Don't Act Like You Know Me

Year 2 - Dad's Old Cloak

"Listen up, now. We play our game, Hufflepuff doesn't stand a chance. We're stronger, quicker, and smarter," Oliver Wood said. 

"Not to mention, they're dead terrified Harry'll Petrify them if they fly anywhere near him," George laughed. 

"That, too." Harry walked with the Gryffindor team. Harry was proud to be the Gryffindor seeker and everyone knew it, too. Suddenly, Professor McGonagall stopped the team. "Professor McGonagall-"

"This match has been cancelled," McGonagall said soulessly. 

"Cancelled?! They can't cancel Quidditch!"

"Silence, Wood. You will return to Gryffindor Tower now. Potter, you and I will find Mr. Weasley. There's something the both of you need to see." McGonagall guided Harry through the Gryffindor stands to find Ron. "Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall tapped on Ron's shoulder. "The game has been cancelled. I need you and Mr. Potter to follow me."

"O-Okay," Ron stuttered. "What is she on about?" Ron whispered.

"I have no idea," Harry whispered back. McGonagall led Harry and Ron through the castle walls. "Hey, where's Hermione?" McGonagall led Harry and Ron into the Hospital Wing. 

"I warn you, this will be a bit of a shock," McGonagall said.

"There," Ron whimpered with a ghastly look on his face. Harry looked to one of the beds where Hermione laid. Her skin was pale and smooth and her hair was astray. Frozen on her face was a look of terror with her hand outstretched, clutching something invisible.

"H-Hermione?" Harry stuttered as he ran to her side.

"Hermione!" Ron ran along with Harry.

"She was found near the library along with this. Does it mean anything to either of you?" McGonagall asked as she placed a small compact mirror in Harry's hand. Harry shook his head with sorrow. McGonagall nodded and led them back out of the wing. Once McGonagall stepped into the common room with the boys, she spoke. "All students will return to their house common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions. I should tell you all this. Unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught, it is likely that the school will be closed." McGonagall gave one last look of sympathy and left. The students began to chatter. It was evident that they all knew about Hermione before Harry and Ron did.

"Haven't any of the teachers noticed that the Slytherins are all safe? Isn't it obvious all this stuff's coming from Slytherin? The Heir of Slytherin, the monster of Slytherin. Why don't they just chuck all the Slytherins out?" Neville asked in frustration.

"They can't close Hogwarts. Where would we all go?" Seamus asked.

"I don't care what anyone says. As long as Dumbledore's here, Hogwarts will be here," Dean said.

"We've got to talk to Hagrid, Ron. I can't believe it's him. But if he did set the monster loose last time, even by accident, he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets. And that's a start," Harry whispered to Ron. 

"But you heard McGonagall. We're not allowed to leave the tower except for class," Ron whispered back.

"I think it's time to get my dad's old cloak out again." After all of the others were asleep, Harry gathered his Invisibility Cloak out of his drawer. He woke Ron and they started on their way.