SECRET ( Drarry fanfiction)

Chapter 44

Harry paused before opening up the main doors into the Chamber of Secrets. He glanced at Ron and Hermione. Neither of them had ever been there before, and he wasn't sure they were prepared to see the remains of the basilisk. Knowing about it and seeing it were two different things.

"Just get on with it, Harry," Ron said.

Harry's brow furrowed, but he nodded. Opening up the Chamber doors, he led them inside. He was assailed by the memories once again, but kept a handle on his surroundings this time.

"Bloody hell," Ron breathed.

"You killed that?" Hermione said, her eyes wide. Her gaze shot to Harry. "Harry, you were twelve," she squeaked.

Harry shrugged, watching as Hermione's eyes darted back to stare at the basilisk. He understood the need to take a few minutes to assimilate what they were seeing.

He didn't think they'd appreciate him pointing out his bloodstains on the stone floor where he'd fallen beside Ginny, both of them almost dead. That would probably be too much information, and it wasn't like they didn't already know what had happened.

"You brought Ginny back here," Ron said.

"I had to," Harry said quietly.

Ron simply nodded, eyes still trained on the giant snake.

"If it's a shock for us to see this, I can't imagine what it must've been like for you and Ginny to see it again after so long," Hermione said, turning to look at him.

"We did all right," Harry said, knowing he was stretching the truth, but they'd succeeded with their task and come through it well enough.

Hermione gazed at him knowingly, but she didn't call him on it. "Ron and I simply heard about what happened here. You and Ginny . . . you survived this Chamber of Secrets."

"More like Chamber of Horrors," Ron muttered.

Harry grinned. "It's not the most pleasant place," he agreed.

Ron sighed heavily, but he was sporting a rueful smile when he faced Harry. "You and Ginny, though, you're tough, brave Gryffindors, yeah?"

"Yeah, we are," Harry said, knowing he was forgiven for bringing Ginny back to this horrible place.

Hermione's eyes were filled with understanding. "I forget sometimes just how much you've done," she said. "It's no wonder you get tired of being questioned, when you can obviously take care of yourself."

She gestured to the basilisk, her face twisting into a grimace. "If you could deal with that when you were only twelve . . .," she said, her voice trailing off into a shudder.

"We've no right to question you," Ron finished.

"Or Ginny," Hermione added softly.

Ron grimaced. "Or Ginny," he reluctantly agreed.

"I don't know why we were complaining," Hermione said. "You'll clearly do anything to protect her. You're her knight in shining armour," she teased.

Harry stared at her, feeling alarmed. "Uh, Hermione, you do know Ginny and I aren't getting back together, right?"

"Oh, I know," she said. "Ginny and I had a long talk recently and I understand that you see each other more as brother and sister. Ron's the one still insisting you should be together."

"No, I'm not," Ron said.

Hermione blinked. "You're not?"

"No," Ron said, throwing an arm over Harry's shoulders in a gesture of solidarity. "I think Harry should be able to see whoever he wants."