When school began, everyone noticed Hermione Granger's absence in classes. It was blatantly obvious considering she was always the first one in class. Rumors of what could have happened to her were quick to arise, but since she was still moving and talking within the nightwing, students had to rule out the Heir of Slytherin had struck again. Romina, Harry and Ron were just grateful Hermione's cat-like appearance wouldn't be permanent. It was quite a sight seeing their friend turned half cat thanks to the mix up with the polyjuice potion. Romina felt monumentally guilty for never mentioning Millicent had a cat. Maybe that could have spared Hermione from the tail.
In the night wing, Hermione accepted the new pile of books each friend brought her. She was doing her best to keep up with every class and the respective assignments.
"Madam Pince asked that we relay a message to you, Hermione," Ron grumbled as he rubbed his wrists after setting down his portion of the book piles, "She'd appreciate it if you'd leave a few books for the rest of the school."
Hermione rolled her eyes and passed another page of her Transfiguration book. "I've got to keep up, haven't I?"
"Honestly, at the rate you're going, I think you're weeks ahead of us," Romina scratched her head. Her eyes swept over the mountain of books on the bed. "Maybe several years."
Ron spotted Hermione's tail twitching from behind. "Is that thing ever going away?"
"Any day now, according to Madam Pomfrey. I'm just thankful I've stopped coughing up fur balls. Now. What about the Chamber of Secrets? Any new leads?"
"Nothing," Harry bitterly responded. They hit a dead end after getting nothing from Draco.
"And has it gotten any better? I mean... is anyone speaking to you?"
"Neville asked to borrow a tubeworm in Potions yesterday. I suppose that's something."
Ron had spotted something poking from Hermione's pillow and pulled it out. It turned out to be a get well card from Lockhart. "To Miss Granger. Wishing you a speedy recovery, from your concerned teacher Gilderoy Lockhart.'" Ron made a gagging motion. "You sleep with this under your pillow?"
Hermione flushed a deep read and snatched it from him. "Of course not. I don't know how that got there. Now go. I still have six hundred pages to read in Transformation Through the Ages."
"C'mon, boys," Romina smirked at Hermione as she pulled the two boys out of the room.
"I know Hermione's mental, but can you believe she falls for that smarmy nonsense of Lockhart's?" Ron was still complaining even as they headed for the staircase.
"He's her celebrity crush, Ron," Romina shrugged. "We're all fools for one person in this world of higher ranks."
"Yeah, and who's yours?" Ron inquired curiously.
Romina would have answered had it not been from the splash she heard below. There was yet another flood overtaking the hallway and it wasn't long before they listened to Myrtle's moaning from her bathroom.
"Looks like Myrtle's flooded the bathroom," Harry crinkled his nose. He turned for the bathroom and led the other two in.
When they entered the restroom, they saw all the taps were running and streaming down water like there was no tomorrow. Myrtle's moans filled the room but stopped the moment she heard them coming in.
"Come to throw something else at me?" she asked in a childish, squeaky voice.
"Why would we do that?" Romina made a face.
"Don't ask me. Here I am, minding my own business, and someone thinks it's funny to throw a book at me…" Myrtle raised a hand to her head.
"But it can't hurt if someone throws something at you. I mean, it'd just go right through you, wouldn't it?" Ron cluelessly asked.
Myrtle was outraged and offended. "Oh sure! Let's all throw books at Myrtle, because she can't feel it! Ten points if you can get it through her stomach. Fifty points if it goes through her head!"
Romina elbowed Ron in the ribs, muttering, "Way to go."
Harry tried to cut in before Myrtle entered another screaming fit. "Who threw it at you anyway?"
"I don't know. I didn't see them. I was just sitting in the U-bend, thinking about death and it fell through the top of my head."
Harry looked around the girl and noticed a small, black book lying on the ground.
"Fifty points if you can get it through her nose," Ron had the genius idea to say.
"I HEARD THAT!" Myrtle lost it and screamed at them.
Terrified, the three students ran out of the room as fast as they could.
"Way to go, Ron!" Romina smacked the ginger upside the head.
Harry looked the book over, much more calm than the other two. "This is a diary. And it's old…"
Ron rolled his eyes. "It's a diary, it's old... and was most recently in a toilet, Harry." Harry didn't seem to mind since he was opening the book. "Are you mad? That could be cursed. Dad once told me about a book the Ministry confiscated that burned the eyes out of anyone who tried to read it."
"I'll take my chances…" Harry said, and Romina swore she saw a hint of mischief in his eyes.
As soon as he opened it, Harry cried out. "MY EYES! MY EYES!"
Ron gasped, completely terrified but Romina bit her lip to not laugh. Harry stopped to flash a smile at his ginger friend, almost to the point of laughing. He caught Ginny, however, at the end of the corridor, looking terrified.
"Ginny!" Harry called but the girl had ran off so fast it was impossible to catch her. "I was only joking — brilliant. Even your sister thinks I'm the monster now."
"Who doesn't by now, honestly?" Romina took the diary from him and read the name on the first page. "Tom Marvolo Riddle. That's such a weird name."
Ron snorted. "This coming from Romina Aline Oswell." He received a punch in the arm. "Listen Ronald, you don't want to play a game you'll lose at."
Ron rubbed his arm and glumly looked down at the book for a moment. His eyes widened after a couple of seconds. "Tom Marvolo Riddle? Hang on. I know that name. The night I had detention...my job was to polish the silver in the trophy room. I remember because I kept burping slugs all over Tom Riddle's trophy. I must have wiped slime off his name for an hour."
Romina passed pages and pages, a frown quickly making its way across her face. "Well, there is nothing here. It's empty."
Harry snatched the book to see for himself. "That's odd. He never wrote in it?"
"Who's this guy anyways?" Romina glanced at Ron for a better understanding.
Ron gave a shrug of his shoulders. "I don't know. I just know he won the award like fifty years ago. Least that's the date on the trophy."
Deciding it was better to see Hermione again to consult with her over the book, the three headed back to the night wing. Of course Hermione was still deep in her transfiguration book.
"You said fifty years ago?" Hermione asked from Ron, now skimming the book herself. "Don't you remember what Malfoy told you? The last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened was—"
"Fifty years ago!" Harry soon remembered. "That means—"
"Tom Riddle was here, at Hogwarts, when it happened," Hermione confirmed. "What if he wrote about what he saw? It's possible he knew where the Chamber was, how to open it, even what sort of creature lives in it. If so, whoever's behind the attacks this time wouldn't want a diary like this lying around, would they?"
"That's a brilliant theory, Hermione. With just one tiny little flaw," Ron tapped the empty diary in her hands. "There's nothing written in this diary."
"I was thinking it could be invisible ink but I was wrong," Romina sadly said.
"Well...I think we should definitely be careful with this," Hermione gave the diary back to Harry. "Something tells me Ron might be right. It could be dangerous."
"You don't think I'm dangerous, do you, Hermione?" Harry genuinely asked. "I mean, you're not scared. Of me."
"Harry, we're afraid, but not of you."
~0~
Weeks flew by and since there hadn't been any more attacks from the Chamber's beast, things sort of simmered down in terms of rumors. People still hardly talked to Harry more than they had to, but it was a start that rumors were quieting down. Still, many people were taking precautions and being extra quiet. One wrong word or move and the beast could be unleashed on them.
In Lockhart's mind, this called for his 'help'. The fourteenth of February saw the grand master plan of his to help the students. It all started with the Great Hall…
"What the hell…?" Arden took a sharp intake of breath at the sight of the pink decorated room. Pink flowers covered the four walls and from the ceiling fell heart-shaped confetti.
Even Romina was taken aback by the sight. The two girls were mesmerized by the hall that they slowly slipped in and walked to their designated table without even noticing.
"Isn't it sweet?" Carolinha asked with a dreamy sigh once the girls joined them for breakfast. "I hope they do this every year."
A couple seats down they all heard Angel's loud snort. "If that happens, make sure to kill me." Beside him, even Draco was looking horrified as he peeked into his goblet that held a pile of confetti. Blaise and Theodore looked no better.
"It's safe to say Lockhart is behind this," Romina said once she caught sight of the blonde wizard in ludicrous pink robes.
"I don't know if I like it or I want to throw this confetti-covered oatmeal at his head," Arden muttered.
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Lockhart began the daily announcements. "And may I thank the forty-six people who have so far sent me cards!"
"Alright," Angel shot a look to every girl around him, "Which ones of you did it?"
"Oh you're just mad cos you haven't gotten any card," Carolinha shushed him and continued listening to Lockhart.
"Yes, Carol, thank you for your confession," Angel shook his head and said something about disowning her.
Their attention was taken by the surly-looking dwarfs matching into the place. They were all donning the traditional Cupid golden wings and harps.
"My friendly, card-carrying cupids!" Lockhart declared happily. "They will be roving around the school today delivering your valentines! And the fun doesn't stop here! I'm sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion! And while you're at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments than any wizard I've ever met, the sly old dog!"
"How ridiculous," Arden declared once they were allowed to continue eating.
"King is the first to make sense, that's a sight to see," Draco gave her an odd look, just to make sure it had been her who said it and not someone else.
"I don't know, it sounds kinda fun…" Romina shrugged and reached for a piece of toast. She had to dust it off to get rid of the confetti.
"It is!" Carolinha agreed with a smile. "I'll send one!"
"To who?" Pansy curiously leaned forwards to catch sight of her.
"None of your business," Carolinha blushed. It was clear she had a person in mind.
"You're all ridiculous," Blaise concluded and began to eat.
"Oh c'mon, just because no one will send you a card doesn't mean it'll be the same story for everyone else," Romina shot him a smirk. "If you'd like, I'll send you one."
That was enough to put Blaise on high alert. "You do that and I'll kill you!"
Romina burst into laughter.
"I mean it! I'll kill you!"
Romina twirled her fork in the air, pretending to write the card for him. "Dear Blaise, I think it's so lovely when you nearly self-combust each time I annoy you…"
Blause pulled out his wand but, much to his shock, Draco pushed it down. The blonde was busy laughing with Angel and Theo to notice Blaise's murderous looks.
"You'll regret that, Oswell," Blause got up and stormed off.
"Counting on it," Romina finally dug into her breakfast to eat, though with her laughter it was a bit tricky.
~0~
The day passed slowly but surely interestingly. There were thousands of interruptions in each class from Lockhart's cupids handing out Valentine cards. It had been exceptionally funny for Romina to see Arden receiving one from a mysterious sender. Although, Romina was sure it had been Pansy who sent it as a joke since Arden fumed for the rest of the day about her "biggest embarrassment ever!". Romina had to give Pansy her proper points for that one.
Carolinha wouldn't tell anyone who had been her mysterious sendee but assured that she had indeed sent a card to someone anonymously. Romina was sure Hermione sent Lockhart a card but the brunette refused to admit it.
"Your face is red, Hermione. You suck at lying about these things," Romina laughed as they walked down the hallway for Charms. Her laughter was short-lived when a dwarf called out for Harry and, just to get to the boy, elbowed Romina in the ribs. "Ah!" she fell into Hermione.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Hermione helped Romina stand straight again.
"Looks like Harry's about to get a card…" Romina smirked then hurried with Hermione to see the spectacle.
It appeared Harry was trying to flee from the site, failing miserably as the dwarf turned out to be way stronger. His backpack fell from his arm and dumped all of his belongings onto the floor in the process.
"I don't think this could get any worse," Hermione leaned on her hip, sighing at their friend who seemed to be walking thin on the lucky department.
"What's going on here?" Draco pushed past several of the first years in the way.
"You just had to say that didn't you?" Romina shot Hermione a mock accusing glance to which the brunette meekly shrugged.
The dwarf paid no attention to Percy Weasley trying to get everyone to move and began to sing Harry's valentine message.
His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord."
Despite knowing how badly Harry must be feeling, Romina and Hermione snickered behind their hands. The message was too funny to ignore.
"Off you go, off you go, the bell rang five minutes ago, off to class, now!" Percy ushered the students, though some of them were laughing so hard it was impossible to move in that moment.
"Oh no, Romina, look," Hermione pointed Romina to the black diary that Draco was now picking up from the ground. "If he gets a look…"
"It's empty," Romina reminded her calmly. "Even if he wanted to make fun of Harry - which at this point I find completely pointless - he wouldn't get anything out of it."
"Wonder what Potter's written in this?" Draco let Crabbe and Goyle see over his shoulder to the diary he'd yet to even open.
Harry balled a fist on his side and quietly asked for the book back.
"Hand it over, Malfoy," Percy held a hand for the book.
"When I've had a look," Draco promised, waving the book in the air.
"As a school prefect—"
Harry had no patience to hear another perfect lecture. Using his wand, he yelled 'Expelliarmus!" and re-acquired the diary in a snap.
"Harry!" Percy turned to the boy. "No magic in the corridors! I'll have to report this, you know—" But Harry bolted from the scene without looking back.
Draco was furious and because he couldn't let the score go unevenly, he called to Harry one last time with, "Hey Weasley," he looked at Ginny, the girl so terrified she was pale, "I don't think Potter liked your valentine much!"
Ginny whimpered and dashed into her class, presumably.
"We should go too," Hermione shook her head at the scene. "We'll be late for class."
"Believe me, after this there won't be much paying attention in Charms," Romina muttered as they continued on their way.
The day passed with many more interesting sights of people receiving cards in the middle of classes, hallways, courtyards, even lunch! Romina used a free period to look more into the possibilities of the empty diary in Harry's possession. She figured there had to be something in that damn book but because of their lack of knowledge, it was staying a secret. She was just coming out of the library with a 'Vanishing Ink' 101 book in her arms when a dwarf stopped her.
"Oh no, you are not singing anything to me," she warned him with a wagging finger. "I have a book and I will use it on your head."
"It's a card, sweetheart," the dwarf replied in a sourly tone. He pushed the red card into her hand then went on his way.
"So much for the Valentine spirit," she rolled her eyes and continued walking. It was indeed a card but it was full of mushy compliments that at times she laughed.
She brought the letter over to dinner, still laughing when she sat down in her usual spot. "Alright, you know what, I'll give Zabini props for his attempt of revenge but he shouldn't have given me such mushy compliments."
"What are you talking about, Oswell?" Draco stopped eating for a second. "Blaise up in the night wing." And yet he didn't look very concerned.
"You got a card!" Carolinha reached over the table and snatched the letter from Romina's hands to read it herself. Even Pansy leaned over her shoulder to get a glimpse. "Aw, how romantic!"
"It's stupid," Romina laughed again. "Honestly, I don't know if Blaise was aiming to embarrass me or make me think I have a secret admirer. Either way, he loses."
"Oswell, I am telling you it wasn't Zabini," Draco reiterated, "He got sick. He couldn't talk, much less write. It wasn't him."
"But if it wasn't him...then who was it?" Romina now made a face and took the card back from Carolinha, re-reading the words. Her face suddenly went warm now that she knew the compliments were very much real.
Arden and Angel joined them a moment later and as Arden was sitting down beside Romina, she noticed the Valentine card. "Oh God, not another one!" Pansy snickered under her breath.
"Who's it from?" Angel asked as he began to put food on his plate.
"I don't know but whoever it was...has some good writing, I guess," Romina shrugged and put the card down beside her plate. "But low move not writing their name. I'm not much for secret admirers."
And she wouldn't dwell on the secret writer. Earlier that day, Ron received one too, but it was soon found out to be a joke from Fred and George who now wouldn't stop teasing him over it. Just because it wasn't from Blaise didn't mean Romina's letter wasn't a joke from someone else.
~ 0 ~
The next day, Harry would come to his friends with astounding news of the Chamber. He told them how he had spoken to some sort of version of Tom Riddle and how he had been sucked into the past - literally - and allowed to see for himself who had opened the Chamber fifty years ago.
"It can't be Hagrid. It just can't be," Hermione couldn't finish processing what she hears.
"Honestly, that idea is just as laughable as when you thought Draco was the Heir," Romina waved her hand at them.
Even Ron agreed with them there. "We don't even know this Riddle. He sounds like a dirty, rotten snitch to me."
"The monster had killed someone, Ron. What would any of us done?" Harry asked the three.
"Look," Hermione stopped in the middle of the courtyard. "Hagrid's our friend. Why don't we just go ask him about it?"
"Hermione I can't believe you just asked that," Romina was flatly staring at her. "You really think just asking Hagrid straight up if he's been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately would be a conversation topic?"
"Mad an' hairy?" Hagrid's voice startled them all. "Wouldn' be talkin' 'bou me, now would yeh?"
"No!" went the students in the next second.
"What's that you've got, Hagrid?" Romina asked once she eyed the canister in his hand. They needed a quick subject changer and she was great at those.
"Flesh-Eatin' Slug Repellent. Fer the Mandrakes, yeh know. Accordin' ter Professor Sprout, they still got a bit o' growin' up ter do, but once their acne clears up, we'll be able to chop 'em up, stew 'em, an' get those people in the hospital un-Petrified. 'Til then, you four best watch yerselves, all righ'?"
"Go ahead Hermione, ask him," Romina spoke after Hagrid had gone. Hermione shot her a look, understanding this hadn't been her best idea.
"Harry! Harry!" Neville came running towards them out of breath. "Harry, I don't know who did it, but... you'd better come."
"Come where?" Harry asked, confused, yet a tiny gut in his feeling told him it would be better to stay right there lest he want to be blamed for a new attack.
"To our room! Someone's gone through your stuff - they ransacked it!"
"You should go," Romina motioned the Gryffindors, getting a feeling of what could possibly have led someone to do that sort of thing. "Tell me afterwards at dinner."
With nods, the Gryffindors left with Neville. Two hours later, Romina would come to learn that Tom Riddle's diary had been stolen from Harry.
A/N:
P.S As always, I have a tumblr account dedicated to my fanfic works! It's a place where anyone can comment about a story or even just talk to me! I often drop aesthetic work belonging to my stories too! Feel free to check it out, my URL is "saiilorstars"