A/N: :V NEXT CHAPTER!

Chapter 12

"So, you think Dumbledore knows who the heir is, but he's too scared to tell you?"

"No, 'Mione, I think he's worried that I'll be terrified or something," Harry replied.

"Oy, 'Mione, you still haven't told us who's been following Harry around!" Ron exclaimed.

"Oh right, it's-"

"Shh, or Professor Snape will give us all detention!" Harry hissed, looking up as Severus entered the dungeons.

"He looks upset about something, mate," Ron replied back.

"Ten points from Gryffindor," Severus snapped, glaring at Ron.

Harry gave Ron a shut up glare.

"Sorry," Ron said quietly.

"Another ten points from Gryffindor, Mister Weasley. Next time it'll be a detention. Now stay silent."

"Blimey!" Ron exclaimed.

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione hissed.

"Ten more points from Gryffindor. Mister Weasley, see me after class and we'll discuss your detention."

"Bloody hell! Just because you're in a bloody bad mood doesn't mean you have to-"
"Keep it up Mister Weasley, that's another ten points."

Ron was fuming, but he kept his mouth shut.

Later on in class, Harry saw a note land on his desk.

"Are you insane?" he mouthed to Ron.

"Read the note," Ron mouthed back.

Harry sighed, opening the slip of paper.

Why do you think he's so upset?

Harry looked up and shrugged. "Dunno," he mouthed.

Ron sighed and went back to work.

HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS

Harry debated on whether or not he should stay behind and talk to Severus.

"Potter, did you need something?" Severus snarled impatiently.

"No sir," Harry replied, "I just wanted to ask if-"

"Then get out of my classroom!" Severus shooed him out.

"Did you see that, 'Mione? He wouldn't even talk to me!"

"I'm sure he has his reasons, Harry. Don't worry about it."

"It must have something to do with me! That's why he's upset, 'Mione!"

"Harry, think about it. You know how he gets when he's irritated. He takes it out on everyone. It has nothing to do with you. Trust me."
Harry sighed. "You're probably right. I'd gather he's upset with Dumbledore for not telling me who the Heir of Slytherin was, but I still hate it when he takes it out on me like that!"

At that moment Ron came up.

"I've got to clean out his cauldrons! With no magic!"

"Oh, honestly Ron! It's not that bad," Hermione scoffed.

"For a whole bloody week! He said next time I'll be scrubbing his whole classroon with nothing but a toothbrush!"

"Well if you would've just shut up in class-" Hermione began.

"Oh, stuff it, 'Mione! Just stuff it!" Ron growled, and the three walked to DADA.

HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS

It was later that evening when Harry decided to visit Severus in his quarters. He didn't bother with the Invisibility Cloak; he just walked out of the Common Room.

Just as he had reached the third floor, he gasped.

Collin Creevey (a first year Harry didn't know very well) was lying on the ground, very still.

"Collin?" he whispered, going up to the boy. He shook him slightly and then began to panic. He needed a teacher, and the only one he could think of was...

"PROFESSOR SNAPE!"

Severus looked up from grading papers. He saw the horror in Harry's eyes.

"What happened?" he asked, standing up.

"Third floor..Collin Creevey..dead.." Harry whimpered.

"Come," Severus whispered, and they hurried to the third floor together.

HPSSHPSSHPSSHPSS
"It is as I feared, Minerva. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened again." Dumbledore said gravely.