The Potter Twins and the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 7: Spiders!

Harry, Michael, Ron and Hermione are walking together across the grounds.

Hermione, "it can't be Hagrid. It just can't be."

Michael, "he's been there for us ever since we became wizards, I can't believe he would purposefully cause any of this."

Fleet gave a little nod from atop Michael's shoulder.

Ron, "we don't even know this Riddle. He sounds like a dirty, rotten snitch to me."

Harry, "the monster had killed someone, Ron. What would any of us done?"

Hermione, "look. Hagrid's our friend. Why don't we just go ask him about it?"

Ron, "that'd be a cheerful visit. Hullo, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?"

"Mad an' hairy? Wouldn' be talkin' 'bou me, now would yeh?"

The trio turns around and spots Hagrid grinning at them. They instantly look guilty.

Michael/Harry/Ron/Hermione, "no!"

Hagrid looks at them curiously.

Michael nods to the strange canister in his hand and asks, "what's that you've got, Hagrid?"

Hagrid, "Flesh-Eatin' Slug Repellent. Fer the Mandrakes, yeh know. Accordin' ter Professor Sprout, they still got a bit o' growin' up ter do, but once their acne clears up, we'll be able to chop 'em up, stew 'em, an' get those people in the hospital un-Petrified. 'Til then, you four best watch yerselves, all righ'?"

They nod and watch Hagrid lope away. Just then, Neville comes running up. He looks pale with fright.

Nevile, "Harry, I don't know who did it, but…. You'd better come."

….

Harry's space is a disaster: trunk riffled, drawers flung open, bedclothes strewn on the floor.

Hermione, "it had to be a Gryffindor. Nobody else knows our password. Unless, it wasn't a student…."

Ron, "well, whoever it was, they were looking for something."

Harry, "and they found it…. Tom Riddle's diary is gone."

Michael, "oh grape nuts!"

….

Students stream into the Quidditch Stadium as this goes on….

Harry, dressed in his Quidditch robes, dashes down the staircase with Ron, Michael and Hermione. Down below, Ron spies Ginny.

Ron, "hey, Ginny! Going to the match?"

Ginny looks up, startled, then shakes her head and exits.

Ron, "I tell you, she gets weirder and weirder by the day…."

Michael, "yeah, something is really going on with her…."

That's when Harry heard it.

"Kill this time…. Let me rip…. Tear."

Harry freezes. Michael, Ron and Hermione stop, knowing by his face….

Ron, "no…. Don't tell me…."

Michael, "not again!"

Harry turns, as if following the sound, absently touching his fingers to the wall as he glances around. Hermione studies him with great interest…. Studies his fingers…. Then, abruptly, Harry turns away, shakes his head: it's gone. Hermione looks up, eyes vaguely upon Harry, but her mind miles away.

Hermione, "Harry…. I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!"

As Hermione sprints back up the stairs, Harry yells, "what do you understand!?"

But she's gone. Harry turns to Michael and Ron in puzzlement.

Harry, "the library?"

Ron, "that's Hermione. When in doubt, go to the library."

Michael, "well, she hasn't been wrong before…."

….

Harry and his teammates march toward the Quidditch tower. The cheers of the crowd are heard.

Wood, "listen up now. We play our game, Hufflepuff doesn't stand a chance. We're stronger, quicker, smarter."

George, "not to mention they're dead terrified Harry'll petrify them if they fly anywhere near him."

Wood, "that, too."

Harry simply sighs at the joke.

Just then, Professor McGonagall appears, barring their way.

Wood, "Professor McGonagall-"

McGonagall, "this match has been canceled."

Wood, "canceled! They can't cancel Quidditch-"

McGonagall, "silence, Wood! You will return to Gryffindor Tower now. Potter, you and I will find Mr. Weasley and your brother. There's something the three of you need to see…."

….

McGonagall pauses outside the door of the medical wing, turns to Harry, Michael and Ron and says, "I warn you. This will be a bit of a shock."

She opens the door. Madam Pomfrey is leaning over a bed where a girl lies. As she straightens up, we see the girl is….

"Hermione!"

Ron is the one to yell this.

McGonagall, "she was found near the library. Along with this. Does it mean anything to any of you?"

She holds up a small circular mirror. Harry shakes his head.

Michael, "no."

McGonagall nods gravely and leads them out. As they go, we focus on Hermione's hand. Clinched tight in her stiff knuckles, barely visible, is…. A piece of paper.

….

Later, in the Gryffindor common room.

McGonagall reads from a parchment to the somber Gryffindors.

McGonagall, "all students will return to their house common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions", she starts rolling up the parchment, "I should tell you all this. Unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught, it is likely that the school will be closed."

McGonagall turns, exits. Instantly, as one, the students begin to talk amongst themselves. Neville speaks up.

Neville, "haven't any of the teachers noticed that the Slytherins are all safe? Isn't it obvious all this stuff's coming from Slytherin? The Heir of Slytherin, the monster of Slytherin…. Why don't they just chuck all the Slytherins out?"

Seamus, "they can't close Hogwarts. Where would we all go?"

Dean, "I don't care what anyone says. As long as Dumbledore's here, Hogwarts will be here."

Harry whispers to Ron, "we've got to talk to Hagrid, Ron. I can't believe it's him. But if he did set the monster loose last time…. Even by accident…. He'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets. And that's a start."

Michael, "so we need to find Hagrid and ask for his help."

Ron, "but you both heard McGonagall. We're not allowed to leave the tower except for class…."

Harry, "I think it's time to get our Dad's old Cloak out again…."

Michael, "agreed."

….

Later that night….

A drawer opens, a hand reaches in and takes the invisibility cloak. Michael, Ron and Harry. All around them, the other boys sleep. Harry pitches the cloak over himself, Michael and Ron. They're gone!

….

Harry, Michael and Ron, beneath the cloak, sneak by an unaware Snape.

….

Later, at Hagrid's hut….

A knock. Hagrid swings open the door, crossbow in hand.

Hagrid, "who's there?"

Michael, Harry and Ron drop the cloak. Hagrid lowers the crossbow.

Fang, Hagrid's enormous boarhound, thumps his tail at the sight of Harry, Michael and Ron. Harry points to the crossbow.

Harry, "what's that for?"

Hagrid, "nothin', nothin'. I've been expectin'... Doesn't matter. Sit down…. I'll make tea…."

Hagrid nervously takes the kettle and spills the water.

Harry, "are you okay? Hagrid? Did you hear about Hermione?"

Hagrid, "oh, yea. I heard, all righ'."

Michael, "look…. We have to ask you something. Do you know who's opened the Chamber of Secrets?"

Hagrid takes a fruit cake, stops, about to answer, when…. There is a loud knock. The fruitcake smashes to the floor. Panicked, Michael, Harry and Ron throw the cloak over themselves.

Sweating, Hagrid grabs his crossbow and points it at the door.

Hagrid, "c-come in."

The door opens. A grim Dumbledore enters, followed by a portly man in a pin-stripe suit and bowler.

Dumbledore, "good evening, Hagrid."

Ron whispers, "that's Dad's boss! Cornelius Fudge. The Minister of Magic!"

Harry elbows Ron to shut him up.

Fudge, "bad business, Hagrid. Very bad business. Had to come. Four attacks on Muggle-borns. Things've gone far enough. Ministry's got to act."

Hagrid, "I never…. You know I never, Professor Dumbledore, sir…."

Dumbledore, "I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence."

Fudge, "look, Albus, Hagrid's record's against him. I've got to take him."

Hagrid, "take me? Where? Not Azkaban prison."

Fudge, "for a short stretch only. Not a punishment, Hagrid. More a precaution. If someone else is caught, you'll be released with a full apology."

Just then, there is a sharp rap on the door. As Dumbledore opens it, Harry slumps and Michael glares. It's Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius, "already here, Fudge? Good, good…."

Hagrid, "what're you doin' here! Get outta my house!"

Lucius, "my dear man, please believe me, I have no pleasure at all in being inside your…. Do you call this a house? I simply called at the school and was told the Headmaster was here."

Dumbledore, "and what exactly did you want with me, Lucius?"

Lucius, "dreadful thing, Dumbledore, but the governors feel it's time for you to step aside. This is an Order of Suspension. You'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you're losing your touch. What with all these attacks, there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts. And we all know what an awful loss that would be…."

Malfoy hands Fudge an official roll of parchment.

Fudge, "now, see here, Lucius. Dumbledore suspended. No, no…. Last thing we want right now…. If Dumbledore can't stop these attacks…. I mean to say, who can?"

Lucius, "that remains to be seen, but as all twelve governors have voted-"

Hagrid, "an' how many did yeh have ter threaten before they agreed!?"

Lucius, "I would advise you not to shout at the Azkaban guards like that."

Hagrid, "yeh can't take Dumbledore! Take him away an' the Muggle-borns won' stand a chance! There'll be killin's next!"

Dumbledore, "calm yourself, Hagrid! If the governors want my removal, Lucius, I shall of course step aside. However…. You will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who…. Ask for it."

Dumbledore's eyes drift, unmistakably, to Harry, Michael and Ron.

Lucius, "admirable sentiments. We shall all miss your highly individual way of running things, Albus, and only hope your successor will manage to prevent any more, um, killin's."

Malfoy strides to the door and bows Dumbledore out.

Fudge, fiddling with his bowler, waits for Hagrid.

Instead, Hagrid stands his ground, takes a deep breath and says carefully, "if anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they'd have ter do is follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em right! Tha's all I'm sayin'."

Fudge stares at Hagrid in amazement.

Hagrid, "oh, and while I'm gone, tell Michael Potter I'd like him to feed Fang for me."

Fudge nods and follows him out. As the door slams, Fang starts to howl, scratching at the closed door. Harry, Michael and Ron emerge from the cloak.

Ron, "Hagrid's right. With Dumbledore gone, there'll be an attack a day."

Michael begins petting the big dog as he whimpers.

Harey, "look…."

At the windowsill, a trail of spiders escapes through a crack in the glass. Harry grabs Hagrid's lantern.

Harry, "c'mon."

Harry illuminates the trail of spiders. They run from the window to the ground, to the dark trees in the near distance. As Harry moves to follow, Ron hesitates with Michael beside him.

Ron, "what are you doing?"

Harry, "you heard Hagrid. Follow the spiders."

Michael, "yeah, but, uh…."

Ron, "they're heading into the Dark Forest."

Harry sighs and heads off. Terrified, Ron grabs Fang and follows with Michael close by.

Ron, "why spiders. Why couldn't it be 'follow the butterflies?'"

Michael, "or follow the puppies!?"

….

Fang crashes through low-slung branches and sharp brambles as Harry and Michael follow. Ron gingerly picks his way, then jumps as Fang howls. Branches snap. A rumbling noise sounds, then…. Silence. Harry spies something and points, saying, "there's something moving over there…. Something big."

Just then a blaze of light splinters the trees, blinding them. They start to flee…. When Ron stops.

Ron, "Harry…. Michael, it's our car!"

Scratched and mud-smeared, with bits of earth and grass sprouting from its headlamps and hubcaps, the Ford Anglia looks half-animal. Ron circles it in wonder.

Harry, "it's been here all the time! Look at it."

Michael, "the Forest has turned it wild."

Harry nods, then glances back up the slope.

Harry, "c'mon, we don't want to lose the trail."

….

Michael, Harry and Ron enter a hollow ribboned with shadows.

Enormous trees tower over them, strewn with strands of white webbing. Ron steps on a strand and kicks it off queasily. Harry peers up ahead as Michael keeps close: at the far end of the hollow, the spiders stream toward a dark opening.

As Michael, Harry and Ron approach the opening, a clicking sound emanates from within, echoing in the branches of the tall trees. Growing louder. Ron falters, glancing about nervously.

Ron, "I don't have a good feeling about this, Harry…. Michael…."

Harry, "don't panic."

Michael, "how're you this calm!?"

As Harry steps to the mouth of the cavern, the air suddenly crackles with movement. Twigs snap. A huge shadow emerges, slowly engulfing Harry. He peers up.

All three boys go wide-eyed.

An ancient spider, the size of a small elephant.

As it advances, Harry, Michael and Ron back slowly away. Then: its blind eyes catch the light, and it stops. As if…. Listening.

The spider says, "you do not come from the forest. Your hearts beat like…. Men."

Michael, "t-the spider talks…."

Harry, "yes. We're friends of Hagrid's. And you…. You're…. Aragog, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Aragog's head turns slightly.

Aragog, "Hagrid has never sent others into our hollow before."

Harry, "he's in trouble. Up at school, there've been attacks. They think it's Hagrid. They think he's opened the Chamber of Secrets."

Michael, "yeah, just like before."

As Harry and Michael talk, Ron's eyes dart warily about, then…. A pair of long legs, spider's legs, curl slowly around the trunk of the tree to his left. Terrified, Ron nudges Harry and Michal, but the twins ignore him.

Aragog, "that's a lie! Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets!"

Harry, "but if Hagrid never…. That means…."

Michael, "you're not the monster."

Aragog, "the monster was born in the castle. I came from a distant land, in the pocket of a traveler."

Ron turns. Two crawling silhouettes inch forward.

They pause. Waiting. Watching.

Ron, "Harry…. Michael…."

Harry, "shhh!"

Michael, "but if you're not the monster, what did kill that girl fifty years ago?"

Aragog, "we do not speak of it! It is an ancient creature we spiders fear above all others."

Harry, "but have you seen it?"

A scrabbling sound echoes above Ron. He glances up: a spider crouches on a branch above.

Aragog, "I never saw any part of the castle but the cupboard in which Hagrid kept me. The girl was discovered in a bathroom. When I was accused, Hagrid brought me here."

More scrabbling. Ron looks up. We see: spiders, in high and low branches, dropping downward like paratroopers. Ron grabs Michael and Harry.

He whimpers, "Harry... Michael..."

Harry, "what!"

Michael, "what is it!?"

Ron points. Harry and Michael look wide-eyed. They turn slowly back to Aragog.

Harry, "well…. Thank you. We'll just go…."

Michael, "yeah…. We don't wanna impose…."

Aragog, "go? I think not. My sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid, on my command. But I cannot deny them fresh meat when it wanders so willingly into our midst. Goodbye, friend's of Hagrid."

Aragog turns and disappears into the shadows of the cavern.

Ron, "can we panic now?"

Michael, "yes."

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

Michael, Harry and Ron spin. A gang of five-foot spiders bar the path ahead. They begin to move forward. Harry, Michael and Ron spin again: more spiders.

Everywhere. Closing in. Desperately, Harry swings the lantern in his hand. The spiders falter, then creep forward again as the arc of the light chases itself away.

Around and around. Then: the lantern goes out.

Harry pitches it aside. As one, he, Michael and Ron draw their wands.

Ron, "nice knowing you."

Michael, "you too, Ron."

They're done for. Fang whimpers. The spiders draw closer, clicking feverishly, when…. A long, loud horn bleats. Seconds later, a blaze of light ignites the hollow and the car comes thundering over the rim and down the slope, knocking spiders out of its path. As it screeches to a halt, the doors fling open!.

Harry, "let's go!"

Harry, Michael, Ron and Fang leap inside. Ron shifts frantically.

A spider appears at Harry's open window.

Harry, "the windows! Roll up the windows!"

Ron, "I CAN'T! IT'S STUCK!"

Just then, a hairy leg reaches through Ron's window.

Michael gives a high-pitched scream. Instantly, Ron hits the gas and throws the car into reverse.

Spiders scatter, but the two clinging to the side windows hold tight. As the car zooms backwards out of the hollow, Harry rolls his window tight, snapping off the spider's legs.

….

The car jets out of the hollow, lands with a thud.

Harry turns. The other spider is pulling Ron from the car. Harry points his wand, utters a spell and a blinding flash of white light blasts the spider into the shadows whipping past.

Ron, "thanks for that."

Harry, "don't mention it."

Michael, "glad we got outta there."

They stop. All three hear it: a distant clicking. As the car flies over a ridge, they see them: a sea of spiders heading straight for them like a herd of raging wildebeest. Ron puts his foot to the floor, spins the wheel and sends the car sliding away. The spiders stampede after.

….

The car slams through the forest, skimming past trees as the spiders charge after. Harry peers ahead and sees an area of fallen trees. There is an opening, one narrow escape route.

Michael sees this too and yells, "that way! It's the only way out!"

Harry, "hurry! They're catching up!"

Ron jams the accelerator, just as a giant tarantula drops in front of the escape route. Harry, Michael and Ron are as good as dead.

Harry, "can you get us in the air?"

Ron starts jostling the gear stick, "flying gear's jammed!"

Michael, "of course it is!"

The spiders behind draw closer. The tarantula waits ahead. Harry claps his hand over Ron's on the gear shift, and Michael does the same, pushing. The tarantula's pincers open, ready to kill, when…. The gear shift gives, the car's wheels lift and the car flies over, leaving the furious spiders below. The car barely avoids the rearing tarantula, then sails over the trees.

….

As they land, Fang bolts free. Harry, Michael and Ron exit the car wearily, then watch it turn and rumble back into the forest.

Ron, "'follow the spiders'! Follow the spiders!' If he ever gets out of Azkaban, I'll kill Hagrid. Imean, what was the point of sending us in there? What have we found out?"

Harry, "we know one thing…. Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets."

Michael, "he was innocent! And if that's the case…. Who opened the Chamber the first time? And who's opening it now?"

….

Reviews:

Canadude2029: glad you enjoyed the chapter.

Bailey Radcliff: that is really good to hear.

….

Also, regarding my poll, here's the options.

Ghia'ta 8

Jessica Cruz 7

Laira 6

Queen Iolande 4

Katma Tui 3

Bleez 3

Aga'po 2

I'm personally hoping Ghia'ta or Laira wins.