Chapter 43 - Return of Tom Riddle (1/2)
As Ginny wasn't ready to go to Dumbledore as she fears that her diary will be taken from her in the name of her safety, meanwhile, Neal is at the Restricted section searching for a book which can help him do the same as Tom Riddle.
Neal was fascinated with the idea of storing memories in a diary which can helpful for the next generation after he graduates from school. He further intends to research it and develop it in such a way where there are no side effects to the ones who converse with the memory of him.
While he was reading, he thought, ”it's different from the magical artifact, Pensive where one simply siphons the excess thoughts from their mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one's leisure. It felt as if Tom Riddle's memories have his own thoughts like a ghost. It isn't just storing something. But, strangely, I can't find things related to it”.
Then while reading another book about dark creatures, he mumbled, ”Dementors and Lethifolds? I know about the Dementors. They are the guards of Azkaban. Let's see what a Lethifold is. Hmm, it seems a bit similar to a Dementor but far more dangerous. Killing and digesting humans!”.
Just then, he found a book which is exactly what he needed. As he began to read, the librarian spoke to him, ”Mr. Slytherin, time is up”. He put the book back to the shelf while mumbling, ”well, I'll return next weekend to read the rest”.
The next day, during breakfast, Dumbledore stood up and said ”I have an important announcement to make. All students and the staff are prohibited to enter the Forbidden Forest until further notice. The school won't take responsibility for any death occurred in the forest”.
While the announcement surprised everyone, no one took it seriously as they already know it is called the forbidden forest for a reason. On the other hand, Neal is in a dilemma of whether to help them or not.
He can see innumerable profits on one side and on the other side, he's afraid of Dumbledore finding out that he's using the suitcase for personal reasons. If Dumbledore doesn't keep it as a secret, the Ministry has a right to confiscate the suitcase until he reached legal age.
Neal then thought, ”I guess it's better to sit this one out. Even if I lend Zora which is considered as an inheritance, I still need to control the Basilisk. She didn't perfect the skill yet to control her skill. She might kill even allies too in the process”.
Days passed, Ginny is becoming weaker and weaker as her life force is getting absorbed. She was again admitted into the hospital a couple of times more which brought Dumbledore's attention. He went to the hospital wing and saw a few of her classmates surrounded her bed in worry while she's bȧrėly speaking even after waking up.
After finding out the exact situation, he asked, ”Ginny, where is that Tom Riddle's diary? Any more use of it and you will die”. She just stayed silent. Dumbledore sighed, ”I'm sorry but for your sake, I have to confiscate the diary. This is an order as a headmaster. You have until tomorrow to give it up on your own”.
That night Ginny disappeared from the hospital wing. Meanwhile, in the Slytherin dormitories, Neal was standing inside the training room of cast-a spell-kit. He closed his eyes and began to think of happy memories.
He saw the first time someone of his kind raised a wand and performed magic. He remembered the scene when Edward gave him his parents' photo frame. He saw Isle coming out of the egg he was supposed to make Omlet and eat it.
Then he remembered the first time he flew on the broom like a flash and made lightning cut evading the twin Weasleys in a Mini Quidditch match. As a big smile began to appear on his face, he remembered the scene when Ms. Anne played ball catch with him, and knitted a sweater for him.
As he waved his wand in a one-round swirl pattern, a silver color light emerged out of his wand, he spoke, ”Expecto Patronum”. The light lit his room while a snake which is an exact identical to Isle appeared and crawl in the midair and went outside of his window and then vanished in thin air.