Percy Jackson and the Heir of Slytherin [Book 2]

49) Ginny Weasley

"Guys," Harry breathed, "this is it. This is the answer. The monster in the Chamber's a Basilisk — a giant serpent! That's why I've been hearing that voice all over the place, and nobody else has heard it. It's because I understand Parseltongue..."

I looked around the room, "The Basilisk kills people by looking at them. But no one's died — because no one looked it straight in the eye. Colin saw it through his camera. The film was all burned up inside because of the Basilisk, but Colin was just Petrified. Justin probably saw the Basilisk through Nick! Nick got the full blast of it, but he was only Petrified because he's already dead. Hermione and the Ravenclaw girl had a mirror with them! Hermione and the girl probably looked around the corner with her mirror! And I died when I looked in its eyes!"

"And Mrs. Norris?" Ron asked, gaping.

"She probably only saw the reflection in the water that night! It was everywhere!"

"The Basilisk only flees from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it!" Harry read. "Hagrid's roosters were killed! The heir of Slytherin didn't want one anywhere near the castle once the Chamber was opened! Spiders flee before the Basilisk! It all fits!"

"But how's the Basilisk been getting around the place?" Ron questioned. "A dirty great snake... Someone would've seen..."

Harry pointed at the bottom of the page, "Pipes. Pipes... guys, it's been using the plumbing. I've been hearing that voice inside the walls..."

Ron grabbed Harry's arm suddenly.

"The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets!" He said croakily. "What if it's a bathroom? What if it's in—"

"—Myrtle's bathroom," I said.

"This means," Harry said. "I can't be the only Parselmouth in the school. The heir of Slytherin's one, too. That's how they've been controlling the Basilisk."

"What're we going to do?" I questioned. "Go straight to McGonagall?"

"Let's go to the staff room," Harry jumped up. "She'll be there in ten minutes, it's nearly break."

We ran downstairs and quickly made our way to the staff room. It was deserted.

The bell signaling break never came.

Instead came McGonagall's amplified voice, "All students to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please."

Harry turned towards us, "Not another attack? Not now!"

"What'll we do?" Ron asked. "Go back to the dormitory?"

"No," Harry said, looking around. He pointed towards a wardrobe, and pointed, "In here. Let's hear what it's all about. Then we can tell them what we've found out."

There wasn't enough room in the wardrobe. Instead of forcing myself to fit, I sat in a shadowed corner, using the mist to help shield myself. Hogwarts helped.

I watched the teachers file in. Their eyes slid past me, as if I weren't there at all.

Professor McGonagall arrived.

"It has happened," McGonagall said. "A student has been Petrified, and another has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."

Flitwick squeaked. Sprout clapped her hands over her mouth. Snape clutched the back of his chair and demanded, "How can you be sure?"

"The heir of Slytherin," McGonagall was white in the face, "left another message. Right underneath the first one. Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever."

Flitwick burst into tears.

"Who is it?" Hooch asked. "Which students?"

"Haley Eddings was Petrified. And... Ginny Weasley."

I felt my knees shaking. I knew these two. Haley was my sister. Ginny was my best friend's sister. I silently lowered myself to the ground.

"We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow," McGonagall said. "This is the end of Hogwarts. Dumbledore always said..."

The door banged open, and Lockhart stood there.

"So sorry — dozed off — what have I missed?"

I wanted to kill him.

Snape stepped forward, "Just the man. The very man. A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last."

Lockhart froze.

"That's right, Gilderoy," Sprout said. "Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"

"I — well, I—" Lockhart stammered, and I grinned weakly.

"Yes, didn't you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it?" Flitwick piped up.

"D-did I? I don't recall..."

"I certainly remember you saying you were sorry you hadn't had a crack at the monster before Hagrid was arrested," Snape said. "Didn't you say that the whole affair had been bungled, and that you should have been given a free rein from the first?"

Lockhart stared at his colleagues.

"I... I really never... You may have misunderstood..."

"We'll see it to you, then, Gilderoy," McGonagall said. "Tonight will be an excellent time to do it. We'll make sure everyone's out of your way. You'll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself. A free rein at last."

Lockhart looked around desperately. He looked panicked and afraid and worried. He was scared.

"V-very well," he managed. "I'll — I'll be in my office, getting — getting ready." Then he left.

"Right," McGonagall said, clearly irritated, "that's got him out from under our feet. The Heads of Houses should go and inform their students what has happened. Tell them the Hogwarts Express will take them first thing tomorrow. Will the rest of you please make sure no students have been left outside their dormitories."

The teachers rose, and left the room, leaving us alone.

So it's pretty likely we'll be moving to this new house. It's pretty cool, but Kadee was freaking out because the room she would get has a door to the balcony. It's just... a balcony. But I think she's all good about it now? I'm not entirely sure. Also, Kadee said she wanted to save up for a trampoline, and dad freaked out on her, talking about how they were bone breakers and whatever. Like he's right about that, but we know the risks. She could get hurt riding her bike, playing basketball, doing whatever. We also used to have a trampoline. Like literally, he bought us a trampoline years ago. And he's watched us use the trampoline at our cousin's house. And we're not stupid. It's not like she's just gonna dive bomb of the edge. I think he's a little too freaked out.

I love you all, and hope you have a super Sunday. I will see you on Tuesday :)