Out of the Shadow – Year 2

Nothing exiting happened again until the next Quidditch match. Gryffindor verses Slytherin. Everyone knew this game was going to be an interesting one to watch, now that they had Draco Malfoy as their seeker. I climbed into the stands with Rhea and Ashley. "Your brother should quit while he can. Malfoy is going to catch that snitch." Helen said as she took her seat closer to the Slytherins. I gave her a dirty look, but didn't respond.

I watched the match intently keeping a close eye on Draco to make sure he didn't cheat in anyway. I wouldn't put it past that kid. He defiantly put up a fight whenever he saw Harry making a move towards the snitch. Then suddenly one of the bludgers seemed to gather a mind of it's own and charged at Harry. Draco was laughing, teasing Harry for not knowing how to fly a broom properly. "One of you help him out!" I yelled to Fred and George even if they couldn't hear me.

Around me people keep gasping as we watched the bludger track Harry no matter how many times he got away from it. Thankfully he caught sight of the snitch right next to Malfoy and took off after it, ignoring the bludger that was chasing him down. "Oh God. Harry. Come on." I said under my breath as Harry and Draco disappeared under the stands. When they appeared again Harry was inches from the snitch. He reached out and grabbed it, just as the bludger crashed into his arm.

I was on my feet instantly pushing my way towards the pitch. Harry landed on his back in the sand and sat up, holding the snitch for everyone to see. I reached Harry right before any teachers. "Harry! What was that?" I asked him before looking down at his arm. "Is it broken?" He nodded. "I think so." In an instant we were surrounded by teachers, and the rest of the Gryffindor team. "No worries, Harry! I'll have that fixed up in a jiffy."

Harry and I shared the same look. "Um, no professor, its okay." Harry started to say. However, Professor Lockhart wasn't hearing any of it. He pulled out his wand and said an incantation I never heard before. I watched as Harry's arm went completely limp. "Well, ah, yes that can happen. But as you can see the bone is no longer broken." I stared at him with my mouth wide open.

"There's no bones left!" Hagrid said from over top the crowd. Harry now had a jelly arm. I helped him stand. "Come on, let's get him to the hospital wing." Ron said coming up to Harry's other side and we all walked back towards the hospital wing. Once inside Madame Pumpfrey took one look at Harry and huffed loudly. "He should have been brought to me straight away! Broken bones are a nasty business but growing them back?"

"You can do it right?" Ron asked.

"I can, but you will be in for a rough night Potter."

I looked over at Harry who looked absolutely defeated. "You can blame Lockhart for that." I said. "He thought he could fix it, pitch side. Idiot." Ron let out a little chuckle, but Hermione didn't look please. I looked at her. "Come on, Hermione. Even you have to see past his charm." She didn't answer me. Madame Pumpfrey ushered the rest of us out, and Harry was left to spend the night alone in the Hospital wing.

The next morning when Harry was released from the Hospital wing, he located me almost immediately. I was sitting on the ground in the Ravenclaw tower courtyard, with Fred and George, who sat on a bench behind me working on one of their inventions. "No, I'm telling you. It's right here, Fred. If you combine those two your going to kill us all." I said flipping through a book, helping them find the best combination for their own brand of fireworks.

"Holly. I need to speak to you." Harry said rushing up to us. I pulled myself off the ground and followed Harry towards the entrance. "Do you remember that house elf, Dobby?" he asked me in a hushed tone. I nodded. "He came to me again in the hospital." My jaw dropped open. "What?" Harry nodded quickly, keeping his voice low he told me what happened. "He told me he created that rogue bludger to scare me off. He also told me that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened before."

"Did he say what happened?"

Harry shook his head. "No, he heard someone walking into the hospital wing and disappeared. Dumbledore and McGonagall brought Colin in. He was petrified, too." My heart sank as I thought about the little boy with the camera. "Oh no. Poor Colin." I said quietly. Harry nodded. "I'm going to go talk to Hermione, she might know where we can get information on the Chambers opening before." I nodded. "Rhea might too. They think the same way. Rhea isn't a muggle born though so maybe she heard something from her family."

Harry and I nodded at each other and I returned to the twins. "What was that about?" George asked as I sat back down. "Harry said a student's been petrified." Fred and George nodded. "That first year, Colin. Obsessed with Harry. We heard Percy talking about it with Professor McGonagall." I shook my head. "This is freaky. How the hell are we supposed to stop a monster that no one has seen?" No one had an answer to that.

At the start of December, we found everyone talking about some dueling club. Rhea, Ashley and I signed up just to go see what this was all about. At Eight in the evening we approached the great all, it was set up with two long tables. I noticed Lockhart and Snape standing in the front of the room, no other teachers where there. "Well, I regret this already." I said as we walked up to Ron, Hermione and Harry.

"Professor Dumbledore has kindly allowed me to set up this little dueling club incase you ever need to defend yourself."

I rolled my eyes and Harry smiled at me. Snape started pairing people off and stopped in his tracks when he looked at me. The look on Harry's face told me he was waiting for Snape to make a comment towards him, but instead Snape looked at me. "Miss. Potter. What are you doing here?" I looked at him confused. "Um. Wasn't this for everyone?" I asked. I was aware of Harry, Ron and Hermione watching me interact with him.

"It is, unfortunately that does not include you."

"What? You're joking."

"I don't joke around, Miss. Potter. Come with me."

I rolled my eyes when his back was turned, and I followed him to the other side of the room. "Professor Dumbledore doesn't think it would be wise for you to duel when you have been doing your own training. Do you understand?" I nodded. "I will allow you to stay to watch today, Lord knows it should be interesting." Snape's eyes flickered up to Lockhart and I couldn't help but giggle. I could have sworn Snape's eyes softened a little, but it didn't last long. "But you will not participate." I nodded again and he let me rejoin my friends. "What was that about?" Harry asked. "I'll tell you later." I whispered as Professor Lockhart looked for volunteers. "Ah, Potter, Weasley." He said calling up Harry and Ron. "Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a match box. Might I suggest someone from my own house? Malfoy perhaps?"

I let my eyes go wide as I watched Harry and Draco meet in the middle of the dueling stage. "That was cruel." I said. "When are you going to learn, Snape is cruel too everyone but you." Ron snapped at me. I rolled my eyes. We watched as Draco summoned a snake from his wand to attack Harry. Professor Lockhart attempted to get rid of the snake but all that did was send it flying into the air.

When it landed again it only had eyes for the Hufflepuff kid, Justin. Everyone was backing away from the snake now, unsure why it was attacking a student, when suddenly Harry was speaking. Only, he didn't sound like himself, not completely, and he was talking in a totally different language. I glanced at Ron who looked alarmed and made a mental note that this was not okay. Eventually the snake stopped moving towards Justin and started to turn his head towards Harry.

Snape's cold voice chimed in as he said an incantation and the snake disappeared. Everyone was staring at Harry now. Harry looked confused as Ron rushed over and ripped him from the stage. "Come on – hurry!" Ron said as he dragged Harry out of the great hall with Hermione and I right behind them. Once standing on the silent staircase Ron turned to Harry. "You're a parselmouth! Why didn't you tell us?"

"I'm a what?"

"Parselmouth. It means you can talk to snakes."

Harry and I exchanged an alarming look. "I've heard of that before." I started. "But Harry's never done it before." I couldn't think fast enough. I couldn't wrap my head around the idea that Harry had a hidden ability, and not a good one.

"I spoke a different language?" Harry's voice cut into my thoughts. "Does it matter how I did it? I stopped Justin from having to join the headless hunt!"

"It does matter." Hermione said quietly. "talking to snakes is what Slytherin was known for. That's why their house symbol is a serpent."

A deadly hush fell over the four of us. We climbed the stairs, all our minds racing with the most recent events. It gave me a headache, and I climbed into bed and instantly fell asleep.

The following morning, we received news that Herbology was cancelled so we were getting an extra free period. I had spent the morning listening to people whisper all around me about Harry and it was making me agitated. "I'm going down to the great hall." I said to Rhea before walking out of the common room. I sat at the Ravenclaw table flipping through a book. Rhea had joined me at one point, but I didn't speak to her, I was too scared to hear another person talk ill of my brother.

"Well, I told Mummy and Daddy that it's an absolute disgrace that they allow someone so dangerous to roam free among school grounds. Surely, they must know now that he is a danger to us all. I'm telling you, any day now Harry is going to open that chamber and I hope they catch him before someone dies."

It was Helen, talking to her newest group of followers. In one motion I leaped over the table and tackled her to the ground, a move I'd never be able to do again. All around us people were leaning over their tables and chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight!" but I could barely hear them over the sound for blood pounding in my ears. My hands and body hurt. Helen put up a much better fight then you would think.

I landed a punch on her face, just as she clawed at my face. I reared my head back to headbutt her across the bridge of her nose, but she moved her head and instead her chin collided with my nose. I heard the snap before I felt the pain, and the warm blood running down my face. Helen pulled at my hair and managed to get a punch to my mouth which busted open my lip.

We were pulled apart. I could taste blood in my mouth, and I spit it out on the floor by Helens feet. Helen had a huge bruise on her left cheek, and a cut above her right eye. Her right hand was ripped up and covered in blood. She was being held back by our Prefect and head boy. I could feel the blood running down my lip now. I had a cut lip, and a broken nose. My right hand was also ripped up and covered in blood.

I fought against the hold on me. "If I hear you talk about my brother one more time, I will end you." I snarled at Helen. "Is that a threat?" She asked me. "No. It's a promise." I sneered back. "Enough. Take her to Professor Dumbledore, and fifty points taken from Ravenclaw, each!" our prefect said, and I was picked up off the ground and removed from the great hall. Once in the hallway I was released. I turned around and found myself face to face with Fred and George.

They winced when they caught sight of me. I was sure I looked a lot worse than I was. Before they could say anything though, Percy arrived. "I figured you two would hesitate before taking her down. Come on, lets go." Percy led me away towards Dumbledore's office. I was amazed to find Harry standing there with Professor McGonagall. "What happened to you?" Harry asked taking in my bloody appearance.

"I got into another fight."

Professor McGonagall went to open her mouth to say something but decided against it. She shook her head and turned to the gargoyle and said, "Lemon Drop." The gargoyle sprang to life as a staircase emerged. Harry and I stepped on to it and it carried us to Professor Dumbledore's office. "What did you do to be sent here?" I asked Harry. "I found Justin and nearly headless nick both petrified. Peeves made a huge scene and McGonagall brought me here."

"Oh great. So, we are both getting expelled. One for fighting and one for turning someone to stone. Brilliant."

The office door swung open and we stepped into the large office. Since Dumbledore wasn't around, I took the time to appreciate the office. It was circular and the walls were covered in old portraits of previous headmasters. I looked around at different things Dumbledore had around and jumped when an old familiar voice filled the room. "Bee in your bonnet, Potter?" I turned to see Harry looking up at the Sorting Hat.

"Erm. Yes. Sorry to bother you, I wanted to ask…"

"You have been wondering if I placed you in the right house? Well I stand by what I said last year, you would have done well in Slytherin."

"You're wrong." Harry said turning to face me now. I raised an eyebrow, but I was pretty sure I knew why this thought had been running though Harry's head. It was starting to feel like everyday he was being linked more and more with Voldemort, or Salazar Slytherin. Neither, for poor Harry, were stellar role models. A weak cough turned around attention to a sick looking bird behind Dumbledore's desk.

We watched it for a moment until it suddenly burst into flames. "WHAT?" We both shouted and took a step back. That, of course, was the moment Dumbledore entered his office. "Professor, sir. Your bird!" Harry and I said in unison. "It just caught fire." Harry finished. Dumbledore smiled. "It's about time too, I've been telling him to get a move on it. He's been looking dreadful for days."

Harry and I exchanged a look. Dumbledore elaborated. "Fawkes is a Phoenix, they burst into flame when it is time for them to die, and they are reborn from the ashes." Dumbledore motioned for us to look at the pile of ash just as a small bird's head popped up. I gasped in awe. "He is lovely, Professor." Dumbledore nodded and smiled at the small bird.

"Phoenixes' are fascinating creatures. They can carry immensely heavy loads; their tears have healing powers and they are extremely faithful companions."

Dumbledore walked to his seat behind his desk and Harry and I were reminded why we were there. We were both getting in trouble. We shifted ourselves to stand side by side on the other side of Dumbledore's desk. "Now, if I am not mistaken you two are here for two different reasons." We nodded. "Holly. I can assume from the blood on your face and robes that you need to go to the hospital wing."

"I will need to sir, I think my nose is broken, but I was told to come here first."

"What happened?"

"It was Helen sir. She was telling all the first years, and other second years that Harry was going to kill someone, since he's the heir of Slytherin and all. I had been listening to people say stuff all day and I just lost my temper. I'm sorry, sir." I hung my head even thought I wasn't as sorry as I pretended to be. I would do it all over again.

Just then Hagrid burst into the room. "Dumbledore sir! It wasn't Harry. He was with me, just seconds before that kid was found."

"Hagrid." Dumbledore said louder in order to be heard over the rumble of the half giant. "I do not think it was Harry."

"You don't?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "Erm. Right, I'll just wait outside then."

"Hagrid, would you please escort Miss. Potter to the Hospital Wing while I have a chat with Harry?"

I said goodbye to Harry and followed Hagrid out into the halls. "What happened ter ye?" Hagrid asked me. "I got in a fight defending Harry." Hagrid let out a small laugh. "What are sisters for, ya?" He let me into the hospital wing, and I waved goodbye. Madame Pumpfrey looked at me and shook her head before correcting my nose. "If I see either of you two in here again, because you put each other here I will expel you myself. Now go. You are both fine."

Over the next couple of weeks, I did my best to keep my head down. I didn't even get involved with any pranks with the twins. I couldn't risk getting expelled when there was so much going on, especially with Harry. I also took in the state of Ginny, she was looking terrible. Fred and George took everything to a whole new level, constantly announcing when Harry was walking down a hallway.

"Make way for the heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming though…."

"This is no laughing matter!" Percy snapped.

"Get out of the way Percy! Harry is in a hurry." Fred retorted.

"Yeah, he's off to the Chamber of secrets for a cup of tea with his fanged servant." George added.

Once I had even witnessed George waving a clove of garlic around Harry. I crossed my arms. "What are you doing?" I asked him. "You know it's bats that hate garlic, not snakes." George just shrugged. I turned to Harry. "Another Christmas without knowing where Mum and Dad are. Maybe I should start taking a tally."

"You haven't heard from them either?"

I shook my head. "I'm assuming if something happened someone would have told us." Harry just shrugged and I slipped into my own dark thoughts of our parents. Where were they? Were they safe? Were they dead? I hadn't even heard from Lupin in over a year it was starting to make me nervous. What happened if they couldn't get Sirius out of Azkaban? I tried to push all those thoughts down to focus on what was happening now.

As everyone at the school thought Harry was the heir of Slytherin, I found myself wondering is this Chamber wasn't open because of Harry, and this heir was coming for him.