As the echoes of murmured conversations and shifting footsteps faded from the Great Hall, Rufus Scrimgeour’s determination was unwavering. With Professor McGonagall's assembly of students complete and the list of absentees in hand, Rufus, Severus Snape, and Minerva McGonagall reconvened in a side room to review their findings.

The room was austere, with walls lined by shelves of old, dusty books. A single flickering candle on the table provided the only light, casting shadows that seemed to dance across the room. Rufus scanned the list of students that McGonagall had provided, his eyes narrowing as he read through the names. The tension was palpable, the silence almost suffocating.

“It appears,” Minerva began, her voice taut with worry, “that we have one student missing besides Colin Creevey. Ginny Weasley.”

Rufus raised an eyebrow, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Ginny Weasley. That’s an unusual choice for an abductor. She’s a first-year, and from what I understand, she’s been well-liked by her peers.”

Severus Snape, leaning against a dusty bookshelf with a scowl, muttered, “It’s not unheard of for seemingly innocent individuals to be involved in such matters. Many have been surprised by the true perpetrators of dark events.”

Minerva’s eyes flashed with irritation. “But Snape, she’s so young. We can’t simply leap to conclusions without evidence.”

Rufus held up a hand. “I agree with Professor McGonagall. Jumping to conclusions will not aid our investigation. However, we must consider every possibility. The fact that she is missing and linked to Colin Creevey’s attack is concerning. I need to speak with her.”

Minerva’s face softened with concern. “She’s been in my house for only a short time. I can’t imagine what might have led her to this. She was always quiet but seemed to be coping well.”

“Then let’s start by finding her,” Rufus said firmly. “Snape, you’re familiar with the students’ routines and whereabouts. If Ginny is missing, she might have been seen somewhere unusual. You might have some insights that we don’t.”

Snape nodded curtly, though his expression remained inscrutable. “I’ll see what I can find. There’s always a chance she might have been seen somewhere other than where she should have been.”

As Snape left to gather information, Minerva turned to Rufus. “You must understand, Minister, that accusing a student, particularly one so young, carries significant implications. If we’re to question Ginny Weasley, we must be cautious. We wouldn’t want to cause undue distress.”

Rufus’s gaze was steady. “I understand, Professor. This is a delicate matter. But the safety of the students is paramount. We must follow the leads we have, no matter where they take us.”

With that, Rufus and Minerva moved back to the Great Hall, where Rufus took the opportunity to address the remaining students. His voice was calm, yet authoritative, as he reassured them of the Ministry’s commitment to resolving the crisis and ensuring their safety.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy with unease, the students' anxious faces reflecting their apprehension. Rufus noticed a few familiar faces among the students—Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, who were huddled together, their expressions a mixture of worry and curiosity.

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He approached them, mindful of the need for discretion and empathy. “Potter, Weasley, Granger,” he greeted them, his tone softened slightly. “I hope you’re all doing well. I understand this is a troubling time, but I wanted to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to resolve the situation.”

Harry nodded, his face etched with concern. “Thank you, Minister. We’re just worried about our friends and what’s happening.”

Rufus glanced at the trio, noting their genuine concern. “If you happen to hear or see anything that could be of help, please let us know. Every piece of information is valuable.”

Harry hesitated, glancing at Ron and Hermione before speaking. “Minister, we might have something...”

Before Harry could continue, Ron interjected, “It could be nothing. But we think we know someone who might know something.”

Rufus’s interest was piqued. “Who is it?”

“Moaning Myrtle,” Harry replied, his voice low and cautious.

Rufus’s expression shifted to one of contemplation. “Moaning Myrtle. The ghost in the girls’ bathroom. Why do you think she might have information?”

Hermione spoke up, her voice steady. “Myrtle is always around the school and has seen and heard a lot over the years. She might have noticed something unusual or heard something important.”

Rufus nodded, acknowledging their point. “It’s worth investigating. We need to follow every lead. If Myrtle might have useful information, then we should speak with her.”

He turned to Minerva. “Professor, could you guide us to where Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom is located?”

Minerva, though clearly still worried, nodded. “Of course, Minister. Follow me.”

The group made their way through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, the silence broken only by the echo of their footsteps. The school’s usual ambiance of bustling students and lively chatter was absent, replaced by an eerie calmness.

When they reached the girls' bathroom on the second floor, Minerva hesitated at the entrance. “Myrtle’s in here. She’ll likely be upset with the disturbance.”

Rufus took a deep breath and entered the bathroom. The space was damp and cold, with a slight, lingering scent of decay. The faucets were rusty, and the mirrors were fogged, reflecting distorted images of the room.

Moaning Myrtle’s ghost soon appeared, floating near one of the sinks, her eyes wide with curiosity and a touch of irritation. “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

Rufus approached her with a calm demeanor. “Myrtle, we’re investigating recent events and heard that you might have noticed something unusual. We’d appreciate any information you could provide.”

Myrtle’s expression shifted from irritation to intrigue. “Oh, really? Well, I did hear some strange noises. But you know, no one listens to me usually.”

“What kind of noises?” Rufus asked, trying to maintain a neutral tone.

Myrtle’s eyes grew wide as she recalled the sounds. “I heard sobbing, and then something opening, like a door or a hidden passage. It was really strange.”

Rufus’s mind raced. This could be the clue they needed. To verify any magical changes in the area, he decided to use one of his favorite spells. He raised his wand and murmured, “Revelio.”

A faint glow emanated from the sink in question, revealing subtle magical traces that had been altered. The sink itself began to shine softly, indicating that something magical had been activated or hidden there. Rufus’s eyes narrowed in focus as he noted the significance of the glowing tap.

“Interesting,” Rufus said, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and concern. “It seems there is indeed something magical about this sink.”

He turned to Minerva and the others. “It looks like Myrtle’s observation was correct. There is a hidden mechanism here. We need to investigate further.”

Minerva stepped closer, her face a mix of apprehension and curiosity. “Do you think it’s related to the Chamber of Secrets?”

Rufus nodded. “It’s possible. We need to proceed with caution. This sink might be a key part of the mechanism leading to the Chamber.”

As the group began to examine the sink more closely, Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked on with a mix of awe and concern. The discovery added a new layer of complexity to the investigation, and the urgency to uncover the truth grew more pressing.