Chapter 266: The Girl Named Tao Jinniang
Chapter 266: The Girl Named Tao Jinniang
In the first week of June, when the sun shone brightest, the end-of-year exams arrived as promised.
Magic History, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy...
One after another, the exams filled the campus with an atmosphere of both tension and excitement. Most students were in high spirits, believing they would achieve excellent results.
Throughout this year's "game," the students had received excellent training, and according to the professors, they were much better than last year's batch.
However, some students had turned into bitter melons—students valued practical skills over theory, and Astronomy and Magic History, which relied solely on memorization, remained challenging subjects.
"I wish they'd just cancel Magic History," Michael complained. "What's the point of knowing the year the cauldron was invented? I just need to know which one is the best!"
"Which brand of cauldron is the best?" Neville asked eagerly. "I... I want to buy one too..."
Even with Ved's guidance, Neville's performance in Potions class remained poor. Everyone thought this was because Neville was too nervous.
But it wasn't Neville's fault; Professor Snape often targeted him, and his words were harsh.
It was surprising that Neville hadn't deserted his post yet, and it was unreasonable to expect more from him.
When he wasn't in front of Professor Snape, Neville could actually brew a decent potion.
But he was still far from excellent.
As the saying goes, struggling students often rely on external factors to improve their grades, and Neville seemed to be counting on buying a better cauldron.
But Michael just shrugged and said, "Neville, of course, the more expensive ones are better!"
Neville: "..."
He rolled his eyes and turned to ask, "Where's Ved?"
"He had something to discuss with Professor Dumbledore and left after submitting his exam early," Michael replied.
The others didn't think much of it; they were used to Ved's involvement in adult affairs.
...
Headmaster's Office.
In a silver pot-shaped container, white mist rose in puffs, and an ancient painting on the wall opened its eyes.
Professor Dumbledore's expression was grave.
Before he could speak, Phineas Black, whose portrait hung on the wall, spoke first.
"Hmph, preposterous! Ridiculous! I've never heard of such a thing!"
"One of the founders, Slytherin, left a Basilisk in the school? It's absurd! What use could he have for a Basilisk? To kill everyone at Hogwarts? Don't forget that we Slytherins are also a part of Hogwarts!"
"Absurd! Too absurd!"
"The Basilisk's gaze can kill! If there really was a Basilisk roaming the school, the bones of those who died here over the past millennium would fill the Black Lake!"
Ved ignored his words and looked at Dumbledore, saying, "So I need to borrow your Fawkes's help—as far as I know, the Phoenix is immune to the Basilisk's gaze, and its tears can cure most poisons. It's the only magical creature that can counter the Basilisk."
The golden-red bird appeared from nowhere and perched on Dumbledore's shoulder, tilting its head to examine the student who had designs on it.
Ved smiled at it and said, "I'd like Fawkes to peck out the Basilisk's eyes first, so we can face it without worry—of course, this is just my personal request. If Fawkes doesn't want to, we can think of another way."
Fawkes let out a low cry.
Dumbledore smiled, "I think that's a yes."
Fawkes nodded solemnly.
"Thank you very much, Fox," said Vold. "Then, let's set the time for June 13th, the day after the Quidditch match. I'll inform the relevant personnel, and they can choose whether to participate voluntarily."
"Very well," said Dumbledore. "Those who participate should understand beforehand what they are facing."
Fox nodded in agreement, his small eyes serious and solemn as if he were the Headmaster of Hogwarts, while the white-bearded old man beneath him seemed like a mere mount.
Vold couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Of course."
...
"Do you really believe him?"
Phineas was displeased. "Dumbledore, don't let yourself be swayed by a mere student! I admit he's a bit clever, but you are the Headmaster of this school!"
The portraits of the former Headmasters nearby silently nodded in agreement, and one of them muttered, "It's a good thing I died early... Young people these days have less and less respect for the elderly!"
Dumbledore smiled.
"Phineas, Armando, I don't need the students to show me formal respect. Being able to talk on equal terms and provide a little help to the young is what I enjoy the most."
Armando Dippet mumbled something, his eyes half-closed as if he had fallen asleep again.
When he was alive, he also had an excellent student who was not only smart but also handsome and respectful towards him.
Later... that student became the Dark Lord who struck fear into the hearts of the wizarding world.
Phineas persisted, "So, do you really believe him? Do you believe there's a basilisk in the school that no one has seen?"
"Why not? That boy wouldn't say something without certainty."
Dumbledore picked and chose from the plate, finally selecting a mango cookie slathered in thick cream.
"Even if there is... even if it's true..."
Phineas turned in his portrait, unwilling to let it go. "That's still Slytherin's legacy. Do you understand? It's the founder's precious inheritance! How can we just let a few people dispose of it? It might be the last thing Slytherin left for the world."
Slytherin's legacy...
Dumbledore suddenly became lost in thought.
He recalled the black ring he had seen in someone's memory, its unique pattern, and the legend he had pursued in his youth.
After a long silence, Dumbledore heard Phineas still talking incessantly,
"... It hasn't attacked anyone for over a thousand years, and even if it did, it would be safe! Why not give it a chance? Let it stay peacefully..."
"It has happened before," Dumbledore said.
"What?" asked Phineas.
"Fifty years ago, a student died," said Dumbledore. "Remember? Her name was Myrtle, a fourteen-year-old student."
Phineas fell silent.
"Indeed, the basilisk has been quiet for over a thousand years, but I can understand why Vold feels the need to get rid of it."
Dumbledore continued, "Because someone capable of controlling it has appeared... Tom Riddle, a descendant of Slytherin, also possessing the Serpent Tongue talent. The basilisk could be manipulated by Voldemort at any time and turned into a weapon to attack us."
After a long while, another Headmistress, Dilys, asked, "Dumbledore, what about the students' safety? Even without the power of sight, the basilisk is not something an ordinary wizard can handle."
"Oh, don't worry about that. I'll naturally be there that day," said Dumbledore. "What I'm truly concerned about is something else."
But this time, no matter how much the others pressed, Dumbledore did not elaborate further.
(End of Chapter)
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