33 The Basilisk Injury Incident

"Indeed," Ciaran mused, lightly touching his chin with a smile. "It's my duty." After a brief pause, another smile graced his lips. "However, I must wait a while longer before venturing to the Quidditch field, at least until I've finished this meal, isn't it?"

"Of course. The competition begins at eleven o'clock in the morning, so there's still some time," Professor McGonagall replied. "We won't disturb you anymore, Professor Frémont." With that, she turned and exited Frémont's office.

Severus Snape, wearing his characteristic scowl, nodded curtly at Ciaran before also departing.

Ciaran continued to savour his scrumptious breakfast, his mind wandering. Recalling the upcoming Quidditch match, he remembered a peculiar detail: the tampering of one of the Bludgers by the house elf Dobby, all in an ill-conceived attempt to harm Harry Potter and prevent him from facing the basilisk's deadly threat.

It was clear that Dobby's intentions were good, albeit misguided, leading to unforeseen consequences for Harry.

Suddenly, Ciaran's brow furrowed in concern. "Wait," he muttered to himself, contemplating. "The basilisk's attack in the original timeline occurred the night after the Quidditch match. Could my interference precipitate a similar event?"

Various students possessed seemingly innocuous magical items, like those recording rooster crows. Fred and George Weasley, for instance, had visited Hagrid to acquire roosters for this purpose, using them to craft numerous small coats of arms, likely to turn a profit.

Ciaran concluded that he needed to exercise caution to avoid complications arising from his actions.

Confronting a formidable creature like the basilisk presented a significant challenge. Without Fawkes to summon the Sorting Hat, and thus Gryffindor's sword, he pondered the best course of action. Surely, Harry's safety remained paramount; Dumbledore would never allow him to face genuine peril, recognizing Harry's pivotal role in confronting Voldemort.

Ciaran reflected on Voldemort's diminished state, resulting from his failed attempt to kill Harry as a baby. Harry's survival, coupled with the protective enchantment cast by his mother, Lily Evans, had thwarted Voldemort's plans, leaving him weakened and fragmented.

As the clock approached ten-fifty, the distant clamour of the Quidditch pitch reached Ciaran's ears, signalling the imminent start of the match. With only ten minutes remaining, the castle fell relatively quiet, most occupants making their way to the stadium.

With a creak, Ciaran closed his office door, preparing to join the spectators. He had promised McGonagall and Snape his presence, a commitment he intended to honour.

Suddenly, a rush of enthusiastic cheers echoed from the pitch, accompanied by familiar names: Harry Potter, Fred and George Weasley, Oliver Wood, and others. It seemed Gryffindor's team was making its entrance.

Realizing he might be late, Ciaran hurried downstairs, only to encounter a grey-haired boy with a camera, dashing past. Without hesitation, Ciaran locked his door and secured his wand in his robe's inner pocket.

"Are you also headed to the Quidditch match?" a gentle voice inquired from the stairs. It was Dumbledore, seemingly unaffected by the excitement outside.

Smiling, Ciaran replied, "Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape requested my presence. As a combat professor, it's my duty, isn't it? I wouldn't want my salary deducted, sir."

Chuckling, Dumbledore assured him, "No deductions for such a small matter. Unless, of course, you waste food and..."

His jest abruptly ceased as his expression turned grave. Hastening towards the steps, Dumbledore approached a motionless figure—a young wizard holding a camera.

Ciaran recognized the boy as Colin Creevey, known for his avid support of Harry Potter and his penchant for photography. Concern gripped Ciaran as he realised the potential danger Colin faced.

Descending the stairs, Ciaran scanned the empty corridor, his mind racing with questions. Why had the basilisk emerged so prematurely? And where was Ginny?

Venturing further, Ciaran encountered Peeves, the mischievous Hogwarts ghost, but found no trace of teachers or students. Returning to the third-floor landing, he witnessed Dumbledore, wand in hand, examining Colin's petrified form with great care.

"Colin Creevey exhibits the same symptoms as Mrs. Norris—both petrified," Dumbledore remarked, his voice tinged with concern. With a flick of his wand, he examined the camera, detecting signs of melting plastic.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Ciaran realized the camera had shielded Colin from direct exposure to the basilisk's gaze, sparing him from a potentially fatal fate.

"It appears you were right, Ciaran," Dumbledore declared solemnly. "The Chamber of Secrets has been reopened."

With a heavy heart, Ciaran braced himself for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that the safety of Hogwarts and its students now hung in the balance.

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