The Potter Twins and the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 13 | Hermione's Discovery

     Madam Pomfrey was barring the doors and frowning at the three students before her, "There's no point in talking to a petrified person, she won't hear a word you're saying." She huffed irritably.

     "We know that, Madam Pomfrey," Lexi said shifting rather uncomfortably on her feet, "It's just, well, you see, we thought, maybe, we could... be with her for a bit. She's our... friend, you see, and... even if she can't hear us... I mean, it can't hurt can it?" she finally finished wiping a tear from her cheek.

     Knowing his sister, Harry knew that she was acting it out for Madam Pomfrey, whom seemed to believe Lexi as a glint of sympathy flickered in her eyes, "Very well," she gave in opening the door for them to enter, "But be quick about it!"

     Madam Pomfrey exited into her office leaving the three friends alone with Hermione and the other petrified people. Absentmindedly Ron took up the circular mirror that now lay on Hermione's night stand, next to it was a get-well soon card from Professor Lockhart.

     Groaning Ron took the card and read silently, he then looked at Lexi and Harry, "You don't think Lockhart could be the Heir of Slytherin?" he asked.

     "No," Lexi snapped irritably as she sat down next to Hermione, "It's Heir of Slytherin not the glorious Hair of Slytherin, Ron."

     "Right." Ron answered placing the card back onto the night stand, "Forget I said it."

     Ignoring his sister and Ron, Harry looked at Hermione's face, "Wish you were here, Hermione. We need you. Now more than ever..." he whispered.

     "Hermione said she understood something," Lexi said reminding them of the day of Hermione's attack, "Maybe she figured it out and was about to bring us some evidence."

     Suddenly Harry's eye caught something clutched in Hermione's hand, showing this to Lexi she and Ron moved off towards Madam Pomfrey's office to keep guard as he worked the paper from Hermione's grip.

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"'Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land, none is more deadly than the Basilisk. Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death awaits any who meet this giant serpent's eye. Spiders flee before it and only the crowing of a rooster can kill it." Lexi read softly so only Ron and Harry could hear.

     "Ron! Lexi!" Harry said cutting Lexi off, "This is it! The monster in the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk. That's why we can hear it speak, Ron! It's a snake!" he said excitedly.

     "But if it kills by looking at people in the eyes, why is it that no one's dead?" Ron countered.

     Frowning Harry stared at Lexi who seemed to be reading the piece of paper again, "Because no one did look it in the eyes, not directly at least." she whispered looking up at Ron and Harry.

     "Of course!" Harry said smacking his hand to his head, "Colin saw it through his camera. Justin..."

     "Justin must've seen the Basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick!" Ron exclaimed proudly.

     "Nick got the full blast of it, but he's a ghost..." Lexi said, "He couldn't die again!"

     "And Hermione," Harry said his mind racing as he thought, "had the mirror! I bet you anything she was using it to look round corners, in case it came along!"

     "And Mrs Norris?" Ron asked sounding hopeful, "I'm pretty sure she didn't have a camera or a mirror, you two."

     "The water..." Lexi said looking up at Ron.