This chapter contains sexual content, just a warning.


November 2, 1996 - Part 1

The rain had been falling heavily when Harry woke up. It had started not long before he had rested his head on the pillow the night before, and it seemed that it didn't want to stop. Harry found it slightly frustrating as it would mean that his plans with Fleur would need to change.

Originally, Harry wanted to take Fleur out on a picnic. It was something they always had fun doing, and their favourite spot near the Black Lake was always quiet. But the heavy rain meant that Harry would need to improvise indoors.

He was set to meet Fleur in the front entrance, near the Great Hall at nine. Apolline would drop off her daughter and leave the two teens to entertain themselves. The Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff wasn't until eleven, so they had a few hours to enjoy themselves before Harry would have to head down to the pitch.

Dressed in some comfortable jeans and a plain t-shirt, Harry stopped by the kitchens on his way to the entrance hall. He poked his head in and politely requested a selection of breakfast items. A few house-elves filled a basket for him, making sure to include something to drink too. Now, all he had to do was set everything up, and he knew the perfect place.

A few of the old unused classrooms were mostly empty. Harry had used them on more than one occasion to enjoy solitude. There were moments when he just wanted to be left alone. They had been his first idea; he could transfigure the furniture and clean out the dust and give him and Fleur a romantic spot for the day. But then he remembered his room from last year. The room he had been given after the Christmas holidays when he had returned but not as a student. As far as he knew, the room hadn't been touched since he had moved back to Ravenclaw Tower.

It was fortunate that no one ever thought to change the password. The room was still laid out the same. Harry placed the basket down and started to set up the living space. He moved the couches, laid out a cloth across the coffee table and set up the food. He used a few different spells to set the mood and make sure the food stayed fresh. Once he was happy with his indoor picnic, he decided to head back towards the entrance hall to meet Fleur.

Fleur arrived in the entrance hall with Apolline just before nine. They stepped out of the rain, and Fleur smiled widely as she dashed towards Harry. He caught her in his arms and couldn't resist inhaling her sweet perfume. He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.

Harry said, "I wish this could be every day."

Fleur smiled and squeezed her arms around him. "One day."

They shared a proper kiss briefly before Harry turned to Apolline. He liked Fleur's mother; she had always been kind to him. He also appreciated her direct approach to most things.

Apolline said, "Harry, I expect my daughter here when I return at four."

He nodded. "Of course, Apolline."

She smiled. "Have fun, you two, behave yourselves."

Fleur smirked. "No promises."

Apolline chuckled and left.

Harry intertwined his fingers together with Fleur and said, "I did have plans for a picnic today."

Fleur sighed. "It would have been nice. It seems mother nature had other plans."

Harry smirked. "That she did. But I improvised."

Fleur smiled; excitement seemed too vibrant from her.

"Come with me." Harry led her away from the entrance.

Harry stopped outside the room and turned to Fleur. "Close your eyes."

She giggled but did as asked.

He pushed open the door and carefully led her through and into the living space. He stood behind her, place his hands on her hips and whispered. "Open."

Fleur's smile glowed as she took in their picnic. "It's wonderful."

"I'm glad you like it."

The two teens made themselves comfortable; Harry took one cushion and leant back against the base of the couch; Fleur moved the other cushion and sat beside him. She snuggled into his side, and the two of them chatted while they ate. They shared fruit and pastries, talked about what had happened in the last week, and talked about the upcoming Christmas break.

Harry had hoped to spend Christmas Day with Fleur, but he knew that he wouldn't get the whole day. He had heard from his mother that the plan was to have Christmas at White Oak; he had hoped to invite Fleur's family over for the evening so they could all spend the day together.

Fleur asked, "Has Harvey stayed out of trouble?"

Harry took a sip of some orange juice and frowned. "I think so, but I think he and his friends are up to something."

"What makes you think that?" Fleur asked.

"Hermione is really trying to find more about this supposed Chamber of Secrets."

"She find anything?"

"I don't know, not that Harvey has told me."

"Have you asked him?"

"No. I am trying to have a little faith in him."

Fleur smiled knowingly. "It's fun being the older sibling, isn't it?"

Harry was starting to understand the stress that older siblings dealt with. He had spent so long pretending that Harvey didn't matter that he had never truly understood what it felt like to worry about someone younger them him and knowing that they would do something stupid. Harry had hoped that after their talk about everything that had happened, Harvey would have stepped back and tried to avoid it all, but for some reason, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Harry had still yet to bring up the fact that he had heard the same voice that Harvey had been hearing, but hearing a strange voice was the least of his concerns at that moment.

"How's your potion coming along?" asked Fleur.

Harry huffed. "Haven't even touched it for the last month."

"Snape keeping you occupied elsewhere?"

He nodded. "I am grading the homework I assign the first years, assisting him with grading the other years, stocking the Hospital Wing with potions, and also doing supply orders. Add my own studies on top of that and making sure I hang out with my friends; there has been little time for experimentation."

Fleur sat up. She reached for a grape and popped it into her mouth. She said, "Why don't you ask for some time to work on the potion? I'm sure he'd give you some."

Harry almost laughed; Snape would never. He said, "Snape would tell me that I just have poor time management and then scold me for experimenting before he approved it."

"Here's a novel idea; get him to approve it," Fleur snarked.

"Touche. However, my proposal isn't ready to give to him yet."

Fleur sighed and rolled her eyes.

"What was that?" he asked.

Fleur chuckled and ate another grape. "You are too much of a perfectionist."

Harry snorted. "Blame my Grandmother for that."

Fleur grabbed a strawberry and laid back against Harry.

Harry asked, "What happened to Blanche joining you?"

Fleur sighed and bit into the strawberry. She leant her head against Harry's chest and said, "She was going to, but then she said that she wanted us to enjoy our alone time."

"I think the boys will be disappointed that she didn't show up."

"Which boys exactly?" she asked.

"Cedric, Will…I would have said Dylan, but he apparently is seeing someone."

Fleur smiled. "So it's official, whomever this mystery crush is."

Harry nodded. "I think so. Dylan's been seeing them a lot the last few days. He won't tell me who he is, though."

"He will; just give him time."

"I know. I'm more curious than anything else."

"You don't have any suspicions?"

Harry chuckled. He had tried to see if anyone stood out, but Dylan was good at keeping the details to a minimum. "Nope. Not for guys that he might like. I would have said Jenna if it wasn't for the whole gender thing."

"Jenna would eat him alive."

"Probably. She seems to scare off the opposite sex."

"She just needs to meet the right guy. What about Will?"

Harry snorted. He took in Fleur's serious look with surprise. He asked, "Seriously?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Why not?"

"Will is the biggest player in the whole school. He sleeps with anyone and everything."

"Except Jenna."

"Because she thinks how he acts is disgusting."

"Classic unexpected love story just waiting to happen."

Harry rolled his eyes, still scoffing at the idea of his two friends together. "I think you need to stop watching those muggle movies."

Fleur turned and pressed closer to him. She tapped her finger on his nose and said, "And I think you need to start."

"Are you saying I know nothing about romance?" He lifted his hand to cup her cheek.

"No, I'm saying you need to broaden your horizons from potion books."

"Is that so?"

Fleur smiled. "Yes."

Harry smile reflected Fleur's, and he couldn't stop himself from leaning in and kissing her. He had wanted to kiss her properly when she had arrived but had restrained himself. But with no one else around, with no chance of them being interrupted, Harry pressed his mouth firmly against Fleur's. Their mouths moved together, their tongues quickly joining in as their mouths opened and allowed access to one another.

His body seemed to come alive by kissing Fleur. One of his hand stayed on Fleur's cheek, holding her face and stroking his cheek. His other hand slid around Fleur's body, stroking across his stomach to grip her hip and pull her closer.

Fleur moaned against Harry's mouth. She tangled one of her hands into Harry's hair and shifted her body so that they rolled over. Harry hovered over her and pressed his knee in between her legs. Fleur twisted her finger in his hair and scratched her other hand along his shoulders.

Harry moved from Fleur's mouth to kiss her cheek, then her throat and her shoulder. He pressed hot wet kisses along her skin, and Fleur's grip tightened. Soft moans fell from her lips, and her hand grasped at the bottom of his shirt. She pushed it up and slid her fingers across his stomach and over his chest. The movement of her nails scratching along his skin made goosebumps appear along his arms and his member harden.

He groaned as Fleur pulled his mouth back to hers, and she pressed her body up against his. One of her legs lifted up, and she ran her foot up along the back of his calf, her thigh moving to wrap over his hip. Harry pressed his lower half down against Fleur's and rocked his hips. The movement bringing a loud moan from both of them.

Fleur broke the kiss, gasping, "Harry."

He pressed a kiss to her neckline. One hand went beneath the shirt she was wearing and pushed her shirt up, his hand coming to rest beneath her breast.

With every touch and sound, Harry's body burned with a need for more. His mind had quickly become consumed with everything that was Fleur, and he only wanted more. Harry wanted to touch and taste every inch he could of her; he wanted to feel her wrapped around him and hear her call out his name.

"Harry," Fleur moaned his name.

Lifting her hands, Fleur allowed Harry to pull her shirt off, and then she proceeded to do the same with his. Her hands ran across his bare shoulders as he leant down and pressed his mouth to the mounds of her breasts. His warm breath and the touch of his lips pulled another groan from her mouth.

He lifted his head to look up at Fleur. Her eyes were closed, and she was biting down on her lip. She looked enchanting.

"Fleur?" His voice was quiet. It took her a moment to look down at him.

She lifted a hand to touch his cheek.

"I love you." He pressed a kiss to her chest.

Her face grew brighter. "I love you too."

The look in her eyes told Harry everything he needed to know. It wasn't what he had planned; if he had, there probably would have been a few more details, but this was it. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Fleur's arms wrapped around Harry's neck; Harry's hands grasped Fleur's thighs and wrapped them around his waist. Her ankles locked behind his back, and with one hand on her bum and the other on the couch, Harry pulled them up. He managed to stand and then carry Fleur from the living space into the bedroom.

The bed was still made, the same dark sheets covering it. The candles in the room sparked to life and illuminated the space as Harry pressed his first knee onto the mattress and lowered Fleur down.

Her arms released him as he stood and undid his pants. He kicked off his shoes and socks, then shoved down his pants and underwear. Fleur watched him from where she lay, her teeth digging harder into her lower lip.

Harry stood naked before Fleur and wanted to smirk with satisfaction as her eyes roamed over his body. She seemed to like what she saw. Harry reached for her and pulled off her sandals, and then grasped her skirt and panties. Pulling them down, Fleur seemed to shiver as the cool air touched her skin. She reached around her back and undid her bra, throwing it to the side before reaching out for Harry.

There were no words spoken between them. Harry pressed his lips to Fleur's; his hands roamed her bare skin, tracing every inch of her. Fleur wrapped her thighs around his hips, one hand tangled in his hair, the other digging her nails into his back.

Her centre was wet as his fingers reached it. The tip of his finger ran along her lips, pulling soft whimpers from her. As he pressed a finger inside of her, she groaned against his lips, her hips lifting up to push his finger deeper. Harry added a second and eventually a third finger, his hand pushing in and out of her steadily. Fleur was panting, and her hips were rocking; she moaned and groaned, her mouth devouring any inch of Harry she could get.

A cry of Harry's name fell from Fleur's mouth as her centre tightened around his fingers; her whole body shook, and she gasped as her body relaxed. Her orgasm flooded through her, and she shivered as Harry pulled his fingers out of her.

Her eyes fluttered open, and Fleur kissed Harry deeply. Her heel pressed against Harry's ass and her nails gripped his lower back.

"Make love to me," she gasped.

Harry nodded and took his wet hand and grasped his own member. He shifted his position to line his length up with her centre.

This was it, the moment he would finally have her completely.

His other hand caressed her cheek. Fleur pressed a kiss to his palm and pressed her heal harder, telling him to move it. Harry smiled and captured her in another kiss. He pressed himself forward, and the head of his member pressed into her folds. A grunt fell from Harry as he was engulfed by her hot centre. Her silky walls wrapped around him and sucked him into her depths. Fleur moaned, and her thighs tightened around his hips.

"Fuck…" the word fell from Harry's mouth as he bottomed out, "you feel amazing."

Fleur smiled, and a soft laugh followed. "You feel pretty good too."

Harry ran his fingers along her thigh. "I love you."

"So you've told me, now get on with showing me."

Harry chuckled. "So bossy. And way to ruin the mood—"

Fleur cut him off with a kiss and wiggled her hips, pulling a groan out of him. Harry got the message and started to move, his hips pulling back before thrusting in. They quickly found their rhythm; Harry used one of his hands to hold himself up, the other pulled Fleur's body down as he thrust into her; Fleur's hand was still clasping the back of his neck, the other clinging to his back.

The way his heart pounded in his chest was almost loud enough to drown out Fleur's cries, but it couldn't stop Harry from watching her. This was happening, he was buried inside of her, and it felt so right, so perfect. It had felt like he had been waiting for this moment his whole life, and it had been worth the wait.

Harry watched as Fleur's eye squeezed shut, her centre clamped down around him, and her head tipped back.

"Fleur," he whispered, his mouth pressing against her cheek, "look at me."

Fleur opened her eyes, her mouth falling open with a loud cry.

Their eyes look, and the ecstasy Harry saw in them, the way her walls clamped down around him sent him over. It was unexpected, but his orgasm erupted through him as Fleur's hit hers. He caught her in one final deep kiss as their bodies trembled and sunk together as they finished.

Harry managed to keep himself from crushing Fleur. His forearms held his weight as he rested his forehead against hers, and the both of them were trying to catch their breath. He lifted himself up, pulling himself out of Fleur and laid down beside her on the bed. Fleur followed his movements and rolled onto her side, pressing her face into his shoulder as he settled.

"How you feeling?" Harry asked.

Fleur hummed and pressed a kiss to his shoulder. "Amazing."

He kissed her head.

"Why did we wait so long?" she asked.

They both laughed.

It had been perfect. Fleur was perfect. She made him feel whole and securer in ways no one else did. He trusted her completely, with everything he was, and as they lay there, their breath returning to normal, Harry told himself that one day he would marry her.


Harvey was having a hard time letting what Hermione was telling him to sink in. He hadn't expected, when he woke up that morning, that Hermione would have found out exactly what the Chamber of Secrets was. He thought that she might want to talk about what was going on, as she seemed to have a new theory every day about who had nefarious plans for the school, but so far, no one knew what the Chamber really was. All of the Professors were being tight-lipped, and there was nothing in anything they read.

Until Hermione came rushing over to Harvey that morning.

Harvey had been playing chess with Ron in the common room. Hermione burst through the doors, her face lit with excitement and started to bounce up and down beside them.

Ron frowned at her and said, "What's got you so excited?" He looked back down at the chess game with more interest.

Hermione sat down, leant forward and said, "I know what the Chamber of Secrets is."

Ron almost slipped from his chair.

Harvey's head snapped up. "How?"

Hermione cringed. "I took a leaf out of Ron's book and snooped."

"I don't snoop," grumbled Ron.

Hermione snorted in disbelief. "How exactly did you find out about Dobby?"

Ron turned red. He had, in fact, been ears dropping when Hermione had brought up the house elf. Ron heard the whole story, and instead of apologising when he was caught, declared that he was going to beat the elf to a pulp for getting him in trouble. It had been Hermione who firmly reminded him that it was his own stupidity that had caused the trouble both he and Harvey had ended up in.

"Anway," said Harvey, "what did you learn?"

Hermione explained, "It's apparently a myth, but according to Professor Bins, it was said to be a secret chamber hidden with Hogwarts by none other than Salazar Slytherin. Apparently, when the school first opened, he disagreed with the other founders about who they should let in. So when he had a full-blown argument with Gryffindor, he left, but not before sealing the chamber with a terrible monster inside."

"Creepy," said Harvey.

"You don't think this terrible monster is what frozen Mrs Norris and Colin, do you?" asked Ron.

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. But if the Chamber of Secrets is real, then it's pretty likely that the monster thing is probably true."

"It can't be that hard to figure out what would be hidden in it," said Ron.

"That's true; what kind of creatures can petrify another being?" asked Hermione.

"And how would one control such a creature," added Ron.

Harvey frowned. He wasn't sure if he wanted to find out what was hidden in the chamber, not after seeing what it had done to Filch's cat and Colin.

"Have you lot heard about the duelling club?"

The three friends turned to see Seamus Finnigan walking towards them.

"Whose started that?" asked Ron. His eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Lockhart," said Seamus.

Ron's excitement faded. "What is he going to teach us? How to comb our hair?"

Harvey and Seamus laughed.

Hermione huffed. "You three are so rude; I'm sure he intends to teach us how to defend ourselves."

"Like he is supposed to do in our defence classes?" asked Ron.

Hermione huffed and walked away.

"How can someone so brilliant be so oblivious to Lockhart's stupidity?" asked Ron.

"Think she's brilliant, do you?" asked Harvey.

Ron's cheeks turned red. "No," he said, too quickly.

Harvey and Seamus chuckled.

Harvey and Ron finish their chess game before deciding to get ready to head to the Quidditch game. It was Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff's first match, and Harvey was excited to cheer his brother on. He also wanted to find a moment to let Harry know what Hermione had told them about the Chamber. If she was right, then so was Dobby; Hogwarts wasn't safe at all.

When they reached the Quidditch pitch, the stands were still filling. Harvey climbed up into the Gryffindor stands along with Ron and were soon joined by Hermione. She still seemed annoyed about Ron's comments about Lockhart but didn't mention it further. The three friends all chatted excitedly with the other members of their house about the game; even Ginny appeared not long before Madam Hooch walked out onto the field. She pressed between some other Gryffindors and stood beside Harvey, who smiled warmly at her.

The Quidditch game was rather intense. Harvey was cheering for Ravenclaw straight off the bat as the chase quickly scored the first two goals. He kept an eye on Harry, who was hovering around the centre of the pitch; it seemed he was swapping banter with Cedric, who was also circling the centre. The score quickly rose, Ravenclaw sitting just in front but Hufflepuff trailing just behind. It seemed that the choice of the winner would be up to Harry and Cedric.

As Hufflepuff scored again, making them even with Ravenclaw, Cedric shot across the pitch. Harry appeared behind him, both of them zooming towards Ravenclaw's goals. Cedric started to dive down, and instead of following, Harry kept going. Cedric twisted and turned, following the snitch as it jolted left and right, up and down. It took a moment to do a full circle around Cedric before shooting off in front of him again. Cedric kept on the snitch, never faltering, his eyes glued to the golden ball. He stretched out his arm, and Harvey wondered for a moment if Harry was about to lose for the first time.

Cedric was so close to grasping the snitch when Harry shot down from above him. He cut Cedric off while also claiming the snitch. The move causing the two friends to collide and almost knocking Cedric off his broom, but Harry caught him too.

The horn sounded as Harry lifted up his arm with the snitch firmly in hand, and the stands roared. Harvey cheered for his brother as Harry laughed, and Cedric shoved Harry's shoulder.

Harry was still laughing and celebrating when Harvey made it round to the changing rooms, Hermione and Ron with him. Harry was still dressed in his Quidditch uniform and had his arm slung over Cedric's shoulders. Cedric had a scowl on his face, but his eyes shone with laughter.

"You almost knocked me off my broom," exclaimed Cedric.

Harry produced a mocking pout and patted Cedric's head; he said, "Oh, I'm sorry, Cedric."

"Get stuffed," Cedric laughed and shoved him.

"Congratulations, Harry," said Harvey.

Harry glanced up and smiled. "Thanks, Harvey."

"It was a great catch."

The kids all turned to see Sirius and Remus standing near the exit of the pitch. Harry smiled widely and walked over to hug his dad.

"Dad, Remus, I didn't know you guys were coming," said Harry.

Sirius smiled. "It was last minute, but I am glad I made it." He squeezed Harry's shoulder. "Oh, and Fleur said she would meet you; once you're changed. She was talking to Amelia and Jenna."

Harry nodded. "I have plenty of time then."

"Harvey, heard about your last match," said Remus, "how's the arm?"

Harvey shrugged. "It's fine; Madam Pomfrey fixed me all up."

"You'd probably still be in there if Lockhart had his way," said Ron.

Sirius frowned. "Lockhart?"

Harry nodded. "The fool tried to heal Harvey's arm on the pitch."

"Good thing you stopped him," said Sirius, "Harvey probably would have ended up with no bones at all."

Harvey paled, suddenly even more glad that his brother had intervened.

"Why are you all so set against, Professor Lockhart? He was trying to help," exclaimed Hermione.

Harry sighed and walked over to her.

Hermione's face had turned red from the boy's comments, her hands clenched together, and if possible, her hair had frizzed even more.

"Hermione…"

"What?" she snapped.

Harry grasped her shoulders and bent to look her in the eye. "Why do you want Lockhart to be good so badly?"

"Why do you want him to be a fraud so badly?" she countered.

Harvey found himself wondering just that. He had heard from his parents and Harry how ridiculous Lockhart was and had just taken their word. Sure he was eccentric and annoying, but maybe there was something he was trying to teach them—just in his own way.

"I don't want him to be a fraud; he is a fraud," said Harry, "he admitted it to me himself."

Harvey could stop his internal cringe—I guess not.

Hermione's red face paled, and her hands started to shake. "He did?"

"He did."

Hermione swallowed and took a step back. "Excuse me," she turned and quickly rushed back towards the school.

"Should someone go after her?" asked Harvey. He didn't want her to be alone.

Harry sighed. "Give her some time."

"I still don't get how she didn't see it sooner," said Ron.

Harry frowned at him. "Sometimes, you don't want to see what's right in front of you."

Ron scoffed but didn't say anything further.

"A better question," said Remus, "is why Dumbledore would even hire the man?"

Sirius gave Remus a look. "Perhaps because you wouldn't take the job."

All four teenage boys turned to look at the adults. Remus looked suddenly off-put and turned to glare at his partner.

Harry was the first who spoke. "Dumbledore offered for you to be the defence teacher, and you said no?"

Remus cleared his throat. "He may have."

"Why would you turn it down?" asked Cedric.

Remus smiled awkwardly. "Thanks, Sirius."

Sirius chuckled. "It's what I'm here for."

"That isn't important." Remus walked over towards Harvey and said, "What is important is talking about current events?" He raised an eyebrow at Sirius.

The cheerful grin on Sirius' face darkened. "Right. Harry, Harvey, let's talk."

Cedric took the hint and dragged Ron away from them, telling Harry they would catch up later. Ron protested but went with Cedric.

"What's up?" asked Harvey.

"Let's talk over here." Sirius led them away from the changing tents and the pitch. They walked down towards the lake, away from everyone else.

Harry crossed his arms over his chest and said, "I told them about everything."

"Everything?" clarified Harvey.

Harry nodded. "Everything."

Sirius said, "About the house-elf, the petrification of the cat and the Colin boy."

"And the voice," added Harry.

Harvey frowned. "What voice?"

"The voice we have both heard," said Harry.

Harvey couldn't believe it. No one else had been able to hear it; Ron had teased him that he was going crazy, Hermione had suggested that hearing voices wasn't good. But now, he wasn't alone. "You've heard it too."

Harry nodded. "Yes, a couple times. The most recent was when Dylan and I found you pointing your wand at Lockhart after you found Colin."

Harvey wanted to cry with relief; he wasn't mad. "I heard it before we found them. I chased after it."

"Do Hermione and Ron know?" asked Remus.

Harvey swallowed and dropped his eyes. "About which part?"

"You told them?" Harry jaw clenched.

"It was an accident. Hermione was asking all these questions, and it just all came out. And then Ron was ears dropping on our conversation, so he found out."

"Ears dropping is the very reason I said not to say anything."

"I realise that, but I thought you meant Draco, not Ron."

"They are as bad as each other."

Remus stepped between the two brothers and place a hand on both of their shoulders. He said, "Okay, boys, enough. It's bad enough that Dumbledore has yet to inform the parents about the petrification, but it's more concerning that a house-elf was so determined to keep you from Hogwarts, Harvey."

Harvey shrugged. "Dobby is crazy. The only harm caused towards me was his doing."

"Dobby?" asked Sirius, "as in the Malfoy's elf?"

Harry nodded. "Yep. He was babbling all sorts of nonsense when he confessed what he had been up to. Mentioned Hogwarts being dangerous and then the Chamber of Secrets before disappearing. Not ten minutes later, Harvey and I came across a message written on the wall saying that the chamber was open and that enemies of the heir should beware. Didn't make a whole lot of sense."

"Haven't heard about the Chamber of Secrets in a long time," said Remus.

"I thought it sounded familiar," said Harry, "but I couldn't place it."

Remus sighed. "It's in the Hogwart's Myths and Legends children's book I gave you for your eleventh birthday."

"That would explain why I couldn't find it." Harry scratched his head.

"Back when Hogwarts was first founded, the founders started seeking out youngsters who showed signs of magic and started bringing them back to the castle to be educated. But disagreements sprang up between them. A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others. Slytherin wanted to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families."

"Meaning no Muggleborns," injected Harry.

Remus nodded. "The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing. Slytherin, according to legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic."

Harvey couldn't believe it. Hermione had missed a few bits of the story, but what she had heard was exactly what Remus had said. Some magical beast that was hidden in the chamber had been released, and it had attacked Colin and Filch's cat.

"What is it?" asked Sirius. He walked over to Harvey and looked at him with concern.

"If the Chamber of Secrets had been opened and a monster has been let loose, why attack Colin?" he asked.

"He's probably a Muggleborn," said Remus.

Harry shook his head. "I can't believe I'm about to say this but are we concluding that there is actually a Chamber of Secrets and that Slytherin's heir has come to Hogwarts—after so many years—and now every Muggleborn in this school is in danger?"

The two adults looked at one another and then back at the boys.

Remus said, "There is no proof that the Chamber is real. It could be someone who is using the story of the Chamber to incite fear."

"What has Dumbledore said?" asked Harry.

Sirius huffed. "That man has said nothing. According to him, the school has been searched many times, but no chamber has ever been found."

"So, no chamber then?" asked Harvey.

Sirius let out a half-laugh. "Who knows."

Harvey wasn't sure what to think. It made sense if there was a chamber with a monster inside it because what else could have petrified Colin and Filch's cat. Harvey thought it was strange that Dumbledore wasn't able to cure them; they would need a potion that needed to be made from mandrakes. But he also wanted it to just be a story; knowing that there was a monster inside the school was bone-chilling, and if it was after Muggleborns, then Hermione wasn't safe.

"—Alright, Harvey?"

Snapping back to the conversation, Harvey looked at Harry. "Sorry, what?"

Harry frowned. "Stop looking into the chamber, alright?"

Harvey frowned. "I haven't been."

The look that graced Harry's face told Harvey that he and his friends hadn't been as sneaky as they thought; Harry was keeping a closer eye on him than he had realised.

"We just wanted to find out what the chamber was," said Harvey.

"Well, now you know," said Remus. "You kids need to focus on your studies and less on myths and legends."

"What if more students get petrified?" asked Harvey. He didn't want to get dragged into a mess again; last year had been crazy, but how did you just ignore the strange events?

"You let the adults deal with it," said Harry.

Harvey sighed; they were right.

"You tell that to Ron and Hermione too. You lot find anything, see anything, you tell a Professor or me, got it?" Harry poked Harvey in the chest.

Harvey smacked away Harry's hand. "Yeah, yeah."