Chapter 42
"Is that how it is? I understand." After hearing the full story of the basilisk incidents from Hermione, Cedric's handsome face tightened as if it were carved from wax.
"First off, are you certain that Professor Lucian has already informed Dumbledore about this?"
"Of course, we saw it with our own eyes." Ron replied without hesitation.
But the next moment, Harry contradicted him "No! Professor Lucian only wrote a letter and asked a house-elf to deliver it. Remember what Barty said to him at the time? There might be an issue there—he might not have actually sent the letter!"
Cedric and Hermione suddenly whipped their heads around at that moment, their sharp gazes fixed on Harry.
"Wh-what? Did I say something wrong?"
Hermione's expression looked deeply regretful, while Cedric shook his head and said "No, what you said makes sense. We can't completely rule out the possibility that Professor Lucian was only pretending to notify Headmaster Dumbledore."
"But—" His thick eyebrows furrowed, accentuating his valiant features at the same time showcasing his nature. "I absolutely refuse to believe Professor Lucian is that kind of person."
"Exactly. Harry, why do you keep suspecting Professor Lucian?"
"What are you two talking about? Why can't we suspect him?" Seeing both of them questioning Harry, Ron decisively stood by his friend's side.
"Hermione, you're too obsessed with authority! Does Professor Lucian have to be right about everything? Have you forgotten what happened with Professor Quirrell? We were all fooled by his appearance back then, thinking he was just a honest, bumbling guy. And look how that turned out!"
"This is different!" Hermione's voice wavered slightly, but she still held firm to her opinion.
"You two haven't been in Professor Lucian's study group, so you wouldn't understand what an incredible person he is. If you knew how genuine his understanding of magic is, how exceptionally skilled he is at teaching, you would never think he's anything like Quirrell!"
"Oh great, now we're at the bragging and looking-down-on-us phase? The two of us aren't outstanding enough to get into the study group, so we're not worthy of standing with you two, is that it?
"Miss Gryffindor, do I need to remind you that the professor you idolise comes from the evil house of Slytherin?"
"That's not what I meant at all! Why would you say that!" Hermione was practically fuming with anger at Ron.
Harry watched their argument from the side, feeling uneasy and a bit guilty—he had wanted to join Professor Lucian's study group too, but Quidditch practice was too demanding, and he couldn't possibly surpass Hermione academically.
No, this wasn't the time to think about that.
"Stop arguing, you two." Cedric stepped forward, positioning himself between Ron and Hermione.
"Ron, you're right. It's just that we don't want to think of Professor Lucian that way." Cedric shot Hermione a glance as well.
"It doesn't matter if we can't reach a consensus on this. Curfew is almost here—we need to hurry and decide on a plan and act immediately!"
"Does it have to be right now?"
"If Professor Lucian really isn't trustworthy, that means Headmaster Dumbledore still knows nothing about this. He might even get deceived by Lucian tonight.
"We have to find a way to notify the headmaster, or at least inform Deputy Headmistress McGonagall.
"This is a race against time. Since you've chosen to share this information with me, that means you've chosen to trust me. At the very least, let's stay united right now and not fight among ourselves, okay?" Cedric's presence was simply too commanding. Paired with his rational words, Ron and Harry couldn't help but start admiring him.
The two were immediately convinced.
"What do you want to do?"
"First, we can't possibly resolve this on our own—we need to rely on the professors. Let's go together right now to Professor McGonagall's office and tell her everything."
"Wait! If Professor McGonagall finds out, she'll definitely suspend classes immediately!" Harry's face showed panic.
"So what! Which is more important—the safety of everyone or continuing classes?" Cedric didn't know about Harry's family situation or how terribly the Dursley's treated him, so he couldn't understand Harry's hesitation.
But Hermione and Ron did.
Looking at Harry's expression and seeing Cedric ready to spring into action, Hermione suddenly had a flash of insight, recalling a detail she'd overlooked earlier. She quickly said "Wait! We have to first confirm that the basilisk actually exists."
"Hermione, have you gone mad? Didn't we already see Mrs. Norris petrified?" Ron looked at her with a headache.
"No, I'm more clear-headed than ever." Hermione looked solemnly at the three of them and said calmly "Listen, I don't want to suspect Professor Lucian either, but—suppose he really is the mastermind behind all this.
"Then these incidents might have nothing to do with a basilisk at all. He could have fabricated it to deceive us—remember? Professor Dumbledore said at the time that causing that kind of phenomenon would require extremely advanced dark magic. Besides, none of us has actually seen the basilisk, right?"
"What about the basilisk voice I heard?" Harry asked in a daze.
"Have you forgotten? Professor Lucian can speak Parseltongue too, and he wasn't with us that night." Everyone suddenly realized, and Ron excitedly added "Do you remember the first time we met him? We already felt something was off about him. He was way too calm when Harry mentioned hearing the basilisk's voice!
"And after confirming it was a basilisk, he didn't personally notify Dumbledore, nor did he treat the basilisk seriously—as if he was certain it wouldn't hurt anyone. If Harry hadn't confronted him back then, he wouldn't have even bothered to go check.
"Plus, think about it—how can anyone be that smart? Hermione only asked him one question, and he immediately guessed what she wanted to know and conveniently gave her the answer?"
"You're saying he deliberately led us to think this way from the start?" Harry was starting to feel something was off too—what made him feel even more out of sorts was that, even now, he had the spare mental energy to think about something else.
'If Professor Lucian really was one of voldemort's lackeys, then what about Camille? Would he have to become her enemy?Why was fate playing such a huge joke on him?' thinking about this he felt a headache.
"So, we have to confirm it first!" Hermione concluded.
"Even if we go to Professor McGonagall now and tell her about the legend of the Chamber, would she believe us?
"Remember what happened last term? Once she realises we're planning something adventurous, she'll keep an even closer eye on us, and then we won't be able to do anything!"
"I stand by my view," Cedric shook his head. "Professor Lucian couldn't possibly be that kind of person."
"But what you've said isn't entirely without reason."
Cedric knew in his heart that Hermione and the others must have left out some seemingly unrelated but crucial details—like whatever happened last term, or Harry's terror at the thought of the school closing.
Though he firmly believed telling Professor McGonagall was the best choice—he hadn't said the potentially hurtful part yet: McGonagall might not believe Harry's "wild stories," but if it came from him...
Cedric was confident that McGonagall would listen to him seriously and consider it carefully. If needed, he could even ask his own head of house, Professor Sprout, to vouch for him.
However, since the three had chosen to share this vital information with him, if he ignored them and went ahead alone, it would seem ungrateful. Besides, Hermione's words did hold some merit.
If they got something this serious wrong, the consequences would be disastrous, and as students, they wouldn't be able to handle the fallout.
Cedric's expression turned grave as he finalised their plan with the three.
" Alright, I won't say anything to anyone but before the basilisk hurts someone again, we must get answers. Otherwise, even if I can't convince Professor McGonagall, I'll tell her anyway—starting tomorrow, I'll try to sound her out. and next, we need to do three things."
The trio nodded at each other and looked at Cedric with seriousness as he said out "First thing verify the truth behind the legend of the Chamber—whether Slytherin's heir really exists, and if so, who it might be; after that observe Professor Lucian and see what he does in his daily routine, especially when he suddenly disappears. and lastly we've to spread the word among the students—have everyone prepare mirrors or something similar, and especially avoid going anywhere alone."
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