As the final students make their way into the great hall Dumbledore stands up. He pauses as he scans the room looking into the eyes of each of the students.

"...The Chamber of Secrets has been found." He says curtly watching everyone's expressions. Gasps resound through the great hall as the students begin talking. Ron who is on my left peers past me at Harry who is on my right.

"I told you we should have stopped Draco." Hermione and Harry nod at his words, I only rub my temple. I peer up at Draco down the table, he is excited talking to his two chunky followers, but I can tell, he is nervous.

Dumbledore holds out a hand "QUIET!" His words shake the hall, every student falls silent as they stare at him.

"For your safety, you cannot be allowed to stay here. Professor McGonagall and I have taken the liberty to book rooms for each of you at the Hog's Head Inn." He gestures to his left "Professor Sinistra will be supervising your stay."

He steps out of the way and gestures for Professor Aurora to take the podium. "Thank you, Headmaster." She says as she gives him a nod. "Outside there are carriages to take you there. For your safety, we will be leaving together soon. You have three hours to grab what you wish to take and meet in the front courtyard."

She glances at Dumbledore who only nods "Then you are all dismissed… Enjoy your breakfast before we leave." As she finishes her words food magically appears on the table like usual. She turns back and sits in her seat while a few professors leave.

I hear Hermione sigh from next to Harry "Who could possibly have an appetite in this situation?"

"What do you mean?" A muffled Ron's voice comes from my left, I turn to see a turkey sausage link hanging from his mouth and another on his fork.

My eyes flick back to the silver cloche, it already has the top is taken off and a portion of its contents missing. 'Since when was Ron so quick?' I think to myself

I shrug as I look back at the disgusted Hermione "You should probably eat, I heard the Hog's Head has horrid food."

"Have you ever been there?" Harry asks as he begins putting food on his plate.

My mind wanders to the memories of Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter drinking together at the Hog's Head after graduation. Seeing Harry's weird gaze at me spacing out I shrug off the odd feeling.

"No, I've just heard a lot about it. It's pretty popular among students on winter break after all." I give him a reassuring smile.

He just nods "I guess that's true."

After we finish eating the trio heads back to the dorms to grab their things. I have made it a habit to keep everything in my Mokeskin sack as well as my cloak so I don't need anything. I instead head to the front courtyard, just like when we arrived this year there is a line of Thestral drawn carriages.

I walk to the closest carriage and hold out my hand to the Thestral curiously staring at me. Its skeletal face sniffs my hand before resting its head on it. With a small smile, I pat the top of its head softly.

"Shelly seems to like ye'." Hagrid's voice comes from behind me.

I look towards him for a second before going back to petting the Thestral "Say, Hagrid, where do you find your animals?"

"I just take care of the animals her' in the forest. Thestral's are good-natured and work well as mounts so I keep a few of em'. Ye thinkin of starin a zoo or something?"

I laugh a bit "No, I just like animals, that's all." I pause for a second as I remember something "So are you joining us in Hogsmead?"

He nods "I hafta, headmaster's orders."

"Good, the ministry will probably be brought in on this and they might go after you again."

Hagrid sighs "Yer' right about that."

I give Shelly one last pat before turning around "If you don't mind I'm going to go read while I have quiet time from the other."

He smiles "Course', I'll be in the head carriage with Professor Sinistra if ye' need me."

I wave as I step in the carriage "Thanks, cya later Hagrid."

He gives me a small wave before walking towards the front. Stepping inside the carriage I pull out my history book, I want to recap on the history of Salazar Slytherin. Even if it might not be my problem anymore I want to know my enemy.

The only thing more impressive about the amount of information on Salazar Slytherin is the lack of information. His feats are impressive and it is expected he was the second strongest among the four original founders. I assume this isn't just speculation and they perhaps dueled at some point.

The information doesn't go in-depth about why he got kicked out other than the fact it was about a disagreement about muggleborn wizards. The day and age don't really matter there will always be hate. Whether it be for the color of their skin, their religion, or the circumstances of one's birth.

Similar to Sid I guess, I'm sure he was inspired by Salazar to some extent. My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the carriage door opening. Harry peaks in and smiles upon meeting my eyes.

"I told you he would be in the last carriage." He says turning to someone behind him.

'What's that supposed to imply?' I think to myself as I scoot to the side to let someone sit next to me.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron step into the carriage, Harry is holding a small bag and Hermione has a book in her arms.

I tilt my head at Harry who is sitting next to me "What's with the bag? You didn't want to leave it in the luggage carriage?"

A gives a small smirk "I know Christmas eve is tomorrow but I have your Christmas presents in here. I pulled more money out and Hagrid helped me buy them. If you want I can give them to you now or we can wait until tomorrow and have our Christmas at the Hog's Head."

"Now." "Wait." Ron and Hermione say in practical unison.

My eyes flick between the two who are now glaring at each other, I hold my hand in front of them so they won't argue. "I think we should wait until tomorrow, I also have your presents but I think that would put Hermione in an awkward position since she doesn't have them on her."

Hermione nods as Ron groans "I'll give you guys the sweaters when we land, my mum gave me one for Hermione this time as well."