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"Got it!"
After returning from the girls' dormitory, he didn't go straight back to his own room. Instead, he mounted his broomstick and sped away from the castle.
Throughout the journey, he kept the broomstick at maximum speed, eventually landing in a nearby Muggle town. Disguising himself as a Muggle, he wandered around various bars, changing his appearance and clothing multiple times before finally heading back to Hogwarts.
By the time he returned to his usual form and changed into his pajamas in the Slytherin dormitory, it was already four in the morning.
After dispelling the sleeping charms on his three roommates, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning proceeded as usual. Aside from Ginny herself, no one had any idea he'd snuck into the girls' dormitory and taken Voldemort's diary.
Under ordinary circumstances, no one should be able to trace the diary's theft back to him. But, of course, he had to account for Dumbledore.
If Ginny confessed, Dumbledore would certainly investigate who had stolen Voldemort's diary.
That's why he went through all the trouble of creating such a convoluted trail the previous night.
Now he just hoped Dumbledore wouldn't use a Time-Turner. If Dumbledore did, then all of his efforts would likely be in vain.
He didn't think it would come to that. When Hagrid and Sirius were wrongfully accused, no Time-Turner was used. So it can't be that easy to justify.
Besides, a Time-Turner can only go back five hours at most; any further than that is too dangerous.
Even if he's found out, it's not exactly a big deal. The worst that would happen is Dumbledore paying him closer attention.
After all, what has he done? He hasn't killed anyone or done anything truly harmful—he's just a bit curious about the diary.
He could even claim he was tempted by Voldemort's influence or something similar.
Ultimately, with Dumbledore's character, he wouldn't secretly eliminate him over a stolen diary.
So he wasn't genuinely worried about exposure, though it would be better for him if he stayed undiscovered.
His studies at Hogwarts would also go more smoothly that way.
Friday morning's two Potions classes proceeded as normal. After lunch in the Great Hall, he was pulled aside by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny and led to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom on the third floor.
"What are we doing here?" George asked, feigning confusion.
Harry took a deep breath and said, "George, Ginny told us something. We think we might know where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is."
"George, I didn't mean to keep it from you—I was just really scared at the time. But you were right; we shouldn't avoid mistakes but face them courageously. Actually..."
Ginny stepped forward and recounted her story once more.
"So, you want Harry to try using Parseltongue to see if he can open the Chamber's entrance?" George asked, pretending to be shocked.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, if Harry really can open the entrance by speaking Parseltongue, we'll notify the professors immediately. They can handle the basilisk, and that way, no one else will get hurt. Dumbledore can return, and the school won't have to close because of the creature."
"Then let's try. Just telling the professors outright probably wouldn't work; they might not believe it without proof."
After a moment of thought, George agreed with their plan.
After all, opening the entrance won't let the basilisk escape—there's another door further in.
Plus, this way, the professors can handle the basilisk themselves, and he won't have to worry about it anymore.
It's safe and secure, and he'll get to witness a battle between some of the world's top wizards and a basilisk. That should be very educational for his magical studies.
The thought even made him a little excited!
Harry walked over to the sink as Ginny had directed, and looked at a copper tap with a small snake etched onto it.
"Open!" he commanded.
Nothing happened.
"H-Harry, you have to use Parseltongue—you know, that hissing sound. Speaking normally won't work," Ron reminded him nervously.
George positioned himself in front of Ginny and Hermione protectively.
"If anything dangerous happens, just hold onto me," he said.
Of course, he knew there was no real danger, but appearances were important. Without a bit of show, things would seem out of place.
After all, a performance had to look authentic.
Harry and Ron had brought him along not only because they trusted him but also because of his skills. They knew if something unexpected happened, George would be able to protect them.
After all, he was currently the only student to have escaped from the basilisk. Not only did he get away safely, but he also managed to save Hermione, which naturally gave Harry and the others a sense of security.
"Got it. We're not afraid of that creature!" Ginny and Hermione each grabbed one side of George's robes, nodding nervously yet resolutely.
Despite their apprehension, both girls were Gryffindors. Though scared, they showed bravery as they clung to George's robes, each discreetly taking out their wands.
If the basilisk emerged, they didn't plan to rely solely on George. They each had spells they could use to help in whatever way they could.
Ginny, in fact, knew there was another door inside that would prevent the basilisk from escaping. She'd reassured Harry and the others, but their nerves persisted.
After all, this was the legendary Chamber of Secrets, created by Salazar Slytherin himself, one of the four founders of Hogwarts. Inside lurked a creature capable of killing with a single glance—the terrifying basilisk.
"Open!"
Harry closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried again.
This time, he didn't use English but spoke in a hissing, serpentine language.
Instantly, the tap bearing the snake emblem emitted a dazzling white light and began to spin rapidly.
Magic pulsed through the air as the sink shifted and disappeared, revealing a large pipe leading down into darkness.
The pipe was just big enough for an adult to slide down.
"I'll stay here and guard the entrance. Go get the professors and heads of house!" George said, taking out his wand and pointing it at the entrance with a look of alert determination.
"Don't worry, I can fly. Even if the basilisk does appear, it won't be able to catch me."
Harry and the others exchanged a quick glance before racing off on their short legs toward the professors' offices.
"Voldemort would be furious if he knew about this," George mused with a smile as he thought of the diary now hidden away in his stash.
The sixteen-year-old Voldemort had worked so hard to win Ginny's trust, gradually gaining enough control to influence her actions.
In just over a month, he would have been able to fully possess Ginny, resurrecting himself in her body.
But George had completely foiled his plans. Now even his ultimate weapon, the basilisk, would soon be taken down by the combined efforts of Hogwarts' professors.
(End of Chapter)