POV: HARRY POTTER
The War Room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the walls as Harry Potter was led inside. He had been summoned here by Rufus Scrimgeour, and though he was apprehensive, he trusted the Minister. His previous interactions with Rufus had been positive; the Minister had been stern but fair, and Harry remembered how Rufus had helped him during the incident with Sirius.
As Harry entered the room, he spotted Rufus at the head of a large table, surrounded by other Ministry officials and Hogwarts staff. The atmosphere was tense, and the eyes of the room turned toward him with a mix of curiosity and expectation.
“Harry Potter,” Rufus greeted, his voice firm yet reassuring. “Please, have a seat. We’re here to discuss some critical matters related to the current situation at Hogwarts.”
Harry took a seat at the edge of the table, trying to ignore the uneasy glances from the other people in the room. Rufus’s presence had always been commanding, and today was no different. Despite the serious nature of the meeting, Harry felt a strange sense of calm, partly because he had seen Rufus deal with challenging situations before.
“I want to assure you, Harry, that you are not in any trouble,” Rufus began. “We are here to gather information and understand what’s happening at Hogwarts. If you have any information that could help us, I urge you to share it.”
Harry hesitated, glancing at Ron and Hermione, who had advised him to keep the voices he had heard to himself. But he trusted Rufus. He had been straightforward with him before, and Harry felt he could be honest now.
“Well,” Harry started, “I have heard voices. It started a few weeks ago, but I didn’t think much of it at first. The voices… they’re strange, and they’re coming from somewhere in the castle.”
A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Several people exchanged puzzled looks, but Rufus remained focused.
“Can you tell us more about these voices?” Rufus asked, his tone encouraging but serious.
“They sound like… like someone or something is hungry and wants to kill,” Harry explained, his brow furrowing as he tried to recall the exact nature of the sounds. “It’s not a clear voice, just a sort of hissing and angry tone.”
Rufus’s eyes narrowed in thought. “I see. And where did you hear these voices?”
Harry took a deep breath, trying to remember. “The last time I heard them, it was near Professor Lockhart’s office. I was wandering around, and I could hear the voices more clearly.”
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Rufus nodded, his face serious. “We’ll need to investigate this location immediately.”
The group followed Harry through the winding corridors of Hogwarts, eventually arriving outside Gilderoy Lockhart’s office. Lockhart, who had been anxiously pacing, stopped and looked startled as they approached.
“Oh, er, Minister! Mr. Potter!” Lockhart stammered, his usual charm replaced by visible fear. “What brings you here?”
Rufus didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Harry, show us where you heard the voices.”
Harry pointed to a spot near the wall. “It was right around here.”
Rufus gestured for the Aurors and staff to examine the area. The team carefully investigated the surroundings, their wands out and scanning for any magical traces. After a few moments, they found evidence of something moving through the pipes—an indication that a large creature had been using the castle’s plumbing system to travel.
Severus Snape, who had been observing quietly, spoke up. “The evidence here is consistent with a creature of considerable size. The movement through the pipes suggests it’s capable of traveling in this manner.”
Rufus turned to Harry, his expression grave. “Based on the evidence we’ve gathered, and the nature of the voices you’ve heard, we can now confirm that the creature in question is a Basilisk.”
Harry’s eyes widened in confusion. “A Basilisk? What’s that?”
Rufus took a moment to explain. “A Basilisk is a very large serpent, known for its deadly gaze. It can kill or petrify anyone who looks directly at it. The fact that you, as a Parseltongue, could hear it when others could not is likely because Basilisks communicate through their own unique means, often through their hissing.”
Harry’s mind raced as he absorbed the information. “So, it’s been using the pipes to get around?”
“Exactly,” Rufus confirmed. “The Basilisk’s ability to travel through the castle’s plumbing system is what allowed it to remain hidden and elusive. Your ability to hear it has been crucial in tracking its movements.”
Lockhart, his face pale and sweat beading on his forehead, managed a shaky comment. “A Basilisk… that’s… that’s quite terrifying. I don’t suppose I’ll be able to help much with this, but… I’d rather stay out of the way.”
Rufus ignored Lockhart’s attempts to extricate himself from the situation and turned back to Harry. “Thank you for your assistance, Harry. Your information has been invaluable.”
Harry nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. He had hoped that his contribution would help, but the gravity of the situation was overwhelming.
“As we move forward,” Rufus continued, “we’ll need to take additional precautions. The Basilisk is a dangerous creature, and its presence in Hogwarts is a serious threat. We’ll be working to secure the castle and ensure the safety of all students.”
The weight of the task ahead settled heavily on Harry’s shoulders, but he felt reassured knowing that Rufus was leading the efforts. The Minister had shown himself to be a reliable and trustworthy ally, and Harry was ready to support him in whatever way he could.
As the meeting concluded, Harry left the War Room with a sense of determination. The mystery of the Chamber of Secrets was becoming clearer, and with Rufus’s guidance, he hoped they would soon be able to bring an end to the terror that had gripped Hogwarts.