The Great Hall fell into stunned silence. Professors and students alike were reading the newspaper, each reacting differently.
The Heads of Houses felt a little awkward. The article didn't name them directly, but logically speaking, if not Dumbledore, it had to have been them who intervened.
"Clearly it was Riddle who had his dragons block our path," muttered Snape, disgruntled. Unfortunately for him, Flitwick happened to overhear.
Professor Flitwick shook his head helplessly. "Mr. Riddle's decision was the correct one. Without someone keeping the students in check, chaos could have escalated. We simply failed to notice the basilisk first."
Meanwhile, the students, having finished reading the newspaper, all glanced at Tom.
At that moment, Tom felt his cheeks flush.
"Hehe, Tom, you're blushing!" Daphne teased brightly, noticing his slight discomfort. Even the little snakes around him seemed to smile knowingly.
"Who's blushing?"
He patted the girl lightly on the head, scowling in mock annoyance, and put the newspaper away while continuing his breakfast.
It wasn't the praise in the paper that made him blush. Tom was honest, what they wrote was all true. No reason to feel embarrassed.
It was because he'd tricked Dumbledore again, and that tiny pang of guilt made him feel a bit off.
No matter how brilliant the work, even the finest brew must be marketed. Without spreading the news properly, he'd never get a Level One Merlin Medal before graduation.
He had to make the Ministry of Magic and the review committee understand just how monumental his actions had been.
Inevitably, that meant throwing a little shade along the way.
Old Dumbledore, don't worry. I may have tricked you, but I'll make it right eventually.
Tom thought to himself, and with that resolve, he shoved the guilt completely aside.
Outside, parents of many students saw the newspaper and, combined with letters sent from Hogwarts, were breaking into cold sweats.
A basilisk at Hogwarts? What kind of environment are our children living in?
How is Dumbledore even running this school?!
Owls flew across the country carrying complaints and letters of thanks, from enraged parents to accolades for Tom. The castle roof was constantly crowded with them, even during class.
Dumbledore's office became impossible to enter. Owls simply flew in through the corridor windows, dropping letters straight onto the Gargoyle.
The already eager gargoyle was nearly bursting. Day by day, Dumbledore kept giving him more work for no reason; by now, he was so full of letters he could barely eat.
Inside the office, Dumbledore was utterly stunned.
He had intended to quietly handle the basilisk and Chamber of Secrets incident, but he hadn't expected the story to spread so quickly, let alone hit the Daily Prophet. Now, every wizarding family in the country knew.
He had no choice but to cancel his planned trip to the Ministry and focus on answering the flood of irate parent letters.
The next day, he didn't even need to go to the Ministry. Fudge arrived at Hogwarts with a massive escort of Aurors and several Ministry officials.
Inside Dumbledore's office, Fudge was still wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, flushed from the stress.
He had just learned from Dumbledore that everything reported in the paper was true.
"Cornelius, fifty years ago Hagrid was expelled for allegedly opening the Chamber of Secrets. It's now proven he was innocent; the Ministry should restore his wizarding status."
"Albus… that's not the point here."
Fudge, maintaining respect and restraint, sighed. "You need to consider how to explain this to the public. The children are safe now, yes, but who would willingly have Level-50 magical creatures living in the same castle as their kids?"
"Minister, that's a rather insightful observation," piped up a short, plump middle-aged witch in a pink sweater, her voice shrill but filled with admiration. "This time it was a basilisk, what next? A dragon? Or perhaps a venomous leopard?"
"We can't just look at the surface. We must examine the underlying causes," Dumbledore replied, frowning slightly. His sapphire-blue eyes flashed a sharp glint before returning to their usual calm.
Fudge's lips twitched into a small smile, though he waved dismissively, feigning humility. "Dolores, you exaggerate. I only worry for the children's safety. After all, I am Minister of Magic. Albus, I hope you don't take offense?"
"Of course not," Dumbledore shook his head. "I can assure you, the castle is safe. Apart from the basilisk, no other dangerous magical creature could remain hidden for centuries. Your concern is unnecessary."
Fudge bristled inwardly.
Unnecessary? I'm the Minister of Magic! My responsibility is the entire magical population of the British Isles! How could I not consider them?!
Still, he had no desire to clash with Dumbledore, at least, not now.
"Very well. I'm willing to trust you, Albus," Fudge said, changing the subject. "But may I meet this little hero? He's the key to the incident. If he assists you, and the Ministry speaks on his behalf, public anger should subside considerably."
"I'll summon Mr. Riddle right away."