Destination Unknown

Chapter 14

November 14^th, 2016

"Pace resigned as Captain!" said Nimrod.

"Why?" Cory asked.

"He says he doesn't want to play anymore."

"Why?" Harry asked.

Nimrod shrugged. He was a chaser on the team. Crabbe and Goyle were beaters. Harry was seeker and Cory was the keeper. Pace and another sixth year named Leblanc were the other two chasers.

"Chasers are the biggest trouble-makers," said Harry moodily, stabbing his breakfast with his fork.

"Problem, Mr. Malfoy?" came a silky voice. Harry turned to see Professor Snape standing behind him.

"Yes, Professor. Pace has resigned."

"We shall need a new Captain, then."

"And a new chaser."

"Correct, Mr. Malfoy. Who would you suggest?"

"My brother, sir," said Harry immediately.

"Do you agree, Mr. Malfoy?" Snape asked Cory, who shook his head.

"And why not?" Snape seemed to be holding back a smile.

"I think Harry will be a better captain, sir. He is better at the game and has a much better understanding of it than I have."

Snape turned to Harry.

"Do you accept?"

Harry glanced at Cory, who gave him a thumbs-up. He nodded at Snape.

"Very well, then. Now, get a new chaser."

"Yes, sir."

Snape walked off, his robes billowing behind him. Harry and Cory walked out together.

"You know, I can't shake off the feeling that he somehow dislikes me," said Harry.

"I feel that he's scared of me."

"Perhaps he fears that you will out-knowledge him," laughed Harry. Cory laughed, too.

"Maybe," he said.

"You know, Cory, I was thinking about visiting this Chamber of Secrets Mum told us about."

"Why?"

"Well, it isn't on your map, for one thing. It would be nice to add it. The Marauders would be proud. And I want to see it, too"

"Let's go, then. Straight after classes."

"Hello? Anybody here?" called Harry as the two brothers entered the girls' bathroom. Moaning Myrtle appeared immediately.

"Oh, Harry! You came to visit me after such a long time! Have you grown backwards? Why do you look younger than last time?"

"Er, Myrtle, I think you're mistaking me for someone else. I'm Heron Malfoy and this is my twin, Crinon Malfoy."

"Why are you here?"

"We...er...thought of visiting the Chamber, you know...maybe you could help us?"

"Sure, Heron, did you say?" the ghost asked and Harry nodded, "It's been a long time since anyone visited me," she wailed.

"We'll visit you every month if you want, Myrtle," said Cory.

"Oooooooh, thank you, Crinon."

Moaning Myrtle led them to the sink with the engraved serpent.

"Harry used to hiss something here...I doubt if you'll be able to do that," she cried happily.

"Don't worry, Myrtle, we're Parselmouths, too," said Cory. Myrtle nearly fell off the air in shock.

"Open up," Harry hissed.

"Nice place," said Cory, "Slytherin is pretty impressive."

"Yeah...this feels familiar, somehow..."

"Strange...I, too, feel as if I've been down here before...maybe more than once..."

"A girl...a basilisk...the fangs...the phoenix...the sword...the diary..." muttered Harry as the memories flashed through his brains at an alarming speed.

"Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts Four," hissed Cory suddenly. The mouth of the statue opened, but nothing came out.

"Cory? Are you all right?" Harry shook his twin. Cory sat down on the floor with an audible thump.

"Too many things in my head...the basilisk...the toilet...the girl...she's dead, Harry...get me out of here, Harry...now!"

Harry was only too glad to obey. His head was spinning with memories, too.

"How do we get out of this hell hole? It's too high to climb!" cried Cory.

Harry shrugged.

Suddenly, a musical sound penetrated their ears. It was beautiful and ethereal. They saw a white phoenix flying towards them. It hovered in front of them, swishing its gorgeous tail.

"It looks as if it wants us to catch hold of its tail," said Harry.

"Of course," cried Cory, snapping his fingers, "phoenixes can carry great loads. Let's go."

Night found both the boys working to add the Chamber of Secrets to the Marauders' Map.

"You know, 'Wormtail' sounds rather familiar to me...as if I know the person..." said Cory.

"All the four sound familiar to me...as if I'm related to these people somehow..." said Harry.

"I don't think these are their real names, though."

"Yeah. These are more likely to be their nick-names...but they're so strange..."

"Maybe they were Animagi."

"Shall we ask Mum and Dad?"

"Are you mad, Harry? Do you want to lose the map? You know how Mum loves to stick to the rules."

"Not always, but mostly, yes. You're right. I'm sure we'll find out someday, Cory...I can feel it in my bones..."

"Trelawny will be pleased."

"No. She won't. She'll be happy only if I say that one of them is the Grimm or something...how about Padfoot? That sounds doggish to me."

"I think you may be right, Harry...it does."

"What about Prongs? Stag? Antelope? Something similar, I'd guess."

"Yeah, probably. Wormtail? Rat...or some equally disgusting rodent, I'm sure," said Cory and made a face.

"Quite likely. Moony? That's tough..."

"A werewolf, maybe? Something 'were', I think...the moon affects only them."

"Possible. But that's not an Animagus form."

"Maybe Moony's form looked rather similar to a were-beast."

"I think you're right."

They sat quietly for sometime.

"Harry?" Cory said softly.

"Hmm?"

"Congratulations. You'll make a good captain."

"Thanks, Cory."

"Written to Mum and Dad yet?"

"Oh no! I forgot! Thanks for reminding me! Shall I write about this chamber thing, too?"

"I think it'd be better if you didn't."

"Ok, Cory. Whatever you say."