The Dark Side (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 6: The Heir

          Many students had been petrified since that awful day with the snake. Most recently Potter's best friend, Hermione. Nearly the entire castle was sorrowful when they were told. Except for the entire Slytherin house. Draco had that 'I told you so' look on his face. For weeks he had been telling us, 'It's going to be that Mudblood next, I know it!', or 'Mark my words, that stupid Mudblood Granger will be next to go!' We were all tired of hearing it, and now he was going to gloat over it. Draco was a nice kid but got annoying at times.
          Potter was always plotting with Weasley and Granger. It made me very proud I was plenty of steps ahead of them. They didn't even know a basilisk was the culprit of the attacks, let alone how it worked. I had been sneaking down there for a while now, and I had even figured out who was controlling the awful beast.
         Mum always had at least one picture of my father at home. When he was younger, of course. That's how I knew it was him. My father. It didn't surprise me, though. He's always been hellbent on killing Harry. 
         I had sent my mother a letter, telling her all I knew. Well, except the parts that had to do with Dumbledore or anything she wouldn't be pleased to hear. She replied saying my father was not doing anything at the moment and was working on getting stronger. She said this in code of course—if anyone read the message we would be toast, and I would be expelled from Hogwarts. This answer simply baffled me. I thought about it for days and still couldn't figure it out. I decided she must be lying or not telling me the truth entirely. I left it at that and would deal with it later.
          I was curled up in an armchair in the Slytherin common room watching two first years have a little duel. It was quite hilarious actually. Both students barely knew anything and we all doubled over laughing when they used a spell, made the incorrect hand movement and nothing happened. Sometimes it came out the wrong spell. It was fun for all, and we did it often. Suddenly our fun was interrupted as a sixth year swung the large door open, sweaty and wide-eyed.
          "Ginny Weasley!! She's been captured!! She's in the Chamber of Secrets!!" he yelled in his rich Scottish accent. The entire room fell silent. Slytherins didn't like Gryffindors, and we hated Weasleys, but that was alarming. Any of us could be next, even Slytherins. That second, Professor McGonagall spoke in a clear voice.
          "All students are to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers to the second floor immediately," the room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. I slowly looked over at Draco, even he was flabbergasted. As if on a signal, we all stood up and went to bed. It was guaranteed no one will sleep tonight.
          I could hear faint whispers of the girls chatting. I lay quietly, planning. I would be a hero if I could get Ginny out, but my parents wouldn't be happy in the least. I still made a plan though. I had been doing research and the basilisk will only answer to its master, or in this case the heir. Technically, I was the heir, so it might listen to me.
          I would act at dawn and have Ginny to Dumbledore before anyone wakes up. He can make a story that doesn't include me. Maybe he can say that fraud Professor Lockheart did it. He'd love that. Then a thought popped in my head. Well, rather a name. Potter. He would be there trying to grab the glory himself, as always. I just hope he doesn't ruin my plan.
          I woke up later than usual, most people couldn't sleep so they just stayed up and waited for the rest. I got dressed, went over my plan, and headed down to the crowded common room. There was a dreary feeling to the place. I turned to Draco. "Did something happen?" I whispered.
          "All the people who were petrified are back," he grumbled.
          "Why is that so awful?"
          "Potter 'saved the day' again. I bet he's gloating in his own common room right this second," I sighed.
          "Someone really needs to put a stop to that," he smiled. The bell sounded, and we gathered our things and headed to the Great Hall. Sir Nicolas was wandering the halls already greeting everybody. When Dumbledore made his speech I was too busy to listen, I was watching Harry and the other Gryffindors as they sat and clapped. Harry was, surprisingly, not gloating or smothering his glory in the other students' faces. Maybe he was smart enough to leave that for later. I glared and returned to Dumbledore.
          "All Exams have been cancelled!" any resentment I had felt towards Harry had melted away, and I was just as gleeful as the other students. Even Draco whooped and hollered with everyone else. Then the doors opened. Hagrid stepped through the doors, almost filling them entirely.
          "Sorry I'm late," we all stared. "The owl that delivered my release papers got lost and confused. Some ruddy bird called Erol," he walked down to Harry, Ron and Hermoine, and talked to them. Dumbledore stood up and started clapping, the other following suit. The Slytherin table rose, and Crabbe tried, but Draco pulled him down. They clapped and clapped for what seemed forever, till Dumbledore calmed them down. He made a single clap, very loudly, and the food appeared upon our plates. Before Dumbledore even said we could, Crabbe and Goyle were stuffing their faces.
          "Enjoy!" And we sure did. The Chamber was closed, and there was nothing to worry about. We went to class with the Gryffindors, and we didn't even fight that much, we all appreciated the fact we were finally all safe.