31 Chapter 31: Attacks, Duels and Rumors.

After class, in the second-floor abandoned girls' bathroom, Hermione was brewing the Polyjuice Potion while conversing with Harry and Ron. 

Harry talked about another attack that happened last night and what he heard from Dobby and Dumbledore. 

"You mean The Chamber of Secrets had been opened before?" asked Hermione. 

Ron added, "That makes perfect sense, Lucius Malfoy must have opened it before and now it's Draco's turn to open it again". 

Their conversation turned to why they were making the potion there at the girl's bathroom. Wouldn't they be found. Hermione told them that this bathroom was abandoned due to the presence of a ghost spirit, moaning Myrtle. The talk about Myrtle was interrupted by Myrtle herself showing up, argued with Ron and left crying into the sink. 

In midst of the tension in school, a notice excited the students, that is the start of a dueling club to prepare the students in the face of danger. 

A stage is set-up in the halls. All the students were excited and gathered around the stage. They wondered who shall be teaching the Duels. 

Finally, they saw Professor Lockhart along with Professor Snape standing on the stage and demonstrating proper dueling etiquette. It didn't take long to anger Snape with the words spoken by Lockhart and soon Professor Lockhart was blasted away by Professor Snape's spell, expelliarmus, a spell used to disarm an opponent's wand, but also can knock back the opponent if one's magic is strong enough. 

Professor Lockhart was unperturbed by the failure and tried to challenge again but looking at Professor Snape's darker expression, he stopped and instead called for two students as volunteers. Coincidently, Harry and Draco were selected. 

Draco walked up to the stage, opposite him was Harry.

 "Wands at the ready" instructed Lockhart. 

Both Draco and Harry took their wands in salute. 

Draco: Scared, Potter? 

Harry: You wish. 

One… Two….

Draco casted Everte Statum!, throwing Harry away. Harry quickly recovered and casted back Rictusempra!, also blasting Draco away. 

All the students laughed at their display. 

Draco was angry and wanted to cast a stronger spell but Professor Lockhart's voice " To disarm only" brought him back, and instead casted Serpensortia, which summons a poisonous snake. 

Harry was lost at what to do. 

Seeing the situation, Snape wanted to deal with the summon, but was preempted by Professor Lockhart, whose spell sent the snake flying upwards then landing back, startling it.

The snake decided to attack the nearest person, Justin, a Hufflepuff student. 

Harry was surprised by the sudden turn of events and in order to save Justin quickly, he unconsciously ordered the snake not to attack, in parseltongue, snake language. 

This action to others looked like Harry telling the snake to attack Justin and everyone was amazed that Harry could speak parseltongue. 

Draco looked at the running back of the trio and hearing the discussion all around, he wanted to see their jokes and see how Harry Potter would get out of his new trouble. 

Hermione and Ron pulled Harry to an empty classroom and questioned, "You didn't tell us that you could speak parseltongue?" 

"What's Parseltongue?" questioned Harry. 

Hermione answered "Parseltongue is also called snake language." 

"What about it? I bet lots of people here can speak to snakes. What's so special about it." asked Harry. 

To which Hermione replied "No, Harry even in the Wizarding world, parseltongue is considered a rare gift."

"This is bad," said Ron. 

"What's bad? I just told the snake not to attack Justin." questioned Harry. 

"So, that's what you said." stated Ron. 

"You were there. You heard me." said Harry. 

"I heard you speaking parseltongue, snake language" stated Ron. 

Harry was amazed "I spoke another language? I didn't realize. How can I speak a language without knowing I can?" 

Hermione added "I don't know, but it sounded like you were egging the snake on or something. 

Listen, there's a reason the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent. Salazar Slytherin was a Parselmouth too." 

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

"But I'm not. I can't be." said Harry in a low mood. 

"Salazar lived a thousand years ago. For all we know, you could be." finished Hermione. 

Draco watched on as the rumors spread and even marked Harry as the Heir of Slytherin. Even by some Gryffindors. Harry was left isolated, and stares followed wherever he went. Even the Muggle-borns were afraid of him and tried hard not to be noticed by him, fearing they might be petrified or worst killed.