Marvel's Magic Master: I Have a Clone in the Harry Potter World!

Fifteen minutes later, under Harry's guidance, all the professors, including the incompetent Lockhart, had gathered in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom on the third floor.

"This really is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets!"

Looking at the massive pipe leading downward, Snape stepped forward, picking up a palm-sized basilisk scale from the pipe's edge, his expression growing solemn.

McGonagall drew her wand and resolutely declared, "Since we've identified the entrance, we must go down together and deal with the basilisk. We cannot allow it to harm any more students."

"I-I think we shouldn't all go. Someone needs to stay here. How about I…"

Lockhart stammered, his eyes fixed on the bottomless pipe.

Before he could finish, Snape coldly interrupted, "That won't do, Lockhart. Now is your chance to showcase your brilliance. You'll lead the way."

"Exactly. We can watch you single-handedly handle the basilisk, and you can write another book about it afterward. How perfect," Professor Sprout, usually mild-mannered, smirked sarcastically.

"I-I…" Lockhart stammered, cold sweat trickling down his face.

Professor Flitwick chimed in, "Lockhart, didn't you just tell me yesterday that if you ever encountered a basilisk, you could subdue it with just one spell?"

"D-Did I? I don't recall…"

Lockhart tried to feign ignorance, but Snape was having none of it.

"Oh, I remember you saying it clearly. You even criticized us for mishandling the situation and claimed it should have been left to you from the beginning. Now's your chance to prove it."

"Indeed, Lockhart," McGonagall added. "We'll leave the basilisk to you. Go on ahead and deal with it. We'll wait here for your good news."

Facing the collective gazes of the professors, Lockhart swallowed hard and replied, "W-Well, fine. I'll just head to my office to prepare a few things…"

Of course, Lockhart had no intention of confronting the basilisk. He planned to gather his belongings and make a swift escape, concocting an excuse later to cover his tracks.

Unfortunately for him, Snape had already seen through his petty trick. As Lockhart turned to leave, Snape abruptly shoved him, sending him tumbling down the pipe.

"With your incredible skills, there's no need for preparation. Off you go."

"Ahhh!"

As Lockhart's terrified screams echoed from the depths, a wave of satisfaction washed over the professors' faces.

"George, you know flying magic. Go fetch some roosters from Hagrid. Harry, come with me," Snape instructed as Lockhart's landing echoed up from below. Transforming into a shadow, he disappeared down the pipe, Harry following close behind.

According to Ginny, there was another door inside the Chamber of Secrets that required Harry's Parseltongue to open. Meanwhile, knowing the basilisk's vulnerability to a rooster's crow, McGonagall had preemptively tasked Hagrid with purchasing roosters to place throughout Hogwarts Castle.

"Back to your common room for now," McGonagall told Ginny, Hermione, and Ron. "We'll handle everything and report back once the basilisk is dealt with."

George nodded to the three students before spreading his wings and flying from the third floor to the Great Hall. As he soared over the astonished younger students being herded back to their dormitories, he quickly exited the castle.

"Hagrid, the basilisk has been found. Where are the roosters? The professors need them!"

George landed at Hagrid's hut and called out.

Hagrid, startled, nearly tripped over his dog Fang in his haste to retrieve a box brimming with roosters. The box, enchanted with an Extension Charm authorized by the Ministry of Magic, could hold hundreds, even thousands, of roosters.

'With this many roosters, that basilisk will have its hands full,' George thought, suppressing a smirk. He lifted the box and flew back to the castle.

Meanwhile, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had disobeyed orders, lingering at the pipe entrance with worried expressions. True Gryffindors through and through.

"I'll head down now. Don't worry; this will be over soon," George reassured them before jumping into the pipe with the box of roosters.

Sliding to the bottom, George found himself in a dim tunnel. After some time navigating its length, he passed the massive shed skin of the basilisk and finally caught up with Snape and the others.

"These are Hagrid's roosters," George announced, handing the box to Snape.

Snape glanced inside and turned to Harry.

"Potter, begin."

"George," McGonagall interjected, "once Harry opens the door, take him far back. Make sure neither of you looks this way."

Harry muttered under his breath, "I'm older than George, and I'm a year ahead of him in school."

"But you're not as capable," Snape retorted bluntly. "Now stop whining and get on with it."

"I'm not whining!" Harry huffed before addressing the entwined serpent carvings on the wall. In Parseltongue, he hissed, "Open."

The emerald eyes of the serpents glowed, and the wall split apart, revealing a dimly lit, cavernous chamber. Towering pillars adorned with snake carvings lined the room, culminating in a massive stone statue of Salazar Slytherin at the far end.

"George, take Potter back," Snape commanded as the door opened.