Inside [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Minerva McGonagall|Professor McGonagall]]'s office, [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/MollyArthur Weasley|MrsMr. Weasley]] and [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/ArthurMolly Weasley|MrMrs. Weasley]] immediately sweep [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Ginny Weasley|Ginny]] into a hug. Also present are [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Albus Dumbledore|Professor Dumbledore]] and Professor McGonagall. [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Harry Potter|Harry]] explains what happened, omitting Ginny's role and the diary as much as possible. Professor Dumbledore wonders how [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Lord Voldemort|Lord Voldemort]] enchanted Ginny, as he is currently hiding in Albania. Harry is relieved, as Dumbledore knows Ginny was under someone else's control. He says it was [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Tom Marvolo Riddle|Riddle]]'s diary, which he has brought with him, along with the sword and the [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Sorting Hat|Sorting Hat]]. Dumbledore confirms that Riddle and Voldemort are one and the same. Mr. Weasley chastises Ginny: "Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain!" Dumbledore sends her to the hospital wing, saying that there will be no punishment, as it is not her fault. "Older and wiser wizards than she have been hoodwinked by Lord Voldemort." He recommends bed rest and perhaps a large mug of hot chocolate, something that always cheers him. He says that [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Poppy Pomfrey|Madam Pomfrey]] will still be awake, dispensing the [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Magic/Mandrake|Mandrake]] juice to the petrified students. [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Ron Weasley|Ron]] is heartened to discover that [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Hermione Granger|Hermione]] will not suffer any permanent damage. As Mr. and Mrs. Weasley leave with Ginny, Dumbledore dispatches Professor McGonagall to alert the kitchens to prepare a feast.
Professor Dumbledore awards Ron and Harry Special Awards for Services to the School plus two hundred House points each; when Dumbledore notices [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Gilderoy Lockhart|Professor Lockhart's]] vacant gaze, Ron explains about his wand backfiring. Dumbledore has Ron take Lockhart to the hospital wing. When Professor Dumbledore and Harry are alone, Harry admits he is distressed by Riddle noting their similarities: they are both orphans, dark-haired, and speak Parseltongue. Dumbledore believes Voldemort transferred some of his powers, including the ability to speak Parseltongue, when his curse on the one-year-old Harry failed. Harry says the Sorting Hat saw Slytherin's power in him and wanted to put him in Slytherin House. When Dumbledore notes it put him in Gryffindor instead, Harry says it was only because he asked it to. Dumbledore replies that, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." He then shows Harry the [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Magic/Sword of Gryffindor|sword]]. Engraved on the blade is, [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Godric Gryffindor|Godric Gryffindor]]. "Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled ''that'' out of the Hat, Harry."
