0161 The Second Attack

Words : 1956 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

The warm amber glow of the torches casted shadows across the walls of Adrian's office, creating an atmosphere of tranquility that was about to be shattered. Adrian carefully peeled off his dragon hide gloves, the thick leather still warm from tending to the venomous tentacula in Greenhouse Three. His thoughtful mood was broken by the sudden crash of his office door flying open without even a courtesy knock. Luna burst through the threshold, her usually dreamy demeanor replaced by something Adrian had rarely witnessed in the peculiar Ravenclaw student—genuine, urgent concern. Her pale blonde hair was disheveled, as if she had run through the corridors, and her wide, silvery eyes held an intensity that made Adrian immediately set aside his gardening supplies. "Professor Westeros," Luna's voice carried a tremor as she struggled to catch her breath. "There's a monster in the courtyard? And it attacked Professor Lockhart." "Monster….in…that courtyard" Adrian's dark eyebrows drew together in a deep frown. "Yes, I'm absolutely certain of it," Luna replied, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Adrian began thinking and then asked in a low voice, "Have you reported this to any other professors? Or to Professor Dumbledore?" Luna shook her head strongly. "I only know where your office is, Professor Westeros." "Very well," Adrian said, making decision in an instant. He strode to the door, and took down his winter cloak hung on an iron hook. "Lead the way, Luna." As they stepped into the corridor, Adrian couldn't help but notice the rare anxiety across Luna's face. Despite her reputation for eccentric beliefs and weird observations, Adrian knew Luna was not fond of frivolous dramatics or attention-seeking behavior. If she said she had witnessed something dangerous, he totally believed her. As they walked along the cold corridor, Luna began to describe in detail what she had witnessed in the courtyard, her voice growing steadier as she found the words to express the horror she had seen. "It was a very large, black tail," Luna said while gesturing with her hands, "about as big as that tree in the courtyard, and it moved without making any sound. Professor Lockhart walked up to it, then collapsed." Adrian slowed his pace down slightly, allowing Luna to keep up while his mind processed this information. "What about the eyes, Luna?" Adrian asked, his voice carefully controlled. "Did you manage to see its eyes?" Luna shook her head. "No, just as I was about to get a clear look, Mimi gugu covered my eyes with her vines." "Mimi gugu?" Adrian raised an eyebrow, though given Luna's tendency to name everything around her, he wasn't much surprised. "Yes, that's what I call her," Luna explained, lifting her left hand to reveal several thick, rope-like vines of Devil's Snare wrapped around her wrist and forearm like bracers. The dark green vines moved with subtle, almost affectionate movements, clearly responding to Luna's emotions. Adrian nodded thoughtfully, pieces of puzzle beginning to fall into place in his mind. The description of the massive creature, the silent movement, the apparent petrification of Professor Lockhart—it all pointed to one legendary and deadly creature. As they turned around the corner leading to the corridor that encircled the main courtyard, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of them. "Professor!" Harry's voice cracked with stress and panic. "Lockhart—he's in the courtyard, and something's happened to him! He's not moving, and he looks like—" It was clear that Harry had stumbled upon the same horrific scene that Luna had witnessed. The boy had a talent for finding trouble, or perhaps trouble had a talent for finding him. Adrian raised his hand to stop Harry's rising panic like a calming spell. "I already know, Harry. Luna has informed me of the situation. I need you to find Professor Dumbledore immediately—tell him there's been another attack." Harry's mouth opened as if to protest or ask questions, but something in Adrian's tone and expression made him simply nod. Without another word, he turned and sprinted down the corridor, leaving Adrian and Luna to continue their urgent journey. The doors leading to the main courtyard appeared in front of them, and Adrian pushed them open. The moment they stepped outside, the bitter Scottish winter assaulted. The bone-chilling wind penetrated Adrian's robes, it was a damp, cold wind that suggested a blizzard might arrive in a few days. But weather was the least of his concerns now. He looked around and quickly found Lockhart collapsed at the base of the tree. Even from a distance, Adrian could see that something was wrong. Lockhart's robes were twisted awkwardly around and his body was positioned in a way that made it seem he had collapsed suddenly. As Adrian approached, the details became more disturbing. Lockhart's face was frozen in an expression of absolute terror and panic that was almost comical in its exaggeration. His mouth was slightly open, as if he had been in the middle of speaking or perhaps shouting when the petrification struck. His arms were outstretched dramatically. Adrian couldn't help but wonder if, even at the moment of his petrification, Lockhart had been attempting to deliver one of his typical grandiose speeches, perhaps trying to charm or impress the Basilisk. Kneeling beside Lockhart, Adrian reached out cautiously and touched his hand. The flesh felt completely solid. "Petrified," Adrian murmured to himself, though the confirmation brought little relief. "At least he's still alive." The fact that Lockhart showed no signs of actual death meant that he had not made direct eye contact with the basilisk. Perhaps his vanity had saved him—maybe he had been looking at his own reflection in a window or mirror when the creature approached, or perhaps he had simply been fortunate enough to see only the basilisk's indirect gaze. Rising to his feet, Adrian began a careful examination of the surrounding area searching for any clues the creature might have left behind. There were indeed several faint sliding marks on the ground, like traces left by a giant serpent's passage, but these tracks abruptly disappeared upon entering the corridor. Clearly, the basilisk had moved away and hidden itself again. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the corridor behind him. Adrian turned to see Harry returning with the figure of Professor Dumbledore, followed closely by the stern looking Professor McGonagall. Harry's face was flushed from running, and he kept glancing anxiously between the adults, clearly desperate to know what they would find. Since Harry didn't know the password to the headmaster's office, he had to find Professor McGonagall first and then she helped him contact Dumbledore. Dumbledore had obviously dressed hastily, his usual elegant robes had been replaced by a simple sleeping gown covered by a traveling cloak, and his silver beard was also disheveled. Despite his hurried appearance, his bright blue eyes were alert and sharp, already taking in every detail of the scene in front of him. The small group gathered around the petrified Lockhart. The gravity of the situation seemed to settle over them, and for a moment, no one spoke. "Ah, Professor Westeros," Dumbledore's voice retained its characteristic gentleness despite the circumstances, though Adrian detected a trace of deep concern. His gaze moved from Adrian to the petrified Lockhart and back again. "It appears we are faced with a situation we had all hoped to avoid." Dumbledore moved forward drew his legendary Elder Wand, and performed a series of complex diagnostic spells over Lockhart. After few seconds, Dumbledore straightened and looked at Adrian with an expression of grave confirmation. "The same magic that was used on Ray last time." Professor McGonagall's face had grown pale beneath her shawl. Her generally steady voice carried a shrill edge of panic. "Albus, does this mean the creature that attacked Lockhart is indeed the legendary monster from the Chamber of Secrets?" "I'm afraid so, Minerva," Dumbledore replied in a heavy tone. "This is absolutely intolerable!" Professor McGonagall gasped, "The safety of our students is in immediate jeopardy! We must begin evacuation procedures at once!" "Please, calm yourself, Minerva," Dumbledore's voice remained steady. "While the situation is indeed grave, we have not yet reached the point where such drastic measures are necessary. Our first priority must be to find the Chamber of Secrets, or whoever is controlling this creature." Adrian was lost in thought at this moment. "Professor Westeros," Dumbledore's voice cut through Adrian's contemplation. "Do you perhaps have any clues that might help us locate the Chamber of Secrets?" Adrian emerged from his trance to find all eyes focused on him expectantly. This was the moment he had been dreading all along, the decision point where he would have to choose between maintaining his strategic advantage and ensuring the immediate safety of Hogwarts' students and staff. "Perhaps..." He said slowly. "I believe I may know where the Chamber is located." The simultaneous sharp intake of breath from both Professor McGonagall and Harry was audible even above the wind. "Take us there," Dumbledore said simply, his face maintaining its calm expression. In fact, Adrian had been reluctant to reveal the Chamber's location so early. His original strategy had been to use the basilisk as bait—to allow it to continue operating under the control of whoever had awakened it, thus drawing out the true puppet master behind these attacks. The basilisk itself, while dangerous, was ultimately just a weapon. The real threat lay with the "Heir" who commanded it, someone who almost certainly possessed either a fragment of Voldemort's soul or one of his Horcruxes. That person was Adrian's ultimate target But as he looked at the petrified Lockhart and considered the escalating danger to innocent students, Adrian felt it was more important to ensure students safety first. The basilisk's deadly gaze could kill with direct eye contact. If any student were to suffer that fate because he had chosen to maintain his advatage in secret, the weight of that death would be unbearable. Some risks were simply too great to take. After receiving Dumbledore's clear words, Adrian nodded with resolve. "Follow me. If my suspicions are correct, the entrance should be located somewhere on the first floor of the castle." At this point, Professor McGonagall turned sharply toward the two students who had been silently witnessing this conversation and said sternly. "Mr. Potter, Miss Lovegood, you will return to your respective common rooms immediately. This is not a situation for students to be involved in, regardless of how you came to discover it." Luna was an obedient student despite her eccentric nature and nodded without protest. Harry, however, opened his mouth as if to object. But seeing Professor McGonagall's tense expression, Harry finally nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Professor." With the professors there, this indeed wasn't something he could participate in. Just as Harry turned to leave, Adrian suddenly raised his hand. "Wait, Professor McGonagall," Adrian said, "I believe Mr. Potter should accompany us." Professor McGonagall immediately objected. "Absolutely not! This situation is too dangerous for any student to participate in—" "Minerva," Dumbledore's calm voice cut through her objections as he raised his hand in a gentle gesture. "There won't be any danger with us there." Seeing that her headmaster had made his decision, Professor McGonagall could only nod stiffly, though her disapproval was written clearly across her stern face. Adrian naturally had his reasons for bringing Harry along, he was the only one present who could open the Chamber's entrance. ________________ You can read more chapters on: /IamLuis

0161 The Second Attack

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