The Chamber of Secrets, the Heir, and the petrified Mrs Norris.
News of what had happened that day spread through Hogwarts in no time—and even reached the Ministry of Magic.
If not for Dumbledore's reputation and the fact that no students were harmed, the Ministry might have already stepped in. After all, this wasn't the first time the Chamber had been opened.
And last time... things had gotten out of hand.
As the first ones to witness the scene and then be summoned to the Headmaster's office for questioning, Harry Potter and Hermione quickly became the center of attention across the entire school.
As for why they weren't treated as suspects, besides Dumbledore's personal clarification, there was also someone else who drew even more suspicion...
"Draco, where were you last night? Goyle and the others said you didn't show up at the Halloween party after that."
It was Pansy asking—she hadn't gone to the Great Hall either, having just taken her potion and choosing to stay alone in the dormitory until the smoke and side effects wore off.
That's why she hadn't been tagging along with Draco last night.
But she hadn't expected such a huge incident to happen while she was absent...
"Do you think it's actually true?"
"Who knows? But that cat really was petrified."
"You think it might've been those filthy—"
"Keep it down! What if someone from Slytherin hears you?"
Everywhere she went, Pansy could hear students whispering about it—and she could feel the suspicious glances that made her fume.
With her mood growing colder by the minute, Pansy finally reached a deserted corridor corner. Only then did she angrily tug at Draco's sleeve, who looked as if none of it concerned him.
She didn't necessarily think it was a bad thing, but those stares still made her uncomfortable...
"Draco... the Heir mentioned on the wall..."
"No. I mean, I've read a bit about the so-called Chamber of Secrets, but I honestly don't know where it is. And obviously, I'm not the Heir."
Seeing his thoughtful look, and knowing Draco had never lied to her before, Pansy was certain he had nothing to do with any of it.
Whether it was the Heir or the opening of the Chamber—Draco wasn't involved.
But clearly, not everyone saw it that way…
…
Pansy had a reason for asking that question.
It all started with the condition Mrs Norris was in. When Filch saw his beloved cat lying petrified and lashed out, accusing Hermione and the others of being the culprits, it was Dumbledore who arrived on the scene and immediately dismissed the accusation.
According to Dumbledore, the petrification involved a form of advanced Dark magic that couldn't be easily reversed—something far beyond the abilities of a second-year student, even a top student like Hermione.
But ironically, that very statement ended up casting suspicion on Draco instead.
Besides the Chamber of Secrets being deeply tied to Slytherin, there was also Draco's background and skill to consider.
After all, most wizards didn't see Draco as just another second-year...
"So you really don't know anything about the Chamber being opened?"
Thunk!
"Ow—!"
"I can't help but feel like you're hiding something from me."
"I'm not—I swear!"
"That just makes you sound even more suspicious."
Draco gave Pansy an annoyed look and lightly knocked her on the head, feeling like he might've just walked into some sort of trap set by this girl.
Under his glare, Pansy guiltily ducked her head.
Unlike Draco, who brushed off such things, Pansy had teamed up with his followers to use this opportunity to make sure every student in Hogwarts knew—Draco was the one most qualified to be called the Heir.
In fact, while the Chamber might be seen as a dark taboo in other houses, within Slytherin, the title of Heir carried a very different weight.
After all, it was Salazar Slytherin's Chamber...
...
The Great Hall.
Despite what had happened, perhaps because it hadn't happened to any of the students or their friends, most young wizards didn't feel the slightest sense of danger. Instead, they treated the whole thing like an intriguing story.
While the rest of the school focused its suspicion on Slytherin, Harry and his friends looked noticeably more serious...
"You believe me, right?"
"Of course I do. But Harry, you have to admit—this whole thing is really strange."
For some reason, Ron hadn't vanished like he usually did and had come to the Great Hall with Harry. The sight of the two of them together genuinely stunned Hermione for a moment. It was like seeing something unreal, especially since they'd been such good friends before.
Hermione glanced over at them, puzzled by the conversation.
"Believe what?"
"Hermione, remember when I asked you if you heard any voices?"
"Voices... Didn't you just mishear—"
"No. Listen to me. It was that voice that led us there."
"Harry, that sounds a bit..."
"I know it sounds crazy. But it's not just the voice that's strange."
As they spoke, neither Harry nor Hermione noticed the odd look in Ron's eyes—like something had just clicked.
But Harry's next question interrupted whatever Ron had been thinking...
"Who do you think wrote the words on the wall?"
"Oh, come on, it has to be that evil Malfoy. Pretty much everyone's saying it."
Ron's loud and firm reply earned a few agreeing nods from nearby Gryffindors.
"Yeah, that's what everyone's saying now."
"So does that mean he really opened the Chamber?"
"What's even in the Chamber of Secrets, anyway?"
"Could be treasure."
"Or powerful magic."
"Maybe there's even a dragon in there."
Before long, the conversation had shifted to what sort of treasures might lie within the Chamber of Secrets.
Even so, Hermione shot Ron Weasley an annoyed glare from across the table. She didn't believe for a second that Draco would go around attacking a cat...