Oh my giggles! I forgot to comment, sillly me!! First of all! Loves the making of their famous pranks, I dont think anyones really focused on that!
Secondly, the chapter was amazing!!
Lastly, PAMS and I love how you expand on the relationships between Snape and the twins

*new reader*
i love this story!!!
Awesome plot!
although...i wonder how this story ended up in the high security vault *hint* *hint*

Amazayn story

PAMS

XOXO
Valerie

Nice to know!

Aha, but you'll find out that isn't the real name of her mother!

Thanks!

Oh various reasons still to come!

'I want a footlong composition on your family heritage on my desk next lesson.'
A collective groan ran round the room at Binn's homework. Great.
As the bell went, most people slouched off for lunch. But not Secret. This might be actually a quiet interesting homework. She tore off and then bumped into Snape.
'Hey hey, where are you going? Great Hall is that way.' he said, trying to turn her round.
'I'm going to do my History of Magic homework.' she said.
'Really? This must be the first time I've seen anyone actually want to do their History of Magic homework. What is it?' he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
'A composition on our family heritage!' she said proudly.
The smile faltered.
'Really?' Well, then, I'd better let you get on with it.' He quickly walked off. She shrugged off her concerns, and went on her way.
Secret thought the best place to start searching her family would be the library. She needn't look far for her father's side of the family.
The Black Family was in practically every book.
Now for her mothers. She looked in one book. And then the next. And a third. And a few more.
Nothing. No mention of Nickel.
She pondered, and then stuffed her things in her bag. Swinging it on her back, she headed to Dumbledore's office.
'Flying Saucers.'
The gargoyle leapt out the way, and she headed towards his office. She lifted her fist, when she heard voices. It was her father and Dumbledore.
Pulling an Extendable Ear out her pocket - it was a new idea her and the twins had thought of, and now was a perfect opportunity to try it - she slid one end under the door and placed the other in her ear. She jumped as she heard her fathers voice, as if he was standing right next to her.
'... what if she finds the truth? You and I both know Samantha Nickel was a false identity Merope created to hide her past.' he was saying.
'As well as casting some extremely powerful memory charms and making herself look much younger than she actually was. So young in fact, she could be resorted and have new life. I must admit, I doubted her powers greatly. She was an incredible powerful witch once no longer under her father's control.' Dumbledore's tone was light and airy.
'But what about Secret?' Snape sounded impatient.
'What indeed Severus? Secret is extremely clever at discovering things. She has a knack. Almost reminds me of you at her age.'
'But she's not mine. She's Black's child.' Snape sounded bitter.
'Black, heir of Gryffindor and Gaunt, heir of Slytherin. Two extremely powerful bloodlines, connected by one small girl.' concluded Dumbledore. 'Yet, I notice Secret has no idea of her powers, or her forbidding older brother.'
Secret felt frozen.
'While we're on the subject of family, how is your younger brother doing?' asked Dumbledore suddenly.
'Now is not the time to be talking about Andrew flipping Biersack!' growled Snape.
'Biersack?'
'He changed it.' Snape was suddenly quiet. 'Changed it from Snape to Biersack. But what do I tell Secret, about her mother, and he brother who is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?'
'The truth.' said Dumbledore simply. 'Secret is a far too intelligent girl to be fed lies to which she will see straight through. Although, you won;t have to tell her at all. She's been outside the door listening.'
Secret quickly reeled the ear back in as the door opened. Snape stood there.
'How much have you heard?' he asked softly.
'Enough.' she stated, starting to cry.
He hugged her tight, smoothing ehr hair down as she cried into his robes.
'Why is it me?' she sobbed.
Snape didn't answer, but merely continued to whispered comforting words into her deep red hair.

You all wanted to know. So there you go!

wow! that was way more than I thought it would be!! THAT WAS AMAZING!! I loves it! AND SHES LORD VOLDIE'S SISTER! WOW!

"snape didnt answer*

he didnt answer cuz this story is SO flipping AWESOME!!!


Thanx for the update




missed gred and forge in the chappie though

XOXO
Valerie

Great post!
That is quite the large amount of info for her.
Mommy is Merope, big bro is Voldie himself . . . Wow!
So daddy (real one) is a Black . . . hmmm.... who? Regulus? Sirius? Can't think of any others WHO?!?!
-Rachel

Yes, it took me a while to work out how she could be related to Voldie as well as Black, but ho hum, got there in the end

Haha, thanks! Don't worry though, Fred and George are well sewn into the complicated weave of my tale. You'll see plenty of them.

Oh sugar, did I not mention? *looks back* No, it appears I did not. My bad, It's Sirius. Back to the tale!

Secret sniffled in Snape's embrace. Then, something struck her.
'Did, did you know about this? And never breathed a word?'
Snape seemed to freeze. 'Yes, I did. But I didn't want to hurt you. I wanted to protect you...'
'Did it ever occur maybe I wanted to know? I deserved, even, to know the truth about myself?! How much more of my life is a lie? Is my name even Secret, eh?' She pushed away from Snape, her grey eyes, which were staring to fill with tears, boring into his black ones.
'You're name is Secret, rest assured on that one.' said Snape firmly, grasping her wrists.
'No!' She pulled out of his hands. 'For eleven years, I have been living an illusion! Why did it take me coming here to find out?!'
'Secret, please sweetie...' he seemed to be almost pleading.
'Don't call me that.' she said in no more than a whisper, before turning round and storming off.
The bell rang over her head, but she ignored it, walking to the grassy area in front of the lake, where she sat heavily on the ground, looking over the clear glassy surface.
Hearing a cawing above her, she looked to see a crow circling her. It landed by her, where it hopped around on the spot, looking at her intently. What intrigued her was it's blue eyes. Most crows had brown eyes as far as she was aware.
'Hello. I'm Secret, Secret Snape.' Even though she may have had an argument, there was no way she was using her real name, and be associated with that murdered. She held her hand out, and it hopped onto her palm, and then her shoulder. 'Do you have a name?'
As the last words left her lips, a name swam to the front of her mind.
'Andy?' she said quietly. The crow seemed to nod, rubbing it's golden beak against her cheek. 'Is that your name? It's very nice.'
A low rumble of thunder suddenly rolled across the sky, and Secret looked up, terrified. She hadn't noticed the dark, ominous clouds, but now they were upon her. Rain began to pour upon her and, giving a cry, she jumped to her feet as a crack of lighting illuminated the sky. Looking between the castle and the pitch, she started to run towards the pitch, as it was nearer. Hiding under one of the faculty stands which they often sat in durning matches, she looked out onto the sheet of rain, whimpering softly as more thunder and lighting struck.
Suddenly, Andy, who had been clinging grimly to her shoulder, took off.
'No!' she cried, as the bird flew off into the storm. 'Please don't leave me!'
She looked out, and then curled up, her chin resting on her knee's, arms wrapped round her legs. She wanted Snape. She hadn't meant what she had said.
Playing with a lock of her red hair, she gave another strangled cry as lighting cracked the dark scene in front of her.
'Secret!'
She looked up at the sound of someone calling her name. As more lighting screamed in the sky, she felt arms scoop her up. She was carried in, her face hiding in this persons chest. As they carried her though the silent corridors, she finally looked up to see who it was.
'I'm sorry Daddy.' she whimpered.
'It's fine.' he soothed. 'Let's get you back to my office.'
He carried her into his office and deposited her onto the chair there. Looking through his cupboards, he pulled a small bottle out and gave it to Secret. She drank it, and felt the warm return to her body.
'Thank you. How, how did you even find me though?' she questioned.
'Your friend came and fetched me.' he said.
At this point, a familiar crow came and landed on her shoulder. Secret grinned, and stroked the top of Andy's head.
'Thank you.'
*

Soon, the exams were thrust open them. Two weeks of nothing but pressure took a toll on Secret, who became impatient and snappy until the twins finally persuaded her to take a Calming Draught off Snape.
Just after she had finished her last one, she spotted the trio in a flurry.
'What in hr name of Merlin is going on?' she asked, coming over.
'We think Snape knows how to get past Fluffy.' said Harry in an undertone.
Secret rolled her eyes; how long had they gone on about this?
'That was no stranger Hagrid met, it was Snape, which means he knows how to get past Fluffy.'
'And with Dumbledore gone...' began Hermione.
'Good afternoon.' said a silky voice. They spun to see Snape.
'Now, what would four young Gryffindor's such as yourselves being doing inside, on a day like this?' It was a simple question, but the way Snape said it, it could almost sound accusing.
Secret looked down at her scruffy shoes as Hermione started up 'We were just...'
'You ought to be careful.' Snape cut her off. 'People'll think you're...' he caught eye contact with Harry, who glared. '... up to something.'
He swept off, and Secret looked after his shrinking figure.
'Now what do we do?' asked hermione.
'We go down that trap-door. Tonight.' said Harry, as calmly as if he was stating his favourite Bertie Bott bean flavour.

Loved!
Wow! Dad is Sirius?! That is quite a lot, no wonder she ended in Gryffindor.
Now, who is this birdie...... makes me wonder whether he's good or bad. Hmmmm.... guess I'll find out
Keep it up!
-Rachel

YOU KILL ME YOU KNOW!!! Sirius is the dad shes perfect...Why does she have red hair than did Merope? Doesn't know a lot about her <--

Hmm is the bird sent by Sirius?? How did she know the bird's name or was it like a lucky guess?

All I'm gonna say is birdie is not all birdie seems

I don't mean to! In the book, it was never stated what colour Merope's hair was, just that it was dull and limp. I always imagined she was a little red head in her childhood, just repressed by her father and brother when she got older. and like i said before, birdie is not all birdie seems.

That night, four children crept down the stairs, only to find a certain toad on an armchair.
‘Trevor! Go shoo, you shouldn’t be here!’ said Ron.
‘Neither should you.’
Neville stood up from behind the armchair, looking at their guilty faces.
‘You’re sneaking out again, aren’t you?’ There was no question in it, it was a clear statement.
‘No Neville, listen…’ began Harry.
‘No! I won’t let you! You’ll get Gryffindor into trouble again!’ said Neville. ‘I-I’ll fight you!’
‘Neville, I am really sorry.’ Said Hermione. ‘Petificus Totalus!’
As she pointed her wand at Neville, he instantly froze and fell to the ground.
‘What the bloody hell did you do to him?’ Harry asked.
‘The full body bind.’ Secret replied, looking at the frozen boy.
‘You’re scary. Brilliant, but scary.’ Said Ron.
‘Come on.’ Said Harry.

After a small incident involving Secret being unable to restrain herself and kick Mrs Norris down the stairs, the reached the door. The trio pilled the cloak off and Secret lifted her charm, the pushed the door open, bracing themselves, but something else met them, what sounded like…
‘Snoring?’
Secret looked round and spotted a harp.
‘Snape’s already been here. He’s put a spell on the harp.’
Secret looked oddly at it.
‘Ugh, it’s got horrible breath.’ commented Ron.
‘We have to move it’s paw.’
‘What!’ Secret exclaimed quietly.
‘Come on!’
The placed their hands on the soft fur and pushed, revealing the trap door. Lifting it up, Secret scowling as the animals foul breath hit her square in the face, they looked into the darkness.
‘I’ll go first; don’t follow me until I give a signal. If something bad happens, get yourselves out!’ said Harry.
‘You think I’m just going to let you jump down on your own?’ scoffed Secret. ‘No way! I’m coming with you!’
There was a silence… silence?!
‘Guys…’ gulped Secret.
‘The harp.’ Said Hermione. ‘It’s stopped playing.’
They all looked up and saw the dog.
‘JUMP!’ yelled Harry.
They all threw themselves down the hole and landed on some soft plant thing with a THUMP!
‘Lucky this plant stuff’s here.’ Said Ron.
‘What is it anyway?’ asked Secret. ‘I’d be able to recognize it if it was lighter.’
‘How so?’ asked Ron.
‘I’m a potionier. We can recognize them just as easily alive as we can dead.’
Suddenly, the plant stuff stared to move, binding the four children.
‘Oh no!’ cried Secret, recognizing what it was.
‘Stop moving! This is Devil’s Snare! You have to relax! If you don’t it will only kill you faster!’ said Hermione.
‘Reassuring Hermione!’ Secret snarled, trying to fight the stuff. ‘Now they’ll defiantly relax!’
Hermione gave them all looks, before suddenly sinking through the ground.
‘HERMIONE!’ they yelled.
‘Now what are we gonna do!’ cried Ron.
‘I don’t know!’ said Secret, squirming.
‘Just relax!’ Hermione’s voice suddenly called.
‘Hermione where are you!’ asked Harry.
‘Trust me!’
Secret shut her eyes, and forced herself to relax. Instantly, she felt her sink through the plant.
‘Secret!” the boys yelled followed as she landed on the stone floor.
‘Are you okay?’ asked Hermione, running over.
‘I’m fine!’ she insisted, getting up.
Not a moment too soon, as Harry landed on the floor beside them.
Helping him to his fete, they looked up at Ron’s muffled yells.
‘He’s not relaxing is he?’ cried Hermione.
‘Apparently not!’ replied Harry.
Secret racked her brains, and them it hit her.
Devil’s snare, it’s deadly fun, but sulks in the sun!
Secret pointed a finger at the plant and a burst of brilliant sunlight hit the plant. It seemed to scream and dropped Ron on the floor beside them.
‘Ron, you okay?” asked Harry.
‘Yeah. Lucky we didn’t panic!’
We all looked at him.
‘Lucky Secret pays attention in Herbology.’ Sniffled Hermione.

After battling through winged keys and giant chess game, Secret felt Harry grasp her hand, as together they walked down the stone stairs and to the final room.
But when they got there, there was no Snape.
‘You!’ exclaimed Harry.
Quirrell turned round.
‘No, it can’t be!’ said Harry. ‘Snape! He was the one who…’
‘Ah yes, he does seem like they type doesn’t he?’ asked Quirrell calmly. He had lost his stutter. ‘Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor s-s-stuttering P-P-Professor Quirrell?’
‘Sorry Secret.’ Mumbled Harry.
‘It’s okay.’ She replied under her breath.
‘But that day, during the Quidditch match…’ Secret was intrigued now. She had missed that match due to Peeves dropping a vase on her head and knocking her out. ‘Snape tired to kill me!’
‘No dear boy, I tried to kill you! And trust me, if Snape’s cloak hadn’t caught fire and broken my eye contact, I would have succeeded! Even with Snape muttering his little counter-curse.’
‘Snape was trying to save me?’
‘I knew you were a danger to me, especially after Halloween…’
‘Then you let the troll in!’ Secret exclaimed.
Quirrell looked slightly surprised, as if he had only just noticed she was here. His face softened; it was like he was looking at his long-lost little sister.
‘Very good my sweet girl, yes. Snape, unfortunately, wasn’t fooled. While everyone else was running about the dungeons, he went to the third floor corridor to head me off! He, of course, never trusted me again. Never left me alone. He doesn’t understand. I am never alone. Never…’
Harry seemed in pain, his hand against his scar and Secret seemed uncomfortably drawn to the back of Quirrell’s turban.
‘Now, what does this mirror do? I see what I desire, I see myself holding the stone, but how do I get it?’
‘Use the boy.’ A low hissing filled the room and Secret gripped Harry’s hand even tighter.
‘Come here Potter!’ Quirrell yelled. ‘Now!’
Secret followed Harry, both their hands clammy and sweaty.
‘Not you Secret. Just Potter.’ Quirrell’s voice was suddenly soft again. Secret didn’t let go though. They stood in front of the mirror.
‘Well, what do you see?’
Harry squinted in the mirror with Secret.
They were still there, both pale and scared. But then they smiled. Harry pulled a blood-red stone out his pocket. He smiled and placed it back in, and Secret felt the chunky object press against her leg. Secret in the mirror smiled and waved, and pointed up. Above her, Secret heard the cawing of a crow, before a wing gently cuffed her head and she heard the flapping fade.
‘What is it, what do you see?’ Secret jumped; she had forgotten Quirrell was there.
‘I’m shaking hands with Dumbledore, I’ve won the house cup.’ Said Harry.
‘He lies.’ The strange hissing filled the room again.
‘Tell the truth!’ Quirrell yelled. ‘What do you see!’
Secret moved closer to Harry, who threaded an arm round her waist, holding her close to him protectively.
‘Let me speak to them.’
‘Master you are not strong enough!’
Secret and Harry began to back away.
'I have strength for this.’ Quirrell began to unwrap his turban. ‘I want to see her.’
They were on the stairs now. Quirrell removed it and Secret had to supress a small scream.
‘Harry Potter. We meet again.’ He said.
His eyes rested on Secret.
‘My baby sister. It is good to see you at last.’
‘Voldemort!’ gasped Harry.
‘Yes. You see what I've become? See what I must do to survive? Live off another, a mere parasite! Unicorn blood can sustain me, but it cannot give me a body of my own. But there is something that can; something that, conveniently enough, lies in your pocket!’
That was it. Secret and Harry made a run for it.
‘Stop them!’
There was a click and flames sprung up. Harry stopped, but Secret didn’t brake in time and ran straight into the fire. She winced, expecting to feel searing pain, but nothing. She led her hands up in front of her face, expecting to see flames licking at her palms and fingers, but there was nothing.
‘The power, the power of the two bloodlines. Impervious to flames.’
Secret looked at Harry, who’s mouth was open. She walked back over and looked him in the eye.
‘I don’t want this.’ She whispered.
He hugged her, and they both looked at him.
‘Don’t be a fool. Why suffer the horrific death, when you can join me? And live?’
‘Never!’ yelled Harry, his arms tightening round me.
‘Bravery. Your parents had it too. Tell me, Harry, would you like to see your mother and father again? Together, we can bring them back. All I ask is for something in return.’
‘Harry, you can’t bring back the dead.’ Secret whimpered, scared of what he might do.
Harry didn’t seem to hear as he pulled the stone out his pocket.
‘That’s it Harry. There is no good and evil. Just power, and those too weak to seek it. Together, we will do great things. Just give me the stone!’
‘You liar!’ yelled Harry.
‘Kill him!’ Voldemort screeched.
Quirrell seemed to fly forward, and push Secret out the way, so she fell back and hit her head.
‘You idiot!’ she heard Voldemort snarl.
There was screams, and yells and cries. Her vision was blurry; she had no idea what was going on.
‘Harry! Secret!’
‘Oh my goodness!’
‘Secret!’
Familiar arms scooped her up, hugging her tightly.
‘Secret!’
‘Daddy…’
It was all too much. She blacked out.

‘My little angel.’ Someone was stroking my hair. I opened my eyes to see my brother, fully formed. I gave a yelp and he placed a white hand over my mouth. I looked round. I was in the hospital wing. I tried to wiggle out but my brother tapped me on the head with his wand. I suddenly felt as weak and helpless as a newborn baby.
My brother smirked as he felt my body go limp and picked me up, arranging me so I was nestled securely in his arms.
‘Come. We shall rule the world.’ He said, spinning round and vanishing.
I felt the air rush round me and I unintentionally clung tighter to him. He gave a chuckle.
‘No one shall ever take you away from me again.’
‘What about my daddy?’ I asked.
‘Shh, shh, you don’t need him!’ soothed my brother. ‘I’m here for you.’
‘Secret...’ the voice sounded so far away, so lost. I fought to find it, but my brother just held me tighter.
‘Secret…’
‘Daddy!’ I called.
‘Secret…’
‘Daddy!’
She opened her eyes. She was in the hospital wing. Snape was by her bedside, head in arms, whimpering her name.
‘Daddy?’
‘Secret!’
He looked up and engulfed her in a hug.
‘Oh thank heavens! I thought you were never going to wake up!’
She felt wings brush her head as a bird landed on her bed. Andy, the crow, hopped around on the spot, cawing happily at her awakening.
‘He was the one to come and fetch me. And he hasn’t left your side since you were brought here.’ Said Snape.
‘How long have I been out?’
‘Three days.’
‘Won’t he have got hungry?’
‘I think he may have snacked on some of your sweets.’
He gestured to what looked like half of Honeydukes.
‘Merlin’s beard.’ Gaped Secret.
‘Tokens from your admirers.’ She looked to see a smiling Dumbledore.
‘What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows.’ He replied in response to her quizzical look. ‘I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a lavatory seat.’
Secret gave a small laugh and Snape a small scowl.
‘No doubt they thought it would amuse you. However, Madam Pomfrey felt it might not be hygienic and confiscated it.’
Snape was looking through her gifts and pulled a small black box out.
‘Here, Someone left this.’
She opened it, to find a beautiful golden locket. On one side was the iconic logo for her favorite band, on the other side, the chorus from on of her favorite songs by them.
‘Did you see who left it?’ she asked.
Snape shook his head. ‘I left one night, and when I arrived the next morning, it was there.’
Secret looked at it, before placing it round her neck and grinning

***
That night, Secret heard a noise. She slowly opened an eye, not wanting to give away the fact she was awake; her grey eyes had an annoying habit of shining in the dark.
A bird flew in and landed on the floor. Judging by its bright blue eyes, it was Andy, the crow.
Before her eyes, the crow grew and stood up straight. The man turned, brushing his long black hair out his face, his bright blue eyes glimmering in the dark.
Her breath caught in her throat as he came over and sat in the chair that Snape had vacated that evening. He reached out and his long slender fingers closed on her locket, gently rubbing it with his thumb. He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently, smiling at her “sleeping” figure.
He started to softly sing a song, one who’s chorus was engraved on her locket. As daylight crept through the windows, and shuffling was heard by Madam Pomfrey’s office, he gently gave her one last kiss on her head and back away, before changing into the crow.
She started to move as she heard Madam Pomfrey start to bustle round, and opened her eyes. Cawing, the crow hopped onto her bad and Secret smiled at him.
'Hiya Andy.' she said.

Hello dearies! No one commented on the last chapter! Did you not like it?
Either way, I hope you enjoy this one! It was eight pages on word...
Any quotes or (very long) passages of the book belong to JKR.
***

The night of the feast, the Weasley twins came, and true to form, Fred sat Secret on his shoulders, and they walked down. While walking, they reeled a list of products they had thought of.
‘… canary creams, headless hats and Weasley Whiz-bangs!’ finished Fred as they reached the hall.
It was decked out in the Slytherin colours of silver and green to celebrate the house winning the cup for the seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.
As they entered, there was a hush, and then everyone started talking loudly. Fred and George marched to their seats, ignoring the death glares from Snape, and sat Secret down before sitting either side of her. Lee Jordan gave her a wink from opposite her and Percy gave an irritated little cough at the gesture.
Soon, however, Dumbledore arrived and the babbling died down.
‘Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts....
‘Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy- two.’
Secret grimaced as she saw Malfoy banging his goblet on the table. It really was a sickening sight.
‘Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin,’ said Dumbledore. ‘However, recent events must be taken into account.’
The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little.
‘Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes... First - to Mr. Ronald Weasley...’
Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn.
...for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points.’
Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, ‘My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!’
At last there was silence again.

‘Second - to Miss Hermione Granger... for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points.’
Hermione buried her face in her arms; Secret strongly suspected she had burst into tears. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves - they were a hundred points up.
‘Third - to Mr. Harry Potter, and Miss Secret Snape...’ said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. ‘For pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points.’
The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points - exactly the same as Slytherin. They had tied for the house cup; if
 only Dumbledore had given Harry and Secret just one more point.
Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent.
‘There are all kinds of courage,’ said Dumbledore, smiling. ‘It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom.’
Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted
from the Gryffindor table.
George, still cheering, nudged Secret and Fred in the ribs and pointed at Malfoy, who couldn't have looked more stunned and horrified if he'd just had the Body-Bind Curse put on him.
‘Which means’, Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, ‘We need a little change of decoration!’
He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Secret felt herself being lifted on the shoulders of Fred and George, and pointed her wand in the air; gold and red sparks flew out the tip.
‘We won the cup! We won the cup!’ The trio chanted.

Soon enough, Secret found herself walking home, back to Snape’s house. She let herself in, and as she shut the door behind her, snapping her fingers idly to turn the lights on – as she had discovered, her magic was too powerful for the ministry to suspect it was underage – she felt Andy leave her shoulder and land on the armchair, cawing.
She sighed, turning to him and raising an eyebrow.
‘Alright Andy, out of disguise. Dad’s not here so you don’t have to stay in that form anymore.’ She stated simply.
Andy looked her oddly – if crows could do that – and gave what could be classed as a confused caw.
‘Don’t give me that Biersack, I know you’re an Animagus.’
It nodded, and changed into the man she had seen in the hospital wing.
‘How did you know?’ he asked, sitting on the sofa and motioning for her to come over.
‘I was awake when you “visited” me in the Hospital Wing.’ She replied, sitting next to him, and looking in his eyes.
He sighed, and gave a small smile, shaking his head.
‘You are really the brightest witch of your age I ever met.’ He said, ruffling her hair.
She smiled. ‘Thanks for the locket by the way.’
He gave a chuckle and leant his head closer to hers. ‘That locket is special. You squeeze it, and I’ll be able to tell immediately where you are. Cause I don’t want anything to happen to my niece.’
Secret nodded. ‘I understand.’
Andy smiled back and hugged the girl tight, and she wrapped her arms round his neck, holding on.
For a while, they stayed like that, just holding on to each other. Then, Secret let him go, but Andy held on, holding her securely to him.
‘Uncle…’ she mumbled.
‘Uncle, I like it.’ He said softly.
‘Okay, can I move now? It’s just, I’m kinda…’ Her sentence was finished for her as her stomach rumbled loudly.
They both laughed at it, and Andy stood up.
‘I’d better go fix us something to eat, hey?’
‘I can cook myself y’know.’ Secret said, attempting to hop off the sofa, but Andy caught her round the middle, putting her back on it.
‘Hey, I’m good.’ He scratched his head, and grinned. ‘I think, now you know, you better meet the rest of us.’
‘What, you’re all wizards?’ asked Secret, surprised.
‘Yeah, we met at school.’ Andy pointed his wand at the window, muttered something and a silver crow flew out the end, flying off into the distance. He grinned, and went into the kitchen. Soon, a sizzling noise was heard and a smell wafted through.
‘KNOCK KNOCK!’ A voice suddenly yelling that made Secret jump and fly under the sofa, peering out.
‘Purdy, you scared the crap outta my niece!’ shouted Andy, marching over to the door to open it. ‘Watch it or I’ll curse you into the next century!’
‘Aww, I’m sorry, where is she?’ They came in and CC immediately sniffed.
‘Looks like we arrived in time for dinner!’ he said.
Secret gave a giggle and Jinxx spotted her.
‘Hey sweetie.’ He said softly, coming over and helping her up. ‘Ignore Purdy, he just likes to think he’s too big for his pants.’
She smiled.
‘Oi! Food!’ yelled Andy from the kitchen.
‘Food!’ Secret found herself being scooped up and carried into the kitchen by CC. She laughed at it, and he grinned back.

All too soon for her liking, the summer holidays had finished. Snape, who was still oblivious to the fact that his younger brother had been living in the house all summer and had his friends round whenever he went out, gave Secret a hug.
‘You got all your books already?’ he asked.
‘Yes Daddy, you got them for me, remember?’ she said.
‘Ah. Yes. You got your robes?’
‘I didn’t have to get any, my ones from last year still fit me fine, they’re still a little big.’
‘Ok. Zelta alright?’
‘He went a while ago, to settle back in.’
‘Ok. Be good and try not to destroy the house.’
‘I’m not Seamus Daddy.’
Snape gave a chuckle, and waved his wand. His trunk, and Secret’s trunk and empty owl cage, lifted into the air, hovered and vanished, and she knew that they had arrived at her dorm. He gave her one last hug before walking towards the gate. Once outside, he spun on the spot and vanished.
‘Catch!’ Secret spun round herself to catch a small bag of gold that flew her way. Andy grinned at her.
‘What’s this for?’ she asked, peering in.
‘Consider it a late birthday present.’ He said, ruffling her hair.
She smiled, before hopping off to her room, just to double check she really had got everything ready.
There was a sudden tapping. Looking up, she saw a handsome screech owl, holding a letter in its beak.
‘What?’ she whispered.
She went over and opened the window. The owl flew in, dropping the letter on her bed and perched on the end, preening its feathers. Secret darted over, and opened the letter.
‘Secret,
I hope this reached you soon. We’re planning on getting Harry out of his Aunt and Uncle’s house, tonight. Once that’s done, we’re gonna come and pick you up.
Be ready for eleven ‘o’ clock, and reply soon, we had to “borrow” Percy’s owl.
Gred and Forge.”
She grinned, and wrote a reply.
‘Yes.’

That night, Andy tucked Secret up, and kissed her forehead.
‘Night.’ He whispered, as a Magpie flew over and landed on her windowsill. Every night, there had always been a bird on her window, and she had realised it was five different ones. A Raven, a Jackdaw, A Magpie, a Grey Jay and a Crow.
As soon as Andy left, she was out of bed, and changing quickly. Once she was ready, she opened her window. The Magpie gave an indignant call, and settled on her shoulder.
Suddenly, she heard the revving of an engine. She looked and laughed.
A blue Ford Angelia rolled up outside her window. The door flew open to reveal two grinning twins, and Harry and Ron in the back.
‘Come on Secret! Where’s your stuff?’ called Fred, who was at the wheel.
‘Daddy took it with him.’ Said Secret, climbing onto the windowsill.
‘Great!’ George, who was in the passenger seat, reached over and placed his hands either side of Secret’s waist, lifting her into the car.
‘Christ, you’re light!’
He sat her on his lap and the car took off. The Magpie gave a caw, and Secret looked out her window, and gave a laugh that was lost in the wind.

As the car started to lower, it came to a bumpy stop on a dusty road. They all got out, and crept quietly into the kitchen of the Weasley home. Secret was looking round in awe. Sure, she came from a magical home, but Snape’s home was dark and mysterious, something that Secret had grown accustomed to. The Weasley home was the complete opposite.
Bright and sparkling, magic was clearly everywhere. She watched with amusement at the pans washing themselves and the needled knitting.
‘It’s not much.’ Said Ron behind her. ‘But it’s home.’
‘I think it’s brilliant.’ Said Harry and Secret in unison.
Suddenly there was a scuffling.
‘Where have you been!’
They all jumped and turned to face Mrs Weasley.
‘Harry, how nice to see you dear. And you must be Secret. Fred and George have told me all about you.’ She said, her tone becoming softer and calmer.
The she turned back to her sons.
‘Beds empty! No note! Car gone! You could have died, you could have been seen!’
‘They were staving him Mum!’ protested Ron. ‘There were bars on his window!’
‘Well you best hope I don’t put bars on your window Ronald Weasley!.’
The twins gave Ron smirks and Secret bit her lip to stop herself laughing.
‘I don’t know what you’re laughing for.’ Secret spun round, to see Jinxx.
‘Wha-How the- How did you-‘ she stammered before noticing the Magpie had disappeared.
‘So it’s been you five watching me as birds every night!’ she accused.
‘Yes. Andy suggested it, saying how he had seen how much trouble and mischief you got yourself into. I can see why now.’ Said Jinxx wryly.
‘Ahh Flying Saucers.’ Secret muttered.
Jinxx went over to the window and pointed his wand out, sending a gleaming bird flying out the end.
‘At least he knows where you are now. I’d hate to think how much your father would kill him if he thought he had lost you. We might have to put bars on your window.’
‘Are you gonna take me back?’ she muttered.
‘Like hell! Andy was just as bad at your age, trust me. But I’m gonna go back anyway. I’ll see you later.’
With that, he turned back into a Magpie and flew out the window.
‘Blast.’ She cursed.
‘Well, after all that, I think it’s time for a spot of breakfast!’ said Mrs Weasley cheerfully.
Soon, they were sitting down to eat. It was at this point Percy ambled in, in his pyjama’s and messy hair.
‘Morning all. How are we –‘ he stopped as he saw Secret.
‘Hi.’ She said shyly.
He looked at her for a moment, before turning round and going back upstairs.
‘What did I do?’ she asked, confused.
‘Dunno.’ Replied Fred.
There was a smaller thundering on the stairs and a flaming haired girl appeared.
‘Mummy, have you seen my jumper?’
‘Yes dear, it was on the cat.’ Replied Mrs Weasley.
Secret gave a small smile; she couldn’t imagine Snape saying anything like that.
It was at this point the girl noticed Harry.
‘Hello.’ Said Harry.
Like Percy, she backed away and ran back up the stairs.
‘What did I do?’ asked Harry, repeating Secret.
‘Ginny. She’s been talking about you all summer. Bit annoying really.’ Said Ron.
‘Morning Weasleys!’
Mr Weasley appeared at the door, entering and taking his dusty travelling cloak off.
‘Morning Dad!’ chanted the children.
‘Morning Arthur.’ Said Mrs Weasley.
‘What a night, nine raids, nine!’
Secret didn’t question. She knew he worked at the Ministry. Lucius had taken her in a few times, and she had often seen him.
‘Hello, and who are you two?’
‘Harry, Harry Potter.’
‘Secret Snape.’
‘Really? Ron has told me all about you Harry and I’m amazed the twins ever shut up about you Secret.’
Secret threw a glance at the two, who were both whistling innocently and looking around.
‘When did they arrive?’
‘This morning.’ Replied Mrs Weasley. ‘Your sons flew that enchanted car of yours to Surry and then Cokeworth and back!’
‘Did you really? How did it go – I mean!’ he hurriedly changed tact after Mrs Weasley hit him with his morning paper. ‘That was very wrong of you boys, very wrong!’
Secret and the twins exchange grins. It was at this point Percy came back down, dressed and his hair combed, his Prefect badge pinned to his jumper.
‘I say Percy, you’ve gotten dressed.’ Commented Mr Weasley, evidently surprised.
Percy chose to ignore that comment and sat next to Secret who caught a whiff something. She couldn’t place it, but it was very sweet and pleasant.

After receiving the owls, they were all lined up by the fireplace.
‘I hate traveling by Floo Powder.’ Secret said as she watched Ron vanish. ‘I always seem to get lost.’
‘You could go with me.’ Percy offered, grasping her hand.
‘Oh Perc, that’s not the best way to travel.’ Sighed Mrs Weasley.
‘Secret’s so light, I could probably travel while carrying her.
‘What!’
‘That would be better and safer.’
‘Hang on a moment!’
She didn’t get chance to argue her side; Percy picked her and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder.
Stepping into the fireplace, he shouted ‘Diagon Alley!’ as he threw it down.
She saw green flames, and they were spinning. She clung tighter to Percy. He eventually stepped out.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked, concerned.
‘Just a bit dizzy.’ She mumbled, her face hidden in the crook of his neck.
He gave a small chuckle and rubbed her back soothingly. ‘I take it you apparate a lot then?’
‘Side-along, or I just walk.’ She replied as Fred stepped out, closely followed by George.
The twins grinned at the sight and started wolf-whistling. Percy went red at the ears as Mrs Weasley came out. She caught sight of the scene and gave a soft smile.
‘Where’s Harry?’ asked Ron suddenly.
They all looked round.
‘Oh dear, he must have got out at the wrong grate!’ cried Mrs Weasley.
‘And that is the reason I never travel by Floo Powder if I can help it.’ Muttered Secret.
‘He’s there with Hagrid!’
Hagrid pushed the boy in, just as Gilderory Lockheart took his place.
‘I’m off. I cant stand the man.’ Said Secret.
Percy – almost reluctantly – put Secret down and she climbed the stairs, and soon became absorbed in Advanced Potion Making.
‘What is it with you and potions?’
She looked to see Draco, looking at her curiously.
‘Well, my daddy is a Potion’s master.’ She replied, closing the book and tucking it under her arm to go and buy it.
‘Seems reasonable.’
She went down the stairs and paid, just as Harry came over to Ginny.
‘You have these,” Harry mumbled to her, tipping the books into the cauldron. ‘I’ll buy my own –‘
‘Bet you loved that, didn’t you, Potter?’ said Draco Malfoy, who was wearing his usual sneer, as he walked down the stairs, eyes glittering with malice.
‘Famous Harry Potter,’ said Malfoy. ‘Can’t even go into a bookshop without making the front page.’
‘Leave him alone, he didn’t want all that!’ said Ginny. It was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She was glaring at Malfoy.
Percy, who had appeared from nowhere, came over and stood next to Secret
‘Potter, you’ve got yourself a girlfriend!’ drawled Malfoy.
Ginny went scarlet as Ron and Hermione fought their way over, both clutching stacks of Lockhart’s books.
‘Oh, it’s you,’ said Ron, looking at Malfoy as if he were something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe. ‘Bet you’re surprised to see Harry here, eh?’
‘Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley,’ retorted Malfoy. ‘I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those.’
Percy’s hand rested on Secret’s shoulder and tightened as Ron went as red as Ginny. He dropped his books into the cauldron, too, and started toward Malfoy, but Harry and Hermione grabbed the back of his jacket.
‘Ron!’ said Mr. Weasley, struggling over with Fred and George. ‘What are you doing? It’s too crowded in here, let’s go outside.’
‘Well, well, well - Arthur Weasley.’
It was Mr. Malfoy. He stood with his hand on Draco’s shoulder, sneering in just the same way.
‘Lucius,’ said Mr. Weasley, nodding coldly.
‘Busy time at the Ministry, I hear,’ said Mr. Malfoy. ‘All those raids... I hope they’re paying you overtime?’
He reached into Ginny’s cauldron and extracted, from amid the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, very battered copy of A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration.
‘Obviously not,’ Mr. Malfoy said. ‘Dear me, what’s the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don’t even pay you well for it?’
Mr. Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny.
‘We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy,’ he said.
‘Clearly,’ said Mr. Malfoy, his pale eyes straying to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were watching apprehensively. ‘The company you keep, Weasley... and I thought your family could sink no lower.’
There was a thud of metal as Ginny’s cauldron went flying; Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Mr. Malfoy, knocking him backward into a bookshelf. Percy grabbed Secret round the waist and hoisted her up into his arms, holding her protectively so she didn’t get hurt.
‘Break it up, there, gents, break it up –‘
Hagrid was wading toward them through the sea of books. In an instant he had pulled Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy apart.
Mr. Weasley had a cut lip and Mr. Malfoy had been hit in the eye by an Encyclopedia of Toadstools. He was still holding Ginny’s old Transfiguration book. He thrust it at her, his eyes glittering with malice.
‘Here, girl - take your book - it’s the best your father can give you…’ Pulling himself out of Hagrid’s grip he beckoned to Draco and swept from the shop.
‘Yeh should’ve ignored him, Arthur,’ said Hagrid, almost lifting Mr. Weasley off his feet as he straightened his robes. “Rotten ter the core, the whole family, everyone knows that - no Malfoy’s worth listenin’ ter - bad blood, that’s what it is - come on now - let’s get outta here.’
The assistant looked as though he wanted to stop them leaving, but he barely came up to Hagrid’s waist and seemed to think better of it. They hurried up the street, the Grangers shaking with fright and Mrs. Weasley beside herself with fury.
‘A fine example to set for your children... brawling in public... what Gilderoy Lockhart must’ve thought –‘
‘He was pleased,” said Fred. “Didn’t you hear him as we were leaving? He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if he’d be able to work the fight into his report… said it was all publicity -”
But it was a subdued group that headed back to the fireside in the Leaky Cauldron, where Secret, Harry, the Weasleys, and all their shopping would be traveling back to the Burrow using Floo powder. They said good-bye to the Grangers, who were leaving the pub for the Muggle street on the other side; Mr. Weasley started to ask them how bus stops worked, but stopped quickly at the look on Mrs. Weasley’s face.
Percy still hadn’t put Secret down, who had her face nuzzled in the crook of his neck. She wrapped her arms round his neck as he took a handful of Floo Powder and stepped into the fire, shouting ‘The Burrow’ and watching as the world vanished in green flames.
She was certain she heard him mumbled three words, but told herself her mind was playing tricks on her. It was stupid to think he would ever admit that.

sorry I didn't comment after last chapter! Awww Percy has a crush... so cute.
Can't wait for more!!
Sam

sorry I didn't comment too. didn't see that their was a new chapter. Both were great chapter I love how your adding her into the trio. But I dont understand who Andy is, is he Snape's brother or?

Cant wait for more!

~Alyssa

Yes, our little prefect Percy had a little crush on Secret. N'aww, we all love him really

Yes, I'll clear that confusion up. Andy is Snape's younger brother, or as Sev called him when they were kids, his baby brother, considering at the time of Secret's first year, Andy is 21 and Snape is 31, so that makes Snape a good ten years older than Andy. They were very close in childhood, however, when Snape became a death-eater, Andy ran away from home, and went to live with his mates, whom he was forming a band with at that point. Bit like Sirius and Regulas now I come to think about it. They haven't talked to each other ever since, but Snape, inside, really does miss his little brother.

Sorry, I'll post a chapter up soon!

‘Hop on!’
Secret grinned and hopped on the front of Fred’s trolley as he pushed it towards the wall. Breaking into a run, Secret shut her eyes as she felt herself pass, and then the billowing of a train hit her full force in the face. Opening her eyes, she grinned as she was met with the familiar scarlet train that was the Hogwarts express.
‘Have you seen Ron and Harry?’ asked Hermione, appearing at her side.
She shook her head. Hopping off the trolley, George immediately grabbed her and the twins frogmarched her off to their carriage.
‘So, what was all that with Percy?’ asked Fred.
‘What?’ asked Secret, acting utterly perplexed.
‘Aw c’mon! It’s so obvious that you like him!’ said George.
‘And how much he likes you.’ Added Fred.
‘It is?’ she blurted.
They started laughing.
‘No, but it is now!’ chuckled Fred.
Secret blushed; she was redder than her hair.
‘Damn it. I don’t believe I fell for that.’ She muttered.
‘Neither do we!’ laughed George.
It was at this point the door opened.
‘Have any of you three seen Ron or Harry?’ asked Hermione.
They all shook their heads. Hermione bit her lip, and withdrew her head.
‘They’ll turn up somewhere.’ Said Fred confidently.
Secret leaned back, and looked out the window. Then, something caught her eye.
She blinked, rubbed them, and looked again.
No…
A blue flying Ford Angelia had suddenly dipped below the clouds, before rising above them.
Oh my god, they hadn’t… Oh who was she kidding, this was Harry and Ron they were on about!

Upon entering the station, Secret looked at the twins.
‘So, how d’you get to the castle if you don’t take the boats?’ she asked.
‘Carriages.’ Was the reply.
They lead her off, and as she looked, she gasped.
Pulling the carriage was a beautiful, yet eerie looking horse. It’s wings were folded on it’s back, and as she approached it, it sniffed the air around her. She gently placed a hand on it’s head, and it allowed her to pet it.
‘Secret, what on earth are you doing?’
She looked at the twins. ‘Can’t you see it?’
They both shook their heads.
‘I can.’
She turned to see a boy with shoulder-length black hair, and two piercing, emerald green eyes.
‘I’m Raven.’ He said, holding his hand out.
She gently took it, noting the Prefect badge on his chest, on which a silver serpent gleamed.
‘You’re Secret, aren’t you?’ he asked, shaking it.
She nodded.
‘You want to come in my carriage?’
Before she got chance to respond, she was pulled off. She caught Percy looking at their entwined hands, and then he shot Raven a look of pure venom.
By this point, he was helping her into the carriage. She looked and saw three other boys.
‘Who is this Raven?’ asked one with short spiky black hair, streaked with red and hazel eyes.
‘This is Secret.’ Said Raven. ‘That’s Jeremy…’
‘It’s J!’
‘… Who prefers to be called just “J”.’
‘So would you, if your mother had called you Jeremy.’ Muttered J.
‘This is Kieran.’ The tall, well-built boy with extremely long black hair and brown eyes raised a hand, with a smile.
‘And this is Scar.’ The boy nodded, with a smile. His hair was in a mullet, and his eyes were a set of piercing blue, with a scar over his right one.
She nodded, and then turned to Raven. ‘So, how come you could see the horses and Fred and George couldn’t?’
‘Because they were Thestrals. You can only see them if you’ve seen death.’ Said Raven simply.
‘Oh…’
‘Can she see them too?’ asked J.
Raven nodded, and asked ‘Who did you see die?’
‘My mum. Misfired curse in a duel.’ Said Secret.
That wasn’t true. When she was about 9, she had seen death at the hands of Lucius. She wasn’t meant to, but she had been curious as to what went on in that room. Lucius or Snape didn’t know. She could never tell anyone.
The carriage eventually stopped and Raven helped her out. They walked into the hall.
‘I gotta go to my table.’ Secret said,
‘I’ll walk you over.’ Said Raven.
He walked her over, and then, kissed her hand. He walked off, leaving her there, very confused.
What just happened?

Next morning, Secret was sitting at the breakfast table.
‘How on earth do you read that stuff?’ she asked Hermione, wrinkling her nose at Hermione’s copy of Voyages with Vampires. ‘Honestly, I think they’re a load of twaddle.’
Hermione was about to open her mouth to answer, when the owls came flooding in. She saw Andy fly in, and land on the table with a package. He nuzzled her cheek with his head, and took off again.
‘What did you get?’ asked Hermione.
‘Chocoballs.’ Said Secret, unwrapping the package. ‘And some Sugar Quills and Dungbombs.’
something large and gray suddenly fell into Hermione's jug, spraying them all with milk and feathers.
‘Errol!’ said Ron, pulling the bedraggled owl out by the feet. Errol slumped, unconscious, onto the table, his legs in the air and a damp red envelope in his beak.
‘Oh, no –…’ Ron gasped.
‘It's all right, he's still alive,’ said Hermione, prodding Errol gently with the tip of her finger.
‘It's not that - it's that.’
Ron was pointing at the red envelope. Secret’s eyes widened.
‘Oh dear.’ She said.
‘What's the matter?’ said Harry.
‘She's - she's sent me a Howler,’ said Ron faintly.
‘You'd better open it, Ron,’ said Neville in a timid whisper. ‘It'll be worse if you don't My gran sent me one once, and I ignored it and’ - he gulped – ‘it was horrible.’
‘I’ve had one off an old lady down the road, because I accidentally turned her cat blue.’ Said Secret, shuddering at the thought. ‘I’d open it if I were you.’
‘What's a Howler?’ Harry said.
But Ron's whole attention was fixed on the letter, which had begun to smoke at the corners.
‘Open it,’ Neville urged. ‘It'll all be over in a few minutes –…’
Ron stretched out a shaking hand, eased the envelope from Errol's beak, and slit it open. Neville stuffed his fingers in his ears and Secret clapped her hands over her ears. A roar of sound suddenly filled the huge hall, shaking dust from the ceiling.
‘STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT THROUGH WHEN WE SAW IT WAS GONE –…’
Mrs. Weasley’s yells, a hundred times louder than usual, made the plates and spoons rattle on the table, and echoed deafeningly off the stonewalls. People throughout the hall were swiveling around to see who had received the Howler, and Ron sank so low in his chair that only his crimson forehead could be seen.
‘- LETTER FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT, I THOUGHT YOUR FATHER WOULD DIE OF SHAME, WE DIDN'T BRING YOU UP TO BEHAVE LIKE THIS, YOU AND HARRY COULD BOTH HAVE DIED –…’
Secret winced, feeling sorry for Harry.
‘-ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED - YOUR FATHER'S FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK, IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT AND IF YOU PUT ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE WE'LL BRING YOU STRAIGHT BACK HOME!’
A ringing silence fell. The red envelope, which had dropped from Ron's hand, burst into flames and curled into ashes. Secret removed her hands and breathed out.
‘Geez, sorry guys.’ She said.

After Herbology, Secret said goodbye to the trio and headed up to Dumbledore’s office. Once inside, she sat in front of his desk, and pulled the heavy, gilded book out her bag. She placed it on his desk, turned to a well-worn page and leaned over it, reading it. She had brought this book when she was ten, and to this day, was still studying a very complex, expert branch of magic contained in the pages.
She straightened up, closed her eyes, and began to mumble a long string of ancient powerful words while waving her wand in a complicated manner.
Suddenly, a warm gust of air wound round her, lifting her off her feet. She spun in the air, feeling warm inside.
She landed, and opened her eyes, looking in the majestic mirror. A small brown falcon was perched on the desk. What was different however, was instead of the brown eyes, it had grey ones. She gave a low cry.
‘Quite amazing Miss Snape.’ She spun to see Dumbledore. She changed back.
‘How on earth…’ she began.
‘I was watching.’ Dumbledore finished her sentence off as though reading her mind. ‘For exactly how long have you been working on this?’
‘Since I was about ten. I was watching a bat fly back to my house, and it changed into my Daddy on the front door step. I thought, “I wanna do that”. So I went to the shop the next day and asked them what it was, and they gave me this book. I’ve been studying I ever since’
‘Does your father know?’
‘No. I reckoned he would try and stop me. So I haven’t told him.’
It was at this point Snape walked in.
‘Flying Saucers.’ She muttered.
‘Secret Snape..’ began Snape.
‘Oh my, I do feel peckish. I think I shall go and find a custard tart.’ Said Dumbledore.
He left and Secret looked up at Snape.
‘What on earth are you doing hanging around with Raven Lister and his group? They are much older than you!’ said Snape, arms folded.
‘So?’ she snapped. God, he was so overprotective.
‘I don’t want you getting hurt!’
‘Somehow I doubt either Raven, J, Kieran or Scar is going to hurt me.’ Said Secret.
‘You don’t know that!’
‘Well I’m willing to take that risk.’
‘Miss Snape, do not make me….’
‘Oh, it’s Miss Snape now is it? Well I am very sorry Professor. I shall be off now.’ With that, she stuffed the book in her bag, slung her bag on her back and left in a temper. Walking down, she bumped into J.
‘Hey Secret!’ he said, smiling. ‘What you doing? Shouldn’t you be in lessons?’
‘Stormed out.’ She muttered.
‘Tut tut.’ He shook his head, smiling still. ‘C’mon, let’s go find the others.’
He took her hand and led her to an abandoned classroom.
‘Guys? I got Secret!’
He pushed the door open.
‘Heya Secret!’ said Scar, looking up and smiling.
‘How are you?’ asked Kieran from where he was tapping a Muggle speaker set with his wand.
‘Fine. Exactly what are you doing Kieran?’ she asked.
‘Trying to get this blasted thing to work.’
He gave it a hard whack with his wand and suddenly “We Stitch These Wounds” started blaring out.
‘There we go!’ said Raven. He looked at Secret.
‘Fancy an air guitar competition?’
‘You’re on!’

YAY!! New Chapter!
I'm not so sure how I feel about those Slytherin boys...
PAMS
~Sam~

Yay!! New chapter! Ooo it was good, I really liked it. The Slytherin boys were intresting but I don't know if she should trust them...Hmm cant wait to see what happens with them...

~Alyssa

Thanks guys!

As the bell went, Secret headed to Potions and was surprised to see Raven following her.
‘What on earth are you doing here?’ she asked when they reached Potions.
‘Professor Dumbledore suggested I help out in potions in my free period.’ Shrugged Raven. ‘Professor Snape didn’t seem too happy though.’
‘Gee, can’t imagine why.’ She thought.
The door at this point swung open, and Snape stood there, arms folded.
‘In.’ he said quietly.
They filed in silently.
‘You may have noticed,’ said Snape, sweeping over to his desk as they took their seats, ‘that we have a guest. Mr Lister has volunteered to give up his free period to give help,’ here his eyes lingered on Neville, who gulped, ‘ to those who require it.’
Raven was right when he said Snape didn’t seem happy abou it; his voice was full of bitter emotion.’
‘Today we will be making a hair-raising potion. You will all make note on this if you wish to get a good grade on your homework. You have this lesson. Go.’
Secret headed up to the store cupboard, and managed to fight her way back to her seat with the ingredients.
‘You alright with this?’ she looked to see Raven.
She gave a smile. ‘I’m fine. Go help someone who actually needs it.’
He gave her a smile back, and moved off to go help Neville, who was struggling already.
‘What did he want?’ She sighed and turned to Snape.
‘He was only seeing if I wanted help, Professor.’ She said, cocking an eyebrow in a manner identical to his.
He gave a scowl, and moved off to terrorise Harry and Ron. She turned back to her potion and added some rat’s tail, making a note as her potion hissed behind her.

After the lesson, Secret had just left the classroom when Raven caught her.
‘Secret!’
She turned round as he grabbed her shoulder. ‘Yeah?’
‘There’s, something I need to give you.’ He said.
‘What?’ she asked, noticing his cheeks going red.
He gave her a smile, took a breath, and leant in, crashing his lips to hers.
Secret stood there, their lips locked. His hands were on her waist, while her hands hung limply by her side.
But did she like this? If not, why was she wrapping her arms round his neck? Why was she allowing him to pull her closer so she was pressed against his chest? Why was she letting him run his fingers through her hair?
They eventually broke off for air, and looked each other in the eyes.
‘Wow.’ He breathed.
She simply gave him a smile. He chuckled and leant in, pressing his forehead against hers.
‘That was beautiful.’ He murmured, soothing her hair down.
She nodded in agreement, trying to catch her breath. He gave her a smile, tracing her cheek with a long, slender finger.
‘I have to go.’ He muttered. ‘I have Care of Magical Creatures next.’
He kissed her lips, then her forehead, then her cheeks, and then her nose, making her giggle. He then gave her another hug before leaving and she made her way to DADA. As they entered, she found herself a spot at the back, rolling her eyes at the girls scrabbling for front seats, and found Malfoy next to her.
‘Not a Lockheart fan, eh?’ he asked.
‘Pft. Can’t stand the man myself.’ She snorted.
‘Makes you better than every other girl in this room.’ He muttered.
It was at this point Lockheart walked in. he walked to the front and picked up Neville’s book, holding it to his face.
‘Me,’ he said, pointing at it and winking as well. ‘Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award but I don't talk about that. I didn't get rid of the Bandon Banshee by smiling at her!’
He waited for them to laugh; a few people smiled weakly. Secret was amazed at this guy’s ego.
‘I see you've all bought a complete set of my books - well done. I thought we'd start today with a little quiz. Nothing to worry about - just to check how well you've read them, how much you've taken in -…’
When he had handed out the test papers he returned to the front of the class and said, ‘You have thirty minutes - start - now!’
Secret looked down at her paper and read:

1. What is Gilderoy Lockhart s favorite color?

2. What is Gilderoy Lockhart's secret ambition?

3. What, in your opinion, is Gilderoy Lockhart's greatest achievement to date?

On and on it went, over three sides of paper, right down to:

54. When is Gilderoy Lockhart's birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?

She began to fill it in. She had reluctantly read the books, but she had thought they were a load of rubbish.
Half an hour later, Lockhart collected the papers and rifled through them in front of the class.
‘Tut, tut - hardly any of you remembered that my favorite color is lilac. I say so in Year with the Yeti . And a few of you need to read Wanderings with Werewolves more carefully - I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic peoples - though I wouldn't say no to a large bottle of Ogdeds Old Firewhisky!’
He gave them another roguish wink. Ron was now staring at Lockhart with an expression of disbelief on his face; Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, who were sitting in front, were shaking with silent laughter. Hermione, on the other hand, was listening to Lockhart with rapt attention and gave a start when he mentioned her name.
‘... but Miss Hermione Granger and Miss Secret Snape knew my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and market my own range of hair-care potions - good girl! In fact,’ - he flipped her paper over – ‘full marks! Where is Miss Hermione Granger and Miss Secret Snape?’
Hermione raised a trembling hand, while Secret raised hers half-heartedly.
‘Excellent!’ beamed Lockhart. ‘Quite excellent! Take ten points for Gryffindor each! And so - to business -…’
He bent down behind his desk and lifted a large, covered cage onto it.
‘Now - be warned! It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizardkind! You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room. Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here. All I ask is that you remain calm.’
Secret’s eyebrows were both raised, and she felt almost slightly uncomfortable. Lockhart placed a hand on the cover. Dean and Seamus had stopped laughing now. Neville was cowering in his front row seat.
‘I must ask you not to scream,’ said Lockhart in a low voice. ‘It might provoke them.’
As the whole class held its breath, Lockhart whipped off the cover.
‘Yes,’ he said dramatically. ‘Freshly caught Cornish pixies.’
Secret and Draco both stared, and then burst into peels of laughter.
‘Yes?’ Lockheart smiled at the two.
‘Cornish Pixie’s!’ snorted Draco.
‘I’m shaking in my boots!’ giggled Secret.
‘Don't be so sure!’ said Lockhart, waggling a finger annoyingly at the two. ‘Devilish tricky little blighters they can be!’
The pixies were electric blue and about eight inches high, with pointed faces and voices so shrill it was like listening to a lot of budgies arguing. The moment the cover had been removed, they had started jabbering and rocketing around, rattling the bars and making bizarre faces at the people nearest them.
‘Right, then,’ Lockhart said loudly. ‘Let's see what you make of them!’ And he opened the cage.
It was pandemonium. The pixies shot in every direction like rockets. Two of them seized Neville by the ears and lifted him into the air. Several shot straight through the window, showering the back row with broken glass. The rest proceeded to wreck the classroom more effectively than a rampaging rhino. They grabbed ink bottles and sprayed the class with them, shredded books and papers, tore pictures from the walls, up-ended the waste basket, grabbed bags and books and threw them out of the smashed window; within minutes, half the class was sheltering under desks and Neville was swinging from the iron chandelier in the ceiling.
Four grabbed Secret by the ankles and lifted into the air; she could only be thankful she was wearing her jeans.
‘Come on now - round them up, round them up, they're only pixies,’ Lockhart shouted.
He rolled up his sleeves, brandished his wand, and bellowed, ‘Peskipiksi Pesternomi!’
It had absolutely no effect; one of the pixies seized his wand and threw it out of the window. Lockhart gulped and dived under his own desk.
‘Hey! Impendimenta!’
The pixie’s holding her froze, dropping Secret and she fell straight into Draco’s waiting arms.
‘You okay?’ he asked, placing her back on her feet.
‘Fine.’ She said, before giving a yell as a flying quill flew past, slashing her cheek.
‘Little –…’
‘Secret!’
‘Oh Merlin’s pants!
They both dived out the way the chandelier came crashing down.
‘We got to get out of here!’ said Draco. ‘Accio school things!’
Their bags flew towards them and they grabbed them, racing out the door. Once outside the madness, they leaned against the cool wall.
‘That was…’ began Draco.
‘… a complete waste of time.’ Finished Secret.
He nodded. They made their way to the Great Hall, and left for their tables.
‘Word of advice.’ Said Secret, sitting between the twins. ‘Don’t attend DADA. Total waste of time!’

‘Secret? Secret wake up.’
‘Whut?’ she mumbled.
‘Wood’s calling practice.’ Said Alice, looking tired.
‘Is he mental?’ she moaned, hiding her face in the pillow. ‘It’s the crack of dawn.’
‘No, just serious. C’mon lil’ Secret.’
She yawned and got out of bed, looking for her robes. Finding them at last, she pulled them on, grabbed her broom and made her way downstairs.
‘Is Wood mental?’ she turned to see Fred and George, puffy-eye and tousle haired, coming down.
‘No, just serious.’ Said Secret, quoting Alice.
They eventually got to the changing rooms. She sat between Fred and George, trying not to fall asleep.
Eventually Harry turned up.
‘There you are, Harry, what kept you?’ said Wood briskly. ‘Now, I wanted a quick talk with you all before we actually get onto the field, because I spent the summer devising a whole new training program, which I really think will make all the difference...’
Wood was holding up a large diagram of a Quidditch field, on which were drawn many lines, arrows, and crosses in different colored inks. He took out his wand, tapped the board, and the arrows began to wiggle over the diagram like caterpillars. As Wood launched into a speech about his new tactics, Fred Weasley's head drooped right onto Alicia Spinnet's shoulder and he began to snore. Secret’s eyes slid shut as she leant against George, who’s arms wrapped round her, aloowing her to huddled closer to him until she was practically on his lap. Resting his chin on top of her head, she leaned her head against his chest. It was as Wood turned the board over that she fell asleep again.

‘So,’ said Wood, jerking Secret from her slumber suddenly. ‘Is that clear? Any questions?’
‘I've got a question, Oliver,’ said George, who had woken with a start. ‘Why couldn't you have told us all this yesterday when we were awake?’
Wood wasn't pleased. He started to rant, but Secret drowned him out by leaning her head back against George’s chest and letting the sound of his heart pumping the blood round his body fill her ears instead.
‘Secret, c’mon.’ George was gently shaking her. ‘We gotta go train.’
They had been in the locker room so long that the sun was up completely now, although remnants of mist hung over the grass in the stadium. As Secret walked onto the field, she saw J, Kieran and Scar in the stands.
‘Aren’t you finished yet?’ called J.
‘Haven’t even flipping started.’ Secret replied.
She mounted her broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring up into the air. She felt the wind lightly slapping her face, waking her up fully as she did a flew lopp-de-loops. She soared right around the stadium at full speed, racing Fred and George.
‘What's that funny clicking noise?’ called Fred as they hurtled around the corner.
‘Look this way, Harry! This way!’ a small voice cried.
‘Who's that?’ said Fred.
‘No idea,’ Harry said, putting on a spurt of speed that took him as far away as possible from the first year.
‘What's going on?’ said Wood, frowning, as he skimmed through the air toward them. ‘Why's that first year taking pictures? I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training program.’
‘He's in Gryffindor,’ said Harry quickly.
‘And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver,’ said George.
Secret shot George a look; did he know about J, Kieran and Scar?
‘What makes you say that?’ said Wood testily.
‘Because they're here in person,’ said George, pointing.
Several people in green robes were walking onto the field, broomsticks in their hands. Amongst the group, Secret spotted the long, swinging black hair of Raven.
‘I don't believe it!’ Wood hissed in outrage. ‘I booked the field for today! We'll see about this!’
Wood shot toward the ground, landing rather harder than he meant to in his anger, staggering slightly as he dismounted. Harry, Secret, Fred, and George followed.
‘Flint!’ Wood bellowed at the Slytherin Captain. ‘This is our practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!’
‘Too bloody right.’ Muttered Fred.
Marcus Flint was even larger than Wood. He had a look of trollish cunning on his face as he replied, ‘Plenty of room for all of us, Wood.’
Angelina, Alicia, and Katie had come over, too. There were no girls on the Slytherin team, who stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the Gryffindors, leering to a man. Raven looked round Flint, and smiled at Secret.
‘But I booked the field!’ said Wood, positively spitting with rage. ‘I booked it!’
‘Ah,’ said Flint. ‘But I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need to train their new Seeker'.’
Fred and George looked at Secret, who’s fists were clenched. She knew that Snape knew that they would be training. This was low!
‘You've got a new Seeker?’ said Wood, distracted. ‘Where?’
And from behind the six large figures before them came a seventh, smaller boy, smirking all over his pale, pointed face. It was Draco Malfoy.
‘Aren't you Lucius Malfoy's son?’ said Fred, looking at Malfoy with dislike.
‘Funny you should mention Draco's father,’ said Flint as the whole Slytherin team smiled still more broadly. ‘Let me show you the generous gift he's made to the Slytherin team.’
All seven of them held out their broomsticks. Seven highly polished, brand-new handles and seven sets of fine gold lettering spelling the words Nimbus Two Thousand and One gleamed under the Gryffindors'noses in the early morning sun.
‘Very latest model. Only came out last month,’ said Flint carelessly, flicking a speck of dust from the end of his own. ‘I believe it outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount. As for the old Cleansweeps’ - he smiled nastily at Fred and George, who were both clutching Cleansweep Fives – ‘sweeps the board with them.’
None of the Gryffindor team could think of anything to say for a moment. Malfoy was smirking so broadly his cold eyes were reduced to slits. Secret merely spat on the ground.
‘Bloody rich git.’ Was all she muttered.
‘Oh, look,’ said Flint. ‘A field invasion.’
Ron and Hermione were crossing the grass to see what was going on. Secret noted J, Kieran, and Scar not far behind.
‘What's happening?’ Ron asked Harry. ‘Why aren't you playing? And what's he doing here?’
He was looking at Malfoy, taking in his Slytherin Quidditch robes.
‘I'm the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley,’ said Malfoy, smugly. ‘Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our team.’
Ron gaped, open-mouthed, at the seven superb broomsticks in front of him. The three boys had turned up and were looking at the broom, with unimpressed looks on their faces.
‘Good, aren't they?’ said Malfoy smoothly. ‘But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them.’
The Slytherin team howled with laughter.
‘At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in,’ said Hermione sharply. ‘They got in on pure talent.’
The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered.
‘No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,’ he spat.
Chaos erupted at that one word. Fred and George both had to grab Secret to stop her jumping at Malfoy. Ron pulled his wand out and aimed it at Draco, yelling ‘Eat slugs Malfoy!’
A loud bang echoed around the stadium and a jet of green light shot out of the wrong end of Ron's wand, hitting him in the stomach and sending him reeling backward onto the grass.
‘Ron! Ron! Are you all right?’ squealed Hermione.
Ron opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead he gave an almighty belch and several slugs dribbled out of his mouth onto his lap.
Harry and Hermione helped him up and started to carry him off Hagrids. The Slytherin were in peels of laughter, par from Raven.
‘What’s up Lister? That was bloody hilarious!’ said Flint.
‘Did you see his face?’ snorted Draco.
‘Yeah, looked like this!’ With that, Secret wrenched her arm out of George’s grasp and threw her palm out.
A jet of green hit Malfoy, sending him backwards as George grabbed her arm again. Malfoy groaned as the Gryffindor cheers cheered.
‘What on earth is going on!’ McGonagall came running out, accompanied by Snape.
‘My father will hear -!’ Draco’s sentence was cut short as two large slugs fell out his mouth.
McGonagall looked form Malfoy belching slugs, to Secret being restrained by the twins and seemed to gather what had happened.
‘Miss -…’
‘He called Hermione a mudblood!’ shouted Secret, determined if she was going down then Malfoy was coming with her.
There was a silence.
‘Mr. Malfoy, is this true?’ asked McGonagall, nostrils flaring.
‘Well Professor…’
It was at this point both teams erupted in argument.
‘Quiet! Miss Snape, Mr. and Mr. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy, with me!’
They followed her, the twins still holding Secret’s arms.
‘Mr. Malfoy, please go see Madam Pomfrey. You three in there.’
They entered and McGonagall sighed.
‘Well, was it you Miss Snape?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’ Said Secret stubbornly. ‘I hold no regrets for my actions defending my friend.’
McGonagall sighed. ‘Like father, like daughter. You three may leave and I shall go and see Malfoy to give him the punishment he deserves.’
They left and Raven, who was standing outside the door, instantly swooped upon Secret.
‘You okay?’ he asked, cupping her face, brushing her hair out her eyes. ‘You’re not hurt?’
‘I’m fine Rav.’ She replied.
‘We better head back.’ Said Fred.
She was lead off and as they entered, a voice was yelling.
‘Secret Snape!’
She sighed and turned to see Percy.
‘Is it true? Did you curse Malfoy?’ he demanded.
‘Yes.’ She replied just as bluntly.
‘What were you thinking? Are you trying to loose points?’
Secret’s blood began to boil. ‘No Percy, I’m trying to give the slimy git the punishment he deserves!’
Percy sighed. ‘I need to speak to you.’
He lead her out and into the nearest available classroom, where he turned to face her.
‘What’s going on with Raven Lister?’
She was utterly surprised; she had been expecting a full-blown lecture about cursing people.
‘Sorry, what?’
‘I heard about what happened after Potions. He’s in my Care of Magical Creatures. He was telling his friends.’
‘So? Why does it concern you?’ she replied.
He suddenly moved forward, cupping her face in his hands. Taken-aback, she just looked up at him, inhaling that scent once again that always made her slightly giddy. For the love of Merlin!
‘I don’t like the idea of another guy’s lips on yours.’ She swore she heard him say.
‘Secret, I’m just concerned for you. Be careful.’
He left her, standing there, totally confused.

Uh oh... love triangle going on... who will come out the victor of Secret's heart?!?!
(personally I think Percy should haha )
PAMS please!!!
~Sam~

Holy Flying Saucers Like what I did there

Amazing chapter! So many love interests but I have already picked my favorite!

I am with Sam ^ totally Team Percy all the way!

PAMS!

~Alyssa

No comment!

0:1 to Team Percy

Haha, okay!

I saw that!

Oh have you?

2:0 to Team Percy!

Merry Xmas you lot!

Soon, Halloween came. After the great feat, they headed up to the common room when Secret heard a voice.
‘Blood… I smell blood…’
‘Secret?’
George snapping his fingers in front of her face brought her back to reality. She blinked.
‘Huh?’
‘You alright? You zoned out.’ He said.
‘She’s just tired after the feast.’ A pair of hands scooped her up and she was sat on Fred’s shoulders.
‘C’mon Troublemaker-in-Training!’
They kept waling, until they came to a complete stop. The trio was there, and writing. She got off and read it.
‘Enemies of the Heir, beware…’ she whispered.
Heir… heir... she was an heir…
She felt her knee’s buckle and she crumpled to the ground.
‘Secret!’
Arms wrapped round her, scooping her up.
‘Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!’ Draco.
‘What's going on here? What's going on?’ Attracted no doubt by Malfoy's shout, she heard Filch. Then, there was silence.
‘My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?’ he shrieked.
‘You!’ he screeched. ‘You ! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll -…’
‘Argus!’ Dumbledore had arrived.
‘Come with me, Argus. You, too, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger.’
‘My office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free -…’ That was Lockheart
‘Thank you, Gilderoy,’ said Dumbledore.
Whoever was holding her started to move, and before too long, she was being laid on a couch.
‘Secret! C’mon, wake up!’
She gave a moan and opened her eyes, to see two flaming haired faced peering worriedly at her.
‘What happened?’ she croaked.
‘You just fainted.’ Said Fred.
‘Secret? Is she okay?’
Percy had suddenly appeared.
‘Percy?’ she muttered.
He dropped to his knee’s next to her.
‘You okay?’ he asked.
‘I’m fine Percy.’ She whispered, feeling her cheeks heat up.
‘Percy? Penelope is outside the portrait hole.’ A seventh year suddenly appeared.
Secret felt her stomach drop. ‘P-Penelope?’
Percy suddenly looked ashamed slightly, and got up rather quicker than he had arrived.
Ginny looked at her, before getting up and slowly coming over. ‘Secret? Can I talk to you?’
Secret stood up, before letting Ginny take her wrist and lead her to her dorm. Once there, she turned to her.
‘Penelope is Percy’s girlfriend.’ She said.
Secret blinked a few times, before whispering ‘What?’
Ginny nodded. Secret sat heavily on the nearest bed, and placed her head in her hands. She held in her tears, and looked at Ginny.
‘Thank you for telling me.’ She murmured.
‘There’s something else.’
Secret nodded, indicating that she could continue.
‘I-I found this diary in my cauldron. I thought that Mummy had just got me it, but-but I don’t want it. Do you?’
She handed over a small black diary. Secret examined it, and looked in the front.
‘This diary belongs to Tom Mavolo Riddle.’
Secret felt her heart give a small jump. This had belonged to her brother.
‘Thank you Ginny.’ She said, standing up.
‘You’re welcome. And I’m sorry Secret.’
She nodded and headed to her own dorm. Lying on her bed, she picked a quill up and wrote on the first page. Her brother had been a very powerful wizard. There was no way it would be an ordinary diary.
‘My name is Secret Riddle.’
She watched, and then her eyes widened as the ink vanished into the paper. Words suddenly came back.
‘Hello Secret. I am Tom Riddle. You have the same last name as me. Are we related?’
Nearly spilling her ink to tell him, she replied.
‘Yes. You’re my older brother.’
Once again, she watched the ink vanished and reappear.
‘How so? My parents are dead. I have no siblings.’
‘You’re mum didn’t die. She placed a powerful memory charm on everyone so they thought she was dead, and then met my dad.’
‘So I have a little sister. I always fancied having a little sister.’
Secret smiled.

The next day however, she wasn’t smiling. She was staring at the writing on the wall.
‘Secret?’
It was Raven. He came up behind her before threading his arms round her waist.
‘I know you’re an heir. But I know it wasn’t you.’
She stayed silent.
‘C’mon.’
He led her to the room and pushed the door open.
‘Guys? Just me and Secret.’
He shut the door behind them and sat her on a beanbag.
‘We were just discussing who the heir might be.’ Said Scar.
‘I think Malfoy.’ Grunted Kieran.
‘Malfoy is no relation to Slytherin.’ Mumbled Secret, from where her face was hidden in Raven’s robes.
‘Who could it be then? Unless you have any siblings you’re telling us about.’ Said J.
‘Well…’
‘Go on. We’re not going to judge you.’ Said Scar, sensing it was a difficult topic.
‘You-Know-Who.’ Secret whimpered.
There was a silence. Then, Kieran spoke.
‘Well, unless he’s hiding behind a pot plant somewhere, I don’t think it’s him.’
He smiled. ‘If he does ever take over the world, do tell him what good mates we are?’
Secret grinned.

‘I don't believe it, I'm still eight inches short,’ said Ron furiously, letting go of his parchment, which sprang back into a roll. ‘And Hermione's done four feet seven inches and her writing's tiny.’
‘Shut up Ron.’ Secret said, scribbling furiously, peeved off that she was only two inches short.
‘Where is she?’ asked Harry, grabbing the tape measure and unrolling his own homework.
‘Somewhere over there,’ said Ron, pointing along the shelves. ‘Looking for another book. I think she's trying to read the whole library before Christmas.’
‘I thought she had already done that.’ Secret commented, looking up.
Harry told them both about Justin Finch-Fletchley running away from him.
‘Dunno why you care. I thought he was a bit of an idiot,’ said Ron, scribbling away, making his writing as large as possible. ‘All that junk about Lockhart being so great-…’
Hermione emerged from between the bookshelves. She looked irritable and at last seemed ready to talk to them.
‘All the copies of Hogwarts, A History have been taken out,’ she said, sitting down next to the three. ‘And there's a two-week waiting list. I wish I hadn't left my copy at home, but I couldn't fit it in my trunk with all the Lockhart books.’
‘I’ve got my own copy if you want to borrow it.’ Secret said absent-mindedly, making something up about the Medieval Assembly on European Wizards in a desperate attempt to make another inch’s worth of writing.
‘Why do you want it?’ said Harry.
‘The same reason everyone else wants it,’ said Hermione, ‘to read up on the legend of the Chamber of Secrets.’
‘What's that?’ said Harry quickly.
Secret looked up again, her heart skipping several beats.
‘That's just it. I can't remember,’ said Hermione, biting her lip. ‘And I can't find the story anywhere else-…’
‘Hermione, let me read your composition,’ said Ron desperately, checking his watch.
‘No, I won't,’ said Hermione, suddenly severe. ‘You've had ten days to finish it-…’
‘I only need another two inches, come on-…’
The bell rang. Ron and Hermione led the way to History of Magic, bickering.
History of Magic was the dullest subject on their schedule. Professor Binns, who taught it, was their only ghost teacher, and the most exciting thing that ever happened in his classes was his entering the room through the blackboard. Ancient and shriveled, many people said he hadn't noticed he was dead. He had simply got up to teach one day and left his body behind him in an armchair in front of the staff room fire; his routine had not varied in the slightest since.
Today was as boring as ever. Professor Binns opened his notes and began to read in a flat drone like an old vacuum cleaner until nearly everyone in the class was in a deep stupor, occasionally coming to long enough to copy down a name or date, then falling asleep again. He had been speaking for half an hour when something happened that had never happened before. Hermione put up her hand.
Professor Binns, glancing up in the middle of a deadly dull lecture on the International Warlock Convention of 1289, looked amazed.
‘Miss - er -?’
"Granger, Professor. I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the Chamber of Secrets," said Hermione in a clear voice.
Dean Thomas, who had been sitting with his mouth hanging open, gazing out of the window, jerked out of his trance; Lavender Brown's head came up off her arms and Neville Longbottom's elbow slipped off his desk.
Professor Binns blinked.
‘My subject is History of Magic,’ he said in his dry, wheezy voice. ‘I deal with facts , Miss Granger, not myths and legends.’ He cleared his throat with a small noise like chalk slipping and continued, ‘In September of that year, a subcommittee of Sardinian sorcerers-…’
He stuttered to a halt. Secret this time had raised her hand.
‘Miss – er - Snape?
‘Please, sir, don't legends always have a basis in fact?’ Secret said.
Professor Binns was looking at her in such amazement.
‘Well,’ said Professor Binns slowly, ‘yes, one could argue that, I suppose.’ He peered at Secret as though he had never seen a student properly before. ‘However, the legend of which you speak is such a very sensational, even ludicrous tale-…’
But the whole class was now hanging on Professor Binns's every word. He looked dimly at them all, every face turned to his. Secret could tell he was completely thrown by such an unusual show of interest.
‘Oh, very well," he said slowly. ‘Let me see... the Chamber of Secrets...’
‘You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago - the precise date is uncertain - by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age. The four school Houses are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They built this castle together, far from prying Muggle eyes, for it was an age when magic was feared by common people, and witches and wizards suffered much persecution.’
He paused, gazed blearily around the room, and continued.
‘For a few years, the founders worked in harmony together, seeking out youngsters who showed signs of magic and bringing them to the castle to be educated. But then disagreements sprang up between them. A rift began to grow between Slytherin and the others. Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed that magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage, believing them to be untrustworthy. After a while, there was a serious argument on the subject between Slytherin and Gryffindor, and Slytherin left the school.’
Secret felt eyes look at her and her face grew hot.
Professor Binns paused again, pursing his lips, looking like a wrinkled old tortoise.
‘Reliable historical sources tell us this much," he said. "But these honest facts have been obscured by the fanciful legend of the Chamber of Secrets. The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing.’
‘Slytherin, according to the legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his own true heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic.’
There was silence as he finished telling the story, but it wasn't the usual, sleepy silence that filled Professor Binns's classes. There was unease in the air as everyone continued to watch him, hoping for more. Professor Binns looked faintly annoyed.
‘The whole thing is arrant nonsense, of course,’ he said. ‘Naturally, the school has been searched for evidence of such a chamber, many times, by the most learned witches and wizards. It does not exist. A tale told to frighten the gullible.’
Hermione's hand was back in the air.
‘Sir - what exactly do you mean by the horror within' the Chamber?’
‘That is believed to be some sort of monster, which the Heir of Slytherin alone can control,’ said Professor Binns in his dry, reedy voice.
The class exchanged nervous looks.
‘I tell you, the thing does not exist,’ said Professor Binns, shuffling his notes. ‘There is no Chamber and no monster.’
‘But, sir,’ said Seamus Finnigan, ‘if the Chamber can only be opened by Slytherin's true heir, no one else would be able to find it, would they?’
‘Nonsense, O'Flaherty,’ said Professor Binns in an aggravated tone. ‘If a long succession of Hogwarts headmasters and headmistresses haven't found the thing-…’
‘But, Professor,’ piped up Parvati Patil, ‘you'd probably have to use Dark Magic to open it-…’
‘Just because a wizard doesn't use Dark Magic doesn't mean he can't, Miss Pennyfeather,’ snapped Professor Binns. ‘I repeat, if the likes of Dumbledore-…’
‘But maybe you've got to be related to Slytherin, so Dumbledore couldn't-…’ began Dean Thomas, but Professor Binns had had enough.
‘That will do,’ he said sharply. ‘It is a myth! It does not exist! There is not a shred of evidence that Slytherin ever built so much as a secret broom cupboard! I regret telling you such a foolish story! We will return, if you please, to history, to solid, believable, verifiable fact!’
And within five minutes, the class had sunk back into its usual torpor.
‘I always knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony," Ron told Harry, Secret and Hermione as they fought their way through the teeming corridors at the end of the lesson to drop off their bags before dinner. ‘But I never knew he started all this pure-blood stuff. I wouldn't be in his house if you paid me. Honestly, if the Sorting Hat had tried to put me in Slytherin, I'd've got the train straight back home...’
‘Hmph.’ Was all Secret said.

Saturday soon came, too quickly for Secret liking. As eleven o'clock approached, the whole school started to make its way down to the Quidditch stadium. It was a muggy sort of day with a hint of thunder in the air. J, Scar and Kierna came hurrying over to wish Secret and Ravne good luck as they entered their seperate locker rooms. The team pulled on their scarlet Gryffindor robes, then sat down to listen to Wood's usual pre-match pep talk.
‘Slytherin has better brooms than us,’ he began. ‘No point denying it. But we've got better people on our brooms. We've trained harder than they have, we've been flying in all weathers –…’(‘Too true," muttered George Weasley. "I haven't been properly dry since August’) ‘- and we're going to make them rue the day they let that little bit of slime, Malfoy, buy his way onto their team.’
‘Here here!’ said Secret.
Chest heaving with emotion, Wood turned to Harry.
‘It'll be down to you, Harry, to show them that a Seeker has to have something more than a rich father. Get to that Snitch before Malfoy or die trying, Harry, because we've got to win today, we've got to.’
‘So no pressure, Harry" said Fred, winking at him.
As they walked out onto the pitch, a roar of noise greeted them; mainly cheers, because Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were anxious to see Slytherin beaten, but the Slytherins in the crowd made their boos and hisses heard, too. Madam Hooch, the Quidditch teacher, asked Flint and Wood to shake hands, which they did, giving each other threatening stares and gripping rather harder than was necessary.
‘On my whistle," said Madam Hooch. "Three... two... one...’
They kicked off into the sky. Gripping her bat, she saw the Slytherin’s flying round like bullets. Growling and cursing Lucius under breath, she zoomed round, looking for a bludger to whack to Malfoy.
Suddenly, one came flying towards her. Hitting it with all her might, she was pleased as it flew off to hit Flint in the back of the head, causing him to drop the quaffle into the waiting hands of Alice below her.
WHAM!
A bludger hit her in the small of the back, and she felt a sharp, white hot pain run through it. Cursing Bole and making a mental note to hex him once she was off pitch, she few off, trying to ignore the pain.
She suddenly heard the whistle and saw Wood signaling for a time out. Flying to the ground, she got and hobbled over, wincing slightly as Fred put his arm round her waist.
‘What's going on?’ said Wood as the Gryffindor team huddled together, while Slytherins in the crowd jeered. ‘We're being flattened. Fred, George, Secret, where were you when that Bludger stopped Angelina scoring?’
‘We were twenty feet above her, stopping the other Bludger from murdering Harry, Oliver,’ said George angrily. ‘Someone's fixed it - it won't leave Harry alone. It hasn't gone for anyone else all game. The Slytherins must have done something to it.’
‘But the Bludgers have been locked in Madam Hooch's office since our last practice, and there was nothing wrong with them then...’ said Wood, anxiously. Madam Hooch was walking toward them. Over her shoulder, Secret could see the Slytherin team jeering and pointing in their direction.
‘Listen,’ said Harry as she came nearer and nearer, ‘with you two flying around me all the time the only way I'm going to catch the Snitch is if it flies up my sleeve. Go back to the rest of the team and let me deal with the rogue one.’
‘Don't be thick,’ said Fred. ‘It'll take your head off.’
Wood was looking from Harry to the Weasleys.
‘Oliver, this is insane,’ said Alicia Spinner angrily. ‘You can't let Harry deal with that thing on his own. Let's ask for an inquiry...’
‘If we stop now, we'll have to forfeit the match!’ said Harry. ‘And we're not losing to Slytherin just because of a crazy Bludger! Come on, Oliver, tell them to leave me alone!’
‘This is all your fault,’ Secret said angrily to Wood. ‘ “Get the Snitch or die trying”, what a stupid thing to tell him-…’
Madam Hooch had joined them.
‘Ready to resume play?’ she asked Wood.
Wood looked at the determined look on Harry's face.
‘All right,’ he said. ‘Fred, George, Secret, you heard Harry - leave him alone and let him deal with the Bludger on his own.’
The rain was falling more heavily now. On Madam Hooch's whistle, Secret kicked hard into the air, scanning for at least one shot at hitting that bludger into Malfoy’s face.
WHAM!
She had found it, but that was the second time it had crashed into her back. The force too much on her already injured back; she was knocked off her broom, giving a small scream of pain, hearing the laugh of the Slytherin beater.
‘Secret!’ The twin’s voices echoed in the air along with another.
A pair of hands grabbed her under her elbows and she was pulled onto the back of someone else’s broom. It was only when the long black hair tickled her face did she realize it was Raven.
He landed on the ground.
‘Lister! Put her down and get your behind back onto this pitch!’ roared Flint.
Ignore Flint, Raven picked her up bridal style and carried her off pitch. Madam hooch landed.
‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘Second bludger to the back; knocked her off her broom.’ Said Raven.
‘What position are you?’
‘Chaser.’
‘Right then. Take her to the hospital wing -…’
She looked behind as Harry fell on the ground, holding the snitch.
‘…- The match is over anyway.’
He nodded and proceeded to make his way up.
‘LISTER!’
He sighed and turned to see Flint. Secret gave a whimper as he agitated her back a little.
‘Sorry baby.’ He murmured.
‘What are you doing?’ shouted Flint. ‘Just clearing off during a match to take a Gryffindor, none the less, to the hospital wing?’
‘That is exactly what I’m doing Flint.’ With that, he turned round again and continued up, ignoring the yells from Flint.
Once inside the castle, he gently kissed her forehead.
‘Silly billy.’ He said.
‘Lister!’
They both looked to see Percy.
‘Oh geez.’ Thought Secret.
‘Hello Weasley.’ Said Raven politely.
‘I shall take Secret off you now. I’m sure you have to go change out your robes.’ Said Percy.
‘No, that can wait.’ Said Raven.
‘No no, I insist.’ Said Percy.
Raven reluctantly handed her over, although Secret was pretty sure it was just because of the quickly-advancing troll-like figure that was Marcus Flint heading their way that he wanted her to be away from, and Percy started heading towards the wing.
‘What happened Secret?’ he asked.
‘Two bludgers to the back.’ She mumbled.
‘Merlin.’
Upon arrival, Madam Pomfrey immediately came over.
‘Oh my word! What happened?’
Percy explained while Secret unintentionally nestled her head into his robes. She only noticed her surroundings when she was placed on a bed and her back tapped with a wand.
It went very warm, and then very cold.
‘You’ll still need to stay the night.’
Secret inwardly groaned.

That night, Secret awoke to feel a hand smoothing her hair down. Gently opening her eyes, she gave a small smile as she saw Andy.
‘Heya Uncle.’ She whispered.
‘Hiya Secret.’ He replied softly. ‘What happened this time?’
‘Two bludgers to the back during a Quidditch match. Madam Pomfrey wanted to keep me the night.’ She rolled her eyes at the Matron’s fussing in her memory.
‘Silly girl.’ He kissed her forehead.
Suddenly, Andy tensed. Secret lifted herself, so she was looking at the door.
There were footsteps coming down the passageway outside.
Andy suddenly backed away, and changed into his crow form. He leapt onto the windowsill, gave a sad cry and took off. Secret slumped back into bed, her eyes on the dark doorway to the hospital wing as the footsteps drew nearer.
Next moment, Dumbledore was backing into the dormitory, wearing a long woolly dressing gown and a nightcap. He was carrying one end of what looked like a statue. Professor McGonagall appeared a second later, carrying its feet. Together, they heaved it onto a bed. They were closely followed another statue, floating in midair. McGonagall waved her wand and it fell gently onto a bed.
‘Get Madam Pomfrey,’ whispered Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall hurried past the end of Secret’s bed out of sight. Secret lay quite still, pretending to be asleep. She heard urgent voices, and then Professor McGonagall swept back into view, closely followed by Madam Pomfrey, who was pulling a cardigan on over her nightdress. She heard a sharp intake of breath.
‘What happened?’ Madam Pomfrey whispered to Dumbledore, bending over the first statue on the bed.
‘Another attack,’ said Dumbledore. ‘Minerva found them both on the stairs.’
‘There was a bunch of grapes next to him,’ said Professor McGonagall, gesturing to the first figure. ‘We think he was trying to sneak up here to visit Potter. And he,’ here, she gestured to the other figure ‘had some candy. We think he was trying to visit Snape.’
Secret's stomach gave a horrible lurch. Slowly and carefully, she raised himself a few inches so she could look at the statue on the bed. A ray of moonlight lay across their staring faces.
The first bed held Colin Creevey. His eyes were wide and his hands were stuck up in front of him, holding his camera.
But the second one, she almost gasped. It was Kieran. His hands were shaped, and his body crouched, as though he had been peering over the shoulder of someone smaller than him.
‘Petrified?’ whispered Madam Pomfrey.
‘Yes,’ said Professor McGonagall. ‘But I shudder to think... If Albus hadn't been on the way downstairs for hot chocolate - who knows what might have-…’
The three of them stared down at Colin, occasionally looking over at Kieran.
‘I don’t understand. A first year, yes. But what could do this to the sixth year, who’s knowledge is much greater?’ whispered Madam Pomfrey.
There was no answer. Then Dumbledore leaned forward and wrenched the camera out of Colin's rigid grip.
‘You don't think he managed to get a picture of his attacker?’ said Professor McGonagall eagerly.
Dumbledore didn't answer. He opened the back of the camera.
‘Good gracious!’ said Madam Pomfrey.
A jet of steam had hissed out of the camera. Secret, five beds away, caught the acrid smell of burnt plastic.
‘Melted,’ said Madam Pomfrey wonderingly. ‘All melted...’
‘What does this mean, Albus?’ Professor McGonagall asked urgently.
‘It means,’ said Dumbledore, ‘that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again.’
Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand to her mouth. Professor McGonagall stared at Dumbledore.
‘But, Albus... surely... who?’
‘The question is not who,’ said Dumbledore, his eyes on Colin. ‘The question is, how...’
And from what Secret could see of Professor McGonagall's shadowy face, she didn't understand this any better than Secret did.

When she awoke the next day, she sat up very quickly, wincing slightly at her back. She looked at Kieran’s bed, but it was blocked by the high curtains.
Upon seeing she was awake, Madam Pomfrey bustled over with a breakfast tray, and while she was eating, she tapped Secret’s back in various places with her wand tip.
‘All okay. I’ve healed plenty of bones before, but I always prefer keeping those with broken backs in overnight, just incase.’ She smiled.
Secret nodded, and left. She headed to the room, and knocked on the door. It opened and she saw the eyes of Raven.
‘Secret.’ He stood back, letting her in.
The room was quite quiet, unlike normal. Scar and J were discussing, and looked up at Secret.
‘Secret.’ Said J, holding an arm out. ‘I assume you know?’
She nodded, before running over, allowing J to give her a hug.
‘It’s okay Secret. Kieran will be fine.’ Said Raven.
‘We were just discussing. I still stand with it being Malfoy.’ Said J.
‘D’you know what?’ snarled Scar. ‘I reckon he was so foul after the match, he took it out on the poor first year, and if I know Kieran, he was trying to protect that first year and got attacked as well.’

During the second week of December, McGonagall came round with the list, collecting the names of those who would be staying over the holidays. Secret made to sign it, but a crow, who was hanging around, shook it’s head and she stopped herself. A holiday with Andy and the guys would be better than one with her father who she still wasn’t talking to unless she had to.
A week later, Secret, Fred and George were walking across the entrance hall when they saw a small knot of people gathered around the notice board, reading a piece of parchment that had just been pinned up. Lee Jordan beckoned them over, looking excited.
‘They're starting a Dueling Club!’ he said. ‘First meeting tonight! I wouldn't mind dueling lessons; they might come in handy one of these days...’
‘What, you reckon Slytherin's monster can duel?’ said George, but he, too, read the sign with interest.
‘Could be useful,’ he said to Secret and Fred as they went into dinner. ‘Shall we go?’
‘I think we should.’ Said Secret. ‘Lee could be right, it might come in handy…’
‘Ahh Miss Snape! I assume you’re attending the dueling club?’ Secret grimaced as Lockheart clapped a hand on her shoulder.
‘Yes sir.’
‘Do you know anything about Dueling?’
‘A little, sir.’
‘Excellent! I shall require your assistance then this evening! See you then!’
Secret blinked as he swept off.
‘What just happened?’ asked Fred.
‘I think I just got roped into helping.’ Replied Secret.

At eight o'clock that evening they hurried back to the Great Hall. The long dining tables had vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one wall, lit by thousands of candles floating overhead. The ceiling was velvety black once more and most of the school seemed to be packed beneath it, all carrying their wands and looking excited.
‘I wonder who'll be teaching us?’ Secret heard Hermione wonder as they edged into the chattering crowd. ‘Someone told me Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was young - maybe it'll be him.’
‘As long as it's not -…’ Harry began, but he ended on a groan: Gilderoy Lockhart was walking onto the stage, in in robes of deep plum.
Lockhart waved an arm for silence and called ‘Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!’
‘Now, Professor Dumbledore has granted me permission to start this little dueling club, to train you all in case you ever need to defend yourselves as I myself have done on countless occasions - for full details, see my published works.’
He spun round and spotted Secret, and beckoned her upon the table. She clambered up, her wand in her hand.
‘Let me introduce my assistant, Miss Snape.’ said Lockhart, flashing a wide smile. "She tells me she knows a tiny little bit about dueling himself and has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration before we begin. Now, I don't want any of you to worry - you'll still have your class mate when I'm through with her, never fear!’
‘But with any luck, we won’t have out DADA teacher!’ She heard someone mutter.
Lockhart and Secret turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Secret gave a short bow. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.
‘As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position,’ Lockhart told the silent crowd. ‘On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course.’
Secret raised an eyebrow, wondering what spell to use on the blonde, curly-haired twit.
‘One…’ She could use Stupefy, but that maybe a little much.
‘Two…’ She could use Expelliarmus, but that was a bit basic.
‘Three!’ Aha!
Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Secret cried: ‘Flipendo!’ There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor.
Half the hall cheered.
‘Do you think he's all right?’ she heard Hermione squeal.
‘Who cares?’ was the reply she heard from Harry and Ron.
Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end.
‘Well, there you have it!’ he said, tottering back onto the platform. ‘That was the Flipendo jinx - as you see, I've been knocked backwards and lost my wand - ah, thank you, Miss Brown - yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Miss Snape, but if you don't mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy - however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see...’
Secret cocked her eyebrow; behind her, Snape looked murderous.
Perhaps Lockheart noticed, as he quickly started moving around, pairing them up. Secret climbed off the table where she went to stand with the twins.
‘Come now, come now, I said pairs! This will never do! Mr and Mr Weasley, if you will pair, Miss Snape, I think we shall pair you with Miss Parkinson!’
Pansy came over.
‘On my call, you will disarm your opponents only, using Expelliarmus!’
‘Scared Black?’ hissed Pansy with a smirk on her face.
‘Keep dreaming Parkinson.’ Secret snarled.
‘One, two, three!’
Abandoning her wand, Pansy leapt onto Secret, fighting her. Secret was knocked to the ground, due to Pansy being much taller and due to surprise, but not about to go down without a fight, fought back.
‘Woah, woah!’
They were pulled away; Draco had hold of Pansy, who supported a bleeding nose and a red cheek, and Percy had hold of Secret, who had gained a split lip and a black eye. Secret felt her cheeks burn again.
‘I think I'd better teach you how to block unfriendly spells,’ said Lockhart, standing flustered in the midst of the hall. He glanced at Snape, whose black eyes glinted, and looked quickly away. "Let's have a volunteer pair –Parkinson and Snape, how about you-…’
‘A bad idea, Professor Lockhart,’ said Snape, gliding over like a large and malevolent bat. ‘Due to Miss Parkinson’s apparent lack of self control, we’ll be sending what’s left of Miss Snape to the hospital wing in a matchbox. How about Malfoy and Potter?" said Snape with a twisted smile.
‘Excellent idea!’ said Lockhart, gesturing Harry and Malfoy into the middle of the hall as the crowd backed away to give them room.
Lockheart muttered something to Harry, and then raised his own wand, attempted a complicated sort of wiggling action, and dropped it. Snape smirked as Lockhart quickly picked it up, mumbling.
Snape moved closer to Malfoy, bent down, and whispered something in his ear. Malfoy smirked, too. Harry looked up nervously at Lockhart and said something.
Lockhart cuffed Harry merrily on the shoulder. ‘Just do what I did, Harry!’
‘What, drop my wand?’
But Lockhart wasn't listening.
‘Three - two - one - go!’ he shouted.
Malfoy raised his wand quickly and bellowed, ‘Serpensortia!’
The end of his wand exploded. A long black snake shot out of it, fell heavily onto the floor between them, and raised itself, ready to strike. There were screams as the crowd backed swiftly away, clearing the floor. Percy grabbed Secret and pulled her up into his arms, like he had done that day in Diagon Alley, holding her protectively. Out the corner of her eye, she saw a curly-haired Ravenclaw prefect shoot a glance over at her.
‘Don't move, Potter,’ said Snape lazily, clearly enjoying the sight of Harry standing motionless, eye to eye with the angry snake. ‘I'll get rid of it...’
‘Allow me!’ shouted Lockhart. He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight toward Justin Finch-Fletchley and raised itself again, fangs exposed, poised to strike.
‘Leave him alone!’ Harry shouted. Secret snorted; did he really think just yelling at it would work?
But miraculously - inexplicably - the snake slumped to the floor, docile as a thick, black garden hose, its eyes now on Harry.
She looked at Justin, amazed, expecting to see Justin looking relieved, or puzzled, or even grateful - but certainly not angry and scared.
‘What do you think you're playing at?’ he shouted, before he turned and stormed out of the hall.
Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake vanished in a small puff of black smoke.
Harry stood there, before Ron and Hermione got him away. The crowd slowly dispersed.
‘Percy?’ The Ravenclaw had turned up.
‘Penelope!’ Percy looked at Secret, almost surprised, before quickly putting her down, and taking the girls arm, walking off.
Secret watched the two, biting her lip. She then ran off to the bathroom, before locking herself in a stall, and crying into her hands.
‘Hello.’ She looked up, slightly shocked, but relaxed when she saw whom it was.
‘Hey Myrtle.’ She mumbled.
‘What’s wrong?’ the ghostly girl asked.
‘Broken heart, I guess.’ Secret muttered.
The girl rubbed her back, and Secret felt it turn icy cold, but it was almost comforting.
‘Who is it? I can go haunt him if you like!’ Myrtle looked gleeful. ‘It’s been ages since I haunted anyone.’
‘No thanks Myrtle. But, thanks for listening.’ Secret gave a smile.
‘You’re welcome. It gets lonely in here.’ She sighed.
Secret left, and then headed up to the tallest tower. Sitting on the edge, her legs dangling off the edge, she looked up at the starry sky, as the snow gently fell on her. It wasn’t fair.
Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed her waist, lifting her up.
‘Get off there before you fall and kill yourself.’
‘Hey Uncle.’ Secret mumbled.
The man sat her on his hip, holding her closely. ‘I saw the whole thing. I know Secret, it hurts, doesn’t it?’
Secret hid her face in the crook of his neck. ‘It hurts so much Andy. I just want it to stop.’
Andy rubbed her back. ‘I know Secret, I know. If I could stop it Secret, I promise you, I would.’
Secret simply stayed silent, her head on her uncle’s shoulder as she watched a shooting star fly by. Closing her eyes, she wished and wished, on something, she knew would never come true.

Long chapter loved it...

And now not so much Team Percy but maybe Team Raven half and half I suppose need more chapters to decide

It was cute, wow Pansy Vs Secret...Deadly fight!


WHAT DID SHE WISH FOR??? You kills us, you know! You kills us!


PAMS

Cheers!

That wasn't a hint was it?

Yes, very deadly!

Are you trying to sound like a house elf? -amused face-


Next day, Herbology was cancelled due to the blizzard. Secret was planning on trying to get her homework done, but instead she was whisked away by Fred and George to go work on some more pranks.
After an hour, Secret wiped the soot off her face, tutted slightly as the burns on her arms and that scratch on her face, before she headed down to charms, where she was met by a flurry of panicking students.
‘What the heck?’ she asked Lavender.
‘Nearly Headless Nick and Justin have both been attacked!’ Lavender squealed. ‘Harry’s in Dumbledore’s office.’
‘Oh god no.’ whispered Secret.

There was a major panic in school. What could be so deadly it could attack both a student and a ghost, who was already dead? There was practically a stampede to book seats on the train home for Christmas. Secret, who had already booked her seat, was rather amused, although the fact that people kept skirting Harry in the corridor was rather tiring, as if he was about to sprout fangs and start hissing.
However, Fred and George found the whole situation funny, as normal. She often joined them in going out her way to march down the corridor ahead of Harry, shouting, ‘Make way for the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming through...’
Percy was deeply disapproving of this behaviour.
‘It is not a laughing matter.’ he said coldly.
‘Oh, get out of the way, Percy.’ said Fred.
‘Harry's in a hurry.’ Chipped in Secret
‘Yeah, he's off to the Chamber of Secrets for a cup of tea with his fanged servant.’ said George, chortling.
Percy often shot worried looks at Secret when he saw her joining in with the twin’s antics, but more often than not, Penelope was there, holding Percy’s arm and making it quite clear that Percy was her boyfriend. This also amused Secret that Penelope saw her as almost a threat.
Ginny didn't find their antics amusing either though.
‘Oh, don't.’ she wailed every time Fred asked Harry loudly who he was planning to attack next, or when George pretended to ward Harry off with a large clove of garlic when they met, or when Secret shrieked and hid behind the nearest suit of armour when Harry walked her way.
Secret knew, however, that their actions made Harry feel better; at least he knew that Fred, George and Secret thought the idea of Harry being Slytherin’s heir was ridiculous.

Soon, term ended, and Secret was on the train home. Getting off at the station, she was instantly swept into a big hug by Andy.
‘Heya lil’ Secret!’ he said, with a huge grin on his face.
‘Heya Uncle.’ She said.
He scooped her onto his shoulders, and began walking home.
‘Sooo, how had school been?’ he asked.
‘You should know, you’ve been there! If it’s not you, it Ashley or Jinxx, or Jake or CC.’ she said.
This was true; she had often seen a bird following her a lot of late.
‘Well, don’t want you getting hurt.’ Said Andy. ‘I can’t have anything happening to my niece.’
‘Uuuuunnnncle!’ she whined. ‘I’ll be okay!’
‘I don’t care. I’m not taking any risks.’ Said Andy firmly.
He reached home and ducked under the door.
‘We’re home!’ said Andy.
‘Secret!’ Ashley came bounding in the room and pulled her off Andy’s shoulders, hugging her tightly. ‘Heyyyaa! How you been?’
‘Fine Ashes.’ She said, rolling her eyes.
‘You hungry?’ asked Ashley.
‘Starving, when can we eat?’ commented CC, walking in the room. ‘Oh, hey Secret!’
‘I was talking to Secret actually you twit.’ Scolded Ashley lightly, pretending to swat CC round the head.
‘No fighting you two.’ Said Jinxx, looking up from where he was tuning his guitar.
Andy swooped in and scooped Secret from Ashley, before looking at Jinxx, who grinned, put his guitar down and held his arms out.
‘Gimme.’ He pouted like a small child.
Andy went over and dropped her onto Jinxx’s lap, as the man hugged her tightly.
‘Soooo lil’ Secret! You fancy learning the guitar?’ he asked, ruffling her hair.
‘Really?’ she looked at the instrument.
‘After tea please!’ Jake stuck his head in the room. ‘The pizza is almost ready!’
‘Seriously, pizza?’ asked Andy, raising an eyebrow.

On Christmas morning, Secret awoke with bleary eyes. She was in someone’s embrace, lying on their chest.
Opening them, she looked at the man, and sighed, before placing her head back on CC’s chest. Dammit, she blamed him, he was the one who had kept her up all night by saying they were waiting for Santa.
She stretched slightly, before making herself more comfortable; the guys had drunk a lot of Madam Rosmetta’s mead last night and so would probably be asleep for a while longer, so she might as well try to get some more sleep.
Nestling her head into CC’s shirt and feeling his arms tighten round her, she wondered what Snape would be doing right now. Probably sweeping the dungeons like some oversized bat and mumbling, maybe wondering what she was doing at home.
She cocked her head as she heard some shuffling and noises by her side, and saw Andy asleep on the floor next to her. His arm was gently raised, as if though holding onto something. It was then Secret realised he was gently grasping her hand, which was hanging down. Man, the guy was protective.
‘Ughhh….’ She looked to see Jinxx was slowly waking up.
‘IT’S CHRISTMAS!’ Ashley had obviously awoken fully.
‘For the love of Merlin Ash! Just give us a heart attach why don’t ya?’ CC sat up suddenly, meaning Secret fell off and landed on Andy, which woke him up.
‘Ooof!’
‘Sorry Uncle.’ She mumbled. ‘Blame CC.’
‘I intend to. It’s his fault you didn’t sleep in your own bed last night.’ Said Andy, standing up, holding Secret.
‘Oh lighten up Biersack! It’s Christmas!’ Ashley was jumping around like a mad person. ‘I want her to open mine first!’
‘What, I got presents?’ Secret’s head snapped in the direction of a small mound of presents. ‘Holy blockamoley, so I did.’
Andy put her down, and Ashley handed her his over.
‘This one first!’
She laughed and pulled the wrapping paper off. Inside, was a Navy Hat; very similar to the one Ashley always wore, with studs and decorations.
‘Ohmygod, thank you!’ She squealed, throwing her arms round his neck. ‘I love it, I love it, I love it!’
‘Yay, I hoped so!’ he hugged her back.
Laughing, she was put down to delve into her other presents. Andy had got her a new pair of converses, Jinxx had got her a leather jacket, Jake had got her a Motley Crue t-shirt, a load of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans from CC, some more broom handle wax from Harry, a Tutshill Tornados scarf from Ron, a new quill from Hermione, a box of Dr. Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks from the twins, a book on Extremely Advanced potions from Snape, and a bracelet from Raven. That just left one gift.
‘No tag.’ Said Andy, passing it over.
Secret opened the present to revel a small box. Taking the lid off, her eyes widened.
It was a golden pendant, hung on a gold chain. It looked to be ancient, maybe from Egyptian times, and engraved on it, was some writing.
‘Whilst others may dream of treasure, riches and reaching the stars, I merely dream of you, just the way you are – Unknown.’
‘Oh my god.’ Secret turned the pendant over, in hope of some clue as to who sent it, but she merely saw two sets of initials.
‘S.S & P.I.W’
‘P.I.W?’ Andy was reading it over her shoulder.
‘I have no idea.’ Said Secret, feeling like someone had just stupefied her brain.
P.I.W? Who on earth was that?

It was going to be longer, but i decided to cut it off here...

Secret was shocked to discover when she got back that Hermione had been taken to hospital wing. After demanding the truth out of Harry and Ron, she flew up there to see her, extracting the truth out of her and then confirming that Lucius was never an heir, as he was no relation to her.
When the new term started, they brought her each day's homework.
"If I'd sprouted whiskers, I'd take a break from work," said Ron, tipping a stack of books onto Hermione's bedside table one evening.
"Don't be silly, Ron, I've got to keep up," said Hermione briskly. Her spirits were greatly improved by the fact that all the hair had gone from her face and her eyes were turning slowly back to brown. "I don't suppose you've got any new leads?" she added in a whisper, so that Madam Pomfrey couldn't hear her.
"Nothing," said Secret gloomily.
"I was so sure it was Malfoy," said Ron, for about the hundredth time.
"What's that?" asked Harry, pointing to something gold sticking out from under Hermione's pillow.
"Just a get well card," said Hermione hastily, trying to poke it out of sight, but Ron was too quick for her. He pulled it out, flicked it open, and read aloud:
"To Miss Granger, wishing you a speedy recovery, from your concerned teacher, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award."
Ron looked up at Hermione, disgusted.
"You sleep with this under your pillow?"
But Hermione was spared answering by Madam Pomfrey sweeping over with her evening dose of medicine.
"Is Lockhart the smarmiest bloke you've ever met, or what?" Ron said to Harry and Secret as they left the infirmary and started up the stairs toward Gryffindor Tower.
Snape had given them so much homework, Secret thought she was likely to be in the sixth year before she finished it. Ron was just saying he wished he had asked Hermione how many rat tails you were supposed to add to a Hair Raising Potion when an angry outburst from the floor above reached their ears.
‘Filch.’ Said Harry, as the two ran to the noise.
Secret continued on her homework, when a trembling Ginny came to her.
‘S-Secret? Y-Y’know that diary?’
Secret looked at her. ‘Yeah?’
‘W-W-Well…’
The girl suddenly started crying. Secret, surprised, hugged the girl. ‘Shh. Shh Ginny, now, what do you want to say?’
Ginny, with many gulps, explained how she had found the diary, and how she had been having spells, and finding herself covered in red, or rooster feathers, so she had taken the diary from Secret’s room, and thrown it down the toilet…
‘Okay Gin, okay. You did what was right, you got rid of it.’ She soothed.
Secretly, she was slightly upset – the diary had been her one way of communicating with her older brother – but she much more preferred Ginny to be safe and not petrifying students.
Secret’s head whipped up as footsteps were heard, and Harry and Ron came back.
‘What was it all about?’ She asked, as Ginny left to go talk to her friends.
‘Someone threw this at Myrtle.’ Said Harry.
‘What, is a sort of “50 points of you get this through her nose” thing?’ asked Secret, before Harry showed her it, and her heart skipped a few beats.
It was Tom’s diary.

Hermione left the hospital wing, de-whiskered, tail-less, and furfree, at the beginning of February. On her first evening back in Gryffindor Tower, Harry showed her T. M. Riddle's diary and told her the story of how they had found it.
‘Oooh, it might have hidden powers," said Hermione enthusiastically, taking the diary and looking at it closely.
"If it has, it's hiding them very well," said Ron. "Maybe it's shy. I don't know why you don't chuck it, Harry."
"I wish I knew why someone did try to chuck it," said Harry. "I wouldn't mind knowing how Riddle got an award for special services to Hogwarts either."
"Could've been anything," said Ron. "Maybe he got thirty O.W.L.s or saved a teacher from the giant squid. Maybe he murdered Myrtle; that would've done everyone a favor ..."
Hermione had a look of realization on her face
"What?" said Ron, looking from one to the other.
"Well, the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago, wasn't it?" Harry said. "That's what Malfoy said."
"Yeah..." said Ron slowly.
"And this diary is fifty years old," said Hermione, tapping it excitedly.
"So?"
"Oh, Ron, wake up," snapped Hermione. "We know the person who opened the Chamber last time was expelled fifty years ago. We know T. M. Riddle got an award for special services to the school fifty years ago. Well, what if Riddle got his special award for catching the Heir of Slytherin? His diary would probably tell us everything - where the Chamber is, and how to open it, and what sort of creature lives in it - the person who's behind the attacks this time wouldn't want that lying around, would they?"
"That's a brilliant theory, Hermione," said Ron, "with just one tiny little flaw. There's nothing written in his diary."
But Hermione was pulling her wand out of her bag.
"It might be invisible ink!" she whispered.
She tapped the diary three times and said, "Aparecium!"
Nothing happened. Undaunted, Hermione shoved her hand back into her bag and pulled out what appeared to be a bright red eraser.
"It's a Revealer, I got it in Diagon Alley," she said.
She rubbed hard on January first. Nothing happened.
"I'm telling you, there's nothing to find in there," said Ron. "Riddle just got a diary for Christmas and couldn't be bothered filling it in."

Nevertheless, Harry, it seemed, was determined to find out more about Riddle, so next day at break, he headed for the trophy room to examine Riddle's special award, accompanied by an interested Hermione, a curious Secret and a thoroughly unconvinced Ron, who told them he'd seen enough of the trophy room to last him a lifetime.
Riddle's burnished gold shield was tucked away in a corner cabinet. It didn't carry details of why it had been given to him ("Good thing, too, or it'd be even bigger and I'd still be polishing it," said Ron). However, they did find Riddle's name on an old Medal for Magical Merit, and on a list of old Head Boys.
"He sounds like Percy," said Ron, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Prefect, Head Boy... probably top of every class--"
"You say that like it's a bad thing," said Hermione in a slightly hurt voice.

The sun had now begun to shine weakly on Hogwarts again. Inside the castle, the mood had grown more hopeful. There had been no more attacks since those on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick, and Madam Pomfrey was pleased to report that the Mandrakes were becoming moody and secretive, meaning that they were fast leaving childhood.
"The moment their acne clears up, they'll be ready for repotting again," Secret heard her telling Filch kindly one afternoon. "And after that, it won't be long until we're cutting them up and stewing them. You'll have Mrs. Norris back in no time.
Secret thought whatever had happened, the diary had lost it’s hold on Ginny, as there had been no more attacks. This pleased her greatly.
Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff didn't take this cheerful view. He was still convinced that Harry was the guilty one, that he had "given himself away" at the Dueling Club. Peeves wasn't helping matters; he kept popping up in the crowded corridors singing "Oh, Potter, you rotter..." now with a dance routine to match, causing Secret to nearly throw something at the poltergeist.
Gilderoy Lockhart seemed to think he himself had made the attacks stop. Secret overheard him telling Professor McGonagall so while passing her class as the rest of her house lined up for Transfiguration.
"I don't think there'll be any more trouble, Minerva," he said, tapping his nose knowingly and winking. "I think the Chamber has been locked for good this time. 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…’
Secret almost gagged; what an absolutely big-headed mororn.
"You know, what the school needs now is a morale-booster. Wash away the memories of last term! I won't say any more just now, but I think I know just the thing..."
He tapped his nose again and strode off.

Lockhart's idea of a morale-booster became clear at breakfast time on February fourteenth. Secret hadn't had much sleep because of a late-running Quidditch practice the night before, and she hurried down to the Great Hall, slightly late. She thought, for a moment, that she'd walked through the wrong doors.
The walls were all covered with large, lurid pink flowers. Worse still, heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling. Secret went over to the Gryffindor table, where the twins and Lee Jordan looked rather amused and revolted at the same time.
"What's going on?" Secret asked them, sitting down and wiping confetti off her toast.
Fred simply pointed to the teachers' table. Lockhart, wearing lurid pink robes to match the decorations, was waving for silence. The teachers on either side of him were looking stony-faced. From where he sat, Harry could see a muscle going in Professor McGonagall's cheek. Snape looked as though someone had just fed him a large beaker of Skele-Gro.
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Lockhart shouted. "And may I thank the forty-six people who have so far sent me cards! Yes, I have taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all - and it doesn't end here!"
Lockhart clapped his hands and through the doors to the entrance hall marched a dozen surly-looking dwarfs. Not just any dwarfs, however. Lockhart had them all wearing golden wings and carrying harps.
‘Oh lord.’ Secret mttured.
"My friendly, card-carrying cupids!" beamed Lockhart. "They will be roving around the school today delivering your valentines! And the fun doesn't stop here! I'm sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion! And while you're at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments than any wizard I've ever met, the sly old dog!"
Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands. Snape was looking as though the first person to ask him for a Love Potion would be force-fed poison - Secret hoped it would be Penelope Clearwater.

All day long, the dwarfs kept barging into their classes to deliver valentines, to the annoyance of the teachers, and late that afternoon as the Gryffindors were walking upstairs for Charms, one of the dwarfs caught up with the four of them.
"Oy, you! Arry Potter!" shouted a particularly grim-looking dwarf, elbowing people out of the way to get to Harry.
Turning a rather deep shade of red, Harry tried to escape. The dwarf, however, cut his way through the crowd by kicking people's shins, and reached him before he'd gone two paces.
"I've got a musical message to deliver to Arry Potter in person," he said, twanging his harp in a threatening sort of way.
"Not here," Harry hissed, trying to escape.
"Stay still!" grunted the dwarf, grabbing hold of Harry's bag and pulling him back.
"Let me go!" Harry snarled, tugging.
With a loud ripping noise, his bag split in two. His books, wand, parchment, and quill spilled onto the floor and his ink bottle smashed over everything.
Harry scrambled around, trying to pick it all up before the dwarf started singing, causing something of a holdup in the corridor.
"What's going on here?" came the cold, drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. Harry started stuffing everything feverishly into his ripped bag, desperate to get away before Malfoy could hear his musical valentine.
"What's all this commotion?" said another familiar voice as Percy Weasley arrived.
Losing his head, Harry tried to make a run for it, but the dwarf seized him around the knees and brought him crashing to the floor.
"Right," he said, sitting on Harry's ankles. "Here is your singing valentine:
His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard,
I wish he was mine,
he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord'
Secret suspected that Harry would have given all the gold in Gringotts to evaporate on the spot. Trying valiantly to laugh along with everyone else, she helped him he got up, as Percy Weasley did his best to disperse the crowd, some of whom were crying with mirth.
"Off you go, off you go, the bell rang five minutes ago, off to class, now," he said, shooing some of the younger students away. "And you, Malfoy--"
Secret, glancing over, saw Malfoy stoop and snatch up something. Leering, he showed it to Crabbe and Goyle, and Secret realized that he'd got Riddle's diary.
"Give that back," said Harry quietly.
"Wonder what Potter's written in this?" said Malfoy, who obviously hadn't noticed the year on the cover and thought he had Harry's own diary. A hush fell over the onlookers. Secret stared at the diary, biting her lip.
"Hand it over, Malfoy," said Percy sternly.
"When I've had a look," said Malfoy, waving the diary tauntingly at Harry.
Percy said, "As a school prefect -" but Harry had lost his temper. He pulled out his wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!" and just as Snape had disarmed Lockhart, so Malfoy found the diary shooting out of his hand into the air. Ron, grinning broadly, caught it.
"Harry!" said Percy loudly. "No magic in the corridors. I'll have to report this, you know!"
But Secret thought it brilliant, Harry was one-up on Malfoy, and that was worth five points from Gryffindor any day. Malfoy was looking furious, and as Ginny passed him to enter her classroom, he yelled spitefully after her, "I don't think Potter liked your valentine much!"
Ginny covered her face with her hands and ran into class. Snarling, Ron pulled out his wand, too, but Secret and Harry pulled him away. Ron didn't need to spend the whole of Charms belching slugs.

Later that day, Secret was heading to Potions, when she heard a voice.
‘Secret Snape!’
She turned and groaned.
‘Oh no, no, no, no!’
She made a dash, but the dwarf caught her ankles and sent her to the floor, before sitting on her back as she lay there, a crowd gathering.
‘Right, I’s got a valentine for a Secret Snape.’ He grunted.
‘Cant you give it to me in private?’ Secret shot.
‘No.’ And with that he began to recite it.
“With hair as fiery as the sun,
I know that there is only one.
Eyes as grey as a silver piece,
Her beauty it seems will never decrease
I wish she was mine, but I lost my say
Maybe someday, I shall find a way
To make her my own and hold her tight
And keep her safe, day and night.”
The dwarf got up, and Secret got to her feet, face burning. Who on earth?...

It was now nearly four months since Justin and Nearly Headless Nick had been Petrified, and nearly everybody seemed to think that the attacker, whoever it was, had retired for good. Peeves had finally got bored of his "Oh, Potter, you rotter" song, Ernie Macmillan asked Harry quite politely to pass a bucket of leaping toadstools in Herbology one day, and in March several of the Mandrakes threw a loud and raucous party in greenhouse three. This made Professor Sprout very happy.
"The moment they start trying to move into each other's pots, we'll know they're fully mature," she told Secret. "Then we'll be able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing."
The second years were given something new to think about during their Easter holidays. The time had come to choose their subjects for the third year, a matter that Hermione, at least, took very seriously.
"...it could affect our whole future," she told Harry, Secret and Ron as they pored over lists of new subjects, marking them with checks.
"I just want to give up Potions," said Harry.
"We can't," said Ron gloomily. "We keep all our old subjects, or I'd've ditched Defense Against the Dark Arts."
‘And I’d have given up Astronemy.’ Added Secret
"But that's very important!" said Hermione, shocked at Ron’s words.
"Not the way Lockhart teaches it," said Ron. "I haven't learned anything from him except not to set pixies loose."
Neville Longbottom had been sent letters from all the witches and wizards in his family, all giving him different advice on what to choose. Confused and worried, he sat reading the subject lists with his tongue poking out, asking people whether they thought Arithmancy sounded more difficult than the study of Ancient Runes. Dean Thomas, who, like Harry, had grown up with Muggles, ended up closing his eyes and jabbing his wand at the list, then picking the subjects it landed on. Hermione took nobody's advice but signed up for everything.
Secret, in the end, took Care Of Magical Creatures, Divintaion, Muggle Studies (after Hermione practically forced her to) and Muggle Music, praying she had made the right choices.

Gryffindor's next Quidditch match would be against Hufflepuff. Wood was insisting on team practices every night after dinner, so that Secret barely had time for anything but Quidditch and homework. However, the training sessions were getting better, or at least drier, and the evening before Saturday's match, she was sitting with Hermione, pretty happy.
Suddenly, Harry and Ron came down and told the, that the diary had been taken.
Hermione looked aghast at the news.
"But - only a Gryffindor could have stolen - nobody else knows our password--"
"Exactly," said Harry.

They woke the next day to brilliant sunshine and a light, refreshing breeze.
"Perfect Quidditch conditions!" said Wood enthusiastically at the Gryffindor table, loading the team's plates with scrambled eggs. "Harry, buck up there, you need a decent breakfast."
Secret ate her breakfast. As she left the Great Hall with the twins, she heard the voice again.
‘Rip… kill…’
Shaking her head she walked on, nearly getting bulldozed over by Hermione as she sprinted away, up the stairs.
After pulling her scarlet robes on, the teams walked onto the field to tumultuous applause. Oliver Wood took off for a warm-up flight around the goal posts; Madam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflepuffs, who played in canary yellow, were standing in a huddle, having a last-minute discussion of tactics.
Secret was just mounting her broom when Professor McGonagall came half marching, half running across the pitch, carrying an enormous purple megaphone.
Secret's heart dropped like a stone.
"This match has been cancelled," Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone, addressing the packed stadium. There were boos and shouts. Oliver Wood, looking devastated, landed and ran toward Professor McGonagall without getting off his broomstick.
"But, Professor!" he shouted. "We've got to play - the cup - Gryffindor--"
Professor McGonagall ignored him and continued to shout through her megaphone:
"All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!"
Then she lowered the megaphone and beckoned Harry and Secret over to her.
"Potter, Snape, I think you'd better come with me..."
Wondering how she could possibly suspect Harry this time, Secret saw Ron detach himself from the complaining crowd; he came running up to them as they set off toward the castle. To her surprise, Professor McGonagall didn't object.
"Yes, perhaps you'd better come, too, Weasley..."
Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling about the match being canceled; others looked worried. Harry, Secret and Ron followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase. But they weren't taken to anybody's office this time.
"This will be a bit of a shock," said Professor McGonagall in a surprisingly gentle voice as they approached the infirmary. "There has been another attack... another double attack.’
Secret's insides did a horrible somersault. Professor McGonagall pushed the door open and Secret, Harry and Ron entered. Madam Pomfrey was bending over a fifth-year girl with long, curly hair. Secret recognized her as Penelope. And on the bed next to her was--
"Hermione!" Ron groaned.
Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy.
"They were found near the library," said Professor McGonagall. "I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them..."
She was holding up a small, circular mirror.
Secret, Harry and Ron shook their heads, both staring at Hermione.
"I will escort you back to Gryffindor Tower," said Professor McGonagall heavily. "I need to address the students in any case."

"All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No student is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher. All further Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed. There will be no more evening activities."
The Gryffindors packed inside the common room listened to Professor McGonagall in silence. She rolled up the parchment from which she had been reading and said in a somewhat choked voice, "I need hardly add that I have rarely been so distressed. It is likely that the school will be closed unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught. I would urge anyone who thinks they might know anything about them to come forward."
She climbed somewhat awkwardly out of the portrait hole, and the Gryffindors began talking immediately.
"That's two Gryffindors down, not counting a Gryffindor ghost, one Ravenclaw, and one Hufflepuff, " said the Weasley twins' friend Lee Jordan, counting on his fingers. "Haven't any of the teachers noticed that the Slytherins are all safe? Isn't it obvious all this stuff's coming from Slytherin? The Heir of Slytherin, the monster of Slytherin - why don't they just chuck all the Slytherins out?" he roared, to nods and scattered applause.
Percy Weasley was sitting in a chair behind Lee, but for once he didn't seem keen to make his views heard. He was looking pale and stunned.
"Percy's in shock," George told Secret quietly. "That Ravenclaw girl - Penelope Clearwater - she's a prefect. I don't think he thought the monster would dare attack a prefect."
Secret looked over at Percy and sighed.

Summer was creeping over the grounds around the castle; sky and lake alike turned periwinkle blue and flowers large as cabbages burst into bloom in the greenhouses. But with no Hagrid visible from the castle windows, striding the grounds with Fang at his heels, the scene didn't look right to Secret; no better, in fact, than the inside of the castle, where things were so horribly wrong. She had been told by the two about their visit to Hagrid, and what had happened to Dumbledore, and whole-heartedly agreed – with no Dumbledore, there would be an attack a day.
Harry, Secret and Ron had tried to visit Hermione, but visitors were now barred from the hospital wing.
"We're taking no more chances," Madam Pomfrey told them severely through a crack in the infirmary door. "No, I'm sorry, there's every chance the attacker might come back to finish these people off..."
With Dumbledore gone, fear had spread as never before, so that the sun warming the castle walls outside seemed to stop at the mullioned windows. There was barely a face to be seen in the school that didn't look worried and tense, and any laughter that rang through the corridors sounded shrill and unnatural and was quickly stifled.
One person, however, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere of terror and suspicion. Draco Malfoy was strutting around the school as though he had just been appointed Head Boy. Secret didn't realize what he was so pleased about until the Potions lesson about two weeks after Dumbledore and Hagrid had left, when, sitting right behind Malfoy, Secret overheard him gloating to Crabbe and Goyle.
"I always thought Father might be the one who got rid of Dumbledore," he said, not troubling to keep his voice down. "I told you he thinks Dumbledore's the worst headmaster the school's ever had. Maybe we'll get a decent headmaster now. Someone who won't want the Chamber of Secrets closed. McGonagall won't last long, she's only filling in..."
Snape swept past Secret, making no comment about Hermione's empty seat and cauldron.
"Sir," said Malfoy loudly. "Sir, why don't you apply for the headmaster's job?"
"Now, now, Malfoy," said Snape, though he couldn't suppress a thin-lipped smile. "Professor Dumbledore has only been suspended by the governors. I daresay he'll be back with us soon enough."
"Yeah, right," said Malfoy, smirking. "I expect you'd have Father's vote, sir, if you wanted to apply for the job - I'll tell Father you're the best teacher here, sir--"
Snape smirked as he swept off around the dungeon, fortunately not spotting Seamus Finnigan, who was pretending to vomit into his cauldron.
"I'm quite surprised the Mudbloods haven't all packed their bags by now," Malfoy went on. "Bet you five Galleons the next one dies. Pity it wasn't Granger--"
The bell rang at that moment, which was lucky; at Malfoy's last words, Ron had leapt off his stool, and in the scramble to collect bags and books, his attempts to reach Malfoy went unnoticed.
"Let me at him," Ron growled as Harry, Secret and Dean hung onto his arms. "I don't care, I don't need my wand, I'm going to kill him with my bare hands--"
"Hurry up, I've got to take you all to Herbology," barked Snape over the class's heads, and off they marched, with Harry, Secret, Ron, and Dean bringing up the rear, Ron still trying to get loose. It was only safe to let go of him when Snape had seen them out of the castle and they were making their way across the vegetable patch toward the greenhouses.
The Herbology class was very subdued; there were now two missing from their number, Justin and Hermione.
Professor Sprout set them all to work pruning the Abyssinian Shrivelfigs. Secret noticed as Harry went to tip an armful of withered stalks onto the compost heap, he found himself face-to-face with Ernie Macmillan. Ernie took a deep breath and said, very formally, "I just want to say, Harry, that I'm sorry I ever suspected you. I know you'd never attack Hermione Granger, and I apologize for all the stuff I said. We're all in the same boat now, and, well--"
He held out a pudgy hand, and Harry shook it.
Ernie and his friend Hannah came to work at the same Shrivelfig as Harry, Secret and Ron.
"That Draco Malfoy character," said Ernie, breaking off dead twigs, "he seems very pleased about all this, doesn't he? D'you know, I think he might be Slytherin's heir."
"That's clever of you," said Ron, who didn't seem to have forgiven Ernie as readily as Harry.
"Do you think it's Malfoy, Harry?" Ernie asked.
"No," said Harry, so firmly that Ernie and Hannah stared.

Having been escorted to DADA, Secret sat down, moodily doodling on the photo of Lockheart on the front of her book, which didn’t seem best please at having a goatee and twirly beard tattooed on him.
As the blond-haired moron himself bounded into the room, the class stared at him. Every other teacher in the place was looking grimmer than usual, but Lockhart appeared nothing short of buoyant.
"Come now," he cried, beaming around him. "Why all these long faces?"
People swapped exasperated looks, but nobody answered.
"Don't you people realize," said Lockhart, speaking slowly, as though they were all a bit dim, "the danger has passed! The culprit has been taken away--"
"Says who?" said Dean Thomas loudly.
"My dear young man, the Minister of Magic wouldn't have taken Hagrid if he hadn't been one hundred percent sure that he was guilty," said Lockhart, in the tone of someone explaining that one and one made two.
"Oh, yes he would," said Ron, even more loudly than Dean.
"I flatter myself I know a touch more about Hagrid's arrest than you do, Mr. Weasley," said Lockhart in a self-satisfied tone.
Secret merely snorted; she knew about Harry and Ron’s trip. She would of gone with them, but for some reason she couldn’t seem to get rid of Percy – everywhere she went, he always seemed to be there.
But Lockhart's disgusting cheeriness, his hints that he had always thought Hagrid was no good, his confidence that the whole business was now at an end, irritated Secret so much that she yearned to throw Gadding with Ghouls right in Lockhart's stupid face.

The Gryffindor common room was always very crowded these days, because from six o'clock onward the Gryffindors had nowhere else to go. They also had plenty to talk about, with the result that the common room often didn't empty until past midnight.
Harry went to get something from his dormitory right after dinner, and spent the evening sitting on a chair, not moving. Secret, Fred and George challenged Harry and Ron to a few games of Exploding Snap, and Ginny sat watching them, very subdued in Hermione's usual chair. She suspected Harry and Ron kept losing on purpose, trying to finish the games quickly, but even so, it was well past midnight when Secret, Fred, George, and Ginny finally went to bed. As she climbed the stair, she shot one last look at the two, suspecting they were up to something.
As it turned out, her suspicion was right.

"All those times we were in that bathroom, and she was just three toilets away," said Ron bitterly at breakfast next day, "and we could've asked her, and now..."
Secret nodded. They had told her about the trip, and she immediately joined in on their assumption.
But something happened in their first lesson, Transfiguration, that drove the Chamber of Secrets out of their minds for the first time in weeks. Ever since Dumbledore had left, she was being made to attend regular Transfiguration lessons, of which she found increasingly easy and dull. Ten minutes into the class, Professor McGonagall told them that their exams would start on the first of June, one week from today.
"Exams?" howled Seamus Finnigan. "We're still getting exams?"
There was a loud bang behind Secret as Neville Longbottom's wand slipped, vanishing one of the legs on his desk.Professor McGonagall restored it with a wave of her own wand, and turned, frowning, to Seamus.
"The whole point of keeping the school open at this time is for you to receive your education," she said sternly. "The exams will therefore take place as usual, and I trust you are all studying hard."
Studying hard! With all of the madness round school? Secret thought all the stress and somehow sent McGonagall round the bend. There was a great deal of mutinous muttering around the room, which made Professor McGonagall scowl even more darkly.
"Professor Dumbledore's instructions were to keep the school running as normally as possible, she said. "And that, I need hardly point out, means finding out how much you have learned this year."
Secret looked down at her white rabbit slippers. What had she learned so far this year? She couldn't seem to think of anything that would be useful in an exam.
Ron looked as though he'd just been told he had to go and live in the Forbidden Forest.
"Can you imagine me taking exams with this?" he asked the two, holding up his wand, which had just started whistling loudly.
Three days before their first exam, Professor McGonagall made another announcement at breakfast.
"I have good news," she said, and the Great Hall, instead of falling silent, erupted.
"Dumbledore's coming back!" several people yelled joyfully.
"You've caught the Heir of Slytherin!" squealed a girl at the Ravenclaw table.
"Quidditch matches are back on!" roared Wood excitedly.
When the hubbub had subsided, Professor McGonagall said, "Professor Sprout has informed me that the Mandrakes are ready for cutting at last. Tonight, we will be able to revive those people who have been Petrified. I need hardly remind you all that one of them may well be able to tell us who, or what, attacked them. I am hopeful that this dreadful year will end with our catching the culprit."
There was an explosion of cheering. Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and wasn't at all surprised to see that Draco Malfoy hadn't joined in. Ron, however, was looking happier than he'd looked in days.
"It won't matter that we never asked Myrtle, then!" he said to Harry. "Hermione'll probably have all the answers when they wake her up! Mind you, she'll go crazy when she finds out we've got exams in three days time. She hasn't studied. It might be kinder to leave her where she is till they're over."
Secret was just shuddering at the though of Hermione when she found out that information when Ginny Weasley came over and sat down next to Ron. She looked tense and nervous, and Secret noticed that her hands were twisting in her lap.
"What's up?" said Ron, helping himself to more porridge.
Ginny didn't say anything, but glanced up and down the Gryffindor table with a scared look on her face that reminded Secret of someone.
"Spit it out," said Ron, watching her.
Secret suddenly realized who Ginny looked like. She was rocking backward and forward slightly in her chair, exactly like Dobby did when Lucius was about to punish him for something.
"I've got to tell you something," Ginny mumbled, carefully not looking at Harry.
"What is it?" said Harry.
Ginny looked as though she couldn't find the right words.
"What?" said Ron.
Ginny opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Harry leaned forward and spoke quietly, so that only Ginny, Secret and Ron could hear him.
"Is it something about the Chamber of Secrets? Have you seen something? Someone acting oddly?’
Ginny drew a deep breath and, at that precise moment, Percy Weasley appeared, looking tired and wan.
"If you've finished eating, I'll take that seat, Ginny. I'm starving, I've only just come off patrol duty."
Ginny jumped up as though her chair had just been electrified, gave Percy a fleeting, frightened look, and scampered away. Percy sat down and grabbed a mug from the center of the table.
"Percy!" said Ron angrily. "She was just about to tell us something important!"
Halfway through a gulp of tea, Percy choked.
"What sort of thing?" he said, coughing.
"I just asked her if she'd seen anything odd, and she started to say…’
"Oh - that - that's nothing to do with the Chamber of Secrets," said Percy at once.
"How do you know?" said Ron, his eyebrows raised.
"Well, er, if you must know, Ginny, er, walked in on me the other day when I was - well, never mind - the point is, she spotted me doing something and I, um, I asked her not to mention it to anybody. I must say, I did think she'd keep her word. It's nothing, really, I'd just rather--"
Secret had never seen Percy look so uncomfortable.
"What were you doing, Percy?" said Ron, grinning. "Go on, tell us, we won't laugh."
Percy didn't smile back.
"Pass me those rolls, Harry, I'm starving."

Lockhart, who had so often assured them that all danger had passed, only to be proved wrong right away, was now wholeheartedly convinced that it was hardly worth the trouble to see them safely down the corridors. His hair wasn't as sleek as usual; it seemed he had been up most of the night, patrolling the fourth floor.
"Mark my words," he said, ushering them around a corner towards History of Magic. "The first words out of those poor Petrified people's mouths will be “It was Hagrid”. Frankly, I'm astounded Professor McGonagall thinks all these security measures are necessary."
"I agree, sir," said Harry, making Ron drop his books in surprise, and Secret’s jaw drop.
"Thank you, Harry, said Lockhart graciously while they waited for a long line of Hufflepuffs to pass. "I mean, we teachers have quite enough to be getting on with, without walking students to classes and standing guard all night..."
"That's right," said Ron, joining in. "Why don't you leave us here, sir, we've only got one more corridor to go--"
Secret was amazed and confused.
"You know, Weasley, I think I will," said Lockhart. "I really should go and prepare my next class--"
And he hurried off.
"Prepare his class," Ron sneered after him. "Gone to curl his hair, more like."
It was only when Secret got to History Of Magic she realized they were both missing.
Glancing at Binn’s, she managed to sneak out of class, and hurry towards the second floor corridor, where she caught Ginny daubing another message. Heart pumping, she grabbed the girls wrist.
‘Ginny!’ she cried.
Ginny’s glazed eyes suddenly turned normal, and she realized where she was.
‘Secret!’ she cried before collapsing in the girls arms, sobbing.
Secret soothed the girl, hugging her tightly, smoothing her hair down
‘Come to me.’ The low, hypnotic voice bounced off the walls.
Ginny whined and clapped her hands over her ears. Secret hugged her tightly.
‘Tom! This isn’t funny anymore! Stop it!’ she yelled.
A low laugh came, a smooth chuckle.
‘Don’t resist. Come to me. Follow my voice.’
Ginny seemed to want to, but Secret held on.
‘Ginny, you can fight it! I know you can!’ Secret exclaimed.
‘Why? C’mon Ginny, I’m your friend.’
‘Ginny, he’s not, trust me!’ Secret begged, but she felt weird, and weak.
‘Both of you, come, finish the message, and join me. Your big brother is waiting.’
Her big brother…
Her arms went limp, and once Ginny had daubed the message, her legs took her to the bathroom.
‘Speak Secret. Open it.’
‘Open.’ She said, but the noise that left her lips was a low hissing.
The serpent on the tap gleamed, and the sink moved; it sank out of sight, leaving a large pipe. They both slid down, and once on their feet, followed the voice to a large chamber. They walked to the end, to a statue, and then suddenly, Ginny dropped, like a puppet who’s strings had just been cut.
‘Ginny? Ginny!’ Secret seemed to snap back to reality and feel to her knee’s, shaking the girl.
‘She won’t wake.’
Secret turned, and slowly rose. A tall boy stood there, with dark brown curls and two, almond shaped, hazel eyes. Secret automatically knew who this person was.
‘Tom.’ She whispered.
‘Please, Secret, you know I don’t like that name.’ he said, gently walking over, his shoes making a clicking noise as he walked over.
Even she could tell he wasn’t fully real. He was still slightly transparent, and a little blurry round the edges. But by the second, he was becoming more defined and more solid.
‘I think it suits you.’ She said quietly, examining her brother.
He appeared to have been doing the same thing, as he commented ‘You’re rather small, aren’t you?’
‘Just cause you’re tall.’ She replied.
He gave a laugh, and cupped her face with his long, slender fingers.
‘You look like your father. But there’s Marvolo blood in you. We just need to bring it out.’ He said softly.
Secret was quiet. Tom slipped his fingers into her pocket and pulled her wand out, ebfore tapping her hair. It immediately turned the same color as his, a deep, rich brown.
‘You look more like me already. Be proud of your heritage. You come from two very powerful bloodlines.’ He said, smoothing her hair down.
She nodded, tears leaping to her eyes. She had always wanted to meet her big brother. And now he was here.
‘Oh Secret, don’t cry, shh, shh.’ He enveloped her into a tight hug. ‘Your brothers here now. I’ve got you.’
‘Tom, please, stop this. She’s my best friend, Hermione’s my best friend, Kieran’s my best friend.’ She wept softly into the front of his robes.
‘Shh, shh, soon I’ll be fully formed. Nothing will separate us again.’ He soothed.
Secret bit her lip.
‘I’m sorry Tom.’
She pulled away and grabbed Ginny’s wand, pointing it at Tom, who looked shocked.
‘I’m so sorry.’ She whispered.
Tom suddenly pointed her own wand at her and the world went black.

When she came too, Harry was fighting the Basilisk. Tom was sitting cross legged, her nestled in the crook, and he was gently playing with her hair.
‘Uhh whu-…’ she mumbled.
‘Shh, shh.’ He soothed.
‘Tom… why…’ she muttured.
‘You hit your head pretty hard when you fell.’ He replied.
She wanted to respond, but she was so comfy and warm…
Her vision faded and she soon blacked out again.

When she next came round, she was lying on the cool stone ground.
‘Tom?’ she asked groggily. ‘Tom? Tom!’
‘Secret!’ Harry was by her side, helping her to her feet.
‘Harry?’ she mumbled. ‘Ginny!’
She looked to see the flame-haired girl.
‘Ginny!’ she ran over and hugged her. ‘Thank merlin you’re alright!’
Fawkes, Dumbledore’s glorious phoenix that she had seen so many times during her lessons, was waiting for them, hovering in the Chamber entrance. Harry urged Ginny forward; they stepped over the motionless coils of the dead basilisk, through the echoing gloom, and back into the tunnel. Secret heard the stone doors close behind them with a soft hiss.
After a few minutes progress up the dark tunnel, a distant sound of slowly shifting rock reached Secret's ears.
"Ron!" Harry yelled, speeding up. "Ginny's okay! I've got her!"
She heard Ron give a strangled cheer, and they turned the next bend to see his eager face staring through the sizable gap he had managed to make in the rock fall.
"Ginny!" Ron thrust an arm through the gap in the rock to pull her through first. "You're alive! I don't believe it! What happened?" How - what - where did that bird come from?"
Fawkes had swooped through the gap after Ginny.
"He's Dumbledore's," said Harry, squeezing through himself.
"How come you've got a sword?" said Ron, gaping at the glittering weapon in Harry's hand as Secret clambered through.
"I'll explain when we get out of here," said Harry with a sideways glance at Ginny, who was crying harder than ever.
"But--"
"Later," Harry said shortly. "Where's Lockhart?"
"Back there," said Ron, still looking puzzled but jerking his head up the tunnel toward the pipe. "He's in a bad way. Come and see."
Led by Fawkes, whose wide scarlet wings emitted a soft golden glow in the darkness, they walked all the way back to the mouth of the pipe. Gilderoy Lockhart was sitting there, humming placidly to himself.
"His memory's gone," said Ron. "The Memory Charm backfired. Hit him instead of us. Hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I told him to come and wait here. He's a danger to himself."
Secret sniggered.
Lockhart peered good-naturedly up at them all.
"Hello," he said. "Odd sort of place, this, isn't it? Do you live here?"
"No," said Ron, raising his eyebrows at Harry and Secret.
Harry bent down and looked up the long, dark pipe.
"Have you thought how we're going to get back up this?" he said to Ron.
Ron shook his head, Secret shrugged, but Fawkes the phoenix had swooped past Harry and was now fluttering in front of him, his beady eyes bright in the dark. He was waving his long golden tail feathers. Secret looked uncertainly at him.
"He looks like he wants you to grab hold..." said Ron, looking perplexed. "But you're much too heavy for a bird to pull up there--"
"Fawkes," said Harry, "isn't an ordinary bird." He turned quickly to the others. "We've got to hold on to each other. Ginny, grab Ron's hand. Professor Lockhart--"
"He means you," said Ron sharply to Lockhart.
"You hold Ginny's other hand. Secret, take hold of Lockhart’s other hand."
Harry tucked the sword and the Sorting Hat into his belt, Ron took hold of the back of Harry's robes, and Harry reached out and took hold of Fawkes's tail feathers.
An extraordinary lightness seemed to spread through her whole body and the next second, in a rush of wings, they were flying upward through the pipe. Secret could hear Lockhart above her, saying, "Amazing! Amazing! This is just like magic!" The chill air was whipping through Secret's still dark brown hair, and before she'd stopped enjoying the ride, it was over - all five of them were hitting the wet floor of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, and as Lockhart straightened his hat, the sink that hid the pipe was sliding back into place.
Myrtle goggled at them.
"You're alive," she said blankly to Harry.
"There's no need to sound so disappointed," he said grimly, wiping flecks of blood and slime off his glasses.
"Oh, well... I'd just been thinking... if you had died, you'd have been welcome to share my toilet," said Myrtle, blushing silver.
"Urgh!" said Ron as they left the bathroom for the dark, deserted corridor outside. "Harry! I think Myrtle's grown fond of you! You've got competition, Ginny!"
But tears were still flooding silently down Ginny's face.
"Where now?" said Ron, with an anxious look at Ginny. Harry pointed.
Fawkes was leading the way, glowing gold along the corridor. They strode after him, and moments later, found themselves outside Professor McGonagall's office.
Harry knocked and pushed the door open.
For a moment, they stood there, covered in muck and slime, and blood in Harry’s case.
Then, there was a scream, closely followed by a yell.
‘Ginny!’
‘Secret!’
Secret was suddenly scooped into a massive hug by Andy, who spun round.
‘Oh Merlin, you’re alive!’ he whispered, his tear-stained cheek pressing against hers.
She buried her face in the crook of his neck, feeling his hand gently caress her curls.
‘Where’s Dad?’ she whimpered.
‘In his office, do you want to go see him?’ asked Andy.
She nodded. Andy shot a look at Dumbledore, who Secret hadn’t noticed, who gave a nod. He carried her out and down to his office, where he knocked on the door.
‘What part of “I do not want to be disturbed” do people not understand?” called the very annoyed voice of Snape.
‘Fine, I’ll just go and see Kieran and Raven and the guys!’ Secret called.
‘You shall do no such thing!’
She grinned at Andy, as footsteps were heard and the door unlocked. It flew open and she was pulled into a tight hug.
‘Daddy!’ she gasped.
‘Oh god, you have no idea how relieved I am!’ he said.
She smiled. ‘Ye of little faith.’
‘Feast! There is to be a feast!’ squealed a house-elf, relaying the message.
Andy laughed. ‘Shall we head down?’
They walked down, and Secret stopped at the door, looking for a set of twins…
‘Secret!’ Fred stood up, closely followed by George, holding his arms out.
She grinned and ran over, allowing him to hug her tightly.
‘Secret! You’re alive!’ he said.
George was on her other side, trying to get a hug. Eventually, Fred let her go so George could hug her.
‘What happened?’
She explained it all. It was at this point Dumbledore stood up, meaning they had to sit. She was sat in between the twins.
Secret had been to several Hogwarts feasts, but never one quite like this. Everybody was in their pajamas, and the celebration lasted all night. Secret didn't know whether the best bit was Hermione running toward Harry and Ron, screaming "You solved it! You solved it!" or Justin hurrying over from the Hufflepuff table to wring Harry’s hand and apologize endlessly for suspecting him, or Hagrid turning up at half past three, cuffing Harry and Ron so hard on the shoulders that they were knocked into their plates of trifle, or Harry and Ron's four hundred points for Gryffindor securing the House Cup for the second year running, or Professor McGonagall standing up to tell them all that the exams had been canceled as a school treat ("Oh, no!" Secret distinctly heard Hermione whisper), or Dumbledore announcing that, unfortunately, Professor Lockhart would be unable to return next year, owing to the fact that he needed to go away and get his memory back. Quite a few of the teachers joined in the cheering that greeted this news.
"Shame," she heard Ron say as he helped himself to a jam doughnut. "He was starting to grow on me."