It's time to find out more about this Chamber of Secrets.

McGonagall shall explain.

After all, the students are on edge.

Of course, Mary knows what's going on better than most.

Chapter 20: The Chamber of Secrets

Since everybody was on edge following what was written on the wall, McGonagall and Binns both agreed to explain what was going on.

For some reason, the writing didn't seem to be coming off, much to Mr. Filch's frustration.

Did someone put an enchantment on it?

It seemed possible.

Anyways, the students were wondering what was happening, so they were about to get some answers.

"Would you like me to explain, or Professor Binns?" asked McGonagall. Both of them were familiar with the history of Hogwarts.

For some reason, there was a ghost teaching at Hogwarts. Though perhaps the best person to teach history was someone who had been there. Like Nicolas Flamel, for example…who unfortunately hadn't returned as a ghost.

Some people didn't retire, not even after they died.

"Well, Harry Potter fans are probably more familiar with you than they are with Binns." noted Mary. People tended to remember her meeting with Professor Dumbledore, which involved her turning into a cat. Seemed she had a negative opinion on her foster family. Dumbledore seemed alright with the, though.

"It's true. I think I was omitted from the movies…" spoke Binns. Were they not able to find an actor for him?

It was probably because he was considered to be boring, and Warner Bros didn't want people leaving the movie room and asking the theater manager for a refund. Students kept falling asleep during his lectures. Which was kind of ironic considering he had perished in his sleep.

"I think that's enough fourth wall breaking for now. I have a sense of humor contrary to popular belief but I think we're in a serious situation." advised Minerva.

Hogwarts was in danger of being closed down.

Ron noted she had a point. Perhaps they should focus on the matter of hand.

"As you may be aware, Hogwarts has four different founders. Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin." explained McGonagall.

The students all nodded.

"However, Salazar had a disagreement with the other three founders. He didn't think that Muggle-borns belonged in Hogwarts." continued the transfiguration professor.

Which was ironic considering how talented Hermione Granger was. Would he reconsider if he were there to see her today?

"He felt that students should be pure of blood. But the other three founders never saw things that way. Not even his close friend, Godric Gryffindor. They felt that the school should be open for all aspiring wizards, regardless of who their parents might be. So, Slytherin decided to leave Hogwarts. However, before he did so, he created a secret chamber." spoke the head of Gryffindor.

"And now it's open?" questioned Ron.

"Yes. Salazar hoped that his heir would awaken the monster inside, and use it to purge the school of those Slytherin considered unworthy to study magic." explained McGonagall.

"That means us." said Justin.

He began to shiver.

His parents hadn't made a mistake bringing him here to learn magic, had they?

He would like to think that he hadn't.

Hermione could only hope she and her fellow Muggle-borns could stay safe.

Was it possible that this chamber of secrets actually existed? It did seem a tad like a Halloween school prank.

It seemed possible, though Dumbledore himself hadn't found a trace of it. Perhaps only the Heir of Slytherin could open it?

Mary wondered if Draco Malfoy happened to be the heir.

He made it all too clear how he felt about Muggle-born wizards.

Or as he referred to them as, mudbloods.

However, there was the possibility that she was wrong.

Still, it was possible he might know something.

So it was worth a try to extract information from him.

The problem was that she didn't like to torture people.

Fortunately, she had an idea.

What if she were to drink a polyjuice potion and disguise herself as one of his friends?

He'd be likely to spill the beans that way. After all, Crabbe and Goyle likely knew more about Draco than she did.

And besides, she wondered what the Slytherin Dungeon looked like. It was probably dark and spooky, like the Forbidden Forest.

Perhaps Snape could help with making these incognito potions. He was the potions master after all.

However, when she went to visit him, he was upset about something.

Somebody had stolen the ingredients for his Aging Potions.

It looked like they wouldn't be brewing them for a while. Not until a fresh shipment came in. Though people typically preferred a potion that made them younger.

Was the Heir of Slytherin responsible for this? To her knowledge, the mandrakes hadn't been touched, so perhaps Mrs. Norris would still be cured.

She wasn't sure what they were planning to do with them.

"Can you help me make polyjuice potions? I'm looking forward to stepping in someone's shoes." noted Mary.

It seemed like they were a pretty good way to do that.

"A polyjuice potion? You should know that isn't for beginners." remarked Snape.

He didn't imagine a second year being able to pull it off. What were they going to ask about brewing next? Felix Felicis?

Not only was the polyjuice potion an advanced potion, there was also the simple fact that brewing potions incorrectly could have serious consequences.

One might end up making a potion that turned them into a monkey.

Students that weren't part of Slytherin might consider him to be mean, but there was a method to his madness. Though considering he didn't raise his voice much, madness might not be the best word.

"I can ask my friends for help." noted Mary.

"That would probably be a good idea." suggested Snape. It was easier to brew potions when you worked as a team.

He handed her a list of ingredients.

Since Hermione was good at making potions, Mary decided asking her would be a good idea.

She figured she wouldn't object considering the Heir of Slytherin would likely consider coming after her.

"Do you have a list?" asked Hermione.

Mary nodded.

If they worked together, perhaps they could make a Polyjuice Potion.

And the possibility of Draco Malfoy being expelled wasn't such an unhappy thought after he called her a Mudblood.

Meanwhile, Ginny decided to talk to Gilderoy Lockhart.

It was nice having someone to talk considering things at Hogwarts were starting to get scary.

"This stuff about the Chamber of Secrets is scary. It's a good thing you'll be able to protect us, right?" asked Ginny.

So far, only Mrs. Norris had been hurt, but that could change.

After all, McGonagall had said that Muggle-borns would be targeted. It might be best if they took precautions to keep them safe. The only problem was that they didn't know what this monster was. It would probably be something that suited Salazar Slytherin, however.

"Of course I can! I'm one of the greatest wizards of all time!" exclaimed Gilderoy.

Though even he had to admit Dumbledore was better than he was. He probably couldn't best Grindelwald in a duel. Though he assured his students that there were plenty of dark wizards that he could beat, regardless of his inability to best Dumbledore in a wizard competition. Though according to him, the reason Dumbledore was the superior wizard was mainly that he was in possession of the Elder Wand.

Why didn't the wand choose him, anyway?

Ginny sighed in relief. Seemed she could indeed count on her defense against the dark arts professor. It was especially relieving considering she heard that the last defense against the dark arts professor was a dark wizard in disguise.

Although, now that she thought of it, McGonagall said the Heir of Slytherin wouldn't target purebloods.

By that logic, she was safe.

She couldn't help but feel worried about Muggle-borns though.

Wait, wasn't Colin Creevey a Muggle-born?

She needed to keep an eye on him.

Otherwise something bad might happen.

And she wasn't sure what his parents would think.

She decided to visit Colin Creevey to make sure he was alright.

Besides, she had a gift for him.

Fortunately, he was fine.

He was looking for interesting things to take photos of.

Maybe he could take one of Professor Dumbledore? Colin imagined him as the type of person who would pose for a picture.

He would probably want to check to see if any other teachers were camera shy before he took photos of them though.

However, he was currently in his office. He was busy reading about Salazar Slytherin. It might provide hints as to who the heir is. And the sooner he found out who it was, the better.

"Why is he so obsessed with blood purity?" questioned the man with the long white beard. It didn't seem important to him. Maybe that was why he ended up in Gryffindor.

"Would you be interested in making your photos move?" asked Ginny.

"Sure. It will make them more exciting." nodded Colin.

He had a picture of Gilderoy Lockhart, who in the picture had a big smile on his face.

Perhaps he too had a gift for Ginny.

Ginny poured the developing solution Percy gave her on the photo.

Sure enough, it began to feel like Gilderoy Lockhart was in the great hall with them.

He was currently admiring himself in the mirror at the moment.

Meanwhile, Mary realized that despite what was going on, Madam Hooch still planned on having the Quidditch game continue.

She figured it would help the students feel less nervous until things were sorted out. After all, who didn't like a good game of Quidditch?

As she did last year, she would be playing seeker. It seemed she had a knack for locating the golden snitch.

Maybe if she was lucky she would be able to defeat Malfoy. As Hermione said, a good broom wasn't a substitute for experience.

It would be nice to get back at him after he used nasty language. After all, was Hermione was her friend?

To Mary, it didn't matter whether her parents were Muggles or not. After all, wasn't she raised by Muggles herself?

She just hoped that the monster didn't show up while they were playing Quidditch. The fans couldn't watch the game if they were all petrified.

She imagined that since she was a half blood, she would be safe from the monster.

Dobby would be pleased to hear that. She knew how worried he was about her.

But where was Dobby anyway?

Little did she know, he had snuck his way into Hogwarts Castle.

He couldn't apparate inside, of course, but he could apparate outside the main entrance.

He was able to open the door, but it strained his muscles.

It was a big door.

Perhaps this was part of the reason why Dumbledore had Hagrid around. They said that the big guy was pretty useful for lifting things.

"Oh no, oh no! Mary is at Hogwarts! Dobby has to send her back home!" exclaimed Dobby.

However, apparition didn't seem like a good idea.

Chances are somebody would notice him trying to do so.

He needed to think of something different.

Suddenly, he had an idea.

What if Mary were to get injured?

People would realize it wasn't safe for her at Hogwarts.

And then they would take her back home.

"Dobby is a genius!" exclaimed the house elf.

He decided to go do that.

Of course, he would probably want to leave himself sooner or later.

What if the monster ate him?

Meanwhile…

Neville woke up from his slumber.

He noticed Vector.

"Vector? Did you hop away again?" asked the boy.

"Ribbit." said Vector.

"What? You came to ask me why I wasn't in my dormitory?" questioned Neville.

It turned out he wasn't in his dormitory at all.

He was right outside.

Hopefully he wouldn't get in trouble for violating curfew. McGonagall was very fussy about that.

"Huh. How did I end up here?" asked the boy.

He didn't recall being much of a sleepwalker.

Nearby, a certain half-giant was very upset about something.

"Somebody killed me roosters!" exclaimed Hagrid.

Though for some reason, the hens were doing fine. Perhaps they had witnessed who had done it?

However, they were upset because somebody had made off with their eggs.

According to Fang, he didn't see anything suspicious.

If it were a fox, he would have barked.

"I hope the students don't mind not havin' chicken sandwiches tonight." remarked Hagrid.

Neville noticed that there was a feather on his shoulder.

He wasn't responsible for that, was he?

Nah, it couldn't have been him.

He and Hagrid got along fine.

Though he was afraid of the animals he befriended.

They were safe to students, right?

Well, he might as well write in his diary what was going on.

He went back into his room and pulled out a quill, dipping it in ink beforehand.

"Dear Diary, I woke up outside my dormitory room." wrote Neville.

"Did you now?" wrote back the diary.

"Also, somebody slaughtered Hagrid's chickens!" exclaimed the Gryffindor second year.

"I wouldn't worry too much about Hagrid if I were you. Did you know that he was expelled from Hogwarts?" questioned the diary.

"He was?!" shouted Neville to the diary.

He seemed like such a nice guy.

What could he have done that would cost him his scholarship?

"He should know that some creatures should never be kept as pets." noted the book.

"Well, his three-headed dog was rather scary." remarked Neville.

Luckily, he didn't seem to be bothering anyone these days.

"Did you know that he has an acromantula?" asked the diary.

"An acromantula! Those are ranked V by the Ministry of Magic!" exclaimed the boy.

That meant they were one of the most dangerous magical creatures of all.

"It never stopped Hagrid. I assure you, keeping such a dangerous pet had serious consequences." answered the diary.

Neville noted that it could very well end up in disaster.

Suddenly, Vector hopped onto the diary.

It seemed that he wanted him to stop writing in it.

There was something about it that he found unnerving.

"You want me to stop writing in it? Well, I suppose it is enough writing for one day." noted Neville.

He wrote farewell in the diary and headed into the Gryffindor House common room for relaxation.

Oh no! Somebody's planning to make aging potions!

You probably don't know why the heir wants them, but it's not anything good.

And yeah, I figured Ginny and Colin had a lot of things in common, hence their friendship.

I figure I probably won't kill him off since he has a bigger role in this fanfic than he does in the books.