"No, I'm not the Heir of Slytherin, No, I don't know who the heir is, No, I don't know who's going to be attacked next, so if I answered all our questions could you please go away— oh, Harry."

Tori was seated alone in the library, reading over a copy of Hogwarts: A History. She had finally got her hands on one after leaving hers at the Weasley Burrow. She was trying to figure out anything she could about the chamber of secrets, but there was nothing. It was like it didn't exist.

"Sorry to bother you," Harry said quietly, sitting down in front of her. "It's alright. I get a lot of questions, probably less than you though." Tori replied. She knew about how much worse Harry's reputation ever since both Nearly Headless Nick and a second-year Hufflepuff was attacked.

Harry shook his head. "No one really talks to me."

"I know how it feels," Tori told him, shutting the book. "What can I do to help you, Harry?" She asked him.

"I wanted to ask you about the Chamber of Secrets."

Tori held back a sigh, noticing Harry glance at the library book. "There's nothing in there about it, it's like it almost didn't exist."

"I was just assuming since—"

"Since I come from a family who's all Slytherins? You're not the first."

"I didn't mean—"

"I know," Tori sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just being rude. I want to help you, I do. What do you need to know?"

Harry took a deep breath, beginning to explain how he knew that the chamber had been opened once before, and someone had died.

The two talked for some time, ideas running through their heads. Something hit Tori, stopping Harry before he could continue. "Wait, hold on." She went through her bag, pulling out her journal. She skimmed the pages, stopping at one, and writing down 'death.'

"This beast... leaves people either frozen or could kill people, but how? And, why hasn't it killed anyone else? Why turn them to stone like?"

Harry shrugged. "Maybe it had an off day?" Tori chuckled, about to reply when another person stopped at the table.

"Hey, Tori. Oh, sorry, I didn't mean interrupt..." It was Cedric, he waved a small hello to Harry. "Oh no, it's alright," Tori told him, facing his direction. She brushed her hair behind her ear, smiling. "What's up?"

"This will only take a moment, Tori, I was wondering if tomorrow... if you want, we could go to the three broomsticks and get some butterbeers or something..." He scratched his head awkwardly.

Tori looked at him with a surprised look. "Yeah, of course!" Cedric returned with a relieved grin. "Great, I'll... see you tomorrow."

"Yeah," Tori smiled, Cedric waved goodbye and Tori watched after him. She noticed he walked much more confident and even seemed to be happier. She smiled to herself, before looking up at Harry, who squinted awkwardly at the table.

"Sorry, what we're talking about?"

"The Chamber..."

"Right, right. Look, Harry. I don't know much, but that beast— whatever it is— has to be a dangerous one. I feel like I've read something similar to it somewhere..."

Harry nodded, getting up. "I'll check some books, and see what I can find," Tori told him, grabbing her bag and getting up as well. "Thanks, Tori," Harry said. The two then proceeded to leave the library, walking through the halls with caution.

✧ ✦ ✧

"You're going on a date with Cedric Diggory?!"

"Say it louder Alicia, I don't think the rest of the common room heard you!" Tori sighed, placing her face in her hands.

She was sitting in her dorm, where she had just told the girls about what went down in the library. Alicia squealed loudly, getting up and talking faster than the Weasley twins in Zonko's.

"Godric! This is so exciting! I'm going to help you gets dressed and Katie can do your hair and you're going to look so cute and then you're going to go and—" Angelina patted Alicia on the back. "Breathe, Alicia, breathe."

Katie was already up, going through Tori's clothes. "Guys, it's not a date! Or, I don't really think it is..."

"Either way, Tori! You need to look good!"

"I always look good!" Tori protested, flipping her hair over her shoulder. The girls continued to fuss over her, talking about hairstyles and outfits.

Tori jammed her face in her pillow, trying to hide her embarrassment as Alicia went on and on. Angelina laughed, plopping next to Tori and patting her shoulder.

"Alright, alright. Leave her alone guys."

Alicia and Katie grumbled about it but stopped. Katie smirked, looking around at the girls in the group. "So, who's going to tell Fred?"

Tori piped up immediately, looking confused. "What? Why would we need to tell Fred? Honestly, I rather not tell any of the boys."

All the boys knew the next morning.

"Katie, I'm not telling you anything ever again."

"Cedric Diggory? Really? Tori, you could do better." Lee told her, sitting down in front of her in the Great Hall. Tori slumped down, placing her head in her arms.

"Lee's right, Tori." George agreed. Tori groaned from inside her arms, "Shut up," She heard Angelina laugh once again.

Tori picked her head up to begin eating. Fred joined them later, saying nothing. Tori was biting into her bacon when Alicia began squealing again. "There he is Tori! Oh, he's looking at you!"

Tori met his eyes, giving him an awkward smile and shooting an annoyed look at Alicia, who was flipping out. "Alicia. Shut up." Angelina rolled her eyes, slapping the girl's shoulder. "You need to learn how to play it cool."

"You can learn that from me," Lee grinned, winking at Angelina. "Say, Angelina? Wanna go down to the three broomsticks with me at noon?"

"Not a chance, Jordan."

"One of these days she's got to say yes! I'll keep trying until that day comes!"

Angelina rolled her eyes looking at Tori. "You get Cedric, but I get stuck with this." She muttered while George was poking fun at Lee.

"Maybe you should flirt with Angelina more during Quidditch games, that will really win her heart."

"Do not encourage that!"

i don't really have anything to say for this chapter lol.

please don't kill me.