The Secret Diary of Hermione Granger
~Year Two~
A FanFiction by Arabella
Based on "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"
by J.K. Rowling
Disclaimer: Not even a little bit mine. Except for Gwen who actually belongs to herself.
Thanks to Anne for asking to archive this fic, Zsenya, for making me put it up for all eyes, And to Honeychurch, for helping
me to know Gwen better.
HQoW
July 20
Hello, Guinevere! Have you been having a nice vacation at Miss Vauclains?
Its been marvelous! I think Ive told the story of the Sorcerers Stone a hundred times. Per day.
Soon there will be more stories, I promise you. School cant start quickly enough for me! Ive had a very nice rest, I suppose, but enough already. I ran into some people from my old school the other day, Gwen. Susie Raviski- you know- the mean one who used to tease me?
Yes, I remember. You grew her teeth.
Yes. Well I saw her in the park with her whole gang. I was walking down to the bridge, on my way home, when she sort of came out of nowhere with her friends and said, "Whereve you been all year, Mangy Granger?" Everybody laughed, but for once my feelings werent hurt at all. I had my wand in my pocket.
Hermione! You didnt do magic outside of school?
Just listen. Very calmly, I said, "Ive been at Hogwarts." Susie didnt know what that meant, of course. She burst into giggles and said, "Hogwarts! Whats that, where they send all the pigs?" Which set everybody off laughing again, snorting like swine. She held up her hand for them to stop and said, "Anyhow, I heard youre a witch, some funny witch, and your whole familys in some kind of cult. My mums always said your mums a strange one- too nervous."
I had hold of my wand very, very tight, and my mind was screaming all kinds of curses- I could just see Susie growing mushrooms in her ears, or having her nose fall off, or blistering with a body full of boils. But I made myself picture Professor McGonagall, that time when she gave me detention, and I knew I wanted to avoid that at all costs. So I said nothing.
"Cat got your tongue, Granger?" said Susie, "Or did you have to sacrifice it to your cult?"
"Yeah, lets see your tongue, Granger."
"Open wide and show us those big teeth."
"Come on, Mangy, tell us about your freaky family!"
What horrible little monsters!
Arent they, though.
Did you curse them? Say you did!
What, and let that crew get me expelled? Never. I just.... scared them a bit. I took out my wand and pointed it right at Susies face. Suddenly, the laughter stopped.
"Whats that?" she said, trying to sound indifferent. But I knew she must be remembering her teeth. "A twig you picked up? Oh, Im scared."
"Yeah, its a twig," I said. "Just a bit of twig, really." And then I did my wrist-flick. Sparks shot out the tip of my wand, and they all jumped back a step.
Are you allowed to do that?
Oh, sparks arent anything. Every time I practice my wrist-flick, I get sparks. It shows that a wands in good working order- thats what Mr. Ollivander at the wand shop told me.
Anyway, I shot a few sparks and they jumped. Susie paled, and I had to laugh a little.
"What do you have," said one of her friends, "a sparkler?" Susie looked a bit relieved at that. "Oh, thats really thick, Hermione, trying to bother us with a stupid sparkler."
"Dyou see any matches?" I said. "How am I lighting the sparkler, Susie?" She didnt have an answer. All of them were backing away, step by slow step. "Better run if you like your teeth the way they are," I said, and flicked my wrist hard. A burst of bright sparks flew up, and they positively bolted! I just stood there laughingimagine any student at Hogwarts running away from a bunch of little sparks!
Im glad you got them- but Hermione, now wont they
really think youre a witch?Who cares? Nobody would ever believe them. And it was worth it... oh, wasnt it worth it! I wish Harry and Ron couldve seen it! Harry and Ron.
How are they?
As if I know. Ive written them twice each. Harry didnt write back at all, and Im rather worried about him as hes living with those dreadful people. I got one letter back from Ron, and I know about as much about him as I did before. Want me to copy it?
I do.
"Dear Hermione,
Got your letter. You sound busy. What, are you studying? You better not be. Ive been playing Quidditch and doing chores and stuff. Did you get a letter from Harry yet, because I didnt. Hope those gits arent torturing him. Ginnys worried- shes going on about it right now- I think she fancies him. What an idiot.
Everybody here says hello.
Bye,
Ron"
Well really. Doesnt he have anything to say?
Apparently not.
I just wrote back and told him not to bother Ginny- she can fancy whomever she likes and its none of his business. I hope hes not teasing her. Ginnys going to be a first year, and I dont really know her yet, but I probably will. Every other Weasley has been in Gryffindor. Oh, Gryffindor! How will I ever make it all the way to September?
At least Ron sent a Chocolate Frog with that short note of a letter. I told him last time I wrote that my parents wont let me have any sugar because theyre dentists, so I havent had a single sweet all summer. I guess he thinks thats bad. I think Im going to go eat it.
Bye!
HQoW
July 23
Just got an owl back from Ron. Can you believe this:
"Dear Hermione,
Right, thats it. Still no letter from Harry and so Fred and George are going to help me bust him out. Id tell you how were going to do it, but youd just have a fit. Dont worry. Ill write you when Ive got him.
See you,
Ron"
And here is the letter I am sending back:
"Dear Ron (and Harry, if youre there)
I hope everything went all right and that Harry is okay and that you didnt do anything illegal to get him out, Ron, because that would get Harry into trouble, too. Ive been really worried, and if Harry is all right, will you please let me know at once, but perhaps it would be better if you used a different owl, because I think another delivery might finish your one off.
Im very busy with schoolwork, of course, and were going to London next Wednesday to buy my new books. Why dont we meet in Diagon Alley?
Let me know whats happening as soon as you can.
Love from,
Hermione."
Oh, I hope theyll write me soon. I hope Harrys okay! I hope they can come to Diagon Alley. We got our book list from school, and there are several Defense Against the Dark Arts ones. I hope that means that it will be a real class this time because weve got an entire year to make up for. All the books are written by Gilderoy Lockhart, whom Ive never heard of, but he must be really amazing if he knows so much about the Dark Arts.
I got something else from school, too, Gwen. Its a Certificate of Special Achievement, for my marks last year! Professor McGonagall sent a note along with it saying shes sorry I didnt get it earlier, but it had to be signed at the Ministry of Magicby the head of the Department of Witching and Wizarding Education, and the Minister of Magic himself, Cornelius Fudge! Mum and Dad had it framed. They are really the best!
Thats wonderful.
Thanks. Its something to live up to though, isnt it! I cant wait to get my schoolbooks and start studying. I really need to prepare!
Speaking of your books, when youre in Diagon Alley, you should come and visit me at Miss Vauclains!
I can do that?
Yes- theres a large book of blank parchment at the counter in back- you can just write, "Hi, Gwen," and someone will come fetch me.
Really? Do I need my password?
No, no, anybody can write in that book. Will you come?
Of course! Thats so fascinating! Oh, so many reasons to be excited- my books, Diagon Alley, visiting you, and I hope seeing Harry and Ron! Ill bet time goes really, really slowly until next Wednesday. It always does when I have anything fun to anticipate.
Oh, theres Mum calling. Its lunch. See you!
HQoW
July 26
Harrys okay, and theyre all going to meet me in Diagon Alley. Heres how I know:
"Dear Hermione,
See, I knew youd throw a fit and you dont even know what weve done. And youre not going to know either. Weve got Harry, so quit harping. Quit studying too- how can you be- were on vacation! Seriously.
Mum says we can all go to Diagon Alley on Wednesday. How about we meet at Gringotts, since we all have to go there first anyway?
See you there,
Ron"
"Dear Hermione,
Sorry I couldnt send you any letters. My uncle wouldnt let me let Hedwig out of her cage all summer. If it makes you feel any better, I didnt get any of your letters either, because a house-elf named Dobby was stopping my mail. It was a bad summer, and Im really glad to be staying at Rons now, because its much better than my house. Hope your summer was great.
See you next week,
Harry"
A house-elf named Dobby was stopping his mail. You know, Gwen, that sort of thing just doesnt surprise me anymore. After a year at Hogwarts, the fact that theres something called a house-elf, and it goes round stopping peoples mail, just sounds like a perfectly normal part of life.
In any case, Im glad Harrys with Ron, although I dont like the sound of whatever they did to get him out. And the way Ron talks about studying, youd think its some kind of ancient torture. Im sure the only reason those two are even excited to go to Diagon Alley is to get ice cream at Fortescues.
Oh, and you dont like Fortescues?
Thats not what Ioh, never mind, Gwen. Ill see you at Miss Vauclains on Wednesday, okay? Ill pop in before we go over to Gringotts.
I cant wait!
* * *
{ACTUAL EXCERPTS FROM THE DIARY HEADQUARTERS AT THE ENCHANTED STATIONERS IN DIAGON ALLEY, LONDON, JULY 29th}
Hello, its Hermione Granger. Is Gwen in there, please?
Allo! Hermione, we av eard so much of you! Iz it all true, what Guinevere az told us about ze Sorcerers Stone?
Er- yes. Are you a diary?
Mais oui, ma cherie, I am Marguerite! It iz so nice to meet with you, but I suppose you are wanting to speak wiz Gwen?
Could you find her?
For you? But of course! You are famous here wiz us, you know. We just adore your stories! Un moment, sil tu plait, and I will av your Gwen.
Thanks!
Did I hear someone say Hermione?
Yes, Im Hermione.
Hanini! How good you are. You must know how we die for Quidditch- Guinevere has told you?
She certainly has. More than once.
Well, if shes bad, Im worse. You will keep us informed of the Quidditch this term, wont you?
I promise.
You are a peach, hanini, do you know that?
Excuse me, CassieHERMIONE!!!!!
Gwen! Who was that? Whats a hanini?
That was Cassiopeia- shes Maltese- hanini is her way of calling you dear, dear.
Thats so nice! How interesting to meet all your friends, Gwen. They all seem to know me.
Yes, they think youre just splendid for keeping us entertained all summer, and everybodys just dying to say hello. Heres Esmeralda, my friend Ive told you of!
Oh, good.
Sweet girl! How wonderful to finally meet you after all the raving Ive heard from Guinevere. She speaks so highly of you- I hear that youre top of your class?
Oh, its nothing. Yes, I am.
And youre here to get your schoolbooks, I imagine? How lovely to be going to school!
I agree! I just cant wait to go over and get all my new school things- theres nothing I like better than all new notebooks and quills and books and folders
Is this the Miss Granger who tells such tales of sport and alchemy?
Well! Im Hermione Granger, if thats what you mean.
Welcome a thousand times, Miss Granger. I am Argo, and I would like to affirm that we, all of us, are in your eternal debt. You weave your world around us, and it is the warming tapestry that comforts our cold hours.
Um...... okay.
My heartfelt and humble thanks to you, as you journey forth in life. Perhaps you will share your thoughts with us another time, though I would never presume to ask such a favor. Farewell, fair witch.
What?
Dont mind Argo, Hermione. Hes over-dramatic and mildly depressed
.Okay. Gwen, this is so much fun and everything, and I hate to go, but I did promise to meet Harry and Ron at noon, and its ten til. Ive got to run over to Gringotts.
Well Im just so glad you made it. Theyll be talking about you all week. Run along to your friends, and let me know how things turn out!
I will! Goodbye, Gwen--- Goodbye, everyone!
HQoW
August 1
Sorry I didnt write right away, Gwen, but ever since we got my books, Ive been-
Studying? Somehow I thought you might be.
Yes, well theres so much to read- weve got seven Defense Against the Dark Arts books, and theyre all written by Gilderoy Lockhart, and we even met him at Flourish and Blotts, and hes going to be our teacher at Hogwarts, and Gwen, he looks like he should be a film star, I mean, honestly, Ive never seen anybody up close who looked like that, and Im going to be looking at him all year long, so how will I ever stand it!? I have to memorize every word of his books.
All seven?
I know, its hard, but I think I can do it for Professor Lockhart.
I see. And how are Ron and Harry?
Theyre fine. Look, in "Gadding with Ghouls" Professor Lockhart says he managed to rid a haunted castle of a poltergeist that had been plaguing it for over a thousand years! Its about time we had a real Defense Against the Dark Arts teacherI bet hell get rid of Peeves if we tell him todyou suppose I ought to wear my lavender sweater on the first day of his class? In "A Year with the Yeti" he says his favorite color is lilac, but I havent got anything really lilac.
I imagine your school robe will cover it up in any case.
No, not entirely, it fastens in front but nips open at the top and then parts under the clasp.
Well then, by all means, wear the lavender.
Yes, I think I will. We havent gone shopping for my school clothes yet, except my robes of course, so maybe Mum will let me get something lilac. I got some purple ink and a new quill for that class already. Id wish it were September, but I need every minute left in this vacation to commit these textbooks to memory.
And your other classes?
Oh. Well, theres second year level of everything I was taking before, plus an extra class in place of Flying, which you dont have to take after first year. My new class is called Elementary Spellish, which is the study of Wizarding terminology, you know, Latin derivatives and magical dialects and witching slang. Isnt that fascinating? Its only twice a weekProfessor McGonagall wants me to ease in to extra work, to make sure I can really handle it before I try to add any more. Im sure Ill be finemy marks last year are proof of that!
I have to tell you, Gwen, it was so nice to be in the wizarding world again. I feel like Im starving for magic. Diagon Alley was just wonderful, and getting to say hello to you at your headquarters was such a treat. How are all your friends?
Theyre just fine. We all enjoyed it, too. But arent you going to tell me about
your friends, Hermione dear?Yes, but I have to do it later. I already feel really guilty about writing for this long when I havent even touched "Break With A Banshee" and Ive only barely skimmed "Travels With Trolls". Lockhart is clearly serious about our education, and I mean to rise to the occasion. Talk to you soon.
HQoW
August 12
Well, Ive done it. Ive read them all. My head feels heavy. GwenGilderoy Lockhart has done so much. Why on earth is he stopping such an unbelievable career to come teach us at Hogwarts?
Unbelievable, yes, thats true.
So many people will suffer without his help. But I am glad hell be helping us, instead. Is that awful?
No, its normal.
I still havent told you about Diagon Alley, have I? Now that Ive finished all Lockharts books, all I can think about is how nice it was to see everyone again. I didnt realize how much it would feel like a family reunion, what with Harry and Ron and Percy, Fred and George, my parents, Rons parents, his little sister Ginny, and even Hagrid! We were all in a bunch on the top of the steps at Gringotts, finally back together, and I just wanted to smile til my head fell off.
Rons dad was really fascinated with my Muggle mum and dad, and he towed them off to buy them a drink so he could quiz them about what our life is like. Theyre still talking about it. That was their first chance to really sit down and talk with an adult from the wizarding world, and they thought Mr. Weasley was just as fascinating as he thought they were.
Harry bought Ron and me ice creams at Fortescues, and then we window shopped for all the things we want to buy when were rich. Ron wants a racing broom, newest model, Nimbus 2001. Harry wants exactly the same thing. Theyre so original. I saw a set of scales Id die for- its called a Prioritizer. You write two tasks on slips of paper and place them in the scales, and it tells you which is truly the most important to do first. I need that thing. It would really help me to schedule properly during exams. But it was far too expensive to even think about.
After that, we met up with my parents and all the Weasleys at Flourish and Blotts to get our bookswhich is where we met Professor Lockhart. Ive never seen robes like his, they were so blue, and they matched his eyes exactly, and he has blond, wavy hair, and the most perfect teeth I have ever seen. I wish I had teeth like that. Hes won Witch Weeklys Most-Charming-Smile Award five times! He was doing a book signing, and when he saw Harry, he grabbed him up to the front and presented him with a complimentary stack of all the textbooks! The news people were all taking pictures- I mean, Gilderoy Lockhart and Harry Potter, thats a double celebrity. Harry didnt look too pleased- I saw him dump all his books over in Ginny Weasleys cauldron. (Really, Gwen, I thought it was really sweet of Professor Lockhart to give Harry all those books. But I guess it was also nice of Harry to give the books to Ginny, since Mrs. Weasley has to buy five sets.)
Thats when everything started to go downhill, though, because Malfoy came over to us. If there is one thing I didnt miss about the magical world, its Malfoy. He hasnt made any improvements over the summer. If anything, hes worse. Started taunting Harry right off about all the press attention hed gotten with Professor Lockhart, gibing at him with "Famous Harry Potter" and all that.
Ginny Weasley jumped right to Harrys defenseRon and I would have done it, but we were fighting our way over to him through the crowd. I watched her, and she looked livid, which was interesting considering she didnt say one word or draw one speck of attention toward herself the whole day. But she had no trouble standing up to Malfoy! "Leave him alone, he didnt want all that," she said. I was impressed. Malfoy was not. "Potter, youve got yourself a girlfriend," he said, as if a girlfriend were the most absolutely revolting thing he could think of. Ha. He should be so lucky. I noticed that Ginny turned really red when he said it, though, so I think Ron might be rightshe does like Harry. Its her business, of course, but I definitely hope shes in Gryffindor so I can find a way to ask her. Anybody who cant stand Malfoy is all right by me.
Malfoy. He said to Ron, "Surprised to see you in a shop, Weasley. I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those." Harry and I both had to grab Ron by the back of the jacket to hold him off, because Mr. Weasley was coming over with my parents, and I didnt need them to see us fighting! If they hadnt been coming over, though, I might have let Ron at him. Malfoy deserves.... but I dont approve of violence. Anyway, my parents got an eye full of fighting a moment later.
Mr. Malfoy came up to us. Hes just as nasty as his son, and treats Mr. Weasley in the same way that Draco treats Ron. He was getting down on him for being poor, and grabbed up one of the second-hand books Mr. Weasley was buying for Ginny and started to make fun of it. Beastly.
Then Mr. Malfoy looked over at my parents, and at me, and I mean, he looked at us like we were just the filthiest trash youve ever seen. Nobodys ever looked at me like that, not even Susienot even Snape. He sneered and said, "The company you keep, Weasley.... and I thought your family could sink no lower"which is when Mr. Weasley knocked him into a bookshelf. They brawled so hard I thought theyd destroy the store- our whole section was demolished- Mrs. Weasley was hollering at her husband to stop it- Ron and all the boys were cheering him on- my parents looked petrified- and THANKFULLY Hagrid came in and pulled them off one another. It all ended with Mr. Malfoy tossing Ginnys book back in her cauldron and saying, "Its the best your father can give you."
Ron says Mr. Malfoy hates his dad because Mr. Weasley is the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office, and so hes always after Mr. Malfoy for having illegally enchanted possessions. Malfoy thinks since hes rich, he should be allowed to have whatever he likes, and he resents Mr. Weasley for trying to tell him otherwise.
But I wonder why Mr. Malfoy has such an obvious grudge against me and my family? Weve got nothing to do with him. I suppose hes just all-around horribleno wonder his son is such an idiot. Honestly, two grown men fighting in a shopnot that I blame Mr. Weasley one bit, but my parents simply dont know what to make of it, and they keep throwing questions at me. Violence- is it encouraged in wizarding? Is there fighting all over at Hogwarts? Do children put curses on each other? Do teachers use magical punishments? Do I feel quite safe? I told them that there isnt much fighting, and that if there were any cursing going on, I'd be all right as Im very well versed in counter-curses. And I told them that teachers certainly do not use magical punishments. I didnt tell them about the punishments Filch always threatens, because they were terrified enough. Oh, dear. I wonder what theyd do if they knew about the Sorcerers Stone?
They dont know?
Are you kidding me? Trolls, poisons, three-headed dogs and plants that try to choke you? Theyd never let me come back to Hogwarts again. But you know, Gwen, I really dont think the wizarding world is any worse than the Muggle one. Anywhere you go, you can find rotten people who want to pick a fight. Just look at Susie Raviski.
Oh yes, how is dear old Susie?
I wouldnt know. She wont come near me. Hah! At least Ive managed to defeat one of my enemies. Sooner or later, well find a way to shut Malfoy up, too. But fighting is certainly not the answer, so Im going to have to find some kind of mature alternative. Maybe I could charm myself to be selectively deaf to everything he says.
Ooooh, Charms. I have to go. I still have to get through all my non-Lockhart textbooks. See you later, Gwen.
HQoW
August 28
I leave for Hogwarts next Tuesday! Mum let me get a lilac colored sweater, and Im going to wear it to our first Defense Against the Dark Arts class, and I cant wait to start learning all the techniques he talks about in his books. I hope I learned enough to keep up!
And what are you going to wear to Transfiguration?
Oh, I hadnt really thought about it. Mmmmm, Gwen, Mums just brought me some Brambleberry Tea she bought in Diagon Alley at Mrs. Weasleys suggestion. Its heavenly. Its actually supposed to be self-brewing, and youre supposed to use a Boiling charm, but it works quite nicely on a regular stove. Mum got all types of things on this trip. She bought the "Big Book of Magical Dentistry"- she wants to see what its all about. I keep begging her to let me get my teeth shrunk, but shes highly skeptical about medicinal magic. She also got a Lister for the kitchen, which tells you the second you run out of something, and she got some jam from the Forbidden Fruit Companyall their products increase your brain capacity, and weve been putting it on our toast every morning. I dont know if Mums supposed to eat magic stuff, but as she hasnt sprouted any extra parts yet, I suppose its all right.
Ive got all my inks and quills and parchment and books..... ahhhhh. I love the smell of new school things. It always makes me so excited, all the fresh pages, the idea of how much I can learn! I just love putting things away in my head. I can never understand people who dont like school. Also, Im still getting my magical books of the month from my subscription last Christmas. August is "Spelling From the Heart- Stores of Love Charms Gone Perfectly Right and Desperately Wrong". Its helping me entertain myself in these last few days before school starts. Im actually reading right now about a girl who slipped a Devotion Draught to one of her professors! But thats one that turned out Desperately Wrong, because you cant use a Devotion Draught until youre a fully fledged witch, and if you try it before that, it just charms the other person into a heightened awareness of your feelings for them. How embarrassing! But its her fault- she mustnt have read the spell properly and thoroughly. Ill bet I could find a workable love charm. If I wanted. But I dont.
Just four days, Gwen. Four days and Ill be back on the Hogwarts Express and Ill be able to point my wand and do whatever I like! (within reason.) Im itching, just itching, to do magic. Summer was far too long.
HQoW
September 1
Well Im miffed. Harry and Ron arent on this train. No, Im not miffed, Im worried. Why arent they on this train? Fred and George are here- I saw Percy- and Ginnys right next to me writing in her diary. Where is Ron Weasley if all his siblings are here? And where is Harry? Theyd better not be doing anything bad.
I think Ginnys diary is enchanted too, Gwen. She keeps stopping her writing and waiting and nodding, sometimes giggling, just like I do with you.
You giggle?
Sometimes, when youre funny. There, she just giggled again and murmured something. It has to be enchanted. I want to ask her if she likes Harry, but thats really none of my business. Its just that this is such a perfect opportunity, with them not here.... but Ill hold back. I dont want to make her nervous. I mean, I hardly know her, so it would be rude.
Dont ask her, Hermione, think how you would feel.
Youre right. All right.
I cannot believe them! Why on earth arent they on this train? Our first day back and I was so looking forward to a good long talk.... I hope theyre okay, wherever they are.
Well why dont you ask Ginny about
that?Oh, right. Good thinking, Gwen. Bye.
HQoW
September 2
Its not funny. Theyre both lucky they havent been kicked out of Hogwarts for good, but the way everyones behaving, youd think that coming to school in a flying car and crashing it into a Whomping Willow is some kind of marvelous joke. Its ridiculous. They said they couldnt get through the barrier for platform nine and three quarters, but why didnt they just send an owl? Think about it. You know its a bad beginning when the first words I hear from Harry are "Well, we havent been expelled," and the first from Ron are, "Skip the lecture."
Fine, Ill skip the lecture. I wont mention that you could have been killed, youve damaged school property, you could have lost a thousand House Points for Gryffindor, you mightve ruined your fathers reputation at the Ministry of Magic, and youve terrified your little sister not to mention me! Rude, thoughtless, foolish. Percys the only one who doesnt seem to think its a cool way to make an entrance, but as hes a prefect who abides by the rules and gets good marks, Ron and Harry dont care what he thinks. I wonder if Ill be made a prefect? I hope so. Then I can give all the lectures I want and nobody can tell me to "skip" anything.
Most of all, though, they missed the First Day Feast and the Sorting. They werent there to see Ginny get sorted, and I think shes a little disappointed. It was adorable- the hat slid all the way down her head, and then gave a little hop and piped "Gryffindor!" and the rest of her brothers cheered her wildly. So did I. Shes a shy girl, but I think Ill like her- we had a sort of chat on the train and she said she knew who I was because shed heard about me over the summer, how Im top of the class and all about the Sorcerers Stone and everything. Im surprised Ron told her about that- but then wizarding families probably arent as shocked by that sort of thing as my mum and dad would be.
Didnt you say she has an enchanted diary?
I think so, yes. I mean, at one point she stared down at the page just reading for five whole minutes, and then gave a little sigh and said "Oh, Tom," and started writing furiously. If its not enchanted, then she needs to have her head checked.
Tom?
I think thats what she said. Oooh, I need sleep. Tomorrow we start class, and I want to be really rested for Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Go on and get your beauty sleep.
Night!
HQoW
September 3
Hi, Guinevere! I love school!
I got thirty points for Gryffindor in one day- twenty for knowing about Mandrakes in Herbology. Theyre used to restore people whove been transfigured or cursed, and we were repotting them all morning while wearing earmuffs, because their cries can kill. It was marvelous! Oh, how wonderful to back at Hogwarts with things like Mandrakes to work on! Then we had Transfiguration and we all had to practice turning beetles into buttons, just to get ourselves back in shape. I made a perfect set of coat buttonsgood thing I kept up on my studies and practiced my wrist-flick all summer, because everybody else seemed to be having a rough time. Especially Ron, but then thats his fault, isnt it? His wand snapped when he flew that car into the Whomping Willow, and a wand wont work properly if its theres just Spellotape holding it togetheroh, and did I mention he got a Howler this morning in the post?
Those are rather embarrassing, arent they?
His own fault. His mother lectured him right there in the Great Hall, in the loudest voice Ive ever heard. She said everything that I wanted to say to him the other day, and for once he and Harry seemed to realize the seriousness of what theyd done. Sometimes you just have to go about it the loud way when youre dealing with those two-- and anyway I dont care if Ron was embarrassed because at lunchtime he grabbed my schedule and saw that Ive drawn decorations all around my Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, and he didnt care one single second if I was embarrassed. He yelled "Why have you outlined all Lockharts lessons in little hearts?" and it was loud enough for the whole Gryffindor table to hear. I noticed Ginny give me a sympathetic glance. Ill bet she really knows what its like to be tortured what with six brothers. Poor girl.
Anyway Gwen, we had Defense Against the Dark Arts this afternoon, and Professor Lockhart was wearing turquoise. He has the nicest dress sense of any wizard Ive ever seen. He gave us a pop quiz and I got full marks and he said, "Where is Miss Hermione Granger?" I raised my hand and he said I was "Excellent!" and told me to take ten more points to Gryffindorand I swear I saw him wink at the color of my sweater! All that, and then he let out a cage full of Cornish Pixies for us to try and catch. A real hands-on lesson! They wreaked havoc in the room, but I know Professor Lockhart was just testing our capabilities. Ron and Harry, on the other hand, seem to think he has no idea what hes doingthey think hes made up all those things he talks about in his books. But Dumbledore would never let him be our teacher if he didnt have merit, so I say theyre just jealous because hes such a clever wizard. Ive got to go and start the assignment hes given us- "Compare the conquests of Gilderoy Lockhart to those of Ulysses in a five paragraph essay". Thats going to take far more than five paragraphs, and I mean to do it thoroughly. Talk to you soon!
HQoW
September 12
Quidditch will definitely be interesting this term, Gwen.
Oooh, really? Why?
Malfoy is the new Slytherin Seeker. His rich father bought the whole team new Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones, so now he gets to be on the team. Theyve kicked off the rivalry alreadyRon and I were down watching Gryffindor practice this morning when the Slytherins came and tried to take over the field so they could show off. Malfoy said something really nasty of course, about our teams broomsticks being so old they ought to be raffled off to a museum, so I said, "At least no one in Gryffindor had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent."
Good for you!
Except then Malfoy called me a "filthy little Mudblood."
He did WHAT? Never mind, dont repeat it. I heard you. How
dare he call you thatoh, wouldnt I like to teach that brat a lessonEverybody else reacted that same way, Gwen. There was a general yell, Fred and George Weasley tried to jump him, Ron pulled out his wand and said, "Youll pay for that one, Malfoy!" and tried to curse himbut you know his wands broken. The curse came out the back end and poor Ron got it right in the stomach, a belly full of slugs. He started belching them everywhere and it was really disgusting. The Slytherins were laughing fit to kill. Harry and I took Ron under the arms and pulled him off to Hagrids. I tried to remember the counter-curse to stop him being sick, but there isnt one; you just have to retch up til theyre all out, and oh, Gwen, he shouldnt have done that for me, I mean, who cares what Malfoy says?
Ron did just what he should have done. I only wish the curse had gone out the right way.
He told me- between slugs- that Mudblood is the foulest name you can call somebody like me, whos Muggle-born. It means I have common, dirty blood, and Malfoy thinks hes better because hes a pure-blood. Now I understand why he and his father were so vicious to my family in Diagon Alley. Theyre prejudiced against witches like me.
Lousy, rotten
No, no, really, its okay, Gwen, I dont care. Ive got good friends. Ron stood up for me, and he said pure-blood doesnt mean anything anyway, just look at Neville, hes pure-blood and he can hardly stand a cauldron the right way up. And Hagrid says, "They havent invented the spell our Hermione cant do." Our Hermione, isnt that nice? Malfoy cant bother me when Ive got such great allies.
Well, if youre really all right--?
I am. Hagrids a dear, if he is a bit mixed-up. Professor Lockhart was leaving his cabin when we got down there, and I get the feeling Hagrid doesnt like him. He said that if a word Professor Lockhart says is true, hell eat his kettle, but it is perfectly obvious to me that hes as envious as Harry and Ron. Poor Hagrid, he must be a bit jealous, not being allowed to use magic or anything. He was expelled from Hogwarts in his third year. Thats why hes gamekeeper instead of a wizarding teacher.
Expelled? What for?
We dont know. He wont tell us. I think he has his old school wand inside his umbrella though, because the umbrella is over by his pumpkin patch, which is obviously growing under the influence of an Engorgement Charm. But the pumpkins do look nice. Theyll be fantastic at the Halloween Feast and so even if he is breaking rules, I couldnt help but say that hed done a good job on them.
He said Ginny Weasley said the same thing the other day- I guess she was down at his cabin hoping to accidentally run into Harry.
Oh, thats darling.
I think so too, but Hagrid and Ron of course had to tease Harry about it. What is wrong with them? Its sweet to be liked. Youd think Ginny were doing something idiotic, the way they go on. The only thing idiotic is that she likes somebody whos too stupid to appreciate it.
Theyre just stupid in general sometimes. Flying a car into a tree- honestly, Im glad theyve got detention tonight. Maybe theyll think twice the next time they want to act like boys.
HQoW
September 13
Well, Gwen, Harrys finally gone crazy. He is now hearing voices.
Is that so?
Yes. He was doing his detention with Professor Lockhart, helping him answer his fan mail (and may I just say that I dont think thats any kind of a punishment? I mean, Ill do that voluntarily if Professor Lockhart needs an assistant or anything. I should ask him.)
Of course.
So he was in detention when he heard a voice say, "Come.... come to me.... let me rip you.... let me tear you..... let me kill you...." But Professor Lockhart couldnt hear a thing, and hes the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! I think Harry might need to try and get a bit more sleep. Too many early-morning Quidditch practiceshes confused.
That
is strange. Oh, Hermione- before I forget to ask you- is Ginny Weasley still writing in that diary?All the time, why?
Nothing... yet. I need to ask a few more questions at Miss Vauclains about it, thats all. And you said she called it Tom?
Yes, I think so.
All right. Just checking into things a bit.
Oh, Gwen, I have to go. Ive got Elementary Spellish homework, and I want to add a few things to that essay for Transfigurationand heres Neville, wanting help with Potions. Oh, Neville.
HQoW
September 21
Hey, Gwen.
I found out about Mudblood. I asked about the history of that term, in Elementary Spellish, and its.... awful. Its like the words we have in the Muggle world that some people use to make fun of people who are of other races and other backgrounds. There are all kinds of ugly names- so ugly that I dont even want to repeat them- and Mudblood is one of those words. Where Im from, you have to be a serious bigot to use a word like that. The Malfoys are more hateful than I thought.
You know, its only a word, Hermione. Please, please dont take it to heart.
I dont. Its not that, I just.... I never thought that Id be the subject of that kind of prejudice. Its a strange feeling, being hated for something youve got no control over. Thats all.
Spellish is easy, by the way. If this is what its like to have one extra class, then I want three. I can handle anything. Muggle-born or not, Im top witch in my class, and its going to stay that way. Im going to study.
HQoW
October 11
Weve got our first tests back, and youll forgive me for not writing lately when I tell you that I got full marks on all of them, plus house points for my Defense Against the Dark Arts one! And Professor Lockhart wrote a note on the back of my test, which says,
"My dear Miss Granger,
Again you are the only student to correctly answer every question- take ten points to Gryffindor for knowing that my lifelong recurring nightmare is that of being chased down by six hundred Giants, and defeating them with the Impediment Charm! Also, take five points for choosing to use purple ink.
Excellent Work!
Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weeklys Most-Charming-Smile Award."
Isnt that divine? Im keeping this test forever!
Oh dear. Ginnys smoking at the ears.
What, is she angry about something?
No, literally, shes smoking at the ears. Percys been trying to make her take some of Madam Pomfreys Pepperup potion for her head cold, and I guess she finally drank it because it makes you smoke at the ears. Ginnys a redhead, so it looks like her head is on fire. Rons laughing at her as if he wouldnt look exactly the same, and poor Ginnys just trying hide behind a book so Harry wont be able to see herno, he doesnt seem to know whats happeningoh, she definitely likes him, I can tell.
Oh, can you always tell?
Yes, Im very observant about that kind of thing. I can always see when somebody.... well, you know, when somebody has a crush. They act like idiots. Im awfully glad I dont behave that way over anybody- not that Ginnys so bad, shes just painfully shy around Harry so it makes it more obvious.
Hah! Gwen, Rons taking out his chess set. He owes me a game, so hed better not start playing with Harry-- I might have beat him last time if Neville hadnt misdirected a Flying charm and knocked over all our pieces. Yes, hes giving me the game face. I have to go, I have to beat him. Bye, Gwen.
HQoW
October 17
Hi, Gwen. Im not feeling well. My head cold is making it impossible to study, Ive used up a box of tissues and I cant concentrate on anything but how sick I am. Harrys at Quidditch and Rons down there with him, so Im bored, but then I saw Ginny writing in her diary and I just knew Id feel better if I came to talk to you. Its a glum sort of day.
Im so glad you came to me Hermione, because Im concerned about something. Ginny Weasleys diary- Tom- nobody here knows him. Nobody here is in Ginny Weasleys diary. Where did she get it?
I dont know- Diagon Alley, I expect. Why are you concerned?
Its an old wizarding maxim "Never trust an object that can think for itself if you cant see where it keeps its brain."
Well it could be from another shop, couldnt it? I mean, your headquarters had brains from France and Malta, so couldnt Ginnys diary just be foreign?
Yes, but then she couldnt have gotten it in Diagon Alley, and were the only headquarters of our kind in all of England.
Maybe her brother Charlie sent it from Romania. Should I ask her?
Well.... maybe Im just making something out of nothing. But if anything odd happens, yes, you might ask Ginny about the diary. Just in case.
I will. Gwen, you know, Ive never really thought about it, and please dont be offended, but.... what are you, anyway? Where are diary brains from? What are you made up of? Were you a person? Are you a ghost?
I thought youd ask this sooner or later, and Im not a bit offended. Let me seehow to explain it? Im not a
person, exactly. Im a consciousness from a diary written by a person. I am the essence of that persons thoughts and life as it was written in the diary.You mean youre a brain made up of Guineveres diary entries? The actual Guinevere?
Yes. Guineverewell,
I wrote this diary while I was in school, and then in Camelot, at King Arthurs court. I kept it faithfully, enchanting the pages as I went along so that they would retain my secrets and myself.Wait! Wait! What? But Guinevere- thats only a myth- Camelot- its just a legend
Hermione, you of all people ought to know better. You used to think that magic only existed in fairy-tales, and here you are, a witch.
You..... this..... I have a diary that is the consciousness of Guinevere? Sincerely? Camelot Guinevere? All this time? Why youre youre a queen youre a famousgoodness!
Thank you.
How did you get into this diary? Did you transfer somehow? How does it work?
This is not just any diary. It was my very own. Have you never noticed that its been re-bound? Dozens of times over the centuries, actually. The parchment is enchanted, as you know, so that it will never run out and can store infinite memories. Mine are here, too. And the secrets of others.
Others? You mean youve been someone elses diary before you were mine?
Think how many years I have been dead. Imagine how many hands I have passed through. Someday, I may tell you whose they were. But not now.
But no, even if all this were possible, this cant be true-- because Guinevere wasnt a witch!
Oh, wasnt I? My specialty happened to be Love Potions.
Wow.
You know, Im very glad I had no idea who you were when I started writing in here. Id have been absolutely terrified to talk to you. I mean, youre Guinevere and Im just some second year witch at Hogwarts who happened to make a lucky purchase in a shop. But now I know you and Ive told you so much, and youre just.... how can I put this?
Im just Gwen?
Yes. I dont feel a bit awkward about knowing who you really are.
Im so glad! Thats how I prefer it. No fuss. Just Gwen. And by the way, youre not just "some second year witch". Youre a very special girl, Hermione.
Oh, well. Thanks. Although I do wonder...
Yes, dear?
Im sorry, but I dont know how to believe I mean, Ijust cant imagine the real Guinevere liking Quidditch so much as you do.
And why not?!
Well, it isnt the sort of thing Id expect the Queen of Camelot to do go round cheering for a lot of flying brooms.
Oh! I only wish Id been allowed! I didnt get to cheer for Quidditch very much. I lived in a Muggle world most of my life, but I had developed a taste for Quidditch at school it
is a very old sport, you know; it was played in my time as well and when I went to Camelot, I missed it so... I suppose a thing can become rather an obsession, if it gets taken away.I suppose.... but I have another question.
Ill answer one more right now, but then youve got to rest your head; I want you to recover from this cold.
All right. My last question is well Ive read the legend, you know, and I just never imagined... well, I dont know quite how to put this, but Gwen, youre a little bit sarcastic.
Am I?
There it is again. I just wouldnt have imagined Guinevere....
Whats the matter, queens cant have highly developed senses of humor?
Of course they can! But the story of your life doesnt read quite that way, you know. In the story it says
The story of my life is just that, Hermione. A story. The facts arent always going to match up with the legend. Sometimes, I wonder who was responsible for giving those authors their information. Of course, if anybody wanted the
true account, they ought to just read me but Id never let that happen.Never?
Never. But that doesnt mean I wont tell you other things.
Oh, would you? Id like to know the true account!
Well... one day. You know my true personality, which is more than most people could say, even when I was alive.
So you were always sarcastic, but Im the only one who knows it?
Hmph.
Im teasing.
I know it. Actually, come to think of it, I suppose my personality now
does differ a bit from the Guinevere I once was. But thats to be expected, isnt it? Ive been a diary consciousness for hundreds of years some of my owners idiosyncrasies mustve rubbed off on me a bit, along the way. For example, Im certain that my use of language has changed. Why, I havent said "thee" or "thou" in absolute centuries.Do you... think that maybe... Ill rub off on you?
You already have, my dear.
I have?!
Oh, but yes. I imagine if I were alive again, Id head straight to the library.
Gwen!
Just teasing.
Honestly. Whats so wrong with the library anyway?
Nothing at all. But Hermione, I really want you to rest now. We can talk more about this another time.
Well, all right... but goodness, I mean, you will let me tell Mum who you are? I mean, shell absolutely die.
She probably wont believe you. But yes, of course tell away.
Oh, Gwen. Thanks. I think Ill write her a letter right now. See you soon.
Goodnight.
HQoW
October 24
Hello, Gwen.
It was such a nice peaceful common room until Quidditch practice let out. Fred and George Weasley must think quiet is a sin or something. Now its going to take half an hour before I can bring Ron back round to this Potions assignment, which Harry hasnt even started yet. But I suppose its not his fault; he was at practice and then Filch kept him back awhile.
Filch? Did Harry get in trouble?
For once, no. Filch is just in a rotten mood from cleaning up the halls all day, and he wanted to punish Harry for dripping mud in them. Well Gwen, its raining outside and theres dirt on the Quidditch field. What does he want? But he dragged Harry into his office anyway. He had to leave him there a minute to go scream at Peeves for something, and thats when Harry poked around on his desk and found some sort of "Kwikspell Correspondence Course in Beginners Magic" letter, whatever that is. I dont know why hed want to poke around Filchs desk when he was already in a bad mood- it was a dumb idea. Filch came back and saw that the letter was moved, and just about had an attack. Harry said he was actually worried Filch might try and use those ankle-suspension chains hes always threatening. But then Nearly-Headless Nick (thats Sir Nicholas, the Gryffindor ghost,) made an enormous racket with Peeves and distracted Filch so that he got confused and forgot to punish Harry.
Lucky Harry. That was nice of Sir Nicholas.
Wasnt it? Harry asked Nick if there was anything he could do in return, and he said yes, we could all three come down to his five-hundredth deathday party on Halloween, and Harry said we would! I imagine not many live people have ever been to a deathday party, and Im sure itll be just fascinating. I wonder if Professor Lockharts ever been to one? Im sure he has. Ill just have to ask him all about it tomorrow.
Ugh, just thought of something. Hope Moaning Myrtle doesnt come to Nicks party. Shes this ghost who haunts a toilet in one of the girls bathrooms, and shes so depressing that no one even goes in there anymore. I mean, you say one word to her and she cries like a baby. Its ridiculous.
OH NO--- DUCK!!!!! Are they MAD? Yes, Gwen, the Weasley twins are insane! Theyve put a Filibuster firework inside a Salamander, and the poor thing is ricocheting around the room and giving off orange sparks! Fred says they "rescued" it from a Care of Magical Creatures class. Rescued it so they could torture it! Oh yes, very funnyyou tell them, Percy. Of course Harry and Ron are having an absolute fit of laughter. Well thats going to end in a moment. Im making them do this Potions essay right now.
HQoW
November 1
Gwen, theres a mystery. Something very odd happened last night. Odd and disturbing. And Im not talking just about the deathday party, although that was certainly very strange. A roomful of ghosts and putrid food and Moaning Myrtle. Yes, Myrtle was there, and of course when we said hello she got offended and cried herself silly.
But the really odd thing happened after Nicks party. We were leaving the dungeon when Harry started to hear that voice again- the one Professor Lockhart couldnt hear that night when he was in detention. He was absolutely panicked about it. It was saying things like "I smell blood" and Harry was afraid it would try to kill somebody, so we tried to follow it. Well, follow him really, because we couldnt hear anything. I guess the voice floats up, or something, because Harry took us all the way to the second floor, to the end of the last corridor. And thats where it was, in the torchlight.
On the wall, in foot-high words, somebody had put:
"THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.
ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE."
That
is disturbing.Thats not the only thing. Underneath the words something was hanging up on a torch bracket. It was Mrs. Norris- Filchs cat- all stiff and glass-eyed with her tail straight up like shed just been stuffed. It was freakish.
Who did it?
Thats just it. Nobody has a clue. There was just the cat, the words, and a big puddle coming from the bathroom- Im sure Myrtle just got in the pipes again. And of course there was that voice Harry had been hearing.... not that I could really verify that. Ron said wed better get out, because we didnt want to be found there. I thought that was right, I mean, we didnt look too innocent standing there in the middle of all that when we should have been down at the Halloween Feast.
But thats right when the Feast let out. Everyone came crashing through the halls. We were surrounded by students. They stared at us, trying to read the wall and take in the whole scene. To make matters worse, Draco Malfoy stepped up. He was flushed and grinning and he said, "Enemies of the Heir, beware! Youll be next, Mudbloods!" Then he looked at me and he was laughing as if he meant me in particular.
Filch came over next and when he saw what had happened to his cat, he wentand I mean thisinsane. Turned on Harry and us and started to shriek. Lucky someone thought to call the other teachers, because Filch was about to kill Harry, no question, until Dumbledore and some other professors came up and took the five of us away- thats us three, Mrs. Norris, and Filch- to Professor Lockharts office, to try and figure everything out. (May I just say that Professor Lockharts office is absolutely perfect? He has his awards and pictures all up on the walls- those magic pictures that wave and smile- I wonder if hed give me one? Harry says he sends them off with his fan mail replies ,so maybe if I sent him a letter, he---)
Yes, by all means, send him a letter. His office sounds perfectly lovely. Now what happened in there?
Oh, well we found out what had happened to Mrs. Norris. Dumbledore examined her and said shed been Petrified. Shes not dead, but shell need a Mandrake Restorative Draught when our Herbology ones are fully mature. Filch just kept on crying and screaming that Harryd done it, but Dumbledore said its advanced Dark magic and no second year could possibly have managed it.
Then Snape said (Snape was there, too, and Professor McGonagall,) that maybe wed just been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but why was that? So we explained about the deathday party and being down in the dungeon. But that didnt explain why we hadnt gone to the Halloween Feast afterwards, I mean, why had we gone without any supper? We couldnt very well tell the truth: "We were chasing Harry, who is currently hearing a floating voice that smells blood." So Harry told them we were just off to bed early because were tired.
Our teachers know us a bit too well to believe that. Snape said Harry ought to be taken off the Quidditch team until he tells the truth.
No!
Calm down, Gwen, Professor McGonagall loves Quidditch almost as much as you do, and the only thing she loves more is Gryffindor. So if you think shes going to let Snape ruin Gryffindors Quidditch chances then youre crazy. Harrys still our Seeker.
Dont
scare me like that!Well it scared us, too, but Dumbledore says Harrys innocent until proven guilty, and he let us all go. Once we were off the hook we got out of there as fast as we could, ducked into a classroom and started whispering. Harry asked if we thought he should have told the truth, but Ron said no, that "hearing voices no one else can hear isnt a good thing, even in the wizarding world." I think he was thinking the same thing I wasis Harry losing it? I mean, I didnt hear a thing, Gwen. Harry mustve felt us thinking it, because he said, "You do believe me, dont you?" Ron said yes, but he had to admit it was weird.
Its weird.
It is weird. All that about a Chamber of Secrets.... the enemies of the Heir.... I guess thats the Heir of Slytherin. I read about Salazar Slytherin in "Hogwarts, A History". He formed Slytherin House when Hogwarts was first founded. But what does that have to do with Malfoy? What does it have to do with me being a MudI mean, with me being Muggle-born?
Muggle-born. Thats such ROT. I mean, look at Filch, taking a Kwikspell course! We found out tonight hes got no magic at all- he thinks thats why Mrs. Norris was attacked- and hes from an all-wizard family. Ron says that makes him a Squib.
A word you shouldnt call people if you can help it; its unkind.
Oh, Ron says it isnt funny ordinarilybut as its Filch, you knowhe thinks thats why Filch hates the students so much. Hes bitter.
Poor man.
Yes, its sad. If Filch were a bit nicer, I might even feel badly for him. But it just goes to show, doesnt it, that blood doesnt count?
Anyway, thats the story, Gwen. Isnt it strange? The Chamber of Secrets.... why do I remember... I know Ive read it somewhere.... YES! Thats it! It was in "Hogwarts, A History". I have to go to the library right now, before all the copies get checked outI wish Id brought mine, but I couldnt fit it in my trunk with all the Lockhart books!
HQoW
November 8
Gwen, hinot only have all the copies of "Hogwarts, A History" been taken out of the library, but Ive managed to have two very bad ideas in one week. Im feeling edgy.
First off, I remembered what you suggested, about asking Ginny Weasley about her diary if anything odd happened. I think last weekend qualifies as odd, so I decided to ask her if the diarys enchanted, and where she got it. And Im not blaming you for the idea, Gwen, its just I have terrible timing. Ron was trying to cheer her up- she was sitting on the sofa in the common room trying not to cry any more about Mrs. Norristhe whole episode last weekend really upset her. Ron was saying things like "You havent really got to know Mrs. Norris. Honestly, were better off without her." It wasnt helping. Especially when he said not to worry, that theyd catch the maniac who did it and expel him- he only hoped the maniac would Petrify Filch first! Ginny turned totally white and started rocking back and forth.
I think, Gwen, that Ron was actually trying to help. Its just he doesnt have the first clue. So I said, "Ron, go on, let me have a minute with Ginny," and moved over next to her. She said, "Im okay, Hermione, its okay, Im okay," sounding just like Neville does when hes not okay. I told her all the things that always make me feel better: that no one can hurt us as long as Professor Dumbledores around, that Hogwarts is the best wizarding school in the world and that with teachers like Professor Lockhart around to ward off the Dark Arts, weve got no worries at all. She looked so much better after that, I thought it might be okay to ask her about Tom. So I did.
"By the way, Ginny," I said, "I have a question about your diary, if you dont mind." Well, Gwen, that is as far as I got. The blood left her body so suddenly I thought shed faint on the spot. Instead, she bolted.
But why? You didnt say anything.
I just picked a bad moment, Gwen- she was so shaken up already, and diaries are so personal- maybe she thought Id read it or something, I dont know. I told you shes shy. Now whenever Im in the room, she avoids me entirely, so I definitely botched that one, and I wont be finding out anything about where Ginny got her diary.
Hmmm.
My other bad idea is actually a really good, really smart idea, but its against about fifty school rules so Im trying to pretend I havent thought of it because its so good that I might just have to do it. Im completely torn.
Well for goodness sake, dont keep me in such suspense!
Ive been doing a lot of thinking, Gwen, about what Malfoy said about the Heir, and about the Mudbloods being next. He seems like he knows an awful lot about whats going on. My first thought was, what if Malfoys the Heir? His familys all been in Slytherin and theyre certainly nasty enough-- and if theyre after Muggle-borns then Im in definitely in danger, because they already hate me. But then I thought, no, this is Malfoy were talking about, and hes not smart or powerful enough to Petrify anythingI dont think he could possibly be the Heir of Slytherin.
But maybe he knows who it is. Couldnt his father have told him? Its possible. Hes the darling of Slytherin, if hes not the Heir, and he just... he keeps looking at me.... Anyway, I was wishing all week that there was some way, any way, to get close to Malfoy and find out what he knowsbut there isnt. Id rather drink Nevilles version of a Boil-Curing Draught than ask Malfoy's help with anything, and we all know he wouldnt associate with the likes of me if his life depended on it, so there it is.
Unless. Unless. Oh, its too good, I might not be able to stop myself, and then Ill be expelled and thrown back into my old life forever. But maybe I could manage it.
Hermione. Sweetheart.
Okay. Snape was lecturing us in Potions the other day, all about different recipes that can assist in Transfiguration, and he mentioned this one called a Polyjuice Potion. You add a bit of any person you want to Transfigure into- like a hair or a fingernail clipping- and one dose of the Polyjuice Potion will turn you into that person for one hour. Well I couldnt help but think, if I were to Transfigure into one of those lousy Slytherin girls, like Pansy Parkinson or Millicent Bulstrode, then Id have a whole hour to ask Draco Malfoy anything I want about the Chamber of Secrets, and he'd probably tell me everything. Say it isnt brilliant.
I admit, youve definitely got something.
Except Id have to get a book out of the Restricted Section of the library in order to get the potion recipe, and then if I managed that thered probably be a ton of advanced ingredients, which Id have to steal from Snape, but I just couldnt let myself go that faror could Iyes, I think Ino, Gwen, talk me out of it, please! It doesnt matter! The Chamber of Secrets, well, I dont even know what it is, and Malfoys just an idiot who said all that to scare me. There isnt any Heir of Slytherin. Is there?
I dont know. And even if there is, remember what I told you about legends: facts and truth dont always line up. We should try to find out what the truth really is. Ill ask about it for you- do you think you could wait to decide on the Polyjuice Potion until we find out what its all about?
I guess so. I cant think about it anymore, I just cant think about it, its driving me crazy and I have to study a thousand other things. See you.
HQoW
November 12
I came back early from dinner because Im too bottled-up to eat anything, and I only have about a half-hour before everyone else comes back, so just excuse me while I get this all off my chest. Im scared, Gwen. I wont tell Harry or Ron, but Malfoythe way he keeps looking at me in the hallsits not good. And once I get an idea in my head, I just cant stop thinking about it, so this whole Chamber of Secrets thing has just been making me feel a little cracked. I had to find out what it meant.
I went right ahead and interrupted Professor Binns in the middle of History of Magic today, and demanded that he inform us of the legend of the Chamber. I dont think anyones ever raised a question in there before- probably because no ones ever been awake in there before- but that woke everybody right up. Professor Binns told us everything. Salazar Slytherin, who formed Slytherin House, did not believe that students should be admitted to Hogwarts unless they were of pure-blood descent. Godric Gryffindor disagreed with him, and eventually drove him out of the school with the help of Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw, all of whom believed that any child who showed magical capabilities should be given a wizarding education, Muggle-born or not.
So Slytherin was forced to leave the school. But before he did, the story goes that he built a chamber that none of the others knew about, deep in the castle, that could only be opened by his own descendants. And in the chamber he concealed a monster that, when unleashed, would fulfill his dreams of purging Hogwarts of all the Muggle-born students. Basically, theres a mythological monster here who wants to kill everyone who doesnt have pure-blood. And that means me.
Now, Professor Binns says that its just a story, a legendbut so is Guinevere and so are witches so I say that legends are true around here. Who Petrified the cat? What is this voice Harrys been hearing? Who put those words on the wall? Its extremely unsettling, and Im frightened. Ive got to know what Malfoy knows- he must know something- he just gives me these awful stares, and mouths "Youre next."
Thats it. I have to do it. The Polyjuice Potion. Ill tell Ron and Harry. Oh, Rons such a.... he wanted to copy my composition today after we had ten days to do it, and Im feeling extremely snappish what with all this Heir of Slytherin madness, so I bickered with him hard.
"I only need another two inches, come on"
"Forget it, Ron. We have to go to class."
"Just tell me one thing, come ON, Hermione,"
"Too late, next time think ahead."
"Youre such a know-it-all, I swear."
"And youre lazy."
"As if! At least I get outside and do things- whos the one always cooped up in the library?"
"Fine, tell that to Professor Binns, say Professor, I havent got my homework assignment, but I did get in some lovely Quidditch, and see what he thinks."
"Sometimes I really want to kill you"
"Good, you can help Malfoy. Thats top on his list, too."
He felt sorry after that and tried to make it up to me, but no thank you, I am in a BAD MOOD. The least he can do is try to understand why I have such a short temper right now, but he and Harry dont have anything to worry about because theyre pure-blood.
At least I got to laugh at him a bit later when we were going to drop off our books before dinner. We passed by the place where we found Mrs. Norris-- that foul writings still on the wall, it wont scrub off-- and decided to look round a bit for clues. We found scorch marks of some kind, and then I saw a row of spiders marching in a line on the windowsill, dropping down a thread like little soldiers. Really, it was so bizarre! I said to Harry, "Have you ever seen spiders act like that?" And Harry said, "No, have you, Ron?"
Ron was frozen back against the wall, looking like he was trying very hard not to run. Apparently, spiders are not his favorite things. He never told me he was scared of them! He doesnt like the way they move or something, just because when he was three, Fred changed his teddy-bear into a great big one. I tried not to giggle but you should have seen his face, and the spiders were just babies. I wonder what hed do if he saw a tarantula! I should take one out of the cabinet next time were in Potions, and see.
Thats really it for clues, though. Were no closer to finding out who the Heir is. Oh, and that flood of water was mopped up, but when Harry reminded us of it, sure enough it mustve led to Myrtles toilet. (Harry and Ron both looked really uncomfortable being in the girls bathroom, which I also thought was funny.) We tried to say hi to Myrtle and ask her if shed seen anything, but of course she just threw a big fit of self-pity because shes dead, and dived down into the pipes again. So we left the bathroom and ran straight into Percy.
That might have been the funniest bit, come to think of it- listening to Percy tell Ron off for lurking around in the girls room- or at least it would have been funny if they hadnt gotten into a fight. Percy said if Ron had any feelings he might think of Ginny, because shes scared were all going to get expelled over what happened to Mrs. Norris, and so we oughtnt to hang around the scene of the crime. Ron said Percy doesnt care about Ginny, hes only worried about us ruining his chances to be Head Boy next year. Percy got mad and took five points from Gryffindor.
Oh great, everyones back from dinner, and now I have to try and concentrate on Charms when all I can think about is "Enemies of the Heir, beware." Ive been wrestling with this Polyjuice Potion for a week and now Ive got to make a decision. Do I try it? Why does everything have to be so difficult, Gwen?
I dont know, dear. See you soon.
HQoW
November 13
My mood is hardly improved, but at least it is decided. Were doing it. The Polyjuice Potion. I almost didnt tell Harry and Ron because they are getting on my nerves so badly, but were doing it and thats it. Heres the plan: I get Professor Lockhart to sign a library note saying I can take "Moste Potente Potions" out of the Restricted Section so that well have the recipe. Well think about getting the ingredients later. What do you think?
Your plan is.... rather thin.
Have you got a better one?
Er- no.
I finally presented the idea to Harry and Ron because they were talking about how they think Malfoy really is the HeirHHHHHH HeirH. I disagreed, but I said that if we really want to know, then what we need to do is go over to Slytherin and ask Malfoy a few questions without him knowing its us. Harry didnt see how that was possible, and Ron just laughed at me- he obviously doesnt see how upset I am over this because he is trying my nerves every second and he has a sarcastic remark for everything. He and Harry didnt even remember Snape telling us about the Polyjuice Potion. Where would they be if I werent always thinking for them?
I think Id better shut up for awhile, because Im being lousy. Im just tied up in knots, thats all- Im sorry Im so cross, Gwen. I think Ill go to bed.
Thats all right. I hope you wake up feeling better.
Thanks, I hope so too. Goodnight.
HQoW
November 21
Weve got the recipe! I told Professor Lockhart that I just wanted "Moste Potente Potions" as a bit of background reading to help me understand "Gadding with Ghouls", and do you know what he said? "Im sure no one will mind me giving the best student of the year a little extra help"!!! And then he signed my library note with his special peacock quill that he only uses for book signings! Hes just wonderful. And did you know he also plays Quidditch? He told Harry hed give him some pointers, which I thought was very generous, but Harry looked at him like he was insane. Then, when we were out of earshot, Ron called Professor Lockhart a "brainless git"! He is not a brainless git! And I didnt want Madam Pince to take that library note hed signed for me, I wanted to keep it, but Ron wrenched it away. What is wrong with him?
Were using Moaning Myrtles bathroom as our base of operations, because nobody in their right mind goes in there. We took the book into a stall and went through the recipe. I felt calm for the first time in days. Finally we were going to do something, not just sit around waiting for some monster to come and kill me. Just having that recipe in front of me made me feel a million times better.
And thats when the boys started to complain. Harrys worried because we have to steal so many of the ingredients. Rons mad because he thinks its sick to drink a potion that contains actual bits of Slytherin. "Im drinking nothing with Crabbes toenails in it." Neither of them gave one single thought to me- to the fact Im Muggle-born and have to do something about this it wasjust "What about this, Hermione, what about that, Hermione, what a bad idea, Hermione" on and on and on. Finally I just let loose and yelled.
"If you two are going to chicken out, fine. I dont want to break rules, you know. I think threatening Muggle-borns is far worse than brewing up a difficult potion. But if you dont want to find out if its Malfoy, Ill go straight to Madam Pince now and hand the book back in!"
That shut them up, for once. Even Myrtle stopped crying in the end stall. Ron said, "I never thought Id see the day when youd be persuading us to break rules," and it was the first time in two weeks that his tone of voice was friendly to me. But then Harry made the mistake of asking how long the potion will take, and when I said it takes a month, Ron was off again. "A month? Malfoy could have attacked half the Muggle-borns in the school by that time!" Well thank you, Ron. I hadnt thought of that. I am just sick of all the whining. I will do this by myself if I have to.
Im going up to bed because Ive been cranky for two weeks and its making me tired early. I want to stay up and study, but whats the point if Im just going to be killed. Harry and Ron are just leaving for bed, too. There they go, up to their dormitory, laughing about something. They dont know how scared I am, and they dont care. How they can think about Quidditch? Well, Harrys first match is tomorrow so I suppose and yes, Gwen, Ill tell you all about it first thing. Goodnight.
Wait a minute, hold on theyre not talking about Quidditchtheyre talking about me.
Well, I wasnt meant to hear that! I guess they figured I was out of earshot.
What were they saying?
First they were talking about the match, and then Ron was saying-
"Seriously, Harry, just knock Malfoy off his broom tomorrow. Im sick of seeing her like this."
"I know, shes tense, isnt she?"
"Course she is. Shes scared because shes Muggle-born. Im worried about her, too."
"Right. Yeah, Ill knock that git off his broom, dont worry."
I feel better.
HQoW
November 22
Ah, Quidditch. The joy. The agony. Where to begin? Maybe its better if I dont tell you, after all, the suspense could be unhealthyand of course there was that enchanted Bludgerbut you wouldnt want to hear about all that, I mean, I wouldnt want to bore you
Im. On. Edge.
Youre too easy, Gwen. Okay, let me set the scene. Ron and I left Harry with our best wishes, and climbed into the stands. It was a heavy late-autumn day, and there was thunder in the air, and we were going up against the most hated house in all of Hogwarts. Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws all cheered when our team soared out above the pitch in their red cloaks, looking ready to fight! They were followed by Slytherin in slime-green, each riding his own shining new Nimbus Two Thousand and One. Both teams hovered as Madam Hooch unleashed the game ballsshe blew the whistleand the game was underway!
First thing, a Bludger hurtled at Harrys head- he ducked and it barely missed him- and it was beaten off by George Weasley. Harry shot upwards, and started scanning for the Snitch. Thats when we heard Malfoy yell, "All right there, scarhead?" Ron jumped up next to me and hollered up, "What a waste, Malfoy, a flier like you on a broom like that!" Malfoy couldnt hear him, but everyone in our section applauded and Lee Jordan announced, "Yes, a sad waste- couldnt have put that any better myself! And Gryffindor Chaser Katie Bell has the Quaffle and sheah, theres a Bludger in her way, no scoreand its back already to GryffindorAlicia Spinnet nears the hoop and shes going tono, theres another Bludgerwhats going on up there, where are our Beaters? Oi, Weasleys, get in the game!"
But our Beaters were busy. The other Bludger, which had flown at Harry first thing, was continuing to fly at him with a vengeance. When batted away, it would stop in midair, turn, and zoom straight for Harry again! George and Fred took turns whacking at it, but no matter where they aimed, it would change direction and come for Harry like it was magnetized. Bludgers are supposed to tackle everybody, but this one had a mind of its own and there was nothing for the Weasley twins to do but each take a side of Harry and try to keep the rogue Bludger from breaking his jaw.
With both our Beaters and our Seeker stuck in a clump, Gryffindor could hardly survive. It left Slytherin free to control the other Bludger entirely, and they slung it at our Chasers again and again, making them miss every possible shot. They also used it to keep our Keeper occupiedOliver Wood was shunted to the side by the Bludger and then Marcus Flint put the Quaffle through oncetwiceand it was sixty points to zero for Slytherin before you could blink.
Finally when they managed to smack the Bludger into Angelina Johnsons stomach, throwing her backwards, making her double up, and losing us another goal-shot, Wood called a time out.
We couldnt hear from the stands what was happening in the huddle, but I knew one thing. That Bludger had obviously been fixed. Ron said "I just dont see how, though." I said I thought Malfoy had done it, but Ron just laughed and said hed be surprised if Malfoy could tell a Bludger from a hole in the ground, let alone be able to curse one. But I said, "No, Ron, really, think about it, why else would it keep going for our Seeker and never for himself? He knew there was only one way to beat Harryhed have to cheatand somehow hes done it!" Ron looked like he really wanted to believe me, just to have one more reason to hate Malfoy.
Time out was over. The game began again and the storm had begun by this timerain was falling and the Bludger was still going for Harry a hundred percent. Fred and George, however, had returned to protecting our Chasers so we could catch up our score. Harry was now doing his best to out-fly the rogue Bludger on his own, in the rain.
What a sight, Gwen, I mean it. Harry dodged, he swooped, he spun to avoid being smashed in mid-air. Malfoy yelled, "Training for the ballet, Potter?" I yelled back, "Shut up, you sorry excuse for a Seeker!" and Lee Jordan whistled and announced, "Another on-the-spot comment from the stands! Did you hear that, Malfoy? It was Sorry excuse for a See" but Professor McGonagall had clapped a hand over his mouth.
And then it happened.
BAM!! The rogue Bludger slammed into Harrys arm and the crunch was audible. There was a sickening gasp from three quarters of the stands but of course, the Slytherins cheered. Then, to our shock, Harry lurched downward, pivoted, and flew straight at Malfoy like a bullet! We all thought he was going to attack him and suddenly three quarters of the stands erupted in cries of "GET HIM, POTTER!" But we were wrong, Harry wasnt attacking Malfoybetter than that, Harry had seen
The SNITCH???
Oh, still hanging on tight, are you, Gwen? Good! Yes, it was the Snitch- it was right above Malfoys ear and the idiot didnt even see it! Harrys broken arm was hanging off him at a crazy angle, but even that didnt stop him- he picked up his good hand from the broom, reached out, snatched the Snitch, tumbled to the groundand fainted. The crowd went wild! People were cheering, Slytherin was hissing, Professor McGonagall and Lee Jordan were exchanging heated words with Madam Hooch- probably about that Bludger- and all in all it was a victory for Gryffindor! Tell everyone at Miss Vauclains.
You know I will! Oh, Hermione! But Harrys arm- the Bludger- will he be all right?
Was it Malfoys fault?Well, about Harrys arm. Ron and I ran down to where Harry had fainted, and Professor Lockhart was trying to help him. He was going to mend his arm- heal the bones. Well, anyone can make a mistake, Gwen. I mean, the point really is that he stopped Harry being in pain, isnt it? Its not that off target to do what he did.
What did Lockhart do to Harrys arm?
Well he... he de-boned it. Instead of fixing the bones, he removed them. An honest mistake! He was the only one trying to help and Im sure all that noise either distracted him, or somebody bumped him, I mean, it was a very tight crowd all round Harry. Harry looked like he was going to pass out again when he saw his arm, but Ron and I just took him right up to the hospital wing and Madam Pomfreys re-growing his bones right now, so theres no actual harm done. I had to sit around outside the bed-curtain while Ron got him into his pajamas, all the time yelling at me, "How can you stick up for Lockhart now, Hermione, eh?" What Rons got against Professor Lockhart Ill never know. I still say its jealousy.
Ill agree with that.
Thank you, Gwen. You always understand.
Well, thats really it. We dont know what happened with the Bludger. I know it was Malfoys fault. Thats just one more question well have to ask him when we take that Polyjuice Potion. Ooooh, what if were all sitting there, Transfigured, and he admits that he did it! I imagine well all three try and strangle him at once. Wouldnt he be shocked if Bulstrode, Crabbe and Goyle were suddenly attacking him? Oh, thats funny.
Harry was tremendous though, Gwen. You would have loved it. He flew so well that Gryffindors in the lead for the House Cup, because Harry got fifty points for sticking to it even with that broken arm. Nobodys rich father can buy them what Harrys gotcourage and talentno, Malfoy will never be anything to Harry Potter, no matter what kind of broom hes riding.
HQoW
November 23
For one day I felt better, but that was yesterday and now Im terrified again, and dont tell me to calm down because Colin Creeveys been Petrified. Just like Mrs. Norris. Ron and I heard Professor McGonagall telling Professor Flitwick about it this morning at breakfast. And Colins Muggle-born, too- a tiny little first year- I felt sick just thinking about him and I mustve looked sick, too, because Ron said, "You okay, Hermione?" and then offered to come back up here to Gryffindor with me. But I dont want to sit around here. I want to start that Polyjuice Potion. Were going down to get whatever ingredients we can out of the student store-cupboardIm just waiting on Ron, hes upstairs borrowing somebodys old cauldron. Its taking him long enough. I told him to go on and get Harry from the hospital wing, and meet me in the bathroom- Id get started on the potion myself. But he doesnt think its a good idea, me wandering the halls alone. Honestly, as if hes going to protect me- what can Ron Weasley do to the monster of Slytherin that I cant?
Except maybe make it die laughing. Oh, Gwen, hes wearing his galoshes and he says hes got an umbrella in case Moaning Myrtle tries to flood us out with one of her crying fits. He is funny. Got to go.
HQoW
Gwen, tell me something, please.
Yes?
How am I supposed to survive seven years of this?
Im not sure I understand.
Ron and I were in the toilet stall starting the potion. We threw in the ingredients we managed to get our hands on, and I guess I was looking serious again because Ron said, "You sure youre all right?" I told him, "Im fine, Ill just feel better if we can get some answers. And I wish Malfoy would stop looking at me like that." "What dyou mean," he demanded, "how does Malfoy look at you?" I tried to describe it, the way he leers and points, and whispers with his horrid friends as if hes saying whats going to happen to me.
Then Harry came bursting in with his bones all back together, to tell us how Colin got brought up to the hospital wing last night. I told him we already knew about it, and Ron threw the lacewing flies into the potion and practically snarled "The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy, the better." But theres one thing Malfoy wont be confessing to, Gwen. Harry found some things out last night. Malfoy didnt fix that Bludger. It was Dobby.
Dobbythe house-elf? The one who was stopping Harrys mail over the summer?
Yes. He visited Harry in the hospital wing in the middle of the night- Harry woke up and Dobby was sitting on him, sponging off his face. Almost frightened him to death. It seems hes tried everything to get Harry to stay away from Hogwartsfirst stopping his mail so hed think he had no friends, then he sealed up the barrier at platform nine and three-quarters so Harry and Ron couldnt get on the Hogwarts Express
Which is why they flew the car to school!
Exactly, and its why they nearly got killed by that Whomping Willow. Finally he fixed that Bludger. He hoped Harryd get injured just enough to get sent home. Ron said if Dobby doesnt quit trying to save Harrys life, hell probably kill him.
But how is Harry at risk? Hes pure-blood.
Dobby wouldnt say- or couldnt. I guess house-elves dont have very much freedom. Harry said something about "the house-elfs enslavement" which did not sound very nice. But Dobby did accidentally let something important sliphe told Harry that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened before! Its real, Gwen! Its real, its been opened, and its open now. Harry asked who opened it, but Dobby was too frightened to say. Thats when Colin Creevey got brought up, and in the chaos, Dobby vanished.
So I ask you again, Gwen, how exactly am I supposed to survive this place? Theres a monster. It got Colin. It could get me.
Ill tell you one thing, though. Knowing for sure that the Chamber exists, I somehow feel better. Id rather know. And were doing everything we can, what with the Polyjuice Potion, to figure out how to stop it. Theres nothing I can do except wait, which gives me loads of time to study. I really need to catch up on everything, but suddenly I just got exhausted all over. One good night of sleep, and I think Ill be myself again. Goodnight, Gwen.
Goodnight, Dear.
HQoW
December 4
Hi, Gwen. What a week.
Ever since Colin got Petrified, the whole school is on the lookout for Slytherins monster. Some sixth year Ravenclaws have even started selling "protective" amulets and talismans to "ward off evil". How on earth is a big, smelly onion supposed to make a monster go away? People will buy anything. Neville bought an armload of crystals and newt-tails before he remembered hes pure-blood. But, "They went after Filch first," he said, "And everyone knows Im almost a Squib." I told him hes no such thing (although, after an hour working with him on his Night Vision Potion, Im not so sure. He nearly blinded us both.)
Im feeling much better, though. The Polyjuice Potions coming along nicely. In about another week, well need to add the Boomslang skin and powdered Bicorn horn, which means stealing from Snape. Were going to do it in next weeks Potions class. Im determined to get this Polyjuice perfect. Im going to do the actual stealing, because Ive got a clean record. Ron and Harry are going to have to make some kind of diversion, just a little distraction to keep Snape from noticing me.
That sounds just as dangerous as the stealing.
Yes; its about as safe as poking a sleeping dragon in the eye. But we have to do it. We have to. Hogwarts shouldnt be like this- people going round in groups looking scared- the first years especially. Ginnys taking it really hard because she used to sit next to Colin Creevey in her Charms class. Fred and George Weasley keep covering themselves with boils or fur, and jumping out at her as a joke. I think its their way of cheering her up. They havent noticed its not working. Yes, theres Fred, covered with fur again--- here comes Ginnyoh, there it is. Now shes sitting on the sofa, shaking like a leaf.
Tell him to stop it!
I dont have to; Harry just asked him to quit it I dont think it was so much for Ginny as just to stop them making noise, but... oooooh, Ginnys not shaking anymore, shes blushing. My goodness, redheads certainly do blush hard.
Rons red-headed, isnt he?
Yes, but he doesnt blush the same as Ginny. His ears turn red. It happens when hes embarrassed, and sometimes when hes mad, too. Like today in Potions, we had to make an Elastix Ointment, and the recipe called for two dead spiders. When I went to get the jar of them from the store-cupboard, Ron tried to trip me- who knows why, he just does that sometimes. When I got back and he tried to trip me again, I slapped the jar down in front of him and said, "If you need to shut your eyes, Ron, Ill stir the scary spiders in for you." Harry smothered a laugh, and Rons ears turned red. But I just couldnt help myself.
Of course not. What happened with the spiders?
Well, he doesnt mind them when theyre dead, I guess, because he flicked one into my hair. Disgusting. I kept it, though. I might send it up to the boys dormitory with Fred. He says if I want, hell plant it under Rons pillow, no problem, and he gave me a very appreciative smile when I asked him to do it. So there.
But you wont, really?
I dont know. It depends on whether or not Ron behaves himself tonight while were studying. Hed better watch his smart mouth, thats all I have to say.
HQoW
December 11
Yes! We did it! I cant believe we actually got away with it! In Potions today, I actually sneaked out and stole the advanced ingredients from Snapes private stores. I cant believe I did it. I still feel sort of... elated. I dont know. What a strange feeling. Right before class, I reminded Harry and Ron they were responsible for making the diversion, and didnt they look nervous! But I wasnt. I am dead determined to make this potion.
Harry was ready, even if he wasnt happy about it. Halfway through class, he took out one of the Weasley twins Filibuster fireworks, lit it with his wand and lobbed it into Goyles cauldron. SPLASH!! Wed been in the middle of making a Swelling Solution, and gobs of it went everywhere! I didnt wait to see what else happened- just slipped out, ran into Snapes storeroom, unbottled a handful of Boomslang skin and some of Bicorn horn into little jars Id brought, hid them under my robe, and slid back into the dungeon. Snape was still giving Deflating Draughts to everybody whod been Swelled up, and didnt notice me leave or return! (He did, however, find the twisted remains of the firework in Goyles cauldron, and he said that if he ever finds out who threw it, that person will be expelled. He was looking right at Harry. Harry tried to look innocent but he neednt bother- even if he hadnt done it, Snape would still think it was him.)
Weve stirred in the horn and skin. The Polyjuice Potion will be ready in about two weeks- sometime during the Christmas holidays, I imagine. Thats fine, because Professor McGonagall was making her list yesterday of all the students who are staying over Christmas, and I saw that Malfoys name is on it. Harrys staying too, of course, and Ron and I signed up so wed be here to keep him company and do the Transfiguring. Harry says hell be Goyle, and Rons going to be Crabbe. I dont know which of those Slytherin girls Im going to be, but were all three going to be ugly, thats for sure. My face might not be anything special, and my front teeth might stick out, but at least I dont look like a troll.
Hermione!
You wouldnt say that if you saw them. I never really care what people look like, but seriously, some of the girls in that house are just as scary as the boys. Ugh, Slytherin. What I wouldnt give to find something good on Malfoythis potion had better work. Ive given so much effort to it that Ive really let my regular studies slide. I mean, I got one answer off in our Herbology pop quiz the other day.
No.
I know. But Im going to study right now, because end of term tests are next week- the 19th is the last day of classes before break. Ill bet I can do extra credit for Professor Sprout and make up that point. Maybe shell let me give her some help with the Mandrakes- its really important that they grow fast, now that Colins been Petrified, too, because theyre needed for the Restorative Draught. Im going to go ask her if she wants a hand.
HQoW
December 16
Oh dear, Gwen. I dont know what to think. Harrys a Parselmouth. He can talk to snakes.
What? You never told me that.
I only just found out. Harry only just found out. Unfortunately, all of Hogwarts just found out. We were all in the Great Hall tonight because Professor Lockhart decided to start a dueling club so we could learn how to do a proper Wizards Duel. We all three thought that would be extremely handy, and signed right upI especially wanted to learn all Professor Lockharts special techniques for dueling, I mean, what with all his experience!
Im sure you did.
So first, Professor Lockhart got up with Snape to show us how to disarm one another. First you bow- and Professor Lockhart does a lovely bow, even if Harry says its more like a curtsey- then you raise your wand, and then you try to set a charm on your opponent. In this case, they were only going to disarm each other. They bowed, raised wands, and Snape yelled "Expelliarmus!" which is the Disarming Charm- but he put so much force behind it that he knocked Professor Lockhart across the room and slammed him into a wall! The Slytherins all cheered, and even Harry and Ron were laughing- when I said, "Do you think hes all right?" they both answered at once, "Who cares?" I mean, Snape wasnt supposed to hurt him, he was supposed to disarm only, but hes such a nastypoor Professor Lockhart, hows he supposed to teach us if Snape kills him?
I imagine thats the idea.
In any case, then we were supposed to pair off and try it ourselves. Professor Lockhart paired Neville with Justin Finch-Fletchley, (a Hufflepuff boy whos been working with us in Herbology). He was going to pair Harry with Ron next, but Snape came up and said, "Time to split up the dream team," and made Ron go with Seamus Finnigan. Harry tried to come partner me instead, but Snape wasnt interested in seeing any of us enjoy ourselveshe made Harry go with Malfoy, and I got put with Millicent Bulstrode. Shes enormous- seriously- I was scared.
We all bowed and raised our wandsbut thats as far as it resembled any kind of respectable Wizards Duel. The Great Hall seemed to explode all around me. I shouted "Expelliarmus!" but before the spell was half-out of my mouth, Millicent had disarmed me her own way, by bludgeoning my wand out of my hand with a great swat. Then she pointed her wand, and opened her big, heavy jawbut nothing came out. She just stared at me with her puzzled, dead eyes and stammered, "Er...." So I ducked and made a quick dive to the floor for my wand. I had just got my fingers to it when Millicents own wand clattered to the floor beside mine, and I felt a huge, muscled arm clamp round my neck and lift me up onto my feet. She had me in a headlock. From where I was, I could do nothing but whimper and watch (upside-down) what my friends were trying to do.
Neville ducked Justins spell, which went behind him and hit Parvati Patil, whose own spell got reversed, and she ended up disarming herself. Then Neville aimed his own spell, but so poorly that it hit Justin in the head and knocked him to the floor. Neville was so surprised that he fell, too, and they just lay there in a pile.
Ron hit Seamus with what would have been a perfect Disarming Charm, if it werent for the fact that his wands so badly broken. The spell hit Seamus in his wand-hand, but instead of disarming him it seemed to travel up his arm and into his body, turning him into jelly as it went. He looked weak and gray. Ron had to grab him under the arms and hold him up so he wouldnt fall down in a puddle, and all the while he was apologizing, "Sorry, sorrybloody broken piece ofsorry, Seamus."
Harry was doing only slightly better, but he and Malfoy werent pretending to stick to disarmingthey were really trying to duel. Malfoy hit him in the stomach with a Breathtaker Charm ("Exhalio!") which is like getting slugged. Harry struck back with "Rictusempra!", the Laughing Charm. Between gasps of laughter, Malfoy managed to choke, "Tarantallegra!" and Harrys feet started to do a crazy tap-dance.
"Finite Incantatem!" It was Snape. All the spells in the room came to a shuddering halt. Half the Great Hall was on the floor, the other half was gasping, bleeding, or groaning, and I was still stuck under Millicents armpit, where it was starting to smell. Harry yanked her off me before I gagged. I was more than ready to get out of there and be done with dueling, but Professor Lockhart decided it would be useful for us to learn to block unfriendly charms. Normally I would have agreed with him, but unless he was going to teach us to box, I didnt see how I was going to "block" Millicent.
He was going to have Neville and Justin do the demonstration, but Snape said no, it was a bad idea. He made fun of Nevilles ability (horrible) and said theyd be "sending whats left of Finch-Fletchley up to the hospital wing in a matchbox." So he chose Harry and Malfoy to do it instead. Professor Lockhart showed Harry how to block- he did this really intricate wiggling motion with his wand, which I could hardly understand, I mean, it looked incredibly complex. I guess Harry didnt quite catch it either, because he had no idea what to do when Malfoy shouted out "Serpensortia!"
It was just the kind of dirty charm a Slytherin would know how to do. A giant snake burst out of Malfoys wand, fell between them, and raised up to strike Harry! Snape wouldnt even do anything about it. He said, "Dont move, Potter. Ill get rid of it," but then he just stood there, smiling like he was watching a movie with a happy ending. Thank goodness Professor Lockhart was there! He stepped up and knocked the snake away from Harry with some kind of Banishing spell- but unfortunately he knocked it in the direction of Justin Finch-Fletchley. Justin and the snake were eye to eye and it was poised to strike again everyone was deadly quiet except Lavender Brown, who was cryingand thats when it happened.
Harry ran forward and let out these incredibly scary hissing noises, and the snake dropped to the ground, docile. It looked up from its coils at Harry as if it were nothing but a sweet little pet. Hagrid would have appreciated it- but Justin didnt. He looked at Harry like hed rather have faced the snake any day, and shouted "What are you playing at?" Then he stormed out of the hall. This was followed by a general muttering and pointing, and everybody cleared a circle and started to back away from Harry. Ron grabbed both of us by the elbows and steered us out of there before anything worse could happen.
Harry didnt even know what hed done, Gwen! He didnt realize hed spoken a different language; to him it just sounded like hed said, "Leave him alone!" But it was an evil hiss, I mean, even I thought he was egging it on or something. Im sure Justin thought so. Its really bad, because Salazar Slytherin was well known for being a Parselmouth- thats why the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent. And its a really rare power to have, and so now everybodys going to think
That Harry Potter is the Heir of Slytherin.
Yes. And he cant disprove it. I mean, we know hes not, but since he doesnt know anything about his mum and dads heritage, and since Slytherin lived about a thousand years ago.... it would be almost impossible to say. Its not good, Gwen. Not good at all.
Ow, my neck. Its going to be permanently damaged after what Millicent did to it. Ill probably be crooked for the rest of my life. One good thing, though- wrestling with me, Millicent rubbed some of her hairs off on my robe. I have one in a vial. Im going to use it in my dose of the Polyjuice Potion- Im going to Transfigure into Millicent Bulstrode. Its a disgusting thought, but its only going to be for an hour.
Oh, Gwen, I hope Harrys okay. Everybodys so uptight about the Chamber of Secrets- theyre just looking for somebody to blame- what if they think he Petrified Colin and Mrs. Norris? Im sure theyll think so. Hes going to be in for a really rough time of it until we find the real Heir. If only he hadnt gone and hissed like that in front of everybody.
Hell be all right, Hermione. You and Ron will stand by him, and Im sure other people will see that hes not really Slytherins Heir. You go ahead and rest, dear. Do you need to go up and see Madam Pomfrey for your neck?
Ugh, no. Half the school is up there trying to recover from bad charms. I dont think the dueling club is going to last, Gwen. Too bad, think of all Professor Lockhart could have taught us!
Yes, just think.
Oh well. Goodnight.
HQoW
December 17
Hang it! Gwen, am I never going to win a game of Wizard Chess? Ron cant be perfect, I have to beat him some time. His chessmen are so used to mine that they have no mercy. His bishops wrestle my knights off their horses, his King and Queen wont even speak to mine, and all my little pawns are scared to play because his ones like to thwack them in their heads whenever theyre taken. He needs to be beaten.
Need I remind you that last year, you were glad Ron was such an excellent chess player?
No you certainly neednt. Ron reminds me all day long. "Didnt hear you complaining when I saved your life. Admit it, Im a genius." Honestly. Now hes trying to get Ginny to play, but shes just wringing her hands, looking out the window. I think shes sick again, and no wonder! I saw her come in from the snow this morning, wet to the skin. Theres a bad blizzard out- what on earth was she doing? All the outdoor classes got cancelled. But maybe she forgot, and tried to go to Flying. Its something I would do.
Harrys gone off to find Justin and explain what he really said to the snake. He wanted to tell him in Herbology today, but Greenhouse classes got cancelled, too. He looked as fretful as Ginny all morning. I hope he finds Justinand I really hope Justin will believe him.
This blizzard is beautiful, Gwen. I was going to go check on the Polyjuice Potion, but I think Im going to curl up by the fire and read awhile instead. I got a new book of the month- "Magical Institutions: From Alpenstachen to Zarholla". Its all about wizarding schools around the world, and it should be fascinating. See you.
HQoW
Oh, its awful, its awful, its awful, its
Hermione! Deep breath.
Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly-Headless Nick were both found Petrified half an hour ago.
Oh no!
Harry was standing next to them, alone, when they were found.
Oh no- that
is awful.I told you! He got carted right off to somebodys office, and rumors are just flying. Two Petrifications. Nearly-Headless Nick! How on earth can you Petrify somebody thats already dead? And to think, I was about to go out by myself and check that potion. Oh, Gwen, Gwen, whats going to happen? Why does Harry have such terrible timing? How did he come to be standing therenow everybody thinks hes the Heir, and the people who didnt think so last night are quickly changing sides. Even Gryffindors. Parvati just asked me if Im afraid for my life. I said, "Why on earth would I be?" And she said, "Well, Harrys- I mean, you know- he knows all about you!" And I said "No kidding. Dont you think hes had loads of opportunities to kill me, if he ever wanted to do it?" But she just shook her head like shes already at my funeral. This is going to get really nasty. Ginnys sobbing in the first years dormitory, and when I tried to help her she just choked, "No, no, dont talk to me, dont come near me!" I mean, thats some crush shes got. Harryd better get back here quick and tell Ron and me just what is going on.
HQoW
December 20
Hi, Gwen.
The whole school stampeded out of here this morning to go home for the holidays, and I wont miss them. Its sickening to see how everybodys treating Harry- like hes about to sprout fangs and Petrify them if they look at him sideways. At least the Weasleys and I dont think hes the Heir. Fred and George walk ahead of him in the hallways and say things like, "Move it, clear out, seriously evil wizard coming through!" It would be really funnyif it werent so awful. I keep telling people that he didnt have anything to do with Nick and Justin, but no one listens. They keep telling me that Im insane to stay here over the holidays and give Harry a chance to attack me. Why wont they look at the facts?? Then they wouldnt be in such a panic.
And the facts are?
That Harrys got a perfectly sound alibi. He was with Hagrid just seconds before he was found with the victims. You remember I said he went to look for Justin?
Yes.
Well he didnt find Justin, but in the library he overheard Ernie Macmillan and a whole bunch of other Hufflepuffs talking about what he did at the dueling club, and how hes a Parselmouth. They think it means hes a Dark wizard- they think thats how he escaped Voldemort- they think thats why Voldemort wanted to kill him in the first place, because he didnt want another Dark wizard to compete with! Harry couldnt stand to hear them go on, so he stepped forward and asked where Justin was. They wouldnt say, they were all too terrified, and Ernie even went so far as to tell Harry not to get any ideas, because the Macmillans are pure-blood for generations.
Well, now,
really.Isnt it idiotic? So of course Harry wanted to get away from them and come back to us. Thats when he ran into Hagrid, who was going to find Dumbledore. He had a dead rooster in his fist (well, why not, its Hagrid) and was trying to figure out what killed it- foxes or a Blood-Sucking Bugbear. He wanted to go up and get the Headmasters permission to put a magic barrier around the chicken coop. So Harry said, bye then, and kept going round the cornerwhich is when he found Justin and Nick, lying Petrified on the hall floor. It was nothing but incredibly unlucky timing. Hagrid vouched for him, but everybodys too panicked to be logical. Its a mess. At least Harrys not in any troubleDumbledore believes him.
Thats a relief.
Yes. Professor McGonagall took Harry to Professor Dumbledore after he was found standing in the middle of that scene, and Dumbledore says he knows very well that Harry didnt attack any of these people. Harry said if he hadnt felt so nervous, he might have enjoyed the visit- he said the Headmasters office is really a sight, and Professor Dumbledore even has a Phoenix up there!
Does he!
Yes, named Fawkes! Harry even got to see it burst into flames and rise up from the ashes! Professor Dumbledore told Harry that Phoenix tears heal wounds, and they also make extremely faithful pets. I wish Id seen it! Id love a faithful pet. Harry has Hedwig, Rons got Scabbers, even Neville has Trevor the toad. I need a pet. I probably wont be able to get anything like a Phoenix, but maybe an owl? No, I can get an owl from the Owlery if I ever need one. I want a pet that fits me. I dont know.
Anyway, Gwen, its just me, Harry and the Weasleys, together in Gryffindor for the whole break. I think thatll be so much fun! (Except, of course, when we take the Polyjuice Potion. Itll be ready Christmas Eve, or Christmas. What a merry holiday thats going to be, walking around inside Millicent Bulstrode. Ew, ew, ew.)
Why arent the Weasleys going home for Christmas?
Their parents are going to visit their brother Bill. He works for Gringotts, in Egypt. Im glad theyre all here, they make me forget what a nightmare last term was. Fred and George are hysterical- they keep asking Harry who hes going to attack next, and waving garlic at him. The only person who doesnt think its funny is Ginny- shes desperate about it, really. I wish shed cheer up a little, I mean, how often do we get to play Exploding Snap as loud as we like? We can practice dueling, too. Maybe thatll make Ginny feel betterIll teach her the Chicken Curse. Then, whenever Fred and George make her feel anxious, she can watch them walk around clucking and flapping their arms.
Percys just come in. He says its childish, the way were all behaving in here. Hes probably right, but for once, I dont care. Its fun.
HQoW
December 25
Merry Christmas, Gwen!
Merry Christmas to you! I have a present for youbut it will take a few hours for you to receive it. Next time youre really bored and cant think of anything to study, tell me, and well do it.
Hmm! Im intrigued! I wish I had something for you, though.
Believe me, the stories you tell are enough.
Thanks, Gwen. Want another one?
When have I ever said no?
Good point. Well, the Polyjuice Potion is ready. Were going to do it tonight. I have a plan all worked out. Ive made two chocolate cakes filled with a Sleeping Draught. Harry and Ron need to make sure that Crabbe and Goyle eat them (and theyre sure to, the greedy pigs.) Once theyve passed out, they should be locked in a broom closet, and Harry and Ron should steal their shoes and a few of their hairs. Then theyll meet me in Moaning Myrtles bathroom, well take the potion, go to Slytherin, and get Malfoy to talk.
Its all so risky! But its dreadfully exciting.
Im very excited to find out whatever we can. I think Harry and Ron are, too. Were going to do it straight after supper- theyre going to try and catch Crabbe and Goyle on the way back to Slytherin from the Christmas Feast, and leave the cakes in their path. I cant believe were doing this on Christmas. What a weird way to spend the holiday. Its been very nice otherwise, though. Were about to go down to the feast- Im just putting my presents away, first.
And what did you get?
I got the best thing! Remember that set of scales I saw in Diagon Alley- the Prioritizer? Well, Mum and Dad splurged and got me one! Its going to be so helpful with scheduling, and making decisions about my studies and things- Ill be so glad to have it when Im choosing my classes for third year! Im really pleased about it. Plus, my parents renewed my subscription to the Magical Text of the Month Club, and sent me nice thick socks and new gloves, and oh, Gwen! They sent a travel guide of France, and a French-English dictionary, and in the cover Dad had written, "Brush up for this summer!" Were going to France!!!
Thats quite a gift.
I know, Im practically spoiled rotten. I even exchanged gifts with my friends. Harry got me a luxury eagle feather quill, which is so funny, Gwen, because thats exactly what I got for him. We seem to always get each other matching things. For Ron I almost got a book of Arachnid Studies-
You didnt.
Im not that mean. I got a little map of the world, instead, and charmed it to show where his family all is. Theres a tiny blinking light in Egypt for Bill, one in Romania for Charlie, and one where his house is. And he got me a book called "Unexpected Witches", which is a collection of short biographies of Muggle-born girls that went on to have great magical careers. I thought that was really, really nice.
It certainly is.
Oooh, and Gwen, I got a Christmas card from Professor Lockhart! He sent it along as the answer to the fan-mail letter I sent him and it says:
"To Miss Granger,
A very Merry Christmas to my best student, and my faithful fan! I can always spare a picture for someone in need, so here you are, and Happy Holidays!
Yours truly,
Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weeklys Most-Charming-Smile Award."
He gave me a picture! Im adding all this to my file.
You have a file?
Yes, of course, of the tests hes marked and things.
Oh, of course.
Well, I guess Id better go. Theyre both hollering up here for me to hurry it up. "Hermione, come on, were starving." "Yeah, whatre you doing up there? You better not be reading that Lockhart card again, or Ill shred it." Honestly. I need to remember my wand, and my vial- the extra robes are already in the bathroom- were going straight from the feast to Moaning Myrtles, so wish me luck, Gwen. Oh, Im nervous. What if it doesnt work? What if I made it wrong?
If you made it, dear, then Im sure its a perfect Polyjuice Potion. Good luck.
Thanks, Gwen. Ill write you as soon as weve had our little chat with Malfoy.
HQoW
Gwen, I ruined the potion and I look revolting and Madam Pomfrey says Im going to be like this for a month! Ill die of embarrassment if anyone else sees me.
Are you Millicent Bulstrode?
I only wish. I put that hair in the Polyjuice Potion- the one I thought was Millicents- but it wasnt. It was her cats hair. Now I look like an old, warped, ugly cat! And the potions not supposed to be used for animal transformations, so Im stuck like this until probably February. I didnt want anybody to see me, but Harry and Ron had to, because theyre the ones who dragged me up here to the hospital wing. Oh, it was humiliating. I could see by their faces that I look just frightful. I thought nothing could be as bad as Millicent Bulstrode, but this is a million times worse. Im furry and whiskery and I have pointy ears and a tail. Id laugh, but I just want to cry my yellow cat-eyes right out.
Then.... all that work, and you never even spoke to Malfoy?
I didnt. Harry and Ron had to go without me. The potion itself worked brilliantly- they got the hairs and transfigured without a hitch. But I couldnt go with them. As soon as I drank my potion I knew something had gone wrong, and when I felt my furry face.... well, I knew going to Slytherin looking like that wouldnt worm any confessions out of Malfoy, so I told Ron and Harry to go on. I didnt check in the mirror until they had left.
I was never very pretty, Gwen, but Im so ugly now that I scared myself. Moaning Myrtle started making fun of me, and I just pulled my robes up over my head and started sobbing. Thats how Harry and Ron found me. When I showed them how I look, Ron backed into the sink and almost fell down. I could have died. It took them a long time to get me out of the bathroom, and even then they had to guide me all the way up here to the hospital wing, because I wouldnt take my robes off my face, so I couldnt see where I was going.
How could I have been so stupid? All that planning, and I spoiled my potion. Plus, Im a cat until February, and I just have to sit up here with the bed curtains pulled shut so no one will be able to see me and laugh at me. At least I have you. Ron and Harry promised to visit every night after dinner and bring my assignments, too. Im going to miss a month of classes! Im going to start crying again. Oh, Gwen, how could this have happened to me?
Im so sorry, Hermione. Would it make you feel any better to tell me what happened with Harry and Ron? Is Malfoy the Heir of Slytherin?
Of course hes not. I knew he wasnt. Hes an idiot. He told Harry and Ron flat out that he doesnt even know who it is. Mr. Malfoy knows, but wont tell him. I guess it would be suspicious if Draco knew too much, what with all these Petrifications going on. All he knows is that the last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, it was fifty years ago. Fifty years ago- and a Muggle-born student actually died. Harry told me that Malfoy said, "I bet its only a matter of time before one of thems killed this time. I hope its Granger."
That lousy little
I know. And Ron said, "Harry, are you crazy- dont tell her that!" But I wanted to know. I knew anyway. Harry also told me that when Malfoy said it, Ron almost punched him in the mouth and gave away the whole plan. That made me feel.... funny. Glad. Better. Do you know what I mean?
Yes, I do. Then you still dont know anything about the Heir?
No. But it wasnt a totally useless trip for Ron now he can help his dad get back at Mr. Malfoy for all the horrible things he said. Draco let it slip that his rotten dad keeps all their illegal possessions under a trapdoor in their drawing-room floor. Now Mr. Weasley can uncover all of it, and his office at the Ministry can fine the Malfoys loads of galleons!
Good. Those Malfoys need to be taught a lesson.
Definitely.
Hermione.... how did I get to the hospital wing? Did you have me with you when you Transfigured?
No, Iwell actually its rather funny. Remember last year, when I refused to drink the Unimaginable Draught unless Madam Pomfrey let me have you?
I remember.
Well, when I was settled in bed up here today, Madam Pomfrey brought over my De-Felinious Draught (thats my medicine to stop me being a cat) and said, "Drink up, Miss Granger." But I just looked at her, crossed my arms and said, "I wont drink it, unless...." She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Oh yes, thats right. Youre the little businesswoman about these things." Then she rolled up her sleeves and took out her wand and said, "Accio, Hermione Grangers diary!" She remembered! As soon as I had drained the last disgusting drop of potion, she handed you over. Blech. I have to drink it every night and it tastes like cat food. If I ever have a cat, Im giving it real food. That stuff is torture.
How am I going to sleep? If I lie on my back, my tail gets in the way, and if I lie on my side, my face-fur itches. This is so stupid. I hate this.
But at least you tried, Hermione- and the potion did work with the right hairs! Youve managed a very complicated spell, and you should be proud of yourself. I imagine if Snape knew, hed be impressed.
Are you kidding? If Snape knew, Id be expelled. But I suppose it was rather clever.... Gwen, Im going to try and sleep. Its so odd- I can only get comfortable if I curl up like a kitten. Ill certainly understand cats a lot better after this experience.
Im sure you will. Goodnight.
HQoW
January 1
Good morning, Gwen! Happy New Year!
Most of my face-fur is already gone! I still have the ears, the tail, and the yellow eyes, but the hair was what made me look so dreadful, so I feel much better. Madam Pomfrey says the ears take the longest- my normal ones have to completely re-grow, and for now Ive only got little pointy cat ones poking out of my hair. Harry and Ron say that I look cool like this. They think I should keep the ears and the yellow eyes. I mean, really, Gwen. Theyre so weird.
Im glad youre feeling better.
I am. And Ron and Harry are spending most of their time up here with me until term starts on Monday, so Im not too bored. Although every time they come in, Ron scratches on the bed curtains and says, "Here, kitty, kitty!" until I open them up. Its not funny.
If you say so.
Gwen. Also, Ive been reading my book Ron gave me, "Unexpected Witches", and guess whos in there? Lily Potter. Thats Harrys mum! She was Muggle-born, and the book says that she was one of the strongest witches to fight against the Dark Forces, although she was "struck down tragically alongside her husband James. The murder of the Potters constituted the final act of the Dark Lord Voldemort; Lily herself died in a courageous attempt to protect her infant son, Harry. Indeed, her son still lives, and there is reason to believe that Lily Potters sacrifice has a great deal to do not only with his survival, but with the ultimate downfall of the Dark Lord himself." Theres a picture of her, too. Shes got dark red hair and shes very pretty. I thought about showing Harry.
You should. Hed want to see that.
But its so sad, wont it just hurt him?
The hurt is already there. Knowing his past better can only help him to heal.
Well, I will. Next time he comes up. Actually, I just heard the door open, so maybe heno, its Ron. Hes scratching on my curtains and meowing.
And thats not funny.
Well, I guess it sort of is.... oh, good, hes brought our chess sets! He says, "Ill let you win today, as Im feeling sorry for you." Not on your life, Ron Weasley; Ill beat you fair and square. Hes telling me to quit writing.
Quit writing.
Bye.
HQoW
January 3
Term starts tomorrow. Harrys out practicing his flying and Rons helping Ginny with hers. I can see them out the window and Im so bored in here that its killing me.
Well.... theres always your Christmas present.
Oh! I had completely forgotten! Yes, Gwen, yes, Id love my Christmas present.
All right. Im going to take you inside my memory.
Pardon?
Im going to show you a day I had once, at Camelot.
You mean youre going to tell me about it.
No, Im going to
show it. Im going to bring you inside it.Inside... but Gwen, how is that possible?
Ill explain. In a moment, youll turn the page and Ill make a small screen in the blank parchment. Youll be able to see into a specific memory Ive chosen to show you.
I will??
And if you press your eye up close to the screen, the memory will engulf you. Youll be inside it- on a walk I took once with Lancelot. Its just walking and talking, but its a lovely view of the castle from the road above the river, and you can see Camelot in the autumn. Would you like to try it?
Would I like to.... are you mad??? Gwen, this is amazing! I want to try it, are you ready? Can I turn the page?
Just one more thing. Lancelot and I will be unable to hear or see you- youll just be observing the memory as it existed then. When the entry I created of this memory is ended, youll find yourself back here, in the hospital wing. Do you understand?
Im going to get to see you! To see Lancelot! To see Camelot! And you said youd never let anybody read your diary oh, I feel so privileged cant I turn the page yet Gwen? please, please
Yes, dear. Go ahead.
Hermione? Are you back?
Oh, Gwen. Guinevere.
Did you like it?
Like it....? It was..... unreal. I could have stayed there forever. Now I know what I would have seen in the Mirror of Erised. I would have seen myself a princess, in Camelot.
Well, dont be too sure. You would have had to put away most of your magic. But it was heavenly to look at, wasnt it? I loved it there. What did you think of the castle?
It was right out of a fairytale! That part of the legend was perfectly true, at least. And the sky really was amazingly blue, and I swear, walking down the river, there was an island with a fortress it had "four gray walls and four gray towers" that wasnt really Shalott?
Well yes it was! You certainly have done your reading.
Was there really a Lady?
There was. Elaine. Poor girl.
I didnt see her in the tower.
She was already dead by then about a month prior to the memory you just saw, she had come floating down the river. What a chilly night that was. But Lancelot just looked at her and understood.
Oh, Gwen. Lancelot.
Ah yes. Now youve seen him.
He was.... He was....
I know.
I mean, the closest Ive ever seen in real life isbut even he doesnt compare now that I--- goodness. But it didnt seem to me that he was only handsome he had a sort of... a sort of look on his face. Like hed seen everything, and been back again. I cant describe it.
But I can still see it.
And the way he looked at you oh! And you, Gwen, you!! You were simply... how could you be so... perfect? You were beautiful.
Thank you.
How old were you in that memory?
Twenty-six, I think no, twenty-seven.
What did you look like when you were twelve?
Actually, I was rather gawky and I had a funny face.
Really?
Really
.I cant imagine that. I wish I were twenty-seven. But Gwen, that memory was absolutely glorious. Ive never seen an autumn like that in my life. I cant believe it was really real, and that I was actually there walking by the river in Camelot! I cant believe you showed me that. Im so honored. Ill dream about it forever.
Im so glad you enjoyed it. Really. I havent shared that with anyone for a long time.
Gwen, its the best Christmas present anyones ever given me. Thank you, thank you a million times. Ill never forget it.
Neither will I. Youre welcome.
Do you mind if I shut you and... think about all this?
Not a bit. I could use a moment, myself. See you soon, Hermione.
HQoW
January 8
Hi, Gwen. My tails almost gone.
Well, thats nice.
Yes, it is. Im starting to be able to sleep normally again. I wish I could open my bed curtains up, but everyones back in school, and they keep filing by to see what I look like. Parvati came to see me when she got back from holiday, and she said she thought Id been Petrified. There are apparently all sorts of rumors that Harry attacked me over Christmas break. I said, "Oh, no, Parvati. Harry tried to Petrify me, but messed it up, and turned me into a cat instead." She thought I was serious. It took me an hour to convince her it was just a joke. I gave her the same explanation Ive given Madam Pomfrey, because obviously I cant admit to anyone about the Polyjuice Potion. I said that we were practicing dueling in the common room, and we just got a bit out of hand with curses we couldnt handle.
Thats believable enough.
Its worked so far. I dont think Madam Pomfrey really believes me, but luckily shes not asking any questions.
Harry and Ron just left. They brought me my schoolwork for todayits so hard to keep up without having the in-class demonstrations. It always helps me so much to be able to see how Professor Flitwick uses his wand, in Charms. And there are certain things in these Transfiguration lessons that are almost impossible to understand without asking Professor McGonagall a few questions. Im totally dependent on Harry and Ron to teach me some of what were learning, which is a really strange position for me to be in, considering that Im usually the one translating lessons for them.
On the one hand, I think its a really good thing, because when they explain the assignments to me, theyre studying without realizing it. Theyre also taking much closer notes, because I told them to take the kind I always do, because Id go crazy at exam time without really good notes. I guess theyre scared of what that would be like, because these notes are really good. Ron writes notes within the notes sometimes, like "In 1673, the last descendants of Circes Coven were burnt at the stake, as if I care." Or, "The Reverse Curse: a curse which causes the victim to do everything backward for varying lengths of time. The longest reported reversal lasted two hundred and thirteen days. Hermione, remind me, you have to teach me this one. I want to do it to Percy and have it last a year." It makes me laugh. So thats the good part about all this.
And the bad part?
Is Defense Against the Dark Arts. Ron flatly refuses to take notes in that class, and every time Harry hands over the ones hes done, I am forced to sit through Rons impression of the lesson. He imitates Professor Lockhart in a high voice, and minces all around, twirling his hands and saying things like, "Oh, excuse me class, but we wont be able to continue fighting Vampires today, as Ive just mussed up my hair." Its obnoxious.
I cant really complain, though. Theyre the best friends, really, and Id never get through all this without them. Or you. I still cant get over Camelot.
Neither can I.
Goodnight, Gwen.
Goodnight, Hermione.
HQoW
January 13
Gwen? Its creepy in here. Its dark.
What time is it?
Three in the morning. I woke up out of a nightmare. I was dreaming that I was in the middle of the Quidditch field, and there was a monster coming toward me, but I couldnt see what it looked like, and I couldnt move my legs. I could hear all of Slytherin cheering in the stands, and Malfoy was standing behind me shouting "Get the Mudblood! Get the Mudblood!"
Thats a horrible dream. Are you all right now? Get some water.
Im very shaky. I got some water already, and then made the mistake of looking in on Colin Creevey when I was on my way back to bed. Hes still up here, you know. Petrified. So are Justin, and Nick, and Mrs. Norris. I try not to think about it, but that nightmare just reminded me, so I stupidly opened Colins bed curtains. Hes so still. His eyes are wide open. He looks dead, Gwen.
Now Im all scared. I feel like Im up here in this room alone with a bunch of dead people. I wish Ron and Harry were here. I wish I were in Gryffindor. But my ears and eyes are still cat-like, and Madam Pomfrey says I cant go back to my dormitory until Im completely recovered. But oh, its horrid to have to stay here tonight.
Lay your head down and try to think of something peaceful.
I tried. I just get nervous and cant sleep.
Do you have that music box with you? The one that plays whatever you tell it?
Yes. Lavender brought it up for me the other day.
Well, tell it to play the lute. I always found that very soothing.
Okay, hold onoh, that is nice. Thanks, Gwen. That helps. Goodnight.
Goodnight, dear.
HQoW
January 18
Professor Lockhart misses me! He sent me a get well card. Parvati brought it up this afternoon, and he told her to tell me that he misses having me in class! She looked like she wished she were up here getting cards too. Its gold, and it wishes me a speedy recovery from my "concerned" teacher!! Im putting it under my pillow.
Hermione!
Oh, not because I want to sleep with it under there, or anything. I just want to hide it, you know--
Mm-hmmm.
No, really! Oh, all right. After all, this is my diary. Gwen, II have a confession. But this is really secret. And dont laugh.
Yes?
I think I sort of might, maybe, just a little, welllike Professor Lockhart.
Oh.
Yes. And Im mad at myself for it, Gwen. I mean, I know I stick up for him all the time, but Im not stupid. He de-boned Harrys arm, for heavens sake.
It could have been an honest mistake.
But it wasnt. And I never thought I could be such a girl about anybody. Its so strange, because other than being handsome, Professor Lockhart doesnt have any of the things I really like about people.
What things?
Well, I would like a person to be clever and funny and interesting and.... brave. I dont think hes any of those things. Except maybe hes brave, I dont knowI just cant believe hed really lie about all those things he did in his books.
Well, youd hope not.
Yes. Anyway, this is one of the first things I really havent been able to tell Harry and Ron. Theyd just lord it over me if I admitted theyd been right about Professor Lockhart, and theyd tease me. I dont need to be as obvious as Ginny is about everything.
How is Ginny?
I dont know. She was peering in here the other day, and I waved at her, so she opened the door, but stayed outside it, like she was hesitating, or scared. I told her to come in, but she shook her head, and said, "Hermione, I have to... I have to..." She looked like she was trying to work up the nerve to tell me something. I thought maybe she wanted to talk to someone about Harry. But right as she was about to say whatever it was, Madam Pomfrey came up and told her that she needed to come in or go out- she couldnt just stand there letting all the germs into the infirmary- so Ginny fled. Shes a funny girl.
Ive been leaving my bed curtains open most of the time, so I can wave at my friends in the halls. I dont mind being seen now that my normal ears are coming back and my cat ones have shrunk so that my hair hides them. My tails completely gone now, too, and my eyes are almost brownish again. But all that didnt stop the Weasley twins from sending up a cat-nip toy for me to play with. Ha, ha, ha. Actually, I did laugh. Theyre nice, even if theyre crazy. Theyve always been nice to me, ever since Malfoy called me "Mudblood" on the Quidditch field that time.
Malfoy actually came by the infirmary a few days ago. I heard him coming from down the hall, saying, "Lets see if shes dead yet." He made a blow-fish face on the window with his mouth and then he and Crabbe and Goyle started laughing at me and screeching like alley cats. I yanked the curtains shut. I hate him. I was going to tell Harry and Ron about it, but decided against that, too. I dont want Ron going off and trying to curse him again, and getting another belly full of slugs.
This month has gone so slowly, and time at Hogwarts usually flies! I cant wait to get out of here. Im going to read myself to sleep tonight. I got my January book of the month- "Atlantis: Then and Now". Its all about merpeople! Theyre real!
Of course.
Oh, Gwen. Goodnight.
HQoW
January 30
Madam Pomfrey says I can go back to class on Monday! Just three more nights in here, and I can sleep in my real bed again. I cant wait to get outside and play, and study in the Gryffindor common room by the fire, and just be out of this hospital wing!!! I hope I never spend this much time here again. Its enough to drive a person insane. At least the Petrified people dont feel the time passing.
Then you have restored to normal, I take it?
Except for the tiniest fraction of my ears, yes, Im myself again. Cat-free! Harry and Ron came up to give me the last of this weeks assignments. Im going to finish up my work over the weekend so Ill be ready to jump right into classes on Monday. Ron says if he turned into a cat, hed take a break from all the schoolwork. But Im awfully glad I kept up, because I hate to be behindand anyway, Ron and I dont see eye to eye on certain issues.
Such as?
Well, studying, for one. And personal privacy, for another. Gwen, he saw Professor Lockharts card sticking out from under my pillow.
Uh-oh.
He has no feelings at all sometimes, I swear. He yanked it out and read it out loud and said, "You sleep with this under your pillow?" in the same voice you might use to say, "You ate a pail of toad guts? He let out this breath of disgust, and I was livid. How dare he read that card?! I was about to shout at him, but Madam Pomfrey came over with my De-Felinious Draught and shooed the boys out, so I didnt have to explain myself. He is SO NOSY and SO RUDE. And as he and Harry were leaving the infirmary, I heard him say, "Is Lockhart the smarmiest bloke youve ever met, or what?" Professor Lockhart might not be bright, but I dont see how that makes him smarmy. Ron has problems, Gwen, dont you think so?
Dear, if I told you what I really thought, you wouldnt believe me.
What do you mean?
Another time.
Oh, thats so unfair!
Goodnight, Hermione.
Hmph.
HQoW
February 2
Gwen, Gwen, this is really important. You have to help me decide what to do.
Whats going on? Are you back in Gryffindor?
Yes, Im fine, Im so glad to be back, and going to classes again was a dream come true, but I have to tell you something right now and you have to give me advice because its serious.
Tell me.
Over the weekend, Harry and Ron heard Myrtle crying in the bathroom and flooding it, and they went in to find out why. She was all upset and offended because somebody had tried to flush their diary down the toilet, and it had fallen through her head (she was down there in the pipes.) So Harry kept the diary. It says "T.M. Riddle" on the front, and Ron figured out that T.M. Riddle won an award for special services to the school fifty years ago. The Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago! What if the diary has information about that? But Gwen, the diary doesnt have any information at all- its completely blank on the inside.
Or so it seems.
Exactly. When Harry showed me tonight, my first thought was that it might have secret powers, just like you do. I tapped it with my wand and said, "Aparecium!" Nothing. I took out my Revealer (its a kind of magic eraser thing I got in Diagon Alley) and rubbed on January 1st. Nothing. But knowing about diaries like you, I just got more and more excited! I was just about to suggest that we try writing in it, and see if it would write back!
Just as I was about to suggest it, something clicked in my head. "T.M. Riddle"? "T" might be "Tom". I looked at the diary again. Gwen, I think- Im almost sure- its Ginny Weasleys. It looks like the one she used to write in- small and black- and its being blank just means that I was right about its being enchanted. Tom Riddle must be the brain thats inside it. But Gwen, who is Tom Riddle?
I have no idea. Why would Ginny throw her diary away?
Maybe somebody took it from her, and tried to flush it.
Who in Gryffindor would do that?
Nobody. Not even Fred and George. She must have. Maybe she wrote in there about Harry and didnt want anybody to ever find it.... but no, that doesnt make sense, because if Toms really enchanted, then her secrets would be protected, wouldnt they?
Well... again, we dont know where he keeps his brain. There isnt necessarily a secrecy charm on his diary- she may not have a password. If Harry were to write in it, everything Ginnys written might surface, just like yours does when you write HQoW.
How awful. Im so torn, Gwen! Its so important that we find out everything we can about the Chamber of Secrets, so I should tell Harry to write in it right away, in case Tom has any information about what happened here at Hogwarts fifty years ago. He must- he was here- he won that award. But on the other hand....
Gwen, how can I tell Harry how to work the diary, when I dont know if Ginnys secrets are protected? She doesnt deserve to have her personal, private thoughts read by a boyespecially the boy she likes. Id die a million times if anybody ever read you. I know that stopping the monster of Slytherin from attacking Muggle-borns should be more important, but imagine how Ginny would feel if Harry were to readI just cant do it, Gwen. I know this is the wrong decision. But I just cant do it.
This is an extremely sticky situation. Perhaps if you just told Ginny
Told her what? "Ginny, Harrys got your secret diary. Wed love to have a peek- are you using a password?"
Perhaps not. Well, maybe if you explained to Harry and Ron
Gwen! Those two? They havent got any proper feeling about things like this. You saw how Ron was with the card under my pillow- he thinks hes entitled to anything he wants to know- and Ginnys his little sister, so he wouldnt be scared to mortify her. Hed march right over and make her tell us everything. And in a way, hed be right, I mean, its much more dire for us to get information about the Chamber of Secrets than it is for me to protect Ginny Weasley from getting humiliated in front of Harry. But if it were the other way around, Gwen, Id want her to cover for me. Id feel like a traitor if I told.
I supposewelljust promise me youll watch her closely, Hermione. Dont decide anything for sure. If anything further happens, you may
have to say something.I know. I know. My one hope is that it isnt Ginnys diary- that Ive got it wrong. There are lots of small, black diaries in the world, arent there? She wasn't writing tonight, though, and she always does. But before I decide what to do, I need to find out for sure if its hers.
Good. How?
I dont know. Oh, Im tired, Gwen. I think I need to sleep on this one. If I can sleep. Goodnight.
HQoW
February 3
Hi, Gwen. I still dont know what to do about the diary. I feel so horribly guilty for not saying anything. Harry and Ron are trying so hard to figure out the mysterywell, at least, Harrys trying. Ron just thinks that "Riddle got a diary for Christmas, and couldnt be bothered filling it in." I tried to tell him that normal people dont behave that way, they fill their diaries in, but he just waved me off and said, "Go on, diaries are for girls, anyway." Well, guess what hes getting next Christmas.
Do I get three guesses?
Gwen.
Sorry. So what is Harry finding out? Hasnt he tried writing in it?
I doubt it. Hed tell us. Hes not finding out much of anything. Hes gone down to the trophy room to look at that award Riddle won for special services to Hogwarts. We also found his name up on a Medal for Magical Merit, and an old list of Head Boys. He was obviously an excellent student! Ron said, "He sounds like Percy. Prefect, Head Boy, probably top of every class." He said it like it was a bad thing. Is that how he and Harry talk about me? Im top of the class. Gwen, what is wrong with being clever and doing well?
Absolutely nothing. I think its
Oh, of COURSE.
Whats that?
Of course. Heres Ron, wanting help with our Charms assignment. It doesnt bother him that Im top of the class now. "Whatre you writing, Hermione-- listen, dyou have a minute? I dont get this Rotating Spell thing."
Ho Nest Ly.
HQoW
February 10
Hi, Gwen! How are you?
Well, youre cheerful today.
Sort of. There hasnt been an attack in almost two whole months, and Im starting to think the monster is hibernating for another fifty years, or something. In any case, its cheered up a bit around here- even the weather is brightening up a little. Some people are actually talking to Harry again, too, which makes me feel better about not saying anything about the diary. Maybe I dont really need to worry about it. Oh, I hope not.
So do I.
Professor Lockhart seems to think that hes the one who made the monster disappear. We were lining up for Transfiguration and we all heard him say to Professor McGonagall that he thinks the trouble with the Chamber is all over, that "the culprit must have known it was only a matter of time before I caught him. Rather sensible to stop now, before I came down hard on him."
Ron turned and looked at me in line as if to say, "How can you be so stupid as to defend that lousy git?" Professor McGonagall was looking at Professor Lockhart in a way that seemed to say that if magic werent expressly forbidden in the halls, she might have to curse him right there on the spot.
I felt so embarrassed for him. I mean, Gwen, of all the silly things to say. But then he kind of made up for it, saying "What this school needs now is a morale-booster. Wash away the memories of last term! I wont say any more just now, but I think I know just the thing." And we really could use a morale-booster, so at least he knows something.
Well of course. Who doesnt?
Thanks, Gwen. All right. Back to Potions homework. See you soon.
HQoW
February 14
Hi, Gwen, Im just on morning break and I only have a minute. Professor Lockharts morale-booster turned out to be a Valentines Day celebration! This morning, he had the Great Hall all covered with pink flowers, and he got these dwarves to carry harps and wear gold wings and deliver singing valentines all day!
He got dwarves to do
that? He may have powers after all.Well, the dwarves dont look too happy about it- theyre rather surly, actually. But it is funny to have them burst into class and sing. Its sort of a meaningless holiday, but at least Professor Lockhart makes it entertaining. There was confetti at breakfast, and he announced his thanks to the forty-six people who sent him cards. I wish he hadnt, though, because Ron started pestering me, "Please, Hermione, tell me you werent one of the forty-six."
Well, were you?
Professor Lockhart sent me a picture, and a Christmas card, and a get well card, plus hes my teacher, so I see no reason why I
So you were, then.
Maybe I was, but I didnt answer Ron- I just started digging around in my bag for my schedule. Its none of his business if I sent a card or if I didnt. He glared at me, and glared at Professor Lockhart, and rolled his eyes, and mumbled something that sounded like "I dont believe this." But let him be upset about it. I already decided about Professor Lockhart. I think hes handsome, and I cant help it. But thats all I think. Im not going to be sending him anymore fan mail, or cards or anything, after this.
Oh, class in two minutes, Gwen. Talk to you later!
HQoW
The diary is definitely Ginnys. T.M. Riddle is Tom. And its enchanted. Ill bet anything thats why Harry went to bed early- hes upstairs figuring it out right now.
How on earth did you find all this out?
One of those singing dwarves came for Harry when we were waiting to go into Charms. Everybody was in the corridor: our Gryffindor class, the first years, Percy, and even Malfoy was walking by. Harry tried to avoid the dwarf. He looked seriously embarrassed about getting a valentine right there in front of everyone. But the dwarf was determined to deliver it, so they ended up wrestling there in the hall, fighting so hard Harrys school bag split open and everything spilled. In the end, the dwarf yanked him to the ground, sat on his ankles, and sang this songI couldnt forget a word of it if I tried:
"His eyes are as green as a fresh-pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, hes really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord."
Well, Harry looked like hed die. The laughter was unstoppable, Gwen, nobody could help it- even I had to chomp down hard on my lip to keep from joining in, and Ron looked like hed suffocate if he didnt let loose. But then Malfoy stepped up, grabbed something out of Harrys things on the ground, and held it upsuddenly I didnt feel like laughing.
It was the diary. Malfoy looked extremely pleased to have discovered something secret of Harrys, and made a show of examining it, acting like hed go ahead and read it right there. Harry said, "Give that back." Malfoy said, "When Ive had a look." And thats when I happened to look over at Ginny.
Oh, its definitely her diary. She was practically fainting. She just stared at the diary, stared at Harry, stared at Malfoy. It must have been a nightmare for her. Poor thing- she must be terrified Harry had read it- after all, he had it in his bag. And now, Malfoy was getting ready to open it in front of everybody. Enchanted or not, I was really upset for her.
Just then, Harry pointed his wand and yelled "Expelliarmus!" and Malfoy was disarmed of the diary. Ron caught it, the door opened to Charms, and we quickly filed inside- but not before Malfoy shouted at Ginny, "I dont think Potter liked your valentine much!" Ginny covered her face with her hands and bolted into her classroom. Obviously, she did send the valentine. Shes brave, I think, to do that. Malfoy doesnt know what bravery is, the stupid Slytherin- how dare he embarrass her in front of everyone? Ron pulled out his wand at Malfoy (and I almost did, too) but Harry held him back.
We went into class. I felt very edgy- about Ginny, Harry, the diary, Malfoy- and I knew even less than before what to do about it. And thats when Harry noticed something. When his bag had spilled, an ink bottle had smashed all over his other books- they were splattered and soaked with red ink. But the diary was perfectly clean. Every single page, and even the spine. Like it had either repelled the ink, or just sucked it right in,
Well thats a type of secrecy charm- a rather annoying one, Ive always thought. When a person writes on the page, it absorbs the entries. Thats how it keeps them secret- the writing doesnt stay on the parchment. I much prefer the password method. I think its easier and nicer to be able to look at what youve written.
So Toms enchanted.
It would seem so, yes.
What do I do? Ever since he noticed what happened with the ink, Harry seems really close to figuring everything out. What if he tries writing in there, just to test what happens, and all of Ginnys private thoughts--- Gwen, wait a minute. You said with that type of charm, the entries dont stay above the page?
Thats right. The words shimmer for a moment, and then are absorbed down into the diary. You can only call them back up one at a time, specifically.
Then.... then Harry wouldnt see what Ginny had written?
Not unless Tom is a rogue. Only a truly callous diary would ever choose to tell secrets on purpose. Even without a secrecy charm, Id never tell yours.
Then I think.... I think I have to risk telling Harry. Tomorrow, Ill tell him to try writing in the diary, if he hasnt already got it figured out by then. Theres a good enough chance that Ginnys entries are hidden. And Gwen, Ive been thinking- maybe there havent been any attacks lately, but even so, we really shouldnt just sit around and wait for the next one. I should do something about it if I can.
I think youre making the right decision.
Me, too. Ill tell Harry at breakfast. For now, though, Im going to sleep. Its past eleven already, and Im exhausted. Goodnight.
Write me as soon as you tell him.
I will.
HQoW
February 15
Ugh, what time is it? Its... its four in the morning. I think Im going to pass out. I have a ton to tell you, but dont blame me please if I dont make any sense. Ron and Harry came up and fetched me out of bed at one-thirty. Harry clapped a hand over my mouth so I wouldnt scream, and Ron grabbed my wrists. I felt like I was being kidnapped. Theyre lucky Parvati and Lavender didnt wake up and throw a fit- boys cant come in here.
It must have been something urgent for them to wake you in the middle of the night like that.
It was. It is. Harry figured out how to work the diary- he wrote in it and it wrote back, and it even took Harry inside of a memory, just like you took me to Camelot! Tom Riddle is real- the T. is for Tom and the M. is for Marvolo and he went to Hogwarts fifty years ago, and Gwen, he caught the person who was letting the monster out of the Chamber of Secrets, and its horrible, you wont believe who did it, Gwen, its
Slow down.
How can I?
You have to. First of all, who is Tom Marvolo Riddle? This is very important. We dont know where he keeps his brain. Is he dead? Alive? Where is he stationed?
I- I dont know very much. Harry only saw one memory. Thats all he could explain to us.
Tell me what he told you.
Okay. The diary is Tom Riddles sixteen year old self, when he was here at Hogwarts, during the last Heir of Slytherin scare. In the memory Harry saw, Tom was visiting the old headmaster, Armando Dippet. He was trying to get permission to stay at Hogwarts over the summer, because he didnt want to go back to the Muggle orphanage where he lived. His mum died when he was born, and he didnt have any family to go back to. But Dippet wouldnt give him permission to stay at Hogwarts, because of the Chamber of Secrets and all the attacks. A Muggle-born girl had just been killed, and since Tom was only half-blood (his dad was a Muggle) he was in danger, too. Because of the killing, Hogwarts was about to close down entirely. Thats really all we know about Tom Riddle and his situation.
Is that everything Harry saw in the memory?
No. After Professor Dippet told him hed have to go back to the orphanage, Tom left the office and started off through the castle. On his way he met a fifty year younger Dumbledore, already teaching here! Professor Dumbledore told Tom to hurry off to bed, saying it was unsafe to be in the halls alone with the monster on the loose, especially with the murder of that girl.
But Tom didnt go back to his dormitory. He went down into the dungeons, and listened for something. When he heard it, he followed the noise into a dark room where a huge student was trying to pull an animal of some kind out of a door in the wall. Tom said, "Evening, Rubeus," and the student turned around, slamming the door on the creature.
Gwen, it was Hagrid. Fifty years younger, when he was a student here. And the thing in the wall-
Not the monster of Slytherin! But Hagrid couldnt be the Heir, he simply couldnt be!
We dont think Hagrid would ever hurt anyone on purpose, but Gwen, you have to admit, his taste in pets does run to dangerous creatures. Dragons, three-headed dogsHagrid thinks monsters are adorable and interesting. Ill bet if he found out about a monster of Slytherin when he was a student here, hed go out of his way to make friends with it, thats just how he is. But I dont think hes the Heir. He couldnt be. I wont believe it.
Anyway, Tom told Hagrid to turn over the monster in the wall. He said that giving it over to be killed was the least they could do for the dead girls parents, and for the protection of the other students in the school. But Hagrid refused to admit that the creature he was guarding had anything to do with the Chamber of Secrets or the death, and he wouldnt let Tom get near it. So finally, Tom had to open the door in the wall by force of magic.
The door flew open, and the creature appeared- Harry said he screamed right out when it did, and when he told us, I thought Ron might scream, too. He told us it was a giant, clicking, scuttling, spider-like creature, with huge black pincers and a low-slung, hairy body. He said it catapulted out of the wall, climbed right over Tom Riddle, and hurtled down the hallway. Tom pulled out his wand to stun it- maybe kill it- when Hagrid came from behind and knocked him to the floor, making it possible for the monster to get away.
Thats when Harry came out of the memory. Ron went up to bed and found him lying with the diary open on his stomach, white and shaking and sweating. He told Ron everything. Then, in a panic, they came up here and dragged me down to the common room. I could hardly understand what was happening, and then Harry said, "Hagrid did it, Hermione, it was Hagrid who opened the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago." And Ron said, "We knew hed been expelled, right? This is why." But we still had a million questions.
So do I! How could Hagrid loose that creature on students? Hes not the Heir, is he? How could he be? Was that door in the wall really the Chamber of Secrets? Was that thing- the spider- actually the monster of Slytherin, or just a pet of Hagrids?
Well it was definitely some kind of monster, but yes, I know what you mean, those are exactly the same questions we kept askingbut there are no answers. Only one thing makes sense to me now. No wonder Ginny tried to flush that diary away, and no wonder shes been in such a state. As soon as Harry opened it, Tom tried to warn him about the Chamber of Secrets- about what could happen. Ill bet Tom tried to show Ginny as well, and it scared her half to death. Thats probably what she was trying to tell me in the hospital wing that day. What do you think?
I think this is extremely serious. Its information that needs to be taken to a teacher, immediately.
But we dont want to give away Hagrid- what if Dumbledore is the only person here who knows why he was expelled? I want to keep it that way. I dont want Hagrid permanently taken out of Hogwarts- I know hes not the Heir.
Then you have to go to him, ask him about what youve learned
Like Ron said, "Thatd be a cheerful visit. Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?" Hes not likely to tell us if he has, and if he hasnt, well just be hurting his feelings terribly by asking. He was expelled over this in his third year- he almost lost all his magical privileges- hes lucky he got to stay here at all. Tom turned him in when the monster got away- probably just so he wouldnt have to go back to the Muggle orphanage. Oh, even if there was a monster, how could anyone turn Hagrid in? But someone had died, Gwen. Tom had to do it. But poor Hagrid. How can we possibly bring that up?
Hermione, why cant you ever have a simple decision to make?
I dont know. I tried asking the Prioritizer which is the best choice, but the scales just tipped back and forth, clinking on their bases. I checked the handbook, and it says its not meant to handle moral dilemmas. All we could decide is, were not going to Hagrids unless something else happens. Harry hasnt heard that floating voice for a long time, there havent been any attacks since December, and Im just hoping it stays that way.
What about the diary itself? What about Ginny? Did Tom tell any of her secrets to Harry?
Not that I know of. Harry didnt mention anything about itI wish I could ask, but then Id just be giving Ginny away. I thought about taking the diary myself and checking through it- I dont feel like it would be half as bad if I read it, as opposed to Harry. Id see what I could find out and then slip it back into Ginnys room for her. But Harry wont let go of it. He says hes hanging onto it for awhile- I think he thinks if he gives it to me, Ill run it right to a teacher.
Which might be the best idea.
Yes, but we dont want Hagrid in trouble for these attacks, Gwen. Well just wait and see what happens, and if theres trouble, well go talk to Hagrid.
I cant
tell you how worried this makes me. I dont trust this. We dont know how Tom is operating that diary, and perhaps Im superstitious, but thats not a good thing, Hermione.I believe you. Im nervous, too, but for now do you mind if I just go to sleep? As it is, Ill sleep through half the weekend- its five in the morning.
All right, but do me one favor.
Sure.
Keep me in your book bag- on hand in case anything strange happens. Ill want to hear from you as soon as you know anything.
I will, Gwen. Goodnight.
HQoW
February 22
Hi, Gwen, just checking in. Dont want you to be worried about me.
Well I
was. Where have you been this week?Making up for lost time in class. Its unbelievable how much the teachers pile on us before Easter holidays. Its already starting, and its not even March. Soon, itll be time for me to draw up my exam study schedule.
As long as youre all right.
I am, that is, if you call getting a 93% on a Potions essay all right, which I do not. And Snape wont let me do any extra credit. He said, "There are no second chances in my class, Miss Granger, whatever you may be used to with your pet student status." Hes such a beast. That essay was perfect.
Im sure it was.
I have to go. Im writing a defense of my essay, and Ill turn it in to him tomorrow. He cant stop me from doing extra credit. Bye, Gwen.
Bye, dear.
HQoW
March 5
Sorry, Gwen, sorry its been
A week and a half! Just open me once a week and write "Im all right," if you dont mind.
I will. But I am all right. Nothings happened. Except for the fact that Ginny flies off whenever Harry comes anywhere near her, everythings perfectly normal.
Any more word from Tom?
No. Harrys got him up in the bottom of his trunk. He says hes not risking losing the diary in case we need it to prove something. Weve gone round in circles with it over and over, and its driving us all a bit mad. Ron says hes not too sure about Riddle- whyd he have to go and turn in Hagrid like that? I say its what he should have done, since there was a murder. Harry says he understands why Riddle would do anything to avoid going back to live in a Muggle orphanage- he says if Hogwarts shut down now and he had to go back full-time with the Dursleys, hed throw himself off the Astronomy tower. Its all very difficult.
One good thing, thoughthe Mandrakes are coming along nicely, so at least the Petrified people will be able to wake up eventually. I wonder what it would feel like, to lose time like that? I mean, Colins been Petrified since November. Thats forever. Hell wake up, and have lost an entire school year. I wonder if hell even get to move on to second year? How will he ever manage his exams? And poor Justin, that was just a month later. If I woke up at exam time like that, Id probably ask somebody to Petrify me again.
What a morbid day youre having. Harry throwing himself from towers, you thinking of getting yourself PetrifiedI hope Ron is at least cheerful?
Er- not at the moment. Were all trying to do our Defense Against the Dark Arts assignment. I was just taking a little break to write to you. Weve got to compose an Ode to Professor Lockharts Single-handed Slaying of the Snaggletoothed Hag of Santiago.
Dear me.
Yes. But at least were allowed to work with a partner. Im with Neville, and Harry and Ron are doing theirs together. Wait a minute, theyre going to read me what theyve got so far
Gwen, Gwen, I cant breathe for trying not to laugh- how could they, though- they cant turn it in! Its so rude! And its supposed to be three stanzas, but theyve only done two, and they said theyre not wasting anymore time on this rot.
Let me hear it.
"Oh he put on his bright pink robes
And he curled up his yellow hair
And he ran about with his wand
As if we really care
He says he killed some old hag
And we guess it could be true
If Lockhart came after us
Wed choke to death laughing, too."
Oh my.
They said they wont change a single word of it, so "stop nagging, you know-it-all, youre not the only one who can write a poem." I cant believe theyre actually going to turn that in. But.... Im sort of glad that they are. Anyway, Neville and I still have to write ours, so I have to gooh, Rons telling me to please go in another room and write mine, he doesnt want to know about it, itll make him sickwell hes making me sick-- hold on
Gwen, thats weird. All I said was, "Ron, why do you care so much what I think of Professor Lockhart, anyway?"
What did he say?
Nothing. Well, he muttered something, but I couldnt hear it, and then he shoved his books off his lap and went upstairs. I dont get it. Harry doesnt seem to get it, either, hes just raising his eyebrows at me. Do you, Gwen?
Oh, Hermione. Every once in awhile you ask me a question that I just dont know how to answer.
So you dont get it, either. Well, now I really have to go. Nevilles started writing it without me, and thats not going to do. Bye.
HQoW
March 12
Hi. Im all right.
Thank you.
Thats really all I have time for, Gwen. I feel so rude, but I have about a thousand feet of parchment to write for every single class, plus this is the first week Ive started to follow my study schedule. This evening Ive got a Herbology Notes Session and by Friday I have to have the Severing Charm perfect so that I can move on to all the other ones I have to polish before exams.
Im just glad you checked in.
Okay. See you soon.
HQoW
March 17
Were finally on holiday.
How nice. What are you doing with all your free time?
Choosing my classes for third year! Its horribly exciting. I cant believe what amazing choices there are. We can add two classes on top of our regular course load. The trouble is, I need to add five.
Five?!
It was six, but I decided to drop Spellish I. Its very useful, of course, but it was such an easy class that I feel I could study it on my own and do just as well. Its down to Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy. How am I supposed to choose?
Use your Prioritizer.
I did. It came up with Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy. I guess thats true, I mean, since Im Muggle-born I guess I dont really need Muggle Studies- but it would be so fascinating to study my old way of life from the magical perspective! How can I give that one up? And Divination- Percy Weasley says its never too early to think about the future. I dont know if I really believe in all that, but it would certainly be fun to learn about methods of fortune-telling. And Ancient Runes- well what if one day I really need to know about them? I want to take everything.
To make it worse, Muggle Studies and Divination are at the same time, and they sometimes overlap with Arithmancy, which overlaps with Care of Magical Creatures, and Ancient Runes is in the same hour as Charms. How could I get to all those classes at once? I would if I could. There has to be some way to make an exception- Im sure if I just talked to Professor McGonagall, she wouldyes, thats what I have to do. Ill show her my lists, and how Ive gone about working with the Prioritizer, and the way Ive reasoned everything out, and shell see that I need to take all these classes. Im going to talk to her right now.
HQoW
March 23
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter, Hermione. Did you decide on your classes?
Yes, I did. Sort of. Well, I didnt actually have to decide. Professor McGonagall says she knows a way I might be able to take every class I want. She cant tell me anything yet- its got to be approved first at the Ministry of Magic. But she did say that, as Im a model student and everything, shes almost positive we can work something out.
So youre going to be taking five classes more than you have now.
I hope so! Oh, Rons mum is so nice. She remembered to send me and Harry chocolate eggs again. Ill write her a thank you note tonight. Yum. Gryffindor is so much fun today. Everyones back from Quidditch practice, and weve just finished playing a round of Questions, and now its so cozy with the rain and the fire.... I almost wish we didnt have to start class again tomorrow. Thats not like me.
Whats "Questions"?
Oh, a Muggle game that Dean Thomas was trying to describe to Katie Bell. He leaned it from a friends older brother, whos in a Muggle university. Everybody writes down a handful of questions on strips of paper and throws them in a hat. Then you pass the hat around in a circle and everyone has to answer the questions they draw. That sounded pretty good, so we all decided to try a game.
What kinds of questions?
Well, some people wrote serious ones like, "Whats your greatest fear?" (Oliver Wood said "Seeing Slytherin win another Quidditch Cup.") Some of them are just sarcastic- "How are we supposed to learn anything from Lockhart?" (I know who wrote that one.) Some are truth-teller questions like "Did you ever think that Harry might be the Heir of Slytherin?" (Parvati got that one, blushed, nodded quickly, and said, "But I dont think so anymore, Harry." And George Weasley said, "Yeah, so dont Petrify her, Harry." It was funny.) And then some of the questions were sort of embarrassing.
How so?
Well, Fred Weasley pulled one that said, "Who in this room would you take out on a date?"
Ooooh. What did he say?
He didnt say anything for a second. Just turned a bit red and raised his eyebrows. But finally he jerked his head toward Angelina and said, "I dunno.... I guess youre not too bad." For a moment, nobody breathed. Then Angelina said, "Im not, at that," and grinned, and everybody laughed. Thank goodness I didnt get that question. I just would rather die.
What
did you get? What did the others all get?Well Ron chose next, and he looked like he thought the hat was going to bite him, after what happened to Fred. He got one of my questions- "Whats something you want to do before you die?" He said, "Go to a Quidditch World Cup match," and Lee Jordan clapped him on the back approvingly. Boys and Quidditch. Harry got a stupid question, and from the way Lavender giggled when he read it, Im pretty sure she wrote it. "Which is nicer, sunrise or sunset?" He and Ron started sniggering, and Harry managed, "Oh, sunset, definitely sunset, thats really nice." Then Neville drew "Whats your favorite thing about Hogwarts?" and answered, "That I got accepted, and I havent been expelled yet."
And you?
I got "Whats the most important thing in your life?" Ron snorted. "Thats easy. Her grades." "No it isnt," I snapped, "Its my friends, you idiot!" which set everybody off laughing again, and made him and Harry grin.
That sounds like a
marvelous game.Yes, and a Muggle one, at that. It was really fun, Gwen. Its been such a nice holiday. Rons just dragged the chess sets in front of the fire. It seems Percy thinks he can beat him, but I doubt it. Im just going to curl up and watch. Goodnight, Gwen.
Goodnight.
HQoW
March 28
Okay, Gwen, something bad happened. Nobodys been attacked, though, so dont be scared.
What is it?
Harry was at a late Quidditch practice, because Gryffindors next Quidditch match is tomorrow
It is?? Who are we playing?
Hufflepuff, and you know Ill tell you every single move of it. Now listen. When Harry got back from practice, he found his dormitory room a wreck. He, Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean had all been out, and someone had taken the opportunity to turn the place upside-down and rifle through everything. Clothes were torn, bookshelves upset, drawers hanging open. They all went through to see if anything had been stolen, and Gwen, only one thing had.
Ginnys diary. T.M. Riddle is gone. Harry and Ron just came down and told me, and I gasped without thinking, "Butonly a Gryffindor could have stolennobody else knows our password!" Harry said, "Exactly." Oh, Gwen, it could only have been
Ginny.
She must have been just desperate to get it back. She must have been possessed to do what she did to that dormitory.
Hermione, Ive just thought of something. There hasnt been a single attack since Ginny tried to flush that diary.
Oh, Gwen, you dont think the diary and the attacks are connected? How could they possibly be? Could you get out of your diary and attack people?
Wellno.
And anyway, the last attacks were in December. Ginny didnt flush the diary until February. What about those months in between?
True. But Hermione, I think its time to tell a teacher.
But what about Hagrid?
Hagrid will be all right. Dumbledore must have defended him once beforego to Professor Dumbledore.
But what about Ginny??
Listen, heres what you do. Report the robbery to the Headmaster and give Ginny a chance to turn it in herself. Tell Dumbledore about the delicacy of the situation. Do you think hed understand?
Yes. Yes, I think he would, actually. All right, Ill do it. Ill try and get Harry and Ron to agree, Gwen. Ill tell them about this first thing in the morning.
All right. Write me tomorrow; Im worried already.
I will.
HQoW
March 29
Gwen, Im in the library- Im about to go down to Harrys match- Im just waiting for Penelope Clearwater to finish what shes doing so she can walk me down there, because shes got a hand mirror and Im not leaving here without one, its the only way I can be sure I wont be killed walking through the halls, its the only thing I can think of to stop the monster
What? What are you talking about?
Gwen, Im terribly frightened and not very coherent. Ive just figured it out. The monster of Slytherin. I know what it is.
Explain. Now.
I was on the stairs with Harry and Ron, trying to get Harry to report the diarys being stolen, but he wouldnt. He doesnt want the story of how Hagrid got expelled to be common knowledge at Hogwarts. I was about to argue with him, when suddenly he let out a shout that nearly scared Ron and me half to death. He was hearing that voice! The floating one, that climbs walls! He said, "I just heard it againdidnt you?" But we didnt hear a thing, just like before.
And then I figured it out so fast that I actually slapped myself in the forehead and then sprinted up here to the library to check if I was right. And Im right. I cant believe it took me so long to figure it out.
Harrys a Parselmouth. He can talk to snakes. That means he can hear them, too. He can hear Parseltongue, when nobody else can. The monster of Slytherin is a SERPENT. Thats why Harrys the only one who can hear the voice! Thats how it floats and climbs walls- its in the pipes! I came to the library and grabbed the oldest, most enormous reference book on serpents I could find. I looked up "Petrification" in the index, which gave me to a heading on "Instant Death", so I turned to the page, and read this:
Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chickens egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it.
I scribbled "pipes" on the page to remind myself to tell Harry how its getting around, and then I tore the page out of the book. I tore a page out of a library book. I damaged school property.
But Hermione, if the Basilisk causes instant death, why are the victims only temporarily Petrified?
Ive worked it out. Nobody stared at it directly. Mrs. Norris was found next to that flood from the bathroom; she could have seen the Basilisks reflection in the puddle. Colin Creevey was found with his camera in front of his face; he saw the Basilisk through the lens. Justin Finch-Fletchley
Could have seen it through Nearly-Headless Nick
-- exactly, and Nicks already dead, so the Basilisk couldnt very well kill him again. Everything fits. Remember those spiders we found climbing out the window? "Spiders flee before the Basilisk." Remember when Hagrid found the dead rooster? The crow of the rooster "is fatal to it." Someone- the Heir- must have strangled the roosters so they couldnt crow. Everything makes sense. Im positive Im right.
What are you going to do?
Im going down to that Quidditch match, and as soon as its over Im taking Ginny and Harry and Ron straight to Professor Dumbledore, and were telling him everything. Were going to get rid of this Basilisk before it kills anybody. But I dont want to leave the library without Penelope. I explained partly to her about the Basilisk, and shes not convinced, but shes smart enough to be worried- shes not a Ravenclaw and a Prefect for nothing. Were going down to the field together and were going to use her hand mirror to look around corners on the way. That way, if the Basilisk is out, we wont see it directly and get killed. Well just see the reflection in the mirror and get Petrified instead.
Hermione, I dont
want you to get Petrified!Gwen, Im not going to get Petrified! The hand mirror is only a precaution. Okay, Im going. Penelopes putting her books away and taking out the mirror. Ive just got to get down to the match. What I know could save somebodys life.
Hermione Granger, you write me as soon as you get to that Quidditch field, do you hear me? Just hello- or Ill be worried sick.
I will.
Promise me.
I promise. See you in just a minute.
*****TWO MONTHS PASS*****
HQoW
May 29
Gwen, Im alive.
HERMIONE!!!!
Youre not dead- youre all right- when you never wrote I thought you must have met the Basilisk- I thought you were killed- oh, Hermione, where have you been?Petrified. Ive been lying Petrified in the hospital wing for two months.
Then you
did meet the Basilisk- oh, Hermione. Thank heavens youre here. I just- I cant- I was so sure you wereGwen, Im so confused.
My sweet girl, you
must be. Go slowly. Ill try to stay calm. What do you remember?I remember big, yellow eyes in a huge, scaly head, and I remember sucking in my breath to let out a yellthen nothing.
Did you see it reflected in Penelopes hand mirror?
Yes, I saw it in the mirror, and so did Penelope. She was lying in the bed next to mine in the infirmary when I woke up. And Justin was up there, and Colin, and Nick, and Mrs. Norris- weve all just been lying there- I think Im still in shock.
Where are you now?
Sitting on my bed in Gryffindor, in my pajamas. Theres a big pajama party down in the Great Hall, to celebrate our being woken up. Rons waiting on me downstairs. Everyone else is already at the Great Hall, but hes being very patient with me. I told him I wanted a shower and a minute to myself before I go off to the celebration, and he said I should do whatever I want, hell wait.
Did you only just wake up?
A half-hour ago. I woke up screaming, Gwen. I thought the Basilisk was still there, because thats the last thing I saw before everything froze. When I woke, I couldnt move. Thats because Madam Pomfrey had hold of my left hand and was holding down my shoulder, and Ron was on my right doing the same thing. They didnt want me to jerk out of bed and hurt myself, and they had to hold me down tight, because the first thing I did was try to bolt out of there. I heard myself screaming, "Run, Penelope! Run!" and I heard Madam Pomfreys voice saying, "Theres no Basilisk, Hermione, youre quite safe here in the hospital wing- easy does it." I was struggling, trying to yank my hands away from them, but they both kept a tight grip and I heard, "Its me, Hermione, its Ron, its okay, weve got you."
That put some sense in my head- I finally quit fighting everybody. After a minute, I asked, "What day is it? What happened?" My voice hardly worked- it was very small, and the light was really bright in my eyes, so I had to squint up at Ron. He said, "You got Petrified, Hermione." He looked really shaken and dirty, and there was slimy stuff all over him. I said, "How long ago?" Madam Pomfrey answered, "Youve been out cold for two months- its end of term, my dear. But youre all right now, so no worries."
Two months. It just didnt make sense. It was like waking up out of a long, long nightmare. Everything around me was so chaotic that I couldnt think straight for thirty seconds at a time- it all seemed to be happening in pieces, and none of them fit together. Ginny was sitting at my feet, sobbing her eyes out into my sheets and saying, "Im so sorry, Hermione, it was my fault, it was all my fault!" I could see she was dirty and slimy like Ron, and her hair was all matted. Their mum and dad were up there, too. Mr. Weasley picked Ginny up onto her feet and held her, shushing her. Mrs. Weasley came round to my left so that Madam Pomfrey could let go of me and wake up the others.
What are Rons parents doing at Hogwarts?
I have no idea. But, Gwen, I wanted my mum and dad so much, and if Mrs. Weasley hadnt been there, I dont know what Idve done. She smoothed my hair back and sat me up on the pillows, and told Ron to get me some water while she settled me down. He brought over a cup, but I couldnt even hold on to it. Can you believe that? He had to hold up my head and help me drink it. I was all weak and stiff and couldnt manage anything, but I was really glad for the water because my mouth tasted disgusting. Two months with no toothpaste, and then a Mandrake Restorative Draught. Sickening.
Thats when I started to take it all in. Ginny was standing over by her dad, looking very pale and whispering, "Im so sorry. Im so sorry." Ron just stared at me, gripping the water glass. And for some reason, Professor Lockhart was there, wandering around bumping into things, picking up different draughts and putting them down, and talking to the walls. He looked awful, too, all covered with slime and gunk. "What on earth happened to all of you?" I said. But before anyone could answer, there were ear-splitting screams from the next bed. Penelope Clearwater had just woken up, and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Hermione- its true- its a Basiliskrun!"
I dont know why, Gwen, but hearing her scream like that, I just shuddered all over, slumped, and started to sob. Two months- gone. The Basilisk- gone. I felt like such a baby, but I just couldnt help it. Mrs. Weasley gathered me right up and let me cry myself out. It took awhile.
Im impressed that youre composed at
all! Id still be a wreck, if it was me. You said its only been a half-hour?Yes. All that happened within about ten minutes, I think. It was bedlam. And I had only just stopped crying, dried my eyes, and started fighting through my hiccups to ask some questions, when it happened again. Justin Finch-Fletchley woke up and hollered bloody murder. As soon as I heard him, I felt my chin tremble, and I knew Id start bawling again.
I had just put my face in my hands and started shaking when I heard Ron say, "Right, thats enough. Cmon, Dad, help me- she doesnt need to listen to all this. Im taking her back to Gryffindor where its quiet." A minute later, I was somehow on my feet, and Ron and Mr. Weasley had sneaked me into the hall while Madam Pomfrey was busy with Colin Creevey. Mr. Weasley made sure I was all right, then turned to Ron and said, "What youve done- what you did tonight for your sister- it was extremely brave, son. Your mother and I are very proud." Rons ears turned red and he mumbled, "Thanks, Dad." Mr. Weasley squeezed his shoulder, told me to take care, and went back into the infirmary.
What did he mean?
I dont know. I said, "Ron, what did you do for Ginny?" He shook his head and said, "Later, okay? You just take it easy a minute," and started to help me back here to Gryffindor- my legs were so rubbery that I had to put my arm round his neck to stay up. "Well why are you all slimy then?" I said.
"Dont ask questions."
"You expect me not to ask questions after two whole months?"
"Just rest a second, would you?"
"Ron, this is really hard to take, you have to tell me everything--"
"Hermione, seriously--"
"Just tell me where Harry is, then--"
"Quiet down!"
"Fine! I suppose you and Harry have got used to my not bothering you with questions, after all this time Ive been Petrified."
But when I said the word "Petrified", Ron stopped dead in the hall. He turned me around, and I cant really describe the expression he had, Gwen, but his voice was really quiet. He said, "Its a good thing youre so clever. If you hadnt thought of that mirror, youd be dead, Hermione, you know that?" I nodded, and got very shivery all of a sudden. I felt a sort of panic come over me and I had to whisper one more question.
"Wheres the Basilisk?"
"Harry killed it. Cmon, lets get you "
"What?! How did Harrykill "
"Never mind that now- its dead and it cant hurt you."
"But Ron, you have to tell me!"
I tried to stamp my foot, but my knee buckled and Ron had to catch me so I wouldnt fall. "See, Hermione? I told you, if you dont give it a rest--"
"All right, all right."
And then we walked the rest of the way back here. Both of us needed to get cleaned up, and I told him I was going to take a minute to absorb everything. I wanted to have some time to talk with you. I knew you must be scared for me.
Thank you.
Id better go. Rons still waiting on me, and I want to see Harry, and find out everything. They have two months worth to catch me up on. Were going to be up all night, I can feel it. Were going to be up all week.
But Gwen!!!
What? What is it?
I havent been to a single lesson in two months!!! Whats todayFriday night-- exams are supposed to start Mondayoh no, oh no!what will I do??
Oh, Hermioneyoure back!! I missed you.
Gwen, Im serious, now.
I know you are. Its wonderful. Go on to your pajama party- Rons waited long enough. He and Harry must have some incredible stories to tell you, so go, find out whats happened
And then come and tell you.
Youd certainly better.
You know I will! Oh, I cant wait, Im so excited. Goodnight, Gwen! See you very soonand this time I really mean it.
Thank goodness for that. Goodnight!
HQoW
March 30
Gwen!
Hello! What have you found out?
Its amazing- its enormous- youll never believe half of whats happened. I just cant stand that I was Petrified all through everything- Im so mad! Weve been up all night talking- its six in the morning. Harry and Ron have just gone to bed, but Im not tired at all- I feel like my blood is racing. Maybe I dont need sleep for awhile. Maybe being Petrified for two months is enough rest for the whole summer.
Maybe youre just over-excited.
Probably! They told me the whole story, but Gwen, they said theyve only given me the bare bones of it. Theres so much. They said itll take them the next two weeks to explain the details, but I had to know as much as they could tell me- I dont even know where to begin.
Start when you got Petrified.
Right. Professor McGonagall cancelled that Quidditch match and brought Harry and Ron up here to see me. They said I was lying with my eyes wide open, like I was carved from marble. They decided right then that it was high time to go to Hagrid and get some answers about what happened fifty years ago. But because of the attack on Penelope and me, the whole school was forbidden to go out of the castle, or even to go to the bathroom without a teacher. So they sneaked down to Hagrids using Harrys dads old Invisibility Cloak.
They had just gotten into Hagrids cabin and thrown off the cloak, when they had to throw it right back on again because someone was coming. It was Professor Dumbledore, and with him was Cornelius Fudge, our Minister of Magic! He was coming to arrest Hagrid for the attacks- to take him away to the wizard prison- to Azkaban!
Oh, no. No.
Yes. Dumbledore tried to defend him, but Fudge knew all about what happened with the Chamber of Secrets fifty years ago, and Hagrid being expelled, and he said Hagrids history was against him. But before he could take him away, someone else turned up and gave the worst news of all. Lucius Malfoy.
Dracos father? What did he want- to give information on the Heir of Slytherin?
Hardly. As if Mr. Malfoy would want to stop the attackshe thinks Muggle-borns like me should be drowned in the lake. He was there because hes one of the twelve governors of Hogwarts, and hed blackmailed the other eleven into signing an order of suspension. Dumbledore was being made to step down, on account of all the attacks. Right- Mr. Malfoy just wanted him out of the way so the monster could kill every Muggle-born in sight. But it didnt matter what the reason- Dumbledore had to leave Hogwarts immediately. The only wizard powerful enough to do anything about the Heir of Slytherin, and he was being removed from our school.
Harry and Ron just had to stand there under the cloak and watch it all happen. Mr. Malfoy took Professor Dumbledore- who said something as he was leaving, almost as if he knew that Harry and Ron were there. He said that he would never truly be gone from Hogwarts as long as someone there was still loyal to him, and that as long as he was needed, help would always be given. And then Hagrid, who did know that Harry and Ron were in the room, said, "If anybody wanted ter find out some stuff, all theyd have to do would be ter follow the spiders."
Follow the spiders?
Yes, remember? "Spiders flee before the Basilisk." Harry and Ron just needed to find out just where they were fleeing.
But Ron.... and spiders....
Yes. Yes, Ill get to that. So Hagrid was taken to Azkaban, and Dumbledore was removed from Hogwarts. Panic struck the school. People moved about in packs. A month went by with no gamekeeper, no Headmaster, and everybody frightened. The only good thing that happened during that time was that people finally realized that Harry wasnt the Heir of Slytherin. They knew hed never attack me. (I cant believe that it took my getting Petrified to knock some sense into everyone. Honestly.)
There were only two people who didnt seem to mind the trauma- Lockhart and Malfoy. Professor Lockhart believed that since Hagrid had been arrested, things were all perfectly safe again. (Gwen, how did I ever like him? Hes such a half-wit.) Malfoy was just sorry no oned been killed. Apparently he was placing five-galleon bets that the next attack would be a Mudblood murder. "Pity it wasnt Granger," he said. When Harry told me that, Ron banged his fist on the table and snarled, "That bloody (something Im not repeating)!" I said, "Ron!" Although actually... I didnt really mind. I dont know.
I do.
Oh. Well anyway.
All through that time while everyone else was in a fright, Harry and Ron were busy watching out for spiders, so they could follow Hagrids clue. Finally one day they saw some, heading in a line out to the Forbidden Forest. So that night, they sneaked down there, took Hagrids dog Fang, and went into the forest after them. I cant believe they had the courage to go in there without Hagrid. I remember how scary it was. But after following the little spiders for awhile, the first thing they met in the forest was actually friendly- it was Rons dads car! The one theyd flown to school and crashed into the Whomping Willow- it had driven itself off, and the forest had turned it wild! It drove right up to them with its headlights shining!
However, Gwen, that was the last friendly thing they met in the forest. (And at this point in the story, Ron stopped talking. He sat entirely quiet on the sofa, gripping a pillow, while Harry told me about what happened.) I guess Harry and Ron had gotten pretty close to what they were looking for at that point, because all the noise with the car and with Fang barking had alerted the.... the spider community.
The spider
community?Whatever. Three giant, flying spiders came out of the sky, snatched up Harry, Ron and Fang in their long, hairy legs, and took them to their lair. Harry said it was one of the most horrifying moments of his life. I can only imagine what Ron must have felt- I sort of got the idea watching him on the couch. He was totally pale with his mouth clamped shut, and his eyes had gone sort of glassy. I asked him if he needed some water or something, but I dont think he heard me. He just stared straight ahead. Harry finished telling the story as quickly as he could.
There was a whole teeming mass of horse-sized spiders living in a hollow in the forest. Thats where Harry and Ron were taken. They called out for their leader, "Aragog", an even more enormous spider with milk-white eyeshe was blind. Aragog told them to kill Harry and Ron, said that Hagrid was the only man allowed in their midst. Harry shouted that Hagrid had sent them- that he was in trouble, in Azkaban, and that they needed to know what was happening with the Chamber of Secrets.
Aragog wouldnt tell him. The Basilisk was to him what Lord Voldemort is to so many wizardshe wouldnt even say the name. But he did tell Harry and Ron that he himself was the monster Hagrid had been expelled forit wasnt the monster of Slytherin after all, Gwen! It was Aragog! He said Hagrid had raised him in a cupboard up at the school. He said he couldnt have had anything to do with the murder of that girl fifty years ago, because her body was found in a bathroom, and he had never seen any part of Hogwarts except his cupboard.
With that information, Harry tried to leave the spiders hollow. But Aragog wasnt going to let him. He said that his children (and I guess he meant those horrid spiders) didnt touch Hagrid, on his command, but that he could not deny them fresh meat when it so willingly wandered into their midst. "Goodbye, friends of Hagrid," he said. And then Harry said it was like a wall of giant spiders formed over their heads, dropping down onto the forest floor, clicking and scuttling not ten feet above them, about to eat them alive.
This is the most revolting story I have
ever heard. Id be sick right now if I didnt know theyd survived. How did they survive?The enchanted car! At the last moment, it came hurtling through the trees! Ron threw Fang inside, he and Harry clambered into the front, and the car took off, smacking spiders on all sides as it went, following a path it obviously knew after being in the forest all that time. It got them safely back to Hagrids cabin. Fang ran in, Harry went to fetch back his Invisibility Cloak, and Ron staggered into the garden and got sick in Hagrids pumpkin patch. When Harry told me that, Ron finally came out of his trance and shouted, "Harry! Do you have to tell every little detail?" Then he turned on me and said, "This is your fault, you know. Getting yourself Petrified like that. We didnt have any choice but to go in there." And Harry said, "As if she wanted to get Petrified, Ron. But seriously, Hermione, it was close. We could easily have been eaten."
And what did
you say?I said, "I never thought Id be so glad youd broken school rules, but Ron, Harry, what if you hadnt brought that car to Hogwarts? Just what if you hadnt?" Harry said, "Wed be dead, I expect." Ron hurled a pillow at me and said, "Thatll teach you to nag us about flying cars to school, wont it!"
Oh, Ron.
I know! As if that were the point. They made it out of the forest alive, and they had new information. They knew it wasnt Hagrid who opened the Chamber of Secrets. They knew that Aragog wasnt the monster of Slytherin. And, most importantly, they knew that the murdered girls body had been discovered in a bathroom. What ghost do we know that lives in a bathroom?
Not Moaning Myrtle!
Exactly. But they couldnt go to visit her and find out. The security on the students was insanely tight. Teachers walked them all from class to class, from the common rooms to the toilets, from bed to breakfast. They couldnt possibly get a moment alone, unsupervised, near the scene of the first Petrification. So they had to trick somebody. Finally, just yesterday morning, they got their chance. Professor Lockhart was walking them from Defense Against the Dark Arts to History of Magic, complaining that all the security was hardly necessary. Ron said Lockhart kept saying that the first words out of the Petrified victims mouths when awakened would be, "It was Hagrid." As if it could ever be Hagrid. Oh, Im so angry with myself, Gwen, Im so angry I ever stood up for that brainless
Its all right, Hermione, its all right.
Wait until I tell you everything. Then you wont say its all right. But Im getting ahead of myself. Lockhart wasnt interested in patrolling the halls, and so Harry and Ron played on his feelings- told him that the Gryffindor class could easily walk the rest of the way alone. Lockhart agreed that was true, and left them all there. I bet he went to curl his lousy hair. But its fine, because it gave Harry and Ron a chance to escape and go to Myrtles.
They didnt get there, though- they ran into Professor McGonagall, and had to lie about why they were wandering off alone. They said they were coming up to visit me. (They hadnt been allowed. The hospital wing was barred that entire time.) Prof. M. sympathized with them, being my friends and all, and gave them permission to come up and sit with me. Its a good thing they did, too, Gwen, because thats how they finally solved the mystery of the Basilisk. Remember that page I tore out of the library book?
Of course. You damaged school property- how could I forget?
Ha ha. Well, I had that page clamped tight in my fist when I got Petrified. It was still there when Harry and Ron came to visit. They noticed it, pulled it out of my hand, and put everything together on the spot. The way the people hadnt seen the monster directly, the way it was using the pipes to get around the building, the reason the voice could only be heard by Harry.... plus they figured out one thing that I hadnt. The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets? It was probably right in Moaning Myrtles bathroom.
Hermione! All that time you three spent in there making that Polyjuice Potion, and the monster was just next to you! What did they do when they figured it out- did they run to find the entrance? Did they go to Professor McGonagall?
They tried to go to her. They didnt think of handling it alone- they knew they had important information and wanted to get it straight to a teacher, just like I would have done if I hadnt been Petrified. Just think, Gwen, if Id made it to that Quidditch match, all this could have been avoided. It might have been solved two months ago, and then wed have had two perfectly normal months of wonderful school.... oh, I cant believe I lost all that time. Im still not over it.
Of course not. What did Professor McGonagall say?
They never got to her. The staff was all having a meeting, and so they hid in the coat closet to listen. They figured theyd tell everybody what was going on, once theyd had a chance to listen in. But what they heard was absolutely dreadful- worse than anything you can imagine. The monster had struck againand this time, it had taken a student down into the Chamber. The Heir of Slytherin had daubed another message on the wall, saying, "HER SKELETON WILL LIE IN THE CHAMBER FOREVER".
How awful, Hermione. Who was it? Which student?
Ginny Weasley. Gwen, it was Ginny Weasley. Ron heard Professor McGonagall say her name, and said he just slid down to the floor of the coat-closet, stunned. Harry said his heart stopped beating- he couldnt believe it was Ginny. Even just telling the story, they both looked a little gray.
Then Professor Lockhart came into the staff room and all the teachers attacked him at once- saying how it was his lucky day, after all, hed always been so sure he was the one whod chased off the monsterit was his big chance to go on and prove himself. They told him to get out, and go catch the monster like hed always wanted. So he left the room- presumably to go and give it a try. Once hed gone, Professor McGonagall said that it was all over. Now that someone had been taken- probably murdered- Hogwarts was going to have to be shut down.
Harry and Ron had spent the most horrible day of their lives thinking about Ginny, wishing there was something- anything- they could do. And finally they decided theyd have to go to Lockhart- after all, if he was going to try and stop the monster, then hed need all the information they could give him. So they went to the office, and they found him. And Gwen, this is the part where I lost every tiny shred of respect I might ever have had for Professor Lockhart.
He was packing his bags. He was running away. Ron said, "What about my sister?" Harry said, "After all that stuff you did in your books?" But Lockhart told them, "Books can be misleading." Misleading? Gwen, he admitted hed never done any of those Dark Arts things. Hed taken the credit for what a ton of really clever, really brave witches and wizards had done, and then hed wiped out their minds with a Memory Charm, and stolen the stories for his own books! Can you believe someone could be such a lyingsuch a cowardly, horrible
Yes, I can, unfortunately.
And he was actually going to wipe out Harry and Rons memories, after he told them! He had raised his wand to do it when Harry yelled, "Expelliarmus!" and disarmed Lockhart. Ron caught his wand and tossed it out a window, and together they marched that- that git- to Moaning Myrtles bathroom, to see what could be done about saving Ginnys life.
Bravo!
Thats just what I say. Of course, Ron came down on me right away. "Now what dyou have to say about Lockhart, Hermione? Cant find anything to back him up anymore, can you? Admit it! Admit I was right all along. Admit it."
And did you?
What else could I do? "Fine, I admit it. Hes good for nothing. Hes mindless. I cant stand him, if you have to know." And Gwen, I have never seen anybody look quite so satisfied as Ron did at that moment.
I can only imagine. Now what happened in Myrtles bathroom?
They asked her how she died. She said shed seen a great big pair of yellow eyesI know all about that and then she just seized up and died. She showed them where shed seen the eyes, they searched the area, and found that on one of the copper taps under the sink, a tiny serpent had been etched. Harry spoke to it in Parseltongue- told it to open up- and Gwen, it did. The Chamber of Secrets opened right up! They did it! They found it! Im so proud of them.
At that point, stupid Lockhart of course tried to get away, but Ron told him to go ahead and go first. They ignored how terrified he looked, and shoved him into the hole in the wall. Harry and Ron followed right behind him- just in case there was the slightest, barest chance that Ginny might still be alive. They slid down some kind of incredibly long chute, covered with slime and dirt (thats how they got so filthy) and skidded to a halt, miles under the lake, in a dank cavern far from anybody who could help them, inside the Chamber of Secrets.
The first thing they found was the recently-shed skin of the Basilisk- twenty feet long and glinting in Harrys wand light. Thats when Lockhart tried to get away againhe grabbed Rons wand! He said he was going to wipe out their memories, take back a bit of the snakes skin, tell everyone hed been too late to save Ginny, and that Harry and Ron had lost their minds tragically at the sight of her dead body.
Pardon my mouth, but may I
please call him aNO. Ron already did that enough tonight for a whole entire army. Anyway, his little plan didnt work out. He didnt realize Rons wand was broken. He sent out a Memory Charm at the two of them with as much force as he could musterand it backfired!! Lockhart wiped out his own memory! Serves him right, too. But unfortunately, the wand exploded with such force that it brought down a ton of rock from the ceiling, trapping Ron with Lockhart at the mouth of the chute, and leaving Harry on the other side, alone in the Chamber.
What else could Harry do? He had to find Ginny. He went on without Ron, to face the Basilisk, and the Heir. Ron spent his time trying to pull out some of the rock so Harryd be able to get back through, and contending with Lockhart, who had forgotten everything. He didnt know where they were, or why, or who he was, and he kept getting in Rons way. Ron said he had to kick him in the shins every five seconds, just to keep him off. I think he rather enjoyed that part, Gwen.
Probably. But Hermione... what happened to Harry? How did he kill the Basilisk?
Heres how. Harry ran ahead into the chamber to find Ginny. She was in a heap in the ground, and Harry went to her, throwing his wand aside to pick her up- to try and wake her. But she wouldnt wake, no matter what he tried. She seemed almost dead. And thats when somebody picked up Harrys wand, and started to twirl it- idly almost, as if nothing strange or scary were happening at all.
The Heir of Slytherin was in that Chamber, Gwen. And this is the part you wont believe. The Heir of Slytherin was T.M. Riddle. Tom had been behind everything. And even worse than that, he wasnt really Tom. I mean, the consciousness in the diary was sixteen year old Tom Riddle- but hes still alive, Gwen, and hes become somebody else. He drew his name in the air with his wand- Tom Marvolo Riddle- and then, in front of Harrys eyes, he rearranged the letters, writing:
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT.
All this time. All this time, it was Tom- and all this time, Tom was
Voldemort.You certainly were right to mistrust him, Gwen. Ill never forget it- "Never trust an object that can think for itself if you cant see where it keeps its brain." Tom Riddles brain was really Voldemort! Thank goodness I know where you keep your brain- if I didnt, Id be terrified of you, after whats happened. Tom Riddle had climbed out of the diary, and was there in the Chamber with Ginny, and he told Harry how hed managed to do everything.
All the time Ginny had been writing in that diary, Voldemort had been writing back, sucking out her soul, and pouring his into her. He had possessed her, Gwen. He had been controlling Ginny all year. Ginny was the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets. She set the Basilisk on all of us who got Petrified. She painted the messages on the walls, and strangled the roosters. It was Ginny. Thats what she was coming to tell me in the hospital wing. Thats why she tried to flush the diary. Thats why she stole it back from Harrys dormitory, tooshe was probably horrified hed read what shed done. She thought she was going completely mad.
Poor Ginny! A whole year- what a
nightmare it mustve been for herYes. And now the nightmare was going to end with her getting killed. Harry said she was just lying there in a little pile, white and unconscious. It didnt make any sense, though, that Voldemort would hurt Ginny, because Ginnys pure blood. But Voldemort told Harry he didnt care about killing Mudbloods anymore. He only wanted to kill Harry Potter, the boy that had ruined his career as the greatest wizard in the world. Harry shouted that Dumbledore was the greatest wizard in the world, and everybody knew it!
As if Dumbledore could hear him, the moment Harry said that, help arrived. Fawkes flew in, carrying the school Sorting Hat.
A Phoenix and a Sorting Hat... but how was Harry supposed to defend himself with
those?Well, Fawkes flew up and blinded the Basilisk so it couldnt fix Harry with its deadly stare, so that helped. Then Harry was free to fight it with his eyes open.
Fight it with
what?Godric Gryffindors sword! Harry put on the Sorting Hat, to figure out why on earth Dumbledore would send him that, and it dropped from the hat right onto his head! Gwen, the things that go on in this school- the magic Dumbledore is capable of- the bravery everybodys got to have just to survive here- I can hardly stand it. Its wonderful. Harry grabbed the sword, and sank it into the roof of the Basilisks mouth, mortally wounding it!
He did!
But not before the Basilisk had a chance to sink one of his fangs into Harry. And you remember from that page in the library book, Gwen the the venom is deadly. Harry fell to the ground. He knew he was killed. He said that he reached out for Fawkes at that moment, and said, "You were fantastic!" Fawkes came to him, and wept on the place where hed been bitten.
And Phoenix tears have healing powers!
Yes! Harrys arm healed at once, and he looked up at Tom Riddle, who was still standing there, holding his wand. He pointed it at Harry as if to kill him, since the Basilisk hadnt managed it. But before he could do it, Fawkes had flown to the diary, and dropped it in Harrys lap! Harry said he didnt think- he didnt know what made him do it- he just plunged the Basilisks fang into the heart of the diary! Ink flooded all over him, Tom Riddle began to twist and scream
And Harry Potter defeated Voldemort once more.
Well, the shadow of Voldemort, anyway. What Voldemort used to be.
So thats what happened. Thats everything. My heavens, thats
enough.Well, its almost everything. At this point in the story, it was five in the morning, and Ron and Harry were looking dead tired, but I made them finish. Just as they were about to continue, somebody else came into the common room where we were talking. It was Ginny. She couldnt sleep- she said she kept having nightmares about Tom coming out of the diary, and hearing his awful laughter, and were we too mad at her, or would we mind if she just sat down with us a minute?
Harry said, "Were not mad; cmon in, Ginny." Ive never seen anybody so dear, Gwen. Ginny was just exhausted, and her eyes were half-shut, but she still managed to blush all the way up to her hair. Its too sweet, really. So she curled up in a big chair that faced me, where she wouldnt have to look at Ron and Harry, and she listened to them tell the very end of the story.
Harry told how shed finally woken up, and how shed started to cry- "Dyou mind if I tell it, Ginny, or would you rather?" Ginny wouldnt look at him- just shook her head and whispered, "No, its true. I cried." So Harry told how he and Ron and Ginny and Lockhart had all grabbed onto Fawkes tail feathers, and flown out of the Chamber, back up into Hogwartshow Mr. And Mrs. Weasley had been waiting, and had fallen on Ginny with reliefhow theyd explained everything to Dumbledore and Professor McGonagalland finally how all of them (excepting Harry) had ended up in the infirmary when I woke up. You know all about that part. I think the last thing I told you, Ron and I were headed down to the pajama party in the Great Hall?
Thats right.
Well it was a marvelous celebration. Gryffindor won the House Cup again because Harry and Ron got two hundred points apiece for solving the Chamber of Secrets- plus they both got awards for special services to the school!! They deserve it. Plus, we found out that Professor Lockhart wont be coming back, due to his new memory troubles. Thank goodness. The only bad thing about the whole celebration- well, I dont know if its bad, exactly- I dont know whether to be happy or not, Gwen. Exams are cancelled as a school treat.
Thats wonderful! You wont have to worry about catching up!
But what about all the things I already learned? I may have missed two months of school, but I bet I could still get very good marks- I always study ahead of the lesson plan. Ive already started studying for some of next years classes.
You would.
Anyway, its decided, so theres no point in worrying about it. Ill just have to draw up quizzes for myself over the summer. Oh my. Everybody in my dormitory is starting to wake up. Parvati just rolled over and yawned. What time is it.... Gwen! Have I been writing for three hours? Its almost nine oclock in the morning! Its completely light out! Why am I not tired?
Ron and Harry and Ginny all went up to bed at six in the morning. I walked Ginny to her room, but before she went in, she apologized to me again. "I set that horrid thing on you. How can you ever forgive me?" Ijust gave her a hug, Gwen, and told her wed have a long talk later, and that I didnt blame her one bit for what had happened. I do have a lot to tell her, though. I want to tell her all about you, and
Whoa. Gwen, it just hit me. I feel like I just got whomped over the head by that willow. Im going to bed. And when I dont write to you tomorrow, dont get worried. Its not because Im Petrified. Its because Im unconscious.
Goodnight, Hermione, my dear.
Night, Guinevere.
HQoW
June 1
Class! Gwen, we had class today! I missed going to class.
Er- you were Petrified, dear. You didnt know to miss anything.
I missed it anyway. Were just having a week of regular classes, and no exams. But guess what Ron and Harry did for me? Never mind, Ill just tell you. They took really good notes in class the whole time I was Petrified, and theyre letting me take the notes home with me over the summer!
They certainly know you.
Yes, they do. The only class they didnt bother with was Defense Against the Dark Arts, but thats fine, Im sure they didnt learn anything anyway. I do wish we had some make-up classes for that this week, but theyve all been cancelled, because Professor Lockharts been sent off to get his memory cured, and hes not coming back to Hogwarts afterwards. Ive got two whole years of Defense Against the Dark Arts to catch up on- even though Ron says that, if you look at it from the practical point of view, weve all had a ton of experience with it. I guess thats true, but still, wont we ever have a real teacher in there? Im certainly not giving the next one the benefit of the doubt. Theyll have to be a really fine professor to make up for Quirrell and Lockhart.
Maybe next year.
Maybe. I doubt it.
Hermione, I meant to ask you about Hagrid the other night, but you were too tired. Hes not.... hes not still in Azkaban?
Oh, no! Thats right, I never told you. Dumbledore wrote to Azkaban and had him shipped straight back to us. Hagrid showed up at the pajama feast at about three in the morning, looking relieved and exhausted, and it looked like he hadnt slept the whole time hed been gone. I imagine Azkaban isnt very nice. But he grabbed Ron and Harry, cuffed them on their shoulders, gave me a wink, and told us hed been cleared of everything! It was Tom Riddle who did everything that Hagrid was ever punished for. That diary was proof.
Oh, Gwen, the diary!! I fell asleep before I could tell you about that, too. Ginny didnt come by that diary on accident. Remember way back when we were getting our schoolbooks in Diagon Alley, and Mr. Malfoy was making fun of Ginnys secondhand Transfiguration book? While he had it in his hand, he slipped Voldemorts diary inside! He wanted her to do two dirty jobs for him. One was to kill all the Muggle-borns, and take the blame for it. The other was to ruin Mr. Weasley. Ginnys dad is head of the Office of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts at the Ministry, and he just signed a Muggle Protection Actif his own daughter were discovered killing Muggle-borns! It would have destroyed his career.
How did Lucius Malfoy come by such a dangerous diary?
Well, among his illegal possessions, I guess hes got some old school things of Lord Voldemorts, becausewell, they say he was on Voldemorts side, before the Dark Lord lost all his power. After that, he came crawling back, and said hed been working under a dark enchantment, against his will. But I think he really is evil. Hes just a coward. Like his son.
Who told you all this?
Harry. While everyone else was getting tended to in the hospital wing the other night, Harry was up talking to Professor Dumbledore
And how is that? Didnt he get suspended?
Well thats the thing. When the other eleven governors heard that Ginny Weasley had been abducted and probably murdered, they sent Dumbledore back here in a hurry. But theyre cowards too, Gwen. They waited until somebody got really hurt before theyd stand up to Lucius Malfoy. I think theyre a bunch of doddering old fools to take Dumbledore out, no matter what the reason. I mean, if Harry and Ron hadnt found.... if anything had gone a tiny bit wrong.... they could all be.... I cant think about it. Im so angry at those governors.
Anyway, about that. Lucius Malfoy was also angry at the governors- furious theyd sent Dumbledore back to Hogwarts- and he stormed in to throw insults at everybody while Harry was up there explaining the Chamber of Secrets. And Gwen, Mr. Malfoy had somebody with him. He was dragging his poor house-elf, who just happened to be Dobby!!
All the time that Dobby was trying to protect Harry, it was because he knew what Malfoy, his master, was trying to do. He knew the Heir of Slytherin had returned; he knew the Chamber had been opened. He risked everything to warn Harry, because house-elves arent allowed to tell their masters secrets, or go off anywhere without permission. They live in a kind of slavery. Dobby was the Malfoys slave. Isnt that the most awful thing you ever
Was? Dobby
was the Malfoys slave?Thats the best part. After Dumbledore gave Mr. Malfoy a warning about slipping anymore of Voldemorts old school things into the hands of unsuspecting students, Malfoy left in a rage, dragging Dobby behind him. You probably already know, Gwen, that a house-elf can only be freed if its master presents it with clothing of some kind?
I know! What did Harry do?
He took Voldemorts dead diary, wrapped it in his own sock, ran after Mr. Malfoy, and shoved the diary into his hand. Mr. Malfoy ripped the sock off the diary, threw the sock aside, and
Dobby caught it!
Yes! Harry freed a slave! I think thats just marvelous. Non-human magical creatures shouldnt have to be slaves, I dont think. Nobody should. I need to find out more about house-elves.
Oh, Ill bet Lucius Malfoy was just
livid to lose his house-elf.He was. He told Harry hed end up dying just like his parents, the horrid man. "They were meddlesome fools, too," he said. Well, if by meddlesome he means clever and interested and curious, and if by foolish he means rash and courageous, then I think Harrys parents would be proud of him. Hes all those things. He, Ron and Iwere all meddlesome fools, and Im glad.
Though my parents... .Gwen, theyre not proud, or glad. Theyre terrified. I got about six owls yesterday, and then again today. Theyve been a wreck for two months. Professor McGonagall wrote and told them Id been Petrified, and that there was nothing to do but wait for the Mandrakes to mature so I could wake up again. They tried to bring me right home, but Professor McGonagall said that if they wanted me watched properly and revived as soon as possible, Id better be left here. So now that Im awake, theyre threatening to bring me home for good. How can I make them understand, Gwen? Im a witch. I have to be a witch. I cant ever really go back, no matter how dangerous this world can be. So Ive written them this letter. Tell me if you think its good.
"Dear Mum and Dad,
Im perfectly all right. Some Dark magic went on this year, but nobodys hurt now because Harry and Ron saved everybody, and I dont want to be taken out of Hogwarts.
Please, please, if you love me, dont take me out of Hogwarts. Im a witch. Where else am I going to go?
I love you both so much. I have a lot to tell you- about this year and last year- that I was scared to tell before because I didnt want you getting worried about me. But now, since you already are, I guess I might as well just say everything. Its too much for a letter, though, so please, dont make any decisions until Ive come home and had a chance to explain. I know youll understand.
Thank you for being the best Muggle parents any witch ever had. Im so sorry you were scared. Im fine. I cant wait to come home and go to France. I miss you.
Love From,
Hermione
p.s. Mum, in the "Muggle-born" book, theres a whole chapter on "Your Child and the Dark Arts; How the Muggle Parent Can Learn to Cope with Fear". It starts on page 247, and if you and Dad could please read it, that would help a lot. "
Thats perfect. Send it right off. Theyll want to hear from you this instant.
Thanks, Gwen. Im going to go ask Harry if I can borrow Hedwig. Shes really fast. See you soon.
HQoW
June 5
Guinevere, I just had the best talk with Ginny Weasley! Shes awfully nice. Now that Tom Riddle isnt possessing her anymore, shes so friendly and smilingI really didnt know her at all this year. She says she hasnt been herself since she got that diary last summer, and when Harry destroyed the diary down in the Chamber, it was like a fever breaking, like a horrible sickness leaving her body all in a rush. She finally feels well again. I cant imagine- poor Ginny- to have Voldemort in your soul.... can you even imagine? Its interesting, though. Shes come closer to Voldemort now than any of us has, except for Harry. Ron and I have never faced the Dark Lord. But Ginny was down underground with him, all alone, for hours. I asked her about what that was like, but she said shed rather not talk about it yet. Shes not ready. However!
She likes Harry. She pretty much told me.
Pretty much?
Well, when she mentioned about Harry destroying Tom, I said, "He really saved your life down there, Ginny, didnt he?" She turned completely pink, and started fussing with her pillow sham. After a little while, she said, "Hermione... Ive been wanting to ask you.... do you know.... if Tom said anything to Harry? About..... the things I wrote in the diary?" She didnt look at me. I pretended I had no idea what she could be talking about. "What things?" I said. "Oh," she said, "like if I were to write, you know, personal things." And youll think Im awful, Gwen, but Ive just been wanting to know, and so I pretended I still didnt know what she was talking about. I said, "You mean, what you wrote in there about what you did with the Basilisk and all? We all know that wasnt your fault."
Ginny shook her head. "No," she said, in a very soft voice, "What I mean is... well supposing... if Id ever written anything..... about Harry. Did Tom say anything like that?"
Aha. I hope, Hermione, that you didnt press her.
It took all my willpower not to, but I didnt. How could I? I dont want to rush Ginny into confiding anything. Weve got five more years together, and I want us to be friends. I just told her, "No, Ginny, I never heard anything like that, and I know Harry would have told us."
"Really?" she said. She sounded very hopeful. "Really," I said. She looked so relieved. And then I started thinking.... would Harry have told us that kind of thing? Did Tom say anything about Ginny? I wonder how I could ask him.
Her
mione....Oh, all right. Anyway, it was a wonderful talk with Ginnyoh yes, Gwen, and I told her all about you! That cheered her up awfully about her diary experience. I told her how youre enchanted, and you talk to me, and how I know how nice it is to have a friend like you to talk to, and Im not at all surprised she became so attached to Tom. Im attached to you, after all.
Thank you.
And I wonder... can Ginny come with me next time Im in Diagon Alley? I want her to see where you are at Miss Vauclains.
Of course! Id love to meet Ginny. Do bring her.
I will! Oh, good, thatll be fun. And so will this week, Gwen! A whole free week at Hogwarts before we leave next Friday. Just think how many hours that is to go over all the school notes Ron and Harry took for me! Plus it gives me time to brush up on my French. Were leaving on holiday in a month. You know, I suddenly feel like studying.
How novel.
Oh, hush. Goodnight, Gwen.
HQoW
June 8
Gwen, Im so excited I can hardly breathe!
What is it? Whats happened?
Ive just come from Professor McGonagalls office and I found out the most unbelievableoh, its like my birthday and Christmas all together. I never dreamed anything like this was possibleeven with magic!
Well for heavens sake
tell me.I got a note at breakfast saying I was to meet Professor McGonagall in her office at ten sharp. Ron looked worried, and Harry said, "You dont think its your parents?" They know Im scared my parents are going to try and pull me out of Hogwarts. I thought it was either Mum and Dad, or else I was about to get in trouble for tearing that page out of the library book. I didnt want to go and see.
But when I went, my parents werent there, and I wasnt in trouble. Instead, Prof. M. just wanted to see me about my classes next year. She asked me to sit down, and pulled out a letter and what looked like a jewelry box. She handed the letter to me, told me to go ahead and read, and then ask her if I had questions.
Gwen, it was a letter from the Ministry of Magic. It was the best letter in the world. Professor McGonagall asked them to grant me a Time-Turner, so that I can turn back time and take all the classes I want, and because Im such a good student, theyve said YES! I can take three lessons at a time, just by turning back an hour, and attending each of them in turn. That means I can take all five of those extra classes I wanted! I read it, and I think my mouth fell open in shock. I mean, Im allowed to turn back time!
I couldnt speak. I just grinned, and Prof. M. smiled, too, and handed me the jewelry box. Inside it was a miniature working hourglass on a really long, thin, gold chain. Its beautiful. Im to wear it under my robes, give the hourglass a turn after each overlapping class next year, set myself back in time an hour, and be extremely discreet about it. There are all sorts of rules, and I could have my wand snapped in half and be thrown out of the magical world if I dont follow them. Im not allowed to be seen near myself when I go back in time. I cant use it for anything other than classesif I do, and Im found out, Ill be expelled. Of course I never would, but its all very impressive.
Impressive. Yes. Hermione, Im quite proud of you, and I know how dedicated you are, so please dont take this the wrong way. Think
very, very hard about what this will mean. Youll be creating three hours worth of extra work for yourself every day, but there wont be three hours of extra homework time, or extra sleep. Youll get sick.Dont be silly, Gwen! Its the most perfect thing Ive ever heard of. And its such an honor, I mean, Time-Turners are only rarely granted, even to fully qualified witches. Theyre making a huge exception for me, and I just know I can live up to my fullest potential if I use this opportunity. Think how much Ill be learning! I cant pass it up. Im doing it.
You wont even think on it?
No.
Positive?
Yes. Thats it.
Well.... then Ill try to help in any way I can. Congratulations on your honor, Hermione.
Thank you. And now I have to run, because I cant wait to tell--- but wait a minute, I cant tell anybody anything. Thats the other rule. No ones to know except my parents. Im bound to secrecy. I wish I could tell Harry and Ron! Oh well. I suppose theyd just think Im an idiot for wanting to do extra schoolwork. Funny, all this time I thought not doing schoolwork was what made people into idiots. Anyway, now Ive got to make up a story about why I was in Professor McGonagalls office, because theyre going to want to know. What should I tell them?
I find, in cases such as these, silence is the best policy.
What do you mean?
Well, you dont want to start lying now. Youll have to keep it up all year, and thatll be even more exhausting than all those classes. So just make a pact with yourself never to answer a question unless you can answer it honestly.
You mean, just... ignore questions I cant answer?
Yes. Just move right along and change the subject.
How, though?
Oh, you know how to do it, my dear. You do it quite well with me, every time that Ron comes up in a conversation that might lead to
Thats really good advice, Gwen. ThanksI will just change the subject whenever it comes up. After all, I wouldnt want to try and lie anyway. Im not a very good liar. But maybe its better if I just avoid them a bit. They can only pester me with questions if they can find me, so Im going to the library. Harry and Ron wont come near a library now that its holiday, so Ill be quite safe. Theyll probably be down by the lake all day. Im going to go and start looking up all my new subjects in the librarysee how much I can manage to read before I have to leave Hogwarts.
Hmmmm, that sounds nice.
What, the library?
No, the lake. I just loved summer. Camelot was so beautiful in summer tell me, is the sky very blue at Hogwarts?
Hold on, let me lookyes, its blue out today. Wow, its really blue. Lots of sunshine.
And can you see the lake?
Yes, I can if I lean outoh, everybodys down there. Whats Neville doing, trying to tickle the squid? No, hes just fallen in. And it seems like theres some kind of tag-on-broomsticks going on oh, look at Oliver Wood chase down Alicia Spinnet! Theyre such good fliers. I wonder if- yes, theres Harry flying, and theres Ron, too--- That looks fun.
It sounds fun. Well, have a lovely time in the library, dear. See what you cant find out about Ancient Runes.
Ancient Runes... you know, Gwen, I just had a thought.... I suppose I could order my basic texts from Diagon Alley by owl, when I get home. That way, Id have them early enough to study all summer. I could even take them to France.
What a good idea.
And then it wouldnt be very wrong of me to go down to the lake today. I mean, there are only a few days left here at Hogwarts, and then I wont see it for over two months. I should enjoy it.
Thats true.
Yes, you know, Gwen, I think Ill go outside for a little while.
All right.
See you soon, okay? Bye.
Phew.
HQoW
June 11
The last full day was today, Gwen. We go home on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow.
Thats always hard.
Yes. Especially after we had such fun all week long, and such a wonderful time today. I just hate to leave.
What did you do today?
Played a mock game of Quidditch. Well, I didnt really, but I refereed. It was just Harry and Ron against Fred and George, and Fred said as long as I was there, I ought to come up on my broom and call the fouls. I was really flattered to be asked, actually. But you should have seen Rons face.
"Call the fouls? Hermione? She doesnt know anything about fouls."
"I do too! I know what cheating looks like."
"Fouls and cheating are different things, see"
"No theyre not. Foul means foul play and thats cheating."
"Look, go sit over there and watch."
"I will not!"
"Youre going to get hit by a bludger!"
"Only if you hit it at me on purpose. Honestly, Ron, havent I been to enough matches by now? I know how its done, please move out of the way."
Then he grabbed my broom and held it away from me, and I was just about to disarm him with my wand, but finally Harry hollered down, "Oi, cut it out, you two! Its a scrimmage, who cares, just lets get started!" I heard George mutter, "Are they always like that?" And Harry, looking very exasperated, said, "Yes. Always." We are not! But anyway, I wasnt budging, so Ron gave me my broom back, and I flew up to watch them play. It was exciting, even though I kept making mistakes. Fred tried to block Harry from making a goal-shot, and I called a foul, but Harry said that that kind of block was actually okay. I didnt see how, so they did some demonstrations of good and bad blocking. I still couldnt really see a difference, but I didnt want to admit it because Ron was laughing so hard he almost fell off his broom. So I just stopped calling those ones, and started concentrating on not getting hit by anything. But I did see one thing- when Ron knocked George in the stomach with his broom handle, I knew that couldnt be right.
Er- no.
Good, because I called "Foul!" and gave George a penalty shot. Ron was livid, and I felt just like Madam Hooch!
It seems you managed well enough. Who won?
I dont know. It didnt matter. Oh, but Gwen, this matters. Its my last chance to beat Ron at chess until next year, and hes giving me his serious game face. I think hes still mad I gave George that penalty shot. Hes setting up our piecesmy poor little pawns are already shivering and his crazy knight is picking a fight with my bishop. Ive got to go deal with this. Bye, Gwen.
HQoW
June 12
Im on the train. Just quickly had to tell you something funny. Ginny just told all of us- thats Ron, Harry, Fred, George and me- that a few weeks ago, she walked in on her brother Percy with Penelope Clearwater, in an empty classroom, kissing.
Oh my goodness. I mean, of course, Fred and George are going to tease him something awful this summer, and thats not funny. But Percy and Penelope! Ginny and I cant stop giggling just thinking about it. Every time we catch eyes, were off again. Percy and Penelope- I mean, theyre prefects. What are they doing sneaking around in classrooms and kissing? Theyre so weird.
Anyway, I have to get back- I want them to deal me into this round of Exploding Snap. Its our last hour to do magic before we hit the Muggle world. Talk to you when Im there.
HQoW
June 13
Hi, Gwen.
Mum was crying when I got to Kings Cross, and Dad was all tense. They grabbed me up in the biggest hug Ive ever had, though, and I really needed it. I miss Hogwarts already, of course, but its nice to be home and get hugs. They were so worried about meit took five hours of explaining about all the Dark Arts and things. Im surprised it didnt take all night.
I called a family meeting as soon as we walked in the door, before my trunk was even out of the car. I started all the way from scratch, with Voldemort, and the history of the dark years, and then told them all about Harrys famous escape. They were aghast. "Your friend Harry? The one you talk about? But thats amazing! The poor boy- we knew he was an orphan, but Hermione! Is Voldemort going to continue to seek him out while hes at Hogwarts? Why should we let you stay at a school like that, friends with a boy who is targeted by a Dark wizard?"
Ugh, Gwen, it was a long, long, long, long, long family meeting. But I told them everything. I explained all about the Sorcerers Stone and the Chamber of Secrets I told them how clever Ron and Harry are, and how brave I told them that Dumbledore is there, and hes considered the most powerful wizard in the world, even above Voldemort. I told them about how Hagrid looks out for me, and how all of my professors (well, almost all) believe Im the best witch in my class. I made them see how much Ive learned and accomplished- I showed them the letter from the Ministry of Magic and told them about the Time-Turner (its at school, locked in Professor McGonagalls office) and I convinced them that Hogwarts is the only place in the world for me.
And I get to stay!
Hermione, Im
so glad.But Dad made me promise Id try and have a nice quiet third year. I told him Ill do my best. Im hoping for a quiet year, too.
Quiet? With five extra classes?
Oh, Im not talking about my classes, Gwen. I mean stuff thats really hard and dangerous, like Voldemort and Basilisks. Stuff that can ruin my health. A year without that kind of pressure would be fine with me. Another thing is, Mum and Dad agree with me that a subscription to the Daily Prophet would come in very handy. They can learn about the wizarding news and get more familiar with my kind of life, and I can keep updated on whats happening back in that world....
I miss it. Ive got my luxury eagle feather quill and my copy of "Unexpected Witches" perched up on my bureau. I dont know how Ill last without those two, Gwen. Even with a holiday in France. At least this summer, Harry gave us both his telephone number, so if that horrid uncle of his tries to stop his mail again, I can just ring him up.
Dyou think its too early to write them letters?
If an owl came for you tomorrow, would you mind?
No, Id love it. Youre right.
As always.
Oh, honestly, Gwen! Im going to go write them, then. Say hi to everyone at Miss Vauclains- and of course!! I cant believe you were going to let me forget! You have permission to tell everybody about the Chamber of Secrets!
Really?
Yes, to make up for all that Quidditch we missed this year. I meant to tell you the other day, but I forgot. Tell them the whole story! Just... dont tell the really secret stuff. Leave out Professor Lockhart.
I will tell the edited and sanitized version. You never have to worry, Hermione. Your secrets are safe with me. Theyll all love to hear about the Chamber- what a wonderful adventure! And Cassiopeia
has been rather put out about the lack of Quidditch. So thank you very much.Youre welcome. Talk to you soon, okay? Im going to write Harry and Ron and let them know Im not being pulled out of Hogwarts, and that Ill see them on the train, September first! Oh, Gwen, thats two and a half months away... Ill never ever last that long. If only I didnt have to feel the time passing. You know, its almost enough to make me sort of wish that I were
Dont say it.
Petrified.
Oh, Hermione. What am I going to do with you?
Im kidding. Bye, Gwen.
Bye, dear.
Fin