Forsaken Bloodlines {HP x GOT}

Chapter 2.12: Taken to the Chamber

Professor McGonagall's voice echoed through the castle: "All students are to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers to the second-floor corridor immediately."

Lyanna, Harry, and Ron exchanged worried glances and hurried to the second-floor corridor. They arrived just in time to see Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, Madam Pomfrey, and Filch gathered around a freshly written message on the wall.

Professor McGonagall's voice trembled as she addressed the group. "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." She sighed heavily. "The students must be sent home. I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts."

Lockhart sauntered up, oblivious to the severity of the situation. "So sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed?" He grinned at Snape and McGonagall.

Snape's expression was icy. "A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come at last."

Lockhart blinked, momentarily taken aback. "My... moment?"

Snape's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Weren't you saying just last night you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"

Professor McGonagall seized the opportunity. "That's settled. We'll leave you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legend."

Lockhart's bravado faltered. "Very well. I'll just be in my office, getting, uh... getting ready." He turned and walked away, clearly unnerved.

Filch, Madam Pomfrey, and Professor McGonagall exchanged worried looks. Madam Pomfrey finally asked, "Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?"

Professor McGonagall's voice was barely a whisper. "Ginny Weasley." Harry and Ron stiffened in shock, and Ron's voice wavered.

Professor McGonagall and the other staff began to walk away, revealing the newly written message: "Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever."

Ron read the message aloud, dread in his voice. "Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever." He looked at Harry, devastated. "Ginny..."

Lyanna stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Ron's shoulder. "We'll get her back, Ron. I promise. Even if I have to do it myself."

Harry and Ron nodded, determination replacing their initial shock. Together, they knew they had to act quickly to save Ginny and finally uncover the truth behind the Chamber of Secrets.

Harry, Lyanna, and Ron raced through the corridors, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. They burst into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and dashed up the stairs to Lockhart's office.

"Lockhart may be useless," Harry panted as he opened the door, "but he's going to try to get into the Chamber. At least we can tell him what we know!"

They stepped inside, finding Lockhart stuffing clothes into a trunk. Ron scowled at him. "Are you going somewhere?"

Lockhart looked up, flustered. "Um... well, yes. Urgent call. Unavoidable. Uh, got to go."

Lyanna's outrage was palpable. "What about Ginny?!"

"Uh, well, um... As to that, most unfortunate. No one regrets more than I," Lockhart stammered.

Ron stared at him in disbelief. "You're the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. You can't go now!"

Lockhart busied himself, moving around his desk and stuffing things into his handbag. "Well, I must say, when I took the job, there was nothing in the job description about--"