Everyone looked at one another, but no one answered.
The drowsy Ron immediately perked up and whispered, "I bet Malfoy and those two cronies of his have gotten into some serious trouble!"
Harry asked, "Like what?"
"Like... Snape calling them in to scrub toilets, or Filch hauling them off to detention. Maybe, just maybe, they ran into some monster in the castle and got swallowed in one..."
Before he could finish, terrified cries suddenly rang out. Goyle and Crabbe came scrambling out, screaming in terror, "Help! Help! Malfoy's dead!"
Ron's excited mind went blank for a few seconds, and he abruptly clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Malfoy's dead?!!"
An uproar broke out. All the young students were stunned, and some girls couldn't help screaming in fright.
Professor Sprout's face turned deathly pale. She mumbled a few times before saying shakily, "Goyle, Crabbe, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Goyle's lips trembled as he said, "It's t-true! In the Girls' Bathroom! Malfoy's lying on the floor, stiff all over and not breathing. There's blood on the mirror, saying... saying, 'The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Everyone will die.'"
The Chamber of Secrets?!
Audrey and Hermione exchanged a quick glance, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
After a brief panic, Professor Sprout immediately shouted, "Quiet! Everyone, go straight to the Great Hall and stay there. I'll find Headmaster Dumbledore. Quickly! Hurry! Goyle, Crabbe, you two come with me!"
Just then, Pansy Parkinson suddenly stood up, pointed at Ron, and shrieked, "Ron, I heard you just now! You cursed Malfoy!"
Every Slytherin's gaze snapped toward him. Ron hastily backed away. "No... I didn't."
Pansy advanced step by step, wand in hand. "I heard you! You cursed Malfoy! You killed Malfoy! We'll avenge him!"
"Calm down, Pansy!"
Audrey glanced at her