Chapter 266
The Girl's Name is Myrtle
Chapter 266 The Girl's Name is Myrtle
In the first week of June, when the sun is at its brightest, the final exams arrived as scheduled.
History of Magic, Spells, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbs, Astronomy...
As exams passed one after another, the campus was filled with a tense yet happy atmosphere. Most students were in a good mood because they felt they could get very good grades.
The students have been well trained in this year's "game" and according to the professors, they are much better than last year.
But some people looked miserable - students paid more attention to practice than theory, and astronomy and history of magic, which relied entirely on memorization, were still the hardest hit areas in the exams.
"I really wish they would take away History of Magic."
Michael complained, "What's the point of knowing the year the crucible was invented? I just want to know which one is good to use!"
"Which brand of crucible is the best?" Neville asked hurriedly: "I, I also want to buy one..."
Even with the tutoring of Wade and others, Neville's performance in Potions class was still very poor. Everyone thought it was because Neville was too nervous.
But this cannot be blamed on Neville's poor psychological quality. Professor Snape did often target him and speak harshly to him.
It can be said that the fact that Neville has not deserted so far has surprised everyone, and we really can't ask for more.
When he was not in front of Professor Snape, he could actually gradually brew a pot of qualified potion.
It's just far from excellent.
As the saying goes, poor students have more stationery. Neville seemed to be hoping to use some external factors to improve his potion performance, so he was keen on buying a better cauldron.
But Michael just shrugged and said, "Neville, of course the expensive ones are better!"
Neville: "..."
He rolled his eyes, turned his head and asked, "Where is Vader?"
"He had something to see Professor Dumbledore about, so he handed in the paper and left early," Michael said.
The others didn't think much of it, as they were used to Wade always getting involved in adult affairs.
……
Principal's office.
From the silver pot-shaped container, streams of white mist gushed out, and an ancient portrait hanging on the wall also opened its eyes.
Dumbledore looked very serious.
Before he could speak, Phineas Black on the wall spoke first.
"Oh, that's ridiculous! I've never heard of anything like this before!"
"Slytherin, one of the founders, left a basilisk in the school? This is unbelievable! What could he do with the basilisk? Kill all the people in Hogwarts? Don't forget that we Slytherins are also part of Hogwarts!"
"Ridiculous! This is ridiculous!"
"A basilisk's gaze can kill people! If there really is a basilisk wandering around in the school, then the bones of the people who died in the school over the past thousand years would be enough to fill up the Black Lake!"
Vader turned a deaf ear to his words, looked at Dumbledore and said:
"So I need to borrow your Fox to help. As far as I know, the Phoenix is immune to the magical power of the basilisk's gaze, and its tears can also cure most toxins. It is the only magical being that can restrain the basilisk."
The golden-red bird appeared from nowhere and landed on Dumbledore's shoulder, tilting its head to look at the student who was targeting him.
Wade smiled at it and said, "I would like to ask Fox to peck out the eyes of the basilisk first, so that we can face it with confidence - of course, this is just a personal request. If Fox is unwilling, we can think of other ways."
Fox gave a low cry.
Dumbledore smiled. "I think that means yes."
Fawkes nodded carefully. "Thank you very much, Fawkes." Wade said, "Then the date will be June 6, the second day of the Quidditch match. I will notify the relevant personnel, and they can choose whether to participate voluntarily."
"Very good," said Dumbledore. "Those who participate need to understand in advance what they are facing."
Fox also nodded affirmatively.
That serious little look, as if it was the headmaster of Hogwarts, and the white-bearded old man under its feet was just a mount.
Vader couldn't help but smile and said, "Of course."
……
"Do you really believe him?"
Phineas was very dissatisfied: "Dumbledore, don't be swayed by a mere student! I admit that he is a little smart, but you are the headmaster of this school!"
The old principals in the portraits nearby also nodded silently, and someone else muttered, "Luckily I died early... Kids nowadays have less and less respect for the elderly!"
Dumbledore smiled.
"Phineas, Armando, I don't need the children to be respectful to me in a formal manner. Being able to talk to me as an equal and provide some small help to the young people is my favorite state."
Armando Dippet muttered something, his eyes half closed, as if he had fallen asleep again.
When he was alive, he also had an outstanding student who was smart, handsome and respected him very much.
Later...that student became the Dark Lord that the wizarding world feared.
Phineas asked, "So you really believe him? You believe there's a basilisk hiding in the school that no one has ever seen?"
"Why don't you believe it? That kid won't say anything he's not sure of."
Dumbledore picked and chose from the plate and finally chose a mango biscuit covered with thick cream.
"Even if there is...even if there really is..."
Phineas turned around in the portrait and said unwillingly, "That was also left by Slytherin. Do you understand? That is the precious legacy of the founder! How can we let a few people deal with it casually?! Maybe it is the last thing Slytherin left for the world."
Slytherin Relics...
Dumbledore suddenly lost himself in thought.
He remembered the black ring he had seen from someone's memory; he remembered the unique patterns on it and the legend he had chased after in his youth.
After a long silence, Dumbledore heard Phineas continue to talk:
"...It hasn't attacked anyone for over a thousand years. Even if it has, it should be safe! Why not give it a chance? Let it stay safe and sound..."
"It is not as if it has not happened," said Dumbledore.
"What?" asked Phineas.
"Fifty years ago, a student died." Dumbledore said, "Remember? Her name was Myrtle, and she was only fourteen years old."
Phineas was silent.
"It's true that the basilisk has been quiet for over a thousand years, but I can understand why Vader felt the need to get rid of it."
Dumbledore continued, "Because someone who is capable of controlling it has appeared... Tom Riddle, a descendant of Slytherin, also has the gift of Parseltongue. The Basilisk may be controlled by Voldemort at any time and turned into a weapon to attack us."
After a long time, another headmaster, Dalis, asked: "Dumbledore, what about the safety of the students? Even without the power of the eyes, the basilisk is not something that ordinary little wizards can deal with."
"Oh, don't worry about that. I will be there that day." Dumbledore said, "What I am really worried about is something else."
But this time, no matter how others asked, Dumbledore would not explain.
(End of this chapter)