The Boy Who Was Given Up

Chapter eighteen: McGonagall and Dueling classes.

It was early the next morning when the next body was discovered. It was released to the students as an act of personification. There would be dueling lessons for second years to better prepare them. It was added to the end of most days' classes, mainly during DADA. Harry Potter and his friends all had Transfiguration first, then their first dueling lesson in DADA.

There was an eerie silence as Hermione asked about the Chamber of Secrets. Harry listened intently.

"Well Ms Granger, this story starts all the way back with the founders. The four founders of Hogwarts were Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin. They were the best and unlikely of friends until one day Salazar decided that he only wanted to teach the 'pure' wizards and witches. The rest disagreed, and the four friends grew apart. When they left, they each left something for their descendants hidden in the castle. Helga left a goblet, Rowena a tiara, Godric his sword, and Salazar a pocket watch. It is rumored, however, that Salazar also left a chamber," McGonagall told the class.

"What was rumored to lie inside the chamber?" Hermione asked.

"A monster, a beast feared above all. But naturally the castle has been searched many times and no such chamber has been found," McGonagall said, trying to sound reassuring.

"But Professor, how hasn't it been found?" Harry asked.

"Well, it is said that only the descendant of Salazar himself can get in," she replied.

"And who is that?" Harry asked.

McGonagall sighed. "The last known descendant of Salazar Slytherin is Tom Riddle."

There were a series of gasps around the room.

"Now back to the lesson," McGonagall said, trying to redirect the conversation.

Harry looked to Draco, who sat on his right and curiously did not seem fazed. "Why don't you seem surprised?" Harry whispered.

Draco looked at him for a few seconds before replying, "Some facts get blurry over time, and only some have the vision to see them." He said cryptically, then turned back to the lesson and continued taking notes.

Harry pondered over this statement for a while. Only when the lesson was over did he conclude that Draco knew something even History did not, and he would bet anything it had something to do with Dobby's mysterious master.

By the time it was DADA, the doomsday story had slipped from everyone's minds and the students were buzzing with excitement for dueling.

Harry, however, was watching everyone with a new mindset, searching for clues. He was excited to try out the dueling stances and spells he had read about, but he was also cautious. It didn't make sense for Tom Riddle to be the heir and for the chamber to be opened. That was Harry's guess as to what was "blurred to some," as Draco had said. Maybe Riddle had an heir, or someone else had the same talent. Right now, Harry was confused, but he planned to research it later.

"Alright class," Lockhart said as he jumped onto the platform, making Harry and Draco roll their eyes. "In this class you will learn to defend yourself from many dangers as I have had to do on many occasions. For full description see my published works."

Once again, Draco and Harry rolled their eyes and the girls at the front sighed.

"What idiots. Who would fall for this?" Draco whispered to Harry.

Harry gestured to the girls gripping Lockhart's cloak. "Them, apparently." The two boys started laughing and Lockhart noticed them.

"Right, Mr Potter, Harry that is, and... Ronald Weasley."