The Potter Twins and the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 8 | Double Act

     Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lexi were in the Second Floor bathroom or the one the girls had dubbed, Myrtle's Bathroom. It was a gloomy place, with cracked mirrors and chipped sinks.

     The four friends were huddled over a small bubbling cauldron; Hermione was adding some of the easier ingredients into it that they had found.

     "Again?" Lexi said as Harry told them what he had overheard in the Hospital wing the previous night, "You mean, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened before?"

     "Of course!" said Ron smacking his head with his hand, "Don't you see? Lucius Malfoy must've opened it when he was at school here, and now he's told dear old Draco how to do it."

     "Maybe," said Hermione who was now stirring the cauldron, "We'll have to wait for the Polyjuice Potion to know for sure."

     "Enlighten me," said Harry who had now started gazing about the room, "Why are we brewing this potion in broad daylight, in the middle of a girls' lavatory? Don't you think we'll get caught?"

     "Never," said Hermione as she and Lexi shared a knowing look, "No one ever comes in here."

     "Why?" asked Ron.

     "Moaning Myrtle," Lexi supplied.

     "Who's Moaning Myrtle," Ron repeated.

     Suddenly there was a loud, piercing, screech as a ghost of a young girl came rushing out of the wall, she was face to face with a white shocked Ron.

     "I'm Moaning Myrtle," she said in her usual wail, "I wouldn't expect you to know me, who would ever talk about fat, ugly, miserable, moping, moaning Myrtle?" and with loud sob she dived head first back into the toilet.

    "She's a little sensitive," Hermione said as Ron looked at the two girls with repulsion and shock.

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     A golden stage has been erected and Professor Lockhart struted atop it, the Great Hall was packed with students while Harry and Lexi both groan when they saw their Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.

     "Gather round!" he called out merrily, "Gather round! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? Excellent. In light of the dark events of recent weeks, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little Dueling Club, to train you all up in case you ever need to defend yourself as I myself have done on countless occasions – for full details..."

     "See my published works," Ron and Lexi both said mimicking the Professor. Hermione glared at them both outraged by their lack of respect.

     The boy next to Harry turned to him, "That Lockhart's something, isn't he? Awfully brave chap." The boy offered his hand to Lexi's brother, "Justin Finch-Fletchley." And he shook her hand as well.

     "Nice to meet you," said Harry, "I'm..."

      "I know who you two are, we all do," Justin said, "Even us Muggleborns do." And he grinned broadly at the twins as though this was some kind of fact. Professor Snape had now joined Professor Lockhart on the stage.

     "Let me introduce my assistant Professor Snape," said Lockhart clearly to blind to see Snape's glare, "He has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration. Now I don't want any of you youngsters to worry. You'll still have your Potions Master when I'm through with him, never fear!"