To change the future

Into the Chamber

"All those times we were in that bathroom, and she was just three toilets away," Ron said bitterly at breakfast the next day, "and we could've asked her, and now..." It had been hard enough trying to look for spiders. Escaping their teachers long enough to sneak into a girls' bathroom, the girls' bathroom, moreover, right next to the scene of the first attack, was going to be almost impossible. But something happened in their first lesson, Transfiguration, that drove the Chamber of Secrets out of their minds for the first time in weeks. Ten minutes into the class, Professor McGonagall told them that their exams would start on the first of June, one week from today. "Exams?" Seamus Finnigan howled. "We're still getting exams?"

"How were they supposed to focus on exams when they think a giant monster is in the school." Luara demands, what kind of world was her oldest son getting into?

There was a loud bang behind Harry as Neville Longbottom's wand slipped, vanishing one of the legs on his desk. Professor McGonagall restored it with a wave of her own wand, and turned, frowning, to Seamus. "The whole point of keeping the school open at this time is for you to receive your education," she said sternly. "The exams will therefore take place as usual, and I trust you are all studying hard." Studying hard! It had never occurred to Harry that there would be exams with the castle in this state. There was a great deal of mutinous muttering around the room, which made Professor McGonagall scowl even more darkly. "Professor Dumbledore's instructions were to keep the school running as normally as possible," she said. "And that, I need hardly point out, means finding out how much you have learned this year."

"I learned never to trust someone with teeth as shiny as Lockhart's."

"I learned House Elves are terrifying."

 Harry gazed at the white rabbits he was meant to transform into slippers. What useful knowledge had he gained this year? Nothing sprang to mind for the exams. Ron appeared as if he'd been sentenced to live in the Forbidden Forest. "Imagine taking exams with this," he said to Harry, waving his whistling wand. Three days before their first exam, Professor McGonagall announced at breakfast, "I have good news," which set off a tumult of excitement in the Great Hall. "Dumbledore's returning!" shouted several students. "The Heir of Slytherin's been caught!" a Ravenclaw girl shrieked. "Quidditch is back!" Wood bellowed. Once calm returned, McGonagall continued, "Professor Sprout reports the Mandrakes are ready for harvesting. Tonight, we'll revive the Petrified. One might reveal the attacker. I'm hopeful we'll catch the culprit by year's end." Cheers erupted. Harry saw Draco Malfoy's lack of participation at the Slytherin table unsurprising. Ron, looking more cheerful than in days, said, "Not asking Myrtle doesn't matter now! Hermione will have the answers when revived. But she'll be upset about the exams in three days. She's unprepared. Perhaps it's best she remains Petrified until they're over."

Hermione smacks Ron on the back of the head

Just then, Ginny Weasley approached and took a seat beside Ron. She appeared tense and anxious, with her hands wringing in her lap.

Ginny shifted uncomfortably in her seat

"What's up?" Ron asked, serving himself more porridge. Ginny remained silent, casting fearful glances along the Gryffindor table, her expression reminiscent of someone Harry couldn't quite place. "Spit it out," Ron urged, observing her.

"Sorry." Ron winces

It struck Harry whom Ginny resembled; she was rocking slightly in her chair, much like Dobby when on the verge of disclosing prohibited information.

The Avengers and several others were eyeballing the young ginger wondering what she knew

"I need to tell you something," Ginny whispered, avoiding Harry's gaze. "What is it?" Harry inquired. Ginny seemed at a loss for words. "What?" Ron pressed. Ginny's mouth opened, yet no words emerged. Harry leaned in, speaking softly to ensure only Ginny and Ron heard. "Is it about the Chamber of Secrets? Have you noticed anything? Someone behaving strangely?" Ginny inhaled sharply, and at that moment, Percy Weasley arrived, looking exhausted. "If you're done, I'll take that seat, Ginny. I'm famished, just finished patrol duty."