The Potter Twins and the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 4: Danger Rising

Michael, Harry, Ron and Hermione walk down the corridor.

Ron, "a Squib's someone who's born into a wizarding family but hasn't got any powers of their own. It's why Filch is trying to learn magic from a Kwikspell course. It's also why he hates students so much. He's bitter."

Hermione, who's only been half-listening, as if trying to unravel something in her mind, speaks then.

Hermione, "Harry. This voice. You said you heard it first in Lockhart's office?"

Harry, "yes."

Hermione, "and did he hear it?"

Harry, "he said he didn't."

Ron, "maybe he was lying."

Michael, "I didn't hear it either."

Hermione, "I hardly think someone with Gilderoy Lockhart's credentials would lie to one of his students, Ronald. Besides, if you recall, Michael didn't hear anything either. Neither did we."

Harry, "you do believe me, don't you?"

Hermione, 'course we do. It's just…. It's a bit weird, isn't it? You hear this voice and then…. Mrs. Norris turns up Petrified."

Micahel, "yeah, I'd agree with Hermione. I believe you Harry, but something seems off about this whole thing…."

Harry, "I can't explain it…. It was…. Scary. D'you think I should've told them…. Dumbledore and the others, I mean?"

Ron, "are you mad!?"

Hermione, "no, Harry. Even in the wizarding world, hearing voices isn't a good sign…."

As the group continued on, Michael felt something hit him in the back of the head!

He turned to see Peeves giggling up a storm before flying off.

Michael picked up the roll he had thrown and threw it in the nearest garbage can.

….

Professor McGonagall's classroom, morning….

McGonagall stands before the class. Resting on the desk in front of each student, is a different animal.

McGonagall, "today, we will be turning animals into water goblets."

She taps the bird in front of her, three times, with the tip of her wand. It transfigures into a beautiful crystal water goblet.

McGonagall, "now, who would like to go first…. Mr. Weasley?"

Ron nods. He taps his rat, Scabbers, who turns into a goblet with a tail.

McGonagall, "you must replace that wand, Mr. Weasley."

Ron nods sheepishly and looks at his broken wand.

McGonagall sees Hermione's raised hand. Her animal untouched.

McGonagall, "yes, Miss Granger?"

Hermione, "Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets?"

A hush falls over the class.

McGonagall, "my subject is Transfiguration, Miss Granger."

Hermione, "yes, Professor. But there seems to be very little written about the Chamber of Secrets. For those of us with a personal interest in the subject, that is…. Disturbing."

Malfoy regards Hermione with chilly amusement.

Michael glares at Malfoy as he pets Fleet, who sat in front of him, having yet to be transfigured.

McGonagall considers Hermione's question for a long moment, then nods.

McGonagall, "very well. You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Three of the founders co-existed quite harmoniously. One did not."

Ron mutters, "can anyone guess who?"

McGonagall, "Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, purebloods. Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school…. According to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. Shortly before departing, he sealed it until that time when his own true heir returned to the school. The heir alone would be able to open the Chamber of Secrets and unleash the horror within, and by so doing, purge the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic…."

Hermione, "Muggle-borns."

McGonagall, "yes. Naturally, the school has been searched many times for such a chamber. It has never been found."

Hermione, "Professor, what exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?"

McGonagall, "the Chamber is said to be home to something which the heir of Slytherin alone can control. It is said to be home…. To a monster."

Ron's eyes shift over to Malfoy, who sits calmly, smiling to himself.

….

Michael, Harry, Hermione, and Ron thread their way through the teeming corridor. Up ahead, Malfoy walks with Crabbe and Goyle.

Ron, "d'you think it's true? D'you think there really is a Chamber of Secrets?"

Hermione, "yes. Couldn't you tell: McGonagall's worried. All the teachers are."

Michael, "seems like more than a coincidence that that message was written just as strange things begin happening."

Harry, "but if there really is a Chamber of Secrets, and it's really been opened, that means…."

Hermione, "the Heir of Slytherin has returned to Hogwarts. The question is, who is it?"

Ron says in mock puzzlement, "let's think. Who do we know who thinks Muggle-borns are scum?"

Hermione eyes Malfoy ahead, "if you're talking about him-"

Ron, "of course! You heard him: 'You'll be next, Mudbloods!'"

Michael, "he's got a point. The blonde punk hates anything that doesn't meet his standards."

Hermione, "no. Even they aren't that thick. But there might be another way. Mind you, it would be difficult. Not to mention we'd be breaking about fifty school rules. And it would be dangerous. Very dangerous."

Ron and Michael both said, "when do we start?"

….

Later that night, in the library.

In a dark nook, Harry, Michael, Ron and Hermione huddle round a book entitled Moste Potente Potions. The spotted pages are littered with disturbing illustrations.

Hermione, "here it is: 'The Polyjuice Potion. Properly brewed, the Polyjuice Potion allows the drinker to transform himself temporarily into the physical form of another….'"

Ron, "you mean, Michael, Harry and I drink some of this stuff and we turn into Marcus Flint, Crabbe and Goyle?"

Hermione, "yes."

Ron, "wicked! Malfoy'll tell us anything!"

Hermione, "exactly. But it's tricky. I've never seen a more complicated potion. Lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed. And, of course, we'll need a bit of whoever we want to change into too."

Michael, "I can help. Weirdly enough, potions is my easiest class."

Ron, "hang on now. I'm drinking nothing with Crabbe's toenails in it."

Harry, "how long will it take to make?"

Hermione, "a month."

Michael, "at most with me and Hermione working on it."

Harry, "a month? But if Malfoy is the heir of Slytherin…. He could attack half the Muggle-borns in the school by then."

Hermione, "you didn't have to tell me that."

….

We join the Quidditch match in mid-game. The crowd roars, watching as Slytherin Chasers, bent low over their new brooms, jet past the overmatched Gryffindors.

Hagrid, "Gallopin' Gorgons! Slytherin's flyin' like they got dragon fire in their brooms…. Hey…. Where's Michael?"

….

Michael found himself running through the school, trying to get to the Quidditch match.

He exclaimed, "who the Hell locked my door!?"

….

Ron isn't listening as he fumes, looking as though he takes Slytherin's dominance personally.

Taking Hagrid's giant binoculars, he trains them on the faculty box, where Lucius Malfoy sits next to Snape.

Harry circles high above the pitch, searching for the Golden Snitch. Suddenly, Malfoy streaks by overhead.

Draco, "alright there, Scarhead?"

Harry turns and eyes Malfoy malevolently. Behind him, a bludger drops down and begins to streak toward his head.

George, "HARRY! WATCH OUT!"

Harry wheels and at the last possible moment, slips the whistling Bludger.

CRACK!

George swoops down and bats it away. Harry turns, watches it soar away, then blinks: the Bludger turns, streaks right back at him. Harry jets off.

Hagrid, "Blimey, Harry's got 'imself a Rogue Bludger!"

Ron, "Rogue Bludger?"

Hagrid, "look fer yerself! It's bin' tampered with!"

Harry executes a series of zigs, zags, loops and rolls, trying to shake the Bludger, but the Bludger is relentless.

Ron instinctively draws his wand, begins to point it toward Harry and the Bludger, when…. Hermione's hand intercedes. She glances knowingly at his fractured wand.

Hermione, "you're joking, right? Besides, even with a proper wand, it's too risky. You could hit Harry."

That's when Michael finally made it to the game, yelling, "what did I miss?"

As Harry frantically dips and dives, Malfoy cruises by.

Draco, "training for the ballet, Potter?"

Harry glances at Malfoy's sneering face. Buzzing inches above Malfoy's left ear is…. The Golden Snitch. Harry charges. Malfoy gulps, swings clear, and watches Harry rocket past.

As Harry chases the plummeting Snitch, Malfoy follows in hot pursuit. They race downward, trailing the hissing Snitch deep into the trench circling the pitch. Shoulder to shoulder, they race madly, driving and dodging the wooden support beams that crisscross their path.

Directly behind them, the Bludger follows, shattering the beams as it dogs Harry.

Malfoy kicks Harry, forcing him to the edge of the trench. Harry brushes the wall, battling for control. Malfoy turns, snickers, then looks back…. And finds himself heading smack into a wooden beam. Panicked, he tries to pull up. Too late. Broom meets beam and Malfoy spirals out of the trench and….

THWUMP!

Flat on his back in the middle of the pitch.

Harry continues on, closing on the Snitch, fingertips only inches from catching it…. When…. The Rogue Bludger smashes into Harry's arm. Harry cries out, steadies himself and with a brilliant, acrobatic move, snatches the Snitch out of the air with his good hand. Unable to control his broom with his shattered arm, he hits the pitch with a sickening thud!

Wincing, Harry rolls onto his shoulders and squints up: a black dot…. Growing rapidly larger…. Is plummeting from the sky, directly toward him. It's…. The rogue Bludger.

Instantly, Harry spins away, grimacing in agony, as the Bludger hits the ground like a sledge hammer, violently tattooing the pitch again and again, only inches from Harry. Calmly, Hermione strides forth, points her wand.

Hermione, "Finite Incantatem!"

The Bludger hangs briefly in the air. It slowly ceases spinning and drops heavily to the pitch. Harry exhales, relieved, only to recall the searing pain in his arm. As concerned faces swim above him, one particular face pushes through the others: Lockhart. Only after Michael manages to get to his brother.

Michael, "oh God, his arm is broken."

Lockhart, "not to worry, Harry. I'll fix that arm of yours straight away."

Harry, "no…. No…. Not you."

Michael, "anybody but you! Hell, I'll take Snape!"

Lockhart, "poor boys don't know what they're saying. This won't hurt a bit…."

Lockhart twirls his wand, Harry braces himself, and…. Nothing. He blinks, looks up: the faces, which now include Ron, Michael, Hermione, and Hagrid, look horror-stricken.

Lockhart, "ah. Yes. Well, that can sometimes happen. The point is, the bones are no longer broken."

Hagrid, "brok'n? He doesn't 'ave any bones at all!"

Harry looks: his arm looks like an empty rubber glove.

….

In the hospital wing...

A dazed Malfoy slumps out with Crabbe and Goyle. Ron and Michael, standing by Harry's bed with Hermione, grin, then watch Madam Pomgrey pour out a steaming bealerful of liquid from a bottle of Skele-Gro. A group of Gryffindors, including some of his teammates, stand nearby.

Madam Pomfrey, "he should have been brought straight to me! I can mend bones in a heartbeat…. But growing them back…."

Hermione, "you will be able to, won't you?"

Madam Pomfrey, "I'll be able to, certainly, but it will be painful. You're in for a rough night, Potter. Regrowing bones is nasty business."

Harry takes the steaming cup and drinks. He grimaced at the awful taste.

Madam Pomfrey, "well, what did you expect, pumpkin juice?"

FLASH!

Harry blinks and sees Colin Creevey standing there.

Colin, "that was brilliant today, Harry! Brilliant!"

Michael, "Colin! Please stop doing that!"

Madam Pomfrey, "out! All of you! This boy's got thirty-three bones to regrow!"

Michael, "Madam Pomfrey, may I please stay to make sure my brother recovers okay?"

Madam Pomfrey, "sigh, I suppose so…."

…..

That night, Michael sleeps in a chair next to Harry as he fidgets in the darkness, half-asleep, then…. His eyelids flutter slowly open….

He looks from the shadows that cling to the ceiling…. To the lattice-work of moonlight that burns softly on the walls around him…. To his brother slowly waking up, hearing a strange noise….

They sense something…. A presence…. When five bandaged fingers begin to sponge Harry's brow. Harry bolts upright, as he and Michael yell, "Dobby!?"

Dobby, "hello. Michael and Harry Potter came back to school. Dobby warned them. Harry and Michael Potter should have listened to Dobby. Harry and Michael Potter should have gone back home when they missed the train."

Harry pushes the sponge away and says, "it was you! You stopped the barrier from letting Ron, Michael and me through!"

Dobby, "indeed yes, sir. Dobby hid and watched for Harry and Michael Potter and sealed the gateway."

Michael, "you nearly got Ron, Harry and me expelled!"

Dobby, "at least you would be away from here. Harry and Michael Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make Harry Potter see-"

Harry, "your Bludger? You made that Bludger chase after me?"

Michael, "and you must have been the one who locked me in our dorm!"

Dobby, "Dobby feels most aggrieved, sir's", he starts wiggling his fingers, "Dobby had to iron his hands…."

Harry, "you'd better clear off before my bones come back, Dobby, or I might strangle you!"

Dobby smiles weakly, "Dobby is used to death threats, sir. Dobby gets them five times a day at home."

Michael, "I don't suppose you could tell us why you're trying to kill me and my brother?"

Dobby, "not kill you, sir's, never kill you! Dobby only intended to maime. Dobby remembers how it was before Harry and Michael Potter triumphed over He Who Must Not Be Named. We house elves were treated like vermin, sir. Of course, Dobby is still treated like vermin…."

Dobby honks his nose on the filthy pillowcase he wears.

Harry, "why do you wear that thing, Dobby?"

Michael, "yeah, doesn't look that nice…."

Dobby, "this, sir? 'Tis a mark of the house elf's enslavement. Dobby can only be freed if his master presents him with clothes. The family is careful not to pass Dobby so much as a sock, sir, for then he would be free to leave their house forever."

Dobby's ears quiver, detecting…. Footsteps.

Dobby whispers, "terrible things are about to happen at Hogwarts! Harry and Michael Potter must not stay here now that history is to repeat itself!"

Harry, "repeat itself? You mean, this has happened before?"

Dobby seizes the Skele-Gro and beats himself about the head.

Michael, "tell us, Dobby? When did this happen before? Who's doing it now?"

Dobby, "Dobby cannot say, sir. Dobby only wants Harry and Michael Potter to be safe."

Harry, "who is it?"

Dobby hears the footsteps and tires to run off, but Michael grabs him.

Michael, "no, Dobby! Tell us!"

CRACK!

Dobby is gone with a snap of his fingers.

Shadows flicker beyond the curtain encircling Harry's bed. Harry slumps down as Michael closes his eyes and means back in his chair.

They peer through a slit in the curtains. Dumbledore, in a nightcap, and McGonagall, in a tartan robe, heave a small statue onto an empty bed. Seconds later, Madam Pomfrey bustles in.

Madam Pomfrey, "what's happened?"

Dumbledore, "there's been another attack."

Madam Pomfrey gasps. It is not a statue lying there. It is Colin Creevey, camera still clutched to his eye.

McGonagall, "perhaps he managed to get a picture of his attacker…."

Dumbledore opens the camera. A jet of steam hisses forth.

McGonagall, "what does this mean, Albus?"

Dumbledore, "it means our students are in great danger, Minerva. Mr. Creevey was fortunate. If not for this….", he holds up the camera, "he would surely be dead."

McGonagall, "what should I tell the staff, Albus?"

Dumbledore, "tell them the truth. Tell them Hogwarts is no longer safe. Tell them it's as we feared. The Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again…."

McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey both gasp in fear as Harry and Michael glance at one another.

Michael mouthed the words, 'we need to tell Ron and Hermione.'

Harry nodded in agreement.

If the Chamber was indeed open, and the monster within was causing havoc…. Then everyone they knew was in danger….

….

Reviews:

Canadude2029: completely agree, and glad you like the chapter.

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