Walking backward, Ron couldn't see who was there, but he recognized Ginny's voice. Worried that his sister would be frightened by the petrified Stanny Chester, he hurriedly shouted, "Ginny, go back to your dormitory! It's late—don't wander around the Castle on your own. Do as you're told, or I'll write to Mum!"
Ginny held on to the banister and turned sideways to let them pass. As Luo Bin stepped off the last stair, she moved closer, staring at Stanny Chester's ashen face with a complicated look in her eyes.
"Go back! Hurry! If you get so frightened you make yourself ill, Percy will lecture me again!"
"Have... have you caught whoever did this to him?"
Ginny clenched her fists, her upper eyelids trembling incessantly, as though asking that question had taken every ounce of her courage.
Not wanting his sister to worry, Ron deliberately overstated their leads. "We have a lead. Professor Snape found a crucial piece of evidence. I'm sure the heir will be caught in a few days. When that happens, I'll pull out my wand and hit them with every offensive spell I know!"
"Is... that... true?"
Ginny's eyes filled with terror as she asked.
Ron didn't notice anything unusual about her reaction and continued loudly, "Of course! Severus Snape might have a horrible face and personality, but there's no doubting his talent for magic and potions, or his intelligence. Don't worry, Ginny. Before long, both the heir and the Chamber Monster will pay for everything they've done. Hey, where are you going?"
Hearing her brother call after her, Ginny abruptly stopped. Her reply was perfunctory, yet sad. "My dormitory. I'm going back to my dormitory. I'm tired!"
Then she stumbled away, faltering with every step.
Only when Ginny's back had vanished around the corner did Ron