Several weeks passed and Harrison was curious as to why nothing had happened yet concerning the Chamber of Secrets. He had taken to watching Ginny sometimes and it was obvious to him that she had written in the diary. She was slightly paler than usual and she wasn't spending time with anyone other than her brother on occasion. His friends were just as curious as he was although they rarely talked about it for fear of being overheard.
On Halloween Harrison and his friends watched as skeletons danced around the Great Hall. The hall had been decorated with giant pumpkins large enough for three grown men to sit in, live bats fluttered around near the ceiling and candles floated all around the room. The tables were filled with large turkeys, plates of ham, mashed potatoes and gold bowls filled to the brim with apples.
"Can you believe the homework Lockhart assigned?" Blaise sneered. "A poem, a bloody poem."
"I think he becomes more idiotic as time goes on," Leo stated. "I wish we could drop his class, I have much more important things to do than listen to him prattle on about himself."
"Says the boy who rivals Lockhart in terms of vanity," Cass said slyly before smirking when her twin narrowed his eyes.
"Don't you dare compare me to that fool," Leo said pompously. "I unlike him have a reason to be vain." He ran a hand through his short black hair.
"Maybe you two can compare hair care tips," Cass suggested as though she hadn't heard him.
"You-" Leo began in a dangerous voice only to be cut off.
"Did you see Ronald's feather catch fire today during Charms?" Harrison interrupted casually.
Cass and Leo stopped their death glare staring contest and turned to look at him. Harrison knew mentioning their common 'enemy' would stop their fight from escalating. A few days ago they got into a huge fight in the common room and blasted three chairs and a table to pieces, and Harrison wasn't in the mood to repeat the experience.
"It was the best part of my day," Leo divulged. "His eyebrow completely burnt off."
"He looks even worse than usual," Cass said scathingly.
Half an hour later Harrison and his friends left the Great Hall with their stomachs aching from eating too much candy. The corridors were crowded with students making their way to their respective common rooms. The noise level was higher than normal since everyone was in high spirits thanks to the feast.
"Next weekend is the first Quidditch match of the season," Tracey pointed out. "Are you excited?"
"Of course Harrison's excited," Draco said snidely.
"Draco," Harrison said warningly causing the blonde to glower. "Why have you been such an ass today?"
"Weasley was getting on my nerves more than usual," Draco answered with a hint of annoyance.
"Well don't take it out on us," Tracey said slightly hurt.
Draco glanced at her and the cold look in his eyes lessened. "Sorry."
"Forgiven," Tracey grinned.
Harrison stopped upon hearing the chilling Parseltongue again causing Blaise to bump into him.
"Harrison what the hell?" Blaise demanded.
So hungry… for so long…kill…time to kill…I smell blood… I SMELL BLOOD!
"The basilisk," Harrison murmured.
Harrison's friends immediately looked around for any sign of a giant snake. Harrison's head snapped towards the nearest corridor when he heard a scream. He exchanged looks with his friends, he noticed an excited gleam in both Leo and Blaise' eyes.
"Should we see what's going on?" Blaise asked smirking.
"Yes," Harrison said before leading them forward.
Harrison and his friends walked down a dark corridor lit by flaming torches. There was a chill in the air and he could hear fervent whispers. Something was shining on the wall ahead; he could see it high on the wall above everyone's heads. They approached slowly, squinting through the darkness, pushing passed people. Foot-high words had been daubed on the wall between two windows, shimmering in the light cast by the flaming torches.
THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE
Harrison wanted to grin from ear to ear but he knew that wouldn't be smart. Instead he adopted a look of both innocence and confusion, he saw his friends doing the same thing. He looked around at the sea of pale students and saw confusion, worry and scared looks on their faces.
"What's that?" Harrison heard a little girl ask, sounding horrified, his head snapped up. Mrs. Norris, the caretaker's cat, was hanging by her tail from the torch bracket. She was stiff as a board, her eyes wide and staring.
There were several loud gasps and a group of first years burst into tears. He saw older students pulling the younger ones towards them and covering their eyes. The Ravenclaws were muttering furiously with their heads put together. He glanced towards a group of Gryffindors and saw them glaring daggers at several older Slytherins.
"What's going on here? What's going on?" Argus Filch came shouldering his way through the crowd. Then he saw Mrs. Norris and fell back, clutching his face in horror. "My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" he shrieked.
"Argus!" Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers. In seconds, he had swept past all the students who were gathered around and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket. "Come with me Argus," he said to Filch. Dumbledore's eyes found Harrison's and he stared at him intently as if trying to ascertain whether or not he was behind the attack. "Everyone else return to your dormitories." He said after a minute and Harrison forced the relief he felt to not show on his face, if Dumbledore suspected him he'd be constantly watched.
Harrison saw Lockhart step forward eagerly. "My office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free -"
"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore. The silent crowd parted to let them pass. Lockhart, looking excited and important, hurried after Dumbledore; so did Professor McGonagall. Snape glanced briefly at Harrison before following after the other professors.
Harrison and his friends immediately pushed past the large group of students and made their way to the common room. They were silent the entire way but Harrison could tell his friends were bursting to talk about it. Once they entered the common room Harrison led them to the second year boys dormitory. He made sure neither Crabbe or Goyle were in the room before casting silencing and locking spells.
"It's finally opened," Leo said as he gracefully sat at the foot of his bed.
"I wonder who will die first," Blaise said with a faraway look in his eyes.
"I hope it's Weasley," Draco said grinning.
"Why wasn't Mrs. Norris dead?" Jenna asked frowning.
Everyone looked towards Harrison as if awaiting an explanation. Harrison reclined on his bed and began loosening his green and silver striped tie.
"Because she didn't look the basilisk directly in the eyes," Harrison explained. "She must've only seen its reflection through the water."
Leo looked as though he just realized something. "Which is why she was only petrified."
"That's why she was all stiff," Tracey murmured to herself. "You only die if you look directly into its eyes."
"Exactly," Harrison said.