30 Chapter 30: The Chamber of Secrets and Quidditch Match
Morning after last night's attack, everyone is talking about the Chamber of Secrets and guessing who the mysterious heir is.
In Professor McGonagall's class, Hermione asked about the Chamber of Secrets. In view of the recent events, Professor McGonagall decided to answer the question. "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…. Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective… about students admitted to Hogwarts.
He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, pure-bloods.
Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school.
Now, according to legend…Salazar had built a hidden Chamber in this castle… Known as the Chamber of Secrets. Though, shortly before departing, he sealed it… until the time when his 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."
"Naturally, the school has been searched many times. No such Chamber has been found. "
Draco listened to what professor McGonagall said about Salazar, the circumstance about the state of newborn wizards around that time were different compared to now. Although what she said was not false, the bad impression on Salazar, leading ultimately to the now Slytherin house was inevitable. Although Draco knew about this, he didn't want to interfere in it.
Hermione also asked, "Professor? What exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?"
"The Chamber is said to be home to something only the heir of Slytherin can control. It is said to house.... a monster." replied McGonagall.
After class, on their return, Ron was telling Harry and Hermione that the Heir must be Draco. Indicating that Draco once said "beware… mudblood, you shall next. " Hermione remains unconvinced, "I heard him say. But Malfoy, the Heir of Slytherin?" she laughed it off.
Harry interjected, "Maybe Ron's right, Hermione. I mean, look at his family. The whole lot of them have been in Slytherin for centuries."
Ron added, "Crabbe and Goyle must know. Maybe we could trick them into telling."
Looking at the excited two, Hermione couldn't help but wonder and said, "Even they aren't that thick. But there might be another way. It will be difficult. Not to mention breaking about 50 school rules. And it's dangerous. Very dangerous."
Both Harry and Ron gulped when they heard her say breaking 50 school rules.
She pulled them to the library, found an empty compartment and settled them. Her idea was to brew a Polyjuice potion, a potion after drinking, would temporarily physically transform into another person . She said, "It's a very difficult potion to brew and it will take at least a month. We are also lacking in some ingredients, so we may have to steal it from the school supply from Snape's office." "I know it's a long shot, but it's the only plan we got."
The annual quidditch game starts, today's match is between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Both the teams came to the field, compared to the Gryffindors team, Team Slytherin was uniform and signed with the new brooms.
Draco's father Lucius was also present to watch the game, this year. As a sponsor and one of the school's board member, he sat with Snape and other professors.
The game started and Slytherin was leading the score with 90 to 30. Although Draco played as seeker. It takes time to locate the snitch, and so joined up with his team to quickly score big. In a sense, he felt more comfortable being a chaser. Halfway through the game, a bludger went rogue and started chasing Potter.
Draco also soon joined in the chase, as the snitch could be located anytime and can't let the opponent seeker roam free. After a while, both Harry and Draco located the snitch, and chased after it.
The snitch flew between the support pillars and beams of the stadium so they can't easily catch it. And with the rogue bludger on the way, it was very difficult.
After a wild chase, Draco was distracted by the bludger and hit a beam, flunging him out and crashed on the grounds.
Harry was still chasing the snitch, later he was also hit by the bludger on his arms. Harry persevered to stretch his hands and finally caught the snitch, and victory went to Gryffindor.
In the School's medical ward, Draco was first admitted and treated, there was nothing major. He was just hurt because of the fall, and taking a pain relief potion does the work, but he still stayed, acting hurt and groaning. He was accompanied by Crabbe, Goyle and another member from the team.
Later Harry was also brought to the ward with his arm bones missing, thanks to Lockhart. He was brought by his Gryffindor team and friends.
While others were focusing on Harry, Draco groaned, attracting attention but no one cared to notice. Even the nurse dismissed his action and called to stop making a fuss. Draco peeked at everyone's reaction, specially focused on Hermione's. He could see her secretly looking at himself worriedly with a side eye, but then proudly turned away noticing my gaze.
