Chapter 9
It was a much tighter fit for the three adult wizards and one adult witch in what was usually referred to as "Myrtle's Bathroom." That's when they all realized that while they knew the entrance was in there, they didn't know exactly where it was.
Albus looked at the Sorting Hat expectantly, but before he could get a word out, the brim on the Hat opened and it spoke, "I told you I could get you in, but I know just as much as you do as to where the entrance is." If hats could smirk, this one did.
Sirius said, "Why would Harry go into a girl's toilet?"
Albus wanted to knock his head against the wall for failing to anticipate this small obstacle. However, he was somewhat saved by the appearance of the ghost of Myrtle Warren, known better as Moaning Myrtle.
Myrtle appeared out of one of the toilets, sloshing water all over the floor. "What are YOU doing in here? I thought this was a girl's toilet! Why do I keep seeing men in here?"
"Ah, Miss Warren," Albus said, "how good of you to join us. We were going to go into the Chamber of Secrets but alas, we don't know exactly where the entrance is."
"Oh, sorry, Headmaster. I didn't see you. I was hoping it would be Harry again," the ghost said, batting her eyelashes.
"Actually, it is Mr. Potter we are seeking," the Headmaster stated.
"The last time he was here, he went over to that sink over there with the snake on it and said something funny. I couldn't understand him at all. I told him if he died, he could share my toilet with me."
Remus and Sirius were trying their best not to laugh at the last part of her statement, but a snort and a snicker covered by a cough were heard instead.
"Thank you, Miss Warren. You've been most helpful," the Headmaster replied.
The group focused on the sink Myrtle had pointed to. Albus looked at the Sorting Hat who gave a soft hiss. The sink then dropped into the floor revealing a large tube spiraling into the dark.
"Fawkes, if you would be so kind," the Headmaster looked expectantly at his phoenix while everyone moved to take a tailfeather again.
Once again, the Sorting Hat spoke, "I thought I made it clear, Headmaster. You must be IN the chamber before you call for assistance. Everybody down the hole please."
Sirius thought the Hat was pulling the biggest prank ever on the Headmaster and was laughing hysterically. Remus wasn't sure whether to laugh or be afraid that Harry had jumped into the hole not really knowing what he was getting himself into. Madam Pomfrey was standing back trying to decide who was making the bigger fool of themselves. The Hat KNEW he was pranking the Headmaster in some regards, but it was true you needed to be in the Chamber to call for assistance but not that there were other methods of getting down there besides sliding down a long, wet, slimy tube.
"I will go first to see if there are any immediate dangers, then I will signal for Remus to follow. Sirius, if you will follow afterward. Poppy, I'd prefer you stay here unless we need you," said Albus.
"Headmaster, if there's a venomous snake down there and I don't have the antidote nearby, there may not be a need for me," she said sternly.
Remus asked, "What if there's another basilisk down there?"
The Headmaster twirled his wand and suddenly a rooster was sitting on the floor. Another twirl had a hood over its eyes.
"Remus, you will bring that with you. If we see anything move, pull off the hood and cast Lumos Maximus. Godric, is there anything else we may have forgotten?"
"No Headmaster, I believe you've covered all of the areas nicely. Shall we get this show on the road or we may not have a show to get to?"
One by one the four people stepped onto the ledge and then slid down the pipe into the depths of Hogwarts.