THE STORY OF THE CHAMBER

"What's going on here? What's going on?", it was Filch. He was running down the corridor, just to see what was happening there. He must have heard the noise made by Draco. When he saw the cat's body on the floor, he fell back in horror. His face showed both shock and fury. "My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?", he shrieked. Natasha could say that, he was very much close to crying.

And his popping eyes fell on the three girls, but was mostly focused on Natasha. And Natasha knew that, if looks could kill, half of the world would have been dead by that gaze. "You! "he screeched. "You! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll-".

"Argus!", Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers. In seconds, he had swept past Natasha, Simran, and Hermione and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket. Simran still looked totally shaken by what she had seen. Natasha knew that, Simran loved cats, and hated if anything bad happens to one, even if it was the most hated cat in the whole world. "Come with me, Argus," he said to Filch. "You, too, Miss Potter, Miss Gupta, Miss Granger." Lockhart stepped forward eagerly.

"My office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free-", Lockhart said with a smile.

"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore.

The silent crowd parted to let them pass. Lockhart, looking excited and important, hurried after Dumbledore; so, did Professors McGonagall and Snape. Professor Snape was looking at Natasha with a face, that she had seen even in the previous Halloween, after the troll incident. It was demanding answers from her. As they entered Lockhart's darkened office there was a flurry of movement across the walls; Natasha several of the Lockhart's in the pictures dodging out of sight, their hair in rollers.

The real Lockhart lit the candles on his desk and stood back. Dumbledore lay Mrs. Norris on the polished surface and began to examine her. The three girls exchanged tense looks and sank into chairs outside the pool of candlelight, watching. Natasha hoped that, the cat was not dead as, if it was the three of them will be in a lot of trouble as they were found in the scene of the crime. The tip of Dumbledore's long, crooked nose was barely an inch from Mrs. Norris's fur. He was looking at her closely through his half-moon spectacles, his long fingers gently prodding and poking. Professor McGonagall was bent almost as close, her eyes narrowed. Snape loomed behind them, half in shadow, wearing a most peculiar expression: It was as though he was trying to make sense of what was happening there.

Simran opened her mouth to say something, mostly for explaining what was going on. But Hermione shook her head and told her silently not to talk. And Lockhart was hovering around all of them, making suggestions. "It was definitely a curse that killed her - probably the Transmogrifian Torture – I've seen it used many times, so unlucky I wasn't there, I know the very countercurse that would have saved her...". Natasha had a feeling that, Lockhart was just bluffing as she had never heard of anything like that. Lockhart's comments were punctuated by Filch's dry, racking sobs. He was slumped in a chair by the desk, unable to look at Mrs. Norris, his face in his hands. Much as he detested Filch, the three girls couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for him, though not nearly as sorry as they felt for themselves. If Dumbledore believed Filch, he would be expelled for sure. It was a really horrible thought, but Natasha knew that, it was true.

Dumbledore was now muttering strange words under his breath and tapping Mrs. Norris with his wand but nothing happened. She continued to look as though she had been recently stuffed. "...I remember something very similar happening in Ouagadogou," said Lockhart, "a series of attacks, the full story's in my autobiography, I was able to provide the townsfolk with various amulets, which cleared the matter up at once...". Natasha just could not believe the man, he was just boasting about himself, when the atmosphere was really tense. He really was an insufferable man.

The photographs of Lockhart on the walls were all nodding in agreement as he talked. One of them had forgotten to remove his hair net.

At last Dumbledore straightened up. "She's not dead, Argus," he said softly. Natasha let out a sigh of relief, so there was hope for the cat.

Lockhart stopped abruptly in the middle of counting the number of murders he had prevented. "Not dead?" choked Filch, looking through his fingers at Mrs. Norris. "But why's she all - all stiff and frozen?". Even Natasha was wondering the same thing. The cat looked like it was as stiff as a dead body.

"She has been Petrified," said Dumbledore ("Ah! I thought so!" said Lockhart). "But how, I cannot say...". Natasha thought that, the whole situation was hopeless as Dumbledore himself was unsure of what was happening. "Ask her!" shrieked Filch, turning his blotched and tearstained face to Natasha. "No second year could have done this," said Dumbledore firmly. "it would take Dark Magic of the most advanced-".

"She did it, she did it!" Filch spat, his pouchy face purpling. "You saw what she wrote on the wall! He found - in my office - she knows I'm a - I'm a -" Filch's face worked horribly. "She knows I'm a Squib!" he finished. Natasha knew what was a squib, so she said, "I am not the one who attacked your cat, Mr. Filch! And I don't care if you are a squib!". But Filch was giving her a look, that indicated that he did not believe her.

"Rubbish!" snarled Filch. "He saw my Kwikspell letter!"

"If I might speak, Headmaster," said Snape from the shadows. Natasha was relieved that Professor Snape was intervening the talk. She knew that, the potions master would surely believe her story. "Tell me Natasha, why did you and Hermione leave the feast in the middle, and Ms. Simran I never saw you and Mr. Weasley in the hall, during the feast. Where were you both, and where is he now.", Professor Snape asked. Natasha knew that those were questions that, she had to answer. So, she went on to explain that, Hermione and her left the feast because of the fact that, she was not feeling well. Simran went on to explain that, she and Ron had gone to the Deathday party.

"But why not join the feast afterward?" said Snape to Simran, his black eyes glittering in the candlelight. "Why go up to that corridor?".

"Because I wanted to see where Natasha and Hermione were going, as I saw them on the way to the hall. Hermione did look like she was not looking really good.", Simran said.

Natasha wanted to tell them about the voice she had heard while coming here, but she thought that they might think that she is mad, so she decided against it. "What do you think, Severus? Do you think they are telling the truth?", Dumbledore asked.

"I believe so, Headmaster. Their story is perfectly believable, as many of my students also skipped the feast as they were sick.", Severus said.

Dumbledore then gave Natasha a searching look. His twinkling light-blue gaze made Natasha feel as though he were being X-rayed. Natasha felt as if Dumbledore could read her mind. But she knew it was ridiculous. "Innocent until proven guilty, Severus. I also think that you are right." he said firmly.

Filch was looking ready to explode anytime. "My cat has been Petrified!", he said angrily. "I want to see justice for her!"

"I already told you, Argus. I am pretty sure that, these three did not do this.", Dumbledore said. "We will be able to cure her, Argus," said Dumbledore patiently. "Professor Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made that will revive Mrs. Norris."

"I'll make it," Lockhart butted in. "I must have done it a hundred times. I could whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in my sleep-". Natasha wanted to punch that idiotic Professor. He was just blabbering on that, he can do anything in the world.

"Excuse me," said Snape icily. "But I believe I am the Potions master at this school. I am supposed to do this."

"I assure you, Severus. I can make the potion in no time!", Lockhart said. But both the Headmaster and Professor Snape ignored him. "You may go," Dumbledore said to Natasha, Simran and Hermione. They went, as quickly as they could without actually running. When they were a floor up from Lockhart's office, they turned into an empty classroom and closed the door quietly behind them. Natasha squinted at her friends' darkened faces.

"What in the world do you think just happened?", Natasha asked.

"I have no idea. But I am sure that, it is nothing good.", Simran said. "and what in the world is this chamber of secrets?"

"I have never heard of it. Nothing like that, is mentioned in Hogwarts a history.", Hermione said.

"I think we can infer from the name of it itself that, it is something that cannot be told to children who are planning to Hogwarts.", Natasha said.

"Well, I say that we research about whatever that thing is,", Simran said.

"D'you think I should have told them about that voice I heard?", Natasha asked her friends.

"No," said Hermione said, without hesitation. " I don't think that, Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world."

"You two believe that, I did hear it, don't you?", Natasha asked,

"Yeah, we do, Natasha. As you lead us straight to the crime scene, by just following that voice. But I have no idea, why we were not able to hear it.", Hermione said with assurance in her voice.

"I think that we better get back to our common room. We should inform Ron of what happened. Though I am sure that, he would have known about this, as the news will spread fast.", Natasha said.

"Yeah. We will have to say our part of the story too. I have no idea, what the other students would have told him. They are very good in spreading rumours, in my old school. They will twist the things that happened, according to their need.", Simran said.

They then heard the clock ticking twelve somewhere, and decided that they should hurry as, they did not want Filch catching them again. When they entered the common room, they found Ron waiting for them with a look on his face, that Natasha could not understand. "Where the hell where you three? I am hearing all kinds of things over here. Some idiot firstie told me that, you killed it.", Ron said with a questioning.

The three girls went on to explain, what was going on. Ron's face was growing whiter and whiter, as Natasha explained all the details. "So, someone attacked Mrs. Norris and petrified her, and then left a message on the wall, saying that some kind of chamber has been opened?", Ron asked with a nearly albino face.

"Yeah, that is what happened.", Hermione said.

"How come Natasha heard something, that nobody could hear? Are you sure that, you both could not hear anything?", Ron asked. Both the girls shook their heads indicating that, they definitely did not hear anything. "Weird.", Ron said shaking his head. But Natasha could see that, even he was troubled by what had happened. Hermione let out a loud yawn indicating that, it was already very late, so they said one final goodnight and went to the dormitories, Natasha found that, the other girls were also wide awake, and were demanding answers. The three of them described the night, but did not say about the strange voice Natasha had heard. The other girls were satisfied, and all of them went to sleep.

For a few days, the school could talk of little else but the attack on Mrs. Norris. Filch kept it fresh in everyone's minds by pacing the spot where she had been attacked, as though he thought the attacker might come back. Natasha had seen him scrubbing the message on the wall with Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover, but to no effect; the words still gleamed as brightly as ever on the stone. All of them were confused and scared as it was evident that, the writing would have taken really dark magic.

When Filch wasn't guarding the scene of the crime, he was skulking red-eyed through the corridors, lunging out at unsuspecting students and trying to put them in detention for things like "breathing loudly' and "looking happy." Ginny Weasley seemed very disturbed by Mrs. Norris's fate. According to Ron, she was a great cat lover. Ron however seemed a little happy as, he always hated the cat. "But you haven't really got to know Mrs. Norris," Ron told her bracingly. "Honestly, we're much better off without her." Ginny's lip trembled. "Stuff like this doesn't often happen at Hogwarts," Ron assured her. "They'll catch the maniac who did it and have him out of here in no time. I just hope he's got time to Petrify Filch before he's expelled. I'm only joking -" Ron added hastily as Ginny blanched.

"You do know that I am a cat person Ron! I hate seeing a cat like that!", Ginny said in an angry tone. That shut Ron up. The three girls spent a lot of time in Library, trying to find more about the chamber. The problem was that, Ron hated reading and refused to join them. They tried to persuade Ron by saying that, they could use an extra hand but he did not budge. He joined them only when he wanted to take some book for essay. After a busy weekend at the library, when Natasha and two of the other friends were heading out for dinner, Natasha saw Justin Finch-Fletchley, the Hufflepuff boy from Herbology, coming toward him. Natasha had just opened his mouth to say hello when Justin caught sight of him, turned abruptly, and sped off in the opposite direction. Natasha wondered what that was all about. It was as if he was scared of her. Natasha found her friends at the back of the library. She was surprised to find even Ron, who was measuring his History of Magic homework. Professor Bins had asked for a three-foot-long composition on "The Medieval Assembly of European Wizards.

"I don't believe it, I'm still eight inches short said Ron furiously, letting go of his parchment, which sprang back into a roll. And Hermione's done four feet seven inches and her writing's tiny.", Ron said angrily. Natasha told the others about Justin Finch-Fletchley running away from him.

"Dunno why you care. I thought he was a bit of an idiot," said Ron, scribbling away, making his writing as large as possible. "All that junk about Lockhart being so great-". Hermione emerged from between the bookshelves. She looked irritable and at last seemed ready to talk to them. "All the copies of Hogwarts, A History have been taken out,", Hermione said frustrated.

"What! How is that possible. How is there a sudden demand for a book, that is rarely taken by anybody?", Natasha said in shock. Even Ron had a shocked face.

"Well, I think everyone wants to find out about the chamber of secrets, after the incident with the cat.", Simran said. "Really sad that, something like this had to happen for everyone to find such a book remotely interesting one."

"And there's a two-week waiting list. I wish I hadn't left my copy at home, but I couldn't fit it in my trunk with all the Lockhart books.", Hermione said with a small blush. Natasha just frowned.

"Hermione, let me read your composition," said Ron desperately, checking his watch. "No, I won't," said Hermione, suddenly severe. "You've had ten days to finish it-".

"Can you both give me at least?", Ron asked the other two.

"Ron, you really have to learn to do your work on your own.", Natasha refused.

"You can take mine.", Simran said giving her essay to Ron. "Thank you, Sim! You really are a life saver.", Ron said relieved, and started writing the missing parts fast. Natasha and Hermione gave Simran looks that said 'you shouldn't have done that.'. But Simran just smiled and winked. Ron finished the remaining part, very fast and as soon as he finished, the bell rang and they all gave went to the history class.

History of Magic was the dullest subject on their schedule. Professor Binns, who taught it, was their only ghost teacher, and the most exciting thing that ever happened in his classes was his entering the room through the blackboard. Ancient and shrivelled, many people said he hadn't noticed he was dead. He had simply got up to teach one day and left his body behind him in an armchair in front of the staff room fire; his routine had not varied in the slightest since.

Today was as boring as ever. Professor Binns opened his notes and began to read in a flat drone like an old vacuum cleaner until nearly everyone in the class was in a deep stupor, occasionally coming to long enough to copy down a name or date, then falling asleep again. He had been speaking for half an hour when something happened that had never happened before. Hermione put up her hand. Natasha was surprised at this gesture, as no one asked questions or doubts to the teacher in his class.

Professor Binns, glancing up in the middle of a deadly dull lecture on the International Warlock Convention of 1289, looked amazed. "Miss - err -?", he started.

"Granger, Professor. I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets," said Hermione in a clear voice. Natasha then was surprised at Hermione's move. But was sure that the professor would know what the chamber was. Dean Thomas, who had been sitting with his mouth hanging open, gazing out of the window, jerked out of his trance; Lavender Brown's head came up off her arms and Neville Longbottom's elbow slipped off his desk. Simran looked like she was woken up from a deep sleep, but she started paying attention. Then both Hermione and the professor went on for a long debate about the importance of legends in history, and she managed to persuade the professor to tell the story.

"You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago - the precise date is uncertain - by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age. The four school Houses are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They built this castle together, far from prying Muggle eyes, for it was an age when magic was feared by common people, and witches and wizards suffered much persecution. He paused, gazed blearily around the room, and continued.

"For a few years, the founders worked in harmony together, seeking out youngsters who showed signs of magic and bringing them to the castle to be educated. But then disagreements sprang up between them. A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others. Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy.", he said. Natasha frowned, so Salazar was the one who started all this. But she still believed that, all Slytherins were not like that.

"After a while, there was a serious argument on the subject between Slytherin and Gryffindor, and Slytherin left the school.", Professor Binns paused again, pursing his lips, looking like a wrinkled old tortoise.

"Reliable historical sources tell us this much," he said. "But these honest facts have been obscured by the fanciful legend of the Chamber of Secrets. The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing. Slytherin, according to the legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic.", There was silence as he finished telling the story, but it wasn't the usual, sleepy silence that filled Professor Binns's classes. There was unease in the air as everyone continued to watch him, hoping for more. Professor Binns looked faintly annoyed.

"The whole thing is arrant nonsense, of course," he said. "Naturally, the school has been searched for evidence of such a chamber, many times, by the most learned witches and wizards. It does not exist. A tale told to frighten the gullible."

Natasha wanted to ask a question, so she raised a hand and asked, ""Sir - what exactly do you mean by the horror within the Chamber?"

"That is believed to be some sort of monster, which the Heir of Slytherin alone can control," said Professor Binns in his dry, reedy voice. The class exchanged nervous looks. "I tell you, the thing does not exist," said Professor Binns, shuffling his notes. "There is no Chamber and no monster."

"But, sir," said Seamus Finnigan, "if the Chamber can only be opened by Slytherin's true heir, no one else would be able to find it, would they?". Natasha was happy that, someone had asked the question, as she herself was about to ask the same. "Nonsense, O'Flaherty," said Professor Binns in an aggravated tone. "If a long succession of Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses haven't found the thing-"

"But, Professor," piped up Parvati Patil, "you'd probably have to use Dark Magic to open it-"

"Just because a wizard doesn't use Dark Magic doesn't mean he can't, Miss Penny feather," snapped Professor Binns. "I repeat, if the likes of Dumbledore-"

"But maybe you've got to be related to Slytherin, so Dumbledore couldn't -" began Dean Thomas, but Professor Binns had had enough.

"That will do," he said sharply. "It is a myth! It does not exist! There is not a shred of evidence that Slytherin ever built so much as a secret broom cupboard! I regret telling you such a foolish story! We will return, if you please, to history, to solid, believable, verifiable fact!". And within five minutes, the class had sunk back into its usual torpor.

"I always knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony," Ron told Natasha and Hermione as they fought their way through the teeming corridors at the end of the lesson to drop off their bags before dinner. "But I never knew he started all this pure-blood stuff. I wouldn't be in his house if you paid me. Honestly, if the Sorting Hat had tried to put me in Slytherin, I've got the train straight back home..."

Hermione nodded fervently, but Simran was actually looking at the distance thinking something.

"Come on Ron! All the Slytherins are not bad! I refuse to believe that nonsense about all Slytherins being evil. I would have gladly gone to that house, if the hat had placed me there.", Natasha said.

"But Natasha- ", Ron started.

"No, Ron. I still refuse to believe that. I am sure most of the Slytherins do not care about what your blood status is.", Natasha said.

"Can I tell you something, guys? I was almost placed in Slytherin.", Simran said.

Both Ron and Hermione was looking at Simran open mouthed. Natasha was smiling at her, she knew that she had won the argument. "But how? Why?", Ron asked.

"You see, a certain group of Hindus are worshippers of snakes. Both muggles and wizards worship it. As you know, the Slytherin emblem is a snake, and the hat asked me whether he wanted me to be placed there, but warned me that, some of them might not accept me there, but not all. So, I thought that, that house may not be comfortable in that place, and said the hat to put me elsewhere.", Simran said.

"See, she was nearly placed there. Now do you think that, all of them are evil? Hell, even merlin was in that house! Under the care of Slytherin himself! You of all should know that, Hermione.", Natasha said.

Ron and Hermione nodded. "But you have to admit that, at least one of the present batch is evil, otherwise there would be no attack at all.", Ron said.

Natasha nodded in agreement. As they spoke, they turned a corner and found themselves at the end of the very corridor where the attack had happened. They stopped and looked. The scene was just as it had been that night, except that there was no stiff cat hanging from the torch bracket, and an empty chair stood against the wall bearing the message "The Chamber of Secrets has been Opened."

"That's where Filch has been keeping guard," Ron muttered. They looked at each other. The corridor was deserted. "Can't hurt to have a poke around,", said Natasha, dropping her bag and getting to her hands and knees so that she could crawl along, searching for clues. "Scorch marks!" he said. "Here - and here-"

"Come and look at this!" said Hermione. "This is funny...". Natasha got up and crossed to the window next to the message on the wall. Hermione was pointing at the topmost pane, where around twenty spiders were scuttling, apparently fighting to get through a small crack. A long, silvery thread was dangling like a rope, as though they had all climbed it in their hurry to get outside.

"Have you ever seen spiders act like that?" said Hermione wonderingly.

"No," said Natasha, "have you, Ron? Simran?". But Natasha saw that they were nowhere near. She looked over her shoulder. Ron was standing well back and seemed to be fighting the impulse to run, and Simran was standing there with her back towards them. When Natasha went to face them, she saw that Simran had a scared look.

"What is the matter with you two?", Natasha asked puzzled.

"I - don't - like - spiders,", said both Ron and Simran together, and then looked at each other in disbelief.

"I never knew that," said Hermione, looking at Ron in surprise. "You've used spiders in Potions loads of times..."

"I don't mind them dead," said Ron, who was carefully looking anywhere but at the window. "I just don't like the way they move..."

"Why do you think, I am really bad in potions. I just hate spiders, I shudder when I touch them.", Simran said.

Both Natasha and Hermione giggled at this. Feeling they had better get off the subject, Natasha said, "Remember all that water on the floor? Where did that come from? Someone's mopped it up."

"It was about here," said Ron, recovering himself to walk a few paces past Filch's chair and pointing. "Level with this door.". Even Simran was feeling a bit better now. He reached for the brass doorknob but suddenly withdrew his hand as though he'd been burned.

"Oh, come on Ron. I know that, this is the girl's bathroom. But no one ever comes here. This one is ignored by all the girls because of a ghost.", Natasha said laughing.

Under a large, cracked, and spotted mirror were a row of chipped sinks. The floor was damp and reflected the dull light given off by the stubs of a few candles, burning low in their holders; the wooden doors to the stalls were flaking and scratched and one of them was dangling off its hinges.

Hermione put her fingers to her lips and set off toward the end stall. Natasha and Simran followed, and saw of the myrtle. When Hermione saw, her she said, "Hello, Myrtle, how are you?"

Ron went to look. Moaning Myrtle was floating above the tank of the toilet, picking a spot on her chin. "This is a girl's bathroom," she said, eyeing Ron suspiciously. "He is not a girl!"

"Ask her if she saw anything,", Ron mouthed at Hermione.

"What are you whispering?" said Myrtle, staring at him.

"Nothing," said Natasha quickly. "We wanted to ask-"

"I wish people would stop talking behind my back!" said Myrtle, in a voice choked with tears. "I do have feelings, you know, even if I am dead-"

"Myrtle, no one wants to upset you," said Simran. "We only-"

"No one wants to upset me! That's a good one!" howled Myrtle. "My life was nothing but misery at this place and now people come along ruining my death!"

"We wanted to ask you if you've seen anything funny lately," said Hermione quickly. "Because a cat was attacked right outside your front door on Halloween."

"Did you see anyone near here that night?" said Natasha.

"I wasn't paying attention, I had shut myself up in one of the stalls." said Myrtle dramatically. "Peeves upset me so much I came in here and tried to kill myself. Then, of course, I remembered that I'm - that I'm-"

"Already dead," said Ron helpfully.

Myrtle gave a tragic sob, rose up in the air, turned over, and dived headfirst into the toilet, splashing water all over them and vanishing from sight, although from the direction of her muffled sobs, she had come to rest somewhere in the U-bend. Ron stood there with his mouth open, but Hermione shrugged wearily and said, "Honestly, that was almost cheerful for Myrtle... Come on, let's go."

Natasha had barely closed the door on Myrtle's gurgling sobs when a loud voice made all four of them jump.

"RON!", it was Percy. He looked like he was very angry. "That's a girl's bathroom!" he gasped. "What were you -?", he said to Ron. "Just having a look around," Natasha shrugged. "Clues, you know-".

"You it is ok!", he said to Natasha. "though I feel that, you are not supposed to do that either. There are teachers and prefects to do that here. So, get out of here, and Five points from Gryffindor, for entering to a girl's toilet Ron!" Percy said tersely, fingering his prefect badge. "And I hope it teaches you a lesson! No more detective work."

The four of them chose seats as far as possible from Percy in the common room that night. Ron was still in a very bad temper and kept blotting his Charms homework. When he reached absently for his wand to remove the smudges, it ignited the parchment. Fuming almost as much as his homework, Ron slammed The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 shut. To Natasha's surprise, Hermione followed suit. "Who can it be, though?" she said in a quiet voice, as though continuing a conversation they had just been having. "Who'd want to frighten all the Squibs and Muggle-borns out of Hogwarts's?"

"Let's think," said Ron in mock puzzlement. "Who do we know who thinks Muggle-borns are scum?"

He looked at the three girls. Natasha looked back, unconvinced.

"I know you are talking about Draco- ", Natasha started. "Of course, I am!" said Ron. "You heard him - You'll be next, Mudbloods!'- come on, you've only got to look at his foul rat face to know it's him-"

"Malfoy, the Heir of Slytherin?" said Hermione sceptically.

"Hey! I don't think he is capable of doing that! He might be a git, but he is not the type of person who kills.", Natasha argued.

"Why are you always arguing about suspects. Last year, you defended Snape, this year Malfoy!", Ron said angrily.

"Remember that I was right last time.", Natasha said. "But this time, I think I will take your point view."

"You mean that, you will consider him as a suspect?", Hermione asked.

"Yes. It may be possible. But how do we do it?", Natasha asked.

"There might be a way," said Hermione slowly, dropping her voice still further with a quick glance across the room at Percy. "Of course, it would be difficult. And dangerous, very dangerous. We'd be breaking about fifty school rules, I expect-"

"If, in a month or so, you feel like explaining, you will let us know, won't you?" said Ron irritably.

"All right," said Hermione coldly. "What we'd need to do is to get inside the Slytherin common room and ask Malfoy a few questions without him realizing it's us.". "But that's impossible,", Simran said as Ron laughed. But Natasha was getting what Hermione might be implying.

"Hermione, are you talking about the Polyjuice potion?", Natasha asked. "What's that?" said Ron and Simran together.

"Snape mentioned it in class a few weeks ago-"

"D'you think we've got nothing better to do in Potions than listen to Snape?" muttered Ron.

"It transforms you into somebody else. Think about it! We could change into three of the Slytherins. No one would know it was us. Malfoy would probably tell us anything. He's probably boasting about it in the Slytherin common room right now, if only we could hear him.", Natasha said

"This Polyjuice stuff sounds a bit dodgy to me," said Ron, frowning. "What if we were stuck looking like three of the Slytherins forever?"

"It wears off after a while," said Hermione, waving her hand impatiently. "But getting hold of the recipe will be very difficult. Snape said it was in a book called Moste Potente Potions and it's bound to be in the Restricted Section of the library." There was only one way to get out a book from the Restricted Section: You needed a signed note of permission from a teacher."

"I think," said Hermione, "that if we made it sound as though we were just interested in the theory, we might stand a chance. Maybe you can ask Professor Snape, you are his best student after all."

"I don't think he will fall for that, as far as I know, the book is very advanced for us. Snape will get suspicious even if it's me. I think we need to find someone else.", said Natasha.

"Oh, come on, no teacher's going to fall for that," said Simran. "They'd have to be really thick..."

"I think I know just someone who will definitely give it.", Natasha said smiling evilly.