Phoenix was waiting for Harry up there. Eden had already gone back to the dormitory first.

They landed on the damp ground of the weeping Myrtle's bathroom, and just as Lockhart straightened his hat, the pool that covered the pipes slid to its original place.

"You're alive. She said to Harry in disappointment.

"There's no need to speak in such a disappointed tone. Harry said with a grimace as he wiped the blood and slime off the lenses of his glasses.

"Oh, that's right - I've been thinking about it, if you die, you're welcome to share this toilet with me. Myrtle said, so shy that her face turned silvery white.

"Haha!" Phoenix smiled and said, "Harry, I think Myrtle has a crush on you, Ginny, you have a competitor." ”

Tears still rolled down Ginny's cheeks silently like pearls with broken threads. Whisper to Phoenix, "Thank you for saving me." ”

"Go to Professor McGonagall. "Phoenix is in the lead with the Gryffindor sword.

Fawkes led the way, glittering golden light along the hallway. They strode after it, and after a few moments, found themselves standing outside Professor McGonagall's office. Phoenix knocked on the door, then pushed it open.

Phoenix, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lockhart stood in the doorway, covered in mud and slime, and Harry's robes still stained with blood. For a moment, there was silence all around. Suddenly, a scream "Ginny!"

It was Mrs. Weasley, who had been sitting in front of the fire crying. She jumped to her feet, followed by Mr. Weasley, and both of them simultaneously threw their arms around their precious daughter.

Phoenix's gaze swept over them and looked into the room. Professor Dumbledore was smiling and standing in front of the mantelpiece, next to him Professor McGonagall, holding her hand to her chest and gasping for air. Fawkes flew past Harry's ear and landed on Dumbledore's shoulder. At that moment, Mrs. Weasley took both Harry and Ron into her arms. It seemed that he wanted to hug Phoenix, but he dodged it. He stepped forward and placed the Gryffindor sword on the table.

"You saved her! You saved her! What did you do?"

"That's what we all want to know. Professor McGonagall said weakly. Mrs. Weasley let go of Harry, who hesitated for a moment, then walked over to his desk and placed the Sorting Hat and the remains of Riddle's journal on the table.

Harry looked back at Phoenix and asked who was speaking.

Phoenix cleared his throat as he began to tell them what had happened. He spoke for about a quarter of an hour, and everyone listened attentively, and the room was silent. He recounted that he had figured out that the monster in the chamber was a basilisk, and that he, Harry, and Ron had followed the spider into the Forbidden Forest, and that Aragog had told them where the last victim of the basilisk had been killed, and Ron guessed that the weeping Myrtle was the victim, and that the entrance to the chamber was probably in her bathroom.

"Very well," Professor McGonagall encouraged him to go on as he paused, "so you found out where the entrance was? I must add that you broke more than a hundred school rules along the way. But how did you get out of there, Peverell?"

So Phoenix continued, speaking at a consistent pace and in a gentle tone, giving a very convincing feeling. He told them how he fought Riddle - he didn't say how Harry dealt with the basilisk because he didn't see it.

Harry added how he had gotten the sword to stab the basilisk to death, and finally used his fangs to kill Riddle in the journal. Again, Harry gestured to him with his eyes a few times, as if he wanted Phoenix to skip the passage.

"What interests me most," said Dumbledore mildly, "is how Voldemort used to confuse Ginny, for according to my sources, he is currently hiding in the Albanian forest." ”

"W-what?" said Mrs. Weasley, in a stunned voice, "the mystery man, who bewitched Ginny, but Ginny wasn't—did she?"

"It's all this journal," Harry said, grabbing the journal and showing it to Dumbledore, "Riddle wrote it when he was sixteen. ”

Dumbledore took the journal from Harry's hand, his gaze shot down his long hooked nose, staring intently at the wet, charred pages.

"It's remarkable," he said softly, "needless to say, he's probably the best student Hogwarts has ever seen." He turned to face the Weasleys, both of whom looked confused.

"Few people know that Voldemort used to be called Tom Riddle. Fifty years ago, at Hogwarts, I taught him personally. He disappeared after leaving school - traveled far and wide to the ends of the earth - sinking deeper and deeper into the mire of dark magic, mingling with the most evil in wizarding world, undergoing many dangerous magical transformations, and finally reappearing as Voldemort, who was difficult to recognize. Hardly anyone associated Voldemort with the smart, handsome boys' student council president who had studied here. ”

"But what about Ginny?" said Mrs. Weasley, "what does our Ginny have to do with him?"

"His diary!" Ginny sobbed, "I've been writing on it, and for a whole year, he's kept writing me back. ”

"Ginny!" Mr. Weasley was stunned and said, "Didn't I teach you? What have I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for yourself, unless you see where it hides your mind." Why didn't you show me or your mother the diary in the first place? something suspicious like that, apparently full of black magic!"

"I don't know," Ginny was still crying sadly, "I found it in a book my mother gave me. I thought someone was sandwiching it in there and forgot-"

"Miss Weasley should go to the hospital immediately," Dumbledore interjected, "it's a painful ordeal for her. The school will not punish her in any way. Many wizards who were older and more resourceful than her were blinded by Voldemort. He strode over to the door and opened it.

"Bed rest and, perhaps, a big steaming glass of chocolate milk, I've always thought it was good for my mood. He said, looking down and winking at Ginny kindly. "You'll find out that Madam Pomfrey hasn't slept yet. She's just handing out Mandela herbal water, and I dare say the basilisk victim could wake up at any moment. ”

"So, Hermione is fine!" Ron said happily.

"No lasting damage was caused. Dumbledore said.

Mrs. Weasley led Ginny out, and Mr. Weasley followed, still looking badly battered.

"You know, Minerva," Professor Dumbledore said thoughtfully to Professor McGonagall, "I think it's worth a feast to celebrate. Can you please inform the kitchen?"

"Alright," said Mrs. McGonagall dryly, as she made her way to the door, "Potter and Weasley and Peverell will be left to you, will you?"

"Of course. Dumbledore said.