330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiwvzJKVfQ
About two weeks ago,
Snape reported to Dumbledore, "I find something suspicious about Miss Weasley."
During the interrogation about the reason for Eugene's withdrawal application, he used Legilimency on him.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtO1X4FUbB
Seeing Ginny's cruel side, he couldn't believe that the Weasley family could produce such a 'brilliant' descendent.
But he couldn't report it too "strongly" to Dumbledore, because Dumbledore was tired of hearing about his complaints towards the Weasley family.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8KfAT2WSv
Given the connection between the Weasley family and Harry, it's possible that it could ultimately involve Harry.
Dumbledore didn't dismiss Snape's warning too lightly, "I will keep an eye on her."
He sighed inwardly, "The Weasley family really like to break the rules."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ5dixb2h0
Dumbledore had just used his influence to ensure that Arthur wouldn't be fired from the Ministry of Magic due to the flying car incident, but demoted.
The Weasley family's financial situation couldn't get any worse, otherwise, even their newly independent eldest and second sons would be held back.
If this flying car incident had happened fifty years ago, and if the Weasley family had no connection to Harry...
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufbpO7d6jE
Dumbledore knew he was too biased in favour of this family, so when the Headmaster of Ilvermorny sent a letter inquiring about why Eugene transferred schools and what happened at Hogwarts, Dumbledore wrote a letter full of kind words.
Saying that Eugene had been a little mistreated at Hogwarts and he hoped they would provide him with a safe haven and offer him the emotional support he needed.
He also instructed the other teachers to keep a close eye on Ginny, not allowing any special treatment so that she could focus on her studies.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21g5OlCgn3
He guessed that Eugene was being so fine in Ilvermorny that he sent him a letter from America, apologizing and saying that Ginny was not to blame.
The other teachers also reported to him that Ginny, aside from being not sociable, doesn't have any major issues and doesn't seek trouble.
That's why Dumbledore wanted to personally meet Ginny, and bring her to Eugene and observe their interaction.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaD1s36G6v
--------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRara7OvM0
"Hi, it has been a long time," Eugene greeted first.
Ginny's eyes showed hatred and distance, still hiding behind Dumbledore, unwilling to interact.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB5HY11FAJ
"I know I was wrong..." Eugene said a lot.
Ginny's expression improved, but she remained silent still.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX85jlo5B2
Dumbledore prompted, "In Slytherin, is it directed at all Gryffindor students or just Ginny?"
Eugene hesitated and glanced at Ginny with fear in his eyes.
"Malfoy heard that Ginny and I were in the same group, that's why..."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIE75KK5Rm
His confession took a lot of courage. It meant that he had no intention of going back to England.
But Dumbledore, on the other hand, thought that this also meant Ginny was scarier than Malfoy in his mind.
Why would he be afraid to such an extent?
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKuD3PXeT4
However, even when Eugene said this much, Ginny remained indifferent in her heart.
Her reputation had already been destroyed.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W0v01hJ1b
She couldn't let go of the people who had spoken ill of her and accept them again.
Time couldn't be turned back, just like how a murdered person wouldn't come back to life, and no matter how sorry the killer was, even if the killer is sentenced to death, it wouldn't make a difference.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3lH3fk5iO
Ginny knew that her dream of a wonderful cheerful campus life no longer existed.
This mistake wasn't solely Eugene's, but Eugene was the only one who was kind enough to apologize.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Liu5Em5St
"Goodbye," was the only word Ginny said to Eugene.
Eugene wasn't forgiven but forgotten.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDkkQx7n3q
Dumbledore felt that this was enough.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lFky5ket6
-------------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vFCe90o6g
Back at Hogwarts, Ginny let out a sigh of relief.
Dumbledore asked, "How are you feeling?"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5iRvaFg83
Ginny looked at him gratefully and said, "Thank you, Professor."
Dumbledore said, "Let the past be gone."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM53VOEAkYq
Ginny hesitantly asked, "Professor, there's one more thing about my parents..."
She explained the situation with Percy's view of her.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzifRPJcdxz
Dumbledore hadn't received any letters or withdrawal requests from the Weasley couple.
He speculated that the Weasleys probably couldn't afford to have Ginny go back home.
Ginny's worries were unnecessary, and it was very likely that the Weasleys had already written back to scold Percy.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiA8rWGxDy
"I will talk to your parents, don't worry," Dumbledore reassured her.
He could only comfort Ginny in this way.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PV0yRN1hJ
He truly hoped that the Weasley family wouldn't cause any more trouble this year...
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaqHt3T2NO
-----------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z0SwqdJIJ
"Ginny, wake up."
Hermione pulled open her bed curtain, and sunlight streamed in.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM07ybXAud
Ginny had her arms crossed, holding a diary.
Hermione found it strange, wondering what kind of sleeping habit it was.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sbVgPe3CW
Suddenly, Ginny opened her eyes in panic, gasping for breath, as if she were a fish pulled out of water.
"What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" Hermione asked, concerned.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJD5Gt3Ukk
"You came back late last night, so it's no wonder you overslept. I'm going to have breakfast now. Come down soon, OK?" Hermione sighed and left after checking the time.
Ginny's last memory was falling from a height, fracturing her shin, and then succumbing to unconsciousness amidst tremendous fear and pain.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1FdF65Stb
"Tom?" She looked at the diary in her hands and then checked her perfectly intact body.
Was last night just her imagination? How did she return to the dormitory?
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2WAsmWukS
During breakfast, she kept looking toward the Hufflepuff table but didn't see Ricky.
Ginny felt uneasy and couldn't eat.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UuqiW9r3c
Before the first class started, she pushed open the door to the girls' restroom and opened the diary.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHNbhoTl0p
Ginny: What happened?
Tom didn't play coy this time: I healed you and modified Ricky's memory.
Ginny was astonished: How did you do it?
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN0Rzi7Tw9
Last night, Tom hadn't wanted to intervene.
Ginny was sensitive about trivial things but tended not to overthink when it came to important matters, causing herself great trouble.
However, Tom couldn't remind her to think differently.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4j5b8U1H7
At that time, Hagrid asked Ricky to call Dumbledore.
He was worried that if Dumbledore came, he might notice the diary, so...
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLhXvoET6k
Tom:
I endured the pain and got up while Ricky hadn't gone far. I used a spell to stun him from behind.
Hagrid was surprised and asked me what I was doing.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatmN7L4Zyk
I secretly healed your leg while crying. I blamed Ricky for attacking me and hitting the venomous bug on my face.
I said it was definitely a trap, and I couldn't break the rules again because Percy had already badmouthed me in front of my parents.
If Dumbledore found out about my nighttime adventures, I would surely be sent back home.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQelIuZcXt
After crying for a long time, Hagrid finally believed me.
He let me use the levitation charm to take Ricky back to the castle.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW12oRqhc2Q
As soon as I returned to the castle, I modified Ricky's memory.
It became that he slapped you in a panic, and you punched him in the nose, feeling disgusted and angry.
Hagrid heard you two arguing and came over to scold both of you. You pleaded with him not to report it.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XLp8KJJQc
Hagrid sternly warned both of you not to repeat it, and this time, he let it go.
So, on the way back to the castle, you made up with each other again.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKAmPwsTVK
Ginny found it all too incredible.
Tom could control her body, attack others, and even modify someone else's memory?
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uUnJWXZR5
Wasn't this dark magic?
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZeMnrx4Dj
But she didn't have time to dwell on this terrifying thought, she was almost late for her first class: Herbology.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1a2BkhcQT
Ricky showed up, and when he saw her, he touched his nose, which had just been treated by Madam Pomfrey that morning.
Before Ginny could say anything, he apologized again, saying he shouldn't have brought such dangerous bugs and gone to such a dangerous place last night.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6UlFLBPyM
Ginny could only awkwardly indicate that it was nothing.
She touched her face, realizing that Tom had only healed her leg.
There was still a bump on her face, like a mosquito bite, but it still hurt when pressed.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6hhLeBUjW
During dinner, Hagrid proactively came to talk to Ginny, which scared her.
Hagrid said that if she had free time over the weekend, she should come to his hut to chat and not pay attention to those annoying little brats.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IJZUGKWtO
Ginny had no choice but to continue lying and said that she and Ricky had apologized and made amends.
She also mentioned that Eugene had contacted her and apologized with Dumbledore's help.
She genuinely thanked him for that, promised to be more careful in the future, and so on.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZDFM3kF3U
Hagrid didn't sense anything amiss and bid her farewell with kindness, cheering her on.
And so, for now, this incident was temporarily brushed aside.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh3e7F1Ogm
After such an eventful day, Ginny lay in bed, thinking before sleep,
"Even if Tom knew dark magic or was a product of dark magic, fortunately, he wasn't a bad person..."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC62HS5xFO3
-------------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1ktpfbOpd
Fifty years ago,
Tom was in the pitch-black, dripping underground tunnel filled with tiny animal bones, eerie and terrifying, cautiously moving forward.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPevq9JoZK
"Why did you come?" Basilisk spoke before he got close, and Tom could only see its shadow and tail.
It was in the process of shedding its skin, and Tom couldn't tell how long it had been, but its voice was filled with weariness and pain.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQW27ktckH
"I came to apologize," Tom said with a sincere tone.
His voice had changed from a few years ago.
After going through puberty, it became deeper and more pleasant.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyqdLwl1mN
"Hmph," Basilisk didn't take it.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifwBIVrAhK
Tom said, "I understand now how difficult it is for you. Please allow me to help."
He extended his wand and tapped it on the old skin.
The old skin gradually dissolved, and Basilisk felt much better.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjdHrHTOkH
"Have you found my master?" Basilisk asked.
"No, not at all. There are no leads," Tom replied.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ2EEeayA7
Basilisk asked, "What about your parents? Why has no one from your family ever come to Hogwarts?"
Tom said, "I don't know them. I was abandoned at a Muggle orphanage."
He added, "So when I first started school, I was bullied by the pure-blood students, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."
Basilisk patted its tail and said, "You, the half-breed, just go away."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvZxBLRCSh
Tom didn't give up. "Perhaps the Slytherin family are just good at abandoning others. Don't you think?"
Basilisk insisted, "My master did not abandon me!"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAUXiIyr6p
Tom said, "Whatever. I just came to tell you. I'll be graduating in two years, and I may not come back. Take care of yourself."
Tom didn't believe that it would want to spend the rest of its life to stay here alone forever.
And he is right, halfway through his walk, Basilisk said, "Wait."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLE7EZ7vRb
Tom stopped in his tracks, feeling the Basilisk slithering toward him.
He didn't turn around as the Basilisk's shadow gradually covered him.
"Promise me that you will fulfill my master's vision, and I will give you the Chamber of Secrets," Basilisk said, it keeps its purpose.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KKLB9gPAx
Tom calmly responds, "I'm a half-breed too. Are you trying to make me exclude myself as well?"
Basilisk said, "At the very least, I want the Mudbloods to be expelled."
Tom said, "How am I supposed to know who is a Mudblood?"
Basilisk said, "That's your problem."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVgZdpAtNn
Tom said from a different perspective, "I came with good intentions to apologize to you, hoping that you could have a better life, but you treat me like this?"
Basilisk wasn't foolish either and replied, "You dirty half-breed, you're here only after the master's inheritance!"
Tom sighed inwardly.
He had indeed insulted it too harshly during their previous encounter...
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD0iQOZRch
He vowed to himself that he would never reveal his true self again, no matter who it was, in any circumstance.
At the same time, he kept silently calling out in his mind, "Fawkes!"
But the Fawkes didn't appear.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wRdtB7f3V
Fawkes!
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RnTNT82zG
Basilisk continued to threaten, "What's wrong? If you don't agree, then die here."
Its wet tongue was touching the back of Tom's neck.
Tom shivered and thought to himself for the millionth time, "Curse Dumbledore! And his big, unreliable, stupid bird!"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FEMgXhIOk
-----------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAbetiE8FE
"It forced me to make an Unbreakable Vow. I must kill it," Tom said fiercely to Dumbledore upon returning to the surface.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs12PUN41D
Dumbledore carefully thought about it and found a flaw in the vow.
"So it doesn't even know who is a Mudblood or a half-blood. It all relies on your judgment?"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDHBLSvIZo
Tom also realized where the flaw was.
"The problem is, I don't really know that many Mudbloods. There aren't any in Slytherin... In the other houses, I can only recall three."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcYcr6rg1m
Blood status is not something people often discuss openly.
It's easier to identify with new students, but when Tom was in his lower years, he was hardly social with anyone talking about these staff.
As he advanced to higher years, there's only fewer people would bring it up, especially in front of Slytherin students.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZJ32zRVTU
Dumbledore said, "So all we need to do is carefully plan three incidents and we can gain access to the Chamber of Secrets."
Tom hesitated and asked, "Three incidents? What kind of incidents?"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdV3dztzMn
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes and said, "The Basilisk's eyes are too large; it's likely nearsighted, and it has lived underground for years..."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQBQQiF8XW
--------------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnYAOKrxAl
Therefore, in the Chamber of Secrets incident in 1943, all three victims were only petrified and then sent to the hospital out of Hogwarts for recovery.
Each victim happened to be alone at the time, appearing in secluded and wide areas, conveniently avoiding patrols.
During the incidents, there were always mirrors, reflective surfaces, or crystals nearby, and upon waking up, the victims vaguely mentioned seeing something yellowish and blackish in a flash.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9UfRDbbmp
No one checked Tom's alibi because he was always on his prefect duty during each incident, paired with Dumbledore.
The teachers also never suspected Tom because they knew behind the scenes: he was the only student in the school who came from a Muggle orphanage, most likely the only Mudblood in Slytherin, right?
That's why Tom was the highest-risk student and needed careful protection instead.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvYfynGQQW
As for his classmates, they have no reason to suspect him either.
Tom still had to take the N.E.W.T. exams this year, and all his peers were busy studying while awake.
No one wanted to be the unlucky prefect, risking their lives every day for patrols this year.
The pure-blood students even secretly rejoiced, as they finally got the chance to close the gap between them and the top scorer.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukmxpDbqKS
Basilisk also rejoiced inside the plumbing, truly believing that it had killed three people.
It couldn't understand human speech, but it knew the scent and frequency of people's fear.
After centuries of silence, it had finally fulfilled its purpose as a basilisk!
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUOfHbP5J0
"Tom, oh Tom!"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCLMebaM7X
Basilisk, filled with joy, opened the final Chamber of Secrets — the Slytherin's study room for him.
"Now you can continue our master's research and achieve immortality with me!"
Tom smiled on the surface, but inside, he thought, "Finally, I'll be free! Tonight, once I lure it out again, Dumbledore and Newt have set up the final trap..."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz0YFK8zwY
However, unexpectedly, when they emerged from the Chamber that night, they heard a voice from a restroom.
Who could have been here after long bypassing the curfew...
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiqYdwYwlY
When Tom turned back and saw Myrtle's lifeless body, he couldn't react at all.
Basilisk simply asked, "So, was she also a Mudblood?"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f4iSJQUNS
Tom forced himself to remain calm and said, "I'll go check. You go back first."
The basilisk sensed something was off with Tom's emotions and asked, "Are you sure you'll come back for me?"
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaZAD58HV7
This question once again invoked the "Unbreakable Vow."
Did Basilisk now suffer from separation anxiety?
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlX9i46qAG
"Um," Tom, with an unsettled state of mind, made another vow lightly.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgd4iciYtD
----------------------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hRxLISMuB
"We must frame Rubeus Hagrid for this," Dumbledore said to him.
Tom's face turned pale. "But..."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvSfWFdXlq
Dumbledore continued, "Even if Hagrid graduates normally, he won't find a job in the wizarding world. Besides, he's already violated school rules and compromised the safety of the school by raising that creature."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhjH9voZYd
Tom shook his head. "No one would believe it. The giant spider doesn't have the power to petrify people, does it?"
Dumbledore said, "That's why you need to let the spider escape. We can't let people determine its true nature."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdf7qWRIAQ
Tom furrowed his brow. "What? No one would believe that Hagrid is the heir of Slytherin. It's too far-fetched, isn't it?"
Dumbledore said, "No one is certain that the petrification incidents were caused by the heir of Slytherin. It's just that the three victims all happened to be of Muggle descent."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RXhcc8mvu
Tom remained silent.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS56GkZhQe7
Dumbledore reassured him, "Tom, we all know this was an accident. We could have saved the life of that basilisk, and Newt agreed to keep it a secret. This is the best course of action.
...Look, I will personally ensure that Hagrid finds employment for the rest of his life. You're doing a good thing."
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYIWJye32Z
-------------
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2unksGJdES
The adult world is complex.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIBzaQMpXs
In 1943, due to Grindelwald, the Daily Prophet's headlines were filled with reports of people disappearing or dying every day.
Tom was certain that Dumbledore and Newt were busy with something of great importance, so they had no choice but to handle Myrtle and Hagrid this way.
Besides, it was already June, and Tom would soon be on summer break.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchRfUkHivg
The Muggle world was no different from theirs.
Britain was experiencing the peak of World War II, and the entire country often went without food.
Orphanages were overflowing with children, and the young ones kept crying, crying incessantly.
The sound of air raid sirens echoed constantly, all the time...
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4XTtQ5VfJ
Tom couldn't muster the motivation to look for a summer job, let alone meet anyone from the wizarding world.
Sometimes, when Tom woke up from a dream, he even began to suspect that Dumbledore would kill to silence him, or that the ghost of Myrtle would suddenly recognize his voice or figure...
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6Fp3tFrkF
Both sides of the war were too extreme, regardless of which world it was.
Tom began to lose sight of what was just and what was evil.
If the truth about the Chamber of Secrets were to be revealed, his future would be ruined, along with Dumbledore and Newt. They might end up in Azkaban, allowing Grindelwald to win.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxdcIiejlg
Sometimes, for the sake of greater "good," every person involved in history must make some sacrifices... right?
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlaf7dQxHm
That summer, in pursuit of inner peace and the answers to life, he decided to put an end to something that also had been weighing on his heart for a long time.
He spent some of his savings and left London, heading to the village of Little Hangleton.
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYc4XzwKf6
330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDADH8kLTAX
