38 Chapter-38: The Chamber of Secrets

Fred and George Weasley came through, just like how Ronan had predicted. The twins brought the Runic pen, and in the process, they got acquainted with him as well. His ultimate goal was to get in their good graces as he would have grand plans for them in the future, especially when those two would open their own shop. That is why he wanted to befriend them as soon as possible.

Another reason that Ronan wanted to befriend the twins was because he wanted an artifact that they would make in the future. He vaguely remembers the twins giving Harry a piece of parchment that shows what everyone in the school is doing and where they are at all times. Ronan had no idea how the twins made such a precious thing, but he would like to have his hands on such an item, it could be very useful to him in the future…

It was the eve of Halloween, and Ronan was in his room adding some last touches to his invention. Everyone else from the house had gone to feast, while he was the only one to remain behind. Before him was an old-looking plastic doll. Every piece of ornament and hair on the thing was stripped by him. Now it looked like a creepy bald naked baby, with beautiful blue eyes. Along with the doll were metal strips, which were all filled with Runic symbols, every perceivable area of the strips was covered with Runes.

To start his experiment, he first started cutting the back of the doll with a ceremonial knife that he found courtesy of the Room. After there was a considerable hole, he started filling aligning, and fitting the metallic strips all around the doll's body. Every strip served a purpose, and it was essential for him to align and connect every strip with its partner. It was a very delicate work and took a lot of elbow grease.

By the time he was done, put back the stripped part of the doll, and with just a normal repairing charm he stuck it back together.

Ronan looked at the lifeless doll before him, with a deep breath simply put his wand on the doll, and said, "Arise,"

The doll started twitching, it slowly folded its leg, pushed itself with its hands, and stood up. Seeing this Ronan couldnt help but wheeze with delight. He then put his wand on the doll and said, "Dab for me,"

The doll pulled its legs wide apart, leaned to one side, and with his arm aligned, performed the best dab that it could perform to its abilities. Seeing which he was impressed.

'Now that the concept is ready. I could probably move on to something more… Concrete. I could create something more my style.' Ronan thought.

Feeling accomplished he got up and decided to go out for a walk. There was no one in the common room, which meant that the feast was still going on. Still, with a step in his steps and started making his way to the great hall, he realized that he might as well come back with his friends. And it was then he bumped into the most terrible ghost of the castle, Peeves.

"Nicky sobs, no head hunt for him today…" he seemed to mumbling something headless hunt and Headless Nick, the ghost of Gryffindor tower. And luckily, he didnt spot him. So he had to take another way to the great hall. The pair of stairs that he took would take two floors above the hall, and from there he would have to come back down. But it was worth it if he didnt have to see Peeves.

As he got to the second floor of the castle, his mind was busy thinking about the next steps that he would have to take in his projects. His legs were swiftly making their way when his he stepped a foot in the water on the floor. He looked down to see that the whole floor looked flooded, he realized that this must have been done by Moaning Murtle, she was the ghost of the girl's toilet on the floor. And she does this from time to time, whenever someone makes fun of her or she is upset.

Paying no attention to the water, he was about to walk past it without thinking, when he heard the sound of footsteps swiftly making their way towards him. He looked to his right and saw that Longbottom and his gang were making their way towards him. He was about to greet them when the sudden smell of blood assaulted him. Something got triggered inside him, he started looking at the floor only to see a reflection of words appearing on the water's surface.

He turned around and there it was.

_________________________

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.

ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE

___________________________

The words were scribbled in the ominous red letters, and if he is right then the letters were scribbled with blood. And if that was not ominous enough, in the torch bracket nearest to those words was the hated animal of the Hogwarts, hanging by its tail. Mrs Norris looked lifeless.

"What the hell is this?" Ronan asked.

"You tell me, you were here before us," Ron added.

Harry then chimed in, "Shouldn't.. We help?"

The sounds of hundreds of footsteps coming up the stairs. Before they knew it, both the corridors before them were filled with children, all staring at them. Malfoy came from the back from somewhere. His pale face took one look at the words and him, and he started grinning crazily, "You wrote this Ronan? Nice,"

He really wanted to choke that boy at the moment, but Malfoy was not done yet, "Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!"

"What's going on here? What's going on?" Argus Filch came his way forward, after heading Malfoy's shouts from earlier. He took one look at all five of them and then at the message, with his eyes finally came to a stop at the cat.

"My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" he shrieked. Then his eyes landed on Harry "You!" he screeched. "You! You've murdered my cat! You killed her! I will kill you! I will…."

"Argus!" Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by several other teachers. The old coot looked around the place, and finally, his eyes rested on all five of them.

"Come with me, Argus," he said to Filch. "You, five follow me as well."

Lockhart stepped forward eagerly. "My office is nearest, Headmaster.. just upstairs. Please please feel free to use it."

"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore. They silently parted, with students staring at them as they followed the teachers.

As they entered Lockhart's office, Dumbledore put Miss Norris on the bed while Lockhart hurriedly lit up all the candles. Dumbledore leaned towards the cat, looking at her closely through his half-moon spectacles, his long fingers gently prodding and poking. Professor McGonagall was bent almost as close, her eyes narrowed. Snape loomed behind them, half in shadow, wearing a blank face. And Lockhart was hovering around all of them, making suggestions.

"It was definitely a curse that killed her… probably the Transmogrifian Torture… I have seen it used many times, so unlucky I wasn't there, I know the very countercurse that would have saved her. . . ." Lockhart comments only fueled Argus relentless crying, which was getting on Ronan's nerves.

Dumbledore was now muttering strange words under his breath and tapping Mrs. Norris with his wand but nothing happened. Then the old coot spoke, "She's not dead, Argus," he said softly.

"Not dead?" choked Filch, looking through his fingers at Mrs. Norris. "But why is she all stiff and frozen?"

She has been Petrified," said Dumbledore "But how, I cannot say. . . ."

"Ask him!" shrieked Filch, turning his blotched and tear-stained face to Harry.

"No second year could have done this," said Dumbledore firmly. "It would take Dark Magic of the most advanced…"

"He did it, he did it!" Filch spat, his pouchy face purpling. "You saw what he wrote on the wall! He found… in my office… he knows I am a.. I'm a —" Filch's face worked horribly. "He knows I'm a Squib!" he finished

"I never touched Mrs. Norris!" Harry said loudly, uncomfortably aware of everyone looking at him. Neville backed him as well, "Yes, we were never near the place... Ronan was already there when we arrived.." Neville stopped, aware that Ronan was not staring at him with a very sharp and creepy gaze.

It was then Snape spoke with command. "Johanson, out with it."

Ronan couldnt help but sigh, "I didnt do it, professor. I was on my way to the feast when I bumped into Peeves. So it took the staircase to the second floor. And when I was coming down towards the great hall, I saw this."

"This late?" Snape asked, "Feast started about an hour ago,"

"I was not hungry sir,"

It is then Professor Sprout said, "You didnt even show up in today's class." Normally the woman didnt say anything to him, except for acknowledging his answer in class. But now she was looking him straight in his eyes. When he stared back, she remained resolute for a few seconds, before lowering her eyes.

Hearing her words, everyone started looking at him. He sighed once again then said, "I was working on a project of mine, and lost track of time."

It is then Professor McGonagall spoke, "Your nonchalant attitude is making me question your intent, Mr. Johanson."

"Accusation and suspicion are just exhaled air professor. I am not the kind of person who would get scared with no evidence whatsoever. Or as the muggles say, I am innocent, until proven guilty."

"My cat has been Petrified!" Filch shrieked, "I want to see some punishment!"

"We will be able to cure her, Argus," said Dumbledore patiently. "Professor Sprout recently managed to procure some Mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made that will revive Mrs. Norris."

"I will make it," Lockhart butted in. "I must have done it a hundred times. I could whip up a Mandrake Restorative Draught in my sleep.."

"Excuse me," said Snape icily. "But I believe I am the Potions master at this school."

There was a very awkward pause when Dumbledore chimed, "You may all go,"

They all went out without running, while Ronan was walking in front of them. When go to the outer area of the floor, Ronan who had suddenly turned to his right opened an empty classroom. "Everyone, in"

There was a pause, but they finally went inside. Now they could talk in peace.