Mysterious Girl (Harry Potter Fan Fiction)

Finding the Chamber

The next morning, I woke late-preferring to lie in bed and think through last night's events; aside from Aragog confirming my theory that Hagrid was innocent, and he himself wasn't the monster- there wasn't much he said that I hadn't already figured out. But there was the mention of the monster's last victim dying in a bathroom - I'd seen ghosts about the school so perhaps the girl that died might now be one of the ghosts? It couldn't hurt to find out, at least. With Professor M so busy doing nightly patrol while also standing in as Headmistress, she seemed satisfied enough with my word that I wouldn't do anything that broke the new rules put in place. I wasn't being completely honest when I'd given her my promise, but nor would I break the rules if it wasn't necessary.

After getting dressed and having breakfast, I slip out of the apartment under an invisibility charm and set to work searching all the bathrooms in the school; I'd just made started on the fourth floor when an announcement sounded overhead, 'All students to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately please.' Instead of heading back to the apartment, I decide to make my way back through the bustling students coming up the stairs; I wanted to know what the teachers would say. The mild worry that I didn't know exactly where the staff room crosses my mind but then I spot the ridiculously vain teacher in the bright robes waltzing down the corridor and follow him instead.

A he stepped into the large, panelled room consisting of dark furniture, I took the opportunity to slide in behind him and fit myself into a corner; many teachers now crowded into the room, and all turned to the newly entered teacher, whose 'So sorry - dozed off - what have I missed?' greeting was met with expressions of stony hatred...You go Hogwarts staff!

"Just the man, the very man." Began Professor Snape snidely, stepping forward, "A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment had come at last."I couldn't see Lockhart's face as his back was to me but guessing from Snape's smirk, Lockhart's face showed how inapt his boasts had been. The news about a girl being snatched puts a ball of bile in the back of my throat and my stomach turns uncomfortably as I fight the nausea.

"That's right Gilderoy, weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?" Chips in a small lady in a patched up hat and dirt on her clothes. I smirk, go for it girl!

I take immense pleasure and amusement from Lockhart's stuttering "I - well, I -"

"Yes, didn't you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it?" Adds another Professor, although he's so small I almost don't see him.Again, Lockhart can barely form a coherent answer around his spluttering. I wouldn't be surprised if Lockhart struggles to tie his own shoes...

"I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadn't had a crack at the monster before Hagrid was arrested," Continues Snape, evidently enjoying himself at Lockhart's expense. This moment would be one of the rare times I actually like Snape, I could tell. "Didn't you say the whole affair had been bungled, and that you should have been given a free rein from the first?"

Lockhart is obviously at a loss of what to say, I put my hand over my mouth to prevent my snort of laughter being heard. Eventually he manages "I... I really never...You may have misunderstood..."

"We'll leave you to it then, Gilderoy," speaks Professor McGonagall, seeming to put the last nail in Lockhart's coffin. "Tonight will bean excellent time to do it. We'll make sure everyone's out of your way. You'll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself. A free rain at last." I want to applaud Professor M but I'm not supposed to be here so refrain and instead just mentally take a picture of the reflection I'd caught of Lockhart's desperate baby-like expression.