"Ok, Harry - ready?"
They'd found a log to write on, and all of them (save for Harry who was holding the Quill) had their wands out.
"Yeah. So, my name, ask him who he is, how he made the diary, and then we figure it out from there."
Blake nodded. "And remember - if he asks how you got the diary, say someone threw it away outside a window in the castle, and you picked it up."
"Okay," Ron said nervously. "Do it, Harry."
Harry drew in a deep breath, and began writing as the other three crowded around him.
My name is Harry Potter.
For a second, nothing happened - but then, the words seemed to sink into the page, as if being absorbed, and new words were written on the page.
Hello, Harry Potter. My name is Tom Riddle. How did you come across this diary?
"So it's true." Ron breathed.
I think someone tried to throw it away - I found it and I was curious.
"Keep going, Harry. D'you feel alright?"
"Yeah," Harry nodded as he continued to write.
What is this diary?
This is a recollection of all my memories and experiences up to my sixteen year old self. Within this diary contains all my knowledge about everything that happened in Hogwarts up to then. I know many things, Harry, many things.
"Ask about the Chamber, Harry," Blake instructed. "That's what he wants you to do - he doesn't know we've killed the Basilisk."
Do you know anything about the Chamber of Secrets?
Of course. I was at school when it was opened. I know who the Heir is too - a poor Muggle girl was killed.
"Tell him you know the Heir is Hagrid," Blake urged. "Confuse him, let him think he's already a couple of steps ahead."
Really? I know who the Heir is too - it was Hagrid, wasn't it?
For a second, the diary's response was delayed, as if surprised.
Correct, Harry! How did you know?
I pieced together the clues. Hagrid told me that he got expelled in his third year and he refused to say why, Moaning Myrtle - the ghost of the girl that died - said she died in that same year, and finally, someone said that the person who opened the Chamber got expelled. It all makes sense.
"Good stuff, Harry," Blake praised.
Excellent deduction, Harry. It's true that Hagrid opened the Chamber indeed - in fact, I was the one that turned him in.
"Expected," Ron said.
"Divert from the Chamber - tell him you don't really care, and ask how he made the diary. Tell him you want to make one too."
I'm not too stressed about the Chamber or the Heir, to be honest. Everyone's only petrified, and with Dumbledore pulling the strings from behind the scenes, the Heir's bound to be caught. What I do want to know though, is how you made this diary, Tom! I want to make one too!
The words sunk into the page, and Riddle began writing his response.
Ah, I'm afraid that's a secret, Harry. A secret only I know the answer to. But you know, I consider myself quite the fair person - I propose that in exchange for you asking questions about me, I'll answer if you answer questions I have about you. How does that sound, Harry?
"What should I-"
"Don't do it!" Ginny cried out suddenly. All eyes snapped towards her as the ginger girl blushed.
"I've - I've just realised something. It was after I'd say- say a secret," Ginny's eyes quickly darted to Harry and back, "that my memory would go. I think that means-"
"It's giving secrets that causes possession," Blake finished thoughtfully. "It makes sense - that's why you've not been possessed yet, Harry. You've not told him any secrets - actually, you've technically been lying this whole time. We shouldn't risk possession."
"So now what?" Ron asked. "We know how the diary works, we know who it is - the only thing we don't know is if Riddle's You-Know-Who or not."
Blake sighed. "Well, there is a quick way to figure it out," he said. "But I'm going to have to call in a favour that I don't really want to."
"What d'you mean?" Harry asked, but Blake just turned to Ginny.
"Ginny, did you mention Daphne Greengrass at all to Riddle?"
"Um… no, I don't think so?"
"You're sure?"
"Yes," Ginny replied after a moment of hesitation.
"Blake?" Harry asked again. "What're you going to do?"
"We already know - 99% sure - that he can't detect lies. So what I'm going to do instead is pretend I'm Greengrass. I'm gonna trick Riddle into thinking she's a pure blood fanfic," Blake smirked. "But it'll have to wait, like, until evening - we can just say Harry lost the diary somehow."
"So, you'll say you're Greengrass, act like Malloy, aka a massive bigoted prat, and then get Riddle to confess he's You-Know-Who?" Ron summarised with a grin. "I like it."
"And you'll be safe, if the secret theory holds, because you'll be lying the entire time."
"Yep," Blake smirked. "And if nothing else, I get to mess with Greengrass's name."
The three boys laughed, as Ginny and the two Professors, who were still hiding, looked on in confusion.
/
Somehow, the 6 of them had ended up in McGonagall's office.
"Are you sure, Mr Renshaw?" McGonagall asked, looking very worried.
"I'm sure, Professor," Blake said confidently "Professor Dumbledore trusted my plan, didn't he? Besides, you and Professor Snape are here, just in case anything goes wrong."
"Which I'm positive it will," Snape drawled. "But if the Headmaster gave his blessing…"
"I'm starting now," Blake said. "Everyone ready?"
"Just a second, Renshaw," Snape interjected. "I understand that the Headmaster has seemed to place faith in you, and the girl's presence and knowledge offers an advantage, but these two…" he said, looking at Harry and Ron as if they were vermin.
"Are you kidding?" Harry said incredulously. "I risked my life to kill the Basilisk!"
"We helped with the investigation too!" Ron said hotly.
"Don't raise your voices at me," Snape responded with anger. "20 Points from-"
Ginny looked scared for her life, but before the situation could escalate any further, the only two level headed people in the room intervened.
"I think we all ought to calm down," McGonagall said placatingly. "Potter. Weasley, do not speak to your Professor that way! And Professor Snape, as much as I appreciate your concern over my students, I do believe that they've earnt the right to be here right now - we are here to protect them, are we not?"
"Also, Professor," Blake interjected politely. "Professor Dumbledore specifically told me to get help from them. I think they should be here too, please."
Snape looked like he wanted to strangle the two Gryffindor boys, but just about refrained, uttering a strained "Fine" instead.
"Everyone ready?" Blake asked for the second time. As the people in the room nodded, he opened the diary, and wrote his first words.
Daphne Greengrass.
The words sunk into the page.
Hello, I'm Tom Riddle. Is Daphne Greengrass your name?
After not responding for a second, as if feigning surprise, Blake continued to write.
Yes. Who are you? How are you responding?
Many, many questions, Ms Greengrass. Would I be correct in assuming you're of blood?
"Of blood?" Harry asked.
"It's the polite, more socially acceptable why of asking if she's pureblood," Blake responded.
"Oh. So he actually could be him!"
"Yeah," Blake frowned. "He didn't even ask how I got the diary. Asked directly about blood status. Must've been confident in Greengrass purity."
Of course I am. And yourself? I've not heard the surname Riddle before.
I too am of blood. However, my grandfather was from French Normandy, hence the surname Riddle.
That's pleasing to hear. What is this diary?
This is a recollection of my life up to my sixth year, Ms Greengrass. Everything that happened at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in my time is contained within these pages. There's an awful lot I could show you.
Do you know about the Chamber of Secrets?
Of course, Miss Greengrass. But let me ask you a question - what do you make of the Chamber?
How do I know you're not an espionage device, used by the Headmaster or staff to catch the Heir?
Vigilant of you, Miss Greengrass - may I call you, Daphne?
You may.
Well, Daphne, I can say with absolute certainty that I am not an espionage device. After all, I made this diary years and years ago, during the first time the Chamber was opened. How could it have been made as an espionage device?
Blake pretended to hesitate again.
Very well. My house's official position is that the Chamber is unethical and wrong - but my own opinion, however, is different.
And what is it, Daphne?
I believe it is a necessary evil. Mudbloods are a plague amongst our society. They take our customs, culture, teachings, resources - they take our magic, yet offer nothing in return, apart from strife and discord and conflict! They must be stopped. If the Chamber is how it must be, then that is how it must be.
You truly are wise, Daphne. And what do you think of the Heir?
The Heir is doing what he or she must. A duty to wizardkind - true wizardkind. I'd help them if I could!
You've impressed me, Daphne. It warms my heart to see dedication to our ancestry, truly. And I have good news for you.
And what is that?
I am the Heir of Slytherin.
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