A Potter Secret

Knowledge is Power

McGonagall stands before the class. Resting on the desk in front of each student, is a different animal. "Today, we will be turning animals into water goblets. She taps the bird in front of her, three times, with the tip of her wand. It transfigures into a beautiful crystal water goblet," McGonagall instructs. "Now, who would like to go first, Mr. Weasley?" Ron nods. He taps his rat, Scabbers, who turns into a goblet with a tail. "You must replace that wand, Mr. Weasley." Ron nods sheepishly, looks at his broken wand. McGonagall sees Hermione's raised hand. Her untouched animal. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets?" Hermione asks.

A hush falls over the class. "My subject is Transfiguration, Miss Granger," McGonagall reminds.

"Yes, Professor. But there seems to be very little written about the Chamber of Secrets. For those of us with a personal interest in the subject, that is, disturbing," Hermione replies. Malfoy regards Hermione with chilly amusement. McGonagall considers Hermione's question for a long moment, then nods.

"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. Three of the founders co-existed quite harmoniously. One did not."

"Three glasses who?" Ron mumbles.

"Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts," McGonagall continues. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, purebloods. Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school. According to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. Shortly before departing, he sealed it until that time when his own true heir returned to the school. The heir alone would be able to open the Chamber of Secrets and unleash the horror within, and by so doing, purge the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic."

"Muggle-borns," Hermione clarifies.

"Yes. Naturally, the school has been searched many times for such a chamber. It has never been found."

"Professor, what exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?" Hermione asks.

"The Chamber is said to be home to something which the heir of Slytherin alone can control. It is said to be home, to a monster," McGonagall replies. Ron's eyes shift. Malfoy sits calmly, smiling to himself.

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Harry, Hermione, and Ron thread their way through the teeming corridor. Up ahead, Malfoy walks with Crabbe and Goyle. "D'you think it's true? D'you think there really is a Chamber of Secrets?" Ron asks.

"Yes. Couldn't you tell? McGonagall's worried. All the teachers are," Hermione realizes.

Harry nods. "But if there really is a Chamber of Secrets, and it's really been opened, that means-"

"The Heir of Slytherin has returned to Hogwarts. The question is, who is it?" Hermione ponders.

"Let's think. Who do we know who thinks Muggle-borns are scum," Ron questions sarcastically.

"If you're talking about him-" Hermione trails off.

"Of course! You heard him: 'You'll be next, Mudbloods'!" Draco reminds.

"I heard him. But Malfoy? The Heir of Slytherin?" Hermione questions.

"Maybe Ron's right, Hermione. I mean, look at his family. The whole lot of them have been in Slytherin for centuries," Harry continues.

"Crabbe and Goyle must know. Maybe we could trick them into telling," Ron suggests.

"No. Even they aren't that thick. But there might be another way. Mind you, it would be difficult. Not to mention we'd be breaking about fifty school rules. And it would be dangerous. Very dangerous," Hermione says.

"When do we start?" Ron asks.

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Isabella smiles as she creeps out of the potions classroom. Severus was in the great hall, monitoring students as they study. She transforms into Hermione, knowing Hermione won't mind and walks about the school. She stops as she hears crying in the girl's bathroom. It's Myrtle's bathroom. "Hello?" Isabella calls. "Is anybody in here?"

Moaning Myrtle appears, seeing through the transformation and points Isabella to one of the stalls. A young red-haired girl appears, trying to dry the tears from her eyes. "You're Ron's friend, right?" she sniffles. "Hermione?"

Isabella nods. "Are you alright, Ginny?"

Ginny shakes her head. "I- I'm so s-scared," Ginny says. "I do-don't know what to do!" Ginny starts explaining everything to "Hermione" until her sobs are gone. Isabella, as Hermione, comforts her before helping her out of the bathroom, promising Ginny that she won't tell.

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Isabella returns after helping Ginny to her room, looking around the bathroom. As she searches, she starts to hear the voice again. "Hello?" Isabella calls. "Who's there?" Slowly taking note of every detail, Isabella comes across a small snake engraving on a faucet. She thinks back to every lesson she's had before setting her hand on the snake, closing her eyes. She hisses out, "Open" before jumping back as it starts to move. Isabella looks down the entrance, mouth agape. "Woah."

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In a dark nook, Harry, Ron and Hermione huddle round a book entitled Moste Potente Potions. The spotted pages are littered with disturbing illustrations. "Here it is: 'The Polyjuice Potion. Properly brewed, the Polyjuice Potion allows the drinker to transform himself temporarily into the physical form of another-'" Hermione reads.

"You mean, Harry and I drink some of this stuff and we turn into Crabbe and Goyle?" Ron asks.

"Yes," Hermione replies.

"Wicked! Malfoy'll tell us anything!" Ron cheers.

"Exactly. But it's tricky. I've never seen a more complicated potion. Lacewing flies, leeches, fluxweed. And, of course, we'll need a bit of whoever we want to change into too," Hermione lists.

"Hang on now. I'm drinking nothing with Crabbe's toenails in it," Ron assures.

"How long will it take to make?" Harry asks.

"A month," Hermione replies.

"A month? But if Malfoy is the heir of Slytherin, he could attack half the Muggle-borns in the school by then," Harry reminds. "What if she does it? Izzy could transform and figure it out."

"You didn't have to tell me that," Hermione mutters. "It's not safe for her, Harry. What if she's found out?!"

Harry sighs, nodding. "Alright."

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