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Chapter 131
"Alright, fine, you're right—we're stuck again." Hermione shrugged, admitting Harry's point. The Slytherin students were all a bunch of troublemakers who believed they were superior and were determined to expel anyone they considered impure.
"Still Malfoy?" Ron said. Besides Malfoy, the only Slytherin he knew well was Snape—and, of course, those were also the two people he hated most.
"Or maybe Snape," Harry said, his tone full of malice.
"Don't be ridiculous. Malfoy is possible, but how could it be Snape?" Hermione could sense Harry's hostility, but she still dismissed the idea. "Snape has been at this school for so many years. If he really wanted to act, he would have done it long ago."
Ron's eyes lit up at Hermione's words. "Exactly, it can't be Snape. He's been here for years. But Malfoy is like us—only in second year. He's just settled into school and already eager to attack classmates."
"That actually makes sense," Hermione murmured, thinking it over. The Chamber wouldn't open without warning. First-year students wouldn't have the strength, and older students would have had their chance already. Malfoy, newly in second year, fit the timing too well.
"I think it's him," Ron said bluntly. "Did you hear what he said? 'The next one will be you, M-' …mudblood. More or less. He was showing off, threatening people. Just look at his ugly rat-like face. If George hadn't been there, he would've said even worse."
"Then Malfoy is the Heir of Slytherin," Hermione said uncertainly, but still following the logic.
"Think about his family," Harry added. He was increasingly convinced. "The Malfoys are a Slytherin family. Lucius Malfoy is a Death Eater. They believe in pure-blood supremacy. They've always hated Muggle-borns and half-bloods. It's very possible he's Slytherin's descendant."
"Exactly. And they might know where the Chamber is—and the key to it. They've probably kept it hidden for centuries," Ron said, growing more certain. "Passed down from father to son."
"Other Slytherin students wouldn't easily find it. Even the teachers—or even Dumbledore—don't know where it is. I can't imagine how anyone else could discover it," Harry said. He still trusted Dumbledore's abilities, though he had his doubts at times.
"That does sound likely," Hermione agreed, now almost convinced.
"We need a way to confirm whether Malfoy's voice really sounds like a snake," Ron suggested.
"Good idea. We can think about that," Harry and Hermione agreed.
In the corridor, Hermione paced anxiously, clearly uneasy.
Ron leaned against a pillar, scanning the area, then suddenly brightened. "Harry's back."
"What did George say?" Hermione asked quickly. If George had a plan, she preferred it to theirs.
Harry ran over and stopped, bent over with his hands on his knees. After a moment, he panted, "George doesn't care whether Malfoy is the heir or not. He doesn't believe Dumbledore doesn't know about the Chamber. He said his research is at a critical stage, and that Dumbledore should go play around with the monster in the Chamber."
Harry paused, then added awkwardly, "He also said he's busy, and then he lost a few games against me… and that those monsters might actually protect us."
"Huh?" Hermione looked completely stunned.
She had thought George might disagree with Malfoy being the heir—or maybe agree—but this reaction was unexpected. He might even help them, yet at the same time seem completely unconcerned.
Harry quickly clarified, seeing her confusion. "That's it. George thinks Dumbledore has his own plan. He and Professor McGonagall were in Lockhart's office, actually observing Mrs. Norris. He says they were acting."
"The writing on the wall where the first attack happened hasn't even been dealt with properly. George thinks Dumbledore has a secret plan—and that he can handle it."
Hermione's expression eased slightly, though she still asked reluctantly, "George isn't curious at all about the Basilisk? Not worried at all? We already know the monster in the Chamber is a Basilisk controlled by a Slytherin with a snake-like voice. We're so close to the truth—are we really just going to do nothing and wait for Dumbledore's plan?"
If Hermione had known nothing at first, she might have chosen to stay out of it. But now they knew it was Slytherin's Chamber, containing a Basilisk that had lived for a thousand years, controlled by a snake-like voice—possibly Malfoy. Being this close to the truth and stopping now felt unacceptable.
"Yes, if we confirm Malfoy is a Parselmouth and can control the Basilisk, we can catch him and expel him," Ron said unwillingly. They were only one step away.
"I don't want to just let Malfoy go either. But George said his research is at a critical point. Even if Dumbledore finds him, he'll tell Dumbledore to 'play the game'," Harry said, his expression strange. It was the first time he had seen George like this—like a mad scientist.
"What exactly is George researching?" Hermione asked curiously.
Harry thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know. But I think we shouldn't disturb him right now. He did leave us something for protection."
Harry pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Hermione. Ron stretched his neck to read it too.
Basilisks are extremely dangerous creatures. Legend says they were bred by a Greek Dark wizard named Herpo the Foul. They are enormous and can live for hundreds of years. A Basilisk is created when a toad hatches a chicken egg. They possess extraordinary abilities and are extremely deadly.
(To be continued.)