The Potter Twins and the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 7 | The Smoking Camera

     The four Gryffindors' were sitting in the Transfigurations classroom a week later, Professor McGonagall had conjured up animals for each student and in front of Harry was a white rabbit, Lexi and Hermione were cooing all over it, but Harry's head was with the voice only his sister and himself could hear.

     "Today, we will be turning animals into water goblets," said Professor McGonagall as she tapped the bird in front of her, it transfigured into a beautiful crystal water goblet.

     "Now who would like to go first?" she asked as she stepped over towards the table that Ron, Lexi, Hermione and Harry had recently occupied, "Mr Weasley?"

     Ron nodded nervously "Vera verto!" he said tapping Scabbers with the tip of his wand, Scabbers then turned into a hairy goblet with a tail.

     "That wand needs replacing Mr Weasley," Professor McGonagall said walking towards the back of the room. Ron only nodded sheepishly at the broken wand in his hands.

     Suddenly Hermione's hand shot into the air, usually by now Hermione's kitten would've been transfigured into what Professor McGonagall asked but the kitten was snoozing untouched in front of her.

     "Yes, Miss Granger?" asked Professor McGonagall when she noticed Hermione's raised hand.

     "Professor," said Hermione, "I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets?" a hush fell over the classroom.

     "My subject is Transfiguration, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall retorted.

     "Yes, Professor." Hermione said sheepishly, "But there seems to be very little written about the Chamber of Secrets. For those of us with a personal interest in the subject, that is... disturbing."

     Lexi noticed Malfoy regarding Hermione with chilly amusement. Professor McGonagall considered Hermione's question for a long moment, then nodded.

     "Very well," Professor McGonagall said, "You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Three of the founders co-existed quite harmoniously. One did not."

     "Three guesses who," Said Ron causing a few Gryffindors to laugh.

     Professor McGonagall ignored Ron's remark and continued, "Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words..."

     "Purebloods," Hermione said.

     Professor McGonagall nodded, "Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school."

     "According to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. 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 of Secrets 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?" Lexi whispered.

     "Yes. Naturally, the school has been searched many times for such a chamber. It has never been found."

     "Professor," said Hermione, "What exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?"

     "The Chamber is said to be home to something which the heir of Slytherin alone can control. It is said to home... to a monster..."