The Minster's Wife
Chapter Twenty-One: Reassurance From Dumbledore
Throughout March, not another Petrification happened until the end of a chilly afternoon. In a note of urgency, Dumbledore summoned the Minister's Messenger, Celexia Fudge, to his office, hoping to catch her at a good time. Whatever she had been working on (just a fuckload of paperwork from the doxy pixies being let out in Lockhart's classroom), she terminated it for the rest of the evening, Apparating at the edge of the Forbidden Forest to rush toward Hogwarts' entrance. It had been Dumbledore that met her at the entrance doors, his face was grave, though he greeted her with a forced pleasant smile. She didn't return it, only knowing that she was going to be given some news that would match the ominosity in the Headmaster's eyes.
He led her to the Hospital Wing where a body lay on one of the cots. Celexia recognized Harry and Arthur's son, Ronald Weasley, sitting beside a motionless, corpse-like girl. To her horror, Celexia recognized the still expression of fright on the girl to be Harry's friend, Hermione Granger. Celexia set a hand on her heart out of surprise. Knowing fully well that Hermione could have no idea of what was happening around her, Harry's hand caressed Hermione's cold fist. Her other hand was posed as if to have held something. Recognizing that, Celexia glanced at Dumbledore then to Hermione's sad friends.
"What was she doing?" she asked compassionately, sitting beside Harry. He seemed to realize her sincere condolences; she hoped he liked her better than he did Cornelius. He did.
"She was holding a mirror when whatever it was did this to her," said Harry voluntarily.
Celexia bit her tongue. She cleared her throat, still staring at Hermione's terrified expression.
Dumbledore could tell that Celexia could guess what was in the Chamber of Secrets, what had been traveling through the school, what had been through the corridors, the library, and probably just about anywhere. With that knowledge, Dumbledore saw a sudden hint of horror in her eyes when she met his.
Celexia turned to Hermione's friends, offered her sympathies, then turned to Dumbledore, who beckoned her to follow him to his office.
"Albus, the Ministry isn't going to like this...Four attacks on three Muggle-borns isn't a good sign on Hogwarts. They're going to think that you are not doing anything about it." Celexia said, knowing very well that Lucius being the man he was would somehow turn the obvious evidence into something against the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Everything will work itself out, I assure you. Harry Potter is a very smart lad, you don't give him that much credit."
Indeed, she didn't, but she didn't see how this would help.
"I'm sure he's very talented, after all, the obvious shows that," she indicated her forehead as an explanation; Dumbledore understood. Perhaps she didn't exactly know the full details of Harry's intelligence, at least not the extent. She would learn on her own about how clever the boy was.
"Celexia, I will alert the teachers to keep all students inside; they will be escorted only by teachers, walk in groups. As you see, the attacks are on students who were on their own."
"If they travel in groups, more will be Petrified. Unless this is a Dark Wizard able to do this sort of Advanced Dark Magic, it is a monster underneath this school that is doing all this. A basilisk." Celexia said certainly. "I recognize the signs. The Petrifying stare is how it kills its prey; the rooster's call is fatal if the basilisk hears it, that's why the roosters are being mysteriously killed; it is attacking Muggle-borns—this serpent is going to wipe out the Muggle-borns in this school before the year is out if you do not destroy it."
"To kill a basilisk is hard to do without something that can penetrate its hide, Celexia," said Dumbledore. She stared at him. He gave her a smile. "I know some things too, about your department. I understand your concern, and I admire your determination, but I can assure you that Hogwarts is safe under my control."