The American Enigma

Revelations 4:20

"As you can see, the heir of Slytherin has left another message," McGonagall informed. "Our worst fear has been realized. A student has been taken by the person controlling the monster into the Chamber itself." She took a deep breath, trying to calm her panic. "The students must be sent home. I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts."

Footsteps approached and Lockhart stepped forward. "So sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed?"

Snape frowned at the man. "A girl has been snatched by the person controlling the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come at last."

"My moment?" The daft idiot sputtered, looking worried.

"Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"

The other teachers joined in as well, as the man paled.

"Yes, didn't you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it?" Professor Flitwick questioned.

"D-Did I?"

"I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadn't had a crack at the monster," added Snape, with a grin we've never seen before. "Didn't you say you should have been given a free rein from the first?"

"I-I really never… You may have misunderstood."

McGonagall finished the talk with one last mighty blow. "We'll leave it to you, then, Gilderoy. 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."

The man was practically trembling before he managed a fake smile. "I'll be in my office, uh, getting ready."

Once he was gone, McGonagall huffed. "Right. 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?"

Madam Pomfrey stepped up then. "Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?"

"Ginny Weasley."

Ron sucked in a short breath and once the teachers moved on, the trio hiding could get a view of what was written.

"'Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever,'" Ron choked out. "Ginny." Well then! This is clearly going to go well! We're going to fight a bloody Basilisk, probably with Lockfart taking the credit, and breaking more rules.

"We should start charging for our problem solving." I said through gritted teeth. Harry laughed, while Ron gave me an appreciative smile. "Let's go. We're gonna have to make sure the Blonde Menace doesn't destroy everything." We quickly raced towards the DADA classroom, where we saw Lockhart packing.

To leave.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"I-I… Well, yes. Urgent call. Unavoidable. Got to go," Lockhart lied.

"What about my sister!" Ron snapped.

"Well, um… As to that, most unfortunate. No one regrets more than I."

"You're the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! You can't go now!"

"Well, I must say, when I took the job there was nothing in the job description—I didn't expect—"

"You're running away?" Harry was astonished, while I was furious. "After all that stuff you did in your books?"

"Books can be misleading."