A short while later, in the Headmaster's Office.
A box secured with layer upon layer of locks sat quietly on the desk. Dumbledore tapped the desk lightly, his gaze fixed on the box as though he could see what lay inside.
"I have a question for you, Mr. Bones," he asked softly.
"How did you know that what was inside this had something to do with the Chamber of Secrets?"
"I..." Su Er lowered his head and pretended to hesitate for a long while. "I saw it, Professor."
"Oh?" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in mild surprise, his expression still calm and composed.
For a time, only the whirring of the revolving silver instruments filled the office. Su Er moved his lips. "I also saw a monster... Professor..."
"From the Chamber of Secrets..." A trace of fear entered Su Er's voice. "A snake, an enormous snake, crawling through the pipes..."
Dumbledore stopped tapping, his brow furrowing slightly.
A long while passed.
"I understand, Mr. Bones." He looked up at Su Er. "I need some time to investigate. Until then, please don't tell anyone else about this. Can you do that?"
"Yes, Professor." Su Er met those bright blue eyes.
"You made a very wise choice by telling me instead of facing danger alone. Thirty points to Hufflepuff for that."
"If you 'see' anything else, you can come to me at any time. The gargoyle at the entrance will let you in."
"It's getting late. Young wizards need plenty of sleep, and an old man like me needs a little rest after a busy day, too."
Su Er understood what Dumbledore was getting at and nodded obediently.
"Goodbye, Professor."
Once Su Er disappeared around the corner and the rumbling of the stone gargoyle faded, the portraits behind Dumbledore erupted into chatter.
They