Lily opened her eyes to the familiar sight of pale, white walls, with streams of sunlight pouring through an array of windows facing the lake of Hogwarts. The pain in her scar was gone, her body was no longer wracked with the shivers, and her lungs didn't shake with each breath. She thought she could hear running water from somewhere nearby, although she couldn't find the source with a quick glance around.
Was it all a dream? The Hospital Wing was almost entirely empty, aside from her. There were, however, three beds with the curtains drawn around them, when Lily could only remember the one from before. She didn't take that as a good sign.
"Nick?" she called out in a raspy voice. She thought, for sure, that at least the ghost would be fine. What could petrify a ghost?
"Angelina?" she called out after receiving no answer. She heard a brief rustling from behind one set of curtains. They pulled apart as Pomfrey stormed out of them, snapping them back shut behind her with a wave of her wand. Just ever so briefly, Lily thought she saw some black mass floating over the mattress.
Nick.
"Good, you're up," Pomfrey barked, whipping her wand once more into the air. A silvery creature shot from it, sailing through the ceiling as it ascended. Lily thought it looked a bit like a fish, albeit an extremely large one.
"What was-" Lily started to ask. She shook her head to get herself back on track. She didn't have the time to inquire about a new spell. "Is Angelina all right?"
"She's fine, dear," Pomfrey said as she pressed a hand to Lily's forehead. "Petrified like the rest of them, but otherwise fine."
"What happened to Nick?"
Pomfrey frowned. "Petrified as well, I'm afraid. Now, no more questions, child, we have a bit more healing to do."
Pomfrey handed Lily a cool glass of water, and Lily downed it eagerly. She didn't get the chance to ask for any food, as Pomfrey was soon forcing a variety of Potions down her throat. She didn't get any explanation as to what any of them did, but she wasn't sure the Healer would tell if she even did ask. It was hard to tell with Pomfrey. Sometimes she could be really friendly, but other times she was the grumpiest person Lily had ever met.
"There, all set for the day," Pomfrey said satisfactorily. She waved her wand at her cart, sending it travelling by itself down towards the end of the Hospital Wing.
"What could do that to a ghost?" Lily dared to ask.
"That's what we want to know," Pomfrey said, shaking her head. "They've cancelled classes for the week while they comb the castle, at the insistence of the Governors."
"The Gov-"
"Don't you worry about that right now, you'll be seeing them soon enough. I think it best you rest before they arrive. And then, perhaps, a few more potions, just to be sure."
"I don't need anything else," Lily said, "I feel-"
"Best leave it to the professional, dear," Madame Pomfrey interrupted. "If you hadn't snuck out without my knowing, I would have been able to catch your flu. You've been asleep three days as it is."
"Three days?" Lily repeated in shock.
"Three days," Madame Pomfrey confirmed. "I don't know what you were thinking, spending all day out in the cold rain right after spending a night in the Hospital Wing."
"It's Monday?" Lily asked.
"Tuesday," Madame Pomfrey corrected. "And you'll be spending one more in here, I think. You're still a bit feverish. Your flu is more stubborn than most, it won't leave you without a fight. It was, perhaps, aggravated by whatever creature you ran into on the stairs. I see no other reason for it to stick around as long as it has."
"I can't-"
"You can," Pomfrey butted in with a glare, as she planted her hands firmly on her hips. "There's no classes until Monday, I can keep you here all week if I deem it necessary."
Lily was horrified. "You can't-"
"Miss Potter," Pomfrey interrupted sternly. "You were found passed out and feverish in a hallway with a petrified ghost and a fellow student collapsed on top of you. You were attacked by some dark creature that is still unidentified, and you just slept for three days straight without the assistance of any Sleeping Draughts. I most certainly can."
Lily couldn't find any room to argue with that logic, but she didn't really have time to do so. The doors to the Hospital Wing swung open, and Dumbledore rushed in with two other individuals.
One of them, Lily was upset to find out, was Gran, still wearing that horrid, stuffed vulture a top her head and an extremely frilly, brown robe. Lily didn't recognize the blonde man with the slicked back hair wearing fancy, black robes. Professor Dumbledore's kind smile did wonders to make Lily feel better.
"Good afternoon, Lily," Dumbledore said. He sounded very tired.
"Good afternoon, Professor," Lily repeated, trying to avoid her former caretaker's gaze. She could feel both Gran and the blonde man staring at her, and she wasn't sure which one was more unnerving.
"I believe you already know Mrs. Longbottom," Dumbledore said as he gestured to the woman on his left. He gestured right after to the man on his left. "This is-"
"Lucius Malfoy," he said, offering a hand as he met Lily's gaze. Lily snorted; she ignored his offer, just as she had done for his son the previous year. She didn't want to go associating with a Malfoy. It seemed to offend the father just as much as it did the son, based on the look he was now giving her.
"I see your manners haven't improved any," Gran said, snorting herself.
Lily chose not to respond to that either.
"I'm sure he meant no offense, Augusta," Lucius said coolly, withdrawing his hand. He placed it firmly back on his walking stick, which Lily noticed was adorned with a silver snake head. She thought it was tacky, but no doubt he found it impressive. He ran a hand through his hair, offering a smile that invoked no friendliness. Lily had a vague idea that she'd seen him before, although she couldn't figure out where from.
"What are you doing here?" Lily asked as nicely as she could.
"Well, now-" Gran started up, her great chest puffing up as she tried to assert her full authority.
"I apologize for intruding on your rest, Lily," Dumbledore interrupted. "I'm afraid the Governors insisted on meeting with you to hear your side of the story. We shall ask a few questions, and then we shall leave you in Pomfrey's care."
"The Governors?" Lily repeated, brow furrowing. "I didn't know Gr- Mrs. Longbottom was one of the Governors."
Gran snorted again. "What did you think I did, Potter?"
Dumbledore took control back, trying to steer it back on course. "Lily, I believe we have already pieced together what happened, but we would still like to hear it from you, if you are willing to tell us."
Lily did her best to exude confidence. "I got sick at practice, Professor, so Oliver told Angelina to help me to the Hospital Wing. I passed out on the way here."
"And you did not hear or see anything?" Dumbledore asked, leaning forward and staring directly into Lily's eyes.
Lily fought the urge to look away. She met his gaze, and held her hands still so she couldn't give the lie away. She couldn't help but feel that Dumbledore already knew, but Ron's suggestion stood out in her mind more clearly.
"No, Professor," she answered. "I remember Nick saying he heard something, but then nothing until I woke up here."
Dumbledore leaned back, seemingly satisfied. Lily thought she saw a brief twinkle in his eye, but nobody else was watching the old man.
"Harry," Lucius took over, "from what reports we have managed to gather, you received a sharp pain in your head prior to the two previous attacks. Could that have, possibly, happened this time as well?"
Harry? She must have misheard him.
"I dunno," Lily lied again. "My whole body hurt, didn't it? Head did, too, but I don't-"
"Lily," Gran interrupted, "I'm afraid if you don't tell us the truth, you'll be in far more trouble than you already are."
Lily felt her hands move closer together, but she forced them to still. "I don't-"
"Please," Gran said, rolling her eyes. "You've gotten better, I admit, but I can still tell when you're lying. I always could."
"I'm not lying," Lily lied. She could feel a bit of anger welling up, and that helped her to feel more confident. She'd had quite enough of Gran refusing to believe a single word she said, and she would do nothing to help the woman find a reason to lock her away.
"Now, you listen-"
"That is quite enough, Augusta," Dumbledore interrupted. Gran looked like she was about to start laying into him instead, but she managed to pull herself together.
"Is it, Dumbledore?" Lucius said quietly. "We are here to ascertain whether or not the school is safe enough to continue. If Potter has information that would prove otherwise, then we should hear it, especially as he is currently our main suspect."
He. She thought the first time was misspoken. She decided she disliked the elder Malfoy even more than the son.
"I told you everything," Lily repeated. "I got sick, I passed out. I didn't see a thing."
"Lucius," Dumbledore said calmly, "As far as we can tell, whatever is attacking the students can petrify with ease. A second-year girl, such as herself, is simply incapable of that level of magic, even an exceptional one like Lily. If she claims that she did not see anything, then I am inclined to believe her."
"Come now, Dumbledore, you've seen the reports in the paper, the same as I," Lucius said. "He's-"
"Innocent in these matters," Dumbledore interrupted, peering at Lucius sternly. "I have already heard your opinion on these matters, but I do not believe any of my students capable of these attacks. And, seeing as how you were outvoted on the matter of both suspension and expulsion, I believe the other Governors believe the same."
"You think it's a student?" Lily asked sharply. She chose not to dwell on the thought of expulsion, as scary as that was.
"I do not," Dumbledore repeated. "If, indeed, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, it would be the monster within behind these attacks."
"Then we should be investigating who is opening the Chamber, should we not?" Lucius said smugly. "Unless it is a professor, it must be a student, must it not?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled again. "Ah, Lucius, but if it isa student, which it is not, then it must be one in your old House, must it not? I do believe they called themselves the 'Heir of Slytherin.' Lily is in Gryffindor, last I checked."
Lucius looked lost for words. Lily couldn't help but notice that Gran wouldn't take her eyes of her. She briefly wondered which way Gran had voted. She wasn't quite sure if she wanted to know the answer.
Lily leaned back into her pillow. If it was a Slytherin, it had to be Malfoy. He was the only one she knew for sure was cruel enough to attack people. And, judging by the way his father had paled at the mere suggestion, she thought Dumbledore was right on the money.
"I believe the last incident was-" Lucius began.
"Not here," Gran barked. "We should go back to the office, if we're assuming Potter doesn't know anything after all."
"A fine idea," Dumbledore said, leading the charge out the door. "I believe I shall send for food. It's bound to be a long day."
Pomfrey made sure the door was firmly shut behind them before she set back to work. She shuffled over to a cabinet and began shuffling through it, clearly looking for something.
"What did he mean by the last incident?" Lily asked.
Pomfrey froze for an instant, then continued working. Lily assumed she wasn't going to get an answer to that question, and that was assuming Pomfrey even knew the answer in the first place.
"Has anyone come to visit?" she asked instead.
"Course they have," Pomfrey answered. "Had to turn them away constantly. Those friends of yours are too stubborn for their own good. Comes with being a Gryffindor, I suppose. The whole lot of you are by far my most frequent patients. Keep getting into trouble."
"You can let them in, now," Lily said before the old lady could continue on. Lily knew from experience that her spiel could last a long time if it wasn't nipped in the bud. She was one of those frequent customers.
"You can see them tomorrow, once you leave here," Pomfrey offered. "For now, you rest."
"Who came to visit?" she asked.
"Weasley and Longbottom," Pomfrey said. "They only left the doors when forced to do so. That Brown and Patil came to see you, as well as Bell, and Granger kept looking nervously over at the door but never found the courage to come inside like the rest of them did."
"Hermione came?" Lily wondered aloud.
"Never came in, I just said that," Pomfrey corrected. "Now, off to bed with you, you need more rest."
"I just slept three days!"
"And you're still feverish, so you'll have at least one more," Pomfrey ordered.
True to her word, Lily had a sleeping draught poured down her gullet before she could argue any further. She had another dreamless sleep, briefly awoken by Pomfrey pouring another potion down her throat in the middle of the night.
As a result, the whole thing was a haze in her memory. She thought she could remember some people talking over her bed at some point, perhaps while it was still light out, but she couldn't remember any faces, nor what they were talking about.
Lily awoke the next morning to Pomfrey placing her hand on her now much cooler forehead.
"Fever's gone," Pomfrey croaked. "How's the rest of you feeling?"
"Stiff," Lily said groggily.
"That's better than aching," Pomfrey said. "Certainly an improvement to how you were feeling. You screamed a few times that first night, did you know?"
"I did?" Lily asked. She certainly had no recollection of it.
"You did," Pomfrey confirmed. "I thought it might just be a nightmare at first, but you kept shouting about- well, never mind that."
"I was shouting?" Lily asked, completely confused. She'd had nightmares since coming back to Hogwarts, for sure, but Lavender and Parvati said they hadn't been too bad.
"Nearly gave me a heart attack, I thought someone was back to finish the job." Pomfrey poured one last potion for Lily, handing it over to shaky hands.
"Just the nerves," Lily said to explain it away. She didn't like the idea of screaming in her sleep very much.
Pomfrey sniffed, but seemed to accept the answer. "Just a Head Clearing Potion, that one. Your friends said you've been having headaches. That should help a bit."
Lily took a sip of the potion. She was surprised it had no flavor. Despite it's deep purple colouring, it tasted like plain water. As she finished it, her brain felt cold, as if dunked in ice. She didn't know if she liked the feeling.
"Are classes still canceled?" Lily asked as she sat up, tossing the blanket off her still sore legs.
"Of course they are, girl," Pomfrey confirmed. "You'll be heading straight up to your dorm room, as well. They aren't limiting travel around the castle just yet, but even so, it's best to have as few people in the hallways as possible."
"Has Penelope asked for me?" Lily asked.
"Who?"
"Penelope Clearwater," Lily clarified. "Ravenclaw Prefect." And very pretty, Lily thought as a blush came to her cheeks. "She's supposed to be tutoring me tomorrow. It's still Wednesday, isn't it?"
"It is indeed," Pomfrey confirmed. "And no, she hasn't. The prefects have been busy patrolling the school, I doubt she'll have time for you. Now, off with you, I have other duties to attend to."
Lily did as she was told, showering and then quickly throwing on her school robes. Pomfrey didn't bother saying farewell before Lily left, so Lily didn't bother looking for her. She could tell when she wasn't wanted. Most of the time.
Clearly the rest of the school was listening to Pomfrey's advice, as the hallways were mostly abandoned. She did run into a rather mean Slytherin Prefect on her way upstairs, but she managed to give him the slip by ducking into a hidden room she'd learned about last year. She could hear him huffing as he passed by, although that also could have been the suit of armour stashed in this particular cubby. Fred and George warned her it liked to get frisky with students hiding in here, but she was pretty sure they were just messing with her. It never tried anything any of the times she'd been in here.
Lily noticed the portraits weren't very talkative today. They seemed to only communicate in hushed whispers with each other, looking around in a fright at every little sound. Lily let out a sneeze as she crossed the seventh floor, and that sent the lot of them running in every direction. She might have found it amusing, if the implications weren't terrifying.
"Dungleworm," Lily announced as she arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait.
"No," the Fat Lady responded dryly, swirling a glass of wine lazily in her free hand.
"Pardon?" Lily asked in a squeaky voice.
"Password changed yesterday," the Fat Lady said with a sniff. She was clearly in a foul mood. She must have been arguing with her drinking buddy, Violet, again.
"I was in the Hospital Wing, I don't know the new password," Lily said, feeling more than a little frustrated.
"I'm afraid I can't let you in without the password," the Fat Lady answered.
"There's a monster attacking students, and you're going to make me go find a prefect?"
"Shouldn't be too much of a bother," the Fat Lady responded. "They're all over the place, after all."
"Do you know where Percy is, at least?" Lily asked, completely fed up. "Or any of our prefects, for that matter?"
"I believe Mr. Weasley was assigned the dungeons today," the Fat Lady said. "Miss Ferry is on the second, Miss Periwinkle on the fourth, and Mr. Ferry on the first. The other two are on break inside."
"Can't you just get Ron for me?" Lily asked. "Or Neville, or Lav, or Parvati, Or Katie, or anybody else?"
"I'm afraid not," the Fat Lady said. "Although Mr. Weasley and Mr. Longbottom are currently out of the common room, if you'd like to go find them instead."
"They are?" Lily asked in a high pitched, confused tone. "Where did they go?"
"Down below," the Fat Lady answered. "They're not in the habit of telling me a thing, quite like you."
"Do you mind if I ask a question?"
"You just did," The Fat Lady said snidely as she took a sip from her glass.
"Did any of the portraits see what attacked us?" Lily asked.
"No," The Fat Lady answered shrewdly. "Whatever it is, us portraits cannot see it. A shame, really. It'd all be over by now if we could."
"And none of them saw somebody sneaking around to release the thing?"
"Most certainly not. Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Thanks," Lily responded curtly as she turned on her heel, heading back the way she'd come.
Lily had to duck into an empty classroom to avoid that Slytherin Prefect again, but he didn't seem to notice her slip by. She knew she wasn't technically breaking any rules, other than her missing tie, but she didn't want him finding some excuse to deduct points or give a detention.
She did manage to run into Julianne Periwinkle on the fourth floor, which she thought was quite lucky. She was far nicer than the other Gryffindor prefects, even Percy. She never even mentioned Lily's missing article of clothing. Lily liked her quite a bit. She had rather nice wavy, brown hair and a toothy, bright smile to go with it, plus eyes that perfectly matched her namesake.
From her, she learned that Ron was currently serving his detention on the third floor, cleaning out the trophy room by hand. Neville had gone to keep him company. Lily was a little upset that they hadn't waited for her, but she supposed there was really no way they could have known she was getting out today. Pomfrey certainly wouldn't have told any of them.
She found them in the room, just as promised. Ron was bent on all fours, scrubbing out a large, bronze trophy with a filthy looking rag. Neville was leaning against another trophy case, back turned towards her. Neither noticed her presence, which gave her a brilliant idea.
Lily kept up quietly as she could, taking good care to not scuff her boots against the ground. She stood behind Neville, stretching her hand out.
She clamped down on Neville's shoulder and gave out a loud, "Beware!"
Neville shrieked, jumping a good foot into the air. Ron jumped as well, more startled by the sudden movement than by anything else. He dropped the trophy, and it struck the ground with a thunk before rolling away, coming to a stop in front of a cabinet full of plaques.
"Lily!" Neville said excitedly as he calmed down. He threw her into a hug.
"Great," Ron said as he scooped up his fallen trophy. "Now I've got a dent to get out of this one, too."
"We thought you were dead when we found you," Neville said as he broke the hug.
"You found me?" she asked. She supposed she probably should have asked who did it.
"Neville saw you on the map with Angelina and Nick, and we went up to check since you weren't moving," Ron confirmed from his place near the cabinet. He was trying to push the dent out of the metal, but it didn't seem to be working very well. It only served to bend the rest of it.
"Did you see who attacked us?" Lily asked.
Neville shook his head. "No, I didn't. Everybody else was at the feast"
"Tell her the other thing, Neville," Ron said hurriedly.
"Well, not everybody," Neville corrected, "Malfoy was in the dungeons with his goons all day. Crabbe and Goyle went up for the feast, but he stayed behind."
"Was he in the common room?" Lily asked. She could see it on the map sitting in the dungeons. She didn't know how to get in, but she knew where it was. The Slytherins spent most of their time there. They seemed less likely to venture out of their common room than the other Houses.
Neville shook his head again. "He was in an unused cell. I don't know what he was up to."
"Should we go check?" Lily piped up. She'd love to see what he was up to, if only to satisfy her own curiosity.
"We already did," Ron said. "Didn't find anything there. Either there's a secret only he knows about in there, or he took it with him."
Lily thought for a moment. "Were you watching the map the entire time?"
Neville nodded. "I was watching all day, up in the common room. Dean and Seamus were out, so nobody saw me using it."
"And you saw me coming up the stairs with Angelina?"
Neville nodded again. "I thought it was weird that you were walking so close together. I thought you must have gotten hurt again at practice."
Lily sniffed at that. She didn't get hurt that often, despite what Madame Pomfrey might think. "Did you see what attacked us?"
Neville shook his head this time. "Already said I didn't. There was nothing there but you two. Didn't even know Nick was there until I found you."
"Wait, if you were in the common room, then how did Ron come down with you? He was still in practice."
"Well," Ron said sheepishly, "I- err- actually just sort of wandered into it the same time he did. I was just coming to check on you in the Hospital Wing."
"All right," Lily accepted. "What do you think did it, then, if you were both coming from opposite sides? Surely one of you saw it?"
Ron shook his head. "Wasn't looking, Lily. I didn't think something would attack during the Feast."
"I was looking, but I just didn't see anything," Neville said. "The portraits were calling out for help, though, Ron told me that he heard it, too."
"So, you heard the portraits calling for help, but you didn't think to look around?" Lily asked.
Ron shook his head again. "I thought Angelina was just having trouble carrying you, so I rushed on ahead. Passed Hermione on the second floor, we sent her after the professors once we saw what happened."
"I thought you said everybody was at the feast?" Lily asked Neville.
"Well, I was just watching the Slytherins, like you wanted," Neville said. "But do you really think Hermione is the one behind it?"
"That'd be something," Ron suggested. "Do you reckon she'd write about it in that little diary of hers?"
"No, it can't be a Gryffindor," Lily said. "It's gotta be a Slytherin, Dumbledore thinks so, too."
"Dumbledore?" Ron asked curiously. "When were you talking to Dumbledore?"
"Yesterday," Lily said. "He came to question me with Gran and Malfoy's dad. They both thought I did it, but Dumbledore said that if it was a student at all, it'd have to be a Slytherin."
"Whatever it is, it isn't a student or a ghost," Ron said. "We figured that much out already, not unless they let it out before the feast with orders to sneak out when everybody was busy."
Lily thought for a moment. "Would a monster or animal show up on the map?"
"They never do," Neville said. "None of the owls ever have, anyway, and you can't see any of Hagrid's animals, either. Plus, some of Lockhart's pixies are still around, and none of them show up, either."
Lily thought for a longer moment. "It could still be a student, then. Maybe somebody brought something in, something that can petrify people but can't be seen."
"You think that's why we couldn't see what was in the cell?" Ron asked. "You think Malfoy's hiding something down there?"
"Could be," Lily suggested. "Who else could it be? You said everybody else was at the feast."
"Tell us what you saw," Neville suggested. "That might help us figure it out."
Lily thought for an even longer moment, trying her absolute best to recall what happened. She shook her head when she was done, since it was a fruitless effort. She'd already told Dumbledore everything. Almost everything, at least.
"I didn't see anything," Lily said in a whisper. "But my head was splitting open, and I could hear that voice again."
"So it's a monster that only you can hear," Ron offered, "and that makes your head hurt every time it comes out. That should narrow it down a bit."
"If you're almost done, we can hit the library," Lily suggested. "I don't think anybody is using it right now, we could get a lot done."
"We'd need access to the restricted section," Neville butt in. "I don't think we'd find anything in the normal selection."
Lily considered that option. "How do we get in? I still don't know who took my cloak."
"We could ask Lockhart," Ron offered.
"What good would that-" Lily began before interrupting her own thought. "If we're going to ask Lockhart, why don't we just have him tell us everything?"
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"He's a professor, they have to include him in the investigations, right?" Lily said. "One of us can just go ask him, he'll tell us everything he knows."
"It'll have to be you, then," Neville said with a firm nod.
"Pardon?"
"Neville's right," Ron agreed, "He won't tell us anything, but if you go, he won't be able to help himself.
"No," Lily said.
"Oh, come on, Lily, you have to!"
"I'm not doing it," Lily refused. "I won't."
Lily found herself soon after on the third floor, standing outside Lockhart's classroom. She had the map back in her possession, and already confirmed that Lockhart was, indeed, resting inside his office. Neville offered to go with her, but she made him stay with Ron. He needed help cleaning if he was going to be done by nightfall.
She cursed Ron silently as she pushed the door open. Lockhart's office was connected to the classroom. You had to cross it, and then climb the stairs. His portraits all seemed to be enjoying some beauty sleep. All of them wore a sleeping mask to cover their eyes. Lily assumed the real Lockhart must, as well. She hoped he wasn't asleep. She'd have to knock to wake him, and that would wake the portraits as well.
She definitely couldn't handle more than one Lockhart.
The door was, unfortunately, locked. She cursed Ron again, then knocked loudly three times.
The door clicked open right after, and a nervous looking Lockhart poked his head out. He smiled broadly when he saw Lily standing there, suddenly looking far more confident.
"Lily!" he said as he swung the door fully open. "Thought you were- never mind that. Good to see you're out of the hospital! Was quite worried for you, you know. Thought you might have been dead, since you were the only one crumpled on the ground."
"Err-"
"What brings you to my humble abode?" Lockhart gestured for Lily to enter said abode, drawing a chair out for her to sit on. He took one himself behind his rather large desk. He had a stack of fan mail laying upon it. It seemed he was halfway through sorting through them.
Why are you answering fan mail instead of patrolling the castle? Lily thought. Lockhart's abode was not humble, no matter what lies he told himself. He decorated it much like his classroom. It was adorned with dozens of portraits of himself. He even had a little display in the corner set up with all his novels. Lily could have sworn there were candles set up next to it, as if he prayed to this strange altar of himself every night.
Lily did not take the seat. "I was wondering if I could ask a favour, sir."
Lockhart seemed confused, but he broadened his smile as he came to a revelation. "Come to ask advice on handling your fame, eh? Can't say I'm surprised! I figured you'd swing by one of these days, although I must admit-"
"Actually, sir," Lily interrupted, "I was wondering if you knew anything about the Chamber of Secrets." She thought it best to just get it out in the open. The less time she spent in this man's company, the better.
"Ah," Lockhart said brightly. "I thought you might come to see me about that eventually. You were a lot faster than I expected. What would you like to know?"
"You're- You're going to tell me, sir?"
"Why, of course!" Lockhart said with a loud, boisterous laugh. "Why, I fully suspect you and I are the only two capable of handling the beast within. Best we share our suspicions, yes?
"Err-" Lily stammered. "Of course, sir, that's- that's why I'm here?"
"Thought so, thought so," Lockhart repeated eagerly. "Any specific questions?"
"Err- yes, sir, I was- I was wondering if- if you knew what was inside it?"
"Well, the myths, Lily, tell us that it is a very dangerous beast, indeed, as I'm sure you have already guessed. As to what is inside it, well, I have my suspicions."
"And those are, sir?"
"Well, the last time it was opened, it was-"
"It was opened before, Professor?" Lily asked quickly.
Lockhart looked surprised at the interruption. "Of course, 50 years ago. There was a student killed, don't remember her name. But it was opened by a former student, who was then expelled for the deed. Don't know his name; records expunged it, due to the culprit being a minor at the time."
"Do- did- did they say what was inside it, Professor?"
"An Acromantula," Lockhart said proudly. "And a rather dangerous one, at that, if it could kill with one bite. Its venom must be a bit less potent now, if it's only petrifying."
"An Acromantula, Professor?" Lily said in disbelief. "Really? How- how would that even attack a ghost?"
"Well, if it's the beast of Salazar Slytherin, as we've been told, then it'll be heavily modified and enchanted," Lockhart explained enthusiastically. "Of course, it's only a matter of time before I run into it myself, so, no need to worry! I know the precise counters to each of its tricks, so it shouldn't-"
"Where did it go, Professor?"
"Pardon?"
"The Acromantula that killed the student, where did it go, if they found it?"
"Oh," Lockhart said, "Well, it escaped, didn't it? Must have retreated back into the Chamber, where it's been until now."
"Right," Lily said. "So, a giant spider has been roaming around the castle halls, biting people, and nobody has ever seen it?"
"Precisely!" Lockhart said with a clap of his hands. "Why, if only I could have-"
"Professor, have any bite wounds been on any of the victims?"
"Pardon?"
"The victims, Professor," Lily repeated. "Did any of them get bit?"
Lockhart paused, then quickly glanced over to the clock he kept hanging on the wall.
"Why, look at the time, Lily!" He said, proving Lily's theory correct. "I'm afraid I must be getting back on patrol, soon, so we'll have to cut this little meeting short. Feel free to close the door behind you, I'll be right out."
"Right," Lily said. She didn't even bother glancing at the professor as she went towards the door.
"Word of warning, Lily," Lockhart said as she attempted to exit. "I'm afraid this attack will only make you more popular around the school with a certain- err- a certain crowd, we'll say. You've seen the Prophet, yes?"
"Pardon?" Lily said, as it was now her turn for confusion.
"They're- err- not so subtly claiming that you are behind the attacks, Lily."
"Are you-"
"Not to worry, Lily, not to worry!" Lockhart said reassuringly. "The truth always comes out in the end on matters such as these, and I've put in quite a few words on your behalf. I'm sure you will be vindicated in no time!"
Lockhart offered his brightest smile and his slyest wink after that little tidbit.
What in Merlin's name is that supposed to mean? Lily thought to herself as she shut the door behind her. She ignored the paintings calling out to her as she exited the classroom.
"You there, Potter," she heard as she attempted to cross the sixth floor. She turned, letting out a groan as she saw the Slytherin Prefect from before heading towards her. She should have known he'd still be nearby, and now she'd probably be serving her own detention soon enough.
The Slytherin boy stopped in front of her, standing up straight to seem more impressive. He had short, black hair in a military cut, and a rather small face with beady, brown eyes. Lily thought he might have a small stain on his green and silver tie.
"Do you know why I stopped you, Potter?" he said snidely.
"No," Lily answered, telling the full truth.
"I wanted to congratulate you on your efforts," he said, holding out a hand for Lily to shake. "The Prophet might not have mentioned it, but we know why you really went after them."
Lily froze in surprise. Congratulate me? The Prophet? Went after who?
She accepted the handshake without thinking about it, feeling utterly baffled by what she was experiencing. The Slytherins hand was a bit moist with sweat, which only furthered her discomfort.
"Didn't think you had it in you, Potter," the prefect said. "Thought you were a blood traitor, like those Weasleys you hang around with."
"Blood traitors?" Lily repeated idly.
"Course, always hanging around those filthy Mudbloods," he said, spitting to the side. Lily didn't think that was very prefect-like. Filch would have to clean it up later, and she'd feel sorry for whatever student happened to be nearby when he did.
"Err-" Lily stammered, wiping her hand on her robe. She now felt very dirty for accepting the honour.
"Most of Slytherin still doubts you, but I wanted you to know you're gaining our respect," he said. "I won't report you if I see you around. Now, go on, get out of here before somebody else sees you. I'll leave you to your work."
The prefect walked away. Lily continued standing there one hand holding her tie, the other still rubbing against her side.
"What just happened?" she asked herself.
