Different Reactions to a Cold (I)

"Not important?" Hermione's voice was openly skeptical. "Harry, if you really heard that voice again, then that means—"

"Means what?" Harry put down his fork, his voice louder than he had intended. "That some monster is crawling around the castle? That I might pass out again?" He took a deep breath and lowered his voice. "Hermione, I know what you want to say. But I can't deal with this right now. Wood watches me from morning to night every day. I barely even have time to use the bathroom. What am I supposed to do?"

Hermione fell silent. She knew Harry was telling the truth. Wood's training schedule had wrung him dry. He did not even have enough time to sleep, let alone investigate the Chamber of Secrets or strange voices.

Ron listened from the side for a while before finally figuring out what they were talking about. "You mean you heard that voice again? The one inside the walls?" He lowered his voice and glanced around. "Then you have to tell Dumbledore!"

"Tell Dumbledore what?" Harry gave a bitter smile. "Tell him I heard some voices that might not even be real? And then what? Have him cancel the Quidditch match? Have Wood let me off?" He shook his head. "Besides, even if I told him, he wouldn't believe me. Last year, he said I'd misheard it too. Everyone said I'd misheard it."

Ron opened his mouth but could not find anything to say. Hermione said nothing either. They both knew Harry was right.

The corridor was quiet. Everyone was asleep. His footsteps echoed through the empty passageway, one after another, like someone beating a drum. He reached a corner and stopped. That voice came again.

It was not an illusion. He was sure of it. It was there,