The second attack has occurred.
The witnesses remain Harry Potter... and his little companions.
Things gradually started to seem off since the first attack, because the victim was once Harry Potter's "former" best friend. So, except for very few exceptions in Slytherin House, almost no one suspected Harry was the heir, even though he was at the scene during the attack...
But the second incident is completely different.
Let's not mention that the crime scene was the same, the method was the same, and even the eyewitnesses were exactly the same... Isn't this a bit too coincidental?
Additionally, everyone knows that Harry Potter is often secretly photographed by the Muggle wizard who was attacked. And sources have revealed that Harry Potter was bothered by this, having expressed his dislike for the victim publicly several times.
So, Harry Potter suddenly "defeated" the new transfer student and Snape, quickly becoming the "number one suspect" as the heir of the Secret Chamber.
Plus, the last few photos in Colin's camera before he was murdered were somehow leaked, leading to the most popular theory now: Harry Potter opened the Chamber of Secrets to eliminate the most troublesome from the trio, so he could enjoy a "world for two" with Hermione Granger.
Colin Creevey discovered this truth and paid the price. As for why Harry wanted to inform the professor—
"I've seen a lot of movies, where the real culprit often returns to the crime scene after things are over—" said a certain Muggle wizard confidently.
...
In the Gryffindor common room, the usual cheerful music was absent today, creating an eerie atmosphere hanging over the room. Almost half of the Gryffindor little wizards gathered on one side, and even the normally boisterous Weasley twins were sitting quietly on the sofa, their red heads clustered together as if holding a "family meeting."
The scarlet fire burned in the red-brick fireplace, the crackling sound of wood burning typically soothing, but now Harry found it increasingly annoying. The normally warm flame offered no comfort, and he picked up the poker leaning against the fireplace to gently stir the flames, the glow obscuring his facial expressions.
"...Harry?"
Seeing the flickering shadows, Hermione poked her head out from behind the thick complete edition of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," curiously looking at the boy stirring the fire.
The moment the girl spoke, the persistent murmurings in the common room abruptly paused, then quickly turned into a noisy hum.
"...I'm going back to the dormitory." Harry took a deep breath, feeling his limbs growing colder, stood up, and prepared to leave the room.
"Wait, didn't we agree to stay together tonight..." Hermione frowned, watching the boy's back.
"I'm tired." Harry shook his head, he didn't hesitate, and soon disappeared at the staircase leading to the boys' dormitory.
As Harry left the common room, the air in the Gryffindor common room seemed to ignite completely, the previously suppressed discussions no longer hidden, loudly commenting on the recently departed boy.
"Hey, Weasley, so is it or isn't it..." a sixth-year boy loudly asked the cluster of red hair, glanced at Hermione who hadn't left, and coughed twice hurriedly, "Is it what everyone says?"
Percy's expression was hesitant, he frowned deeply, but before he could answer, Ginny stood up first, "Of course not, are you people only capable of gossiping behind others' backs?" Her emotions grew agitated, and her face flushed, nearly matching the color of her hair.
"...But we can't be sure, Ginny." Percy shook his head.
"Yeah, I also believe Harry isn't like that, but..." George spoke hesitantly, his voice tinged with doubt.
"..."
Ginny looked incredulous, her unremarkable chest heaving intensely as she scanned the faces of her three brothers, took a deep breath, and turned to leave the common room silently.
"Where are you going? Curfew is coming!" Percy frowned.
But all that responded was the Fat Lady's disgruntled muttering.
"...We need to find her; it's Snape on duty tonight." Fred murmured, standing up, patting his pocket as if confirming something.
"I'll go; I need to discuss something with her,"
Hermione appeared beside the trio, her gaze lingering at the spot where Ginny disappeared—somehow, she felt a premonition...
"You... uh, Hermione, actually we didn't suspect Harry, it's just..." Having been caught speaking ill by the protagonist, George scratched his head, feeling a bit guilty. He was being honest, though Harry's appearance was too coincidental this time, and the subject refused to explain anything.
"I know, but you're not suited to find Ginny..." Hermione nodded, finding an excuse, "You'd only end up arguing with her."
Fred and George exchanged glances, then nodded knowingly, Hermione was right, Ginny would only argue with them.
"Alright, too bad Harry already left, otherwise he'd be the best choice." Fred nodded, then stealthily pulled a roll of parchment from under his cloak behind Percy, "It's up to you then—an essential companion for night excursions."
"What's this..."
"There are instructions inside, though we haven't completely figured it out yet..." Fred shrugged, and George leaned over to add, "We nicked it from Filch during our first year, this little baby taught us more than all the school's professors combined."
As they spoke, they simultaneously winked at Hermione, "You can try it yourself," they whispered in unison.
"Okay..."
Hermione accepted the parchment somewhat confusedly and pushed open the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Return quickly, bring Ginny..." Percy commanded sternly from behind her.
"One by one, just before curfew and they're running off!" The Fat Lady grumbled, reluctantly stepping aside, "I think this is just too much!"
Hermione didn't answer, stepping out of Gryffindor Tower quickly, then unfolded the parchment by the torchlight.
Blank?
The girl examined it up and down, and as she did, a blank sheet fell out from the inner layer.
Picking up the paper, reading the characters on it, Hermione incredulously raised her wand against the parchment's center, "Uh, I solemnly swear—I am up to no good?"
As her voice faded, ink began to appear on the blank parchment. Under the girl's astonished gaze, these lines and ink spots formed an extremely intricate map of the castle.
Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs.
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers.
Are proud to present—The Marauder's Map.
And just this wasn't enough to surprise her, she saw the names appearing in the corridors—Ginny Weasley was in the middle of the corridor two levels beneath her, Professor Snape had just left his office, Nearly Headless Nick was wandering the great hall...
She even spotted her own name, standing at the entrance of Gryffindor Tower.
"This..."
Hermione intently took a deep breath, then as though realizing something, aimed the map at the light, frantically searching up and down.