The Mystery of the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 14: Cornelius Fudge

Hermione told Ron and Harry all about her conversation with Etta next morning at breakfast, in whispers. They all agreed that Hagrid did have an unfortunate liking for large and monstrous creatures but that did not make him Slytherin's heir.

"Riddle ensured Hagrid got the blame so the school would not close," Hermione said, "he did it for his own selfish reasons and got Hagrid expelled. The attacks must have stopped after this, otherwise nobody would believe it was Hagrid. Riddle must have known who the real killer was and persuaded them to stop. But he didn't want the real killer exposed."

They decided not to say anything to Hagrid about this for the time being. Etta kept the book in a secret place only she and Pterano knew about. She didn't trust Riddle and wouldn't write in the book again. This seemed to be a good decision because over the next few days, there were no further attacks.

The Mandrakes were nearly ready for making the Reviving Potion and the school seemed to go back to some normality. The Easter Holidays arrived and Ron, Harry and Hermione were choosing their subjects for the Third Year. They had to keep all their old subjects and add new ones.

"I wish we could give up Defence Against the Dark Arts," said Ron.

"But that's very important!" said Hermione, shocked.

"Not the way Lockhart teaches it," said Ron, "I haven't learned anything from him except not to set pixies loose."

Older students and relatives gave advice. But Hermione took nobody's advice and sighed up for everything. Harry chose the same subjects as Ron, with the idea that they could help each other in the new classes. 

Gryffindor's next Quidditch match would be against Hufflepuff. Wood was insisting on team practices every evening after dinner, so that Harry barely had time for anything but Quidditch and homework. However, the training sessions were getting better, or at least drier and the evening before Saturday's match, he went up to his dormitory to drop off his broomstick, feeling Gryffindor's chances for the Quidditch Cup had never been better. But the mood of the evening was tainted by an unpleasant incident. Etta was studying in the Common Room when she noticed Pterano slip through the Portrait Hole behind two first year girls. He looked a bit dishevelled. Etta smiled. He had obviously been hunting in the Forbidden Forest as there were leaves and twigs in his fur. He made his way silently up the stairs to the girls dormitories to rest and clean himself up. However, five minutes later he came bounding down the stairs and jumped onto Etta's book.

"What's wrong Pterano?" she asked.

He communicated silently to her mind. Etta stood up quickly and rushed up the stairs. The bedclothes had been pulled off her bed, the drawers of her bedside cabinet were open and the contents of her trunk were scattered over the floor. As Etta stood there looking in disbelief and perplexity at her things, Ginny came up the stairs.

"What's happened Etta?" she asked in a strained, almost nervous voice.

"Someone's been searching my things," Etta said in an irritated voice.

She began to put all her belongings back. Nothing seemed to have been taken.

"Is anything missing?" Ginny asked.

Etta could sense that Ginny was more interested in this than the casual tone of her voice suggested.

"No, nothing," she replied looking at the strange expression on Ginny's face, almost like desperation.

"Is Riddle's diary safe?" Ginny asked, barely suppressing the eagerness in her voice.

"Yes," Etta said, starting to get suspicious of these questions.