[The next day, Mia and Ron are visiting Hermione in the Hospital Wing again; Mia takes the old dried up flowers out of the vase next to Hermione's bed, puts in some new white flowers, then sits on the bed.]
Mia: Wish you were here, Hermione. We need you. Now more than ever. [Hermione just lays there with her glossy facial expression as Ron sighs sadly.]

Hermione was enveloped in a bittersweet cocoon of love and sadness as she felt the warmth of her friends' support but also the weight of their shared sorrow and helplessness. A palpable sense of sympathy permeated the air as everyone grieved for the two friends grappling with the loss of their petrified companion.

[Mia rubs Hermione's left hand; feeling something in it, she looks down and removes her hand to discover a crumpled up piece of paper, a library book page, which she carefully removes and straightens out.]

"How could we have overlooked that?" McGonagall exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief, as Madam Pomfrey shared her astonishment.

"You both missed that?" Remus questioned, a look of surprise on his face. He knew that the two women were generally very perceptive.

"It must have been hidden in her half-closed hand, which is why it went unnoticed," Sirius remarked thoughtfully, attempting to rationalize the oversight.

"You may not have seen it because you weren't holding her hand like Mia just did," Arthur chimed in, his expression reflecting deep consideration.

"Maybe," McGonagall replied, a mix of perplexity and consternation in her voice as she grappled with the surprising oversight.

Ron: [glancing at the page] What's that?
Mia: [examining the page] Ron, this is why Hermione was in the library the day she was attacked.

In a state of desperate curiosity, everyone leaned in closer to the screen, their eyes widening as they focused intently on the paper Mia's holding.

"What is it?"

They asked in breathless anticipation, their eagerness palpable in the air and their expressions a mix of excitement and apprehension.

Mia: [glances at the page and then back at Ron as she gets up] Come on! [Mia and Ron walk through the corridor as Mia reads from the page] "Of the many fearsome beasts that roam our land, none is more deadly than the Basilisk.

"WHAT?" exclaimed Oliver, his voice rising above the collective gasps and murmurs in the room.

"I read about basilisks in one of my Defense Against the Dark Arts books. They're extremely dangerous creatures," Neville added, his voice filled with apprehension.

"Merlin's beard, a basilisk?"

Mia: Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death awaits any who meet this giant serpent's eye. Spiders flee before it..." [looking up at Ron] Ron, this is it. The monster in the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk. That's why I can hear it speak. It's a snake.

"You're telling me that there really was a basilisk loose in the castle?" Pansy asked Mia and Ron, her voice tinged with disbelief. There had been whispers and rumors about the monster being a basilisk, but they had lacked concrete evidence.

"Yes," Mia and Ron replied simultaneously, their words carrying a weight of grim certainty. The revelation left most people in stunned shock and fear, while others shivered from the implications. Some experienced a combination of both emotions. Hagrid, however, was visibly fascinated. The idea of a basilisk roaming the grounds intrigued him; after all, encountering such a rare and dangerous creature would have been a thrill.

"Okay, so a basilisk, which was hidden by Salazar Slytherin a thousand years ago, was let loose in the castle and was responsible for petrifying people?" Fudge clarified, a look of incredulity on his face as Umbridge observed the stunned individuals, and Amelia diligently took notes.

Mia mulled over Fudge's words, silently acknowledging that perhaps he wasn't a complete idiot after all.

"Yes," she responded with a solemn nod, and the weight of her confirmation seemed to settle heavily upon the listeners.

"So the basilisk killed the girl in the bathroom fifty years ago?" A Ravenclaw student asked fearfully, voicing the collective apprehension of the room.

Mia met the student's gaze and replied with a solemn nod, conveying empathy for his evident fear.

"But who is the Heir of Slytherin? I mean, it can't be the same person who released the basilisk fifty years ago," Blaise inquired, his tone laced with urgency.

"It's both a surprise and not a surprise at the same time," Mia responded.

"And only you heard it because you can speak Parseltongue?" Bill asked carefully, his expression reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern.

Mia's frustration was palpable. "Yes." she said, her annoyance evident at the oversimplification of the situation by others.

Ron: [processing the information they just read] But if it kills by looking people in the eye, why is it no one's dead?

"Good question, Ron," Charlie praised his little brother, a proud smile spreading across his face. Ron returned the smile, encouraged by the praise from his older sibling.

Mia: [thinking for a few seconds then looking at the window] Because no one did look it in the eye. Not directly, at least.

"What?" Everyone asked in confusion, their puzzled expressions mirroring their collective bewilderment at the unexpected turn of events.

Mia: [they walk along as they go over how each of the victims were petrified] Colin saw it through his camera. Justin... Justin must've seen the Basilisk through Nearly Headless Nick. Nick got the full blast of it, but he's a ghost. He couldn't die again. And Hermione... had the mirror. I bet you anything she was using it to look around corners in case it came along.

Everyone felt a twinge of embarrassment for not having seen through that part a little bit earlier, since it was now so obvious, after Mia had pointed it out.

Ron: And Mrs. Norris? I'm pretty sure she didn't have a camera or a mirror, Mia.

"Another excellent question, Ron," commended Arthur, acknowledging his youngest son's contribution.

Ron blushed once more, and Mia offered a warm smile. She understood that in the bustling household of the Weasleys, it was all too simple for one of the children to be unintentionally excluded. As the youngest brother, Ron sometimes struggled to stand out amid his siblings, particularly Ginny, the sole girl in the family. Mia felt reassured that he hadn't been entirely overlooked.

Mia: [thinking about how Mrs. Norris got petrified, then remembering] The water... There was water on the floor that night. She only saw the Basilisk's reflection.

"Oh my god," Was all anyone could say, and those who didn't verbalize it, repeated the phrase in their minds. The shock and disbelief were palpable among the group.

[Ron nods; Mia takes another look at the page, then walks to a nearby torch to more easily read the page, running her finger along it as she reads] "Spiders flee before it." It all fits.
Ron: But how's the Basilisk been getting around? A dirty great snake, someone would've seen it.

"Once again with a brilliant..." George began.

"Question, Ronald," Fred finished, clearly surprised by Ron's logical observation.

"Always a tinge of shock coming from you guys," Ron muttered, his tone laced with humor. Mia and Hermione exchanged amused glances, unable to suppress their giggles at the twins' reaction.

"Ron, you really nailed it with that one," Hermione praised, offering a supportive smile.

"Yeah, never knew you had it in you!" George added, playfully nudging Ron's shoulder.

"Thanks, I guess," Ron replied, a hint of pride shining through his feigned annoyance. Mia couldn't help but beam with pride at the sight of her friends sharing this lighthearted moment.

Mia: [as she and Ron glance at the bottom of the page where the word "Pipes" is written] Hermione's answered that, too.
Ron: Pipes? It's using the plumbing!

"Yuck!" Everyone chorused in revulsion, their expressions twisting with disgust.

Mia: Remember what Aragog said about that girl fifty years ago, she died in a bathroom? What if she never left?

"What? How is that possible? And for what reason?" Draco questioned, his confusion echoed by others in the room.

"Moaning Myrtle," Hermione stated simply.

"What?" The perplexed query emanated from almost everyone in the room, except those who had already connected the dots. Their faces bore expressions of bewilderment and realization.

Ron: Moaning Myrtle. [Mia nods]
Professor McGonagall: [on the speakers] All students are to return to their house dormitories at once. [Ron glances at Mia in surprise, wondering what could be going on now] All teachers to the second floor corridor immediately. [Mia and Ron hurry to the second floor corridor.]

"Uh-oh," a chorus of voices echoed with a touch of sadness.

"What's going on this time?" Bill inquired, the concern evident in his voice, though he couldn't quite pinpoint the reason for his nerves.

The apprehension in the room was palpable as the Weasleys, Sirius, and Remus felt the weight of his worry. Every teacher, except Snape, seemed to wear a mournful expression as they revisited the memories of that haunting night.

"Why aren't you heading back to the dormitories?" Pansy asked, her curiosity tinged with a hint of annoyance.

"You must have noticed by now that following rules isn't our strong suit," Ron quipped with a smirk.

"And in this instance, it turned out to be a good thing that we didn't listen," Mia remarked, drawing puzzled looks as everyone furrowed their brows in confusion, eager to understand her cryptic statement.

[In the section where the bloody message is, Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, Madam Pomfrey, and Filch run up to the wall, where Professor McGonagall directs their attention to a newly written message.]

"What's going on?" someone inquired.

Meanwhile, Ginny wished she could disappear for the duration of this whole affair.

Professor McGonagall: As you can see, the Heir of Slytherin has left another message. [Mia and Ron walk into the corridor behind them] Our worst fear has been realized, a student has been taken by the monster, into the Chamber itself. [sadly looks at the others] The students must be sent home. I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts.

"Of course, you two were spying on us," Snape sneered at the two teens.

"At that point, we had a deeper understanding of the Chamber than any of you did. And as you mentioned before, we seem to have a talent for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Believe me when I say that you'll be grateful we didn't heed your warnings," Mia asserted firmly, her gaze locked onto Snape and others who dared to challenge her.

Snape's lip curled into a sneer as he directed a cold gaze at Mia. "You think you can outsmart me, do you?"

Mia met his gaze, unflinching. "I don't want to outsmart anyone. I just want to protect my friends."

"Severus, let's not start anything here," Sirius interjected, his voice calm but firm.

Remus nodded in agreement. "We should all focus on understanding what's happening in the movie. There will be time for discussions later on," he suggested, trying to diffuse the brewing conflict.

Mia glanced at them, her expression softening. "You're right." she acquiesced.

Snape's sneer deepened, but he said nothing more, instead turning his attention back to the unfolding events on the screen.

Lockhart: [happily walking up to the group] So sorry. Dozed off. What have I missed? [grins at Snape and McGonagall]

"Ugh, here we go again with this guy," Mia sighed, frustration evident in her voice.

Lockhart's loyal fan group shot her disapproving glances, while the others couldn't help but hide small smirks, finding Mia's exasperation slightly amusing.

Snape: A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Your moment has come at last.
Lockhart: [slightly stunned] My... moment?
Snape: Weren't you saying just last night you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is? [Lockhart looks bewildered]

"Lockhart is so dreamy, isn't he?" one of Lockhart's fervent admirers gushed, her voice filled with admiration, while some of his other fans nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with adoration.

"If he truly knew the entrance all along, why didn't he take action earlier?" Remus inquired, seeing through Lockhart's facade, much like the other teachers that year.

"Even if he did know where the entrance was, he wouldn't have been able to enter the Chamber or open it," Mia stated with a hint of boredom in her voice.

"Why not?" Pansy asked.

"Just watch, and you'll see," Mia responded mysteriously.

Professor McGonagall: That's settled. We'll leave you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legend.

"I love the fact that we all banded together against Lockhart. It's one of my most cherished memories from that year," Mia stated with a nostalgic smile, earning a nod of agreement from Ron.

McGonagall and the other teachers beamed at Mia's sentiment, pleased to see the solidarity among their students, despite the challenging circumstances. However, a few of Lockhart's dedicated fans couldn't conceal their disbelief. "How can you say that?" they demanded, their voices laced with outrage.

Ron and Mia exchanged a meaningful glance before responding in unison, "Because it's true," firmly standing by their shared experience.

Lockhart: Very well. I'll just be in my office, getting, uh... getting ready. [turns and walks away; Filch watches him, then glances at Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall]
Madam Pomfrey: Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?

Most were unaware of whom the target was that year, so they leaned forward, eager to learn who among them had been taken. Molly and Arthur enveloped Ginny in a tight embrace, while her brothers leaned in.

Professor McGonagall: [glances at her] Ginny Weasley. [Mia and Ron straighten up in shock; Ron quavers slightly]

"WHAT?" Charlie and Bill's exclamation reverberated through the room, their astonishment evident as the others gasped in dismay and concern for the youngest Weasley.

"Why weren't we kept in the loop?" Bill's frustration surfaced as he queried the decision to keep Ginny's perilous situation hidden from them. The atmosphere crackled with tension as both brothers seethed with indignation.

"It's not their fault. I asked them not to tell you. I didn't want you to worry," Ginny confessed, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze fixed on the ground, her face clouded with shame.

Charlie let out a heavy sigh, his heart going out to his sister as he knelt down in front of her, his expression brimming with understanding and compassion. "Of course we would be concerned about you. All of you. You are our only sister. Our family," he reassured her, his words gentle and comforting.

"Charlie's right. We'll always be concerned about you lot."

[Professor McGonagall sadly walks away, along with the other staff; a second later, Snape follows them, revealing the newly written message, which reads "Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever".]
Ron: "Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever."

"Oh my goodness," several gasped in a mix of fear, sadness and despair.

With hands covering their mouths, some fought back tears. The Weasleys embraced Ginny even tighter, their tears flowing freely and staining their cheeks.

Ron: [Mia looks at Ron as he's becoming all the more devastated by his sister's abduction] Ginny...

"I'm truly sorry that you had to witness that," McGonagall conveyed her regret, her voice tinged with concern as she looked at the group.

"It's our responsibility," Mia admitted with a heavy sigh, her eyes reflecting the weight of the situation, as she struggled with the guilt that burdened her. Meanwhile, Ron remained just as speechless as he was at the time, the memories of that terrifying experience flooding back, leaving him lost in thought and overwhelmed by the emotions of the past.

Mia: [as she and Ron race into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and up the stairs to Lockhart's office] Lockhart may be useless, but he's going to try to get into the Chamber. At least we can tell him what we know!

"What were we thinking?" Mia said with a sigh, shaking her head at the memories of her and Ron's past decisions, her expression reflecting a mix of regret and frustration.

Some in the group shot her questioning looks, their curiosity evident in their expressions. Mia acknowledged their unspoken queries with a knowing smile, understanding that they would soon grasp the significance of her words as events unfolded.

Mia: [opening the door to the office and stepping inside] Professor, we have some information for you. [Lockhart stuffs some clothes into his trunk, which he closes as he turns toward them; Ron scowls at him] Are you going somewhere?

"He's packing?" Molly's voice rang out in outrage, her eyes flashing with disbelief and anger.

"He's leaving my daughter to die?" Arthur's voice echoed with fury, mirroring the sentiments of others in the hall who yelled in protest at Lockhart's apparent abandonment of Ginny and their community in their time of need.

"BASTARD!" Sirius bellowed at the screen, his voice reverberating with raw anger and disbelief as he watched Lockhart's actions unfold.

"BLOODY BASTARD!" The Weasley brothers erupted in unison, their blood boiling with fury and indignation at Lockhart's apparent cowardice.

"But his books...?" One of the fan girls trailed off, her confusion apparent as she struggled to reconcile her admiration for Lockhart with his startling actions. The other fan girls shared her bewilderment, their expressions reflecting a mix of disappointment and perplexity.

"He was obviously lying. I knew it." Remus said.

Lockhart: Um... well, yes. Urgent call. Unavoidable. Uh, got to go.
Ron: [outraged] What about my sister?!
Lockhart: Uh, well, um... As to that, most unfortunate. No one regrets more than I.

"He's just taking off?" Fred exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock and fury. "After everything he claimed to be—"

"He's leaving everyone in danger," George interrupted, his voice seething with contempt. "And he's just running away!"

"He's a fraud!" Hermione interjected, her frustration evident as she watched the unfolding betrayal. "All those stories in his books—"

"They're all lies," Ron finished for her, his voice laced with venom. "He's a coward and a fraud, nothing more." The room was filled with a collective sense of betrayal and anger, as the truth about Lockhart finally becoming undeniable.

Ron: [in disbelief] You're the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. You can't go now!
Lockhart: [as he stuffs his things in his handbag then moves around his desk] Well, I must say, when I took the job, there was nothing in the job description about--
Mia: [blocking his path] You're running away? After all that stuff you did in your books?!

"Good. Don't let him leave," Moody said gruffly, a glint of satisfaction in his eye as he observed Mia stopping Lockhart from making his escape.

Lockhart: Books can be misleading.
Mia: You wrote them!
Lockhart: [placing his bag on his desk] My dear girl, do use your common sense! My books wouldn't have sold half as well if people didn't think I'd done all those things!
Mia: [staring at Lockhart] You're a fraud. You've just been taking credit for what other wizards have done!

The fan girls felt their hearts shatter as they heard Lockhart's words, the realization dawning on them that the idolized figure they once adored was not the hero they had believed him to be.

Ron: [as Lockhart directs his attention to him] Is there anything you can do?
Lockhart: Yes. Now you mention it. I'm rather gifted with memory charms. Otherwise, you see, all those wizards would've gone blabbing, and I'd never have sold another book. [Mia and Ron look at each other as Lockhart walks toward his suitcase] In fact, uh... I'm uh... [Ron nods at Mia, and they both reach into their robes to pull out their wands] going to have to do the same to you.

Amelia and the Ministry workers exchanged incredulous glances as they witnessed Lockhart's actions. "I can't believe this," one of the workers muttered. "He's a total fraud."

Amelia's jaw tightened as she made a mental note to initiate an investigation into Lockhart's background. "He doesn't deserve any of his titles," she said firmly, her voice tinged with resolve. "I will make sure the truth comes out."

"You can count on us," another worker chimed in, his expression reflecting the same determination.

Meanwhile, nearby, one of the Aurors leaned in and whispered, "This is going to make quite a scandal when it gets out."

Amelia nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. "For heaven's sake, he was about to Obliviate two children. We can't let him get away with this."

Mia and Ron exchanged bemused glances before responding to the Ministry workers. "Actually, you don't need to worry about catching him," Mia explained, a mischievous glint in her eye. "We've already taken care of it."

The Ministry workers looked at each other, bewildered. "Taken care of it? What on earth do you mean?" one of them asked, clearly confused by Mia's cryptic statement.

Ron smirked and added, "Let's just say Lockhart won't be causing any more trouble for a very long time."

"I mean, you never really asked yourselves. Where is he after all these years?" Mia said with a thoughtful expression, prompting the others to consider the implications of Lockhart's sudden disappearance.

The look of confusion on the Ministry workers' faces deepened, their curiosity piqued by the cryptic exchange. Mia and Ron shared a knowing look, reveling in the secret they held between them.

[he collects his wand from the suitcase, but Mia and Ron already have their wands pointed at him]
Mia: Don't even think about it. [points downward, gesturing for Lockhart to drop his wand; Lockhart reluctantly does so]

"I love how you two drew your wands out casually," Neville said, attempting to lighten the suffocating atmosphere in the Hall.

"Thanks, Neville," Ron said, with a tight smile.

Mia nodded. "He really wasn't much of a threat, was he?" she remarked, her expression reflecting a mix of amusement and disbelief.

[In her bathroom, Moaning Myrtle is floating around crying as Harry, Ron, and Lockhart enter.]

"Why are you in the girls' bathroom?" Dean asked, but received no answer.

Myrtle: Oh? Who's there? [seeing Mia, she smiles warmly at her] Oh, hello, Mia. What do you want?

"Looks like you've got an admirer, mate," Ron teased Mia in a hushed voice, nudging her with a knowing smirk.

Mia tilted her head, giving Ron a playful yet exasperated look. "Oh, really? I didn't notice," she retorted, her tone laced with sarcasm as she tried to stifle a laugh.

Mia: To ask you how you died.
Myrtle: [smiles slightly] Oh... [her smile fades] ...it was dreadful. It happened right here in this very cubicle. I'd hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses. I was crying, and then... I heard somebody come in.
Mia: Who was it, Myrtle?

The group leaned in eagerly, their expressions reflecting impatience and curiosity as they awaited the revelation.

Myrtle: [choked up] I don't know. I was distraught! [floats towards the three] But they said something funny, a kind of made-up language,

Sirius leaned in eagerly, his eyes fixed on the screen. "What did they say?" he inquired, his curiosity palpable.

Bill joined the conversation, leaning in as well. "And in what language?" he added, his expression mirroring his interest.

Mia, Ron, and Hermione exchanged amused glances. Mia rolled her eyes, noting everyone's preoccupation.

Myrtle: and I realized it was a boy speaking, so I unlocked the door to tell him to go away, and...

Pansy asked in confusion, "What would a boy be doing in the girls' bathroom?"

Myrtle: I died.

The room was filled with a somber atmosphere as the realization sank in. Myrtle didn't even get to finish school before she died. Despite her occasional annoyance and loudness, she didn't deserve such a fate.

Mia: Just like that? How?
Myrtle: I just remember seeing a pair of great big yellow eyes, over there, by that sink. [points at the circle of sinks in the center of the bathroom]

"The monster!" the cry echoed through the hall, causing an abrupt commotion that drew disapproving glares from those nearby.

[As Myrtle floats off to the stalls, Mia steps forward to examine the sinks. Reaching up to the circular stone above the sinks, she moves his hand downward to the sink in front of her; she turns the tap, but no water comes out.]

Sighs of disappointment reverberated around the Hall, a collective expression of the unspoken expectations that had energized the room. It was as if everyone had been holding their breath, hoping for something, anything to happen, even though they couldn't quite define what they were waiting for.

[At that second, something else catches her eye; looking more closely at the tap, she sees a snake carved on it.]

"What in Merlin's beard?" Draco exclaimed as they watched the carved-in snake in the faucet.

The group collectively held their breath, the tense silence speaking volumes as they contemplated the implications of their discovery.

Could this be it?

Could this really be the entrance to the chamber of secrets?

The questions that lingered in all their minds.

Mia: This is it. [taking a step back] This is it, Ron. I think this is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. [Lockhart glances at the sink in surprise]

"What?" gasps and murmurs filled the room as the gravity of the revelation settled in.

Umbridge's incredulous tone rang out, her expression a mix of disdain and disbelief. "The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is in the girls' bathroom? I don't believe it," she declared, her voice dripping with haughty skepticism.

Hermione exchanged a knowing glance with Ron, her eyes reflecting a mixture of frustration and the familiarity of Umbridge's dismissive attitude. Mia, on the other hand, bristled at Umbridge's words, her jaw set in determination.

"Well, whether you believe it or not, it's the truth," Mia retorted, her tone laced with defiance.

Ron: Say something. Mia, say something in Parseltongue.
Mia: [after a few seconds] Hesha- Hassah. (Open up.)

The atmosphere grew tense as everyone shivered, their eyes fixed on Mia as she spoke in Parseltongue, the unfamiliar sounds sending chills down their spines.

[The circular stone above the sinks rises, then all the sinks begin to move outwards. Mia, Ron, and Lockhart back away slowly as the sinks move; the sink with the snake carved on its tap descends into the floor, then a grating slides over it.]

As Mia uttered words in Parseltongue, and the chamber has been opened on the screen, a stunned silence blanketed the Great Hall, every face etched with disbelief.

"Do you believe me now?" Mia challenged Umbridge, a flash of defiance in her eyes. The crowd remained frozen in disbelief, their shock palpable in the charged atmosphere.

"Absolutely brilliant. Concealing the Chamber's entrance in the girls' bathroom," Remus marveled, his tone laced with a mix of admiration and bewilderment.

"So, that's what you meant when you mentioned that Lockhart knew the Chamber's location but couldn't access it. Only Parselmouths can open the entrance," Sirius realized, his eyes alight with understanding.

"No wonder it remained hidden despite so many searches of the school," Amelia reflected, her voice tinged with a blend of revelation and wonder.

"Only the Heir of Slytherin could enter the Chamber and control the monstrous creature within. Only a Parselmouth could open the entrance and command the basilisk, the king of serpents," McGonagall stated, her horror mirroring the gravity of the peril ahead. As the weight of Mia's revelation settled upon the listeners, a sense of awe and respect infused the Slytherins, their admiration for their founder's cunning rising in silent reverence.

[Lockhart steps towards the opening that the sinks concealed and looks down into a very wide black hole]
Lockhart: [inhales then turns to Mia with a grin] Excellent, Mia. Ah, good work. Well, then, I'll just be, uh... there's no need for me to stay. [he tries to run, but Mia and Ron grab hold of him]
Mia: Oh, yes there is!

The majority of them reacted with derision.

"What good could he possibly do?" Arthur demanded, shooting a scathing look at the man displayed on the screen.

"Other than fleeing, of course," Snape added, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Mia: [with all their might, they push Lockhart backwards toward the passage before drawing their wands] You first.
Lockhart: Now, what good will it do?
Ron: Better you than us. [Mia nods]

"Ah, that explains it. Well done, you two," Sirius commended his goddaughter and her best friend.

Meanwhile, Hermione nervously bit her nails, consumed by concern for her friends.

Ginny's guilt deepened by the minute. She felt responsible for endangering so many people. Yet, she understood it was all Tom Riddle's doing. She had been nothing but his pawn that year.

Lockhart: Um, but... obviously, yes. [he nervously turns around and grips the sinks as he looks down into the passage before glancing over his shoulder at them again] Sure you don't want to test it first?

"He's the epitome of cowardice," Blaise remarked.

"It's downright embarrassing," Pansy added.

[annoyed, Ron pokes Lockhart with his wand, sending him into the passage, screaming as he disappears into the darkness;]

As some chuckled at Ron's action of pushing Lockhart over the edge, Mia smiled at her friend and commended him, "Well done, Ron."

Others in the hall couldn't help but let a small smile appear on their lips, feeling that Lockhart deserved the consequences of his deception.

[a second later, a crash is heard as Mia and Ron walk up to the opening]
Lockhart: It's really quite filthy down here.

In a surprising turn of events, despite the seriousness of the scene, everyone burst out loud with laughter. The tension dissipating as the absurdity of the situation washed over them.

Mia: All right. [turns to Ron] Let's go. [Ron nods in agreement]
Myrtle: Oh, Mia? [the two look up at her] If you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet. [she giggles; making Ron uneasy]
Mia: Uh... thanks, Myrtle. [smiles at her, then turns to the opening, and jumps into it; Ron immediately jumps in after her]

Amid shared laughter at the awkwardness, the weight of Myrtle's words settled upon them, underlining the potential danger they faced.

"Very comforting," Dean said, at a loss for words.

"Awkward," Ron sang in a small voice, though Mia heard him and shot him a glare, causing a smattering of laughter from the others.

Mia smirked. "Oh, Ron, you always know how to lighten the mood."

Ron grinned. "Glad to be of service."

[Mia and Ron scream as they go down a slide,]

The group burst into laughter at the way the two had screamed, their nervous tension briefly broken by the unexpected display of fear.

[which leads to a small pit filled with animal bones, most likely the Basilisk's feeding area, as Lockhart brushes the dirt off his robes when they both land.They immediately get to feet and point their wands at him.]
Ron: [glancing at the muck around them] Ugh.

Exclamations of disgust filled the air.

"Ew, that's gross!" exclaimed Neville, unable to hide his revulsion.

"You landed on animal bones?" Seamus asked, his face twisted in disgust.

The two didn't say anything, but their sheepish expressions spoke volumes, eliciting more groans and chuckles from the group.

Mia: [stepping on the bones] Now, remember: any sign of movement, close your eyes straight away. [she turns and goes into the passageway behind him]
Ron: Go on. [Lockhart reluctantly follows Mia into the passage with Ron right behind her]
Mia: [coming to another passageway to the right, she beckons Ron and Lockhart to follow her] This way.

"How did you know that was the way to go?" Theo asked, his curiosity clearly eating him alive.

"I just had a feeling," Mia simply answered, a sense of mystery lingering in her voice, as if even she wasn't entirely sure of what had transpired that very day.

"Well, I'm glad your feelings led us in the right direction," Ron remarked, a hint of relief evident in his tone.

[the three walk into a cavern-like room with a massive and lengthy snakeskin on the floor]
Ron: [as Mia walks along the snakeskin] What's this?
Lockhart: [feeling nervous] It looks like a... snake.
Mia: [as she examines it] It's a snakeskin.

"Bloody hell, that's a big snake skin," Neville said in discomfort, his voice tinged with unease as he took a cautious step back. The rest shared in his anxiety, their gazes fixed on the ominous discovery.

Ron: Bloody hell. Whatever shed this must be sixty feet long. Or more. [Lockhart faints, most likely from fear.

"Coward," Fred and George said in unison, as the others nodded their heads in agreement.

Ron and Mia shared a knowing look, both aware that Lockhart was faking his bravado. A mixture of frustration and amusement danced in their eyes, as they exchanged words telepathically, silently questioning Lockhart's antics in the face of real danger.

[sarcastically as Mia turns her attention to Lockhart] Heart of a lion, this one.
Lockhart: [suddenly grabbing Ron's wand and getting to his feet while breathing with a wicked smile on his face and pointing the wand at Mia] The adventure ends here. But don't fret. The world will know our story. How I was too late to save the girl,

"WHAT A BASTARD!!!"

The professors and the adults yelled at the screen, their anger palpable as they witnessed someone pointing a wand at young children who were meant to protect everyone. The room filled with a shared sense of outrage and disbelief at the despicable act unfolding before them.

Lockhart: [points the wand at Ron] how you two tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body. So...

The emotional atmosphere was palpable as the group grappled with uncertainty and fear for the safety of Mia, Ron, and Ginny. Molly's temper flared, her eyes brimming with tears as she held her daughter close. Others in the group mirrored her distress, their faces reflecting a mix of anger, sorrow, and desperation.

Lockhart: [points the wand at Mia again] ...you first, Miss. Potter Say good-bye to your memories. [waves the wand wildly as he shouts] Obliviate! [The wand emits green light, causing Lockhart to fly backwards, slam into the wall, then fall to the floor.]

Everyone who's close to Ron laughed as movie-Ron remained in his spot.

"Good job on not moving, Ron," Neville praised his friend, who was blushing at the attention. The lighthearted moment provided a brief respite from the tension.

[A couple seconds later, a rumbling begins, then rocks begin to fall from the ceiling.]

"Oh, no!" Most thought as the rumbling began. The feeling of unease and dread filled the room as everyone braced themselves for whatever was about to unfold. Tension crackled in the air, and a sense of apprehension descended upon the group as they prepared for the unknown.

[Mia takes cover as huge rocks go flying over her while Ron backs up against the wall as the rocks form a massive pile.]
Ron: [coughing from the dust produced by the rocks] Mia! [Mia pulls her robe free from one of the rocks] Mia!

Silence fell over the hall as all eyes fixated on the screen that show the stone wall separating Ron from Mia. The tension was palpable as the group awaited the outcome, their expressions reflecting a mix of concern and anticipation. Each second felt like an eternity as they held their breath, waiting for what will happen next.

Mia: [running to a opening in the big pile of rocks separating him from Ron] Ron! Ron, are you okay?

"Oh, thank Merlin," many sighed in relief as Mia got up from the ground. Somehow Everyone but few in the great hall tension gave way to a collective sigh and a wave of relief washed over them at the sight of Mia unharmed. Their expressions softened, at they witnessed how Ron got worried about Mia.

Ron: I'm fine!
Lockhart: [groans and sits up] Hello. Who are you?

"What?" one of the Weasley twins asked in confusion. They knew that he wasn't the brightest person in the room, but he wasn't that daft. The others chuckled at the comment, appreciating the light-hearted moment in the midst of the intense situation.

Ron: Um... Ron Weasley.
Lockhart: Really? And, uh... who-who am I?
Ron: [realizing Lockhart has erased his own memory by accident, he turns toward Mia again] Lockhart's memory charm backfired! He hasn't got a clue who he is!

"Ah, that explains why he doesn't remember anything," Cho said in enlightenment, her comment shedding light on a puzzling aspect of the situation and prompting a sense of understanding among everyone.

Lockhart: [picks up a small rock as Mia watches through the opening] It's an odd sort of place this is, isn't it? [tosses the rock in his hand then glances at Ron] Do you live here?

The Slytherins chuckled at Lockhart's question to Ron, finding amusement in the interaction.

Ron: [taking the rock from Lockhart] No.
Lockhart: Really? [Ron smacks Lockhart on the back of the head with the rock, knocking him out; Mia winced slightly]

The tension dissolved into chuckles that rippled through the room. Molly and the rest of the Weasleys exchanged knowing glances, a subtle look of satisfaction crossing their features as if they felt Lockhart deserved the response.

"Thank you, Ron," the Weasleys said in unison, causing him to blush under the sudden attention.

"Yeah, nice one," Neville added, his chuckles still lingering.

"Thank you for that," Mia chimed in, her big smile infusing a sense of relief and gratitude into the atmosphere.

As the room filled with laughter and heartfelt expressions, Sirius and Remus exchanged a fond glance, appreciating the lighthearted moment amidst the tension. The shared warmth and camaraderie in the room brought a sense of unity and comfort that lingered long after the chuckles had dwindled.

Ron: [glancing at Mia through the opening again] What do I do now?

Amelia Bones's keen gaze swept across the scene before she made her observation, "It seems like when something goes wrong, everyone turns to Mia for an answer."

Ron offered an explanation, nodding in agreement as he spoke, "That's because that's what happens: When something goes wrong, go to Mia."

Neville, with a grin, contributed, "Yeah, Mia's always around to save the day, and us for that matter."

Mia's cheeks flushed as she absorbed the recognition from her friends, feeling a warm mix of humility and gratitude at their words.

Meanwhile, Remus and Sirius shared a brief, knowing glance, their expressions reflecting a hint of amusement and fondness as they observed the scene unfold.

Mia: You wait here, and try and shift some of this rock so we can get back through. I'll go on and find Ginny.

"Don't let her go on alone!" Sirius sighed in frustration, his voice edged with concern as he addressed the group.

"This wasn't a suggestion, Sirius," Mia furrowed her brows, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and a hint of worry as she looked at him. Her tone conveyed a sense of urgency as she emphasized the importance of their collective action.

Ron: [as Mia turns and climbs down from the pile of rocks] Okay.
[Mia draws his wand as he steps onto the floor again and walks forward. Up ahead, she sees a circular door with seven snake-shaped locks on it, and steps towards it.]
Mia: Hesha- Hassah. (Open.)

As Mia's voice echoed in Parseltongue, a collective shiver traversed through the group, evoking a sense of awe and apprehension.

"You speaking Parseltongue never fails to amaze me," Oliver remarked, his tone laced with admiration and a hint of surprise. His eyes reflected a mix of fascination and respect as he looked at Mia.

Almost everyone in the group nodded in agreement, their expressions conveying acknowledgment of Mia's unique skill and the astonishment it elicited. Some whispered words of amazement, while others shared knowing glances, all united in their appreciation of Mia's extraordinary gift.

[An eighth snake slithers out from the door's mechanical hinge, and slithers along the door's edge, causing the other seven snakes to retract one by one. As the snake slithers back into the hinge, the door slowly opens. Mia steps forward; on the other side is the Chamber of Secrets. Mia cautiously steps through the door, into the Chamber, towards the ladder in the doorway.]

As the group watched the door to the Chamber of Secrets swing open, the tension in the room became almost suffocating. Not only was Ginny's life at stake, but the fact that Mia and Ron had been separated added an extra layer of anxiety to the situation. To top it all off, Lockhart had essentially lost his mind, leaving Mia to venture on alone - straight into the chamber itself.

The palpable fear in the room reached a boiling point, with Neville's desperate scream at the screen punctuating the heavy atmosphere. "No! Mia, don't go any further!" His voice cracked under the weight of his worry, his eyes glued to the screen as if by sheer force of will he could somehow protect his friends from harm.

Meanwhile, Hermione's reaction was a symphony of frustration and worry, her hand connecting with Ron and Mia's heads in a swift and resounding slap, leaving the two reeling from the impact. "Bloody hell, Hermione! What was that for?" Ron exclaimed, more surprised than hurt, while Mia winced and shot Hermione an apologetic glance. It was clear that an angry Hermione was a force to be reckoned with, and her scolding left the two friends feeling sheepish and regretful.

Struggling to contain his emotions, Remus spoke up, his usually calm demeanor overshadowed by concern. "I know that you guys were just trying to get to Ginny in time, but splitting up shouldn't have been the way to go," he stated, his voice tinged with urgency as he tried to reason with the group. The unease in the room was almost tangible as the weight of the situation bore down on their shoulders.

Mia, feeling the need to defend her actions, spoke up in a determined tone, addressing the mounting worry and the disapproving glances being cast in their direction. "By then, it would have been too late. I was almost too late to begin with," she explained, frustration creeping into her voice as she tried to convey the urgency of the situation. Molly clutched Ginny tighter to her, her eyes brimming with tears, the gravity of the perilous journey that Mia and Ron had embarked upon sinking in.

"Why are you doing stupid stuff?" Sirius's exasperated voice cut through the heavy silence, his disbelief and concern evident as he watched the events unfold on the screen. Rubbing his eyes wearily, he struggled to comprehend the risks Mia had taken.

"In my defense, I was left unsupervised," Mia quipped with a touch of humor before a more serious thought struck her. "On second thought, even if I was under supervision, I still would've done it."

A collective sigh swept through the room, a mix of exasperation, concern, and a tinge of reluctant amusement as they awaited the movie to start up again. The mix of emotions, vivid expressions, and charged dialogue created a moment that was both intense and compelling,

A/N
the longest chapter i have
ever written, enjoy reading <3