Chapter 88: The Entrance to the Chamber of Secrets
Chapter 88: The Entrance to the Chamber of Secrets
"We have important matters to report to Professor Mcgonagall, Percy! You'd better let us out!" Ron had little respect for his older brother, especially since Percy was the most pretentious among all his siblings.
Percy was annoyed by Ron's attitude but didn't say much, merely responding coolly.
"Professor Mcgonagall isn't in her office right now. The professors are all busy with urgent matters. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow morning."
The Prefects guarding Hogwarts, not just Percy, had no intention of letting Harry and Ron out. It was clear that Professor Mcgonagall had given them strict orders before leaving.
With no other choice, Harry and the others decided to return to their dormitory and report the matter to the professors in the morning.
Meanwhile, the main professors of Hogwarts were gathered in Dumbledore's office.
"Minerva, you'll be responsible for escorting the students home tomorrow morning. The rest of you can stay in the castle if you wish, or you can leave with the train."
Dumbledore calmly assigned the tasks, as if ready to disband the group.
The professors still looked incredulous.
They couldn't believe that Hogwarts, a magic school nearly a thousand years old, which had survived the chaos caused by two Dark Lords, was about to be closed down—especially under the leadership of Dumbledore, the greatest headmaster in Hogwarts' history.
It seemed utterly absurd.
Professor Sprout sniffled, her eyes red-rimmed as she asked.
"Is it really too late to turn things around?"
Professor Mcgonagall, whose face was usually stern, now looked unusually despondent. She was silent, clearly unable to accept the situation.
Professor Flitwick kept shaking his head and sighing, and even Snape, who was always sullen, looked pale and tense, wondering if Dumbledore was truly powerless.
Dumbledore, however, smiled lightly at their expressions and reassured them.
"Don't look so despondent. It's just a temporary closure. Once the castle is secured, the school will resume normal operations."
He leaned back in his chair and addressed the professors.
"Prepare for the night patrol. Let's not have any mishaps on our last night. Perhaps we might make an unexpected discovery and catch the culprit before the closure."
The four Heads of House left Dumbledore's office, but Sherlock stayed behind.
He stared at Dumbledore, who was lost in thought, and asked.
"Are you leaving Hogwarts tonight?"
Dumbledore's fingers tapped lightly on the desk.
"This is a rare opportunity, but not the only one. We need to give him a sense of security." He glanced at a letter on his desk, "Besides, I do have an important matter to attend to tomorrow."
Sherlock could vaguely see the signature on the letter—“Nicolas Flamel.”
"What if you don't manage to draw Tom out as you plan?"
Dumbledore smiled gently.
"Then we'll conduct a thorough search of Hogwarts after the closure. We'll keep searching until we find the Basilisk."
"But your reputation—"
"Oh, do you think I care about that, Sherlock?" He blinked, unconcerned, "If my reputation could be exchanged for something tangible, I would do it without hesitation. Those ephemeral opinions mean nothing to me."
Sherlock reluctantly got up, preparing to take his leave.
He felt that Dumbledore's plan had a chance of success, but the risk of failure was equally high. However, he kept these thoughts to himself.
As Sherlock was about to leave the office, Dumbledore suddenly spoke up.
"Whatever happens, you must protect Harry. And don't forget the things I prepared for you."
Sherlock turned his back to Dumbledore and raised a hand, indicating that he understood, then left the Headmaster's office.
This last night at Hogwarts was restless for most of the students.
Harry and Ron were no exception. They tossed and turned until the early hours of the morning, only managing to catch a few hours of fitful sleep. When they woke up, they found that the sky was already beginning to lighten.
They got out of bed and prepared to wash up, only to realize that Neville's bed was empty!
"Where's Neville?" Harry asked curiously.
Dean and Seamus, their dorm mates, both shook their heads. They had no idea where Neville had gone.
Harry sensed something was wrong and quickly ran out of the common room with Ron. At this point, there were no Prefects around to stop them.
They didn't find Professor Mcgonagall in her office but encountered Nearly Headless Nick in the corridor. Nick looked downcast, floating along and sighing deeply.
Harry hurriedly asked, "Have you seen Professor Mcgonagall, Nick?"
"Professor Mcgonagall?" Nick sighed. "I just saw the professors gathering in the staff common room."
"Thank you, Nick!"
As Harry and Ron turned to head to the staff common room, they heard Nick muttering to himself.
"Back when Myrtle died fifty years ago, things weren't this bad. Hogwarts is about to be closed."
Harry suddenly stopped in his tracks, frozen in place. Ron looked at him, puzzled.
"What's wrong? We need to find the professor!"
Harry's eyes widened, his excitement almost spilling over.
He didn't answer Ron but quickly turned back to Nick.
"You said Myrtle died fifty years ago!"
Nick was deeply saddened by the prospect of Hogwarts closing, his face troubled.
"Yes, fifty years ago, the rumor was that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened. Myrtle died in the bathroom on the first floor. Back then, Hogwarts wasn't closed, but now... sigh."
Harry jumped up excitedly.
"I know! I know where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is!"
Ron still looked bewildered, not understanding why Harry was so excited.
"Fifty years ago, the monster from the Chamber of Secrets killed Myrtle! She died in the bathroom on the first floor and has stayed there as a ghost ever since! Plus, the bathroom is an entrance to the pipes!"
Harry pulled Ron along as they sprinted toward the staff common room, explaining rapidly.
"So it's very likely that the bathroom is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets! We need to tell the professors right away!"
(End of Chapter)
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