Chapter 11: Tom Riddle's Diary
Ginny Weasley walked with her head hung low, dreading whatever the outcome of the gathering would be. The Hogwarts heads of houses walked around her, forming a protective circle. A few feet further, the cerulean blue robe of Dumbledore swiveled swiftly, creating the illusion that the headmaster was gliding through the halls and stairs of the castle.
No one had uttered a single word after they had left the hospital wing, having deemed the girl – though reluctantly – in perfect health by Madame Pomfrey. Ginny had been told that her parents were already waiting in Dumbledore's office. She couldn't help but to feel a bit scared, but the headmaster had insisted that she had to recount the events that took place in the Chamber of the Secrets and had nothing to worry about. Snape wasn't sure here story added up, and had voiced his concerns rather strongly. But the headmaster had brushed off his comments, telling him they needed to calmly sit down and listen to her. She was of course horrified as she trembled through the halls of the castle.
In what seemed an eternity of walking, they arrived in front of a stone gargoyle, which merely acknowledged the headmaster and revealed a circular staircase. The door of the office creaked open and just when they entered a shriek was heard.
"Ginny! My baby!" bellowed Mrs. Weasley capturing her only daughter in a desperate hug, sobbing all over her and giving her a kiss on her forehead "Thank Merlin you are all right! When the headmaster told us you were missing…"
Mr. Weasley walked towards Ginny calmly, but the look of relief was too obvious.
"My Princess" he said enveloping her lovingly "I'm so glad you are all right"
Ginny couldn't hold it anymore and began sobbing in her father's arms, whispering how sorry she was and how scared she had been.
After a few moments of privacy for the Weasleys, the headmaster offered them a seat in comfortable chairs that he had conjured seconds before. Snape was already sitting down, looking glum and pensive, while the rest of the head of houses looked attentively at the headmaster. McGonagall was particularly serious.
"Ms. Weasley I am immensely relieved that you have not sustained lasting damage from your ordeal of this night" Dumbledore said calmly "But I am afraid I am going to ask you to relive today's events."
"Okay" Ginny said quietly, but looked down at her feet.
"Ginny you can take all the time you need, sweetie" Mrs. Wealsey said placing a comforting arm on her shoulder "If it's too scary we could wait."
"No mum I want to do it" she said after a few moments, still a bit apprehensive "It all started with the diary, when I started writing in it. At first, it was entirely blank, and I thought daddy had bought it for me. But then, it started answering…"
"Oh, darling" Mr. Weasley said quietly "How many times have I told you not to trust something that thinks for itself when you don't know where its brain is?"
"I know daddy" Ginny said on the verge of crying "But Tom listened to me! He was like my friend; I could tell him things I don't tell even Luna!"
"It is perfectly understandable Ms. Weasley" McGonagall said, attempting to comfort her student.
"Please continue" the headmaster said gravely, the twinkle in his eyes unusually dull.
"A... After… After a few weeks I started waking up in strange places" she stuttered, tears falling down her face, "I couldn't remember anything that I had done. One time I had blood in my hands and I was covered in feathers! After a while I started seeing everything he did but I couldn't control myself… painted all the messages…." She said whimpering "and i forced the basilisk to petrify those kids…"
"Take your time Ms. Weasley" Flitwick said concertedly offering her some tea that he had brewed when the story started "This should calm you down"
"Thank you Professor" she said taking a few sips before continuing "Then this afternoon I wrote for the last time… I just couldn't stop. It was like the diary was calling to me – forcing me to write. And then everything went blank. But I tried to fight it and suddenly I found myself in this dark, creepy hall. I understood some things that were being said and I tried to warn them. But Tom was getting too strong."
"Warn who Ms. Weasley?" Snape inquired.
"There were some people, covered in hoods; I couldn't see their faces" she said, now more calmly "I do know I was bound. I think one of them made a statue come alive and it took my wand and held me from my arms."
"A transfigured statue" Dumbledore mused "Well that's interesting. What do you think Minerva?"
"It couldn't have been a student" McGonagall wondered out loud "It's too advanced… perhaps maybe a few from my NEWT class"
"But they were fighting him before" Ginny said "I remember being tired and using many spells"
"I doubt even NEWT students can perform such level of transfiguration during a full-fledged duel" Dumbledore said "Especially against someone as skilled in dueling as Mr. Riddle. What happened next Ms. Weasley?"
"I… I spoke in parseltongue" she said quietly.
"What?"
"Tom was a Parseltongue, he sent the basilisk to attack them" she said "I then woke up, and the basilisk was gone and they sent me through some stairs and told me you were coming."
"Ah I recall receiving a strange message from Fawkes" Dumbledore said "Most curious, I was supposed to go to a girl's lavatory."
"Who exactly is Tom M. Riddle anyways?" asked Mr. Weasley, eying the black diary uneasily.
"Ahh… I had long dreaded that something like this would happen, after Mr. Riddle left the school more than fifty years ago" Dumbledore said taking a deep breath and sighing. He then raised his wand and scribbled in midair.
'Tom Marvolo Riddle'
The words floated ominously in the air, and with a swish of his wand, the words reassembled into another sentence which made the entire room gasp.
'I Am Lord Voldemort"
"Merlin's beard!" Flitwick exclaimed "I taught that monster!"
"I looked up to him!" shouted Pomona Sprout "He was considered a role model! What a disgrace!"
McGonagall even sobbed, covering her mouth with her hand.
Ginny was stunned, completely perplexed after hearing Tom's identity. She felt numb, even ignoring her mother's hug and the tears falling freely from her eyes.
"Indeed, Tom Riddle was one of the most bright student's Hogwarts has ever had" Dumbledore said, sounding resigned "But he was ambitious and astute, and was quickly lured by the dark arts."
"Then we must destroy this diary" Snape said determinedly "We cannot let an object of this nature intact, risking another person to be influenced by him."
"I agree" said Mr. Weasley, finding unusual that he was agreeing with the Slytherin Head of House "I want it burn! That thing messed with my little girl and I will not stand calm until it's banished from earth."
"Very well" said Dumbledore "It shall be done. Fawkes… if you could honor us…"
And with a majestic flash of fire and light, the phoenix appeared on top of the diary and a thrilling song filled the room. Ginny could feel the song reach into her, soothing and calming her. The mythological bird then shed few tears and to everyone's – except Duembledore's – surprise, the diary of Tom M. Riddle, better known as Lord Voldemort, began dissolving, letting out a pained shriek. Fawkes then returned to his perch and shrilled soothingly.
"How did that happen?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Something of such a dark nature cannot withstand the pureness of a phoenix's tears. I have to apologize once again" Dumbledore said in a tone that showed deep regret "For I have failed yet one more time to protect one of your children's life, and many others, by not taking seriously this threat, and not acting accordingly."
"You have many other issues to attend Headmaster" Snape retorted "There is no way you could know such artifact could have been in possession of Ms. Weasley. Furthermore, it is my opinion that this diary wasn't given to her by coincidence."
"Do you think it was premeditated?" asked Mr. Weasley directly at the potions master "Why Ginny then? Why would someone want to get to her?"
"Not her" Dumbledore interrupted "You Mr. Weasley. If I am correct you have begun a new series of raids for enchanted artifacts, am I wrong?"
"No, that's correct" said Mr. Weasley "So all this to get me to look bad in front of the Ministry? To get me sacked?"
"It is quite an elaborate plan" said Flitwick "If the daughter of the head of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts were to be found killing muggleborns… I can only think of a few individuals who could come with such a convoluted plot."
"Fawkes" Dumbledore called "Could you take Ms. Weasley back to the infirmary? My guess is she wants some privacy…" after confirming that Ginny did not want to see any of her housemates right away he nodded and continued "I have several things to discuss with her parents. Ms. Weasley please hold Fawkes feather"
Ginny complied, a bit shyly, but grabbed firmly the crimson tail of the Phoenix. She was then gone in a flash of fire.
"No harm will come upon her now" stated Dumbledore reassuringly "Now, Arthur, Molly, I have something to confess. There is a reason that I have not paid the required attention the school welfare during this term."
"I'm sure you have your reasons, Albus" said Mr. Weasley leaning back, placing an arm behind his wife.
"Nevertheless, I have been preoccupied with several delicate matters" the headmaster said, his voice grave "Are you aware of a group called the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Vaguely" answered Mr. Weasley "I recall rumors of an independent group during the war against you-know-who, led by you, if I am not wrong"
"Well said group does exist" Dumbledore said "But it was disbanded ten years ago when Lord Voldemort was vanquished by young Harry Potter."
"But what does it have to do with all of this?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Ahh… do you recall the incident on the Ottery St. Catchpole, two years ago?" asked Dumbledore, receiving a positive answer "Well I had my doubts… I thought this was not an isolated incident. Almost three years ago, i found myself witness of a similar attack on a muggle orphanage… St. Mark's. Three unidentified individuals entered one night looking for something, slaughtering children and women without mercy. It was ancient dark magic, too horrible for me to describe. Only one child survived that night… out of more than a hundred. The boy witnessed the entire massacre and barely made it alive himself."
Gasps and sobs were heard, all the ladies visibly startled by the crudeness of the story.
"Even so… this attack had the same patterns…" Dumbledore said taking a deep breath "This type of assault reminded me of events occurred decades ago… during the war against Grindelwald. When I realized this, I knew I couldn't stand by, waiting like I did some so many years ago. And so I reassembled the Order of the Phoenix. For more than a year I have been looking for clues, investigating, searching for wizards and witches that wish to join this effort.
This proved to be a distraction from my duties here in Hogwarts. I did place some additional protections on the castle… but it never occurred to me that an attack would come from inside. Anyways… I'm straying from the topic. I did have a question for you Mr. and Mrs. Weasley… would you help us in this endeavor? Would you join the Order of the Phoenix and help us fight against evil, should the necessity arise?"
Both red heads hesitated, and looked at each other for several minutes. Mrs. Weasley then nodded and Arthur smiled lovingly.
"You can count on us, Albus"
"Very well" Dumbledore said "Now, in another matter… I am going to change things in Hogwarts. There will be no place for this kind of attack anymore. I have let the school run itself for too long. There will be severe measurements taken place. I am talking about the Vextral incidents as well."
"These individuals have managed to elude us in every attempt to catch them" Sprout said frowning "And I fear they come from all houses… so this is a bigger issue than we though."
"The potion is unlike anything I have ever seen" Snape added "I have yet to discover what the essential ingredient is."
"Perhaps with some Ministry help you could get to bottom of this?" asked Arthur.
"I might have to ask Cornelius for a group of aurors to stand guard…" Dumbledore said, a bit apprehensive "It startles me how they have been able to conceal themselves. There is something strange… some dark force aiding them."
"We trust you, Albus" said Arthur "I would like to go see our daughter, if you excuse us"
"Very well Arthur" the headmaster said "And I will not betray your trust again. These hoodlums will be dealt with, I promise that much."
Deep hidden in the Forbidden forest lies a secret chamber, empty for more than a thousand years, before the times of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. In this chamber there is a hall, filled with the most amazing magic imaginable. Currently five young teenagers sat down on a grass covered meadow, a complex illusion created by the room.
"So what is this all about?" asked Draco scratching the back of the head.
"There is some things we need to discuss" said Hermione hugging her knees in front of her "We left some things unfinished after the chamber"
"I agree" complimented Robert, serious as usual with his nonchalant demeanor.
"Fine" said Ron rolling his eyes "When are we going to deliver the hammer?"
"We can't" Harry said breaking his silence at last "Don't you remember? I couldn't wind-travel out of the chamber. It is like something is blocking us, and I had never felt something like this. We will have to deliver the hammer in summer break."
"Maybe Dumbledore did something to prevent elemental travel" Draco said "He has been unusually strict since we rescued your sister Ron."
"Yea, I noticed too" said Ron nodding "Those aurors roaming the hallways, they are just creepy. Why do you think Dumbledore brought them?"
"Because of the attacks" Robert said glumly "Hopefully the Valari and their lot will think twice to attack again."
"But we still need to do something about them!" Harry exclaimed "There is not telling what they could come with now. And they always seem to disappear without trace."
"Maybe" Hermione said not entirely sure "Anyways, I think the professors are starting to notice that you are doing very bad on classes."
"Doesn't matter" Robert said "Correct me if I am wrong, but the only real grades that count are the O.W.L.'s and the N.E.W.T.'s, aren't they? Pretty antiquated in my opinion though."
"Well, yeah…" Hermione answered nervously "But i…"
"You can still do well in classes Hermione" Ron interrupted shaking his head in amusement.
"That's not it!" Hermione exclaimed "It's just… I have noticed that we do magic better than everyone else in our classes. Since I had that dream…"
"You too then?" said Draco surprised.
"I knew I was not that crazy" Ron exclaimed with a smirk on his face.
"So you got visited by one of the guardians too?" asked Rob.
"What?" Hermione said shocked "You mean that was true? I mean, I had King Arthur in front of me, for Merlin sakes. He called some name, Tarien, I think it was"
"I got visited by Dallben" Ron said "He kept calling me Nim'Taro"
"So they have a name for each one of us?" Draco said shaking his head "Allanon kept calling me Nim'Dae. And yes, I have noticed that spells keep coming easier to me. I have held back since the year started."
"They said something about awakening our powers" Robert said.
"Anyhow, we can't let anyone know about them" Harry commented "We don't want to call any unwanted attention."
"Fine!" Hermione said slightly irritated "But don't complain to me when the professors start doing something about it"
"Hermione we ARE studying" Ron protested "I can't actually believe it but the book is really interesting. There are many spells they don't teach anymore and have so many ideas to make the communicators work at long distances. I need to find a way to store more electricity in them so they can function."
"Maybe the communicators use magic from us and it's not enough to power them over distance" Harry said "Remember, everyone has certain capacity to do magic. That's why there are wizards more powerful than other."
"But that's because they are older and have studied much more" Hermione argued.
"Knowledge and wisdom do reflect Hermione" said Robert "But just to a certain point. As far as I know there are many wizards even older than Dumbledore that are nowhere near his level. For example, Dumbledore knows nothing about elemental magic, but Shen did."
"Elemental magic…" Draco mused playing with Shadows, that grew and flickered whenever he decided, the only element he could use "There's something different about it"
"There is no… 'pull' like the one when I do normal spells" Ron said "It's, I just can describe it. But if it doesn't takes magic from us then why it's the power not enough."
"Maybe with runes…" mused out Robert.
"When I use it I just remember how each element feels" Harry whispered just loud enough for everyone to hear, while he formed a small air sphere flowing with grass and dirt "How many elements there are"
"Six, that I know of" Hermione said "Though I can only use one of them; they are Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Lightning and Shadow. I'm water, reminds me of the time I spent on the beach on France."
"What does it depend on?" Ron said "Mine are Earth and Lightning"
The earth began moving around him, accommodating comfortably, and a small jolt of electricity coursed on his hand, proving his point.
"I can use most of them" Rob said "Except Shadow"
"Me too" Harry added "Just a little bit, not like Rob does"
"But think about it" Hermione said "Why can we do elemental magic? Did you know that is supposedly impossible to do? I can do some things from Transfiguration that my mentor could not even reproduce… But I am not that good at Defense like Harry is or at Potions like Draco"
"Maybe it has to do with the wands?" Draco asked pensively "Supposedly my wand is good for dueling and charms."
"I don't think that's it" Robert interrupted "I remember Ollivander saying that the wand chooses the wizard, not the other way around. And for example, your wand wouldn't make Hermione better at Defense even if it was the legendary wand of Godric Gryiffindor."
"In any case we could try it to see what happens" Harry interrupted.
Draco grabbed his wand from the hilt and passed it to Hermione, although wearily.
"It's not going to break Draco" Ron commented rolling his eyes "Relax"
Hermione eyed Ron with a frown on her face but quickly paid attention to the wand in her hand and gave hers to the Slytherin boy. Both of them stood up and faced away from the circle of friends.
"Contego!" Hermione bellowed, as a red disk came out of her wand, but she visually struggled and could only maintain it for a few seconds.
"Avifors" Draco said trying to force a stone to turn into a bird, but only lasted for ten seconds.
"Well that proves it I think" Ron said.
"I think I did even worse with your wand" Draco said, presenting it to her.
"Likewise" Hermione said returning his "I felt, I don't know how to put it… tense… like there was something blocking me, like being trapped."
"Pretty much" the blond said.
"Then it is proved" Robert said "Wands are not made for a certain art, they are attuned to the wizards magic"
"Listen to us" said Ron shaking his head "Talking about school stuff and where magic comes from. We should be enjoying life, but nooo we have to save the world and who knows what else."
"Stop complaining Ron, this book is something amazing, I'll take the risks that come with it" Hermione said rolling her eyes "So what do we do?"
"Keep training" Rob said "All the exercise and training we have done has truly helped. Don't you feel different, relaxed and with more energy? I think it's part of the reason our magic keeps coming stronger"
"I can work with that" Hermione said, relaxing finally.
"What else then?" asked Ron, to no one in particular.
"I've been thinking about something" Rob said "Since we all have copies of the book keyed to each one, maybe we can give one to Ginny and Luna"
"What?" asked Harry.
"All that fussing about not giving them the book and suddenly you want to do it?" Ron asked in disdain "They have been so freaking mad at us for who knows how long?"
"The Valari have obviously targeted her before" Rob answered "And I didn't want to give it to them because we had only one copy, with so many we can lend one to them and still study. The Lord Serpents are attacking them too, although unknowingly of course"
"Perhaps not" Draco said in remorse, looking down "I think it was my father who gave the diary to Ginny"
"Oh…" Ron said staring at the blonde Slytherin in understanding. "Draco Look up"
He did so, slowly, in fear of what they would say about him.
"You had nothing to do with it"
"But he's my dad" Draco retorted covering his head and leaning against his knees.
The four Gryffindors stood up and rounded up the crouched figure of Draco, each placing a comforting hand on a shoulder or an arm.
"We know that you are not your Dad" Hermione said quietly, trying to comfort him "Answer me, would you ever do something like that to me?"
"Never!" he said looking up, tears falling down his cheeks.
"Then you are nothing like him" Ron said patting him in the back.
"I think it's a good idea Rob. We will take them off our backs and since we have five copies we can give one to them." Harry said trying to cheer up the mood "But how are we going to do that. By the way… what does the guardian of the book thing works?"
"There are some runes in the book, behind the cover" Rob said "I have the original one and i think it's tied to me, and if I change the Runes, the copies come back… but I can only make 'activate' five of them"
"Wait a moment" Draco asked "If they had the book in the first place, wouldn't they be the other chosen ones?"
"I have thought about that too" Hermione said "Trying to analyze which students could be the guardians. But even with the book, wouldn't the guardians have brought Ginny and Luna to train too, if they had already met them?"
"There's no way to do it if we don't take them to the Cave" said Harry "But if they aren't Ainur we risk telling them about the guardians and putting them in unnecessary danger."
"Maybe we could Obliviate them if they aren't?" Draco wondered.
"Would you do that?" Ron asked seriously "Would you erase the memories of someone you care about. We have done that before because we know the Valari are hurting children, and the drug they are developing is very dangerous."
"Ron is right" Hermione said "I know how to do the charms to an extent, but if I erase too much I could damage their minds. I'm not doing that to Ginny or Luna"
"Fine then" Rob said "So we agree that we can risk telling them about the cave. Any thoughts of how to give them the book?"
"Perhaps it is time we got our 'Guardian' imitation act together" said Hermione smugly "That way they won't suspect of us"
"That's a nice idea" Harry said smiling "Maybe… we can take the role as defenders of Hogwarts or something like that"
"We need some type of uniform" Ron said "Obviously with hoods or something to hide our faces"
"That we can get when we give back the hammer" Rob said "In the mean time we can use the transfigured robes. I think the question is how are we going to give it? And When?"
"Hmmm…" Ron wondered out loud "Maybe after the Dueling Club that Lockhart is starting."
"I don't think so, there's going to be too many people there. Get Ginny alone" Draco said "Or make sure she's with Luna only"
"Well what about this…." Harry said.
"Are you ok Ginny?" said Luna, trying to get the attention of the redhead "You have been awfully quiet since you came back from the infirmary. Did something happen?"
Ginny looked down to the book on the library table, trying very hard not to cry. Her eyes were red and watery, her hair a complete mess.
"It's nothing"
"You aren't fooling anyone" Persephone said placing her hand on Ginny's "If there's something wrong you can't tell us."
"Really" Ginny said, rubbing her eyes and cleaning her tears "It's nothing" she repeated.
"Take your time" said Caroline Smith "No need to tell us right away Ginny. Just know that we are here for you if you need to talk."
Ginny's eyes watered again and she softly nodded.
"Thank you" she said in a quiet whisper "Just… just give me some time"
"Do the teacher's know?" Persephone said "If something happened to you… Has someone bothered you?"
"They know…" Ginny muttered "And it's… just complicated, ok?"
"Sure" the blonde said as she and Caroline got up "Remember we are your friends, and we are here for you, ok?"
"Thank you guys" Ginny said honestly.
"Anyways, we are leaving" Caroline said "Colin asked if we could help him study charms, are you two going to be fine by yourselves?"
"Sure" Luna said smiling "We will just finish this essay"
"Bye then" Persephone said beaming at them and the two girls left for the Gryffindor tower.
Ginny and Luna spent another half an hour on the potion's homework in a comfortable silence. That was something that she could always count with, that unspoken agreement between her and Luna. The blonde knew Ginny would tell her whenever she was ready, and she will just be there for her, not forcing any issue that she may have. Still in silence, they put everything away and quietly walked out of the library.
"Daddy says he's got a hint of where the Crumple-Horned Snorckacks nest is" Luna commented absent mindedly. Ginny beamed at her, an honest and true smile. Luna always knew how to do that… take her mind of what was troubling her.
"That's great Luna" Ginny said "Will you go with him in summer vacations?"
"Maybe" she said, her blue eyes shining "Would you like to come with us?"
"I'm not sure… I think mum and dad are planning a vacation to Egypt, and I haven't got to see Bill in a long time. I miss him."
"You're lucky you have so many brothers" Luna said as they turned into the stairs that led to the Gryffindor tower.
"Sometimes…" Ginny said "I…"
But right at that moment, as they reached the third floor hallway, a rumbling sound was heard, drawing the attention of both girls. Without hesitation their wands were drawn. For a millionth time she wished that she had had more time with the book, the spells it had were amazing.
"Skotos Anakalypto" Luna muttered. The spell was used to detect any presence in the darkness. The blonde frowned when nothing appeared after a white light came out her wand. Both girls slowly walked towards the sound.
"What was that?" Ginny whispered.
"Do you think it was the Valari?" Luna
"I don't know"
Then in a corner, farther in the hallway, they saw as a figure, covered in a white and blue robe, face hidden under a hood. It slowly made way down the hallway around the corner. The two girls looked at each other and with an unspoken agreement they ran towards the figure, wands drawn just in case."
"That's not the Valari Luna" Ginny said between heavy breaths "I think he's friendly"
Luna stopped abruptly, dragging the red-head with her.
"What are you talking about?" Luna said frowning at her.
"It's got to do with what happened last week" Ginny said anxiously "Can you trust me with this? I think they are trying to tell us something"
"They?"
"Just trust me ok?" Ginny begged, holding Luna's hands in her own.
"Ok" Luna said without hesitation "But I won't lower my wand at them. They may have wrackspurts."
"Thank you" Ginny said hugging her quickly.
Just in that moment, another rumble echoed in the hall and the swish of cloaks was heard further in the hallway. The two girls jogged in a slower pace, careful in case they stumbled into any professor or prefect. Another corner further they caught a glimpse of the figure and they ran faster. In the next hallway there were many doors, but only one was opened. Slowly they walked wands on the ready. Both were trembling, adrenaline coursing through their bodies,
The only light visible was one of the moonlight, coming from the opened door. Taking a deep breath they looked at each other and nodded. Their steps reverberated in the empty classroom, the moon shining through the windows. A loud thump startled them, and the door closed behind them.
On the other side of the class room, five cloaked figures formed a half circle, hands hidden under their cloaks, and faces concealed from the two girls.
"Who are you?" Luna demanded.
"That is not of importance" said a raspy voice, coming from the first one on the left
"What do you want with us?" Ginny asked without lowering her wand "Are you the ones from the chamber?"
"Chamber?" Luna said in confusion, her eyes open wide as if finally understanding something.
"Indeed we are" said the voice of a woman on the right.
"And we have come to warn you" said another man, second on the left "The Valari are not an enemy to be underestimated."
"Their claws run deep in all houses" said the figure second to the right "You must be cautious in who you put your trust."
"How do we know you're not them?" asked Luna glaring at the five cloaked persons "How do we know this is not a trap and you are setting us up right in this moment?"
"Ah a clever girl" said the one from the center "There's no way for you to trust us, but we mean no harm."
"But there's something we want to give you" the woman said "It will aid you, help you to defend yourselves and your friends when we aren't able to"
"Skotos Anakalypto" intoned Luna, a white pulse shining in the classroom.
When nothing happened, the figures looked at each other.
"What was that supposed to do?" asked the first on the left.
Luna relaxed her wand a bit.
"Dark intentions detector" Luna told them.
"That's… interesting" the woman said "Where did you learn that?"
"A book" Ginny said "I still don't understand what is it you want?"
The man on second to the right then took out something from his cloak.
"Perhaps it was this book?" he asked showing them a great white tome.
"Where did you get that!" bellowed Ginny "It was hidden in my house!"
"Ah that" said the one in the middle "We had a greater necessity at the moment. Surely you know of the events from that day. We arrived late, but we managed to draw the attacker away."
"It was you?" Luna said.
"Nevertheless" the woman interrupted, and taking the book she approached the two girls and presented them the white book "Use this wisely and let no one see it."
Ginny held it in awe and looked at the hidden face of the woman, unable to recognize her. She took it between her hands and nodded enthusiastically.
"Why are you giving this?" Ginny said, her eyes tearing up "It means a lot to us… I just don't get, why us?"
"Because you wish so much for this" the one in the middle said "We have been observing you from the beginning of this year. You are strong Ginevra, you fought the Dark Lord himself inside your mind and was able to hold him back. Our only condition is to answer us why do you want this?"
"To protect" both said without hesitation "We have seen what the Vextral does, and we have seen directly the makers."
"You have?" said the one second to left "That is an excellent piece of news. Perhaps you can direct us to where did you see them."
"Around the seventh floor, where the Lost thing's room is" Luna replied
"Pardon me?"
"A room in the seventh floor, the door sometimes vanishes" Ginny clarified.
"Ah, I see" said the one second to right "We will take care of them…"
"But we want to help!" exclaimed Ginny.
"You're too young" said the first man from the left "And they are far from being just vicious Slytherin students."
"What does it have to do with anything" asked Luna "Aren't you students too?"
A pregnant silence fell upon the room.
"Not exactly…" one said a bit hesitantly.
"And how did you pass the Aurors then?" asked Ginny suspicious of their lack of answer "Are you Aurors then?"
"We aren't members of the Ministry either" said the one on the right "And we will leave it at that. No facing the Valari yet. Practice, train, and do whatever you need and until you are ready we will call you."
"Why? We can defend ourselves!" Ginny said.
"Prove it" the one in the middle said "Land a hit on me and we will let you help"
The four other cloaked figures moved away as the one who spoke drew his wand. Ginny did not hesitate. She tried to remember everything that Kari had taught them and fell into an stance and before two seconds she had casted three spells – which the figure merely sidestepped. Ginny blinked, and stopped, dumbfounded. She had not even seen the man move. She tried another strategy, aiming to different spots, and launching a last one at the place he had been before.
"Reducto!"
As the blue light flew towards the attacker, she mentally celebrated but at the last millisecond, the man spun around and the Reductor struck the wall. Debris flew everywhere, but the man was still not unnerved.
"Give me your best" he stated emotionlessly.
Ginny growled and launched herself into action. She would prove them that they were not useless, that she was not useless. Her entire life flashed in her eyes that moment, all the times that her brothers pushed her away, all the times she was forgotten or was treated like a porcelain doll. Then she remembered the attack on Ottery St. Catchpole. What came next was a barraged of Expelliarmus, Reductos and Stupefies. By the end of it, she was breathing harshly, leaning against her knees.
"You are very determined Ginny Weasley" the man said, still without a scratch on his robe "And very strong. I have no doubt you will raise up to the challenge. But until then, both of you, learn from the book, and train your body and your mind. We will look for you. Until the next time."
And saying that the five figures vanished.
"Did they just apparate out of Hogwarts?" asked Luna dumbstruck
"I really don't know" Ginny said in awe "But we have got the book back!"