Finding The Light

Down Into The Chambers (edited)

Bold is change in pov

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Ginny finally talked to me again that evening, and we both knew what had to be done. I faked being ill the next morning and while the others went to class, I snuck up into Gryffindor's common room to Harry's dorm.

I couldn't find the diary anywhere, not until I'd torn the whole place apart. I hid it in my room, and went back to bed, really feeling ill now that Tom's diary was under my pillow.

The next morning i woke to brilliant sunshine and threw on some shorts and a tank top, heading down for breakfast, but my body turned in the opposite direction and headed for Myrtle's bathroom, meeting Ginny on the way.

When I got control, I was talking to Harry while he got ready for the Quidditch game. We were just about to leave when i felt a burning in my chest. I collapsed to my knees and threw up in a bucket, Hermione and some Ravenclaw's terrified expressions in my mind.

"Belle!" Harry gasped, rubbing my back , "You okay?"

"Yeah," I mumbled, getting up.

We only just reached the pitch when McGonagall appeared next to us, a purple megaphone in hand.

"This match has been cancelled," Professor McGonagall called through the megaphone, addressing the packed stadium.

There were boos and shouts. Oliver Wood, looking devastated, landed and ran toward Professor McGonagall without getting off his broomstick.

"But, Professor!" he shouted. "We've got to play - the cup Gryffindor -" she ignored him.

"All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please! Potter, Sparrow, I think you'd better come with me . . ."

Ron joined us as well and we all headed up to the infirmary.

"This will be a bit of a shock. There has been another attack . . . another double attack."

I felt like I was going to be sick again as we looked between the Ravenclaw and Hermione.

"Hermione!" Ron groaned.

Hermione lay utterly still, her eyes open and glassy.

"They were found near the library," said Professor McGonagall. "I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them . . ."

She was holding up a small, circular mirror. The boys shook their heads and I backed away, feeling oddly faint.

"I will escort you back to Gryffindor Tower," said Professor McGonagall heavily. "I need to address the students in any case . . . Miss Sparrow?"

"I'm think i'm gonna-"

Harry grabbed me as I slumped forwards, little black dots and wavy lines appearing in my eyes.

"Professor, she was sick earlier, and the other day," he said to McGonagall but I fell unconscious and missed the rest.

I spent god knows how long being plagued with crazy dreams of squirrels and hamsters, and nightmares about everything Tom had made Ginny and i do. But eventually i could feel my body again, i could hear Madam Pomfrey, i could smell the hospital wing.

"Ow," I whined as I opened my eyes, the light stinging.

"Miss Sparrow," Madam Pomfrey smiled over me, "Good."

"How long?" I asked, taking a drink of the water she held out for me.

"Three weeks, it's May 29, dear."

After an hour of her checking up on me, saying I was perfectly fine and all, I wandered down to the great hall. Harry and Ron were munching on breakfast; I dropped down next to them and got started on getting rid of my starvation.

"You're awake!" Harry gasped, hugging me tightly and then Ron did as I laughed.

"Yeah, oh hey Ginny," I smiled as she sat next to me.

 "What's up?" Ron asked, noticing her fidgeting, "Spit it out."

"I've got to tell you something," Ginny mumbled.

"What is it?" said Harry.

"What?" Ron repeated.

Ginny opened her mouth, but no sound came out. I blinked and felt my throat close up, was she about to . . .

"Is it something about the Chamber of Secrets? Have you seen something? Someone acting oddly?" Harry asked.

Ginny drew a deep breath and, at that precise moment, Percy Weasley appeared, looking tired.

"If you've finished eating, I'll take that seat, Ginny. I'm starving, I've only just come off patrol duty."

Ginny jumped up as though her chair had just been electrified, gave Percy a fleeting, frightened look, and scampered away.

"I'll – I'll go see," I choked and rushed after her.

I stopped just round the corner, gasping and Ginny came out from behind a suit of armour.

"I tried but I couldn't he wouldn't let me," she was almost in tears.

"Don't worry Gin it'll be-"

My mouth stopped moving. Ginny's eyes widened and the tears spilled before she started moving, almost reluctantly. I tried to fight it too, but I couldn't and this time, instead of letting the snake out. We jumped down the chute and the last thing i could remember was thinking 'I woke up from a coma for this?'

That evening, Harry and Ron had worked out how the basilisk was going about school and were rushing towards the staffroom to tell someone what they knew. They paced, too excited to sit down. Instead of the bell though echoing through the corridors came Professor McGonagall's voice, magically magnified.

"All students to return to their House dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please."

Harry wheeled around to stare at Ron. "Not another attack? Not now?"

"What'll we do?" said Ron, aghast. "Go back to the dormitory?"

"No," said Harry, glancing around. "In here. Let's hear what it's all about. Then we can tell them what we've found out."

They hid themselves inside a cupboard, listening to the rumbling of hundreds of people moving overhead, and the staff room door banging open. From between the musty folds of the cloaks, they watched the teachers filtering into the room. Some of them were looking puzzled, others downright scared. Then Professor McGonagall arrived.

"It has happened," she told the silent staff room. "Two students have been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."

Professor Flitwick let out a squeal. Professor Sprout clapped her hands over her mouth.

Snape gripped the back of a chair very hard and said, "How can you be sure?"

"The Heir of Slytherin," said Professor McGonagall, who was very white, "left another message. Right underneath the first one. Their skeletons will lie in the Chamber forever. "

Professor Flitwick burst into tears.

"Who is it?" said Madam Hooch, who had sunk, weak-kneed, into a chair. "Which students?"

"Ginny Weasley," said Professor McGonagall, "And Belle Sparrow."

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