(Author's Note – Hey Guys, you probably be wondering why I'm posting today, considering that I said that I won't be posting until Friday. Well, here's why, I want to have it finished before Christmas. There are five more chapters but there's a lot of writing to do, and If I keep posting it weekly, I won't have it finished in time for Christmas and it would be easier to start the third book next year. So, now Sophie will meet Cornelius Fudge for the first time, and you might see a slightly more darker Lestrange then you seen her before. Okay, let's get started, as before I don't own Harry Potter, Enjoy!)

Last Time: A trip to the Hospital wing, Valentine's Day, A darkness waking up inside of Sophie, A trip to Tom Riddle's past, revealing that Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago.

Hey Sophie,

Hope you enjoy the Christmas break over at Hogwarts. Nice to see that you have doing well in your classes even though you never tell us. Obviously, your head of house will tell you this but you will choosing the classes that 'you' want to do next year. You got so many to choose from, but you only do the ones you feel comfortable with. Also, well done in your last Quidditch match, Dumbledore told us you went exceptionally well when he visited the ministry of magic. Hope to hear from you soon

Your dear aunt

Andy.

I'm sitting in the Great Hall eating breakfast as I had another look at the letter that my family sent me. It had been awhile since I've got one but more pressing things on my mind. Hagrid. It's been known that Hagrid had an unfortunate liking for large and monstrous creatures. During my first year at Hogwarts he had tried to raise a dragon in a little wooden house, and it would certainly be a long time before I forget the giant, three-headed dog he's christened 'Fluffy'. I know what we seen in the diary was Hagrid trying to hide the monster bit I'm sure that he didn't meant to killed anyone. I wish that me and Harry hadn't find out hoe to work Riddle's bloody diary, because again, and again Ron and Hermione made us recount what we've seen, until we were getting sick of telling them and so sick of the long, circular conversations that followed.

"Riddle might have got the wrong person." Said Hermione. "Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people..."

"How many monsters do you think this place can hold?" Ron asked dully.

"We always knew Hagrid had been expelled." Said Harry Miserably. "And the attacks must've stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have got his award."

"Riddle does sound like Percy – who asked his to grass on Hagrid, anyway?"

"But the monster had killed someone, Ron." Said Hermione.

"And Riddle was going to go back to some Muggle orphanage if they closed Hogwarts." I said. "I don't blame him for wanting to stay here..."

"You met Hagrid down Knockturn Alley, didn't you, Harry?" Ron asked.

"He was buying a Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent." Said Harry quickly. The four of us fell silent. After a long pause, Hermione voiced the knottiest questions if all in aa hesitant voice.

"Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all?"

"That'd be a cheerful visit." Said Ron. "Hello, Hagrid, tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?" In the end, we decided that we shouldn't say anything to Hagrid unless there was another attack, and as more went by where Harry haven't heard no whisper from the disembodied voice, we were hopeful that we would never need to talk to him about why he had been expelled. It was now nearly four months since Justin and Nearly Headless Nick has been Petrified , and nearly everyone 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 Harry quite politely to pass a bucket of leaping toadstills 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.

"The moment they start trying to move into each other's pots, we'll know they're fully mature." She told us. "Then we'll able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing."

...

Gee, Andy was right. The teachers has given us something new to think about during our Easter Holidays. The time had come to choose our subjects for the third year, I'm so excited. Hermione, however, didn't had the same idea as she took it very seriously.

"It could affect our whole future." She told us as we poured over the list of new subjects.

"Our future or your future? I can't really tell these days." I asked her. Another Glare from her, I like to make fun of her. Considering that she hasn't killed me, she doesn't seem to mind. There is so much to choose from, Defence against the dark arts, Ancient Runes, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures etc.

"I just want to give up potions." Said Harry.

"We can't." Sais Ron gloomily. "We keep all our old subjects, or I have to ditch 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." Neville has been receiving letters from all the witches and wizards in his family, all giving him different advice on what to choose. Confused and worried, asking people whether they thought Arithmancy sounded more difficult than Study of Ancient Runes. Dean Thomas, who, like Harry, had grown up with Muggles, ended up closing his eyes and jabbing his wand at the least, then picking the subjects it landed on. Hermione took nobody's advice but signed up for everything.

"W-What are you mad?" I said to her. "There's no way you can do all these classes."

"It's my choice." Said Hermione.

"Percy?" I asked him as he came over. "What do you think I should do?"

"It depends where you want to go, Sophie." He said. "It's never too early to think about the future, so I'd recommend Divination. People say Muggles Studies is a soft option, but I personally think wizards should have a thorough understanding of the non-magical community, particularly if they're thinking of working in close contact with them – look at my father, he has to deal with Muggle business all the time. My brother Charlie was always more of an outdoor type, so he went for Care for Magical Creatures. Play to your strengths, Sophie." I had an better idea of what I wanted to do, so I tick off the classes that I believe I'll go well in. Now, with third year sorted, time to return to the present.

...

Gryffindor's next Quidditch match would be against Hufflepuff. Wood would be insisting on team practices every night after dinner, so the two things I have been doing is Quidditch and homework. At least, the training sessions were getting better, or at least drier. The evening before Saturday's match, My, Harry, Ron and Hermione were just returning from the Quidditch session when we bumped into Neville, who was looking quite frantic.

"Harry – I don't know who did it. I just found –" Neville pushed open the door. The contents of Harry's trunk had been thrown everywhere. His cloak lay ripped on the floor. 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.

"Uh, Neville, can you leave us a couple of minutes?" I asked him. Her merely nodded and then he left the room as Harry walked over to his bed and started going through his stuff.

"It had to be an Gryffindor." Said Hermione. "No one else knows our password, unless it wasn't a student."

"Whoever it was, they must've been looking for something." Said Ron nervously.

"And they found it." Said Harry. "Tom Riddle's diary is gone."

"That means whoever's it is, doesn't have plans on us finding the Chamber or the Heir." I said.

...

I woke up the next day to brilliant sunshine and a light, refreshing breeze.

"Perfect Quidditch conditions!" Said Wood enthusiastically at the Gryffindor table, loading our team's plates with scrambled eggs.

"I still think Harry should've told the teachers about the robbery." Hermione said to me.

"Harry has got enough things on his mind." I said. "Even though the attacks had died off, doesn't mean the Heir of Slytherin. It could be anything. Whoever it is, they sitting there, waiting for the opportunity to strike, and this time, someone could be killed." After the diary was stolen from Harry's room last night, there's no doubt that the Heir of Slytherin is possibly, an Gryffindor. We left the Great Hall along with Harry and Ron to go collect our Quidditch stuff from the common room. We reached the marble staircase but Harry just stopped at the foot of the staircase. Then he muttered something out loud.

"Kill this time... let me rip... tear..." We all jumped away from him in alarm. "That voice!" Said Harry, looking over his shoulder. "I just heard it again - didn't you?" Me and Ron just looked at him, wide eyed. Hermione, however, clapped a hand to her forehand.

"Harry – I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the Library!" Then she sprinted away, up the stairs.

"Hermione! Wait!" I shouted then I started sprinting after her. I quickly caught up to her as she was about to enter the Library. "Hermione!"

"What, Sophie?" Asked Hermione.

"It's not safe." I answered.

"What do you mean?" She asked again.

"Dammit!" I huffed. "If Harry can hear that voice again, there's no doubt the chamber been opened again. If you stay up here, you'll be a sitting duck.

"I'll be fine, Sophie. Beside, I might to find out what the beast is."

"It's suicide. I can't leave you alone." I told her.

"You got a Quidditch match to attend." She said. "You can't miss that because of me."

"With the beast around, I'll miss anything." I said.

"Sophie." She said then she decided to hug me. "I'll be fine. I took on a troll and a three headed dog."

"That was with me around." I said.

"Like I said, I'll be fine. Now, you got a Quidditch match to play."

"Alright, but I don't see you there sitting next to Ron by the start of the match, I'm leaving it to come look for you." I said.

"Relax." Said Hermione, releasing me from the hug. "What's the worst thing that could happen." She then entered the Library, leaving me all by myself in the corridor.

"Anything." I muttered as I took off to the common room. Luckily for me, Harry was coming down from the common room and he had my Nimbus two thousand and one. We joined the crowd swarming across the grounds. The Heir of Slytherin can't attack anyone of the whole school was down here, he picked the worst day to open the Chamber. Both teams walked onto the pitch to tumultuous applause. Wood took off for a warm-up flight around the goalpost and I decided to do the same. Madam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflepuffs, who were playing in canary yellow, were standing in a huddle, having a last-minute discussion of tactics. I flew over to the Gryffindor stands to see if Hermione was there, but no, nowhere to be seen, expect Ron who was standing at the front.

"Where's Hermione?!" I shouted to Ron. He just shrugged his shoulders at me. That's it, I'm going to get her.

"This match has been cancelled." I turned around and saw Professor McGonagall called through an enormous purple megaphone, as she addressed the entire stadium. The were boos and shouts. Oliver Wood, looking devastated, landed and ran towards Professor McGonagall without getting off his broomstick.

"But Professor!" He shouted. "We've got to play... the Cup... Gryffindor."

"All students are to make their way back to their common rooms, where their Head of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, Please!" I flew straight down to the pitch to join Harry, who was beckoned over by McGonagall.

"You better come with me, Mr Potter. You too, Miss Lestrange." Said McGonagall.

"B-But Professor, H-Hermione, I got to find her." I said to her.

"I understand, Miss Lestrange." She added. Ron then came running over from the complaining crowd as they sent off towards the castle. To our surprise, Professor McGonagall didn't seem to object. "Yes, perhaps you'd better come too, Weasley. There's something the three of you'll have to see." Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling about the match being cancelled, others looked worried. We followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase but this time, no one was taken to anyone's office this time. "This will be a bit of a shock." Said Professor McGonagall in a surprising gentle voice as we approached the hospital wing. "There's been another attack... another double attack." Oh no, now I don't want to who was attacked. McGonagall opened the doors and we all followed her inside. Madam Pomfrey was bending over a sixth-year girl with long curly hair. I recognized her as the Ravenclaw we accidentally asked for directions to the Slytherin common room. But then, I saw her, everything on the inside was turned inside out. Tears was starting to come out of my eyes. The girl next to the Ravenclaw was –

"Hermione." Ron groaned. I slowly waked up next to her. Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy. I touched her left hand and it felt cold. I leave her alone and the monster got her.

"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. We all shook their heads, we were just staring at Hermione. "I will escort you all 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 students is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No students 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 chocked voice. "I need hardly add that I have rarely been 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 Gryffindor began to talk 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 roared, to nods and scattered applause. 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.

"What're we going to do?" Said Ron quietly. "D'you think they suspect it's Hagrid."

"We've got to talk to him." Said Harry. "I can't believe it's him this time, but if he did set the monster loose last time he'll 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 Harry, more quietly still. "It's time to get my dad's old Cloak out again."

"You alright?" Ron asked me.

"Y-yeah." I answered. "I'll need some time alone." I left the boys and return to my dormitory. I wished I was there. I can't get the picture of Hermione out of my head, just lying on the hospital bed as though she was carved out in stone. My best friend, no one to speak to, she was my only friend when I first started Hogwarts, we were both bullied. Hermione was the know-it-all and I was the Daughter of the Lestranges. I sat on my bed, trying my damn best not to cry. A tap on the window, Minnie, I opened the window and she sat on the shoulder and started playing with my crazy hair. I grabbed a spare piece of Parchment and a quill and started writing a message.

Hey Andy,

I'm sorry that I took so long to respond to your last letter because um, well, there were some things happening here Hogwarts, bad things. I think you may already know about what's happening because of the ministry. Um, there been attacks, at the school. Students were... petrified and... Hermione was attacked. She's alive but... This Heir of Slytherin got her. I told her that I'll protect her and I let her down. I know that the Ministry will try everything in its power to keep anyone from finding out... but you know. I got to go, I hope this letter gets to you...

I love you guys,

Your dear niece, Sophie.

I took a deep breath and I gave the parchment to Minnie.

"You know where to go." I said. She gave me a happy hoot before flying off. I felt like crying. I won't have my best friend with me. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw parchment on top of Hermione's draw. I walked over to her bed and I picked it up. When I unfolded the parchment, what I read made my blood boil.

Do you like my little late Christmas Present, Lestrange? I Terribly unfortunate that your muggle friend got in my pet's way. I know that I didn't warn you not to stray into this, but I've decided that you need to know this. You are an embarrassment to your family and your-bloodline, associating with Mudbloods. I'll only explain this once. If you continue to assist Potter in his little investigation, you will all be very sorry. Cause when I make my triumphant return, I'll personally ensure that the thing I do is kill your precious Granger. I'll rip her to shreds and you will watch, with tears in your eyes and helpless, as I kill your friend. I'll make sure of it and there will be nothing you can do about it.

"Not if I have anything to say about it."

...

I waited near the door to the dormitory for Harry and Ron to come and knock on my door. I lay in my bed, acting I was fast asleep while waiting for the girls to fall asleep. The girls didn't speak to me, they're just looking at me, feeling sad. They knew how close I was to Hermione but even though they got to know her, they still make fun of her, well, sometimes. I was swayed out of my thoughts by two soft, quiet knocks at the door. It was them. It's time. I opened the door and waiting outside, was the boys with Harry's Invisibility cloak, the only thing Harry inherited from his father but it's the only thing that was going to keep us hidden from the teachers. Harry threw the cloak over us and we left the common room. The journey through the dark and deserted castle corridors wasn't enjoyable. We've never seen the halls so crowded after sunset. Teachers, perfects, and ghosts were marching the corridors in pairs, staring around for any unusual activity. The invisibility cloak didn't stop us making any noise, and there was a particularly tense moment when Ron stubbed his toe only yards from the spot where Snape was standing guard. Thankfully, Snape sneezed at almost exactly the moment Ron swore. It was with relief that we reached the oak front doors and eased them open. It was a clear, starry night. We hurried towards the lighted windows of Hagrid's house, and pulled off the Cloak only when we were right outside his front door. Seconds after we had knocked, Hagrid flung it open. We found ourselves face to face, with him aiming a crossbow at us, Fang the boarhound barking loudly behind him.

"Oh." He said, lowering the weapon and staring at them. "What're you three doin' here?"

"What's that for?" Said Harry, lowering the weapon as we stepped inside.

"Nothin'... nothin'." Hagrid muttered. "I've bin expectin'... doesn' matter... Sit down... I'll make tea..." Poor Hagrid 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 head.

"Are you ok, Hagrid?" Said Harry.

"I-I'm fine, I'm fine." Answered Hagrid.

"Did you hear about Hermione?" I asked him.

"Oh, I heard about that, all right'." Said Hagrid, a slight break in his voice.

"Um, Hagrid, we've come to ask you something." Harry said. "Do you know who's opened the Chamber of Secrets?" Hagrid looked shocked at us.

"What you have to understand about that is..." Hagrid started but then there was a loud knock on the door. "Quick, under the cloak." He order us. Harry threw the Cloak over us and then we retreated into a corner. Hagrid checked if we 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. The stranger was a short, portly man with rumpled grey hair and an anxious expression. He was wearing a strange mixture of clothes: a pin-striped suit, a scarlet tie, a long black cloak and pointed purple boots. Under his arm he carried a lime-green bowler.

"That's Dad's boss!" Ron breathed. "Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic."

"Must be here because of the attacks." I Whispered. Hagrid had gone pale and sweaty. He dropped into one of his chairs and he 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 have gone far enough. Ministry got to act."

"I never." Said Hagrid, looking imploringly at Dumbledore. "You know I never, Professor Dumbledore, sir..."

"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence." Said Dumbledore, frowning at Fudge.

"Look, Albus." Said Fudge, uncomfortably. "Hagrid's record's 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 I have never seen before.

"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 of a precaution. If someone else is caught, you'll be let out with a full apology..."

"Not Azkaban?" Croaked Hagrid. Before Fudge could answer, there was another loud rap on the door. Dumbledore answered it, and look who it is. Mr Lucius Malfoy strode into Hagrid's hut, swathed in a long black cloak, smiling a cold and satisfied smile. Fang started to growl.

"Why is it that every time that something goes wrong, that involves us, Malfoy isn't too far behind?" I Whispered harshly.

"Already here, Fudge." He said approvingly. "Good, good..."

"What're you doing 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 as 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 Mr Malfoy lazily, taking out a long roll of parchment. "But the governors feel it's time for you to step aside. This is a 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."

"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..."

"Now look, Lucius, 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.

"And how many did yeh have you threaten and 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 headboard cower and whimper in his basket. "Take him away, and the Muggle-borns won' stand a chance! There'll be killing's next!"

"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 blur 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. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." For a second, I was almost sure Dumbledore's eyes flickered towards the corner where we stood hidden.

"Admirable sentiments." Said Malfoy, bowing. "We shall all miss your – er – highly individual way of running things, Albus, only hope that your successor will manage to prevent any – ah – killing's" 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 to find out some stuff, all they'd have to do would be to follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em right! That's all I'm saying." Fudge stared at him in amazement. "All right, I'm coming." Said Hagrid, pulling on his moleskin overcoat. But as he was about to follow Fudge through the door, he stopped again and said loudly. "And someone'll need to feed Fang while I'm away." The door banged shut and Ron pulled the Invisibility cloak off.

"We're in trouble now." He said Hoarsely. "No Dumbledore. They might as well close the school tonight. There'll be an attack a day with him gone."

"Only this time, someone will be killed." I said. "If we don't stop the Heir of Slytherin now, we'll have a repeat of the same events fifty years ago."

(Author's Note – There we go. I'm posting two chapters up this week so that way I can be finished by the 16th or the 21st of December at the latest. Anyway, I hope you guys like the chapter. Next time, we take a little trip into the forbidden forest. Anyway, drop a review if you guys like it or there is something you want me to improved on. So, that's it, until next time, Kizzard245 out!)