"I'd heard a little about the Chamber of Secrets being opened fifty years ago."
Lockhart fell into deep thought, as if he had been transported back to his days studying at Hogwarts.
Decades had passed since that incident.
It was purely by chance that he had learned of it — he never expected it would resurface here, of all places.
"I still remember, when the Chamber of Secrets was opened back then, a student died in that incident," Lockhart said slowly.
As he spoke, the young wizards watching from outside grew even more curious.
From where they stood, they could still see the blood-red writing on the wall:
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened again."
"I never expected the Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago," one student whispered.
"Someone even died back then?"
"Yes. Fortunately, this time only a cat died," another muttered.
The air went cold at once.
That unfortunate student turned his head and immediately met Filch's furious glare.
"If I say it was just a slip of the tongue, would you believe me?" he asked weakly.
(He would later regret that question for days.)
Meanwhile, Lockhart continued, his mind still immersed in the past.
"I recall that the person who died back then was a student from Ravenclaw House. That's precisely why I knew a little about it."
"And now, that poor witch has become the ghost known to everyone as Moaning Myrtle."
He hadn't made his choice yet — instead, he continued recounting what he knew, as though piecing together clues to find the correct answer.
"So, the ghost Moaning Myrtle was the girl who died back then?"
"This... a secret from fifty years ago? Could Professor Lockhart actually know about it?"
"How's that possible? Professor Lockhart's only thirty-two! He wasn't even born fifty years ago!"
"Then who else would know?"
"That would obviously be the Professors!"
As the discussion spread, the young wizards all turned their gazes toward Professor McGonagall.
Seeing this, she sighed helplessly and raised her wand to her throat.
"Sonorus!"
"Alright, quiet down! The Chamber of Secrets was indeed opened fifty years ago, but I'm not entirely clear on the details.
You'd best focus on the screen — perhaps that person will tell you the answer."
Her authoritative voice silenced the crowd instantly.
Meanwhile, Ron leaned toward Harry. Their platforms weren't far apart.
"Harry, look at what Lockhart's saying. The Chamber of Secrets was opened fifty years ago. Maybe you can ask him about those voices you heard in the corridor."
"You're right, Ron. When this quiz game ends, I might be able to ask Professor Lockhart about them."
Harry's tone carried a hint of excitement, his confusion replaced with determination.
"But... haven't you always said you hate Professor Lockhart? You always called him a liar!" Harry asked suspiciously.
"I still do, Harry," Ron said, crossing his arms.
"He's definitely a liar. But if he knows something about the Chamber being opened fifty years ago, then he might know something about those voices too."
Hermione nodded slightly. "Ron's right, Harry. You might want to ask him later. Still... I can't believe that just came out of Ron's mouth."
Ron smirked. "Just because you've never heard it doesn't mean I won't say it."
Harry and Hermione exchanged amused looks while their platforms edged closer, making it easier to whisper without drawing attention.
Dumbledore, however, wasn't listening to them.
Lockhart's words had already dragged him back into old memories — memories he'd rather have forgotten.
He had been there. He had witnessed that event firsthand.
His aged hands unconsciously brushed the edge of the card in front of him…
and paused over the fourth option.
Tom Riddle.
"Could it be you, Tom…" he murmured under his breath.
The long-lost memories surrounded him like mist, pulling him back to the time when Headmaster Armando Dippet still ruled Hogwarts.
Finally, pulling his mind back to the present, Dumbledore looked up at the glowing figure in the center of the Question & Answer Space.
If possible, he'd let Lockhart go first — a test run of sorts.
Lockhart cleared his throat dramatically.
"Firstly," he said with a confident smile.
"Ginny Weasley is a brand-new student. She's far too young to be the Heir of Slytherin or the one who opened the Chamber. Especially since she's a Gryffindor — and I've personally met that girl."
He raised his eyebrows knowingly.
"Secondly, Harry Potter also can't be the one who opened it. He wasn't even born fifty years ago! Neither of them were."
He paused, a flicker of private thought crossing his face.
(Unless... someone used a Time-Turner. But fifty years? Impossible. The magic wouldn't hold.)
"So," he continued, "the correct answer must be between options A and D. Most people would probably choose D — after all.
Rubeus Hagrid is Hogwarts' Keeper of Keys and Grounds. Compared to an unfamiliar name, it's easier to suspect someone you know."
Lockhart hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking toward Dumbledore.
"Although I truly hope it isn't him," he said with forced calm, "the facts speak for themselves..."
He drew in a breath.
"That person... is him."
Seeing no reaction from Dumbledore, Lockhart clenched his jaw and declared loudly.
"I choose A. Rubeus Hagrid — the Heir of Slytherin, the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets!"
"That's impossible!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all shouted at once.
"How could Rubeus Hagrid be the one who opened the Chamber?" Harry protested.
"Nothing is impossible, young wizards!" Lockhart said cheerfully.
"You're simply too young to know the truth. Someone was caught fifty years ago — and that person... was Rubeus Hagrid."
He flashed his bright smile again.
"The murderer from fifty years ago."