Chapter 564: Albert's Analysis is Fierce as a Tiger
Chapter 564: Albert's Analysis is Fierce as a Tiger
The next day, in the Great Hall, students were abuzz with gossip about Madam Loris' attack, and some even suspected that Harry Potter was the mysterious heir of Slytherin.
However, most of the Slytherin students scoffed at this idea, believing that the heir of Slytherin would never be someone like Harry Potter.
Even Albert's analysis from the previous night in the Gryffindor common room had started to spread around the school. Some believed it, but many dismissed it as nonsense.
On the other hand, all the copies of "Hogwarts, A History" in the school library had been borrowed, and there was already a waitlist for the book that went as far as two weeks.
It turned out that the legend of the Chamber of Secrets did exist within Hogwarts Castle, and the attacker of Madam Loris was most likely the monster within the Slytherin Chamber. The target of this monster was probably the Muggle-born wizards in the school, which aligned with Salazar Slytherin's noble cause.
In any case, rumors were flying around the school, and the Muggle-born wizards who knew Albert began to feel uneasy.
They had all heard about Albert's prophetic abilities, and whatever he said, good or bad, tended to come true.
Students started sticking together in groups, afraid that they would become targets if they were alone.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron felt uneasy about this. They had been present at the scene the night before, and Harry had heard some sounds that others couldn't. So, early in the morning, Hermione approached Albert to discuss the matter. In her opinion, Albert was more reliable and knowledgeable than Harry and Ron, and he might know something useful.
"Dumbledore said Madam Loris wasn't dead, just petrified," Hermione briefly explained what had happened after they were brought to Lockhart's office the night before.
"Petrified?" Albert asked. "Can't Dumbledore lift the petrification on Madam Loris directly?"
"No," Hermione replied. "Dumbledore said we need to wait for the Mandrake root to mature and make a potion to reverse the petrification."
"A strong restorative potion," Albert couldn't help but smack his lips. He knew that Dumbledore could easily purchase such a potion from outside Hogwarts, and with the headmaster's connections, it was unlikely that he couldn't get his hands on it. Even Albert had prepared a few bottles of the restorative potion for himself.
Albert didn't believe that Dumbledore hadn't thought of this or was trying to save some money. The fact that they weren't using the restorative potion to wake up the petrified person later on was suspicious.
After all, by using the restorative potion to wake up the petrified student, they could at least gain some information. Albert couldn't think of a valid reason not to do so.
However, Dumbledore chose to wait for the Mandrake root to mature instead. This delay must be intentional.
Perhaps, Headmaster Dumbledore wanted to use this opportunity to force the heir of Slytherin out of hiding and locate the legendary Chamber of Secrets to eradicate this hidden danger once and for all.
Otherwise, Albert didn't think waiting for the Mandrake root to mature was a good idea. After all, it would take at least half a year for the root to be ready.
It was understandable if it was just a cat that was petrified, but the student with the camera as well? If they could wake that person up, they would surely learn that the monster in the Chamber was a Basilisk.
"What's wrong?" Hermione noticed Albert's distraction and asked, "Have you discovered something?"
Several students gathered around, eager to listen to Albert's analysis, even if it sounded like boasting to some extent. Their curiosity got the better of them.
"It seems to be a very advanced form of Dark Magic that caused Madam Loris to be petrified," Albert said absentmindedly.
"Do you think it was the heir of Slytherin who petrified Madam Loris?"
"I don't think it was the heir," Albert shared his analysis. "Ordinary students wouldn't be able to achieve this. Using advanced Dark Magic requires a strong magical power to support it; otherwise, the spell won't be effective, and it might even result in a failed casting."
"Dumbledore said something similar," Ron chimed in from somewhere in the crowd, nodding. "The headmaster believes that ordinary students couldn't have done this."
"So, if it wasn't the heir, it must have been the monster in the Chamber," Albert continued. "As far as I know, Medusa from Greek mythology could do this. Yes, the Gorgon with snakes for hair."
"As we all know, there are no Medusas in the wizarding world," a student who couldn't stand Albert's tone interjected sarcastically.
Ignoring the comment, Albert went on, "In my understanding, no magical or dark creature could turn a cat into stone. But I'm inclined to believe that it was indeed some kind of monster that did this, and this monster has a close connection to Slytherin."
"Why do you think it wasn't the heir of Slytherin?"
Angelina, who had just joined the group, couldn't help but ask, "Why do you think a student doesn't have such ability?" She wasn't a Muggle-born wizard, so she wasn't as worried about being attacked, but she was curious about Albert's analysis.
"Students probably don't have that kind of capability," Albert glanced at the anxious Ginny Weasley and continued, "Professor Snape might be capable, as he is the wizard in the school who has the deepest knowledge of Dark Magic. However, the likelihood of that is slim."
"Why?"
"Use your brain. Professor Snape was present at the Great Hall during the Halloween feast."
"So, it's suspicious that you and those who didn't attend the Halloween feast in the Great Hall are suspects."
As he spoke, Albert turned his gaze to Hermione, but it was obvious that it couldn't have been them. Since there should only be one heir, and the three of them were together at that time.
"If the Chamber of Secrets truly exists, why hasn't anyone discovered it in a thousand years?" This question came from Kenneth Towle, who had approached Albert to discuss a potential collaboration on selling protective charms.
"The heir of Slytherin must have discovered it. There must have been more than one heir over the centuries, and they've just been helping to keep the entrance hidden," Albert pointed out. "Otherwise, it's impossible that the Chamber hasn't been found, considering that the school has undergone several renovations over the years."
"It feels like all the other professors combined are less reliable than Albert."
"They're just trying to avoid causing panic," Albert shook his head. "I believe they're secretly investigating as well. After all, the castle is not that big, but it's not that small either. Finding a hidden chamber wouldn't be easy, or else there wouldn't be a so-called Chamber of Secrets legend, would there?"
"Have you discovered something?"
"I've vaguely grasped some clues, but I need more information." Albert looked at Hermione and asked, "Are there any other secrets?"
"It's about what I told you last time," Hermione replied vaguely. She didn't mention that Harry had heard the voice again because, in the wizarding world, hearing voices that others couldn't was not a good sign.
"Okay, I understand." Albert stood up and started walking towards the castle entrance.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to find Hagrid. Maybe he knows of some monster that could have petrified Madam Loris. After all, he's quite knowledgeable about those creatures," Albert made up an excuse as he had already thought of a way to explain to Dumbledore how he knew that the monster in the Chamber was a Basilisk.
(End of Chapter)
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