Days go by and the whole school continues to gossip about the Chamber of Secrets. Filch is an absolute mess, having tried to bust me several times for "always spending time with fourth years". The twins and I try to avoid the gossip, considering how Ronald and his friends seem to have gotten themselves involved. The boys don't want to start thinking wrongly about their brother because of ridiculous school gossip.
On my way to History of Magic one day, I have to walk past the hall where Mrs. Norris was petrified. However, there I find myself not alone. Ginny Weasley is staring up at the torch bracket from which the cat once hung.
"Ginny?" I call, though she doesn't seem to hear me. "Ginny, are you alright?" I come up to her, shaking her lightly. Suddenly, the girl lets out a choked sob.
"How could anyone do this?" her voice strains as tears start to fall.
"Hey, it's okay," I coo, pulling the younger girl into an embrace. "You're okay. It wasn't a very nice cat, anyway. I promise."
I stay and console Ginny for a few more minutes. Then, I have to go to class. So, reluctantly, I leave her, taking her hand and squeezing it sympathetically before running off to my class.
History of Magic starts as boring as always. I sit in the back of the class, where Binns never looks, so I use this time to get to work on my Transfiguration homework, occasionally pausing to take down a note here and there, some name or date.
However, the class gets interesting when Hermione raises her hand, which no one ever does. She starts inquiring about the Chamber of Secrets, making Binns flustered. I put down my Transfiguration homework, and all the other students snap out of their sleepy stupors.
Finally, Binns agrees to explain a bit about the Chamber. Apparently, Salazar Slytherin didn't want Muggle-Borns allowed into the school, so he left Hogwarts. However, before he did, he built a chamber in which to keep a great monster, which could only be released when Slytherin's true heir came to the school. Of course, Binns is certain the story is just that, a story. However, the class is abuzz with enlightenment until Binns begins lecturing again.
At this point, I once more take up my schoolwork, and the rest of the class returns to their daze. I allow my thoughts to drift away from the Chamber, which has to be nothing more than fanciful, and toward Ginny's odd behavior in the hall. I'm worried about her. Why would she be this upset over a cat she'd never even met?
That night, as I'm climbing into bed with George, I turn so that we're laying face-to-face. "Georgie?" I ask.
"Yes, Rey?" he yawns sleepily.
"Have you noticed anything odd about Ginny recently?" I inquire.
"No, have you?" he cocks his head.
"She was just… Extremely upset about Mrs. Norris today. I found her crying and staring at the torch bracket in the hall where Mrs. Norris died," I explain.
"I'm sure it's nothing, Love. Ginny loves cats, that's all. Now, go to sleep. You need your rest," he assures me before letting his eyes close.
Clearly, he's the one who needs his rest. However, I let the worry fade from my mind, and I snuggle against my best friend, letting peace, and sleep, come over me.