The sun glints brightly off the surface of the Black Lake, the water rippling in the slight April wind. It's a bit chilly under the shade of the oak tree so Regina pulls her school sweater tighter around herself, jostling the papers resting against her propped knees. She frowns down at her own penmanship, frustrated that the words still make no sense. Magic Theory has never been her strongest subject, and for some stupid reason, she decided to take it again this year. Ugh, hopefully it won't affect her OWL scores.

A light, feminine laugh dances across the lake and Regina cannot help but look up, immediately regretting her decision. On the other side of the lake under a different tree sit Daniel, Robin, Will, and… Tink. Apparently enjoying themselves immensely if Tink's laugh and the way she's touching Daniel's shoulder are any indication. Irritation that has nothing to do with class rises under Regina's skin and she glares at the girl across the lake, cursing her blonde hair and perfect smile and red robes.

"Whatcha studying, Mills?"

A hand reaches out and yanks the notes off Regina's lap. She looks up and scowls at James Nolan, grabbing for her papers only for him to hold them out of her reach. "Something an idiot like you wouldn't understand," she snaps. "Now give them back."

"I don't know why you always waste your time reading shit like this," James says, tossing her notes to the side in the grass. "You could be focusing on much more interesting things."

"Like you?" she guesses with a glare, leaning away as James sits forward, invading her personal space.

"Exactly like me," he answers with a grin, blonde hair sweeping across his forehead in a way that could be considered attractive. If she paid attention to things like that. "What do you say you and I find a quiet corner in the Common Room tonight? I can show you all the interesting things you've been missing out on."

He leans in closer and Regina pushes his shoulder, face scrunching up. "Get lost, Nolan. I have no interest in becoming one of your conquests."

"Come on, Mills," he persists. "It'll be fun. And when we're done, class will be the last thing on your mind."

His hand reaches out for her waist, and Regina pushes him again. "Get off me," she demands, hands firm on his shoulders as she shoves him away.

"Oh, none of that now, come on-"

"I said leave me alone-"

"You'll like it, I promise-"

"I think the lady said no, mate."

Both James and Regina look up to see Daniel, Will, and Robin standing over them, arms crossed. For a split second, Regina is grateful, but then a blonde head of hair appears over Daniel's shoulder, and anger replaces everything else. "I have this under control," she grits out, turning her glare on her friends.

"Yeah, we have this under control," James agrees, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "So you twats can leave us alone, thanks."

"Ugh, go fuck yourself," Regina seethes, elbowing him in the ribs. "I wouldn't touch you if you were the last sorry asshole on Earth."

A snicker comes from one of the other boys, and Regina whips around on them, the ferocity of her glare subduing their smiles. "I don't need you idiots either, so you can get lost, too," she snaps, getting to her feet. "Go back to whatever fun time you were having. It sounded like a blast." She bends down and grabs her notes off the grass, brushing them off indignantly.

"Regina, wait, come on, we just wanted to help," Daniel pleads, putting his hand on her shoulder. His touch would normally calm her, but all she can see is Tink's hand on his shoulder from a few minutes ago, and she smacks his hand away, whirling around with anger and frustration and hatred exploding in her eyes.

"Don't you touch me, you filthy mudblood!"

Silence descends over the whole group, Regina's deep breathes the only sound aside from the rustle of the wind.

Daniel steps back as if she had physically pushed him, regarding her with a look of shock and hurt and disbelief. He shakes his head slowly, face hardening. "Fine," he says coldly. "I won't. Sorry for bothering you." He spins on his heel then and stalks away, ignoring both Tink and Will calling after him. They follow soon after, and Regina can't bare to watch, can't stand to see the damage she's just done, so she turns too and heads toward the castle.

"Regina!"

"Fuck off, Robin," she grumbles, not bothering to turn around.

"Damn it, Regina, stop!"

"I said fuck off!" she yells, spinning around on him, fury on her face. "I don't have time to bother with blood traitors like you!"

Robin gapes at her in disbelief. "What the fuck is wrong with you? This is not- this is not the Regina Mills I know."

Regina shakes her head. "Then I guess you never really knew me, did you?"

Robin scoffs, eyeing her up and down. "You know what? Tell your mother well done. She finally got to you."

"This has nothing to do with my mother," Regina hisses, glaring.

Robin nods mockingly. "Right. Sure it doesn't. Just like it has nothing to do with Tink, either."

He might as well have slapped her. She shakes her head again, the loudness of her anger suddenly shrinking into something quiet and deadly. "Fuck you," she whispers. "And stay the hell away from me." She turns and starts marching toward the castle. He might have called her name again, she's not sure. All she can hear is the sound of her world crumbling to dust around her.

For a man running a school on the verge of a crisis, Merlin is very calm. Too calm. So calm that it makes Regina nervous. Antsy, jittery in a way that has nothing to do with Hans Sutherland's pale, Petrified face. Merlin's serious yet unperturbed demeanor makes Regina think he knows something that she doesn't. Something important, and her stomach lurches at the thought.

For every ounce of calm that Merlin exudes, Henry sends off ten times as much anxious energy. He's fidgeting, shuffling his feet and twisting his hands as he sits in the far corner of Merlin's office, staring absently out of the rain-soaked window, brow pinched tightly. His obvious discomfort makes Regina feel as if there's another something she doesn't know, something he's not telling her, and her jaw clenches in frustration because she has asked him so many times if there was anything he wanted to tell her, and every time he said no, no, no, and now here they are, again, only now it's not simply a cat that has been harmed.

It's late now, past bedtime for students, and by the looks of the other Heads of House, they had been getting ready to turn in for the night as well. Belle's long blue robe is tied tightly around her waist as she stands with her arms crossed, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. Her hair is braided over one shoulder, not yet mussed by sleep or pillows. David stands beside her, hands on his hips, his dress trousers still on but his dress shirt gone, only a simple cotton short sleeve left. He was putting his pajamas on when the alarm was sent out. And then there's Gold, still dressed in his black robes, no sign of bedtime or sleep anywhere on his person. While Belle's and David's faces are coated in concern, Gold looks quite content considering a student from his House has just been found Petrified.

"Have you alerted Sutherland's parents?" Belle asks as Merlin paces slowly in front of his desk.

"I will send word first thing in the morning," he answers without looking up. "Considering the weather, any owl we send out now won't make it until then anyway."

"This is horrible," David frets, rubbing his forehead. "In all my years… Hogwarts has always been safe."

"Hogwarts is still safe, David," Merlin says calmly. "We just have a bit of a situation at the moment."

"One that can be easily rectified, headmaster," Gold chimes in, causing Regina's defenses to immediately rise. Gold glances at her briefly, smugly while Belle and David wait for him to elaborate. "Remove the source of the problem." He tilts his head in Henry's direction. "We do have the culprit, after all."

"Now, wait just a second," Regina begins, doing her best to maintain a calm composure. How many times are they going to have this argument? "There is no proof that Mr. Colter-"

"No proof?" Gold scoffs with a shake of his head. "The proof is right in front of you. You're just too bloody stubborn to see it." He takes a step forward, hands clasped on top of his walking stick. "Colter was found at the scenes of both incidents, headmaster. If this were any other student, he or she would be on the Hogwarts Express home by now. The only reason Colter hasn't been punished is because Professor Mills insists on protecting him. She didn't take action when Colter attacked Mr. Grump's cat and now one of my students has suffered the same fate. It is unprofessional and dangerous to allow her to continue to shield Colter from the consequences of his actions."

"What actions?" Regina argues, hands flying to her hips. "You cannot prove that Henry is responsible for either incident and insisting that he be punished just because you don't like him is far more unprofessional and dangerous than anything I have done. I am merely trying to protect Henry from your Machiavellian views on justice."

"And if it had been another student found at both scenes?" Gold counters. "I sincerely doubt you'd be going to such lengths if, say, Piedmont was the student in question here."

"I doubt I would either considering Piedmont is capable of doing such things," Regina snaps, painfully aware that their argument is on the verge of becoming a schoolyard bickering.

"Oh, and Colter isn't?"

"Of course he's not."

"And how can you be certain? He hasn't exactly had the most stable upbringing."

Blood surges to Regina's face as her fury mounts, but before she can reply-

"Enough, Alastor," Merlin sighs, sitting down in his chair. "If you two are quite finished, I would like to set about actually doing something to address our situation."

Regina sends a final glare in Gold's direction before exhaling deeply and straightening her shoulders. Dumbledore, she wishes Robin were here. She could use a bit of his calming presence. But he's in the infirmary, seeing that Granny Lucas is made aware of Hans' situation and checking up on Roland. He's not a Head of House anyway, and this is a Heads-only meeting. Still, what she wouldn't give for one of his smiles right about now.

"In the morning, you all must address your Houses individually and tell them what has happened. I do not want to incite mass panic by telling everyone in the Great Hall," Merlin instructs. "Keep your reports simple, only tell the students what we know for certain, and make sure they know they are safe at Hogwarts still. The last thing we need is a flurry of frightened letters being sent out to parents." He rubs his chin thoughtfully, eyes flickering toward Gold for a moment. "Under no circumstances are you to encourage or perpetuate rumors surrounding what's happened. There will no doubt be an endless stream of questions, but you are to answer them with only the truth. If you don't know an answer, say that we are working on it. Alastor, it might be wise if you find Mr. Sutherland's friends tonight and tell them separately. I'm sure they will want to know first, and it'd be best if you stopped any rumors they might create in their tracks."

"Of course," Gold agrees with an air of confidence that makes Regina confident he will be doing no rumor-squashing of any sort.

Merlin nods. "Very well. You three are dismissed. Regina, please stay a moment."

As David and Belle head for the staircase, Gold pauses at Regina's side. "Ironic, isn't it?" he hisses. "That a Slytherin student was attacked by a Gryffindor and not the other way around? Of course, who can speak to the integrity of Gryffindor anymore?" He eyes her up and down. "Considering who's in charge of them."

An annoying, old thread of self-doubt winds its way up Regina's spine as Gold continues past her and out the room. Nothing he just said is true, she reminds herself. Nothing at all. The current situation is not her fault, and it's certainly not because she's Head of Gryffindor House. That would be ridiculous. And it would be stupid for her to even contemplate believing it.

But Mother always did say she was stupid.

"Henry," Merlin calls once the other professors are out of sight.

Henry jolts to attention, spine straightening and shoulders squaring as his eyes snap forward from staring blankly out the window. "Yes, headmaster?"

"If you would join myself and Professor Mills, please? There's something we must discuss."

Henry stands from the bench and walks to the front of Merlin's desk, meeting Regina's eyes for a moment and then looking at the floor. His fingers fidget nervously at his sides.

"Henry, I must ask you this- did you have anything to do with what happened to Mr. Sutherland tonight?" Merlin asks, kind yet firm.

Henry shakes his head. "No, sir. I was walking to my dormitory to get Roland a pair of pajamas when I just… found Hans lying like that."

"And you didn't see anyone or anything else in the corridor?"

"No, sir. I didn't run into anyone until I saw Hans. And then the Fat Friar came along, and then Professor Mills and Professor Locksley."

Merlin nods and hums in curiosity. "You said you were on your way to your dormitory?"

"Yes, sir."

"Explain to me then why you were in that particular corridor. Gryffindor Tower is in the opposite direction."

Regina raises her eyebrows as Henry swallows. She hadn't noticed that particular detail.

"I… I…" Henry stammers, eyes wide. "I, uh, needed to ask Roland where he keeps his pajamas in our room. It's late and I didn't want to wake our other roommates by making a lot of noise rummaging around."

It's a lie, and a thin one at that. He's hiding something, and it doesn't sit well with Regina. He's always been honest with her. Maybe not completely forthcoming, but if she asks him a direct question, he gives her a truthful answer. At least, he used to. Something made Henry go to that specific hallway tonight and whatever- or whoever- it was has him spooked.

Merlin glances at Regina, understanding passing between them. He recognizes Henry's lie, and he needs Regina to find out the truth. "Very well," Merlin says, clearing his throat. "Professor Mills will continue to look into this and figure out what happened. In the meantime, however, I must warn you. This cannot happen again." He pauses and looks at Henry pointedly. "I don't believe you are responsible for what happened to Mr. Clark or Mr. Sutherland, but twice now you have been involved to some degree in both these incidents. If you were any other student, I would be pressed to enact some form of consequence until the matter has been cleared up."

Henry stiffens at that, spine straightening at the threat of punishment. Too many major infractions, and he'll be sent home to his horrid Muggle family. With the flying car incident already on his record for this year, he does not have much room left for further insubordination, and he knows it. Regina watches him carefully, frowning at his obvious dread at the mere thought of going back to Surrey early. She knows what it's like to not want to leave Hogwarts for home, and she would not wish that anxiety on anyone.

"However," Merlin goes on, "Professor Mills has vouched heavily for your innocence, and I am inclined to believe her. At this point, I believe any disciplinary action on my part would be premature."

Henry exhales heavily, shoulders dropping with relief.

"But this is your one and only warning, Henry," Merlin says sternly. "Do not get caught up in any more mischief this year. The outcome for you would not be good. Do you understand?"

Henry nods vigorously. "Yes, sir, I understand. Thank you, sir."

Merlin looks at him for another long moment and then leans back in his chair. "Very well. You are dismissed. Go straight to your dormitory, you hear?"

"Yes, sir. Absolutely, sir," Henry replies, practically scurrying away in his haste to leave. "Good night, headmaster. Good night, Professor Mills."

"Good night, Mr. Colter," Regina says, watching him hurry toward the door. Once he is out of sight, down the staircase, Regina turns back to Merlin. "Should we be worried?" she asks. "Two Petrifications in two months. We can't just brush this off."

Merlin doesn't answer, his eyes focused on his desk, fingers steepled together. He's silent for several long moments, and then, "Regina, I'm going to tell you something, and I need your word that you will not tell anyone else what I'm about to say."

"Um, okay," she answers, brow furrowed. "I won't tell anyone."

Merlin nods and folds his hands together, resting them on his desk. "After this attack on Mr. Sutherland, I'm afraid that I cannot keep the truth from you any longer. Last month, with the attack on Mr. Clark and the message on the wall, I had thought- or rather, I had hoped- that it was an isolated incident. That we were not dealing with anything serious. Now, however, I don't believe that to be the case."

"One of our students has been harmed. Of course it's serious," Regina says, her unease rising for reasons she cannot name.

"Yes, but I'm afraid… it's much more serious than you think," Merlin replies. He stands from his desk and crosses the short distance to the nearest wall of portraits, all depicting former headmasters and headmistresses of the school. They're asleep now due to the late hour, ignorant to the way Merlin stares up at them studiously. "Hogwarts is old, Regina. So old that sometimes I cannot believe it's still standing. It's seen many things throughout its long history, and most of those things have been subjected to the effects of time. Things are forgotten, or misremembered, or exaggerated. And people like to dismiss the Chamber of Secrets as just that- a legend, a story embellished to scare First Years. But it's not."

Regina's heart double-knocks. "Sir-"

"When a new headmaster or headmistress is chosen at Hogwarts, the predecessor reveals some very confidential, secret information. Information that is only known to the headmasters and mistresses of this school. When I became headmaster, I learned some very important things. Including that the Chamber of Secrets… " Merlin trails off, sighing as he turns back around to face her. "Is real."

Regina's tongue feels heavy, leaden, stuck as she trips over words. "But… it's not- I thought… how-" She closes her eyes, shakes her head. "What?" she finally settles on, mind whirring faster than a Snitch's wings.

"The Chamber of Secrets is real," Merlin repeats. "It is here, in the castle. It was created by Salazar Slytherin, just as the story goes. He protected it from outsiders so that only his true heir would be able to open it and use the weapon he stored inside to purge the school of muggleborn students."

Regina tries to swallow, but her mouth has gone dry. This cannot be true. It cannot be true. "So you mean to tell me," she ventures slowly, "that someone in this castle is the heir of Salazar Slytherin and that he or she has found and opened the Chamber of Secrets to unleash terror on muggleborns?"

Merlin nods solemnly. "It would appear so, yes."

"And…" Regina trails off, taking a moment to clear her throat. "Why did you not tell me that the Chamber of Secrets is real sooner?"

Merlin sits back down at his desk. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to. That this was not… what it is. But after tonight, there's no point in denying it any longer. And you deserve to know. You should know. I can't very well expect you to continue to investigate this without knowing the whole truth."

Regina looks up at that. "Investigate? What more is there to investigate? Let's just go to the Chamber of Secrets and stop whoever and whatever is behind this."

"I wish it were that simple," Merlin replies. "Unfortunately, no one knows where the Chamber of Secrets is located. That detail has not been passed down. All I know for certain is that the Chamber is real, and evidently, it has been opened once more."

"Once more. It's been opened before," Regina surmises wearily, a headache brewing behind her eye.

Merlin nods again, face growing grim. "Yes, when I was a professor here, several decades ago."

"What happened then? Who opened it?" she asks, trying to remember ever hearing about something like that.

"That is unimportant," Merlin answers vaguely. "A culprit was apprehended and the Ministry was satisfied. There's nothing more to discuss."

"But-"

Just then, the door swings open and Grump comes stomping through, face pinched in annoyance like always. "Sorry to bother ya, Headmaster," he grumbles. "But Granny Lucas wants to talk with Professor Mills."

"Of course, Leroy, we're finished here anyway," Merlin replies, making Regina raise her eyebrows.

"But, sir, I-"

"Have a good night, professor," he dismisses, looking down at some papers on his desk with an air of finality.

Regina frowns as she turns to go, glancing back at Merlin as a million questions race through her mind. As she descends the stairs from his office, she has the unsettling feeling that she's going to have to answer them herself.

"Do you know how much longer until the Mandrakes are full grown?" Robin asks Granny Lucas as he stands beside Hans Sutherland's infirmary bed, studying the boy's shocked, frozen expression.

"They won't be ready for quite a bit," Granny answers in her usual gruff tone as she mixes some kind of tonic together. "John said it won't be until spring."

"Spring," Robin echoes wearily. "He's going to be stuck like this until then?"

"I'm afraid so," Granny sighs, shaking her head. "It's a shame. Sutherland's a bright boy, even if he gets caught in the wrong crowd from time to time."

Robin hums noncommittally. From what he's seen of Sutherland, he seems to be caught in the 'wrong crowd' more often than not. Still, he wouldn't wish this on anyone, regardless of his opinion of them. "I didn't know he was a halfblood," Robin says, crossing his arms. "You wouldn't know it from who he hangs out with."

"You mean Peter Piedmont," Granny guesses, wiping her hands on her apron. "Yes, that's an odd pairing, I'll tell you what. Most people are surprised Malcolm Piedmont allows his only son to be friends with anyone less than one hundred percent pureblood, but Hans here is a… special case."

Robin looks up at that. "What kind of special case?"

Granny shakes her head and adjusts the blanket at the foot of Hans's bed. "His mother is the Sutherland in him, not his father. He's… illegitimate, you see. Raised by his muggle mother until he was five, I believe, and then his father found out about him. And you can imagine Eldric Wesselton's anger when he learned he had a son being raised by a 'filthy muggle.'"

Robin's eyes widen. "Eldric Wesselton is Hans's father?"

Granny nods solemnly. "The Eldric Wesselton that tortured poor Helga Arens to death? One and the same. So you can see why Malcolm Piedmont is all too content with letting his son hang around with a halfblood. Because he might be a halfblood, but he's a Wesselton all the same."

Robin looks back down at Hans, trying to see any resemblance between him and one of the most notorious Death Eaters he's ever faced. "Regina said his father works at the Ministry. I was under the impression that Wesselton was sent to Azkaban."

Granny grunts, displeased. "Yes, he was. For about a week. Then he was released because he gave up some names to the Ministry. Geraint, Lamorak, Bedivere… mostly Arthur Pendragon's lackies. Plus, he knew who to pay off." Granny shakes her head. "His trial was a sham. But he got out. Found out about Hans, and took the boy away from his mother to raise him as a wizard. I don't think he's seen his mother since he started Hogwarts."

Robin exhales and digs his fingers into his biceps. He doesn't want to pity Hans, not after the way he's treated Henry these past weeks, but after hearing all that, and seeing him like this, he can't help but feel a bit bad. Or at least, a bit empathetic. He's seen one too many people succumb to the circumstances of their upbringings. It's a shame Hans couldn't be protected from his.

"Well. I'm sure his father won't take this too well," Robin says, thinking back to the many times he's witnessed Wesselton's temper.

"You can say that again," Granny agrees as she picks up the cup of tonic she'd been mixing. "I'll be conveniently on lunch break when he stops by." She crosses the room to another occupied bed and shakes the sleeping figure kindly yet firmly. "Mr. Knight? It's time for your next dose of tonic."

Roland grumbles in his sleep and rolls over, eyes blinking wearily as he sits up.

"How's the patient feeling?" Robin asks, coming to stand by the foot of the bed.

"Better," Roland answers as he takes the cup from Granny. "I think the last of the slugs are gone."

Robin chuckles. "Good. I hear you might even be well enough to make your 9 o'clock class in the morning."

Roland wrinkles his nose. "On second thought, I still feel a little nauseous. Better give it twenty-four hours before I do anything too much."

Granny shakes her head and points to the tonic. "You'll be right as rain after a few more hours of sleep. Now drink up. I don't have all night."

Roland gulps down the drink obediently and grimaces as he swallows. "Blech. Still as gross as the first time." He hands the glass back to Granny, his gaze sliding from her bespeckled face to something in the background, something that makes his brow furrow in confusion and then anger. "What's he doing here?" he demands, pointing at the bed where Hans lay prone.

Oh, shit. Robin didn't prepare for this. He didn't prepare for having to tell Roland that the boy who was involved in calling his friend a mudblood and indirectly getting him in trouble has just been Petrified and that his other friend is one of the main suspects because he was found at the scene of the incident again. Because how exactly does one prepare for that?

"I'll let you handle that one," Granny says with a smile that conveys just how much she does not envy his position right now.

"Thanks," Robin mutters under his breath as she heads to her work room, leaving them alone. Robin glances at Hans and then turns back to Roland on an exhale, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "Roland… we need to talk. Something's happened."

Roland stops glaring at Hans across the room and looks up at Robin, eyes curious. "What? Is everything okay?"

He doesn't want to lie to the boy, so he ignores his question, and continues, "Hans was… Petrified. Tonight."

Roland's eyes go wide, looking back over at the other boy in shock. "He- what? Like Grump's cat was?"

Robin nods solemnly. "Yes, like Grump's cat. After Hans left Merlin's office, he was headed back to his dormitory and was Petrified. We don't know how, and we don't know by who, but Professor Mills and I found him in the corridor."

"Oh." Roland looks down at his lap where his fingers fidget with the edge of his quilt. "Is he… going to be alright?"

"He will be, once Professor Little's mandrakes are full grown," Robin replies. "But that won't be until the spring."

"So… he's going to be Petrified until then?" Roland asks a bit reluctantly.

"I'm afraid so," Robin says with a nod.

Roland continues to stare down at his lap, confliction on his face. He's quiet for a long while, and Robin can practically see the wheels turning in his head as he wrestles over something. "Professor Locksley?"

"Yes?"

"Is it… okay that I don't feel bad for Hans right now?" Roland asks, looking up hesitantly. "I know I should, but I just… don't."

"No, I don't imagine that you would, after the events of today," Robin replies with a sympathetic smile. "And that's okay. Maybe in a few days you'll feel bad for him, and that's okay. Or maybe you won't, and that's okay too. You're not required to feel one way or another. How you feel is how you feel, and that's perfectly alright."

Roland nods seriously and looks over at Hans once more. "Does Henry know this happened?"

Robin sighs, wondering why he had to get stuck with telling Roland everything. "Yes, he does. Because when Professor Mills and I found Hans, we also found Henry standing beside him."

Roland's head snaps forward at that, eyes wide. "What? Henry was there?" At Robin's nod, Roland shakes his head vehemently. "It wasn't him, professor! I know it wasn't! It couldn't have been!"

"I know, I know," Robin placates, raising a calming hand. "Professor Mills and I both know. And we're not going to let Henry take the blame for something he didn't do. We're going to get to the bottom of this."

"Promise?"

"Promise," Robin assures him with a firm nod. "Now, get some sleep. Granny's orders."

Roland lays back down and pulls the quilt up to his chin. "Good night, professor," he yawns, turning onto his side.

"Good night," Robin murmurs as he stands, taking a moment to make sure Roland's eyes are actually closed before heading for the door. Just as he reaches for the knob, however, it opens from the other side and Regina runs right into him with an oof.

"Easy there, professor," he chuckles quietly, gripping her arms to steady her. "Where's the fire?"

"Sorry," Regina says distractedly, shaking her head. She looks frazzled, a worry on her face that she tries hard to hide. "Grump said Granny needs to talk to me. Where is she?"

"In the back," Robin answers, reaching out to stop her as she moves to hurry away. "Regina, what's the matter? You look… frightened."

"It's nothing. I-"

"Regina, please," Robin insists. "Talk to me. What happened?"

She sighs, shoulders deflating. She glances around the room, eyes stopping on Hans for several long moments before she looks up at Robin. "I need to tell you something. And you might want to sit down."

Tuesday comes with a flourish of whispers, rumors, and gossip mixed with an increased sense of alarm. Gone is the sense of mystery and intrigue associated with the attack on Grump's cat and the writing on the wall. In its place is a genuine air of concern as students realize that one of their own has actually fallen victim to the same fate. They're not laughing anymore as they stare at Henry in passing. They're glaring, eyes narrowed and suspicious as they go by, whispering vicious things to each other that Henry pretends not to hear.

But he does hear, and Regina does, too, as she stands in the hallway between classes. It's infuriating, but there's not much she can do about it. Her word alone isn't going to stop people from placing the blame on Henry. Only answers will do that. Only the truth. And the truth of the matter that Merlin revealed to her last night has been weighing heavily on her shoulders.

The Chamber of Secrets is somewhere in the castle. And there is a student who has opened it with the intention of hurting muggleborns. All day, Regina's been picking out the muggleborns and halfbloods in her classes, unable to stop herself from thinking who might be next. Ariel Shelley's mother was a muggle before she died from cancer a few years ago. Aladdin Ali is a muggleborn, or at least, he assumes he is. His mother is a muggle, and he's never met his father. Tiana Grenouille's father is a muggle, a chef in downtown London, but her mother works as a seamstress at Madam Malkin's in Diagon Alley.

So many students at risk, it makes her stomach turn. Even more so when she remembers that she's in charge of protecting them.

Robin had been in just as much shock and disbelief as she had been when she told him the truth. In all his years of sneaking around Hogwarts as a boy, he never once came across anything that could have potentially been the Chamber of Secrets. And now they have the insurmountable task of finding it, hidden in a castle filled with mysteries and shadows.

So needless to say, when Regina is called to the Infirmary before lunch, she is not feeling patient or positive. Her frown has been obstinate all morning, resistant to any attempt to lighten her mood, including a mid-morning cup of coffee from Robin delivered to her room via Roland. At least he is up and feeling better. That's the one good thing to happen today.

But even that modicum of positivity evaporates the second she walks into the Infirmary and sees Eldric Wesselton waiting for her by his son's bedside.

"Ms. Mills," he says coldly, eyeing her with disdain as she approaches.

"Eldric," she returns in the same tone. There was no love lost between the Wesselton and Mills families after the fall of the Dark Lord. An old feud between Cora and Eldric has kept the two clans firmly on icy ground with each other, before, during, and after their shared allegiance to He Who Must Not Be Named. It doesn't help that Eldric is one of the many Death Eaters who strongly resent Regina for her last minute renunciation of their dark purpose. "And it's 'Professor Mils,' thank you."

Wesselton's eyes narrow, and even though he's shorter than Regina, she cannot help but feel like he's looking down at her. "Very well, professor," he says, voice acidic. "I was told you are the one who can explain to me why my son is Petrified." He gestures down at Hans's still body, unmoved from the night prior.

"Your son was discovered last night in a corridor by myself and another professor," Regina states, ignoring her little white lie. "We were alerted to his condition by one of the castle's ghosts. He was brought here and an investigation has begun."

"And why has he not been cured yet?" Wesselton demands. "Have you not considered that he would be able to tell you what happened?"

"He hasn't been cured yet because we are still working on the antidote," Regina explains evenly despite her rising frustration. "Professor Little is-"

"Oh Dumbledore, that buffoon?" Wesselton bemoans. "My son will never be cured if he's in charge."

Regina bristles. "Professor Little is a very accomplished herbologist. He has received international recognition for his work with Shrivelfigs and Wiggentrees. To even suggest that he is incompetent is-"

"The truth is what it is," Wesselton interrupts. "Tell me how an idiot like that man is going to do anything to help my son."

"The cure for Petrification is Mandrake Restorative Draught," Regina replies through clenched teeth. "Professor Little is growing Mandrakes, and when they are ready, we will brew the draught for your son."

"And just how long is that going to take?"

"The Mandrakes are still very young. Professor Little's best estimation is that they will be full grown by spring."

"Spring?!" Wesselton shouts incredulously. "My son is going to be frozen until spring?"

Regina flinches at his sudden loudness, growing angrier at him for yelling and at herself for reacting to it. "Yes. If we brew the Restorative Draught before the Mandrakes are ready, it could have extremely harmful side effects."

Wesselton's nostrils flare as he stares down at his son, scowling. "I shouldn't be surprised, what with the complete ineptitude of this bloody school. Merlin's probably not even batting an eye while my son is laying here Petrified!"

Regina lifts her chin in defiance. "The headmaster is very concerned with the safety of our students. He has taken many steps to ensure-"

"He can't be all that concerned if he left the likes of you in charge," Wesselton snaps, eyeing her with disgust.

Regina's spine snaps straight in indignation, defenses flying up with the speed of a Snitch. "I beg your pardon?" she demands, hand itching to reach for her wand.

"A spineless man asking a spineless traitor to oversee the wellbeing of Hogwarts students," Wesselton sneers. "It's despicable. And clearly, the wrong decision considering my son is lying here Petrified. Who knows how many more innocents will fall prey to the same fate while you stand around twiddling your thumbs?"

Regina's eyes narrows as she grits her teeth. "Don't act like you suddenly give a damn about the students who are most at risk here. If it wasn't for your son, you wouldn't give a Niffler's ass about the muggleborns and halfbloods who are being threatened. You'd probably even support the purging efforts of whoever is behind this."

"Careful, professor," Wesselton warns lowly. "We don't want to start throwing around accusations, now do we?"

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Regina asks, crossing her arms.

"It means that not too long ago, you were spouting a very similar pureblood rhetoric," he states, taking a step around his son's bed, toward her. "Quite a coincidence, isn't it?"

Regina stares, a second passing and then-

"You- you think I did this?" she stammers, shock hitting her square in the chest.

Wesselton shrugs innocently. "No one can say you haven't partaken in such purging activities before. Maybe you got sick of being a filthy traitor and decided to pick up where the Dark Lord left off."

Regina shakes her head. "No-"

"Picking off helpless students would be almost too easy for a witch of your skill," Wesselton continues, taking another step forward.

"You're wrong-"

"Pretending to be shocked and concerned, pulling Merlin along with your little charade."

"That's not-"

"And being put in charge of the investigation would be the perfect way to cover your tracks," Wesselton accuses, standing right in front of her now. "If you hadn't chosen to target my son, I might actually be impressed. Even your mother would be proud."

Rage shoots to the top of Regina's throat, leaving nothing but red in its wake. "I am not responsible for this, and I sure as hell didn't touch your mudblood son!"

Charged silence fills the air as her words, as that word hovers and hangs, Wesselton's face breaking into a slow, sadistic grin.

Regina blinks, brow furrowing as she shakes her head. She didn't… did she really just… oh, Daniel forgive her… "I-I didn't… that's not what I-"

"Not what? What you meant to say?" Wesselton goads, eyeing her with a sick look of satisfaction. "Then it's unfortunate that that's what you did say, professor, because you just called my son a blood slur." He cocks his head to the side. "And I'm sure the headmaster is not going to be thrilled about that."

He brushes past her in a confident stride, not bothering to give his son a parting glance as he exits the Infirmary.

Regina hardly registers him leaving, her own words ringing in her ears, mocking her and the red of her robes and the mark on her arm. She doesn't want to believe it, doesn't want to accept what she just did, but with every second that passes, her chest fills with a growing sense that she should have seen it coming all along.

For the third time in twenty-four hours, Regina stands before Merlin's desk, waiting for him to speak. He's studying her, staring at her unceasingly, and normally Regina would meet his gaze, but she can do nothing but stare at the floor. There's a weight around her neck, pulling her shoulders down, keeping her eyes downcast, replaying that word over and over and over again. Her long sleeves are constricting, cutting into her wrists, daring her to show anyone the truth of what lies beneath, the truth of what she is, of who she is. Her forearm burns, blisters and stings under the fabric of her false red robes, reality fighting to finally defeat this masquerade of hers.

She's told Merlin before. She's told him he was wrong about her, told him she didn't deserve to be forgiven for her atrocities, but he convinced her to pretend anyway. It was just supposed to be pretend. But no one gets hurt playing pretend. This wasn't just pretend, this was a lie. A dangerous, risky lie that has finally revealed itself in a most brutally honest way. Unbidden, unforced, the truth of herself spilling past her lips as easy as rain falls from the sky.

Fake. Lie. Pretend.

That's all she's done for over a decade. At least she doesn't have to keep reminding people of the truth now.

Merlin sighs heavily as he sits back in his chair, eyes flicking away for a moment before focusing on Regina again. "I'm not happy, professor," he says finally, firmly.

Regina nods, swallows around the lump in her throat. "I know."

"You of all people know we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to such language."

She nods again. "I know."

"And as much as I am loathe to act on the word of Eldric Wesselton, I'm afraid I have no choice." He pauses, studies some more, gaze as piercing as ever. "You're suspended. One week. No teaching or performing Head of House duties."

Head of House. She swallows, forcing down bile. "Yes, sir."

"I will appoint someone to cover your classes, and Ruby will oversee Gryffindor for the week. I want you to keep away from Hans Sutherland, Peter Piedmont, and Henry Colter until you're reinstated."

She glances up at the mention of Henry's name, but seeing the set of Merlin's jaw, she doesn't argue. "Yes, sir."

Merlin stares at her firmly for another moment, and then relaxes his shoulders. "Take some time, Regina. It's been a stressful few weeks for you."

Stress. She could almost laugh that he could chalk what happened today up to stress. As if it wasn't her true nature simply coming out to play. Still, Regina nods, not having the energy or drive to argue anymore. "I will, sir. And… I'm sorry."

Merlin exhales slowly, jaw clenching and unclenching. "I know you are. That's why I know this will not happen again."

Regina shakes her head. It won't happen again. Because she's going to see to it that it doesn't. "It won't, sir. I promise."

"Good. Because I don't want to think about what I'll have to do if it does," Merlin warns vaguely. "Now, get out of here. Suspension starts now."

Regina turns and heads out of the office, clenching her fists to still her shaking hands. She needs to get out of here, out of this room, out of this castle, so she can breathe again. She's nearly free, nearly at the bottom of Merlin's staircase when she smacks right into- of fucking course. Robin.

"Hey," he says sort of breathlessly, stepping down a stair so they're eye level. He's grinning, but his smile fades in a flash when he sees her face. "What's wrong?"

And she cannot do this. Cannot look Robin in the eye and confess to what she's just done. She can't betray him again. Can't let him down again. So she shakes her head and lies, "Nothing. Just had to deal with Eldric Wesselton, is all. You know how he is."

Robin frowns. "Yeah, I do. What did he want?"

"Someone to blame for what happened to his son," Regina answers because it's not a lie, but it's not the whole truth either, and she just- she can't do this right now. She needs to leave. "Merlin's in there if you need to talk to him," she says, brushing past him down a few steps. She's almost off the bottom stair when Robin's hand wraps around her elbow.

"I don't need to talk to Merlin, he said he needs to talk to me," he explains, thumb rubbing absently against her bicep. "Any idea why?"

Oh, she has several ideas, but the main one is making her stomach twist into a knot, and she needs to get out of here, needs to just leave-

"Professor Locksley."

They both look up to see Merlin standing at the top of the staircase, watching them carefully. "Come on up. There's a few things we need to discuss." He walks back into his office then, leaving them alone.

Robin looks back to Regina, eyes flickering over her face curiously. "Guess I shouldn't keep him waiting. Are you sure everything's okay? You look… I don't know. Spooked."

Regina nods, taking the final step down off the staircase, her arm falling free from his grasp. "Yeah, I'm fine. Stressed is all."

He stares at her for several long moments, like he doesn't believe her, but he acquieses and doesn't call her on the lie. "Alright. I'll see you at dinner?"

Another nod, but she can't put voice to that lie, can't break his trust one more time. Thankfully, he simply smiles at her, pleased, and then turns to climb the stairs, disappearing into Merlin's office.

Regina waits one, two, three seconds, and then heads right for the front doors, forcing herself to not look back. She would crumble if she did.