𝙰𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 [𝙿𝙹𝙾 𝚡 𝙷𝙿] (𝟷)

21

TOM RIDDLE IS WHO AND WHAT NOW?!

"This is confusing..." Evan frowned.

"Same, but I think I have a theory on this Tom Riddle character," Regulus hummed.

"Yeah, yeah. We know, Reg. You're a genius," Barty scoffed with a pout, slightly jealous.

The three children stood at the end of a very long, dimly lit chamber. Towering stone pillars entwined with more carved serpents rose to support a ceiling lost in darkness, casting long black shadows through the odd, greenish gloom that filled the place.

(Name) wore a serious expression as her eyes scanned the chamber, taking in every detail. Her gaze traveled around the ancient, eerie surroundings, noting the intricate carvings on the walls and the faint, almost imperceptible echoes of long-forgotten spells that seemed to linger in the air.

Many shivered at the sight of the Chamber of Secrets. Despite it being projected on the screen, witnessing it for the first time was a chilling experience. The dark, ominous atmosphere seemed to seep through the projection, making the sinister details all the more vivid.

Determined and focused, she took the lead, her footsteps echoing softly on the stone floor as she ventured further inside.

The air was cool and slightly damp, carrying the faint scent of ancient magic. Despite the eerie ambiance, (Name) remained resolute, her determination unwavering as she led the boys deeper into the heart of the chamber to find Ginny.

Harry pulled out his wand and moved forward between the serpentine columns. Every careful footstep echoed loudly off the shadowy walls. Ron stood close in fear of what would pop out a second later.

The boys kept their eyes narrowed, ready to clamp them shut at the smallest sign of movement. The hollow eye sockets of the stone snakes seemed to be following them. More than once, with a jolt of the stomach, they thought they saw one stir.

"That feel creepy," Blaise shivered a bit, as the others nodded in agreement, having the same chill that ran down their spine.

Then, as the children drew level with the last pair of pillars, a statue high as the Chamber itself loomed into view, standing against the back wall.

Harry had to crane his neck to look up into the giant face above: it was ancient and monkey-like, with a long thin beard that fell almost to the bottom of the wizard's sweeping stone robes, where two enormous grey feet stood on the smooth chamber floor.

"That's Salazar Slytherin," a student muttered. "He looks scary here."

"Big bro, I'm scared," Estelle whimpered slightly, burying herself into Percy's chest who comforted her along with his wife.

Kai too did the same to his mother, not liking the fact that she was in a scary place.

And between the feet, face down, lay a small, black-robed figure with flaming red hair.