The walk to Dumbledore’s office was silent, aside from the sharp clicks of Snape’s boots against the stone floor. I tried to ignore the way my stomach twisted itself into knots. If Snape was bringing me to the headmaster, it had to be bad. Really bad.
When we reached the gargoyle guarding the entrance, Snape muttered something under his breath, and it sprang aside, revealing the spiral staircase. I barely had time to brace myself before we were moving upward.
As soon as we stepped into the office, I froze.
Dumbledore was standing behind his desk, his face grave. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick stood to the side, both looking equally troubled.
And then there was Percy.
My older brother was pacing furiously, his usually neat hair a mess. When he saw me, he stopped in his tracks. “Vipera,” he started, voice tight, “do you know where Ginny is?”
My stomach dropped.
“She’s… not in the dormitory?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Dumbledore folded his hands together, his blue eyes sharp and knowing. “Miss Weasley has been taken into the Chamber of Secrets.”
The words felt like a physical blow. My mind went blank for a second before roaring back to life. No. No, no, no. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Tom said—
“Taken?” My voice came out hoarse. “What do you mean, taken?”
McGonagall’s lips pressed into a thin line. “She’s been missing since this afternoon. We found a message on the wall outside the Gryffindor common room. ‘Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.’”
My breath hitched. Tom. Tom, what have you done?
Before I could react, the door to the office burst open with a loud bang.
Mum and Dad.
Molly Weasley’s face was red, her eyes wild with panic. Arthur Weasley was right behind her, his expression grim.
“Where is she?” Mum demanded, voice shaking. “Where is my daughter?!”
I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. All I could do was stand there, frozen, as my world came crashing down around me.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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and then Add to home screen.