Emily Lily Lupin-Black

2. chapter 22 chamber of secrets

For a few days, the school could talk of little else but the attack on Mrs.Norris. Filch kept it fresh in everyone's minds by pacing the spot whereshe had been attacked, as though he thought the attacker might come back.i had seen him scrubbing the message on the wall with Mrs Skower'sAll-Purpose Magical Mess Remover, but to no effect; the words stillgleamed as brightly as ever on the stone. When Filch wasn't guarding thescene of the crime, he was skulking red-eyed through the corridors,lunging out at unsuspecting students and trying to put them in detentionfor things like "breathing loudly" and "looking happy."Ginny Weasley seemed very disturbed by Mrs Norris's fate. Accordingto Ron, she was a great cat lover."But you haven't really got to know Mrs Norris," Ron told herbracingly. "Honestly, we're much better off without her." Ginny's liptrembled. "Stuff like this doesn't often happen at Hogwarts," Ron assuredher. "They'll catch the maniac who did it and have him out of here in notime. I just hope he's got time to Petrify Filch before he's expelled. I'monly joking —" Ron added hastily as Ginny blanched.The attack had also had an effect on Hermione. It was quite usual forHermione to spend a lot of time reading, but she was now doing almostnothing else. Nor could Harry, Ron and I get much response from her whenthey asked what she was up to, and not until the following Wednesday didthey find out.Harry had been held back in Potions, where Snape had made him staybehind to scrape tubeworms off the desks. After a hurried lunch, he wentupstairs to meet Ron in the library, and saw Justin Finch-Fletchley, theHufflepuff boy from Herbology, coming toward him. Harry had justopened his mouth to say hello when Justin caught sight of him, turnedabruptly, and sped off in the opposite direction.Harry found Ron at the back of the library, measuring his History ofMagic homework. Professor Binns had asked for a three-foot-longcomposition on "The Medieval Assembly of European Wizards.""I don't believe it, I'm still eight inches short. . . ." said Ron furiously,letting go of his parchment, which sprang back into a roll. "AndHermione's done four feet seven inches and her writing's tiny.""Where is she?" asked Harry, grabbing the tape measure and unrollinghis own homework."Somewhere over there," said Ron, pointing along the shelves."Looking for another book. I think she's trying to read the whole librarybefore Christmas." I say to harry as I sit back down. 'wait, how much have you  got left, Ron.' 'eight inches short.' 'have you got the relation to the International Warlock Convention of 1289,' i asked him with a grin.' 'no thanks, Em.'  Harry told Ron and I about Justin Finch-Fletchley running away from him."Dunno why you care. I thought he was a bit of an idiot," said Ron,scribbling away, making his writing as large as possible. "All that junkabout Lockhart being so great —"Hermione emerged from between the bookshelves. She looked irritableand at last, seemed ready to talk to them."All the copies of Hogwarts: A History have been taken out," she said,sitting down next to Harry and Ron. "And there's a two-week waiting list. Iwish I hadn't left my copy at home, but I couldn't fit it in my trunk withall the Lockhart books.""Why do you want it?" said Harry."The same reason everyone else wants it," said Hermione, "to read upon the legend of the Chamber of Secrets.""What's that?" said Harry quickly."That's just it. I can't remember," said Hermione, biting her lip. "And Ican't find the story anywhere else —""Hermione, let me read your composition," said Ron desperately,checking his watch."No, I won't," said Hermione, suddenly severe. "You've had ten days tofinish it —""I only need another two inches, come on —"The bell rang. Ron and Hermione led the way to History of Magic,bickering.History of Magic was the dullest subject on their schedule. ProfessorBinns, who taught it, was their only ghost teacher, and the most excitingthing that ever happened in his classes was his entering the room throughthe blackboard. Ancient and shrivelled, many people said he hadn't noticedhe was dead. He had simply got up to teach one day and left his bodybehind him in an armchair in front of the staffroom fire; his routine hadnot varied in the slightest since.Today was as boring as ever. Professor Binns opened his notes andbegan to read in a flat drone like an old vacuum cleaner until nearlyeveryone in the class was in a deep stupor, occasionally coming to longenough to copy down a name or date, then falling asleep again. He hadbeen speaking for half an hour when something happened that had neverhappened before. Hermione put up her hand.Professor Binns, glancing up in the middle of a deadly dull lecture onthe International Warlock Convention of 1289, looked amazed."Miss — er — ?""Granger, Professor. I was wondering if you could tell us anything aboutthe Chamber of Secrets," said Hermione in a clear voice.Dean Thomas, who had been sitting with his mouth hanging open,gazing out of the window, jerked out of his trance; Lavender Brown's headcame up off her arms and Neville Longbottom's elbow slipped off hisdesk.Professor Binns blinked."My subject is History of Magic," he said in his dry, wheezy voice. "Ideal with facts, Miss Granger, not myths and legends." He cleared histhroat with a small noise like chalk snapping and continued, "InSeptember of that year, a subcommittee of Sardinian sorcerers —"He stuttered to a halt. Hermione's hand was waving in the air again."Miss Grant?""Please, sir, don't legends always have a basis in fact?"Professor Binns was looking at her in such amazement, Harry was sureno student had ever interrupted him before, alive or dead."Well," said Professor Binns slowly, "yes, one could argue that Isuppose." He peered at Hermione as though he had never seen a studentproperly before. "However, the legend of which you speak is such a verysensational, even ludicrous tale —" But the whole class was now hanging on Professor Binns's every word.He looked dimly at them all, every face turned to his. Harry could tell hewas completely thrown by such an unusual show of interest."Oh, very well," he said slowly. "Let me see . . . the Chamber ofSecrets . . ."You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousandyears ago — the precise date is uncertain — by the four greatest witchesand wizards of the age. The four school Houses are named after them:Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and SalazarSlytherin. They built this castle together, far from prying Muggle eyes, forit was an age when magic was feared by common people, and witches andwizards suffered much persecution."He paused, gazed blearily around the room, and continued."For a few years, the founders worked in harmony together, seeking outyoungsters who showed signs of magic and bringing them to the castle tobe educated. But then disagreements sprang up between them. A rift beganto grow between Slytherin and the others. Slytherin wished to be moreselective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed thatmagical learning should be kept within all-magic families. He dislikedtaking students of Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy.After a while, there was a serious argument on the subject betweenSlytherin and Gryffindor, and Slytherin left the school."Professor Binns paused again, pursing his lips, looking like a wrinkledold tortoise. "Reliable historical sources tell us this much," he said. "But thesehonest facts have been obscured by the fanciful legend of the Chamber ofSecrets. The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in thecastle, of which the other founders knew nothing."Slytherin, according to the legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets sothat none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at theschool. 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 wereunworthy to study magic."There was silence as he finished telling the story, but it wasn't the usual,sleepy silence that filled Professor Binns's classes. There was unease inthe air as everyone continued to watch him, hoping for more. ProfessorBinns looked faintly annoyed."The whole thing is arrant nonsense, of course," he said. "Naturally, theschool has been searched for evidence of such a chamber, many times, bythe most learned witches and wizards. It does not exist. A tale told tofrighten the gullible." my hand was up in the air now."Sir — what exactly do you mean by the 'horror within' the Chamber?""That is believed to be some sort of monster, which the Heir ofSlytherin alone can control," said Professor Binns in his dry, reedy voice.The class exchanged nervous looks."I tell you, the thing does not exist," said Professor Binns, shuffling hisnotes. "There is no Chamber and no monster.""But, sir," said Seamus Finnigan, "if the Chamber can only be openedby Slytherin's true heir, no one else would be able to find it, would they?""Nonsense, O'Flaherty," said Professor Binns in an aggravated tone. "Ifa long succession of Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses haven'tfound the thing —""But, Professor," piped up Parvati Patil, "you'd probably have to useDark Magic to open it —""Just because a wizard doesn't use Dark Magic doesn't mean he can't,Miss Pennyfeather," snapped Professor Binns. "I repeat if the likes ofDumbledore —""But maybe you've got to be related to Slytherin, so Dumbledorecouldn't —" began Dean Thomas, but Professor Binns had had enough. "That will do," he said sharply. "It is a myth! It does not exist! There isnot a shred of evidence that Slytherin ever built so much as a secret broomcupboard! I regret telling you such a foolish story! We will return if youplease, to history, to the solid, believable, verifiable fact!"And within five minutes, the class had sunk back into its usual torpor. "I always knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony," Ron told Harry, Hermione and I  as we fought their way through the teeming corridors at the end of the lesson to drop off their bags before dinner. "But I never knew he started all this pure-blood stuff. I wouldn't be at his house if you paid me. Honestly, if the Sorting Hat had tried to put me in Slytherin,I'd got the train straight back home. . . ." Hermione nodded fervently, but Harry and I didn't say anything. my stomach had just dropped unpleasantly.Harry and I had never told Ron and Hermione that the Sorting Hat had seriously considered putting him in Slytherin. We had told each other at the end of last year when he was in the hospital and I was visiting.I could remember, asthough it were yesterday, the small voice that had spoken in my ear when I'd placed the hat on my head a year before. As We were shunted along in the throng, Colin Creevey went past."Hiya, Harry!" "Hullo, Colin," said Harry automatically."Harry — Emily — a boy in my class has been saying you're" But Colin was so small he couldn't fight against the tide of people bearing him toward the Great Hall; they heard him squeak, "See you,Harry!" and he was gone. "What's a boy in his class saying about you?" Hermione wondered."That we're Slytherin's heirs, I expect," said Harry, my stomach droppinganother inch or so as I suddenly remembered the way Justin FinchFletchley had run away from Harry at lunchtime."People here'll believe anything," said Ron in disgust.The crowd thinned and they were able to climb the next staircasewithout difficulty."D'you really think there's a Chamber of Secrets?" Ron askedHermione."I don't know," she said, frowning. "Dumbledore couldn't cure Mrs.Norris, and that makes me think that whatever attacked her might not be— well — human."As she spoke, they turned a corner and found themselves at the end ofthe very corridor where the attack had happened. They stopped and looked.The scene was just as it had been that night, except that there was no stiffcat hanging from the torch bracket, and an empty chair stood against thewall bearing the message "The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened.""That's where Filch has been keeping guard," Ron muttered.They looked at each other. The corridor was deserted."Can't hurt to have a poke around," said Harry, dropping his bag andgetting to his hands and knees so that he could crawl along, searching forclues."Scorch marks!" he said. "Here — and here —" I say "Come and look at this!" said Hermione. "This is funny. . . ." Harry got up and crossed to the window next to the message on the wall.Hermione was pointing at the topmost pane, where around twenty spiderswere scuttling, apparently fighting to get through a small crack. A long,silvery thread was dangling like a rope, as though they had all climbed itin their hurry to get outside."Have you ever seen spiders act like that?" said Hermione wonderingly."No," I said, "have you, Ron? Ron?"I looked over my shoulder. Ron was standing well back and seemed tobe fighting the impulse to run."What's up?" said Harry."I — don't — like — spiders," said Ron tensely."I never knew that," said Hermione, looking at Ron in surprise. "You'veused spiders in Potions loads of times. . . .""I don't mind them dead," said Ron, who was carefully lookinganywhere but at the window. "I just don't like the way they move. . . ."Hermione giggled. "It's not funny," said Ron, fiercely. "If you must know when I was three,Fred turned my — my teddy bear into a great big filthy spider because Ibroke his toy broomstick. . . . You wouldn't like them either if you'd beenholding your bear and suddenly it had too many legs and . . ."He broke off, shuddering. Hermione was obviously still trying not tolaugh. Feeling they had better get off the subject, Harry said, "Rememberall that water on the floor? Where did that come from? Someone's moppedit up.""It was about here," said Ron, recovering himself to walk a few pacespast Filch's chair and pointing. "Level with this door."He reached for the brass doorknob but suddenly withdrew his hand asthough he'd been burned."What's the matter?" said Harry."Can't go in there," said Ron gruffly. "That's a girls' toilet.""Oh, Ron, there won't be anyone in there," I said, standing upand coming over. "That's Moaning Myrtle's place. Come on, let's have alook."And ignoring the large OUT OF ORDER sign, she opened the door. It was the gloomiest, most depressing bathroom I had ever set footin. Under a large, cracked, and spotted mirror were a row of chipped sinks.The floor was damp and reflected the dull light given off by the stubs of afew candles, burning low in their holders; the wooden doors to the stallswere flaking and scratched and one of them was dangling off its hinges.Hermione put her fingers to her lips and set off toward the end stall.When she reached it she said, "Hello, Myrtle, how are you?"Harry and Ron went to look. Moaning Myrtle was floating above thetank of the toilet, picking a spot on her chin."This is a girls' bathroom," she said, eyeing Ron and Harrysuspiciously. "They're not girls.""No," Hermione agreed. "I just wanted to show them how — er — niceit is in here."She waved vaguely at the dirty old mirror and the damp floor."Ask her if she saw anything," Harry mouthed at Hermione."What are you whispering?" said Myrtle, staring at him."Nothing," said Harry quickly. "We wanted to ask —""I wish people would stop talking behind my back!" said Myrtle, in avoice choked with tears. "I do have feelings, you know, even if I am dead—""Myrtle, no one wants to upset you," I said. "Harry only —""No one wants to upset me! That's a good one!" howled Myrtle. "Mylife was nothing but misery at this place and now people come alongruining my death!" "We wanted to ask you if you've seen anything funny lately," saidHermione quickly. "Because a cat was attacked right outside your frontdoor on Halloween.""Did you see anyone near here that night?" said Harry."I wasn't paying attention," said Myrtle dramatically. "Peeves upset meso much I came in here and tried to kill myself. Then, of course, Iremembered that I'm — that I'm —""Already dead," said Ron helpfully.Myrtle gave a tragic sob, rose up in the air, turned over, and divedheadfirst into the toilet, splashing water all over them and vanishing fromsight, although from the direction of her muffled sobs, she had come torest somewhere in the U-bend.Harry and Ron stood with their mouths open, but Hermione and I shruggedwearily and said, "Honestly, that was almost cheerful for Myrtle. . . . Comeon, let's go." Harry had barely closed the door on Myrtle's gurgling sobs when a loudvoice made all four of us jump."RON!"Percy Weasley had stopped dead at the head of the stairs, prefect badgeagleam, an expression of complete shock on his face."That's a girls' bathroom!" he gasped. "What were you — ?""Just having a look around," Ron shrugged. "Clues, you know —"Percy swelled in a manner that reminded Harry forcefully of Mrs.Weasley."Get — away — from — there —" Percy said, striding toward them andstarting to bustle them along, flapping his arms. "Don't you care what thislooks like? Coming back here while everyone's at dinner —""Why shouldn't we be here?" said Ron hotly, stopping short and glaringat Percy. "Listen, we never laid a finger on that cat!""That's what I told Ginny," said Percy fiercely, "but she still seems tothink you're going to be expelled, I've never seen her so upset, crying hereyes out, you might think of her, all the first years are thoroughlyoverexcited by this business —" "You don't care about Ginny," said Ron, whose ears were nowreddening. "You're just worried I'm going to mess up your chances ofbeing Head Boy —""Five points from Gryffindor!" Percy said tersely, fingering his prefectbadge. "And I hope it teaches you a lesson! No more detective work, or I'llwrite to Mum!"And he strode off, the back of his neck as red as Ron's ears.Harry, Ron, and Hermione chose seats as far as possible from Percy in thecommon room that night. I sat with fred and george glaring at percy. 'so whats got you in a knott Em.' Lee asked as he sat down. 'i was just thinking, but if slytherin didnt want, muggledorns in this school, then wouldnt 'enimies of the heir' be muggleborns.' i took a glance at her mione and sighed. 'well yea i guess but come on lets cheer up, its proably just a foul prank some slytherin pulled.' fred said trying to cheer me up. i looked over at ginny and saw her writing in a diary. she seemed to be writing in it alot. she looked up and saw me looking at her, she wrote something quick in her book then got up and left. 'well that was weird.' I muttered. when Lee left and there was only a hand full of people left in the common room, fred turned to me. 'okay but for real why do you keep glaring at percy.' i didnt know whether i sould tell them but i decided to. i told them all about binns class then about colin and justin and percy finding us. 'Em do you think you umm well, overreacting about percy, has something to do with your little puppy thing.' george asked, neville must have heard us when he was going up to bed,because he turned around. 'hey Em you coming up to bed.' he asked and i turned to him with a smile, 'yep, see you boys and yes to answer your question.' we walked up to the dormatory. 'so you told them about your furry little problem,' nevilee aked a little nervous. 'this is why i love you neville. they figure it out last year but thanks for looking out for me neville.' i hugged him tight then got into bed. 'when, when is it.' he asked nervous still. 'in a couple of days but ill be fine.' honestly I didnt know what to tell him, i was scared as normal and i wished it would all be over it hurts so much. I heard neville take his blackets of and put on his slippers he walked over to be and opeed the curtains that i had just closed. he looked at me and saw that I was silently crying. he hope into the bed next to me and hugged me. I loved neville because he was so kind and caring. 'neville you can go back to your bed I'm okay.' he sighed and sat up still holding me. 'no your not, and i will be hear as long as you need. you can tell me anything.' i smiled and slowly fell asleep.