juno ━ george weasley

CHAPTER NINE

JUNO:
CHAPTER NINE

⋆˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖° ⋆˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖° ⋆˚🐾˖°⋆ ˚🐾˖°⋆

The Transfiguration classroom was abuzz with the usual chatter as students took their seats, their anticipation growing as Professor McGonagall entered the room. She walked briskly to the front, commanding their attention with a single glance.

"Could I have your attention, please?" she called, and the room fell silent. "Right. Now, today, we will be transforming animals into water goblets."

At her words, Draco shrugged, and Carina raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Like so," Professor McGonagall continued, turning to a small bird perched on a post beside her. With a swift tap of her wand, she muttered, "One, two, three, Vera Verto." A stream of magic emitted from her wand, and the bird shimmered briefly before transforming into a silver goblet.

The students let out small gasps of amazement, leaning forward with interest.

"Now it's your turn," Professor McGonagall said, scanning the room. "Who would like to go first?" She stopped in front of Ron, who looked both surprised and horrified. "Ah! Mr. Weasley. One, two, three, Vera Verto."

Ron hesitated, then cleared his throat, tapping his wand toward Scabbers three times. "Vera Verto," he repeated, his voice unsteady. The wand sparked, and Scabbers transformed—though not quite correctly—into a furry goblet, his tail still twitching and his body squeaking faintly.

Harry and some of the other students grinned and chuckled, stifling their laughter.

Professor McGonagall sighed, watching Ron pick up the goblet-Scabbers with a grimace. "That wand needs replacing, Mr. Weasley." She was about to turn away when Hermione raised her hand.

"Yes, Ms. Granger?"

"Professor," Hermione began, her voice laced with curiosity and concern, "I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets."

The class went silent, and Draco turned toward Hermione, looking surprised. Carina noticed his expression and raised an eyebrow, but she kept her gaze fixed on Professor McGonagall, eager to hear more.

Professor McGonagall hesitated, looking around the room and taking in the rapt attention of the students. After a moment, she spoke.

"Very well. You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Now, three of the founders coexisted quite harmoniously. One did not."

Professor McGonagall continued, "Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, pure-bloods."

Carina glanced at Draco just as Hermione did, noting the slightly smug expression on his face. She frowned, but quickly returned her focus to Professor McGonagall.

"Unable to sway the others," McGonagall went on, "he decided to leave the school. Now, according to legend, Slytherin built a hidden chamber within this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. Shortly before departing, he sealed it, waiting for a time when his own true Heir would return to the school. The Heir alone would be able to open the Chamber and unleash the horror within, purging the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic."