I heard from Melody and Astoria later on that Snape had come to give an announcement right before I went and locked myself away from the world. Hogwarts was now a dangerous place, with attacks happening to whoever rounded a corner alone. My sister had been petrified in the library, a place she considered her haven.

Right after her attack, students weren't allow to move around the school without teacher supervision, so leisure time was always spent inside the common rooms under the strict eye watch of whoever your head of house was. In my case, it was none other than Severus Snape. He literally wouldn't allow anyone to leave without supervision; it was more like a prison of some sort. Not to mention that having to be locked up in the common room with the rest of my fellow Slytherins, regardless of age and year group, forced me to have to breath in the same air that Malfoy breathed out; and it disgusted me. Besides, he had been acting very weird since my little anger incident. I didn't know what had happened that caused him to react the way he did, but Matthew had. After I decided to not be angry with him anymore, he said I had turned my entire hair (not just as lock) pitch black. I guess I'm thankful that the common room was rather empty, with only Malfoy and his two thick dog guards watching. There were a few other people around, who unfortunately witnessed part of it, but they didn't bother me as much as Malfoy did. It wasn't that he had said something, other than freak during our unfortunate encounter; it was more about the way he now acted around me. He didn't call me names or sneered at me anymore. Not once had the word mudblood left his mouth to refer to me. On the contrary, he just stared.

"This is getting ridiculous." I told Matthew, after catching Malfoy for what seemed like the zillionth time. I was getting seriously tired. Was he expecting me to change any part of my body for his entertainment? The nerve of that idiot.

"I told you this was bad." He answered, not very interested but instead seriously annoyed. He constantly sounded annoyed when he talked to me. Figured it had something to do with whatever he was not telling me.

"If you don't tell me whatever it is you're not telling me, I will go over there and ask Malfoy myself." I saw how that picked his interest, since he suddenly stopped reading and focused his entire attention on me.

"I can't give you an answer."

"Merlin, stop acting like you're clueless. You know something."

"Good use of the word Merlin, I'm quite please you're starting to make yourself familiar with wizarding expressions."

I smiled, happy that he was at least proud of something that, in his eyes, I had done right. Lately, I had just managed to get him angry with me for not particular reason. I was starting to suspect that it had nothing to do with me; it was irritating how on edge he was as of late.

"Out with it, then," I forced the smile off my face, and crossed my arms. I wanted answers now.

"I don't know anything, Corinne. Not really. I just… I know it's bad."

His stare was dead serious, with only a hint of concern written on his eyes. Whatever he was trying to tell me, I wasn't getting it.

"Stop it with the mystery, already. Whatever is that supposed to mean?"

"Just some stupid rumours. Nothing you need to worry about."

"But those rumours are about me, right? Don't you think I have a right to know about them?" I was suddenly becoming desperate. It wasn't fair that people knew something about me that I didn't. I couldn't even tell people if these rumours that Matthew was talking about were true or false.

"I think you should go and visit your sister. It's almost time, Professor Snape should be here to escort you any time now." And with those last words, his attention returned to the book he had been reading; just as if the conversation had never happened.

Surprisingly enough, I didn't get angry about his lack of cooperation. Quite the contrary, he had let something on. Something about a rumour, a rumour Malfoy possibly knew about, too. Surely Malfoy wouldn't keep information from me because of my own good, they way Matthew did. I would ask him when I came back from visiting my sister.

Before following Professor Snape out of the common room, I purposely slammed Matthew's book shut. He seemed surprised about it, but I didn't wait around much to hear him complain about it. He needed to know that I was not ok with his ways of "telling" me things, if you could even call that telling.

I followed Professor Snape in silence, like I usually did. I had found that he wasn't a man of many words. Besides, he seemed to despise having to take me to see my sister. Honestly, I could go alone, but it was his duty as part of the Hogwarts staff to protect students; he might as well deal with it nicely. I know that if I had to follow students around I would at least try to make it enjoyable. I would do it my way, turn it into something I didn't hate too much. But Professor Snape was as grumpy as ever. If all Slytherins were as grumpy as Snape, Malfoy and Matthew, I wasn't so sure I wanted to be part of this house. I saw how Gryffindors were less reserved, quite loud actually. Then Hufflepuffs seemed really nice, and Ravenclaws were always up for exchange of ideas. They were friendly, openly so. I knew I was generalising, and possibly my vision of the other three houses could be wrong. I only knew a selected number of Slytherins, Melody being the only one who wasn't quiet and reserved.

"Ah, Severus." A voice said from afar, making Professor Snape turn in alarm. I would say he wasn't expecting anyone merely for the way he now had his wand out.

"Did I frighten you? My sincerest apologies, Severus." I sneaked a peek from behind Professor Snape; curious as to whom the voice belonged to. It was a woman, or so I could tell for the tone of voice. Indeed, it was a woman, and for some reason I felt like I had seen her before.

"Narcissa." Professor Snape acknowledged with a bored voice and a single nod.

"Would you be the one escorting my son? Dumbledore granted me a few minutes with him alone, seeing as my husband's taking care of some business." The woman said, an air of superiority surrounding her like a shield. She was poised, and polite. Yet her features were filled with pride, and arrogance. Something I had ever only seen on Malfoy's face.

"I'm afraid I was not informed of this, but I shall bring you your son right after I get this young lady to the Hospital Wing."

"Oh, by all means, Severus. I wouldn't like to intervene with your every day duties. You can surely understand, though, given the current situation of the school, how concerned a mother can get for her only son." The woman-Narcissa, apparently- sounded sincere. But it was hard to tell, that annoying habit of enclosed emotions was something that apparently she could do pretty well. Still, she was too composed to whole-heartedly believe she was dying to see her son, whoever he was.

Professor Snape didn't move. I was expecting him to deliver me to the Hospital Wing the moment she stopped talking, so he could go and bring this woman's son. But he didn't. He stared at her, as if trying to decipher her thoughts. Harry had mentioned it before, that he thought Snape could read minds. If anything, it was as if he was trying to do just that.

Suddenly, he turned his back on the platinum blond, towards the Dungeons and back to the Slytherin common room.

"Would it be any trouble for you, Miss Granger, if I went back for Mr. Malfoy?"

And then it all fell right into place. Of course this woman was Malfoy's mother. That was the sole reason why I had the feeling of having seen her before; what with her long, platinum blond hair, the air of superiority, her arrogance that in some wicked way looked almost elegant, Malfoy was written all over her and I hadn't even thought about it before Snape mentioned who her son was.

"No, Professor." I answered, except I was lying. Of course it was trouble. It was big trouble, undoubtedly so. We were going back to Slytherins common room, and I would have to walk with none other than Draco flipping Malfoy until he was delivered to his mother. The universe hated me, for sure.

"I will meet you with your son at the Hospital Wing, so I can escort both students back when they're done." It sounded too much of a command to give to Malfoy's mother, after all I did know that Malfoy's parents were both very powerful within the wizarding world. Snape wasn't particularly someone I liked, but I wouldn't like him getting sacked because he crossed the wrong person.

To my surprise, Malfoy's mother agreed to Snape's terms rather happily. I would have expected her not to, like Malfoy would have done. Then again, if she wanted to see her son as much as she said she wanted to, maybe she would have said yes to anything.

-L-

Walking with Malfoy and Professor Snape wasn't as bad as I would have thought. Malfoy didn't say a word to me; he didn't even look at me. I wasn't necessarily expecting him to say nasty words to me, mainly because Snape was there, but I was expecting him to look at me in a pretty mean way. The way he always does, as if I was lower than dirt. But he didn't. The moment Professor Snape called him, he stood up and followed him, no questions asked and no hateful glances at me. It bothered me more that he ignored me, and I didn't know why.

In no time we made it to the Hospital Wing. Just as she had arranged with Professor Snape, Malfoy's mother was there, talking with Madame Pomfrey. I spotted Harry and Ron by my sister's bed, and without a single glance at either Malfoy or his mother, I made my way towards my sister's best friends.

"Hey guys." I said, dragging a third chair to sit around the petrified body of my sister.

Neither replied with too much enthusiasm. More than anything they seemed extremely tired. Harry changed the flowers that I had brought her last week. I had forgotten to bring Hermione new ones, but was eternally thankful that Harry brought her new ones.

"So, I'm guessing you still don't know anything about the Chamber of Secrets?" I asked silently, making sure no one heard me, but Harry and Ron.

"It's nearly impossible without Hermione's help, honestly." Ron said, defeated.

I didn't know what to say to encourage them. It didn't occurred to me what I could do to help them. While I was smart, I wasn't nearly as bright as my sister was. She was extremely logical and analytical, but my mind just didn't work the way hers did. Besides, she knew a lot more about Hogwarts than I did. There really was no way I could help them without bringing someone like Matthew into it. Which, really, wouldn't help either. Matthew didn't know who opened the Chamber or where it was.

"What's that?" I heard Ron asked, making me focus on Harry and the wrinkled parchment on his hand.

"The reason why she was in the library the night she was attacked." Harry said, after he was done reading a few lines of the paper he was holding.

"What do you mean?" I asked, curiosity building up inside of me.

"She figured what's in the Chamber of Secrets." Harry said, his tone only a level above a whisper. A slight smile was printed on his face, clearly proud of my sister. It filled me with pride, too.

"She's bloody, brilliant, she is!" Ron exclaimed, excited. "Don't tell her I said that, though."

I couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped me. Ron was quite the character. I could see why Harry had chosen Ron instead of Draco. For starters, Malfoy's introduction was completely rude. He started being mean without a proper reason. Secondly, Malfoy was a horrible human being, while Ron was very pleasant to be around. I would have chosen Ron too, had I been Harry.

"That is all for tonight, Mr Potter." Madame Pomfrey said, crashing our little party. "You too Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger."

Harry and Ron bid their goodbyes to Hermione, promising to be back the next day. After so, they said goodnight to me, a glint of mischief imprinted on their eyes. I found myself wanting to join them really badly. Their lives were filled with adventures, while mine wasn't. I knew they were going to work on the Chamber and its mysteries, maybe even try to locate where it was. Of course, I also knew they wouldn't necessarily let me join them. Hermione would kill them. Besides, Snape was there. He wasn't going to just let me go with them.

As they walked out of the Hospital Wing, I was forced to remain there, standing awkwardly close to Professor Snape, while Malfoy and his mother said their goodbyes. It made me miss my mother a little, and to suddenly become very annoyed. It was Malfoy and his mother's fault that I got so little time to be with my sister.

"Thank you, Severus." Malfoy's mother said, a genuine smile adorning her face. She was quite a strikingly beautiful woman. "I really do hope they find the culprit of all these terrible attacks."

"As do I, Narcissa." Replied Snape coldly.

Malfoy's mother gave his son one last goodbye hug, before her blue eyes landed on me.

"Oh, and who might this be, Draco?" she asked, curiosity etched on her voice. Malfoy seemed uncomfortable.

"Granger, Mother." Malfoy answered, gritting his teeth. Oh, I hated the git too. He didn't need to fake it so much. It was mutual.

"Miss Granger…" her eyes ran through my features, now making me uncomfortable, "how very rude of me, Miss Granger. Narcissa Malfoy, a pleasure." She finally said, smiling, causing me to forget how to speak momentarily. She was being awfully nice. Surely Malfoys weren't as nice to muggle-borns, were they? Were her son and husband the only pricks?

"Pleasure's all mine, Mrs. Malfoy." I said, bowing my head slightly. I was suddenly horrified that I didn't know proper wizard etiquette. I knew muggle etiquette, but I didn't know if that applied here as well. Was I supposed to do something else other than bowing my head in respect? It stroked me as the proper thing to do, but I wouldn't really know. Did I have to smile back, or would that be considered disrespectful?

"I would like to extend an invitation to you, Miss Granger," Narcissa began, tearing me away from my moment of panic. Malfoy seemed to have gone into panic mode too, as he turned to look at his mother as though she had gone mental, "I would very much like you to consider spending the summer at Malfoy Manor."

"Mother…" Malfoy said almost too quickly. It would be hard to believe, but I definitely felt the same way Malfoy was feeling right now. Panicked. In disbelief. Slightly horrified again for my lack of wizarding etiquette. I definitely felt as though the Malfoy lady had gone mental, for sure. I would agree with Malfoy there.

"Now, don't be rude, Draco." Narcissa said, shooting her son a deadly look. Malfoy composed himself almost immediately, but he still looked very displeased. Not that I was too pleased, either. "Well, then?" this time her tone wasn't as sweet as before, and it scared me slightly. I had no respect for her son, but I definitely had some for her.

"P-pardon me?" I managed to choke out.

"You heard her, Granger. If you'd like to spend the summer with the Malfoys." Malfoy spat, slightly pissed off but still fairly composed for his mother's sake. The tone of his voice gained him another warning look from Narcissa, which made me feel victorious in some way.

"Oh, I- I wouldn't like to intrude, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Nonsense, Miss Granger, It'll be our pleasure," her eyes wander back to Malfoy, "Will it not, Draco?"

"Yes." He stated simply, but his eyes said a completely different story. It was obvious it wouldn't be his pleasure.

Narcissa smiled sweetly at me, waiting for my answer. Malfoy's cold, grey orbs were on me too, expecting me to recline the offer. Seeing Malfoy's annoyed expression, and warning eyes, I suddenly wanted to go. Not because I was fond of the Malfoys or anything (I so wasn't), but because I wanted to annoy him. I wanted to have to force him to be nice with me, because if he wasn't he would get in trouble.

"That'll be lovely, Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you very much." I answered, directing a smug smile in Malfoy's direction.

"No trouble at all, dear. I shall see you soon, then." With that said, Malfoy's mother nodded courteously towards Professor Snape and left the Hospital Wing with the same air of arrogance and superiority that Malfoy walked around with.

-L-

Professor Snape was asked, rather urgently, to follow Professor McGonagall immediately right in the middle of our return to the common room. He didn't have time to get Malfoy or me back to the Slytherin common room, so we were forced to accompany him. Professor McGonagall was not happy about it, but she agreed that whatever Professor Snape was needed for was very important. And it was important, and it scared me, and I didn't even realised that I started to cry.