The Boy Who Was Given Up

Chapter nineteen: The diary...

The next few days everyone steered clear of Harry. All except his Slytherin friends and Evan. Even Theo was keeping his distance. He still sat with them at breakfast, but he was not his normal self and was always on edge.

It was currently Saturday and Harry was wandering around the castle aimlessly when he heard a cry. More of a loud, moaning cry. Nevertheless, Harry decided to check it out. With a killer on the loose petrifying people, he felt it was the right thing to do.

As the crying grew louder, Harry realized it was near the abandoned girls' bathroom. He remembered when Hermione had spent a full day crying in the bathroom because of that Weasley boy, so he decided to see if they were okay. Harry knocked on the door and the crying instantly stopped. A small "Come in" was heard.

Inside, he realized it was a ghost who had been crying.

"Are you okay? I heard crying," Harry said softly.

The crying immediately started again. "I was just sitting there, think... thinking about... death when it hit me," she cried.

"What hit you?" Harry asked.

"A-A b-book."

"A book?"

"Yes. Someone threw it right at my head," she cried.

"That is awful," Harry said sadly.

She stopped crying and looked at Harry. "How kind of you. No one ever listens to me."

Harry looked at Myrtle with sympathy. "Well, I will change that. I am Harry Potter, and you are?"

She smiled. "Myrtle, but everyone calls me Moaning Myrtle," she sniffed.

"People can be mean, but don't let it get to you," Harry said with a smile.

"I like you a lot," Myrtle beamed. Harry smiled back.

His eyes drifted to the black book lying on the ground.

"Hey Myrtle, if you want, I can try to track down who threw the book at you and tell them to stop harassing you," Harry offered.

"I would like that very much," Myrtle replied.

"Cool. I will tell you when I have a lead or I know who threw it at you," Harry said as he grabbed the book.

"Thanks, Harry. Don't forget to come visit," Myrtle called after him.

"I won't. Bye, Myrtle," Harry waved as he left.

Walking back to the Slytherin dorms, Harry started to inspect the book. He stopped when he saw the name engraved in gold on the front. "Tom Marvolo Riddle," Harry whispered, astounded.

"Look who it is, the heir of Slytherin. I bet Mommy and Daddy are so disappointed," Ron's voice suddenly burst out.

"Excuse me?" Harry asked.

"You heard me. It is pathetic. Hogwarts may be closed down because of you. Rest assured, I will find evidence and you will be in Azkaban quicker than you can say guilty."

"Is that a threat?" Harry asked.

"Nope. It is a promise," Ron said arrogantly.

"Good luck keeping it," Harry replied as he turned and headed for the Slytherin dorms.

Once out of view of the boys, he ran, excited to look at Tom Riddle's diary and see what he could uncover.

Once in his room, he locked the door and threw himself onto the desk chair, rapidly opening the diary. To his surprise, all the pages were blank.