To say Hermione was annoyed would be a severely gross understatement. She was up way later than what she expected because on the way back to the dungeon they ended up getting spotted by a Slytherin prefect, as they snuck back in. Malfoy was of course left off with merely just a look, while she was stuck in a far too long lecture about protecting Slytherin's image and some other nonsense that she was only listening with barely one ear open. Since she was late to bed, she woke up late and because of the time she woke up, she had to choose between either going to the library or going to breakfast. Hermione of course chose to go to the library. Only to have it stab her in the back with every book about this chamber being checked out.
Stupid Potter, probably couldn't keep his mouth shut about the wall. Hermione thinks moodily as she tredges to her first period class. She was not looking forward to it either, it was History of Magic and Professor Binns was just painfully boring. Sure she was probably the only student that was able to stay awake during class and would actively take notes on his many lectures. She just was not looking forward to having to stay awake and pay attention in class, if only she had some Pepper-Up Potion.
That would put a pep in my step. Hermione thinks ironically, a smirk flashing on her face at the silly little joke. At least the classroom is close by. Hermione continues thinking to herself, then suddenly as if she did drink the Pepper-Up Potion she starts to walk faster. Maybe Professor Binns knows about the Chamber!
Hermione slids into the seat that Daphne left open for her and whispers a quick hi as she starts getting her supplies ready for the class.
"Well miss always on time was almost late to class!" Daphne says, not bothering to whisper. Hermione's only reply was to stick her tongue out causing Daphne to giggle. "Why'd you miss breakfast? You were in such a rush this morning I didn't even get a proper good morning!"
"I was trying to get some information on something called The Chamber of Secrets, but all the books on it where checked out." Hermione says with an eye roll and a huff. Daphne nods but something flashes across her face, and then starts to dig into her knapsack. Hermione decides to ask her friend about it later.
"Well I figured it was something crazy you were doing and you would undoubtedly miss breakfast because of it. So I brought you a few scones and an apple." Daphne states as she pulls out a brown paper bag.
Hermione sags into her seat, incredibly grateful to have a friend like Daphne. "Oh Daphne. You're the best. What would I do without you?"
"Starve." The two giggle.
Hermione hurriedly shoves one of the scones in her mouth, internally wincing at the lack of manners, but the ghostly Professor was coming out and she needed to be ready for him to begin class so she can ask her question. After roll call, Professor Binns began.
"Today's lecture is on the Medieval Assembly of European Wizards." He isn't even finished with the sentence when Hermione's hand shoots up. Everyone stares at her, including the Professor. Well he's clearly never had a question in this class before. She thinks as she just continues waiting with her hand in the air.
After a few moments he finally acknowledges the hand up. "Yes Miss…" He pauses, he also clearly does not pay attention to roll call. Hermione thinks as he takes his time to remember her last name. "Grant." Well, that's a little insulting. Especially since I'm probably his best student.
"It's actually Granger. But I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets?"
Professor Binns stares at Hermione for a minute before he answers. Everyone in his class suddenly interested in what he has to say. "The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing. Slytherin, according to the legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic." He pauses in his talk and adjusts his glasses, clearly not used to his class actually paying attention to him. "This is of course all a myth." He pauses again. "Please remember students, I deal with facts, not silly myths and legends. I will not hear anymore of this Chamber." He turns back to his papers on the Medieval Assembly, and clears his throat. With that, the class began.
Hermione frowns as she stares down at her empty parchment. So the heir is a descendant of Salazar Slytherin. I wonder if I would be able to trace his ancestry somehow. She pauses her thoughts and thinks back to the writing on the wall. The Professors seem too… On edge, I believe is the word I'm looking for. This can't have been the first time this Chamber has been opened. There has to be something somewhere that tells the history of this supposed 'non-existent' chamber. She pauses again, and looks at Daphne through her peripheral. I think she knows something that she doesn't really want to share. With that train of thought she purses her lips and does something in class she usually never does. She completely ignores the lecturing Professor, and starts writing theories on her empty parchment. Trying to crack this code on the mysterious Chamber of Secrets.
Hermione checked her watch as she knocked on the door to the potions room. Good only 5 minutes early. Hopefully Professor Snape won't complain. She thinks as she adjusts the strap to her pack. Anxious to finally begin her potions work with the potions Master.
"You're early Ms Granger." Professor Snape says as he opens the door.
Or not. "Sorry Professor." She says as she walks into the classroom behind her professor. The two walk to the front of the classroom.
Professor Snape walks to his desk fiddling with something while Hermione places her stuff on the desk in front of his. Hermione starts to pull out her quills, ink pot, and blank pieces of parchment. With her note taking instruments out and placed, Hermione walks to the closet where the cauldrons are stored. But before she can even open the door the Professor stops her.
"You won't be needing the cauldron." Professor Snape's voice cuts through the silence.
"Oh, yes sir." She walks back to her desk, and takes a seat.
"For your advanced potions work this year we will be working on your preparations of ingredients, as well as talking about a few advanced potions, depending on your skill and ability to listen you will be brewing at least one of these potions, if not multiple." He says and the blackboard behind him flips over to reveal what she was to be working on.
She quickly writes out the 5 ingredients listed and the 5 potions she was to be learning about.
Felix Felicis, Polyjuice Potion, Draught of Living Death, Draught of Peace and Calming Draught. Finally some interesting potions. She thinks to herself as she finished up writing the list, with that done she looks back up at the Professor.
"For some of these potions you'll have to get access to the potion book Moste Potente Potions, which is housed in the restricted section of the library." Professor Snape bores into Hermione's eyes. "You are being trusted to take out this book. Do not ruin this trust Ms Granger."
Hermione enthusiastically nods her head. "Of course not Professor."
He hums, but doesn't say anything else on that matter. "You will receive a slip from me granting permission to take the book out. As for the ingredients, you are to handle them as I tell you, do with them as I tell you, and execute them as I tell you." He pauses and stares at her again. "Do I make myself clear Ms Granger?"
"Of course Professor."
"I want a foot essay on all the ingredients listed and their uses. Each ingredient gets its own essay. As for the potions, I expect a three foot essay on each potion, their intended uses, the ingredients on each one, why they are so important for the potion itself and also why the potioneer constructed it the way they did."
Hermione diligently writes the instructions as the Professor talks. Excitement coursing through her, this is what she wanted. Actual intelligent work to keep her mind going. This was going to be so much fun! They were momentarily interrupted by Professor McGonagall walking into the room after a swift knock to the closed potions door.
"When you have a moment Professor, it is a bit urgent." She says in a forced calm manner.
"Now with that, it seems I have ran out of time today. You are dismissed." He says and he billows towards the awaiting Professor.
Hermione flops onto her bed, exhausted after the day. She really is almost useless if she doesn't get enough sleep. Bitting her lip she stares up at her canopy top and sighs.
"Hermione!" She hears Daphne yell, causing her to bolt up. Adrenaline rushing through her like hot lava. "Hermione!" Her friend yells once more as she throws open the door to the dormitory. Hermione stands up from her bed.
"Daphne? Daphne, what is it? I'm right here." Hermione meets the blonde half way inside the room and before she knows it she's wrapped up in a hug, having the breath squeezed out of her. "Daphne?"
"A student was found petrified, a muggleborn and they haven't said who it was yet, and.."
Hermione hugs her friend back. "It's ok. I'm right here Daphne."
Daphne pulls away from the hug slightly. "Hermione I was so worried. I just thought…" she pauses. "I'm so glad you're ok."
"I'm fine Daphne. You don't have to worry."
Daphne shakes her head. "You can't be walking alone while whatever this is is roaming the halls. It targets muggleborns specifically."
"Daphne, that's a little extreme…" Hermione is interrupted with a rough head shake from Daphne.
"Please! Just do this for me."
"Daphne-"
"Please."
Hermione sighs but nods. Only agreeing to it because it seemed to be so important for the blonde. Daphne smiles shakily at her and pulls her in for another hug, somehow being held tighter than before. Hermione rolls her eyes skyward but can't help the fond smile that spreads across her face as she hugs her friend back. Once again thankful for the blonde.
When they finally part Hermione drags Daphne to her bed and makes her sit down. "How would I go about tracing Slytherin's bloodline?" Hermione asks her while settling onto her bed, right across from Daphne.
Daphne tilts her head, brows furrowed as she thinks. "Why would you want to do that?"
"I want to figure out who this heir is of his."
"Why?"
"Because if I find that out then I should be able to figure out how he's petrifying animals." Hermione pauses. "And now people." Hermione bites at her lip, as her mind races. "I wonder if he wants to be petrifying his victims actually."
Daphne starts to give Hermione an 'are you serious' look. "You can be such a Gryffindor sometimes."
Hermione gasps, her hand going to her heart. "You don't need to be so cruel." The two giggle. "But why do you say that?"
"You have to stick your nose into everything weird that goes on in this school!"
Hermione pouts. "I don't like mysteries Daphne, if there is something that could be learned I want to know it."
Daphne gives her a full body sigh. "You're such a know-it-all." She pauses. "But at least you're my know-it-all." Daphne doesn't talk for a minute, and Hermione could almost hear the gears working in her friend's brain. It wasn't long until her blue eyes lit up and a smile graced her lips. "I personally don't know how we can trace Slytherin's roots, but I know someone who does." Daphne gets up and walks over to her trunk and starts to riffle through it. While she's doing that Hermione goes to her trunk as well.
She was immensely disappointed in herself last year when she didn't bring a journal with her to document everything. Granted she did document everything she could on extra pieces of parchment that she had but it just wasn't the same, especially when the memory wasn't fresh. Digging through her trunk she grasped the leather bound journal, briefly wondering if she'd be able to continue to expand the journal should she run out of room.
I should look into that. I'm sure there's a spell, if not maybe I could attempt to redesign a spell so that way I can use it the way I want too… I wonder if Professor Snape would be willing to answer any questions I might have as to how I could redesign a spell -
"Hermione!" Daphne yelled very close to Hermione's ear breaking her out of her thoughts.
"Ack! What!?" Hermione glares at Daphne holding her ringing ear.
Daphne pouts as she settles on Hermione's bed. "You were too busy thinking to listen to me talk!"
Hermione rolls her eyes. "Well excuse me. So what was it that you were saying?"
Daphne clears her throat. "Like I said, I know someone who does know how we can trace Slytherin's roots. Or where we could even find his lineage." Hermione nods and decides to just get comfortable on the floor in front of her trunk. "Mrs. Malfoy." Daphne says as she leans in almost like it's a conspiracy.
Hermione raises a brow and doesn't even need to voice her concern before Daphne's waving it off. "Of course she'll help us. It's actually one of her hobbies. The Malfoys' have been around for generations, so of course you would think there was at least a family tapestry somewhere in the home. But when Mrs Malfoy married into the family and learned that there actually wasn't a family tapestry she took it upon herself to start researching and reading old Malfoy journals. Piece by piece she was able to trace the family lineage all the way up to the first, the very first, Malfoy that came to Great Britain from France. And then she made a tapestry of it." Daphne was almost bouncing, she seemed so excited. Hermione grinned at her friend, the excitement contagious.
"She certainly seems like the perfect source!"
Daphne nods her head. "I thought so too!" She pauses. "What else are you thinking?"
Hermione blinks, lost. "What do you mean?"
Causing Daphne to roll her eyes. "About the Chamber. That's not the only thing you're curious about."
Hermione grins. "You're right."
"Obviously."
"The Professors seem too on edge for this to be the first time. Especially Dumbledore, so there has to be history of this 'non-existent' chamber. And I'm going to make the assumption that it's not good. At all." Daphne nods, to show that she's listening. "So I need to find out the history of this chamber, and maybe with the history of it I'll be able to deduce what exactly this creature is." Hermione pauses. "And how if possible to stop it." Hermione watches Daphne's expression carefully, noticing the slight shift in the way she was holding herself.
The two are silent for a minute.
"What is it Daphne?" Hermione asks, knowing there is something bothering the blonde.
Daphne does another full body sigh, this one though seemed reluctant. "You're right about it not being the first time. It's actually been opened quite a few times." Hermione locks eyes with Daphne. "The most recent time was back in 1942-1943, multiple students were petrified, but one." Daphne pauses. "One was killed, a girl. It actually almost caused the school to be shut down."
Hermione frowns. "Killed? Why was only one student killed?"
Daphne shrugs. "I don't really know, I only know what my mother told me."
Hermione continues to frown. "So then." She pauses, trying to get her thoughts in order. "Is the petrification an accident?" She asks, mostly to herself. Knowing Daphne doesn't have the answers she needs.
Daphne shrugs anyway. "It's why I want you to be really careful Hermione. I don't want to lose you."
Hermione stands from her seated position on the floor, and grasps Daphne's hand. "You're not going to lose me Daphne. I promise."
"Pinky promise?" Daphne asks, her voice small as she held up her pinky.
"Pinky promise." Hermione says as she hooks Daphne's pinky with her own.
