Emerald eyes blinked open blearily, gradually adjusting to the brightness in the Hospital Wing of Hogwarts Castle. Harry took a deep breath and glanced around, just as the matron exited her office.
"Oh good, you're awake," Madam Pomfrey remarked as she walked over, and Harry turned to face her. The woman flicked her wand and muttered spells under her breath, nodding at times. "Any pain or discomfort when you move?"
Harry tried to move his arms and legs about, feeling some strain but none of the pain that was characteristic of the Cruciatus Curse. He expressed as much, earning an understanding nod from the old woman.
"That is to be expected. You'll feel a bit sluggish for a few hours until your body gets accustomed to normal movements once again. I suggest you get to stretching once every hour when you leave here," she told him. Harry nodded.
Glancing around, he asked, "Where's everyone?"
"Mr. Longbottom, Miss Davis, and Miss Abbott were released last night. They had minor injuries and a little dark magic exposure which was easy to take care of. Miss Bones and Miss Greengrass stayed for a while before I sent them to sleep. They all came this morning as well before they had to leave for breakfast. The Headmaster had a few announcements to make, after all."
Harry merely gave her an inquisitive look, which earned him a sigh from the woman.
"After the events of last night, Hogwarts doesn't need to be closed. However, seeing how there were deaths yesterday, the Headmaster has decided to extend the winter holidays. You all would be leaving tomorrow and come back as usual."
Harry nodded, seeing the merit in the Headmaster's decision. He was happy that the school would not be getting closed, at least.
"Did something else happen last night?" He asked, his eyes falling on a bed that had curtains drawn around it, and Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips before she let out a small sigh.
"That's Gilderoy," she replied.
"Lockhart?" Harry asked curiously, earning a nod from the woman.
"He saw the Basilisk last night. It seems the experience was too traumatic for the man. He's been unconscious since he told Dumbledore about it. A typical case of frightening shock, nothing to worry about. He should be getting up after he's got a good rest."
The mention of the Basilisk made Harry recall the events of the previous evening and the fight between them and Edgecombe. He still could not believe that the girl was so capable. It almost felt as if he was fighting a dark witch and not a Hogwarts student, which made him wonder what was up with her. She was also speaking Parseltongue which she had used to give the Basilisk that command. He knew things were not what they looked like and he found himself curious. Something was not normal with her.
He was suddenly reminded of the information he had received from the diary version of Tom Riddle, and how the man had theorized that Voldemort had possessed someone in the castle. So far, Edgecombe fit the description perfectly and he could readily believe that she was being possessed. That would explain her sheer hatred of him and the depth of magical knowledge she had displayed in their fight the previous night.
However, Voldemort had not been capable of such carnage when he had been possessing Quirrell, which meant the dark wizard was getting stronger very quickly if he could already fight at such a high level while possessing someone. It made him wonder just how powerful Voldemort truly was.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled him out of his thoughts and he glanced over to see all his friends enter the Hospital Wing. He greeted them with a smile as they came closer, with Daphne and Susan leading the way. They all claimed either a chair or the adjacent bed to sit on.
"How's it? The pain? Still bothering you?" Susan asked quickly, concerned.
"A bit stiff and sore, but nothing else. I'll be fine in a few hours," he replied, prompting everyone to sigh in relief.
"Never do that again!" Daphne said firmly, glaring at him and Harry was surprised to see tears almost threatening to spill out from her eyes. He had rarely seen her being so emotional.
"Exactly!" Susan agreed vehemently, clutching her skirt. She was breathing heavily, trying to keep her raging emotions in check.
"How's things outside?" Harry opted to ask instead, and all it did was earn him twin glares from them while the other three merely let out exasperated sighs.
Daphne and Susan exchanged a glance and shook their heads as one, their lips pursed. They saw it for what it was.
"The school's not getting closed, for one," Tracey replied. "Dumbledore just announced it."
"Yeah, I heard about that from Madam Pomfrey," Harry nodded. "The holidays are starting tomorrow onwards as well."
"That too. I'm relieved about it, to be honest."
"I think almost everyone is," Neville muttered. "Also, the students know that something big happened last night and it involved you, Harry."
"How?" He asked in surprise.
"Really? You need to ask?" Daphne asked with a shake of her head. "Many people saw you sleeping in here and they were quick to connect the dots. Then Dumbledore announced this morning that the school won't be closed and that only the holidays will start in advance. People have been gossiping about how the authorities caught whoever was behind the attacks and that you got injured in the process. Weasley would've been sour as hell if he'd been here today, that loudmouth."
"He lost his brother, Daphne. It's understandable that he'd be emotional. Cut him some slack," Susan said as she gazed at the blonde with a small frown.
"And that gives him the right to accuse an innocent person of murder in front of the whole school like that? Grief is no excuse for that kind of behavior," Daphne replied curtly. "He has my sympathies but that's all."
"What about Edgecombe?" Harry interjected before they could start bickering again.
"No clue," Susan replied with pursed lips, shifting her glance from Daphne.
"Still can't believe that was truly her," Hannah whispered. "How did she know all those spells?"
His face grave, Harry told them about his suspicions and their shock grew the more they listened to him.
"That makes so much sense!" Tracey exclaimed softly. "That's why she was so hellbent on accusing you. It was him!"
"In a way, it was," Harry replied. "What I don't understand is how he could come to possess her… and still be so powerful."
At their curious looks, he elaborated, "I told you all about how I fought Quirrell last year, remember? He was stronger than me, no doubt, but he couldn't cast any advanced spells. That body could not support him for a long time. But last night… Edgecombe was fighting at such a high level, and those spells were nothing to scoff at. To be honest, I don't think we would've managed if Dumbledore and the others hadn't arrived."
"You don't say… She cast the Fiendfyre, for Merlin's sake," Hannah muttered.
"I have to agree with you there," Susan nodded. "Something's not right."
They all sat in tense silence for a while, all stewing over the events of the previous night.
"Enough of all this. The good news is that you are completely in the clear now. Even if you had not testified under Veritaserum, how you fought against her yesterday should leave no doubts that you are innocent," Daphne said with a smile.
"Miss Greengrass is indeed correct," an aged voice came from the doorway, and they all turned around. Everyone who was sitting stood up quickly as the Headmaster entered, followed by Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick, both of whom gave him proud smiles.
"Headmaster," Harry nodded respectfully. "I would stand up as well, but I'm afraid I'm still feeling a bit sore."
"There is no need to trouble yourself, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore smiled. "I am sure you are curious as to why we are here at this hour."
Harry merely blinked at the old wizard, prompting him to let out a small chuckle.
"I believe Special Awards for Services to the School are in order for the three of you," Dumbledore said, staring at Harry, Susan, and Daphne whose eyes widened. "And two hundred points each for you three," he continued, turning to Neville, Hannah, and Tracey who followed suit. "Indeed, those are fitting, I believe."
Behind the Headmaster, the two professors gave them proud smiles for their role in thwarting the attack of the previous night.
"You put yourselves in mortal danger to save your friends as well as this school, and you fought to the best of your abilities and beyond the level expected of you," Dumbledore smiled. "All six of you should be proud of yourselves and each other. We certainly are."
Neville's face lit up with a furious blush as the Headmaster's words registered with him. Harry and the rest merely glanced at him in amusement.
"Also," Dumbledore continued, his voice much more somber now. "I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Potter, and you are also due an apology for everything you have had to endure in these past few weeks."
"You don't have anything to apologize for, Headmaster," Harry replied with a sigh. "If anyone's to blame for, it's Voldemort."
Gasps sounded out in the Infirmary as both Flitwick and McGonagall stared at Harry in sheer bewilderment. Meanwhile, Dumbledore had a calculating look on his face as his eyes scrutinized Harry.
"I know you understand this as well, Headmaster. There's no one else who could've been behind everything that has happened this year."
"Albus…?" McGonagall asked in a whisper.
"I would like to hear your thoughts first, if you would humor an old man," Dumbledore replied, stalling the woman who turned to Harry with wide eyes.
Harry chuckled as he glanced around, seeing his friends nod. He turned back to Dumbledore and told him about his suspicions regarding how Voldemort must be possessing Edgecombe and thereby dictating her actions.
"Her weird obsession with me and how much she hated me… it makes sense too. After all, those are Voldemort's emotions as well," Harry continued. "And frankly, Voldemort is the only Parselmouth I've heard about who lived in the past hundred years."
Both McGonagall and Flitwick were still staring at Harry, utterly flabbergasted, and he nodded firmly at them.
"What is more curious," Dumbledore said softly, "is how Lord Voldemort managed to ensnare Miss Edgecombe when my sources tell me he has been hiding in the forests of Albania ever since the events of this past June."
"That I've got no clue about," Harry replied, sighing.
"Maybe it was some cursed object," Daphne supplied. "Cursed by Voldemort so that he could possess people and make them do whatever he wanted."
A small gleam entered Dumbledore's eyes as he pondered on the suggestion.
"A cursed object that could influence people instead," he said softly. "Something that would guide their actions in a way he wanted. There have been incidents in the past, mostly in old, hidden tombs which the goblins and curse breakers concern themselves with. It would not be out of the realms of possibility that he used a cursed object. I believe you might be on to something there, Miss Greengrass."
"Something like that is possible then? I see," Harry muttered to himself.
"I believe I need to conduct some research on this before I can say anything conclusive," Dumbledore continued. "But that is my concern. You do not need to worry about such things at this time. You have already done more than you should have. You should eat to give those nerves some much needed nutrition. Some hot chocolate should help in rejuvenation."
The Headmaster nodded at them but before he could leave, Harry asked, "What about Edgecombe, Headmaster? Was she caught?"
Dumbledore let out a small sigh. "The aurors found her traces in the Forbidden Forest… alongside the evidence that suggests she was… consumed by the colony of acromantula living there."
Their eyes widened in shock at the news.
"I see…" Harry whispered. "She was not a good person, but she didn't deserve that to happen to her."
Dumbledore merely gave him a small nod, his massive beard twitching a bit as he released a tired breath, and he sobered up quickly.
"The victims of petrification have already woken up, and as much as we hope things would go back to normal, it is undeniable that two bright young minds lost their lives last night in that attack," he said softly, his voice subdued. "Their only fault was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing else."
"I don't believe that was the first time something like that happened, Headmaster," Harry remarked keenly. "I've heard about the attack that took place roughly fifty years ago. Moaning Myrtle, in the second-floor girls' bathroom."
Dumbledore nodded. "A truly unfortunate incident, with unfair consequences, for more than one person."
"Hagrid, and one Tom Marvolo Riddle," Harry said firmly, and Dumbledore's eyes widened once more. "One was wrongfully blamed for opening the Chamber of Secrets and setting the monster free, and had his rights stolen, while the true culprit was awarded with the same award you're going to give us."
"You seem to know a lot more than I believed you would, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said searchingly as he quickly brought his emotions under control.
"I read and research, Headmaster," Harry replied. "Especially when it comes to someone who has affected my life so much. It makes sense to get to know about him, doesn't it?"
Everyone stared at Harry and Dumbledore, taking in the verbal exchange between them, and while Harry's friends knew perfectly well what he was talking about, McGonagall and Flitwick had only an inkling of knowledge about the subject. Even then, that bit of knowledge was enough to make things clear for them, and they both stared at Harry in shock.
"Knowledge is never forbidden, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said softly. "And neither is curiosity. But I would advise you to exercise caution. Tom traveled far and wide, immersed so deeply into the Dark Arts, consorted with the most unsavory types, and underwent several dangerous magical transformations, that he became unrecognizable when he returned. You have all the right to know about him and learn how he became what he did, but have care how deep you decide to delve into the man that was Tom Riddle and who became Lord Voldemort."
"I know he will come after me, Headmaster," Harry replied firmly. "Either in a year or five, we all know he will return. And I want to be ready for the day it happens. Knowing your enemy is the first step to defeating them."
Dumbledore scrutinized Harry deeply for a few seconds, watching how all his friends remained close to him, their eyes firm and determined, and his lips curved a bit.
"Then I wish you all the best in your endeavors, Mr. Potter," he replied with a small smile.
Harry stared deeply into Dumbledore's twinkling orbs for a long moment, keeping his gaze on the old man even when he and the two professors turned around and walked out of the Infirmary, leaving nothing but silence in their wake.
"All right then, I'll bite," Tracey said firmly. "What the hell was all that!?"
Harry released a small breath and glanced over at the brunette, a small smile on his face.
"A much-needed conversation that I feel needed to happen, Tracey," he replied. "I've seen something has been concerning Dumbledore about me for a while now. You learn to pick up on these patterns when you've grown up as I have. I only did what felt right."
"And you think you resolved whatever issues Dumbledore might have with you?" She asked with slight skepticism.
Harry shrugged.
"That's not something I can answer. I only did what I thought was best. The rest is up to Dumbledore. Only he can decide."
His friends exchanged glances with each other and finally, Daphne sighed. "Then I hope he decided what's right."
"Right… but according to whom?" Harry said, amused.
"You and your cryptic talk… it doesn't make you sound cool, I'll have you know," she muttered, eyeing him as she shook her head.
Harry merely gave her an amused look.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore walked with McGonagall and Flitwick, his mind still replaying the little conversation with Harry. He could not deny that he was shocked to discover that Harry knew about Tom and his role in the murder of Myrtle Warren, but he was also much reassured after hearing everything the young man had said, particularly the bit about knowing the enemy. Had that not been his own mantra once?
He had his focus right where it needed to be, particularly when Dumbledore thought about the prophecy at play. A confrontation between the two wizards was inevitable and the better prepared Harry was, the higher his chances of success would be. It was not an easy endeavor, not by a long shot, but considering the pace at which Harry was improving, he would not feel too confident betting against him when the time came.
Dumbledore shook his head. He thought about Daphne's suggestion and had to admit that it had merit and that he should be looking into it. Perhaps knowing more about the enemy would help him with it.
Pushing those thoughts out of his mind, he addressed McGonagall and Flitwick, "The Basilisk parts would fetch Hogwarts a significant number of galleons. I believe we should use these extended holidays to make some much-needed improvements around the castle. Please ensure there is input from all the professors and we can work on the detailed plan afterwards."
Both McGonagall and Flitwick nodded, and the former asked, "About what Potter said…"
"It is not something we need to deliberate on at this hour," Dumbledore replied softly, and McGonagall pursed her lips. "I agree with him, if that is what you want to know. And I do believe Miss Greengrass' suggestion has merit as well. I shall be looking into this matter on my own, Minerva."
McGonagall released a deep breath and nodded curtly.
"Please also prepare to attend the meeting of the disciplinary committee tomorrow evening," Dumbledore smiled softly as he walked ahead.
"You don't need to tell us, Headmaster," Flitwick intoned with a small smile. "We will ensure Hagrid is finally given the justice he was wrongfully denied all those years ago."
Smiling, Dumbledore nodded.
"And it's high time he was judged fairly," he whispered.
-Break-
Harry was released from the Infirmary and for the entire day, all he did was some stretching and light cardio in the Come and Go Room to regain his flexibility and stamina. His friends all joined him, although they worked out properly, in the way he had directed them to.
They had started working on both their magic and their bodies a few months ago and Harry was truly impressed with the improvement they had made in such a short span. He was confident that they would be formidable witches and wizard if they remained as dedicated and diligent.
Already, their superior performances were being noticed and rightly praised by their professors apart from a certain someone who had stopped to recognize the hard work of even his two snakes in Daphne and Tracey. Harry was no idiot. He knew it was because of their friendship with him that had earned them the apathetic attitude of their Head of House.
It had been a topic of discussion among them a few times already, and every time, the two girls told them not to worry about it and that they couldn't care less about that manchild's immature attitude. Harry was inclined to agree. For someone who was regarded as a strict disciplinarian, or rather liked to portray himself as one, Severus Snape was one narrow-minded adult.
They were going to leave for their holidays the next morning, and dinner was supposed to be an eventful affair, at least that was what Harry had thought from what Dumbledore had said. However, he found the entire ordeal rather anti-climactic.
Dinner began. Dumbledore called for everyone's attention. He explained how the problems Hogwarts had been facing were resolved. He held a session of mourning for the affected students once again, which attracted several eyes to the Gryffindor table in particular where the entire Weasley family was absent from.
It came as little surprise to anyone who paid attention that barely anyone gave the Ravenclaw table the same courtesy, particularly when they took into account who the student was, or rather, what. A muggleborn, which meant she was an outsider. Even those who prided themselves on being above the dogma of pureblood superiority subconsciously ignored it—something that led further credence to how deeply entrenched this notion of pureblood pride truly was. It felt as if it was a normal response and not something to even think about.
Once the mourning silence ended, Dumbledore decided to move ahead with the awards. There were a few raised eyebrows when he distributed the points, and murmurs spread across the house tables as students turned to regard those who had earned those points. However, nothing of note happened. No congratulatory remarks or anything of the sort apart from the Hufflepuff students who acknowledged the merits of Neville and Hannah.
It was when the Special Awards for Services to the School were announced that everything came to a still. Daphne and Susan were clapped for as they accepted their awards and stood with Dumbledore at the podium, but it was when Harry's name was called out that there was nothing but pin-drop silence. Students stared at the Headmaster, their mouths agape and their eyes wide as they took a moment to come to terms with the announcement.
Harry paid the lack of response no mind. He stood up and approached the podium with his head held high. Throughout his walk to the front of the Great Hall, there was no sound. Not even mutters or whispers. Students stared in silence as he ascended the small staircase and joined the Headmaster, accepting the award and shaking his hand courteously.
Daphne and Susan smiled at him and he smiled back before assuming a poker face once again as he turned around and faced the still-silent Great Hall that kept staring back at him.
Truth be told, he had expected little from them, and a part of him could even understand why they would be shocked. He had been the primary suspect turned culprit in the eyes of many, so this little development had blindsided them.
"This announcement was due to happen this morning but I felt it prudent to make it in Mr. Potter's presence," Dumbledore began. "Last night, Mr. Potter was called to my office to meet with Madam Amelia Bones, the Head of the DMLE, and Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt. In the presence of the authorities concerned, Mr. Potter willingly submitted to an interrogation under Veritaserum and his innocence was established."
The students muttered and whispered amongst themselves, shocked that he had truly done it. Dumbledore allowed them to have a moment before he continued, "Upon leaving, Mr. Potter and his friends were attacked by the true culprit behind all the attacks. It is not an exaggeration to say that the spells used by the culprit would have fit right in with those used by Death Eaters."
Students stared wide-eyed at the pensive Headmaster who took a deep breath.
"Mr. Potter and his friends stood steadfast in the face of this evil and displayed skills and knowledge well beyond what should be expected of students in their second year. They successfully thwarted the true culprit's attempt to kill them and engaged them until help could arrive," Dumbledore glanced at Harry and his friends with a grateful smile. "It would be appropriate to say that untold damage would have occurred to this castle and all of you should Mr. Potter and his friends have failed, and they deserve all our gratitude… In addition to that, I believe Mr. Potter is owed an apology as well for everything he has suffered since the attack on Miss Chang, and I know you all would not be remiss in doing what is right."
There were several uncomfortable looks shared around the Great Hall as students forced themselves to stand and bow their heads slightly in agreement. Most of them were quick to assume their seats, however, not that it surprised anyone. Harry merely stared back in acknowledgment.
"May I ask for a round of applause for our awardees this evening, please?" Dumbledore prompted once again, his grandfatherly smile still plastered on his face, and the Great Hall soon rang with polite applause. Harry and his friends acknowledged the applause and made their way back to their respective seats.
"The culprit succeeded in fleeing from Hogwarts after causing a massive distraction which required the immediate attention of the authorities and the trail they left ended in the Forbidden Forest. Auror investigation points to them being captured by the acromantula that reside therein. You are assured that they would not trouble us anymore," Dumbledore said gravely.
The meaning was lost on no one and they stared back at the Headmaster with wide eyes.
"Furthermore, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce the departure of another soul from our midst who became the victim of this culprit," Dumbledore continued in the same tone. "Miss Marietta Edgecombe had been targeted by this culprit and she was abducted away. The aurors believe she met the same fate at the hands of the acromantula."
The students could only remain silent, wondering how many bombshells were going to get dropped on them this evening. It had been quite an announcement by the Headmaster.
Meanwhile, Marietta's friends, or those she usually hung out with, were sitting quietly, their gazes downcast and their lips quivering. Harry gave one glance towards them before he averted his eyes.
"That is all for tonight. The winter holidays begin tomorrow onwards. We will meet again in the New Year. The Hogwarts Express will depart at its usual time, so off to bed you go."
His piece said, Dumbledore turned around and left with the professors as the students started to make their way out of the Great Hall.
Harry did not miss how most of the students would avert their eyes the moment he caught them gazing at him and he sighed. It seemed things would be a bit awkward around Hogwarts now, or rather, more awkward than they already had been so far.
-Break-
Instead of making their way to their respective common rooms for an early lie-in, Harry led his friends over to the third floor where the Trophy Room was. The room was a peculiar one as it kept moving between the third and the sixth floors of the castle.
"Come on," he instructed as he walked over to the new cabinet, and he deposited his award with Daphne and Susan. The cabinet glowed and shut, the glass shining as it slid back and displayed the awards that glinted in the golden glow cast on them from above.
"And now your names are immortalized in the history of Hogwarts!" Hannah announced grandly as Harry walked over to the next cabinet, chuckling. He paused, his eyes affixed on a large trophy that had a familiar name inscribed on it.
"I've heard that your father was one of the best chasers Gryffindor has ever had," Daphne said softly, her own eyes sadly staring at the trophy cabinet that had the names of all the members of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team that had won a treble of Quidditch Cups from 1974 to 1976.
Harry firmed himself and moved on, coming to a stop right in front of the trophy he knew he'd find in here. His lips curled in a sneer, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at it.
"Tom Riddle," Susan whispered as everyone arrived and looked at it.
"Voldemort," Harry whispered. "He opened the Chamber of Secrets so that he could use that Basilisk to kill innocents and framed Hagrid for it. I've read the articles from that time. They identified an acromantula as the monster behind the attack. As if!"
"The existence of Chamber of Secrets is still doubted by many—"
"Come on, Susan. We all know it exists," Harry cut Susan off firmly, eyeing her out of the corner of his eye. "There's no other way that Basilisk came inside the castle yesterday. What did that writing on the wall say? When they found those two girls?"
"The heir of Slytherin has returned, and all that," Neville whispered.
"Who else can open the chamber that belonged to Slytherin himself? Only his heir," Harry said firmly. "I'm telling you, Voldemort opened the Chamber of Secrets back then and he did it this time as well. The only difference is that back then, he did it by himself but this time, he was using Edgecombe in some way."
"The Death Eaters also regard Voldemort as the Heir of Slytherin," Daphne whispered. Harry already knew how she might know about it and he merely nodded.
"What are you thinking exactly, Harry?" Susan asked firmly, having a bad idea about it. She could see his brain working and she knew she would not like where it'd take him.
"The Chamber of Secrets exists, and its monster has been killed," Harry said softly, eyeing the trophy with Tom's name inscribed on it. "It would be terribly rude of us to not try to discover where it is and see for ourselves what these secrets really are."
"Are you for real right now!?" Hannah exclaimed in shock before Susan could. "Harry… no one knows where the Chamber is. We've read it in Hogwarts: A History. There have been many attempts to find out its location, but no chamber was ever found."
Harry merely glanced at her with a smirk. "They didn't find the chamber because they didn't have me."
"Stop being so cocky," Susan gently slapped his arm, frowning.
"It's not being cocky if it's a fact," Harry replied. "Think about it. Slytherin was known to be a parseltongue, and so is Voldemort. Surprisingly, I am one as well."
"You think parseltongue will help you find the Chamber of Secrets?" Neville asked skeptically.
"Well, it's possible that only Slytherin or his heirs can access it, but I believe parseltongue might also come in handy. It'd be a bit hectic though, going around the castle and hissing about," Harry replied.
"You really think it's a good idea?" Susan asked with a foreboding voice. "One trouble has just ended, and you want to jump into another mess?"
"The monster is dead," Harry replied. "I don't think there'd be any risk. And even if there is, we all can take care of it. I'm confident in us."
"We've got to believe in ourselves," Daphne said softly. "We saw what we're capable of yesterday, and we'll only keep improving."
"Exactly," Harry nodded. "Don't forget Voldemort also found this chamber. It's possible that we could discover something really important that would help us against him."
Everyone pondered on his proposal in silence for a little while. Finally, Susan let out a resigned sigh and nodded.
"All right, I can see how that would be important," she said. "But I still don't like this…"
"I understand," Harry nodded. "But I believe we need this."
The group left the Trophy Room after a few minutes and parted ways, heading back to their respective common rooms for some much-needed sleep. The winter holidays would start the next day onwards, and as Harry exchanged a glance with Daphne, they both knew what it meant.
It was almost time for him to meet her mother. The woman who called herself his Mum's best friend. And the woman who, for some reasons, had not bothered to even look for him while he had been growing up in an orphanage. Harry had many questions, and he expected the woman to answer everything.
TBC.
Check out the link on my profile for early access and more of my work. Chapters 26, 27, and 28 are already up.
Thanks for reading.