27

The Polyjuice Potion

When the staircase stopped moving Emily and Professor McGonagall stepped off the top step and approached the wooden door. At Professor McGonagall's knock the door opened silently on its own. Emily was motioned into the room and told to wait as Professor McGonagall turned to leave the office.

As Emily moved further into the room she couldn't help but be impressed by it. The few teachers' offices she had been in could not compare to Dumbledore's. It was a circular room, making Emily believe that they were in one of the many towers within the castle. There were tall ebony bookshelves that reminded her of Lucius's study back at the manor, unlike the manor though some of the shelves housed odd silver instruments that spun and released puffs of smoke, instead of old tomes. There was a large stone fireplace to one side and the portions of wall that were not covered by bookshelves held portraits of the old headmasters and headmistresses who looked to be sleeping.

In front of her was a large claw-footed desk. As she moved towards it she notice that the Sorting Hat was sitting on a self just off to the side. She hesitated for a moment before making her way towards the hat. It looked the same as it had when it declared her a Slytherin and when she had seen it earlier that year at the sorting ceremony. She reached out her hand to touch it. The magic coming from the object was different than she had ever felt before, it was interesting to get to actually study the feel of it up close.There were four different magics imbedded into the object yet at the same time the hat had one magical signature. The hat like Hogwarts felt alive and the young witch was awed at the effort of the founders. Four people had put equal amounts of magic and power into an ordinary hat to create a form of semi consciousness.

Just then Emily heard an odd choking sound and turned to find a decrepit looking bird perched on a golden stand. He looked to have lost most of its feathers and was making a gagging noise. Suddenly it burst into flames causing Emily to back up. When the flames were gone all that was left was a smoldering pile of ash. At that moment the door behind Emily opened as Professor Dumbledore walked in.

"Professor," Emily said looking at the somber headmaster. "Is this a Phoenix? He just caught fire…"

Dumbledore smiled at her as he joined her by the perch. "Yes, Fawkes is my familiar. He has been close to his Burning Day for a week now, I told him he needed to hurry and get it over with soon, he had been looking awful for days."

Emily smirked turning to look back at the ashes, there was now a small wrinkled bird poking its head out of them.

"I would love to see him when he is matured again," Emily said still observing the now tiny bird. She carefully reached out and ran her finger along its head earning what seemed to be a chirp of approval from the creature.

"He is quite a handsomePhoenix, his plumage is red and gold most of the time."

"Very Gryffindor."

Dumbledore laughed, "Yes Severus does mention that every time he sees Fawkes as well. They are wonderfully faithful pets though and their tears have strong healing powers."

"I read that their healing powers are only effective if they feel a bond with the person they are saving. It is the connection to the person who is injured that spurs the Phoenix to have tears."

"You are very knowledgeable my dear," Dumbledore said as he seated himself in the tall chair behind his desk.

Dumbledore motioned for Emily to take a seat across from him when the door to the office burst open. Emily watched as Hagrid took large quick steps towards them.

"I swear it wasn't her! I was talkin' ter her just seconds before they were found!" Hagrid exclaimed waving his hands around wildly as he talked. "She had no time, we were too far away…"

Dumbledore tried to stop Hagrid's rant but he wasn't stopping. Finally Dumbledore raised his voice calling out to Hagrid who stilled at hearing the headmaster's tone. "Calm yourself Hagrid there is no need to be so worked up. I do not believe Emily hurt anyone, why don't you go wait outside…"

"Oh right, sorry 'bout that, I'll just wait till yer done," Hagrid nodded and quickly lumbered back out of the office.

"Now Emily, I do not believe you to be the person that is causing these attacks but you have been at the site of two of the three attacks. Is there anything you can tell me that would be significant?"

Emily looked at the headmaster and was unsure of what to say. She felt comfortable telling Severus things but there were few adults beside him that she felt comfortable talking to. She wasn't sure if she felt she could tell Dumbledore. Talking to him about random things was easy but admitting to some of the strange things she had encountered already this year was a different matter. Then again hadn't he helped Harry when she had been honest with him the year before… But this was different her mind argued, she had heard voices that chilled her to the bone, but Draco couldn't hear them and then there was Dobby the elf, Emily just didn't feel comfortable sharing her thoughts with an adult who wasn't Severus right now.

"No, I'm sorry Professor there isn't anything to tell right now."

If the attack on the Creevey boy had caused some worry, the news of the double attack sent the school into sheer panic. It seemed that people were more afraid that something could affect a ghost then what had happened to Finch-Fletchley. How could something have the power to affect a being that was already dead? The few brave people who had previously wanted to stay for Christmas break were now clamoring to go home.

Though Emily never let her irritation show on her face, always wearing a mask of indifference in the hallways, she couldn't wait for everyone to leave. She had become thoroughly annoyed by the pointing and hushed whispers as she walked through the corridors. People, though happy to gossip and point at her, were careful not to get too close to her afraid she may attack them. On the other hand, Emily was extremely grateful for the comedic relief that Fred and George brought her. They made a point to mock the whole situation often parading in front of Emily like bodyguards shouting, "Clear a path for the Heir of Slytherin, her royally evil highness is coming through…"

One day in the halls they had gone as far to crown her the 'Queen of Evil' having made her a crown out of snakes. It was an amazing bit of magic on the pairs' part and Emily was more than willing to play along with the twins' antics as she sat upon a thrown and glared at the passersby for a few minutes before having to run off to her next class.

Percy had not been so overjoyed by his brothers' behavior. He scowled at them and attempted to drag them off to the side one day in the halls. "This is not one of your joking matters," he had snapped at them.

"Oh do move, Percy," said Fred not fazed by his brother in the least. "Emily is in a rush."

"Quite right, she is off to the Chamber of Secrets to sit upon her throne and dine with her fanged servants," George added.

Like her brother Percy, Ginny Weasley seemed to be having a hard time with Fred and George's antics. She would yell at them to stop and run off crying when she noticed one of the twins attempting to see if a talisman worked against Emily or conversed loudly with her about who they thought she should attack next.

Emily took comfort in the fact that her friends seemed to find her being evil a ludicrous notion. She could always count on Fred and George to cheer her up.

As term ended Emily was enjoying the silence that came with it. The castle was so much more peaceful now that almost everyone had vacated the school. Theo, Crabbe and Goyle spent most of their time just talking in the common room and didn't bother Emily or Draco nearly as much as they had expected them to.

Emily woke up early on Christmas morning to Draco shaking her. Groaning she rolled over pulling the covers over her head. Draco was persistent though ducking under the covers to start tickling her. Finally panting Emily called out that she was up and the assault ended. Stretching she sat up to see two large piles at the end of the bed.

"Happy Christmas!" Draco beamed.

"Happy Christmas Dray…" Emily said yawning. She really needed some coffee, maybe if she learned the name of one of the elves they would be willing to bring her coffee in the mornings. She decided she would have to make a stop by the kitchens later and see if that could be worked out.

Emily and Draco levitated the piles of presents closer so they could open them. The first gift Emily opened was from Draco. He had given her a new charm that was in the shape of a wing and had small diamonds going along the edge. She loved it and gave her best friend a hug.

"It almost makes up for you tickling me this morning," she teased.

Emily went back to opening her gifts. Narcissa had sent her a few new outfits while Lucius had given her a pair of dangling yellow cushion cut diamond earrings. From Severus she received a few potions books he knew she wanted and a note saying that he had bought a few things for Isis, who was currently living in his quarters because students were not allowed to have snakes for pets. Emily was in love with the Marc Jacobs tote bag that Blaise had sent her. He had it charmed to be feather light so she could carry some of her heavier books around with ease. Marcus as always sent her something Quidditch related, this time it was a broom cover. It was green and had a black snake on it that wore a gold crown. Fred and George had charmed a dark green V-neck t-shirt for her, the front read 'BEWARE' while the back read 'I'm Slytherin's Heir'. Draco and Emily had a hard time recovering from their laughter after that.

Emily had been puzzled when she opened a gift from Cedric Diggory. They had talked briefly a few more times since the day they met in the library but she didn't think that meant he thought her someone close enough to send a gift to. The gift was simple but it was nice, he had sent her a box of dark chocolate and French silk truffles. They were her favorite, she often owl ordered for them since she was not allowed into Hogsmead yet. She was unsure how he had known to get them.

Emily pulled the last package towards her opening the parchment that was attached to it first.

Em,

You will be glad to know that people are still talking about the card you sent me for my birthday. Even though I swear I am still finding confetti around the site, I must admit I am extremely impressed by your spell crafting.

I am still in Egypt celebrating Christmas with the other members of my team. We fell a bit behind schedule after the incident I told you about with Brian. He still hasn't recovered so we are trying to make up for being down a person. I am sure my mother isn't happy about me being away for another Christmas but it's part of the job. I hope you are enjoying your Christmas with Draco. You two have probably spent a lot of your free time brewing potions but throw at least one snow ball for me since I am stuck in a desert!

Happy Christmas

Bill

Emily smiled quickly taring the wrapping off her gift to find a large blue leather box. She opened it and inside was a beautiful rose gold bow necklace from which a pear shaped black diamond hung. It was accompanied by a set of rose gold earrings. The witch was in awe of the beautiful gift and was quick to have Draco help her put it on.

O0o0o0O

It would be quite the task to not enjoy a Christmas dinner at Hogwarts. As always there were a dozen magnificently decorated trees around the Great Hall and mistletoe hung in various places around the room. Snow fell softly from the enchanted night sky above them but instead of making things wet and accumulating, it was dry, disappearing the second it came in contact with an object or person. Dumbledore made sure to get everyone to sing his favorite carols and Emily couldn't help but smirk when she noticed the Weasley twins had charmed Percy's prefect badge to read 'pinhead'.

Emily watched as Harry and Weasley were ushered out of the Great Hall quickly by Granger the second they finished their desserts. She wondered what had them so excited but figured perhaps they had gotten a fun gift they wanted to use together.

"Hey Em, do you want to go check on the potion we left brewing?" Draco asked pulling Emily from her thoughts.

"Oh, yeah we probably should," the witch answered casting a tempus. "It should be removed from the heat in about ten minutes." Emily and Draco swept out of the Great Hall making their way down to the brewing room. On their way to it they had to hide briefly in an alcove as they watched Percy and a Ravenclaw prefect awkwardly making out and eventually stumbling into a storage cupboard.

"I can't believe Percy the Prefect has it in him," Emily said as the entered their brewing room. "He is always on Fred and George about following the rules…"

"And yet here he is hiding in the dungeons making out with the Clearwater girl," Draco smirked.

"It will be amusing to see what the twins do when they find out," Emily said as she ladled the potion into vials before handing them to Draco to seal.

"You aren't going to tell them?"

"Where is the fun in that?"

As Emily and Draco were heading back to the common room they noticed Crabbe and Goyle talking to Percy but something was off. As they got closer Emily noticed their magical signatures were wrong. Emily suddenly realized what was going on and told Draco to follow her lead.

"Crabbe, Goyle, what are you doing out here still?" Emily asked approaching the small group.

"Have you been in the Great Hall all this time?" Draco added even though he was still a bit confused as to why Emily was approaching them, normally they would leave the pair to their own devices but he would play along since she had asked. He was sure she would fill him in on her plan later.

"Are they bothering you Percy? We will take them off your hands," Emily said patting the pair on the shoulder.

Seeing Percy nod at her Emily motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to follow her into the common room. Theo was sitting by the fire when they entered.

"There they are! Where were you two?" Theo asked standing as the other approached him.

"We found them in the hallway bugging the Weasley Prefect," Emily said taking a seat on the sofa. Draco moved to sit next to Emily, throwing her a curious glance only to get a slight nod in the negative telling him to be patient. Theo motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to sit on the couch opposite Emily and Draco, taking one of the tall wingback chairs for himself.

"Well now that you are here, I think you will all get a laugh out of what my father just sent me," Theo told them pulling out a clipping from the Daily Prophet. "Turns out that they finally decided to fine the Weasley family. It was only for fifty galleons and their father refused to comment of course but serves them right."

Emily watched as Crabbe and Goyle both looked uncomfortable at hearing the news. Theo looked at them waiting for their laughter, when it didn't come he demanded to know Crabbe and Goyle's thoughts on the matter. Both seemed to force laughter instead of their usual little snickers but Theo didn't seem to notice.

"My father says that Arthur loves muggles so much that he should snap his wand and live among them," sneered Theo. "How they can call themselves purebloods and be proud of themselves I will never know. If they are anything at all they are a bunch of blood traitors."

Emily noticed Crabbe's facial expression contort. Goyle merely looked stunned at the news.

"Are you alright Crabbe?" the witch inquired.

"His stomach hurts," Goyle responded quickly, elbowing the boy in his side.

"You should go to the hospital wing then and when you're there see if you can't land a good kick to the mudbloods." Emily coughed in warning to Theo, who turned to her waving his hand in an attempt to show he understood before quickly turning his attention back to his bodyguards. "This place is a mess with the way Dumbledore runs it. I mean what self-respecting pureblood allows muggleborns to attend Hogwarts? At least the heir is here, carrying out Slytherin's noble cause."

"Theo…" Emily warned.

"What? I still can't believe people think you are the heir! I just want to know who it is…" Theo ranted. Emily knew most of Slytherin was divided in their thoughts of Emily being the heir. Some seemed to worship her, thinking she was carrying out some wonderful deed while the others were of the mind that it didn't matter and acted like nothing had changed. Theo was of the opinion it couldn't possibly be her because her mother had been a muggleborn.

Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be shocked at this announcement. Goyle spoke up after taking one look at Crabbe, "You must have an idea at least…"

"How many times must I tell you both that I have no idea who it is," Theo said obviously frustrated. "All my father will tell me is that the last time the Chamber was opened a mud-" Emily coughed, "muggleborn was killed and that was fifty years ago. It is bound to happen again, I wonder who it will be this time. Possibly Granger…"

Emily observed Crabbe's fists tighten at the mention of the bushy haired witch. Goyle seemed to shoot a warning look at him before turning to look at Theo, "Surely you know who opened it last time…"

"All I know is that he was expelled and his wand was snapped. My father didn't say anything else about it," Theo shrugged and stood up. "I'm supposed to just keep quiet and not get in the way but it isn't fair! I know I shouldn't complain, father is under a lot of stress and the Ministry is looking for ways to raid the manor for Dark Objects."

Theo was staring into the fire so he missed what Emily and Draco's eyes saw. Crabbe's hair was starting to turn red and Goyle's was becoming wilder and darkening to black. They pointed at each other before jumping up and sprinting out of the common room yelling about getting medicine for Crabbe's stomach. Theo seemed annoyed but rolled his eyes bidding Emily and Draco goodnight to go write to his father.

Emily and Draco made their way silently back to Draco's room and waited until they were both comfortable on the bed before talking. "So do you want to tell me why Crabbe and Goyle were acting so weird and why their hair was changing colors…" Draco asked raising an eyebrow at his best friend.

"It was Harry and his friend Weasley," Emily answered shaking her head.

"And how did they have the means to pull that off?"

"I might have found where they were brewing Polyjuice Potion in Myrtle's bathroom…"

Draco sighed and brought his hand up to rub his temple, "Let me guess when you went for your weekly visit to the ghost you made sure the potion was brewing correctly so they didn't hurt themselves." Emily nodded. "Okay, so then can you tell me why you did that instead of getting rid of it…"

"At first I didn't know what it was, then I was curious and tonight I think we can conclude that it was their personal curiosity that made them brew it. They obviously wanted information on the Chamber of Secrets and thought Theo had it, why else would they pose as his bodyguards."

"Yes well, let's just hope they don't have a false sense of confidence and go brewing other dangerous potions on their own now."

Emily blushed she hadn't thought of that. As she went to bed that night she just hoped that Harry and his friends were done searching for clues and another adventure. Everything about the Chamber of Secrets seemed to point to something, dare she think, more dangerous than last year's adventure.