35 encounter on the road

"By the way, Ciaran, I need you and the other professors to inspect Hogwarts Castle," Dumbledore said. "I will join the inspection team later."

"Okay," Ciaran nodded and left the ward.

Before he had gone far, he suddenly heard a very loud voice calling his name: "Ciaran, Ciaran!"

It was Rubeus Hagrid, the current gamekeeper at Hogwarts, who would not be taking up the post of Care of Magical Creatures professor until the next academic year.

"Hagrid, what brings you here?" Ciaran asked. "Did you also go to the Quidditch pitch to watch the game just now?" He saw Hagrid wearing gold and red clothes, the representative colours of Gryffindor.

Hagrid, being of giant blood, stood tall. Even a towering figure like Dumbledore looked shorter when standing in front of him, and Ciaran was even shorter.

He and Hagrid had known each other since their student days at Hogwarts.

Hagrid looked a little sombre and said, "Which student had an accident? I..."

"Keep your voice down, Hagrid!" Madam Pomfrey poked her head out of the school hospital and glared at Hagrid.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, Madam Pomfrey," Hagrid quickly apologized, looking embarrassed. He also realized his mistake in shouting loudly in the school hospital.

Ciaran said, "Let's move away from here."

They turned a corner and walked to a spot far from the school hospital.

"The victim was Colin Creevey, a Gryffindor student. I was about to inform the other professors about patrolling the entire castle today," Ciaran said as they walked.

Hagrid looked saddened and said, "I remember Colin. He was a true Gryffindor. It's a shame he was the one who got hurt." He paused, his expression firm, and added, "I need to raise more roosters. They're what the basilisk is afraid of."

Ciaran replied, "It's better to find a way to completely eliminate the basilisk. As long as it exists, Hogwarts remains in danger. The entrance to the secret room seems to be in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. Fifty years ago, when He Who Shall Not Be Named was at Hogwarts, he unleashed a basilisk from there. Myrtle was the victim then, killed outright, unlike Colin, who still has hope of recovery."

But asking someone to confront the basilisk alone would be like sending them to their death. Without the aid of a powerful wizard or magical creature, it would be impossible.

Although Harry managed to kill the basilisk in the original timeline, it was with the help of Dumbledore's Phoenix, Fawkes, blinding the basilisk. Ciaran knew he would have to carefully consider how to divulge this information to Dumbledore without revealing his status as a time traveller.

Riddle's diary must be dealt with as well, without causing undue alarm. Ginny's safety was paramount, and Ciaran was determined to expose Voldemort's manipulation.

As for opening the chamber and killing the basilisk, Harry's Parseltongue ability was essential. The rest, Ciaran thought, could be figured out later with the help of the many skilled wizards at Hogwarts.

...

"Professor Frémont, Hagrid, how is the student faring?" Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, Professor Snape, and Professor Lockhart approached hurriedly.

Ciaran shook his head. "The situation is grave. Like Mrs. Norris, Colin was petrified by the basilisk. Thankfully, they were not killed."

"That's some solace in this tragedy," Professor Sprout said, patting her chest.

Professor Flitwick and Snape appeared somewhat relieved.

Only Lockhart wore a bright smile, boasting, "Don't worry, I've always regretted not facing the basilisk myself - you know, I excel at handling such creatures. I, Gilderoy Lockhart, recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, and five-time winner of 'Wizard Weekly'..."

Several professors glared at Lockhart, prompting him to halt his self-praise.

"Dumbledore requires us to patrol Hogwarts Castle in pairs or trios, and we must be cautious around pipelines; there's a possibility the basilisk is using them," Ciaran said solemnly. "Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout, please return to your respective common rooms. Ensure no student leaves without authorization."

The three professors nodded solemnly and departed.

"Hagrid, team up with Professor Lockhart. Be vigilant," Ciaran said, signalling to Hagrid discreetly.

Hagrid understood the implication. Lockhart's incompetence had become common knowledge in the past months. Ciaran was subtly warning him to remain cautious despite Lockhart's claims.

Lockhart beamed. "Professor Frémont, fear not! With Gilderoy Lockhart, Third-Class Order of Merlin, the basilisk dares not show its face."

Rolling his eyes, Hagrid followed along.

Speechless, Ciaran headed toward Gryffindor Tower. Even as he turned the corner, Lockhart's chatter could still be heard, recounting his 'heroic deeds' to Hagrid, who listened with dwindling patience.

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