On Monday morning, the news that Colin Creevey had been attacked and was now lying dead in his ward had spread all over the school. Suddenly, rumors started to spread in the school, and everyone was suspicious. The first years were now moving around in tight groups, as though they were afraid they would be attacked if they moved alone.
Ginny, who shared the same table as Colin Creevey in Charms, was terribly upset. Bunce thought it pointless that Fred and George would take turns to tease her by jumping out from behind statues, either in feathered clothes or covered in scabies. They only stopped when Percy, who was so angry, told them he was going to write to their mother, Mrs. Weasley, and tell her Ginny was having nightmares.
During this time, behind the teacher's back, they secretly exchanged amulets, exorcists, and other protective items. The practice quickly took over the school, and Neville Longbottom bought a large, stinking onion, a pointed amethyst, and a rotting leech tail. The rest of the Gryffindor boys, however, told him that he was not actually in danger: He was of pure blood, so he would not be attacked.
"They went after Filch first," said Neville, his round face full of fear."Everybody knows I'm pretty much a Squib.”
On the second morning of December, Professor McGonagall came as usual to collect the names of the students who were staying for Christmas. Bunce, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all signed the list, and Malfoy was going to stay, which made them suspicious. Harry and the others decided to use Polyjuice Potion over the holidays to get Malfoy to talk.
Unfortunately, the potion was not fully brewed yet. They also needed bicorn horns and Boomslang skin, which could only be found in Snape's private storeroom.
"We need a diversion," said Hermione briskly, as two Thursday afternoon Potions lessons drew closer."Someone's got to be our cover, so someone can sneak into Snape's office and get what we want.”
"I think it's best if I steal it," Hermione went on in a businesslike tone."If you two cause any trouble, you'll be expelled, it's not like Bunce's going to help, and I've got no record. So all you have to do is make a mess of the class and keep Snape busy for five minutes.”
"Do you think we'll succeed this time, Bunce?”said Ron discreetly.
"Do you really want to know?" Bangs laughed.
"Very much. After all, we can't afford to lose.”said Harry.
"It'll work, as long as Harry does well.”Bance said.
Harry forced a smile. It was as dangerous as poking a sleeping dragon in the eye to cause trouble in Snape's Potions class.
Potions was held in a large dungeon. Thursday afternoon classes began as usual. There were twenty cauldrons between the wooden tables, and on the tables were copper scales and jars of ingredients. The Slytherins sniggered as Snape patrolled around in a cloud of smoke, harshly criticizing the Gryffindors 'work.
Bunce watched as Harry ducked quickly behind his cauldron, pulled out a string of Filibuster fireworks he had asked Fred for from his pocket, and lit it quickly with his wand. Harry straightened up, took aim, and threw the firework. The firework fell precisely into Goyle's pot.
Goyle's concoction exploded and rained down on the Slytherins. They screamed as the swelling potion splashed. Malfoy's nose swelled like a balloon as he was splashed in the face; Goyle covered his eyes, which were swollen to the size of lunch plates, and staggered about. Snape was trying to keep everyone quiet, to get to the bottom of what was going on. Amid the chaos, Bunce saw Hermione slip quietly out of the classroom.
"Quiet! Silence!" snarled Snape."Anyone who's been splashed, come to me for anti-swelling medicine. Wait until I find out who did it."
When every Slytherin had taken the antidote and all sorts of swelling had subsided, Snape trotted over to Goyle's cauldron (Hermione had long since stolen the good stuff) and scooped out twisted black smoke and dust. Silence fell.
"Once I find out who threw it," said Snape in a hushed voice,"I'm going to fire that person."”
After class.
"He knew it was me, he couldn't stop staring at me for the last ten minutes," said the four of them, hurrying back to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.”said Harry.
Hermione threw the new ingredients into the cauldron and stirred excitedly.
"It'll be ready in two weeks.”she said happily.
"I hope you'll still be able to smile after you've had it, Hermione.”Bance said.
"I know what to do, Great Prophet." snapped Hermione.
"He's doing this for your own good. I'm sure he knows the consequences.”Ron urged.
"You've always believed this charlatan, Ron.”said Hermione angrily.
"Stop it, all of you, do you think Snape's going to give me a hard time?”said Harry.
"Snape can't prove you did it," said Ron soothingly."What can he do?”
"You know Snape, he won't let it go.”said Harry.
"Snape would still be after you even if you hadn't done it, Harry.”Bangs said while looking at the tap.
A week later, Bunce, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking through the entrance hall when a small group of housekeepers gathered around the notice board, reading the words on a piece of parchment that had just been tacked on. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas beckoned them over, looking excited.
"They're starting a Dueling Club!”said Seamus. "Tonight is the first gathering. I don't mind taking some dueling lessons, it might come in handy one day."
"What, you think Slytherin monsters fight?”said Ron, but he was also reading the notice with great interest.
"It will be useful." Bunce said to Harry and Hermione as they made their way toward the Great Hall.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all agreed to go, so they hurried back to the Great Hall at eight that evening. The long dining table had disappeared, and a gilded stage had appeared along a wall, illuminated by hundreds of candles floating overhead. The ceiling was velvety black again and almost the whole school was there, huddled together, everyone holding their wands and looking excited.
"I wonder who's going to teach us," said Hermione, as they edged into the chattering crowd."Someone told me Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young, so maybe he's going to teach us.”
"As long as it isn't-" Before Harry could finish, he let out a groan as Gilderoy Lockhart stepped onto the stage, radiant in his burgundy robes, flanked by none other than Snape in his usual black attire.
Lockhart waved for silence, then shouted,"Gather around, gather around! Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me? That's great!"
He paused, then continued,"Well, Professor Dumbledore has allowed me to start this little Dueling Club, to train you all well, just in case you ever need to defend yourself, in the way I have done so many times before-for more details, see my published works.”
"I'd like to introduce my assistant, Professor Snape," said Lockhart, grinning."He told me he knew a thing or two about it himself, and he generously agreed to help me with a little demonstration before class. I say, I don't want you little fellows to worry-when I'm done with him, I'll return your Potions teacher to you in one piece, don't be afraid!”
"Wouldn't it be great if they fought until both sides suffered?”Ron muttered.
"Is that even possible with Lockhart's power?”Bangs sneered.
Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed. Lockhart, at least, bowed, his hands doing a lot of tricks, while Snape merely gave an impatient shake of his head. Then they raised their wands to their chests like swords.
"As you can see, we'll hold our wands in the usual dueling way," Lockhart said to the silent crowd."On the count of three, we'll cast the first spell. Of course, neither of us will take the other's life.”
"I don't dare to bet." Harry whispered.
"One, two, three!"
Both of them raised their wands over their shoulders. Snape shouted,"Expelliarmus!”There was a sudden flash of blinding red light that knocked Lockhart off his feet. He flew backward from the stage, hit the wall, slid down, and curled up on the floor.
Malfoy and several of the Slytherins applauded. Hermione hopped up and down on her feet. "Do you think he's alright?" She covered her mouth with her fingers and screamed.
"Who cares!" said Bunce, Ron, and Harry at the same time.
Lockhart staggered to his feet, his hat falling off and his wavy hair standing on end.
"Alright, everyone saw it!" He staggered back onto the stage and said,"It's a Disarming Charm-as you can see, I've lost my wand-ah, thank you, Miss Brown. Yes, Professor Snape, it's a wonderful idea to show them, but don't mind me saying that, it was pretty obvious what you were trying to do. If I wanted to stop you, it would be effortless. I think that in order to increase their knowledge, we might as well let them see."
Snape looked murderous. Lockhart seemed to have noticed, too, when he said,"The demonstration ends here! Now I'll come between you and divide you into groups of two. Professor Snape, if you'd like to help me."
They weaved through the crowd, pairing everyone up. Lockhart paired Neville with Justin Finch-Fletchley, but Snape went up to Harry and Ron first.
"The Dream Team should be broken up, I think," he sneered."Weasley, you could pair up with Finnigan. Potter-"
Unconsciously, Harry moved closer to Bunce.
"I don't think so." said Snape, a cold smile on his face. Let's see what you can make of the famous Potter. As for you, Miss Granger-you can be paired with Miss Millicent.”
"What about me, Professor?" Bangs said with a smile.
"You?" Snape's face kept changing.”
Malfoy walked over triumphantly. He was followed by a Slytherin girl whose appearance reminded Bunce of an illustration he had seen in Harry's book, A Holiday with the Hags. She was tall, strong, and stocky, her thick, multi-layered chin sticking out aggressively. Hermione gave her a forced smile, but she ignored her.
"Facing your partner!" said Lockhart loudly."On the count of three, we'll do a magic to disarm them-just disarm them-we don't want any accidents. One, two, three!"
Bunce lazily drew out his wand, faced Dean's serious expression, and pointed it at him."Let's not fight. I'm afraid I'll hurt you.”
"Why? Do you look down on me?”asked Dean Thomas.
"More or less. How about you win?”Bangs said, not in the mood.
"Sigh, then don't fight. I'll find someone else, you fellow.”sighed Dean Thomas.
Harry, over there, had struck Malfoy in the stomach with a flash of silver light. He bent over, panting.
"I told you, I'm only disarming!”Lockhart shouted in horror at the fighting crowd from above. Malfoy fell to his knees; Harry had hit him with a tickle spell, and he was laughing so hard that he could barely move. Gasping for breath, Malfoy pointed his wand at Harry's knee and panted, laughing,"Taranterra!" At once, Harry's legs began to twitch uncontrollably, as though he were doing a sort of quickstep.
"Stop! Stop!" Lockhart shrieked, but Snape took the reins.
"Curse Stop!" Harry's feet stopped dancing, Malfoy stopped laughing, and they both looked up at last.
Green smoke filled the air above the venue. Neville and Justin were both lying on the floor, panting; Ron seized the ashen-faced Seamus and apologized profusely for what his broken wand had done; Hermione, on the other hand, had her head clamped between Millicent's fingers, and she was moaning in pain, both of their wands forgotten on the floor. Bunce and Harry pulled Millicent away, but it was not easy; Millicent was larger than Harry and Bunce combined.
"Oh dear, oh dear," said Lockhart, jumping around in the crowd like a monkey, watching the result of the duel.
"I think I'd better teach you how to stop unfriendly magic.”said Lockhart, standing nervously in the middle of the Great Hall. He glanced at Snape, saw a cold gleam in his dark eyes, and looked away at once. "A couple of volunteers, please-Longbottom and Finch-Fletchley, how about you?”
"That's not a good idea, Professor Lockhart.”said Snape, gliding across the stage like a giant bat. "Longbottom can do damage with the simplest incantation. We'll put Finch-Fletchley's remains in a matchbox and send them to the hospital ward.”Neville's round pink face went even redder. "What about Malfoy and Potter?" said Snape, grinning.
"Wonderful!" said Lockhart, gesturing for Harry and Malfoy to move into the middle of the Great Hall, where the crowd backed away to make room for them.
"Now, Harry," said Lockhart,"when Draco points his wand at you, do this.”
He raised his own wand and waved it around, trying to make complicated movements, but dropped it on the floor. Snape sneered as Lockhart picked up his wand and said,"Ouch-my wand's a little overexcited.”
Snape approached Malfoy and whispered something into his ear. Malfoy sneered too. Harry looked nervously up at Lockhart and said,"Professor, can you show me the way to stop the curse again?”
"Are you scared?" said Malfoy in an undertone so that Lockhart could not hear him.
"In your dreams." The words escaped Harry's mouth.
Lockhart clapped Harry merrily on the shoulder. "Just do what I did, Harry!”
"What, drop your wand?”Harry asked.
"Three, two, one, start!" he shouted.
Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed,"Black Dragon Comes Out of the Cave!"
The tip of his wand exploded, and a long black snake shot out of it, landed heavily on the floor between them, and reared its head to attack. The crowd screamed and quickly retreated to make space.
"Don't move, Potter," said Snape lazily."I'll get rid of him."
"Let me do it!" shouted Lockhart. He raised his wand and waved it threateningly at the snake. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and instead of disappearing, the snake leapt more than ten feet into the air and fell back heavily to the floor. Furious, it hissed its tongue out as it swam straight for Justin Finch-Fletchley, then raised its head, bared its fangs, and assumed an offensive stance.
There was a hissing sound coming from Harry, and the snake slumped to the floor, its eyes fixed on Harry.
"What do you think you're playing at?”Justin shouted, turning and rushing out of the Great Hall.
Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake vanished in a plume of black smoke.
"Time to go, Harry," Bunce reminded Harry in his ear.
"Let's go," said Ron, tugging at Harry's clothes.”
Ron dragged Harry out of the Great Hall, followed by Bunce and Hermione. When they went out, people gave way to either side as if they were afraid of getting stuck. They reached the empty Gryffindor common room, then Ron pushed Harry into an armchair and said,"You're Parseltongue. Why didn't you tell us?"
"What am I?" said Harry, puzzled.
"Parseltongue!" said Ron."You talk to snakes!”
"I understand." said Harry."I mean, this is the second time I've done it. I once accidentally let a python out at the zoo and it went for my cousin Dudley-it's a long story, but when the python told me it'd never been to Brazil, I let it out without realizing it, I didn't mean to. I didn't know I was a wizard then."
"A python told you that it had never been to Brazil?”said Ron in a weak voice.
"What's wrong?" said Harry."I bet a lot of people here can do that.”
"Oh, they can't do that," said Ron."It's not a common ability. Harry, this is terrible."
"What's terrible?" said Harry angrily."Listen, if I hadn't told that snake not to attack Justin-"
"Oh, this is what you said to him?”asked Ron.
"What do you mean? You were there too. You heard me.”said Harry.
"Don't be angry, Harry, we only heard hissing.”Bance said.
Harry gaped at him.
"Am I speaking in another language? But-I didn't realize-how could I speak another language without knowing it?”
"Because of this." said Bunce, pointing at the scar on Harry's forehead.
"You mean because of Voldemort?" asked Harry. (Ron and Hermione shivered)
" Yes, I can't tell you the details yet. Professor Dumbledore has to answer it personally. He's the only one who knows and cares about you the most.”Bance said.
"So would you like to tell me what's wrong with stopping an ugly snake from biting Justin's head off? As long as Justin didn't join the headless horde, what did it matter what I did?”asked Harry.
"Because the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, and the ability to talk to snakes is Salazar Slytherin's famous ability, and you'll be mistaken for the Heir of Slytherin.”Bangs explained.
"But I'm not." said Harry.
"That's right, people won't think that, they'll think you're Salazar Slytherin's great-great-great-great-great
" And it's hard to prove that he lived about a thousand years ago. From what we know about your ability, you're very likely his descendant.”Hermione added.
"Do you trust me, Harry?" asked Bangs.
"I-I believe you," Harry stammered.
"Then promise me you won't leave the common room, at least not for a few days, if you don't want to deepen the misunderstanding. Also, I can assure you that you have nothing to do with that old lunatic Salazar.”Bunce whispered in Harry's ear.
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