Draco Malfoy and the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter Eleven: The Key

There are several dialogue quotes taken from JK Rowling's Chamber of Secrets in this book. This is to convey the same story she wrote, but from another character's POV. The quotes taken directly from the book have three quotation marks (instead of two) around them to signify she wrote them and that I am citing them. Because I am transforming pieces of her work into something new this falls under the Fair Use Act. Additionally, JK Rowling has stated that she is okay with noncommercial fan fiction. All direct quotes, the Harry Potter storyline, and the characters all belong to JK Rowling.

On the last day of break, Draco met Blaise and Daphne at the train station platform. "Where's Pansy?" Draco asked.

"Still with Lockhart on tour," answered Daphne. "They're getting back later tonight."

"How was the wedding?" Asked Draco.

"Long, fancy, expensive... the usual," answered Blaise. "It was missable."

"That Granger girl has been held up in the hospital wing ever since Christmas," said Draco. "It's unfortunate you missed it. She somehow managed to turn herself into a cat. Too smart for her own good."

"Well that must have been a sight," answered Blaise. "How did she do it?"

"Maybe she made the mistake of using polyjuice potion to turn into an animal. Madam Pomfrey  put up a screen so we can't look at her anymore. Granger couldn't bare the students stopping by to watch her cough up hair balls," said Draco with a laugh.

"Well that's unfortunate, but why do think polyjuice?" Asked Daphne

"Oh- er- I don't know... it just seems the most plausible." Draco answered, not wanting to tell the others about how Harry and Ron had used polyjuice potion on Christmas to look like Crabbe and Goyle. His face turned red with his attempt to hide this information. He knew that his friends would ask him millions of questions, and Daphne would certainly scold him for being stupid enough to lead Harry on. However, none of the information Draco shared with Harry and Ron really mattered at the end of the day, because it is not like they would ever be able to figure out that Lucius had given the key to the Chamber of Secrets to Ginny Weasley.

Later that night, Pansy finally made her way into the Slytherin common room, bags in hand. Daphne came running over to give her a hug. "Thank  goodness you're here," she said. "There has been way too much testosterone in this group." 

"It's late," Pansy answered. "I have to get up early, so I best be off-"

"Wait, tell us about your tour with Lockhart," said Daphne.

"It was fun... busy... We went several bookstores and conventions all over England so he could sign autographs, read excerpts from his book..." Pansy trailed off as she saw Draco and Blaise rolling their eyes, and Daphne biting her lip to hide her grimace. "But you guys don't care, and don't want to hear about Lockhart, so can I go to bed now?"

"No, Pans, we're interested," Daphne pleaded.

"I'm just tired." Said Pansy blankly. "I have so much to do to prepare for Valentines day. We'll talk later, so please just let me go to bed."

Pansy left for the dormitory, leaving the others the last Slytherins in the common room. "So we waited up for her for nothing," Draco grumbled.

"I think the more pressing issue is that Pansy is practically a different person," said Daphne weakly. "Something is really up."

In the next few weeks there were no more attacks on any of the students. Lockhart seemed to believe that it was all his doing. One morning he chased Professor McGonagall down the hallway shouting, "'I don't think there'll be any more trouble, Minerva. I think the Chamber has been locked for good this time. The culprit must have known it was only a matter of time before I caught him. Rather sensible to stop now, before I came down hard on him. You know, what the school needs now is a morale-booster. Wash away the memories of last term! I won't say any more just now, but I think I know just the thing. . . .'"