Chapter 84 - 84: The Chamber of Secrets

[Hogwarts Castle] Over the past few days, Audrey had been running back and forth between the castle and Hagrid's hut. Under Hagrid's care, the fire dragon Anna—Audrey's newly named companion—was finally showing signs of recovery. Just yesterday afternoon, Professor Snape held a live demonstration in Defense Against the Dark Arts, staging a duel between Harry and Malfoy to explain a few defensive spells—though, truthfully, it looked more like he wanted to give Harry a hard time. Coincidentally, Umbridge, just discharged from the hospital wing, happened to witness the scene. As a staunch "theory-only" professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, she immediately lashed out, scolding Snape for being an irresponsible dictator who made students duel for his own amusement. She loudly declared that he was no different from Lupin and ought to be kicked out of Hogwarts. Snape was furious, though he showed no emotion beyond a cold sneer. Then, on the spot, he announced that a full-grade practical lesson in Defense Against the Dark Arts would be held that very evening—"Let's take this combat practice to the next level," he declared—clearly intending to prove that not every Ministry-appointed piece of rubbish deserved the title of professor. Umbridge pulled out her wand to threaten him—only to be instantly disarmed by a spell from Snape that sent her flying into the wall. She was promptly returned to the hospital wing. The students stood in stunned silence for a long moment…and then erupted in cheers. Many of them, for the first time ever, thought maybe this big bat Snape was actually kind of cool. That evening, a series of 1v1 duels in Defense Against the Dark Arts began, pairing students of all ages and years. Audrey originally only intended to spectate—to enjoy the show and get a proper look at wizard duels—but was soon called out by a few upper-year Slytherin girls. Ever since Audrey joined Slytherin, she had stolen all their spotlight. And so began Audrey's "tower climb": she beat the girls who challenged her, then took down their reluctant boyfriends, and after that, attracted more dueling fanatics eager to test her strength. In the end, she cleared the whole field—and of course, her dragonbone wand played no small role in that victory. Soon, everyone knew: the beautiful, newly transferred seventeen-year-old first-year girl not only looked stunning but also fought like hell—and didn't hold back. Some boys who had previously tried to get close to her now chose to quietly back off. Snape was particularly pleased with her performance—smart, humble, polite, and powerful. She seemed even more outstanding than another green-eyed girl from long ago. And as for her close friend Edward, a Muggle-born with an impressive knack for Potions… If only they were in Gryffindor and Slytherin, Snape would be shipping that couple to death. ——— The first class of the morning was Professor Sprout's Herbology. Audrey, yawning along with the rest of the students, trudged into the greenhouse just in time to see the professor stuffing a bunch of strange, shrieking things into pots. "Don't worry, Miss Hall. These are Mandrakes," Sprout explained cheerfully. "You won't be studying them until your second year, but once they mature, they're incredibly useful." "These are plants?" Audrey blinked. "Oh yes. They're ugly, their voices are awful—but actually…well, no, they're not exactly safe at all." Audrey fell silent. She really couldn't reconcile those things with the concept of "plants." She suddenly remembered Edward's Animagus ritual had something to do with a Mandrake leaf. No—now that she thought about it, it was probably more like…the arm of that creature. Ugh. Why did that suddenly feel so gross? Before long, the Gryffindors arrived. Ron was chatting excitedly with Harry, whose expression was a mix of excitement and anxiety. Hermione, book in hand, shot them a look of disdain. "I'll never understand why you boys get so obsessed with a game where a bunch of people just chase after balls." Ron craned his neck indignantly. "It's called Quidditch! It's the most famous sport in the wizarding world! It's an art form—not just a bunch of people chasing balls!" Hermione snapped her book shut and replied coolly, "Do they chase balls during Quidditch matches?" "Well, yeah." "Then there you go." Ron looked outraged. Harry quickly pulled him back. "Ron, don't lose your temper. You'll never win an argument with her!" At that moment, Hermione spotted Audrey and waved. "Hi, Audrey!" Audrey jogged over. "I've found some clues about the Slytherin Heir," Hermione whispered. "Before Salazar Slytherin left the school, he reportedly said: 'When my true heir returns, he will purge the school of all who are unworthy to study magic.'" Audrey nodded. "I've read that too. More specifically, it says the Chamber will be opened, and the unworthy will be purged." "What's in the Chamber? Why does opening it lead to a purge? And what does 'purge' even mean in this context?" "To find that out," Audrey said, "we need to find the Chamber first." The two girls immediately began whispering theories back and forth. Harry and Ron, clueless about what they were talking about, started to doze off—or zone out. A few minutes later, Professor Sprout cleared her throat. "Quiet, everyone. Class is starting." She glanced around the group and frowned slightly. "Hmm, it seems the Slytherins aren't all here. Malfoy, Goyle, and Crabbe are missing. Does anyone know where they are?" The students looked at one another, baffled. No one replied. Ron, now fully awake, muttered, "I bet those three are in big trouble again." Harry asked, "Like what?" "Oh, I dunno...maybe Snape made them scrub toilets, or Filch locked them in detention. Or maybe—maybe they ran into some monster in the castle and got eaten whole—" He didn't even finish the sentence before a terrified scream echoed through the greenhouse. Goyle and Crabbe burst in, stumbling and pale with fright, screaming, "Help! Help! Malfoy's dead!" Ron, who'd just been grinning, froze in stunned silence. Then he slapped a hand over his mouth. "MALFOY'S DEAD?!" Gasps rippled through the crowd of young witches and wizards. A few girls screamed in shock. Professor Sprout's face turned pale as snow. She stammered a few incomprehensible words before managing to say, "Goyle, Crabbe—what nonsense are you spouting?" Goyle's lips trembled. "It's true! In the girls' bathroom! Malfoy's on the ground—stiff, not breathing! And—and there's blood on the mirror! It says, 'The Chamber has been opened. Everyone will die!'" The Chamber?! Audrey and Hermione exchanged a quick glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. After a brief moment of panic, Professor Sprout shouted loudly, "Silence! Everyone, go to the Great Hall immediately. I'll fetch Headmaster Dumbledore. Now, quickly! Goyle, Crabbe, you two come with me!" At that moment, Pansy Parkinson suddenly stood up and pointed at Ron, screaming, "Ron! I heard it! You're the one who cursed Malfoy!" Whoosh—all the Slytherins turned to stare at him. Ron stumbled back in panic. "No—I didn't!" Pansy gripped her wand and advanced step by step. "I heard you! You cursed Malfoy! You killed him! We'll avenge him!!" "Calm down, Pansy." Audrey cut in with a glance. "I don't think Ron is capable of something like that." Pansy opened her mouth to argue but then seemed to think of something. She shrank back and lowered her head before retreating silently. The group, still buzzing with gossip, headed toward the Great Hall. Ron looked pale and uneasy. He whispered to Harry, "Malfoy…Malfoy's death has nothing to do with me, right?" "I don't know..." Harry muttered, then quickly added, "I mean, of course it doesn't! You don't even know any curses that strong." "But…what if I do? That time, remember? I cursed Scabbers under my breath because he bit my bedsheet—and then he disappeared! Maybe I…maybe I did curse him to death?" "…" Harry was speechless. He turned to find Hermione—just in time to spot her and Audrey slipping away from the group, quietly sneaking off. "Herm—" "Shhh~" Hermione gave him a warning look. Harry immediately understood. Ron, still rambling beside him, said nervously, "Harry, do you think they'll send me to Azkaban…? Harry??" ——— By the time the trio reached the girls' bathroom, Dumbledore, Snape, and Professor McGonagall were already there. Malfoy lay stiff on the damp floor, his body rigid. On the mirror above him, scrawled in blood-red letters, was a chilling message: "The Chamber has been opened. All shall die." Madam Pomfrey was crouched on the floor, examining him. "Fortunately, he's only been petrified." A collective sigh of relief passed through the gathered staff. Snape's demeanor returned to his usual poisonous bat self as he glared at Goyle and Crabbe. "I assume, gentlemen, that you can explain what happened? Learned some dark magic from your fathers, did you? Playing with fire and got burned?" "No!" Goyle exclaimed in panic. "Malfoy didn't come back to the dorm at all last night. We've been looking all over the castle since early morning…until we found his body here." "He's not dead, you idiot!" Snape snapped. Goyle jumped back in fright and nearly fell over. Dumbledore raised a hand to calm things down. In his usual gentle tone, he asked, "Do either of you know where Mr. Malfoy went last night?" "Um…I think…" Crabbe jumped in quickly, "He went to duel Harry Potter! Yeah, that's it! It has to be Potter! He's the one who did this to Malfoy!" "I didn't!" Harry blurted, unable to stay silent any longer. Everyone turned to look at him. Snape gave a cold sneer. "Oh? Our great savior, Mr. Potter. While the other students obediently waited in the Great Hall, you just had to break the rules and sneak off. Very well—five points from Gryffindor." Harry didn't even care about the points anymore. He stepped forward, defending himself loudly, "Malfoy never even showed up for the duel last night!" "Oh? So you were wandering the school after curfew again, Mr. Potter?" "…." Harry glared at Snape, loathing him more than ever. Snape turned his sharp gaze on Audrey, who stood silently beside Hermione. "And what about you, Miss Hall? Miss Granger? Why are you two here?" "Well, Professor..." Audrey glanced at the bloody writing on the mirror, her voice calm and unhurried. "I've been investigating the matter of Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets these past few days. Malfoy was helping me with it. When I heard he had 'died' and that the cause might be connected to the Chamber, I couldn't resist coming to take a look." The professors frowned in unison. The atmosphere grew tense. Dumbledore's voice turned more serious. "How do you know about the Chamber?" "It was the Sorting Hat, sir. During the Sorting, it told me that Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders, had built a hidden room in Hogwarts, preserving some of his magical legacy within…" Snape stared at Audrey for a long moment, his voice colder than ever. "Miss Hall, you came to Hogwarts to study, not to play at being an explorer." "Apologies, Professor." Dumbledore gave a faint smile. "Alright. This little adventure ends here. Head back to the Great Hall now—the both of you. And you too, Harry." "But Professor, I really didn't—" "I believe you, Harry. Now go." Just then, Umbridge arrived, limping on her cane, her face twisted in a strange combination of delight and outrage. "I knew it! I knew something like this would happen! The son of a school governor found dead at Hogwarts! This is what your leadership has brought us, Dumbledore! Prepare to resign in disgrace!" Snape turned to her with a cold stare. "Malfoy isn't dead. The headmaster won't be resigning. But you, Professor Umbridge—wandering around before your injuries are healed—if you hurt yourself again, that would be...truly unaffordable." "You—" She staggered back a step. "Are you threatening me?! The matter of you attacking me with a spell isn't over yet!" "You drew your wand first. I acted in self-defence." "You…just wait!!" Dumbledore calmly interjected, "That's enough. I'll take full responsibility for this incident. Everyone, please disperse." ——— [Note]: If you guys want to read 40 Chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on my P@treon. 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