Chapter 19: Exploring the Restricted Section
Chapter 19: Exploring the Restricted Section
Ivan said, suddenly remembering something, and spoke again.
"Also, Malfoy, you still owe Hermione an apology, don't forget that!"
"Hals! That was your despicable and shameless ambush on me!" Malfoy drew his Wand and pointed it at Ivan, his pale cheeks turning red.
"Even if I fall from the sky and die, or get locked in Azkaban, I will never thank a Mudblood!"
Crabbe and Goyle, his lackeys, also drew their Wands, but the many surprised looks from the Gryffindors reminded them that they were at the Gryffindor table. If they started a fight here, they would only be beaten up.
Hearing the word "Mudblood", Ivan frowned, and Ron jumped up, shouting.
"Malfoy! We accept your challenge! I’m going to teach you a lesson tonight!"
"Fine, I’ll be waiting tonight", Malfoy raised an eyebrow, sneered, and turned to leave.
"Duel, what’s a Duel? Do two people stab each other with swords?" After Malfoy left, Harry, confused, quickly asked.
"Of course not, how could we be as stupid as those Muggles?" Ron proudly explained the rules he knew.
"First, both sides stand facing each other, then bow to each other in respect, raise their Wands, and engage in a glorious Duel using magic. If one side dies, the assistant must step in, and the Duel continues until one side is completely down!"
Ron became more and more excited as he spoke. Compared to the dull days of reading books in class, a Duel sounded much more interesting. Besides, he had been wanting to get back at Malfoy for a long time.
"Death?" Harry swallowed hard.
"Ron is exaggerating. That’s a formal Wizard Duel. We’ll probably just use disarming spells, Leg-Locker Curses, and the like. Sometimes, a good punch is more effective", Ivan shook his head and explained to Harry.
"Ivan, are you coming tonight?" Ron asked hopefully.
"No, I’ve already said I have something to do tonight. I don’t have time to deal with Malfoy", Ivan shook his head.
In Ivan’s view, this foolish waving of Wands and shooting spells at each other in a Duel was too stupid. It didn’t match his idea of what a Wizard should be like. Watching a fencing performance would be more interesting and at least have some entertainment value.
Considering Ron and Harry’s restless natures, Ivan kindly warned them.
"Malfoy might not show up tonight. He might just be trying to trick us into going there so Filch can catch us all."
"No way!"
Ron and Harry looked at each other, thinking that Malfoy wouldn’t be that despicable. This was an honorable Wizard Duel!
Seeing the expressions on Harry and Ron’s faces, Ivan knew he couldn’t stop them. He sighed and stopped trying to persuade them, flipping through the book "Teach Yourself to Fly" on the table.
Based on his memory, tonight’s adventure for Harry and the others should be thrilling but safe, and they might even learn more about the Philosopher’s Stone.
Even if something unexpected happens, Dumbledore will take care of it. The Headmaster wouldn’t let his chosen Chosen One come to any harm.
"Ron, are we really going to Duel Malfoy tonight? What if Malfoy doesn’t show up, like Ivan said?" After dinner, as they returned to the dormitory together, Harry worriedly asked Ron.
"Of course we’re going. This is a Duel! Malfoy can’t possibly not show up. If he comes and we’re not there, how embarrassing would that be?" Ron tried to encourage Harry, as he had already agreed to the Duel.
"Without Ivan, we're only two people. How can we possibly fight against Malfoy and his two cronies!" Harry said.
"We can ask Neville to join us. That makes three of us!" Ron thought about it for a moment and realized it made sense. Although Malfoy's two henchmen were a bit dim, they were much stronger than them, and they would be at a disadvantage in a fight.
"Neville?" Harry opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but after a moment, he swallowed his words.
Why did he suddenly feel even more worried?
Maybe they should just go with two people.
At midnight, in the Gryffindor common room, Ivan put down the book "Teach Yourself to Fly Quickly."
To avoid the embarrassment from the flying lesson, Ivan had borrowed books on flying techniques after class. After a few hours of reading and one flying lesson, his flying skills were almost at the second level.
By now, the dormitory was empty. Harry and Ron had already sneaked out with Neville a few minutes earlier.
Ivan could only wish them luck. The Three-Headed Dog was not known for its good temper.
Seeing that it was about time, Ivan climbed out of the cylindrical passage. He looked back, and the entrance to the passage had already sealed itself.
The Fat Lady, who was supposed to guard the passage, was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she had gone visiting.
Midnight at Hogwarts was eerily quiet and a bit scary, with the entire corridor dark except for the dim candles that lit up every ten meters or so, allowing Ivan to barely see the path ahead.
Fortunately, in this wizarding world, ghosts were not terrifying. Ivan had even chatted with some of them, so he was not at all nervous. He just mentally complained about the system's reward method.
This was way too hardcore. The reward actually required him to go to the restricted section and get it himself.
This was not what a system should be like!
Ivan walked straight through the long corridor. On his way to the restricted section, he encountered the annoying Moving Stairs.
At night, these stairs seemed even more mischievous than during the day, changing with no discernible pattern. Sometimes, when Ivan approached, they would suddenly turn to the other side, as if deliberately making things difficult for young wizards like him who liked to wander around at night.
Fortunately, Ivan's spell knowledge was not for nothing. Using the Levitation Charm, he could briefly float in the air and glide to where he wanted to go. By using the Petrificus Totalus, he could immobilize the connections between the stairs, preventing them from moving.
With a few not-so-advanced spells, Ivan made his way quite smoothly.
The walls around the Moving Stairs were lined with numerous portraits. A few white-bearded old scholars watched Ivan with great interest as he jumped around, and some portraits even greeted him enthusiastically.
Ivan politely responded to each one as he walked down the stairs, then turned and headed towards the library.
"Alohomora!" Ivan used the Unlocking Charm to open the tightly shut library door. For safety, he closed it behind him and then waved his wand, casting the Lumos spell.
"Lumos!"
A bright white light flashed from the tip of his wand. When it stabilized, the light was much dimmer, but it was enough for Ivan to see.
(End of Chapter)
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