ATTACK ON HERMIONE
Hermione then immediately woke Simran up, and decided to tell her about what they had found out. She thought that, it was not a good idea to wake Ron up now, as it was not a good idea to go to the boy's dorm at this time of night. Even Natasha and Simran agreed for that. Natasha, and Hermione had always known that Hagrid had an unfortunate liking for large and monstrous creatures. The last year, Hagrid had put a three-headed dog in the school, and even brought a dragon egg for himself, after a game in the bar.
And if, as a boy, Hagrid had heard that a monster was hidden somewhere in the castle, Natasha was sure he'd have gone to any lengths for a glimpse of it. He'd probably thought it was a shame that the monster had been cooped up so long, and thought it deserved the chance to stretch its many legs; Natasha could just imagine the thirteen-year-old Hagrid trying to fit a leash and collar on it. But she was equally certain that Hagrid would never have meant to kill anybody. Even her other friends also were of the same opinion as her. Even they knew that, Hagrid was never a bad person. The thing that puzzled Natasha was that, Hagrid never seemed to be the heir of Slytherin type of person.
Natasha half wished she hadn't found out how to work Riddle's diary. Again, and again Simran and Hermione made him recount what she'd seen, until she was heartily sick of telling them and sick of the long, circular conversations that followed. They stayed till late at night, as it was a Saturday. "Riddle might have got the wrong person," said Hermione. "Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people..."
"How many monsters d'you think this place can hold?", Simran asked dully. "I know that, he is a good guy, but anyone can make a big mistake."
"We always knew Hagrid had been expelled," said Natasha miserably. "And the attacks must've stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have got his award."
"Ron met Hagrid down Knockturn Alley, didn't he, Natasha?", Hermione asked.
"Yeah, Ron told that, Hagrid was buying a Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent," said Natasha quickly.
The three of them fell silent. After a long pause, Hermione voiced the knottiest question of all in a hesitant voice. "Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all?"
"That'd be a cheerful visit,", said Simran. "Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?'"
In the end, they decided that they would not say anything to Hagrid unless there was another attack, and as more and more days went by with no whisper from the disembodied voice, they became hopeful that they would never need to talk to him about why he had been expelled. The three girls then decided to go back to the dormitory, and decided that they will inform Ron afterwards. The next morning, they all woke up, and found Ron in the common room.
Then Natasha told Ron about the newest theory, that she believed that Hagrid was the one opened the chamber last time, Ron looked really shocked and asked, "Where in the world did you get that nonsense idea?", Ron asked.
Natasha took the diary in her hands, and showed it to Ron and said, "This diary showed me."
Ron's diary at the sight of the diary. "What do you mean, from that diary?". His voice had an element, which Natasha just could not place. He then took the diary from her hand, and flipped the pages of the diary, seemingly searching for the information in the diary.
"This diary is empty!", Ron said. Then Natasha went on to explain, what had happened the night before. As she went on, Ron's eyes were becoming more and more wide.
"Did the diary show or tell you anything else? Any clue about who might be opening the chamber?", Ron asked.
"No, he did not. Why did I never think of that!?", Natasha and Hermione exclaimed together.
"I think we should try that today. The diary might show or tell us that!", Simran said excitedly.
"You know what I think? I think we should really not trust all the things the diary has said or shown us. My father- ", Ron started.
"I know Ron. Your father has encountered this kind of stuff before, but we need to- ", Simran said.
"No! I think I will write a letter to my father, if he had encountered any book that is like this that is cursed.", Ron said.
"But Ron!", Natasha protested.
"I think Ron is right. We have to try and find more information about this, before we write anything more.", Hermione agreed.
"Please give the diary to me. If my father says that, it might be something bad I will send it to him.", Ron said.
"OK.", Natasha said giving the diary to Ron, with a hesitant tone. Ron went up to the dorm, and came back empty handed.
It was now nearly four months since Justin and Nearly Headless Nick had been Petrified, and nearly everybody seemed to think that the attacker, whoever it was, had retired for good. Peeves had finally got bored of his "Oh, Potter, you rotter" song, Ernie Macmillan asked Natasha quite politely to pass a bucket of leaping toadstools in Herbology one day, and in March several of the Mandrakes threw a loud and raucous party in greenhouse three. This made Professor Sprout very happy. Even Natasha was really happy as, the rest of the school were less hostile to her. "The moment they start trying to move into each other's pots, we'll know they're fully mature," she told Natasha. "Then we'll be able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing.".
The second years were given something new to think about during their Easter holidays. The time had come to choose their subjects for the third year, a matter that Natasha and Hermione, took very seriously. Natasha knew that, the subjects she was going to take was going to affect her future. So, she, Hermione and Simran did a small research on the topic and Natasha decided to take Care of magical creatures, as she was really interested in animals, Arithmancy as she was interested in maths, and Ancient Runes as it seemed interesting. Natasha did not want to take divination as it seemed dependant on nothing but guesswork and knew that, she was nothing close to a being a seer, and did not take muggle studies, as she was living with muggles and knew very well about them.
"I just want to give up Potions," said Simran.
"We can't," said Ron gloomily. "We keep all our old subjects, or I'd've ditched Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"But that's very important!" said Hermione, shocked.
"Not the way Lockhart teaches it," said Ron. "I haven't learned anything from him except not to set pixies loose."
At last Ron settled with Care of magical creatures and divination. Simran took both of those, with addition to ancient runes. Hermione shockingly chose all the subjects, that were on the list. "How in the world are you going to come up with all this!", Natasha and Simran asked Hermione that night.
"I am sure that, I will find a way to do that.", Hermione said smiling. But Natasha and Simran were not so sure of that.
Gryffindor's next Quidditch match would be against Hufflepuff. Wood was insisting on team practices every night after dinner, so that Natasha barely had time for anything but Quidditch and homework. However, the training sessions were getting better, or at least drier, and the evening before Saturday's match he went up to his dormitory to drop off his broomstick feeling Gryffindor's chances for the Quidditch cup had never been better. Hermione was in the library, and Ron was watching her practise. In the middle of practise, Ron went out of the field.
Natasha then found Ron, Hermione and Simran in the library. They all walked to the Gryffindor common room happily, but just as then they all entered the common room they met Neville Longbottom, who was looking frantic.
"Ron - I don't know who did it - I just found-", he said pointing to the dormitory. The girls also went with him, so as to see what had happened. Watching Ron fearfully, Neville pushed open the door. The contents of Ron's trunk had been thrown everywhere. The bedclothes had been pulled off his four-poster and the drawer had been pulled out of his bedside cabinet, the contents strewn over the mattress.
The other boys looked at the girls in shock, but the girls ignored it. "Someone's been looking for something,", said Ron.
"Is there anything missing?", asked Simran with concern.
Ron started to pick up all his things and throw them into his trunk. It was only as he threw the last of the Lockhart books back into it that he seemed to have realized what wasn't there.
"Riddle's diary's gone,", he said in an undertone to the girls, as he came near them.
"What?", Natasha jerked her head toward the dormitory door and Ron followed them out. They hurried down to the Gryffindor common room, which was half-empty. "Only a Gryffindor could have stolen - nobody else knows our password-", Hermione said.
"Exactly," said Natasha. They woke the next day to brilliant sunshine and a light, refreshing breeze.
"Perfect Quidditch conditions!" said Wood enthusiastically at the Gryffindor table, loading the team's plates with scrambled eggs. "Natasha, buck up there, you need a decent breakfast."
Natasha had been staring down the packed Gryffindor table, wondering if the new owner of Riddle's diary was right in front of her eyes. Hermione had been urging Ron to report the robbery, but Natasha didn't like the idea. She'd have to tell a teacher all about the diary, and how many people knew why Hagrid had been expelled fifty years ago, she didn't want to be the one who brought it all up again.
As he left the Great Hall with Hermione (Ron had already finished his, a bit ago) to go and collect his Quidditch things, another very serious worry was added to Natasha's growing list. She had just set foot on the marble staircase when she heard it yet again. "Kill this time... let me rip... tear...", she shouted aloud and Hermione jumped away from her in alarm. But then Simran looked aghast at this time, "I actually heard that too."
"You heard that too? How!?", Natasha asked.
"I have absolutely no idea!", Simran said puzzled.
"Natasha! - I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!", Hermione said with an excited voice. And she sprinted away, up the stairs. "Are you going?", Natasha asked Simran.
"No I think I will leave Hermione to it. She sometimes like to work alone, doesn't she?", Simran asked.
"Yeah, that is true.", Natasha said. People were now emerging from the Great Hall behind him, talking loudly, exiting through the front doors on their way to the Quidditch pitch. "You'd better get moving," said Simran. "It's nearly eleven - the match-"
Natasha raced up to Gryffindor Tower, collected his Nimbus Two Thousand, and joined the large crowd swarming across the grounds, but her mind was still in the castle along with the bodiless voice, and as she pulled on his scarlet robes in the locker room, her only comfort was that everyone was now outside to watch the game. The teams walked onto the field to tumultuous applause. Oliver Wood took off for a warm-up flight around the goal posts; Madam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflepuffs, who played in canary yellow, were standing in a huddle, having a last-minute discussion of tactics.
Natasha was just mounting his broom when Professor McGonagall came half marching, half running across the pitch, carrying an enormous purple megaphone. Natasha's heart dropped like a stone.
"This match has been cancelled," Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone, addressing the packed stadium. There were boos and shouts. Oliver Wood, looking devastated, landed and ran toward Professor McGonagall without getting off his broomstick.
"But, Professor!" he shouted. "We've got to play - the cup - Gryffindor-"
Professor McGonagall ignored him and continued to shout through her megaphone: "All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!"
Then she lowered the megaphone and beckoned Natasha over to her. "Potter, I think you'd better come with me...". Natasha was now really worried. Had there been another attack? Was she getting framed again? But those were really ridiculous, as she had a perfect alibi unless it happened when she was on the way or out of the common room.
Natasha saw Simran detach himself from the complaining crowd; she came running up to them as they set off toward the castle. To Natasha's surprise, Professor McGonagall didn't object.
"Yes, perhaps you'd better come, too, Simran.". They were immediately joined by Ron, who was looking rather off, possibly due to the cancellation of the match. Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling about the match being cancelled; others looked worried. The three of them followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase. But they weren't taken to anybody's office this time.
"This will be a bit of a shock," said Professor McGonagall in a surprisingly gentle voice as they approached the infirmary. "There has been another attack... another double attack."
Natasha's insides did a horrible somersault. So, her suspicion was right. Professor McGonagall pushed the door open and he and Ron entered. Madam Pomfrey was bending over a fifth-year girl with long, curly hair. Natasha recognized her as the Ravenclaw she knew was dating Percy Weasley.
And on the bed next to her was- "Hermione!", Simran groaned. Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy. Natasha was close to crying out loudly. Ron was staring at Hermione in shock. Just then Simran broke out crying. She was sobbing heavily, and tears were flowing freely out of her eyes. Professor McGonagall and Ron was trying to comfort her as, even Natasha heard a small sob coming out of her. Her best female friend was lying there totally still, and unmoving. She then calmed down a little, as the Professor came to comfort even her. Even Simran had calmed down, and was looking really bad. Ron still had a shocked face, and had a single lone tear which was coming out.
"They were found near the library," said Professor McGonagall. "I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them...". She was holding up a small, circular mirror. Natasha was totally confused by this. "Why in the world was Hermione holding a mirror in a library?", she thought. By the looks of others, she knew that, they were also thinking the same.
The three of them shook their heads, both staring at Hermione. "I will escort you back to Gryffindor Tower," said Professor McGonagall heavily. "I need to address the students in any case."
"All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No student is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher. All further Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed. There will be no more evening activities.". The Gryffindors packed inside the common room listened to Professor McGonagall in silence. She rolled up the parchment from which she had been reading and said in a somewhat choked voice, "I need hardly add that I have rarely been so distressed. It is likely that the school will be closed unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught.
I would urge anyone who thinks they might know anything about them to come forward."
She climbed somewhat awkwardly out of the portrait hole, and the Gryffindors began talking immediately.
"That's two Gryffindors down, not counting a Gryffindor ghost, one Ravenclaw, and one Hufflepuff, " said the Weasley twins' friend Lee Jordan, counting on his fingers. "Haven't any of the teachers noticed that the Slytherins are all safe? Isn't it obvious all this stuff's coming from Slytherin? The Heir of Slytherin, the monster of Slytherin - why don't they just chuck all the Slytherins out?", he said.
"Because, all Slytherins are not evil.", Natasha said irritated. The whole house fight between the houses was irritating her, and she was even more worse thanks to the fact that, her bestie was in the hospital wing. The group in the hall did not respond to the comment made by her, and went on with the conversation.
Percy Weasley was sitting in a chair behind Lee, but for once he didn't seem keen to make his views heard. He was looking pale and stunned. "Percy's in shock," George told Natasha quietly. "That Ravenclaw girl - Penelope Clearwater - she's a prefect. I don't think he thought the monster would dare attack a prefect."
But Natasha was only half-listening. He didn't seem to be able to get rid of the picture of Hermione, lying on the hospital bed as though carved out of stone. And if the culprit wasn't caught soon, she was looking at a lifetime back with the Dursleys. Though they were behaving a little better, Natasha knew that she will not survive like there long. Tom Riddle had turned Hagrid in because he was faced with the prospect of a Muggle orphanage if the school closed. Natasha now knew exactly how he had felt.
"We really need to act fast.", Natasha muttered to the other two.
"What're we going to do?" said Ron and Simran quietly in Natasha's ear. "D'you think they suspect Hagrid?"
"We've got to go and talk to him," said Natasha, making up her mind. "I can't believe it's him this time, but if he set the monster loose last time he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets, and that's a start."
"But McGonagall said we've got to stay in our tower unless we're in class-"
"I think," said Natasha, more quietly still, "it's time to get my dad's old cloak out again."
Natasha had inherited just one thing from his father: a long and silvery Invisibility Cloak. It was their only chance of sneaking out of the school to visit Hagrid without anyone knowing about it. Ron refused to come, as he was really sleepy. Natasha found this really weird, as he was the one who started most of their night time adventures. They went to bed at the usual time, waited until Parvati, Lavender and the other two girls had stopped discussing the Chamber of Secrets and finally fallen asleep, then got up, dressed again, and threw the cloak over themselves.
The journey through the dark and deserted castle corridors wasn't enjoyable. Natasha, who had wandered the castle at night several times before, had never seen it so crowded after sunset. Teachers, prefects, and ghosts were marching the corridors in pairs, staring around for any unusual activity. Their Invisibility Cloak didn't stop them making any noise.
It was with relief that they reached the oak front doors and eased them open. It was a clear, starry night. They hurried toward the lit windows of Hagrid's house and pulled off the cloak only when they were right outside his front door. Seconds after they had knocked, Hagrid flung it open. They found themselves face-to-face with him aiming a crossbow at them. Fang the boarhound barked loudly behind him. "Oh," he said, lowering the weapon and staring at them. "What're you two doin' here?"
"What's that for?", said Simran, pointing at the crossbow as they stepped inside.
"Nothin'- nothin'-" Hagrid muttered. "I've bin expectin'- doesn'matter - Sit down - I'll make tea-". He hardly seemed to know what he was doing. He nearly extinguished the fire, spilling water from the kettle on it, and then smashed the teapot with a nervous jerk of his massive hand.
"Are you okay, Hagrid?", asked Natasha. "Did you hear about Hermione?"
"Oh, I heard, all righ'," said Hagrid, a slight break in his voice. He kept glancing nervously at the windows. He poured them both large mugs of boiling water (he had forgotten to add tea bags) and was just putting a slab of fruitcake on a plate when there was a loud knock on the door. Natasha knew that, they both would be in trouble if they were caught. then threw the Invisibility Cloak back over themselves and retreated into a corner. Hagrid checked that they were hidden, seized his crossbow, and flung open his door once more.
"Good evening, Hagrid."
It was Dumbledore. He entered, looking deadly serious, and was followed by a second, very odd-looking man. Natasha recognised him as Cornelius Fudge, who was the minister of magic. Natasha knew that as, she had seen the cut outs of the man from the daily prophet in Library. The minister had rumpled grey hair and an anxious expression, and was wearing a strange mixture of clothes: a pinstriped suit, a scarlet tie, a long black cloak, and pointed purple boots. Under his arm, he carried a lime-green bowler.
Natasha explained who the man was very quietly to Simran. Hagrid had gone pale and sweaty. He dropped into one of his chairs and looked from Dumbledore to Cornelius Fudge. "Bad business, Hagrid," said Fudge in rather clipped tones. "Very bad business. Had to come. Four attacks on Muggle-borns. Things've gone far enough. Ministry's got to act."
"I never," said Hagrid, looking imploringly at Dumbledore. "You know I never, Professor Dumbledore, sir-". Natasha wanted to throw her cloak, and shout the same thing at them. But she just stood there listening to the conversation.
"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence," said Dumbledore, frowning at Fudge.
"Look, Albus," said Fudge, uncomfortably. "Hagrid's records against him. Ministry's got to do something - the school governors have been in touch-"
"Yet again, Cornelius, I tell you that taking Hagrid away will not help in the slightest," said Dumbledore. His blue eyes were full of a fire Natasha had never seen before, which gave her hope that, the minister will never arrest Hagrid. "Look at it from my point of view," said Fudge, fidgeting with his bowler. "I'm under a lot of pressure. Got to be seen to be doing something. If it turns out it wasn't Hagrid, he'll be back and no more said. But I've got to take him. Got to. Wouldn't be doing my duty-"
"Take me?" said Hagrid, who was trembling. "Take me where?"
"For a short stretch, only," said Fudge, not meeting Hagrid's eyes. "Not a punishment, Hagrid, more a precaution. If someone else is caught, you'll be let out with a full apology-"
"Not Azkaban?" croaked Hagrid. Natasha knew that, Azkaban was the wizarding prison.
Before Fudge could answer, there was another loud rap on the door. Dumbledore answered it. It was Natasha's turn for an elbow in the ribs; he'd let out an audible gasp. Mr. Lucius Malfoy strode into Hagrid's hut, swathed in a long black traveling cloak, smiling a cold and satisfied smile. Fang started to growl.
"Great! Just the person I wanted to see in this situation.", Natasha thought angrily.
"Already here, Fudge," he said approvingly. "Good, good..."
"What're you doin' here?" said Hagrid furiously. "Get outta my house!"
"My dear man, please believe me, I have no pleasure at all in being inside your - er - d'you call this a house?" said Lucius Malfoy, sneering.
"I am sure it is much better than your one.", Simran said under her breath. Natasha had quietly whispered who the man was to her friend.
He looked around the small cabin. "I simply called at the school and was told that the headmaster was here."
"And what exactly did you want with me, Lucius?" said Dumbledore. He spoke politely, but the fire was still blazing in his blue eyes.
"Dreadful thing, Dumbledore," said Malfoy lazily, taking out a long roll of parchment, "but the governors feel it's time for you to step aside. This is an Order of Suspension - you'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you're losing your touch. How many attacks have there been now? Two more this afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts, and we all know what an awful loss that would be to the school."
Natasha knew that the man did not care about any of this, and was doing this only to cause more trouble to the school.
"Oh, now, see here, Lucius," said Fudge, looking alarmed, "Dumbledore suspended - no, no - last thing we want just now."
"The appointment - or suspension - of the headmaster is a matter for the governors, Fudge," said Mr. Malfoy smoothly. "And as Dumbledore has failed to stop these attacks-". Natasha nearly let out gasp. "Oh no! Please God! Don't let this happen!", Simran prayed.
"See here, Malfoy, if Dumbledore can't stop them," said Fudge, whose upper lip was sweating now, "I mean to say, who can?"
"That remains to be seen," said Mr. Malfoy with a nasty smile. "But as all twelve of us have voted— "
Hagrid leapt to his feet, his shaggy black head grazing the ceiling. "An' how many did yeh have ter threaten an' blackmail before they agreed, Malfoy, eh?" he roared.
"Dear, dear, you know, that temper of yours will lead you into trouble one of these days, Hagrid," said Mr. Malfoy. "I would advise you not to shout at the Azkaban guards like that. They won't like it at all."
"Yeh can' take Dumbledore!" yelled Hagrid, making Fang the boarhound cowers and whimper in his basket. "Take him away, an' the Muggle-borns won' stand a chance! There'll be killing' next!". Natasha had to agree with Hagrid in this, it was nearly impossible for muggleborns to survive with Dumbledore gone.
"Calm yourself, Hagrid," said Dumbledore sharply. He looked at Lucius Malfoy.
"If the governors want my removal, Lucius, I shall of course step aside-"
"But -" stuttered Fudge.
"No!" growled Hagrid.
Dumbledore had not taken his bright blue eyes off Lucius Malfoy's cold grey ones. "However," said Dumbledore, speaking very slowly and clearly so that none of them could miss a word, "you will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me... Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."
For a moment, Dumbledore turned his eye to the place where Natasha and Simran were standing under the cloak. It was as if the professor knew that, they were there.
For a second, Natasha was almost sure Dumbledore's eyes flickered toward the corner where he and Ron were hidden.
"Admirable sentiments," said Malfoy, bowing. "We shall all miss your - er - highly individual way of running things, Albus, and only hope your successor will manage to prevent any - ah - killins."
He strode to the cabin door, opened it, and bowed Dumbledore out. Fudge, fiddling with his bowler, waited for Hagrid to go ahead of him, but Hagrid stood his ground, took a deep breath, and said carefully, "If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they'd have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That'd lead em right. That's all I'm sayin'."
Natasha was getting really tired of all cryptic things the elders said. "All right, I'm comin', said Hagrid, pulling on his moleskin overcoat. But as he was about to follow Fudge through the door, he stopped again and said loudly, "An' someone'll need ter feed Fang while I'm away."
The door banged shut and Ron pulled off the Invisibility Cloak. "We're in trouble now,", Simran said hoarsely. "No Dumbledore. They might as well close the school tonight. There'll be an attack a day with him gone.". Fang started howling, scratching at the closed door.