The Heir of Slytherin

           Hewasstandingattheendofaverylong,dimlylitchamber. Toweringstonepillarsentwinedwithmorecarvedserpentsrosetosupportaceilinglostindarkness,castinglong,blackshadowsthroughtheodd,greenishgloomthatfilledtheplace. Hisheartbeatingveryfast, Harrystoodlisteningtothechillsilence. Couldthebasiliskbelurkinginashadowycorner,behindapillar?AndwherewasGinny? 

           Hepulledouthiswandandmovedforwardbetweentheserpentinecolumns. Everycarefulfootstepechoedloudlyofftheshadowywalls. Hekepthiseyesnarrowed,readytoclampthemshutatthesmallestsignofmovement. Theholloweyesocketsofthestonesnakesseemedtobefollowinghim. Morethanonce,withajoltofthestomach,hethoughthesawonestir. 

           Then,ashedrewlevelwiththelastpairofpillars,astatuehighastheChamberitselfloomedintoview,standingagainstthebackwall. 

           Harryhadtocranehisnecktolookupintothegiantfaceabove:Itwasancientandmonkeyish,withalong,thinbeardthatfellalmosttothebottomofthewizard’ssweepingstonerobes,wheretwoenormousgrayfeetstoodonthesmoothChamberfloor. Andbetweenthefeet,facedown,layasmall,black-robedfigurewithflaming-redhair. 

           "Ginny!"Harrymuttered,sprintingtoheranddroppingtohisknees. "Ginny-don’tbedead-pleasedon’tbedead-" Heflunghiswandaside,grabbedGinny’sshoulders,andturnedherover. Herfacewaswhiteasmarble,andascold,yethereyeswereclosed,soshewasn’tPetrified. Butthenshemustbe...