Dear Mum and Dad,
Today, I went looking for Justin to explain what happened. I overheard some Hufflepuffs talking in the library, convinced I am Slytherin's heir. I was so mad! I confronted them, but I couldn't change their minds, and I left. I ran into Hagrid, which turned out to be important. Afterwards, I came across Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick. They were both petrified.
I didn't know what to do. Being the only person there would look awfully suspicious, but I couldn't just leave them. The decision was made for me by Peeves. He started shouting about another attack, and all the people in the classrooms lining the corridor came spilling out. McGonagall sent everyone back to where they belong, got some teachers to carry Justin to the hospital wing, and told Ernie, a Hufflepuff from the library, to waft Nick there too using a fan. She then took me to Dumbledore's office.
There was no one there when I got there, except a decrepit-looking bird. Then, with no warning whatsoever, it burst into flame! Just then, Dumbledore came in, and I was freaking out, but apparently Fawkes is a phoenix and that's what just what they do.
Hagrid came bursting in then. He defended me, insisting that it couldn't have been me because he was talking to me seconds before Justin was found. Dumbledore said he did not believe it was me. So, at least that's one person besides Ron and Hermione who believes me. Although, the Weasley twins, at least, find the idea of me being Slytherin's heir a colossal joke. You were right, Dad.
Love,
Harry
Dear Harry,
Pay no attention to the rest of the school. Eventually, whoever really opened the chamber is going to get caught, and then everyone who thought it was you will feel really stupid. Of course, Dumbledore and the Weasley's don't think it was you. The idea really is quite ludicrous.
It seems that whoever opening the chamber is serious. There's been two attacks in as many months. And what could possibly harm a ghost; they're already dead. Try not to go looking for trouble, Harry. You seem to have a knack for it. Be careful.
Love,
Dad and Mum
Dear Mum and Dad,
Happy Christmas! A lot has happened today. You were right, Mum, Malfoy isn't opening the Chamber of Secrets. You see, we figured that the only way to know for sure was to get him to admit it, and Crabbe and Goyle were the only people he'd tell. So, since October, we, but mostly Hermione, have been brewing Polyjuice potion in Moaning Myrtle's out of order bathroom where we wouldn't be caught.
Ron and I stole some hair from Crabbe and Goyle after knocking them out by slipping them cupcakes laced with sleeping draft. Hermione had gotten hair from Millicent Bulstrode during the dueling club. We added them to the potion and took it. Ron and I headed down to the dungeons, but Hermione refused to come.
It took us a while to find the Slytherin common room. Eventually, we were found by Malfoy, and he took us there. After a long and unpleasant conversation, we discovered a few things. First, Malfoy has no idea who is opening the chamber, but wishes he did so he could help. The Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago, a muggle-born died, and whoever opened it was expelled. Lastly, Malfoy Manor has its own secret chamber under the drawing room floor where they hide their "very valuable dark arts stuff."
After we learned that, we realized we were turning back into ourselves, so we told Malfoy we had to go to Madam Pomfrey's for stomach ache medicine and ran for it. When we got to the bathroom, we found out why Hermione didn't come with us. The hair Millicent left on her robes was a cat hair, and Hermione was still half cat. It took us a while, but we convinced her to go to Madam Pomfrey. She says she'll be able to make Hermione better, but it might take some time.
Happy Christmas,
Love,
Harry
P.S. I don't go looking for trouble, Dad, trouble just finds me.
Harry,
What in the world were you thinking taking Polyjuice potion?! Do you have any idea how dangerous that potion is?! Well, of course you do now; Hermione's a cat! It is NOT FUNNY, James!
Well, the way you said it kind of was.
We are not encouraging this! Young man, …
What your mother is trying to say is don't do anything reckless and dangerous again. I'd have an easier time believing that trouble simply finds you, if you hadn't just been telling me about how you brewed an illegal potion. But, I'm more interested the Malfoy's secret chamber. The ministry raided his house a while ago but didn't find anything. Maybe they should try again.
Don't let me hear about you doing anything like this again! And let us know how Hermione is doing.
Have a good, quiet rest of the holidays,
Love,
Dad and Mum
Author's note: Several of you wondered why Harry stayed over Christmas during first year instead of spending it with his parents, which I agree may have been a mistake on my part. However, I don't think it's unrealistic for Harry to stay this year, considering Ron and Hermione specifically stayed over the holidays to question Malfoy, so it makes sense Harry would too. It's the best time for polyjuice because there are less people.