SABAISM | H. POTTER

NINETEEN. | FACING VOLDEMORT PT. 2

"Darling," Harry sang out, his voice smooth and playful, "Did you have to strike him so ruthlessly?" Gilderoy Lockhart, still dazed and disoriented from the forceful blow he had just endured, stumbled forward into the dimly lit bathroom, the echo of the trio's footsteps resounding ominously behind him. The three friends—Gemini, Ron, and Harry—held their wands threateningly at the ready, casting flickering shadows across the damp, tiled walls. Gemini, a mischievous glint in her eye, retorted with mock innocence, "Darling? That's a new one. Regardless, he's lucky I only hit him." The deepening bruise blooming on Lockhart's cheekbone could certainly argue otherwise, as could the deepening embarrassment that flushed his face a brighter shade of pink.

With a subdued chuckle, Ron, his grip on his wand slipping slightly due to the adrenaline of the moment, added, "Made me feel better. That was the best day of my life, watching that. Let me tell you!"

Upon entering the bathroom, their arrival immediately drew the attention of Moaning Myrtle, who drifted over the cracked cistern, her translucent figure gliding gracefully through the stale air. "Who's there? Oh...Hello, Harry. What do you want?" It was painfully clear that this ghostly figure harbored a crush on The Boy-Who-Lived, likely resulting from his respectful demeanor when speaking to her, a marked contrast to the usual ridicule she received from the living.

Bluntly, Harry responded, "To ask you how you died." This time, however, rather than adopting her usual defensiveness, Myrtle's expression softened with flattery. "Oh, it was dreadful! It happened right here, in this very cubicle. I'd hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses. I was crying, and then I heard someone come in." Harry leaned closer, desperate for any clue that might help them solve the mystery surrounding Ginny's disappearance. "Who was it, Myrtle?"

In a voice soaked with sorrow, she wailed, "I don't know! I was too distraught! But they said something funny; a kind of made-up language. Furthermore, I realized it was a boy's voice. So I unlocked the cubicle, to tell him to go away, and...I died." That was bizarre. "Just like that? How?," Harry inquired, curiosity etched on his face as he tried to piece together her fragmented memories. Myrtle gestured toward the bank of sinks, explaining, "No idea. I just remember seeing a pair of great big yellow eyes, hovering over there."

The trio hurried over to the area Myrtle indicated, their hearts racing with a mix of fear and anticipation, examining the ancient pipes below and the weathered tile above. Then, Gemini noticed it. Etched delicately onto one of the tarnished copper taps was a miniature snake, twisting its body in an elegant flourish. "This is it," she declared, her voice echoing with excitement, "This is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets."

In a mix of shock and urgency, Ron urged, "Say something, Harry. Say something in Parseltongue." Harry stood there, unsure, self-conscious as he focused intently on the tiny snake. With a determined swallow, he commanded, "Open up." Ron and Gemini shook their heads disapprovingly, their brows furrowed in expectation. "English," Weasley recommended.

Harry concentrated harder, narrowing his eyes on the snake, almost willing it to come to life with his stare. When he finally spoke, it sounded more like a hiss than actual words. "I will concede that him speaking Parseltongue is quite attractive," Gemini remarked, her tone laced with genuine amusement. Ron, caught up in their playful banter and not wanting to miss the moment, chuckled, "Oi! Harry. Gem thinks it's hot when you speak like a snake. Keep it up, Mate." At Harry's almost imperceptible blush, the trio exchanged amused glances as the circular array of sinks unexpectedly opened up, revealing a large, gaping pipe that descended into darkness.

"Oh, excellent, Harry," Gilderoy Lockhart chimed in, his flamboyant voice a juxtaposition to the gravity of their situation. "Good work. Well then, I'll just be going now. There's no need for me." His feeble attempt to escape did not go unnoticed. All three cast incredulous glares in his direction.