When Hermione brought the thoughtful Harry and the reluctant Ronald into the small classroom, what she saw took her by surprise—but only slightly. Malfoy and Neville were lying on the ground. Hermione, unsurprisingly, knew they were practicing a spell. However, it was the first time Harry and Ronald had seen the two of them like this, and it gave them their first real sense of what Hermione meant by "practicing a spell."
Seeing a few people enter, Solim waved his wand. Neville was freed from the petrifying spell, and Draco released from the binding spell.
"I guess it's time for you to come as well," Solim said. He had anticipated Hermione would approach him. Harry would certainly tell Ronald and Hermione what happened in the Forbidden Forest once he returned, and knowing Hermione's temperament, she would insist on confronting him herself.
Once through the door, Hermione walked directly toward Solim. "Solim, Draco must have told you what happened in the Forbidden Forest last night, right?"
"That's right." With a wave of his wand, the chairs, previously tidied, floated over and landed beside them. "Sit down. Now, tell me, why have you come this time?" Solim gestured toward the seats.
"We need your help," Hermione began, her tone steady. "Harry believes the shadow he saw last night was Voldemort…"
The effect of this statement was immediate.
Neville slid off his stool in fright, while Draco's face burned red with anger. Among Voldemort's followers, calling the Dark Lord by his first name was considered a grave offense. Draco, it seemed, had become one of his admirers—or at least, he was trying to.
Ronald, meanwhile, trembled slightly. He had heard Harry whisper Voldemort's name countless times and had grown wary of it.
"Before I respond, Hermione, I have some advice for you," Solim said, shifting his gaze to Harry. "Especially you, Harry."
"Everyone knows the name of the Dark Lord, but how many dare to speak it? 'Voldemort' is not a name you can say casually."
"Neville! Sit still!" Solim snapped as Neville began to wobble dangerously.
"But Dumbledore calls him by his name!" Harry retorted, almost instinctively.
"Ah, Dumbledore. Yes, many powerful wizards do not shy away from saying it. But tell me, do you all count as powerful?"
Solim knew the consequences that could arise if a great wizard cursed someone through the invocation of their name. He decided to explain it carefully to the young wizards before him.
"People avoid saying his name, not because of the word itself, but because of the consequences tied to speaking it," Solim continued, eyes serious. "The only ones who can safely say it are either powerful wizards capable of temporarily blocking the magic, or Muggles, whose words carry no weight in the magical sense. Otherwise, saying Voldemort's name can be dangerous, even deadly."
Outside Hogwarts, the wizarding world was still haunted by Voldemort's shadow. No one dared speak his name openly. If they had to refer to him, terms like "the mysterious man" or "that person" were preferred. Death Eaters would target anyone who mentioned him directly. Many young wizards had learned this lesson through terrifying personal experiences, some even losing family members.
"If you speak his name within the borders of the wizarding world," Solim continued, "you may find the Dark Mark hovering above your home by nightfall—provided the Death Eaters have not already killed you. Even though Voldemort is weakened and only a handful of his followers remain active, no one knows for sure whether he can still sense his name being spoken."
Though ten years had passed since Voldemort's disappearance, fear still lingered in the hearts of wizards. Many believed he could return at any moment, and his devoted followers, the Death Eaters, maintained their loyalty despite his apparent downfall.
"The Death Eaters were divided after his collapse," Solim said. "Some, like the Lestranges, were determined to find him and aid in his resurrection. Others, however, wanted to sever ties immediately, hoping to avoid the consequences of being linked to him. Even now, those who survived know the truth: Voldemort may be weakened, but he is far from gone."
Draco's eyes glinted with excitement at the mention of Voldemort. Harry noticed the shift immediately: the boy who had once seemed petty and spoiled now had the unwavering devotion of a fan. Meanwhile, Ronald's distrust was evident; he glared at Draco, unwilling to believe in the sincerity of his admiration.
"The reason for these divisions among the Death Eaters is simple," Solim explained. "Some joined out of genuine loyalty to Voldemort, while others, like Malfoy, were compelled by circumstances—to protect their families or to maintain social status. It's a distinction you must understand. Not everyone acts with the same intentions."
Harry's mind raced. He recalled the tales of Voldemort's cruelty, the terror that had haunted the wizarding community, and the people who had suffered under his reign. Now, to have Draco—an emblem of that old system—standing here before him was unsettling.
"In Hogwarts," Solim said firmly, "you may say his name without immediate risk, but outside these walls, caution is essential. The consequences are not trivial. I warn you, do not take them lightly."
Ronald, however, was not convinced. "Don't think you can fool us with your warnings! His father is a Death Eater, and now they're planning to resurrect him with the Philosopher's Stone. How do we know you're not part of the same group?"
Harry opened his mouth to speak but fell silent, realizing the weight of Ronald's words. The Malfoys had indeed survived by claiming the Imperius Curse and bribing the Ministry. Trust was not easily given.
Draco, sensing the accusation, leapt to his feet, wand drawn. "Weasley! Do you want to duel me?"
"Okay, okay, sit down first," Solim said calmly, guiding Draco back to his chair. Then he turned his gaze to Harry and Ronald. "I did not ask you to trust me. You came seeking help, did you not, Hermione?"
Hermione nodded, ready to speak, but Solim continued: "And Weasley, do not make careless remarks toward Malfoy. Your family has fared well, thanks to your fortune and position. Keep that in mind when you speak. Ignorance and pride will get you nowhere."
Harry, Hermione, and Ronald exchanged uneasy glances. The lessons Solim imparted were more than about spells—they were about understanding the delicate, dangerous balance in the wizarding world.
Solim leaned back, expressionless. "Now that we understand the risks, we can discuss what must be done. But remember this: knowledge is power, and caution is survival. In the shadow of someone like Voldemort, the two are inseparable. Be mindful of both."
The classroom fell silent. Neville, Draco, Harry, Hermione, and Ronald all absorbed the weight of the words. Each of them, in their own way, realized that facing Voldemort—or even speaking his name—was not just an act of courage, but a test of understanding, wisdom, and restraint.
And in that quiet, tense room, the young wizards understood that their journey had grown even more perilous. They had entered a world where fear and respect were intertwined, where alliances were complicated, and where every word uttered could ripple into consequences far greater than they could imagine.
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