The Twin Who Loved (Harry Potter Fanfic)

Chapter 18 - Chamber of Secrets

        That night, right on time, Eric and I snuck out of our dorms and met up in the empty common room before walking out the entrance. Harry and Ron were there, just like they said and were quick to let us under the invisibility cloak. It didn't take the four of us long to quietly sneak out of the castle and across the grounds to Hagrid's hut. When we finally stood in front of the hut's door, Ron reached his hand out to knock firmly. A few seconds later, we heard Hagrid's voice from inside,

"Who's there?"

Not wanting to get caught outside, the four of us kept quiet and kept the cloak on, waiting for Hagrid to open the door. But all of a sudden, the door swung open to reveal Hagrid holding a crossbow pointed in our direction. "Hello? Hello?"

Immediately, Harry, Eric, Ron and I all dropped the cloak, and Hagrid lowered the crossbow.

"What's that for?" Eric demanded as we were all a bit freaked out. But Hagrid shook his head,

"Oh, nothin'. I was expectin'... It doesn't matter. Come on in. I just made a pot of tea."

A bit nervous but trusting our giant friend, the four of us entered the hut and followed Hagrid toward the table. As Hagrid started pouring, his hands nervously shook the kettle, and he accidentally spilt the tea.

"Hagrid, are you ok?" I gently asked, worried.

"I'm fine. I'm all right," Hagrid nodded but with an uneasy tone.

"D-did you hear about Hermione?"

"Oh, yeah. I heard about that, all righ'."

Deciding to get straight to the point, my twin asked,

"Look... we have to ask you something. Do you know who's opened the Chamber of Secrets?"

Hagrid took a deep breath and started to answer,

"What you have to understand about that is-"

Suddenly, there was a loud knock, causing Hagrid to pause and Fang to bark. "Quick, under the cloak," Hagrid whispered, ushering us to the other side of the room. Panicked, the four of us did as he said and walked toward the fireplace as Hagrid urged, "Don't say a word. Be quiet. All of you."

Without another thought, Ron threw the cloak over all of us before Hagrid opened the door with his crossbow in hand. After a moment, I heard Hagrid sigh in relief, "Oh. Professor Dumbledore, sir."

"Good evening, Hagrid," I heard the headmaster reply. "I wonder, could we...?"

"Of course. Come in. Come in," Hagrid said. Professor Dumbledore then walked in, followed by a man I didn't know. Ron whispered,

"That's our dads' boss! Cornelius Fudge. The Minister of Magic!"

"Bad business, Hagrid. Very bad business," the Minister said, "Had to come. Three attacks on Muggle-borns. Things've gone far enough. The Ministry's got to act."

"But I never... You know I never, Professor..." Hagrid pleaded, and Professor Dumbledore turned to the Minister,

"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid... has my full confidence."

"Albus, look, Hagrid's record's against him. I've got to take him," the Minister protested. Hagrid frowned,

"Take me? Take me where? Not Azkaban prison!"

"I'm afraid we have no choice, Hagrid."

Just then, the door opened, and Lucius Malfoy spoke,