Chapter 80: No More Attacks
Chapter 80: No More Attacks
Harry was in a foul mood.
He had discovered that Riddle's diary was missing!
Ever since his last conversation with Riddle, where he learned that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened once before and that Hagrid was the prime suspect, Harry had kept the diary hidden in his drawer.
But when he opened the drawer today, the diary had vanished without a trace.
In the common room, Harry told Ron and Hermione about what happened.
"Could it be that Riddle escaped from the diary? After all, you haven't spoken to him for over two months", Ron speculated.
Harry was speechless.
"It doesn't have legs, how could it escape on its own? I think someone must have stolen it."
At that moment, Neville happened to pass by, and Ron asked him casually.
"Have you seen Harry's diary in his drawer, Neville?"
Neville looked flustered and stammered.
"N-no, I haven't."
Then he hurried away.
Ron, stroking his chin, watched Neville's retreating back thoughtfully.
"Neville's behavior seems suspicious."
Harry said listlessly.
"Don't be ridiculous. Even if you told me a house-elf took it, I wouldn't believe Neville stole it."
Ron shrugged, admitting he was just joking.
Anyone could be a thief, but not Neville, because he was too timid.
Hermione, on the other hand, seemed distracted, holding a thick book and apparently searching for something.
Harry and Ron turned to her and complained.
"You've been reading that book for three days. What are you looking for?"
Hermione closed the book and glared at them.
"I'm looking for details you'll never notice."
With that, she stood up.
"I'm going to return this book to the library. Do you want to come with me?"
Harry and Ron exchanged glances, sharing the same thought.
"We're going for a walk, but not to the library. The Quidditch match is coming up, and Wood is waiting for me to do the final practice."
They left the Gryffindor common room together and parted ways in the corridor.
The weather outside was pleasant, perfect for a Quidditch match.
Harry and Ron walked side by side, still discussing the diary.
"Should we tell a professor about this?" Ron asked.
Harry shook his head. "How would we explain it to them? They won't take a regular diary seriously, but if we tell them everything, what about Hagrid?"
Even if he himself was accused of being Slytherin's heir, Harry didn't want Hagrid to be suspected by others.
They walked down the stairs and, at a corner on the third floor, they saw two figures chatting in the corridor.
It was Sherlock and Professor Flitwick.
Their contrasting heights were striking, with Sherlock having to look down to speak to the diminutive professor.
Harry pulled on Ron's sleeve, and they hid behind a wall, listening to their conversation.
"Are you ready for the final exam?" Professor Flitwick, who was always concerned about Sherlock's academic progress at Hogwarts, asked.
These days, Sherlock has been busy with the Chamber of Secrets incident. Even though he already knows who the Heir of Slytherin is from Dumbledore, he still doesn't know where the diary is now.
"Preparations are almost complete. The practical exams are easy to set, and I'm currently working on the test papers. Since I need to prepare five sets, it's taking some time."
"Every year, this is the busiest time, but once this period is over, the summer holidays will be very quiet."
Then he said with concern,
"Just the attack incidents haven't been resolved yet. The culprit hasn't been caught, and I'm not sure if the final exams can proceed smoothly this year."
Harry and Ron, upon hearing this, both felt a sense of foreboding rise in their hearts.
They exchanged a frightened glance, just about to jump up and stop him, when Sherlock spoke again.
"It's been so long; there shouldn't be any more attacks." He thought about his conversation with Dumbledore in the office yesterday, "The attacker's motives are not simple."
Sherlock noticed Harry and Ron jumping down the stairs with expressions of deep distress.
He looked at them, their faces twisted as if they had swallowed cockroaches,
"What's wrong with you two?"
Harry's face was miserable, grieving for the next student who might be attacked.
"Nothing, Professor, we just have a bit of a stomachache."
Sherlock looked at Harry, then at Ron, who also looked in pain.
"You both have stomachaches?"
Professor Flitwick analyzed,
"Perhaps you both ate something unclean. If it gets worse, you should go to the Hospital Wing."
"No need, Professor. It's just a slight pain. It'll be fine in a bit. We have a Quidditch match soon, so we'll be going!"
Harry and Ron fled in a panic, leaving Professor Flitwick and Sherlock bewildered by their last words.
What does "slight pain" mean?
Harry and Ron ran all the way to the end of the corridor before stopping.
Ron grabbed his hair, saying in despair,
"It's over, really over! Since Professor Forrest has said it, there will definitely be more attacks!"
Harry paced back and forth, tense.
"The situation is more complicated now. Malfoy has been attacked, which means anyone in the castle could be a target!"
"What are we going to do?"
Ron was flustered, but Harry couldn't think of a better plan either. Despite their intelligence, they were only thirteen years old, and their limited experience left them unsure of what to do next.
Just as Harry was at a loss, a familiar and unpleasant voice suddenly came from above.
"Kill you, kill you, kill"
Harry tightly grabbed Ron's arm.
"Did you hear that, Ron?"
Ron looked bewildered; he hadn't heard anything.
Harry tried to follow the direction of the voice, but it disappeared, and he couldn't pinpoint its source.
Harry's face turned grim.
"It's started. Every time someone is attacked, I hear that voice. Professor Forrest's jinx and the voice appearing together mean someone is about to be attacked!"
(End of Chapter)
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