Bat-Bogey Hexers

39

"She isn't very nice," said Viola. "But everyone likes her because she's so funny, pretty, smart, popular . . ." Viola trailed off.

"I see," was all Dumbledore said.

Viola felt like she might've sounded a bit harsh, so she tried to amend her words.

"Of course I know it wasn't really Ginny who opened the Chamber," Viola said. I was wrong-" 

"On the contrary you were correct," said Dumbledore with a small smile.

Viola gaped at him.

"I-I was?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"But not in the way you think. She was not doing it of her own accord. In fact she was completely guiltless of of the crime. She was being controlled by a very dark form of magic," said Dumbledore. "With your information, if I had been at the castle at the time, we could've stopped this whole business much sooner. I can't help but be impressed by your mystery soliving skills."

Viola couldn't help but flush happily.

"But, I'm afraid, we have some other things to discuss," Viola's heart sank. "For instance, the sourness between you and Miss Weasley. I understand that jealousy happens-"

"I'm not jealous," Viola blurted.

Dumbledore peered at her. He looked like he was trying to conceal a smile. "I understand. However, Miss Lestrange, we only have a few years of being a child and they are far to precious to spend being bitter and petty."

Viola nodded but did not meet his eyes.

"You may go now, Viola."

Viola stood and turned away.

"But remember," Viola turned back to look at Professor Dumbledore. "There is still a chance to make friends, of which you can never have too many."

He winked at the girl, then allowed her to leave the hall.

🦇🦇🦇

Ginny sat in the corner of the lively Gryffindor Common Room, quite the forlorn little creature. She was lost in giant sweater which used to belong to one of her brothers. Her fiery red hair hung in front of her freckled face. She was trying not to be noticed and, truth be told, she was doing a very good job of it. The delight of having no end of term exams had the Gryffindors very exited, which they expressed by being even louder and more rambunctious than usual. Ginny could see Fred and George annoying some fourth year girls by levitating there homework about, Percy could be heard telling off some fifth years for laughing to loud and Ron was in a corner playing Chess with Hermione. Harry was sitting by them, just watching, with a peaceful smile on his face. Ginny had been even more embarrassed around him after he rescued her from the Chamber and he'd seen her an emotional sobbing mess.

As if he sensed Ginny looking at him, Harry looked around at her. He gave her a kind smile. Ginny blushed and tried to hide even further behind her hair.

After being rescued from the Chamber, Ginny was brought up to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey had her get it in bed and brought her the promised hot chocolate. The nurse had then announced that she would be reviving the ones who were petrified. As glad as Ginny was about this, she couldn't help but be scared. What if they had seen Ginny when she attacked them? They would only ever be able to think of her that way.

Hermione awoke jabbering. She gasped then said "It's a basilisk! The Slytherin monster is a basilisk it's been using the pipes! We have to go tell Dumbledore-"