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Harry Potter and the Silent Guardian : Ch. 174
🕑 Added 2024-07-12 20:59:45 +0000 UTCChapter 174: "The Chamber's Victim"
As they entered the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey immediately bustled over, her eyes widening at the sight of the unconscious Brooks and the visibly bruised Harry.
"Merlin's beard! What happened?" she exclaimed, quickly ushering them to nearby beds.
While Madam Pomfrey tended to Brooks with various potions and spells, she efficiently healed Harry's minor bruises with a few quick wand movements. Harry was patched up in no time, but Brooks required more intensive care, including several calming draughts to stabilize his condition.
As the matron focused on Brooks, Dumbledore turned his piercing blue eyes to Harry. "Mr. Potter, I believe it's time you shared your account of these events."
Harry had already used the time they took to get to the hospital wing to cook up a believable story. He said, "As Professor Flitwick may have mentioned, I've been investigating the Heir of Slytherin incidents since the first attack. I've been patrolling the corridors, hoping to catch the culprit before they could harm anyone else. Today, I had a strong premonition that an attack was imminent tonight. Acting on this feeling, I searched the castle and fortunately arrived in time to intervene."
Dumbledore's brow furrowed. "A feeling, Mr. Potter? That's rather vague. And weren't you concerned about facing the basilisk yourself?"
Harry met the Headmaster's gaze steadily. "I have a certain aptitude for divination, sir. Professor Trelawney can attest to this. Also, I concluded that the heir is likely a student inside the school. I'm confident in defeating any student at Hogwarts easily. As for the basilisk, once I deduced its nature, I researched ways to combat it. The eye-blinding tactic I used today was a result of that preparation."
Professor Flitwick chimed in, "Albus, I can vouch for my apprentice's exceptional strength and abilities. There have indeed been rumors in Ravenclaw about his prophetic gifts."
Dumbledore nodded slowly, still not entirely convinced. Snape, his dark eyes narrowed, asked, "Did you see the perpetrator, Potter?"
Harry shook his head. "No, sir. They remained hidden within the walls, only issuing commands. The voice was... strange. Like a boy speaking through a girl."
McGonagall nodded, her face pale. "We heard it too - those hissing commands in Parseltongue. It was as Mr. Potter described - unrecognizable and decidedly odd."
Their conversation was interrupted by Madam Pomfrey. "Mr. Brooks is awake, but still quite shaken."
The professors gathered around Brooks' bed. The boy, his face still ashen, recounted his experience. "I was returning from the owlery when suddenly the wall opened, and this massive snake appeared. I was paralyzed with fear... I thought I was going to die. After that, everything's a blank."
After a few more questions yielded no further information, Dumbledore sighed. "Very well. We shall convene in my office to discuss our next steps. Mr. Potter, you may return to your dormitory."
As Harry left the hospital wing, his mind was already racing ahead. He made a detour to the Room of Hidden Things, retrieving the items Mira had helped him gather for the impending confrontation. He suspected the school would close soon, giving him the opportunity he needed to face the Basilisk. Waiting any longer was going to be risky and might lead the future in an unknown direction.
By the time Harry went to his dorms, everyone was asleep so Harry escaped the interrogation about what happened.
The next morning, rumors of another attack by the Heir of Slytherin spread like wildfire through the school. Harry anxiously awaited an announcement about the school's suspension, certain that even Dumbledore wouldn't keep Hogwarts open with a thousand-year-old basilisk roaming its walls. If he did the other Professors would surely revolt.
However, before Harry could even reach the Great Hall for breakfast, Professor McGonagall's magically amplified voice echoed through the corridors:
"All students return to your house dormitories immediately. All teachers report to the staff room. This is urgent."
Harry's heart sank. Something else must have happened – perhaps another attack. This was bad.
Instead of heading to the dorms, Harry made his way to the staff room. He needed to know what was happening. As he watched the other professors entering, he lingered by the door. Surprisingly, none of them seemed to mind his presence, their faces etched with worry.
Professor McGonagall arrived last, her expression grim. "It has happened," she announced to the silent room. "A student has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."
Professor Flitwick let out a frightened squeal. Professor Sprout clapped her hands over her mouth in horror. Snape gripped the back of a chair, his knuckles white, and demanded, "How can you be sure?"
"The Heir of Slytherin," McGonagall replied, her face ashen, "left another message. Right underneath the first one. 'Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.' We were about to suspend the school until the new year... we're too late."
Professor Flitwick burst into tears at this news.
"Who is it?" Madam Hooch asked weakly, sinking into a chair. "Which student?"
"Evelyn Rosier," McGonagall answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Harry's mind raced. He realized the soul of Tom Riddle, aware that someone was onto him, had decided to retreat to the Chamber to complete his resurrection using Evelyn's life force. There was no need for the Heir to take any more risks now.
Just then, Dumbledore entered the room, his usual twinkle absent from his eyes.
"We will send the students home tomorrow," he announced gravely. "I didn't want to do this, but I think we might need some help dealing with the basilisk. I have called Amelia for assistance. The Aurors will be here soon."
Harry could tell that Dumbledore was reluctant to allow outsiders into his domain, but he had no other choice given the dire circumstances.
As everyone stood in somber silence, Lockhart suddenly burst into the room.
"So sorry – dozed off – what have I missed?" he asked cheerfully, oblivious to the hostile glares directed his way. Snape stepped forward, his lip curling.
"Just the man," he said silkily. "The very man. A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last."
Lockhart's face went pale.
"That's right, Gilderoy," Professor Sprout chimed in. "Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"
"I – well, I –" Lockhart spluttered, his usual eloquence deserting him.
Lily Potter added pointedly, "Yes. Please go to the chamber and defeat the Heir and the basilisk. It can be made into another one of your books."
"We'll leave it to you, then, Gilderoy," said Professor McGonagall. "Tonight will be an excellent time to do it. We'll make sure everyone's out of your way. You'll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself. A free rein at last."
Lockhart gazed desperately around him, but nobody came to his rescue. His handsome facade crumbled; his lip trembled, and without his toothy grin, he looked weak-chinned and weedy.
"V-very well," he stammered. "I'll – I'll be in my office, getting – getting ready." And he fled the room.
"Right," said Dumbledore, "that's got him out from under our feet. The Heads of Houses should go and inform their students what has happened. Tell them the Hogwarts Express will take them home first thing tomorrow. Will the rest of you please make sure no students have been left outside their dormitories."
The teachers rose and left one by one. Harry slipped out with them, his mind racing with plans for the confrontation ahead.
