The tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly on their way back as Adam and the group of wizards pressed forward. Their wands cast steady beams of light, cutting through the oppressive darkness. Each step echoed faintly, the damp air thick with the smell of earth and stagnant water. Adam’s mind buzzed with the night’s events, but he pushed it aside, focusing on guiding the group through the treacherous path.

As they continued, the air gradually grew fresher, a subtle change hinting at their proximity to the Great Lake. Finally, the narrow passage widened, and they found themselves standing near the edge of the hole through which they had entered earlier. The dark expanse of the lake lay before them, its surface catching the dim light of their wands in a mesmerizing display. A collective sigh of relief rippled through the group, though their expressions remained resolute and professional.

Adam stepped forward and reached into his pocket, where Argos rested in his shrunken form. "Your turn again, old friend," Adam murmured. With a flick of his wand and precise hand gestures, he cast an advanced Engorgement Charm, seamlessly combined with Transfiguration. Argos began to expand, his small, contained form unfurling into his full, majestic size. Tentacles spread outward, each movement fluid and deliberate, as his immense body stretched across the water.

The wizards stared in quiet awe, some murmuring spells under their breath as they prepare for another deep dive. Argos lowered one massive tentacle, forming a stable platform for them to climb aboard. Adam waited until everyone was settled before stepping on himself, giving Argos an affectionate pat as he secured his grip.

"You know the way," Adam said softly. Argos responded with a deep, resonant sound, almost like a hum. With that, the colossal creature slid into the lake’s icy depths, carrying the group with him.

The underwater journey was both mesmerizing and eerie. The cold seeped through their protective charms, chilling them despite their best efforts. Argos navigated the underwater currents with ease, his immense body slicing through the dark waters like a blade. Occasionally, a shadow would dart by—a curious Grindylow or a school of shimmering fish—but Argos’s size and presence warded off anything larger.

As they neared the shoreline, the first hints of dawn filtered through the water, painting the lake in faint hues of gold and silver. Argos broke the surface with a dramatic splash, lifting his passengers onto the rocky shore with precision. Water cascaded off the wizards as they disembarked.

Lucian stood waiting with a few trusted wizards, his sharp gaze scanning the group as they approached. His posture was rigid, his hands clasped behind his back, but a flicker of relief crossed his face when he saw Adam unharmed.

Before Argos could retreat into the depths, Adam called out. "Wait, you’ve earned a reward." He reached into his bag and pulled out a large golden fish, its scales gleaming even in the dim light. "Here," Adam said, tossing the fish toward the waiting creature.

Argos caught it with ease, a delighted rumble vibrating through the air. In playful retaliation, he slapped one of his massive tentacles into the water, sending a wave splashing onto the group. Their waterproof charms had been disabled few minutes earlier, leaving them soaked and sputtering.

Adam burst into laughter, allowing it to drown out his tension. For the first time all night, the others followed suit, their collective tension dissolving into shared mirth. Even Lucian allowed a small smirk to tug at the corner of his mouth.

Lucian approached Adam once the laughter subsided, his sharp eyes quickly assessing his brother. "Are you anywhere injured?"

Adam shook his head. "I’m fine," he replied. "Everything went according to plan. The Basilisk is secured in the enchanted bag, for now."

Lucian’s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained grave. "We’ll deliver it to Mr. Halloway in the Hidden Sanctuary immediately. It’ll be safer there until you decide on its fate."

Adam nodded. The Basilisk, subdued but far from harmless, was a problem for another day. Its presence remained a volatile threat, but for the moment, it remained contained. "Tell Mr. Halloway to reinforce the containment spells. That creature is old magic—it won’t stay docile forever."

Lucian inclined his head. "Understood."

The two exchanged a brief, silent look—one of mutual respect and understanding—before Adam turned away. He cast his usual illusion and invisibility charms, disappearing from view as he began his journey back to Hogwarts.

The faint glow of dawn painted the horizon as Adam slipped unseen through the grounds. The castle loomed ahead, its ancient walls standing sentinel against the rising sun. He knew Dumbledore would return soon to hogwarts.

Adam slipped quietly through the portrait hole, the Fat Lady offering a sleepy murmur of approval before swinging shut behind him. Inside, the Gryffindor common room was tranquil, lit only by the dim, flickering embers in the fireplace. Shadows danced along the walls, creating an atmosphere of eerie calm. The soft, rhythmic snores of his housemates nestled in their armchairs were a comforting reminder of normalcy after the night’s chaos.

Moving with practiced ease, Adam avoided the creaking floorboards, his footsteps light as a whisper. He reached his bed, drew the curtains around it, and let out a deep, relieved sigh. The weight of the night’s events lingered in his mind—the basilisk, the diary, and Riddle’s fading screams—but exhaustion soon overpowered his thoughts. As he sank into the mattress, the cool sheets pressing against his skin, Adam resolved to give himself just a moment’s reprieve. Sleep claimed him swiftly, pulling him into its quiet embrace.

When he awoke, sunlight was streaming through the high windows of the dormitory, golden and warm, chasing away the shadows of the previous night. Adam stretched, his body aching slightly from the tension he hadn’t realized he’d carried. Perched on the edge of his bedside table was Seraphina, his loyal screech owl. She chirped happily, nibbling on what appeared to be a handful of savory snacks, likely left by Mip. Adam smiled as he reached out to stroke her feathers, the familiar softness grounding him.

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"Good morning, girl," he murmured. Seraphina ruffled her feathers in response, clearly pleased with the attention. Adam allowed himself a few more moments of stillness before springing into action as most students had already gone to the Great Hall. He dressed quickly, his mind already racing. Breakfast could wait; there was someone more important to check on.

Descending the castle’s winding corridors, Adam arrived at the Hospital Wing. The usually quiet space was alive with movement as Madam Pomfrey bustled from bed to bed. The sharp scent of herbs and potions lingered in the air, mingling with the occasional sound of laughter or sighs of relief as petrified students were revived. Adam scanned the room, his gaze settling on Hermione, who lay propped up on her pillows. Her face, though pale, was no longer frozen in fear.

“Hermione,” he said softly as he approached. Her eyes fluttered open, and the moment she recognized him, her expression brightened with unrestrained joy.

"Adam!" she exclaimed, her voice still hoarse but filled with warmth. She leaned forward, throwing her arms around him in an impulsive hug. Startled for only a moment, Adam returned the embrace, his own relief evident in the way he held her close.

“Welcome back,” he said, pulling back just enough to see her face. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Hermione’s expression shifted as a frown creased her brow. "What happened? Did Harry and Ron—?”

Adam placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “They’re fine. Everything’s taken care of. I made sure they had the help they needed in the Chamber of Secrets. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

Though curiosity flickered in her eyes, Hermione seemed content to let it go, at least for now. She smiled softly and leaned back against her pillows. Madam Pomfrey, overhearing their conversation, approached and gave Hermione a stern but kind assessment before declaring her fit to leave.

Adam walked with Hermione out of the Hospital Wing and into the bustling corridors of Hogwarts. Though her steps were still slow, her determination to reach the Great Hall was unwavering. “You’ve missed a lot,” Adam teased lightly, earning a small laugh from her. Together, they made their way to breakfast.

The Great Hall buzzed with energy, the joyous chatter of students mingling with the clatter of cutlery and the occasional flutter of owls swooping overhead. As Hermione entered, the noise shifted, voices rising in greeting and smiles breaking across familiar faces. Even Sir Nicholas, now fully restored, glided toward her, his translucent features beaming.

"Miss Granger, how wonderful to see you back in perfect form!" he declared, bowing with a flourish.

Hermione, blushing slightly, returned his greeting before her eyes fell on Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. Without hesitation, she made her way over, her pace quick despite her recent recovery.

Harry looked up, his green eyes full of concern. "Are you okay?"

Hermione nodded, her voice firm but warm. "I’m fine now. Thanks to you two. I heard what happened. You were incredible."

Ron, grinning widely, added, "Yeah, well, it was mostly Harry. I just got stuck with Lockhart."

Adam approached quietly, slipping into a seat nearby. "Speaking of incredible," he said, his tone casual but teasing, "did my help with Fawkes and the giant squid make a difference?"

Harry’s brows knitted, though his lips twitched in amusement. "It did," he admitted. "But I don’t suppose you’d know anything about those wizards who conveniently showed up to help us in the Chamber, would you?"

Adam leaned back, a grin playing on his lips. "No idea. Sounds like a coincidence to me." His tone was light, but Harry’s lingering gaze suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced.

Before anyone could press further, the sound of a spoon tapping against a goblet rang out. Professor McGonagall stood at the head table, her expression composed yet tinged with warmth. "May I have your attention?" she called, and the hall fell silent almost instantly.

She began with words of gratitude, praising Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey for their tireless efforts in reviving the petrified students. Her mention of teamwork and resilience earned a round of applause, but the biggest surprise came when Dumbledore rose to speak, his eyes twinkling as he addressed the students.

"In light of recent events," he announced, "I believe it is only fair to grant you all some reprieve. Therefore, I am pleased to inform you that end-of-year exams are canceled."

The hall erupted into cheers, the loudest coming from the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables. Even Adam, who typically thrived on academic challenges, couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief. Studying was one thing—exams were another entirely.

Hermione, however, looked mildly horrified. "Canceled? But—but I’ve been studying for weeks!"

Ron clapped her on the back with a laugh. "Relax, Hermione. For once, we can enjoy without worrying about exams"

Their celebrations were interrupted by a familiar booming voice from the entrance. "I’m back!"

Heads turned as Hagrid strode into the hall, his massive frame unmistakable, his face split into a grin that radiated warmth. Applause broke out instantly, growing louder as he made his way to the Gryffindor table.

"You lot didn’t think I’d stay away for long, did you?" Hagrid said, laughing heartily. "Though I might’ve been back sooner if that ruddy owl hadn’t gotten lost delivering my release papers."

The hall erupted in laughter, knowing Ron’s owl had struck again. The tension of the recent weeks finally gave way to joy. Adam joined in, clapping enthusiastically as Hagrid stood amidst the cheering students.

Though the exams were canceled, the professors ensured the students didn’t see it as a holiday. Classes continued, though with a more relaxed atmosphere. To keep the momentum of learning alive, assignments were handed out, covering essential topics to maintain academic progress.

For the first through fourth-years, the summer homework was adjusted to match their year’s syllabus, designed to keep them engaged without overwhelming them. Meanwhile, the fifth to seventh-years received firm reminders—delivered in Professor McGonagall's no-nonsense tone—that their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s would proceed as scheduled in the first week of June. Any hopes of completely escaping academic rigor were swiftly dashed.

Adam, however, embraced the extra time as an opportunity for self-directed learning. With the weight of the Chamber of Secrets behind him, he threw himself into his magical creature studies, venturing to every corner of the Hogwarts grounds. Whether it was observing mooncalves in the Forbidden Forest, practicing calming charms on an easily startled gnome, or leaving offerings for the grindylows in the Great Lake to befriend them, Adam seemed to grow more attuned to the creatures he encountered.

His most frequent companion in these ventures was Seraphina, who often perched on his shoulder or scouted ahead. Sometimes, he managed to coax Hermione into joining him. Though she preferred the quiet of the library, the prospect of witnessing magical creatures up close—and Adam’s enthusiasm—occasionally lured her outdoors. Together, they theorized about the behavior of creatures they observed, blending Adam’s intuition and Hermione’s textbook knowledge into insightful discussions.

Adam started visiting the Room of Requirement again, using it to create spaces tailored for his magical experiments. One day, it would transform into a dense jungle, perfect for practicing tracking spells and defensive magic against magical beasts. Another day, it might provide a massive enchanted aquarium, allowing him to study aquatic creatures in detail. Hermione often joined him, bringing along stacks of books for research. Their collaboration was a blend of practicality and wonder, with Hermione’s analytical nature complementing Adam’s hands-on approach.

As the days passed and the school recovered its usual rhythm, Adam couldn’t help but feel proud of how far they’d all come. The events of the Chamber of Secrets had tested everyone, but the bonds forged in those moments of crisis now felt stronger than ever. Hogwarts had returned to its usual lively self, filled with laughter, learning, and the occasional mishap in between.