Title: The Return of Merlin (Year 2)

Rating: T

Summary: Sandra Snow returns for her second year with the Chamber of Secrets being opened and a pretty boy as a Defense teacher. She's going to have another year of trying to keep Harry from getting killed as the other houses look at Slytherin with hate. Sequel to The Return of Merlin (Year 1)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Rowling's characters and I'm making nothing from this.

Chapter 2

Going to Diagon Alley proved to be a nightmare. Thankfully the sign that said that Lockhart would be signing his books wasn't going to happen until next week. Was this the same Lockhart that was on our list?

"At least the store won't be crowded," my mother said.

"That we can be thankful for," Harry remarked.

Harry got his money from his vault while we changed muggle money to coins. When he came back we all headed for the bookstore to get our books. As mother paid for them the manager made a comment, which I figured was part of the whole 'Lockhart is coming to sign his books' thing.

"You're lucky that you've decided to come now," he said, "This event will be a total nightmare."

"Don't tell me, loads of Lockhart fans," my mother reasoned and he nodded.

It was only when I read his first book that I got a feeling that he hadn't done any of the things that he had written about.

"So do you think that this year will be quiet?" Harry asked me during dinner.

"I hope so," I said. "I mean, last year was just too much."

"I'm going to agree with that."

A week later I got a letter from Hermione. I personally didn't care what Malfoy thought about her, she was alright in my book.

Hay, Sandra,

I hope that this letter does make it to you instead of being delayed. I got my books last week and Lockhart is so amazing. He did all these things and I heard that he's going to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. Hope to see you both on the train.


Oh, dear lord, save us. Hermione has had her brain sucked out by Lockhart.

We both managed to get all our homework done and put away. Several weeks later we were taken to Kings Cross so that we could catch the train to Hogwarts. The strange thing was that the gateway wouldn't let us through.

"Why can't we get through," mother asked.

"I don't know," I said, "But I need to get some help. Harry, you have an owl."

"Yes," he said.

"I need to borrow it," I said and I took out a piece of paper and started to write.

When Hedwig was gone we sat down and I pulled out a book to read. It was going to be a long wait. Three hours later, and dressed in muggle clothes, Professor Snape arrived. He groaned when mother told him what had happened.

"I'll take them from here," he told her.

"Thanks," she said and she left.

"Come along, both of you, and don't lag behind."

We grabbed our things and left the station.

Okay, let me explain what happened after. Snape called for the Knight Bus and I'm going to tell you that it's something that needs to be banned. The driver can't even drive normally and thinks that making old people's jokes is funny. My stomach was long gone by time we arrived at the castle and I was glad to get off.

"I'm never taking that thing again," I told Harry.

He nodded.

We were both given something for our stomachs and Harry went to Gryffindor tower while I went to visit Alsan, who I knew missed me. Touching the right stone the gateway opened and I walked in. I headed down into the darkness until I reached the spot.

"Alsan," I called out.

There was movement and then the dragon's head appeared.

"Merlin, welcome back," he said.

I smiled at him.

"It's good to be back," I told him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?" he asked.

I told him what had happened at the station, about the gateway sealing itself. When I was done I waited to hear what he had to say.

"It smells like house elf magic," Alsan said, "They have very powerful magic of their own but can't normally use it without their master's permission."

"So someone was trying to keep us away."

"Or the elf was acting on his, or her, own without the master's knowledge."

Okay, that's just really scary.

I spent the rest of the day reading from Merlin's library, writing down notes and practicing some of the spells. For the past several months I had been thinking about my battle with the Dark Lord, as my fellow Slytherin's called him. How had I defeated him? I remembered Merlin's spirit telling me that the magic that he had was tied to the land. Had that been how I had done it?

That night I went into the Great Hall and sat down at the Slytherin table. Ten minutes later the other students arrived, some of them glaring at me. I ignored them. I wanted a normal year, with nothing trying to hurt me. I should have known that would never happen.

"So I see that your still here," Malfoy said.

I crossed my arms and glared at him. What was that supposed to mean?

"Sorry that I didn't make your dreams come true," I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I told father what you did and he isn't happy."

I yawned; I wasn't impressed with his father or his family's money.

"Oh I'm so scared," I mocked.

"You had better," he hissed.

I put my face right up against his.

"Let me give some advice," I said, "I'm not scared of you and I'm not scared of your damn father. And if you think that I will then you're sadly mistaken. Now shove off, Malfoy, before I give you something that will give you nightmares."

"I'm not scared of you."

I grinned.

"You should be," I threatened and I headed up to bed.


A/N: She's got spunk and won't allow anyone to bully her. Next week's chapter will be uploaded on Friday due to my net going down.