by Jilly H and Renee
 
 

Chapter 2
Second Year - Part 2
 

“Potter and Weasley,” Malfoy said as he saw the Gryffindor trio in the hallway. It had been almost
a week since Hermione and Draco had begun their secret friendship. Since then he had attempted
to not say too much to Hermione in fear of screwing up their budding relationship.

“What do you want Malfoy?” Harry grumbled as he looked over to the boy. His sister wasn’t with
him, which both disappointed Harry and left him with a feeling of slight ease. He wouldn’t make a
fool of himself in front of her.

“Just wanted to tell you that my sister is off limits, Potter,” Draco stated.

“What?” Harry said with a frown.

“My sister,” Draco said. “I’ve seen how you were looking at her. She’s off limits.”

“Why?” Harry said in a challenging tone.

“What, isn’t Harry good enough?” Ron piped up.

Draco glanced at Hermione. She knew what his sister meant to him after their long talks this past
week. He looked away before he revealed too much of their friendship to Harry and Ron. “In most
cases I would say Potter isn’t good enough for anything,” Draco said. “But in this case, no one is
good enough for my sister.” He turned on his heel and walked away from them.

“What a snob,” Ron mumbled.

“It isn’t snobbery Ron,” Hermione mumbled to him. She looked him square in the eye. “You feel
the same way about your little sister.” She shifted her bag and turned to head for class. Ron looked
thoughtful a moment and followed her. Harry stood where he was, watching where Draco had been
standing. Kill, time to kill… Harry frowned and looked around. He was hearing that voice again. A
shiver ran up his spine and he hurried after Ron and Hermione.
 

~~

“Oliver, a moment please.”

Oliver Wood looked up and stopped packing his books. “Professor McGonagall?”

“Please Oliver, come here.”

Oliver frowned as he walked to her desk, trying to figure out what he’d done. He looked over as
Madame Hooch walked in and was really confused. “Professors?”

“Oliver we need to speak about your schoolwork.”

“My… my school work professor?”

“Yes. You’ve always been a good student in the past Oliver, but recently your grades have not
been up to par.”

“I’m trying Professor. This new schedule is just…”

“We feel, Oliver, that Quidditch may be interfering.” Professor McGonagall spoke, looking at
Madame Hooch.

“It is not. I’m fine.”

“Madame Hooch and I have agreed that you may continue to play Quidditch Oliver, however,
if your grades do not improve by Christmas, we will have to pull you off of the Quidditch team
for the year.”

“B… but… but I’m the Captain.”

“And as such, should set an example for the others. You have until Christmas Oliver.” Madame
Hooch said.

Oliver nodded and quietly walked out of the classroom. What was he going to do? This year was
so much more difficult with his new subjects. He jerked forward as two strong hands hit his shoulders,
“Fred, George.”

“So what did McGonagall want?” Fred asked.

“I have to improve my grades, or I get taken off the Quidditch team.”

“No way! You’re the Captain!” George said.

“Exactly,” Oliver did his best Madame Hooch imitation, “And as such, should set an example for the
rest of the team.”

“Great.” Fred looked, exasperated.

“What are you going to do?” George asked as he took a seat at a table in the common room.

Oliver looked, “I don’t rightly know. Maybe get a tutor.”

“You could ask Hermione.” Fred offered, sitting down next to his twin.

“She’s not in our year. I need someone in our class. Someone with similar classes as mine, but as
smart as Hermione.”

George looked at Fred and they both looked at Oliver. “What about Maria?”

“Maria?”

“You know Oliver, Maria, our cousin.”

“Do you think she’d help me? I mean, she’s not exactly as friendly as Hermione.”

“Well, she’s your only chance.” Fred said.

“Yeah Oliver, we can’t lose you from the team over something like grades.” George added.

“Alright.” Oliver said with a determined voice, “I’ll ask her tonight.”
 

~~

Oliver sighed as he headed back to the common room after practice. It was Halloween and the
Halloween feast would be starting soon. He walked in and looked around and stopped seeing
Maria Weasley sitting in one of the bay windows, reading. “Hi Maria.”

Maria looked up and nearly dropped her book, “Oliver?”

Oliver walked over and grinned, “Umm… so… well, I was wondering if I could… well, um ask
you something?”

Maria watched and looked around to see who else was in on the joke this time. She didn’t see
anyone, but she was still cautious as she looked at him, “Okay.”

“Would you tutor me?” Oliver said quickly.

Maria stared at him in disbelief, “Oliver Wood is asking me for help?”

Oliver looked down at his hands, “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“If I don’t improve my grades by Christmas, I’ll be taken off the Quidditch team.”

Maria studied him. She felt bad for Oliver. She knew that Quidditch was his one true love.
“Alright. I’ll help you.”

Oliver grinned, “Really!”

“Under certain conditions.” Maria watched.

“Conditions?’

Maria nodded, “We’ll meet in the library, every night between Quidditch practice and dinner.
Sundays will be your only day off.”

Oliver sighed, “Okay, deal.”

Maria nodded, “Then I’ll see you at the feast.”

Oliver nodded, watching as she left the common room.

~~

“It’s going to kill someone!” Harry shouted as he, Ron and Hermione headed back to the Great
Hall after the Deathday Party. Harry ignored Ron and Hermione as he ran up the steps three at
a time, trying to listen for the voice over his own pounding footsteps.

“Harry what was that all about?” Ron said out of breath as he and Hermione finally caught up to
him. Hermione gasped beside him.

“Look,” she said, fear evident in her voice as she pointed to the wall. Harry and Ron turned,
staring. Foot-high words stood shimmering in the light on the wall.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

“What’s that thing hanging beneath?” Ron asked. As they edged nearer, Harry slipped. There
was water all over the floor. They inched towards the message and gasped. It was Mrs. Norris,
Filch’s cat.

Oliver walked back, following Fred, George and some of the other Quidditch team members.
They all stopped as they ran into a crowd. “Wonder what’s going on.” Oliver said as he tried to
stand on his tiptoes to peer over the other heads.

George looked, “There’s something written on the wall.”

Fred nodded, “And it looks like Mrs. Norris might be… dead.”

That was when they heard Draco Malfoy’s voice, “Enemies of the Heir, beware! You’ll be next
mudbloods.”

Oliver looked around as most in the crowd gasped. He caught sight of Maria as her face paled.
He watched her as she pushed her way out of the crowd crying and ran straight for the common
room. “What’s wrong with Maria?”

Percy heard his cousin’s name mentioned and looked over his shoulder to see her rounding the
corner. “I’ll go talk to her.”

Fred and George watched, sighing. Oliver looked, “Wonder what’s got her so upset, I mean, it
was just Filch’s cat.”

“She’s not a pureblood Oliver.” George said as if it were something Oliver should have known.

“Our Uncle married a muggle.” Fred added.

Oliver frowned. It had never before occurred to him that she wasn’t pureblood, but rather a
halfblood. Then again Oliver thought, it hadn’t ever occurred to him to care before now. He
drew in a deep breath trying to still his pounding heart, wondering what exactly had changed.

“What’s going on here?” Argus Filch asked, apparently summoned by Draco’s shout and the
crowd. He fell back clutching his face in horror. “My cat!” he shrieked. His eyes fell on Harry
and they narrowed. “YOU! You’ve murdered my cat! I’ll kill you!”

“Argus!” Dumbledore said as he arrived. Dumbledore swept past Harry, Hermione and Ron
to detach Mrs. Norris. “Come with me Argus, you too Mister Potter, Mister Weasley and
Miss Granger.”

Lockhart stepped forward. “My office is nearest, Headmaster,” he said eagerly.

“Very well,” Dumbledore said. “Take the children there. Argus come with me please.”

“But he--,” Filch started, pointing at Harry.

“Now Argus,” Dumbledore said. Filch cast a hostile glance at Harry and followed the older
man.

“In my office please,” Lockhart said, ushering Hermione, Ron and Harry into his office. “You
too Mister Malfoy, since you deemed it necessary to comment.”

“Should’ve just kept your mouth shut,” Ron mumbled.

“Shut up, Weasley,” Draco spat.

“Make me, you prat,” Ron said hotly.

“Oh children,” Lockhart admonished.

“Knock it off, Draco,” Autumn growled at her brother. Draco glanced, forgetting she had been
with him. He started to look away, his gaze catching Hermione’s. She looked… devastated. He
could see the tears starting to form before she ducked her head. He remembered his words
when he saw the message. He could have kicked himself.

“Professor, may we go?” Hermione asked. Her voice quavered a bit, but Lockhart thought from
fear.

“Now Miss Granger,” Lockhart said. “You have nothing to fear.”

“Of course she does,” Goyle piped up. “She’s a mudblood.” Autumn stiffened.

Draco looked at Goyle dangerously, his voice hard as he spoke. “We aren’t muggle-born,
Professor, may we go?”

“Professor, why are you keeping these students?” McGonagall asked as she walked in.

“I wanted to speak with Harry,” Lockhart said.

“Speak with him tomorrow. All students should at least be in their common rooms right now,”
McGonagall replied.

“Very well,” Lockhart sighed. The Slytherin students walked towards the door to leave. Before
she left, Autumn reached out and squeezed Hermione’s hand gently. It was a move not lost on
Draco, and he was jealous that she could openly show her friendship with Hermione and he couldn’t.
He pushed it aside knowing the arrangement they had made was for the best. He would talk to
Hermione in their room the next time they were there.

“Are you all right, Miss Granger?” McGonagall asked worriedly.

“It’s nothing, Professor,” Hermione said quickly. She and the two boys hurried out of Lockhart’s
office. McGonagall watched worriedly.
 

~~

Dumbledore glanced up as McGonagall walked into his office. “Professor,” he said with a bit of
a smile.

“How is Argus?” McGonagall asked formerly.

“He is convinced that Harry had something to do with Mrs. Norris’s petrification,” Dumbledore
said. “But Poppy is already talking with Severus and Sinistra about creating a mandrake potion.”

“Albus, we must talk,” McGonagall finally said as she sat down.

With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore conjured a silencing charm around his office. “My love,
what has you so troubled?” he asked walking around his desk to sit beside her. He gently took
McGonagall’s hand.

“I’m worried about Hermione,” McGonagall said. “The message on that wall…”

“Minerva, you know it was best that we had Hermione and Terence put up for adoption after
Voldemort killed our Maragret,” Dumbledore said. “It was for their protection.”

“What good is the protection to our granddaughter if she is believed to be a muggle-born?”
McGonagall asked, standing. “At least our grandson was adopted by a pureblood wizarding family.”

“Terence is as much at risk as his sister,” Dumbledore said. “The Higgs were never supporters of
Voldemort. Therefore that family is at risk as well.”

“What do we do Albus?” McGonagall asked fretfully. “Our baby died protecting her babies…”

Dumbledore stood and gathered McGonagall into his arms. He could feel her trembling against him.
“We will do our best to protect our grandchildren without disrupting their lives,” he murmured gently
in her ear.

“She looks so much like our Margaret did at her age,” McGonagall mumbled.

“Who was as beautiful as you,” Dumbledore said, pushing her back to gaze at her.

McGonagall smiled and reached up to cup his cheek. “Thank you, my love,” she said softly. “I
must return to Gryffindor tower.”

Dumbledore kissed her forehead gently. “Sleep well, my love,” he said. “Try not to worry about
our grandchildren. We shall keep them safe.” McGonagall nodded. She reached and opened the
door, releasing the silencing charm. She glanced briefly at Dumbledore, then left.
 

~~

“Sit there,” Filch growled the next afternoon as he walked in with Fred and George. Sitting already
in front of Filch’s desk were the two new Gryffindor students. Identical twin girls with blonde hair
and mischievous grins. “You two again,” Filch growled. “What are you doing here?”

“Professor Flitwick sent us down here for our detention,” one of the girls said.

Filch grumbled as he walked out of his office a moment. “I can’t believe Dumbledore actually
agreed to allow the two of you a second chance after your expulsion from your old school,” he
said as he left.

“What is his problem?” one of the girls asked.

“Worried about his cat,” Fred said. “You two are the transfer students from the American
Wizarding school aren’t you?”

One of the other girls nodded. “Yes,” she said. “I’m Marissa, she’s Alissa.”

“What were you expelled for?” George asked.

Both girls shrugged lightly, almost non-chalantly. “We blew up the potions lab,” they said
together.

Fred and George grinned. “Wicked,” they replied.

“So why are you two here?” Alissa asked.

“Oh, we put dung bombs in the boys toilets,” Fred said.

“Coobies,” the girls replied.

“Why are you four still here?” Filch demanded when he came back in. “Get out now!”

“But--,” Marissa started.

Fred reached over and grabbed her hand. “It’s best to just let it be,” he said. The twin boys
pulled the girls out of the room. “If he forgets about our detentions it’s better. He’s so
distracted, it’s to our benefit.”

“Let’s head back up to the common room before he conveniently remembers,” George
pointed out. The four people hurried away from Filch’s office and to Gryffindor tower.
 

~~

“Attention class,” Lockhart clapped his hands. “I have an announcement to make.”

Ron rolled his eyes. “I wonder what the twit has to say now?” Ron’s voice turned into a bad
imitation of Lockhart. “I want a poem about me and my prize winning smile.”

Morgana Havland, a new student that was a second year Slytherin, rolled her eyes and tapped
Ron on the shoulder. “Do you mind? I’m trying to listen to the professor,” she said.

Ron looked at her and then gave a look of exasperated annoyance to Harry who just shrugged.

“In my quest to learn more about American wizards, seeing as we have two new students from
there,” Lockhart continued. “I discovered a new sport. Cheerleading.”

Ron looked at Harry. “Cheerleading?”

Lockhart waved his wand and images appeared on the wall. “As you can see both ladies and
gentlemen can participate. Professor Dumbledore has given me permission to start a team.”

Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil gave excited squeals. Morgana sank into her chair next to
them and rolled her eyes. Ron watched Lockhart. “Oh please,” he mumbled.

Lockhart heard Ron and pulled out his quill. “Mister Weasley! Our first volunteer!”

Ron looked, his eyes wide. “B-but P-prof…” he stuttered.

“Mister Weasley, it’s wonderful to see you so eager to try this new adventure. Five points to
Gryffindor,” Lockhart said.

Ron groaned and slumped into his seat, his ears turning red. Morgana laughed at Ron and
looked. “Good going, loud mouth,” she said.

Lockhart saw Morgana lean over and say something. “Miss Havland, would you like to
volunteer as well?” he asked.

Morgana stared and shook her head. “Thank you, Professor, but…”

Morgana’s but was lost as Lockhart wrote down her name. “No need to thank me. I know
how hard it is for new students to volunteer,” he said.

Morgana sneered as Ron laughed. Ron looked at Harry. “Does she remind you of someone
when she’s mad?” he asked.

Harry looked. “Not that I can place,” he said.

Lockhart looked around. “Would all other volunteers please come forward before you leave
the room? Our first meeting will be tomorrow after the Quidditch team’s practice.”

Ron grumbled as he packed up his books. Morgana glared at him as she grabbed her books.
She purposely rammed him in the shoulder as she hurried down the stairs to get to her next class.
“Twit,” she murmured as she walked away.

Ron started to go after but Harry stopped him. “What did you do that for?” Ron asked.

Harry looked, “Just leave it go. She’s new and she’s Slytherin.”

“Funny, thought I told you something similar about Malfoy’s sister,” Ron said. Harry raised his
eyebrow as they walked out into the hall and looked for Hermione. Ron turned at the sound of
his name.

“Weasley.”

Ron groaned as Draco approached with Crabbe beside him. “Marvelous show of school spirit,
Weasley.”

“Put a sock in it Malfoy,” Ron mumbled, his ears turning red.

Hermione walked up, not noticing Draco at first. “Ron Harry, I just…” she started but then
stopped when she noticed Draco.

“You were just what, Granger? Did you sign up for the cheerleading squad too?” Draco said
mockingly.

Hermione blushed, but narrowed her eyes. “As a matter of fact, Malfoy. I did.”

Goyle walked up and joined them, grumbling about something. “Where have you been?”
Draco asked.

“Opened my big mouth and Lockhart signed me up, same as he did Weasley,” Goyle grumbled.
Ron smothered a laugh, as did Harry. Hermione ducked her head down to hide her smile.

Draco rolled his eyes shaking his head. “Let’s go,” he said. Crabbe and Goyle looked at each
other and followed Draco.

Ron looked at Hermione. “Hermione, you didn’t. You actually volunteered for that. Why would
anyone…” he started.

“You did,” Hermione said, whirling on Ron.

“I did not. That idiot Lockhart thought I was volunteering,” Ron said. “You probably joined just
because of him didn’t you?”

Hemrione blushed. “I did not,” she said.

Ron turned to Harry. “See? See what someone like that does to them?” he said.

Harry looked. “Come on you two,” he said. He noticed Hermione was getting more annoyed
with Ron by the minute. “We’ll be late for Transfiguration.”

Ron grumbled and Hermione talked about the other girls who had signed up as the three of
them walked to Transfiguration.
 

~~

Alissa sat with her twin in one of the large bay windows overlooking the Quidditch field the
next afternoon. “Gods, he has no clue what he’s doing, does he?” she asked.

“Apparently not,” Marissa said, giggling as they watched Lockhart attempting to show the
new team how to do a split.

“What are you two up to?” George asked as he walked in, followed by Fred.

Alissa turned and grinned, putting on an innocent expression. “Who? Us?” she asked sweetly.

George looked, stifling the grin that wanted to rise. “Yeah, you two. Come on, share,” he said.

Marissa smiled. “We’re just watching the new cheerleading team,” she said.

“The new what?” the twins said together.

“Lockhart started a cheerleading squad,” Alissa said, nodding to the window.

“Actually, it looks like your little brother’s down there,” Marissa said, looking out over the field.

George and Fred rushed over to the window, looking out. “Blimey,” George said.

“It’s Ron,” Fred finished.

“Here’s one for the record books,” George said with a shake to his head.

“They’re going to make complete idiots out of themselves at the rate Lockhart is going,” Marissa
said.

Alissa nodded. “They’ve no idea,” she said.

“And you two do?” Fred asked, looking at them.

Marissa and Alissa turned and looked at them. “Yes, we do,” they said.

“Prove it,” George said.

“How?” Alissa asked.

Fred looked at George then back at the two women. “Join the team.”

Alissa looked at her sister. Marissa nodded and the two women got up and went downstairs
to sign up. George looked at Fred. “I can’t believe they’re actually going to do it,” he said.

Fred merely watched. “Wow,” he said. “They’re almost as good as us.”

~~

“Ow! Hey watch your foot!” Ron groaned.

Lockhart was trying to get them all to do shoulder sits with each other. He’d paired Ron and
Morgana up and Ron swore she was purposely hitting all the wrong places. Hermione and
Goyle, who had been paired up as well, weren’t faring any better.

Morgana looked at Ron. “Shut up Weasley,” she mumbled.

Ron hissed at her. “My name is Ron.”

Lockhart smiled. “Everyone, keep working together now,” he said.

“Whoa!” Hermione said as Goyle practically vaulted her into the air to his shoulders. She
blindly grabbed his head for support.

“Watch it Mudblood!” Goyle growled. He grunted as Hermione’s heel connected with his
sternum.

“My name is Hermione, you oaf,” Hermione said. “And you nearly sent me flying. We’re
supposed to be working together!”

“Well my name is Greg, and I wasn’t expecting you to be so damned light!” Goyle said. “I
overestimated you.”

“That much was apparent,” Hermione said. She stiffened slightly then relaxed when Goyle
took a bit more care when he set her down. “Try again?” she asked warily.

Goyle nodded and lifted her up again, gentler this time. “That better?” he asked.

“Yes,” Hermione said.

“You steady?” Goyle asked.

“Steady,” Hermione returned. Goyle grasped her waist and lifted her down.

“Well done Miss Granger and Mister Goyle!” Lockhart said. “Look here everyone, that was
a good show of teamwork. Everybody now!”

Ron looked over at Lockhart, his face a bit flushed. “Shouldn’t I work with another Gryffindor,
Professor?”

Lockhart smiled. “You and Morgana will be a fine pair, Weasley. Besides, there will be no
house teams, merely a school team,” he said.

“But professor…” Ron started.

“It will promote unity among students,” Lockhart said. He smiled and quietly muttered. “Besides,
not enough volunteers for house teams.”

Morgana groaned as she got off Ron. “This is ridiculous,” she mumbled.

Lockhart smiled. “No defeat students! Keep trying,” he said. Hermione and Goyle looked at
each other and shrugged. They went back to practicing till they were able to smoothly move in
and out of the shoulder sits.

Morgana sighed as she looked around. She started to climb up Ron again, but Ron collapsed.
Morgana landed on him. She looked down. “Are you hurt?” she asked.

“Oh not at all, just tickled,” Ron said with mild annoyance.

Morgana sighed and got up. “Who’s that?” she asked looking at two blondes that were joining
them.

Ron looked. “Alissa and Marissa Demopolous. They’re in Gryffindor,” he said.

“Can’t believe they’re going to volunteer,” Morgana said.

Ron looked at her. “They’re from the States,” he said. “Maybe they’ll actually know something.”

“That would be a novel concept,” Morgana mumbled. She nodded and was about to try the
shoulder sit again when Lockhart clapped his hands. “All right everyone. I think we’ve accomplished
enough for today. We’ll meet again tomorrow. Remember your partners! You’ll stay partners the
rest of the year.”

Morgana and Ron groaned audibly together. They looked at each other with disdain.

“Tomorrow, Alissa and Marissa, our transfers from the States, will assist me in teaching you all
about cheering,” Lockhart said. “See you all tomorrow, and five points to all who come back!”

Ron sighed and turned to go, his body aching. He glanced over and saw Morgana headed towards
the Professor’s quarters and frowned. “Wonder where she’s going?” he mumbled to himself. He
shrugged as Hermione joined him, and they walked back towards the castle.
 
 
 

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