Chapter 168: Chapter 168: "Setting the Stage"
The next morning, a somber atmosphere enveloped Hogwarts as Professors Flitwick and McGonagall gathered the students to make an announcement. The Great Hall buzzed with whispers and nervous energy, the air thick with anticipation.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, silencing the room. "Students, we regret to inform you that there has been another attack. Colin Creevey, a first-year Gryffindor, was found petrified last night."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. Rumors of an attack had circulated the previous night, and this confirmation sent fear shooting through the student body. The relative calm that had settled since the Halloween incident shattered instantly.
Professor Flitwick stepped forward, his voice steady despite his small stature. "We want to assure you that we are investigating this matter thoroughly. In the meantime, we urge all students to exercise extreme caution. No one is to wander the corridors alone, especially after curfew."
As the professors finished their announcement, the hall erupted into frantic discussions. Harry, maintaining his composure, reassured his friends that nothing would go wrong. Most of Harry's friends came from wizarding families, and the knowledge that the heir traditionally targeted muggle-borns provided them with a small measure of relief.
Throughout the day, Harry noticed a marked change in the school's atmosphere. Fear had taken hold, and with it came some interesting developments. A thriving black market in protective charms sprang up overnight.
"Get your genuine protective amulets here!" Fred Weasley's voice rang out in the common room. "Ward off evil spirits and pesky petrification!"
George chimed in, "Don't forget our special monster repellent! Guaranteed to keep you safe or your money back!"
Harry shook his head, amused despite the gravity of the situation. He spotted Neville clutching a handful of amulets, his eyes darting nervously around the room.
"Neville," Harry approached him gently, "you know those probably won't help, right?"
Neville nodded sheepishly. "I know, but... it makes me feel better. After last year's adventure with you, Harry, I thought I was done being scared, but this... this is different."
Harry patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Just stick with your friends, okay? Safety in numbers. Most people doing these kinds of hidden attacks are afraid of groups."
Neville thanked Harry and ran off to join a group of second years heading to class.
As the day progressed, Harry couldn't help but notice the absence of the Golden Trio. Charles had healed his missing bones from Lockhart's mishap, which took only a night's rest thanks to Madam Pomfrey's potions, and resumed his secret adventures with his two friends. Harry wasn't bothered by their activities; he had other concerns.
Now that he had decided to end things before another attack, Harry needed to ensure he could confront the heir and the snake without endangering other students. After formulating a rough plan, he set to work enacting it.
That evening, as Harry helped Professor Flitwick in his office, the diminutive professor turned to him with a serious expression. "Harry, there won't be a training session today. I'm needed elsewhere. The professors all have a meeting tonight."
Harry seized the opportunity. "Is this about the Chamber of Secrets and the attack, Professor?"
Flitwick nodded gravely. "Yes. The attack has all of us baffled. The petrification is very odd, and we don't know what caused it."
"Yes," Harry mused, carefully choosing his words. "And from what I've heard, the first-year student wasn't directly attacked. It's as if he looked at whatever monster is kept in the Chamber, and it petrified him without contact. It's very strange."
Flitwick looked surprised. "Things spread quickly in this school, don't they? Yes, Mr. Creevey seems to have gotten a good look at the monster. Keep this between us, but the boy apparently took a picture of it. Unfortunately, his camera didn't survive, so we couldn't learn anything from it."
Harry pressed on, "Professor, I heard the Chamber was opened once before, and a student died. Can you tell me any information you know about that?"
Flitwick raised an eyebrow. "It looks like you're investigating the Chamber, Harry. You've gathered information quickly."
"I have to, Professor," Harry explained earnestly. "Many people I care about are in this school right now. I don't want them to face any danger. Can you tell me about the previous attack?"
Flitwick sighed. "Okay, I will tell you. Yes, the Chamber was opened a few decades ago. At that time, one girl died. However, that's all I know."
Harry leaned in, his voice low. "Was that girl killed without any direct contact, Professor?"
"I don't know," Flitwick admitted. "Maybe Professor Dumbledore does. Is the information important?"
Harry nodded solemnly. "Yes. If the girl was killed without any contact, I can roughly guess what Slytherin's monster is, and if my guess is correct, it doesn't bode well for the castle or its occupants."
Flitwick's eyes widened. "That bad? Tell me your analysis."
Harry took a deep breath. "Well, you know that Slytherin is synonymous with snakes. This leads me to believe that the monster housed in Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets is most likely a snake. And as you know, Professor, most snakes kill their prey with poisonous bites or by crushing them. But there are exceptions, and the most prominent and feared of these is the basilisk."
"Basilisk?" Flitwick exclaimed. "But basilisks kill with their stare."
"Exactly," Harry confirmed. "And that's what I suspect killed the girl years ago. Now, however, some lucky coincidences might have saved the recent victims. Mrs. Norris, for instance, might have seen the basilisk's reflection in water."
Flitwick's face paled. "And Mr. Creevey looked at the monster through his camera lens. A very plausible theory, Harry. You're right; if true, the situation is dire indeed. I must inform the Headmaster of this analysis immediately."
With that, Professor Flitwick hurried out of the classroom, leaving Harry alone with his thoughts. He watched the professor go with a solemn expression, knowing that this was just the first step in his plan. By alerting the professors to the possibility of a basilisk, Harry hoped they might suspend the school and send the children to a safe place for a thorough search of the castle. That would give him the opportunity he needed to confront the snake without endangering anyone else.
As he left the classroom, Harry's mind was already racing with the next steps of his plan. The stakes were high, but he was determined to end this threat once and for all, all while ensuring nothing went wrong and innocent students were not put in danger. With renewed determination, Harry headed back to his dormitory, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in his quest to protect Hogwarts and its inhabitants.
Chapter 169: Chapter 169: "Staff Meeting"
The scene opens in Dumbledore's office, where all the professors have gathered for an emergency meeting. The atmosphere is tense, with worried faces all around.
Dumbledore stands at the head of the room, his usual twinkle dimmed by concern. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As you know, we have a grave situation on our hands. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened and a student has been attacked. It is fortunate he is just petrified and not worse."
He turns to Professor Sprout. "Pomona, what's the status of our mandrakes?"
Professor Sprout shakes her head, her usually cheerful face creased with worry. "I'm afraid they're not mature yet, Albus. It will be several months before we can harvest them for the restorative draught."
Dumbledore nods gravely. "I see. Unfortunately, we don't have the budget to purchase mature mandrakes from outside sources at the moment. I will have to appeal to the Board of Governors for emergency funds. In the meantime, we must focus on preventing any further attacks."
He then turns to Professor Flitwick. "Filius, I believe you have some information to share with us?"
Flitwick clears his throat nervously. "Yes, Headmaster. But first, I must clarify that this analysis isn't mine. It comes from my apprentice, Harry Potter."
Murmurs ripple through the room at the mention of Harry's name.
Flitwick continues, "Mr. Potter has suggested that the monster in the Chamber of Secrets might be... a basilisk."
Gasps echo around the room. Professor Sprout clutches her chest, while Professor Sinistra's eyes widen in shock.
Flitwick then explains Harry's reasoning, detailing the connection between Slytherin and snakes, and the peculiar nature of the attacks with no direct contact.
Snape, his face impassive, speaks up. "It... makes a certain amount of sense. The petrification, the lack of direct contact. Potter may be onto something."
He turns to Dumbledore. "Headmaster, what steps should we take if this theory proves correct?"
Lily Potter interjects, her voice filled with concern. "We must close the school immediately! We should invite special hunters to track down and kill this basilisk before it harms any more students!"
As a Muggle-born herself, Lily had a keen understanding of the fear and vulnerability that Muggle-born students were experiencing in this situation. She knew they were at greater risk than their pure-blood peers, and the thought of them living in constant fear weighed heavily on her. Moreover, with both her sons, Harry and Charles, currently at Hogwarts, her maternal instincts were in overdrive. The desire to protect not just her children, but all the students, fueled her urgent plea.
Dumbledore raises a hand to calm the rising tension. "While I appreciate the gravity of the situation, we must not act hastily. We have no concrete proof that a basilisk is indeed the culprit. It could be something else entirely."
He strokes his beard thoughtfully. "Closing the school based on suspicion alone would be unwise. Besides, I am not very convinced of this reasoning. An ancient basilisk would be enormous and should be easily seen. None of the portraits have reported seeing such a large serpent slithering about the castle, leaving me with doubts about this theory."
Professor McGonagall frowns. "Then what should we do, Albus? This is the best probable reasoning we have come across and I am a little convinced. Is there no way to confirm whether a basilisk is truly lurking within Hogwarts?"
Dumbledore shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no. For now, our best course of action is to implement stricter guidelines. Students should be discouraged from wandering the corridors during their free time. And I'm afraid we must cancel Quidditch for the time being."
McGonagall's lips thin in disapproval, but she nods. "The students won't like it, but their safety must come first."
Lockhart, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly perks up. "Not to worry, everyone! I've handled basilisks before in my travels. Should I spot the beast, I'll dispatch it forthwith!"
He beams around the room, seemingly oblivious to the skeptical looks he receives. "And I have an idea to placate the students about the Quidditch cancellation. Why not start a dueling club?"
Dumbledore raises an eyebrow. "Go on, Gilderoy."
"It would excite the students, take their minds off Quidditch, and prepare them to defend themselves. After all, if it's not a basilisk, it could be a student using some cursed artifact. Best to be prepared!"
Dumbledore nods slowly. "That's... not a bad idea, actually. Very well, we'll implement a dueling club. I assume you're volunteering to run it?"
Lockhart puffs out his chest. "But of course! Who better?"
"Excellent. And Flitwick, would you like to assist Gilderoy?"
Flitwick shakes his head and says, "I am sorry, Professor, but I would have to decline. Teaching dueling to a group of students is not my forte. I prefer teaching one-on-one, which is not suitable here. Also, I don't have the time, being occupied with teaching my apprentice."
What he left unsaid was that he did not want to become an assistant to Lockhart. It would not look good for him teaching dueling with Lockhart to a group of students.
Dumbledore nods, "Unfortunate. The students would have preferred the teaching from a former dueling champion. Severus, perhaps you could assist?"
Snape's face contorts as if he's just bitten into a lemon, but a pointed look from Dumbledore silences any protest.
Dumbledore addresses the room once more. "Then it's settled. We'll increase security measures, cancel Quidditch, and start a dueling club. Let's hope these steps will be enough to keep our students safe until we can solve this mystery once and for all."
As the meeting adjourns, the professors file out, their faces a mix of worry and determination.
The next morning, the Great Hall buzzes with anticipation as students gather for breakfast. Professor Dumbledore stands at the head table, his face grave as he addresses the school.
"Students, in light of recent events, we must implement stricter security measures. Effective immediately, there will be a more stringent curfew. All students must return to their common rooms by 7 PM."
A wave of groans and protests sweeps through the hall.
"Additionally," Dumbledore continues, raising his voice slightly, "I regret to inform you that all Quidditch matches and practices are cancelled until further notice."
This announcement is met with outright outrage. Oliver Wood looks as if he might faint, while the Weasley twins shout, "You can't do that!"
Before the situation can escalate, Professor Lockhart stands up, his dazzling smile in place. "Now, now, students! While I understand your disappointment, I have some exciting news that might cheer you up!"
The students are not appeased though. They are still protesting, but some of them are curious about what Lockhart wants to announce.
Lockhart continues, "In a few days' time, I will be starting a dueling club! You'll have the opportunity to learn from my vast experience in magical combat. It's sure to be both educational and thrilling!"
The announcement has an immediate effect. Excited chatter breaks out across the hall. Many of Lockhart's admirers squeal in delight, while others look intrigued by the prospect of learning practical defense skills.
"Oh, isn't it wonderful?" Lavender Brown gushes to Parvati Patil. "Professor Lockhart teaching us to duel!"
Not everyone shares their enthusiasm. At the Ravenclaw table, Reggy rolls his eyes. "Great, more chances for Lockhart to show off and not teach us anything. I bet the whole thing would be a waste of time."
Roger adds, "Yes. It would have been better if Professor Flitwick had started the club."
Harry, listening to the conversations around him, feels a mix of emotions. He is disappointed that his plan to close the school hasn't worked. The clues he'd provided through Flitwick, it seems, weren't enough to convince Dumbledore of the immediate danger.
Harry frowns. While he is glad to see some changes happening, like the early announcement of the dueling club, it isn't enough. The school full of children is still at risk from the basilisk.
As he mulls over the situation, Harry realizes he needs to reassess his plans. With the school still open and security tightened, he can't risk confronting the basilisk. The danger of something unexpected happening and it escaping into the crowded castle during a fight is too great. This is because Harry feels the battle with the snake would be close and not one-sided where he could control all the outcomes. In this battle, there is a high chance something unexpected could happen.
"This isn't like the books," Harry thinks to himself. "In the real world, a cornered basilisk and a desperate piece of Riddle's soul could cause unimaginable damage to the school full of students."
He glances around the Great Hall, watching his fellow students excitedly discuss the upcoming dueling club. Their enthusiasm only heightens his sense of responsibility.
"I need a new plan," Harry decides. "Something that will protect everyone without risking a full-scale disaster."
As breakfast ends and students begin to file out for their classes, Harry hangs back, lost in thought.
"Harry, you coming?" Cedric calls from the doorway.
"Yeah, just a second," Harry replies, gathering his things. As he joins his friends, he can't shake the feeling that time is running out. He needs to act soon, before the heir of Slytherin strikes again.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
TalesByJaz
TalesByJaz
Sorry for the lack of chapters these past few days. Was down with a fever and couldn’t get any writing done.
Good news, though—I'm back at it and feeling much better! I will make up for the missed releases in these two days. Thanks for your patience and support!
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