Whispers of Evil {2͛} | d.m. √

6

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Meeting with the Enemy

"There are no secrets that time does not reveal."

Professor McGonagall's Classroom

In Transfiguration class the next day, Liv and Harry's friends, amongst other students, all sat down as McGonagall walked around the classroom. "Could I have your attention, please? Now, today, we will be transforming animals into water goblets," McGonagall said and Draco shrugged, who was sitting next to Liv. "Like so." She then turned to a bird resting on a post to her right and tapped her wand. "One, two, three, Vera Verto." A stream of magic emits from her wand, and the bird became a goblet, then all the students looked in awe. "Now it's your turn. Who would like to go first?" She then approached Ron, who was sitting in front of Liv and Draco with Harry. "Ah! Mr. Weasley. One, two, three, Vera Verto."

"Ahem!" Ron exclaimed, then he silently tapped his wand towards his rat, Scabbers. "Vera Verto." His wand caused Scabbers to turn into a furry goblet with his tail moving around while squeaking. Liv and some of the other students grinned and laughed as McGonagall picked up the Scabbers-goblet.

"That wand needs replacing, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said then Hermione, who was sitting in the middle aisle with Roni, raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets," Hermione said and Draco gave her a surprised look. McGonagall glanced at her class to see that everyone was suddenly intrigued for her answer.

"Very well. 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. Now three of the founders coexisted quite harmoniously. One did not," McGonagall explained.

"Three guesses who," Ron whispered to Harry, who grinned, then he glanced behind him at Liv, who was giving him a dirty look.

"Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, pure-bloods," McGonagall explained then Hermione gave Liv a look, as in saying, like Draco, but Liv gave her a look back, as in saying, that's ridiculous. "Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school. Now, according to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. Well, 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 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 said and McGonagall pointed her wand at her in an affirmative gesture.

"Well, naturally the school has been searched many times. No such Chamber has been found," McGonagall said before she walked back to her desk.

"Professor," Hermione said and McGonagall turned to face her. "What exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?"

"Well, the Chamber is said to be home to something that only the Heir of Slytherin can control. It is said to be the home of a monster," McGonagall said. Hermione felt a sense of dread at these words as a horrified Ron turned around to look at Draco, who grinned smugly at him, but Liv elbowed him and he stopped.

Hallways

As Ron, Liv, Harry, and Hermione walked down the corridor, Ron turned to his friends. "Do you think it's true? Do you really think there is a Chamber of Secrets?" Ron asked.