With the Chamber of Secrets incident behind them, Hogwarts was slowly returning to normal. However, for Ezekiel and Harry, the aftermath of their involvement still lingered.
---
Ezekiel was sitting in the Ravenclaw common room, sipping tea while flipping through a book. He barely had time to read before Alys stormed in, dragging Daphne behind her.
"Brother, do you have any idea how reckless you were?" Alys scolded, crossing her arms.
Daphne, while less dramatic, nodded in agreement. "You went into the Chamber of Secrets alone to fight a Basilisk, Ezekiel. You could have died."
Ezekiel sighed. "I handled it, didn't I?"
Alys narrowed her eyes. "That's not the point! You're not invincible, you know!"
Daphne sat beside him, her expression softer. "She's right. Next time, at least let us know what you're planning."
Ezekiel smirked. "If I had, you both would've tried to stop me."
Alys pouted. "Exactly!"
Daphne sighed, but she reached for his hand and squeezed it. "Just promise me you'll be careful."
Ezekiel nodded. "I promise."
---
With the school year nearing its end, the Quidditch season was in full swing. Ezekiel, as Ravenclaw's star Chaser, had been eager to return to the pitch after all the chaos.
The match against Hufflepuff was an easy win, and with Gryffindor still recovering from the Chamber of Secrets mess, Ravenclaw was leading the House Cup race.
After practice, Adrian Selwyn walked up to Ezekiel, a smirk on his face.
"So, now that you're officially Hogwarts' hero, are you planning to retire and let the rest of us have a chance at the spotlight?" he teased.
Ezekiel chuckled. "You'd be lost without me, Selwyn."
Adrian laughed. "Fair enough. Just don't let all this attention get to your head."
---
One evening, Harry found Ezekiel in the library, flipping through an old book.
"Hey, Malverne," Harry greeted.
Ezekiel looked up. "Potter. What brings you here?"
Harry hesitated before sitting across from him. "I just… I wanted to ask you something."
Ezekiel closed his book, raising a brow. "Go on."
Harry glanced around, lowering his voice. "Back in the Chamber… you said something about the diary being a piece of Voldemort's past. What did you mean?"
Ezekiel exhaled, choosing his words carefully. "I meant that it wasn't just a cursed object. It was something more… personal. And the fact that it was inside Hogwarts means someone wanted it here."
Harry frowned. "Do you think Voldemort's still out there?"
Ezekiel didn't answer immediately. He had his suspicions, but he wasn't about to burden Harry with them yet.
"We'll find out in time," he finally said. "For now, just be prepared."
Harry nodded, though he still looked troubled.
---
As exams approached, Hogwarts settled into its usual rhythm.
Daphne and Alys were busy with their studies, determined to finish their first year strong.
Ezekiel balanced his time between Quidditch, academics, and his growing responsibilities as Lord Ravenclaw.
Gryffindor was still struggling after losing House points due to the Chamber of Secrets incident, making it likely that Ravenclaw or Slytherin would take the House Cup.
One evening, Daphne and Alys joined Ezekiel in his private quarters in Ravenclaw Tower.
"After everything that's happened, this year feels like it's lasted forever," Daphne admitted.
Alys nodded. "I can't wait to go home for summer."
Ezekiel smirked. "You'll miss Hogwarts within a week."
Alys scoffed. "Maybe. But at least I won't have to hear Pucey brag about Quidditch every day."
Daphne leaned into Ezekiel's side. "Do you think next year will be… calmer?"
Ezekiel chuckled. "Somehow, I doubt it."
And deep down, he knew the real challenges were only just beginning.
---