Year 5, Chapter 9:

Ah, the beginning of a new school year. Tom could hardly wait to return to the castle. He had newfound power as a prefect (though quite honestly it paled in comparison to the power he already commanded), and a new found confidence that this would indeed be the year he happened upon the chamber of secrets.

He was itching with excitement as he stepped through platform 9 and ¾. Nicole entered a few minutes before him. He spotted her conversing with a mountainous looking boy. The bothersome blonde Helen was standing beside her, tapping her foot impatiently, looking at the boy with obvious disdain. He got just close enough to overhear their conversation.

"I hear there are a great many things in the Forbidden Forest, admittedly I've never heard of werewolves running rampant there, Rubeus, that sounds a bit farfetched," Nicole replied to the boy's unknown statement.

"All I'm sayin' is, there's somethin' 'bout the place that's funny. Wouldn't go messin' round if I was you," Rubeus shrugged.

"Right well, better get a seat then," Helen interrupted, obviously not wishing to be associated with the living mound.

"Oh fine then," Nicole sighed, "Bye then Rubeus, see you at Hogwarts!" She cried, as Helen clung to her wrist, looking slightly embarrassed.

Why on Earth would Nicole be conversing with Rubeus Hagrid? Tom thought this to be very odd, and a bit out of character. He'd have to remember to ask her about the situation at a later date.

He was literally fighting to remain still, and ate his food incredibly quickly at the welcome back feast. It was as everyone was heading up to their dormitories he realized he had no new leads.

No matter, no matter. He would just for to the library, it's as good a place to start as any. Though it might be rather suspicious…

But he wouldn't stand for putting off his research of the chamber any longer. He'd just have to go under the pretense that he was looking for a good book. That would be perfectly acceptable, as long as Dumbledore was no where to be found.

As he had expected the library appeared to be empty, save for the librarian, and a Ravenclaw seventh year with long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail who looked as though he was meditating. There was no sign of Nicole, though he knew that she too likely retired to her dormitory.

Right then, where to start? He gave a sigh, deciding to check out Bathilda Bagshot's newly published Hogwarts, A History book, but had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't find anything useful.

"You're right you know." Tom looked over at the long blonde haired seventh year, who had opened his eyes, still in a meditative position.

"What?" asked Tom, confused by the boy and his words.

"You won't find what you're looking for, not in there anyways," the boy gestured towards the book Tom held in his hands.

Tom stared at the boy, utterly bewildered. "And how do you know what exactly I'm looking for?"

The boy stretched out his arms and legs, and gave out a yawn. He got to his feet, brushing off what appeared to be crumbs on his robes. "Not the most discreet, are you?"

Tom raised a brow, unsure what to think of the boy. "What do you mean?"

"I'm Benny, Benny Wright," he took out his hand, and Tom looked down at it with distrust. There was a moment of silence between them. "Well if you'd rather be rude," Benny stated, withdrawing his hand. "Anyways, if you must know why I know what you didn't think anyone else knew… besides Nicole of course, the reason is simple: Kanker told me."

Tom looked at him stunned. "Who is Kanker?"

"Old house elf, a bit more distinguished than most. Has liver spots, four teeth," the boy thought for a moment, scratching his head. "No make that three, and a chunk taken out of his left ear. Bugger won't ever tell me how he'd gotten it."

"How is it you know this Kanker?" Tom asked, while trying to recall such a creature in the kitchens before, they all seemed to look the same to him.

Benny looked at him as though he were mad. "Nicking stuff from the kitchens of course!" He spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "How'd ya think Nicole found out about 'em, eh? Just decided to tickle a pear out of shear boredom? And she said you were intelligent!"

Tom glared at him, angered deeply by this so called 'Benny's' words. "How do you know Nicole?"

Benny nodded. "Her mother is, well was a good friend of my family."

"I see," Tom nodded, knowing there was more.

"Partially why I'm here tonight."

"What are you talking about?

"A business man, eh? Knows what he wants. I can respect that," Benny looked around, seeing the librarian in the distance preoccupying herself with a vast array of papers. "Best talk in a place more quiet then," he slipped a piece of paper into Tom's coat pocket.

Tom didn't like being touched, "We're quite alone enough aren't we?"

Benny smiled, pointing to the librarian. "Ears like a bat that one." With this the woman turned, giving a fierce glare. Benny continued, "Meant that to be a compliment!" He insisted. "Anyways, meet where it says on the parchment, eight o'clock tomorrow morning, before classes," He bowed his head slightly, exiting the library. Tom couldn't help but notice how he walked, sluggish really, as if he were still half asleep.

"What is it with meeting people everywhere," he mumbled. He too went to leave the library.

"Put it back," the librarian stated firmly. Tom turned, to see the book still in his hands.

"Yes ma'am," he replied gritting his teeth.