Chapter 21: Preparations (1/2)

As Chris and Hermione started to work on the truth serum, they heard a sound of the bathroom door opening. They stopped working and hid the cauldron, then ran inside a stall, holding their breaths.

”It's me.” said a familiar voice.

Chris went towards the door and found Harry closing the door behind.

”It's Harry,” Chris said loudly.

Ron and Hermione came out and set the cauldron again in the middle of the bathroom.

”Harry!” she said. ”You gave us such a fright.... how's your arm?”

”Fine.” He said and turned to Chris, ”You alright?”

”Me? Oh... I'm fine. What happened to me?” Chris tried to smile.

”I was awake last night at Hospital wing when...” Harry said.

Chris coughed.

Today she told Ron and Hermione about the incident without any fear or shock, but last night, she was literally trembling and Harry was awake, that means he heard her.

”Ummm... Well... Then I guess you know what happened to Colin.” Chris said making her voice confident.

”It's ok Chris. I can't even begin to imagine if anything like that had happened to my friends. He'll be fine. Don't worry.” Harry said resting a hand on Chris's shoulder.

”I know he'll be. That's why I'll not worry about him, but, I'll concentrate on finding that heir.” Chris's voice was determined.

”Yes and that's why we started the potion. We'll need some ingredients from Professor Snape's private collection then it'll be ready.” Hermione said.

”Wait. We're going to break into Snape's private store?” Harry asked surprised.

”Yeah. We found almost everything in the students' cupboard except two.” Answered Hermione. ”Relax Harry. It'll be fine. I have got a plan.”

”Well... I never thought I'd see the day when Hermione would be persuading us to break rules.. but if she is so confident then I don't have any problem... The sooner we get a confession out of Malfoy, the better,” snarled Ron. ”D'you know what I think? He was in such a foul temper after the Quidditch match, he took it out on Colin.”

”Ron we're still not sure, it's him,” Chris said calmly. ”But if it's him then trust me, I'll beat the hell out of him. I'll make sure the heir walks around with a broken nose, lots of broken teeth and bones.”

The calmness on Chris's voice made Ron and Harry shiver.