Chapter 43 - Return of Tom Riddle (2/2)
He smiled while Isle hissed, ”it looks just like me aside from being all silvery”. He replied, ”isn't it? I guess I have the best affinity with you, after all”. Isle jumped at him and crawled up through his arm and coiled around his head while rubbing its head to his cheek and made a chuckle escape out of him.
The next day, without any bodies this time, Huge writing appeared on the wall on the first floor at the exact spot Mrs. Norris was hanged before, ”I'm hidden somewhere inside the castle. Come and find me before this poor red-haired girl dies out of the blood loss”.
Everyone who heard of it gathered around along with Neal. Upon hearing it's a red-haired girl, her brothers along with Ron started to panic while Dumbledore calmed them down. Neal then realized and uttered aloud, ”Ginny's been possessed again, isn't she?”. As Dumbledore's face became dark, Ron shouted, ”what do you mean by that?”.
When Neal was about to reply, Dumbledore interrupted, ”Prefects. Please take all of the students to their respective dormitories. Neal, Harry follow me and along with the teachers”.
As all of them went to a small empty room nearby, Lockhart began to boast, ”don't worry, with my amazing skills, I'll rescue the poor girl and capture whoever kidnapped her just like how I saved the princess of...”
He was cut off in the middle by Dumbledore, ”If you please let me talk”. Lockhart sealed his mouth while Dumbledore spoke, ”Neal, how much you know about the diary?”. Neal replied, ”recently I've read a book by Mr. Weldon Quilt about the soul.
It said a human can separate a piece of his soul and put it inside an object so that he can return to life even after his original body was dead. I think Tom Riddle did exactly that. He sealed a piece of his soul inside his diary to come back to life later by absorbing the life force of the people who use it, converse with his soul in daily life.
But what I don't understand is why did he possess Ginny to kill Norris and frame me?. It's not like he can open the chamber. Or can he?”. Prof. McGonagall was taken aback after listening to his name and started to panic.
Then, Lockharts commented, ”isn't he the genius who set the records for all years in academics, forty to fifty years ago? well, Although he isn't as intelligent and famous as me, he is considered a small-time celebrity in his times”.
Prof. McGonagall irked by his words spoke, ”Professor Lockhart. I think this little problem doesn't need your ȧssistance. You can return to your office”. After throwing Lockhart out, Dumbledore said, ”you're better off not knowing those things, Neal. I can't believe there are still books about the soul present in the library.
Anyway, we have to find the girl before the end of the day. Harry, you stay with Prof. McGonagall and Neal, you stay with prof. Snape while we're searching. I believe Tom Riddle's target is one of you. I can't take chances. You two stay with the Professors, alright?”.
Just when Dumbledore is about to disapparate from there, Neal shouted, ”wait. I think I know where he might be hiding”. Harry anxiously asked, ”where?”. Neal replied, ”the same place which can be opened by both of us and also him”. Dumbledore and McGonagall sounded at the same time, ”The chamber of secrets”.
Without waiting for anyone else, Dumbledore grabbed Neal and apparated to Myrtle's bathroom. As there are anti-apparition charms all over Hogwarts, the Professors had to walk quickly towards the entrance.
Neal opened the entrance of the chamber with parseltongue by saying, ”Open”. They jumped inside the pipes and slowly made their way through the dark tunnel. As Neal opened the door, they entered the hall and found a 16-year-old Tom Riddle before Ginny, who laid on the floor unconscious.
He let out a wicked smile, ”too late, Albus Dumbledore. Lord Voldemort is back”.