Darkness Falls

Seventeen

1993 - Second Year

Draco wandered out of the hospital wing, his mind still mulling over what Professor Snape had said to him moments ago. He knew his decisions or, lack thereof, had led her to this moment. They had been part of the reason she was lying in a hospital bed, having been petrified. Draco also knew this wouldn't be the last time his father would put him in a situation where her life would no doubt be at risk. Snape was right, one day he was going to have to decide for himself.

Over the summer he had learnt a lot about the former Death Eaters. How they have the same belief system as Voldemort, how they plan to carry on his work despite his downfall. His father had made a point in involving him so soon on in their meetings. Draco was starting to become concerned that he was going to have a bigger part to play, that one day he was going to be asked to do something that would break him in more ways than one.

"All students are to return to their house dormitories at once! All teachers to the second-floor corridor immediately." he heard Professor McGonagall's voice echo through the corridors.

As she finished speaking he noticed the familiar sight of black accompanied by red move past the corridor ahead. Moving quickly and quietly, he turned the corner leading to the corridor he had just witnessed Harry and Ron sprinting down, following them close behind. He watched as they stopped and hid behind a pillar, staring at the wall that showed a new message left by the Heir of Slytherin.

"As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. Our worst fear has been realized,  a student has been taken by the monster, into the chamber itself. The students must be sent home," Draco heard McGonagall say frantically to the other teachers who were surrounding her. "I'm afraid this is going to be the end of Hogwarts."

"So sorry, I dozed off. What did I miss?" Professor Lockhart spoke as he joined the rest of his colleagues. Draco rolled his eyes at the sound of his voice and shook his head before he moved forward slightly to get a better look at the message that had been left on the wall.

"A girl has been snatched by the monster Lockhart, your moment has come at last," Snape said calmly.

"M-my m-moment?" Lockhart stuttered as he paled slightly.

"Weren't you saying, just last night, that you've known all along where the entrance is to the Chamber of Secrets?" Draco sniggered to himself quietly as he listened to Snape go on.

"That's settled then," McGonagall spoke, "We will leave you to deal with the monster. Your skills, after all, are legend," Although he couldn't see her face, Draco knew by the tone in her voice that McGonagall would be wearing a small smirk on her lips as she spoke to Lockhart.

How he was ever appointed teacher of Defence Against the Dark Arts, when even the teachers struggled to believe what was written about him in his stories, was beyond Draco,

'Dumbledore has a weird sense of humour,'  he thought, as he looked back towards the teachers.

"Very well, I'll just be in my office... Getting ready," Professor Lockhart said before he moved quickly back in the direction of his office.

"Who is it that the monster has taken, Minerva?" Madame Pomfrey asked once Lockhart had left. Draco leaned even closer as his curiosity peaked.

"Ginny Weasley," She answered before she left the corridor, the remaining teachers following behind. Draco watched as Ron dropped to his knees at the mention of his sister's name, the whole message on the wall became clear to him then.

Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever.

"Ron, come on get up," Harry told his friend who knelt, staring at the writing on the wall intently. "Come on, Ron. We have to go speak to Lockhart before its too late. We have to tell him what we know, it could help save her." His words motivated Ron as he stood up and both boys ran in the direction of the DADA classroom.