Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets (I)

The flames in the fireplace flickered, letting out a crisp crackle.

Draco's fingers paused over the ring.

He had been sitting in the common room for a long time since returning from class.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused all his attention on the ring. He could feel the warm, burning sensation within it. He gently touched the Ouroboros on the ring with his magic.

An extremely thin streak of silver light flashed across the ring's surface.

Then Draco sensed a consciousness.

It was vast, profound, and cold, like an endless deep sea or a silent volcano. It had no voice and no form, yet Draco could clearly feel that it was there—at the other end of the ring, somewhere he could neither see nor touch, quietly waiting for him to speak.

He began to speak.

"Lord Madara," he said in a voice so low that only he could hear it, "Filch has been exposed."

The consciousness did not respond, but Draco knew it was listening. He could feel that cold gaze—as though a pair of invisible eyes had pierced through space and distance to rest upon him.

"After tonight's Halloween feast, the Chamber of Secrets was opened," he continued, unconsciously speaking a little faster. "Bloody words appeared on the wall, and Filch's cat was petrified. When Filch arrived at the scene... he lost control."

He paused, gathering his thoughts. "He exposed his power. He fought Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick head-on—and did not fall behind. His magic is incredibly powerful, powerful enough to suppress two dueling masters at once. But..."

He paused again, his voice carrying a trace of unease. "The Cursed Mark on his neck was seen. During the fight, a shockwave tore open his collar, fully exposing that ring of runes before everyone.