Chapter 630: The Missing Diary
Chapter 630: The Missing Diary
After learning from Tom Riddle's diary that Hagrid might be involved in the attacks, Harry had decided not to question Hagrid about the Chamber of Secrets unless another attack occurred.
In fact, he didn't know how to bring up the subject with Hagrid and simply pretended that he knew nothing.
Unlike Harry, Hermione was still determined to uncover the truth. She finally found an opportunity to share with Albert the secret she had discovered in Tom Riddle's diary.
In Hermione's eyes, the kind and handsome Albert was undoubtedly a very reliable senior, and she even had the illusion that if anyone could unravel the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, it would probably be Albert.
This might have had something to do with Albert's handsome appearance; the most suitable boyfriend in the eyes of these young girls was no joke.
At this moment, Albert and Hermione were in the entrance hall, watching the ongoing wizard card tournament. When they were sure no one was around, Hermione lowered her voice and asked, "Did you already know that Hagrid was expelled from school because of the incident fifty years ago?"
"Did Hagrid tell you that?" Albert asked, immediately dismissing the possibility. "Hagrid wouldn't tell you about these things unless he had gone crazy."
"We learned about it from Tom Riddle's diary," Hermione said, fixing her eyes on Albert's face.
"Oh, Tom?"
Albert softly repeated the name, as if recalling something, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. "My cat is also called Tom. I remember that you seem to like cats too. You can get one for yourself; cats in the wizarding world are usually very smart."
Hermione agreed with Albert; Mr. Filch's cat, for example, was very clever.
"But can you stop digressing?" Hermione looked into Albert's eyes, feeling that he seemed reluctant to talk about this matter.
"Speaking of which, it's surprising that a diary from fifty years ago has been preserved until now. Do you know where that diary of Tom Riddle's is now? I'm referring to his diary." Albert stated his intention: "Perhaps I can find some useful clues from that diary."
"Tom Riddle's diary may not be what you expect," Hermione said, meeting Albert's eyes before quickly averting her gaze and explaining the wonders of Tom Riddle's diary to him.
"According to what you've said, that diary should be a very precious magical artifact!" Albert gently stroked his goatee as he shared his analysis: "To be honest, I find it hard to imagine that such an item could have been created by a school-age wizard, and yet its effects have lasted for fifty years."
"Hearing you say that, that diary seems quite impressive," Hermione said, surprised that Albert held it in such high regard.
"You don't understand the creation of magical artifacts," Albert explained to her bit by bit. "Typically, magical artifacts can only retain their enchantments for a few months before reverting to their original state. Moreover, the fact that Riddle's diary can automatically restore itself after being damaged indicates a very high level of intelligence. Well, you may not understand what intelligence means—it means the diary has developed a consciousness of its own, almost like having a constant companion. If I had to give an example, it would be the Sorting Hat."
"Tom Riddle seems to have been an extraordinary wizard," Hermione said, unable to help but admire that mysterious stranger (Lord Voldemort) despite never having met him.
"Indeed, he was," Albert agreed, not stingy with his praise. "And that ability to immerse others in his memories—I've seen similar records in certain ancient texts."
Before Hermione could ask further, Albert provided the answer: the Pensieve.
As far as he knew, wizards could use a Pensieve to enter the memories of others.
Well! Albert wanted that technology.
"But you're right about one thing: Tom Riddle's diary is unusual. I suspect that whoever threw away the diary actually knew its purpose, but why would they do that?"
"I can try to persuade Harry to lend you Riddle's diary for your research," Hermione said, feeling that the diary would be far more useful in Albert's hands than in Harry's.
"That would be great," Albert said with a smile, making a plan with Hermione. "After the wizard card tournament is over, let's find Harry and ask to borrow that diary."
In fact, Albert already knew that the diary had recently been taken by Miss Ginny.
"Harry must also want to find the culprit behind the attacks as soon as possible," Hermione said, following Albert into the bustling hall.
In the end, Truman won the tournament.
After the awards ceremony, everyone raised their glasses to celebrate the successful conclusion of the wizard card tournament.
Albert and Hermione found Harry and told him about Albert's intention to borrow Tom Riddle's diary.
Initially, Harry hesitated, but in the end, he agreed to lend it to Albert for research. Harry also knew that Albert was more skilled than himself and might be able to find something useful in the diary.
After a brief celebration, Albert accompanied Harry back to the dormitory to retrieve Riddle's diary. As Harry pushed open the door to enter, he was surprised to find their room in disarray! Their belongings were strewn everywhere; trunks were opened, clothes tossed on the floor, and drawers pulled out with their contents spilled onto the beds.
When Ron entered the room and saw the mess, he turned to Harry and asked, "What happened, Harry?"
Harry bent down to pick up the fallen copy of 'Monsters and Their Beasts', looking around at the chaos in the dormitory before finally managing to stammer, "I-I don't know. I just got back."
"Someone was searching for something, and they obviously didn't know where it was kept, so they ransacked the place," Albert observed, analyzing the situation. "I'm sure it was a Gryffindor student who did this!"
"How do you know it was a Gryffindor student?" Ron asked curiously.
"Ron, students from other houses don't know our password, so they can't enter the Gryffindor common room," Hermione chided, feeling that Ron should use his brain more instead of always asking such obvious questions.
Albert answered knowingly, "First, tidy up the room and see what's missing."
Harry nodded and began picking up his belongings, throwing them back into the trunks and drawers. Once everything was in order, Harry's face took on a strange expression, and he lowered his voice as he spoke to Albert, "Riddle's diary is gone."
"There's something fishy going on here," Albert said, steering the group's thoughts and attention to the heart of the matter. "That diary is suspicious, or else why would someone steal it?"
"Who do you think would take the diary?" Hermione asked.
"The diary's original owner," Albert replied.
"Tom Riddle?" Ron said.
"Of course not, it must be someone else!" Albert shook his head, cautioning them, "If you find that diary again, be wary of whoever has it in their possession. And bring the diary to me or give it to Professor Dumbledore."
"You suspect that Riddle's diary is dangerous," Hermione said anxiously, turning to look at Harry.
"He should be fine," Albert reassured them. "If there was a problem, he would have been sent to the school hospital by now."
(End of Chapter)
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