𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞 | 𝐇.𝐏.

𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟐 - 𝟒

"Can I have your attention, please?" Professor McGonagall asked us as she walked up to the front of the classroom, ceasing all conversation with her stern voice.

"Right. Now, today we will be transforming animals into water goblets. Like so." She lightly tapped her wand on a black and white bird, saying, "Vera Verto." The bird morphed into a crystal glass right before our eyes.

"Now it's your turn. Who would like to go first?" She asked, walking down the middle of the desks. "Ah! Mr Weasley. One, two, three, Vera Verto."

We all watched as he cleared his throat and jerked his wand. "Vera Verto!" Green sparks shot out in front of him, and his mouse turned into a furry little teacup with a tail, still squeaking. I hid my snicker behind my hand.

"That wand needs replacing, Mr Weasley," Professor McGonagall advised over the light laughter of the rest of the students. 

Next to me, Hermione raised her hand.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about... the Chamber of Secrets," she stumbled out. The entire class stopped.

After a moment of consideration, Professor McGonagall sighed. 

"Very well. You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest wizards and witches of the age. Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin."

It seemed as though the very school was holding it's breath. I had never been in a classroom so focused on the teacher.

"Now, three of these founders consisted quite harmoniously. One did not."

"Three guesses who," Weasley whispered to Potter beside me.

"Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, purebloods."

I noticed the look Draco gave me, and then to Hermione. Like he agreed. Like I should agree.

"Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school," Professor McGonagall continued, an air of reluctance creeping into her voice. "Now, according to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle known as the Chamber of Secrets. 

"Well, 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 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," Hermione supplied.

Professor McGonagall nodded her head in agreement. "Naturally, the school has been searched many times. No such chamber has been found."

"Professor," Hermione asked once more, this time without raising her hand. "What does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?"

"The Chamber is said to hold something that only the Heir of Slytherin can control. It is said to hold... a monster."

No one dared speak any more on it for the rest of the lesson.

"Do you think it's true? Do you think there really is a Chamber of Secrets?" Weasley asked as we were walking down the corridor to Charms. 

"Yes," Hermione replied firmly. "Couldn't you tell? McGonagall's worried."

"All the teachers are," I added.