Orphaned Witch

First Halloween at Hogwarts

Annie's POV

School has been great so far, but I feel like someone is stalking me. But every time I turn around, I see no one. Susan believes it's nothing to worry about. Ginny has been acting strange recently, more withdrawn. Secretive. I miss my cousin. Hermione has been helping me study.

Mugsy loves being at Hogwarts. He always appears at dinner, wanting chicken. He gets along with the other animals at Hogwarts. Especiailly Fang, Hagrid's boar hound. Though he still seems to have it out for Ron's rat Scabbers. But they hardly cross paths with Ron and I being in different houses. Hopefully, he'll get used to him in time for the next summer holidays.

Anyway, it's time for Halloween. It was my favourite holiday at the group home. We ran a haunted house and got to dress up and scare people. According to Ron, they have a massive feast, and the great hall is all decorated. There were rumours that Dumbledore had booked a troupe of dancing skeletons. Also, apparently, there will be hundreds of sweets for dessert. From cake and pudding. To lollipops, chocolate, and other candies.

But first we had homework. Which Hermione and I did together. Harry had Quidditch practice. I'd hate to play in this weather. It's pouring with rain outside. No doubt they'll all be covered in mud. Anyway, before the feast Hermione found me.

"Harry, Ron, and I are going to Sir Nicholas' death day party," she tells me.

"Death day?" I ask, confused.

"A ghosts birthday, the day they died and became ghosts," she states.

"Sounds depressing,  I hope I never become a ghost," I tell her. "Will you miss the whole feast?" I ask her.

"We should be back in time for dessert," she assures me.

"If you aren't and are hungry. I can show you all the way to the kitchens, " I states.

"Thanks, anyway I better go. Enjoy the feast, " she tells me. I nodded, and she left. I head to the great hall and see Ginny by herself. I head over to her.

"Do you want to sit with Susan and I?" I ask her.

"You sure?" Ginny asks.

"You both are family, and family should celebrate holidays together. See, the twins are making Percy sit with them, " I state, nodding to them. They wave us over. "Tell you what, go join them, and I'll grab Susan. That way, we can all eat together, " I suggest. She nods her head and puts her diary away.

I grab Susan, who agreed to sit with us. We all sit at the Gryffindor table as the feast appears. We all dig in as Mugsy appears and sits beside me. I give him some torn chicken to eat. Free of bones.

The feast was amazing. Not just the food. But the entertainment as well. Dumbledore really had gotten a troupe of dancing skeletons to perform. It was amazing, though Ginny had to go to the loo drawing their act. And hasn't returned yet. Which is a shame as dessert has appeared and there were so many sweets to choose from.

Anyway, Susan and I became full. We decided to go call it a night. We leave with other students. But we don't get far as a crowd was forming in the entrance hall looking at a wall. I noticed the floor is flooded, which is strange. Surely it wouldn't rain enough to flood the castle.

Being curious, we had over to the wall with others to see what had everyones attention. I gasp in horror at what I see. A message was written in blood and a dead looking cat hanging by its tail from an unlit torch. Mugsy jumps into my arms, and I hold him close, scared he'll be hurt by whatever hurt the other cat. I read the message: THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE. But what chamber? What heir? Who did it see as enemies?

Dumbledore appeared and told us all to return to our dorms. All except Hermione,  Harry, and Ron. They had been the first on scene and saw the message first. No doubt he wanted to ask them about it and about why they weren't at the feast. I hope Ginny is ok.

She was in class the next day. She looked very tired and a bit pale. But she was fine. Anyway, I found out from Hermione during lunch what the chamber of secrets is. Apparently, it's a hidden chamber created by Salazar Slytherin. Who hates muggle borns and sees them unworthy to learn magic. Those are who the heir will go after. If it does exist and wasn't just a missed up Halloween prank. Especiailly as the cat, Mrs Norris was only petrifies and isn't a muggle born.

Besides, Professor Binns assured Hermione's class that it is just a myth and no such chamber exists. That the school had been searched many times and no such chamber has been found. So it must be a horrible joke, right?

A/N

Picture above of the writing on the wall.