The Potter Twins and the Chamber of Secrets

XXIII

I moped about for the rest of the day after Rose ruined my afternoon, but then decided that the way that Will had stuck up for me meant that I owed it him not to stay miserable.

The next day, the snow was so heavy that Professor Sprout cancelled our Herbology lesson, as she wouldn't trust anyone else with the task of putting gloves and hats on the mandrakes, who were progressing well. The five of us wandered round the castle and somehow ended up in the Great Hall, which was empty apart from a few sixth or seventh-years enjoying a free period.

"So," Hermione said bossily, "the potion's nearly ready. I think it'd be best if we all chose a Slytherin to impersonate, and then we can make the necessary arrangements."

"Ron and Harry, you can be Crabbe and Goyle," Will snorted, and I couldn't help smirking. "Yeah, you look pretty similar anyway - so even if the potion doesn't work you'll be okay."

"Sam and Will, you can be Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott," Hermione suggested. "And I'll be Millicent Bullstrode. Now we just have to pick a time."

"Christmas Day?" Harry suggested, and Ron shook his head wildly. "No way am I letting that ruin my Christmas. Let's make it Boxing Day, then there'll still be a feast and we can work something out."

"Sounds good," I said.

"I'm going to go and check on the potion," Hermione announced, rising from the table. "Will, can you come with me?"

Will rolled his eyes as he got up. "Tell the whole hall, why don't you?"

"I've got to go to the library," Harry said. "Potions homework. Ron, coming?"

Ron shuddered. "No thank you. I'll go and visit the potion."

"I'll come with you." I ruffled Harry's hair. "If we go together I can copy off you."

He began to protest, but I gripped his arm and steered him upstairs. The library was packed, and the only empty table was near a few Hufflepuffs we knew - Hannah Abbott, Ernie MacMillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley. I rolled my eyes as I remembered Justin's Potter-fanboy spiel in Herbology earlier in the year, only for him to firmly take up camp in the popular Potter is the heir of Slytherin side of things after the incident at duelling club.

Harry and I settled down at the table in the library, but as usual my concentration was all over the place as I worked on the devilish Potions homework set by Snape, and I ended up tuning in (accidentally, of course) to the Hufflepuffs' conversation on the table next to us.

"They always seemed so nice, though," Hannah Abbott was saying worriedly, as Ernie MacMillan and Justin Finch-Fletchley leaned closer in. Justin in particular looked rather anxious.

"I told you, Justin, to hide in the Dormitory," Ernie MacMillan said seriously. "If Potter's marked you down as his next victim, it's surely best to keep a low profile..."

"You definitely think it's them, then Ernie?" Justin asked. He was as white as a sheet - and yet not aware enough to notice that Harry and I were sat at the next table, and that I was hearing every word they were saying.

"Justin," Ernie replied solemnly, "they're a Parselmouths - and the mark of a dark wizard. Have you ever met a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself the serpent-tongue." There was some intense murmering at the mention of Slytherin, which I didn't quite catch, and then Justin stood up. "I'll go to the dormitory, then," he said anxiously. Ernie and Hannah nodded vigorously, and continued to talk after he left.

"Remember what happened when Filch's cat was attacked?" Ernie continued, and I began to think he rather liked the sound of his own voice. "Sam Potter hates Filch. Creevey was annoying Harry with his camera during Quidditch and the next thing we know is that Creevey's been attacked."