Into The Multiverse

Chapter 22 - 2nd Year Over

Carrying two teenagers on each shoulder really doesn't seem appealing. Well, at least Harry is well-fed. But the two are just starring at me menacingly.

I thought as I looked back. Behind me was a phoenix holding the Sorting Hat. Eventually, I reached Hermione and Ron. They saw me and quickly came to my side.

Ron: Ginny! You're alive! I don't believe it! What happened? How — what —where did that bird come from?

Damien: Can you two help me with them first? Questions later.

They took the two off my shoulders as I lied down on the floor, my body now out of adrenaline.

Damien: They're alright. Don't worry. I checked. They're only unconscious. 

I said as I slapped Harry's cheek, waking him up.

Harry: Huh? What am I — Ginny!

He shot up and looked around.

Harry: Where — Hermione? Ron? — Damien?! What —

Damien: Breathe, you fool. You're hyperventilating.

He calmed down as he asked what happened. I told the trio the short version of what happened just now.

Harry: Sigh... Thanks for saving me again.

Damien: No problem. Anyways, what's with the phoenix and the Sorting Hat?

This time, it was Harry's time to explain his part of the story. As he finished his story, Gonny stirred awake. 

Ginny: Harry — oh, Harry — I tried to tell you at b-breakfast, but I c-couldn't say it in front of Percy — it was me, Harry — but I — I s-swear I d-didn't mean to — R-Riddle made me, he t-took me over — and — how did you kill that— that thing? W-where's Riddle? The last thing I r-remember is him coming out of the diary —

Harry: It's all right. Riddle's finished.

Harry said holding up the diary and showing Ginny the fang hole.

Ginny: I'm going to be expelled! I've looked forward to coming to Hogwarts ever since B-Bill came and n-now I'll have to leave and — w-what'll Mum and Dad say?

She wept as I looked at Harry and signaled him to calm her down. He awkwardly patted her back as she clung to Harry and sobbed. I smirked, fulfilling my role as cupid as Ron glared at me.

Harry: Wait a minute, where's Lockhart?

Ron: Back there. He's in a bad way. Come and see.

Led by Fawkes, whose wide scarlet wings emitted a soft golden glow in the darkness, we walked all the way back to the mouth of the pipe. Gilderoy Lockhart was sitting there, humming placidly to himself.

Hermione: He has his memory wiped. Ruby reflected the Memory Charm onto himself. He hasn't got a clue who he is, or where he is, or who we are. I persuaded him to wait here. He's a danger to himself.

Lockhart: Oh, hello. Odd sort of place, this, isn't it? Do you live here?

Damien: Well, that's Karma for Obliviating people.

Harry bent down and looked up the long, dark pipe. 

Harry: Have you thought about how we're going to get back up this?

Ron and Hermione shook their head, but Fawkes the phoenix had swooped past Harry and was now fluttering in front of him, his beady eyes bright in the dark. He was waving his long golden tail feathers.  

Ron: He looks like he wants you to grab hold . . . 

Harry: We've got to hold on to each other. Ginny, grab Ron's hand. Professor Lockhart —