By the time the four youngsters left the Library, it was already very close to curfew.
At that moment, however, they clearly could not spare a thought for such things and rushed off to Professor McGonagall's office.
Professor McGonagall was marking homework behind her large desk. When she heard the knock, she casually raised a hand, and the door opened silently.
Then Professor McGonagall stared in surprise at the four youngsters standing in the doorway, panting like dogs.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Longbottom." Professor McGonagall glanced at the large clock hanging on the wall and frowned slightly, a faint note of reproach in her voice:
"It is almost curfew. You should be back in your Common Room at this hour. These are hardly peaceful times at Hogwarts."
"Professor!" Harry was out of breath. His stamina was actually quite good, but climbing stairs all the way was still tiring, especially at a flat-out run.
Still, he did his best to speak clearly. "We-we know what the monster in the Chamber of Secrets is."
Professor McGonagall's eyebrows rose slightly at this. Rather than continuing to reprimand them, she looked seriously at Harry. "Mr. Potter, you should know that this is absolutely not something to joke about."
"Professor, we really are sure." Hermione took several deep breaths before her breathing settled, then spoke to Professor McGonagall with great conviction.
Perhaps because Professor McGonagall considered Hermione somewhat more reliable than Harry and the others, she did not question them further. Instead, she gave the four youngsters a serious look and saw that every one of them looked earnest and certain.
Professor McGonagall immediately nodded and stood. "In that case, come with me. We are going to see Dumbledore."
As she spoke, Professor McGonagall raised her hand slightly and snapped her