"What's going on here? What's going on?"
Mr Filch shouting was the first time that anyone had looked away from Mrs. Norris hanging form. The six of us who'd been caught in the middle all shared a worried glance, wondering what Filch would do once he saw what had happened to his beloved cat.
Finally the caretaker pushed through the crowd, and froze in horror.
"My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" He roared in horror, eyes darting around the student body, until his eyes finally landed on Harry.
"You!" He screeched, pointing an accusing finger at Harry. "You! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll —"
"Argus!"
We all breathed a sigh of relief as Dumbledore, followed closely by Professor's Snape, McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout and Lockhart.
The student body quickly let the the Professor's through as Dumbledore quickly strode past us and detached Mrs. Norris from the wall. Professor Lockhart, looking more serious than I'd even seen him, looked at the writing above her in shock.
"The Chamber of Secrets." The defense Professor read in a quiet voice, before turning to the six of us, namely me and Harry, with an unreadable expression.
"Come with me, Argus," Dumbledore said as he held the stiff form of Mrs. Norris, before turning to us. "You, too, Mr and Miss Potter, Mr. Weasley and Goldstein, Miss Granger, and Turpin."
Lockhart turned away from us and towards the headmaster.
"My office is nearest, Headmaster." He said, as Dumbledore nodded.
"Thank you, Gilderoy," Dumbledore replied.
The crowd parted to let us pass. Dumbledore and Lockhart leading the way, Lockhart still looking intently at Mrs. Norris. Professor's Snape, and McGonagall followed suit, while Professor's Flitwick, and Sprout began ordering students back to their common rooms.
We entered Lockhart's office and the walls suddenly seemed to move, I thought for a second it was what Harry had heard, what had attacked Mrs. Norris, but was relieved to find that it was just the portraits of Lockhart waking, all moving away from the light. The real professor Lockhart lit candles at his desk, which is where Dumbledore laid Mrs. Norris down, while the six of us exchanged nervous looks, before sitting down in the desks and waiting.
All four Professors stood around Lockhart's desk and began to inspect the cat. Professor Dumbledore's face barley and inch from the cat, while he poked and prodded the stiff feline. Professor McGonagall was also looking at the cat, her eyes narrowed in apparent concentration, while Professor Snape stood behind the pair, looking over their shoulders, his face unreadable. Professor Lockhart stood on the other side of the desk, his brows furrowed in apparent worry.
Mr Filch on the other hand was slouched in Lockhart's chair, his face buried deep in his hands as he sobbed uncontrollably. I almost wanted to get up and try to comfort the caretaker, but quickly pushed the thought out of my head, remembering the mad look in his eye when he had accused Harry just moments earlier.
The silence of the room was only interrupted by Dumbledore muttering incantations under his breath, while tapping her with his wand, to no effect. With every passing moment Filch's sobs grew louder, as the staff said nothing, and the portraits of Lockhart watched intently.
At last Dumbledore stood straight, and sighed before turning to Mr. Filch. "She's not dead, Argus," The headmaster assured him.
"Not dead?" Filch replied through his sobs, finally looking at Mrs. Norris through his fingers. "But why's she all — all stiff and frozen?"
"I assume she's been Petrified." Lockhart interjected looking at Dumbledore for confirmation, who nodded.
"Yes Gilderoy, she has. But how, I cannot say…"
"Ask him!" Filch roared, his tear stain faced turning to look directly at Harry.
"No second year could have done this," Dumbledore replied firmly. "it would take Dark Magic of the most advanced —"
"He did it, he did it!" Filch interrupted surely, his face turning purple "You saw what he wrote on the wall! He found — in my office — he knows I'm a — I'm a —" Filch took a deep breath to collect himself. "He knows I'm a Squib!"
"I never touched Mrs. Norris!" Harry replied loudly, as the entire staff turned to him. "And I don't even know what a Squib is."
"Rubbish!" Filch snarled. "He saw my Kwikspell letter!"
"If I might speak, Headmaster," Professor Snape spoke from the shadows. I noticed Harry tensed up in worry, and I thought back to all the things Harry had said about Snape, how the man supposedly hated him...
"Mr Potter and his friends may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time," Snape began and for a moment Harry relaxed, but then Snape's face curled into a sneer I'd only ever seen him use on Smith.
"But we do have a set of suspicious circumstances here. Why was he in the upstairs corridor at all? Why wasn't he at the Halloween feast?" Snape finished looking at Harry in suspicion, and I got a sense of why Harry always spoke so lowly of the man...
"We were invited to Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party..." Hermione began.
"...He asked Harry to attend personally..." Ron added.
"...He was trying to join the headless hunt, and there were hundreds of ghosts, they'll tell you we were there." Harry finished, as Professor Dumbledore turned to me, Anthony, and Lisa.
"That's why we were their to." I added, and the Headmaster nodded thoughtfully.
"But why not join the feast afterward?" Snape asked suddenly. "Why go up to that corridor?"
All of us turned to Harry, expecting him to explain to the Professor's what we head heard earlier.
"Because — because — because we were tired and wanted to go to bed," Harry stammered out, causing me, Anthony, and Lisa to look at him in disbelief.
"Without any supper?" Snape asked, a wicked smile across his face. "I didn't think ghosts provided food fit for living people at their parties."
"We weren't hungry," Ron replied just as his stomach growled.
"I suggest, Headmaster, that Mr. Potter is not being entirely truthful," Snape began as his smile widened. "It might be a good idea if he were deprived of certain privileges until he is ready to tell us the whole story. I personally feel he should be taken off the Gryffindor Quidditch team until he is ready to be honest."
"Really, Severus," Professor McGonagall interjected and I could see Harry sigh in relief. "I see no reason to stop the boy playing Quidditch. This cat wasn't hit over the head with a broomstick. There is no evidence at all that Mr. Potter has done anything wrong."
For a moment Dumbledore stared directly at Harry, and then he nodded.
"Innocent until proven guilty, Severus," Dumbledore stated, leaving no room for discussion.
Both Professor Snape, and Mr. Filch looked furious.
"My cat has been Petrified!" Mr. Filch demanded, his eyes nearly popping from his sockets. "I want to see some punishment!"
"We will be able to cure her, Argus," Dumbledore assured him. "Professor Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made that will revive Mrs. Norris."
"I'm sure Professor Snape will be able to brew something like that in his sleep." Lockhart added, his usual confident smile returning as he patted both Snape and Filch on the shoulders.
Snape glared daggers at Lockhart. "Of course I can, I am the Potions master at this school, after all."
"Good, good. That will give me time to investigate what could have caused this." Lockhart replied before turning to the headmaster. "With you permission of course, headmaster?"
Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape all shared a look, then Dumbledore nodded. "You may Gilderoy, hopefully you can find the cause behind this attack."
"Excellent!" Lockhart replied, straightening his robes and checking himself in the mirror. "I will check with my sources, one cannot become a defender of the innocent without some help." He explained, before pausing at the door, and turning to us. "I assure you children that Mrs. Norris will be cured, and I Gilderoy Lockhart hero of many, will catch this attacker! "He then turned back to Dumbledore and the rest of the staff. "I will be back before dawn headmaster. " And with that Lockhart strode out of the room, leaving Dumbledore stroking his beard, McGonagall looking at Dumbledore, and Snape glaring daggers at the empty doorway, finally Dumbledore turned to us.
"You may go," He said, as we all got up and scurried out of the room. As soon as we left the room me, Anthony, and Lisa shared a look, then noticed Harry quickly heading up another floor.
"Wait Harry." I tried, he turned and motioned for us to follow, as I turned back to Lisa and Anthony.
"Why not." Lisa told me shrugging. "I mean, how worse can it get?"
We followed the Gryffindor's up a flight of stairs, and into an empty classroom. Harry shut the door behind us, before speaking.
"D'you think I should have told them about that voice I heard?" Harry asked nervously.
"No," Ron said with no hesitation. "Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world."
Both me and Lisa turned to Anthony, who nodded slowly
"It usually is a bad sign..." Anthony admitted, causing me to pinch the bridge of my nose.
"What did it sound like?" I asked, and Harry started pacing.
"Like a normal voice but, deadly, evil, dangerous. You all believe me, don't you?"
"'Course I do," Ron said instantly. "But — you must admit it's weird…"
"Very weird." Anthony added stroking his chin.
"I know it's weird," Harry replied sighing. "The whole thing's weird. What was that writing on the wall about? The Chamber Has Been Opened… What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know, it rings a sort of bell," Ron replied, thinking. "I think someone told me a story about a secret chamber at Hogwarts once… might've been Bill…"
"Hogwarts has many secret chambers." Anthony added, clearly frustrated he didn't know the answer. "I just can't recall what the Chamber of Secrets is."
There was a couple of seconds of silence as everyone thought.
"And what on earth's a Squib?" Harry asked.
Ron stifled a snicker, which caused Anthony to elbow him.
"It's not funny Ron." Anthony scolded and Ron nodded.
"You're right..." He replied before turning back to Harry. " — it's not funny really — but as it's Filch," he added, looking at Anthony who shook his head in disapproval, then shrugged.. "A Squib is someone who was born into a wizarding family but hasn't got any magic powers. Kind of the opposite of Muggle-born wizards, but Squibs are quite unusual. If Filch's trying to learn magic from a Kwikspell course, I reckon he must be a Squib. It would explain a lot. Like why he hates students so much. "Ron tried his best to suppress a satisfied smile. "He's bitter."
"What's Kwikspell?" Lisa asked.
"The lowest form of magical education." Anthony answered as Ron's smile grew. "Basic stuff like how to hold a wand. If Filch using it then he's desperate for...well any sort of magical skill really."
There was another moment of silence before a clocked chimed, and we realized how late it was.
"Midnight," Harry said. "We'd better get to bed before Snape comes along and tries to frame us for something else."
"Frame you." Lisa interjected, causing the Gryffindor to turn to her. "He would never frame Sarah." She added, giving me a grin, as I rolled my eyes.
"Like I've said a thousand time, I don't get it either." I replied, giving Lisa a glare, who only chuckled.
"Oh yeah." Harry said like he suddenly remembered. "Snape doesn't hate you."
I nodded. "No, but after tonight I can see why you think he hates you."
Harry sighed, then looked to me, Anthony, and Lisa. "I'm sorry I dragged you all into this."
"It's fine." I replied waving him off. "It's not your fault, just...be careful. Whatever you're hearing is dangerous."
Harry nodded. "I will." Then turned to Ron and Hermione. "Let's go."
And with that we all exited to dark classroom and went our separate way. Harry, Ron, and Hermione taking a left, and us a right.
"Well, tonight sucked." Lisa said when we were surely out of ear range.
"It did." I admitted, taking a deep breath as we began up the spiral staircase to the common room. "But at least it's over."
"Hopefully Dumbledore can figure out what, and who, caused Mrs. Norris petrifaction." Anthony added.
"Well Lockhart's already on the case, he should be able to figure it out." I said, causing Anthony to roll his eyes.
"If you say so." Anthony said, as we approached the eagle knocker.
"What is always coming but never arrives?" It asked.
"Tomorrow." Lisa quickly answered, as the door opened.
We all entered and I breathed a sigh of relief when we saw the empty common room. Me and Lisa bid Anthony good night, then headed to our dorm where the others were sound asleep. We both quietly changed, then got under the covers, hoping tomorrow wouldn't be as testing as tonight.
Halloween night in Hogsmeade village was always a quiet affair. All the students of Hogwarts, whom made up a sizable chunk of the villages business, were busy enjoying the famed feast at the school. Doubly so the the Hogs Head bar, as most would be patrons would sooner drink at the Three Broomsticks.
Which made it the perfect place for those who wished to meet unseen.
"Hm." The owner of the bar, Aberforth Dumbledore groaned as he shuttled over to the nook. "Here's that cup of fire whiskey."
"Thank you." The hooded figure replied. Aberforth looked at the man nervously, something was...off about him, but quickly dismissed it.
His bar often had such types, who was he to judge one more.
As the younger Dumbledore stepped back behind his bar, which was empty other than the hooded figure he'd just served, he was surprised to hear the door fly open, and doubly surprised when Gilderoy Lockhart, his brothers newest Defense Professor, strolled in.
"Can I help you?" Aberforth asked, but Lockhart hadn't seemed to be listening, as he scanned the bar until his eyes fell on the hooded man. "Hello?"
"Oh." Lockhart jumped before turning to Aberforth with a grin. "Just a butterbeer." He finished, Aberforth shrugged, then poured a cup.
"Here you go." Aberforth said handing the man a glass. "Anything else Professor?"
"Just some privacy."
Aberforth almost jumped as the hooded figure responded, as the pair stood next to each other. For a moment Aberforth grew worried, wondering what a Hogwarts Professor was doing with such man, but then shrugged it off.
If Albus couldn't see through Lockhart, and Lockhart was indeed malicious, then he had it coming.
"Ten Galleons to use the back room, standard rate." Aberforth told the pair, the hooded man nodded as he placed ten galleons on the counter, then motioned for Lockhart to follow. He watched the pair disappear down the hall, then into the room, the door slammed shut, as he heard their faint voices...
"The circumstances have changed my lo..." Lockhart began.
"Quiet fool!" The hooded man yelled, cutting the defense Professor off.
Suddenly both men went quiet...
"Cast the Notice me Not charm." A third, sinister voice commanded. Aberforth now grew alarmed. No one else had gone into that room...
"Animadverto me non." The hooded man muttered, and suddenly Aberforth tilted his head.
"Why should I care..." He muttered, and tuning out the voices, grabbed a rag and began to clean the counter top.
The next morning all anyone could talk about was Mrs. Norris, and the fact the the six of us had been seen at the sight of the crime. As soon as me and Lisa woke up, Mandy, Morag, and Padma were all over us with questions, and as soon as we entered the common room we, along with Anthony were flooded by questions by a group of third years.
By the time we finally got to breakfast, the three of us were nearing already on edge.
"What happened?" Terry, causing the three of us to turn to him in annoyance. "Anthony was already gone by the time we got up?" He explained motioning to Michael, as the pair joined the rest of us at the breakfast table.
"Like we've already said." Anthony replied, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "We went to Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday party. We ran into Mrs. Norris maybe half a minute before you all arrived. That's it."
Terry sank in his seat, deep in thought.
"So you didn't see anything?" Michael added before glancing over his shoulder at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "And they didn't either?"
"No." Lisa replied firmly, clearly annoyed at all the questions. "Please stop asking."
Michael and Terry both looked at each other, and shrugged. Thankfully being that Terry and Michael had been the last two in our year awake, and seemingly everyone else in the common room had already asked, maybe we could finally begin to enjoy our breakfast in peace...
"Potter?" A new voice interrupted my thoughts, as I looked up and saw Sandra, and the other first years looking at me eagerly.
"Sandra?" I replied in confusion. Ever since I'd stopped her bullying of Luna, she and the other first years had hardly said a word to me, or anyone in my year to be honest.
"Is it true Harry did something to Mrs. Norris?" She asked excitedly and I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes.
"Harry did no such thing." I replied. "Now if you don't mind I'm going to finish my meal."
"Come on Potter, you can tell us, we won't say anyt..."
"Shafiq!"
The girl was interrupted by a loud voice, and the sound of footsteps approaching. Sandra silently scoffed as Penelope approached, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"No one is to ask these three any more questions, Professor Flitwick's orders." Penelope ordered sternly while folding her arms.
"But...but..."
"Go on and eat your breakfast." Penelope finished, motioning to the empty seats further down the table. Sandra gave me one last desperate look, scowled, then strode off, muttering all the way to her seat.
I sighed. "Thank you Penelope."
The prefect just shrugged. "Like I said, Professor Flitwick's orders." She said, and I quickly looked towards the staff table, my eyes met Professor Flitwick's and I gave him a thankful nod which he returned.
"Of course I agree with him" Penelope continued as I turned back to her. "I mean, you three did nothing but stand in corridor and everyone is wanting to talk to you like you're the Weird Sisters." She said smirking at the thought.
"The who?" Lisa asked, her head tilting in confusion
"A wizarding band. You'll start listening to them as you get older." Penelope explained, she paused for a moment as her face turned stern. "Listen, Flitwick will be able to corral the questions from your housemates, but he can't stop the other houses from asking questions...such as a certain Hufflepuff."
I raised an eyebrow. "You know about Smith?"
"Of course I have, all the Prefects have." She replied, giving a subtle look over at the Hufflepuff table. "It's our job to stop trouble after all, and Smith's grudge against you is well known..."
I sighed, still tired from the late night. "I'm sure Smith will have something about last night."
Penelope slowly nodded. "Just be careful Sarah." She advised, before turning to the rest of the second years. "All of you be careful, I would advice walking in groups, at least until the attacker is caught."
"We will." Anthony assured her, while everyone else nodded in agreement.
Penelope sighed. "Good. If you need anything, or hear anything about what happened to Mrs. Norris, come find me. "And with that Penelope strode off.
With that we all turned to look at each other. Morag animal lover she was fidgeting nervously.
"I hope they find who ever hurt Mrs. Norris quickly." She said in a worried tone.
"We all do." I replied, folding my arms and thinking back to the pour cat hanging from the torch. "We all do..."
The next couple of days passed, and Mrs. Norris attacker had still not been found. To make matters worse, Filch had taken to guarding the spot where Mrs. Norris and the writing had been found, clearly hoping the attacker returned to the scene. Harry had supposedly seen him trying to clean the writing on the wall, to no avail, and anytime a student passed he'd jump them and try to give them detention for the stupidest of reasons.
Naturally, were more affected by the attack than others. Ginny had supposedly been greatly disturbed, while the first year Hufflepuff's had started to move in packs. Still not everyone seemed overly concerned.
"I Don't know what all the fuss is about?" Clearly what attacked Mrs. Norris was the Umgubular Slashkilter." Luna told everyone at lunch one day. "Their stare can cause paralysis for thirty days." Luna ate another scoop of pudding while all of us looked at each other. "Of course, only those with dirty ears are affected..."
"Thank you for the insight Luna." Anthony told her, Luna smiled before returning to the Quibbler.
"She's coo coo." Michael mouthed, causing me to frown and hit him on the elbow "Ow."
"Don't talk about her like that." I warned him under my breath.
Michael rubbed his elbow, then nodded. "Sorry."
I took a deep breath. "Just...don't do it again."
Outside of Luna however, most didn't seem sure who had attacked Mrs. Norris, or what the Chamber of Secrets was, not that we hadn't tried.
Me, Anthony, and Lisa had spent most of our time outside classes trying to find out what the Chamber of Secrets was. We'd looked everywhere in the library, both this one, and the one in our Common Room, but to no avail. It wasn't just us either, Hermione had been scanning to library as well, once we realized we were all looking for the same thing we'd joined together.
Still, nothing had come of it so far...
"Have you tried searching in that section?" Anthony asked Lisa Wednesday afternoon as we once again tried our luck.
"I've tired searching in every section." Lisa replied bitterly. "And I can't find anything." She finished with a disappointed sigh.
"Neither can I." I added as we all sat down at a table in frustration.
"And I know I've heard about it before." Anthony finished, shaking his head. "No matter...I guess we'd better go over our Potions essays..."
I nodded. "Hopefully Snape doesn't treat us any differently..."
"He won't." Lisa assured me with a grin. "At least he won't treat you any differently."
I rolled my eyes. "Shut it..."
"Hey guys." Ron said, as he and Hermione strode over to us. "Mind if we sit here?"
"Go ahead." I replied, as Ron sat down next Anthony, while Hermione gave us a quick nod before walking past us and looking through the book shelves like we had just been doing. "By the way, where's Harry?"
"He got held back by Snape." Ron replied saying Snape's name with venom. "He's making him scrub tubeworms off the desks.".
"Why?" Lisa asked raising an eyebrow.
"Because he's Snape." Ron replied as he pulled his History of Magic essay.
"Fair enough." I replied, remembering the sheer vitriol Snape had talked to Harry after Mrs. Norris had been attacked. "By the way, isn't that due today?" I asked, motioning to his essay.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Like I can forget, Hermione's been on me since last week." Ron replied looking at the essay bitterly. "Besides, I only got a few inches left..."
I gave my brother's best friend a nod. "Fair enough."
The next several minutes passed in silence as we all worked on homework until Harry arrived, and greeted us with a nod.
"Hey guys." He said, pulling out the chair next to Ron.
"Hey Harry." I replied, giving my potions essay one last thorough lookover. "How was Snape?"
"Horrid, like usual." Harry replied in a tone he didn't want to talk about it.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Harry assured me with a shrug. "I'm just used to it by now.
"I don't believe it, I'm still eight inches short." Ron interjected furiously, causing everyone at the table to turn to him. "And Hermione's done four feet seven inches and her writing's tiny."
"Where is she?" Harry asked as he got out his own essay, and grabbed a tape measure.
"Somewhere over there," Ron said, pointing past me to where Hermione had wandered off to. "Looking for another book. I think she's trying to read the whole library before Christmas."
Harry nodded, before measuring his own essay. Once again everyone was quiet for a moment, before Harry spoke again.
"Do you remember Justin Finch-Fletchley?" Harry asked Ron, causing me, Anthony, and Lisa to look up from our essays.
"The Hufflepuff?" Anthony asked. Harry looked to him and nodded.
"Yeah, he's in out herbology class, do you all know him."
"Barely." Lisa replied "He's in our potions class, why do you ask?"
"Well..." Harry began awkwardly, rubbing his arm. "...I was on my way here, just about to reach the library in fact, when I saw him walking down the hall. I was about to say hi, but as soon as he saw me he turned around and raced to opposite way down the corridor. "
I scrunched my nose in confusion. "Why would he do that?"
"I don't know?" Harry asked, wondering if he'd done something wrong. "That's what I was wondering."
"Dunno why you care. I thought he was a bit of an idiot," Ron said, not even looking up from his essay, trying to make his writing as large as he could. "All that junk about Lockhart being so great —"
"He is great." I interjected, as both Harry, and Ron turned to me with annoyed faces. "I mean, he's been a amazing teacher so far."
"Doesn't mean he's not annoying." Ron replied shrugging.
"And he is." Harry added firmly.
"That's what I've been trying to tell her." Anthony stated a grin on his face, which I answered by glaring, however before I could retort, Hermione emerged from the bookshelves, a disappointed look on her face.
"All the copies of Hogwarts, A History have been taken out," She explained taking a seat between Harry and Ron. "And there's a two-week waiting list. I wish I hadn't left my copy at home, but I couldn't fit it in my trunk with all the Lockhart books."
"I feel you their Hermione." I said, giving the girl a sympathetic look.
"And our own library doesn't have a copy either." Anthony added.
Why do you all want it?" Harry asked, looking at me, Hermione, Anthony, and Lisa curiously.
"The same reason everyone else wants it," Hermione answered, "to read up on the legend of the Chamber of Secrets."
"Remember what the writing on the wall said." Anthony interjected, and Harry nodded.
"What is the legend?" Harry asked, eye fluttering between Hermione and Anthony.
"That's just it. I can't remember," Hermione replied, biting her lip in frustration. "And I can't find the story anywhere else."
"Neither can we." Lisa added as she finished up her potions essay. "Not that we haven't tried."
"It's driving me crazy." Anthony finished with a sigh. "And us Ravenclaw's are supposed to know all the answers..." Hermione gave him a little glare. "...Along with you as well." He said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Hermione, let me read your composition," Ron said suddenly, apparently not paying attention to the discussion, as he checked his watch in desperation.
"No, I won't," Hermione replied in a stern tone. "You've had ten days to finish it —"
"I only need another two inches, come on —" Ron begged.
"No. If you want my help, don't wait until the last minute to ask for it."
Ron groaned, then turned to us. "Do you guys still have your essays?" He asked, desperately, we all winced.
"Sorry Ron...we turned them in this morning." I answered, as Ron turned back to Hermione.
"Come on Hermione ple..."
The bell rang.
"...pretty please."
"No." She replied, as the trio began to pack up their things. Once they were all packed up Harry turned to me.
"You guys not have class?"
"Not yet." I replied. "We've got double potions coming up, but seeing as it's a double period, it doesn't start for another half an hour."
Harry grimaced when I mentioned potions, before nodding. "Well, good luck, hopefully Snape isn't as awful with you guys as he was with us."
And with that Harry, Ron, and Hermione sped off. The latter two bickering all the way out of the library.
"Ronald sure does have a...unique personality." Lisa said, when we were sure he was out of ear shot.
"Indeed." Anthony added before looking up from his essay. "You three want to compare, make sure these are ready to turn in?"
"Yeah." Both me and Lisa replied.
"Good, now both of your into paragraphs contain..."
"I thought they'd never leave."
Startled, we all looked up to see Draco coming out from behind a bookcase, Crabbe and Goyle flanking him. The mood at the table instantly shifted, I sighed, Lisa glared, while Anthony face darkened.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Anthony asked, as Draco looked around to make sure no one was listening.
"What happened?" He asked in a low voice as he leaned onto the table. "To that cat?"
"Why do you care?" Lisa asked him. Draco face darkened as he glared at Lisa, before taking a breath and smirking.
"Is it true, what some are saying, that your brother is behind it?" Draco asked, looking straight at me, and tilted my head.
"Who said that?" I asked as Draco went over to a book shelf and pretended to browse.
"Finch-Fletchley for one." He replied giving a bitter laugh. "Why do you think he ran scared earlier."
"You heard about that."
"Of course I did." Draco replied, turning back to the table. "I was just wondering if there was any basis to these...rumors."
"You're being ridiculous Malfoy." Anthony interjected, causing Draco to turn to him in annoyance.
"Oh, it's not me that's saying these things, in fact I think it's rather ridiculous as well. I mean, who i their right mind think's your brother is the Heir of Slytherin, that he could open the Chamber of Secrets..."
"We all looked to each other, then back to Draco who seemed horrified Harry could be this...Heir of Slytherin.
"Draco, we have no idea what you're talking about." I said, and Draco eyes widened in surprise.
"You don't —You don't know?" Draco asked, looking at all three of us. "None of you know the legend?"
"I've heard about this Chamber of Secrets before...but I clearly don't know as much as you." Anthony admitted bitterly, and Draco chuckled.
"Of course, I mean, how could any of you know if Harry was the Heir, if you didn't even know who the heir was. I mean, what was I thinking."
"Well if you wish to enlighten us?" Lisa asked, still glaring daggers at Draco. "Be my guest."
"Of course I'll tell you Mud..." Draco began before looking at me, and noticing the disgust begin on my face, "...Turpin." He said, stopping himself and giving Lisa a fake smile, before turning to the table as a whole. "I'll tell all of you."
"It began over a thousand years ago, when Hogwarts was founded. Their were four founders, each of which a house is named after..."
"Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin, we know that Draco." Anthony interjected, causing Draco's face to go red.
"If you want me to stop..."
"We won't interrupt again Draco." I promised him, giving Anthony a pleading look. Anthony sighed, then motioned for Draco to continue.
"Don't do it again." Draco warned Anthony, then took a deep breath. "Anyways, the four worked together peacefully for centuries, until Slytherin and the others started disagreeing on certain...polices."
"What policies?" Lisa asked, and Draco grinned.
"Slytherin didn't want Muggleborns to be able to attend Hogwarts."
Their was an awkward silence as Draco and Lisa stared each other down, Crabbe and Goyle both watching her with baited breath if she tried anything, Lisa clearly wanting to hex Draco, Anthony pinching the bridge of his nose in worry, and me looking back and forth between the two nervously.
"Continue." Lisa eventually said, and Draco smirked.
"Of course, where were we...ah yes. Anyways, Slytherin and Gryffindor got into a massive argument over this critical issue, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff sided with Gryffindor, and Slytherin left the school."
"Is that why Slytherin and Gryffindor don't get along?" I asked, and Draco nodded.
"Precisely. Anyways according to legend, before Slytherin left the school, he created a Chamber, the Chamber of Secrets, hidden from the other three founders. Before he left he sealed this Chamber so that only his direct descendant could open it."
We all looked at each other curiously, before turning back to Draco. "Why would the Heir of Slytherin need to open this chamber?" Anthony asked.
"To unleash the monster within, which only said heir can control. And with the monster the heir would supposedly...in Slytherin's view, cleanse the school." He finished looking straight at Lisa.
"So." Lisa began after another long pause. "The heir would use this supposed monster to kill people like me."
Draco face hardened and his expression turned neutral. "That's what the legends says."
"And you want this all to be true, don't you?" Lisa asked, crossing her arms and glaring at Draco with accusing eyes. "You want people like me to die? Don't you."
For a moment all eyes were focused on Draco, whom shifted nervously and pulled at his tie. He looked between Lisa, Anthony, and finally me.
For my part, I couldn't believe that Draco would want anyone to die...I mean, being blood purist was one thing, but to want someone to die was...
"You don't want anyone to die." I said, as Draco turned to me, now fidgeting his fingers. "Please tell me you don't."
Their was another pause. My pleading eyes locked with Draco, until finally...
"No, I don't want Turpin to die." Draco said, turning to Lisa who looked unconvinced.
"The long pause really convinces me Malfoy." Lisa replied, causing Draco to growl.
"Whatever M...Turpin." He said, before turning back to the group as a whole. "And that's the tale, that's why everyone is so worried, that's why everyone is wondering what happened."
"How do you know all this?" Anthony asked, and Draco chuckled.
"Because my father told me about it. Not to mention the fact this Chamber was opened fifty years ago."
"What?" We all asked in horror.
"Yeah, school was almost closed to. Supposedly the attacker was caught. Though I don't know who that was..."
"If they were caught, how could this happen again?" I asked, and Draco shrugged.
"Maybe they had a kid, who knows."
"...Are you the heir Draco?" Lisa suddenly asked, and I looked to her in horror.
"Lisa!"
"What, he sure knows an awful lot about this supposed chamber. Maybe he's the heir."
"How dare you." Draco replied, looking at Lisa in disgust, which she reciprocated. "Me, the heir, how stupid would you have to be?"
"I mean." Anthony interjected. "You and your family have been in Slytherin since...well forever."
"Yeah, and you and your family have been in Ravenclaw, does that make you the Heir of Ravenclaw?" Draco asked, staring down Anthony.
"I'm just saying..."
"Besides, if I was the heir, why would I spend ten minutes of my life telling the story and giving you an easier time figuring me out?"
"He has a point." I interjected, causing Anthony to scowl.
"Fair enough." He admitted bitterly
"And if I was the heir, why would I waste time attacking some cat?" Draco added, shaking his head in annoyance. "And even then, the thing didn't even kill her. I promise you, if I was the heir, I wouldn't do such a horrid job."
"Draco." I said, as he turned to me, his breathing heavy." Calm down."
Draco took a couple deep breaths, and finally calmed down. "I assure you, I'm not the heir."
"I know you're not Draco. "I assured him, and he nodded.
"Good."
Before anyone could say anything more the bell rang, signaling us to potions. We all began packing up. Lisa was the first one finished, quickly storming away before she said something to Draco. Anthony followed her worriedly, as I began after them.
"Potter." Draco said, causing me to turn back as he began looking through the bookshelf again. "Like I've already told you, Finch-Fletchley and some of the other Hufflepuff's are convinced Harry is the heir, as stupid at that sounds."
"It does sound pretty stupid." I replied, and Draco smirked.
If those badgers think you were some how involved..."
"Don't worry Draco. I'll be careful." I said, not mentioning I was already preparing myself for Smith's rantings...would any of his house mates believe him was the question.
"Just...be careful." Draco warned, and I looked at him, wondering why this nice version of Draco had to be so rare.
"I will." I promised. Draco nodded, then moved back into the book shelves, as I raced to catch up with Anthony and Lisa, as we descended into the dungeons.
"I can't believe that...that git." Lisa said as I caught up with her and Anthony . "If you two hadn't been their I'd..."
"Lisa breathe." Anthony told her, Lisa glared at him, before her features softened and and she took a deep breath.
"Sorry, it's just...he really get under my skin. I mean, he had to pause for and have Sarah urge him along to say he didn't want me to die. What kind of person does that?"
"A rich, pure blood, snob, whom parent's have drilled the importance of blood purity in to since the day he was born." Anthony answered, and Lisa sighed.
"Yeah, guess you're right."
I gave Lisa a comforting pat on the shoulder as we turned to corridor as the potions classroom came into view. Like usual most of our house mates, and the Hufflepuff's were waiting. And instantly I felt my skin stick up at the sight of Smith.
"She did it I'm telling you!" He was ranting, and I already knew what this was about.
"Please shut up." Padma replied, and I was thankful that all my house mates were looking rather annoyed.
"How can you keep defending her with all the evidence I've laid out..."
"Evidence?" I asked, as Smith jumped at my voice before turning to me, his face a mix of fury, and triumph.
"That you were the one to attack Mrs. Norris!" He roared, pointing an accusing finger at me, "And that all this talk of Harry being the Heir is just a ruse."
Lisa started pulling out her wand, wanting to clearly jinx him again, but I placed a hand on her arm, and shook my head. "I'll handle this." I assured her, before turning back to face Smith.
"Well it seems you finally caught me Smith." I said my words dripping with sarcasm. "I hate cats, that's my evil plan. I want to rid Hogwarts, nay, the entire world of felines. I'm just that horrible."
Smith shook with rage. "That's not what I mean!"
"Then what do you mean?" I asked, folding my arm.
"You're the heir of Slytherin, you've opened the Chamber of Secrets, and you're going to start trying to purge the school of Muggleborns."
I faced palmed, before taking a deep breath. "Smith, why would I want to purge the Muggleborns from Hogwarts, given the fact the one of my best friends, is one?" I asked, motioning to Lisa with my head.
"It's a good cover story." Smith replied, like he had never been more right.
"Not to mention the fact my mother was MUGGLEBORN." I continued, causing Smith to jump back, before catching his breath and grinning.
"Yeah, and she must be disgusted in you..."
"How dare you." I said, grabbing Smith by the collar and pinning him against the wall. "Never speak of my mother like that again you little cockroach. I should..."
"Let him go Potter." A unfamiliar voice said, as I turned to see Justin Finch-Fletchley pointing his wand at me, and shaking uncontrollably, clearly terrified. "Now."
I looked at the boy in shock, before pulling away from Smith, who was clearly overplaying everything.
"I told you all." He said, looking around at everyone present. "She's coming for us, we need to do something."
"Yeah, you using her deceased mum against her and she goes off, not that unusual." Lisa said, but my eyes were fixed on Justin, who looked absolutely terrified.
"You aren't actually taking his mad ramblings as true, are you?"
Justin looked down at the floor, fidgeting with his fingers. "I...I...I don't...not you specially..."
"Then why are you tremb..." I began, before thinking back to earlier, to what Harry had said. How Justin had turned and sped the other way when he'd saw him. "You think it's Harry?" I asked in a disbelieving tone.
"I...I...I mean."
"That is the stupidest theory I've ever heard. "I said, glaring at the boy. "My brother wouldn't hurt a fly."
"I agree, that's why it has to be you..." Smith interjected, which I ignored.
"Why would you even think that?" I asked. Justin didn't say anything, seemingly sinking into his shoes. I sighed, and began to turned away...
"Your brother defeated you-know-who" He said suddenly, causing me to turn back to him, and eyebrow raised.
"What?" I asked.
"Harry, he defeated you-know-who." Justin repeated, and I nodded.
"He did, and that has to do with anything, how?"
"Why would you-know-who go after Harry." Justin began as I noticed everyone around us share a look. "I mean, if everything we've all heard is true, he was about to win. And then, without explanation, he drops everything he's doing and attacks a baby. It doesn't make any sense..."
"What are you getting at?" Anthony interjected, and Justin narrowed his eyes.
"Harry somehow defeated you-know-who, no one knows how. Then he's found at the same spot of Mrs. Norris attack. Don't you think that sounds fishy?"
"No, I think it sound stupid. "I replied, and Justin jumped back.
"Don't you see." Justin continued speaking to the group as a whole. "The whole reason you-know-who targeted Harry as a baby. He was trying to stop a rival."
Everyone was silent for a moment. My house mates looking at each other in faces that indicated the boy was crazy, while the other Hufflepuff's all wondering if their was any truth to Justin theory...
"Or." Smith once again spoke and I had to stop myself from slapping him. "She's just using Harry to hide her own plans."
"Either way." Justin finished, looking at me fearfully. "I'm sure Harry and you would be aligned, and that why..." Justin then hid behind the backs of Susan Bones, and Hannah Abbott. "..I'm not going make it easy for you."
There was another long pause, until I sighed, wondering why we had gone to that stupid Deathday party. "Neither me, nor Harry, did anything to that cat." I replied firmly, and Justin looked at me unconvinced, but before anyone could say anything further, the door to the potions classroom swung open, and I couldn't believe how thankful I was when Snape came marching down the corridor.
"In." He said simply. We all poured into the classroom, Justin sitting with Smith as far away from me as possible, while Lisa and Anthony sat down either side of me.
"Don't listen him." Lisa assured me, and I nodded.
"Oh I'm not." I assured her as we all got out our Essays as Snape began to collect. "I'm not."
Potions class passed much as it always did. Snape calling out random students while ignoring me. The best part was that he seemed to be especially cruel to both Smith, which was expected, and Justin. Usually I'd feel for the boy, but with what he accused me and Harry of doing...I didn't feel much pity,
When classes ended we all made our way back up to dinner. I noticed some stares as I passed, and realty hit in that, somehow, this stupid theory was not just Smith's and Justin's. Luckily my house mates had my back, all of them saying whoever blamed me, or Harry, for the cat was being stupid.
"I mean, it doesn't make any sense." Padma said at dinner. "I mean neither you or Harry have shown any interest in the dark arts, nor any belief in blood purity."
"It's stupid." Michael agreed.
"That's just how Hufflepuff's are." Terry interjected taking a quick glance towards their table. "Their very loyal to one another, and that has the unfortunate side effect of a pack like mentality. If someone, like Smith or Justin brought the idea up in the common room..."
"I understand." I said tiredly. "It just...doesn't make any sense to me."
"I don't think it makes sense to anyone." Lisa pointed out.
I nodded, and began prodding my food with a fork. My mind far off, wondering how anyone could think me, or Harry would attack Mrs. Norris.
While also wondering who could?