The Destroyer

Chapter 12

Harry's POV

Knock, knock.

"It's me, Harry, you in there Y/n?"

"It's open, Harry. Come in"

Y/n said with a faint voice from inside her room. I stepped in, immediately struck by how pale and tired she looked. She was sitting up in bed, her eyes dull and her face gaunt.

"Hey, um, how are you feeling now? Feeling better?"

I asked, noticing her labored breathing. She seemed fragile, like she was on the brink of collapsing any moment.

"I dreamt of something, and it's horrible"

She murmured, her voice shaky. Her eyes had a distant look, as if she was still half-immersed in whatever nightmare had gripped her sleep. She had a dream. Did she— 

"It's him, Harry. He opened the Chamber of Secrets many years ago"

She continued, her eyes wide with fear.

"Who? Do we know him?"

I asked, feeling a chill run down my spine. The Chamber of Secrets had always been shrouded in mystery and danger.

"I don't really know. All I know is... Xenophilius was there, Luna Lovegood's father. And Harry, he was carrying a baby."

She paused, taking a deep breath as if the memory itself was suffocating her.

"What? So, there are two?"

I asked, trying to make sense of it all. My mind raced with possibilities and questions.

"No, Harry. I saw the guy who opened the Chamber of Secrets talking to Luna's father, and Uncle Xeno was holding a book and a newspaper. I'm assuming that the baby he was holding was Luna. But Harry, just think of it, it was a year before Luna was even born. I know it because the newspaper date says so. So, who is the baby Uncle Xenophilius was carrying? Maybe it's the heir's child"

She said, her voice trembling. Her eyes searched mine, looking for answers that I didn't have.

"I don't have any idea. Does Luna have any siblings?"

I asked, my mind racing. The pieces of the puzzle were scattering and I couldn't see how they fit together.

"No, she doesn't have any"

She replied, shaking her head. Her voice was steady, but the fear in her eyes was palpable.

"Maybe that is—" I began, but she cut me off.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle"

She said, her voice barely above a whisper. The name hung in the air, heavy and foreboding.

"What?" I asked, stunned. The name sent shivers down my spine, and the room suddenly felt colder.

"That is the name of the guy who opened the Chamber of Secrets. I saw it in my dream. He was talking to Xenophilius, and they mentioned something about the Chamber, something about power and control"

She explained, her voice growing stronger as she spoke. I stood there, processing her words. Tom Riddle, the name sounded familiar, like a dark shadow from the past creeping into the present.

"This is... a lot to take in" I admitted, feeling overwhelmed.

"I know, Harry. But we have to figure this out. If Tom Riddle was involved back then, it means there's a connection to what's happening now. We need to find out more about him, and why he was with Xenophilius," she said, determination replacing the fear in her eyes.

"You're right. We need to investigate this. We'll talk to Hermione and Ron, see if they can find anything in the library," I suggested, trying to formulate a plan.

"Thank you, Harry," she said, giving me a small, grateful smile. Despite everything, there was a spark of hope in her eyes, a glimmer of resilience that reassured me we would get through this together.

Y/n's POV

"So, are you feeling better?"

Sam asked as she and Maxima entered my room, their faces filled with concern. They always visited me whenever they had time, knowing that Dumbledore had forbidden me from attending school for a month due to my situation and weak body. Instead, I received private lessons from the teachers in my room.

"Yeah, a little bit. My head still hurts, though" I replied, rubbing my temples.

"You need to rest more" Sam said, her voice soft but firm.

"All I did was rest. Can't I have some fresh air outside of this four-sided room?" I sighed, feeling the weight of the confinement.

"Well, actually, no" Maxima said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, you're not allowed to leave your room, remember?" Sam added, looking at me with sympathy.

"I know, but it's suffocating in here. I miss the outside, the sun, the wind"

I said, staring longingly at the window. The view of the grounds beyond the glass seemed like a distant dream.

"We understand, Y/n. It's just for your safety" Maxima said, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Besides, Dumbledore wouldn't have made this decision if it wasn't necessary"

Sam added, handing me a glass of water. I took the glass and sipped, appreciating their concern but still feeling frustrated. 

"It's just... I feel so useless in here. Everyone else is out there, living their lives, and I'm stuck in this room."

"You're not useless, Y/n. You're recovering. And that's the most important thing right now," Maxima said, her tone gentle but resolute.

"Plus, we're here to keep you company. You're not alone"

Sam said, smiling warmly. I managed a small smile in return.

"Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"We're friends. We stick together, no matter what" Maxima said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"And once you're better, we'll make up for lost time. We'll do all the things you love" Sam promised.

I nodded, feeling a bit more hopeful.

"Alright. I guess I just have to be patient."

"Exactly. And in the meantime, we'll keep you entertained"

Maxima said, pulling out a deck of cards from her bag.

"How about a game?"

Sam suggested, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I laughed for the first time in what felt like ages.

"Sure, why not? But fair warning, I'm pretty good at cards."

"We'll see about that" Maxima teased, shuffling the deck.

As we settled into the game, I felt a sense of normalcy returning, even if just for a little while. My friends' presence was a reminder that I wasn't alone in this, and that gave me the strength to keep going.

"To Be Continued"