Chapter 64: Ginny's testimony
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Ethan handed Dumbledore Voldemort's diary. Dumbledore, known as the most powerful white wizard, immediately sensed an abnormality in the diary.
"Ethan, this is..." Dumbledore ran his fingers over the diary cover, detecting a familiar and evil aura.
"This is Tom's diary from when he was sixteen. I believe he somehow stored a piece of his soul in it," Ethan avoided directly mentioning the Horcrux. He hadn't found any books on Horcruxes for a long time, suggesting they might have been destroyed or hidden.
Ethan shared his recent discovery with Dumbledore—Ginny's anomaly, the framed Hagrid's memory, and Voldemort's temptation.
As Ethan narrated, Dumbledore's face grew increasingly grim, harboring a terrible conjecture about why Voldemort couldn't die.
"Thank you, Ethan. You've done an excellent job," Dumbledore's hoarse voice acknowledged. "I think I need to confirm something first."
Dumbledore whispered something to a tall wizard wearing a pointed hat in a painting, and then the wizard nodded, departing from his frame.
Dumbledore settled back into his chair, delving into the details of Ethan's exchange with the diary. Soon, footsteps approached from the door, and Ginny, appearing timid, entered the headmaster's room from the stairwell.
"Miss Weasley, please come and sit," Dumbledore softly invited Ginny.
This was Ginny's first solo visit to the principal's office. Her nervous face paled, primarily upon seeing Ethan also present. She began to suspect the gravity of the situation.
Dumbledore tapped the glass, and a full glass of butterbeer emerged. "Miss Weasley, don't be nervous. I need to ask you a few questions. Let's enjoy some butterbeer first," Dumbledore said gently.
Dumbledore's demeanor helped Ginny relax slightly. She sat across from Dumbledore and took a sip from a glass filled with Butterbeer.
"Miss Weasley, could you share information about the diary?" Dumbledore's azure blue eyes fixed on Ginny's face through the half-moon lenses.
Hearing Dumbledore's inquiry, Ginny trembled as if shocked, her face paling. She dared not meet Dumbledore's gaze, lowering her head to focus on her toes.
"Miss Weasley, we don't intend to blame you. This information is crucial for us. Can you share it?" Dumbledore asked in his gentlest tone.
Ginny cautiously lifted her face, tears filling her brown eyes as she looked at Ethan and Dumbledore. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I didn't... I didn't know. I did it," Ginny finally broke down in tears.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as Ginny covered her face, sobbing. The psychological pressure on her was immense during this time, far beyond what someone her age should endure.
Dumbledore remained silent, patiently waiting for Ginny to calm down, and considerately handed her a few tissues.
After a while, Ginny finally composed herself, occasionally sniffling as she continued, "But... I swear I... I didn't mean to. It was... Riddle who pushed me. He... he controlled me."
Upon hearing the name Riddle, Dumbledore leaned forward, focused on Ginny's face, and listened attentively to her further account. "Miss Weasley, how did you communicate with Riddle?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Through his diary!" Ginny sobbed. "I've been writing in it for half a year, and he... he writes back to me."
Ginny took a deep breath, halting her sobbing. "Initially, he was very caring, helping me with my studies and providing useful ideas. Then, Riddle compelled me to do terrible things. I don't know how. I just listened to him, and I can't seem to recall clearly." Ginny appeared somewhat confused at this point.
"From then on, I became afraid of Riddle, but I couldn't shake him off. Later, I heard Professor Ethan talk about dealing with such situations in his class. I didn't dare give him the diary directly, so I had to throw it at the office door." Ginny glanced at Ethan, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Ginny, if you ever reencounter something like this, seek help from the professors promptly. We're here to assist you rather than place blame," Ethan reminded Ginny. When she heard his words, Ginny nodded quickly.
"Ginny, do you remember where you found the diary?" Dumbledore inquired.
"I don't know..." Ginny seemed perplexed: "I discovered it while organizing my books, caught in the middle of the Transfiguration textbook."
Dumbledore frowned. He firmly believed Voldemort's diary couldn't belong to the Weasley family. The Weasleys were staunch members of the Order of the Phoenix, and it was inconceivable for one of them to endanger their daughter.
"Ginny, has anyone else handled your textbooks?" Ethan asked.
Ginny thought carefully, "Only at Flourish and Blotts... Oh God!" Ginny exclaimed suddenly, and Dumbledore immediately composed himself, thinking Ginny might have remembered something.
Ethan was also relieved. He had been subtly reminding Ginny about Lockhart's involvement, and it seemed to have finally clicked.
"Professor Lockhart! He bumped into me at Flourish and Blotts. Could it be..." Ethan sighed, feeling overwhelmed, and admired the young witch's ability to make connections.
Seeing Dumbledore still gazing at Ginny intently, eager for more information about Lockhart, Ethan quickly interjected to steer the conversation away.
"I'm quite certain Lockhart is not involved," Ethan calmly interrupted Ginny, piquing Ginny's and Dumbledore's curiosity. "I've confirmed he has no suspicion." Ethan felt compelled to explain, facing the curious gazes.
Observing Ethan's confidence, Dumbledore nodded and inquired, "Miss Weasley, aside from Professor Lockhart, has anyone else touched your book?"
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