"It's Christmas holiday, doesn't that count," Harry mumbled.

"Sorry Harry, you said Christmas," Hermione said and Harry handed Ron a Galleon.

"What's going on here?"

"They made a bet about when you were going to come to Harry about the map," Ginny said, smiling. However, when Harry looked at her smiling too, she felt her cheeks turn red and she looked down.

Harry continued to look at Ginny with a frown, really hating how quiet she was becoming.

"Is there something that could be done about the map?" Fred asked, snapping Harry out of his musing.

"Yeah," Harry smiled. "You can change the password anytime you want. Of course you both would have to say it together seeing as that's how your map would respond to you …"

"Meaning I couldn't change the password without George knowing," Fred sighed. "And I would have had so much fun with that …"

"Sorry," Harry chuckled. "No such luck."

"Oh well, at least we can change the password," Fred shrugged. "How do we do that?"

Hermione explained to them what they had to do and they nodded their heads, both looking pleased.

"Now I just have one more questioned," George said. "Why didn't you tell us this at the beginning?"

"Where would the fun be if I told you that?" Harry questioned and the twins laughed.

"Too true, Harry, too true," Fred said.

"Oh, and I should add that you can change the outer design of your map anytime you want with the same spell Hermione just gave you," Harry added. "We were thinking about putting a sketch of our Animagi forms in ours …"

"That would be pretty cool," Fred said.

"Oh and I was trying to come up with something to call ourselves," Harry said.

"You mean like a name for our little group?" George said.

"Or nicknames like the Marauders had?" Fred added.

"Both actually, but I was hoping to come up with a group name first," Harry said.

"Oh, I know the perfect nickname for you Harry, we can call you Cub," Hermione said and Harry glared at her as everyone else laughed.

"It needs to be a better name than that," Harry muttered.

"I don't know Cub, I like it," Fred teased him. "Good name Hermione."

"She didn't come up with it," Harry huffed. "It's what Remus calls me."

"Oh," George said.

"That sucks, I don't think we can use that than," Fred said.

"Yeah, it should be something we pick ourselves," Ron agreed.

"I still think it's a cute nickname," Ginny mumbled.

"I think my Animagus form is cute enough, I don't really need a cute nickname," Harry started.

"Oh, so you want to go with Hagrid's theory of naming his creatures," Hermione chuckled. "The cuter they are the more deadly their name should be."

"Well if that's true we should call you Killer or something like that," Ron chuckled at Harry.

"Yeah, and we could call you fluffball," Harry laughed too.

"Either way, we should really think about it," Hermione said. "We're going to get stuck with this most likely for the rest of our lives; we should like the name we pick."

"Agreed," everyone said together.

O

On the morning of Christmas Hermione woke up early so she could put the final touches to the potions. She walked cautiously with her map in front of her, making sure that no one was near her. She refused to let her fear get the better of her, but still she found it extremely difficult walking down a corridor without getting nervous. She knew that either of the boys would have been happy to come along with her, but she really didn't want them to see how scared she was. They were already worrying about her enough as it was.

She smiled as she looked at the potion, knowing that it was ready, before she walked back to the Gryffindor Tower, again keeping her eyes on the map. When she got back to the common room, she was surprise to find that Ginny was there. It was still rather early, but it was Christmas day so it wasn't so surprising that someone would be up this early.

"Happy Christmas!" Hermione said smiling at the red headed girl.

"Oh!" Ginny said, clearing being startled. She clutched a book to her chest and her eyes seemed to be slightly glossy. "Happy Christmas."

"Er … did you get any good presents this year?" Hermione asked feeling uncomfortable. She really liked Ginny, but the other girl was really shy and hardly ever offering anything personal about herself.

"Yes," Ginny smiled simply as she pointed to the knitted sweatshirt she was wearing. "I know she makes one every year but I always love getting my new Christmas sweater from Mum."

Hermione smiled, "That's good, though I'm not sure Ron feels the same way about it."

"Actually, I'm sure he does, he just likes to act like he doesn't," Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh, thanks for the chocolate frog Hermione, I didn't expect that."

"You're welcome," Hermione said. "I was going to go up stair and wake the boys … do you want to come?"

"Er …" Ginny said looking thoughtful for a second before she turned red. "I don't think so."

Hermione spared at a few more seconds, wondering if she should say anything, but decided against it. She turned and walked up the stairs to the second year's dormitory and walked in without knocking. As she had expected both the boys were sleeping. She smiled at their peaceful faces for a minute before she woke them up, telling them that the potion was ready and that tonight was probably the best time to use it.

She saw their skeptical looks and their unwillingness to do something on Christmas. She saw them both look at her with an understanding expression, like they knew why she was pushing for them to do this as quickly as possible. And she appreciated that neither one called her on her fear as they agreed to put a damper on their holiday. Harry might have gotten her a really nice quill and Ron her favorite candy, but this was a much better gift by far. She had two friends that were willing to risk so much for her … she could never have asked for more.

O

It was after Christmas dinner, and they were all pleased by the excellent meal and otherwise wonderful presentation. Christmas at Hogwarts truly was a magical thing that went beyond what they learned at the school.

However, that was over now and Harry, Ron and Hermione were locked in Moaning Myrtle bathroom discussing their plan. Hermione had just explained that the boys where going to have to trick Crabbe and Goyle into eating something that contains a potion that will knock them out. From there they would have to hide the other two, take some hairs in order to make the Polyjuice Potion work and then come back.

"So what are you going to do?" Ron asked, not really looking impressed by the plan that Hermione just told them. "Who are you going to turn into?"

"Millicent Bulstrode," Hermione answered.

"Who?"

"Er … you know, the Slytherin girl I … er … duel," Hermione said.

"You mean the girl that was strangling you," Ron corrected and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I found a piece of her hair on my clothing," Hermione said in a crisp tone. "She went home for Christmas, but I could just tell them that I've changed my mind …"

Harry frowned, that didn't sound like a good plan to him.

"What?" Hermione huffed, reading his expression.

"I know the Slytherins are thick, but don't you think they'll be suspicious of that story," Harry said.

"Do you have something better?" Hermione questioned.

"To include a third person … no," Harry frowned and Hermione looked smugly at him. "But I still don't think we should do this."

"Harry, I don't want to argue about this," Hermione said. "You have to hurry before Crabbe and Goyle leave the Great Hall."

"Fine, but just think about this, Hermione, Nott already knows that we took something from Snape's office, he might be able to figure out what happened if there's a rumor of Bulstrode only returning to the common room for about an hour before she disappears again," Harry said and left a grim looking Hermione alone in the bathroom.

"Do you really think Nott would figure that out?" Ron asked skeptically as they made their way to the Great Hall to wait for their intended vitamins.

"It's a possibility," Harry shrugged. "And though I hate to admit it, Malfoy isn't an idiot either … I just don't think that's a good plan."

"You know she's not going to agree with this, don't you," Ron said frowning thoughtfully now. "This whole plan just shows she doesn't like to just sit back and let things happen."

"Yeah," Harry sighed, but before he could say more Crabbe and Goyle came to the hall, immediately eating the pastries that Ron and Harry had placed there for them to eat. Dragging the two, much larger boys, to the cupboard was rather difficult, but somehow they managed, then they ran back to the bathroom where Hermione was waiting for them.

"Good, you're back," Hermione said as the boys panted. "Just place the hair in the cup," she added as she handed them each a cup.

"Are you going to take one too?" Harry asked.

"You're right about the risk, Harry," Hermione said with a frown. "It wouldn't be smart if I went with you … I doubt Malfoy would even really talk if Bulstrode was there."

Ron looked at Hermione with a surprised expression.

"Don't look at me like that," Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "I might not like it, but there are more important things than me going with you …"

"Really … like what?" Ron asked. "Hermione, you've been planning this for months, you can't just back out now."

"Just drink the potion already!" Hermione huffed. "We don't have time to argue!"

"You can take mine," Ron said, offering her his cup. She turned to face him with an odd expression, and he shrugged at her. "You made the potion … you should take it."

"But …"

"I know this means a lot to you …"

"But …"

"And you would probably ask better questioned than me anyway."

"But …"

"But What?"

"I don't want to turn into a boy!" Hermione said making a face and the other two burst out laughing. "Oh, Shut it, you two … this isn't funny."

"I beg to differ," Harry laughed.

"If that's really your answer, then fine," Ron said still laughing too. "But I thought you would want to get to the bottom of this."

Hermione frowned and then sighed. "You're right. I'm being ridiculous."

"So, you'll take the potion?" Ron asked.

"If you're sure," Hermione answered.

"Yeah," Ron nodded his head. "I really wasn't looking forward to the excruciating pain they said the potion would cause … I'm okay with skipping this one."

"You're always such a gentlemen," Hermione rolled her eyes at him, taking the cup.

Harry and Hermione realized quickly that Ron had a point about the potion; it was not pleasant at all to take. Hermione especially didn't like it because it really was awkward being a boy, however, they got ready quickly and hurried off to try to locate the Slytherin common room.

"Why didn't we think it was a good idea to know where the Slytherin common room was before we took the Polyjuice Potion?" Hermione grumbled as they walked quickly in the direction they thought was the right way.

"I don't know," Harry groaned. "But there's nothing we can do about it now. Look, there is someone up there … H …!"

"No, don't, she's a Ravenclaw," Hermione hissed clapping his mouth shut with her hand. "Come on … let's get out of here."

"Excuse me!" a voice for behind them said, causing them both to jump. They turned to see Percy Weasley grimacing at them. "What are you two doing out."

"Er …" Harry said.

"Were just coming back from dinner," Hermione said nervously.

"Well, you really shouldn't be wondering around by yourself, especially not at times like this," Percy said pompously. "Hurry up."

They nodded their heads and then moved along, but still they did not know where they were going. Hermione finally took out her map after almost fifteen minutes of their hour had passed and they headed into the direction that the dot entitled Draco Malfoy was. It was easy to find the Slytherin common room after that but it was only once they got there that they realized they didn't know the password to get in. They were standing there; wasting more precious minutes of their time, when the door opened and Draco stepped out of it.

"What are you two doing?" he asked suspiciously before she smirked. "Don't tell me, you forgot the password again."

"Er …" Harry said in Goyle's body.

Draco rolled his eyes. "It's not that hard to remember, it's 'pureblood'. Anyway, get in here; I have something to tell you."

Harry and Hermione followed Malfoy into the common room. Harry tried not to grimace as he noticed how dreary it was in there. There seemed to be an eerie light in the room and he realized that they were under the lake. Once they got into the common room Draco started talking again.

"I just got another letter from my dad," Draco smirked. "He says that most of the Governors aren't pleased about the recent attack of the Muggle born …" he rolled his eyes, as if this wasn't something anyone should really worry about. "They aren't too pleased about what Dumbledore is doing to try to stop this. I think it's only a matter of time that we get the old windbag out of this school."

Harry eyes widen in shock, terrified slightly of the idea of Dumbledore not being there, but he quickly turned his expression into a smirk as he heard Crabbe/Hermione chuckle.

"Imagine how great this school will be once that Muggle loving fool is gone," Draco chuckled. "We wouldn't have to deal with slime like that Creevey kid …"

Draco continued to make fun of Colin and Harry and Hermione were forcing to laugh at that.

"I reckon one more attack will do it," Draco chuckled and they looked at him expectantly, hoping he was going to mention something that would show that he was the Heir, but he didn't. He did just the opposite. "I wish I knew who it was that's opening the Chamber, I could help him out."

"You mean you don't know?" Harry couldn't help himself from asking.

"How many times do I have to say this, Goyle," Draco rolled his eyes. "All I know is that the Chamber was open fifty years ago and someone died. I think whoever it was responsible was caught or something …"

"But …" Harry started to ask but Hermione stepped on his foot to stop him.

"I just thought you would have learned more," Hermione said in a simple way.

"Nah, Dad still won't tell me anything," Draco rolled his eyes. "He says it's better if I just keep my nose clean, but all we need is one more attack and Dumbledore will be out of here … I was just hoping I could tell whoever it was to target Granger …"

Harry gritted his teeth as he made a step toward Draco, so he could strangle the slimy git right then and there, but Hermione elbowed him hard in the gut to stop him.

"What's the matter with you Goyle?" Draco questioned when Harry had groaned in pain.

"Stomach ache," Harry answered truthfully, though he hoped that Draco believe that his stomach hurt because he had eaten too much and not because he was just hit there.

"Maybe you should go to the Hospital," Draco said looking at him warily and Harry nodded his head.

That was a good reason for him to leave, though he still had more question to ask. However, when he looked at Draco again, he had to fight back the urge to punch him.

"You really don't look well," Draco said, miss interrupting Harry's hatred for pain.

"I think I should go, too," Hermione said, trying to look pained as well.

"Well, give the Mudbloods a kick for me," Draco chuckled as they left the room, which turned out to be a good thing because Harry noticed that Hermione was starting to turn back to normal and realized he must be too. They ran as quickly as they could to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

"So … what happen?" Ron asked; he had been pacing in the room since the other two had left. He was pretty sure that he would rather go through a painful transformation than staying behind again.

"Draco's not the one that's opening the Chamber," Hermione said.

"Not that he wouldn't like to be the one that was," Harry grumbled and then told Ron everything they heard; including the fact that Draco had wanted Hermione to be the next target.

"That git actually said that," Ron hissed. "I'll murder him!"

"As nice as that would be, I don't think he really deserves it," Hermione rolled her eyes. "He was just talking big … the truth is he isn't the one that was opening the Chamber and we're no closer to knowing who did this."

"Well, that's not exactly true," Harry said. "We know that the Chamber was open fifty years ago. We know that someone died. We know that someone was caught. And we know that Malfoy's dad knows more about this …"

"What makes you say that?" Ron questioned.

"He was the source that Malfoy was getting his information from," Harry shrugged. "Malfoy might not be the one that's opening this, but I'm sure that Mr. Malfoy is involved somehow."

"But how," Hermione frowned. "And if it's not Draco that's opening the Chamber, how could Mr. Malfoy be involved."

"No idea," Harry grimaced.