Moral Of The Story. Discontinued

VI. SECOND YEAR

Professor McGonagall: [at Transfiguration class the next day] Could I have your attention, please? Right. Now, today, we will be transforming animals into water goblets. [Draco shrugs] Like so. [turns to a bird resting on a post to her right, tapping it with her wand as she speaks] One, two, three, Vera Verto. [a stream of magic emits from her wand, and the bird becomes a goblet; the other students express amazement] Now it's your turn. Who would like to go first? [approaches Ron] Ah! Mr. Weasley. One, two, three, Vera Verto.
Ron: Ahem! [silently taps his wand towards Scabbers three times] Vera Verto. [his wand causes Scabbers to turn into a furry goblet with his tail moving around while squeaking; Harry, Nova, and some of the other students grin and laugh]

Many were on the floor laughing. Ron went bright red.

Professor McGonagall: [as Ron picks up the Scabbers-goblet] That wand needs replacing, Mr. Weasley. [Hermione raises her hand] Yes, Ms. Granger?

Hermione: Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about the Chamber of Secrets.

Draco gives Hermione a surprised look.

"Why were you so surprised? It's Hermione." Harry asks.

Draco shrugs.

Professor McGonagall: [glancing around the room and seeing that the students look somewhat interested] 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.

Ron: [turns to Harry and Nova] Three guesses who.

Nova: You know, not all Slytherins are bad.

Most nod in agreement.

Professor McGonagall: 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. [Hermione and Draco glare at each other] 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.

Hermione: Muggle-borns.

Professor McGonagall points her wand at her in an affirmative gesture.

Professor McGonagall: Well, naturally the school has been searched many times. No such Chamber has been found. [turns and walks back to her desk]

Hermione: Professor, [Professor McGonagall turns around] what exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?

Professor McGonagall: 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.

Hermione feels a sense of dread at these words; a horrified Ron turns around to look at Draco, who grins smugly at him.

Ron: [as he, Nova, Harry, and Hermione walk down the corridor] Do you think it's true? Do you really think there is a Chamber of Secrets?

Hermione: Yes. Couldn't you tell? McGonagall's worried.

Nova: All the teachers are.