Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Part 2)

Great Hall…

Professor Lockhart walks on to a stage in the middle of the Great Hall.

"Gather round! Gather round!" Lockhart yelled, while students and I gathered around the stage. "Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent. In light of the dark events of recent weeks, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little Dueling Club, to train you all up in case you ever need to defend yourselves, as I myself have done on countless occasions. For full details, see my published works."

Lockhart pulls off the cape he's wearing and tosses it into the crowd, where it's caught by some of his adoring female fans.

"That Lockhart's something, isn't he?" Justin Finch-Fletchney asked, turning to address Harry. "Awfully brave chap." He holds out his hand. "Justin Finch-Fletchney, Hufflepuff."

"Oh, nice to meet you, I'm…" Harry said, shaking Justin Finch-Fletchney's hand.

"Oh, I know who you are. We all do, even us Muggle-borns." Justin Finch-Fletchney said.

"Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape." Lockhart said, and looking very dour and menacing, Snape walks on to the stage. "He has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry, you'll still have your Potions Master when I'm through with him. Never fear."

Snape and Lockhart walk up to each other, raise their wands, bow their heads, and then walk several paces back from each other.

"One, two, three." Lockhart said.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape said, angrily.

The spell blasts Lockhart across the room.

"WHOOOOOOOA!" Lockhart said, landing on his back, and a few students and I laughed at the sight.

"I forgot how stupid this is." I said, while Lockhart struggles to his feet.

"Do you think he's all right?" Hermione asked.

"Who cares!" Ron said, excitedly.

"An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind me saying, it was pretty obvious what you were about to do." Lockhart said, walking back towards Snape. "If I had wanted to stop you, it would have been only too easy."

"Perhaps it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, Professor." Snape said, giving a subtle smile.

"An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape." Lockhart said, pausing nervously before continuing. "Let's have a volunteer pair. Potter, Weasley, how about you?"

"Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the Hospital Wing in a matchbox." Snape said, as Ron looks embarrassed. "Might I suggest someone from my own house. Malfoy, perhaps."

Snape gestures for Draco to get on the stage. Harry and Draco both walk on to the stage.

"Good luck, Potter." Lockhart said.

"Thank you, sir." Harry said.

Harry and Draco now stand facing each other.

"Wands at the ready." Lockhart said.

Harry and Draco raise their wands.

"Scared, Potter?" Draco asked.

"You wish." Harry said, scoffing.

Harry and Draco walk back several paces and then aim their wands at each other.

"On the count three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent, only to disarm. We don't want any accidents here. One, two…" Lockhart said.

"Everte Statum!" Draco yelled, while Harry is sent flying backwards.

Ron, Hermione, and I look alarmed, and Crabbe laughs.

"Oof. That's gotta hurt." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.

Sitting up, Harry points his wand at Draco.

"Rictusempra!" Harry said, angrily.

Draco is flung backwards, landing at Snape's feet. Several students and I laugh. Draco looks up at Snape. Snape pulls Draco to his feet and pushes him forward.

"I said disarm only!" Lockhart said, and Draco raised his wand.

"Serpensortia!" Draco said, swishing his wand and firing a cobra out of it; which then slithers along the playing field.

Harry lowers his wand.

"Don't move, Potter." Snape said, walking past Draco towards the snake. "I'll get rid of it for you."

"Allow me, Professor Snape." Lockhart said, while Snape stops in his tracks. "Alarte ascendare!"

The snake flies into the air, then falls back down, raises its head and turns toward Harry with a hiss.

"Leave them alone." Harry said, as the snake turns toward Justin Finch-Fletchney and hisses. "Leave him alone." Snape watches suspiciously and the TARDIS translates Parseltongue back to English for me. "Sya- hasi- heth."

"Groot. Now Parseltongue." I said, and the snake turned toward Harry again. "How did it not get the last bit?"

"Vipera. Evanesca." Snape said, waving his wand, emitting a blast at the snake, causing it to burst into flame and disappear.

A murmur runs through the audience.

"What are you playing at?!" Justin Finch-Fletchney exclaimed.

Everyone, except me, stares at Harry with shocked expressions.

Gryffindor Common Room…

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I run into the deserted Gryffindor common room.

"You're a Parselmouth. Why didn't you tell us?" Ron asked.

"I'm a what?" Harry asked.

"You can talk to snakes." Hermione said, looking at Harry.

"The TARDIS is able to translate Parseltongue." I said, clutching the strap of my mouth. "It translated it all back to English back into my head."

"But still. That made sense for you, Jared. Since you travel with a man called the Doctor. But Harry, you're able to talk to snakes."

"I know. I mean, I accidentally set a python on my cousin Dudley at the zoo once." Harry said, and Ron and Hermione look alarmed. "Once. But so what? I bet loads of people here can do it."

"No, they can't. It's not a very common gift, Harry. And Jared can't do it without the help of the TARDIS translation matrix. This is bad."

"What's bad? If I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin…" Harry said, sadly

"Oh, that's what you said to it!" Ron said, terrified.

"You were there! You heard me!" Harry said, worried.

"I heard you speaking Parseltongue, snake language."

"And the TARDIS translated Parseltongue back into English in my head." I said, under my breath. "Something I didn't know was possible."

"I spoke a different language? But I didn't realize-- how can I speak a language without knowing I can?" Harry asked.

"I don't know, Harry, but it sounded like you were egging the snake on or something. Harry, listen to me. There's a reason the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent. Salazar Slytherin was a Parselmouth. He could talk to snakes too." Hermione said.

"Exactly! Now the whole school's gonna think you're his great-great-great-grandson or something." Ron said.

"But I'm not!" Harry said, pausing for a moment to think. "I can't be…"

"He lived a thousand years ago. For all we know, you could be." Hermione said, looking at Harry.

(Open POV)

Outside Hogwarts…

Harry is sitting on a rocky hilltop across the lake staring out at the castle, his Nimbus 2000 and books at his side; Hedwig flies up to him. He extends his hand and strokes her.

"Who am I, Hedwig? What am I?" Harry asked.

(Jared's POV)

Study Hall…

Harry, Ron, Hermione, several other students, and I are in the room.

"I've never liked this bit." I said, sipping on some matcha bubble tea. "It's kinda slow."

Twice, Harry looks behind him, and the students who were staring at him quickly look away. He then turns to Ginny, who quickly looks away from him and turns her attention to the mysterious black book she's been writing in. Harry gets up to leave.

"I'll see you back in the common room." Harry said.

Everyone stares at Harry as he exits the study hall.

Once Harry seems to be gone, Hufflepuff student Ernie Macmillan starts talking to his friend Hannah Abbott. Harry doubles back to eavesdrop on them.

"So anyway, I told Justin to hide up in our dormitory. I mean to say, if Potter's marked him down as his next victim, it's best he keeps a low profile for a while." Ernie Macmillan said.

"But why would he want to attack Justin?" Hannah Abbott asked.

"Well, Justin let it slip to Potter that he was Muggle-born."

"And you definitely think Potter's the Heir of Slytherin?"

"Hannah, he's a Parselmouth! Everyone know that's the mark of a Dark wizard. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue."

"Harry always seemed so nice, though, and after all, he is the one who made You-Know-Who disappear."

"That's probably why You-Know-Who wanted to kill him in the first place. Didn't want another Dark Lord competing with him." Ernie Macmillan said.

Having heard enough of this, Harry leaves for real.

"Oh, Harry." I said, letting out a sigh.

(Open POV)

Hogwarts…

As Harry reaches the Grand Staircase, he runs into Hagrid, who is carrying a dead rooster.

"Hello, Harry. You all right?" Hagrid asked.

"Hagrid, what are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"Second one killed this term, and I reckon it's either a fox or a Blood-Sucking Bugbear, so I've just been up at Dumbledore's getting permission to put a little charm 'round the old hen coop." Hagrid said, holding up the dead rooster. "You sure you're all right? You're awful hot and bothered."

"It's nothing. Look, I better get going. I've got a lot of studying to…" Harry said.

Without finishing the sentence, Harry continues past Hagrid and up the stairs. As he enters a corridor, Harry hears the voice again.

"Blood. I want bloooood." The ominous voice said, as Harry feels the wall as he continues down the corridor. "They all must die. Kill... kill... kill! Time... to... kill…"

Harry turns a corner and discovers Nearly Headless Nick, petrified with his head partially detached and floating in place. On the floor just a few feet away is Justin Finch-Fletchey, also petrified. Harry kneels down to examine his stiff body. As he does so, Filch walks out of a doorway behind him.

"Caught in the act." Filch said, and Harry turns around at the sound of his voice. "I'll have you out this time, Potter. Mark my words."

Filch grins wickedly and walks away.

"No, Mr. Filch! Y-y-you don't understand…" Harry said, breaking off as something else catches his eye; he looks to see another group of spiders scurrying away over the wall and out a window.

As Harry walks to the window, watching the spiders, Filch returns, accompanied by Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall gasps in shock at the sight of Justin and approaches him, then glances from his body to Harry.

"Professor. I swear, I didn't." Harry said, looking at Professor McGonagall.

"This is out of my hands, Potter." Professor McGonagall said, while she and Harry then walk to an opening containing a griffin statue, the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office. "Professor Dumbledore will be waiting for you." She gestures towards the statue; Harry approaches. "Sherbet Lemon."

Professor McGonagall opens her hands at the statue; the statue rotates clockwise and rises, and a staircase comes out of the floor, also rising in a clockwise fashion; Harry steps onto the staircase, stepping towards a door as the statue comes to a stop.

Dumbledore's office…

It is filled with sleeping wizard portraits and various strange instruments. Harry enters the room.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked, walking into the center of the room, where he sees the Sorting Hat sitting on a shelf.

"Bee in your bonnet, Potter?" The Sorting Hat asked.

"I - I was just wondering if you put me in the right house." Harry said, frowning.

"Yes... you were particularly difficult to place, but I stand by what I said last year... you would have done well... in Slytherin."

"You're wrong." Harry said, turning to the other side of Dumbledore's desk.

Sitting on a perch is a large scarlet bird, which is looking sickly. Suddenly, the bird explodes in flames, leaving behind a pile of ash. Harry is stunned.

"Harry." Professor Dumbledore said, standing at the top of a staircase.

"Professor, sir... your bird... there was nothing I could do... he just caught fire…" Harry said, sadly.

"Oh, and about time too. He's been looking dreadful for days. Pity you had to see him on a burning day." Professor Dumbledore said, as Harry is confused. Dumbledore walks down the stairs to Harry as he continues talking. "Fawkes is a phoenix, Harry. They burst into flames when it is time for them to die, and then they are... reborn from the ashes." Dumbledore shows Harry that a newborn Fawkes is now emerging from the ashes. "Ah, fascinating creatures, phoenixes. They can carry immensely heavy loads, and their tears have healing powers."

Suddenly, Hagrid barges into the room.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir, wait! Listen! Professor Dumbledore, sir, it wasn't Harry!" Hagrid said, worried.

"Hagrid." Professor Dumbledore said, holding up a hand.

"I'd be prepared to swear it in front of the Ministry of Magic!" Hagrid cried.

"Hagrid, relax! I do not believe that Harry attacked anyone."

"Of course, you don't! And... oh... oh, right, well, I'll, um... I'll just wait outside then…"

"Yes."

Hagrid leaves.

"You don't think it was me, Professor? And Jared told you it wasn't me?" Harry asked.

"No, Harry, I do not think it was you. And Jared knows it wasn't you. That's why I requested him to protect you, Mister Weasley, and Miss Granger. But I must ask you, is there something you wish to tell me?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

Harry says nothing for a moment.

"No, sir. Nothing." Harry said.

Dumbledore gives Harry a look, "Very well then. Off you go."

Harry nods and leaves the office.

(Jared's POV)

Outside Hogwarts…

It is Christmas, and students going home for the holidays are transported across the frozen lake in sleighs pulled by white horses. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I are out in the snow with several other students. Harry stews as Fred and George tease him.

"Hey, look everyone! It's the Heir of Slytherin!" Fred yelled.

"Be careful, he's a seriously evil wizard!" George said, leaving with Fred.

"Oh, come on, Harry, Fred and George are just having a laugh." Ron said, happily.

"They're the only ones." Harry said, sadly.

"Okay, so half the school thinks you're nipping off to the Chamber of Secrets every night. Who cares?" Ron asked.

"Maybe they're right. " Harry said.

Hogwarts…

Harry heads back inside with Ron, Hermione, and I following.

"Harry! Harry! Oh, come on!" Hermione said, worried.

"Look, I didn't know I could speak Parseltongue!" Harry said, stopping and turning to face us. "What else don't I know about myself? Look... maybe you can do something... even something horrible... and not know you did it."

"You don't believe that, Harry, I know you don't. And if it makes you feel any better, Malfoy is staying for the holidays too."

"Why would that make anyone feel any better?" Ron asked.

"Because in a few days, the Polyjuice Potion will be ready. In a few days, we may truly know who is the Heir of Slytherin." Hermione said.

"I know who it is." I said, smiling. "But I won't spoil who it is."

Great Hall…

Snow falls from the enchanted ceiling as Hermione walks over to join Harry, Ron, and I at the Gryffindor table.

"Everything's set. We just need a bit of who you're changing into." Hermione said.

"They want to change into Crabbe and Goyle." I said, drinking some hot chocolate.

"We also need to make sure that the real Crabbe and Goyle can't burst in on us while we're interrogating Malfoy."

"How?" Ron asked.

"I've got it all worked out." Hermione said, taking out two small cakes. "Jared and I filled these with a simple Sleeping Draught, simple but powerful. Now, once they're asleep, hide them in the broomstick cupboard and pull out a few of their hairs, and put on their uniforms."

"Whose hair are you ripping out then?" Ron asked.

"I've already got mine." Hermione said, holding up a vial containing a hair. "Millicent Bulstrode, Slytherin. I got this off her robes. Jared, we're going to go check on the Polyjuice Potion." She holds up the small cakes. "Make sure that Crabbe and Goyle find these."

(Open POV)

Entrance Hall…

Harry and Ron are lurking behind a large statue. Ron clears his throat as he raises his wand.

"Ron, maybe I should do it." Harry said.

"Yeah... right…" Ron said, with a sad look at his broken wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa." Harry said.

The two small cakes float up into the air. Harry and Ron hide behind the statue as Crabbe and Goyle walk out of the Great Hall, their arms full of similar cakes. They take the cakes out of midair, chow down on them, and then promptly keel over.

"How thick could you get?" Ron asked.

"C'mon, let's get 'em." Harry said.

Harry and Ron drag Crabbe and Goyle's unconscious bodies into the broomstick cupboard.

(Jared's POV)

Moaning Myrtle's bathroom…

Harry and Ron burst in the door and run up to Hermione and I, who are tending to the potion.

"Well, did you get the hairs?" Hermione asked, while Harry and Ron hold them up to show her.

"What are those?" Ron asked, noticing Slytherin uniforms on the floor.

"Slytherin robes. Snuck into the laundry." I said, revealing the TARDIS key around my neck. "Easy to sneak around with a perception filter. Not invisible. Just unnoticed."

"Are we going to drink that?" Harry asked, observing the goopy potion with disgust.

"We'll have exactly an hour before we change back into ourselves." Hermione said, as in the center of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, she dispenses the potion into three separate glasses, and they each take one. "Add the hairs."

They all do so.

"Ugh, essence of Crabbe!" Ron said, disgusted.

"Cheers." Hermione said.

They all clink their glasses together and drink the potion.

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Ron said, dropping his glass and runs into one of the bathroom stalls.

"Me too!" Hermione said, also dropping her glass and runs into a stall.

Harry drops his glass as well but remains in the main area of the bathroom. Leaning on a bathroom sink, he looks down to see his hands starting to change. He then looks up at the mirror and sees his face transform into the face of Gregory Goyle. Harry turns around to see someone looking like Vincent Crabbe stepping out of Ron's stall.

"Harry?" Ron as Crabbe asked, still with his real voice.

"Ron?" Harry as Goyle asked.

"Bloody hell!" Ron as Crabbe said, excitedly.

"We still sound like ourselves. You need to sound more like Crabbe."

"Uh…" Ron as Crabbe said, with a deeper voice. "…bloody hell."

"Excellent." Harry as Goyle said.

"But where's Hermione?" Ron as Crabbe asked.

"I - I don't think I'm going. You go on without me and Jared." Hermione said, still in her stall.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Harry as Goyle asked.

"Harry, Ron. Go! I'll look after Hermione." I said, standing in front of the stall where Hermione is at. "You're running out of time by standing there!"

"Come on!" Harry as Goyle yelled.

Harry and Ron run out of the bathroom.

(Open POV)

Hogwarts…

Harry and Ron walk down a staircase to a corridor.

"I think the Slytherin common room's this way." Harry as Goyle said.

"Okay." Ron as Crabbe said.

Percy approaches them, "Excuse me."

Ron gasps.

"What are you doing down here?" Ron as Crabbe asked, and Harry hits him. "I mean…" He tries to sound like Crabbe. "...what are you doing down here?"

"I happen to be a school prefect. You, on the other hand, have no business wandering the corridors at this time of night. What are your names again?" Percy asked.

"Uh, I'm…" Harry as Goyle said.

"Crabbe, Goyle, where have you two been?" Draco asked, entering the corridor. "Pigging out in the Great Hall all this time?" He notices Harry's glasses. "Why are you wearing glasses?"

"Oh, um, reading." Harry as Goyle said, taking the glasses off.

"Reading? I didn't know you could read." Draco said, turning to Percy. "And what are you doing down here, Weasley?"

"Mind your attitude, Malfoy." Percy said, scoffing.

Draco leads Harry and Ron away.

Slytherin common room…

Draco lounges on a sofa, "Well, sit down."

Harry and Ron take seats on another sofa.

"You'd never know the Weasleys were pure-bloods, the way they behave. They're an embarrassment to the wizarding world, all of them!" Draco said, while Ron clenches a fist and looks angry. "What's wrong with you, Crabbe?"

Harry gives Ron a bump.

"Stomach ache." Ron as Crabbe said.

"You know, I'm surprised The Daily Prophet hasn't done a report on all these attacks. I suppose Dumbledore's trying to hush it all up. Father always said that Dumbledore was the worst thing that ever happened to this place." Draco said.

"You're wrong!" Harry as Goyle yelled.

"What?" Draco asked, getting to his feet. "You think there's somewhere here who's worse than Dumbledore? Well? Do you?"

"Harry Potter?" Harry as Goyle asked.

Ron nods vigorously.

Draco considers this for a moment and eventually nods, "Good one, Goyle! You're absolutely right! Saint Potter. And people actually think he's the Heir of Slytherin?"

"But then you must have some idea who's behind it all?" Harry as Goyle asked.

"You know I don't, Goyle. I told you yesterday." Draco said, sitting down again. "How many times do I have to tell you?" He picked up a Christmas present. "Is this yours?" Harry shakes his head and Draco stuffs it into his robes. "But my father did say this. It's been fifty years since the Chamber was opened. He wouldn't tell me who opened it, only that they were expelled. The last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, a Mudblood died, so it's only a matter of time before one of them is killed this time. As for me... I hope it's Granger." Ron rises to his feet, but Harry restrains him. "What's the matter with you two? You're acting very... odd."

"It's his... stomach ache." Harry as Goyle said, aside to Ron. "Calm down."

"Scar." Ron as Crabbe said, as Harry's scar is reappearing on his forehead.

"Hair." Harry as Goyle said, and Ron's hair is turning back to red.

Now turning back into themselves, Harry and Ron flee the Slytherin common room.

"Hey, where are you going?" Draco asked.

Hogwarts…

Having woken up, Crabbe and Goyle walk out of the broomstick cupboard. Almost immediately, they come across Harry and Ron, who are halfway between looking like themselves and like Crabbe and Goyle. Harry and Ron run off, leaving the real Crabbe and Goyle looking confused.

(Jared's POV)

Moaning Myrtle's bedroom…

Now back to normal, Harry and Ron run into Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

"That was close." Ron said, sadly.

"Hermione, come out. We've got loads to tell you." Harry said, happily.

"Go away!" Hermione cried.

Myrtle flies in.

"Oh, wait 'til you see. It's awful!" Myrtle said, giggling.

"Hermione, are you okay? Jared, can you move out of the way?" Harry asked.

"Hermione? Want me to move to let them see?" I asked, still standing in front of the bathroom stall door.

"You can." Hermione said, while I stepped out of the way and opened the door to her stall. "Do you remember me telling you that the Polyjuice Potion was only for human transformations? It was cat's hair I plucked off Millicent Bulstrode's robes." She turns around to reveal that she's been partially transformed into a cat. "Look at my face."

"Look at your tail." Ron said, at a loss for words.

Myrtle cackles. A thunderclap illuminates the dark sky outside.

Hogwarts…

Harry, Ron, and I are walking on the Grand Staircase.

"Have one of you spoken to Hermione?" Ron asked, looking between Harry and I.

"Hermione will be out of the hospital in a few days." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "When she stops coughing up hairballs."

We see water on the floor.

"What's this?" Harry asked.

We start following it.

"Yuck!" Ron said, disgusted.

"Looks like Moaning Myrtle's flooded the bathroom." Harry said.

Moaning Myrtle's bathroom…

Harry, Ron, and I enter Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Moaning Myrtle is sitting in a window and whimpering.

"Come to throw something else at me?" Myrtle asked.

"Why would I throw something at you?" Harry asked.

"Don't ask me. Here I am, minding my own business, when someone thinks it's funny to throw a book at me." Myrtle said, annoyed.

"But it can't hurt if someone throws something at you. I mean, it'd just go right through you." Ron said.

"SURE!" Myrtle cried, flying right into Ron's face. "Let's all throw books at Myrtle because she can't feel it! Ten points if it goes through her stomach!" She puts her arm through Ron's stomach. "Fifty points if it goes through her head!"

Myrtle puts her arm through Ron's head.

"But who threw it at you anyway?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. I didn't see them. I was just sitting in the U-bend, thinking about death, and it fell through the top of my head." Myrtle said, flying off crying.

Harry steps forward and picks up Tom Riddle's Diary.

Hospital wing…

Harry, Ron, and I are visiting Hermione.

Hermione is looking at the diary that Harry found, "There's a name in this diary... Tom Marvolo Riddle."

"Tom Marvolo Riddle?" Ron asked, as Hermione passes the diary to him. "Hang on, I know that name! But how do I know that name?" He tries to remember. "Of course! That night I had detention. My job was to polish the silver in the Trophy Room. I remember because I kept burping up slugs over Tom Riddle's trophy."

"What was the trophy for?" Harry asked.

"He won an award, fifty years ago, for special services to the school or something." Ron said, handing the diary over to Harry.

"Fifty years ago? Are you sure?" Hermione asked.

"On one of those days where I wandered around the school while I was bored, I saw the trophy. It definitely said fifty years ago." I said, sipping on some green tea.

"Harry? Ron? Don't you remember what Malfoy told you? The last time the Chamber was opened was…" Hermione said, looking between Harry and Ron.

"Fifty years ago! That means…" Harry said, his eyes widening.

"Tom Riddle was here at Hogwarts when that happened! What if he wrote about what he saw? It's possible he knew where the Chamber was, how to open it, even what sort of creature lives in it. If so, whoever's behind these attacks wouldn't want this diary lying around, would they?" Hermione asked.

"It's a brilliant theory, Hermione, but there's just one flaw. There's nothing written in this diary." Harry said, flipping through the pages, demonstrating that they're all blank.

(Open POV)

Gryffindor Common Room…

Harry is examining the blank diary while seated at a table. A ghost seated next to Harry is humming while reading a book.

"Do you mind?" Harry asked.

The ghost gets up and leaves, walking through the table. Harry looks at the back of the diary and sees the name printed there.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle." Harry said, dipping his quill in ink and lets a drop of it fall on the diary. The ink vanishes into the page. Harry then writes a message in the diary. "My name is Harry Potter."

The message fades out, and a new message fades in.

"Hello, Harry Potter, my name is Tom Riddle." The diary said.

Harry is stunned. He writes a second message.

"Do you know anything about the Chamber of Secrets?" Harry asked.

"Yes." The diary said.

"Can you tell me?"

"No."

Frustrated, Harry puts his quill aside.

"But I can show you. Let me take you back fifty years ago." The diary said, flipping to a page on which the text '13th June' appears.

The pages then begin to glow, enveloping Harry and making him disappear into the diary.

Hogwarts Entrance Hall..

Harry materializes in the Hogwarts Entrance Hall, which doesn't look any different than in the present. An older boy, Tom Riddle, is standing on the staircase.

"Excuse me, could you tell me what's going on here?" Harry asked, while Riddle doesn't respond. "Are you Tom Riddle? Hello, can you hear me?"

Four wizards carry a student's dead body down the stairs.

"Riddle." Dumbledore said.

Harry and Riddle turn to see a younger version of Dumbledore on the staircase.

"Come." Dumbledore said.

"Professor Dumbledore." Riddle said.

"Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"It is not wise to be wandering around at this late hour, Tom." Dumbledore said.

"Yes Professor, I suppose I... I had to see for myself if the rumors were true." Riddle said.

"I'm afraid they are, Tom. They are true."

"About the school as well? I don't have a home to go to. They wouldn't really close Hogwarts, would they, Professor?"

"I understand, Tom, but I'm afraid Headmaster Dippet may have no choice."

"Sir, if it all stopped... if the person responsible was caught…" Riddle said, sadly.

"Is there something you wish to tell me?" Dumbledore asked.

Riddle says nothing for a moment.

"No, sir. Nothing." Riddle said.

Dumbledore gives Riddle a look, "Very well then. Off you go."

"Goodnight, sir."

Hogwarts…

Harry follows Riddle down a Hogwarts corridor. Riddle reaches a door and, holding up his wand, enters. Inside the door is a younger version of Hagrid with a large box.

"Let's get you out of there." Hagrid said, speaking into the box.

"Evening, Hagrid." Riddle said.

Hagrid slams the box shut as Riddle enters.

"I'm going to have to turn you in, Hagrid. I don't think you meant it to kill anyone, but…" Riddle said, looking at Hagrid.

"You can't! You don't understand!" Hagrid said, worried.

"The dead girl's parents will be here tomorrow. The least Hogwarts can do is make sure the thing that killed their daughter is slaughtered."

"It wasn't him! Aragog never killed no one, never!"

"Monsters don't make good pets, Hagrid. Now, stand aside."

"No!"

"Stand aside, Hagrid!"

"No!"

"Cistem Aperio!" Riddle yelled, while the spell hits Hagrid's box and makes it burst open. A giant spider crawls out and scurries out of the room. "Arania Exumai!"

The spell misses Aragog, who escapes.

"Aragog! Aragog!" Hagrid said, starting to go after Aragog, but Riddle levels his wand at him.

"I can't let you go. They'll have your wand for this, Hagrid. You'll be expelled." Riddle said.

Hagrid lowers his head in shame.

"Hagrid!" Harry said, stretching out his hand.

The door slams shut as Harry is pulled out of the memory.

"HAAAAAGRIIID!" Harry cried.

Harry disappears from the memory.

Gryffindor Common Room…

Harry reappears at the table in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Whoa!" Harry said, running off.

(Jared's POV)

Gryffindor Boys' Dormitory…

Harry runs up the stairs to his dormitory and then over to Ron's bed.

"Ron! Jared! Ron, Jared, wake up!" Harry said, angrily.

"What happened?" Ron asked, sitting up in bed.

"It was Hagrid. Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago." Harry said.

"Did you get sucked into Tom Riddle's book?" I asked, sitting up in my bed.

Ron looks stunned.

"Yes." Harry said, happily.

Hogwarts courtyard…

"It was Hagrid. Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago." Harry said.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I are standing in the courtyard.

"It can't be Hagrid. It just can't be." Hermione said, sadly.

"We don't even know this Tom Riddle. He sounds like a dirty rotten snitch to me." Ron said, frowning.

"The monster killed someone, Ron. What would any of us have done?" Harry asked.

"Look, Hagrid's our friend. Why don't we just go and ask him about it?" Hermione asked.

"That'll be a cheerful visit. 'Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?'" Ron asked, sarcastically.

Hagrid walks up behind us, "Mad and hairy? You wouldn't be talking about me, now would ya?"

"No!" Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I yelled, simultaneously.

There is an awkward moment of silence.

"Hey. Whatcha got, Hagrid?" I asked, walking over to Hagrid.

"Oh, it's Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent. For the Mandrakes, you know. Now, according to Professor Sprout, they've still got a bit of growing up to do, but once their acne's cleared up, we'll be able to chop 'em up and stew 'em, and then we'll get those people down at the hospital unpetrified. In the meantime, though, you three had best be looking after yourselves, all right?" Hagrid asked, turning to leave.

"Hey Neville." I said, as Neville rushes in. "What's up?"

"Harry, I don't know who did it, but you'd better come!" Neville said, running up to Harry. "C'mon!"

Hogwarts…

Neville leads Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I up to Harry's dormitory.

Harry's dormitory…

The whole place has been ransacked. Ron, Hermione, and I stand by the entrance as Harry looks through the mess.

"It had to be a Gryffindor. Nobody else knows our password. Unless it wasn't a student." Hermione said.

"And I'm the only one that isn't a student. But I wouldn't do something like this." I said, crossing my arms.

"Whoever it was, they must have been looking for something." Ron said.

"And they found it." Harry said, looking up from the mess. "Tom Riddle's diary is gone."

Hogwarts courtyard…

The Gryffindor Quidditch team is preparing for a match.

"All right, listen up. We play our game, Hufflepuff doesn't stand a chance." Oliver said, beginning leading the team out to the pitch. "We're stronger, quicker, and smarter."

"And not to mention, they're dead scared that Harry'll petrify them if they fly anywhere near him." Fred said.

"Well, that too." Oliver said, and Professor McGonagall approaches them. "Professor McGonagall."

"This match has been cancelled." Professor McGonagall said.

"They can't cancel Quidditch." Oliver said, annoyed.

"Silence, Wood. You and your teammates will go to Gryffindor Tower, now." Professor McGonagall said, as the other members of the team dejectedly depart. "Potter, Shay, the three of us will find Mr. Weasley. There's something the three of you have to see."

Hospital Wing…

McGonagall leads Harry, Ron, and I into the Hospital Wing.

"I warn you, this could be a wee bit of a shock." Professor McGonagall said.

Harry, Ron, and I stop abruptly at the sight of Hermione's petrified body lying on a hospital bed.

"Hermione…" Ron said, overcome with shock.

"Oh, Hermione." I said, walking over to Hermione's petrified body. "If only it was me instead of you."

"Jared, you don't have to blame yourself for this. This looks like something that couldn't be changed by your influence." Professor McGonagall said, looking over at me. "She was found near the library, along with this." She holds up a mirror. "Does it mean anything to one of you?"

"No." Harry said.

Professor McGonagall sets the mirror down as Harry and I feel Hermione's stiff hands.

Gryffindor Common Room…

The Gryffindors and I are gathered in their common room. McGonagall enters.

"Could I have your attention, please? Because of recent events, these new rules will be put into effect immediately." Professor McGonagall said, reading off a piece of parchment. "All students will return to their house common rooms by six o'clock every evening. All students will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions." She sets the parchment aside. "I should tell you this: unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught, it is likely the school will be closed."

McGonagall leaves the room. The students all look worried.

"We've got to talk to Hagrid, Ron, Jared. I can't believe it's him, but if he did set the monster loose last time, he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets, and that's a start." Harry said, looking between Ron and I.

"But you heard McGonagall. We're not allowed to leave the Tower except for class." Ron said, sadly.

"I think it's time to get my dad's old cloak out again." Harry said.

Harry's dormitory…

Harry pulls his trunk out from under his bed and then takes out the Invisibility Cloak, "Ready?"

"Yeah." Ron said, happily.

Harry pulls the Invisibility Cloak on over him and Ron. I took out my TARDIS key from out of my sling bag and placed it around my neck.

Outside Hagrid's cabin…

Harry and Ron, under the Invisibility Cloak, with me wearing my TARDIS key approach Hagrid's cabin at night. We knock at the door; Fang looks up, Hagrid puts the lid on his teapot and readies his crossbow.

Hagrid's cabin…

"Who's there?" Hagrid asked, walking to his front door and gently kicking it open. "Hello? Hello?"

Harry and Ron remove the cloak as I remove my TARDIS key, Hagrid lowers it at the sight of us.

"What's that for?" Harry asked.

"Oh, nothing, I was expecting, uh... it doesn't matter." Hagrid said, and we entered his cabin. "Come on in, I just made a pot of tea."

Hagrid pours tea into a cup all the way to the brim.

"Hagrid?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm all right." Hagrid said, putting the teapot down.

"Di-did you hear about Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Oh yeah. I heard about that all right." Hagrid said.

"Look, we have to ask you something. Do you know who's opened the Chamber of Secrets?"

"What you have to understand about that is…" Hagrid said, while there is another knock at the door.

Harry, Ron, and I turn towards the door as Fang barks.

"Quick. Under the cloak, Harry, Ron. Jared, put your TARDIS key back on. Don't say a word, be quiet, all of you." Hagrid said, whispering.

Harry, Ron, and I go into a corner, where Ron throws the cloak back over us; I wrapped my TARDIS key around my neck again. Hagrid pushes open the door, to find Dumbledore at the door, accompanied by another older gentleman, Cornelius Fudge.

"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, sir." Hagrid said, smiling.

"Good evening, Hagrid. I wonder, could we...?" Professor Dumbledore asked, as Fudge gives Hagrid a slight greeting smile.

"Of course." Hagrid said, beckoning them. "Come in, come in."

Ron recognizes Fudge as he enters and whispers, "That's dad's boss, Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic."

"Bad business, Hagrid. Very bad business. Had to come. Three attacks on Muggle-borns. Things have gone far enough. The Ministry's got to act." Fudge said.

"But I never... you know I never, Professor!" Hagrid said, worried.

"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence." Professor Dumbledore said.

"Albus, look, Hagrid's record is against him. I've got to take him." Fudge said.

"Take me? Take me where? Not Azkaban Prison?" Hagrid asked.

"I'm afraid we have no choice, Hagrid."

The door opens again, revealing Lucius Malfoy.

"Already here, Fudge? Good." Lucius said.

"What are you doing here? Get out of my house!" Hagrid yelled.

"Believe me, I take absolutely no pleasure being inside your…" Lucius said, stepping into the room. He steps towards the spot where Harry, Ron, and I are standing, causing us to back away, then looks around. "You call this a house?" He turns to Dumbledore. "No, I simply called up the school and was told the headmaster was here."

"And what exactly is it that you want with me?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"The other governors and I have decided it's time for you to step aside." Lucius said, holding up a roll of parchment. "This is an order of suspension. You'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you've rather lost your touch, and what with all these attacks, there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts." He spoke in a very insincere voice, bordering on sarcasm. "I can only imagine what an awful loss that would be to the school."

"You can't take Professor Dumbledore away. Take him away and the Muggle-borns won't stand a chance. You mark my words, there'll be killings next!" Hagrid said, terrified.

"You think so?" Lucius asked.

"Calm yourself, Hagrid. If the governors desire my removal, I will, of course, step aside." Professor said, walking up to Lucius. "However, you will find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."

Dumbledore looks straight at Harry, Ron, and I, making eye contact with us. Lucius turns to see what Dumbledore is looking at, but he sees nothing and turns back to Dumbledore.

"Admirable sentiments. Shall we?" Lucius asked, and Dumbledore gives Harry, Ron, and I one last significant look before leaving the hut. "Fudge."

"Come, Hagrid. Well?" Fudge asked.

"If, um, if anybody was looking for some stuff, then all they'd have to do would be to follow the spiders. Yep, that'd lead 'em right. That's all I have to say." Hagrid said, reluctantly beginning to leave. "Oh, and someone will need to feed Fang while I'm away."

Hagrid walks out the door. Fang growls at Fudge.

"Good boy." Fudge said, following Hagrid out the door.

Harry and Ron take off the Invisibility Cloak as I remove my TARDIS key around my neck.

"Hagrid's right. With Dumbledore gone, there'll be an attack a day!" Ron said, worried.

"Look over there." I said, drawing Ron and Harry's attention to a line of spiders crawling out the window. "Come along, wizards." I took a lantern. "Allons-y, Fang."

I lead Harry, Ron, and Fang, out the door.