In the dead of night, William pushed open the oak door and stepped out of the headmaster's office.
Snape was standing alone at the doorway, waiting for his turn to speak with Dumbledore.
When he saw William emerge, he let out a cold huff through his nose, clearly displeased that the headmaster had spoken with William first and left him waiting outside.
William pursed his lips and thought maliciously: If you're so impatient, why not spend the whole night in Dumbledore's office? You'll be holding onto the walls for support by morning!
Whether Snape had that exact thought or not, he loosened his collar, smoothed his greasy hair, adjusted his appearance, and hurried inside.
William stepped onto the moving spiral staircase, which descended slowly like an escalator. When the wall opened, he stepped into the third-floor corridor.
He walked toward the main stairs, but after a few steps, he stopped, momentarily dazed.
Sitting at the top of the staircase was Hermione, hugging her knees, waiting for him.
Her head rested on her knees, her bushy brown hair splayed around her. She looked as though she was about to fall asleep.
William quietly approached and gently patted her shoulder. She jolted, startled out of her drowsiness.
"It's just me. Don't be scared."
William helped Hermione to her feet, noticing how her legs had gone numb. He carefully brushed the dust off her robes.
Rubbing her eyes groggily, Hermione asked, "William, you're finally out?"
William nodded. "What are you doing here? I told you to go back earlier."
Hermione lowered her gaze and murmured, "I did go back… but I was worried about you, so I snuck out of the dormitory."
William froze for a second, then reached out and flicked her forehead lightly. She winced, looking like a child chastised by a strict guardian. He placed his hands gently on her forehead, his gaze as tender as ever.
"Thank you for waiting for me. Come on, I'll walk you back."
Although Hermione had been brave when sneaking out alone, on the way back, she clung tightly to William's arm, as if afraid someone might suddenly attack her.
Clearly, the incident with Filch had shaken her.
"William, did Professor Dumbledore say anything?" Hermione asked softly, her eyes scanning the dim castle corridors warily.
After leaving the hospital wing, Dumbledore had only kept William and Snape behind, so it was clear something important had been discussed.
"The professor said… the attacks won't stop. There will be more."
William shared what he was allowed to, and Hermione listened intently.
He didn't tell her that the Chamber of Secrets' ultimate target was Harry.
The headmaster had forbidden it. Dumbledore was determined to test The Boy Who Lived once again.
William found it baffling. Did Dumbledore not worry that his "whetstone" might wear Harry down completely?
Sure, some people are tough and resilient, William thought. But not everyone is big, thick and tough like me.
Or was it that Harry was special? Was it because of the magic Lily left behind?
William couldn't understand Dumbledore's motives. The headmaster had his own plans, but he never revealed them fully.
"Professor McGonagall instructed us not to tell anyone what happened tonight," Hermione sighed softly.
Filch had accused Harry of attacking him, and McGonagall wanted to keep that under wraps.
The teachers clearly didn't believe Harry was the culprit. They knew something was amiss.
But none of them foresaw that there would be five more attacks.
And each time, the victims would name Harry as the assailant, transforming him from the "Boy Who Lived" into the "boy everyone feared".
The real perpetrator was a master of framing others and manipulating people, lurking like a serpent in the shadows.
Such an opponent was the most dangerous of all.
Dumbledore's intention was clear, to strengthen Harry's mind while investigating in secret.
In the end, Dumbledore wanted Harry to uncover the truth himself, creating a dramatic reversal where everyone who doubted or accused Harry would be forced to eat their words and feel deep shame.
Dumbledore had crafted a brilliant plan, but William wasn't convinced everything would go as smoothly as the headmaster hoped.
"William… what exactly is the Chamber of Secrets?" Hermione asked as they neared the Gryffindor common room.
"I forgot my copy of Hogwarts: A History back at home in St. Catchpole," she added sheepishly.
William thought for a moment and explained the history to her.
"So… the Chamber of Secrets really was built by Slytherin to attack people?"
"No," William replied. "Dumbledore told me that Slytherin built the Chamber for a different purpose, it was twisted into something else by his successors."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.
"You should head back. Do you need me to walk you all the way to the dormitory door?" Hermione asked playfully, hands clasped behind her back.
"And then what? Walk you back again?" William chuckled. "We'd be walking back and forth until morning."
"That's fine by me!" Hermione said, blinking.
"Go inside. It's not safe right now, I'll walk you to your dormitory door," William said, gently ruffling her hair.
He turned to the Fat Lady's portrait and said, "Sugarbird."
That's it? That's all?
The Fat Lady looked disappointed as she swung open the door.
She was here back then and had witnessed Snape and Lily Evans' dramatic fallout.
You two won't break apart? Fine, but at least give me some scenes not suitable for children!
The Gryffindor common room was deserted. Only the fire in the hearth remained, its embers slowly crackling.
They climbed the staircase, arriving at the entrance to the girls' dormitory.
At the threshold, Hermione lowered her head, her fingers clutching the fabric of William's robes tightly, knuckles white.
"What's wrong?" William asked gently.
Hermione's whole body trembled as she tried to suppress a sob. In a shaky voice, she whispered:
"I… I've felt uneasy all night. I don't understand… William, do pureblood families really hate Muggle-borns like us this much?"
William sighed softly. No wonder Hermione had seemed off the whole time, the events of the night had shaken her more deeply than she'd let on.
After all, before Dumbledore's reassurance, most people believed Filch had been killed.
The fear of death was truly overwhelming.
"Hermione, there are good and bad pureblood wizards, just as there are good and bad Muggles.
"Not all goodness is rewarded with kindness.
"Some people don't care for what ordinary people value, they simply want to watch the world… burn."
"But." William gently placed his hand on her head and said softly, "I will always protect you."
She looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "Really?"
William's gaze was steady as he smiled. "Of course. As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."
Hermione stared at William, suddenly recalling the moment they first met, the cauldron explosion, and how he shielded her without hesitation.
She remembered that day in Gringotts, his back standing firm and unyielding in front of her.
Hermione stared at William, dazed.
William reached out and wiped the tears from her cheeks, gently pulling her into an embrace.
Hermione rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, steady and comforting.
Her body,
at last, felt warm.
Her trembling heart,
at last, felt calm.
Everything felt right.