Sapphire Witch - Under Editing to make it easier to read

Finding the Chamber of Secrets

~HOSPITAL WING~

 Madam Pomfrey bars the door and frowns at Harry and Ron. Madam Pomfrey: "There's no point in talking to a petrified person. She won't hear a word you're saying." Ron shifts uncomfortably. Ron: "We know that, Madam Pomfrey. It's just, well, you see, we thought, maybe, we could... be with her for a bit. She's our... friend, you see, and... even if she can't hear us... I mean, it can't hurt, can it?" A glint of sympathy flickers in Pomfrey's eyes. Madam Pomfrey: "Very well then. But be quick about it." As she exits, the boys step to her bed. Absently, Ron picks up the circular mirror that lies on the nightstand. Eyes Lockhart's Get Well card. Ron: "You don't think Lockhart could be the heir of Slytherin, do you? (off Harry's look) Right. Forget I said it." Harry studies Hermione's face. Harry: "Wish you were here, Hermione. We need you. Now more than ever..." Just then, the mirror in Ron's hand catches the late afternoon sunlight and casts a jagged flame across Hermione's hand. Harry watches the light dance over her fingers... then looks closer. Sees the paper clutched there. Harry and Ron duck into an alcove and take out the crinkled paper, which, we see now, is torn from a library book. Harry: "'Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land, none is more deadly than the Basilisk. Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death awaits any who meet this giant serpent's eye. Spiders flee before it and only the crowing of the rooster can kill it.' (looking up) Ron! This is it! The monster in the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk. That's why I can hear it speak. It's a snake." Ron: "But it kills by looking people in the eye. Why is it no one's dead?" Harry frowns, contemplating this. Y/n: "Because no one did look it in the eye. Not directly at least..." Ron and Harry: "Ah!" Y/n: "Apoligizes." Harry: (in a rush) "Colin saw it through his camera. Justin -- Justin must've seen the Basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick! Nick got the full blast of it, but he's a ghost -- he couldn't die again ... And Hermione... had the mirror! I bet you anything she was using it to look round corners, in case it came along. Ron: "And Mrs. Norris? I'm pretty sure she didn't have a camera or a mirror, Harry." Y/n: "The hallway." Harry: "The water... there was water on the floor that night. She only saw the Basilisk's reflection... (scanning the page again) The crowing of the rooster is fatal to it! That's why Hagrid's roosters were killed! Spiders flee before it! It all fits! Ron: "But how's the Basilisk been getting around? A dirty great snake. Someone would have seen..." Harry: "Hermione answered that too." Harry points. Scribbled, in Hermione's hand, is: "Pipes." Ron: (aghast) "Pipes...? It's using the plumbing." Harry: " Remember what Aragog said? About that girl fifty years ago? She died in a bathroom. What if she never left." Ron: "Moaning Myrtle!" Harry nods. Just then, McGonagall's voice echoes throughout the castle, magically magnified. Minerva: (V.O.) "All students are to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers to the second floor corridor. Immediately."

~Second Floor~

McGonagall stands before the desecrated wall, surrounded by the rest of the staff. Harry and Ron creep up the stairwell. Minerva: "As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. Our worst fear has been realized. A student has been taken by the monster. Into the Chamber itself. (as the teachers react) I'm afraid we shall have to send the students home. I'm afraid...this is the end of Hogwarts." Lockhart: (bursting in cheerily) "So sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed?" Severus: "Just the man. A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come at last." Lockhart: "My m-moment?" Severus: "Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?" Lockhart: "D-did I? I don't recall..." Minerva: " That settles it. We'll leave it to you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legend." Lockhart: "V-very well. I'll -- I'll be in my office, getting -- getting ready." Minerva: "The rest of us should go and inform the students what has happened." Professor Sprout: "Who is it the monster's taken, Minerva?" Minerva: "Ginny Weasley." Ron's knees give way. As Harry catches him, the staff scatters, revealing what is written on the wall: Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever. Harry, Y/n, and a very upset Ron walk with desperate purpose. Ron: "She knew something, Harry. She'd found out something about the Chamber of Secrets. That's why she was taken. I mean, she was --is -- a pure-blood. There can't be any other reason." Harry: (pulling him away) "C'mon. Let's go see Lockhart. He may be a brainless git, but he's going to try and get into the Chamber. We can tell him what we know..." Y/n: "This is stupid. I'll meet you guys at Myrtles Stall." Ron: " Harry. D'you think there's any chance at all she's not, you know --" Harry glances over, and studies Ron's tortured eyes. Harry: "We'll find her, Ron. Ginny's going to be fine." Ron nods and smiles shakily, and looks away. As he does, Harry's face changes to look troubled. Even he doesn't believe what he's just said.