"Good," Snape said at last. "The school isn't safe right now. Once you've mastered these spells, use them to protect yourself and your housemates."
Rowan hesitated. "But Slytherin—"
He stopped himself mid-sentence, then smiled. "Understood. I'll look out for my classmates. And my friends."
Snape's words carried more meaning than they seemed. Slytherins were rarely at risk when the Chamber of Secrets was involved, which meant Snape wasn't worried about his own house.
He was worried about the others.
Especially one boy he openly despised and secretly protected.
Snape loathed Harry Potter for resembling James, yet he would never allow Lily's son to come to harm. From Snape's perspective, the Chamber reopening meant mortal danger for Muggle-born students and Harry alike. That was why he had endured Lockhart's nonsense and pushed practical dueling lessons so hard.
He would never say any of that aloud.
Snape knew Rowan spent time with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. If something went wrong, those spells might matter.
Days passed quietly.
Rowan devoted nearly all his free time to mastering Sectumsempra and the hanging curse. Hogwarts remained calm. No new petrifications occurred. With the diary now in Harry's possession, the castle felt almost… normal.
Then, on the second Sunday of term, Harry, Ron, and Hermione found Rowan in the library.
They told him what the diary had shown them.
"So," Rowan said, closing his book, "you think Hagrid is the Heir of the Chamber?"
Harry's face tightened. "We know he was expelled. And after he left, the attacks stopped. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have been rewarded."
Ron hurried to add, "Hagrid loves dangerous creatures. Last year there was the dragon egg. And Fluffy guarding the Stone…"
"He probably didn't mean for anyone to die," Ron finished weakly.
Rowan looked to Hermione. She avoided his gaze.
"We don't really believe it either," she admitted. "That's why we wanted your opinion. You visit Hagrid all the time."
Rowan didn't hesitate.
"It's not Hagrid."
All three of them lit up instantly.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"First," Rowan said calmly, "Salazar Slytherin was obsessed with blood purity. He wouldn't choose someone with giant blood as his heir. Second, Dumbledore trusts Hagrid. That alone tells you Dumbledore never believed Hagrid was guilty."
He leaned back slightly.
"And third, you're taking the diary's word too seriously. Who's to say it's telling the truth? For all we know, it could be the real heir framing Hagrid."
He paused, then added, "You should ask Hagrid directly. If that feels awkward, I can do it."
Rowan had no interest in seeing Hagrid dragged to Azkaban. He knew exactly what that place did to people. Hagrid was simple, kind, and had taught Rowan more than a few useful things over the months. Rowan liked him far more than most professors.
And clearing Hagrid's name wouldn't interfere with anything important. Dumbledore would still be forced out eventually. It even helped Rowan by easing Dumbledore's wariness toward him.
Harry exhaled, relief obvious. "You're right. If Hagrid were guilty, Dumbledore would never trust him."
Hermione nodded firmly. "And if we ignore this and another attack happens, Hagrid could be blamed again. We should talk to him."
Ron scratched his head. "Fine. Let's hope this isn't the most awkward visit of our lives."
That afternoon, they walked down to Hagrid's hut.
"You should've told me you were coming," Hagrid said cheerfully, wiping his hands as he worked near the gate. "I'd have made rock cakes."
Harry swallowed. "Hagrid, we wanted to ask you something. About the Chamber."
They stumbled over the words, unable to finish.
Rowan stepped in.
"Hagrid, we heard you were expelled because a creature from the Chamber killed Myrtle. We wanted to know what really happened."
Hagrid sighed heavily.
"I hoped I'd never have to talk about that again," he said. "But if the Chamber's open again, you deserve the truth. I didn't open it. I was framed."
He told them everything.
Back in 1943, when Hagrid was a student, he had acquired an Acromantula egg from a traveler. He'd hatched it in secret and named the spider Aragog. When Myrtle was killed, nearly everyone blamed Hagrid. Only Dumbledore stood by him.
Instead of Azkaban, Hagrid was expelled and kept on as groundskeeper.
The real culprit was never caught.
The hut fell silent as the story ended.
The question remained.
If not Hagrid…
Then who was the true Heir of the Chamber?