"Harry Potter- Ravenclaw"Chapter 196: So You Want Me to Find Lucius? What a Coincidence!
Was it just his imagination, or did Wyzett catch a glimmer of excitement—maybe even impatience—in the way the tabby cat leapt ahead?
Professor McGonagall was usually the picture of composure. Rarely did she display such unmistakable Gryffindor boldness.
The tunnel's interior was broad—wide enough that even two Basilisks could slither through side by side with ease.
Descending the stone steps, they soon glimpsed a stone chamber in the distance.
Inside, chaos reigned. The room looked as though it had been ravaged by fire, scorched black in mottled patches.
Perhaps thanks to the Basilisk's passage, the floor remained relatively clean. Only along the walls had thick layers of ash accumulated.
Professor McGonagall sighed. "To destroy a chamber so thoroughly… There must have been some secret hidden here."
Her words made Wyzett frown slightly.
Some secret?
Most likely the Commandment…
If Voldemort had opened the Chamber fifty years ago, it would be just like him to burn the place to the ground to keep its secrets for himself.
"I must say, it's very much in his character. What a shame," Dumbledore lamented, his tone confirming Wyzett's suspicion.
Everything in the chamber was ruined beyond repair. Dumbledore and McGonagall examined the destruction carefully, but it was clear nothing could be salvaged.
While they searched, Wyzett quietly gathered the ashes, planning to bring them—along with the Basilisk—to Salazar Slytherin.
…
Wyzett lifted the petrification from Pansy and led the Basilisk out of the Chamber ahead of the others.
Watching the pair depart, Professor McGonagall finally spoke. "Albus, Wyzett has a point… Miss Parkinson may well be just a scapegoat."
Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed… It's exactly Voldemort's style—at least, the style he favored as a student."
"Back then, he used Hagrid as a pawn to clear himself of suspicion and remain at Hogwarts. This time… what new trick has he come up with?"
"Should we search again?" McGonagall asked. "Miss Parkinson is a Slytherin; perhaps we should start with Slytherin House…"
"We'll be troubling Severus yet again," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "I need to piece together the clues and figure out everywhere Miss Parkinson has been. Perhaps we'll find something new."
…
Dumbledore questioned several portraits, confirming Pansy's route before returning to his office.
There, he found Snape already waiting. Dumbledore smiled. "Well? Did everything go smoothly?"
"What did you do to Dobby?" Snape demanded, one eyebrow raised. "Why does Dobby's memory contain an image of Voldemort… and why does it overlap with Wyzett's appearance?"
Settling into his chair, Dumbledore replied with interest, "I'm rather more curious about Mr. Malfoy's reaction."
"He fainted while using the Pensieve," Snape said, his expression odd. "It happened right when the Wyzett in Dobby's memory said he wanted to torture Dobby with the Cruciatus Curse to learn the secret of house-elf Apparition…"
Dumbledore steepled his fingers. "So he remembers that version of Voldemort quite vividly?"
"The Cruciatus Curse… They used it for fun," Snape recalled, voice flat.
"For fun? Then Mr. Malfoy knows just how unpleasant the Cruciatus can be." Dumbledore murmured. "So, what's his next move?"
"He plans to give Dobby to Wyzett as a 'gift'—so Wyzett can torture him." Snape's eyes narrowed. "That's what you wanted, isn't it?"
"In part, yes," Dumbledore nodded, "but there's more. I have some good news for you."
"We've caught the 'Heir.' Unfortunately—or perhaps not—she's a Slytherin: Pansy Parkinson."
"What a coincidence." Snape crossed his arms, suspicion in his eyes. "Let me guess when you caught her… Was it when you had me take Dobby away?"
"Exactly then! Now that you mention it, it really is quite the coincidence." Dumbledore smiled. "In addition to finding the notebook that controlled the Basilisk, I also dealt with the beast itself."
"That easily?" Snape narrowed his eyes. "Where's the notebook?"
"It's a magical artifact," Dumbledore explained. "Wyzett wanted to study it, so I let him take it."
"The principle isn't complicated—Unplottable Charms and the like, to avoid magical detection."
"It could open the Chamber and command the Basilisk because it had a Runespoor imprisoned inside."
"How convenient," Snape remarked, voice dry. "So perfectly arranged! I suppose Pansy Parkinson didn't make the notebook properly…"
"She should've used chocolate and honey to make it. That might have posed a real threat to you."
Dumbledore waved a hand, amused. "We have experienced healers and a brilliant Potions Master. I doubt it would be fatal."
Snape curled his lip. "Since Pansy Parkinson had the notebook, I'll investigate Slytherin House for anything unusual."
"I've also prepared a route map." Dumbledore produced a piece of parchment from his pocket. "It shows most of the places she passed before entering the abandoned bathroom."
Snape scanned the map, then stood up at once. "I'll get started immediately."
…
Following the route map, Snape checked every location along the way.
Unfortunately, he found nothing out of the ordinary. No traces of Dark magic—only the remnants of a few prank items.
At the next stop, Snape's expression soured. "Gilderoy Lockhart's office…"
Knock!
Lockhart, hair full of curlers, flung open the door with a flourish. "Aha! Who could it be? Why, it's Sev—"
Before he could finish, Snape had already raised his wand, pointing it directly at Lockhart's throat.
Lockhart fell instantly silent, clutching his neck in alarm, eyes wide with panic.
He waved his free hand desperately, trying to block Snape from entering.
"Out of my way!" Snape snarled, shoving Lockhart aside and marching straight in.
Out in the corridor, Harry and his friends happened to witness the scene.
With a thunderous slam, the door closed behind them. Harry sucked in a sharp breath. "Blimey… Snape and Lockhart are fighting! D'you think they'll duel?"
"Probably not… right?" Hermione said, worry etched on her face.
"It's tough to pick sides…" Ron scratched his head. "But what if… they both lose?"
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