It was the day that all the students returned from holidays that things went crap for the school and the two demigods in particular. Mia had been feeling off the entire night, sleeping on the lounge with Lex to help calm her fears, but when they woke it wasn't to what they had hoped, a peaceful morning before everyone returned. No, it was to the deathly pale face of their Head of House gently shaking them.
"Harry, Hermione, get dressed, there has been an incident," the woman then left up the girls' stairs to wake those who had stayed.
It took very little time for the friends to be back in the common room and racing together down to the Great Hall, searching for a reason why they were woken as they had been. Inside were the students from all the other three houses, as well as Neville, who had stuck around for the holidays.
Taking a seat across from him, Hermione asked, "What's going on?"
"There was some sort of attack during the night but it wasn't found until just before. The professors have been going nuts, having everyone assemble here. Do you know if McGonagall got the others up?"
"Weasley was still snoring his head off when I left but I did get Dean and Seamus off their bums," Lex informed their friend.
"Faye should be down soon with Lavender and Parvati, they were very concerned as to what was happening so Faye chose to stick behind and come with them."
The trio sat silently then, watching as others slowly mad their way in, their 5 friends moving to sit by them, joined by the other Gryffindors soon after. Studying the only professor in the hall, Professor Sinistra from Astronomy, the lions were able to tell that this was bad, her face gaunt in stress, constantly pacing and fingering her wand unconsciously.
Finally everyone was present, though the twins had to drag their lump of a brother in, leaving him on the floor after breaching the doors before sitting either side of their sister, who looked scared and distraught. Before anyone could say or do anything, the doors nearest the professors' platform opened, and the adults walked in, every student able to see the sour look on Dumbledore's face.
"Students, as you are well aware, there was an attack last night. We have, as of yet, not identified the perpetrator or method as to how they succeeded in their attack but we will not be giving up…"
Just then a witch from Ravenclaw interrupted him, "What happened?"
"Mrs Norris has somehow been petrified, the person or persons responsible also left a message beside her."
"What was the message?" From Slytherin this time.
Albus looked pissed that he was being interrupted all the time but kept his cool and answered, despite Minerva furiously whispering at him not to say, "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware."
Lex and Mia glanced at each other and knew that this was what Firenze had said was going to be the millennia old problem, and also the cause for the latter's worry-heavy night. The students were concerned and Susan Bones rose from her place in Hufflepuff, having stayed as her friend was, and asked Tonks, "Auror Tonks, have you contacted the Aurors or my aunt?"
"Yes Miss Bones, she and some others are on their way in as we speak," the woman replied, shooting glares at the meddling old fool.
Severus rose also, "While we do not know what has caused this; that does not mean we cannot heal it. Professor Sprout currently has Mandrakes growing, and once they are mature, they will be made into the correct potion needed. We ask each of you, do not worry but also do not be reckless."
"From now on, everyone is to be accompanied by a friend, no walking alone for any of you. If you are found outside after curfew, you had best be dying or you will soon be after you are caught. And if you spot anything out of ordinary, do not do anything, find a professor and we will handle it," Flitwick said, "We will be telling your fellow students the exact same things tonight."
"Right now, you can all have breakfast and do as you would as normal, taking reminder of those new rules," Minerva finished.
Neither demigod was hungry, their minds reeling through all the information at their disposal, before getting to their feet. Telling their year mates to stay safe, they raced to the library and were grateful that Madam Pince liked them. Settling into their seat, the duo went over everything they knew, "Firenze said that the creature has been out before, killing someone the last time."
"Also it is the Monster of Slytherin and therefore this Chamber of Secrets has something to do with Slytherin," Mia continued.
"Finally it is some sort of snake and Voldemort is controlling it somehow"
Hermione nodded but also added, "If it is as old as Firenze said, then the magic needed to keep the beast alive would mean that wherever it is hiding, it's inside of the castle and is feeding off of the residual magic that is within her walls."
"Split up?" Lex suggested, knowing the answer already.
Mia shook her head in exasperation, a smile firmly planted on her face, before heading towards the records for the school, looking for student deaths while Voldemort was a student and also for any hint as to what the chamber held. Lex went into the Magizoology section, there couldn't be that many magical snakes and lizards about, and even fewer that could petrify their victim.