Solis

Chapter XXXI

Over the next two days, Ron didn't find anything strange about the diary. It seemed like a regular one, so he just put it under his bed pillow and almost forgot about it until the following week when people started talking about the Heir of Slytherin. Some didn't believe in the Chamber of Secrets, thinking it was just a rumor. But when they asked Professor Binns in History of Magic, everyone got interested and kept asking questions until the poor ghost got frustrated and stopped them.

It's amusing how Ron isn't really interested in being detective, but Harry insisted them to become one and investigate but their findings were only traces of small spiders in where the first victime found. Ron caught one and showed it to Hermione, who let out a disgusted shriek. Maybe he could send a letter to Annabeth and her siblings with a dead spiders as a prank...

Percy even caught them talking to Myrtle in the girl's bathroom and warned Ron that he will write to Aunt Molly if he kept doing detective work.

Percy even caught them talking to Myrtle in the girls' bathroom and warned Ron that he'd write to Aunt Molly if he continued with detective work. But who could really stop the three of them? Hermione had a plan. They wanted to figure out who the Heir of Slytherin might be, suspecting it was Draco Malfoy, although they quickly backed down what the plan really was.

A Polyjuice Potion was Hermione's plan. She explained that it allowed you to transform into someone else if you had a piece of them. Ron grimaced in disgust, asking if they had to drink it with the hair in it. Hermione brushed off his comment and continued listing the ingredients, explaining the process of making it. But they were also worried about getting the ingredients. Frustrated, Hermione snapped the book shut, annoyed.

"Is there any other way?" Ron questions.

"Oh, yes, there is, if you're brave enough to venture into the Forbidden Forest and gather the ingredients yourself," Hermione replied with a huff.

"Cool. Count me in," Ron said.

"You're kidding, right?" Harry glanced at him.

The redhead pointed his finger at his own face and raised an eyebrow at Harry. "Do I?"

🔆

On a Saturday, while most students headed to the Quidditch stadium to watch the match, the redhead slipped out of the castle and made his way to the forest. He carried his quiver and celestial bronze, just in case, and also brought the diary. He figured it was better to be safe, in case someone found it in his bed—or an elf did—and something bad happened that he wasn't aware of.

The forest was shrouded in darkness and fog as Ron switched on his flashlight., confident enough to proceed. He referred to the list of ingredients that he had written down from the book they borrowed from the restricted section of the library. Ron had sketched out the items as well, making sure he wouldn't take anything wrong in the forest.

Suddenly, rain began to pour, and Ron immediately tucked the flashlight inside his jacket while he scanned the area.

He walked deeper into the forest, spotting the knotgrass in the ground. “Knotgrass…leeches…oh got them.“ Ron muttered to himself. He crouched down and collected what he needed, carefully placing everything in his sling bag.

Then suddenly Ron heard rustling sounds. He doesn't know whether it was just the rain or something else, he cautiously stood up, surveying his surroundings. Another rustle followed. Ron considered that it might be a small creature, perhaps a cat or something similar, if it was anything at all. But then again, who knows?

Remaining cautious, Ron continued to crouch and gather the ingredients. Suddenly, he sensed something behind him. Quickly, Ron withdrew his celestial bronze and turned, only to find a centaur there. The creature stepped back, raising its hand in a gesture of surrender.

The two of them locked eyes before Ron blinked, raindrops falling on his face. "You're... you're that centaur... from uh... from last year," he stammered.

The centaur slowly lowered his hand. "I detect your presence, half-blood. Its potency is formidable and laden with peril. What compels you to venture here unaccompanied?"

"I needed ingredients for potions. I sneaked in," Ron explained, then asked, "Who are you again?"

“Firenze.“ The centaur said. “I better advised you to be caution, a lurking presence inhabits the grounds of your institution."

“Lurking presence?“

"I perceive impending trouble lying there.“ He said, looking at the dark cloudy sky above. 

"No, maybe after you help me," Ron responded. "I mean, you're a different centaur, my friend told me you're a magical creature. How is that even possible?"

Firenze gazed at him thoughtfully. "I remain a centaur regardless of the circumstances.“

“Yeah, but—you don't party.“

"Speak of revelry, you do. Your companion has already informed you. The deity of magic fashions our role, bestowing her blessings upon us. Nevertheless, your part harbors disdain for ours."

"Um, I don't hate you," Ron stated.

The centaur tilted his head, as if he had heard something from a distance within the forest. “Excluding you, half-blood. The celestial bodies above hold contempt for us."

"You mean the gods?" Ron asked. "Not just you guys, they also hate magical mortals."

Firenze gave him a contemplative look. "In that case, how may I be of assistance to you, half-blood?" As Ron listed the remaining ingredients to him.

"Indeed, it entails a considerable expedition. Yet return to this location tomorrow, and I shall assemble the necessary components for you."

"Can I just come with you?" Ron asked. "And my name's Ron, not half-blood."

"I have no desire to incite conflict with the headmaster due to a student's absence within the woods. Go now...Ron.“ He said.

"Fine," Ron agreed, placing the celestial bronze back into its sheath. "But why are you helping me? I mean, I thought you hated our guts—wizards and witches, I mean."

"You are an anomaly, for your father... we possess a fragment of his bestowed blessing from the goddess of magic. Hence, we are bound to hold his offspring in high regard." He explained.

"I know that! You mean the, um, Prophecy, right?" Ron said. “Hagrid mentioned something before.“

"Your observation is accurate, although its efficacy is partial, a mere semblance. I must depart at this moment, and you should likewise. The... what you refer to as an event held within one of the arenas has recently ended."

"You mean Quidditch?" Ron asked, glancing towards the path leading back to the castle. "Oh, right, Harry! I have to go, bye Firenze!"

"Be careful."

"You too!"

🔆

"Ron! Where did you go?" Hermione exclaimed, rushing towards Ron just as he was heading to the Hospital Wing. Ron revealed to Hermione almost half of the ingredients they required for the potion. The bushy-haired girl gasped as she inspected them, and the two of them found a hiding spot together in one of the corridors.

"Are you crazy? The Forbidden Forest!?" Hermione scolded.

"I'll explain later, Hermione. I need to check on Harry first. I heard about what happened."

"He's resting. Something happened – he ended up with broken bones. A bludger hit him somehow, but Gryffindor won, and Professor Lockhart sort of removed the bones and..." She recounted.

"What?" Ron asked, looking confused. "Removed what?"

"Professor Lockhart removed Harry's bones. Maybe by accident or—"

Then the redhead started laughing, and Hermione turned red. "Could you please stop laughing? Oh my god."

They headed toward the Hospital Wing, and Madam Pomfrey allowed them only three minutes. Ron glanced at Harry, who was lying on one of the beds, and flashed a teasing grin.

"So, how does it feel to have no bones?"

That remark got them immediately kicked out by Madam Pomfrey, and because he was soaking wet and creating a mess on the Hospital Wing floor. But at least Gryffindor won the Quidditch match.

The next day, Ron went to the Forbidden Forest and was thankful for Firenze's assistance in gathering the remaining ingredients. He promised to return. Later, he learned about what had happened to Colin, so Hermione urged him to start working on the potion. Ron joined Hermione in preparing the ingredients. They decided to work on it while Harry was in the Hospital Wing.

Speaking of the boy. Harry knocked on the bathroom door and entered. "I don't want to hear any teasing," Harry said as he sat down with them.

Ron giggle as they started chatting while chrcking the ingredients. It turned out that Dobby, the elf who had visited Harry before, had visited him again. The only was the one who had blocked the barrier to the Hogwarts Express and almost killed Harry in the pich. Harry also had heard from Professor Dumbledore that the Chamber of Secrets was open again.

“Dude, this school's not safe anymore.“ Ron commented. 

"Don't tell me you're going to leave the school becase you're too scared." Harry teased, and Ron responded by throwing a leech at him.

"Let's hurry up, you two. We need to finish this before the feast!“ Hermione said. 

And there was an attack, what happened to Colin didn't improve Ginny's condition; it only got worse. Ron tried to assure her that everything would be alright, but Ginny didn't believe him. She continued to cry.

Ron couldn't quite figure out what was wrong with Ginny. Most first years were scared, but Ginny's reaction was different and more severe.

Ginny asked Ron if he had burned the diary.

"I hid it," Ron replied.

"You should have burned it. I can still feel it, still feel him," Ginny said, her voice trembling as she sniffled.

He shared this with Harry and Hermione as he wrote a letter to Lou, explaining that he wouldn't be able to make it to the Christmas camp. He mentioned something about needing to save the school due to the Chamber of Secrets being opened again. He hoped that Lou might have some insight into the situation.

Hermione frowned and said, "Well... I don't really know. Ginny must be going through a tough time."

Ron bit his lip as he wrote, "But... she's scared of this diary. I've checked it. and it doesn't seem harmful at all. There's nothing written on its pages."

"If it's a diary, why wouldn't anything be written in its pages? Ginny's letters should have appeared there," Hermione reasoned.

Ron sighed, "You're right. I'll look into it later. Are you guys staying for Christmas?"

"Yeah," Harry agreed. "I really don't want to go back to the Dursleys."

"We have to stick to the plan and get those bits of Crabbe and Goyle, like their hair or something," Hermione emphasized.

Ron reluctantly said, "Ughhh. Okay."

🔆

A week later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking across the entrance hall when they saw a small knot of people gathered around the notice board, reading a piece of parchment that had just been pinned up. Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas beckoned them over, looking excited.

“They’re starting a Dueling Club!” said Seamus. “First meeting tonight! I wouldn’t mind dueling lessons; they might come in handy one of these days…”

"Nice," Ron said to them. "It's useful to be able to defend yourselves if something attacks you."

"I feel like you have some experience with it," Dean said, looking at Ron curiously.

The redhead shrugged and replied, "Let's veeery hope not."

They were all for it, so at eight o’clock that evening they hurried back to the Great Hall. The long dining tables had vanished and a golden stage had appeared along one wall, lit by thousands of candles floating overhead. The ceiling was velvety black once more and most of the school seemed to be packed beneath it, all carrying their wands and looking excited.

Ron made a sound of disbelief when he realized Lockhart was the one teaching them. “What the heck? I'm out.“ but Hermione and Harry pulled him back just as he was about to go. Lockhart then mentioned Professor Snape, will be his assistant. He wished Professor Snape would just punch Lockhart's senses out; it would make for interesting entertainment. 

Lockhart and Snape turned to face each other and bowed; at least, Lockhart did, with much twirling of his hands, whereas Snape jerked his head irritably. Then they raised their wands like swords in front of them.

“As you see, we are holding our wands in the accepted combative position,” Lockhart told the silent crowd. “On the count of three, we will cast our first spells. Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course.”

“I wouldn’t bet on that,” Harry murmured, watching Snape baring his teeth.

“One —two—three—”

Both of them swung their wands above their heads and pointed them at their opponent; Snape cried: “Expelliarmus!” There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor.

The other Slytherins cheered as Hermione was dancing on tiptoes. “Do you think he’s all right?” she squealed through her fingers.

“Who cares?” Harry and Ron said together.

Lockhart was getting unsteadily to his feet. His hat had fallen off and his wavy hair was standing on end.

“Well, there you have it!” he said, tottering back onto the platform. “That was a Disarming Charm—as you see, I’ve lost my wand—ah, thank you, Miss Brown—yes, an excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don’t mind my saying so, it was very obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you it would have been only too easy—however, I felt it would be instructive to let them see…”

Snape was looking murderous. Possibly Lockhart had noticed, because he said, “Enough demonstrating! I’m going to come amongst you now and put you all into pairs. Professor Snape, if you’d like to help me—”

Professor Snape quickly approached Harry and Ron, separating them and assigning them new partners instead of each other. Ron felt unsure whether he should be embarrassed or disappointed as he was paired with Seamus.

“Face your partners!” called Lockhart, back on the platform. “And bow!” Ron and Seamus faced each other and bow as everyone else did.

“Wands at the ready!” shouted Lockhart. “When I count to three, cast your charms to disarm your opponents—only to disarm them—we don’t want any accidents—one…two…three—”

Ron held his wand between his teeth as he dodged Seamus's spell, then used his leg to trip Seamus and send him to the ground.

"Ow!" Seamus exclaimed.

“I said disarm only!“ Lockhard told them.

"Sorry," Ron muttered, "Uh, Expelliarmus?" Seamus's wand immediately flew into Ron's hand.

"How did you do that?" Seamus groaned.

Ron shrugged, giving him back the wand as he helped Seamus up. "One more time?"

"If you don't hurt me."

"How will you learn, dummy?" Ron said with a grin.

Ron thought this duel is kind of stupid, they threw them into it without teaching the basics first or giving exercises, as he watched Seamus sprawled on the ground—defeated by the redhead four times, which is disappointing. Finally, Professor Snape intervened, pairing Harry and Draco together in the middle of the hall and creating some space for them to watch.

Ron nearly shrieked when a snake suddenly appeared, gripping Hermione's robe tightly and hiding behind her back.

“Don’t move, Potter,” said Snape lazily, clearly enjoying the sight of Harry standing motionless, eye to eye with the angry snake. “I’ll get rid of it…”

“Allow me!” shouted Lockhart. He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight toward Justin Finch-Fletchley and raised itself again, fangs exposed, poised to strike.

Harry stepped forward and spoke to the snake in a strange language, which had the effect of making the snake stop in attacking Justin. “What do you think you’re playing at?” he shouted, and before Harry could say anything, Justin had turned and stormed out of the hall.

Ron, still shaken, remained hidden behind Hermione, too frightened to move. It wasn't until Harry and Hermione each grabbed one of his arms and guided him out of the room that he began to regain his composure.

"Ron, snap out of it," Hermion as they walked.

"But it's a snake," Ron replied in horror.

"I didn't know what happened, it just happened," Harry stammered, trying to explain what just happened.

"Harry, you spoke in a different language!" Hermione whispered urgently.

"What?" Harry asked, confused.

"You spoke to the snake. I've read about this somewhere, while researching the Chamber of Secrets in the library. I don't remember exactly where," she said, snapping her fingers as she tried to remember.

"I mean, I can speak to snakes?" Harry questioned, still coming to terms with this.

"Yes, you can. There's a name for it, you know," Hermione replied. "Let's jusy go to the library and find more about it. Ron, there's no snake here anymore!"

"I...I think I should go back to the dorm," Ron said, looking at them warily. "You know, check if there's a snake, I mean if there's, uh... I should, you know, check on Ginny."

"Ron—"

"See ya later!" Ron interrupted, rushing his way out.

"That boy!" Hermione exclaimed in annoyance.

When Ron hurriedly returned to the dorm, Neville suddenly sprinted out from the boy's dormitory, his eyes widened in terror. When he saw Ron, he immediately ran towards him, shouting in fear, catching the attention of everyone around.

"Help! Help!" Neville cried out.

"What?" Ron asked, bewildered, as Neville pointed back towards the boy's dormitory in sheer fright.

"What's going on here?" Percy asked, appearing at the door.

Neville stood behind the corner, trembling. "S-someone entered inside, I-I heard them when I was in the bathroom," he cried.

Ron glanced at them in confusion as he walked towards the dorm, curious about what was happening. But when he opened the door, he gasped. Their dorm room was in shambles, with their belongings scattered around as if a thief had been in a hurry. Drawers were left open, and even their bags and trunks had been rifled through. Percy appeared behind him and gasped in shock.

"What on earth...?" Percy exclaimed as everyone peered into their dorm room.

Ron walked towards his bed and threw his pillow to the floor, only to discover that the diary was no longer there.

"Did you see Ginny?"

"She's in class," Percy replied firmly. "All of you, go back to the common room. I will call Professor McGonagall!" He scolded, taking charge of the situation.

Ron had his doubts. Ginny was the only one who knew where he had hidden the book. He rushed out of the room, and the students outside were whispering to each other, curious about what was happening, muttering things like "maybe it is true that it was Harry." Ron fumed at the insinuation.

He sprinted towards the forest, heading deeper into the darkness. He glanced around, veering left, but suddenly felt someone standing behind him. Ron spun around and saw his younger cousin, Ginny, standing there before him. Her dark eyes stared at him, blood on her fingers and robes, clutching the diary with her as wand pointed directly at him.

"I knew it," Ron said, his voice tense.

"Oh, if it isn't my favorite cousin," Ginny smirked, and Ron glared at her. Her voice was disturbingly different from the Ginny he knew, low and dark, more like a teenager than a kid.

"What did you do to Ginny?" Ron demanded.

Ginny continued to smirk at him. "What do you mean? I'm Ginny," she replied, her tone unnerving.

"You sound like an old man," Ron admitted.

Ginny's smirk faltered, and she growled, stepping forward with her wand at the ready. "I should have killed you, a hindrance in my plan! It tells me, it speaks to me!" She hissed.

Ron drew his celestial bronze as they circled each other. "Well, I'm telling you to give me back Ginny, or I'll kill whoever you are inside her!"

This angered whoever inside Ginny, and she began firing hexes at Ron. He managed to duck most of them, although one hit him, causing some discomfort. Ron lunged at Ginny, and they tumbled to the ground as he wrestled the book out of her arms.

"No!" Ginny shrieked, trying to kick Ron in her desperation.

"Ginny, wake up right now!" Ron shouted, and the girl punched him in the face, but he didn't flinch. He succeeded in taking the diary from her and quickly backed away, standing up.

"Give it to me, give it to me!" she screamed, throwing hexes one after another. Then, suddenly, Ginny froze and fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"I told you, I told you, I told you," Ginny sobbed, her voice filled with guilt. "It's my fault."

Later that evening, the dorm had returned to its normal state, as if the intruder had never visited. Ron placed the diary on the bed and began pacing, lost in thought. Dean along with Seamus and Neville pushed the door open as they entered.

"I heard about what happened," Dean started.

"Shut up, I'm thinking," Ron snapped, continuing to pace.

Neville, biting his lips and trembling, spoke up. "H-he's doing it again."

"Neville, just close your eyes if you're feeling dizzy!" Seamus said rolling his eyes. "So, did they catch the thief?"

"Nope," Ron replied, still pacing.

"No!" Neville exclaimed. "It was so scary."

"Where's Harry? Dinner is coming soon. I haven't seen him since earlier. If only I knew... there are these…but I don't know... I still need to...them, and maybe if they are, then—"

The three of them looked at Ron, thoroughly confused. "You know what, mate? I'm gonna head to the common room," Dean said.

"Me too," Seamus chimed in.

"Me!" Neville added, following the two outside.

The next day, Ron decided to just do it. He burned the diary in the common room fireplace, watching as the book turned to pieces and then ashes. "Leave her alone," he muttered.

But over the next two days, Ron woke up to find the diary right beside him on his bed, frustratingly intact. Annoyed, he opened it and wrote a big curse word in Greek on its pages. But to his shock, the ink disappeared as if the book had absorbed it.

That is inappropriate word for a pureblood like you, Ginny.

Ron couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the page. This book, whoever or whatever it is—it was creepy and clearly not good for his younger cousin. Determined, he took out his pen again, stretched his neck and arms, and began to write again.

Leave Ginny alone, you PERVERT.

The page absorbed the ink, and a reply appeared as if written by an unseen hand. Ron leaned in to read what it said.

Who are you?

Ron glared at it. Ginny's cousin, so leave her alone or I'll hunt you.

The diary took only a few seconds to respond.

Where is she?

Ron wasn't sure if he should reply. The diary was dangerous, and Ginny wanted it back, and the book was controlling her. Ron thought about giving the book to Professor Dumbledore or to Professor McGonagall to check. That's a good idea, right?

So, he carried his book with him everywhere for a while until Christmas break arrived and he could still feel Ginny's eyes on him. During that time, they were preparing the Polyjuice potion, and the redhead finally had a chance to read Lou's reply, which he hadn't had a chance to read for a week because he'd been so busy with schoolwork.

Dear Ron,

            I'm sorry for the delay. I didn't want to jump to conclusions, so I've been gathering information from others about the Chamber of Secrets and here's what I've learned from a friend of ours, shared that the legend says the chamber was created by Salazar Slytherin himself, one of the founders of Hogwarts. Slytherin had a strong hate for non-magical mortals, so he designed the chamber to eliminate them using a creature that's hidden there.

            No one really knows what creature is in there, so please, please, please, be careful Ron, if you go down there to fight it. It must be huge if it's been living underground at your school, and I really don't want you to end up getting hurt or worse! Annabeth and Will would kill me.

            On a brighter note, I managed to save some pig balls and get some Greek fire from Cecil for you, just in case you need them. Just point your wand on it and say "turn back," to the pigs and they'll return to their regular state. Good luck with everything!

Your friend,

Lou

🔆

If you were to ask Ron how it feels to transform into someone else, he'd tell you it wasn't all that great. It's kind of weird and unsettling to be inside your own body but feeling different. The fact that he had to transform into Crabbe wasn't cool; he wasn't used to being in such a large body, and his nose was kind of looking weird. Ron couldn't help but keep checking his reflection until it was time for them to investigate whether Draco was the heir of Slytherin.

Of course, Draco turned out not to be the heir of Slytherin. He was also distracted by the common room's design and color which reminded him of Slytherin's association with snakes. The decor of the common room made Ron feel quite uncomfortable and fidgety.

Finally, they managed to leave the room, but Draco was giving them an odd look as he spoke. Ron couldn't figure out why; maybe Draco had some suspicions. But Ron hoped that Draco was too preoccupied to notice anything was wrong with them. When they returned to the bathroom, they found another problem, which wasn't a huge problem to them but was certainly a one for Hermione. Instead of getting Millicent's hair, she had gitten the wrong one. 

Hermione let her robes fall and Ron backed into the sink. Her face was covered in black fur. Her eyes had turned yellow and there were long, pointed ears poking through her hair.

“It was a c-cat hair!” she howled. “M-Millicent Bulstrode m-must have a cat! And the p-potion isn’t supposed to be used for animal transformations!”

“Get the camera.” Ron said.

“Ron, don't.“ Harry hissed. “It’s okay, Hermione,” he added, “We’ll take you up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many questions…”

Madam Pomfrey didn't ask too many questions and immediately kicked them out, but they had to visit their friend every evening to collect the necessary homework and notes. Ron had to compare his and Harry's notes before passing them on to Hermione. Even though she was sick, Ron knew she wouldn't stop studying for even for a moment.

Ron finally told them about the diary he had hidden in his robes for two weeks again but he kept quiet about Ginny or what he had saw in the Forbidden Forest involving her and the diary before. 

“You should burn it,” Harry suggested.

“Ginny and I already did, but it kept coming back to us in intact form.“ 

"Ron, you should really go see Professor Dumbledore and have him examine the diary," Hermione said. "He knows a great deal and might have an idea on how to get rid of it. You mentioned it was responding when you wrote on it, correct? It's probably enchanted or something of the sort."

Madam Pomfrey appeared to remind them that they only had three minutes left. "Well, unless you two know anything about T.M. Riddle, the dude who received that shining trophy for doing a special service or something fifty years ago, he must be the owner of the diary..." Ron muttered as he checked the first page of the diary again.

"What?" Hermione asked.

"How do you know that?" Harry asked, frowning.

"I cleaned the Trophy room during detention with Filch once, and one of the names caught my attention because it's the easiest one to read. It's just T.M. Riddle, see? Easy to remember." Ron explained.

"No," Hermione said firmly. "You said fifty years ago."

"Uh, did I?" Ron asked, sounding unsure.

Hermione sighed and took the diary. "Harry, Malfoy mentioned that the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago, and the person who opened it was expelled, right?"

"Yeah," Harry replied, still puzzled. "What's your point?"

"Oh, you two," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. “Don't you two realize, the owner of the diary—T. M. Riddle got an award for special services to the school fifty years ago. Well, what if Riddle got his special award for catching the Heir of Slytherin? His diary would probably tell us everything—where the Chamber is, and how to open it, and what sort of creature lives in it—the person who’s behind the attacks this time wouldn’t want that lying around, would they?”

Ron and Harry exchanged glances. "You're... right," Ron said. "So, we should ask it right away, then," he said and took out a pen.

But just then, Madam Pomfrey appeared, and Ron quickly hid the diary.

"Time's up, get out, now," she said.

The next day, they didn't have much time to investigate more about Riddle. They just decided to postpone it because the following two days were filled with tons of assignments and schoolwork they needed to catch up on, especially Hermione, who had missed a lot.

Ginny appeared to be getting back to her normal self, which made Ron think that everything was okay. But one day in February, as he was walking towards the Gryffindor common room, he stopped in his tracks when he saw the decorations inside. Apparently, it was Valentine's Day. The walls were all covered with large, lurid pink flowers. Worse still, heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling.

Ron sat beside Hermione, feeling a bit out of place. Back at the camp, only Aphrodite's kids celebrates Valentine's Day, and they exchanged heart-shaped chocolates, which was nice. But now, dwarfs kept barging into their class to deliver letters, and when one or two got close to Ron, they tried to bite him, which was quite distracting.

Things got even more complicated when Harry received a Valentine's Day card from Ginny. So much seemed to happen in just a minute, and Ron let out a sigh.

"Hold this for me," Ron said to Harry, handing him the diary. "I'll go talk to Ginny; she seems upset. I'll be back later. Bye," he added as he hurried off to find her younger cousin.

🔆

It wasn't a great surprise, but when Ron returned to the dorm after comforting Ginny, he found Harry there, shaking and sweating. Harry immediately told him that Hagrid was the one who had opened the Chamber of Secrets and shared all the information the diary had shown him.

Ron felt like smacking Harry for agreeing to such a risky idea. He wanted to make Harry realize the  dangers of letting the diary control him like it did with Ginny. He thought it was stupid and he worried about the possibility of Harry getting seriously hurt or worse. But they're Gryffindors. Still, Ron wasn't willing to be reckless, so they decided to discuss it with Hermione the following day.

In the end, they decided not to talk Hagrid about the matter since they were aware that he had been expelled fifty years ago. Ron disagreed with their decision, believing that Hagrid would never harm an animal or a human, let alone allow a dangerous creature into Hogwarts to kill students.

And they had other pressing matters to deal with, such as selecting their subjects for their third year. Ron was quite disappointed because he couldn't find any medical-related options, but he became intrigued by Divination and Care of Magical Creatures instead.

"Divination, that's just a load of rubbish," Percy remarked, while reviewing the electives he had selected. "You should consider something that could lead to a more promising career at the Ministry after this."

Ron frowned at Percy. "Hey, that's kind of..." offensive. The Divination part and the assumption that he would work in the Ministry, as his dream was to become a doctor. Harry decided to go with Ron's choices, and unsurprisingly, Hermione selected for all of them.

The next few days just the day before the Quidditch match. Neville ran out from the dorm again frantically. “It happened again, It happened again!“ He cried out.

They all ran towards their dorm, this time it was only Harry's things that the thief was trying to get. Dean swore under his breath and Seamus sighed.

“Why do they always target our dorm?“ Seamus asked.

Ron helped Harry pick up all his things but the redhead was looking for something else. “The diary,” He said. 

“Its gone.“ Harry added, looking at the same thing too.

Ron didn't need to be told twice, but the next day, there were an attack again that stopped the Quidditch match, and told them to get back tot heir common room—because this time, one of them was Hermionie, she was holding a mirror that time, as Harry and him visited the Hospital Wing. Ron only stared at her.

“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.”

The Gryffindors packed inside the common room listened to Professor McGonagall in silence. She rolled up the parchment from which she had been reading 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.”

She 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.

Ron walked forward, his expression stern, and addressed the students, "Stop blaming the Slytherins. It's not their fault."

"Then whose fault is it? Everything bad happened because of the Slytherins," one student argued.

"Are you blaming all Slytherins for it?" Ron asked, looking at the student. "What if Voldemort had been a Gryffindor? What would you do then?"

"Why do you keep defending the Slytherins?" one of the students, probably a fourth year, challenged Ron. "Nobody even likes them!" 

"Well, no one even likes you, you stupid!“ Ron retorted.

"Hey, calm down, Ron," George intervened, trying to prevent a fight from breaking out. 

"No one is calming down when the creature below is killing everyone, just because it's not your friend or anyone—"

"That's better it is? It's none of us, so what's the point?" another chimed in.

"Hey, hey!"

But it escalated into a heated argument, with everyone shouting. Professor McGonagall reappeared and shouted at them to stop.

"What is going on?" she demanded, glaring at them.

"Ask that question in this school!" Ron shouted back before storming off towards the dormitory.

As Ron walked away, he overheard one of them mutter, "Americans."

Ron was huddled under his blanket when Harry slid the curtain of the four-poster bed. He shook Ron gently, and Ron wiped the tears from his eyes before looking at Harry.

"What?" Ron asked.

"I, uh, I'm worried about you," Harry admitted.

"Thanks," Ron replied. "They're just kids, you know. I can't let them blame all the Slytherins. I saw two Slytherin kids a week before the start of term, struggling to find their classes. Do you know what they said to me?" He added as he sat up.

"'But you're a Gryffindor.' What does that even supposed to mean?" Ron asked. "But I still helped them, and they thanked me, smiling at me. And now people just want them gone? Blaming them?" Ron was frustrated by the unfair treatment towards Slytherin students.

Harry remained silent as he sat beside Ron, who was fidgeting. 

"I'm sorry, Harry. I've just... you know, been upset because of Hermione, and I remembered something, and..." Ron began.

"No, no, it's okay," Harry reassured him. “You're right, Ron. It's not the Slytherin's fault, there must be another reason.“

"Do you really think it's Hagrid's fault?" Ron asked.

Sadly, Harry did believe it was, but he replied, "But we wouldn't know unless we ask him, right?"

Ron looked at Harry and asked, "What's your plan, then?"

“I think,” Harry said, more quietly still, “it’s time to get my dad’s old Cloak out again.”

They successfully sneaked outside the castle using Harry's invisibility cloak. It's strange to see that the castle has tight security, with even ghosts, Prefects and Professors present to monitor unusual activities. They had to maneuver through the corridors cautiously and the two of them managed to slip away unnoticed.

It was a clear, starry night. They hurried toward the lit windows of Hagrid’s house and pulled off the Cloak only when they were right outside his front door.

Ron adjusted the strap of his quiver after they had knocked, as Hagrid flung it open. They found themselves face-to-face with him aiming a crossbow at them. Fang the boarhound barked loudly behind him.

“Oh,” he said, lowering the weapon and staring at them. “What’re you two doin’ here?”

Ron touched the crossbow to lower it and said, "Inside," as Hagrid allowed them in. Hagrid seemed unusually nervous, constantly glancing at the windows as if expecting someone dangerous to arrive. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

In a moment of panic, Harry and Ron dropped the Invisibility cloak to them, just as Hagrid opened the door.

“Good evening, Hagrid.” It was Dumbledore. He entered, looking deadly serious, and was followed by a second, very odd-looking man.

Cornelius Fudge was talking about needing to take Hagrid away due to the attacks, and Ron felt the urge to intervene, but Harry elbowed him to stop him from speaking out. Professor Dumbledore clearly didn't want Hagrid taken away. Just when the situation was tense, the door suddenly opened, and Draco's father entered. Harry gasped, but Ron managed to elbow him too, signaling him to stay quiet.

“However,” Dumbledore said, speaking very slowly and clearly so that none of them could miss a word, “you will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”

“Admirable sentiments,” Mr. Malfoy said, bowing. “We shall all miss your—er—highly individual way of running things, Albus, and only hope that your successor will manage to prevent any—ah—killins.”

He strode to the cabin door, opened it, and bowed Dumbledore out. Fudge, fiddling with his bowler, waited for Hagrid to go ahead of him, but Hagrid stood his ground, took a deep breath, and said carefully, “If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they’d have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That’d lead ’em right! That’s all I’m sayin’.”

Fudge stared at him in amazement. “All right, I’m comin’,” said Hagrid, pulling on his moleskin overcoat. But as he was about to follow Fudge through the door, he stopped again and said loudly, “An’ someone’ll need ter feed Fang while I’m away.”

Ron removed the Invisibility Cloak as the door slammed shut. "Let's find this spider," he declared determinedly.

🔆

Ron couldn't understand why he had to be both brave and foolish at the same time. It was because nobody had informed them that they were going to battle not just regular spiders, but a huge, godlike spider that could speak. Just moments earlier, Ron had been excited to find his uncle's car still alive in the Forbidden Forest as they followed the spider trails. He had made a promise to the car that he would let his friend Nyssa repair it to perfection and perhaps use it to travel the entire world.

Suddenly, Ron heard a clicking sound, and when he looked up, he blinked in surprise. He was about to speak, but before he could react, the spiders captured Harry, Ron, and Fang. Each spider held them upside down as captives.

Ron cursed loudly, "Get me down, you stupid creatures! I will kill you!" His arrows fell to the ground two by two from his quiver when the spider that had captured him started shaking him, likely annoyed by Ron's relentless attempts to fight back.

They were taken to an unknown place, and there, a huge spider named Aragog addressed them. Harry—gods bless him—he was so brave. 

“The thing that lives in the castle,” Aragog said, “is an ancient creature we spiders fear above all others. Well do I remember how I pleaded with Hagrid to let me go, when I sensed the beast moving about the school.”

“What is it?” Harry asked urgently. More loud clicking, more rustling; the spiders seemed to be closing in. 

“We do not speak of it!” Aragog said fiercely. “We do not name it! I never even told Hagrid the name of that dread creature, though he asked me, many times.”

“Weak!“ Ron exclaimed.

Harry didn’t want to press the subject, not with the spiders pressing closer on all sides. Aragog seemed to be tired of talking. He was backing slowly into his domed web, but his fellow spiders continued to inch slowly toward Harry and Ron.

“We’ll just go, then,” Harry called desperately to Aragog, hearing leaves rustling behind him.

“Go?” said Aragog slowly. “I think not…”

“But—but—”

“My sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid, on my command. But I cannot deny them fresh meat, especially that boy with a red hair. Good-bye, friend of Hagrid.”

Ron quickly took out his celestial bronze weapon, causing the spiders to initially back down but then focus on him, deeming him the most appetizing target. Suddenly, they heard a loud honk from a car, which was knocking spiders aside as it approached them.

"Get Fang!" Harry yelled, diving into the front seat.

Ron grabbed Fang, who was frozen in terror and whimpering, and tossed him onto the front seat. Ron then climbed onto the car's roof, taking three arrows and attaching Greek fire to them.

"What are you doing!?" Harry yelled in alarm as hundreds of spiders closed in on them.

"Oh, nothing," Ron replied calmly, pointing three arrows toward Aragog's location. He released the three arrows, with two of them splitting off to the left and right of the area and one heading for the middle.

Suddenly, a huge explosion resounded, followed by a loud screech from Aragog and the rest of spiders. 

Ron got into the car and began counting the remaining arrows, while Harry was still in shock from the explosion.

"The Greek Fire—I should have stocked up more before I left," Ron complained.

The car successfully made them out of the Forbidden Forest, and they quickly got off. Fang followed closely, clearly anxious, and hurriedly entered Hagrid's hut when he saw it. As they discussed what had happened, they came to the conclusion that Hagrid was innocent. Ron couldn't help but exclaim, "I knew it!“.

They returned to their dorm, where Ron was getting ready to use his last arrows of the year because a stupid spiders had caught them upside down. He comforted Fang, who was sleeping on his bed, by petting his back. Suddenly, they both let out a yelp when Harry's head appeared through his curtain. Harry told Ron about the girl who had died in the bathroom fifty years ago or what if she never left and stay there in the bathroom.

The next day, a sense of fear still hung over the entire castle as news of Professor Dumbledore's absence had spread among the students. Ron felt uneasy, noticing how everyone was on edge—and he hated every moment of it. It was ironic that the supposedly safest wizarding school have a hidden dangerous creature under of it.

"Hey, Ginny, how are you and Luna?" Ron asked when he saw Ginny coming out of a corridor, which startled her a bit.

"Ron," Ginny said with a hoarse voice.

"What's up?" he asked.

“I-I've got to tell you something. Can we talk in private?" Ginny asked, looking around nervously.

"Huh? Okay," Ron agreed, following her to a corner where they wouldn't be seen that much. "I have some questions for you too... about the diary."

"No!" Ginny interrupted, causing Ron to narrow his eyes suspiciously.

"Ginny, you're not telling me something, are you?" Ron said cautiously. "I knew the diary was controlling you, and you tried to get it from Harry's things—"

Ginny pushed him away, tears streaming down her face. "No! I—"

"Ginny—"

"It's me—” But before he could finish, Ginny pointed a wand at his chest. Ron dropped to the ground, completely immobilized, unable to move or speak. His eyes widened in shock as he watched Ginny stand up and peer down at him, a sinister smirk on her face.

"So, you were aware," she said coldly. "It so sad that I had to kill you because of this girl who couldn't even keep her mouth shut. My plan was progressing perfectly and I do not want hindrances."

"What plan?" Ron asked, his heart pounding. 

"Interesting," She mused. "The spell must have been meant to silence you and keep you from moving, yet here you are."

“What did you do to Ginny!?“

"Oh, nothing much," He replied sarcastically. "I just seized control of her little body before she could say anything, but well...you're aware of it now, so I don't have a choice."

Ron glared at her, desperately trying to regain control of his body. Suddenly, he was unfrozen, and he seized the opportunity to kick Ginny to the ground, causing her to yelp.

"You—!" Ginny began, but before she could finish, Ron drew his small dagger. However, he stopped abruptly when he heard approaching students from their direction. Before Ron could react, Ginny launched an attack, and everything went black.

Ron's body thudded onto the cold bathroom floor, his eyes slowly fluttering open. He could hear the sound of someone crying, and when he looked around, he saw Ginny standing nearby, her back turned as she stared at the sinks. Her wand was drawn. Ron tried to call out to her, but the loud wails of Myrtle drowned his words, and he felt something warm and wet dripping onto his face—blood.

Ron had no idea what had just transpired, but before him stood a massive pipe. Ginny, with her wand, levitated him and dropped him into the pipe. He slid down an endless, dark chute, gasping as he finally landed on the stone-cold ground. As he struggled to stand up, all he could see were slimy walls and a dark tunnel stretching out ahead of him.

Ron moved forward cautiously but froze at the sight before him. He immediately took a step back. It looked like the shed skin of a huge snake. Where on gods was he now? He doesn't have his wand and celestial bronze, which Ginny had probably been taken. Ron backed into a corner, hiding as best as he could, his heart pounding with fear.

Oh gods. 

He couldn't move, especially when he heard a loud hiss of a snake. He took a shaky breath and wrapped his arms around himself in the corner, trembling.

Ron had no idea how much time had passed, but he could hear footsteps that eventually faded away. He wished he had a weapon with him, but he didn't know how to get one. Suddenly, his head throbbed, and Ron hissed in pain as he touched it and saw blood. The girl had clearly tried to make him lose consciousness.

Ron's heart raced as he heard the thud of a body, followed by more footsteps and noises. 

"Ron?" The familiar voice called out. Then, a sudden blast of light appeared in front of Ron. He looked up to see Harry, with Lockhart just behind him, kneeling down as he saw the snake skin. Harry gasped and immediately rushed to help Ron.

"Ron! What happened? Myrtle told me—"

"Harry, it's Ginny—"

"I know. I know what the creature is. Hermione, she—" Then he glanced at Lockhart. "We need to hurry. Ginny is in danger."

"Riddle," Ron said as he struggled to stand. "He's controlling Ginny. I...I can't fight. My knife..."

Harry took something out of his robe, revealing Ron's celestial bronze knife and wand. "Is this yours? I found it on the floor just in front of the skin, so I thought—"

But before Harry could finish, Lockhart got to his feet and struck Harry, sending him sprawling. Ron yelped in surprise as Lockhart retrieved his wand and pointed it at them.

“The adventure ends here, boys!” he said. “I shall take a bit of this skin back up to the school, tell them I was too late to save the girl, and that you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body—say good-bye to your memories!”

He raised Ron’s wand high over his head and yelled, “Obliviate!” but it didn't work. 

"What?" Lockhart muttered and tried the spell again, but it still didn't work.

"Sorry," Ron said. "You mean 'Obliviate'?"

Then, unexpectedly, the wand exploded. Ron had to scramble to the other corner, attempting to shield himself from the large chunks of tunnel ceiling crashing down. The solid stones falling created a blockade in the passage. Coughing in the dust, he struggled to open his eyes.

“Ron!” He heard Harry shouted. “Are you okay? Ron!”

"I'm fine!" Ron shouted back, unable to see Harry. Lockhart, on the other hand, was there and wearing a stuoid confused expression while holding Ron's wand. "We're fine! I don't know what the spell was, but—" Ron grabbed Lockhart's arm, who was still in a state of confusion, and took his wand.

He glanced around and touched the rocks. "No... it won't work. It'll take hours," Ron said. He ducked when a rock fell, but it hit Lockhart's head instead, causing him to yelp in pain.

"You have to go, Harry. I'll try to move these rocks away," Ron urged.

"But—" Harry started, reluctant to leave his friend behind.

"Harry, save Ginny, please?" Ron choked back his emotions. "I've had enough of people dying..."

Harry didn't say anything for a few moments, but he knew he had no choice. "Alright. I... I'll be back with her."

"You better be," Ron replied with a mix of anxiety.

Ron tried to clear some rocks to create a path when Harry suddenly disappeared. Lockhart stood there, still confused, repeatedly asking Ron who he was and where he was.

"You're Lockhart," Ron replied, growing irritated and distracted.

"Who is Lockhart? Sounds like a fine name..." Lockhart mused.

Ron halted and stared at him in bewilderment. "You know what, forget it. I don't even know what you're doing with Harry," he said. Ron wasn't sure what time it was up there, maybe midnight or later, but he finally managed to create a gap by using the celestial bronze to remove more rocks. 

Suddenly, he heard Harry calling his name. “Ginny’s okay! I’ve got her!” 

Ron dropped his celestial bronze and helped Ginny through the gap so he could get in as well, embracing his younger cousin tightly.

"Ron, I'm so sorry!" she cried out.

"Thank gods...Ginny..." he said, tears welling up in his eyes. 

“I'm sorry…I didn't mean to,” Ginny sobbed. Suddenly, something swooshed out from the gap as Harry tried to get in.

Harry explained that it was Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes, who had helped him. Though there was a lot more to explain, they needed to leave the chamber first. Ron sheathed his celestial bronze and put his wand in his robe's pocket as he helped Ginny to walk. Their use Fawkes to escape; the bird was strong enough to carry all four of them out of the place.

They made their way to the bathroom, and Ron had never been happier to see Myrtle's bathroom, even though Myrtle herself seemed disappointed to see them alive. Fawkes then guided them to Professor McGonagall's office.

To Ron's astonishment, when they arrived, his aunt and uncle were there along with Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore. They hugged Ginny when they saw her, but what surprised Ron even more was that they also hugged him and Harry together.

“You saved them! You saved them! How did you do it?”

“I think we’d all like to know that,” Professor McGonagall said weakly.

Harry began explaining everything, occasionally glancing at Ron to see if he should continue. Ron nodded and encouraged him to share all the details. The Weasleys were surprised as Harry recounted how he had killed the Basilisk and destroyed the diary.

Ron gave Harry a thumbs-up after he finished the story.

Professor Dumbledore then provided them with information about Tom Riddle, who later became known as Voldemort. He had left Hogwarts at a remarkably young age, just sixteen, and had delved deeply into the Dark Arts, ultimately becoming one of the darkest wizard. The nformation was overwhelming, but Ron managed to stay focused. When Professor Dumbledore suggested that they get some rest and mentioned that the victims of the Basilisk were waking up, Ron decided to hug Ginny again. She accepted the hug again snuggling against him before her parents led her out.

“You know, Minerva,” Professor Dumbledore said thoughtfully to Professor McGonagall, “I think all this merits a good feast. Might I ask you to go and alert the kitchens?”

“Right,” Professor McGonagall said crisply, also moving to the door. “I’ll leave you to deal with Potter and Weasley, shall I?”

“Certainly,” Dumbledore said.

Ron and Harry turned their attention to their headmaster. Ron couldn't help but fidget uncomfortably, his gaze fixed on the high ceiling instead.

“I seem to remember telling you both that I would have to expel you if you broke any more school rules,” Dumbledore said.

“Oh, okay, I'm packing then—”

“Which goes to show that the best of us must sometimes eat our words,” Dumbledore went on, smiling at Ron. “You will both receive Special Awards for Services to the School and—let me see—yes, I think two hundred points apiece for Gryffindor.”

Ron's jaw dropped at the news, and he had to close it with his own hand. He quickly followed Dumbledore's instructions to get Lockhart to the Infirmary, leaving Dumbledore and Harry to speak privately.

Overwhelmed with relief and joy, Ron rushed towards Hermione, who was sitting in her bed. He hugged her tightly, he burst into tears and proceeded to share every detail of what happned to her.

Hermione held Ron's hand as they made their way to the Great Hall for the feast. The place was filled with students, and the atmosphere was incredibly noisy. Every face seemed to radiate happiness, and the victims of the Basilisk were now part of the celebration. The noise level reached its peak when Harry appeared at the door of the Great Hall. 

Ron and Hermione rushed over, and the bushy-haired girl hugged both of them tightly, repeatedly shouting, "You guys solved it!" as she bounced on her feet with excitement. Professor McGonagall announced that there would be no exams, prompting cheers from everyone. Hagrid was there too, giving them hearty shoulder cuffs. Ron hugged him happily, expressing his relief at seeing him back and letting him know that he had taken good care of Fang while he was away.

As the term came to an end, Ron sat down to his four-poster as he write a letter to his friends, including Lou, Gracey and the others who knew about the magical school. He also decided to update Annabeth and Nico about what had happened and let them know that he would be returning to camp during the summer.

As the time came for them to return to their respective homes and the Hogwarts Express began to slow down, Harry borrowed Ron's ballpen who was writing in his journal.

“Telephone number,” he told Ron, scribbling it twice, tearing the parchment in two, and handing it to them. “I told your uncle how to use a telephone last summer—he’ll know. Call me at the Dursleys’, okay? I can’t stand another two months with only Dudley to talk to…”

"Uhh..." Ron said, taking the parchment, his face turning violet. "I-I'll try," he added, but what he really meant was that he didn't want to die.