The Great Hall.
Warmth and the aroma of food filled the air.
The students were eagerly discussing the upcoming Christmas holidays, exchanging plans about returning home or remaining at Hogwarts.
Thanks to Lucien providing enough Mandrakes for the antidote, all previously petrified victims had recovered and awakened, greatly easing the shadow hanging over the castle.
The atmosphere at the Slytherin table, in particular, was especially relaxed.
Most of the students there came from pure-blood families, and many of them were more or less indifferent toward the rumors that the Heir of Slytherin intended to purge "Mudbloods." Some even secretly approved of the idea.
However, that peace was shattered by the sudden arrival of the Slytherin prefect, Gemma Farley.
Her face was pale, and an almost imperceptible tremor lingered in her voice as she announced another shocking piece of news.
"Blaise Zabini and the ghost, the Bloody Baron, were attacked in the corridor and petrified."
A loud buzz instantly erupted through the Great Hall after a brief moment of stunned silence.
And this time, the strongest reaction came from the Slytherins, who had previously appeared so unconcerned.
"Zabini? He's a pure-blood!"
"How is that possible… how could it target a pure-blood?"
Panic spread through the Slytherin table like a plague.
They had once believed themselves to be safe, merely spectators watching from the sidelines. But now, they themselves had become potential victims.
That former sense of certainty and security collapsed instantly, replaced by a growing fear that everyone was now in danger.
Voices overlapped chaotically from every direction.
"I'm writing to my father. I'm going home early!"
"Dumbledore and the professors need to find the culprit immediately!"
"This is too dangerous! My mother is on the Board of Governors. The school has to give us an explanation!"
At the table, Draco Malfoy's expression had also become extremely grim.
Blaise Zabini, the boy whose mother was famous for her seven deceased husbands and the enormous inheritances they had left behind.
Not long ago, Malfoy had even shown off a custom-made map in front of Zabini.
And now that somewhat familiar classmate had been silently petrified just like that?
Malfoy subconsciously looked up toward Daphne Greengrass, who was seated not far away.
Sure enough, worry was clearly written across her face as well.
Their eyes met briefly across the hall. No words were needed; the meaning was perfectly clear to both of them.
Go talk to Lucien.
At that moment, the prefects from each House rose to their feet, doing their best to maintain order as they shouted loudly:
"Stay calm! All students are to immediately follow their prefects back to their respective common rooms! Do not remain outside!"
Filled with unease and confusion, the students hurried off in different directions throughout the castle.
…
In a deserted corridor of Hogwarts.
Headmaster Dumbledore's tall figure stood silently in place, the blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles sharply examining the scene before him.
The professors had also gathered nearby, all wearing grave expressions.
The victim, Blaise Zabini, leaned stiffly against the cold stone wall. His mouth was slightly open, and his face remained frozen in a mixture of terror and pallor.
One of his hands was raised before him, as though he had attempted to shield himself from something.
But even more unsettling was the Bloody Baron floating nearby.
The translucent body of the Slytherin ghost had also become dark and rigid, frozen in the posture of drifting forward.
The Bloody Baron's face carried the same expression of terror as Zabini's.
A ghost being petrified…
It was something completely beyond everyone's understanding.
"Even a ghost…"
Professor Flitwick's high-pitched voice was filled with disbelief.
The professors gathered around the two victims, quietly exchanging opinions with one another, their voices filled with confusion and shock.
Why could not even a ghost escape?
At that moment, a confident voice suddenly rang out.
"Please allow me a few words, Headmaster, Professors."
Lockhart straightened his lavish gold-embroidered robes and stepped forward with his trademark smile still on his face.
He cleared his throat, making certain that everyone's attention had shifted toward him.
Then Lockhart walked over to the petrified Zabini and elegantly pointed his wand toward the frozen terror on the boy's face.
"Please look at Mr. Zabini's expression. It's so vivid. Before he was petrified, he must have seen the attacker, and that sight alone was enough to fill him with extreme terror."
"We already possess the antidote for petrification. Once Mr. Zabini awakens successfully, he will be able to personally tell us who the culprit is!"
Lockhart's proactive speech made him appear calm, analytical, and deeply concerned for the students.
In truth, however, it made little difference whether Zabini awakened sooner or later. He had only caught a fleeting glimpse of the Basilisk.
As the one controlling the monster, Lockhart did not need to remain beside it constantly, so the chance of being identified was extremely small.
And what sort of mastermind would willingly allow the victim to speak?
Besides, according to Tom, the plan was nearly complete.
Once Lockhart defeated the Basilisk, saved Hogwarts, and achieved his grand success, there would be even less to fear.
After all, very few people would ever suspect a "hero."
Several professors revealed thoughtful expressions.
Only Snape cast Lockhart a cold glance before letting out a nearly inaudible snort.
Dumbledore's gaze slowly shifted between Lockhart and Zabini. Behind his half-moon spectacles, his eyes remained as deep and unreadable as ever, impossible to interpret.
...
Inside the Room of Requirement.
"Lucien, do you think we should leave school early and go home?"
Malfoy's voice was filled with anxiety and unease.
"Even a pure-blood like Zabini was attacked. What if the next one is…"
He did not finish the sentence, but the fear in his tone was unmistakable.
Although Daphne appeared much calmer than Malfoy, a trace of helplessness still lingered in her beautiful eyes.
Zabini's attack had truly dealt a heavy blow to the pure-blood students who took pride in their noble bloodlines.
How long had it even been?
At first, the so-called "Heir of the Chamber of Secrets" had supposedly been targeting Muggle-born students.
And now, a pure-blood student had actually been attacked as well.
Lucien quietly listened to their account.
At this moment, only one word came to his mind: Urgent.
Lockhart, or rather, the young Tom Riddle hidden within the diary, was becoming increasingly desperate.
They were trying frantically to create greater panic and stir up even more chaos.
Lockhart's motives were easy enough to understand. It was nothing more than the mindset of "the bigger the storm, the bigger the catch."
The more victims there were, the greater the fear and unrest among the students. And when he, the "hero," finally stepped forward to resolve the crisis, the praise and fame he would receive would naturally reach unprecedented heights.
As for Tom…
Lucien's gaze subtly swept toward another corner of the room, where Harry was currently demonstrating Expelliarmus techniques to Hermione and Ron.
Tom had already designated Harry as his ultimate target.
The idea that he was merely helping Lockhart gain fame was probably something only Lockhart himself, blinded by vanity, would believe.
The true mastermind controlling the Basilisk had always been Tom. Lockhart had long since been deceived by his silver tongue.
Lucien had secretly infiltrated Lockhart's office several times before and observed that Lockhart had prepared valuable materials such as dragon blood to help the Tom within the diary recover his strength.
No matter how Tom manipulated Lockhart, his ultimate goal was clearly resurrection and the reconstruction of a physical body.
And once he returned to the world in the form of a young man, there was no way he would quietly leave Hogwarts behind.
Most likely, he intended to unleash a bloody storm upon the magical world.
Using the Basilisk to massacre students?
Lucien withdrew his thoughts and returned his attention to the current conversation.
"Draco, Daphne, have you both written to your families about this?"
At his question, the two nodded simultaneously.
________
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