[As the door slowly closes behind her, Mia climbs down the ladder and walks down the corridor.]
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to The Chamber of Secrets," Mia announced, her voice echoing through the room as she dramatically introduced the harrowing location on the screen, filling the living room with an eerie sense of anticipation.
The group sat transfixed, their eyes locked onto the unfolding scene, as Mia's words seemed to hang in the air. The atmosphere crackled with tension, each one caught in the grip of a collective held breath. The stunned silence was punctuated by a collective "Woah" from them. The word hung in the air, a testament to the overwhelming impact of the unfolding events and the formidable aura created by Mia's dramatic introduction. Each "Woah" was a shared expression of disbelief, awe, and perhaps a hint of unease, as the weight of this revelation settled upon them all.
[Looking ahead, she sees Ginny lying motionless at the end of the Chamber. She is clutching Tom Riddle's diary.]
Molly's protective embrace around Ginny sent a wave of comfort and reassurance through the room, as the rest of the Weasley family instinctively drew closer to show their solidarity. Mia observed the tender display, understanding the unspoken bond that united them. Her decision to shield Ginny from the full gravity of the Chamber's secrets was a testament to her empathy.
As the atmosphere softened with the warmth of familial support, Mia's thoughtful consideration of Ginny's well-being lay unspoken but deeply felt. It was an unspoken act of kindness, deftly navigating the delicate tendrils of guilt that lingered in the aftermath of the revelations.
Mia: Ginny. [runs to her, drops her wand and gets on her knees] Ginny. No, Ginny. Please don't be dead. Wake up. Wake up! Please wake up.
Some cringed with tears in their eyes, envisioning the peril Ginny faced. Each member of the Weasley family was visibly upset. With Ginny in distress, it was up to Ron and Mia to assist her. However, with Ron blocked behind the stone wall, the task of rescuing Ginny rested solely on Mia.
[Suddenly, Tom Riddle walks out of a nearby doorway.]
"Definitely gives me the creeps," Draco remarked, a shiver of unease evident in his voice as he glanced at the young man.
"Yeah, what's he even doing there?" Blaise questioned, a puzzled frown creasing his brow as he awaited an answer that never came.
"How on earth did he get there?" Seamus mused aloud, his tone conveying a sense of bewilderment that echoed through the room.
The Ministry workers, their brows furrowed in perplexity, contemplated the enigma before them. They exchanged looks of confusion, struggling to piece together the puzzle.
"Perhaps the movies will provide some answers," one of the workers remarked with a hopeful tone, as they all turned their attention back to the screen, eager for more insight into the mystery at hand.
Riddle: She won't wake.
The Weasley family was overcome with heartbreak upon hearing those words.
"Why won't she wake up? What's he getting at?" Charlie's voice cracked with emotion, tears streaming down his face as he voiced his distress.
His tearful plea echoed in the room, met with a heavy silence.
[Mia recognizes his voice and turns toward him. Riddle walks to her.]
Mia: Tom? Tom Riddle? What do you mean she won't wake? She's not...?
Everyone winced at Mia's implicit expression of concern, visibly affected by the weight of the impending question.
Riddle: She's still alive, but only just.
As the reality of Riddle's words sank in, a exhale of relief rippled through the hall, only to be swiftly replaced by tears that welled up in their eyes, overwhelming them with the distressing truth.
Mia: Are you a ghost?
Riddle: A memory, preserved in a diary for fifty years.
"In what world is that possible?" Lucius questioned, his voice laced with disbelief and confusion.
The aurors, their brows furrowed in bewilderment, mirrored the sentiment.
"Just watch," Mia responded quietly, her voice carrying the weight of an unspoken burden as she revisited a haunting moment from her past. In that moment, she had grappled with the fear of arriving too late to save Ginny.
Mia: [reaches out and touches Ginny] She's as cold as ice. Ginny, please don't be dead. Wake up.
Molly's heart shattered even further, the weight of the situation evident in her anguished expression. The Weasleys wore similarly strained and pained looks, grappling with their own inner turmoil. Tears glistened in the eyes of most of the people in the room, a shared sense of helplessness and sorrow palpable among them.
The adults harbored a deep sense of regret, knowing they had been powerless to save Ginny, unaware of the Chamber's entrance and how to breach it, even if they had known. In that pivotal moment, the burden of rescuing Ginny rested solely on Mia's shoulders. There was an unspoken understanding that regardless of the obstacles, she was the one they would place their hope and trust in.
[While Mia's not looking, Riddle bends down and picks up Mia's wand from where she left it]
"What's going on here, Mia?" Professor Snape's voice held a hint of urgency as he sought to understand the situation.
"What is he doing? Did he just take your wand?" Sirius questioned, his eyes narrowed in suspicion as he observed the mysterious figure's actions.
"Seriously, who is this guy?" Bill's voice rang out, reflecting the growing perplexity and concern shared by everyone. The sense of unease and uncertainty in the room continued to mount as they sought answers amidst the unfolding commotion.
Mia: You've got to help me, Tom. There's a Basilisk.
Riddle: It won't come until it's called.
"How would he know that?" Lavender voiced her cautious skepticism, her brows furrowing with uncertainty.
"What's he even doing there in the first place?" Susan's inquiry underscored the shared bewilderment and concern about the mysterious figure's unexpected presence and actions.
Mia: [looks up to see Riddle holding her wand and stands up] Give me my wand, Tom.
Riddle: You won't be needing it.
Mia: Listen, we've got to go. We've got to save her!
Riddle: I'm afraid I can't do that, Mia.
"Wait, what's happening?" Hermione's voice broke through the mounting tension, her eyes wide with concern and disbelief.
The sense of urgency and confusion grew palpable as the questions multiplied, the unsettled murmurs and anxious glances reflecting the growing unease in the room.
Mia's sigh conveyed a weariness, a hint of apprehension underscored by the gravity of the unfolding situation. With a resolute nod, she gestured toward the unfolding scene, silently urging everyone to watch.
Riddle: You see, as poor Ginny grows weaker, I grow stronger. [Mia looks at him, confused]
"How could that be possible?" Draco inquired, his tone laced with incredulity, but the lack of understanding was evident among the adults as they grappled with the unfolding events, their furrowed brows and exchanged glances reflective of their collective bewilderment.
A sense of perplexity and helplessness seemed to fill the air as the adults struggled to comprehend the inexplicable, their shared confusion leaving their thoughts at a standstill.
Riddle: Yes, Mia. It was Ginny Weasley who opened the Chamber of Secrets. [Ginny is shown standing in front of the sink in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom as it opens]
As the shocking revelation unfolded, the atmosphere crackled with disbelief and raw emotion. "WHAT?" The exclamation burst from multiple voices in a chorus of stunned confusion, reverberating throughout the room. The unexpected turn of events left everyone reeling as they grappled with the incomprehensible truth-Ginny had opened the Chamber of Secrets.
The revelation struck them like a thunderbolt, catching them completely off guard. Whispers of disbelief and incredulity filled the air, mingling with audible gasps as the sheer audacity of Ginny's actions sunk in. Ginny, overwhelmed and hunched in her seat, felt the tide of emotions wash over her as her family enveloped her in a protective embrace, their expressions reflecting a mix of relief, concern, and fierce protectiveness.
"Very well. Amelia, arrest her." Fudge's words sliced through the tension, his order met with a look of delight on Umbridge's face, her satisfaction evident at the prospect of exacting punitive measures.
"NO!" The collective outcry of Gryffindors and the Weasleys echoed through the room, their impassioned protest punctuating the charged atmosphere, their vehement objection ringing loud and clear.
Amelia, her features set in unyielding resolve, fixed a stern gaze on Fudge as she emphatically refused his directive. "I'm not going to arrest a child," she asserted firmly, unwavering in her commitment to uphold justice and fairness.
Umbridge seized the opportunity to weaponize the situation, her voice laced with false congeniality as she attempted to twist the narrative. "Miss Weasley opened the Chamber of Secrets and released the monster, a basilisk, with the intention to harm Muggleborns," she proclaimed, her malicious glee thinly veiled as she sought to assert her authority.
Amidst the mounting tension and confrontation, the Weasley family rallied around Ginny, their collective defiance palpable as they stood in staunch defense of their daughter and sister. "You are not taking my daughter anywhere!" Molly growled, her eyes flashing with an unwavering, protective fury that echoed in the fierce glares of the entire Weasley clan.
Amid the tumultuous stand-off, Mia rose from her seat, a palpable air of determination and authority surrounding her as she stepped forward to address the gathering. "Don't worry, they won't," she declared, her unwavering confidence cutting through the charged atmosphere like a clarion call.
The room fell under a hushed suspense as Fudge, his demeanor veiled in a facade of false composure, posed a question to Mia, his eyes fixated on the young woman who dared to challenge his authority. Mia, poised and unwavering in the face of the oppressive authority, returned Fudge's gaze with unyielding resolve, her words dripping with a defiant disdain. "Because in just a few short moments, she'll be found innocent. And you'll have no right to arrest her. Unless you want to send another innocent person to prison?" The biting edge in her rhetoric cast a damning light on the precariousness of Fudge's position, exposing the moral vacuum that underpinned his authority.
Fudge and Umbridge's ire flared in response to Mia's brazen challenge, their expressions darkening with indignation and resentment. However, it was Amelia who emerged as a beacon of justice, rising from her seat to stand resolutely before Fudge and Umbridge. "I will collect the truth about the Chamber of Secrets and those involved. I will not send innocent people to prison," she declared, her unwavering determination thrusting a defiant gauntlet in the face of injustice.
The tension in the room crackled with urgency and apprehension, the stakes of the unfolding confrontation poised on a knife's edge as the unyielding forces of justice clashed with the weight of authority. All eyes remained fixed on Mia and Amelia, their unwavering determination evoking a sense of hope and defiance in the face of adversity, a defiant declaration against the encroaching shadows of injustice.
Mia: No. She couldn't. She wouldn't.
Ginny's relief at Mia's support was evident in the shimmering hope that flickered in her eyes, briefly dispelling the cloud of fear and doubt that had enveloped her. The weight of Mia's unwavering trust imbued Ginny with a renewed sense of resilience, fortifying her spirit against the oppressive judgements that loomed around her. As subtle glimmers of faith and compassion emerged in the cautious gazes of some adults and students, these tender tendrils were cruelly quashed by the incendiary force of Molly's protective glare, a fierce testament to a mother's unwavering love and defense of her child.
Riddle: It was Ginny who set the Basilisk on the Mudbloods and Filch's cat, Ginny who wrote the threatening messages on the walls. [Ginny is show using her blood-covered fingers to write on the wall]
Mia: But why?
Riddle: Because I told her to.
"Wait, what?" Everyone exclaimed in unison, incredulous at the sudden turn of events.
Umbridge and Fudge, visibly paled as the reality of their potential error sank in. The gasp-inducing possibility that they had indeed been wrong hung heavily in the air, casting an unsettling shadow over their previously unwavering confidence.
Riddle: You'll find I can be very persuasive. Not that she knew what she was doing. She was, shall we say, in a kind of trance. [as Ginny is shown running into a stall and throwing the diary into the toilet]
"What?" The collective incredulity echoed once more through the room, the sense of disbelief palpable in the shared gasp.
Fudge and Umbridge visibly paled even further, their previously assured demeanor faltering under the weight of doubt. Their exchange of uneasy glances betrayed the cracks in their previously unshakeable conviction.
"Looks like Mia was right, yet again," Sirius quipped, the satisfaction evident in his tone as he acknowledged the vindication that hung in the air. The subtle smirks and knowing glances exchanged.
"I believe that clears Ms. Weasley's name?" Amelia asserted, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction, her unwavering belief in justice evident in her unwavering gaze.
"Yes, I believe it does," Fudge grumbled in irritation, attempting to mask his chagrin with feigned joy, a facade that failed to deceive anyone in the room. The subtle eye rolls and stifled chuckles among the onlookers betrayed the transparent nature of Fudge's facade, underscoring the collective awareness of his true feelings.
Riddle: Still, the power of the diary began to scare her. And she tried to dispose of it in the girls' bathroom. And then, who should find it but you? The very person I was most anxious to meet.
"And why did he wanna meet you, Mia? I mean, no offense but you weren't even born when he was alive," Neville asked in a worried tone, his concern for one of his best friends etched on his face.
Mia began to twitch uneasily in her seat, her discomfort evident as she avoided making eye contact with anyone. The awkward silence hung heavy in the air, punctuated only by the faint sound of shifting feet and the rustling of clothing.
"What's going on, Mia?" Remus asked cautiously, his knitted brow revealing his disquiet at the direction of the conversation.
Mia let out a heavy sigh, her hesitation palpable as she slowly raised a trembling finger to point at the screen, her gesture signaling a troubling revelation that sent a ripple of tension through the group. As her finger traced the scene, a sense of foreboding settled over the room, the air thick with apprehension.
The room fell into a hushed unease, the tension becoming almost palpable as the implications of Mia's revelation sank in.
Mia: [stands in front of the Slytherin statue] And why did you want to meet me?
Riddle: I knew I had to talk to you, meet you if I could. So I decided to show you my capture of that brainless oaf Hagrid to gain your trust.
Mia: Hagrid's my friend! And you framed him, didn't you?
Riddle: It was my word against Hagrid's.
"I told you he has nothing to do with the Chamber of Secrets. And Moaning Myrtle," Mia stated firmly, her glare fixed on Umbridge and Fudge, her frustration and defiance evident in her unwavering gaze. The air crackled with tension as her words hung in the room, a palpable challenge to the authority figures.
Riddle: Only Dumbledore seemed to think he was innocent.
Mia: [smirks at him] I'll bet Dumbledore saw right through you.
Riddle: He certainly kept an annoyingly close watch on me after that. [walks around Mia as he speaks] I knew it wouldn't be safe to open the Chamber again while I was still at school, so I decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old self in its pages, so that one day, I would be able to lead another, to finish Salazar Slytherin's noble work.
"Again, how is this possible?" Draco asked, his frustration evident in his voice as he struggled to make sense of the unfolding events.
"We will find out later on," Tonks offered, attempting to find any clue in her memory to unravel the perplexing mystery, but ultimately coming up empty-handed.
Mia: Well, you haven't finished it this time. In a few hours, the Mandrake draught will be ready. And everyone who was Petrified will be all right again.
"Oh, thank Merlin," Many of the good students exclaimed, their collective relief evident as some placed a hand over their heart, attempting to steady the rapid beating over the overwhelming sense of release.
Riddle: [smiles maliciously] Haven't I told you? Killing Mudbloods doesn't matter to me anymore. For many months now, my new target has been you. [Mia looks at him in surprise]
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Sirius said, his unease palpable as he, too, began to twitch in his seat, his nerves on edge. The shared apprehension spread through the room, as a collective sense of disquiet settled over them, each individual's nerves beginning to rise in response to the looming uncertainty.
Riddle: How is it that a baby with no extraordinary magical talent was able to defeat the greatest wizard of all time?
"What's going on?" Madam Pomfrey asked, a deep sense of foreboding almost consuming her entire being. Three of their students had been in danger, one they were aware of, and two that they were only informed about after everything had concluded.
"Is he talking about You-Know-Who?" Pansy asked, a tinge of fear creeping into her voice. But no one answered her. The heavy silence that followed spoke volumes, carrying the weight of unspoken fear and uncertainty.
Riddle: How did you escape [pushes Mia's hair aside with his wand to see her scar] with nothing but a scar while Lord Voldemort's powers were destroyed?
Everyone, except Dumbledore and Mia, cringed at the mention of his name. A heavy silence settled over the group, punctuated by uneasy glances and furtive looks exchanged among the students and staff.
"How would he know about You-Know-Who?" Neville asked shakily, his voice tinged with fear and confusion. His hands trembled slightly as he spoke, betraying the underlying anxiety that gripped him.
"He wasn't even around when he took over. He was around before You-Know-Who's time," Lee chimed in, his brow furrowed in deep thought as he attempted to rationalize the inexplicable connection.
Mia: Why do you care how I escaped? Voldemort was after your time.
The room collectively cringed at the mention of You-Know-Who, with unease hanging like a heavy cloud in the air. Tension rippled through them, and an atmosphere of apprehension settled over them.
"Exactly, it was after his time," Lucius interjected, his voice echoing the perplexity shared by everyone in the room. His expression mirrored the same confusion and bewilderment as he sought to make sense of the inexplicable revelation.
Riddle: [smiles wickedly] Voldemort is... my past, present, and future.
"What?" several voices exclaimed simultaneously, each one reflecting the bafflement and disbelief that reverberated through the room.
"I don't understand," Remus added, his voice tinged with a mix of concern and perplexity as he struggled to grasp the gravity of the situation.
Fear, worry, caution, and confusion were just a few of the myriad emotions that permeated the hall, casting a heavy pall over the assembled group. The collective unease and uncertainty hung thick in the air, as the perplexing revelation continued to baffle and unsettle them all.
[turns toward the statue and uses Mia's wand to write his full name in flaming letters; after writing the "E", he flicks the wand, and the letters rearrange themselves to say "I AM LORD VOLDEMORT]
The atmosphere in the room turned tense, and an eerie silence descended as everyone lost their ability to breathe or even think clearly. The color drained from their faces, leaving them in a pallid, shocked state as they stared at the ominous sentence flashing on the screen before them. Their fear was palpable, manifesting in shivers that coursed through their bodies, their collective disbelief and dread echoing in the muted stillness.
"That's... That's..." Draco's voice faltered, his words revealing the depths of his shock and disbelief, his usually composed demeanor faltering in the face of the harrowing revelation.
"Yes. That is the sixteen years old, human-looking version of Voldemort," Mia stated, her voice firm and resolute, making everyone in the room cringe at the mere mention of his name. The name that bore an unparalleled weight of terror and darkness, sinking a heavy cloud of unease over the group once again.
Mia: [as the letters fade and Riddle turns to face him] You. You're the Heir of Slytherin. [Riddle stares evilly at Mia] You're Voldemort.
"Oh, my goodness," McGonagall whispered, her hand rising instinctively to cover her gasp of horror. The shock was etched on her face, a reflection of the stark disbelief that gripped her.
'The Dark Lord was right. There had been signs of his return,' Lucius thought to himself, his mind reeling as he grappled with the weight of the revelation. The implications of his master's return weighed heavily on his thoughts, and a mix of trepidation and uncertainty clouded his normally composed demeanor.
He, Severus, and the future Death Eaters gazed transfixed at the teenage version of their Dark Lord, their minds struggling to reconcile the incongruity of the sight before them. The once-human appearance of the figure on the screen stood in stark contrast to the malevolent force he had become. It was a jarring realization that left them speechless, each fraught with a sense of dread and disbelief.
"It's just... unbelievable," Lucius murmured, finally finding his voice, his words echoing the sentiments shared by all who bore witness to the harrowing truth unfolding before them.
Riddle: Surely, you didn't think I was going to keep my filthy Muggle father's name? No. I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world!
"You-know-who, the Heir of Slytherin, isn't a pureblood?!" the children of his followers and future followers questioned, their voices tinged with uncertainty and disbelief. The revelation had shattered their preconceived notions and left them grappling with the stark implications of this inconceivable truth.
Many turned their gaze back to the screen, their brows furrowed in bewilderment and disbelief as they struggled to comprehend the ramifications of this startling disclosure.
"Just because he isn't a pureblood, doesn't mean that he's not dangerous," Mia interjected, her voice carrying an earnest urgency as she sought to impart wisdom and understanding to her peers. Her words carried an underlying plea, a fervent attempt to sway their impressions and redirect their focus. However, few managed to register her words, their attention still fixed on the screen, their minds reeling with the disquieting revelations that had been unveiled before them.
Mia: Albus Dumbledore is the greatest sorcerer in the world!
"Thank you, Mia," Dumbledore said, his voice carrying a mixture of gratitude and remorse. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air as he grappled with conflicting emotions, a tale of both relief and regret etched on his features.
Riddle: Dumbledore's been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of me!
Mia: He'll never be gone! Not as long as those who remain are loyal to him! [Mia and Riddle glare at each other; a musical sound is heard nearby; Mia and Riddle look down the corridor to see Fawkes flying towards them, carrying something] Fawkes?
"Fawkes?" Many voices rose in a chorus of confusion, the room filled with a palpable sense of bewilderment. The melodious trill of a phoenix's song filled the air.
[Fawkes drops a bundled-up object into Mia's hands as he flies over and around them, then back down the corridor; Mia unrolls the object, which turns out to be the Sorting Hat]
Riddle: So this is what Dumbledore sends his great defender: A songbird and an old hat.
Sirius exclaimed, "I wanna slap him. Can I slap him?" His frustration was evident as he eyed the screen.
Mia responded with a grin, "Go for it. You're welcome to try, but I wouldn't recommend it for your long-term health." Her playful tone and quizzical look added a lighthearted touch to the exchange, causing a ripple of laughter among them.
[backs away from Mia as she continues examining the Sorting Hat, then walks toward the Slytherin statue and extends his left hand] Shearhas- Samnathas- Sélithaeine. (Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four.)
The eerie atmosphere in the room intensified as the teenage Dark Lord's words slithered into the air in the hissing tones of Parseltongue. The group exchanged uneasy glances, the discomfort palpable within the hushed stillness.
"Hearing it from Mia was one thing, but hearing it from You-Know-Who was a completely different thing," someone muttered, capturing the stark contrast and unease that permeated the air. Almost everyone nodded in agreement.