How many died?

"What do you mean?"

Gavin instantly grew wary.

Had Tom come back because he had not quite died? Had he even passed through the Thief's Downfall, broken the seal jointly placed by the headmaster and Professor McGonagall, and released the basilisk?

Gavin's voice turned grave. "How many people have died?"

"Died—" Justin suddenly caught himself. "No, no, no! Nobody's died."

"Then did you see the monster? Where?"

Gavin looked at the pipes around them. If it was the basilisk, it would probably emerge from the plumbing. This time, he could not hold back.

Should I try the new Fiendfyre?

"A monster? No, not that either—" Justin suddenly looked a little embarrassed. "Nobody's seen a monster."

"..."

The corner of Gavin's mouth twitched as he looked back at Justin. "April Fools' Day is still three months away, and that joke isn't funny."

"No, no, no—" Justin hurriedly waved his hands. "I'm not joking. Loads of people saw it."

"Saw what?"

"Writing in blood." Justin lowered his voice. "Exactly the same writing. It's appeared again."

"Near the Girls' Bathroom on the Second Floor?"

"Yes! Not quite—" Justin nodded, then shook his head, looking rather dazed.

"Could you tell me the whole thing in one go?" Gavin looked at Justin, a little speechless.

At that moment, Ernie came over to them.

"I'd better explain. Justin's a bit shaken."

"This evening, lots of people claimed they saw writing in blood appear. Some saw it on the Second Floor, some on the Third Floor, and some near the Trophy Room."

"Excellent." Gavin nodded. "So the Chamber of Secrets has opened at least three times so far, and it has a very good grasp of spatial planning."

Justin laughed, and some of the pallor faded from his face.

Ernie ignored Gavin and continued recounting the three