HP: Bad Intentions

For Blake's Strength, carrying Ginny was effortless for him, as her weight seemed negligible. He ascended several floors with her in his arms, his breath steady and his composure intact. Ginny, nestled in his arms, found herself captivated by his side profile. Her heart fluttered with an unfamiliar feeling, and she began to understand why so many admired him.

'He's so…handsome,' she thought, her cheeks flushing.

Suddenly, two figures burst from the staircase ahead. Fred and George Weasley, holding the Marauder's Map, skidded to a halt. Their gazes landed on Blake carrying Ginny, who was resting against his chest. The twins froze, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"Blake! You—you—" Fred stammered.

"You playboy!" George interjected, clutching his chest dramatically.

Fred continued, "We should've guessed! Our sister's too pretty for you to resist!"

"Scoundrel! She's too young for this!" George added, glaring.

Blake sighed, his patience wearing thin. Meanwhile, Ginny, instead of explaining, buried her head further into Blake's chest, too mortified to speak. This only made the twins howl louder.

"Have you two yelled enough?" Blake finally asked, exasperated. "Ginny was in danger. If you're done making a scene, find Professor McGonagall and inform her. I'm heading to the Headmaster's office now."

The twins instantly sobered, concern replacing their theatrics. "Danger? What happened?" they demanded.

"No time to explain here. Hurry," Blake urged.

After casting Blake one last suspicious look, Fred and George took off to find McGonagall. Blake adjusted Ginny in his arms and continued toward Dumbledore's office. Ginny, relieved her brothers were gone, stole a glance at Blake.

She hesitated, then whispered, "I think I can walk now."

Blake nodded, gently setting her down. "We're almost there," he reassured her as they approached the gargoyle guarding the entrance.

"Pearl milk tea," Blake said to the gargoyle.

"The answer is wrong, but the principal said I should let you in when you arrive," it replied, stepping aside to reveal the spiral staircase.

Ginny, still shaky but determined, followed Blake up the stairs. The oak door to Dumbledore's office creaked open, revealing the room's many peculiar artifacts and enchanted silver instruments. Portraits of former headmasters stirred, their sleepy eyes observing the newcomers with curiosity.

Dumbledore, seated in a chair and wearing a purple nightcap, looked up from his book. His gaze lingered on Ginny, his expression softening as he noticed her distress.

"It seems you've had quite the night," Dumbledore remarked, closing his book and rising.

Ginny shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his kind but piercing eyes. Dumbledore conjured a chair for her. "Miss Weasley, you look unwell. Please, sit. Blake, perhaps you can explain?"

Blake retrieved a box of lemon drops from Dumbledore's desk and handed one to Ginny. "Sugar helps with shock," he said with a reassuring smile.

Dumbledore chuckled softly, though he noted Blake's casual rummaging. "Go on," he prompted.

Blake recounted the evening's events, describing how he had followed Ginny after noticing her unusual behavior. He explained how a shadowy figure emerged from a diary, summoning a giant snake. Dumbledore's expression grew grave as Blake spoke.

"Where is this diary now?" Dumbledore asked.

Blake pulled it from his pocket. "I've sealed the entity inside using soul magic," he explained. "Do you need me to release it?"

"Not yet," Dumbledore replied, examining the diary. His fingers traced the inked name on its cover:

T.M. Riddle.

His face darkened. He knew all too well who Tom Riddle was.

Before he could speak further, the door burst open. Professor McGonagall entered, followed closely by the Weasley family. Mrs. Weasley rushed to Ginny, pulling her into a tight embrace as tears streamed down her face.

"Merlin, thank goodness you're safe!" she cried.

"I temporarily opened a fireplace passage in my office. It is connected to the Weasley's fireplace." Professor McGonagall explained to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore nodded, "You did the right thing, Minerva."

Fred, George, and Ron hovered nearby, their faces pale with worry. Percy looked stiff, his hands clenching nervously. Mr. Weasley stepped forward, his voice trembling. "What happened? Is she hurt?"

Ginny began to sob, overwhelmed by the attention. Between tears, she recounted her experience: finding the diary among her old schoolbooks, its replies to her entries, and how she gradually fell under its control. She spoke of her blackouts and waking up in strange places with no memory of how she got there.

As she spoke, Mr. Weasley's face turned red with anger. "Ginny! How many times have I told you—never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain!"

Ginny wailed, "I didn't know! It was just in my books!"

Blake intervened, summarizing how he had saved Ginny from the diary's influence. Mrs. Weasley hugged him tightly, her gratitude overflowing. "You saved her life. We can never thank you enough."

Blake, slightly flustered, mumbled that it was nothing. He stepped back as Dumbledore spoke.

"Miss Weasley should rest in the hospital wing. This has been a traumatic experience, but it was not her fault. Many older, more experienced wizards have been deceived by Voldemort."

The room fell silent.

"V-Voldemort?" McGonagall stammered.

"Yes," Dumbledore confirmed, holding up the diary. "This belonged to Tom Riddle, Voldemort's younger self. It appears to be a Horcrux, though its exact nature warrants further study."

The Weasleys shuddered at the name, while Ginny sat frozen in shock. Dumbledore continued, explaining Tom Riddle's history as a brilliant yet sinister student at Hogwarts and his transformation into Voldemort.

"This diary contained a fragment of his soul," Dumbledore explained. "It manipulated Ginny to reopen the Chamber of Secrets and unleash the basilisk."

Blake spoke up. "Sir, dark artifacts like this don't appear in schoolbooks by chance. Someone placed it there intentionally."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "An excellent point. This warrants investigation."

Mr. Weasley clenched his fists, realization dawning. "I think I know who's behind this."

He thanked Blake again before leaving with his family. Professor McGonagall followed, her expression stern.

Once they were gone, Dumbledore turned to Blake. "You showed remarkable bravery and intelligence tonight. Thank you for protecting Ginny and thwarting this plot."

Blake hesitated. "What will you do with the diary, Professor?"

"It must be destroyed," Dumbledore said firmly.

"May I study it first?" Blake asked. "I think I could learn from its enchantments."

Dumbledore studied Blake closely. "Do you understand what this is?"

Blake met his gaze. "A Horcrux."

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