Chapter 31
"Here you are, my dear," Madam Pomfrey said and handed her a calming draught in a small vial, and waited for Hermione to drink it before she handed her a mug. "This too. The vial was to calm your unease, this is to calm your stomach."
"What is it?" Hermione asked, peering into the mug that looked like it contained brown sludge, and looked at it in distaste.
"It is a combination of ground fennel seeds, peppermint tea, ground ginger root, cumin, cinnamon and honey for sweetener. It might notlookvery pleasant, but it will help knock out your nausea in no time," Madam Pomfrey said.
Hermione took a small sip, it was indeed sweet to the taste, and not at all thick like she'd first thought. More the consistency of chocolate milk than that of the thick sludge she'd originally imagined.
"That's a girl," Madam Pomfrey said. "Had to whip up two other batches just tonight."
"Two?" Hermione asked, handing the now empty mug back to her.
"Yes," Madam Pomfrey drawled disapprovingly. "You don't have to tell me what happened. I heard the whole story from Mr Potter and Mr Weasley already... attending a ghost party in the dungeons... Thought you'd have known better than to do that...but I suppose not."
Hermione flushed in embarrassment.
"W-well," she began quietly. "It seemed terribly rude to not go when Sir Nicholas invited us, and I'd have to admit I was rather curious at what it would be like. It wasn't really fun though..."
"No," Madam Pomfrey said in agreement. "It wouldn't be, would it? But I suppose you do have a point... It would have been rude not to at least make the appearance that you did. Anyway, you should be able to eat something light in an hour or so, when your appetites return unhindered by the nausea. I'll bring you some soup then. You should be back to your regular diets by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. You should all stay here for the night in case you need more of this," she trailed off, gently shaking the now empty mug she held.
"Thank you," Hermione said.
"How are you doing with the other?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Oh! You mean the..." Hermione began but cut short at the look of warning in the matron's eyes. "Oh, I should be alright. I was able to use it last night, and didn't have any other issues today. I should be okay."
"Very well," Madam Pomfrey said. "I'll be back to check on you a little later."
"Thank you," Hermione said and laid back, closing her eyes with a sigh as her stomach began to settle.
1November 1992
Hermione,
No, a ghost party doesn't sound like it would be much fun, even with Peeves around. He is such a pest. Sorry to hear that you, Harry and Ron had to spend the night in the hospital wing because of it. You might have Harry mention that to Nick, maybe he'll feel guilty about it and not bother asking anyone to come to something like that again, so it might keep things like that from happening in the future.
How are you feeling now? Better I hope. Madam Pomfrey wasn't too hard on any of you last night, was she? I know she can be at times when she thinks students should know better than to do something and end up doing it anyway. I have seen that lots of times with the twins. If you want to join us for lunch if you are feeling up to it, we'd love to have you join us. Maybe we can find you something light if you're still not feeling well by then.
Oliver
Hermione joined Oliver, Lee and the twins that day, and they allowed Harry and Ron to join them as talk turned to the Chamber of Secrets and the writing on the wall the night before.
"Well, we've History of Magic on Wednesday," Hermione said. "I suppose we could ask Professor Binns about it."
"Good luck with that," Lee said.
"Why's that?" Harry asked, looking at him curiously. "He would know, wouldn't he?"
"Aye," Oliver said. "That he should."
"But don't think he'll tell you," Fred said.
"Why not?" Ron asked.
"Because," George said.
"He deals in facts," Fred finished.
They were right... Come Wednesday, there was so much buzz about the Chamber of Secrets that Professor Binns was entirely put off, and out of sorts. While they were able to get some answers about the Chamber itself, there was nothing about the monster said to be within the Chamber as Professor Binns attributed that to the sensationalism of legend rather than fact, and immediately went back to his boring drone, putting everyone back into their stupor again.
When they were let out of class, Harry, Ron and Hermione headed off to the second floor to see Filch had set up watch in the hallway where the attack on Mrs Norris happened, but that at the present time, the hallway was deserted.
"Couldn't hurt to look around," Harry said after a moment. He dropped his bag and got down on the floor, looking for clues, as Ron and Hermione began to look elsewhere. "Hey look!" he said, drawing their attention, "Scorch marks, here and here."
"Come look at this," Hermione called. "This is funny."
Harry and Ron joined her by the window where she pointed out a trail of spiders climbing the pane and fighting to get through a small crack.
"Have you ever seen spiders act like that?" Hermione asked.
"No," Harry admitted as he watched the spiders climb the wall toward the window.
A short time later they were in the girls' bathroom for the second time where Hermione introduced them to Moaning Myrtle. Things didn't go well though. At first, it was because Harry accidentally upset her when she assumed they were talking behind her back, teasing her when Harry had just asked Hermione to ask her if she'd seen anything strange the night before. Second, they found out that she hadn't because she'd been upset by Peeves and hadn't been paying attention. Finally, it was just their luck that Ron's older brother, Percy, heard them in the girls' bathroom and chased them out. It wasn't until the next day they'd gotten some real clues to go on.
In Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall, Hermione raised her hand, and when she was called on by her head of house, her voice carried a hint of uncertainty, as she had never intentionally side tracked a lesson.
"Professor..." Hermione began. "I was wondering if you could tell us about th-the Chamber of Secrets."
Professor McGonagall gazed around the room, slightly startled by the question, but seeing the interest in the other students' faces.
"Very well," Professor McGonagall said at last, knowing she wouldn't be able to get their focus back on the lesson. "Well, you all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest wizards and witches of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. Now, three of the founders coexisted quite harmoniously, one did not."
"Three guesses who," Ron muttered to Harry.
Hermione rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the professor.
"Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective of the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, pure-bloods. Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school," Professor McGonagall continued. "Now, according to legend, Salazar Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle known as the Chamber of Secrets. Though shortly before departing, he sealed it until that time when his own true Heir returned to the school. The Heir alone would be able to open the Chamber and unleash the horror within, and by so doing , purge the school of all those who in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic."
"Muggle-borns," Hermione said, and Professor McGonagall nodded gravely.
"Well," Professor McGonagall said, "naturally, the school has been searched many times. No such chamber has been found."
"Professor?" Hermione interrupted when her head of house turned. "What exactly does legend tell us lies within the chamber?"
"The chamber is said to be home to something only the Heir of Slytherin can control," Professor McGonagall said. "It is said to be the home of a monster."
At the end of Transfiguration, Hermione, Harry and Ron debated over what Professor McGonagall had said. Ron was adamant that the Malfoy family was involved. Hermione wasn't quite so sure, even though Draco Malfoy had treated her so poorly. She shuddered, thinking that she'd definitely have to use the Pensieve again tonight thanks to Ron's idiocy in bringing up the situation again.
"Remember what we talked about last night?" Hermione asked, trying to derail the conversation and head in another direction as they walked to DADA.
"You mean about Malfoy being the Heir to Slytherin?" Ron asked.
"No," Hermione said glaring at him.
"You mean about finding proof that he was?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded. "I was telling you that we'd need that book from the library...Moste Potente Potions."
"Yeah," Ron said. "You said we couldn't get it without some dumb teacher's note."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, it's likely in the restricted section and we would need a note."
"Any ideas on how to get one?" Harry asked.
"Yep," Hermione said, opening the door to the DADA classroom with a smile. "Wait for me outside after class."
It was a long hour. Hermione couldn't believe she'd done it — at least not for what she was going to do. She could tell that Ron and Harry were both confused, and wanting to gag. She had spent the entire hour, flattering Professor Lockhart whenever he asked a question or spoke to her. She lagged behind when they were dismissed, making sure that she was the last person in the room before lifting her bag and heading up to the Professor's desk.
"Ah, Ms Granger," Professor Lockhart said, beaming when he noticed her. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Hermione smiled back. "Well, sir," she began, and batted her eyes adoringly at him. "I know that you've had such brilliant adventures, I wonder if you might be able to assist me. You're so daring and brave...I - I really think you're the only one who can."
Professor Lockhart puffed up at the praise like a giant peacock. "What seems to be the trouble, dear girl? I assure you, I will help in any way I can."
"Well, you see, sir," Hermione said. "I think my grade might be slipping in Potions class..."
"Ah, yes," Professor Lockhart said sadly. "I'm afraid that is Professor Snape's job, is it not? I mean, heisyour potions master."
"Yes, but I fear he won't really help me," Hermione said. "You see, I want to improve my grade by doing some research on a book he mentioned a few weeks ago. I've learned that it's in the restricted section and I'll need a note."
"I'm sure that Professor Snape would -"
"I don't think so, sir," Hermione interrupted, causing Professor Lockhart to blink in surprise. "It's because of my friends, you see. I don't think Professor Snape would help me with acquiring the book because I'm friends with Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. I don't think he trusts them not to take advantage of the situation and cause trouble, therefore, I don't think he would be willing to help."
"And you can assure me that -if- I decided to assist you," Professor Lockhart drawled. "That Professor Snape's concerns would be unfounded?"
"Of course, sir," Hermione said with a small smile. "I have something in my possession that Madam Pomfrey entrusted me with... something no one else knows about. I cannot say more, as it would be a breach of her confidence, but if you were to ask her... anyway, I'm sure I can keep a simple book from their knowledge."
Lockhart chuckled. "Very well, Ms Granger," he said with another grin. "I will aid you in your quest for knowledge." He took out a piece of parchment and his peacock feather quill, writing in a flourish. "What is the name of the book?" he asked, pausing for a moment.
"Moste Potente Potions," Hermione said and watched as he finished off the note by filling in the book title and signing his name.
"Here you are, Ms Granger," he said, holding out the note to her with a smile. "Let's hope that you get an O on that paper, shall we?"
"Yes, sir," Hermione said as she accepted the note. "Thank you, sir."
"Anything for a fan," Lockhart replied. "Now you'd better be off, you don't want to be late."
"Of course, sir," Hermione said, and nearly stumbled over herself in her rush to leave. "Thanks again!"