Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor the Lockhart speech that is taken nearly word for word from the book from "Now..." to "for details" - excluding extra annotations.
It had been a week since the Chamber of Secrets had been open.
Since the day that Filch's demon-cat, Mrs Norris, had been petrified the entire school had been abuzz with speculation: who did it? why? what was the Chamber of Secrets? who was the heir? where was this Chamber?
The Ravenclaw house had, true to their nature, turned into a research-obsessed house, trying to find out everything they could about this Chamber. Penelope Clearwater had been the first to point to an extract of Hogwarts: A History which detailed that the Chamber of Secrets was a legend based on Salazar Slytherin: that the founder had placed a chamber in the castle for his own gains, but that this chamber was only a rumour and despite extensive searching it had never been found and there was no evidence to its existence. The second piece of information came from the Gryffindor and Slytherin's History of Magic.
Professor Binns had told them (under the inquiry of the one Hermione Granger) that the Chamber of Secrets was hidden chamber built in the castle by Slytherin, which he'd kept secret from the other founders, and that according to legend Slytherin had sealed the Chamber so that no one would be able to open it until his own true heir came to Hogwarts, he'd told the class that only the heir alone would be able to unseal the chamber and unleash the monster within, the monster's one objective? To purge the school of all those who were "unworthy" to study magic - muggleborns, perhaps even half-bloods.
Eddie Carmichael, a Ravenclaw third year, claimed that this wasn't the first time the Chamber had been opened. According to Eddie his father had been a first year the first time the Chamber had been opened, in 1942. The opening had been overshadowed by the second wizarding world war and that was why it wasn't reported in many newspapers, the story only passed down through spoken tongue. Apparently a student had died - a muggleborn, and a Ravenclaw called Warren - and the school was nearly shut down, before the culprit was caught.
To say Harry was concerned about how his second year was unravelling was an understatement. What was worse is that he himself was an Heir of Slytherin. Not biologically of course, the goblin had said "through contest" or something along those lines, meaning Harry probably couldn't even open the chamber - most Ravenclaws guessed that it was some sort of advanced blood wards that kept everyone else from finding it - but Harry knew that wouldn't stop the rumours if his title got out.
The whole school would be looking for a scapegoat if anything further happened. If another student died and people found out Harry was the heir of Slytherin, nothing good could come out of that - especially as he didn't have an alibi for what happened on Halloween. For now he was safe; a "muggleborn" like him wouldn't be the heir of Slytherin, nor would they be going after muggleborns for being "impure".
Professor Sprout had confirmed that she'd be able to reverse the effects of petrification using the mandrakes that the second years were conveniently growing, but Mrs Norris would have to wait until the end of the year to be revived, much to Argus Filch, the moody, violent caretaker's displeasure. The man had grown harsher over the past week (before this Harry wouldn't have even considered that possible), he'd been heard threatening Ronald Weasley with lashes in the dungeons if he caught him with a wand out in the hallways again.
In other news a duelling club had been announced with the intentions of giving the students a means to protect themselves. The problem? Gilderoy Lockhart was the teacher in charge of the club, and Gilderoy Lockhart was nothing if not inept. The even bigger problem? Professor Snape had also agreed to co-lead the club.
The first duelling club would be on Thursday (Chester had begrudgingly agreed to cancel quidditch practice - fully aware that everyone, including himself, would prefer to try out the club) and though by now nearly all of the Ravenclaws agreed that Lockhart was a joke of a DADA teacher, everyone was still extremely excited for it, anxious to see how it would turn out.
Thursday came slowly, the week dragging along with the rumours swirling around about the Chamber of Secrets. There was no real new information, only speculation and more speculation. Wild guesses and theories that seemed to have been pulled out of nowhere - Harry was getting slightly irritated by it all to be honest.
Though slowly, Thursday did come, and with it the duelling club. Nearly all of the students were buzzing about the event, though the more perceptive students were sceptical about Lockhart's actual talents in duelling. After the events of the first DADA lesson for the second year Gryffindors and Slytherins, which Neville had told them all about (pixies and general ineptitude to sum it up), none of Harry's friends truly trusted Lockhart - nor what his books claimed he did.
"Now," Lockhart introduced, gathering the crowds of Hogwarts' students attention, "Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little duelling club... To train each and every one of you in case you ever need to defend yourself, as I myself have done on countless occasions - for full details, see my published works." Gilderoy winked at that part, and the gaggle of second year Hufflepuff girls, who all always seemed infatuated in DADA lessons all swooned, along with many others of the Hogwarts' female population, including, surprisingly enough, the normally rational Hermione Granger.
Harry couldn't help but smile as he saw Snape's irritated expression - he did not like the man, but he did respect his utter hatred (or at least that's what it seemed like in their few interactions for Lockhart.
"With the lovely offer of Professor Snape here to help out with this club, we're going to do a little demonstration on how to duel properly." Gilderoy explained before nodding at Snape. The two stood at the opposite end of the raised platform which had appeared in the Great Hall after dinner - the Great Hall the only place to be able to fill the high demand the club had. The two then bowed (Snape seemingly extremely reluctant to show any sort of respect for Lockhart) before the duel started. And then finished. Immediately.
"Expelliarmus." Snape had drawled nonchalantly and Lockhart had gone flying much to Harry and his friends' joy.
"Excellent demonstration Professor," Lockhart said after a pause as he regained his composure, standing up from where he had been crumpled against the wall, and brushing out the wrinkles in his robes, "Though a little obvious if I may say so myself." Lockhart sent another wink towards another gaggle of gushing girls, and Terry and Harry shared a pointed look ('yeah right'). "A simple disarming spell that can easily have been prevented by a shield spell such as protego."
"I'm surprised he even knows that spell." Harry whispered to Terry and Snape's head shot round towards them, somehow having heard Harry's whisper, but for once the Potions Master didn't take the opportunity to duck points, he simply smirked and faced back towards Lockhart who was still preaching about how he 'let' Snape disarm him as it would be a 'good example'.
"Now everyone pair up and perform the disarming spell." Lockhart told them all and within seconds the great hall descended into chaos. Stray disarming spells were sent around the hall, hitting random people and missing their opponents as wands went flying.
Harry couldn't help but sigh, disappointed. He knew this was to be expected, in fact he'd been half-dreading this all week because he was well aware of Lockhart's ineptitude by this point in term, but still he'd retained some flicker of hope, and in that moment that flicker had been extinguished.
After a few minutes of clearly enjoying the chaos Snape regained order. "How about we have a student demonstration instead, Professor?" Snape asked, drawling out the flustered Lockhart's title sarcastically.
"What a good idea, I was just about to suggest that myself. How about Cameron Montague, a Ravenclaw like myself?" Gilderoy offered forwards as he scoured the crowd for his favourite student.
Harry and Terry shot each other another look. Cameron had come complaining to them multiple times about how obsessed Lockhart had become with him, Cameron being in his sixth year DADA class, apparently Lockhart always offered him tips on how to win Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award - like he himself had won, five times as he loved to tell everyone.
"Very well." Snape nodded before offering up his own student as Cameron began to reluctantly make his way to the stage, shooting exasperated looks at anyone and everyone he made eye contact with. "I was going to suggest Cassius Warrington, from my own house. A sixth year too." Snape told them and the Slytherin portion of the crowd parted to reveal a tall, dark-haired boy. Harry could tell he was a pureblood (not just because he was a Slytherin) from just looking at him, it was the arrogant, self-assured way he held himself, his posture clearly having been practised and perfected.
As Cassius made his way onto the stage Harry stifled a laugh as he heard Cameron whisper some profanities, before Lockhart took him under his arm (quite literally) to whisper some advice to him - judging by the eyeroll Cameron did it probably wasn't too useful. Cassius on the other hand was being instructed something by Snape. Even if their opposition wasn't Gryffindor, Snape and Cassius would still be desperate to win, at all cost, for 'house pride'.
"Bow." Lockhart instructed after the two reached the opposite ends of the platform, both seeming extremely reluctant to do what they were supposed to, eventually Cameron conceded and gave a short bow, and Cassius followed after Snape whispered something. "3..2..1.. Go!"
Immediately both boys cast "Expelliarmus", both quickly followed up by a muttered "Protego". It was after that that the duel got interesting. The two were both clearly very accomplished wizards - and to be honest Harry didn't know why he was so surprised at how good Cameron was. He had been made prefect for a reason after all, and good grades or extracurricular accomplishments were the best way to achieve that.
It was just that Cameron always seemed so chilled, and laid back - he hadn't even really revised for his OWLS... Maybe that should have been the first clue... If he'd been able to do so well in his OWLS, practically without trying, it shouldn't be surprising how accomplished he was.
Cameron was starting to get the upper hand, Cassius having broken into a sweat and being clearly on the defensive as Cameron pelted him with spells. Lockhart was trying to calm the situation down - but he was the only one. Snape was watching calmly from the side-lines and all the students were cheering and egging Cameron and Cassius on.
All of the Slytherins were cheering for Cassius - with the notable exception of Graham, who seemed to be bored as he watched his brother beating Cassius - whereas all the other students were cheering for Cameron. The Ravenclaw was well-liked amongst the Hogwarts population, but even if he wasn't he'd have still probably been supported over Cassius. Not only was Cassius a Slytherin, but he was also a pompous, racist, misogynistic dick to be frank.
Then the tides turned. Cassius allowed a spell to hit him in order to replace the time he'd normally have spent using defensive spells to cast an offensive spell. "Serpensortia." He hissed before yelping in pain as a Cameron's spell hit him. Cameron had been careful to not use overly offensive magic that would get him in trouble later - plus, despite his hatred for Cassius, he didn't really want to severely injure him.
Cameron hit him with a curse, having yelled "Slugulus eructo" to the laughter of the other students. Soon Harry understood why they were laughing as the normally distinguished Warrington started belching up slugs - though it soon became more disgusting than funny. After the curse hit him, Cameron immediately followed up with another, "Ebublio" He yelled with a smirk as he realised Cassius was too focussed on vomiting up slugs to cast any sort of shield charm. A brilliant, bright, purple light appeared from the tip of Cameron's wand and soon the Slytherin was enveloped in thick bubble, unable to move out of it.
However it was too late. Cassius had already cast his spell and the works were already in motion. It took a second for people to realise what spell Cassius had cast but soon everyone saw it. A huge snake had appeared out of his wand, and was now enveloped with Cassius in the thick bubble.
Immediately Snape, recognising the danger started firing off offensive spells to the bubble, the snake growing anxious under the trap and the claustrophobic bubble with Cassius throwing up slugs in, too preoccupied to notice the danger he was in. Cameron's spell, however, was powerful, and by its very nature was made to be impenetrable. Though Snape was powerful enough to break it, it would take some time. Time Cassius didn't have based on the growing anxiety of the snake.
Fool. Trapped me in a circle. Hungry. So hungry.
Harry jumped as he heard the hissing noise, looking around to see whether anyone else had heard what he had.
Prey. Food.
Harry looked back at the platform seeing the snake turn on Cassius. Cassius was the food. And Snape hadn't gotten rid of the bubble yet.
Food.
The snake repeated. Harry was unsure of what to do, nobody else seemed to show any signs of hearing the snake speaking but it wasn't as if he suddenly had the ability to control this snake. There wasn't anything he could do: even if he could hear the snake that didn't mean he could communicate with it.
Sorry human but I'm ssoo hungry.
The snake hissed again, rearing back his head ready to pounce on Cassius, who by now had noticed the danger he was in and pressed his back into the bubble unable to move further away and unable to do anything to attack the snake - he'd dropped his wand whilst throwing up slugs and, whilst it was in the bubble, it was far closer to the snake than him, there was no way he'd reach it before getting bitten.
"Stop!" Harry yelled frantically, the rest of the hall frozen as they stood, watching Cassius about to be eaten by the snake. Only Snape was still acting, trying desperately to break down the bubble, firing spell after spell, and Harry could see the bubble being physically weakened, but it wouldn't be in time. As he yelled, much to his surprise, the snake halted and turned directly towards him, making eye contact with Harry as he flicked out his tongue and jutted his head to the side.
Human sspeakss.
The snake seemed in awe as it addressed Harry. Everyone else in the hall had turned towards him, facing him and looking towards him, Terry seemed to be trying to get his attention, but Harry was focused on the snake in front of him.
"Don't hurt him." Harry tried, not sure how we was able to speak to the snake in the first place, but overly aware that he should keep trying, any extra time was helpful to Professor Snape, who - after a momentary break where he turned towards Harry in shock - had resumed his efforts to break the barrier.
Ssorry speaker but I'm ssooo hungry. Need food.
"Just wait a little longer." Harry implored of the snake. "Then I will get you food, a mouse or something. Just wait."
micee are nicee. But I cannot wait. I need food now.
The snake turned back towards Cassius and Harry froze. He didn't know what to say, or how to help. The snake reared back his head as Harry screamed "stop", but to no avail.
Luckily for Cassius Warrington at that moment Snape had managed to take down the spell, and the momentary shock of the snake enabled Snape to vanish him, the snake disappearing with a single flick of a wand. Cassius lay on the floor, still retching up slugs, whilst sweating from the panic of nearly being eaten alive.
"Reynolds." Snape turned to Harry an unreadable look adorning his face. "With me." Snape ordered, before turning to command some of the Slytherins to help Cassius.
"You're a parseltongue?" Terry asked from besides him and Harry tore his eyes from the scene on the platform, now fully aware of everyone looking at him, wishing he could turn invisible right about now.
"What?" Harry asked confused but Snape called his name again, walking over to Harry and grabbing him by his collar to get his attention, then forcibly dragging him out of the hall, away from the wandering eyes of the crowd and the growing roar of whispers as the gossip mills of Hogwarts started spinning