A Different Beginning
Chamber of Secrets Part 2
Harry was on his way to Herbology with Ron, Neville and Hermione, when he saw Gilderoy Lockheart stroll up.
"Harry my boy, how are you?" he asked.
"Fine," Harry answered.
"I look forward to seeing you in class today," Lockheart said, and smiled, almost blinding Harry with his large white teeth. He strode off, leaving a scowling Harry behind.
"Greenhouse three, today," Professor Sprout told the group of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. The students exchanged glances, Greenhouse 3 was filled with more interesting and dangerous plants. Upon entering, Harry noticed a long bench with earmuffs scattered around.
"Ok class, listen up," Professor Sprout called, "Can anyone tell me what a mandrake is?" Hermione's hand shot up instantly. Harry noticed Neville had also put his hand up.
"Longbottom," Professor Sprout said.
"It can be used to return people to their original state," Neville answered.
"Correct, 5 points to Gryffindor, can someone else tell me why it can also be deadly? Granger."
"Their cry is fatal to anyone who hears it," Hermione stated.
"Correct, 5 more points to Gryffindor. Now, today we will be potting these baby Mandrakes. Their cry won't kill you, they would only knock you out. Please put on your earmuffs." Everyone grabbed one and put them on. Instantly, all sound was blocked. Professor Sprout put on a pair of earmuffs. She grabbed one of the tufty plants on the table, and pulled. A muddy baby emerged, and was crying as loud as it could. Professor Sprout pulled out a large pot, and stuck it in it. After covering it with soil, the sound disappeared. Professor Sprout took her earmuffs off.
"That is how you do it. Please do the same until I call for your attention when you can pack up," she explained. Harry got to work, grabbing pots from a table.
"Hi, I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley," a curly haired Hufflepuff boy said, "You're Harry Potter, everyone knows that. Hermione Granger, top of everything, and Ron Weasley, the big eater." Harry shook his hand, and glanced at Ron, who shrugged.
"I hope Defense Against the Dark Arts is as good as people say it will be, with Gilderoy Lockheart as a teacher," Justin said. Harry scowled at Lockheart's name, he had a feeling Lockheart wasn't all that great.
By the time Harry was on his way to Transfiguration, he was sweat and covered in earth. The mandrakes were harder work than Professor Sprout made it seem. Harry found that during Transfiguration, all he learned seemed to leave him during the summer. By the end of class, only Hermione had been able to transfigure a beetle into a button. The lunch bell sounded like heaven. Harry entered the Great Hall, and took his usual seat next to Ron, who somehow was already eating. Hermione sat across from them, and glared at Ron.
"What?" he asked.
"Do you ever stop eating?" she questioned.
"I'm a growing boy," Ron defended. Harry soon tuned out their fight, and started eating himself. He found himself drawn back to reality when Ginny plopped down across from him.
"Hey Gin, how're classes?" he asked.
"Lockheart is horrible," Ginny complained, "He spent all class talking about how wonderful he is, and gives us a quiz. How are we supposed to know secret ambition?"
" It's to rid the world of evil and market his own line of hair-care products," Hermione said idly, flipping the page of her book. Ginny looked at her like she was crazy, and turned back to Harry.
"Anyways, how are your classes?"
"Never go to Herbology when Professor Sprout want to plant mandrakes," he groaned.
"That bad?" Ginny asked.
"They bit me, struggled, and got earth all over me," Harry replied.
"You poor boy," Ginny laughed. Once they finished eating, the four went outside and sat down on a bench in the courtyard. Hermione read her book, while Ron, Harry and Ginny talked about Quidditch. Harry looked up and saw Colin Creevy staring at him.
"Hiya Harry, I'm Colin Creevy," he said.
"Hi Colin," Harry replied.
"Can I have a picture?" Colin asked, holding up his camera.
"Uh, sure," Harry stammered. Ginny and Ron were failing at trying not to laugh.
"Since I'm muggleborn, my dad couldn't believe it when I got my letter. I plan on sending him lots of pictures, and I heard some of them ever move!" Colin rushed on, "Do you think you could sign it as well?"
"Hey look everyone, Scarhead is giving away signed photos," Malfoy drawled, walking over, with Crabbe and Goyle by his side. People around the courtyard looked up and some walked over to see what was happening.
"No I'm not, get out of here Malfoy," Harry growled.
"I think you're jealous," Colin piped up.
Malfoy sneered at him, "Why would I be jealous of having some ugly scar on my head?" Crabbe and Goyle sniggered, and Colin went red.
"Malfoy, get out of here," Ron said, raising his wand.
"Ron, sit down," Hermione hissed. Just then, Gilderoy Lockheart strolled by.
"Signing photos, eh Harry," he grinned, "Come here, MR. Creevy, take one of the both of us, and we'll both sign it." Harry groaned, and smiled weakly. He saw Malfoy smirk in the back of the crowd. After Colin took the photo, Harry grabbed his things and raced off, avoiding Lockheart by any means.
"Harry," Ginny called, chasing after him. She rounded the corner only to find Harry was nowhere to be seen. Sighing, she took out her mirror, and whispered "Harry Potter" into it. A second later, an angry Harry appeared.
"Where are you?" Ginny asked.
"Turn around," Harry replied. Ginny turned and saw Harry.
"You know, it's not that bad," she said.
"It's just Malfoy," Harry replied, "I didn't mind Colin, but Malfoy making a big deal of it makes me so angry. I don't want this fame, I just want to be Harry." Ginny sighed, and pulled him into a hug.
"Harry, as long as you stay grounded, don't let yourself become so enwrapped with fame, you'll always be just Harry," she told him. He smiled at her, and pulled away.
"Thanks Gin," he murmured, and took off for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
It turned out Ginny was right about how horrible DADA was. They took a quiz that only Hermione got full marks on. Harry still didn't know how the hell Hermione knew all the answers. Lockheart brought out pixies, and released them. He tried a spell to control them, but it didn't work. In the end, Hermione, Ron, Harry and Neville were left to gather them up. Hermione saved them, by freezing the pixies. So far, the day wasn't going as well as it could've, and Harry realized the only highlight of the day was when he was with Ginny.
"Potter." Harry looked up to see Oliver Wood walking towards him. A few days had gone by, and Harry was constantly avoiding Lockheart.
"Quidditch practice today, be ready," Wood said, and walked away. Harry groaned, and walked down to the common room. He saw Ginny and Colin talking by the fire, so he sat down by them.
"Hey," Ginny greeted. Colin looked starstruck.
"Wow," he breathed, "The Harry Potter is sitting with me!"
"Colin," Ginny said sharply, "Remember what I talked to you about in Potions?"
"Yeah," Colin looked down.
"You were talking in potions?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, is it a crime?" Ginny questioned.
"Nothing, it's just whenever Snape sees me, he goes all 'I hate Harry Potter'," Harry replied.
"What?" Colin pipped up, "He's respectful towards Ginny, never took away points or anything." Harry looked gobsmacked at her.
"What?" Ginny wondered, confused.
"Snape hates Gryffindors, all Gryffindors," Harry said.
"Well he likes me," Ginny replied.
"He hates all Gryffindors," Harry repeated slowly.
"Don't you have quidditch?" Ginny asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah," Harry moaned, "You don't know Wood, he trains you intensely hard."
"How about me and Colin coming with you, for moral support?" Ginny suggested. Harry shrugged, and went upstairs to grab his broom.
"Colin, Harry doesn't like all the attention, do you think you could act normal around him?" Ginny said, turning to Colin.
"Sure, I guess I understand better now anyways," Colin replied.
"Thanks," Ginny smiled, "It means a lot to Harry."
Hermione and Ron joined Harry, Colin and Ginny as they walked down towards the Quiditch pitch. Colin left his camera behind in case someone stole any pictures he might've taken. Down at the pitch, everyone was up in the air, and Harry could see the quaffle being tossed around.
"Harry, get up here," Wood yelled down, "You missed the lecture."
"Lucky," Fred muttered.
"Yeah, but now he'll be lost throughout practice," George replied.
"I've changed my mind, everyone down now," Wood called, and flew down to where Harry was.
"What is it now?" Alicia Spinnet, chaser, asked.
"I'm going to explain Play #5 to you all, I think we should start with that," Wood told them. Everyone groaned, knowing how Wood was when it came to Quidditch. However, before Wood could start talking, the Slytherin Quidditch Team walks onto the pitch.
"Oi! Flint," Wood called at the captain, "We have the pitch today."
"Too bad, we got permission from Professor Snape," Flint replied, "To train our new seeker."
"You got a new seeker, who?" Wood inquired. Harry gasped as Malfoy stepped out.
"That's not al that's new, Potter," Malfoy smirked.
"Those are Nimbus 2001's," Ron gasped, "How did you get those?"
"A gift from Draco's father," Flint answered.
"Well at least no one had to buy their way onto the team for Gryffindor," Hermione pointed out, "They all go on through pure talent."
"Don't you dare talk to me," Malfoy hissed, "You filthy little mudblood." Harry, Ron, Neville, Fred and George all had to be held back from the rest of the team.
"Malfoy," Harry roared. He quickly pulled out his wand, but before he could do anything, a flash of yellow light shot past him. Malfoy was on the ground, and giant bat bogeys were flying out of his nose.
"No one insults one of my friends freely and gets away with it," Ginny said calmly, "Now will you please let the Gryffindor team practice, seeing as they got here first, and your seeker is currently unable to move."
"I suggest you leave," Harry smirked, "No one wants an angry redhead Weasley after them, especially when their Weasley women."
"This isn't over, Weaslette," Malfoy spluttered out, and ran back up towards the castle, followed by the entire quidditch team.
"It is when I tell Professor Dumbledore what you were doing on the third floor corridor," Ginny yelled after him.
"Wow Gin, that was brilliant," Harry complimented.
"Remind me to never make you angry," Ron breathed.
"What do you have on Malfoy?" Fred asked.
"My secret," Ginny responded.
"Can we get back to practice?" Wood asked impatiently.
"The sooner you're done, the sooner me and Harry can hang out," Ginny pointed out. Harry got the message, and flew up into the air.
"Thanks for defending me," Hermione said.
"No problem," Ginny brushed it off.
"You cold get into loads of trouble, dueling is not permitted," Hermione warned.
"So, I'll get a detention, if I leave Hogwarts, I leave Hogwarts," Ginny replied, "I don't like it when people think their so much better than others because of silly reasons like blood status, or being older." The last part she stared pointedly at Ron, Fred and George.
"Admirable," Hermione noticed, "So you don't like being the youngest?"
"I don't mind it, but it gets annoying, when my brothers treat me like a baby is when I lose it," Ginny said.
"You know, I'm an only child," Hermione started, "I've always wanted a sibling…"
"If you're asking to be my older sister that treats me like an equal, I'll accept," Ginny grinned.
"What else would I want?" Hermione smiled, "Where did you learn that hex?"
"Bill taught me," Ginny answered, "He told me to use it whenever I felt threatened. Whenever I do use it, the power is sometimes multiplied."
"I've heard of witches and wizards having specialty spells, that work best for them," Hermione said.
"Yeah, I guess the Bat Boogey Hex is my specialty," Ginny smirked, "It certainly is useful." Ginny and Hermione spent the rest of Quidditch practice getting to know each other better, and by the time Harry emerged from the changing rooms, they were practically sisters. Ron, Neville and Colin were talking about different strategies for Quidditch as the five of them walked up back to the castle to eat lunch.
"Hey Gin," Harry put an arm around her shoulders, "Can you help me with my potions essay?"
"Harry, I'm a year younger than you, how am I supposed to help?" Ginny asked.
"Simple," Harry smirked, "Snape likes you."
"Impossible," Ron stated, "Snape hates Gryffindors."
"Not me," Ginny replied, "He gives me full marks when I deserve them, and treats me equally."
"I wonder why," Hermione said, "He doesn't seem to like any of the other Weasleys. Do you look like anyone Professor Snape would treat respectfully?"
"Not that I know of, this is Snape we're talking about," Ginny pointed out.
"Well, let's just hope it keeps up and Gryffindor gets points from him," Harry declared.
"He hasn't been giving you points?" Ginny asked, shocked, "He once gave me 10 points for adding asking if a bezoar would be in the supplies closet."
Harry's mouth dropped, "He took ten points away for suggesting that."
"He said it was something about smart like L," Ginny replied, "Well, he made an 'L' sound, but I never found out who L was."
"So are you any good at potions?" Hermione asked.
"Uh, yeah, I understand everything, and I'm able to get at least Exceeds Expectations on all of my work, never below an Acceptable," Ginny replied. Shaking his head, Harry sat down. He grabbed some food, and started eating almost instantly.
"At least you're not like Ron," Ginny sighed, "Sometimes I wonder if he knows the difference between a mouth and a vacuum." Hermione nodded in agreement, and looked at Ron.
"So what are we going to do today?" Harry asked.
"Miss Weasley, come with me please," Professor McGonagall strode over. Ginny looked nervous, and glanced at Harry.
"Professor, she didn't do anything wrong," Harry protested.
"It is none of your concern Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said sharply, "Miss Weasley, if you would." Ginny sighed, and got up.
"Bring you stuff," Professor McGonagall said.
"I'll be fine, bye," Ginny said quickly, and walked off.
"I hope she's going to be ok," Harry said quietly.
"Come on, we can't worry about that now," Hermione told him, but sounded worried herself.
"Let's go back to the common room," Neville suggested. Nodding, Harry got up, not feeling hungry anymore. Ron started to protest, but one look from Hermione shut him up. In the common room, Harry was able to relax by playing chess with Neville, and then going back to his potions essay. He found himself half asleep, even though it was only around 8:000 PM. Ginny finally entered the common room. Harry rushed over to her.
"Hey, how was it?" he asked. Ginny opened her mouth to reply, but Ron and Hermione raced by, catching Harry's attention.
"Talk later," Harry said, and raced after them. Ginny sat down, hurt and confused. Harry never let anyone get in the way of being with her.
"Hey Ginny," Colin said, sitting down next to her, "How'd it go?"
"Fine, McGonagall listened to my whole story, and ended up giving me a lecture of how not to duel inside," Ginny told him, "Me, being me, just had to point out that we were on the quidditch pitch."
"Wow," Neville chuckled, "I would never do that."
"Then she praised me," Ginny laughed, "Said something about being brave little Gryffindor."
"Really?" Colin asked.
"No," Ginny sighed, "I got 50 points taken away, then she gave me 10 for sticking up to for my friends, and let me go."
"What is up with you and teachers falling at your feet?" Neville wondered.
"I honestly don't know," Ginny replied, "I don't mind it, but I know not to go around expecting special treatment."
"I'd better get back to my essay," Colin sighed, picking up the dropped parchment. Ginny reached into her bag, and huddled at the end of the couch. She took out a quill, and pulled out a black book that looked like a diary along with some parchment.
"Hey, where're you going?" Harry called, racing to catch up with Ron and Hermione.
"Hagrids," Ron called back.
"Why are you running?" Harry called.
"Good point," Hermione slowed down, and allowed Harry to catch up.
"We need to talk to him before curfew," Ron panted, "We haven't really talked all year." Harry smiled at the thought of talking with Hagrid, and joined his friends on the way down. After a quick cup of tea and chat with Hagrid, Harry was walking back up to the common room when he heard voices. Rip… Tear…. Kill… I want blood… I want to kil….
"Did you hear that?" Harry asked, "Those voices?"
"What voices?" Hermione asked.
"No one's talking," Ron said, "Except us." Harry shivered as he heard the voices slowly fade.
"I must be hearing things," he muttered, and gave the Fat Lady the password. Looking around the common room, he saw it was nearly empty, and Ginny was nowhere to be found.
"Good night guys," Harry yawned, and walked up the stairs to the boy's dormitory.
'Harry," Ron whispered, "You know, even in the wizarding world, it's not good to be hearing things."
"I know, I just hope it's all made up," Harry whispered back, and soon fell asleep.
One stormy October day found Harry walking back to the Gryffindor common room. It was a few days before Halloween, and Harry was drenched. His feet were muddy, and water was dripping off his body constantly. Harry was slightly peeved that he and Ginny had hardly been able to talk, Ron was always dragging him away for little things, or Ginny had promised to help Colin out with something. Harry then decided to do his best to spend more time with his best friend. With a pang, Harry realized Ron and Hermione were becoming his best friends, and Ginny was slipping away. Thinking about keeping Ginny as his best friend distracted him, and he walked right through something, it felt colder that he already was. Harry looked up, and noticed Nearly Headless Nick. He was holding a transparent letter, and frowning.
"Hello," Harry called.
'Ah, Harry, how are you?" Nick asked.
"I've been better," Harry shrugged, "You?"
"I application to join the Headless Hunt has been denied again," Nick sighed, "I guess getting hit in the head forty-five times isn't good enough." Nick drifted into a wall, and came out around the corner.
"So what can I do for you?" he asked.
"Nothing really, Slytherin's gonna flatten us in the next match, they all have Nimubs 2001," Harry sighed. He heard a mewing, and saw Mrs. Norris, who was the caretaker, Filch's cat.
"Get out of here," Nick warned, "Filch is in a bad mood."
"Thanks," Harry said, and took off only to run straight into Filtch.
Breathing deeply, Harry entered the Gryffindor common room. He plopped down onto the couch. Hearing giggling, he looked up and saw Ginny.
"Hey," he sighed.
"What's up?" Ginny asked.
"Filtch is a squib, and I'm going to Nearly Headless Nick's deathday party," Harry groaned.
"Want me to come" Ginny asked softly.
"Nah, I wouldn't burden you, your other friends probably need you," Harry scowled.
"Is that what this is about?" Ginny slammed her book shut, "You think I won't spend time with you because of some other friends I've made." Harry stayed quiet.
"Fine, if you honestly say that, then maybe we aren't best friends," Ginny practically screamed, "Only best friends would know that I would never leave you for someone else. What about you? Hanging around with Ron and Hermione all the time, you never bothered to find out what happened with Professor McGonagall." With that, Ginny stormed upstairs, and Harry groaned.
"Harry," Hermione's sharp voice brought him back, "What did you do?"
"I made a mistake," Harry sighed, "I'll let her cool down, then talk. At least she didn't hex me." Hermione glared at him, and raced up the stairs to where Ginny had gone. The rest of the evening passed by quickly, and Harry soon found himself in bed.
Halloween evening, Ginny was constantly avoiding Harry, and Harry kept regretting his promise to go to the deathday party. Everyone else was looking forward towards the feast, while Harry had to hang out with ghosts. Luckily, Harry convinced Ron to go with him, Hermione was still cold shouldering him, and even Neville seemed distant. At seven o'clock, Harry and Ron left the common room, and pained both of them when they walked past the Great Hall. Harry felt a chill as he neared where the party was. There were candles, but they didn't help. Harry and Ron rounded the corner to see Nick under a doorway. Hundreds of ghosts were floating around.
"Welcome, I'm please you could come," Nick said mournfully. There was a dance floor, and about thirty musical saws played something that sounded dreadful.
"Food," Ron said. There was a table in black velvet, but the food was horrible. Rotten fish, coal colored cake, basically everything was rotten. A grey cake in the shape of a tombstome had the words , Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, Died 31st October, 1492. Harry watched as a ghost opened his mouth, and walked through the food.
"Can you taste that?" Ron asked.
"Almost," the ghost replied sadly, and drifted off. Harry and Ron exchanged glances, and decided to hang around a little longer, for their friend. The orchestra had stopped playing, and everyone looked around. A horn sounded, and Nick sighed. A dozen ghost horses burst through the dungeon wall, each had a headless man on top. The ghost leading the group grabbed his head and pulled it up high.
"How are you Nick?" he asked, "Still hanging your head?" He laughed and clapped Nick on the shoulder.
"Hello, Patrick," Nick replied stiffly.
"Alive people," Sir Patrick shouted, looking at Ron and Harry. He jumped up, and his head tumbled off his hand.
"You know, Nick is very frightening," Harry said "He's also brave, he saved my life once."
"He probably told you to say that to get into the hunt," Sir Patrick roared.
"Anyways, I'll make my speech now," Nick interrupted, and floated to the podium Harry and Ron took that opportunity to sneak away, and out of the dungeons. Harry felt bad for Nick, but was relieved to get out of that place. It was then Harry heard the voices again. Rip…. Tear… kill… It was the same voice he heard nights before.
'Harry?" Ron stopped and looked back questionably.
"It's the voice, shh.." Harry said. He listened, and followed the voice. "Rip… tear…. Kill… I want to kill…" Harry heard it grow fainter, and took off in the direction the voice went.
"Harry, where are we-"
"SHH" Harry listened, and above him he heard the faint voice. "… I smell blood… I smell BLOOD"
"It's going to kill," Harry yelled, and raced up the stairs. He ran around the second floor not stopping until he reached a deserted passage.
"Harry?" Ron asked.
"Look," Harry pointed down the corridor. Something on the wall was shinning. Harry and Ron made their way over slowly. Harry could make out the words written on the wall.
THE CHAMBER OF SECRET HAS BEEN
OPENED. ENIMES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE
"What the bloody hell does that mean?" Ron asked.
"Harry, Ron," Hermione appeared at the end of the corridor, "Have any of you seen Ginny?" Harry shook his head, but pointed to the wall. Hermione gasped.
"What's that?" she pointed to something hanging underneath the message. There was also a huge pool of water. All three gasped when they recognized Mrs. Norris.
A/N: So here's this chapter. Up until here, I've been writing with the book by my side, but the next chapter and rest of the story it will go on it's own. I'm not sure how soon the next chapter will be up, but I promise it will be up by the end of the week. How about this, if I get 10 reviews, I will put it up on... Wednesday. If not, I'll put it up by Friday anyways. I'd like to thank everyone who have been adding this story to their story alert and/or favorites, and those who reviewed as well. Please Review :)