Preserved in a Diary

November 1^st

Tom, something happened last night, a cat was petrified and I don't remember anything! I have paint on my robes as well. There was writing on the wall, everyone saw, after the feast.

A cat was petrified, not dead?

Yes, everyone says it's petrified.

How do they know?

I don't know Tom, something weird happened, I don't remember where I was!

Did you go to the feast?

I don't know, I don't remember anything, I'll ask someone.

I wouldn't do that, best not to attract any attention if you weren't there.

Everyone is so scared, I am too, I hope no one says anything if I wasn't there. But I couldn't have done it, I don't know how.

How?

To petrify a cat, I don't know the spell, if you even use a spell. Filch the caretaker was so upset when Mrs Norris was attacked.

Calm down, I'm sure you didn't do it.

Oh Tom, I feel so sick, I think I need to rest.

November 2^nd

Dear Tom, I still don't remember where I was, it was probably me! Everyone is saying that Harry is the one who did it.

The famous Harry Potter? Why?

Everyone is saying that he, Ron and Hermione were found outside Myrtle's bathroom. But I know they didn't do it.

Can you be sure?

Well no, but they just wouldn't, Snape and Filch just want to believe it's him. Dumbledore said that they couldn't have because they're only in 2^nd year and they don't know that kind of magic.

But Harry Potter, you say he has done amazing things.

No, he wouldn't, I know he wouldn't do something like that.

Hermione? You say she is very clever.

No, she wouldn't do something even remotely wrong.

Do not worry yourself, you need rest.

Okay.

November 6^th

Dear Tom, I am feeling better since the last time I wrote.

That's good.

I'm so worried, what if Harry is expelled?

They have no idea who did it?

No, but everyone is talking about it, I heard that some Muggle-borns are worried.

They should be.

What? Why do you say that?

What did the words say? On the wall?

It was horrible, in big red letters; The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir beware.

Enemies of the heir.

Everyone is saying that Harry is the heir of Slytherin and he opened the chamber! But I know he isn't, I feel like it's my fault.

Nonsense, how is it your fault?

The paint, I might have done it.

But you aren't in Slytherin.

Exactly, I'm so confused. I can't be the heir of Slytherin because I'm not even in Slytherin!

That settles it then.

But what about Harry, what if he's expelled?

If there is no evidence, no one can be expelled.

I guess you're right Tom. Ron was trying to make me feel better about it earlier today, he said that I hadn't got to know Mrs Norris and we were better off without her. He said stuff like this doesn't often happen at Hogwarts and then he was joking about it!

It's not something to joke about.

I know, it's terrible. I have to go now Tom, Bye.

Goodbye.

November 8th

Dear Tom, everyone is still scared, the teachers seem so as well but they keep saying that the Chamber of Secrets is a legend.

Do you believe this?

No, I think it's real. I saw the writing Tom, Filch was trying to scrub it off but he couldn't.

He couldn't remove the writing?

No, he looked very angry, I felt a bit sorry for him.

Why was he scrubbing? Why not a simple cleaning spell?

I don't know, that is strange, maybe he already tried one and it didn't work.

Maybe.

No, now that I think about it, he doesn't use magic at all. He walks around with a mop and bucket.

Interesting.

I should go to bed Tom, Goodnight.

Goodnight.

November 11^th

Dear Tom, there is a Chamber of Secrets! Professor Binns told Ron's class about it in History of Magic. It's an amazing story.

Story?

Well yes.

Tell me.

One of the four wizards that founded Hogwarts, Salazar Slytherin, didn't want Muggle-borns to be accepted to Hogwarts. Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor had an argument, and then Slytherin left.

Go on.

Before Slytherin left he built a hidden chamber in the castle, he sealed it so that only his heir could unseal it. In the chamber there is a monster that only the heir can control.

Sounds frightening.

It does, that monster could kill all the Muggle-borns in the school.

The teacher, Professor Binns, you said that teachers were saying it was a legend?

Well yes, Binns said that it was only a legend but how can that be with a Petrified cat and those words on the wall? Hermione said that myths were always based on fact.

It seems like she knows a lot.

She does. I still have homework to do. Goodnight Tom.

November 15^th

Dear Tom, Percy just told me that Harry, Ron and Hermione were in Myrtle's bathroom.

Isn't that a girl's bathroom?

Yes but nobody goes there, especially not now that Filch's cat was attacked outside it.

But they were there.

Yes, Percy said that Ron said they were looking for clues.

Seems suspicious.

That's what Percy said, he thinks that they shouldn't have gone back there.

They don't seem entirely innocent.

They are innocent, they didn't do it. They probably went there because no one goes there and they didn't want to be disturbed.

That's very secretive.

Maybe, but it wouldn't have anything to do with the Chamber of Secrets.

Perhaps not.

I have to go Tom. Bye.

Goodbye.

November 19^th

Dear Tom, there's a Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch match coming up.

Who are you supporting?

Gryffindor! Tom, are you kidding?

Okay, it was a stupid question.

I can't wait to see Harry fly, he's the seeker. I really hope they win. I've never seen Harry fly but he must be good, the seeker is the one who ends the game after all.

You seem excited.

I am. I better do some Charms homework now, bye.

Goodbye Ginny.

November 22^nd

Dear Tom, it was an interesting Quidditch match, Gryffindor won of course but there was a mad bludger trying to knock Harry of his broom!

Oh dear.

Yes, someone must have tampered with it, probably Malfoy. Harry caught the snitch but he broke his arm. Then Lockhart removed all the bones in his arm, what an idiot.

Removed all the bones from his arm? What on earth for?

I don't know, he's just stupid. Now Harry's in the Hospital Wing growing back his bones, I hope he's alright. I feel really tired.

What do you want me to do?

Go to the bathroom on the first floor again; call the Serpent as you did before, take it to the hospital wing. If anyone sees you, bid the serpent to attack, when the Serpent has attacked, run back to bed as fast as you can. Do what you must to stay out of sight.

I shall go.

Do not fear me Ginny.

I won't fear you.

Leave now.

November 23^rd

Dear Tom, I'm scared, there was another attack last night, it was Colin Creevey.

You say, this boy, Colin Creevey, is dead?

No, no not dead, petrified.

When?

Last night, I feel terrible, Colin sat next to me in Charms, he was pretty nice as well and he was Muggle-born.

Don't feel bad, it isn't your fault.

But what if it was? What if I'm the heir?

That's impossible, you aren't a Slytherin.

But what if I'm evil or something?

No, you are a nice girl; there is nothing to worry about.

I suppose you are right, I'm not in Slytherin; the Sorting Hat put me in Gryffindor.

Yes.

Ron thinks that Malfoy's the heir; I wouldn't be surprised because he's really mean. I think I might try and get some rest, though I doubt I will. Goodnight.

Goodnight Ginny.

November 26^th

Dear Tom, I'm still upset about Colin, Fred and George were trying to cheer me up by covering themselves with fur and boils.

That's strange.

I know they're a bit weird like that. Percy thinks that I'm having nightmares, I've had a few, but I think he's just guessing, how could he know anyway?

He couldn't.

I just can't believe this is happening, I should go to bed, I haven't slept much. Goodnight Tom.

Goodnight Ginny.