The first morning of the second week here began with yawns all around. Snape's potion homework had obviously stumped more than one student, and last night's Gryffindor common room had been packed with second-years working late into the night on assignments. After all, nobody wanted to earn Snape's detention right at the beginning of term.
Before Harry and Ron returned to the dormitory, sniffling with fatigue from last night, Neville was sulking by the fireplace, struggling with a five-foot-long essay. He hadn't noticed his robe catching fire from the flames within until his toad named Ralph gave him a sharp bite on the ear, saving him from the fate of being roasted.
In summary, Neville had barely slept all night, so it took Xander and Dean about ten minutes to rouse him this morning, and when he stumbled down the spiral staircase, he rolled right into the common room in front of several people.
"I will speak to Professor Snape about it, Mr. Longbottom. He should be mindful of gradual progress."
Neville's sorry state even moved the stern Professor McGonagall, who, upon learning the reason behind his charred robe, dark circles under his eyes, and the clear bite marks on his ear during the Transformation class that morning, took a deep breath and said.
Neville's little mishap briefly caused people to forget about the arrival of an investigating officer on campus, but such good fortune was unlikely to always happen.
Oliver Wood was not going to let a bit of cold weather and drizzle get in the way of his championship plans. His training schedule began the first week of the second term and kept him at a staggering four times a week up until the finals.
"You all know this, Slytherin is going to be strong this year!" Wood shouted over the broomstick to all the flagging members, "We're in for a tough battle in the finals this year, of course, if we get eliminated early by Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, then just consider me not saying anything!"
"Please, can someone make Oliver calm down!"
Katie Bell, a classmate of the Weasley twins, almost fell off her broomstick while trying to dodge a Quidditch ball thrown by George. She cried out in despair, "My clothes are soaked and I've been feeling sick for days!"
"Maybe you could ask Harry for a hand, Katie," George whooshed past her head, laughing, "You could ask him to let loose the servant in his Chamber of Secrets. I reckon, if Flint and Malfoy were turned to stone, Wood might feel a bit better!"
George's words caused a round of laughter, and Harry had to smile a few times, reluctantly.
"Harry, Harry!"
Ron hurried from the castle to the Quidditch pitch. He had been playing a game of chess with Seamus in the common room, but news brought by Neville interrupted his leisurely pastime.
"What's the matter, Ron?"
Under Wood's stare, Harry controlled his Firebolt to the edge of the pitch. Seeing Ron's pale face, he realized that something terrible must have happened again.
"Go check the hall, Harry, now!"
Ron pulled Harry along, sprinting towards the castle without even stopping to ask for leave. The rest of the team thought they were being chased again, and followed them one by one, running towards the castle with all their might. Eventually, only Wood was left alone, floating in the sky.
When the whole team arrived at the Great Hall, it was already crowded with a large number of people who were whispering about the new poster on the bulletin board.
As Harry approached, the crowd parted automatically, and the Hufflepuff crowd led by Ernie and Susan Bones watched him with unreadable expressions. Percy's face was serious, and behind him, Ginny stood, her hands tightly clutching her chest, her face deathly pale.
"This is a rare opportunity for you, Weasley, isn't it?"
Draco Malfoy was at the front, with his two loyal sidekicks helping him secure the best spot. Seeing Harry and Ron, drenched and blue-faced, he smirked evilly.
"This is the only chance you'll ever get to afford a wand for yourself, right? Are you going to let it slip away?"
"Get out of the way, Malfoy. I don't need you to worry about anything!" Ron said rudely.
Perhaps noticing that the members of Gryffindor were here, Malfoy moved his henchmen Crabbe and Goyle out of the way to avoid being surrounded by a larger number of people. He watched Harry with ill intent, and this allowed Harry to finally figure out what all the commotion was about.
The bulletin board was covered with the latest public notice, large enough to overshadow all the other lists for second-hand spell books, Fermius's regular reminders of school rules, notes for trading Chocolate Frogs, lost and found items, etc. Below the notice was a large signature written in red ink.
To all staff and students of Hogwarts School:
In view of the current unresolved mystery of the attacks, the lives and properties of all students and staff are unable to be protected effectively. Thus, by permission from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall - it is encouraged that any witch or wizard who knows any relevant information about the Chamber of Secrets attacks to provide their insights to a special investigator.
If confirmed to be true and useful, a cash reward of two hundred Galleons will be issued by the Board of Governors.
Amorta Bran
Harry's face turned Deathly pale, and it felt like a thousand Cornish pixies were screaming in his ears.
"This is the method of the investigator who the Board of Governors is so eagerly hoping for, right?" Fred said in a low voice, mocking with rage, "Encouraging everyone to report each other? That's brilliant!"
Ginny looked like she was on the verge of tears, and Neville's whispered reminder sent Harry's heart sinking to the bottom, stars dancing before his eyes.
"Fowler saw the poster as soon as it went up and went straight to the third floor, Harry, be careful..."
Harry didn't need to ask Neville what he meant by 'be careful', and he could almost guess what Fowler would tell the investigator. The first person to be attacked this year was Muggles' rights activist Lillith, and the worst part was that Harry and his friends were the first ones to appear on the scene, which made Fowler suspect them of harming his beloved pet, turning it into a stone statue.
"Go talk to him, Harry," Ron said worriedly in his ear.
Harry understood what Ron meant; he wanted him to go talk to Mr. Bran first before most of the students in the castle reported him to the investigation officer.
Hermione had suggested the same thing last night in the infirmary, but Harry had refused. The reasons were many, such as his fear that if he told anyone that he could hear a strange, terrifying voice shouting about murder before each attack, he would be seen as crazy.
For example, he didn't want to see the poor little house-elf, Dobby, being interrogated and punished because of his testimony.
But what else could he say? How would he prove his innocence?
And, the fact that he didn't tell Headmaster Dumbledore about the things he had hidden, but instead went to a not very well-informed investigator, made Harry feel rather uncomfortable.
Harry stumbled out of the Great Hall and began walking towards the dormitory, not even bothering to respond to Malfoy's laugh as he announced that soon, Madam Pomfrey would have a fresh supply of plant food.
Behind him, Fred and George exchanged a knowing look, seeing the same thought in each other's eyes...
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