- Oh Hermione-

I walk around the corner and see Draco coming out the library "Draco, hey you haven't seen Harry, have you?"

"No. I try to stay away as much as I can from Potter. Have you seen Crabbe and Goyle?"

I sigh "No. What were you doing in the library nerd?" I ask as we make our way down to the dungeons.

"None of your business." He snarks.

"Whoa." I hold my hands up, "No need for the attitude. Honestly what has gotten into you this year?"

He just glares at me but keeps walking, as we approach the common room I spot the two boys and Draco calls out "Crabbe, Goyle, Where have you two been? Pigging out in the Great Hall all this time?"

"Why are you wearing glasses?" I ask Goyle. Looking at him suspiciously.

"Ah...um... reading."

"Reading?" Draco questions. "I didn't know you could read." he pulls an impressed face before turning to Percy. "And what are you doing down here, Weasley?"

"Mind your attitude, Malfoy."

"I don't have an attitude." He sulks before walking away back to the common room. I look back at Crabbe and Goyle eyeing them up before we all follow.

As we enter, Draco sits across one of the sofas, I push his legs off sitting next to him as Crabbe and Goyle just stand there. "Well, sit down."

"Do they always wait for your order, Sir Malfoy?" I tease as the two sit down.

"Shut up Jade. You know, you'd never know the Weasleys were pure-bloods, the way they behave. They're an embarrassment to the wizarding world. All of them" He refers back to Percy.

I watch Crabbe's hand curl up into a fist, somethings up with them, and Draco notices it too. "What's wrong with you, Crabbe?"

"Stomachache."

Draco turns to me, "You know, im surprised that the Daily Prophet hasn't done a report on all these attacks. I suppose Dumbledore is trying to hush it all up. Father always said that Dumbledore was the worst thing that ever happened to this place."

"Bit dramatic."

"You're wrong!" Goyle yells. Right. Draco stands up, "What? You think there's someone here who's worse than Dumbledore? Well, do you?"

"Harry Potter?"

Draco smirks, "Good one, Goyle. You're absolutely right. Saint Potter."

"Honestly Draco, You're obsessed with him, all you talk about is my brother."

"Well Jade, People actually think that he's the Heir of Slytherin. If it were any Potter, surely it would be you?" He turns to me.

"Yeah, no chance. Why would I waste my time petrifying students? Also you know how much I hate how you talk about muggleborns."

"But then you must have some idea who's behind it all?" Goyle asks.

"We had this conversation yesterday guys.  All we talk about is either Harry or this Heir.  Do you guys have no other interests?" I groan as Draco stands up .

"How many times do we have to tell you Goyle, we don't know who it is."he picks up a random gift, shaking it, "Is this yours?"

Goyle shakes his head, and Draco puts it in his pocket. "But my father did say this: it's been 50 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"

I stand up at the same time as Crabbe , "Draco, will you stop it.  She's my friend. " I go to walk off when he grabs my hand.

"Wait..." It looks like he's about to apologies or something when he glances away "Do you know what's the matter with those two, they're acting very... Odd?" 

"I just assumed they were always this weird." i shrug, trying to take the box out of his pocket

"Oi, that's mine." Draco grabs it back, opening it. The two of us are distracted looking at the gift to notice Crabbe and Goyle until they run off.

"Hey, where are you going?" Draco calls out to them, and I try to leave too but his grip tightens. "Wait Jade don't leave too."

"Why not? All you do is just insult Hermione or any other person you think isn't good enough. Im bored of it."

"I can't help it, that's what I was brought up to believe."

"I don't care, i don't want to hear it anymore..." I look down at my hand in his and sigh. " Honestly Draco, really. What is up with you this year? You're being horrible to people I care about but you also can't seem to leave my side.  Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Okay then." I click my tongue, watching as Draco looks down at our hands.

"Um Jade?... Would you say that we are friends?" He asks still looking down.

"Of course we are. I mean, unless you don't want to be-"

"No. no. I do." He looks back up. "I want to be your friend. I just was checking that you did want to be mine."

I smile at him, "Draco, you're the first person i've met who voluntarily wants to hang out with me.  Do you yap on about my brother? yes but most of the time you're complaining about him rather than asking me what he is like or what it was like growing up with him."

"People do that? They're actually interested in that stuff?" He pulls a face.

"Yes. It's weird and annoying."

"What about in the muggle world? Don't you have any muggle friends?"

"No just Harry. Which is why I get so annoyed at you for being rude to Hermione, she's the first girl my age who wants to be my friend. I know you and her are completely different but you're my closest friends here."

"But i'm your favourite overall?" He smirks.

"Not when you act like a bully. No." I glare jokingly. "But yes, I'd even call you my best friend."

"Best friend?" His eyes widen for a second before he whispers, "i've never had a best friend."

"You're joking? What about Crabbe and Goyle?"

"They're okay but they just follow me around. Our parents know each other."

"Ah I see... But Draco if we are going to be best friends, i'd like of you at least tone down the insults. I mean I can usually deal with it, but this year you're going to far."

He nods. "I'll try."

"Thank you."

So best friends?" He points between the two of us.

"Yes. Best friends." I smile hugging him before asking "Do you want that?"

"No.Here." He hands me the gift that was left on the side.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"A what? Draco" I ask as we walk through the castle.

"A Basilisk, that's the monster."

"How are you so sure?"

"I- I just-"

"Miss Potter." Snape interrupts the conversation, "I need you to come with me, there is something you have to see."

I look at him confused as he gestures for me to follow him. As we arrive at the hospital wing he states, "Now this might be quite shocking." He turns to Draco. "Malfoy I advise you stay out here."

I nod walking in and seeing Harry and Ron standing around a bed, I walk further in when I spot Hermione. "Oh no." I whisper standing next to Ron.

"She was found near the library" Professor McGonagall informs us, "Along with this." She holds up a mirror. "Does it mean anything to you lot?"

"No." Harry states.

"She'll be okay, right?" I look away from her.

"Once these mandrake are ready then yes, she will. Don't worry too much Miss Potter."

I smile slightly, glancing down at Hermione once more before leaving. 

"What was it?" Draco asks, who stayed by the door.

"I don't know if i want to tell you.Not after recent events."

"What? Why not?"

"Do you promise to be respectful?" I ask and he nods.

"Hermione, she was petrified." I watch as Draco clearly thinks about what he's going to say. "You don't have to say anything, especially if it's going to be rude."

We walk back to the common room in silence. I sit on one of the sofas and Draco follows me, "Are you okay Jade?"

I sigh, "I just hope these mandrakes work."

"I mean at least she didn't die?"

"Yeah. Best you hate that." I gulp, trying not to cry.

"I don-"

 "So you know how you were talking about Basilisks um... what would a mirror have to do with them?" I interrupt him.

"A mirror?... um well you'll only die if you look directly at a Basilisk, so if you looked into a mirror or a reflection, you'd only be petrified."

I smile, sniffing, "Hermione. What a genius." I lean on Draco's shoulder,  feeling him tense slightly at my touch" And I suppose you've been quite helpful for a change."

"Really?"

I chuckle, "Really."

He slowly moves his arm, wrapping it around me, "Granger is bizarrely smart, I mean considering she's a mud- a muggle born."

I take a deep breath, "I don't know what Harry and Ron would do without her. She is the brains of that gang."

"They'd probably be dead by now. I mean you'd be fine but Potter, he is far too cocky and Weasley, well..."

"Yeah don't finish that sentence Draco. I know someone else that is far too cocky, and he isn't even famous." I tease.

"Shut up. That's not true."

"Totally is." I grin.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Later that evening I go back to visit Hermione. Harry and Ron clearly had the same idea as they were already there.

"Wish you were here, Hermione. We need you." I hear Harry say. "Now more than ever."

"Well even petrified that girl has been more useful than the two of you." I sit down at the edge of the bed.

"What do you mean?" Ron asks.

"You know why she had a mirror?" They both shake their heads. "Because the monster in the chambers is a Basilisk."

"A what?" Ron asks as I watch Harry look down at Hermione's hand, he pulls out a piece of paper.

"That's why she was in the library." Harry looks at me, as he turns the paper around revealing the parchment about Basilisk's.

"That girl is too smart for her own good." Ron shakes his head.

"Come on." Harry stands up as we walk through the castle Harry reads out what Hermione's piece of parchment said. 

"Jade, This is why we can hear it speak, it's a snake."

"But if it kills by looking people in the eye, why is it no one's dead?" Ron asks.

"Because no one has looked it directly in the eye." I tell him and start to explain each person.

"It all fits. " Harry exclaims.

"But how's the Basilisk been getting around?" Ron asks. " A dirty, great snake, someone would have seen it."

"Hermione's answered that too." Harry shows her note, Pipes . That girl, love her.

"Pipes. It's using the plumbing?"

"Remember what Aragog said about the girl 50 years ago?"

"Who's Aragog?" I ask.

"He's a spider" Harry adds before turning to Ron." She died in a bathroom? What if she never left?"

"Moaning Myrtle." Ron realises and Harry nods.

"All student are to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers to the second floor corridor immediately. "

Harry and Ron run to the second floor and I follow.

"As you can see the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. Our worst fear has been realised.  A student has been taken by the monster into the Chamber itself. The students must be sent home. Im afraid this is the end of Hogwarts." We hear McGonagall tell the our teachers.

"So sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed?"

"A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come at last."

"My... moment?"

"Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the chamber is?"

I roll my eyes, I can't stand that man. I decided to walk off, Harry and Ron still focused on the teachers don't notice that i've left.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

After contemplating it, I decided to head to the girls bathroom where Moaning Myrtle was. I walk in and notice that the sink was open, revealing a massive hole. What an idiot, Harry must have gone in.

"Who went in there Myrtle?" I ask as the ghost appeared.

"Your brother, a red head and they were pointing their wands a the good-looking professor."

"Lockhart." I mumble.

"Heard it's quite filthy down there."

"Oh great." I sigh, before jumping down, I cast a spell to protect my clothes. "Ugh it stinks."

"Jade?" I look up and see Ron and Lockhart.

"Hey. What happened? Where's Harry?"

"We got separated." He nods to the wall of rocks. "And you'll never guess what... Lockhart's a fraud, he wiped the memories of the actual wizards that did it."

"Oh I never." I smile sarcastically. 

"Tried to do it to us, but he used my wand so it backfired and now."

"Hello, who are you?" The man asks.

I ignore him, walking over the wall as I start to remove some of the rocks. "Stay here with Loopy, okay Ron?."

"Are you sure Jade?"

"Positive."