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Chapter 281: Attack Again!!
Penelope?
Darren remembered.
She was the girl in the original book who had been petrified alongside Hermione.
This time, because of his presence, things unfolded differently—Penelope had run away instead.
Hermione had been unlucky.
And Penelope… she had seen everything.
Fortunately, he hadn't spoken Parseltongue to the basilisk.
Otherwise she would definitely have noticed—
and then he would've been exposed.
Even if, technically… he wasn't the culprit.
But that was beside the point.
He looked at Percy with gentle, helpless eyes.
"It's all right. Anyone would be scared in that situation."
"I know everyone thinks I ran toward it because I'm brave, but honestly… it's only because I knew I could fight back.
And when I rushed in, I was terrified. I didn't even dare look up. In the end, I couldn't even kill it."
His voice softened.
"Please tell Penelope I don't blame her. It's not her fault. She doesn't need to apologize to me."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
"Penelope was scared—fine. But you? You're the prefect! How could you hide things and let everyone misunderstand Darren?!"
Ron exploded, marching straight up to Percy.
He jabbed a finger at Percy's nose, absolutely furious.
Percy flushed with embarrassment and hurried away.
Ron turned back, face still stormy.
"I'm sorry, Darren…"
"There's no need to apologize," Darren said gently. "If anything, maybe we should apologize to Percy instead."
He smiled faintly.
"Penelope is clearly important to him. He hid it because he cares about her, and he still came to tell me. That proves he's kind, too.
Ron… you shouldn't have yelled at him."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Ron looked like he desperately wanted to argue.
But with Darren watching him with those clear green eyes, he caved in instantly.
"Fine, fine, I'll apologize."
Whether he actually would or not was another matter.
No one ever argued with Darren—not when he looked at them like that.
Nobody wanted to cloud those eyes.
"Well… that settles that. Next, I'm going to look for Ginny."
Darren straightened, serious and determined.
Concern filled his eyes.
"Look for Ginny? Didn't Percy say he stopped her?"
"Yeah—Ginny's a little girl, she notices everything. Maybe Percy pressured her a bit…"
Ron scratched his head.
Harry quickly backtracked when he saw Darren's frown.
"I—I mean they're siblings! She'll be fine!"
But Darren's expression didn't ease.
"No. I need to find her. And I don't think that was what Ginny wanted to tell me. Maybe I'm imagining things, but…"
He was already heading for the door.
"I remember Ginny saying she'd go to Madam Pomfrey first and then come meet me.
Let's ask Madam Pomfrey. Even if it turns out to be nothing—it's better than waiting until something happens to her."
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding, Father +100]
[Ding…]
Harry and Ron exchanged uneasy glances.
Maybe Darren was being too anxious… but since they had nothing else to do, they followed.
When they reached the hospital wing, they froze.
Ginny had never arrived.
At last, they understood.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
They hurried to find a professor.
But when they pushed open the staff room door, they discovered it was empty.
Just as they turned to leave, Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly boomed through the entire castle.
"All students are to return to their common rooms at once. A staff member will brief you shortly.
Please return immediately.
All teachers, report to the staff room at once!"
Her tone was tight—shaky.
Something terrible had happened.
Harry, Ron, and Darren stood frozen in the empty staff room, faces pale.
"We…"
Harry whispered, but then—
Footsteps.
Lots of them.
"Quick—hide! The professors are coming!"
Ron yanked Darren inside a cupboard.
The Quidditch team's uniforms were stuffed inside.
Fortunately, the cupboard had gaps—they could see everything outside.
"Another attack," McGonagall said, voice trembling. "A student has been taken by the monster—into the Chamber of Secrets."
"Who?!"
Snape's eyes widened, horror flickering across his face.
His fingers dug into the back of a chair.
"Ginny Weasley."
Snape's hands loosened slightly.
He didn't speak again.
"How did we learn this?"
Professor Sprout clutched her chest, nearly crying.
How had Hogwarts become so dangerous?
"The Heir of Slytherin left another message," McGonagall said bitterly.
"Just beneath the last one."
Her voice wavered.
"It reads:
Her bones will lie in the Chamber forever."
Her lips parted, struggling for breath.
Her eyes were red.
"Tomorrow… send the students home. That's it. I can't allow another child to—"
But she was interrupted.
By Lockhart.
Lockhart was trembling violently.
Yet he wore a bright smile, his golden hair freshly washed and curled.
He even smelled of shampoo.
He must have styled himself before coming.
He wore a pale yellow robe that glittered with every movement.
"Oh! Terribly sorry I'm late—my dear little fans were still waiting for my replies!"
He beamed proudly, oblivious to the pure hatred radiating from the staff.
"Ha! Our problem-solver has arrived," Snape said coldly, laughing under his breath.
"Minerva, I suggest we just send Lockhart—he's 'handled' plenty of these situations."
He shoved Lockhart forward.
"Didn't you tell us yesterday you knew where the Chamber was?"
Professor Sprout added sharply.
Lockhart turned instantly white.
"I—I never… I can't… perhaps you should all go first?"
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