Chapter 45: The Impact
Chapter 45: The Impact
On the second day of the weekend, the news of Colin Creevey's attack spread throughout Hogwarts.
This time it was different from the last incident, which had only involved a cat. This time, it was a student. If not for the reassurance that he could be saved, it might have caused widespread panic.
On the other hand, the regular patrols by professors and prefects only added to everyone's anxiety, despite being a necessary measure.
After the Runic Script class ended in the evening.
Felix and Hermione briefly discussed some information that could be shared. "The professors at Hogwarts will ensure the safety of the young wizards. You can help spread this reassurance."
Hermione happily agreed.
"However, Professor, why do you suspect that the monster in the Chamber is a snake?" Hermione asked cautiously.
Felix, of course, couldn't tell her the truth. He could only share the little-known story of Slytherin and snakes.
"Slytherin used snakes to serve him?"
"Indeed, after all, he is known as the most famous Parseltongue", Felix replied.
From the scattered words left by Ravenclaw, it was evident that Slytherin was often accompanied by various snakes, which he commanded, making his reputation at the time quite "notable."
Hermione gasped, "Professor! You mean... Parseltongues can control snakes?" Her heart raced.
"I'm only speculating. After all, there are very few Parseltongues, so there isn't much data to study. But if this ability can be inherited, it suggests that it's more than just a peculiar language; it contains magic..."
...
In a corner of the common room, the Golden Trio was having a heated argument.
"Harry, I think you should tell Dumbledore or Professor Hep about your ability as a Parseltongue."
"No way", Ron replied without hesitation.
"Ron! You don't understand the seriousness of the situation", Hermione said angrily, glaring at him.
Ron lowered his head and whispered, "Harry, I mean, don't reveal this secret publicly. If you expose yourself as a Parseltongue, you'll be finished. You'll be labeled as the Heir of Slytherin for sure."
"We can tell Headmaster Dumbledore and ask him to keep it confidential", Hermione argued.
Harry rubbed his forehead. "But that wouldn't make much of a difference, would it? You know I'm not the one who opened the Chamber, which means there's another Parseltongue hidden in the school."
"If I expose myself, he'll just go deeper underground."
Harry didn't want to reveal his secret. Apart from the bad reputation associated with Parseltongues, there was a hidden resistance in his heart. During his first-year Sorting, the Sorting Hat had strongly suggested he be placed in Slytherin House.
What did that mean?
Did the Sorting Hat see something in him?
Harry told Hermione, "Besides, we can't even be certain that the monster is a snake, right? Maybe what I heard that day was just the murmur of a passing snake. Professor Hep acknowledged this. You've been researching in the Library for days, but you haven't found any corresponding snake species, have you?"
Hermione had no response. The closest match in her findings was a creature called a Basilisk, whose gaze was lethal, but it couldn't cause petrification.
Ron finally tried to smooth things over. "We should focus on brewing the Polyjuice Potion and then confront Malfoy."
"And that house-elf, Dobby, is quite peculiar too."
...
In the new week, Felix not only calmed the young wizards in class but also gave a special warning. "Don't trust any talking magical objects unless you can see where their brains are hidden."
"Professor, are you talking about the Sorting Hat?" one of the twins, Fred, asked.
"No, it has stood the test of a thousand years, and we can trust it", Felix said seriously. "But other things, like those you might find in the Library's restricted section or in the old broom closets, if you can talk to them, you should be wary."
"They could be extremely dangerous dark magical artifacts."
"I could give you hundreds of examples..."
For the rest of the class, Felix used real cases from around the world to scare the unreliable young wizards. From their expressions, it was clear he had achieved his goal.
By evening, when the twins recounted the stories to everyone, the audience was captivated.
"I never realized Professor Hep was so knowledgeable", Fred and George Weasley said as they approached Ron in the common room.
Ron winked and gestured to Ginny, who looked dejected. "Ginny, I have more stories to tell. If you want to hear them, I—"
"No thanks!" Ginny said curtly.
The twins exchanged a glance and began to exaggerate their performance, mimicking a poor soul who found a dark magic book and ended up with his eyes glued to it.
Ginny shuddered all over.
"Alright, stop scaring Ginny", Hermione said, taking the young girl's hand. "The Professor will protect us, as long as we don't get too curious..."
Ginny nodded.
The next day at lunch, Ginny sneaked a peek, then slipped away from the group to a secluded spot. She pulled out a black notebook from her bag and threw it with all her might.
After Potions class in the afternoon, the Golden Trio secretly made their way to the abandoned bathroom to brew the Polyjuice Potion.
"So far, everything is going well", Hermione said, checking the potion's color with a smile.
"Wait", Harry said, looking at a corner of the bathroom. Something seemed to be there, but it was too dark to see clearly.
Just as he was about to move closer, he heard footsteps outside the door.
The three of them exchanged frightened glances. "Who's there?" Harry called out.
The footsteps quickly ran away.
Harry gritted his teeth, opened the door, and chased after them. After a while, he returned.
"It was Malfoy!" he said through clenched teeth. "He must have been following us."
"Did he see anything?"
"It's unclear."
"But this place isn't safe anymore."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione agreed to change locations. This time, they chose an abandoned classroom in the dungeons.
"It's very secluded", Ron said.
The three were satisfied with their new spot.
By evening, a young wizard sneaked to the place where Harry and his friends had been brewing the potion. After a moment of hesitation, he entered the girls' bathroom.
A short while later, he emerged and quickly left, something hidden in his robes.
...
(End of Chapter)
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