Cindy Potter: Book Two (Harry Potter fanfiction)

Chapter 14

"They're a kind of muggle sweet that I'm rather fond of." - Albus Dumbledore

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We arrived at the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's study. I stood in front of the Griffin. "Sherbet Lemon." The stairs came to life and I gestured for Ginny to hop on. I climbed on after her. The spiral stairs soon stopped rotating. Ginny and I walked forward into the office. Everyone turned to to look at us. Mrs. Weasley choked back a sob as she immediately embraced Ginny in a hug. Mr. Weasley looked extremely relieved and tired. Mrs. Weasley pulled me into a hug as well.

"Thank you. Thank you and Harry for saving Ginny." I smiled shyly in reply.

"Ginny! Thank goodness you're alive! What happened?!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed before pulling her into a hug as well.

"I'm-I'm sorry!" Ginny sobbed. "The diary, Tom Riddle started talking to me and then I couldn't stop, and he made me do things, but I was scared-scared to tell anyone. Cindy tried to help me but I stole the diary back, because I was afraid I would be expelled..." Ginny trailed off in tears.

"Ginny! Haven't I always told you, don't trust anything that you can't see where it keeps its brain!" Mr. Weasley said exasperatedly.

"D-don't be angry with Ginny. It was partially my fault too." I interrupted. "I should've brought the diary to Professor Dumbledore sooner. I should've went and gotten help when I saw Ginny going to the bathrooms, but I was worried that something would happen if I didn't follow her."

"Don't blame yourselves, it's no one person's fault." Mrs. Weasley eventually spoke. "It was very brave of you to go after Ginny alone."

"It's my fault too." Ron said. "I knew Ginny was acting weird but I thought it was because of Mrs. Norris or because of her crush on Harry..." Ron trailed off when he saw Ginny's death glare.

"Now," We all turned to look at Professor Dumbledore. "It's nobody's fault. Why don't you take Ginny up to the hospital wing so Madam Pomfrey can have a look? Meanwhile I would like a word with you three." He turned to us. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nodded and exited.

Professor Dumbledore turned to us. "Now you realize that in the past couple of hours, the three of you have broken over fifty school rules."

We all looked down at our feet. "Yes, Sir."

"And Ron and Harry, you will recall that I said at the start of term that if you broke anymore school rules, you would be expelled." Harry and Ron looked at each other in horror.

"Professor, please! It wasn't their fault! I-" Professor Dumbledore held up a hand to silence me. I bowed my head.

"So it is only fitting, that all three of you-". We closed our eyes, bracing ourselves for the worst. "-receive special awards for services to the school, and a hundred points each." Ron and Harry looked at each other, clearly delighted.

"Thanks, Sir!"

"Now if you have an owl, Mr. Weasley, to deliver these release papers to Azkaban. We need our gamekeeper back." Ron nodded and left. Professor Dumbledore turned to me and I gulped.

"Miss Potter, I believe Professor Snape is waiting to speak to you." I looked at Harry nervously. He seemed to get the message.

"Can I go with her?"

"I wish to have a few words with you, alone." Harry looked at me apologetically. I lowered my head.

"I'll be leaving then, thank you, Sir."