Chapter 60: Splitting Up
Chapter 60: Splitting Up
Ron and Hermione's expressions were a mix of relief and concern.
Harry struggled to his feet, "Thanks to your information, Hermione. Parseltongue really can control the Basilisk."
Hermione covered her mouth, "Harry, you almost died, do you know that?"
"Yes, I'm sorry!" Justin said from the floor, "He was trying to save me..."
He stood up, dusted off his hands on his clothes, and extended his hand formally, "Harry, I'm sorry. I've been misunderstanding you. I spoke to Professor Hup, and he assured me you were not the culprit, but I was terrified during that Duelling Class..."
"It's fine", Harry said, putting on a relaxed demeanor. He extended his hand, and the two shook.
"A satisfactory resolution, right?" Ron said, "I don't want to spoil the friendly atmosphere, but I think we should notify a professor as soon as possible."
"Wait", Harry walked to a wooden door in front of him, which was slightly ajar.
"This can't be..." Hermione covered her mouth.
"It's possible", Harry said, "But it should be empty now."
He pushed the door open and walked in.
Ron and Hermione followed closely behind.
It was a small, dusty room with a long trail leading to a spot on the wall.
"Do you think this is an entrance to the Chamber?" Hermione asked.
"We've discussed it, right?" Harry examined where the Basilisk's trail disappeared, "The Chamber might have only one entrance, but to facilitate the Basilisk's movements, Slytherin could have left multiple exits in the castle's pipes."
Harry used Parseltongue, "Open." Justin shuddered at the sound.
The wall remained unresponsive, which disappointed him.
Ron guessed, "Harry, if this exit was truly prepared for the Basilisk by Slytherin, he must have set specific conditions—"
"Conversely, that means the true entrance to the Chamber doesn't have these restrictions!" Hermione said excitedly.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Ron looked relieved, "We just need to inform a professor. Anyone but Lockhart..."
Harry said, "No, you two should go and inform the professors."
The three of them looked at him in confusion.
"Listen, you go and find Dumbledore, Professor Mcgonagall, Professor Hup, or even Snape."
"What about you, Harry?"
"I'll keep an eye out to prevent the Basilisk from coming back. From my conversation with it, it's not exactly well-tempered. If it gets the urge to attack again..." Harry gave them a meaningful look, "We've already figured out the true entrance to the Chamber, haven't we? We'll meet there!"
Harry took a deep breath and ran off.
"Let's go!" Ron and Hermione immediately sprang into action.
"Wait!" Justin stood up, "I'll help too."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance, "Alright, if you find any professor, tell them to go to the abandoned girls' bathroom where Moaning Myrtle usually stays. The monster in the Chamber is a Basilisk, and warn them to be careful not to look into its eyes."
The three of them split up and went their separate ways.
On the other side, Harry sprinted towards the bathroom. Just as he was about to reach it, he collided with someone at the corner, and the two crashed into each other.
Harry's glasses flew off, and he felt an intense pain all over, reminiscent of the time he fell off his broom during a Quidditch match. He glanced at the young wizard opposite him and recognized Draco Malfoy by his hair color.
Malfoy was also badly shaken. His expression was blank, as if he had been stunned, and a black notebook flew out of his arms.
"Potter..." he said with a dazed look, then finally came to his senses. "Potter!"
Harry picked up his glasses from the ground and quickly stood up. "Get lost, Malfoy!" he said and immediately left.
Draco, left behind, looked around in a daze, his expression suddenly turning to one of fear.
"Pant... Pant..."
Harry continued his sprint and finally reached the girls' bathroom. He pushed the door open and ignored the puddles on the floor.
He carefully used Parseltongue to say, "Are you there? The monster in the Chamber?" He was ready to close his eyes at any moment.
After a few seconds, just as he thought everything was safe, he heard a rustling sound.
It was the Basilisk!
Harry followed the faint noise, moving his steps. He deduced that the Basilisk had returned through another pipe. Based on their earlier analysis, although Hogwarts' castle was riddled with various pipes, the Chamber could not be hidden within them. Therefore, there must be a single connection between the two.
And this place was the entrance to the Chamber.
Their discussions had concluded that the entrance to the Chamber was most likely where Moaning Myrtle was killed—the now-abandoned girls' bathroom. Moaning Myrtle had enthusiastically mentioned that on the day she died, she had heard a boy's voice.
That boy could only be the previous Heir of Slytherin!
Following the faint sounds, Harry reached the center of the bathroom, where there was a row of circular sinks. He gently placed his backpack to one side, ignoring the water on the floor, and lay down, pressing his ear to the metal pipes of the sink.
After a sound like a slimy hose sliding across the floor, the noise disappeared completely.
Harry waited in silence for about ten seconds, then stood up and carefully examined the sink, as expected, finding a Slytherin emblem on the side of one of the faucets.
He couldn't contain his excitement and whispered in Parseltongue, "Open."
Instantly, the faucet emitted a blinding white light and began to spin rapidly. Then, the sink started to move, slowly disappearing from view, revealing a large, dark pipe.
Harry stepped through the puddles and peered into the pipe. It was pitch black, as if leading straight to hell.
Harry hesitated, wondering whether to go down. Normally, he would have jumped in without a second thought. But after being given detention by Professor Hup and copying the rules about the reckless actions and punishments of young wizards for two days, he felt more cautious.
"What are you doing?"
A very melancholic voice appeared behind him, very close, as if speaking right next to his ear.
Harry was startled, his foot slipped, and he fell into the secret passage, disappearing into the darkness.
His last glimpse was of Moaning Myrtle's face, which showed a look of great surprise.
My backpack...
It has Professor Hup's Magical Automaton!
(End of Chapter)
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