Fade to Harry, Ron, Matthew, Hermione, and several other students in a study hall. Twice, Harry looks behind him, and the students who are staring at him quickly look away. He then turns to Ginny, who quickly looks away from him and turns her attention to the mysterious black book she's been writing in. Harry gets up to leave.

Harry: I'll see you back in the common room.

Everyone stares at Harry as he exits the study hall. Once Harry seems to be gone, Hufflepuff student Ernie Macmillan starts talking to his friend Hannah Abbott. Harry doubles back to eavesdrop on them.

Ernie Macmillan: So anyway, I told Justin to hide up in our dormitory. I mean to say, if Potter's marked him down as his next victim, he should keep a low profile for a while.

Hannah Abbott: But why would he want to attack Justin?

Ernie Macmillan: Well, Justin let it slip to Potter that he was Muggle-born.

Hannah Abbott: And you think Potter's the Heir of Slytherin?

Ernie Macmillan: Hannah, he's a Parselmouth! Everyone knows that's the mark of a Dark wizard. Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes? They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue.

Hannah Abbott: Harry always seemed so nice, though, and after all, he is the one who made You-Know-Who disappear.

Ernie Macmillan: That's probably why You-Know-Who wanted to kill him in the first place. Didn't want another Dark Lord competing with him.

Having heard enough of this, Harry leaves for real. As he reaches the Grand Staircase, he runs into Hagrid, who is carrying a dead rooster.

Hagrid: Hello, Harry. Are you all right?

Harry: Hagrid, what are you doing here?

Hagrid: [holds up the dead rooster] Second one killed this term, and I reckon it's either a fox or a Blood-Sucking Bugbear, so I've just been up at Dumbledore's getting permission to put a little charm 'round the old hen coop. Are you sure you're all right? You're awful hot and bothered.

Harry: It's nothing. Look, I better get going. I've got a lot of studying to...

Without finishing the sentence, Harry continues past Hagrid and up the stairs. As he enters a corridor, Harry hears the voice again.

Ominous Voice: Blood. I want blood.

Harry feels the wall as he continues down the corridor.

Ominous Voice: They all must die. Kill... kill... kill! Time... to... kill...

Harry turns a corner and discovers Nearly Headless Nick, petrified with his head partially detached and floating in place. On the floor just a few feet away is Justin Finch-Fletchey, also petrified. Harry kneels to examine his stiff body. As he does so, Filch walks out of a doorway behind him.

Filch: Caught in the act.

Harry turns around at the sound of his voice.

Flich: I'll have you out this time, Potter. Mark my words. [grins wickedly and walks away]

Harry: No, Mr. Filch! Y-y-you don't understand--

Harry breaks off as something else catches his eye; he looks to see another group of spiders scurrying away over the wall and out a window; as he walks to the window, watching the spiders, Filch returns, accompanied by Professor McGonagall; she gasps in shock at the sight of Justin and approaches him, then glances from his body to Harry.

Harry: Professor. I swear, I didn't.

Professor McGonagall: This is out of my hands, Potter.

She and Harry then walk to an opening containing a griffin statue, the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office.

Professor McGonagall: Professor Dumbledore will be waiting for you.

She gestures towards the statue; Harry approaches.

Professor McGonagall: Sherbet Lemon.

Professor McGonagall opens her hands at the statue; the statue rotates clockwise and rises, and a staircase comes out of the floor, also rising in a clockwise fashion; Harry steps onto the staircase, stepping towards a door as the statue comes to a stop.

Dumbledore's office is filled with sleeping wizard portraits and various strange instruments. Harry enters the room.

Harry: Professor Dumbledore?

He walks into the center of the room, where he sees the Sorting Hat sitting on a shelf.

Sorting Hat: Bee in your bonnet, Potter?

Harry: I - I was just wondering if you put me in the right house.

Sorting Hat: Yes... you were particularly difficult to place, but I stand by what I said last year... you would have done well... in Slytherin.

Harry: You're wrong.

Harry then turns to the other side of Dumbledore's desk. Sitting on a perch is a large scarlet bird, which is looking sickly. Suddenly, the bird explodes in flames, leaving behind a pile of ash. Harry is stunned.

Professor Dumbledore: Harry. [he is standing at the top of a staircase]

Harry: Professor, sir... your bird... there was nothing I could do... he just caught fire...

Professor Dumbledore: Oh, and about time too. He's been looking dreadful for days. Pity you had to see him on a burning day.

Harry is confused. Dumbledore walks down the stairs to Harry as he continues talking.

Professor Dumbledore: Fawkes is a phoenix, Harry. They burst into flames when it is time for them to die, and then they are... reborn from the ashes.

Dumbledore shows Harry that a newborn Fawkes is now emerging from the ashes.

Professor Dumbledore: Ah, fascinating creatures, phoenixes. They can carry immensely heavy loads, and their tears have healing powers.

Suddenly, Hagrid barges into the room.

Hagrid: Professor Dumbledore, sir, wait! Listen! Professor Dumbledore, sir, it wasn't Harry!

Professor Dumbledore: [holding up a hand] Hagrid.

Hagrid: I'd be prepared to swear it in front of the Ministry of Magic!

Professor Dumbledore: Hagrid, relax! I do not believe that Harry attacked anyone.

Hagrid: Of course, you don't! And... oh... oh, right, well, I'll, um... I'll just wait outside then...

Professor Dumbledore: Yes.

Hagrid leaves.

Harry: You don't think it was me, Professor?

Professor Dumbledore: No, Harry, I do not think it was you. But I must ask you, is there something you wish to tell me?

Harry says nothing for a moment.

Harry: No, sir. Nothing.

Dumbledore gives Harry a look.

Professor Dumbledore: Very well then. Off you go.

Harry nods and leaves the office. It is Christmas, and students going home for the holidays are transported across the frozen lake in sleighs pulled by white horses.

Harry, Ron, Matthew, and Hermione are out in the snow with several other students. Harry stews as Fred and George tease him.

Fred: Hey, look everyone! It's the Heir of Slytherin!

George: Be careful, he's a seriously evil wizard! [they leave]

Ron: Oh, come on, Harry, Fred, and George are just having a laugh.

Harry: They're the only ones.

Matthew: Okay, so half the school thinks you're nipping off to the Chamber of Secrets every night. Who cares?

Harry: Maybe they're right.

Harry heads back inside with Ron, Matthew, and Hermione following.

Hermione: Harry! Harry! Oh, come on!

Harry: [stopping and turning to face them] Look, I didn't know I could speak Parseltongue! What else don't I know about myself? Look... maybe you can do something... even something horrible... and not know you did it.

Hermione: You don't believe that Harry, I know you don't. And if it makes you feel any better, Malfoy is staying for the holidays too.

Ron: Why would that make anyone feel any better?

Hermione: Because in a few days, the Polyjuice Potion will be ready. In a few days, we may truly know who is the Heir of Slytherin.

In the Great Hall, snow falls from the enchanted ceiling as Hermione walks over to join Harry, Matthew, and Ron at the Gryffindor table.

Hermione: Everything's set. We just need a bit of who you're changing into.

Harry: Crabbe and Goyle.

Hermione: And Pansy.

Matthew: We also need to make sure that the real Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy can't burst in on us while we're interrogating Malfoy.

Hermione: You're scared of her about what happened, right?

Matthew: No, I'm not.

Pansy: [far off] Stutler!

Matthew: Hide me![hides under the table]

Harry: We're going to need extra help for that.

Hermione: And quick.

Ron: How?

Matthew: [peeks out] I might have an idea or two.

In the Entrance Hall, Harry, Matthew, and Ron are lurking behind a large statue. Matthew looks a bit to see the coast is clear, before nodding.

Ron clears his throat as he raises his wand.

Harry: Ron, maybe I should do it.

Ron: [with a sad look at his broken wand] Yeah... right...

Harry: Wingardium Leviosa.

The three small cakes float up into the air.

Matthew: Okay, here they come.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron hide behind the statue as Crabbe and Goyle walk out of the Great Hall, their arms full of similar cakes, having Pansy behind them.

Crabbe and Goyle take the cakes out of midair, chow down on them, and then promptly knock them out.

Pansy: What the...

Pansy grabs it and sniffs it.

Pansy: Nope.

She drops it as she's about to leave.

Ron: Drat! She didn't bite it.

Harry: What now?

Matthew: [sighs] Plan B.

Ron: And that is?

Matthew: Just... watch me.

Matthew steps out of hiding as he walks towards Pansy with his wand out.

Pansy: [anger] Stutler, you-!

Matthew: Somnus.

Pansy feels drowsy as she passes out.

Matthew: Perfect.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron drag Crabbe, Pansy, and Goyle's unconscious bodies into the broomstick cupboard. Back in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, Harry, Matthew, and Ron burst in the door and run up to Hermione, who is tending to the potion.

Hermione: Well, did you get the hairs?

Harry, Matthew, and Ron hold them up to show her.

Ron: [noticing Slytherin uniforms on the floor] What are those?

Hermione: Slytherin robes. I had to sneak them from the laundry.

Harry: [observing the goopy potion with disgust] Are we going to drink that?

Hermione: We'll have exactly an hour before we change back into ourselves.

In the center of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, she dispenses the potion into three separate glasses, and they each take one.

Hermione: Add the hairs.

They all do so.

Ron: Ugh, the essence of Crabbe!

Hermione: Cheers.

They all clink their glasses together and drink the potion.

Ron: I think I'm gonna be sick!

Harry drops his glass and runs into one of the bathroom stalls.

Hermione: Me too!

Hermione also drops her glass and runs into a stall.

Harry drops his glass as well but remains in the main area of the bathroom. Leaning on a bathroom sink, he looks down to see his hands starting to change. He then looks up at the mirror and sees his face transform into the face of Gregory Goyle. Harry turns around to see someone looking like Vincent Crabbe stepping out of Ron's stall.

Ron as Crabbe: [still with his real voice] Harry?

Harry as Goyle: Ron?

Ron as Crabbe: Bloody hell!

Harry as Goyle: We still sound like ourselves. You need to sound more like Crabbe.

Ron as Crabbe: Uh... [deeper voice] Bloody hell.

Harry as Goyle: Excellent.

Ron as Crabbe: Matt, how about you?

Matthew: [sighs] I'm coming out... And promise you won't laugh.

Matthew opened the stall door. They both gasp to see what they didn't expect to see, Matthew has turned into Pansy.

Harry as Goyle: Wow.

Matthew as Pansy: Let's just get over it.

Ron as Crabbe: But where's Hermione?

Hermione: [still in her stall] I - I don't think I'm going. You go on without me.

Harry as Goyle: Hermione, are you okay?

Hermione: Just go! You're wasting time!

Harry as Goyle: Come on!

Harry, Matthew, and Ron run out of the bathroom. Harry, Matthew, and Ron walk down a staircase to a corridor.

Harry as Goyle: I think the Slytherin common room's this way.

Ron as Crabbe: Okay.

Matthew as Pansy: Let's hope this works.

Percy approaches them.

Percy: Excuse me.

Ron gasps.

Ron as Crabbe: What are you doing down here? [Harry hits him] I mean... [tries to sound like Crabbe] ...what are you doing down here?

Percy: I happen to be a school prefect. You, on the other hand, have no business wandering the corridors at this time of night. What are your names again?

Harry as Goyle: Uh, I'm...

Draco: [entering the corridor] Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, where have you two been? Pigging out in the Great Hall all this time? [notices Harry's glasses] Why are you wearing glasses?

Harry as Goyle: [taking the glasses off] Oh, um, reading.

Draco: Reading? I didn't know you could read. [turns to Percy] And what are you doing down here, Weasley?

Percy: Mind your attitude, Malfoy.

Draco leads Harry, Matthew, and Ron away. Arriving in the Slytherin common room, Draco lounges on a sofa.

Draco: Well, sit down.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron take seats on another sofa.

Draco: You'd never know the Weasleys were pure-bloods, the way they behave. They're an embarrassment to the wizarding world, all of them!

Ron clenches a fist and looks angry.

Draco: What's wrong with you, Crabbe?

Matthew gives him a bump.

Ron as Crabbe: Stomach ache.

Draco: You know, I'm surprised The Daily Prophet hasn't reported on all these attacks. I suppose Dumbledore's trying to hush it all up. Father always said that Dumbledore was the worst thing that ever happened to this place.

Harry as Goyle: You're wrong!

Draco: [getting to his feet] What? Do you think there's somewhere here who's worse than Dumbledore? Well? Do you?

Harry as Goyle: Harry Potter?

Ron nods vigorously. Draco considers this for a moment and eventually nods.

Draco: Good one, Goyle! You're right! Saint Potter. And people think he's the Heir of Slytherin?

Harry as Goyle: But then you must have some idea who's behind it all.

Draco: You know I don't, Goyle. I told you yesterday. [sits down again] How many times do I have to tell you? [picks up a Christmas present] Is this yours?

Harry shakes his head and Draco stuffs it into his robes.

Draco: But my father did say this. It's been fifty years since the Chamber was opened. He wouldn't tell me who opened it, only that they were expelled. The last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, a Mudblood died, so it's only a matter of time before one of them is killed this time. As for me... I hope it's Granger.

Tracey Davis: [arrived with Daphne and Astoria Greengrass] That's rude, Draco.

Matthew as Pansy: What is something to achieve going there?

Draco: Like?

Matthew as Pansy: The history behind Hogwarts, the sorcerers, and such, Merlin.

Draco: Merlin. That is true. Sorcerers. When you said that it reminded me of that American loser, Stutler.

Matthew as Pansy: [hiding a twitching hand that was trying to make a fist] Along with ancient magic from sorts, especially from what is related to Morgana.

Draco: I know that. I still can't get over that little nerd humiliated me. And Balthazar chose a muggle-born as his apprentice. American Mudblood.

Matthew tries to keep it cool as Pansy while trying to hide the eyebrow twitching.

Draco: What's the matter with you? You're acting very... odd.

Harry as Goyle: It's her... stomach ache. [aside from Matthew] Calm down.

Matthew as Pansy: Scar.

Harry's scar is reappearing on his forehead.

Harry as Goyle: Hair.

Ron's hair is turning back to red.

Matthew as Pansy: [whispers to them] It's wearing off, we need to get out of here!

Now turning back into themselves, Harry, Matthew, and Ron flee the Slytherin common room.

Draco: Hey, where are you going?

Having woken up, Crabbe, Pansy, and Goyle walk out of the broomstick cupboard. Almost immediately, they come across Harry, Matthew, and Ron, who are halfway between looking like themselves and like Crabbe, Pansy, and Goyle. Harry, Matthew, and Ron run off, leaving the real Crabbe, Pansy, and Goyle looking confused.

Now back to normal, Harry, Matthew, and Ron run into Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

Matthew: That was close.

Ron: Too close.

Harry: Hermione, come out. We've got loads to tell you.

Hermione: Go away!

Myrtle flies in.

Myrtle: Oh, wait 'til you see. It's awful! [giggles]

Harry: Hermione, are you okay? [he opens the door to her stall]

Hermione: Do you remember me telling you that the Polyjuice Potion was only for human transformations? It was cat's hair I plucked off Millicent Bulstrode's robes. [she turns around to reveal that she's been partially transformed into a cat] Look at my face.

Matthew: Whoa.

Ron: Look at your tail.

Myrtle cackles.

A thunderclap illuminates the dark sky outside. Inside the castle, Harry, Matthew, and Ron are walking on the Grand Staircase.

Ron: Have you spoken to Hermione?

Harry: She should be out of the hospital in a few days when she stops coughing up furballs.

Matthew: And making sure there's no fleas or lice.

Tank appears in front of the trio and starts barking.

Matthew: Tank, [crouches to pick up Tank] what is it, boy?

They see water on the floor.

Ron: Please tell me it's not what I think it is.

Matthew: Relax, Tank's well trained.

Harry: Looks like Moaning Myrtle's flooded the bathroom.

Harry, Matthew, and Ron enter Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. She's sitting in a window and whimpering.

Myrtle: Come to throw something else at me?

Harry: Why would I throw something at you?

Myrtle: Don't ask me. Here I am, minding my own business, when someone thinks it's funny to throw a book at me.

Ron: But it can't hurt if someone throws something at you. I mean, it'd just go right through you.

Myrtle: SURE! [flies right into his face] Let's all throw books at Myrtle because she can't feel it! Ten points if it goes through her stomach! [puts her arm through Ron's stomach] Fifty points if it goes through her head! [puts her arm through Ron's head]

Harry: But who threw it at you anyway?

Myrtle: I don't know. I didn't see them. I was just sitting in the U-bend, thinking about death, and it fell through the top of my head.

Myrtle flies off crying. Harry steps forward and picks up Tom Riddle's Diary.

End of Chapter 17