Draco groaned in agony, curled up in the medical wing wishing every curse upon Lockhart that he could. He still hadn't totally recovered from Granger's hex and now the idiotic professor had cast some unknown spell at his stomach. Even Pomfrey couldn't identify what he'd done, but whatever it was, Draco was once again out of classes.
Draco's reputation around Hogwarts wasn't the best - he was generally viewed as a spoiled and arrogant child. But Draco didn't view himself as great for no reason - he was smart and he knew it. He'd managed to keep up with his classmates' work despite so many weeks of sickness, he was damn good at Quidditch, and despite what the Gryffindors thought, he hadn't bought his way onto the team, he actually knew what he was doing. The new brooms were just a fun bonus. Draco knew that if he was given the chance to hit his full potential, he could be the best thing to come out of Hogwarts - but with staff like Lockhart around that was never going to happen. As Draco continued to clutch his stomach, he thought of every awful thing he could do to get back at the professor. If Draco was suffering now, Lockhart had no idea what was coming for him.
The school year continued without incident. Harry kept an eye on Colin, knowing that technically he was due to be the next victim. Creevey wasn't complaining though, and the other first years, though wary at first, came to know the Boy-Who-Lived as less of a legend and more just another student. The rumours about the chamber were starting to dispel. Perhaps Mrs. Norris was just the victim of some cruel prank - everyone knew how awful Filch was, perhaps someone had enough and went after his cat.
As the Christmas holidays approached, Harry found himself looking forward to spending a holiday away from Hogwarts. He'd be back home with Sirius and Remus and he knew Hermione would come to visit too. He'd never really had a family Christmas before. Most of his Christmases after Hogwarts blurred together - no thanks to a very powerful potion - and before that he'd spent them all at Hogwarts. Yes, he had considered the Weasley's like family, but even before he'd been terribly betrayed by them, it was their family Christmas, not his. This time would be different though. For once, he was actually counting the days down to leaving Hogwarts with happiness.
He'd been watching out for Ginny too, as had Hermione. A few times, when they'd been sitting with Colin and his friends, they'd mentioned 'that weird ginger girl' - always quiet, always weepy - they seemed to think she was a bit creepy generally. She kept to herself mainly and was constantly writing things down, it was very off-putting so it seemed she hadn't made many friends despite the first semester nearly being over. Hermione found herself feeling more and more sorry for the girl - she knew what it was like to be at Hogwarts and feel friendless - she knew what it was like to go to school and feel alone, it was getting harder to see this Ginny as the same woman who caused her so much pain.
The diary was seemingly nowhere to be found. Before, Ginny would be writing constantly - everyone would see her at breakfast, lunch and dinner, in the common room, during feasts and assemblies, always writing away. But now? It was gone, and she seemed somewhat healthier. Sure, she was still a loner and very easily brought to tears, but her lack of diary had been noticeable. It was possible she was just trying to be more careful with where she took it, perhaps Tom had convinced her to be more secretive, but whatever the case Harry and Hermione weren't sure what to do.
One day, a couple of weeks before the term ended, a small group of students were gathered around the notice board and the Entrance Hall.
"Check this out, Harry," called Seamus as he walked by the group, "They're starting a duelling club!" Harry stepped forward, remembering the disastrous class he'd had last time. "Tonight? I think I'll skip this one Seam, Lockhart's meant to be leading the club; I doubt it will be anything useful." The huddle of students turned to look at Harry, all somewhat confused or disappointed.
"How do you know that?" An older Hufflepuff student asked. Harry didn't know who they were but clearly it was the question on everyone's mind, "It doesn't even say it on the flier."
"I heard him talking to Professor Snape, they're going to lead it together," Harry said coming up with a quick lie. Disgruntled murmurs were heard around the group - it was bad enough that Lockhart was clearly an incompetent teacher, but dealing with Snape's snide remarks outside of teaching hours didn't seem worth it.
"Thanks for the heads up, Harry," Seamus said as they turned away from the Hall. He laughed, "Think you might have just ruined a whole club though." Harry laughed too, he really couldn't remember them learning anything useful last time , other than how quick Draco was to shoot off aggressive spells. It was probably for the best if less people went.
Word about the duelling club and its teachers had spread round the school fast - most students feeling fairly disappointed and deciding not to go. So when Lockhart and Snape entered the great Hall for their lesson, they were met with a few Slytherin students, a Gryffindor and small group of girls from the other two houses.
"Not quite the turn out I was expecting," Lockhart said, maintaining his wide grin despite his obvious disappointment, "But I suppose you'll do."
Ron had decided to take up duelling. He needed something, anything that would give him an upper hand against Granger. Especially after what she'd done to Draco. He clearly hadn't been the same since she'd hexed him and Ron certainly didn't want to end up on the wrong end of that without some defence. Draco was here for the same reason - the other Slytherins hadn't minded coming along so much knowing it was their own head of house leading the session.
As the professors began their demonstration, the slytherins cheered and the girls gasped and squealed as Snape blasted Lockhart across the room with one quick spell. Ron rolled his eyes, this was the first class he was wanting to pay attention to and it looked like it was just going to be wasted on Snape taking his anger out on Lockhart.
The professors finally came around to pairing the students up. Lockhart first paired up Millicent Bullstrode, a very brutish looking Slytherin girl with one of the Hufflepuffs. Much to Ron's dismay, Snape then paired him with Draco. He knew Draco was faster than him with charms and hexes but Ron was hoping his current sickly state would put him at a disadvantage.
"Child's play," Draco smirked raising his wand.
"Your daddy's money won't help you win this, Malfoy," though Ron was uncertain of himself, he wasn't going to show it.
"Like I need it, Tarantallegra" he shot a spell towards the redhead, causing Ron's legs to jerk in every direction in a very disjointed dance.
"I said disarming only!" Lockhart shouted rushing down to the boys but quickly interrupted by the sounds of other students also breaking that rule. Ron shot a tickling charm at Draco's stomach who did all he could not to throw up as he laughed through the agony of a hundred feathers.
"Enough!" Snape called out, his voice booming the room to a halt. Some students were on the floor, most were disheveled and annoyed - this lesson could not have been more disorganised. "Perhaps," he drawled, turning to his fellow professor, "It would be better to assess duellists one at a time. It won't take long with a group this size."
"Yes," Lockhart clasped his hands together, "an excellent idea, my dear assistant." His eyes scanned the room for a duo. "Malfoy and Weasley, come up here."
The two boys faced each other once more. Snape leaned down and whispered something to Draco.
"Well that's not fair," Ron called out, red in the face, "If he gets extra advice, what do I get?"
"Oh of course, here boy, when he shoots a spell at you, do this," Lockhart began waving his wand in a way that was attempting to be intricate but ultimately just looked chaotic before his wand fell to the floor. "Whoops! My wand seems to be a little overexcited," he laughed bending down to pick it up, but before he could, Ron stepped forward. A small crunch was heard.
"Whoops," Ron deadpanned. Lockhart very clearly tried to hold in his anger, attempting to ignore the laugh from Draco and the broad smirk on Professor Snape's face. "Right well, we very much cannot continue this duel without my wand. It simply wouldn't be safe."
"I'm sure I can conduct this class, Professor, if you feel that you are no longer capable to do so," Snape sneered.
"No, no I'm more than capable, it is the children I worry about Severus. This is my club and I would not wish harm on any one of them. We shall have to resume after I have retrieved a new wand." He glared at Ron who glared right back at him.
He turned and stormed off, not before Draco cast the spell Snape had just whispered to him. "Serpensortia." A long black snake burst forth from Draco's wand, the students screamed and jumped back in fright as Lockhart turned to see the commotion, accidentally twisting himself in his long plum robes and falling forwards on to the snake, crushing it before it could strike.
"Just practicing a new spell," Draco said, smiling as the bumbling Professor tried to collect himself.
News of what Draco had done spread around the school fast - despite how dangerous it could have been to other students, the student body found it fairly funny he'd made a mockery of one of their more useless teachers. Harry had been fairly disappointed that he'd missed it but at least this time he hadn't done anything to stoke the fires of rumours around him. Sure, it didn't really matter that other students thought he was the Heir of Slytherin, but after the duelling club incident last time, even the teachers seemed wary of him, and really Harry was just trying to do whatever made his life as easy as possible.
Draco had a much stronger spring in his step now than earlier in the semester, he never did seem to recover entirely - getting out of breath quickly and often skipping meals, but overall his time at Hogwarts was certainly looking up.
Dumbledore watched as Fawkes burnt to an ash, the phoenix reborn into a small ugly little bird. He sighed, once again his plans were nowhere near where he needed them to be. Harry Potter was leaving Hogwarts for Christmas, to spend time with people Dumbledore would much prefer he didn't; the chamber may have been opened but its only victim had been a measly cat which had now been cured thanks to Professor's Sprouts mandrakes, really he'd gained nothing from this semester. Snape was certain Lucius Malfoy had snuck Ginny the diary. It had been Dumbledore's idea from the start - on Severus' advice, Lucius would finally be rid of this dark artefact that could've posed a threat to his Ministry position if discovered - even better, it could damage the blood traitorous Weasley's Lucius hated so much. All that, and Muggleborns would be purged from Hogwarts. Of course, Lucius had done his bit. But for whatever reason the girl was taking her time with her task. No true casualties had occurred, Potter had no reason to come into seek Dumbledore's advice, nor could he cultivate a saviour complex within the boy. Next semester would need far more aggression. He knew the Weasley's were remaining in Hogwarts this Christmas, perhaps there would be time to influence them to do the right sorts of things.
The spirit of Tom Marvel Riddle continued to write back to the one using his diary. A much more suitable host. Ambition, perseverance, spite and hatred - a perfect breed for a servant of the Dark Lord Voldemort. Plans had changed. The girl was weak and morally inclined and far too obsessed with Potter. This was far better than a girl with a school crush. This could do real damage. Hogwarts would be purified, they would see to that.
I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! Let me know what you think by leaving a review ~ I love reading your guys' theories, suggestions and criticisms, it means so much to me :)