Chapter 68: Secret Meetings
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 68: Secret Meetings
Several went by before Harry and Ginny had another chance to meet.
Harry had been very careful about this, as he could not afford the Headmaster hearing about any more misconduct on his part.
So, he had been attending his classes, studying with Hermione and keeping his head down. He had given no one reason to suspect that anything had changed.
But the discovery of the Sanctum's entrance had been burning in his mind. He needed to tell someone, and more than anything, needed Ginny's help.
The library was quiet, as it always was in the late afternoon. Harry sat at the same table near the back, a book open in front of him. He pretended to read, his eyes scanning the same paragraph over and over.
Then he heard the soft footsteps, and a familiar voice spoke from beside him.
"Harry."
He looked up. Ginny Weasley stood at the end of the table, her red hair gleaming in the dim light. She was clutching a book to her chest, her bright eyes filled with curiosity.
"I'm so sorry, I came as soon as I could," she said, sliding into the chair across from him. "What's going on? Seeing the face you are making, it must be something important."
"It is..." Harry leaned forward, keeping his voice low. "I found something. Something I think might be the entrance to the Sanctum of the Brave."
"What? You mean...Gryffindor's Legendary Chamber?. But...I thought it was just a legend, "Ginny's eyes widened. "Where did you find it?. Did you go inside?"
Harry glanced around, making sure no one was listening. The library was nearly empty...a few students huddled in the far corners, and Madam Pince was dozing at her desk.
"I think I found one of the entrances in the girls' bathroom on the second floor," Harry said.
Ginny blinked. "I'm sorry, but did...did you say the girls' bathroom on the second floor?"
"I know it sounds strange, Ginny," Harry said quickly. "But I've been doing some reading on the old legends surrounding the Four Founders of Hogwarts. There are many stories about hidden chambers in this castle...rooms that only certain people can find. The founders were known for creating secret spaces."
He avoided mentioning the Room of Requirement, even though he knew that was the secret room created by Rowena Ravenclaw. But he had no idea if the Hufflepuff founder had also made one.
Ginny's brow furrowed. "And you think one of them is in a bathroom?"
"Well, not in the bathroom. I'm sure the chamber has many entrances hidden around the castle. I just happen to stumble across one of them."
"And you found it in one of the girls' bathrooms..." Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"Can we not dwell on that?" Harry paused. "I found a sink with a lion engraving on it," He explained. "That is the symbol of the Gryffindor house. I tried everything I could think of to open it, but nothing happened. I believe only a true Gryffindor has a chance to unlock the chamber somehow."
Ginny was silent for a moment, processing his words. Then she nodded slowly. "Alright...I believe you. It sounds very crazy, but... I believe you."
Harry felt a surge of relief. "So...you'll help me?"
"Of course," Ginny said. "I told you I would help you with anything, and I meant it. But Harry... I'm not sure I'm the best example of a true Gryffindor."
Harry tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Ginny looked down at her hands. "I'm not like my brothers, Harry. I'm not brave like Ron thinks he is, or bold like the twins. I'm just... me. The founder probably had someone like Ron in mind. Someone who's always ready to fight."
Harry had already thought about that. He had done some research on Godric Gryffindor, and the descriptions he had found were... troubling.
Gryffindor had been described as a combative person, someone who never missed a chance to show his martial prowess. He had been considered the best duelist of his era.
But Harry could read between the lines. He knew that the histories had been washed down, made to seem heroic. The truth was that Gryffindor had been a violent wizard who loved to fight and, likely, to kill.
It was true that a person like Ron or his brothers was more fitting of the role of Gryffindor heir. But Harry could not trust them. He could only trust Ginny.
"Ginny," Harry said firmly, "you're braver than you think. You stood up to your brothers for me. You came to warn me about the professors. You're willing to help me, even though it puts you at risk. That's what true bravery looks like. It's not about fighting. It's about doing what's right, even when it's hard."
Ginny's eyes glistened. "Thank you, Harry. That means a lot."
"So you'll help me open it?" Harry asked.
Ginny nodded, a determined smile on her face. "I'll try my best. When should we meet?"
Harry thought for a moment. "What about tomorrow night? We would need to meet after curfew. Because when I'm not in the library, I need to stay within the sights of my...guard."
"Yes, the Granger girl," Ginny already knew about this. "So...sneaking after curfew. That's very risky. There are always patrols wandering around the halls."
Harry smiled confidently. "Dont worry about that part. I have it covered."
"You do?"
Harry nodded. "Trust me. I'll come find you at the Gryffindor common room. Just wait outside for me." All he had to do was use the Cloak of Invisibility. Thanks to that artifact, he was able to walk around without the need to worry about the patrols.
"Okay. I'll be there," Ginny said. "And I'll try to learn as much as I can about the chamber before then. There might be information in some of the older books."
Harry nodded. "I'll do the same. It won't be easy...I'm being watched most of the time, but I have to try."
Ginny stood up. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Good luck, Harry."
"Good luck, Ginny."
She slipped away between the shelves, disappearing into the shadows.
Harry sat alone, his mind already racing with plans.
After the meeting with Ginny, Harry left the library and began walking through the empty corridors. His mind was elsewhere, turning over the details of the Sanctum, the entrance, the need for a Gryffindor.
He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the hand reaching out of a doorway until it grabbed his arm and pulled him into an empty classroom.
Harry gasped, his hand instinctively reaching for his wand. He spun around, ready to fight-
And found himself staring into a pair of familiar amber eyes.
"Daphne?" Harry breathed, lowering his wand. "What are you-"
"Shh." Daphne pressed a finger to her lips, her expression serious. She closed the door behind them, then turned to face him. "We don't have much time. I've been trying to find a moment to talk to you alone, but you're always with Granger."
Harry stared at her, his mind racing. "I've been trying to talk to you too. I left notes for you with Draco and Crabbe, but you never came to any of the meetings."
Daphne shook her head. "I couldn't go anywhere. I'm also being watched."
Harry's eyes widened. "Watched? By who?"
"It doesn't matter," Daphne said quickly. "Draco told me that you recovered all your memories. Is that true?"
"Yes...he gave me my diary, the one I wrote during my-"
"That's good." She interrupted him, speaking at a rushed pace.
Harry could tell that she was nervous and scared.
"I dont have much time, but there are two important things I must tell you," Daphne said.
Harry nodded, his heart pounding. "I'm listening."
Daphne took a deep breath. "The first thing is that I'm leaving Hogwarts during the Christmas break. My family has finished their preparations."
"You are not coming back to school?" Harry muttered, his eyes wide with shock.
" Not just the school, Harry. We're also planning on leaving the country."
Harry stared at her, stunned. "Leaving? Where are you going?"
"France, probably," Daphne said. "I can't say more than that. But Harry... you should leave too. Not just Hogwarts, the entire country as well. This place is not safe for people like us. We are both targets. Dumbledore's grip is tightening, and it's only going to get worse."
Harry felt a cold weight settle in his chest. "I can't leave. And... it's not like I have anywhere else to go." His real family was dead, and he didn't have enough money to go live in a foreign country.
Daphne's eyes were sad. "I thought you might say that. That's why I need to tell you the second thing."
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to barely a whisper.
"Don't trust Ginny Weasley."
Harry's blood ran cold. "What?"
"I saw you two together in the library," Daphne said. "I don't know what you were talking about, and I don't want to know. But I'm telling you...don't trust her. Stay away from her."
Harry felt a surge of anger. "You don't know her. Ginny is not like the rest of her family. She's kind, she's brave, she's-"
"She's a Weasley," Daphne interrupted. "And the Weasleys are Dumbledore's most loyal servants. I know you want to believe she's different, Harry. I know you need allies. But I've heard strange rumours about her. And the few times I've spoken to her, I felt something was off. I can't explain it, but... there's something wrong with her."
Harry shook his head. "You're wrong. She's helped me. She warned me about the professors. She-"
"Harry, please." Daphne reached out and grabbed his hand. "I'm not asking you to hate her. I'm just asking you to be careful. She might not even know she's being used. Dumbledore's manipulation runs deep."
Harry wanted to argue. He wanted to defend Ginny, to tell Daphne that she was wrong. But the words died in his throat. Because a small part of him knew that Daphne could be right.
He had been tricked before. He had been manipulated, controlled, used.
What if Ginny was just another tool?
"I'll be careful," Harry said finally, his voice hollow. "I'll watch my back."
Daphne nodded, her eyes softening. "That's all I ask."
She glanced towards the door, her expression shifting. "I have to go. Wait a few minutes, then leave. Use your cloak. Don't let anyone see you."
"Daphne-" Harry started.
But she was already at the door, her hand on the handle. She paused, glancing back at him one last time.
"Goodbye, Harry. I hope we meet again someday."
She opened the door and slipped out, leaving Harry alone in the empty classroom.
Harry stood there for a long moment, his mind reeling. Ginny was a good person. He was sure of it. But Daphne had warned him, and he trusted Daphne.
'Who do I believe?' he wondered. 'Who can I trust?'
He pulled out his Invisibility Cloak and wrapped it around his shoulders, then slipped out of the classroom and into the dark corridors.
He needed to talk to Draco and Crabbe. He needed to figure out what was going on.
But as he walked through the silent halls, a cold dread settled in his chest.
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