Chapter 31: Confrontation (1/2)

”Something is wrong. We should check.” Ron said, running towards Harry on the field.

Chris and Luna looked at each other and followed.

”Do you think it's Creole flowers?” Luna said. ”They make the grounds..”

”Not now Luna.” Chris replied hurriedly. She always hears about Luna's creative things but not now.

As Professor McGonagall hurried out the field with Harry, she glanced at Ron, Chris and Luna.

”Yeah perhaps you all can come...” she said.

Some of the students swarming around them were grumbling about the match being canceled; others looked worried. Chris, Luna, Harry and Ron followed Professor McGonagall back into the school and up the marble staircase. But they weren't taken to anybody's office this time.

”This will be a bit of a shock,” said Professor McGonagall in a surprisingly gentle voice as they approached the infirmary. ”There has been another attack . . . another double attack.”

Chris's heart sank.

This is terrible.

Professor McGonagall pushed the door open and they all entered after her.

Madam Pomfrey was bending over a sixth-year girl with long, curly hair. Chris recognized her as the Ravenclaw Prefect, she had met before. And on the bed next to her was —

”Hermione!”

Harry and Ron ran towards her.

Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy.

”They were found near the library,” said Professor McGonagall. ”I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them. . . .”

She was holding up a small, circular mirror.

Chris felt something around her wasn't making sense anymore. The Diary was in her room then how did this thing happened?

Chris ran towards the Gryffindor tower without thinking. Professor McGonagall and Luna called after her but she didn't stop.

She hurried through the crowded common room and finally stopped in front of her room. She took a deep breath and opened the cabinet. The Diary wasn't there.

Damn it, Ginny.

Just then Leon came in with a note. Chris took the note and read:

”Alright. Collect it from my house tomorrow morning.”

She ran back to the common room and saw Ginny was standing next to Percy. But before she can reach her Professor McGonagall came in with Harry and Ron, both looking devastated. Professor McGonagall gave a pointed look towards Chris and started reading a parchment.

”All students will return to their House common rooms by six o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No student is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher. All further Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed. There will be no more evening activities.”

She rolled up the parchment and said in a somewhat choked voice, ”I need hardly add that I have rarely been so distressed. It is likely that the school will be closed unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught. I would urge anyone who thinks they might know anything about them to come forward.”

Chris almost screamed but then she thought, 'First, It's important to talk to Ginny.'

Professor McGonagall climbed somewhat awkwardly out of the portrait hole, and the Gryffindors began talking immediately.

”That's two Gryffindors down, not counting a Gryffindor ghost, one Ravenclaw, and one Hufflepuff,” said the Weasley twins' friend Lee Jordan, counting on his fingers.

”Haven't any of the teachers noticed that the Slytherins are all safe? Isn't it obvious all this stuff's coming from Slytherin? The Heir of Slytherin, the monster of Slytherin ... why don't they just chuck all the Slytherins out?” he roared, to nods and scattered applause.

Chris made her way towards Ginny and grabbed her hand.

”Ginny! We need to talk.”

A shocked Ginny looked at her.

”Right. Now.” Chris said before she can open her mouth.

Chris dragged Ginny to their room and closed the door.

”Chris, What are you..?” Ginny panicked. ”Where's the diary, Ginny?” Chris asked looking straight into her eyes.