The Malfoy boy and the Potter girl

Entering the Chamber

Something huge hit the stone floor of the Chamber. I felt it shudder—I knew what was happening, I could sense it, could almost see the giant serpent uncoiling itself from Slytherin's mouth. Then he heard Riddle's hissing voice: "Kill them."

Confused? Let me explain.

In the past few months everything had gone wrong. Draco and I still weren't together, but we kept flirting with, and kissing each other, which was infuriating because I know I should be grateful, but I wanted more.

More muggle borns were being attacked by the day, including Hermione, Harry Ron and Hermione were being more secretive then ever, and had dissapered on Christmas night to go do something they refused to share with me, and Dumbledor had been kicked out by none other that my roommates father.

Now Harry, Hermione, Ron and I were hiding out of sight in a wardrobe because we were in the hall when we weren't supposed to be and we wanted to hear what the teachers were saying.

Magonagal was speaking to the staff.

"It has happened," she told the silent staff room. "A student has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."

Professor Flitwick let out a squeal. Professor Sprout clapped her hands over her mouth. Snape gripped the back of a chair very hard and said, "How can you be sure?"

"The Heir of Slytherin," said Professor McGonagall, who was very white, "left another message. Right underneath the first one. Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever."

Professor Flitwick burst into tears.

"Who is it?" said Madam Hooch. "Which student?"

"Ginny Weasley," said Professor McGonagall. I felt Ron slide silently down onto the wardrobe floor beside Harry.

"We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow," said Professor McGonagall. "This is the end of Hogwarts."

The staff-room door banged open again. For one wild moment, we were sure it would be Dumbledore. But it was Lockhart, and he was beaming.

"So sorry—dozed off—what have I missed?" He didn't seem to notice that the other teachers were looking at him with hatred. Snape stepped forward.

"Just the man," he said. "The very man. A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last."

Lockhart blanched.

"That's right, Gilderoy," chipped in Professor Sprout. "Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"

"I—well, I—" sputtered Lockhart.

"Yes, didn't you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it?" piped up Professor Flitwick.

"D-did I? I don't recall—"

"I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadn't had a crack at the monster before Hagrid was arrested," said Snape.

Lockhart stared around at his stony-faced colleagues. "I—I really never—you may have misunderstood—"

"We'll leave it to you, then, Gilderoy," said Professor McGonagall. "Tonight will be an excellent time to do it. You'll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself. A free rein at last."

Lockhart gazed desperately around him, but nobody came to the rescue. His lip was trembling, and in the absence of his usually toothy grin, he looked feeble.

"V—very well," he said. "I'll—I'll be in my office, getting—getting ready." And he left the room.

"Right," said Professor McGonagall, whose nostrils were flared, "that's got him out from under our feet. The Heads of Houses should go and inform their students what has happened. Tell them the Hogwarts Express will take them home first thing tomorrow. Will the rest of you please make sure no students have been left outside their dormitories."