When the group heard that Wentworth actually knew what the creature in the Chamber of Secrets was, the four of them were overjoyed and immediately gathered around him, leading him to a secluded corner.
Once they ensured no one else was nearby, Wentworth finally spoke:
"No need to make a fuss—I'll say it plainly. The creature in the Chamber is a Basilisk."
Hearing his answer, the others exchanged stunned glances. Wentworth continued:
"If you don't know what a Basilisk is, go check the library—you should be able to find it. I've got something else to take care of, so I'm off."
He turned to leave after speaking.
But before he got far, the others stopped him again. Harry, looking sincerely concerned, said:
"Wentworth, even if we're not direct targets of the Basilisk… Hermione…"
At that, Wentworth cast a glance at Hermione, who had remained silent by his side. After recalling the original timeline, he nodded with certainty:
"Oh, Hermione? She's definitely one of the Basilisk's targets."
Hermione: "…"
The others: "…"
Even Draco—who had changed quite a bit lately—couldn't help but chime in:
"Wentworth, you have to do something about this!"
Wentworth, a little impatient, replied:
"Relax. As long as you don't look the Basilisk directly in the eye, your life's not in danger. At worst, you'll be petrified. And Professor Sprout's Mandrakes are coming along well—they'll cure you quickly!"
Wentworth wasn't overly concerned because he knew that this was one of the rare years at Hogwarts when no one actually died. Even the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor made it through the year alive—rare, to say the least.
But while Wentworth acted indifferent, Harry and the others were treating it like a matter of life and death. In the end, Wentworth finally relented, clearly exasperated:
"Alright, fine! I'll take care of this. But once I've handled it, go back to your usual routines—and don't bother me again, deal?"
Hearing this, the four of them eagerly nodded in agreement.
Wentworth then quickly left.
Watching his retreating figure, Ron murmured in disbelief:
"He really thinks he can take on Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk all by himself?"
But Harry and Hermione seemed to have complete faith in him. Harry said firmly:
"Don't worry. If Wentworth says he'll take care of it, he will. He always does."
To Harry, no matter how powerful the Basilisk was, it couldn't possibly be more terrifying than Voldemort. Sure, it was left behind by Slytherin, but Slytherin had lived a thousand years ago—what was there to be afraid of?
Wentworth, for his part, had two reasons for agreeing: one, he was tired of being pestered by the group; and two, it really was a simple matter for someone like him.
Being someone who knew the original timeline intimately, Wentworth understood the root of everything: the diary that Voldemort had turned into a Horcrux. And right now, that diary should be in Ginny Weasley's possession.
So, Wentworth went straight to Cassandra.
"What? You want me to sneak into Gryffindor's girls' dormitory to steal something?"
Cassandra stared at him with a complicated expression, her eyes silently conveying a range of emotions—disgust, suspicion, judgment, heartbreak, excitement...
Wait—excitement?
Wentworth blinked, confused. Before he could ask, Cassandra spoke:
"Look, why don't you ask someone else? I mean, if… if you really want something from me… I could just…"
Wentworth cut her off quickly, raising a hand:
"Oi, oi—have you heard about the Chamber of Secrets rumors lately?"
Perhaps the abrupt shift in topic threw her off, because Cassandra took a moment to respond. Eventually, she said:
"I've heard, yes. But what's that got to do with us?"
Wentworth nodded—then shook his head.
"Not much, really. But the whole castle's in an uproar over it. It's annoying."
Cassandra gave a thoughtful nod, then said with a knowing smile:
"What you really want… is a chance to go up against one of history's greatest wizards: Salazar Slytherin, isn't it? Even though he lived a millennium ago and you couldn't possibly duel him directly… he did leave behind this creature, a so-called contingency. And that gives you your opportunity."
At this, Cassandra's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Honestly, Wentworth, you're something else—only you could find an opportunity where there isn't one!"
Wentworth: "…Huh? Oh—yes! That's exactly it!"
Seeing Cassandra so energized, Wentworth continued:
"I didn't know what to do at first either. But last night, in my sleep, I had another dream prophecy. I foresaw that the key to opening the Chamber is a diary—and that diary is currently in Ginny Weasley's possession. That's why I wanted you to sneak it out for me."
Cassandra squinted at him, and from her expression, Wentworth once again read a jumble of thoughts—scrutiny, suspicion, doubt, disappointment…
Wait—why disappointment?
Before he could dwell on it, Cassandra suddenly said:
"Alright. Leave it to me. I'll have that diary for you tonight."
Wentworth trusted Cassandra's abilities, and with good reason.
As it turned out, Thomas Vole, recently reinstated to a key department in the Ministry of Magic, had prepared extensively for his only daughter—stocking her with all manner of magical items, including Polyjuice Potion.
Cassandra used it to transform into Ginny's likeness, successfully infiltrating Gryffindor Tower. While Ginny was away, she located and stole the diary.
The moment she picked it up, a voice whispered deep within her mind:
Open this diary… and you will be granted…
"Ginny? It's nearly curfew—where are you going?"
A voice behind her abruptly cut through the whisper in her mind.
Cassandra turned around and found herself face to face with Ron Weasley—Ginny's brother.
Thinking fast, she put on her best imitation of Ginny and replied:
"Oh, Ron! I… I left something in the library. I'll just grab it and be right back!"
With that, Cassandra hurried out of the Gryffindor common room, diary in hand.
Ron, watching his sister's retreating figure, frowned in confusion.
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