A/N: Right, well. We're really getting into the story now. I know things seem to happen rather fast, but bear in mind that we don't know how much time has elapsed between letters. I'd really like to know what you think of this chapter, and how I've orchestrated everything. OK, I just realised that the tool I used on Word to cross out a section of text isn't working, but it's kind of important, so I'll explain it now. When you see a whole lot of "=" signs in the last letter, it means those words have been crossed out, but are still just legible. Sorry, it never occured to me that the tool wouldn't work, so I had to make do. Anyway, a big thanks for the reviews! They really make my day! Enjoy!
Chapter Seven
Dear Gin,
How's it going? I know we only left three days ago, but I thought you still might like to hear from us. Unless, of course, you were glad to get back to your peace and quiet without us to annoy you! Well, if that is the case, then I guess I can't tell you about the new duelling club that prat, Lockhart, has started up. Mind you, I don't think it will be going for much longer after what happened last night. It was a total disaster! First of all, the guy can't teach to save his life, and Snape of all people was helping him out. I tell you, if Snape had been looking at me the way he was Lockhart, I would have been running in the opposite direction as fast as my legs could carry me. Anyway, Lockhart decided to show us the Expeliarmus charm (which disarms your opponent) and Snape, of course, chose Malfoy and me to demonstrate. Lockhart tried to show me how to do the spell, but the git dropped his wand halfway through and then just left me on my own. Snape whispered something in Malfoy's ear, and next thing I know, I'm facing a dirty great snake. By the way, did I mention that I'm a parselmouth? 'Cause apparently I am. I hadn't even realised I was doing it, but Ron and 'Mione said I was hissing at the snake, when all I said was for it to back off. Weird, eh? So now the whole school thinks I'm some sort of dark wizard, which is absolutely smashing. Seriously, Gin, sometimes I think I would have been better off staying home with you.
But enough about that. How are you going? You know you can write to us about anything that's bothering you, right?
Well, I better go, but I hope you can come to our Quidditch match next week. I can't wait to see you there!
Harry (and Ron and Hermione)
**~**
Dear Harry (and Ron and Hermione),
First off, Potter (and I mean the male one), you're beginning to sound like my mother. Look, I know you guys are there for me, but I'm fine, honest. And what's this about being a parselmouth? Geesh, Harry, you sure know how to make a name for yourself. For all of your sakes, I hope Lockhart doesn't continue this duelling club, as it seems to be more drama than it's worth. Why would you want to spend extra time with Snape voluntarily? Although if the last one's anything to go by, it does make for interesting letter material. Harry, don't worry about what the school thinks, they'll come around eventually, and I'm guessing it'll be about the same time as when you win the match for Gryffindor!
Right, I've got to go now, but I'll see all of you guys at the match!
Love,
Ginny
**~**
Dear Tom,
I'm finally going to Hogwarts! Obviously, not for good, but I am going to see Harry's Quidditch match. Oh, I can't wait! Only one more day!
Love Ginny
**~**
Dear Ginny,
You are going to take me with you, aren't you Ginny? After all, I'd hate to be left here, all on my own. Who knows what could happen?
Your friend,
Tom
**~**
Dear Ginny,
I still can't believe everything that happened yesterday! I just can't believe that Justin and Nearly Headless Nick were petrified! What could have done that? I thought Hogwarts was supposed to be the safest place in Britain! And that message! At first I thought it was written in blood, but even when I realised it was only a spell, I was still terrified. What are Dad and everyone saying about it over there? It was lucky everything happened when they just so happened to be there, because at least they should have some idea of what's going on.
It was so good to see you, though! I know it's only been a few weeks since Christmas, but I felt like I hadn't seen you in ages! Are you sure you're alright though, Gin? You looked very pale. Are you coming down with something?
Oh, I almost forgot! After you left us in the common room to go save some seats at the game, Harry, Ron and I were walking down to the pitch when Harry started hearing this voice. Neither Ron, nor I could hear it, but Harry was sure that it was real. It kept saying "Kill, Kill, I want blood" or something like that. Harry's convinced it's linked to this whole Chamber of Secrets thing. We didn't get a chance to tell you, because it was just after that that we heard the screams when everyone found Justin and Nick, outside that bathroom. And you know how crazy things got then. Harry's in a right state, because after the Parseltongue thing, everyone's convinced that he's the "Heir of Slytherin" that the message spoke of. Even though I've told him that it's impossible, since everyone in our family has been in Gryffindor as far back as we can remember. Even so, he refuses to tell Dumbledore about the voice, and he wants you to promise not to say anything to our parents or anyone back home. I'm still not sure I agree with that, as it could be important, but for now, I guess I'll just have to respect his wishes.
Anyway, I'm sorry this letter has been so depressing, but I just had to get all of that stuff off my chest. Right back soon, and hopefully we'll all be in a better mood by then.
Love,
Hermione
**~**
Dear Tom,
I'm really getting scared, Tom. I can't remember hardly anything about what happened at Hogwarts except meeting up with Harry, Hermione and Ron, and them giving me a tour of the Common Room. After that, it's all blank. What's happening? I'm thinking about telling Mum and Dad, because I really don't know what's going on.
Please help,
Love Ginny
**~**
Dear Ginny,
There's no need to go to your parents. You're just experiencing a perfectly natural reaction to a traumatising event. It's just the shock, so there's no need to worry your parents when they've already got so much else on their minds. After all, you wouldn't want to be a nuisance, would you Ginny? Don't worry, I'd tell you if I thought there was anything wrong. Just calm down and forget about everything that happened. You're safe here, Ginny. Nothing can hurt you while I'm around.
Your friend,
Tom
**~**
Dear Harry,
Hermione told me all about the voice you heard, and I promise not to tell anyone about it, if you promise to return the favour about what I'm about to tell you. Harry, something really weird is going on. I can't remember... things. I don't know; it's hard to explain. I've just been waking up feeling really weird, like there's something that's happened that I need to remember, but no matter how hard I try, it won't come. And the scary thing is, I think it has something to do with what happened at Hogwarts. I just, I feel... guilty, and I have no idea why. Please, don't tell Ron or Hermione about this. As much as I love him, Ron would get all over-protective and run straight to Mum and Dad, and I don't want to worry them, or Hermione, because you know she'd get all anxious. It's probably nothing, anyway. The shock, or something. But, I just don't feel right. Not sick, exactly, but... anyway, never mind about that. I found out something you might find interesting, though I'm not sure I believe it. Oh, and you can tell Ron and Hermione this part as well.
I overheard everyone talking last night, and apparently the Ministry's main suspect for the Chamber of Secrets thing is Hagrid. I know, Hagrid would never hurt a fly, but you know how he was expelled in his third year and no one would tell us why? According to your dad, the Chamber of Secrets was opened once before, fifty years ago, and a girl died. Her name was Myrtle, or something. The chamber is supposed to be home to a monster, and Hagrid was looking after a monster in the castle. So everyone blamed him, and Dumbledore was forced to expel him. I'm not sure what I think, really. I mean, I could see Hagrid sneaking a monster into the castle, but that doesn't mean it was the same monster that lives in the Chamber. And if it's opened again, it can't be Hagrid, because he would never do something like this. But Harry, the Ministry's going to arrest him anyway. Your mum said Hagrid had to be innocent, but Sirius reckons that Lucius Malfoy is leaning on the board to make them make a decision, so it at least looks like they're doing something. And Hagrid is their best target.
I wish I could be with you guys, even if there is a dangerous monster running around. At least then I'd know you were all safe. I want to be there so badly! And Harry, don't worry about anyone calling you the heir, there's no way possible you could do anything like that, and not just because your entire family has been in Gryffindor for centuries.
Keep me updated on everything that happens over there, and I'll let you know what I overhear.
Love,
Ginny
**~**
Dear Gin,
Alright I've got a bit of news to tell you, but first off, are you sure you're alright? Are you still feeling...not right? If so, I really think you should let your parents know. I know they've got a lot on their plate and you don't want to worry them, and you're probably going to call me a hypocrite, but if you are really worried, they'll always listen to you. If you don't want to go to them, I'd suggest Bill or Charlie. They're old enough to know what to do, but won't freak out or anything.
Anyway, back to the news. First off, we've had a suspicion ever since this started that Malfoy's behind it, so Hermione decided to (deep breath here, because you're never going to believe our upstanding, law-abiding Hermione would ever do something so ridiculously illegal) brew pollyjuice potion to change us into Malfoy's lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle. I know, unbelievable, right? But the potion took forever to make, and we only finished it a couple of days ago, right before your letter arrived. So the night before I got your letter, Ron and I were sneaking into the Slytherin Common Room, disguised as two overweight, mentally impaired blobs. Nice picture, eh? 'Mione would have come too, but she made a small mistake with her potion, and accidentally ended up turned into a kind of cat/human hybrid. Needless to say, she was not happy. Ron took a picture and I'm sure he'll show it to you next time we see you (assuming 'Mione hasn't burned it first). Anyway, long story short, Malfoy's not the heir, and has no idea who is. After we got your letter though, we decided we had to go and talk to Hagrid. We took the invisibility cloak, which was lucky, 'cause the Ministry turned up to take him while we were there, and we had to hide. But he did manage to tell us that he wasn't the culprit, and the monster he was keeping (which was an Acromantula if you can believe it; Ron nearly had a fit) is named Aragog, lives in the forest, and supposedly holds the answers to all our questions. Great! And now Dumbledore's gone, too. But you've probably heard about that already.
So Ron and I (Hermione was still in the Hospital Wing being de-catified) went into the forest to find him. Not the best idea. We only just escaped, because Aragog apparently found us very appetising. Hagrid is mad, I tell you. But now we know that Hagrid is definitely innocent, and the monster is something spiders, even giant ones like Aragog, are terrified to speak of. Just fantastic, really.
Anyway, the Quidditch re-match is next week, and I wrote to Dad and he's promised to bring you along. So we'll see you then.
Harry
**~**
Dear Tom,
I'm going back to Hogwarts! They've re-scheduled the Quidditch match that was cancelled, and the Potter's are going to take me. I really can't wait! The game is tomorrow, and I really just want to see my friends again. It's so lonely being here on my own. Particularly since I'm still having these really weird dreams. How did you manage to do that before, anyway? When you drew me into that memory? But you're right, it was fun to see what you look like. It's weird, though. Now that I know what you look like, I could have sworn you were in some of those dreams. I guess my mind is just playing tricks on me again. Anyway, I can hear mum calling me for dinner, so I'll talk to you latter.
Love,
Ginny
**~**
Dear Ginny,
I think the reason I've been able to show you my memories is because I feel so close to you. It's almost like you're giving me strength. You are taking me with you to Hogwarts, right? Even though I can't see it, just being there makes me feel so much closer to my memories, and to you.
Your friend,
Tom
**~**
Oh, Tom! I feel terrible! Hermione's been petrified. There must be some link to the attacks and Quidditch, because they only seem to happen when the games are on. Or maybe just Gryffindor Quidditch, because the other games have been alright. Do you think the Heir just wants to stop them from playing? No, that just seems too petty.
I hate seeing Hermione lying in the hospital wing. And I thought the monster was only supposed to go after muggleborns? Hermione is a pureblood, but she was with a muggleborn prefect, Penelope Clearwater, when they were both petrified. It was the weirdest thing. We were all sitting in the Great Hall before the game, talking about the attacks, when Hermione just jumps out of her seat yelling "That's it!" and running off. And then she was found just outside the library, with a mirror of all things. Hermione's the least vain person I know, so I have no idea why she'd have a mirror.
I hate seeing everyone so depressed. She's going to be alright once Madam Pomfrey does something to the mandrakes, but I've never seen Harry or Ron so... despondent. And Lily was a mess. Mum and Katie were doing their best to comfort her, but they're both so upset as well, that it's not really working. And James, Sirius and Remus were all just sitting there with their heads in their hands. It's bad enough seeing 'Mione so lifeless, but I hate watching everyone else suffer as well.
And Tom, I still can't remember anything between Hermione leaving and then going to the Hospital Wing. Harry says I excused myself to go the bathroom just after she went, but I have absolutely no memory of it. I guess it could just be shock, but I'm really starting to get scared. I think I might even have something to do with the attacks. I haven't told anyone yet, not even Bill and Charlie, because it just sounds so stupid when I write it in a letter. And Mum and Dad are the only ones here, and they're totally numb at the moment. They both think of Hermione as a daughter. What do you think?
**~**
Dear Ginny,
Maybe you are behind the attacks. After all, you were there when they both happened, and you have no idea what you were doing at the time. I think you need to organise to go back to Hogwarts, Ginny. Dumbledore is the only one who can help you now. You're killing your friends, Ginevra. Who could do such a thing? You're even repressing the memories just so you won't feel guilty. Or maybe it's part of a plan to gain their trust before you kill everyone at Hogwarts?
You can't hide from yourself, Ginevra, and your inner self is obviously a blood thirsty monster. No one can save you. Go to Hogwarts, Ginevra. Dumbledore is the only chance you have. Unless you want all of your little friends to die. And you can't tell anyone. They'll lock you up, and you'll never have the chance to change. Not that you can change. I saw what you did. I've been in your pocket the whole time, but there was nothing I could do to stop you. You are a terrible, terrible, person, Ginevra. You did it all. If you don't believe me, I'll show you!
**~**
No! I didn't mean to do it. I can't have done it, Tom, no matter what your memories show. I don't want to kill Muggleborns, and I'd never hurt Hermione. She's like my sister! You've got it wrong. I have to tell someone. And if it was true, why didn't you tell me last time? Why are you telling me now? You're lying. I'm-I'm going to tell my parents. I have to tell them everything.
**~**
Now, now, Ginevra. I can't have you running off and ruining my plans. I just thought you should know exactly what you have done to the world. Because I'm strong now, Ginevra. And you won't tell anyone if I don't want you to.
**~**
Dear Gin,
Mum said you wanted to come to Hogwarts tomorrow, but I thought I'd send this anyway, in case you change your mind. Harry and I were just visiting Hermione when we found a note in her hand. And Gin, we've discovered what the monster is, and how it's getting around the school. Or rather, Hermione did. That girl is a bloody genius, I swear! The note was a page from a text book talking about basilisks, and she'd written the word "pipes" down the bottom. It all fits! The monster is a basilisk. That's why people were petrified, and the spiders were scared, and even why Harry was the only one who can hear it's voice! It's a snake, so it was speaking parseltongue. And it's been going through the pipes. That's why no one's seen a dirty great snake running around the school. Harry reckons Hermione must have warned that Clearwater girl to check around corners with a mirror first, so they didn't catch it's eyes, and that's why they had that mirror.
Anyway, I'll see you when you come visit 'Mione.
Ron
**~**
Dear Harry,
There's something I have to tell you. I – I'm – I can't – I think – I'm coming to Hogwarts today =b=u=t=I=d=o=n='t=w=a=n=t=t=o= I'm coming to visit Hermione. Harry, I can't speak now, =h=e=w=o=n='t=l=e=t=m=e= Mum's calling me for breakfast. Please meet me in =D=u=m=b=l=e=d=o=r=e='s=o=f=f=i=c=e= the Hospital Wing. Don't let me go without telling you. =I=t='s=d=a=n=g=e=r=o=u=s=. You can't leave me alone, =I=m=i=g=h=t= I miss you guys so much. You have to take me to Dumbledore's office. It's important! =T=e=l=l=h=i=m= Although students probably aren't allowed in there, so never mind. I ,– Don't -
Ginny