Chapter 74: Coercion
Chapter 74: Coercion
On a Christmas night, the clamor of the day had faded into silence, and the darkness enveloped Hogwarts Castle like a curtain.
In the Ancient Runes office, Felix habitually opened the diary to converse with the young Dark Lord inside.
Over the past two days, he had tried to steer the conversation towards Salazar Slytherin, but the topic was always deflected.
Tonight, Felix decided to adopt a different strategy. He needed to carefully set a trap, guiding the young Dark Lord into it.
To this end, he had revisited several psychology books.
"Something quite sensational happened today", Felix wrote.
"What is it?" the diary asked with keen interest. He had been quite frustrated lately, as the shrewd professor always locked him away after each conversation, cutting him off from any outside information.
"The attack in the Chamber of Secrets has been reported, and people are buzzing with talk. Some are even suggesting the dissolution of Slytherin House and the revocation of all honors bestowed upon Salazar Slytherin."
Felix felt like a spider meticulously weaving its web.
The diary immediately displayed a series of hastily scribbled, sprawling letters: "What a ridiculous notion, utterly absurd! Who is behind this? Albus Dumbledore, perhaps? He has always harbored a bias against wizards of Slytherin descent."
Felix curled his lips into a mischievous smile and wrote: "Not him, it's a woman named Rita Skeeter, known for spreading rumors about celebrities."
The name "Rita Skeeter" flashed on the diary, looking messy and menacing—almost as if he was determined to remember it.
Inside the diary, the young Tom Riddle was genuinely infuriated. He couldn't help but wonder if the current magical world had become so corrupt.
After a long pause, the diary pursued, "And then? The Ministry of Magic would never agree to such a preposterous proposal!"
"Of course not, but the incident has sparked widespread discussion at Hogwarts. Many young wizards now have a highly negative view of Salazar Slytherin."
The diary couldn't help but write, "Salazar Slytherin was the greatest of the four founders! Yet, his descendants have unfairly judged him based on superficial appearances, striving to tarnish his name!"
Felix recalled the massive face inside the Chamber of Secrets: an old, monkey-like face with a sparse, long beard that almost reached the hem of his robes.
After all, that face was carved by Slytherin himself, and it wasn't impossible that he had embellished it to some extent.
Felix found it hard to imagine what the real Slytherin looked like, especially given the constant presence of long-tongued snakes around him.
He responded "objectively", "This is quite telling. People often reject what they don't understand, much like how they view Slytherin's Parseltongue."
"I couldn't agree more, Felix Hep. Your insight is quite profound", the diary praised.
Felix modestly explained, "I've read part of Rowena Ravenclaw's manuscript. Even through her brief descriptions, one can imagine the grand era they lived in." He wrote reflectively, "The four most talented wizards and witches came together to usher in a new era in the magical world."
The diary agreed, "Indeed, it is a history worth remembering." His tone softened.
But then, Felix deliberately commented, "I just don't understand why Salazar Slytherin suddenly fell out with the other three. Was it really a difference in ideology? After all, the pure-blood ideology wasn't popular back then."
"Moreover, he secretly built the Chamber of Secrets and left a terrifying monster inside. I believe—" Felix wrote, word by word, "he was destroying his own creation, a typical act of a dark wizard."
In the diary, Tom Riddle couldn't help but counter, "Perhaps his Chamber of Secrets wasn't meant to purge Muggle-born wizards."
"Then what, Tom? I must remind you, many of Slytherin's studies were bloody and cruel, which shaped his character."
Tom Riddle continued to argue, "But he also unveiled the truth for those who came after him. Look at his subjects of study: goblins, giants, dwarves, centaurs... His findings were enough to elevate the wizarding community to the pinnacle of power! And for such a minor cost."
"Tom, are you a fanatical admirer of his?" Felix wrote.
"No, of course not... I just partially agree with his ideas. Wizards and humanoid creatures are different concepts, right?" The diary tried to make its tone more objective, "Moreover, any judgment that ignores the historical context is false and foolish. The moral standards of wizards in that era were entirely different from today's."
"You make a good point", Felix wrote, "However, from what I understand, these precious magical texts have not been passed down, so their 'greatness' is still in question."
"That is indeed the 'greatest' achievement", the young Dark Lord in the diary was clearly getting excited, trying to convince Felix.
"How do you know?" Felix smiled, confident of his victory.
"I'm just guessing..."
"Don't lie to me, Tom! Your knowledge of Salazar Slytherin exceeds my expectations, and your defense of him is too protective." Felix began to close in. "This makes me suspect that it was you who opened the Chamber of Secrets. You are the true heir of Slytherin!"
He wrote each word with such force that it seemed to cut through the paper, "I need an explanation, or I will have to turn you over to Albus Dumbledore."
In the diary, Tom Riddle was extremely tense. He hated the feeling of being seen through.
After a long silence, a line of text appeared in the diary, "Is that what you think? You believe I'm lying to you? I thought—our friendship was solid."
Felix wrote calmly, "That's why I gave you a chance to explain."
From the perspective of the Dark Lord, as long as he didn't reveal the truth about the Horcrux, there was room for negotiation.
The diary quickly scribbled back, "Of course not, I'm a Muggle-born, remember? I have no connection to Salazar Slytherin."
Felix remained silent, not writing a word, gradually increasing the pressure.
The Tom Riddle in the diary couldn't hold out any longer. He wrote again, "But... I have to admit that I did encounter something extraordinary during my school years, yes, I gained some advanced magical knowledge."
"From Salazar Slytherin?" Felix held his breath and asked.
"—I suspect so." The diary replied briefly.
"Tell me, Tom, where did you put it?"
The diary fell silent, the young Dark Lord was in a dilemma. He wanted to refuse, but this professor was too perceptive. He was cornered, and if he denied it, he would be seen as the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets—though he indeed was.
He hated his helplessness more and more, desperately wanting to escape this predicament, which was driving his proud self to the brink of madness.
But soon, he replied in a polite and calm tone, "It was fifty years ago, I found a rather magical room on the eighth floor of the castle..."
This chapter is a dialogue between the protagonist and Tom Riddle, filled with deception and lies. If you're interested, you can try to find them.
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(End of Chapter)
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