In the Slytherin Private Lounge, Jerry hurried back and pushed open the door to find Malfoy and the others already waiting.
"It's about time." Jerry glanced at the Blackwing Badges on their chests. "I'll take you to the club's real meeting room!"
Jerry led them quietly through the maze of staircases in Hogwarts Castle. At last, they reached the Girls' Bathroom on the second floor. After making sure Moaning Myrtle was gone, he turned to Malfoy and the others, his gaze intent. "The entrance is right here."
Under their puzzled gazes, Jerry walked to the disused sink and found the tap engraved with a snake.
"Hiss... hiss... hiss... (Open.)" The hoarse, low sounds echoed through the bathroom. Malfoy and the others shivered, exchanging frightened looks.
With a deep rumble, the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets appeared: a vertical shaft as deep and dark as a well.
"Just now... Jerry... your voice..." Malfoy swallowed hard, both awe and confusion in his eyes. "Where does that shaft lead?"
"That was Parseltongue," Jerry said calmly. "This is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets."
"The Chamber of Secrets? Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets?" Shock flashed in their eyes, then gave way to excitement they could barely contain. "Does that mean... Jerry, are you really the Heir of Slytherin?"
"Let's go in first. I'll explain as we walk."
Malfoy and the other seven slid down the deep shaft. At the bottom, the space opened up before them, revealing a tunnel built from ancient stone bricks.
Alchemy lamps had even been installed along both sides to light the way.
"Where are we? And where's Jerry?" Pansy Parkinson edged closer to Malfoy, her voice trembling.
"I'm here!"
Before the words had faded, a raven with fiery red lightning flickering between its wings flew gracefully in through