Chapter 7: Beneath the Surface

The air in the Room of Requirement was thick with tension as Harry, Hermione, and Daphne poured over their findings. Maps of Hogwarts, old texts on dark rituals, and hastily scribbled notes littered the table before them. The flickering light from the enchanted lamps cast long shadows, mirroring the uncertainty that weighed heavily on their shoulders.

Hermione pushed her hair back, exhaustion etched into her face. "If Malfoy and his lot are planning a ritual tied to the Obsidian Circle, they'll need a place of concentrated magical power. It has to be somewhere hidden—somewhere even Dumbledore wouldn't suspect."

Daphne tapped a slender finger against the map of Hogwarts, her eyes scanning the familiar layout. "I still think the Chamber of Secrets is a strong possibility. It's ancient, and who knows what other dark secrets it holds."

Harry frowned, his gaze drifting to the section labeled Forbidden Forest. "We also can't rule out the ruins we found. Malfoy showing up there wasn't a coincidence."

Hermione sighed. "But we can't split ourselves too thin, and we don't have enough information to act. We need someone on the inside—someone who knows Malfoy's movements before they happen."

Daphne's lips curled into a sly smile. "I might have a way in."

Harry and Hermione exchanged cautious glances. "What do you mean?" Harry asked warily.

Daphne leaned back in her chair, her blue eyes gleaming. "Blaise Zabini. He's ambitious, but not as blindly loyal as Pansy or Crabbe and Goyle. If I can get close enough, he might slip up."

Hermione looked skeptical. "And what if he doesn't? What if Malfoy sees through you?"

Daphne smirked. "He already suspects me, but that's the beauty of it. He knows I value power, and that makes me… useful. If I play my cards right, Zabini might just tell me what I need to know."

Harry hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But be careful, Daphne. We can't afford to lose anyone."

Daphne's smile faded slightly, and she nodded. "I always am."

Later That Night – Slytherin Common Room

Daphne strolled into the Slytherin common room with an air of nonchalance, despite the apprehension churning in her gut. The emerald glow of the lamps cast eerie shadows across the stone walls, and the low murmur of conversation hummed like a dark symphony.

She spotted Blaise Zabini lounging in a corner, a glass of firewhisky in his hand, looking every bit the cunning aristocrat he was. Pansy Parkinson sat beside him, her eyes narrowing when she saw Daphne approach.

"Greengrass," Blaise drawled, raising an eyebrow. "Finally decided to rejoin the fold, have you?"

Daphne offered a smirk, sliding into the seat across from him. "I figured it was time to see what I've been missing."

Pansy huffed. "We don't need any more spies, Blaise."

Daphne turned to her, her tone light but laced with an edge. "If I were a spy, Parkinson, you wouldn't know it."

Blaise chuckled, swirling his drink. "Relax, Pansy. Daphne's smarter than that. Aren't you, love?"

Daphne leaned in slightly, dropping her voice. "Smart enough to know that you and Malfoy are planning something big. And smart enough to want in."

Blaise's eyes darkened with intrigue. "Is that so?"

Daphne nodded. "I'm tired of playing neutral. I want to be on the winning side, and you know as well as I do that things are changing."

Blaise studied her for a moment before exchanging a glance with Pansy. Finally, he leaned closer, his voice a whisper. "Things are changing, Greengrass. And those who align with the right people will reap the benefits. But loyalty is… expensive."

Daphne smirked, her mind racing. "Name your price."

Blaise's grin widened. "We'll see how serious you are soon enough."

Meanwhile – Gryffindor Common Room

Harry paced near the fireplace, his fingers twitching around his wand. "I don't like this, Hermione. Daphne's playing a dangerous game."

Hermione sat in an armchair, flipping through The Forbidden Doctrines. "I know. But she's our best chance at getting inside information. We need to trust her."

Ron, who had just joined them after hearing bits and pieces of their plan, frowned. "You're saying we're trusting a Slytherin now? Bloody brilliant."

Harry shot him a look. "Daphne's risked just as much as us, Ron. And we're running out of options."

Ron sighed, rubbing his face. "I just don't want us getting burned, mate. Malfoy's a snake, through and through."

Hermione bit her lip. "Speaking of snakes… I've been thinking about the Chamber of Secrets again. What if there's more to it than we originally found? There could be hidden rooms, more secrets Slytherin left behind."

Harry considered this, the memories of his second year surfacing—the basilisk, the diary, Ginny's near-death. "It's possible. But how do we get down there without suspicion?"

Hermione's eyes twinkled with determination. "We use Polyjuice Potion. If we can get close to Malfoy's inner circle without being recognized, we might be able to confirm our suspicions."

Harry groaned. "Not that bloody potion again."

Ron paled. "I still have nightmares about turning into Crabbe."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's the best way, Harry. And we don't have time to argue. I'll start brewing it tonight."

Harry exhaled, resigned. "Fine. But let's hope Daphne's plan works. Otherwise, we're flying blind."

The Next Day – Infiltrating the Darkness

Daphne's heart pounded in her chest as she followed Blaise through the dimly lit corridors of the castle. He had whispered a time and place the night before, and now she was being led somewhere deep within the dungeons—beyond the common areas she knew.

Finally, Blaise stopped in front of an inconspicuous section of the wall and muttered something under his breath. A hidden door slid open, revealing a passageway shrouded in darkness.

"This is where it begins," Blaise said, stepping inside and beckoning her to follow.

Daphne swallowed her nerves and stepped through.

The chamber was dimly lit by flickering torches, and at the center stood a stone altar covered in ancient runes. Around it stood Malfoy, Pansy, and several other Slytherins, their eyes gleaming with dark anticipation.

"Welcome to the future," Malfoy said, a sinister smile tugging at his lips. "We're glad you could finally see reason, Greengrass."

Daphne forced a smirk, keeping her posture relaxed despite the creeping dread in her veins. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Her mind raced—she needed to get out and report back to Harry and Hermione. Because whatever Malfoy was planning, it was already in motion.

And it was darker than anything they had faced before.