The Last One Living- Chapter 2

Chapter 2: People and Other Obstacles

A horribly excruciating month passed before I dared trying anything else. The other Slytherins had begun to forgive me, which was comforting to know, but the very least of my concerns.

Only a day after my first misadventure had the word begun to spread among the staff. I commonly overheard phrases along the lines of "the Riddle girl was found wandering the second floor," being spoken in nervous and hushed tones. I knew what I had to do. So, as hard as it was, I stayed well away from the beloved entrance and feigned innocence.

However, my nights in the common room were just the opposite. My homework was rushed to the finish within minutes, allowing me several hours per night to spend completing and perfecting my plan. I spent this time huddled on that same sofa with rolls of parchment surrounding me. I wrote with only the light created by my wand, for no one could see, know, or even have the slightest idea of what I was up to.

A smirk crossed my face once more. I laughed at the thought that only weeks ago, I thought it would be as simple as showing up and going inside. Now, I had done the proper research of everything I could possibly need. It wasn't easy, for it involved lots of spying and sneaking into the restricted section, along with other unmentionable tasks that I don't have the time to tell you about now. I sat with maps of the school, diagrams of what I knew lay within, lists of people and other obstacles that need be out of my way, and every plan I could think of for what I must do once I succeed with step one.
Tonight was the final night I had to review my devious plans. I knew very well that it would be better to lay low for a little longer, but if I were to complete my plan in time, I had none to waste.

Everything was set. I had sent the headmistress an owl inviting her to a meeting with the school governors regarding new scoring on this year's O.W.L exams. I must say, I was quite convincing, because she had already left. The next night was a feast, and the whole school would be together in The Great Hall, which meant I had planned perfectly. They'd all be ignorantly celebrating for no reason whatsoever while danger lurked right around them. It would be at this time that I would return to the second floor to officially begin my scheme.

....

The next day rolled around fast, but slowly dragged on. The last five minutes of Transfiguration – my last and worst class – seemed to last several miserable centuries. We were finally dismissed and I turned to rush out of the room when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Slightly exasperated, I twirled around only to face Ethan Alaric. Ethan is an interesting guy to me. I don't know how to explain it, really. I get a bit self conscious around him. I stood up a bit straighter and faced him.

"What?" I demanded, still annoyed that he put even the slightest delay on my night.

He looked a bit taken aback by my rude response, but I could care less. "Er, when was the essay on Gomp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration due?" he asked as he awkwardly pushed his hand through his hair.

I sighed. I realized he had no clue what he'd interrupted, and it was best we keep it that way, but I still couldn't help but be irritated that this is what was so important. "Next Thursday," I answer.

"Kay, thanks," he replied and quickly rushed out of the room, with an odd expression of disappointment and relief on his face.

I rolled my eyes and turn to leave too, and that's when I noticed it. To my surprise, it had fallen out of Ethan's bag. The thing that I had spent the past months trying to get my sneaky little hands on. Now there was no questioning my success! I picked it up and admired the cover. Magick Moste Evile , it read in faded silver letters. It bared illustrations of wizards and witches being tormented or worse with magic I didn't recognize, but couldn't wait to learn. I had no idea why the hell Ethan had it, but at this point I didn't even care! He wouldn't be getting it back.  

Beaming, I strolled back to the Slytherin common room, gripping the ancient book tightly against my chest. I had an hour or so available to me anyway, so I may as well take the opportunity to see what I can learn from this.

.....

Shock ran through my veins like a rushing river, full of life, excitement, and fear. The book had told me exactly what I needed to hear, and now I knew what I had to do.

As I had predicted, the entire school was in The Great Hall for the feast, with the exception of me. I, on the other hand, crouched in the doorway with my wand out and mind ready. I could feel my heart racing. I had never been more thrilled than I was now.

Perfect. Samantha Orlan was out of the hospital wing and had joined her classmates for supper. She happily pranced around the Hufflepuff table to talk to all her little friends. This made it especially difficult. And all the more fun. I couldn't end up with the wrong person, now could I? Finally, I had her in plain view with her back turned. I glanced around one last time to be sure no one was watching me, and then:


"Imperio!" I hissed. Samantha shook a little, but no one noticed.


I kept my wand pointed at her, and made her weave her way through the crowd. She sometimes paused to wave or smile at someone, which was perfect, because that kind of thing is normal for her. At last, she reached the door I stood by and slipped out without notice.

Making sure I didn't lose control of her, I brought her down the corridors with me. The vacant stare her eyes gave off let me know I was doing this perfectly. We reached our destination in close to no time and I realized I was happily smirking once more.

"Open up," I commanded in Parseltounge; and right there before me, it opened. "In you go," and with that, I pushed Samantha Orlan right into the place where she belongs. I took a breath, put my wand back inside my robes, and went in after her.

I hit the ground with a thud, and, as I had suspected, was practically lying in a bone yard. Samantha was panting with fear and on the verge of tears. "Where am I!? How'd I get here!?" she looked at me longingly, as if she didn't even realize I was the one who put her in the hospital last month.

"Get up!" I commanded her and scrambled to my own feet.

"What?! What's going-"

"Don't ask questions!" I yelled.

She stood up as told, and at this moment burst into tears. I ignored her senseless crying and started walking forward. "This way," I told her.

She scampered after me, whimpering and tripping over various sculls. "Why did you take me here?" she demanded, her sorry attempt at being tough.

I supposed I may as well tell her, but not immediately. "Let's just say I need you for a little…mission," I sneered.

She said nothing, but silence speaks for itself. She still had no idea what I meant.

"If something were to happen to you down here, your family would be ever so upset, wouldn't they?"

"Yeah- they- I-"she stuttered.

"Muggles, aren't they?"

"Yes," she choked out.

"And that's exactly why I need you," I informed her while still walking forward. "You see, when this school was founded, three of our founders thought it'd be a good idea to let filthy little mudbloods like yourself attend. One, however, did not."

She gulped, but still said nothing.

"And he tried removing them from the school, but it never happened," I continued. "But I'm going to see that it still does."

We reached the last room, which had statues of snakes, and was covered in bones, water, and blood stains. I pulled out my wand again and Samantha leapt back, but I simply used it to conjure up a large cauldron out of thin air. I quickly jumped and pointed it at her before she got the chance to move. "Petrificus Totallis!" She fell over, paralyzed, but very much alive.

I circled the room for several minutes, wading my way though the water. I was about to panic when I finally found what I was looking for. It was smooth and fragile against my knees. I carefully removed it from the water and dragged the large object over to the cauldron, along with what I found right by it.

Samantha was still unable to move a mussel but trembled with fear as she watched me. I took out my wand again, and this time, conjured up a goblet that I used to scoop up some of the water. I poured it into the cauldron and watched it simmer.
I put the wand away and took a breath.

"Flesh of the old, to resurrect the new," I recited, having learned this ritual from Magick Moste Evile.

I lifted up the huge snakeskin and threw it into the cauldron. It instantly bonded with the water and I knew I had to be doing this correctly.

Samantha made a squeaking sound. "Yes, yes, it's your turn," I assured her in a mocking tone.

I picked up the basilisk fang that I found with the skin. Smiling, I cut her arm with it and got the blood I needed.

"Blood of the unworthy, you shall revive your fate," I shook it into the cauldron and it instantly turned a wonderfully sickening blood-red.

Samantha was still struggling, but I ignored her. I was almost there!

"Bone of the past, to bring forth the full and fateful present," and with that, I tossed the basilisk fang in.

The wretched liquid began to stir itself and bubbled over the edges. Slowly, snake-shaped flesh began to rise out of the cauldron, dripping on to the floor until it became covered in the skin. I took off into a run, back up to where I came from. I would have loved to see the dreadful event take place, but that would mean meeting my own fate. And I couldn't let that happen, I was just getting started!

I finally reached my next location. I still had a grin on my face and blood on my hands. And with it, I decided to carry out the family tradition and write on the walls:

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED, ENEMIES OF THE HEIRESS BEWARE