The Protector

New Accusations and Theories

He blink and put on a frown, "I'm sorry Bridge. I don't know why I just got...angry."

I glanced to the book, then back to him. Something isn't right, "It's fine," I put on a fake smile. "But please don't scare me like that again.

"I won't try to," he smiled as well. I gave him a genuine smile, and hugged him. He hugged me back. I wanted to steal the book from him. I wanted to make him better. But it wasn't my place. He's gotta learn somehow. We separated, "Good night, Flash," I told him as I climbed the stairwell.

"Good night, Four-eyes."

I smiled as I walked into the dormitories. The only ones in there were a girl named Lavender, a girl whose name started with a P that I can't pronounce, and Ginny. Even though she was a year underneath us, there was no room in the other ones. Hermione would be here, but we all know where she is...

"Hey Ginny," I smiled and waved. I noticed that she was the only one awake.

She blinked, and looked up to me. She didn't say anything, but she did glare.

I sat on my bed, "What's wrong?"

She just narrowed her eyes, and pulled up her comforter to block my view of her.

"What'd I do?" I groaned. She didn't reply, and just laid there. I rolled my eyes, "Fine." And on that note, I went to sleep.

***

"It was Hagrid. Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets."

It's been a few days since we found that book. Hermione came back, and I was so happy. And Harry now has a new accusation.

I rolled my eyes as we crossed one of the courtyards, "Now you've gone mad."

"I'm serious," Harry told me. "It was Hagrid fifty years ago."

"It can't be Hagrid," Hermione chipped in. "It just...can't."

"And what about this Tom Riddle dude?" I asked.

"We don't even know him. Sounds like a snitch," Ron cringed.

"Yeah," I nodded. "I highly doubt that the Tom Riddle was even alive fifty years ago."

"What about his parents? Or grandparents?" Harry asked.

"They could've heard rumors," I said deadpan.

"But the monster killed someone," Harry stated. "What would you have done?"

"What if it was a different monster?" I asked.

"Look, let's just go ask Hagrid ourselves. We are friends with him," Hermione suggested.

"That would be a lovely, little visit," Ron commented. "'Hello Hagrid. Just out of curiosity, have you set anything that's mad and hairy out in the castle?'"

"Mad and Hairy? Are ya talkin' 'bout me?"

I choked on air as I turned around. Towering above me, I saw Hagrid. I waved and smiled, still coughing, "No." We all spoke up in unison.

"You okay, Bridge?" Hagrid asked.

I nodded, giving one last cough, "Yeah." It went silent for a little while. I felt rather uncomfortable as we all just looked at each other.

"Whatcha got there Hagrid?" Harry broke off the silence.

Hagrid held up the container, "Flesh-eating slug repellent, for the Mandrakes. Mrs. Sprout says that they need to grow up a lit'le more. But once their acne clers up, we'll be able to chop 'em up and stew 'em. Then we can unpetrify the people in the hospital wing."