Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

53

The next few days, Hermione proceeded to do nothing more than read the books, trying to figure out what this Chamber of Secrets was. Throughout the days, Hermione hadn't found a single mention of it. She paused her reading for a small when she found that detention slip Hermione had stolen from Filch's filing cabinet of Betty White and Rose Nylund. It was for Rose and it was something about fighting a boy. Except for that fight, Rose was squeaky clean. She had tried to get a copy of Hogwarts, A History but every one of the book had been taken out and it was a two week waiting list. 

One day in History of Magic, which was teaching of the International Warlock Convention of 1289 by Professor Binns. Hermione lifted her hand up, which earned a surprised and amazed look from Binns. 

"Miss-- er--?" 

"Granger, sir. I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets." Hermione told him. It drew everyone's attention on her and Professor Binns. 

"My subject is History of Magic. I deal with facts, Miss Granger, not myths and legends," he said and was about to continue when Hermione lifted her hands again, "yes?" 

"Don't legends always have a basis in fact?" 

"Well... yes, one could argue that, I supposed. But the legend you speak is such a very sensational, even ludicrous tale--" he paused when he saw everyone was now staring at him, "Oh, very well... You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by four greatest witches and wizards of the age. The houses are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They built this castle from Muggles, who during this time feared magic and witches and wizards suffered from it." 

"For a few years, the founders worked in harmony but then disagreements sprang up between them. Salazar Slytherin wanted to be more selective about the students admitted here, he believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, pureblood... and he left Hogwarts soon afterwards... but most believe he had actually planned to return to Hogwarts. Rumor is he began to rethink his hateful viewpoint due to his run in with one of our most first Muggle-born witches." 

"Betty White was believed to be the actual first Muggle-Born witch to enter our world. Rumors states Salazar and Betty had a run in with each other and they may had had a love interest but there isn't enough proof to back this up. But it is believed that after the death of Betty White, Salazar built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing. According to legend, Salazar sealed the chamber so that no one would be able to open it until his own true heir or the true heir of Betty White arrived at the school. The heirs alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of those who were unworthy to study magic." 

There was a silence that fallen across the room, but it wasn't the normal sleepy silence. Binns cleared his throat. 

"The whole thing is arrant nonsense. Naturally, Hogwarts has been searched but none does not exist." Binns assured them. Hermione raised her hand again. 

"Sir-- what exactly do you mean by the 'horror within' the Chamber?" 

"It is said that the Chamber is to be home to something that only the Heir of Slytherin and the Heir of Betty White alone can control... it is said to be the home of a monster... a monster, believed to have been a gift to Slytherin by Miss White herself." Binns explained to them, "I tell you, the thing does not exist." 

"I knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony, but I can't believe this Betty White woman would be friends and maybe lovers with the guy..." Ron went on bashing Salazar. Hermione was stuck in her thoughts. She was still in disbelief that the monster could have been gifted to Salazar by Betty White. What kind of monster could Miss White have had that would interest Salazar? But what frightened her the most was her remembering what the Sorting Hat had said to her. About how she would be great in Slytherin and how a lot of her family had been in Slytherin themselves. 

"Hermione?" Ron shouted at her, causing her to shot her attention to Ron and Harry, "I asked you if you really think there's a Chamber of Secrets? After Colin was about to tell us that someone was saying Harry here is the Heir of Slytherin." 

"I'm not entirely sure, myself. But you also heard Binns, it's not only the Heir of Slytherin that could be opening the chamber, but also the Heir of Betty White." Hermione admitted. As they spoke, they found themselves back at the scene with the worn out writing of "The Chamber of Secrets has been Opened". 

"Can't hurt to poke around." Harry suddenly said as they began searching around. 

"Scorch marks! Here-- and here--" 

"Hey look at this," Hermione said. She stared at the window pane where about twenty or so spiders hurrying out the window like this wasn't a place for them to be and made their way outside. 

"Have you ever seen spiders act like that?" She asked, curious. 

"No, what about you Ron? Ron?" Harry asked. They looked over their shoulders to find Ron standing as far away as possible. 

"What is wrong with you?" Hermione asked. 

"I-- don't-- like-- spiders," Ron whimpered. 

"I never knew that," Hermione said. 

"When you find your teddy bear turned into a big filthy spider at the age of three while you're still holding it, you would be fearful too." 

"Wasn't there water on the floor? Where did that come from?" Harry asked them. Hermione scurried over till she reached the girls' bathroom. She was opening the door when Ron shot a psst at her. 

"What?" 

"That's the girls' bathroom. Harry and myself can't go in there." Ron stated. 

"Ron this is Moaning Myrtle's place.  No one comes in here," Hermione assured them as she opened the door and walked in. It was only of the gloomiest place you could ever see. Myrtle was floating in the air. 

"THIS IS A GIRLS' BATHROOM!" She shouted, eyeing Ron and Harry, "They're not girls!" 

"No, we just wanted to ask you if you saw something on Halloween." Hermione asked Myrtle. 

"I wasn't paying that much attention when I came back from the Deathday party." Myrtle explained to them. Hermione and them had said their thanks and proceeded to leave the bathroom.

"RON!" They jumped as they saw Percy running towards them, "that's a girls' bathroom! What were you--" 

"Just having a look around. Clues and all--" 

"Get away from there!" Percy cut in, "Don't you care what this looks like? Coming back here while everyone's at dinner?" 

"Hey! We never laid a finger on that cat!" 

"That's what I told Ginny, but she still seems to think you're going to be expelled!" Percy growled, "you might want to think of her before doing anything stupid--" 

"You don't care about Ginny!" Ron shouted, starting a fight between siblings, "You're just worried I'm going to mess up your chances of being Head Boy!" 

"Five points from Gryffindor!" Percy growled, pointing at his Prefect badge, "And I hope it teaches you a lesson! No more detective work, or I'll write to Mum!" 

Percy soon ran the other direction, leaving a pissed off Ron clinging his fists.