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Harry Potter slowly followed behind the Headmaster and Professor Snape, though he wished he could just speak to Professor Dumbledore, as the bat would probably assume that he was crazy for hearing voices and demand that Harry be thrown in St Mungo's spell damage ward.
'Why did she have to tell them I heard voices?' Harry thought to himself, as he walked behind the two men, fearing he would be expelled and be sent back to the Dursleys or locked away.
"Pick up your feet Potter," Snape snarled, turning his head to see Potter dragging his feet.
"Severus, go easy on the boy. He's probably still shaken over what happened." Dumbledore said softly, smiling at the young boy, who shyly smiled back. Soon the trio was in Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster offering Harry a lemon drop. Harry accepted, and he took a seat in front of Dumbledore's desk, popping the little yellow candy in his mouth.
"Mr. Potter, would you tell us about the voice?" Dumbledore asked patiently, as he took his seat. "I would like to hear what it said, when you heard it and where."
"I didn't hear anything," Harry protested defensively.
Severus snarled under his breath.
"Severus, please," Dumbledore said softly as he turned back to Harry, "Harry, please. What happened to Miss. Norris and the voice you heard may be related. It is critical that you tell us what happened so we might prevent it from happening again in the future."
"I said I didn't hear anything!" Harry protested again.
"Potter, I suggest you start telling us what we want to know or I will be forced to administer a truth potion," Severus glared at the boy coldly, annoyed that the child was wasting his time.
"Let me handle this Severus," Dumbledore said again, "Harry, this could happen again, but next time it might be a student, and the outcome could be fatal. So, if you know anything, I strongly encourage you to tell us please."
Harry looked at the two Professors and thought how much more comfortable he would be if Snape weren't here. He would even take Lockhart over the bat of the dungeon.
"Yes, sir," Harry said, "The first time I heard the voice was in detention with Loc... Professor Lockhart. The voice was cold, and it didn't sound human. It said it wanted to rip and tear and kill me. Professor Lockhart didn't hear or react to it, I even asked if he could hear it, but he didn't. Tonight, I heard the same voice during Sir Nicholas' Death Day Party. It sounded more dark, cold and violent this time."
Harry watched his two Professors, and he didn't like how silent they were. "Professor?" He addressed the Headmaster, "What exactly is the Chamber of Secrets? Who or what could have done that to Miss Norris?"
"The Chamber of Secrets," the Headmaster steepled his fingers and leaned back in his chair, "is an old Hogwarts legend. Many Headmasters and Headmistresses have tried to discover it, but no one ever has. According to the legend, when Hogwarts was founded one thousand years ago, one of the founders, Salazar Slytherin, built a secret chamber somewhere in the school. Although Salazar's portrait denies all of this, the Chamber is said to be home to a monster that once unleashed, would purge the school of all Muggle-borns like your classmates Miss Granger and Mr. Thomas. Harry, I don't want you to worry, but if you hear the voice again, please report to either Professor Snape or myself immediately."
"Okay sir," Harry nodded, he still didn't get what was going on thought.
"Very well." Dumbledore smiled and offered the boy another piece of candy, "Severus, would you please escort Mr. Potter back to his dormitory."
Harry nearly choked on the little sour candy, before painfully swallowing it whole, at the Headmaster request and slowly and reluctantly made his way out of Dumbledore's office and followed closely behind Professor Snape out of fear of losing house points. They walked in silence as they made their way up to Gryffindor Tower. Harry stopped outside the Fat Lady's portrait and looked up at his unpleasant Potions Master. "Sir... umm..."
"Out with it Potter, or return to your dormitory, unless you wish for me to take away points."
"Do you believe in the Chamber of Secrets sir?"
"It could very well be someone trying to scare the Muggle-borns, but I advise you to be on your guard Mr. Potter."
The young Gryffindor nodded, then slowly made his way inside the common room. The Potions Master was making his way to the staff to digest the night's events when he found a tiny Ginny Weasley trying to scurry back to her common room. He took ten points away from the girl, who just ran past him like she hadn't noticed his presence. Severus took another five points for her disrespect and began making his way to the staff room.
"There is nothing to be concerned about until we know more of what happened," Minerva reassured the staff who were gathered around the table. Pomona was gently rubbing Argus' back speaking to him kindly that Miss Norris would be alright once her Mandrakes matured. It was clear that Poppy had given him a calming draught since usually, the old caretaker would never let someone touch him. All of the staff were visibly worried, except Severus and Dumbledore, who hid their fears well, and Hagrid looked petrified with fear.
"I would caution everyone to be careful and extra diligent until this matter can be resolved," the Headmaster asked.
"Who or what could have done this?" Charity Burbage asked.
"Something powerful and unknown Charity," Dumbledore answered.
"I want that blasted Potter gone! He did this, I know it," Argus roared and slammed his fist on the table as Pomona tried to calm him down.
"Argus, until we know for sure who or what caused Mrs. Norris to be petrified, I won't punish anyone," Albus spoke calmly.
"We should keep an eye out for anything suspicious," Filius added and Dumbledore agreed.
Severus ignored the glances from a few members of staff who either believed it was him or one of his students who had opened the Chamber of Secrets. Severus was used to being vilified as the worst of humanity. Whenever something horrible happened at the school the first thought in many minds was to question Slytherins or their Head of House.