The rest of the day went fairly smoothly (aside from the whispering and glares, of course). But that evening, Megan went to bed early and had another look at the diary, even though she knew the boys weren't sure it was worth it. She leaned against the wall on her four poster bed, her pillow propped up behind her back, and flicked through the still spotless pages. Then, she pulled out her quill and ink bottle. She then dropped a blot of ink on the first page. The ink shone a few seconds... and vanished, as though sucked into the page! Megan stayed aghast a few moments, then got an idea. She dipped her quill again.

“My name is Megan Potter.” She wrote.

These too faded into the page. Megan waited. Then, soon, her ink returned... but its words had changed. And the handwriting was not hers.

“Hello, Megan Potter. I am Tom Riddle. How did you find my diary?”

Megan couldn't believe it. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, and wrote again.

“Someone tried to get rid of it in a toilet.”

She wondered how he would react.

“Hm. Lucky I recorded my memories in something more durable than ink. But I knew some people wouldn't want this to be read.”

“Really? What do you mean?” she wrote.

“I mean this diary has in its pages the memories of terrible things. Things that happened in Hogwarts and were covered up.”

“I am at Hogwarts now,” Megan said. “And horrible things have been happening again.”

Then, she got an idea. This was the ideal person to ask about the Chamber!

“Do you know anything about the Chamber of Secrets?”

She waited, heart thundering. She could find out what was in it, the name of the heir of Slytherin... but then horror filled her heart. What if it was her...? Just then, a flurry of words flew across the page, as though desperate to come out.”

“Of course. In my day, it was a legend, that no one believed existed. But it's not true. When I was in my fifth year, the Chamber was opened, and several students were attacked, one ending up dead.”

 This was what Malfoy had told them, Megan remembered. But who? She wondered. It could maybe help them to know. But Riddle, after a short pause, had resumed writing.

 “I caught the one who'd opened the Chamber, and he was of course expelled. But Dippet, the Headmaster at the time, was too ashamed and refused to let the truth be known. They told everyone the girl had died in some accident. They gave me a nice shiny trophy for my trouble and told me to keep quiet. But I knew it could happen again. The monster still lived, and the person who could bring it back was free.”

 Megan almost spilled her ink bottle as she wrote back.

 “It is happening again. Now. Two students have been attacked, and a ghost, and no one can figure out who or what did it. Who was responsible last time?”

 “I can show you, if you like. I can take you back to the night I caught him.”

 Megan frowned slightly, thoughtful. What did Riddle mean? How could he bring someone into someone else's memory...? She glanced at the door to the dormitory. No one was coming up.

“OK.”

The pages flew as though caught in the wind, stopping mid June, and then, Megan felt herself sucked into the book. She then felt herself falling down into a flow of colour and light.

She fell on the floor. Slightly dazed, she got to her feet and shook her head. Things came into focus. She soon recognised where she was. There was no mistaking the circular room. Dumbledore's office. But the bizarre instruments were no longer there, she soon realised. And the wizard sitting at the desk and reading something wasn't Dumbledore. He was clearly old, and worn. And he didn't have that aura Dumbledore did. Megan had never seen him. She meant to apologise for her intrusion, but then noticed he didn't appear to have seen her... She glanced around the room, which was so different from the first time she'd been in it. Fawkes was nowhere to be seen. Then, Megan realised she must be in the Hogwarts Riddle had known fifty years ago. She looked out the window. It was sunset, apparently. Then, the wizard sighed, folded the letter and looked up. Megan froze, expecting to be told off. But he looked right through her at what Megan soon saw was the door. She then turned to the wizard. He was still looking in her direction, yet he still didn't appear to realise she was there. Then it hit her. She couldn't be seen because she didn't exist! She wasn't born then. At that moment, there was a knock on the door, making Megan jump.

“Enter,” the man said.

 A tall boy of about sixteen years old entered. He had a silver Prefect badge like Percy's. He also had jet black hair, and a face that would have been good looking if it didn't have a strange feel to it Megan didn't like... a coldness. Yet, as Megan looked more carefully, there was a clear glimmer of anxiety in his eyes.

 Odd... she said to herself. Why would he be nervous...? If this is about him capturing the culprit, he should be happy. Or at least at ease...

 Then again, Megan figured he might just be like her, when she saw a teacher, or Dumbledore. Even if she knew she had done nothing wrong, Dumbledore had that way of his that put her ill at ease.

 “You wanted to see me, Headmaster Dippet?”

 Megan recalled Riddle mentioning the name. He didn't seem the type of man who looked capable of running much.

 “Yes, Riddle. Sit down. I've been reading the letter you sent me.”

 “Oh.” Riddle answered.

 Megan clearly noticed his nerves increase, but still didn’t understand it.

 “My boy,” Dippet began, uncertainly. “I'm afraid I can't allow you to stay here over the summer. Surely you want to go home?”

 “No,” Riddle said immediately. “I'd really much prefer to stay here than go back...”

 “I believe you reside in a Muggle Orphanage,” Dippet said.

 Megan felt her jaw drop slightly.

 “Yes,” Riddle said, turning a little red.

 “Are you Muggle Born?”

 “Half-Blood,” he said. “My mother was a witch. She died giving birth to me. Tom after my father, Marvolo after my grandfather. As for my Muggle father, I don't know.”

 Megan picked up a noticeable trace of disdain when Riddle spoke of his father, and saw that his robes were green. Slytherin.

 Dippet nodded sympathetically.

 “You see, Tom,” he said. “In other circumstances, I'm sure we could find an arrangement, but given the recent events, you understand...”

 “Of course.” he said, in that sort of tone that tells one you understand, even if you don't accept. People tend to forget the difference. Megan stayed very still, listening.

 “You must realise how foolish it would be for me to authorise your staying here after the death of that poor girl... No, you'll be much safer at your orphanage. In fact, there is talk about closing the school, as we are not getting any nearer to identifying the culprit...”

Megan spotted a hint of understanding in Riddle's eyes. Dippet seemed pretty oblivious.

“So... correct me if I'm wrong... you're saying that if the culprit was caught... if the attacks stopped...”

This got a reaction from Dippet. He looked up.

“What are you getting at, Tom? Would you have some information we don't? Do you know something about the attacks?”

“No, sir.” Riddle said.

But Megan was pretty sure it was the kind of “no” she had given Dumbledore. Dippet sighed.

“I see. You may leave, Tom.”

Riddle rose and marched out. Megan quickly darted after him.

They walked down the spiral staircase. After slipping through the gargoyle, Riddle paused. Megan waited behind him. She could tell he was thinking hard and fast. He was frowning, and biting his lip. He seemed to make his mind up because he hurried off, Megan almost having to run to keep up because he was a lot taller than her. They saw no one as they reached the Entrance Hall until they heard someone call Riddle's name. They looked up the staircase in the direction of the voice.

“What are you doing out at this hour?” the voice's owner asked.

Megan was the only one who heard her own gasp. She was looking at Dumbledore fifty years younger.

“I had to see the Headmaster, sir.”

He had no nervousness in his eyes or voice now. Just a polite coolness. Megan got the feeling Riddle didn't like Dumbledore much.

“Well, hurry back to your dormitory.” Dumbledore said, with that penetrating stare Megan often got. “It's not safe to be wandering the corridors, these days... since...”

Sadness filled his eyes. He sighed and bade Riddle good night. Riddle waited for him to be out of sight, and Megan had a hunch he was going to go anywhere in the school except his dormitory.

 And indeed, he headed to the dungeons they had Potions in. The hallway was dark and when Riddle pushed the door until it was almost closed, Megan could only just make him out standing by the door, watching something outside in the hallway. She didn’t need to hide, since no one appeared to see her. But rather than stand like an idiot, she sat down on the stairs. After what felt like an hour or so, Megan heard a noise. Someone was trying to sneak across. Whoever it was passed the dungeon where she and Riddle stood. Then, quiet as the shadows, Riddle slipped out of the room and followed. Megan hurried after him, knowing no one would hear her. Five minutes later, they stopped and Riddle stood still, listening. Megan heard a creaking noise and a hushed whisper.

“C'mon... in the box, got to get you out...”

There was something familiar in the voice... But before Megan could try and identify it, Riddle jumped around the corner and marched onto the stranger. Megan meant to follow but slipped and hurt her ankle. She looked up and saw the outline of a big boy crouching in front of a big box. When he heard Riddle, he jumped.

“Evening, Rubeus.” Riddle said coldly.

"Tom...” he said uncomfortably. “What yer you doing 'ere?”

“It's over,” he said coolly. “I'll have to turn you in. They're planning on closing the school if the attacks continue... I don't think you intended it to kill anyone...”

“It wasn't 'im! He wouldn't, he never!” the boy shouted.

“Monsters don't make good pets,” he said, ignoring the boy's shout. “The dead girl's parents will be here tomorrow. The least we can do is ensure the beast that killed their daughter is slaughtered.”

“No! Aragog never killed anyone!” the boy cried, his voice echoing.

Again, Megan felt something familiar. But what...?

“No!”

“Stand aside, I say.” Riddle said coldly.

“No!”

Riddle whipped out his wand and pronounced a spell Megan didn't know. A flash of light hit the box, which opened. Then, Megan let out a scream no one could hear and backed away. A huge spider, the size of a medium size dog, bounced out of it, running as fast as its legs could carry it. Riddle raised his wand again.

“Aragna Exime!”

But the spider was too fast. That spell, Megan did know to repell spiders.

“Aragog!” The boy shouted. “Aragog! Noo!”

The spider vanished out the door. Megan then realised with stunned horror who the mysterious boy was. And the reason he had been expelled in his third year. He had told her so when they had met. She looked up to verify her suspicions, and shouted as the truth hit her like the Hogwarts express at full speed. But no one heard her. She felt herself being pulled backwards, into a bright light. She screamed again, but still, no one heard her.

“Megan! Megan!”

Her eyes snapped open. Panting, she looked up into Harry, Ron and Hermione's worried faces. They were all watching her with worry.

“Megan? Megan, look at me. Do you know who I am?”

Harry had turned her face to look at her in the eyes. She nodded.

“Harry Nelson...”

“Today’s date?”

“February 15th.”

“Are you all right?” Hermione asked.

Another nod. They seemed to relax a little.

“Here, let’s get you off the floor.” Harry said.

He and Ron helped her to her feet but had to stop her from stumbling.

“Ow!”

“What is it?”

Megan froze.

“… My ankle…”

“Did you hurt it when you fell?”

“… I…”

That just been a projection. So why was her ankle hurting exactly where she’d hurt it in the memory? Maybe they were right and it had happened when she’d fallen… but it was one strange coincidence… the boys helped her sit in a chair.

“What were you doing?” Ron asked, looking at her with concern.

“You scared me half to death! I saw you lying unconscious.” Hermione said. “But you were so rigid I somehow sensed you weren't asleep so I tried to wake you... then I saw the diary, and... I... I couldn't get you to come around...”

“... It was Hagrid,” Megan gasped, tears welling in her eyes. “Hagrid opened the Chamber fifty years ago...!”

 After she had told them everything she had seen and heard, Ron first chastised her for not being more careful, but they all realised that there was no way around it. Their friend, Hagrid, was connected to the death of a student. They spent the following days feeling confused and sad. They had always known Hagrid liked beasts that everyone else thought dangerous. They had seen him hide a dragon in his wood and stone hut just the year before. They had been in great trouble when they had been caught sneaking out of the castle. They wouldn't soon forget the giant three headed dog hidden in the castle that year, either... But Megan was also convinced that Hagrid would never hurt anyone. However, Riddle had pointed out the possibility of it being unintended... she couldn't make any sense of the whole story. And it was starting to give her a major headache. As she nibbled on her bacon that morning, she heaved a sigh. Part of her wished she hadn't found out how to work the diary. They went over and over the conversations she had witnessed until she was sick of it.

“Riddle might have gotten the wrong person,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “Maybe something else was attacking students...”

“Hermione, how many monsters d'you think this school can hold?” Ron asked.

“Besides, we always knew Hagrid had been expelled...” Megan said unhappily.

“And the attacks must have stopped after he left,” Harry went on with a sigh. “Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have gotten that award.”

“He does sound like Percy,” Ron grumbled. “Who asked him to rat Hagrid out?”

“The monster killed someone, Ron,” Hermione reminded.

“And Riddle didn't want to go back to his Muggle orphanage. I can't blame him for wanting to stay here...”

There was an uneasy silence. Then, Ron asked hesitantly.

“... Didn't you tell us that you saw Hagrid in Knockturn Alley...?”

“He was looking for Slug Repellent.”

Another silence fell. Then, Hermione brought up another sensitive point.

“Do any of you think we should go see Hagrid...? Talk to him about this...?”

 Ron snorted.

“That's be a cheerful visit, wouldn't it? Hello, Hagrid, tell us, have you let anything mad and hairy loose around the castle lately?”

 After a long hesitation, they decided they would only go and talk to Hagrid if there was another attack. None of them liked the idea, but hopefully this time would be more fortunate. There had been no deaths so far... and if Madam Pomfrey was to be believed, then they wouldn't be petrified for long... however there was a chance, until they knew what actually was attacking the students... that that one student would be the casualty. And if so, Megan didn't think she could stand it, What if it was Cedric? No, even if it was another, she couldn't bear to think of it.

More and more time went by devoid of bodiless voices, so Megan and the others began hoping they might not even need to speak to Hagrid. It had been four months since the last attack, and everyone else seemed to be thinking this whole terrible incident was coming to an end. Peeves got tired of taunting Megan, and Ernie MacMillan spoke to Megan more politely than he had in a long time during Herbology. And in early March, Professor Sprout was happy to say the mandrakes were getting restless.

“Soon, they'll be fully mature and ready to use to revive the people in the Hospital wing.” she said.

The second years were given new food for thought soon over the holidays. The time had come to choose what subject they wanted to take in their third year. Hermione, at least, took this seriously.

“This can affect our entire future.”

Megan was aware of that, the problem was she didn't know what her options were. Hermione was the top of the class, she could do anything she wanted, but what if you didn't know what you wanted to do...? Or even what you could do?

“I wish I could give up Potions,” Harry said.

“Second that,” Megan sighed.

“We can't,” Ron said. “I would have dropped Defence Against the Dark Arts.”

“But that's really important!” Hermione said.

“Yeah, but not with the lousy excuse for a teacher they've given us,” Megan said. “I'm with Ron, even Quirrel was better than that idiot. But if Lockhart’s still teaching for the next five years, we’ll learn pretty much zilch.”

 Poor Neville was probably the worse off. He had been sent heaps of letters from everyone in his family with different advice, but there were so many different opinions he couldn’t decide. Megan looked a long time at the list of classes. Muggle Studies would be easy, since she had grown up with Muggles, so she could score easy points to even out her grades... but that would be quite time consuming, what with the other classes, Quidditch... so she didn't take it. Hermione didn't ask anyone, and ticked all the boxes. Megan had a wry smile at the idea of discussing her future magical career with her aunt and uncle. Cedric, on the other hand, was happy to try and help.

“You see, it all depends what you want to do, Megan,” he said. “Where you want to go. My Dad says it's never too early to think about your future, so maybe Divination can help. And I would say understanding Muggles as thoroughly as possible is important too, but of course, you already have that, having grown up with them, so Muggle Studies wouldn't be of much use to you. And if you're more of an outdoor type, Care of Magical Creatures can be an idea. And even if you aren't, it's always interesting to know what creatures live around us. I suppose the only way to really decide is to identify your strengths and play to those.”

The problem was, even though she wasn't too bad in the other subjects, the only thing Megan felt really good at was Quidditch, and that wasn't on the list or she wouldn't have hesitated. So, after a long period of thinking. Megan decided to take the same subjects as Ron and Harry. That way, if they failed at it, they would be able to work at it together.

The next Qudditch match would oppose Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Cedric's house. Megan knew that wouldn't be the easiest game. The year before, Hufflepuff had used their reserve Seeker. And since they alternated Seeker every game, He was waiting by the entrance of the Great Hall one morning.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hey,” she said. “Fancy seeing you here.”

He pretended to put on a thoughtful expression.

“Well, I do go to school, here, so...”

She laughed.

“So... we'll be playing soon. You ready for it?” Cedric asked.

“You planning on asking me to go easy on the Seeker?” Megan teased.

“Not likely. Just wanted to see how you were doing. Haven't seen you much lately.”

“I know, but I've been really busy. Honestly, it’s a wonder I find the time to breathe.”

Wood was training them harder than ever, with sessions every evening, leaving Megan with barely enough time for that and homework. Luckily, Harry and Hermione did their best to help.

“Yeah, our captain's pushing the team hard too.”

“But I suspect it's to compensate for the feeble score difference after the last match,” Megan said. “Sorry we have to take it out on you...”

“Ah, don't worry. We can take care of ourselves.” he smiled. “And that way at least one of us gets a shot at beating Slytherin in the end, so it's worth it.”

 The evening before Saturday's match, Megan headed up to her dormitory to drop off her broom, when at the top of the stairs, she saw a second year called Amanda. She looked nervous.

 “Megan... I don't know who did it... I just found it like this...”

 Megan frowned slightly as Amanda pushed the door open. She looked... and froze. Her trunk had been emptied and its contents scattered all around her four poster. Her cloak was torn, her drawers lay on the floor, and their contents was all over her bed. Megan stepped forwards open mouthed. Who would do this...?

“Hey, Megan, I- Oh, my!”

Hermione had come up too, followed by Amanda and a few other girls.

“What happened?”

“... I don't know...”

Hermione helped her put things back into place. Megan took the time to see whether anything was missing. And when they had finished, Megan's first thought was that she had everything, further confusing her. However, not wanting to cause panic, she asked the others not to tell anyone about it. But then, she realised that to her horror, something was gone.

“What?” Hermione asked, noticing her expression.

Megan got to her feet, took Hermione's hand and led her out of the room, down the stairs and into a corner.

“Riddle's diary's gone,” she whispered.