Chapter 176: "Aftermath in the Headmaster's Office"

As Harry and Sirius emerged from the Chamber of Secrets, their robes still damp from the underground passages, they rushed Evelyn Rosier to the hospital wing. The corridors were eerily quiet, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. When they burst through the infirmary doors, Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Merlin's beard!" she exclaimed, hurrying over to them. "Is that Miss Rosier? Did you two actually venture into the Chamber of Secrets to save her?" Her voice was a mixture of awe and concern as she quickly assessed the unconscious girl.

Sirius nodded grimly, gently laying Rosier on the nearest bed. "She's been through quite an ordeal, Poppy," he said, his voice low and serious. "I'm afraid it's a case of long-term dark possession."

Madam Pomfrey gasped, her experienced hands already moving to examine Evelyn. "Possession? But how-."

"It's a sensitive matter with many secrets involved," Sirius interrupted. "We'll explain everything to Dumbledore. For now, please treat her for the effects of dark possession. Dumbledore can fill you in on the details later."

As they left the hospital wing, Harry turned to Sirius. "Padfoot, after Madam Pomfrey's done, could you take Rosier to Cordelia? I want to make sure there are no lasting effects from the Horcrux."

Sirius nodded, "Good thinking, pup. I'll make sure she gets the best care."

On their way to Dumbledore's office, Harry broached a delicate subject. "Sirius, about telling Dumbledore..."

"You're wondering if we should reveal everything about the Horcrux?" Sirius guessed.

Harry nodded. "We can be truthful about tonight's events, including the Horcrux, but I think we should keep our prior knowledge about Voldemort creating Horcruxes and the other destroyed Horcrux to ourselves. It could jeopardize the Black family's neutrality."

Sirius considered this for a moment before agreeing. "You're right, Harry. No need to paint a target on our backs if this somehow leaks. The fewer people who know about our involvement with the other Horcruxes, the better. We'll stick to the facts of tonight's events only."

As they approached the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office, Sirius gave the password, and they ascended the moving spiral staircase. When they entered the circular office, they were surprised to find the Headmaster wasn't alone. The Golden Trio - Charles, Ron, and Hermione - were there, looking both excited and anxious.

"Charley!" Sirius exclaimed, breaking into a grin. "It's been too long! You were a baby when I last saw you." His eyes softened with a mix of nostalgia and regret.

Charles beamed back. "Are you Sirius Black? Padfoot? I've heard so much about you from Uncle Moony! Why haven't I seen you in the past?"

Sirius chuckled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Adult business, I'm afraid. You kids need not worry about all that complicated stuff."

Charles persisted, his curiosity evident. "My parents and Moony always say the same thing. Never mind that now - Sirius, are you the Auror the Ministry sent to handle this Chamber of Secrets incident?"

As Sirius nodded in confirmation, Charles could barely contain his excitement. He launched into an animated explanation, words tumbling out in a rush. "You're just in time! We've found the Chamber of Secrets! We were just telling Professor Dumbledore all about it-"

Sirius held up a hand, his expression a mix of amusement and pride. "I'm impressed you managed to figure it out, truly I am. But I'm afraid we've beaten you to the punch this time. The girl's been rescued and the Heir defeated. Madam Pomfrey is tending to her right now in the hospital wing. No adventure for you kiddos this time, but excellent work all the same."

The room fell silent for a moment before erupting in questions. Dumbledore, Harry noticed, looked immensely relieved. The twinkle in his blue eyes was brighter than it had been in weeks, clearly happy that the trouble had been resolved. Harry knew the Headmaster had taken quite a hit to his reputation for not keeping Hogwarts safe under his watch.

Hermione, looking crestfallen, asked, "But how did you find it so quickly? It took us ages of research and we even had to beg Moaning Myrtle before we finally got the information we needed about the Chamber of Secrets from her."

Sirius, with a hint of mischief in his eyes, simply pointed at Harry, who had been quietly observing the exchange, content to be an audience to the unfolding scene. Hermione's face fell further, knowing from Harry's reputation and grades that he was better than her. But she didn't give up. Harry just had a few more years in the wizarding world than her. She was determined to surpass him eventually.

"What about the Basilisk?" Charles asked eagerly, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement. "Did you fight it? How big was it?"

"We didn't actually confront it," Sirius explained, his tone becoming more serious. "We managed to outwit the Heir and defeat him before he could summon the beast. The Basilisk remains a problem to be dealt with, but the immediate threat has been neutralized."

Seeing the children's undiminished curiosity, Sirius added gravely, "There are some highly sensitive matters involved in this incident that we can't discuss openly, especially not with children. Albus, perhaps we could speak more privately?"

Dumbledore nodded sagely, turning to the Golden Trio. "Children, I must ask you to return to your dormitory now. It's quite late, and I'm sure your housemates are wondering where you are."

Charles immediately protested, his voice tinged with desperation. "But Grandpa, I've been involved in this from the start! I need to know what's happening. Please, can't I stay?"

Dumbledore considered the boy for a long moment, his blue eyes twinkling with something that might have been approval. After what seemed like an eternity, he nodded. "Very well, Charley. You've shown that you can keep a secret, and you are... uniquely involved in these matters. You may stay. However, you two friends will have to leave and no secretly telling them everything later."

Harry felt a twinge of unease at this decision. He knew that Charles, lacking any form of Occlumency shields, was essentially an open book to any skilled Legilimens. However, given that the matter wasn't of utmost secrecy and there weren't many accomplished Legilimens in Britain, he decided not to intervene.

As Ron and Hermione reluctantly left the office, casting longing looks over their shoulders, Sirius began to recount the night's events in detail. Charles listened with rapt attention, occasionally interjecting with questions that Sirius answered as best he could without revealing too much.

When Sirius mentioned the Horcrux, Dumbledore's eyes widened almost imperceptibly behind his half-moon spectacles. The usual twinkle in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a grave seriousness that seemed to age him considerably.

"A Horcrux," Dumbledore said, his voice barely above a whisper. "This confirms my worst fears. Voldemort is indeed still tethered to the world of the living." He turned to Charles, who looked confused and on the verge of asking a question. "Charles, I must insist that you do not ask what a Horcrux is. It is a form of magic so dark, so evil, that you are not yet old enough to bear that knowledge."

Harry, seeing an opportunity to move the conversation along, reached into his robes and produced the destroyed diary. He handed it to Dumbledore, who examined it closely, his long fingers tracing over the name 'T.M. Riddle' embossed on the cover. Thanks to the method Harry had used to destroy it, the book appeared largely intact, with no visible holes or damage.

"What should we do about the Basilisk, Albus?" Sirius asked, bringing the focus back to the immediate threat. "I can contact Amelia, and we can assemble a team of our best Aurors to deal with it."

Dumbledore shook his head, a determined glint in his eye. "That won't be necessary, Sirius. Once the students have been safely evacuated tomorrow, I will deal with the creature myself."

Charles, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly spoke up. "Professor, can I come with you? I can help open the entrance to the Chamber. I'm a Parselmouth, remember?"

Dumbledore regarded Charles for a long moment before nodding slowly. "You may accompany me to the entrance, Charles. However, I will only allow you as far as the main hall Sirius described. After that, Fawkes will take you to safety. It's far too dangerous for you to be present during the confrontation with the Basilisk."

As Harry and Sirius, their work for the night done, prepared to take their leave, the office door suddenly swung open. The unexpected visitor who stepped into the room made the temperature seem to drop several degrees.

Lucius Malfoy, resplendent in his black robes and radiating an aura of barely concealed contempt, surveyed the room with cold grey eyes. His gaze lingered on Harry and Sirius with particular disdain before settling on Dumbledore.

"Ah, Dumbledore," Malfoy drawled, his voice smooth as silk but laced with venom. "I see I'm interrupting quite the gathering. How... convenient."