Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

That evening in the Slytherin common room, the story of the Chamber of Secrets, was told by some of the older students to the younger students. "It makes sense, doesn't it?" Blitz grinned. "Potter is the heir of Slytherin! He's probably just biding his time to unleash the monster hidden in the castle." He laughed as some of the younger years gasped. "Better warn anyone with muggle blood."

"Stop scaring them," Marcus rolled his eyes. "And there is no monster or chamber. It's just a story that has been passed down over the years."

"Story had to come from somewhere didn't it?" Blitz countered.

"Do you think it's true?" Blaise whispered to Draco.

"Of course not," Draco said irritably. He was sick of hearing about Harry being a Parselmouth. An ability that Draco thought was brilliant and wished he had. So of course, Harry was the one who had it. Once again, Harry was special.

HP

It didn't take long for the stories about the chamber and the heir to run rampage around the school. When Harry had asked his dad about it, Snape had waved it off as nonsense. It was a response all the adults had but it didn't stop the speculating among the excited students. When they had their first class with the new Defence professor, it was the first question asked after Professor Lupin introduced himself.

"Can you tell us about the Chamber of Secrets?" Dean Thomas asked eagerly.

Remus Lupin blinked. "Is that rumor still going around?" He chuckled as he wrote his name on the blackboard. "There is no chamber. It would have been found years ago if there was. This castle has been searched many times over the years."

"The heir of Slytherin should know," Pansy said, giving Harry a mean grin.

"The heir?" Remus tilted his head to the side. He gave Harry a curious look.

"Yeah, there are rumors that the heir of Salazar Slytherin can open the Chamber," Theo said. "And now that we know Potter is a Parselmouth..."

"Are you?" Remus asked in surprise. At Harry's hesitant nod, he offered a smile. "That is extraordinary. Quite a rare skill."

"You-Know-Who had the same skill and he was evil," Parvati Patil looked at Harry suspiciously.

Harry rolled his eyes, trying not to show how hurt and confused all the accusing looks he kept getting were. He had thought the story of a hidden chamber in the castle was exciting until he heard about the heir and that people suspected that he could be one. Now the chamber stuff wasn't exciting, it was annoying.

"Voldemort," Remus said pointedly. "was evil. He chose to be. The ability to talk to snakes, however, is not evil. I would hope that none of you would be so ignorant to believe otherwise. Of course, you are still just children." He hid a grin at the indignant looks of his students' faces.

"What about the Chamber?" Dean asked eagerly.

Remus sighed. This wasn't how he imagined his first day of teaching but what could you do? "You do understand it is just a story? The Chamber does not exist. Do you still want to hear it?" Everyone nodded and he leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. "All right, fine. But we start our lesson right after, all right?" When everyone nodded again, he continued. "I'm sure you have heard of the four founders of Hogwarts. The school Houses are named after them. Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. For a time, they worked together in harmony, bringing those who showed signs of magic here to learn. However, Salazar wished to be more selective about which students they invited to Hogwarts. He did not want anyone who had Muggle parentage to be here, which the other three founders did not agree with. There was a serious argument about it between him and Godric and soon after, Salazar left the school. Now this is where the rumor come in. A story began to go around that Salazar built a hidden chamber in the castle, one the other three founders knew nothing about. Legend says that only Salazar's heir can gain entrance to the chamber and release the horror within and purge the school of all who Salazar believed was unworthy to study magic."

"Cool," Goyle muttered while Crabbe nodded in agreement.

Remus narrowed his eyes at them. "Now that you know, we can continue -"

"Sir?" Hermione raised her hand. "What is the horror within the chamber?"

"You mean the nonexistent horror within the nonexistent chamber?" Remus shook his head. "It's supposed to be some kind of monster only the heir can control." He watched as his class exchanged nervous looks. "It doesn't exist," He said exasperation. "Somebody is just stirring up old rumors to get everyone upset. These rumors existed when I was a student and guess what? There was never any evidence of a monster."

"But only the heir can open it," Seamus said excitedly. "So of course it hasn't been found yet."

"That's good thinking," Blaise said. "That means even the Headmaster wouldn't be able to find it, no matter how hard he looked."

"That makes sense," Parvati shivered. "How spooky, to think that there is a -"

Remus rubbed his hand over his face. He shouldn't have indulged them. "Okay, enough. Again, it is just a story. One with no basis of truth. All right? Now why don't we focus on learning about Grindylows, something that actually does exist."

HP

Two days later, Harry was about ready to scream from the talk of the chamber and that he could be Salazar's heir. Even Draco was acting funny around him and Harry was getting fed up. He decided that he, Ron and Hermione should investigate and try to find out what the truth was.

"You guys are crazy," Hermione complained as she followed the boys to Moaning Myrtles bathroom. "She's not going to know anything because there is nothing to know. I shouldn't have told you about her," She sighed.

"You said she's been here for like fifty years, she might know something," Harry shrugged.

"Yeah, besides, we're bored," Ron added.

"We could go to the library and study," Hermione said in exasperation.

"Nah, this is better," Ron said dismissively.

"Besides, we've been studying in the library," Harry said.

Hermione gave a huff. "We've been trying to find books that mention the chamber, not studying for our subjects."

"What are you doing in here?" Moaning Myrtle floated above them. She gasped. "You two are boys! You can't be in here!"

"Myrtle, they just wanted to ask you something," Hermione said kindly.

"Oh," Moaning Myrtle said. "Fine, what is it?"

"Do you know of any monsters hiding in the castle?" Ron asked.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Subtle."

"No, I don't," Moaning Myrtle said primly.

"Um, Myrtle, how about any chambers?" Harry asked.

Myrtle floated in front of him. "Oh, you wear glasses too! I used to get teased about mine." She pouted.

"I, uh, did too. When I was younger," Harry said. Dudley had laughed at him for hours when he had first been given a pair of cheap glasses by his Aunt, who had complained he was costing them too much money. "Got laughed at."

"Oh," Myrtle said sympathetically. "I know what that is like. Well, I don't know about any chambers."

"Um, well, can I ask how you died?" Harry asked.

Moaning Myrtle looked pleased. "Of course. I was crying in the stall because Olive Hornby had teased me about my glasses. I heard a voice and went to tell them to go away because I wanted to be alone. And then, I died.

Harry and Hermione exchanged perplexed looks. What exactly had caused her death?

"Geez, talking to her is a waste of time," Ron sighed.

"So rude!" Moaning Myrtle cried, plunging into one of the toilets and flooding it.

Hermione sighed. "We should go."

Harry was about to agree when he noticed the sinks. He stepped closer. One of the taps had a snake engraved on the side. It was the only one that did. It was pretty cool looking.

"That tap has never worked," Myrtle said in a sulky voice as she emerged, still glaring at Ron.

"Really?" Harry stared at it. Hmm, he wondered... "Open," He said.

The three preteens gasped as the sink suddenly moved, showing an opening in the floor.

"No way!" Ron exclaimed.

"There really is a Chamber!"

"Unbelievable!" Harry took a curious step towards the opening.

"Don't you dare go down there!" Hermione scolded.

"Why not?"

"Are you kidding? You don't know what is down there!"

Harry sighed. "True."

"We need to tell someone about this," Hermione said.

"Why? It's kind of cool to have a secret of our own," Ron grinned.

Harry spoke to the snake on the tap again. "Close." He grinned when the sink moved back into place. "I agree, it is rather brilliant that we know there is a Chamber when not even the professors know. Besides, everyone will start on me being the heir if we tell." That's all he needed, for everyone to know that there was a chamber and he was indeed the one who could open it.

"But -"

"We will tell," Harry said quickly. "But can't we just wait a little while? Enjoy being in the know before anyone else? And give me some time to figure out the heir business?"

Hermione sighed. "All right, fine. But just for a little while."

HP

"What do you three look so happy about?" Draco asked grumpily when he came across Harry, Ron and Hermione talking excitedly to each other outside of their potions class. It had been days since the stupid chamber rumor had started and he was sick and tired of hearing about it and about Harry being the so-called heir. It seemed like everything was about Harry.

"Oh, nothing," Ron said airily.

"Uh, yeah, nothing," Harry said, exchanging a grin with Ron. It had been a few days since finding the chamber and he, Ron and Hermione kept speculating what it might be like down there. They were thinking of asking Moaning Myrtle to go down there and tell them what it was like and if there were any creatures living there.

Draco narrowed his eyes. He was fed up with all the attention Harry kept getting and now he was apparently keeping a secret? And from the big grins on their faces, it must be a good one. Probably a way to get more attention, he though sourly. "You're pathetic, you know that?"

Harry stopped smiling and stared at him. "Excuse me?" Draco had been having an attitude for the last several days so Harry had been avoiding him. He was getting sick of the spoiled brat.

"Everyone things you're so great but you're not," Draco snapped. "You're pathetic, a charity case. And guess what? You'll never be family with me, my mum and Severus. Know why? I'm probably going to take Severus's last name but he never had you do it. So we'll all have the same name except for you. And if they have a baby someday? We'll all be blood related to it but you won't be."

"Shut up!" Harry yelled, not caring that they were drawing a crowd. "You know nothing, you stupid, spoiled prat!"

"I overheard my mum and Severus talking, he hated your dad," Draco sneered. "And he probably hated your mum too. They must have been awful people." He flinched inwardly at the devastated look on Harry's face but didn't take back what he said, even though he knew he should. All the fears, insecurities, and anger was just coming out and he couldn't stop saying these horrible things.

"Shut up, you git!" Harry shouted.

"Severus regrets adopting you," Draco muttered, moving past Harry and shoving him hard with his shoulder.

Incensed, Harry shoved him back and before he knew it, they were both fighting.

"Stop!"

Severus hurried down the hallway towards the yelling and was shocked to see Harry on top of Draco, looking ready to punch him. For a moment, he was thrown back to when the Marauders would attack him and without thinking he shouted, "Potter! Stop that!"

Harry pushed away from Draco, tears burning in his eyes. Potter? His dad hadn't referred to him like that since he was little and never in that tone of voice.

Severus helped Draco up. "Are you all right, Draco?"

"Yeah," Draco muttered.

Severus rounded on Harry. "What did you think you were doing? Do you like being a bully?" He snapped.

Harry's mouth dropped open. How was he the bully? Draco has shoved him first!

"Professor Snape," Hermione started to say.

"Silence!" Severus snapped. He glared at Harry. "Thirty points from Gryffindor for beating up on a student."

"Professor," Ron spoke up.

"Forget it, Ron," Harry said, stunned from the way his father was talking to him. "Professor Snape isn't even going to ask what happened. Or if I'm all right." He added in a hurt voice.

Severus frowned, his temper cooling as he realized how he had spoken to Harry. "Harry," He said in a gentler voice, stepping closer to him. He meant to apologize, to ask what had happened.

Harry turned and ran, Ron and Hermione quickly following him.

"Harry!" Severus called. Merlin, what had he done?

HP

Severus marched Draco into his office. "Start explaining. Now."

"You saw. Harry just started hitting me," Draco said, avoiding looking into Severus's eyes.

"For no reason? He just walked up to you and started hitting you?" Severus raised an eyebrow. "I will be speaking to those who were watching, including the portraits. And if I find out you are lying..."

"I told him the truth!" Draco spat. "That you hated his father and mother and regretted adopting him!"

Severus's eyes widened with anger and he had to turn away from the blonde boy as he tried to control his temper. "How could you?" He whispered.

Draco bit his lip, guilt at what he had said to Harry weighing on him and fear of what his soon to be father would do. "I thought...I mean, I heard you and mum talking the other night..." He trailed off.

"You were there? I never said that I regretted adopting Harry," Severus said in a low voice.

"I know, but," Draco looked down. "Theo said it was probably true...when I told him that you hated Harry's parents."

Severus shut his eyes for a moment. "I never hated Harry's mother. She was my friend. And yes, I did not get along with James Potter but that has nothing to do with Harry." He felt guilt fill him over how he had yelled at his son. For that brief moment, he had been thrown back to his own school days and had treated Harry deplorably. He had to find him. He glared at Draco. "None of this was your business, you had no right to tell anyone what you overheard. How dare you eavesdrop? And to treat Harry like that...he is going to be your brother!"

"I know!" Draco cried. "I was angry, I didn't mean what I said! And I shouldn't have shoved him but he's the boy-who-lived! He's famous and almost everyone likes him and I was -"

"Jealous," Severus finished with a sigh. How had he and Narcissa missed this? How could he not have anticipated that this could become an issue?

"I won't measure up," Draco said sadly. "Harry's father died trying to protect him and then you adopted him. My father didn't care about me at all and you're just going to be stuck with me."

"I am not stuck with you," Severus said slowly. "I care for you, Draco, very much and look forward to you being my son. You and Harry are not in competition. However, I am very displeased with you right now. Your mother will be as well."

"You're going to tell her?"

"Yes. The four of us need to have a very serious talk," Severus said as he quickly jotted down a note to Narcissa. "You are to stay here, I am asking your mother to come right now. I need to go look for Harry." He paused. "And thirty points from Slytherin for fighting."

Draco slumped in his chair with a sigh. He was not looking forward to explaining things to his mother.

HP

"Where do you think he went?" Hermione asked in a worried voice. They had been looking for Harry since he had run off.

"I don't know," Ron said. "He knows the castle so well, he could be anywhere." Suddenly he perked up. "Fred and George have that map!"

"What map?"

"They once showed me a map that shows where everyone is in the castle. We can see where Harry is!"

Hermione brightened. "Good idea!"

Hurrying to the Tower, they explained what had happened to the Weasley twins, Fred and George wasted no time in bringing out their map. "He's not on here," Fred frowned as he and his brother scanned the map.

"Not even outside?" Ron asked anxiously.

George shook his head. "Not unless he went deep into the Forbidden Forest. The map only shows the entrance to the forest."

"What if he left the grounds completely?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"He wouldn't do that, would he?" Fred asked in concern.

"He was really upset," Hermione said sadly.

"His dad is a git," Ron said bluntly, oblivious to the portrait door opening behind him.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed.

"Well, he is! He obviously favors Malfoy and makes Harry feel like he's not good enough!" Ron said, not noticing Hermione and the twins shaking their heads at him. "You saw what happened earlier. Malfoy said those horrible things and shoved Harry first yet who gets the blame for the fight? Harry does. By his own dad!" He stopped ranting when he saw his brothers and Hermione's pale faces. Gulping, he slowly turned around to see Snape and Dumbledore standing behind him. "Oh, hi," He said weakly.

Severys felt like someone had reached in and crushed his heart. Ron was right, he had been a git to his son. How would Harry ever forgive him?

"You haven't found him?" Dumbledore asked in concern.

"No, Sir," Fred said. He hesitated and then held out the map. "He's not on here at all."

Dumbledore took the map and peered at it with interest. "My, this is quite a bit of magic. Very impressive."

Severus stared at it. "Isn't that the Marauders Map?" He asked flatly. He remembered seeing Potter and Black with it.

"Yeah," George said sheepishly. "We, uh, found it in Filch's office our first year."

"Found it, you say," Dumbledore said knowingly.

Severus snatched the map and searched anxiously for Harry's name. The map appeared to show everywhere in the castle, including secret passageways he wasn't aware of. It also showed the grounds and entrance to the forest. "Why isn't Harry's name on here?" He demanded.

"He must be somewhere the map doesn't show," Fred said. "Or he -"

"Left the grounds completely," George finished.

"Or went deep into the forest," Hermione said in a whisper.

Severus took a deep breathe to calm himself. His child could be in danger and it was all his fault! Why hadn't he noticed the problems between Harry and Draco? And why had he reacted so horribly when he saw Harry and Draco fighting? He had completely failed his son and Draco as well.

"I will send Hagrid and Fang into the forest immediately to begin searching," Dumbledore said. "I will have some of the seventh years and ghosts search the castle, just in case the map is missing something. Severus, we will search outside of the grounds. Perhaps he went to Hogsmeade? I will ask Minerva and Filius and Remus to help as well." He patted Severus on the shoulder. "We will find him or he will come back on his own."

"I need to find him now," Severus said hoarsely. "Albus, he thinks I don't want him!"

"We will find him and then you will make this right," Dumbledore said soothingly.

TBC: