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Chapter Nine – Plot Collapse
The attack had frightened the students badly, and Lockhart had taken to teaching them a few self-protection tricks during lessons.
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After class, Hermione hurried after him.
"P–Professor Lockhart?" she began, stumbling over her words. "I was wondering… I wanted to borrow a book from the library. I'm hoping to learn some background information."
She held up a request slip, her hand shaking slightly.
"The thing is, it's in the Restricted Section, so I'll need a teacher's signature. I believe this book will help me understand the chronic venom you mentioned in Wandering with Ghouls…"
"Ah, Wandering with Ghouls!" Lockhart beamed and took the slip from her. Inwardly, he was thinking, She's definitely after the formula for the Polyjuice Potion…
This is probably my most satisfying book. You like it that much?
"Oh, I love it," Hermione said earnestly. "You were brilliant when you caught that last ghoul with a tea strainer—"
"Heh—Miss Granger, I was just on my way to the library myself, to see what sort of creature could have petrified Mrs Norris. Shall we go together?"
"Oh… okay… Professor Lockhart."
This was not what she'd planned. She'd hoped he would simply sign her slip and move on. His sudden suggestion left her scrambling.
The two walked out of the classroom together. Harry and Ron, who had been hiding nearby to watch, stared at each other in disbelief.
"What's going on?" Ron whispered.
Hermione, walking ahead, flashed them a discreet V-sign behind her back.
Ron mouthed, What? Has the plan changed?
"They're going to the library," Harry muttered. "Maybe it worked… but is Professor Lockhart going to get the book for us himself?"
In the library, Lockhart picked up a volume on magical creatures, hoping to find a way to deal with the Basilisk, while Hermione fetched the potions text, already fretting over the difficulty of brewing Polyjuice.
Lockhart skimmed the Basilisk chapter, but it was nothing but doom, gloom, and terrifying descriptions — no solutions whatsoever. As for the rooster's crow… he couldn't very well walk around with a rooster under his arm.
How does the Basilisk work, anyway? he wondered.
Does it kill with Avada Kedavra through its eyes? Does it hypnotise things to death? Would sunglasses help? No, that's not Men in Black, you idiot.
He slapped the book shut in frustration.
"There's no other way. I'll have to ask Hagrid for a few roosters to keep on hand."
"Roosters?" Hermione leaned over, peering at the book.
"Basilisk? Its gaze is its most dangerous weapon: direct eye contact causes instant death, and indirect contact — reflections, for example — causes petrification. And… Basilisks are natural enemies of spiders…"
She had read the relevant parts before Lockhart could even snatch the book away.
"Professor, you're a genius!" Hermione squealed. "You've already found the culprit! Mrs Norris was petrified because she saw the Basilisk in the water's reflection!"
For Merlin's sake, Hermione!
Could you maybe not be this fast? Or shout it across the library? And why are you hugging me? Everyone is staring!
This was absolutely not part of the plan. Lockhart couldn't use Obliviate with half the library watching.
Even worse — Madam Pince was marching toward them with the expression of someone seconds away from murder by feather duster.
And worst of all — Ginny was in the library as well. She had frozen, eyes blank, then bolted out the door.
She was still under Voldemort's influence.
What was she going to do?
Lockhart shot to his feet and sprinted after her.
"Professor! What's happened?" Hermione called, chasing after him.
"Hermione, what are you doing?!" Lockhart snapped — far more sharply than intended. "Never mind. Listen carefully — whatever happens, close your eyes! Don't look at anything!"
"Don't look at—? Why? Wait…" Hermione stared at him, her expression slowly brightening.
"Professor! Have you already worked out the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets? Are you going after the Basilisk? I knew it! Nothing can stump you!"
Lockhart ignored her entirely. She was practically vibrating with excitement.
Where is Ginny running to? Back to the diary? Or is she already in the Chamber? No — I need the Headmaster. I can't deal with a Basilisk and Voldemort's fragment on my own.
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