Chapter 53: leaving the secret room
Ginny wept, her voice choked with emotion as she addressed Professor Dumbledore, "Professor - oh, Professor Dumbledore - these things... these things were all done by me, but I swear, I didn't mean to. It was Riddle - Tom Riddle - he... he forced me to do it, he controlled me, I... I couldn't resist... By the way, where is the diary? The diary is..."
"Miss Weasley, don't worry, Riddle's diary has been destroyed. We all know that you are innocent," Ciaran reassured Ginny, gesturing towards the diary now held in Dumbledore's hand.
Dumbledore stowed the diary away and assured Ginny, "You will not be expelled, Miss Weasley." Then, with a gentle wink and a smile, he added, "What a pity. This is not the village of Hogsmeade, but the secret room that lies miles beneath Hogwarts. Otherwise, I could buy you a piece of chocolate to replenish your energy."
Ginny's tension visibly eased at Dumbledore's words.
"Let's discuss matters outside. I believe Mr. and Mrs. Weasley may have arrived at Hogwarts by now, and others may be very worried about our safety," Dumbledore suggested.
Ginny was taken aback, stammering, "What? Father and mother... they... how could they..."
"Professor McGonagall has informed them. I believe it would be best if your parents stayed with you," Dumbledore replied, turning to Phoenix and saying, "Fox, if you please."
Harry and Ginny exchanged puzzled glances.
Ciaran smiled and clarified, "We're going to take the Phoenix train."
"Ah, yes, the Phoenix train," Dumbledore chuckled. "Ciaran, you take me; Harry and Ginny, you'll follow Ciaran, and Fox will guide us out of the secret room."
Fawkes swooped to Dumbledore's side with a graceful motion, his vibrant plumage shimmering in the dim light. Dumbledore secured his sword at his waist, while Ciaran grasped the back of Dumbledore's wizarding robes. Harry and Ginny followed suit, clutching Ciaran tightly. Finally, Dumbledore reached out and seized Fawkes by his surprisingly warm feathers.
With a swift motion, they were lifted upwards along the water pipe, a strange sense of relief coursing through Ciaran's body as they ascended with a peculiar sound.
As they soared, Harry couldn't help but exclaim, while Ginny, though still tearful, seemed to find solace in the flight.
Ciaran relished the exhilaration of flight, the brisk air brushing against his cheeks. Soon, their journey concluded, and they landed on the damp floor of Weeping Myrtle's bathroom. As they alighted, the pool covering the water pipe slid back into place, concealing the entrance to the secret room.
Myrtle hovered nearby, her gaze fixed on them with wide eyes.
"So, you're all still alive," she remarked, her disappointment palpable.
"We must bid you farewell for now, Myrtle," Dumbledore said politely as they exited the bathroom, heading towards the deserted corridor outside.
Meanwhile, the students remained in their common rooms, while the professors patrolled in groups outside, safeguarding the students from harm.
Under Dumbledore and Phoenix's guidance, they traversed the empty corridors until they reached the principal's office on the eighth floor, encountering no other inhabitants of Hogwarts along the way.
Upon seeing Dumbledore, the stone sentinel yielded, and distant cries echoed from behind the spiral passage.
"Arthur and Molly have arrived," Dumbledore observed, leading them into the principal's office.
Several figures occupied the room. Mrs. Weasley wept in Mr. Weasley's embrace, while the Weasley brothers looked sombre. Professor McGonagall wore a grave expression.
As Dumbledore and Phoenix entered, they startled the occupants, who turned to observe. Taking his seat behind his desk, Dumbledore motioned for Mrs. Weasley to approach.
"Oh, Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her daughter, followed closely by Mr. Weasley.
Percy, Fred, George, and Ron visibly relaxed.
Professor McGonagall clutched her chest, gasping for air.
In Mrs. Weasley's embrace, Harry found himself overwhelmed. "You saved her, Harry, you saved her too!"
"No, I don't..." Harry protested, feeling undeserving of the praise.
Ciaran interjected, "No, Harry, your Parseltongue was invaluable!"
Indeed, without Harry's ability to speak Parseltongue, they might never have accessed the Chamber of Secrets.
"Thank you, Ciaran," Mr. Weasley expressed his gratitude, shaking Ciaran's hand.
"Dumbledore played a crucial role," Ciaran deflected.
Mr. Weasley extended his thanks to Dumbledore once more.
"Albus, what transpired in the Chamber of Secrets?" Professor McGonagall inquired weakly, conjuring a chair for herself.
Ciaran conjured a chair as well, settling into it comfortably. Though unable to manipulate the thick stone pillars of the secret room, his skill allowed him to conjure a chair effortlessly.
Dumbledore, having set aside Gryffindor's sword, regaled them with their exploits in the Chamber, with occasional contributions from Ciaran and Harry.
"Riddle, Albus? Tom Riddle?" Professor McGonagall echoed in astonishment.
"Yes, Tom Riddle, the young Voldemort. The recent attacks on Hogwarts were orchestrated by Tom manipulating Ginny," Dumbledore confirmed.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were stunned. "Ginny... she..."
Even Professor McGonagall and the Weasley brothers were incredulous.
"The diary!" Dumbledore indicated the punctured diary on the table. "This is a dark artifact crafted by Voldemort during his youth. Tom preserved it during his time at Hogwarts, intending to lure a hapless wizard into opening the Chamber of Secrets."
"But Ginny... a mere diary controlling Ginny?" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, bewildered.
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