Hello everyone, here is the new chapter, I hope you will enjoy it !

My one and only universe

Chapter 08: Ginny's decision

"How did the Confundus charm get you, Professor?"

Ginny sighed, her gaze drifting out the window of the fourth tower. A week had gone by since Professor Majes's incident, but with each class, he found himself recounting the event to curious students, eager for fresh rumors to disseminate.

Absent-mindedly, Ginny tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

The unfortunate professor was initially the butt of many jokes for the first few days before things gradually settled. Ginny's eyes wandered towards the front of the class. There was Harry Majes, his cheeks slightly flushed, explaining the ordeal yet again. By now, Ginny knew the tale like the back of her hand; he had been hit by the charm as he exited his classroom. Caught off guard, it induced a sharp headache and hallucinations. As to what those visions were, he never revealed. There seemed to be a limit to what he was willing to share.

A small chuckle escaped Ginny's lips.

"A teacher duped by a student, as if a novice!" That was the sensational headline in the weekly school newspaper, 'Wizarding Student's Weekly', established by a band of enterprising Hufflepuffs. The event amused most students, who were quick to make a mockery of it. Since the incident, the rear of the room, traditionally occupied by Slytherins, had been conspicuously vacant. Some students were of the view that there was nothing to learn from a teacher weaker than his pupils. However, their boycott was short-lived. It ended after Professor McGonagall punished them with a week of detention. "You don't wish to spend an hour with Professor Majes? Well, you'll spend it with me," she had sternly declared. The looks on the Slytherins' faces that day were priceless!

Jim, who initially toyed with the idea of joining the Slytherins in their protest, promptly discarded the thought at the sight of the Transfiguration professor's fiery glare. He shrugged, as if to say, "Fine, I'll stay, it's not that terrible here." Yet, his distaste for the professor was palpable, often choosing to spend his class hours dozing in a corner.

Speaking of the Slytherins, the prime suspects for casting the charm were none other than Wormz and his gang. This wasn't their first time under suspicion, and considering their previous Defense Against the Dark Arts class experience, it wouldn't have been surprising. But their involvement was quickly ruled out due to the glaring inconsistencies in their story.

So, who was the culprit? No one seemed to have a clue.

"Class dismissed for today, see you all tomorrow," concluded Harry, rapping his stack of papers against his desk.

Finally, class was over. Ginny stretched, releasing a satisfying crack from her back. She exhaled in relief, grabbed her bag, and slung it over her shoulder. Jim playfully patted her head and winked.

"For once, I wasn't the only one catching some Z's!" he joked as they left the classroom.

Ginny puffed her cheeks in indignation.

"I wasn't dozing! I was deep in thought, there's a difference!" she retorted, avoiding his gaze.

"Oh, sure, tell me another!" Jim laughed, clearly satisfied. "So, what's on the agenda? Anyone up for an explosive wizard duel?"

The boy turned to the rest of their friends, who had now gathered.

"Jim... Do I need to remind you of the five-page History of Magic essay due tomorrow? How much have you written?" Jessica asked, hands planted firmly on her hips.

"Oh, come on! Who cares about History? I'll do it tomorrow before..."

Jessica cut him off mid-sentence, pretending to strangle him.

"No way! I'm not letting you scrape another 'Dreadful' just four weeks into term!" she growled, her arm coiling around his neck.

"Argh... Let... go... Jess..."

Ginny, Anny, and Eliott burst into laughter at their friend's exaggerated display of distress. Jim's feeble cries for help only heightened their amusement. A familiar voice echoed behind them.

"The usual gaggle of fools making a spectacle, I see."

Jessica released Jim abruptly, and he darted ahead to confront the newcomer.

"Wormz... Out without your lackeys?" he shot back, his tone devoid of kindness.

Wormz glared at him before sighing and closing his eyes. Jim raised an eyebrow as Anny cautiously stepped forward.

"What do you want, Tod?" the brunette with a ponytail asked. Of all of them, Anny was the only one to address Wormz by his first name, despite the numerous troubles the Slytherin and his gang had caused them.

Ginny watched her for a moment. It wasn't the first time she'd seen the usually docile Anny confront the Slytherin in such a manner.

Tod Wormz squinted, scrutinizing the group with an unmistakably arrogant demeanor.

"It pains me to say this, Railway," he began, addressing Jim. "But I might have some information that could pique your interest."

Eliott was the first to respond.

"After everything you and your gang have done, you really think we're going to entertain your words?"

"I didn't ask for your opinion, prefect," Wormz snapped back.

Eliott's wand seemed to fly into his hand. The Slytherin raised his hands in a pacifying gesture.

"Easy there, I don't know if you're blind, but I'm unarmed."

Ginny, who had been a silent observer, touched Eliott's arm lightly.

"Wormz condescending to speak to us without his entourage... isn't that intriguing, Eliott?"

Eliott nodded and lowered his wand, albeit not releasing his grip. Ginny admired the protective streak Eliott consistently exhibited towards them.

"Being rescued by a Weasley, I don't think there's anything more demeaning on earth..." Wormz smirked, clearly satisfied.

Ginny shot him a fiery glare.

"Enough, Wormz! Get to the point!" Jim demanded, his body tensing at the last remark.

Wormz sighed, leaning casually against the wall.

"With Draco Malfoy at our helm, such a discourse would never have been possible. Seems I'm a very different leader than him," he mused, glancing at the group of Gryffindors regarding him warily. Jessica rolled her eyes while Ginny crossed her arms defensively. "I've just concluded my detention with McGonagall. It appears I 'accidentally' left my bag in the room. Naturally, I went back…"

He approached the group with an air of surety.

"McGonagall and Bermatus were engrossed in a serious conversation. Of course I'm skilled enough to have gone unnoticed."

"Stop beating about the bush and singing your own praises, Wormz!" grumbled Jim, his face contorted with distaste.

Wormz merely raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

"They were discussing our dear Professor Majes."

Ginny twitched. The topic of the hour was back, and she had a gut feeling it hadn't made its last appearance. Was it the man's peculiar talent to be the subject of endless discussion?

"It appears," Wormz continued, sauntering towards the group, "that he's hanging by a thread. To be precise: one more misstep, and he's out."

"If you expect us to assist you in ousting him, Wormz, you can shove off!" Ginny retorted, anticipating his line of thought.

"No, no, I merely... thought you might appreciate being in the loop." Wormz shot a pointed glance at Jim. "But if that were all, I could very well have kept it to myself."

Clearly, Wormz had a knack for suspense. He had kept them on their toes for a solid five minutes.

"Bermatus... our esteemed Potions master suggests that Harry Majes's presence here is no accident. According to his conversation with McGonagall, they harbor suspicions about him. He's supposedly here in search of someone."

Ginny's heart skipped a beat as Wormz closed in.

"And this 'someone' happens to be a Gryffindor student."

This time, it was Jessica who snapped.

"And your proof? Are we supposed to blindly believe your word just for kicks?"

Wormz shrugged.

"I'm merely relaying what I overheard, how you use that information is up to you." He licked his lips. "If I were in your shoes, I'd tread carefully. Dark wizards are quite adept at concealing their true selves."

With that, he pivoted on his heel and sauntered off down the corridor, leaving their reactions unacknowledged. He raised his hand in a nonchalant farewell gesture and vanished from sight.

The Gryffindors exchanged unsure glances, uncertain of what to make of the Slytherin's words.

"You can't possibly tell me you believe Wormz's drivel?" Eliott asked, sounding less confident than usual.

They had retreated to their common room and were now huddled around the central table.

"At any rate, it's the first time he's approached us in such a manner." Jessica remarked, twirling a strand of her blonde hair around her finger.

Ginny rested her forehead against the tabletop. She listened to the others converse for a while before chiming in.

"In my opinion, it's clear-cut. He's trying to have Majes sacked. He fabricated this story to turn us against him." she said without lifting her head.

"For the first time in my life, I concur with Wormz; it wouldn't be the worst thing if Majes were fired," Jim stated plainly, his voice monotone.

Ginny slapped the table, abruptly sitting upright.

"What?! Why would that be a good thing? Why are you so vehemently against him?" she flared, causing Anny to move to her side in an attempt to soothe her.

"And you, why are you so adamant about defending him? Has he won your affections or something? What has he done since the term began? Besides proving that he's certifiably insane, utterly incompetent, and potentially dangerous? The idea of a dark wizard lurking beneath his congenial professor facade wouldn't surprise me in the least! Even the teachers suggest he's a hazard!"

Ginny bolted upright, nearly toppling the table.

"No one said anything of the sort! Wormz just fed you a cock-and-bull story and you, you're lapping it up!"

Jim also rose to his feet, followed by the rest of the group.

"I believe what I choose! And it seems that for once, I'm seeing things more clearly than you!"

Ginny bit her lower lip as Jessica and Eliott attempted to diffuse the situation.

"You don't have a shred of evidence against him!" Ginny spat, as Anny tried to restrain her.

"Evidence?" retorted Jim, his eyes sparkling with challenge. "Then answer this! How is it that he doesn't appear in any birth records, or in any basic record that everyone should have? Why is his name absent from the Marauder's Map? Why did he suffer in pain during Defense class before screaming and struggling alone in the hallways a few days later? Conveniently just after a Unicorn was attacked, for the first time in Hogwarts' history! Not to mention he's threatened with expulsion from the school!"

Ginny opened her mouth to retort sharply but halted at the last moment, choosing instead to bite her lip once more. She averted her gaze, caught Anny's concerned eyes, and turned towards the exit.

"Gin'..." Anny murmured.

But Ginny had already vanished into the passage leading to the castle corridors. That idiot Jim didn't understand anything; he was preoccupied with unfounded accusations. She didn't understand her own faith in the young professor, but she was confident that he wasn't any of the things Jim had insinuated. Jim was wrong. Majes wasn't unhinged, nor was he the dark wizard Wormz had portrayed him to be.

As she thought back on their argument, Ginny couldn't help but question how things had escalated so rapidly. Was it merely circumstance that had led them to this point? With a determined sweep of her arm, she brushed away the tears welling in her eyes.

She roamed the castle corridors aimlessly, her thoughts whirling. She had to distance herself from Jim and his accusations. She needed solitude, time to digest and make sense of what had just happened.

Her wandering came to an abrupt halt as she collided with someone. Stumbling backwards, she landed with a painful thud on the stone floor, and instinctively she massaged her lower back to alleviate the stinging sensation.

"Well, Ginny, are you alright? Aren't we paying attention?" A familiar voice rang out.

She recognized that voice. Lifting her head, her suspicions were confirmed. Standing before her was Scott Ashwing, a seventh-year Ravenclaw, his hand extended in a friendly offer to help her to her feet.

"Nothing broken, I hope?"

Ginny shook her head, standing with Scott's assistance. She dusted off her robe and absentmindedly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Where were you in such a hurry to get to?" Scott queried with a hint of amusement.

A flush crept up Ginny's cheeks. It was ridiculous, tripping over her own feet like that.

"Nowhere..." She blurted out the first response that came to mind.

Scott chuckled, ruffling Ginny's hair in the way he often did with his friends. "Well, you seem quite determined for someone who's headed nowhere!"

Ginny could feel her face reddening. Truly, she was an expert at making a fool of herself within a matter of seconds.

"In all honesty, it's fortunate that you're not busy. I was hoping to speak with you. Would you mind accompanying me for a while?" Scott asked with his characteristic carefree smile.

Ginny found herself agreeing, and they continued their journey through the labyrinthine hallways of Hogwarts.

Scott was doing his best to lighten the mood. Ginny appreciated his attempts, even though she wasn't particularly responsive at first. His consistent effort, however, eventually elicited a smile from her. He was unlike any other boys she knew.

Scott navigated the conversation effortlessly, jumping from hot gossip to ghost tales. Their talk was as winding and varied as the corridors they traversed.

After a good half an hour of wandering and countless flights of stairs, Ginny began to feel lighter. She was momentarily free from her worries and was fully engaged in the present moment. As they paused near the second-floor landing, Ginny felt it was the right time. With no other students in sight, she took a deep breath, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him.

The kiss was brief, just a few fleeting seconds. Her eyes were closed, her senses heightened by his sweet, salty scent. She wasn't sure how Scott had reacted, but at least he hadn't pulled away.

When she opened her eyes, Scott appeared slightly flushed and mildly stunned, his mouth slightly agape. Taking this as a good sign, Ginny watched as he recomposed himself, a playful glint in his eyes. He reached out and pulled her closer for a second kiss, one that was more intense and passionate.

In that moment, Ginny's concerns faded into oblivion.

The second kiss was an answer to the request embedded in the first one, and Ginny happily accepted the response. As they parted, she stared into Scott's clear blue eyes, struck by the kindness and trust she saw mirrored in them.

"Come with me, Ginny," Scott said, holding her hand, his smile bright and inviting.

Ascending the stairwell, they reached the second floor. Guided by Scott, Ginny traversed an unfamiliar corridor, her curiosity piqued as she wondered about their destination. Regardless, she placed her trust in him.

At the corridor's end, he took a sudden turn, revealing their surroundings. Only then did Ginny grasp their location.

"The disused restrooms?" she questioned, skeptical.

"Trust me," he coaxed, leading her onwards.

The lure of mystery tugged at the Gryffindor, drawing her along as she pondered Scott's intention. He ushered her into the forgotten restroom.

"We've arrived," he declared, sweeping a satisfied gaze across the surroundings.

A flicker of confusion crossed Ginny's face.

"Arrived where?"

Scott guided her to one of the restroom's taps. Positioning himself before it, he gently pushed Ginny aside with a protective motion of his arm. The sound that escaped from Scott was chilling, a serpentine hiss echoing ominously throughout the room. A frisson of fear danced down Ginny's spine, amplifying as the ground beneath them began to rumble. The very rock appeared to convulse, scraping against the floor in a cacophony of noise, dramatically altering the setting.

In the place of the former sink, a gaping abyss now yawned.

Ginny's brow furrowed in confusion as she tried to comprehend the unfolding situation. An inquiring glance was thrown at Scott, the Ravenclaw's response a familiar, comforting smile.

"This is my secret," he confessed in a hushed voice.

He motioned for her to descend the stairs with him.

"Listen, Scott..." began Ginny, who was slightly panicking. "Just explain to me and..."

Before she could complete her sentence, an unseen force nudged her towards the void, sending her tumbling into the abyss below. Her scream resonated in the cavernous space, stretching seconds into what felt like an eternity. She came to an abrupt halt, landing awkwardly on a sandy expanse littered with indistinguishable forms.

Hardly had she begun to recover from the shock, when the sound of sliding earth echoed behind her, and Scott materialized beside her. Her throat felt dry, her mind in a whirl. Events were unfolding at a dizzying speed, far too swiftly for her liking.

"Welcome to my abode, Ginny," declared Scott, his arms sweeping wide as if to display their eerie surroundings.

Ginny scanned the vicinity, finding only darkness and dampness; the air heavy, almost suffocating.

"We should proceed," commanded Scott, not allowing a moment's respite.

"Wait, Scott, I need you to explain..."

But once more, the invisible hand of an unseen force propelled her forward. They journeyed through a labyrinthine network of corridors, passing from door to door, plunging deeper into this hidden sanctum.

Ginny swallowed hard, her anxiety escalating. Her thoughts were a jumble; the day's events had been far from ordinary. An unexpected visit from Wormz, a tiff with Jim, her passionate exchange with Scott... And now, he was leading her into this ominous cavern.

Suddenly, torches ignited around them, casting an eerie glow upon a multitude of grandiose statues; each fashioned with serpentine bodies and heads. An icy shiver coursed down Ginny's spine as they came to a halt in the heart of the main chamber.

Scott turned to face her, his smile unchanged, disconcertingly reassuring.

"Ginny... Do you recognize our surroundings?" he asked.

Ginny merely shook her head, words failing her.

"This is a room steeped in history, filled with legends... The Chamber of Secrets."

Ginny's heart pounded at the utterance of that name. Of course, she knew it. The Chamber of Secrets, a hidden vault within the castle, believed to have been constructed by Salazar Slytherin himself. It was reputed to house a monstrous creature, according to the myths that had been passed down. An uncontrollable shudder coursed through her petite form, it dawned on her that her presence here was far from accidental. Scott... Scott had betrayed her.

Once more, Scott produced that piercing sound, eerily reminiscent of a serpent's hiss. An echo reverberated in response, followed by a grinding noise filling the chamber. A gargantuan, slick figure slithered through the shadows, and a colossal tail emerged from one of the stone crevices.

Ginny clasped her hands over her mouth, tremors seizing her body, tears flooding her cheeks.

"Isn't it a magnificent creature? Do you know what it is?"

Ginny couldn't tear her gaze away from the monstrous being. She was utterly transfixed, paralyzed with dread. Her heart pounded relentlessly, a tempo so rapid she wouldn't have been surprised if her heart simply burst. Her stomach knotted painfully, the acidic taste of bile searing her throat.

"It's a Basilisk, the king of serpents." Scott elucidated, his tone devoid of any fear, instead sounding rather delighted by the spectacle. "A single glance from it brings certain death."

The serpent's body slithered continuously along the stone floor. Its head remained concealed in shadow, but Ginny could visualize it all too vividly.

Ginny let out a whimper, a noise she wished to suppress but desperately needed to express. Her vision blurred by the relentless onslaught of tears, she realized the inevitability of her impending fate: certain, swift death.

Scott stepped closer, taking hold of her trembling shoulders. He seemed aware of the girl's quaking fear, attempting to console her with hushed words while one hand gently caressed her auburn locks.

"Shhhh, everything's okay. This beast is under my control entirely, nothing will harm you today."

Contrary to his intentions, his words merely amplified her trembling. Her entire form was slick with sweat, to the point it looked as though she had just emerged from water.

"I will explain what I require of you, Ginny."

The redhead shifted her gaze to Scott, her eyes wide with fear. She was ready to comply with whatever he desired, just for a chance at survival.

"It's a simple task. You see, I need certain components for a potion I'm crafting."

The Basilisk unleashed a sudden hiss, causing the redhead to jolt in surprise, momentarily unbalancing Scott. The Ravenclaw hissed a command at the creature before returning his attention to Ginny.

"Harry Majes... he's too cautious for me to procure them myself, do you understand? It's a minor task. A drop of his blood, a strand of his hair, a piece of his flesh, and a single tear. That is all." he concluded in a whisper.

He released Ginny, who crumpled to the ground. She took deep, ragged breaths, attempting to regain her composure. If he needed her, he wouldn't kill her immediately.

"But my plans would be severely disrupted if anyone else were to learn of this, hence my proposition: you do as I instruct, and no one gets hurt. You refuse or confide in anyone, and the Basilisk will be unleashed upon the school. Have you any idea how many it could slay within mere minutes? If you raise the alarm, how many casualties could I inflict before the school is evacuated?" He closed the distance between them once more, leaning towards the girl crumpled on the floor. "Hundreds."

Ginny comprehended the gravity of her predicament. She was cornered; the agreement was non-negotiable; she had no alternative.

"Why Harry Majes?" she queried.

The question slipped from her lips, and she regretted voicing it as soon as the last word echoed through the chamber.

A laugh, one she never expected to hear from the Ravenclaw, resonated through the hall. A laugh that held a chillingly sadistic undertone.

"Harry Majes is the only one who can help me. The only one..."

Scott Ashwing placed his hand on Ginny's forehead. A brilliant light flashed through her eyes, followed by a searing pain coursing through her veins. She felt her muscles tense, her bones creaking under the strain. Subsequently, she was besieged by a flurry of images. Herself, in a passionate kiss with Harry Majes. Herself, fighting by his side. Herself, supporting Harry Majes, surrounded by her siblings. Herself, crying on Harry Majes' shoulder.

The agony and the visions dissipated the moment Scott retracted his hand from her forehead. The young man traced his finger over Ginny's trembling lips.

"Harry Majes... Harry Potter, is a weak wizard... His weakness is you. Do you know why he's here? He's here because of you." He chuckled, a note of satisfaction lacing his voice. "As long as you live, he is nothing more than a harmless puppy. But what might happen if you were to die? That little experiment is for another time."

The chilling echo of Scott's malicious laughter was the last thing Ginny perceived before succumbing to darkness.

Upon regaining consciousness, Ginny's first sensation was the icy contact of the restroom floor. She strained to open her eyes, leaning against the floor for support to rise.

Her mind was clouded, fogged, accompanied by a persistent headache. Worse still, every muscle in her body ached.

She managed to hoist herself into a sitting position, leaning against a sink, and stayed immobile for a while. Her vision, initially blurred, gradually cleared, and her mobility slowly returned.

Her mind began to churn as her memory returned. Her breathing became shallow and rapid as she replayed the horrifying ordeal. A part of her psyche attempted to persuade her that she had merely dreamt it all. However, another significant part insisted that it was a grim reality.

Ginny buried her face in her hands, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks. She remained in this state for several minutes, her sobs the only sound piercing the silence. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her arms for comfort. She felt violated, the sensation of betrayal seeping into her core.

Scott...

The boy she had known since her first year. How could he have transformed into such a manipulative person? She could never have fathomed this about the Ravenclaw boy.

Ginny rose to her feet, seemingly on autopilot. She exited the accursed second-floor restroom and headed towards her dormitory. Judging by the wary glances and whispered exchanges that her appearance elicited, she deduced that she must have looked quite disheveled. The sun's rays still permeated through the windows, suggesting it was still early.

She couldn't confide in anyone. She was forbidden to.

Her thoughts turned to her brothers. They had always shielded her, their baby sister. This made her even more determined to prove her strength. She was a Weasley, and Weasleys were resilient and proud.

In that particular moment, Ginny yearned for the comforting presence of her brothers. They would safeguard her, provide assurance. Ron would have assured her that all would be well and he wouldn't allow anyone to harm her. Fred and George would have initially made light of the situation before their expressions turned solemn, vowing that as long as they breathed, no harm would come to her. Percy would have chided her for her recklessness but would have eventually enveloped her in a comforting hug. Bill and Charlie, always ready for a tease, would have ruffled her hair before assuming leadership of the group. United, they were invincible.

But today, she was starkly aware of her solitude.

The Fat Lady gave her an appalled look as she muttered the password, and she stepped into the familiar warmth of the Gryffindor common room.

"Ginny! We were beside ourselves with worry when you didn't return!"

Anny flung herself into Ginny's arms with such a force that she almost lost her balance.

"By Merlin, Gin', have you caught a glimpse of your state? You look like a troll had its way with you!"

Jessica, her hand clasped over her mouth in shock, let Anny step back before pulling Ginny into an embrace as well.

"We missed you at dinner, so Eliott and Jim went out looking for you... Where were you?" Jessica questioned, guiding her to the couch and handing her a towel.

"I..." a lump formed in Ginny's throat, obstructing her words. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Ginny!"

Jim and Eliott burst into the room. Jim quickly knelt to Ginny's level but his gaze seemed oblivious to her distressed state.

"Listen, Ginny, I apologize for blowing up earlier, that wasn't my intention..."

Jessica's hand gently rested on the boy's shoulder. "Jim, Ginny isn't well.." she whispered.

Ginny swallowed hard. She knew the path she had to tread. A solution had presented itself. As she raised her eyes, she noticed Jim and Eliott were present. She hadn't registered their presence until now.

"Ginny... Ginny, can you hear me, are you okay?"

Jim was gently jostling her.

"Jim... I..." She closed her eyes, organizing her thoughts. "No, Jim, you were correct."

"I was wrong to say... Uh, what?"

Ginny stood and treaded towards the center of the room. She halted by the wooden table, folding her arms over her abdomen. She spun around to face the group.

"I've devised a way to uncover the true identity of Harry Majes."

Jim eyed her with caution. Now fully alert, he took note of the exhaustion etched on her face.

"I... I can brew a potion."

Eliott arched an eyebrow in surprise.

"A potion?"

Ginny affirmed with a nod. She began pacing around the table. She longed to recount the day's harrowing events. To confess that she had been threatened and they were all in peril. But she couldn't... The menacing look she had observed on Scott's face had convinced her that the Ravenclaw wouldn't flinch before releasing the proverbial serpent.

"Yes, a potion... a potion of revelation. I came across it in a book some time ago, the memory just resurfaced." Ginny offered an explanation, deliberately evading their probing gazes.

Jim reclined into one of the armchairs. He ran a thoughtful hand over his chin.

"Elaborate..."

Ginny felt her confidence slowly returning. Her panic was receding. She had to exhibit strength, for her sake, her friends, and everyone else.

"It allows the drinker to know every detail about a person... provided one has the correct ingredients."

She spoke with conviction, certain about her course of action.

"What are its ingredients?" Eliott inquired, his skepticism palpable.

Ginny lifted her gaze. She scanned each member of the group, meeting Jim's interrogative look, Eliott's intrigue, Anny's anxiety, and Jessica's astonishment.

Her determination was unwavering.

"We need to acquire a strand of his hair, a piece of his flesh, and a droplet of his blood."

The pronouncement of the ingredients descended a silence upon the group. She had intentionally left out the necessity of a tear drop from the list. She would handle that discreetly. Jim glanced around before rising and approaching Ginny. He placed his hands on her trembling shoulders.

"Are you certain you want to proceed with this?"

Ginny bit her lip in contemplation before replying.

"If we are to uncover the truth, this is our only recourse. So yes, I am certain!"

Jim released her and turned away from Ginny. He sighed, looking up at the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought.

"In seven years at Hogwarts, we've engaged in our fair share of mischief... If any punishment was due, we faced it together."

He spun around, flashing a cheeky grin.

"The Gryffindor's popular gang is back in action! We're going to pull this off, Gin'!"

Anny, Jessica, and Eliott wore smiles of solidarity. Ginny echoed their smiles, but her reasons were starkly different. Deep down, she was grappling with the pain of deception. She was going to have to lie to her friends for an indefinite time. However, that was the cost of ensuring their safety. For now, she needed time. Time to organize her thoughts and determine what she ought to do. She had to obey Scott's orders, but she would find a way to turn the situation around. The opportunity would come, she just had to endure until then.

Meanwhile, Harry lay on his bed, hands folded behind his head and eyes wide open. His mind was replaying recent events, primarily his dialogue with Dumbledore. The venerable wizard had inquired if Harry wished to confide anything in him.

He could have told him everything. Like he had done in his own world, entrusting everything to the professor. But he knew that it wasn't the most prudent move.

He refrained from sharing anything. There was nothing noteworthy to report.

Dumbledore had sighed, defeated.

"It's going to be a challenging path ahead, professor Majes."

Harry was well aware of this but chose to embrace the risk. He was Harry Potter, infamous for his magnetism for trouble. He was conscious of the peculiar happenings in this realm and that a battle might be inevitable.

If it came to that, he wanted no regrets.

He was prepared for any eventuality.

End of Chapter 8.

See you soon for Chapter 9, I hope to post it this weekend!