That evening, the Slytherin Snow Leopards were playing Exploding Snap as usual. In the New Year they'd set up a tournament with a points system and leaderboard; so far Marisa was thrashing everyone else, leaving Daphne a distant second.
As they played, they discussed the day's developments. Leo had chosen to take the risk of telling Theo, Daphne and Tracey about the diary Potter had been carrying, wondering if they'd be able to shed any light on it, but none of them could. He observed their reactions closely and found no trace of any worry. He probably wasn't sitting with Slytherin's heir.
On the other hand, he was beginning to have some strong suspicions about the sender of his Valentine: Tracey Davis had been acting ever so slightly unlike herself around him for most of the day, and when he brought up the topic her denials were just a little too strong to be truthful.
But he said nothing about it to her and instead continued wondering what to do.
"I say we try and speak to Potter about the diary," said Marisa, tapping her wand on her pile and snatching a card from the central pile. "I'm sure I can persuade him to tell me more."
Leo had no doubts that Marisa could be extremely persuasive when she wanted to be.
"Do we actually know it has something to do with the Chamber?" asked Theo.
"Why else would Potter be carrying a fifty-year-old diary around with him?" replied Daphne scathingly.
"I don't know…" said Theo. "Maybe…"
But he was interrupted by the hulking figure of Marcus Flint. "King!" he said. "I've been wanting a word with you."
"Is it about the Quidditch team?" asked Marisa, instantly rearranging her expression into one of placid docility.
"Yes. The next match, of course, is against Ravenclaw in three weeks. I want you to be our Seeker then."
Marisa smiled. "Thank you so much! I promise you won't regret it!"
"Don't let me down," said Flint, and then turned to walk away. Marisa's calm, small smile immediately turned into an expression of pure triumph.
"Congratulations," said Leo. "I wish you luck. Although this won't do you any favours with Draco."
"Once I win Slytherin the match, Draco will realise that the House in general don't hate me as much as he thinks," said Marisa, smiling broadly.