Dan and Phil and The Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 13

The atmosphere in the Ravenclaw common room was subdued that night. But it momentarily spiked up into one of interest when Dan returned. Professor Flitwick scolded him heavily, saying how dangerous being out in the corridors alone was, ending in twenty points being taken away from Ravenclaw. Dan didn't see much point in doing so; he doubted very many people were worried about who would win the House Cup this year.

Dan found Lee and Spencer talking to a group of Ravenclaws but broke off and met him when they spotted him.

"Where have you been?" Lee hissed once they were all settled somewhere where they couldn't be overhead. "Spencer had to cover for you and nearly got into trouble himself!"

"What did you say to Professor Flitwick?" He asked.

"I told him you had gone to the hospital wing to have your bandages changed," Spencer said. "It was all I could think of on short notice."

"Well I have been to the hospital wing," Dan said, adding quickly at Lee's facial expression, "but not on medical reasons." He told them all they had found out.

"A Basilisk?" Lee whispered. He was unusually pale. "In our school?"

"Have you heard of it before?" Dan asked quickly.

"Only once.." Lee said. "My grandpa told me a story that had one in it, I didn't think it was a real thing."

"It's real alright," Dan said grimly.

"What are they doing about that girl?" Spencer asked. "Ginny Weasel or something like that."

"Ginny Weasley," Dan answered. "And they're-"

"Wait, is she the sister of that red head you're friends with?" Lee asked with furrowed brows. "Ron?"

Dan nodded. Ron hadn't said a word all the way back from the staff room. Any consolation Dan had tried to say died on his tongue, sounding stupid. So they had all walked back to their houses in silence.

"I can't imagine how he's feeling now," said Lee with a sad shake of his head. "Or the rest of her family for that matter. Poor girl.."

But Dan remembered something. Ginny had been trying to tell Ron something all those days ago at lunch. He had a feeling that it had been something to do with the Chamber of Secrets. If only she had said it before her brother had walked up. She seemed awfully nervous and sickly looking. And now she had been taken down to the Chamber itself..

Dan ran a hand over his head. They had thought they were finally solving the mystery and getting down to the core of it. Now it seemed they had been too late. The monster had succeeded, Ginny was surely dead...

The common room was full, yet it was as quiet as if only a few students were there. Everyone talked in whispers and quiet voices. As dark drew nearer, many students turned in for an early night. Dan had never before seen the atmosphere so subdued.

He was just thinking about turning in as well when there was a vibration in his pocket. He jumped, before realizing what it was and diving his hand into his pocket. He pulled it out and held it up to his ear, Lee and Spencer looking at him curiously.

"We're going to tell Lockhart what we know," Harry's voice spoke through the coin. "Come if you want."

Dan shoved the coin back into his pocket. He looked around the almost empty room, making sure no perfects were there. He stood up, but someone grabbed his wrist. Lee was looking at him with a pleading gaze.

"Don't go again," he said. "It's dangerous, something bad will happen. I can feel it."

Dan looked between the door and Lee, feeling torn. Lee was as much a Hufflepuff as he was a Ravenclaw. He held his friends very dear to him. He didn't want to put him through any more stress than he already had with his injuries and disappearances, but...