Chapter 20: It Cant Wait (1/2)
Chris shouted as she ran towards Colin. She touched his hand which was hard as a stone. Chris started to sweat.
What to do? What to do?
Just then someone came towards them.
”Miss. Norton?”
Chris looked up and saw Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall was shocked to see Colin.
”What happened Miss. Norton?”
Professor Dumbledore came from another side.
”Albus!” Professor McGonagall said as he saw him.
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Professor Dumbledore looked at Chris and Colin.
”To the Hospital Wing.” He ordered.
Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall carried Colin's statue-like body. Chris was following them behind. She felt like someone was stabbing her heart. The guilt of Harry's hand injury wasn't even gone when this happened to Colin. Ginny wasn't talking to her either. She clenched her fist. She was angry with herself.
As they placed Colin on a bed in Hospital wing,
”Get Madam Pomfrey,” whispered Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall hurried to get Madam Pomfrey.
Soon Professor McGonagall came back followed by Madam Pomfrey. She took a sharp breath.
”What happened?” Madam Pomfrey whispered to Dumbledore, bending over the statue on the bed.
”Another attack,” said Dumbledore. ”But I think Miss. Norton will able to explain what happened.”
Madam Pomfrey noticed Chris who was standing near the wall.
”She was there too?” Madam Pomfrey asked looking surprised.
”Yes. I was passing by when I heard Miss. Norton's scream.” Said Professor McGonagall. ”What happened Miss. Norton?”
”I... Ummm....” Chris was trembling. She took a few deep breaths then said, ”Colin wanted to meet Harry and give some fruits to him. He asked me to come with him. I agreed. We were on our way to here when I saw....” Chris paused.
”You saw what?” Professor McGonagall asked hurriedly.
”I saw someone's robes. Someone was hiding from us. I tried to follow that person but couldn't find him or her, and by the time I came back, Colin was on the floor. I'm sorry... I shouldn't have left him alone.” Chris's voice trembled again. ”Professor is he also petrified?”
”Yes.” Said Professor Dumbledore. ”And I think if you would've been there with him then you could've been attacked too.”
All of them stared down at Colin. Then Dumbledore leaned forward and wrenched the camera out of Colin's rigid grip.
”You don't think he managed to get a picture of his attacker?” said Professor McGonagall eagerly.
Dumbledore opened the back of the camera.
”Good gracious!” said Madam Pomfrey.
A jet of steam had hissed out of the camera. There was a strong smell of burnt plastic.
”Melted,” said Madam Pomfrey wonderingly. ”All melted ...”
Chris gathered herself and asked directly to Professor Dumbledore, ”It's the monster within the chamber, isn't Professor?”
This time her voice wasn't trembling nor there was fear, it was a determination in her voice.
”Miss. Norton!” Professor McGonagall tried to stop Chris but Professor Dumbledore said, ”It's alright Minerva. They have the right to know.” He looked at Chris. ”Yes. Miss. Norton. I also think the same. And it means that the Chamber of Secrets is indeed open again.”
Madam Pomfrey clapped a hand to her mouth. Professor McGonagall stared at Dumbledore.
”But.... who?”
”The question is not who,” said Dumbledore, his eyes on Colin. ”The question is, how....”
Is that mean Professor Dumbledore knows who the heir is? Or he thinks who opened the chamber is less important than... how that person opened it?
”Minerva I will ask you to escort Miss. Norton to the Gryffindor tower. I think she should not go alone.” Professor Dumbledore' voice brought Chris back from her thoughts.
”Sure... Professor...” Professor McGonagall said and turned towards Chris. Chris nodded and was about to leave the wing when Dumbledore's voice sounded again, ”Try not to wander around alone, Miss. Norton.”
Chris looked back at Colin and left. That night was very difficult for Chris. She wanted to let out her anger, guilt, pain. She wanted to scream but there was no way. She went to her room and silently fell on her bed. Her eyes were sleepless. She stared at the window for hours. Finally, when she closed her eyes, her nightmares came back.
She was in the middle of the forest, standing in front of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. They were standing face to face, glaring at each other.
”I am asking you for the last time. Where is the Chamber, Salazar?” Godric Gryffindor roared.
”Do you think after insulting me, you will get an answer from me?” Salazar Slytherin answered angrily.