Merlin's Apprentices

Chapter 15

Samhain was approaching and Merlin was getting the feeling that something bad was going to happen. He was tempted to bolt over to the school and pull Harry and Colin, but Morgana talked him down.

But, sure enough, after Samhain passed, he got a letter from Harry that contained some very disturbing news.

Dear Master,

Something is happening at Hogwarts. Again. I was coming back from Nick’s death day party with Peter, Neville, and Hermione (Ron’s still being a twat), when we ran across Mrs. Norris petrified! On the wall it said, “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware.” What do you think that means?

The headmaster pulled us into Lockhart’s (still hate him) office and asked us about it. Filch blamed us, but Sev stood up for us. He did try to get me removed from quidditch, but I think he only wanted to have a chance at winning this year. Anyway, we explained what we were doing away from the feast, but Filch wanted to know why we were in that corridor.

I didn’t tell them anything, but I heard something in the walls, Master. It was talking about killing and how it was hungry. It must have been a snake, because it was speaking in parseltongue. But what kind of snake can petrify something?

In other news, Draco Malfoy has joined our friend group, but Ron has left. He doesn’t like how I’ve changed. I’ve formed a study group with Peter, Hermione, Neville, and Draco. We still need a Charms person though. Do you think Colin would be interested?
Remus agreed to teach Draco, Peter, and me. We’re learning Latin right now as well as learning of other magical cultures. Goblins fascinate me the most.

Can I tell Draco, Neville, and Peter about being your apprentice? I trust them, and you can meet them first if you want. Draco is already talking about inviting us all to his family’s Christmas ball. He finally told them about our friendship and they took it better than expected.

Is it wrong that I like him as more than a friend? I mean, he was never very nice to us last year, but he’s changed. Or maybe he never actually hated us? I don’t know. Either way, I think I’m too young for any sort of relationship.

Please give me some advice. I really don’t know what to do. Hermione wants to research the Chamber of Secrets, but I don’t think Hogwarts would have anything with how much they censor.

Harry

Merlin took a deep breath to calm himself. The last time the chamber that his former apprentice had made was opened, a muggleborn student had died.

He was suddenly regretting letting Colin pretend to be muggleborn.

Salazar’s chamber wasn’t meant to kill muggleborns. He had built it to hide the knowledge that he didn’t trust the other founders with. However, he had a basilisk stay to guard the knowledge after he left, and when it was last opened, someone had manipulated the snake into doing their own wishes.

Merlin set the letter in front of Morgana so she could read it and started writing a response.

Harry James Potter, you will not go sticking your nose into this mess! I will tell you what I know, but only because I know if I don’t, you will try to go behind my back to find out. This is very dangerous, and I expect you to let the adults handle it.

The chamber was built by Salazar to hide knowledge he didn’t trust with the other founders. It can only be opened by speaking parseltongue. The snake is called a basilisk. It is a very rare breed that can kill if one looks directly in its eyes. Petrification comes when a person sees their eyes indirectly, such as in a reflection.

Approximately fifty years ago, the chamber was opened by a descendant of my apprentice, who manipulated the basilisk by using parseltongue. He convinced it that it needed to kill all muggleborns. So, the petrifications began. That was, until a student was killed and the school was about to close. Whoever had opened the chamber must have not wanted the school to close, because the attacks stopped abruptly. Rubeus Hagrid was expelled for having an acromantula, and the attacks were pinned on the creature. Hogwarts stayed open and the chamber was not opened again. Until now, it seems.

Colin is excellent at charms and I’m sure he would love to join you guys. You know how much he enjoys spending time with you. Even if he is a year younger, he’ll be able to keep up.

We will be attending that party. You know I love to meet your friends. Perhaps we can throw a little get together of our own. I’m sorry about Ron. He seemed so accepting when I met him. I hope he comes around.

As for liking Draco, well, I don’t see what’s wrong with it. I agree that you are much too young for a relationship. Wait until you are at least in third year. You could always ask him to the Yule Ball.

Keep me updated. Especially if you do decide to try and solve this mess. Keep Sev in the loop and ask him for help if you are going to try anything.

Lin

Merlin let Hedwig rest for a few hours before sending her off with the letter.

It will be alright, Morgana said. Colin is a smart boy. He will be fine.

Merlin nodded slightly. “He’s immortal too, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to worry any less. Dying is painful.”

A week later, Merlin got another letter.

Master,

Thank you for the information. It was very helpful. We told Sev of what I heard and he seemed concerned. I let him read your letter, forgetting about the part about me liking Draco, and now he’s teasing me about it and holding it over me as blackmail so I don’t tell Remus about his crush. Jokes on him though, I already talked to Remus. I didn’t say anything about Sev crushing on him, but I urged him to talk about his feelings.

At this point, I don’t really care if Ron comes around. He saw I was friends with Draco and declared it was either him or Draco. I chose the person who likes me for who I am and not who I once was.

I would love to hold a party for Christmas! I know Peter would love to come, as would Hermione and Draco. Neville would want to come, but I’m not sure he’d be allowed to. His Gran is overly strict. She didn’t even get him his own wand! She told him she would if he kept his grades up!

Anyways, currently everyone is saying I’m the one opening the chamber. I think Ron is spreading the rumors, saying Draco’s corrupted me or something.

Lockhart is getting more annoying and our study group has begun teaching ourselves what we need to know for the OWLS. Even Hermione (who was practically smitten with him at the beginning of the year) is saying that he’s a useless teacher. She really doesn’t like that he's been humiliating me in front of the class, either.

We have our first quidditch game in a couple of months and Wood has been pushing us at practice. It’s against Slytherin, and Draco is the seeker. It’s going to be a challenge to win against him. I’ve seen him fly. He’s good.

Harry