The double attack on Dean (as he learned his name after) and the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly Headless Nick, turned what had hitherto been nervousness into real panic. Amazingly, it was Nearly Headless Nick's fate which concerned so many people. What monster could possibly do that sort of thing to a ghost?
There was almost a stampede to book seats on the Hogwarts Express so that students could go home for Christmas.
Adrian had chose to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays; as much as he would like to see Bellatrix, he was in no state prepared to see his father once again. Just the thought brought back the anxious trembling in his hands.
Draco chose to stay at the castle as well, Crabbe and Goyle followed suit.
Christmas came around and Adrian received gifts from a surprising number of people.
Hermione had gifted him a luxurious eagle-feather quill. Hagrid sent a box with three well groomed mice, which had Lutain hissing with gleeful anticipation. Draco gifted him a box of treacle tarts, likely bought from the store Honeydukes.
Bellatrix sent him a bag full of galleons, which actually was very kind considering he owl ordered a large quantity of things now. Rabastan sent, once again, a collection of potions. These ones were more complex and quite a few were made for secret messages or truth serums. Rodolphus sent an ironic fountain pen, shaped with a snake curving around the grip. Adrian didn't recognize the species.
The Great Hall was beautiful, not only were there a dozen frost coated Christmas trees and thick garlands of holly and mistletoe, but enchanted snow was falling from the sky above.
Draco Malfoy made several loud, snide remarks about the crude looking sweater Skylar was wearing. Hermione ushered the remaining two of the golden trio out of the Hall, which was suspicious but Adrian was too amused with Draco feeding Lutain various bits of pudding and tarts.
Adrian slipped into the library once more, as he had been since the roosters were added into his search. He took out a book, finally on the shelves from the lack of students over Christmas break, and went back to the Slytherin Common room.
The room was empty which wasn't much of a surprise. It meant that Adrian had a selection of any of the couches to read the book on.
The stone entrance slid open and Draco walked in with Crabbe and Goyle lumbering behind him. As well as-
"Bullstrode?" Adrian asked, lifting one eyebrow curiously. "I thought you went home for the holidays."
Millicent stumbled, looking rather odd before she jutted out her chin, "I came back."
Adrian blinked, and looked back at his book. She must have still been upset at him.
"Wait here," Malfoy said to Crabbe and Goyle who both took seats on nearby couches. "I'll go and get it, my father's just sent it to me-"
Draco walked off to his room, and then returned with a newspaper clipping. He thrust it under Crabbe's nose, causing the boy to go cross-eyed. Draco grinned. "That'll give you a laugh."
"Master?" Adrian peered over his book over towards the steps to the downstairs level where the rooms were. With the majority of Slytherins gone, Adrian felt it was alright to leave the door open for Lutain to freely wander the common room.
Draco and the others chattered on about something Adrian didn't care about. Lutain slid over and scented the air. The sight of Lutain sliding up onto the table between the couches caused all three to pale.
"There it is," Draco cut in, shifting topics to point at Lutain. "I was going to see if it liked stewed carrots."
"Considering Lutain hates vegetables, I doubt it," Adrian noted, giving a long stretch before closing his book and facing the group. "What were we talking about?"
"The Heir of Slytherin," Draco caught Adrian up. Malfoy jutted his chin out, maybe in an attempt to pout. "I wish I knew who it was. I could help them."
Crabbe's jaw dropped so he looked even more clueless.
"You must have some idea who's behind it all…" Millicent trailed off, her voice wavering strangely.
"You know I haven't, how many times have we had this discussion?" Draco scowled. Draco turned and glanced directly at Adrian. "If anyone knows it's you."
All eyes were on him. "Well, the school seems set that it's Skylar Potter."
Draco let out a massive snort.
"And Father won't tell me anything about the last time the Chamber was opened either. Of course, it was fifty years ago, so it was before his time, but he knows all about it and he says that it was all kept quiet and it'll look suspicious if I know too much about it. But I know one thing- last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, a Mudblood died. So I bet it's a matter of time before one of them's killed this time...I hope it's Granger." He said with relish.
Adrian sighed loudly, "Honestly, Draco. You just don't like her because she's actual competition."
"I don't like her because you dragged her here," Draco snapped. "You and your bloody deals and now you're dragging in Mudbloods?"
"I'm sorry," Adrian said, his tone carefully pitched to indicate he was anything but. He tilted his head towards Draco. "Are you questioning me?"
Draco scowled and crossed his arms. "That's Millicent's job, isn't it?"
Millicent blinked wide eyed and looked overwhelmed.
Something wasn't adding up.
"D'you know if the person who opened the Chamber last time was caught?"
"Oh, yeah...whoever it was was expelled," said Malfoy, "They're probably still in Azkaban."
"Azkaban?" Goyle said, looking puzzled.
"Azkaban- the wizard prison, Goyle." Malfoy looked at him in disbelief. "Honestly, if you were any slower, you'd be going backward."
"How did the chamber get opened?" Millicent butted in. "If only the Heir can open it, how would someone be able to if they're in Azkaban?"
Draco waved his hand at Adrian, beckoning him to take a turn to talk.
Adrian shrugged half heartedly, trailing his hand down Lutain's back. "I don't know. There isn't any information- I didn't know about the death." Adrian nodded to a smug looking Malfoy. "Maybe it required specific magic, or a specific ability."
Goyle's eyes widened and he nudged Crabbe who also seemed to have realized something.
"Lutain," Adrian spoke low, causing his familiar to glance at him. "Do you have a rat to sniff out?"
Lutain's tongue flickered in the air wildly, "Master, there is something- no. No rat. Master."
Adrian relaxed and looked at Millicent. She seemed rather uncomfortable still, yet it was undeniably her.
"Malfoy," Adrian snapped out, nearly smacking himself for not thinking of it sooner, "Do you know what Boomslang skin is used for?"
Draco seemed surprised but blinked. "Brewing potions now, Selwyn?"
"I buy them," Adrian deadpanned, "but amuse me."
"We've got to go," Millicent stood. There was something off about how she sniffed, something about the tilt of her head. "I heard that Potter git was in the library."
"Give him a hex for me," Draco waved them off, before returning in thought.
The three of them left, and Draco started to list off potions, "Grolji's Elixer, Polyjuice Potion, Madora-"
Adrian suddenly felt a bit dizzy. He gave Malfoy a sharp look. "Polyjuice Potion? That changes your shape, doesn't it?"
"For an hour," Draco confirmed, not quite understanding, "Why?"
Millicent had been acting odd, Goyle more obvious than normal, Crabbe unusually silent-
Adrian glanced at the exit door. All three of them had vanished without a trace.
He cursed so crudely Draco blushed.
....
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