Now, even if Lucius spilled the whole truth, no one would believe him.
Lockhart and Hermione were a "heroic professor" and a "girl genius." No one would take the word of a "suspected former Death Eater" over theirs.
Besides, even if someone believed him, he had no way to explain how the Diary had ended up in his hands, or why he had given it to Ginny.
Doing that would essentially mean exposing himself.
Seeing Lucius back down, Hermione nodded.
Ginny was free of the Diary's influence, Lockhart had gained fame and a promising future, Harry had been cleared of using Parseltongue to harm his classmates, and Draco had earned the honor of being officially recognized as the Heir of Slytherin.
Everyone had a bright future ahead, didn't they?
Looking at it that way, she really was a kindhearted person.
With the truth behind the petrification incidents revealed, Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts the following day at the Board of Governors' insistence.
Hermione pushed open the door to the Headmaster's Office and spotted Dumbledore at once.
He was sitting at his desk, gazing intently at the ruined Diary on its surface.
The Diary's cover was charred black, its center pierced by a sharp weapon, leaving a series of alarming holes.
Hermione studied the Horcrux for a while, a flicker passing through her eyes.
After a long moment, she suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the Headmaster's Office.
"Good morning. Welcome back, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Dumbledore looked up with a faint smile.
"Good morning, Miss Granger."
He tapped the damaged Diary on his desk.
"I believe you recognize this."
Hermione approached and picked up the Diary to examine it.
"This is a Horcrux."
Her voice was calm, without a hint of surprise, as though she were commenting on the pleasant weather.
Dumbledore