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We stood there for a moment, in silence, before Mrs Weasley broke it.
"Ginny!" She said, leaping to her feet and flinging herself on her daughter, closely followed by Mr Weasley. I backed up slightly, to give them room, looking at Harry. He was looking past them to Professor Dumbledore, who was standing by the mantelpiece, beaming. Professor McGonagall was standing next to him, taking deep breaths, with a hand on her chest. Harry and Ron were then swept into the hug as well, and I backed up further, out of reach.
"You saved her! You saved her!" Mrs Weasley was saying.
"How on earth did you do that?" Mr Weasley looked close to tears.
"I think we'd all like to know that." Professor McGonagall said weakly. Mrs Weasley let go of Harry, and he hesitated for a second before walking over to the desk, and putting the Sorting Hat, a ruby-encrusted sword, and what remained of the little black diary on it. Then he started to talk. For about quarter of an hour he spoke, telling them about hearing the voice – the only part I knew of his tale. My stomach twisted at the repeated danger, and being left out of my brothers' inner circle. He told us how Hermione had realised it was a Basilisk, how he and Ron had followed spiders into the Forest, that Aragog had told them where the last victim of the Basilisk had died; how he had guesses that Moaning Myrtle had been the victim, and that the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets might be in her bathroom...
"Very well." Professor McGonagall prompted him, as Harry paused. She seemed a bit more like herself. "So you found out where the entrance was, but how did you all get out alive?"
So Harry, his voice now growing hoarse from all this talking told them about Fawkes' timely arrival and about the Sorting Hat giving him the sword. But then he faltered to a stop. He looked at Professor Dumbledore, who smiled faintly.
"What interests me most," Professor Dumbledore said gently, "Is how Lord Voldemort managed to enchant Ginny, when my sources tell me he is currently hiding in the forests of Albania."
I started at that, drawing attention to myself for the first time. I remained silent though, the Mark on my arm burning white hot. Professor McGonagall frowned at me, although Professor Dumbledore continued to regard me calmly. Moments later, everyone was ushered out, sent on errands, and to places like the Hospital Wing (for Ginny). I slipped out the door, waiting outside, for I hadn't been given a task. A few moments later, Ron and Professor Lockheart came out, heading in the direction of the Hospital Wing too. And not a moment later, Mr Malfoy came striding down the corridor looking furious. I flinched and backed against the wall. He looked at me with contempt, but Dobby smiled slightly as he followed his master into the room Professor Dumbledore and Harry were still in.
I waited, and they came back out; Mr Malfoy kicking Dobby, followed slightly behind by Harry, who winked at me before setting out after them. Against better judgement, I decided I was curious, and ran to catch up with Harry.
We caught up with them at the top of the stairs.
"Mr Malfoy," Harry gasped, skidding to a halt. I barely managed to stop in time, nearly knocking Harry into Mr Malfoy.
"I've got something for you." He finished, regaining his breath, and shoved the diary into Mr Malfoys' hands.
"What the?" Mr Malfoy ripped the sock off the diary, throwing it aside then glaring at Harry. "You'll meet the same sticky end as your parents one of these days, Harry Potter." He said dangerously. "They were meddlesome fools, too." He turned to go. "Come, Dobby."
Dobby didn't move. He was holding up Harry's sock, and looking as if he had just seen Santa Claus.
"Master has given Dobby a sock." The elf said in his squeaky voice. "Master gave it to Dobby."
"What's that?" spat Mr Malfoy. "What did you say?"
"Dobby has got a sock." Dobby said in disbelief. "Master threw it, and Dobby caught it, and Dobby… Dobby is free."
Mr Malfoy stood frozen, staring at the elf. Then he lunged at us – at Harry.
"You just lost me my servant, boy!"
Dobby shouted, and there was a loud bang, and Mr Malfoy was thrown backwards, crashing down the stairs three at a time, landing in an undignified heap on the floor below. He got up, his face livid and pointed at me.
"You both will pay for this." He hissed, his eyes narrowed to slits. I stepped back, and Harry unconsciously stepped in front of me. Mr Malfoy turned and left, and Harry turned to me.
"What does he mean?" He asked sternly. I backed up another step, shaking my head. "Where do you stay, that he can get to you?"
Again I shook my head, because telling him meant telling him everything, telling my twin brother I was a traitor. He relented, sighing.
"Come on then. We'd better get to the feast."