I don't mean to offend those from Birmingham but neither Adhara nor Cy have the Birmingham accent. Sorry bahaha, but I really can't imagine either of them having one. I imagine everyone having a London accent pretty much. Just thought that I'd put that out there, -Accio x

Chapter Eight, Writing on the Wall

"I swear to Merlin, guys. This is the last time I ever let you drag me into one of your antics!"

"Oh for goodness sakes, Falco Naylor! You're the one who agreed to come! While I, I was practically forced to come!" Ally hissed.

Dray and Reinhard both swung around.

"You followed us out, smart arse!" Dray spat. "God I'm glad Boyet's not here, you'd probably have his head done in by now, Cause for heaven's sakes you have ours done," Dray mumbled the last part. Allison glared at him.

"I should have listened to Dara," Falco sighed as she made her way up the hallway. "What was that thing, anyway?"

"Oh for goodness sakes, Fal. What on Earth do you think it was? A turkey? No, it was obviously a dog," Reinhard replied as they made their way up yet another corridor.

"Yeah, a very big one at that. The heads on it though! Three of 'em, never will I ever come wandering around the castle with the two of you ever again!"

"Well, maybe next time don't volunteer. Besides, how were we supposed to know that Nott wouldn't show up, I mean Ally said she saw him and Zabini leave, honestly, I hope they got caught by Filch, it'll serve them right." Exclaimed Dray.

"Yes but that'll lose points for Slytherin!" Allison almost screeched.

"Yeah, and why the hell do you care. It's not like any of them no good blood purists have ever- or will ever- do anything for us," Reinhard replied, his patience was thinning. He wanted to go back to bed already. He and Dray really hadn't thought this through beforehand.

"Oh for goodness sake, alright! I don't care. Not entirely anyway. But that's the least of our concerns right now. Don't you think it's a little fishy? Theodore and Blaise just came up to you challenging the two of you to a duel that they knew you would most definitely accept. Do you not find it odd that they didn't even show up?! Do you find it weird that Filch comes to the exact same spot at the exact same time we're supposed to be there, all the while whispering stuff to that strange cat of his, something along the lines of 'they're in here somewhere and 'They might be hiding in the corner'? Or is it just me?"Ally ranted. Reinhard had a headache while Dray and Fal thought it made perfect sense. Dray felt extremely stupid now.

Nobody responded. This just answered the pool of Allison's questions.

"Yeah, but where did they go then? You said that you saw them leave, didn't you?" Falco asked curiously.

"Oh for goodness sake, Falco Naylor! How on Earth am I supposed to know?"

"Geez, sorry, I just asked a question,"

The group continued along the hallway. They were relieved that they had not yet come across a ghost or a particular naughty poltergeist. They were each listening intently in case they would have a near run-in with Filch and Mrs Norris again.

Falco deeply regretted not going back to Ravenclaw tower like he was originally supposed to do. He knew that he should have listened to Adhara and that Hermione would be livid.

While Dray was already livid that Nott had managed to outsmart him. Gods, he hated that kid.

"And can I just say that you're so stupid," Ally exclaimed as she looked at Falco.

"Wha-"

"And you two, are extremely selfish!" Ally looked at the two Slytherins this time.

"Now you listen here-"

"You were just in the hospital wing for being sick! What if something went terribly wrong? You should be getting rest!"

Fal went red. He didn't like this girl. She spoke too much.

"And you two, you're aware of what happened, but you still allow him to embark on this 'quest' with you. And you, Reinhard. He is your brother-"

"Shh!" Dray whispered loudly.

"Don't you tell me to-"

"Good Lord, will you shush and listen... I think I hear somebody!"

"Thank you for meeting me on such short notice, My Lord." The hooded figure spoke.

"Step forward Lucius, I do not have time to chat. What is it that you have to report? And please, I have heard much about your blood traitor of a sister already today, I must not need to know anymore,"

Lucius Abraxas Malfoy stepped out from the shadows to face his lord. He winced.

"Tis not about Luciana My Lord, I'm quite fed up hearing about her myself."

Lucius was quite embarrassed about the recent events involving his sister, Luciana, and mudblood, Timothy Stitch. The events had damaged the Malfoy name and he was unsure of where that left him in the Dark Lord's books. But surely the Dark Lord wouldn't think less of him. He had already married a Black. Black's were some of the purest in the wizarding world. Not to mention Narcissa had given birth to twins nearly a year prior, his children, Hermione Narcissa and Draco Lucius. He had already bore a pureblooded heir.

Timothy was a Gryffindor a year older than Lucius' Ravenclaw sister. He didn't understand how the two had met. And he certainly didn't understand how Stitch had already gotten Luciana pregnant. She was only in her seventh year!

Luciana had her daughter, Lara Claudette Stitch, just five days prior. She hadn't meant for her family to find out, she had tried to sneak little Lara to her father at his own home and take it from there. She hadn't anticipated that her and Lucius' older sister, Lucilla, would be at the Manor. She had rarely ever been ever since she had married Alisandre Flint and had her first son, Marcus.

Luciana had begged Lucilla not to tell her parents, she had told her that she had been foolish, that she hadn't been thinking, and she couldn't lose her family. She knew that baring a half-blood child would be considered an unlimited sin in the pureblooded community. Lucilla could not let it slide.

Medusa and Abraxas Malfoy had both been furious that their youngest child had born a disgrace to the Malfoy name. The child was a liability. Disownment had been the only option.

"I bring word from Severus, m'lord."

The Dark Lord looked at Malfoy.

"Yes?"

"Indeed."

"And what had Severus wanted to tell me that he had been so busy not to come to me himself?"

Lucius reluctantly took a step forward, fear evident on his face. "Well, My Lord. Snape has informed me of a..."

"A what, Lucius? I would advise you to carry on very quickly, my patience is thinning!"

"A prophecy."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed. "A prophecy, you say? What kind?"

Malfoy gulped. "The Potter's son."

"Lucius. Do you think I have the time to hear about a worthless little half-breed's future?! Honestly!"

Lucius gulped once again. He found himself questioning whether or not he would make it home to his wife and children on time. Pity, he was looking forward to spending some time with his Dragon and his Cuddles.

"No, My Lord. I don't think you understand!"

The Dark Lord was on his last straw now. "Lucius!" He barked, the loyal death eater flinched. "Are you saying I'm slow in the head? Well, Lucius, are you?"

"No sir, I would never dream of-"

"WELL SPIT IT OUT THEN!" Voldemort raised his wand suddenly.

"A-prophecy-has-predicted-that-the-boy-shall-be-your-downfall!" Lucius silently cursed Severus.

Voldemort lowered his wand, his eyes glaring into Malfoy's soul. Lucius was correct in assuming that he would be going home late tonight.

Adhara had to admit, she was impressed. She had no idea she could jump up on the bed so quickly.

Hermione's yelp had woken Lily Moon and Padma Patil. Adhara was impressed that Mandy Brocklehurst hadn't woken up, since she could still hear her soft snoring.

Adhara pretended to stir. It would look odd if she had stayed completely still. This would also give her a chance to see if Hermione had made it to her bed in her rage.

She had.

"Did you hear that too?" Came Padma's groggy voice.

"Yes, what was it?" Lily replied.

"Any chance we were dreaming? The others aren't awake."

"I highly doubt that we were both sharing a dream. But then again, this is Hogwarts so anything is possible- Hold on, is that Adhara?"

Damn it.

Padma's eyebrows furrowed. "Yes, I think it is."

"Isn't she supposed to be in the hospital wing? Remember the other day at Potions?"

"Ye, Maybe they let her out early. I don't think she's the type to sneak out."

Adhara was silently cursing herself. She knew that she would have to tell Hermione everything tomorrow morning. She just didn't know if tomorrow would be too late. Adhara knew that she shouldn't have let Fal or any of the others go. It would have served Nott right to get caught, but the boys hadn't done anything wrong. And as much as she hated to admit it, neither did Ally.

Adhara Ives slowly fell into a well-needed slumber, unaware that there were more people than just her owl who were watching her.

"Go, We gotta go! And fast!" Dray spoke hurriedly.

"No, wait! Hold on, what's that smell?" Fal asked as he pulled Dray back by the arm.

"What are you guys doing? Move, I'm not going to get expelled because of your stupid decisions!" Allison whispered bossily as she stepped forward.

"But don't you smell that?! It smells like blood!" Fal intercepted, standing in front of the lone girl there.

The other three tilted their heads up and began to sniff.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Fal," Dray reassured him, grabbing his wrist and trying to pull away. The sound of footsteps had faded. Good, that professor or Filch hadn't discovered them. But it didn't really seem as though they were looking for something, did it?

"Come on, Fal!" Reinhard said to his twin.

"You guys go, I'm checking that smell out." Dray and Reinhard both groaned whilst Ally huffed.

Falco peeked around the corner very, very slowly. His right-hand shaking whilst the left was clenched tightly.

None of the three others had left him. They watched in fear, worried that the boy would get them all caught.

They saw Falco's hands pale tremendously. He froze suddenly. The boy turned back around and pressed himself against the wall, his chestnut eyes were the size of saucers.

The three stared at him, each confused.

"Falco?" Said Ally.

"You guys are gonna wanna see this!" Falco replied, looking up.

The three walked up towards where Falco stood.

Falco pointed towards a wall and Allison gasped, The other two boy's eyes widened.

Something was shining on the wall. They all approached slowly, squinting through the darkness. Foot-High words had been daubed on the wall between two windows looking out onto the grounds, shimmering in the light cast by the flaming torches.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED, ENEMIES OF THE HEIR BEWARE.

"Get to bed, Cyamus." Hector Fawley urged his three-year-old son, Cyamus Fawley. It was late, and way past his bedtime. His young son was quite the scamp indeed. With his big emerald eyes and large dimples, it was hard to refuse the boy anything. But the man of the house has to put his foot down from time to time.

"But Pop, Mummy said she would tells me a story tonight." The young boy began to whine. "Can yous please get 'er?"

This wasn't what Hector was used to. His wife, Tiana, had been on to him for a while now for not spending enough time with Cyamus. He didn't really care. He himself hadn't spent much time with his own father growing up, it was his mother who raised him. Hector didn't mind not 'fathering' Cyamus as long as he turned out as a pureblooded male should.

Hector's mother was a Crouch, this led to the average pureblood beliefs being installed into her mind from a young age. His father hadn't been big into that whole mindset. The only reason Hector's mother had married his father was that he was a rich ministry employee who was up for the role of Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. There was no love in their marriage.

Hector went against what mostly every Fawley believed. The Fawley family believed that Muggleborns and Half-Bloods were just the same as the purest of blood, it was truly sickening to think that his son and himself shared blood with such disgraces to the wizarding world.

Most Fawley's were Hufflepuff's, including Hector. This hadn't helped when trying to receive the dark mark at all, and heavens, he didn't even know how he had convinced Lord Greengrass to allow him to marry his beloved Tiana.

"I'll tell you a story tonight, kid," Hector concluded.

"Buts I don't wants you to. I wants Mummy."

"Would you prefer I send Aunty Bellatrix up here instead? Hm?" Hector raised an eyebrow. Cyamus quieted down. "Good fellow."

Hector thought for a second. What would Tiana usually read?

"What kind of story would you like me to tell you, son?" Fawley asked as Cy hopped into his bed and grabbed his plush bear.

Cyamus shrugged as he nestled himself under the green and red duvet covers. "Mummy always knows what to read to me."

"Well, I'm not your mummy, Cyamus. I'm Pops. Now tell me, what do you want to hear?" Hector was getting slightly annoyed.

"Dunno, Pops. You pick." Cy shrugged in response.

Hector sighed. "Alright so. Allow me to think."

"Do you think you could makes it about hippogriffs? I likes hippogriffs, Pop. Do you likes them too?" Cyamus asked his father. Who let out a frustrated sigh in response.

"Yes Cyamus, they are... interesting, now as for that story-"

"Ally has two bigger sissys, Pops. Could you and Mummy give me a baby sissy or brother?"

"Where do you gets them, Pops? Babies."

Lord Fawley's mind had completely abolished any thoughts of what kind of story he would tell his 'little one.'

"I beg your pardon?"

"Where do you find one. Is it like the Easter Egg hunts? Was I hid well, Pops?"

"Cyamus."

"Ye?"

"You were hidden really well," Hector joked, then laughed.

"Aren't you just precious? Sweet Boy."

Cy Wills groaned. There was that face and voice again! It hadn't gone away in the past three nights now. He didn't know how to feel about it.

The face was both familiar yet unfamiliar to Cy. It was weird but also comforting at the same time. He felt safe whenever he heard the voice in his head. He had only seen the outline of the face. It was all blurry, always.

Cy looked to the side to see if Boyet was also asleep. He was. As was Harry, Neville, Hayme, Seamus and Dean.

He wondered how his siblings were getting on. He wondered how Sidd and Penelope got on their first day of school. He hoped that they were ok. He hoped that his parents were ok. He hoped that Mom got the orange juice stain out of the carpet.

Cy wondered what they would be learning today. He silently sat up and reached out to grab his timetable. Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, a Free Period and A wellbeing class with Professor McGonagall. Astronomy was at ten pm.

It would be his first Potions class, And he was nervous, to say the least.

Professor Snape was widely known in the school as a greasy dungeon rat, at least by a lot of Gryffindors. Cy had felt bad for Snape, Hermione and Reinhard had told him that he was a brilliant teacher and very fair towards each of his pupils no matter the house. Some of the people who actually liked Snape had said he was the complete opposite to Dumbledore. Cy had to agree with that. Dumbledore had evidently favoured Gryffindor above all houses, especially Slytherin. Dumbledore's dislike for Slytherin was quite obvious also.

He wondered if Fal and Adhara would be returning to classes that day. Most likely. Madam Pomfrey said that they would be fine within a day or two.

"I want another child, Hector."

Hector Fawley had been dreading this conversation for a while now.

"We discussed this, Tee. No means no."

"But you need an heir, a secure heir. We must stop treating our beloved Cyamus as a lost kitten, dear. I need a child, and Cyamus is missing. I need the love of a child Hector, I need to feel needed. We never know, as much as I hate the thought, maybe Cyamus will never be found, he's been missing for three months!" Tiana ranted to her husband as their house-elf took up the dishes from the dining room table.

Hector sighed. Still not taking his eyes off his newspaper.

"You are needed, Tiana." He replied half-heartedly.

Tiana huffed. "I understand that we never really loved each other romantically. But you have always been my best friend, and I'm sure I am the same for you. But there's only so much I can take, Hector. I know what you do some nights behind my back, I'm no fool." Tears were now forming in Tiana's eyes and Mr Fawley had finally looked up from The Daily Prophet. "Cyamus has been one of the only things keeping me here for the past three and a half years, and now that he's gone- listen, Hector. I'm willing to turn a blind eye on... you know, on one condition, Another child. Then we'll both be content. You won't have to do any of the big work with this one. Please, Hector. I need this."

Hector hadn't been aware that his wife had known of his affairs. Not in the slightest.

The look on Hector's face told Tiana all she had wanted to know. She smiled, savouring her victory.

"One more, Tiana. And then that's it, and don't expect me to be the father of the year."

"What do we do now? We can't just leave this here, can we?"

"Well, what do you expect us to do? Get a bucket of soap and scrub it off. That'll take ages. We wouldn't even get it done since Filch'll probably catch us not long after we start." Reinhard replied to his twin brother.

"But doesn't this make us the last at the scene of the crime?" Asked Ally, still staring at the wall.

"A painted wall wouldn't really be considered a crime, would it?" Asked Dray.

"Good Gods, Dray Muller. It's vandalism, that's a crime-"

"Uh guys, I think I know something else that would be considered a crime," Fal replied as he pointed up to a candle holder that had something dangling from it. There was a chorus of gasps once.

It was Mrs Norris. Her glassy eyes were wide open, they looked shocked. But the most notable thing about her was that she was dangling from a candlestick by her tail.

Only one word came out of Reinhard's mouth.

"Run."

The baby was beautiful.

Little Stanley Marcus Fawley had made his way into the world at 2.07 am that morning. He may have been a month early, but he was perfect nonetheless.

Baby Stanley hadn't been the only child to be born, however. The Notts had been unknowingly expecting at the time of the kidnapping and had given birth to a baby girl who they had called Cassandra Orietta. The girl was born on February 18th.

The Selwyns and Dolohov's had also had a child each. Both girls, unfortunately for Kent Selwyn, as he now had four girls and no boys. Word was that he and Viola were trying for another one. The Dolohovs had also borne a girl. Little Aoife Róisín was born on April 27th. The Selwyn's newest little bundle of joy had been named Eliza Tiana. Born on April 28th.

The Parkinsons were expecting twins. What a joyous occasion that had been for the couple, though the two that were hopefully to come could never replace the two that had been taken from them, Pansy and Claus. Regulus Black was expecting his second!

Tiana felt horrible for Narcissa, Bellatrix and Isadore. Two of them being unable to carry another baby. Narcissa would be unable to have another child due to her husband being locked up in a cell in Azkaban.

As she looked down at her three-day-old son, eyes filled with love and adoration, Tiana couldn't help but wonder what life would be like if her dear Cyamus was still with her today. Would she have had Baby Stanley? Probably not. It had only ever been her husband's desire to have one child, perhaps two if the first turned out to be a girl, but the first one wasn't a girl.

Tiana had always thought that deep down, Hector wanted a girl along with a boy. He had been raised along with his older sister, Winona. The two had been inseparable and were still extremely close.

It had been over a year since the children's kidnapping and each parent had handled it differently.

Narcissa had barely left the house. Rodolphus had busied himself with Ministry work as he was to go for the position of Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, perhaps then he could cover higher ground. Bellatrix had been helping him for two of those many months, she had grown bored eventually and had started to create her own spells, some of which locating spells. Rabastan had one of his family's many homes, Raven's Den in Bristol, done up where he and his wife's permanent residence would be afterwards. Isadore had been quite like Narcissa, she had mourned for her deceased baby daughter, Sofia, who had passed away just minutes after her birth, also. The Carrow couple had put most of their energy in raising their only remaining child, Titus, training him to become the heir to the Carrow fortune in case Boyet were to never be found. The Dolohov's relationship had gone downhill. Róisín now spent the majority of her time in Limerick, Ireland while Antonin Merlin only knows. The Selwyns- much like the Carrows- had been putting much of their energy into raising their daughters and Kent Selwyn had been preparing to go for the job as head of the Ministry of Magic research committee, Clara and Estelle missed Alvara terribly. Perseus Parkinson had been given the job of head of the Department of Education as well as a seat on the Wizengamot while his wife, Marissa, prepared for their children. Then there were the Rowles, The Rowles had adopted Hestia's orphaned niece, Valorie Kama. Who had only been an infant when her parents had died. But baby Valorie could never fill the hole of Esme and Hestia Junior.

Things were better now, not good, but better.

"Mr Dumbledore Sir,"

"What is it Argus, I'm in bed, whatever child you could have found out of bed is to go to their year head. Not me."

Filch shook his head. "It's not a who, sir. It's a what."

Fal got back to his common room a half an hour after the group sighted the writing on the wall, much to his relief anyway.

He was now in his bed, unable to sleep. Although he didn't understand why he was absolutely exhausted. It was two O'Clock in the morning for crying out loud. He just couldn't stop thinking about how foolish he had been just a few hours before. He couldn't help but wonder who had written that on the wall. He and the others should have perhaps called somebody to come and help poor Mrs Norris. She could die because of their stupidity. Although she did already look as though she were dead.

Falco dreaded the next morning. He knew that he would have to face Adhara, and perhaps Hermione. And for that, he would need his sleep.

The Ravenclaw Common room was abuzz with chatter. People rushed around, searching for missing books, stationery and some even pets. It was Wednesday after all, mid-week.

Adhara was- to the best of her ability anyway- trying to avoid Hermione and look for Falco. While Falco- to the best of his ability- was trying to avoid Adhara. At least until class anyway, he knew he couldn't avoid her forever.

Adhara was panicking. Had he been caught? No. Surely the rest of the house would have been informed if a pupil had been expelled or points had been taken.

At the moment Ravenclaw was in second place, Hufflepuff was first, Slytherin third and Gryffindor fourth. Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were all happy with this, as Gryffindor had won the past four years.

"Excuse me, Marietta," Adhara had walked over to Marietta Edgecombe.

"Adhara? You're back! Are you doing alright?" She asked. Adhara smiled and nodded.

"Yes, thank you. I was wondering if you've seen Falco Naylor."

Marietta frowned. "Clonny Naylor's son?"

Adhara frowned back. "Ye, him. Have you seen him by any chance?"

"Can't say I have, sorry. Maybe ask Rob. He's Prefect, he could know."

"Thanks, Marietta,"

Adhara was sure to see Falco when their first class started. She was happy that her next class would be Defence Against The Dark Arts. It was supposed to be fun, Hermione had told her all about it. They would be sharing the class with the Hufflepuffs. So this included Pansy. Cy and Boyet had come and complained to Adhara and Cy about how bad their Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Quirrell, was. Apparently was two DADA professors. Ravenclaw and the Hufflepuffs would have the other one, Professor Lupin.

Adhara hadn't seen Professor Lupin before. He wasn't at the feast. Walsh had told her he had just been hired this year.

He hadn't been to the class yesterday. That's what Pansy had told her.

She wondered if he would show up today, but then again, many people had been feeling ill lately. There was her, Fal and then there was also Hayme Doyle. Although she didn't know what had happened to Hayme, she had never even spoken to the guy. Apparently, he hadn't been to class yesterday, but he hadn't been in the hospital wing.

Hm, Weird.

Adhara felt something or someone poke her back. Although she knew who it probably was. She turned around slowly to meet Hermione Granger's narrowed eyes.

"Adhara," Hermione said.

"Fal!" Hermione turned around to where Adhara was looking. Surely enough, it was Falco Naylor.

"See, I'm alright!" He exclaimed nervously. Adhara and Hermione both crossed their arms.

"It was just over here, I swear. It was really weird." Fal, Dara and Mione walked to where Falco and the Slytherins had seen the blood writing on the wall. They had twenty minutes to spare before class started.

"What did you say it said again, Fal?" Hermione asked. They were almost there.

"It said: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, Enemies of the heir beware."

"What about Mrs Norris? Please tell me you helped her out!" Adhara said. Falco looked down at his feet.

The group stopped at the wall.

"So where is this wall Fal?"

"This is the wall!" Fal replied, his wide searching eyes were glued to the wall.

It was empty!