In the library, Matthew is reading the Encantus.

Matthew: Which page would help us with our situation?

Then, Matthew found the right page.

Matthew: Guys, I got it. Here it is, the Polyjuice Potion. [reads from the book] "Properly brewed, the Polyjuice Potion allows the drinker to transform himself temporarily into the physical form of another."

Ron: You mean, if any of us drink that stuff, we'll turn into Crabbe and Goyle?

Matthew: In a way, yes.

Ron: [he and Harry exchange grins] Wicked. Malfoy will tell us anything.

Hermione: [smiles slightly at their motivation] Exactly, but it's tricky. [glancing at the book again] I've never seen a more complicated potion.

Harry: Well, how long will it take to make?

Hermione: [looking up at Harry] A month.

Harry: A month?! But, Hermione... if Malfoy is the Heir of Slytherin, he could attack half the Muggle-borns in the school by then!

Hermione: I know, but it's the only plan we've got.

Fade to a Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The Slytherins are zooming around at high speed, dominating their superior brooms. They score a goal.

Lee: Another goal for Slytherin! [he updates the scoreboard] They lead Gryffindor ninety to thirty!

Slytherin player: Yes! Yeah!

The Slytherins fly around the stadium in a victory formation. In the stands, Snape and Lucius are seated next to each other.

Draco: [to Harry] All right there, Scarhead?

A Bludger nearly hits Harry.

Oliver: Watch yourself, Harry!

The Bludger turns back on Harry.

Harry: Wood, look out!

The Bludger strikes Oliver's broom as it takes off after Harry, chasing him around the stadium.

While trying to escape the Bludger, Harry flies through a crowd of screaming students. In the stands, Hagrid is watching through his binoculars.

Hagrid: [lowering the binoculars] Blimey, Harry's got himself a rogue Bludger! That's been tampered with, that has!

Ron: [raising his wand] I'll stop it!

Hermione: [pushing Ron's wand down] No! Even with a proper wand, it's too risky. You could hit Harry.

Matthew: Or kill him. Ow!

He was hit by a stray bolt.

Matthew: Who did that?!

Pansy was looking upwards innocently, while her hand was suspiciously in her pocket.

Matthew: Jerk!

Pansy glared at Matthew, still angry, knowing that she hadn't forgotten about the kiss.

Matthew: And I'm scared.

Pansy: [mouthing/threatening] I will end you.

Matthew shivers a bit in fear as he quickly looks back at the game. Harry flies around wildly as the Bludger continues to pursue him around the stadium.

Draco: Training for the ballet, Potter?

The Golden Snitch flies up next to Draco, but he doesn't notice it. After ducking the Bludger coming at him again, Harry takes off after the Snitch.

Realizing what's happening, Draco shoves Harry aside and pulls ahead of him.

The Snitch leads the two Seekers into the trench around the pitch.

Draco: You'll never catch me, Potter!

Up ahead of them, Colin Creevey snaps a photograph of Harry and Draco as they fly over him. Colin then ducks just in time to avoid being hit by the Bludger.

Back inside the trench, the Bludger begins bouncing uncontrollably off the walls.

Eventually, Draco loses control of his broom, flying out of the trench and crashing into the grass.

Much of the crowd is alarmed, but Lucius just seems to be coldly disappointed by his son's performance. Outside the trench now, Harry reaches for the Snitch, but the Bludger hits him in the arm.

Clutching his right arm to his chest, he grabs the Snitch with his left hand as he comes in for a crash landing.

Hermione: Let's go.

Ron, Matthew, and Hermione, and Hagrid begin leaving the stands. Harry holds up the Snitch.

Lee: Harry Potter has caught the Snitch. Gryffindor wins!

The Bludger continues trying to pound Harry, but he manages to keep dodging it. Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid make it onto the field.

Hermione: Finite Incantatem!

She chanted the spell as it causes the rogue Bludger to blow up. Ron, Matthew, Hermione, and Hagrid run to Harry as Lockhart runs to him followed by another group of students.

Harry: [as his friends reach him] Thank you.

Hermione: Are you okay?

Harry: No. I think my... I think my arm's broken.

Lockhart: [kneeling beside Harry] Not to worry, Harry. I will fix that arm of yours straight away.

Harry: No. Not you...

Lockhart: Poor boy. Doesn't know what he's saying. Now, this... [pulls back Harry's sleeve] won't hurt a bit.

Ron, Matthew, and Hermione glance at Hagrid worriedly; he gives them a reassuring look as Lockhart pulls out his wand and points it at Harry's arm.

Lockhart: Brackium Emendo.

His wand emits a blue light, which then recedes; Lockhart drops his wand and lifts Harry's arm, which is now limp and slushy; Ron and the other students groan in disgust; even Hermione is repulsed.

Lockhart: Yes, well, that can sometimes happen. But, uh... the point is... [moves Harry's limp right hand back] you can no longer feel any pain. And, very clearly, the bones are not broken.

Hagrid: "Broken"? There's no bones left!

[Harry's right hand falls back]

Lockhart: Much more flexible, though.

In the hospital wing, Draco Malfoy lays in a hospital bed, moaning, with Crabbe, Pansy, Goyle, and one of his teammates at his bedside as Madame Pomfrey comes in carrying a bottle of Skele-Gro.

Madame Pomfrey: Oh, Mr. Malfoy. Stop making such a fuss. You can go.

She moves to Harry's bed, where the Gryffindor Quidditch team, as well as Colin, Ron, Matthew, and Hermione, are all gathered.

Madame Pomfrey: Out of my way. Out of my way. Should've been brought straight to me. I can mend bones in a heartbeat, but growing them back...
Hermione: You will be able to, won't you?

Madame Pomfrey: Oh, I'll be able to, certainly. But it'll be painful.

Madame Pomfrey pours Skele-Gro into a glass.

Madame Pomfrey: You're in for a rough night, Potter. Regrowing bones is a nasty business.

She hands the glass of Skele-Gro to Harry; he drinks it, then, disgusted by the taste of it, spits it out and winces.

Madame Pomfrey: Well, what do you expect, pumpkin juice?

She puts the glass on the bedside table. It is nighttime; Harry is sound asleep when he suddenly hears the foreboding voice again.

Ominous Voice: Kill...

Harry awakens.

Ominous Voice: Kill...

Harry looks around.

Ominous Voice: Time to kill...

He puts on his glasses and looks up at the ceiling, listening to the chilling, monstrous sounds, then comes face-to-face with Dobby, who is sitting on the edge of his bed, smiling at him.

Dobby: Hello.

Harry: [somewhat surprised to see him again] Dobby?

Dobby: Harry Potter should've listened to Dobby. [points at Harry] Harry Potter should've gone back home when he missed the train.

Harry: [the realization comes to him] It was you. You stopped the barrier from letting Ron, Matthew, and me through.

Dobby: Indeed, yes, sir.

Harry looks away for a second, then looks back at Dobby with anger in his eyes.

Harry: You nearly got Ron, Matthew, and me expelled.

Dobby: At least you would be away from here.

He gets to his feet and approaches Harry.

Dobby: Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make Harry Potter see that--

Harry: [his anger rises slightly] Your Bludger? You made that Bludger chase after me?

Dobby: Dobby feels most aggrieved, sir. Dobby had to iron his hands.

He shows Harry his bandaged fingers.

Harry: [shrugs] You better clear off before my bones come back, Dobby, or I might strangle you.

Dobby was frightened by these words, so he jumped off the bed.

Dobby: Dobby is used to death threats, sir.

Harry gets up and out of bed then approaches Dobby.

Dobby: Dobby gets them five times a day at home.

Harry: I don't suppose you could tell me why you're trying to kill me.

Dobby: [backing away from Harry slowly around the bed] Not kill you, sir. Never kill you. Dobby remembers how it was before Harry Potter triumphed over He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Dobby backs up to the other side of the bed.

Dobby: We house-elves were treated like vermin, sir. Of course, Dobby is still treated like vermin.

He sobs uncontrollably as Harry looks on, then blows his nose on his grimy pillowcase.

Harry: Why do you wear that thing, Dobby?

Dobby senses that Harry is referring to his pillowcase.

Dobby: This, sir? It is a mark of a house elf's enslavement. Dobby could only be freed if his master presented him with clothes.

He gasps as he hears a banging sound coming from outside and glances at the door to the infirmary; Harry also glances at the door; Dobby jumps up onto the bed.

Dobby: Listen. Listen.

He beckons Harry closer.

Dobby: Terrible things are about to happen at Hogwarts. Harry Potter must not stay here now that history is to repeat itself.

Harry: [in surprise] "Repeat itself"? You mean this has happened before?

Dobby gasps and covers his mouth with his hands.

Dobby: I shouldn't have said that! [He gasps, then grabs the bottle of Skele-Gro and starts beating himself with it.

Dobby: Bad Dobby!

Harry: Dobby, stop. Stop it. Stop it, Dobby!

He grabs the bottle from him and sets it aside, then holds Dobby aloft by the pillowcase.

Harry: Tell me, Dobby. When did this happen before? Who's doing it now?

Dobby: Dobby cannot say, sir. Dobby only wants Harry Potter to be safe. [rubs Harry's hand]

Harry: No, Dobby. Tell me.

The door opens in the background, getting Dobby's attention.

Harry: Who is it?

Dobby turns toward Harry and snaps his fingers, disappearing into thin air; Harry looks at the doorway and sees the shadows of people coming; he immediately gets back into bed, facing the opposite direction so whoever's coming won't see he's awake; Madame Pomfrey and Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall enter.

Madame Pomfrey: [gestures towards another hospital bed] Put him here.

The two other staff members enter, carrying a petrified Colin Creevey on a stretcher.

Madame Pomfrey: What happened?

Professor Dumbledore: [as the two men who brought Colin in depart] There's been another attack.

Professor McGonagall: [as she and Dumbledore pick Colin up and place him in the bed] I think... You know that I think he's been Petrified, Madame Pomfrey.

Harry listens intently, unbeknownst to any of them.

Professor McGonagall: Perhaps he managed to take a picture of his attacker?

Dumbledore carefully takes Colin's camera out of his hands, showing a somewhat frightened look on his face, then opens the film compartment; it discharges a burst of smoke; the staff reacts in shock.

Professor McGonagall: What can this mean, Albus?

Professor Dumbledore: It means... that our students are in great danger.

Professor McGonagall: What should I tell the staff?

Professor Dumbledore: The truth. Tell them Hogwarts is no longer safe. It is as we feared, Minerva. The Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened again.

Professor Dumbledore: [as the two men who brought Colin in depart] There's been another attack.

Professor McGonagall: [as she and Dumbledore pick Colin up and place him in the bed] I think... You know that I think he's been Petrified, Madame Pomfrey.

Harry listens intently, unbeknownst to any of them.

Professor McGonagall: Perhaps he managed to take a picture of his attacker?

Dumbledore carefully takes Colin's camera out of his hands, showing a somewhat frightened look on his face, then opens the film compartment; it discharges a burst of smoke; the staff reacts in shock.

Professor McGonagall: What can this mean, Albus?

Professor Dumbledore: It means... that our students are in great danger.

Professor McGonagall: What should I tell the staff?

Professor Dumbledore: The truth. Tell them Hogwarts is no longer safe. It is as we feared, Minerva. The Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened again.

Harry lays in bed, shocked by what he just heard. A few days later, in the girls' bathroom, he tells Ron, Matthew, and Hermione what he overheard. As they talk, Hermione works on the Polyjuice Potion.

Hermione: "Again"? You mean, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened before?

Ron: Of course. Don't you see? Lucius Malfoy must have opened it when he was at school here. And now he's taught Draco how to do it.

Hermione: Maybe. We'll have to wait for the Polyjuice Potion to know for sure.

Ron: Enlighten me. Why are we brewing this potion in broad daylight in the middle of a girls' lavatory? Don't you think we'll get caught?

Hermione: No. No one ever comes in here.

Ron: Why?

Hermione: Moaning Myrtle.

Ron: Who?

Just then, Moaning Myrtle, a ghostly girl in a Hogwarts uniform, appears behind Ron.

Hermione: Moaning Myrtle.

Ron: [as Moaning Myrtle floats up to him] Who's Moaning Myrtle?

Matthew: Uh, Ron?

Ron: Huh?

Myrtle: I'M MOANING MYRTLE! [she flies into the center of the room] I wouldn't expect you to know me. Who would ever talk about ugly, miserable, moping, Moaning Myrtle? [with a piercing cry, she flies into a toilet]

Hermione: She's a little sensitive.

Professor Lockhart walks onto a stage in the middle of the Great Hall.

Lockhart: Gather round! Gather round!

The students gather around the stage.

Lockhart: Can everybody see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent. In light of the dark events of recent weeks, Professor Dumbledore has permitted me to start this little Dueling Club, to train you all up in case you ever need to defend yourselves, as I myself have done on countless occasions. For full details, see my published works.

He pulls off the cape he's wearing and tosses it into the crowd, where it's caught by some of his adoring female fans.

Justin Finch-Fletchney: [turning to address Harry] That Lockhart's something, isn't he? Awfully brave chap. [holds out his hand] Justin Finch-Fletchney, Hufflepuff.

Harry: [shaking his hand] Oh, nice to meet you, I'm --

Justin Finch-Fletchney: Oh, I know who you are. We all do, even us Muggle-borns.

Lockhart: Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape. [looking very dour and menacing, Snape walks onto the stage] He has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration. Now, I don't want any of you youngsters to worry, you'll still have your Potions Master when I'm through with him. Never fear.

Snape and Lockhart walk up to each other, raise their wands, bow their heads, and then walk several paces back from each other.

Lockhart: One, two, three.

Snape: Expelliarmus!

The spell blasts Lockhart across the room.

Lockhart: WHOOOOOOOA!

Lockhart lands on his back, and a few students laugh at the sight. He struggles to his feet.

Hermione: Do you think he's all right?

Ron and Matthew: Who cares!

Lockhart: [walking back towards Snape] An excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don't mind me saying, it was pretty obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you, it would have been only too easy.

Snape: Perhaps it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, Professor. [subtle smile] Don't you agree, Balthazar?

Balthazar: Agreed, Snape, as magic dueling requires different spells for defense and offense.

Lockhart: [pauses nervously before continuing] An excellent suggestion, Professor Snape. Let's have a volunteer pair. Potter, Weasley, how about you?

Snape: Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending Potter to the Hospital Wing in a matchbox.

Ron looks embarrassed.

Snape: Might I suggest someone from my own house. Malfoy, perhaps. [he gestures for Draco to get on the stage] Balthazar, you have something else in mind?

Balthazar: Yes. [Turns to Matthew] Matthew Stutler, come on up.

Matthew: Me?

Balthazar nods as he gestures to him to come up.

Matthew: Ok.

He walks up to the board, facing Draco.

Lockhart: Good luck, Stutler.

Matthew: Thank you, sir.

Matthew and Draco now stand facing each other.

Lockhart: Wands at the ready.

Matthew and Draco raise their wands.

Draco: Scared, Stutler?

Matthew: You wish.

Matthew and Draco walk back several paces and then aim their wands at each other.

Lockhart: On the count three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent, only to disarm. We don't want any accidents here. One, two--

Draco: Everte Statum!

Matthew quickly blocks the charm with his magic shield.

Matthew: Rude to interrupt the countdown.

Draco was about to cast another spell, but Matthew was fast enough to cast one.

Matthew: Rictusempra!

The spell Matthew cast sent Draco flying backward.

The Gryffindor house, and several members of Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw cheered for Matthew. Draco then got up and was about to say another spell when Matthew spoke again.

Matthew: Expelliarmus!

He fires his wand as it fires another spell, pushing Draco back.

He lands at Snape's feet. Several students laugh. Draco looks up at Snape. Snape pulls Draco to his feet and pushes him forward.

Balthazar smirks, knowing that he taught his apprentice well.

Lockhart: [as Draco raises his wand] I said disarm only!

Draco: Serpensortia!

Draco swishes his wand and fires a cobra out of it; which then slithers along the playing field; Matthew lowers his wand.

Snape: [walking past Draco towards the snake] Don't move, Stutler. I'll get rid of it for you.

Lockhart: Allow me, Professor Snape.

Snape stops in his tracks.

Lockhart: Alarte ascendare!

The snake flies into the air, then falls back down, raises its head, and turns toward Matthew with a hiss.

Harry: Sya- hasi- heth. (Leave him alone.)

The snake suddenly stops as it slowly turns to Harry.
Snape and Balthazar watch suspiciously.

Snape: Vipera. Evanesca.

He waves his wand, emitting a blast at the snake, causing it to burst into flame and disappear. A murmur runs through the audience.

Everyone stares at Harry with shocked expressions. Sometime later, Harry, Ron, Matthew, and Hermione run into the deserted Gryffindor common room.

Ron: You're a Parselmouth. Why didn't you tell us?

Harry and Matthew: He's/ I'm a what?

Hermione and Ron: He/You can talk to snakes.

Matthew: Oh.

Harry: I know. I mean, I accidentally set a python on my cousin Dudley at the zoo once. [the other three look alarmed] Once. But so what? I bet loads of people here can do it.

Hermione: No, they can't. It's not a very common gift, Harry. This is bad.

Harry: What's bad? If I hadn't told that snake not to attack Matt--

Ron: Oh, that's what you said to it!

Harry: You were there! You heard me!

Ron: I heard you speaking Parseltongue, the snake language.

Harry: I spoke a different language? But I didn't realize-- how can I speak a language without knowing I can?

Hermione: I don't know, Harry, but it sounded like you were egging the snake on or something. Harry, listen to me. There's a reason the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent. Salazar Slytherin was a Parselmouth. He could talk to snakes too.

Ron: Exactly! Now the whole school's gonna think you're his great-great-great-grandson or something.

Harry: But I'm not! [pause] I can't be...

Matthew: He lived a thousand years ago. For all we know, you could be.

Fade to Harry sitting on a rocky hilltop across the lake staring out at the castle, his Nimbus 2000 and books at his side; Hedwig flies up to him. He extends his hand and strokes her.

Harry: Who am I, Hedwig? What am I?

End of Chapter 16