PETRIFIED!

MAY 1993

2nd Year

• • • •

The Gryffindor Quidditch team stood in their tent before the game, strategizing, when Oliver rounded them up, starting to lead them onto the field.

"Alright, listen up," He told them as they walked, "We play our game, Hufflepuff doesn't stand a chance. We're stronger, quicker and smarter."

"And not to mention, they're dead scared that Harry or Bella will Petrify them if they fly anywhere near them." Fred added, teasingly nudging the short redhead beside him.

"Well, that too," Oliver nodded, as their Head of House walked up to them, "Professor McGonagall." The team Captain greeted the woman.

"This match has been cancelled." Professor McGonagall told the team.

"We can't cancel Quidditch." Oliver said.

"Silence, Wood," McGonagall quietened the boy, "You and your teammates will go to Gryffindor Tower, now," She then turned her attention to the younger pair of twins on the team, "Potters, you and I will find Mr. Weasley. There's something the both of you have to see."

***

"I warn you, this could be a wee bit of a shock." Professor McGonagall warned the students, as she lead Harry, Ron and Annabelle to a bed in the Hospital Wing.

Annabelle felt her heart drop, quickly and tightly grabbing hold of her brother's hand, staring at a petrified Hermione in front of them.

"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed.

"She was found near the Library, along with this," McGonagall gently told the trio, holding upo the hand mirror that the brunette was found with, "Does it mean anything to any of you?" She asked them.

"No." Harry shook his head, speaking for all three of them, as they all solemnly looked down at their friend.

***

"Could I have your attention please?" Professor McGonagall asked as she entered the Gryffindor Common Room, where all of the Gryffindor students were waiting in confusion and anticipation, and the woman was holding a scroll, "Because of recent events, these new rules will be put into effect immediately. 'All students will return to their house common rooms by six o'clock every evening. All students will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No exceptions'.," She read, "I should tell you this: unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught, it is likely the school will be closed." The Professor sadly revealed, making all of the students glance around at each other.

Standing on the bottom of the steps that lead to the dorm, Harry turned to Annabelle and Ron, who were stood next to him, "We've got to talk to Hagrid, Ron. I can't believe it's him, but if he did set the monster loose last time, he'll know how to get inside the Chamber of Secrets, and that's a start." He told the redheads.

"But you heard McGonagall! We're not allowed to leave the tower except for class." Ron said.

"No exceptions." His sister reminded him.

Harry looked at his twin, "I think it's time to get our Dad's old cloak out again."

***

From where Harry, Ron and Annabelle were hidden under the Invisibility Cloak, the girl knocked a few times on the large wooden door of Hagrid's hut. The trio's eyes widened when Hagrid flung open the door, crossbow at the ready

"Who's there? Hello? Hello?" Hagrid called into the darkness, making the three second years chuck the cloak off of them, revealing themselves to the half-giant, who sighed in relief upon seeing them.

"What's that for?" Harry asked him.

"Oh, nothing. I- I was expecting, ah...," Hagrid trailed off, looking between the weapon and the children, "It doesn't matter- come on in. I just made a pot o' tea." He told them, inviting the Gryffindors into his hut.

Annabelle watched as Hagrid very shakily poured a cup of tea, overflowing the large cup, making her reach out and steady the half-giant's hands.

"Hagrid?" The redheaded girl asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I'm alrigh'." Hagrid nodded, as Annabelle sat down on the armchair, Fang resting his head on her lap.

"Did you hear about Hermione?" Harry wondered

"Oh, yeah. I heard about that, all righ'." Hagrid nodded, frowning with a sigh.

"Look, we have to ask you something," Harry said, "Do you know who's opened the Chamber of Secrets?"

Hagrid sighed, looking at the second years guiltily, "What you had to understand about that is—" Knocking at the door cut him off, "Quick under the cloak!" The half-giant whisper yelled to them, "Don't say a word. Be quiet, all three o' you...," He rushed the trio, who quickly hid underneath the cloak, as Hagrid opened the door, revealing Professor Dumbledore, with another man behind him, "Professor Dumbledore, sir!"

"Good evening, Hagrid," The Professor greeted the half-giant, "I wonder, could we...?" He asked, wanting to come in.

"Of course!" Hagrid nodded, "Come in! Come in."

"That's Dad's boss!" Ron whisper-shouted to the Potter twins, as Professor Dumbledore and the man stepped into Hagrid's hut, "Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic!"

"Bad business, Hagrid. Very bad business," Fudge sighed, "Had to come-- three attacks on Muggle-borns. Things have gone far enough. The Ministry's got to act."

"Oh, but I never..." Hagrid started, looking towards the headmaster, "You know I never, Professor!"

"I want it understood, Cornelius, that Hagrid has my full confidence." Dumbledore told the Minister of Magic.

"Albus look, Hagrid's record is against him," Fudge said, "I've got to take him."

"Take me?" Hagrid asked, "Take me where? Not Azkaban Prison?!"

Fudge sighed, "I'm afraid we have no choice, Hagrid."

The door to the Gamekeeper's hut slowly swung open, revealing Lucius Malfoy in all his pompous glory, "Already here, Fudge? Good..." He drawled out, before taking a step into Hagrid's home.

Hagrid's face hardened, "What're you doin' here? Get outta my house!"

"Believe me, I take absolutely no pleasure being inside your--," The man stepped further inside - making the three second years underneath the cloak quickly step back as not to get caught - as he looked around the hut with disdain, "You call this a house? Huh! No. I simply called at the school, and was told the headmaster was here." He explained.

"Well, what exactly is it that you want with me?" Professor Dumbledore questioned the long-haired girl.

"The other governors and I have decided it's time for you to step aside. This is an order of suspension," Malfoy responded, handing a scroll over to the Headmaster - who stopped Fudge from intercepting the transaction, "You'll find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we feel you've rather lost your touch. Well, what, with all these attacks, there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts. I can only imagine what an awful loss that would be to the school."

"Yeh can' take Professor Dumbledore away!" Hagrid exclaimed, "Take him away, an' the Muggle-borns won' stand a chance! You mark my words, there'll be killin's next!"

Lucius raised an eyebrow, "You think so?"

"Calm yourself, Hagrid," Professor Dumbledore calmed the man, "If the governors desire my removal, I will, of course, step aside. However, you will find that help will always begiven at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." He finished, eyeing where the students were hidden underneath the cloak.

"Admirable sentiments," Malfoy hummed, after following Dumbledore's gaze towards nothing, confused, "Shall we? Fudge!"

Lucius and Dumbledore then exited the hut.

"Come, Hagrid," Fudge told the half-giant, who was looking over at where the trio stood, "Well?"

Hagrid cleared his throat, "If, uh, if anybody was looking for some stuff, then all they'd have to do would be to follow the spiders. Yup! That would lead them right! That's all I have to say," The Gamekeeper said, "Oh, and someone'll need to feed Fang while I'm away." He added, before exiting his home.

Fudge looked down at the dog, earning a growl.

"Good boy." Fudge muttered, before leaving the hut.

Ron, Harry and Annabelle the the cloak off of them.

"Hagrid's right!" Ron exclaimed, "With Dumbledore gone, there'll be an attack a day!"

"Look!" Harry pointed towards the window, where spiders were crawling out of in a line, "Well, come on." He said, leading the redhead's out of the hut.

Annabelle turned towards the dog, "Come on, Fang!" She told the dog, patting her leg and making the animal follow her out of the hut as she closed the door behind them.