The events of the Chamber of Secrets spread across Hogwarts like wildfire. By morning, the entire school was buzzing with speculation.
Ezekiel had expected the attention—after all, he had slain a Basilisk, and Harry Potter had destroyed a piece of Voldemort's past. But what he hadn't anticipated was how quickly the news reached the press.
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The morning post arrived in the Great Hall, and every table erupted into gasps and whispers as students unfolded their copies of the Daily Prophet.
Right on the front page, in bold letters, was the headline:
"THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS OPENED—AND SEALED ONCE MORE!"
Beneath it was a moving photograph of Ezekiel Malverne standing over the lifeless Basilisk, his wand still raised. Another smaller image showed Harry Potter holding the destroyed diary.
Ez unfolded his copy and skimmed the article.
> "For the first time in centuries, the legendary Chamber of Secrets was opened, releasing the deadly Basilisk within Hogwarts. The monster was responsible for a series of terrifying attacks on students, but its reign of terror came to an end thanks to the efforts of two students: Lord Ezekiel Malverne, heir to the prestigious Malverne and Ravenclaw legacies, and Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived."
> "Lord Malverne, known for his exceptional magical prowess, confronted the Basilisk alone, engaging the serpent in a battle of sheer power and skill before ultimately delivering the killing blow. Meanwhile, Harry Potter uncovered the secret behind the attacks—a cursed diary linked to the Dark Lord himself—and played a crucial role in ensuring the Chamber would never be used again."
Ezekiel sighed, already predicting the attention this would bring.
At the Gryffindor table, Harry groaned as he read his copy. "Oh, great. Just what I needed—more fame."
Ron leaned over, grinning. "Well, at least they got the story right. You and Malverne saved the school."
Hermione, who had just returned from the Hospital Wing after being petrified, looked impressed. "That's incredible. Killing a Basilisk is no small feat."
Over at the Slytherin table, Daphne was reading the paper with an unreadable expression. She already knew the details from Ez's retelling, but seeing it in print made her realize just how much his reputation was growing.
Alys, sitting beside her, smirked. "My dear brother is becoming even more famous."
Daphne simply sighed, whispering, "As if he wasn't already."
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The professors were quick to address the situation.
Dumbledore had returned the night before, reinstated as Headmaster. At breakfast, he stood and addressed the students.
"Once again, Hogwarts has been saved by the courage of its students. Lord Malverne and Mr. Potter displayed remarkable bravery and skill in facing a threat that endangered us all. Let this be a reminder that true strength lies not in blood or heritage, but in the choices we make."
The students applauded, though reactions were mixed.
Gryffindors cheered loudly, especially for Harry.
Ravenclaws were beaming with pride for their House's victory over the Basilisk.
Slytherins were torn—some admired Ezekiel's power, while others were bitter that a non-Slytherin had been the one to slay the legendary serpent.
At the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy sat in stunned silence, gripping the newspaper. His father, Lucius Malfoy, had lost his influence at Hogwarts, and now Ezekiel Malverne was being hailed as a hero.
Pucey, Ezekiel's Quidditch rival, smirked. "Well, Malverne, I guess this means you're the new Hogwarts legend, huh?"
Ezekiel rolled his eyes. "I could do without the title."
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Beyond Hogwarts, the wizarding world was in an uproar.
Lucius Malfoy was exposed as the one who had smuggled the diary into Hogwarts, and he was promptly dismissed from the Board of Governors.
The Ministry of Magic scrambled to cover up their incompetence, trying to take credit for "supporting" the students.
Ezekiel's family received dozens of letters—some praising his bravery, others accusing him of "stealing Slytherin's legacy" by killing the Basilisk.
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Later that evening, Ezekiel and Harry found themselves alone in the Ravenclaw Tower, away from the overwhelming attention.
Harry leaned against the wall. "So… what happens now?"
Ezekiel exhaled. "Now? You get to enjoy your second year being over soon. As for me, I need to prepare for whatever comes next."
Harry studied him. "You think something else is coming?"
Ezekiel nodded. "This wasn't just an accident. That diary—it was a piece of Voldemort's past. Someone put it in the school for a reason."
Harry frowned. "Yeah… but we destroyed it."
Ezekiel didn't reply.
Because deep down, he had a feeling this was only the beginning.
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