Chapter 73

Almost the whole body of the basilisk is covered with extremely tough scales, which can not only resist ordinary swords and sharp weapons, but also resist and even rebound spells.

Even though it has become a corpse now, it is still quite troublesome to cut it up.

Speaking of which, Maca really wanted to chop it up and take it all away, after all, it was a basilisk! It would not be an exaggeration to say that its whole body is a treasure.

But even this suitcase with the Stretching Charm couldn't fit it all in.

In the end, when Maca turned and left, the ancient beast that had caused Hogwarts to close the whole school and caused Dumbledore to be dismissed from the school board had become a bunch of monsters that no one recognized. The Roshan that does not come out.

With Maca's departure, the stone gate finally closed. But not long after, a muffled roar and collapse sound came from the secret room, and the whole ground shook slightly.

...

On the other side, Lockhart took Harry, Ron, and Ginny back to his office, and after a while, Professor McGonagall came over. She took Lockhart and the three children to her office, where a number of people were waiting for them.

Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lockhart stood at the door. Harry and the others were almost covered in mud and slime. Although Lockhart looked better, he was invisible all the way, and the mud splashed But always unavoidable.

For a while, there was silence all around. Suddenly, there was a scream from the fireplace—Ginny!

It was Mrs Weasley, who had been sitting in front of the fire crying. She jumped up now, followed by Mr. Weasley, and both of them threw their arms around their precious daughter at the same time.

Ron stood aside, still hanging his head, not knowing what he was thinking.

Harry looked past them and into the room.

He saw Professor Dumbledore standing in front of the mantelpiece, smiling. And standing beside Dumbledore was Hermione who was also smiling!

Oh! Hermione? Are you alright? Harry asked in surprise.

Hermione nodded with a smile, but her eyes were still looking behind Harry, as if expecting something.

Miss Granger woke up when you violated a bunch of school rules. It was McLean, who had stayed up for two days and two nights before, and made a resurrection potion out of newly ripened mandrakes—that was His improved formula is very effective!

Professor McGonagall happily explained beside him.

Ron, who was standing not far away, suddenly raised his head.

He looked at Hermione, then at Ginny, the expression on his face changed continuously, and finally he lowered his head again dejectedly.

At this moment, Mrs. Weasley looked at Lockhart excitedly. Different from the general worship of stars in the past, it was a kind of respect from the heart.

Professor Lockhart, you saved her! You saved her! How did you do it?

This is what we all want to know. Professor McGonagall looked at Lockhart hesitantly and said.

In front of the mantelpiece, Dumbledore also put on a curious look.

But Lockhart looked at Mrs. Weasley with a rare look of confusion in his eyes. When Harry reached out and tugged at the hem of his clothes, he suddenly came back to his senses.

Oh - of course, I'll tell everyone about the whole process. Lockhart showed his usual smile, but the smile was not the usual show off, it seemed a bit perfunctory.

Well, but before that, I think everyone should listen to Mr. Potter's reasoning. I think that is the real beginning of saving Miss Weasley.

Following Lockhart's words, everyone's eyes fell on Harry again.

Under everyone's gaze, Harry hesitated for a moment, and then began to talk about the things he had experienced.

He spoke for about ten minutes. Everyone listened attentively, and the room was completely silent.

But when he said that the note in Hermione's hand brought him a key clue, Hermione nodded to everyone without any surprise.

It's just that her hands hanging by her sides tightly clutched the cuffs.

By the time Harry finished speaking, Lockhart had completely recovered to his usual state. With his head held high, he exaggerated the whole process after entering the secret room with a passionate expression.

Storytelling has always been his specialty, what's more, this time he almost followed them invisibly and watched!

Is it really?

Listen, listen, Professor McGonagall couldn't help asking Harry.

Harry subconsciously glanced in Dumbledore's direction, and saw the headmaster smiling faintly, the firelight flashing quickly on his half-moon glasses.

Oh—that's roughly the case—

I'm most interested, Dumbledore said suddenly, how did Voldemort confuse Ginny, because according to my sources, he is currently hiding in the Albanian forest!

What... what? said Mrs. Weasley in amazement. You-Know-Who? Confused Ginny? But Ginny wasn't... Ginny didn't... did she?

It's all about that diary, Harry said hastily. It was written when Riddle was sixteen, and there is a memory stored in it.

Diary? Dumbledore frowned slightly.

Harry looked at Lockhart. He felt that Lockhart should know the final whereabouts of the diary.

But Lockhart shook his head, and he said: As I said just now - I pierced it with the basilisk's fangs, and the basilisk's venom permeated the entire diary, the phantom of the mysterious man It also dissipated. Later, I was busy taking the children out, and the diary... should still be in the secret room now.

It's amazing, Dumbledore thought for a while, and said softly, If it weren't for McClain, he would probably be the most outstanding student Hogwarts has ever seen.

He turned to face Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, both of whom looked very confused.

Few people know that Voldemort used to be called Tom Riddle. Fifty years ago, at Hogwarts, I taught him myself. He disappeared after leaving school...travelling, traveling all over the world... Sinking deeper and deeper into the mire of dark magic, mingling with the most evil of the wizarding world, and undergoing many dangerous magical transformations.

Finally, when he reappeared as Voldemort, it was already hard to recognize him - almost no one connected Voldemort with the bright, handsome head boy who had gone to school here.

While Dumbledore recalled the past, he also thought of the present Maca. In his pale blue pupils, there was a complex gaze faintly shining.

But what about Ginny? said Mrs. Weasley. What does our Ginny have to do with... him?

His... diary! sobbed Ginny. I've been... writing in it for a whole year. He... he kept writing me back...

Ginny! said Mr. Weasley, dumbfounded. Haven't I taught you? What have I been telling you? Never trust anything that can think for itself unless you see it Hidden somewhere. Why didn't you show me or your mother the diary? A suspicious thing like that, obviously full of black magic tricks!

I... I don't know, Ginny was still weeping bitterly, I found it in a book my mother gave me. I... I thought someone had it in there and forgot...

Miss Weasley should go to the school hospital immediately, Dumbledore interjected involuntarily. This is a painful ordeal for her, and the school will not punish her. Many older than her, Wizards more resourceful than her have been fooled by Voldemort.

He strode to the door and opened it gently.

Bed rest. And maybe a mug of steaming chocolate milk - I've always found that to improve my mood.

As he spoke, he lowered his head and gave Ginny a kind wink.

You'll find that Madam Pomfrey hasn't slept yet. She's been studying the formula of the improved Mandrake resurrection potion that McLean gave her!

Mrs. Weasley led Ginny out, followed by Mr. Weasley, still looking very shocked.

And the one who was more depressed than Mr. Weasley was Ron who was stopped by Dumbledore - he originally wanted to go to the school hospital with his father.

You know, Minerva, Professor Dumbledore said to Professor McGonagall thoughtfully, I think that these things are worth celebrating with a banquet. May I ask you to inform Where's the kitchen?

Well, by the way, by the way, help me to invite McClain, and take him to my office to wait for me. Dumbledore added.

Okay, she replied bluntly, and also started to walk towards the door, I'll leave Potter and Weasley to you, right?

Of course, said Dumbledore.

Professor McGonagall was gone, and Harry and Ron stared at Dumbledore uneasily.

What did Professor McGonagall mean by what he just said? deal with them? Shouldn't...shouldn't they... be punished?

But Dumbledore smiled and added some points to each of them, and specifically praised Harry for his decisiveness and cleverness, as well as Ron's love for his sister Ginny.

Then he turned to Lockhart again, watching him curiously.

Gidero, I think, you are very suitable for the profession of teaching, maybe next term-

Lockhart hurriedly interrupted: Oh! No, no...I mean...this experience has made me discover a lot of shortcomings, and I need to work harder. When I feel that I I will return to teaching when I have more to teach my students...

He said a lot of nonsense, and it was obvious that he didn't want to stay and continue teaching.

Oh—that's such a pity. Dumbledore said casually, then turned his gaze to Ron and said, I want to talk to Harry for a few more words...

Lockhart hurried out immediately. Ron hesitated for a moment, then followed suit.