Chapter 154: Lockhart's wand
Seeing Xiao Deng's suspicious look, Dumbledore spread his hands.
"This is just a legend about Slytherin, and no one knows if it's even true."
"If it were true, Hogwarts should have been purged decades ago."
"Instead of just dying..."
Dumbledore paused there, but Xiao Deng continued for him.
"Instead of just one female student dying, right?"
Dumbledore stared at Xiao Deng with wide eyes.
"You know?"
Xiao Deng mimicked Dumbledore's gesture, though he was actually just bluffing Dumbledore.
"Just a tiny bit more than you'd imagine."
"I feel like this semester has been too busy; there's basically never a moment to stop."
"Back to the point."
"Now, we still need to strengthen the management aspect."
"It just so happens that tonight is the Halloween feast."
"I assume you wouldn't want any problems to arise during the feast."
Dumbledore nodded.
The Halloween feast was an important holiday, and there couldn't be any issues during the banquet.
"I will specifically instruct the other Professors."
When looking at Xiao Deng, Dumbledore couldn't help but feel a wave of guilt.
Just as Xiao Deng said, he was still a young Wizard, at an age where he should be playing happily.
Yet he was constantly being dragged into the problems at Hogwarts.
But it just so happened that every time, it was Xiao Deng who brought useful information and solutions.
This child had truly worked hard!
Xiao Deng didn't know that his offhand remark had triggered a surge of internal monologue in Dumbledore.
"If you're going to notify the Professors, then I'll be off."
Dumbledore nodded kindly to indicate he could leave.
Dumbledore still hoped that Xiao Deng could have a good time tonight and find his childlike side again.
Xiao Deng had nothing else to do, so he went to the second floor to find Myrtle.
"Myrtle, are you there?"
Myrtle poked her head out of a pipe.
"You didn't bring that notebook today, did you?"
Xiao Deng narrowed his eyes and leaned against the wall.
"No, I didn't."
As soon as he finished speaking, Myrtle shrieked and sat on top of Xiao Deng's head.
"Why are you afraid of that notebook?"
"I don't know, I can't remember clearly."
"But the aura of that notebook makes me feel a bit afraid."
It wasn't hard to tell from Dumbledore's tone that the person who died back then was indeed a girl.
And thinking of Myrtle's reaction, that person was likely her.
Xiao Deng took a deep breath; what a coincidence!
Xiao Deng's eyes swept over the floor of the bathroom, and he inadvertently discovered something.
Xiao Deng walked over and picked the object up from the shadows.
It was a wand, a very well-maintained wand.
It was gaudy!
Xiao Deng recognized this wand and had a deep impression of it, because he had dueled its owner more than once.
But how could Lockhart's wand appear here?
This didn't fit Lockhart's style.
Lockhart was a show-off, basically hanging around wherever there were many people.
Then bragging about his skills to make everyone think he was amazing, thereby satisfying his inner vanity.
But the second-floor bathroom had long been abandoned.
Someone like him, who kept his clothes spotlessly clean and even folded them before dueling, shouldn't have come here.
But...
Lockhart had held Tom, and had learned Spells from Tom.
It was inevitable that Tom might not be able to resist taking action during this time, trying to find a way to control Lockhart.
Subsequently, Lockhart discovered his abnormal state and the problem with the notebook.
What if during this period, Tom really did control Lockhart?
Then would he have gone to open the Chamber of Secrets to inherit the so-called title of Slytherin's heir?
However, Lockhart's previous house didn't seem to be Slytherin.
No matter how you looked at it, it was a bit jarring; where exactly was the problem?
"Myrtle, has anyone been here recently?"
Myrtle covered Xiao Deng's eyes with her skirt.
"Before you left with that notebook, a man came."
"He was dressed properly, very much like a gentleman."
"After seeing that notebook, I felt scared and didn't dare stay here."
"Then I ran to the Black Lake to play; I really don't know if anyone came after that."
The feast was tonight; there had to be an explanation for this as soon as possible.
"Myrtle, I have things to do; I'll come find you next time."
Myrtle pouted: "Hateful!"
"You're leaving not long after arriving!"
Xiao Deng also sighed.
"I can't help it, it's urgent!"
"If you're lonely by yourself, remember to trim your nails."
Myrtle froze, then reacted and shrieked loudly.
"Get lost!"
Xiao Deng ran away in a flash.
Myrtle looked at the fleeing Xiao Deng with some dissatisfaction.
"Making fun of me!"
"I don't even have a body, what's the use of trimming nails?"
"Annoying!"
Myrtle spun in the air and then dived into the faucet.
Xiao Deng, carrying the wand, stepped into Dumbledore's office once again.
But this time, Snape and Professor McGonagall were standing in Dumbledore's office.
The first moment Professor McGonagall saw Xiao Deng, she couldn't help but cover her forehead.
"Xiao Deng, you usually don't bring good news when you come to the office."
Watching Professor McGonagall's headache, Snape's mouth twitched, looking somewhat amused.
"Hello, Professors!"
Immediately, Xiao Deng walked to Dumbledore's desk and placed the wand on it.
The three of them looked at each other and recognized the wand.
After all, there weren't many wands that participated in public duels at Hogwarts.
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but ask Xiao Deng:
"How did Professor Lockhart's wand end up with you?"
Xiao Deng didn't speak; he raised his hand and cast a shielding magic from his wand.
Dumbledore and Snape were not surprised at all, knowing that Xiao Deng was about to talk about top-secret matters.
Both of them started casting Spells, while only Professor McGonagall stared at the three of them blankly.
Why were they so practiced and so in sync?
What exactly had these three been doing behind her back?
But Professor McGonagall didn't bring it up at this moment and silently cast a shielding magic as well.
"This wand is Lockhart's; there is no doubt about that."
"What's important is where it appeared."
"It appeared in the second-floor bathroom!"
"I discovered it while wandering around."
Professor McGonagall was a bit puzzled.
"The second-floor bathroom has been abandoned for many years; what was he doing there?"
"And he even lost his wand; this doesn't align with a Wizard's instincts."
Xiao Deng nodded.
"As everyone knows, a wand is a Wizard's lifeline."
"The first thing to lose would never be a wand."
"But it just happened to be in the second-floor bathroom."
Snape picked up Lockhart's wand.
"What is his purpose?"
"Or... what does he want to do?"
Xiao Deng found a stool and sat down.
"Professors, do you remember Ginny's situation?"
"Is it possible that Lockhart didn't want to go to the second-floor bathroom himself?"
Chapter 155: Professor McGonagall Explodes
Dumbledore leaned forward visibly.
"The situation you're describing is not impossible!"
Xiao Deng spread his hands.
"What did I say?"
Professor McGonagall tapped the table surface with her wand.
"So what are you two talking about?"
Xiao Deng curled the corner of his mouth. Headmaster Dumbledore, are you prepared to get scolded?
Xiao Deng pretended to just realize and looked at Professor McGonagall.
"Oh, Merlin's blooming socks, didn't Professor Dumbledore tell you, Professor McGonagall?"
Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore, then at Xiao Deng, confused, and shook her head.
Dumbledore's expression changed, but he could no longer salvage the situation.
Xiao Deng cleared his throat.
"In that case, let me explain it to Professor McGonagall."
"You know about the incident with Professor Quirrell; we were all witnesses to it previously."
"He was manipulated by You-Know-Who into doing wrong."
"But You-Know-Who was not reconciled."
"Through some unknown means, he sent a piece of Dark Arts object into Hogwarts."
"This Dark Arts object was a black notebook."
"It first controlled Ginny Weasley, which I discovered. To keep a low profile and develop, it had to escape."
"Then, I was entrusted by the Headmaster to do my best to monitor the students' movements."
"But I didn't expect that this notebook would then latch onto Professor Lockhart."
"Professor Lockhart constantly challenging me to a duel was half due to being bewitched by the notebook."
"The lethal Spells he used were also taught by this notebook."
"I had vaguely felt something was wrong before."
Dumbledore couldn't help but shout: "Xiao Deng!"
Professor McGonagall immediately stopped him.
"Albus, be quiet."
"Xiao Deng, continue. Let me see what else is being hidden from me!"
Xiao Deng glanced at Dumbledore with feigned "worry," and continued with a wronged expression:
"But I was too busy. Professor McGonagall, it's all my fault for not discovering it in time."
"That's why Professor Lockhart was bewitched."
"But rest assured, Professor Lockhart is an expert regarding memory; he discovered his own problem in time."
"He immediately used Obliviate on this Dark Arts object."
"The Dark Arts object actually had sentience, but now it doesn't remember anything."
Xiao Deng pointed at Lockhart's wand on the table.
"I was wandering around today and found it in the second-floor bathroom."
"So I suspect that Professor Lockhart might have been, or perhaps still is, controlled by the magic of a notebook that hasn't lost its memory."
"You know the rest; Fudge came to find us because the Chamber of Secrets was opened."
Hearing this, Professor McGonagall's anger reached its peak.
"Al! bus!"
"You need to give me an explanation!"
"As Deputy Headmistress, I didn't know anything about these matters!"
"Xiao Deng is still a child, and you actually let him put himself in danger!"
"Are you still a Headmaster?"
"Huh? Answer me!"
...
Xiao Deng stood to the side, watching Professor McGonagall vent her anger at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore sat on his chair, head bowed, saying nothing.
Snape and Xiao Deng exchanged a look.
Hmm! Very happy! Dumbledore got yelled at!
"Oh, we were truly derelict in our duties, watching Lockhart get controlled and duel with Xiao Deng."
"If anything had happened to Xiao Deng, my conscience would never be at peace!"
Professor McGonagall scolded Dumbledore for half an hour before she started self-reflecting.
"Albus, let me see that Dark Arts object."
Dumbledore hesitated, then looked at Xiao Deng.
"Why are you looking at Xiao Deng? Take it out!"
Only then did Dumbledore say in a low voice:
"That thing is in Xiao Deng's hands."
"What?"
Professor McGonagall's voice rang out through Dumbledore's office again.
"You actually left such a dangerous object in the hands of a young Wizard?"
"I'll deal with your issue later."
She turned her head and saw Xiao Deng looking aggrieved, then glared back at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore subconsciously leaned back.
Professor McGonagall's voice softened.
"Xiao Deng, take that object out and let me see it."
Xiao Deng reached into his Wizard robe pocket and took the notebook out from his space ring.
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
"You turned your pocket into an expanded space? Nice creativity!"
Seeing that Professor McGonagall had no intention of pursuing the matter, Xiao Deng breathed a sigh of relief.
"Isn't it supposed to be a black notebook?"
Professor McGonagall frowned, looking at the notebook.
Xiao Deng gave an explanation, and Professor McGonagall finally understood.
She tapped her wand lightly on the notebook, and a wisp of black smoke dissipated.
"Indeed, it is a Dark Arts object."
Dumbledore saw that Professor McGonagall's anger had subsided and then spoke up.
"We have all placed shielding magic on it. Furthermore, this notebook now only recognizes Xiao Deng."
Now it was Professor McGonagall's turn to be confused.
What did it mean by only recognizing Xiao Deng? Did it only want to control Xiao Deng?
Seeing the expression on Professor McGonagall's face, Dumbledore knew she had misunderstood and quickly explained.
"Although it is a Dark Arts object, it has lost all its memory."
"After Lockhart discarded it, the first person it contacted was Xiao Deng."
"Xiao Deng told it that he was its father, and now the notebook is called Gou Dan..."
When saying this, Dumbledore was already struggling to keep from laughing out loud.
Professor McGonagall turned her head with difficulty to look at Xiao Deng.
"Do you get itchy if you don't cause trouble for a single day?"
Seeing Professor McGonagall gnashing her teeth, Dumbledore wanted to laugh.
Just a moment ago, Xiao Deng had been watching him make a fool of himself.
But obviously, Professor McGonagall had more patience for the young Wizard than for Dumbledore.
She just scolded him a little and didn't pursue the matter further.
"However, what does this have to do with Quirrell?"
Xiao Deng didn't wait for Dumbledore to speak and answered first.
"Behind Quirrell, it is the Dark Lord manipulating him; eating the Unicorn was also him."
"And this notebook contains a portion of the Dark Lord's soul and memory."
Professor McGonagall's hand trembled, and the notebook dropped onto the table in front of her.
"This, could it be... a Horcrux?"
The three of them looked at Professor McGonagall in surprise; she actually knew about Horcruxes!
Professor McGonagall looked at their gazes and felt a bit indignant.
"What kind of look is that?"
Dumbledore stepped in to smooth things over:
"Not many people know about Horcruxes; they are secrets of the Wizarding World. It is indeed quite surprising."
Professor McGonagall puffed out her chest, her chin slightly raised.
"When I first entered Hogwarts, I almost wasn't sorted into Gryffindor."
"My grades and strength back then were also outstanding, alright."
"My Professor liked me very much; isn't it normal to know things others don't?"
"It's just, I didn't expect him to have actually made one."
"I always thought this was just a legend, like the legend of Slytherin. After all, I had never seen one."
Dumbledore looked at the notebook on the table and sighed.
"It seems we must prepare ourselves to face trouble."
Just at this moment, Snape finally spoke.
"The feast is about to begin!"
Chapter 156: Accidentally Bumping into Luna
Dumbledore stood up, leaning on the table.
"Alright, let's pause the discussion here for now."
"The feast cannot be stopped."
"I must ask everyone to be a bit more vigilant."
"However, this matter must absolutely not be made public."
"At least, it is not the time yet."
"This would be a major blow to the Wizarding World."
Several people nodded solemnly.
Just as they were about to leave, Xiao Deng looked back at the wand on the table.
With a casual wave of his hand, the wand flew into Xiao Deng's grasp.
Dumbledore saw this, but he did not stop him.
Xiao Deng was a child with his own ideas; he surely had his reasons for doing this.
It would be better to just stand by and see the results.
When Xiao Deng arrived at the Great Hall, many young Wizards had already arrived.
Halloween was as lively as always.
However, when Xiao Deng saw Ron's costume, he felt a flash of green before his eyes.
It was truly green!
He had turned those strips of cloth green and wrapped them around his body.
He had even duped Harry into wearing green strips of cloth wrapped all over his body as well.
They were particularly conspicuous in the crowd!
The others were much the same as last year.
It is worth mentioning that several Slytherin students, led by Malfoy, were dressed as Dementors.
This guy must have overcome his psychological trauma and decided to use Dementors as material.
While the other Professors hadn't noticed yet, Professor McGonagall was the first to turn her head and look at Xiao Deng.
Xiao Deng was completely confused; he hadn't done anything wrong!
Professor McGonagall walked up to Xiao Deng and patted his shoulder.
"Child, you have been wronged!"
"At your age, you shouldn't have to bear these things."
"You didn't even have time to properly prepare a costume."
Xiao Deng just wanted to say it was fine, as he could use Transfiguration.
Snape also walked over slowly.
"I..."
"Allow..."
"You..."
"To dress up as... me!"
This remark caused Professor McGonagall to giggle.
"Severus, you are quite cute like this!"
Snape seemed a bit unaccustomed to Professor McGonagall's praise and turned his head away.
But Xiao Deng didn't intend to let him off the hook.
"Pfft, who would want to turn into you."
Xiao Deng waved his right hand, and the clothes on his body began to transform.
His Wizard robes elongated, and his hair gradually turned into scales.
Snape saw it at a glance—it was a snake.
Only a few people knew the significance of this snake with tacit understanding.
However, Snape felt offended.
With a cold snort, he swished his robes and walked toward the staff table.
Dumbledore laughed.
"You kid, you really have a knack for making Severus angry."
Xiao Deng wiggled—actually, he was walking underneath—and arrived at the Gryffindor long table.
Everyone was shocked!
Ron reached out and touched Xiao Deng's "skin."
"Xiao Deng, how did you do that?"
"This is too realistic, isn't it?"
Before Xiao Deng could speak, Hermione jumped in.
"If your Transfiguration could rival Professor McGonagall's like Xiao Deng's, you could do it too."
Ron said with a bitter face:
"The Know-It-All Young Miss is preaching again."
Seamus leaned over and put his arm around Ron's shoulder.
"Next time, don't rush to speak; let Neville talk first."
Ron's eyes lit up.
"Right, right, right, you're right!"
Neville had already been standing behind the two of them, though they didn't know when he arrived.
"I just have a bad memory, I'm not stupid!"
"Besides, I'm not as dumb as Ron."
Ron:???
The whole table started laughing.
Just at this moment, Malfoy snuck over.
Xiao Deng had already noticed, but he didn't warn them.
Malfoy jumped out suddenly.
"Ah!"
A few of them were startled.
Malfoy made gestures and said:
"Potter, I am a Dementor!"
"I'm here to suck out your happiness. I'm here to rip out your heart."
Harry cooperated well, feigning a fall to the ground.
"Ah! My memories, my heart, my happiness!"
Malfoy got directly on top of Harry and lowered his head.
Xiao Deng looked at the two with a strange expression; why did this look so much like inappropriate content?
He turned his head to look at Hermione, and as luck would have it, Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
Clearly, she knew what Xiao Deng meant.
The things on Xiao Deng's body were too bulky, and he couldn't sit at the table at all.
Xiao Deng took a few steps back, intending to revert to his original form before eating.
Without paying attention, he bumped into someone.
Xiao Deng dispelled the Transfiguration and turned around to look.
A girl with golden-yellow hair was standing behind him.
She was wearing an eagle hat and looked extremely cute.
Xiao Deng's heart skipped a beat; wasn't this the person he was looking for when school started?
It was just that he had been too busy lately to continue looking for her.
He hadn't expected to meet her at the Halloween feast.
Though shocked inside, Xiao Deng's outward manners were impeccable.
"I am truly sorry, I bumped into you."
"Are you hurt?"
"I can help you heal."
The girl stared straight at Xiao Deng and suddenly smiled.
"Mr. Hehuan, I am fine, you don't need to worry too much."
Xiao Deng was stunned and pointed at himself with his index finger.
"You, know me?"
The girl reached out her hand generously.
"My name is Luna Lovegood, nice to meet you."
Xiao Deng also reached out and shook Luna's hand.
Her little hand was so soft!
But Xiao Deng let go immediately.
"Mr. Hehuan's reputation is famous throughout Hogwarts, regardless of house."
Xiao Deng waved his hand, looking indifferent.
"It's all just rumors they spread; it's better to just focus on studying."
Just then, Dumbledore's voice came from the staff table.
Luna nodded at Xiao Deng.
"The feast is about to begin, I'll go back first. I'll come find you to play when I have time."
Xiao Deng waved goodbye to her.
Xiao Deng had already restored his Wizard robes and sat down at the table naturally.
As soon as he looked up, he saw Hermione's scrutinizing gaze.
While everyone else was paying attention to Dumbledore's speech, Hermione leaned over slowly and asked in a low voice:
"What, did you take a fancy to that little girl?"
Xiao Deng's expression stiffened, but he still made an excuse for himself.
"What are you talking nonsense for?"
"I just accidentally bumped into her, and you're making such a big deal out of it?"
"Besides, this was just our first conversation, it's not as complicated as you think."
Hermione's little hand had already touched Xiao Deng's waist.
"First meeting? Who isn't meeting for the first time?"
"Didn't you and the Unicorn meet for the first time?"
"Wasn't it the first time when you transformed into a human?"
"Don't tell me you didn't have ulterior motives?"
"Or did you not take advantage of me when we first met?"
Speaking of this, Xiao Deng was unconvinced and retorted in a low voice:
"Who exactly took advantage of whom?"
"You leaned on me, and you're still in the right?"
"I didn't even fall asleep, fearing I might wake you and ruin your rest, and now it's like I'm the bad guy?"
Hermione's face turned red; she really couldn't explain this clearly.
Because she had been asleep and had no idea what happened.
When she woke up, she was already in Xiao Deng's arms.
She seriously suspected that Xiao Deng was behind it, but she had no evidence.
But as she said before, if she didn't know about others, didn't she know Xiao Deng?
This was something professionally verified by Baymax.
She had already accepted it; if you have many lice, you don't fear the itch; there was still Ginny!
A voice came from the stage:
"I announce, the feast officially begins!"
Chapter 157: Madam Norris is Hung Up
The table was instantly filled with a bounty of delicious food.
Ron attacked from both sides, stuffing his face with chicken legs.
Xiao Deng glanced at the Professors' table while eating.
He was no longer as reckless as he had been when he was younger.
This time, he absolutely would not go over to chat or perform for the Professors.
Professor McGonagall felt a pang of pity as she watched Xiao Deng eating quietly.
Such a lively child, forced into losing all his vitality.
She immediately glared at Dumbledore.
It was all his fault; why let a young Wizard participate in such a dangerous operation for no reason?
Dumbledore was left with a head full of question marks; he hadn't done anything to provoke her just now, had he?
"Minerva, what is the matter with you?"
Professor McGonagall sighed and gestured for Dumbledore to look.
"It's such a pity for this child; now there are no more shows to watch."
Dumbledore was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Isn't it because you gave him detention that he stopped?"
Professor McGonagall's expression froze. Had she given him detention?
Dumbledore continued to twist the knife:
"The detention was completed in your office, have you forgotten?"
Professor McGonagall wanted to open her mouth to explain, but for a moment, she didn't know how to explain it.
Suddenly, she saw Snape, who was silent at her side.
"Severus punished him too, why don't you mention him?"
Snape raised his eyes and glanced at Professor McGonagall.
"Professor!"
"Even if I didn't punish him, he would still come to help me brew Potion."
"The punishment was just setting a number, that's all."
"It didn't have much of an impact."
Professor McGonagall's mouth twitched. How did it end up being her fault in the end?
Snape also continued to twist the knife:
"Professor McGonagall, have you forgotten…"
"You were the one who added the last hundred bottles to the punishment."
"Originally…"
"It only required three hundred."
Professor McGonagall remembered, her eyes darting away.
Dumbledore burst into laughter right beside them.
Seeing Professor McGonagall suffer a loss was not something one often got to see.
This year's Halloween was well worth it!
Xiao Deng didn't eat much; after having a little, he slowly stood up.
"You guys go ahead and eat; I'm going for a stroll."
Saying this, he stood up and left the Great Hall.
Ron looked at Xiao Deng's retreating figure with some confusion.
"How come I feel like there's always a huge sense of distance between Xiao Deng and us?"
Harry, the most sensitive child, naturally sensed it too and looked at Ron.
"Of course."
"He carries much more than we do."
"Every step he takes is faster than ours, and covers more ground."
"He is the one helping us arrange much of our daily life."
At this moment, Hermione chimed in.
"If we want to erase this sense of distance, we must work hard; only by becoming excellent in magic can we get closer to him."
"Only by being able to help him can we get close to him."
"Otherwise, we will always be the ones being protected."
"Yet, he has no such obligation, even though he has been doing it for a long time."
Not to mention Harry and Ron, even she herself felt this way.
But all Hermione could do was study even harder.
Hoping that one day she could help Xiao Deng.
Ron swallowed the chicken in his mouth and said:
"Shall we go find Xiao Deng?"
Hermione and Harry both agreed with Ron's suggestion.
Harry pondered for a moment.
"But there is one more thing; let's deal with that before we go find Xiao Deng."
The three of them immediately ran out.
The three of them didn't know where Xiao Deng had gone, so they just searched slowly.
Finally, they saw Xiao Deng's figure in a corridor.
The three of them ran over excitedly.
When Ron saw the scene in front of Xiao Deng, he couldn't help but cry out.
He saw Filch's cat, Madam Norris, hanging from a bracket, her body stiff.
And on the wall were written large, bright red characters.
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir, beware!"
Xiao Deng glanced at Ron and sighed.
Ron's shout would likely attract quite a few people.
Soon, the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching from many directions.
The young Wizards gathering around were whispering and discussing.
"Is it them four who did it?"
"Don't know."
"It's possible; they are the most trouble-making Gryffindors."
Xiao Deng knew that this cat had not died; it was just under a spell similar to Petrification.
Xiao Deng frowned, feeling a bit careless.
He should have thoroughly checked Hogwarts yesterday.
This thing might not have appeared just today.
Just at this moment, a shrill voice appeared.
"Move aside, everyone move aside!"
Filch pushed through the students who were watching the commotion, still thinking about how to punish the young Wizards who were causing trouble.
As soon as he looked up, he saw the stiff cat hanging on the wall.
"Madam Norris!"
Filch instantly lost his head, rage rushing straight to his brain.
He looked directly at Xiao Deng, who was standing beneath the cat.
"It was you, wasn't it?"
"You killed my cat!"
"You have a grudge against me, so you took it out on my cat."
"I'm going to kill you!"
Saying this, Filch was about to pounce over.
Xiao Deng waved his hand, rendering Filch unable to move an inch.
"Mr. Filch, please calm your brain down."
"If I wanted to vent my anger on you, would I go as far as killing a cat?"
"I could make both you and the cat disappear in minutes."
"Hanging it here is redundant; are you afraid others won't know it was me?"
What Xiao Deng said made sense, which caused Filch's brain to short-circuit for a moment.
Xiao Deng's Divine Sense captured the terror in Lockhart's eyes, and then he quietly moved to the very back of the crowd.
He definitely had a problem!
Based on his usual habits, he definitely would have jumped out.
Claiming he had seen many such situations and had dealt with many such animals.
His own books had written about a large number of similar events.
And then, after a series of operations, make things even worse.
But this time, he actually retreated; he wasn't stepping into the spotlight.
Xiao Deng dared to say that he definitely had a problem!
Just when Filch wanted to say he was arguing sophistry, a voice appeared from outside the crowd.
"Filch."
The circle of young Wizards automatically parted to create a path.
Dumbledore arrived at the scene with many Professors.
Dumbledore walked up to Madam Norris and took her down.
"It has not died."
"It is just under a spell similar to Petrification, and it is curable."
Light finally reignited in Filch's eyes.
"Really?"
Filch had an expression of relief.
"That's great; I haven't seen it for a whole day."
"If it's alright, then that's great."
Dumbledore held Madam Norris in his hands.
"Please allow me to take it away for treatment."
"Once cured, it will return to your side."
Filch kept thanking him, full of gratitude.
Dumbledore glanced at the words on the wall, then turned to face Xiao Deng and the others.
"The four of you, come with me."
Xiao Deng cast a subtle glance at Lockhart, who was hiding in the crowd.
He still hadn't jumped out; the suspicion in his heart grew even more.
Dumbledore and Snape took the group and left the scene.
Professor McGonagall was responsible for dispersing the gathering young Wizards, and with a Spells, she cleared the words on the wall.
After finishing, Professor McGonagall also hurried to Dumbledore's office.
Chapter 158: Speculation in Dumbledore's Office
Dumbledore slowly placed Madam Norris on the ground.
Such a problem was actually a piece of cake for Dumbledore.
With a casual wave of his wand, Madam Norris slowly floated up.
The Petrification on her surface gradually began to return to its original color.
Before long, Madam Norris stood before everyone, lively and vigorous.
Dumbledore waved his hand at Madam Norris.
"That's about it, go play."
"Meow~"
Madam Norris let out a meow and walked elegantly towards the door.
Just as she reached the door, she happened to run into Professor McGonagall who was returning.
"Oh, child, you've recovered, thank goodness."
"Meow~"
Professor McGonagall watched Madam Norris leave.
McGonagall looked up and met Dumbledore's intriguing gaze.
"Oh?"
"Thank goodness? You should be thanking me."
Professor McGonagall glared at him.
"Thank you for what? Thank you for dragging the young Wizard into this again?"
Dumbledore felt somewhat helpless; a lioness is still a lioness after all, sometimes they can just be unreasonable.
Even this serious Professor McGonagall!
The few brats, led by Xiao Deng, were all watching the two of them, amused.
Professor McGonagall turned to them, unable to help but feel a headache.
These few were all repeat troublemakers, and they even had connections with the Dark Lord.
There was even one who had fought the Dark Lord multiple times.
"Tell me, what exactly is going on?"
Xiao Deng spread his hands.
"It's nothing much, it's very simple. I was just wandering around and saw that cat."
Professor McGonagall didn't take Xiao Deng's words and looked at the other three.
"And you?"
"We were all looking for Xiao Deng after we finished eating."
Well, they all knew nothing and pushed the responsibility away completely.
Although it was possible that this was indeed the truth.
"You three go back first, Xiao Deng stay."
The three of them all cast looks of "take care" at Xiao Deng.
After they left, Professor McGonagall first waved her wand to cast a shielding magic.
Xiao Deng laughed and said: "Professor McGonagall, you adapt quite quickly!"
Seeing that Professor McGonagall ignored him, he could only shrug and wave his own wand to cast a shield.
After everyone had finished, Professor McGonagall spoke up.
"Tell me, what's going on, what have you discovered?"
Xiao Deng was silent for a moment.
"Something's wrong, very wrong."
"It's ten out of ten, or rather eleven out of ten, wrong."
"Professor Lockhart has a problem."
Professor McGonagall looked at Dumbledore, somewhat puzzled.
"What does what happened today have to do with Professor Lockhart?"
Xiao Deng found a stool and sat down.
"Professors, think carefully, what kind of person is Professor Lockhart usually?"
"Setting aside the persona he packaged for himself, think of a word for him."
Professor McGonagall commented first: "Irresponsible, too irresponsible!"
Dumbledore also slowly spat out a word: "Vain."
Snape's voice squeezed through his teeth: "Show-off."
Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore looked at Snape in unison.
They really didn't expect Snape to use such a word to describe him.
They thought he would use words like "boring" or "fraud."
"The three Professors have hit his weaknesses very accurately."
"Look, he was there today."
"For such an arrogant and vain person, why didn't he come out to solve the problem immediately?"
"He is very enthusiastic, very enthusiastic indeed, but his skills are lacking, and he only knows how to cause trouble."
"But when has that ever stopped him from coming out to show off in front of people?"
"Yet today, he stood at the back of the crowd just watching."
"Professor McGonagall is absolutely right, he is irresponsible and very afraid of taking responsibility."
"So he didn't step up today, but think about it from the reverse perspective?"
"The events of today have everything to do with him; he didn't step up because he was afraid of taking responsibility."
"Based on his usual style, even if he had made Harry's hand disappear, he would have wanted to hog the limelight."
"So, he has a big problem."
Professor McGonagall frowned.
"It is indeed suspicious, but it is not strongly linked to today's events."
Xiao Deng reached out, and a lemon sherbet instantly appeared in his hand.
"Professor McGonagall, you have a misconception."
"That place, when was the last time you went there?"
The three Professors recalled their schedule from a while ago.
"It seems like it's been a while."
"For a while."
"It's been quite a few days."
Xiao Deng pulled a chicken leg out of his pocket like a magic trick.
"Exactly, you don't go to check that place every day."
"So, what guarantee do you have that Madam Norris was Petrified tonight?"
"Why couldn't it have been yesterday?"
Dumbledore's pupils constricted.
"Yesterday?"
"Lockhart lost his wand, which was found today."
"It's very likely it was lost yesterday!"
"According to our previous speculation, Lockhart may have been controlled at some point in time."
"And Madam Norris was Petrified at that time."
"Coincidentally, that might be the time the Chamber of Secrets was opened."
Thinking of this, Dumbledore frowned.
"The timeline doesn't quite match up; Fudge came earlier to ask about the Chamber of Secrets."
Xiao Deng pulled out a dessert again like a magic trick.
"Oh, Xiao Deng, can you share some of this with me?"
"Principal, of course."
Professor McGonagall stamped her feet in anger.
"You two, be serious!"
Xiao Deng took a bite, looking satisfied.
"Alright, I'll continue."
"Headmaster Dumbledore, as you just said, Lockhart is a vain person."
"He hasn't had the notebook for just a day or two; do you think the Dark Lord would have induced him?"
"At that time, the notebook hadn't lost its memory yet."
"I was present the day Fudge came, and there was talk about Hagrid's issue."
"Everyone was suspecting that Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets, but that's not the case, is it?"
"Then what did it look like to Lockhart?"
"The bewitched Lockhart would only think that you covered for Hagrid."
"Raised spiders, killed people, didn't receive punishment, and transformed into the gamekeeper."
"He cares so much about his reputation and his books, would he secretly notify the Ministry of Magic?"
"If he wrote the famous Dumbledore into his book, how shocking would that be?"
"And the script would be that you are the villain shielding the murderer, and he is the brave, world-saving hero who exposes the truth!"
"His fame would no longer be limited to being just a writer."
"Then he would probably take a risk and make up a lie to deceive Fudge."
"After all, he is a professional in this regard."
"It's just that he didn't expect that he was actually being controlled and very likely opened the Chamber of Secrets."
Snape's voice sounded.
"Then where did he go yesterday?"
"Or rather..."
"Where did he go after being controlled?"
"The Dark Lord... should know the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets."
Xiao Deng slowly placed Lockhart's wand on the table.
"I think we should start looking from where it was found."
"At the very least, it's highly likely not to be very far."
Professor McGonagall suddenly spoke.
"I don't agree to go looking for it!"
"This is too dangerous!"
Chapter 159: Feeding Lockhart veritaserum
Xiao Deng took a sip of pumpkin juice and placed it on the table.
"Professor McGonagall, is it dangerous?"
"Is it not dangerous if we do nothing?"
"Today, it was a cat hanging on the wall."
"Tomorrow, it might be Professor Cat hanging on the wall."
As soon as he finished speaking, Professor McGonagall's face darkened, and Dumbledore immediately burst into laughter.
Seeing Professor McGonagall's gaze sweep over, Dumbledore immediately composed himself.
Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes at Xiao Deng.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Professor McGonagall was quite annoyed by Xiao Deng's words, but what he said made some sense.
This matter still needed to be done, and it had to be done.
"Now, Professors, what we need to do is to call Lockhart over first."
"To learn something from him."
Professor McGonagall sighed deeply.
"But will he cooperate?"
Snape suddenly interjected.
"He has no choice!"
Xiao Deng nodded with a smile; he knew that Snape had veritaserum.
"Then let's divide the work."
"Trouble Professor McGonagall to invite Lockhart."
"Professor Snape, please prepare the Materials."
"Headmaster Dumbledore, you might need to think about how to question him."
"I still hope we can resolve this peacefully."
Professor McGonagall patted Xiao Deng on the shoulder.
"You are still kind-hearted."
After saying this, she walked out of the office.
Snape glanced at Xiao Deng.
This brat, kind-hearted my foot, he's just putting on a show for others.
If he were truly kind, would he need to prepare the potion himself?
He's probably secretly hoping Lockhart won't cooperate so he can mess with him.
But Snape didn't say anything and slowly walked out of the office.
Dumbledore looked at Xiao Deng, who remained in the office.
"Then what will you do?"
Xiao Deng took out another cucumber.
"Watch you guys ask, of course?"
"With such a dangerous matter, Headmaster Dumbledore wouldn't let a little Wizard like me put myself in danger, would you?"
Dumbledore's expression was a bit strained.
"So you're just going to sit back and reap the rewards?"
Xiao Deng said vaguely with his mouth full of cucumber:
"Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore..."
Dumbledore immediately ran over and covered Xiao Deng's mouth.
"Fine, fine, I give up."
"Then you just rest!"
After finishing the cucumber, Xiao Deng took out a small cake.
A hand reached out in front of Xiao Deng.
Damn it!
This old guy actually has the nerve to ask for some?
But Dumbledore showed no sign of backing down.
Xiao Deng had to share half with him.
Just as Dumbledore was enjoying his meal, Professor McGonagall walked in with Lockhart.
Seeing Dumbledore eating, her eyes narrowed.
Everyone else is working, and you're here eating?
Dumbledore didn't speak and silently pushed the small cake aside.
Lockhart maintained a polite smile.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, may I ask what you need from me?"
Dumbledore waved his hands.
"Oh, truly, Professor, I might need your help."
"I believe that since you have been to so many places and solved so many incidents..."
"I think you must have unique insights."
"After all, the things in your books are very exciting!"
Xiao Deng smiled slightly; Dumbledore was spot on, directly hitting Lockhart's weak spot.
Flattering him and praising him, building him up first.
But Lockhart just happened to fall for it; his vanity loved being praised.
Dumbledore's combination of tactics hit him exactly where it mattered.
"Of course, of course!"
"I will do my best to help you with whatever you need."
Dumbledore's next sentence made Lockhart's expression stiffen.
"What is your take on the words on the wall tonight?"
Lockhart's expression was a bit panicked.
"This..."
"We need to rule out pranks first."
"As I have written in my books, I have encountered quite a few pranks."
"As for the Chamber of Secrets, well, Hogwarts has a long history."
"You know, I have been to many historic buildings."
"There are often many spaces and secrets inside that even the owners are unaware of."
"So..."
"Whether this Chamber of Secrets exists or not, we need to confirm."
Professor McGonagall rubbed her temples; she felt really annoyed listening to Lockhart talk.
Especially since this person might have once put her students in danger.
Being able to invite him here was already a sign of great patience.
"Severus!"
Like receiving a signal, Dumbledore grabbed Lockhart and pinned him to the table.
Snape suddenly popped out from somewhere, holding a basin in his hand.
Under Xiao Deng's stunned gaze, he poured it into Lockhart's mouth.
Professor Snape, how much stock do you actually have?
Lockhart struggled at first, but with three people holding him down and no wand to defend himself, he was forced to swallow the veritaserum.
Snape poured the whole basin out, shook his hair, and threw the basin on the ground.
Lockhart lost his restraints and immediately jumped up.
"Snape, besides getting me all wet and messy, what else can you do?"
Xiao Deng burst out laughing.
Is this considered an effect of the veritaserum?
Dumbledore looked at Snape with a strange expression.
Professor McGonagall also seemed to notice the ambiguity in Lockhart's words and then tried to smooth things over for Snape.
"Oh, my goodness!"
"Severus, where did you get this basin? Why does it have such a strange smell?"
Dumbledore also realized that veritaserum shouldn't have this kind of smell.
Snape was expressionless.
"I got it from Filch's toilet."
Dumbledore was stunned for a moment.
"The toilet?"
"Wasn't his toilet turned into a swamp of dung by George and Fred?"
"What?"
Professor McGonagall suddenly screamed.
She had just been scooping the veritaserum into Lockhart's mouth!
Professor McGonagall looked at Snape, who seemed a bit embarrassed and turned his face away.
Indeed, he felt a bit sorry for the two of them; Dumbledore had also touched the basin.
The three of them stared at each other blankly, while Lockhart was burping on the side.
By this time, Xiao Deng was rolling on the floor, laughing until his stomach hurt.
"Xiao Deng!"
Professor McGonagall tried to stop Xiao Deng's laughter, but Xiao Deng couldn't help it!
"Hahaha, hahaha!"
Professor McGonagall walked towards Xiao Deng, and Xiao Deng scrambled up and ran.
"Stop right there!"
"Professor McGonagall, you can't take your anger out on me!"
"I didn't do anything!"
"Scourgify."
Xiao Deng waved his wand to clean Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall then let Xiao Deng go and turned to leave.
Professor McGonagall took out her wand and cast a cleaning spell on Dumbledore and Snape.
Facing the burping Lockhart, Professor McGonagall hesitated for a moment but still cast a spell on him.
Professor McGonagall glared at Snape.
"Get the basin out of here!"
Snape waved his wand, and the basin floated out by itself.
Professor McGonagall looked directly at Lockhart.
"Professor, how do you feel now?"
"I'm full!"
Chapter 160: Going to the Restroom
Professor McGonagall felt a bit nauseated, while Xiao Deng, on the other hand, laughed heartlessly again.
Professor McGonagall was truly speechless; how could she have brought back such a troublemaker all those years ago!
Causing trouble was one thing, but he also loved watching the Professors make fools of themselves!
Dumbledore ignored the rowdy Xiao Deng and looked at Lockhart.
"Have you been controlled before?"
"Yes!"
"Were you conscious when being controlled?"
"Sometimes yes, sometimes no."
"Where did it control you to go?"
"I don't know, a place I've never seen before."
Several people exchanged glances; it was clear that the Chamber of Secrets definitely existed.
It was not the Dark Lord playing tricks, nor was it something fabricated out of thin air by Slytherin.
"How were you controlled?"
"I wanted to beat Xiao Deng, and it took advantage of the gaps while teaching Spells to constantly intrude into my consciousness."
"You noticed this situation?"
"Yes, I noticed some slight changes in my sanity and memory."
"I dare not speak of other things, but when it comes to research on memory regarding Obliviate, I can definitely be called a Great Master."
"Perhaps my personality changed after being bewitched, and in the end, I took a risk and tried to determine my own state."
"If it were normal times, I certainly wouldn't have taken the risk."
"I've written about it in my books; you should know that I've been to many places..."
Everyone was speechless; no matter when it was, Lockhart could never change that bad habit of his.
"How did you get rid of it?"
"When I discovered it was interfering with me, I took the opportunity to hit it with a spell."
"I've written in my books that my combat skills are very fierce."
"The scene was truly thundering with drums and gongs, firecrackers blasting, red flags fluttering, and a sea of people."
The three Professors looked at Xiao Deng in unison, their eyes revealing strange expressions.
Professor McGonagall asked first: "Did you brag in front of Lockhart too?"
Xiao Deng just wanted to deny it, but Professor McGonagall blocked his way out.
"Those little phrases are things only you have said; are you still going to say you didn't?"
Xiao Deng had no choice but to honestly lower his head and eat melon seeds, pretending it had nothing to do with him.
Dumbledore swept his gaze over Professor McGonagall and Xiao Deng, then looked at Snape.
"Is this veritaserum of yours authentic?"
Snape was expressionless, his lips slightly parted.
"Truth-telling and exaggeration do not conflict."
"He did indeed write books and gave the notebook Spells."
"In essence, it is the truth!"
Professor Lockhart was still there talking, and talking, and talking!
"Do you know? I directly hit it with twenty-nine Obliviates!"
"Twenty-nine of them!"
The four of them felt as if they had been hit by a Petrification spell!
What kind of concept was twenty-nine? If it were a normal person, they would probably have turned into an idiot.
The notebook only turned white and could still call Xiao Deng 'Daddy'; it was quite resilient.
Dumbledore caught his breath and asked: "Tell us what you saw."
"I was sometimes clear-headed, sometimes confused."
"Every time I was clear-headed, I wasn't in the original place."
"Although the notebook that controlled me was eventually discarded by me, its magical bewitchment and control were still partially effective."
"I felt like I left the room and walked through a corridor, and when I was clear-headed again, I had arrived at a place."
"The only thing I remember is that a cat blocked the way, which made it unhappy."
"Using my wand, I cast a Petrification spell directly."
"That place was full of snake totems!"
"I was startled and didn't know what was going on; perhaps the control was losing its momentum, so I woke up."
"Then I escaped from inside as fast as I could."
"I was panicking and didn't know where I was, but after getting out, I escaped back to my residence by feeling."
Professor McGonagall added: "What about Fudge?"
Lockhart didn't hold anything back and told everything.
"The notebook made me watch memories from decades ago."
"By cutting off the beginning and the end, it made me believe that Dumbledore had secrets."
"I secretly contacted Fudge to see if Fudge could take Hagrid and Dumbledore away."
"In that case, I would have material for my new book."
Professor McGonagall was so angry that the corners of her mouth trembled, and she couldn't even speak.
Xiao Deng's voice came from behind.
"That's outrageous, irresponsible! Do you know your responsibilities as a Professor?"
Xiao Deng voiced exactly what Professor McGonagall was thinking.
"Exactly! Too irresponsible!"
Xiao Deng continued after Professor McGonagall: "You really should be thrown into Filch's toilet to cool off!"
Professor McGonagall was about to agree, but subconsciously paused.
Wait a minute? Filch's toilet? Isn't his toilet a cesspool swamp?
Professor McGonagall turned around and looked at Xiao Deng sternly.
"A young Wizard should be a gentleman!"
"Don't talk about these messy things; foul language is not good."
"Okay, Professor McGonagall, I understand."
"Let Albus say these things; he has a thick skin."
Dumbledore widened his eyes and looked at Professor McGonagall in disbelief.
"Wait, I have a thick skin?"
Professor McGonagall tilted her head slightly.
"You surely can't expect a lady like me to take him there, can you?"
Dumbledore looked at Snape.
"We need to go find the Chamber of Secrets; you surely can't expect a Principal like me to go alone, can you?"
Snape said nothing, glanced at Professor McGonagall, and dragged Lockhart out of the door.
"Wait a minute!" "No! It's dirty there!"
As soon as the two went out, Professor McGonagall's sarcasm followed.
"Indeed, thick-skinned!"
Dumbledore pretended not to hear.
"Next, we should go to the scene of the incident to find clues."
Professor McGonagall came back to her senses and asked: "You already know where the Chamber of Secrets is?"
Dumbledore shook his head.
"I don't know, but Xiao Deng has already given us clues."
"At the very least, let's go take a look."
Professor McGonagall did not refute this point.
It was necessary to go and check!
Afterward, the three of them came to the second-floor restroom.
As soon as Xiao Deng arrived, Myrtle ran out.
"Master, you're here!"
But after seeing the two people beside Xiao Deng, she stopped abruptly in her tracks.
Professor McGonagall's mouth twitched as she looked at Xiao Deng.
"Master?"
"I know you are quite popular with girls?"
"But surely you don't have to spare not even a ghost, right?"
Xiao Deng was now unable to defend himself!
How could he explain this?
Dumbledore also started adding fuel to the fire from the side.
"It seems I am not the thickest-skinned one after all."
"The little Wizard from Gryffindor has grown up, and his heart is beginning to stir."
"He even has a female ghost calling him Master."
"We Principals don't have such things."
Professor McGonagall's expression looked a bit unpleasant; this Old Bee, taking advantage of a situation, what kind of gentleman is that!
At this moment, Myrtle spoke timidly: "The two Professors shouldn't make things difficult for Xiao Deng."
"It was I who wanted to call him that!"
"I, I, I saw that he was good-looking, so, so I called him that."
"He was also forced..."
Professor McGonagall's expression improved a bit then.
Just as I thought, how could our Gryffindor child be as thick-skinned as Dumbledore.
"Look, look, this is our charming Gryffindor."
"How dare a Principal say that, a Principal watching a little Wizard make a fool of himself?"
Chapter 161: Entering the Chamber of Secrets
Dumbledore was left speechless by what Professor McGonagall said.
"Let's look for clues first."
The three of them fumbled around for a long time, feeling that this was just an unremarkable washroom.
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but doubt: "Lockhart isn't tricking us, is he?"
No one answered her, but Dumbledore's eyes flickered when he saw Myrtle.
"Myrtle!"
"Do you have any clues?"
Xiao Deng was reminded by Dumbledore's words.
Myrtle was the victim killed by the murderer back then; she should know something.
Myrtle looked at Xiao Deng, hesitating slightly.
Professor McGonagall curled the corners of her mouth; this is our Gryffindor child. How charming!
Xiao Deng looked at her, guessing she probably really did know something.
"Little Myrtle, just say whatever you know."
"Perhaps we can find the murderer from back then."
Myrtle hesitated for a moment, not speaking, but she slowly floated over to a faucet.
"It's this one."
The three of them gathered around this faucet to study it.
"Albus, look here."
Several people looked over at the same time; there was a snake pattern on the faucet.
Dumbledore could tell at a glance that this was the mark of Slytherin.
Professor McGonagall looked at Myrtle.
"Child, how do you use this?"
Myrtle shook her head; she didn't actually know much about the specifics.
Dumbledore pondered for a moment.
"According to the legend of Slytherin, only the heir can open it."
"That person must possess traits different from the other three houses."
"At the same time, they must possess the same commonality as Slytherin."
"And Slytherin..."
Speaking to this point, Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall exchanged a look.
Both of them thought of one thing. Parseltongue!
"Oh, Albus, this is a blind spot in my knowledge."
"No matter how learned Professor McGonagall is, she cannot learn the Parseltongue that is carried in the Bloodline."
"Otherwise, I would be Slytherin."
Xiao Deng took out a handful of melon seeds and placed them in Professor McGonagall's palm.
"Professor, please stop."
"You weren't like this before!"
"Your learning ability is indeed excellent, but who did you learn this self-praise from?"
"Before I knew it, you were inserting your own agenda?"
Professor McGonagall looked at Xiao Deng, her mouth twitching. Who said this brat was charming? He can infuriate people with his words!
Dumbledore laughed out loud on the side.
"Xiao Deng, I agree with what Minerva just said; what you just said is very charming."
Immediately, he was met with Professor McGonagall's death stare. Dumbledore, with his smiling face, instantly restrained himself. No grinning!
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Coincidentally, I know a little Parseltongue, and I'm considered quite learned."
Xiao Deng suppressed his laughter; Dumbledore had secretly Yin and Yang-ed Professor McGonagall again.
Professor McGonagall glared at him, but he pretended not to see.
Then, Dumbledore made some strange sounds with his mouth.
"Click!"
A clear yet dull sound rang out, and the faucet began to mutate. Oh, change its form!
A pitch-black passage appeared in front of them.
"Let's go, it's time for us to have an adventure."
Dumbledore took the lead and walked in first. Professor McGonagall let Xiao Deng go in first while she brought up the rear.
It must be said that even though this washroom hadn't been used for many years, there was still a lot of moisture down here.
"Principal!"
"What is it?"
"Has anyone ever told you not to speak Parseltongue lightly?"
"No, is there a problem?"
"Yes, the sound you made makes me really want to pee."
Greeting Xiao Deng was Dumbledore's silence.
Professor McGonagall poked Xiao Deng in the lower back from behind.
"Boys must learn to be gentlemen; you cannot speak like that."
"Although the sound really does sound a bit like a hiss..."
"Giggle!"
Before she could finish, Professor McGonagall couldn't help but laugh. Dumbledore's voice came from ahead.
"Madam, please restrain yourself!"
The three gradually arrived at a wider tunnel, but they could no longer receive any light from outside here.
All three of them cast Lumos.
Not long after, the three saw a pile of things that looked like fabric lying messily ahead.
Professor McGonagall immediately became vigilant.
"Is there still someone living in this place?"
Dumbledore shook his head.
"That is not fabric."
"It is a snake skin."
"It seems the legend is not groundless."
Xiao Deng was dazed for a moment, inexplicably thinking of Dabai.
Just as Dumbledore wanted to walk forward, Xiao Deng came to the snake skin instead.
He carefully began to collect it from the head.
"Xiao Deng, what are you doing?"
Xiao Deng said while collecting it:
"Aren't you the great Dumbledore?"
"This snake skin is also a precious Potion Material."
"Professor McGonagall, Principal Dumbledore doesn't understand; trouble you to give him a lesson."
Professor McGonagall felt exceptionally comfortable listening to Xiao Deng's words.
"Giggle giggle giggle~"
Dumbledore was speechless; was everyone just bullying this old man?
"The most important thing is, Professor Snape will definitely be able to use it; selling it to him can earn quite a bit of money."
Both Professors felt speechless at the same time.
"Don't look at me like that; you are Professors, you manage people and affairs, and you have salaries."
"I am busy like a dog every day, what do I have?"
"Oh, right, I have Principal Dumbledore saying 'well done' in person."
Professor McGonagall got angry when she heard Xiao Deng mention this. How can my sweet, soft Gryffindor child be working for you every day?
Dumbledore hurriedly spoke:
"You don't have a salary, but didn't you open a shop?"
"As far as I know, business is not bad."
After putting it away, Xiao Deng raised his head and chuckled.
"That is my shop, too; I chose the location, I recruited people, I found the factory."
"If it didn't make money, why would I open it?"
"But what does this have to do with me doing a Professor's work without a salary?"
Professor McGonagall chimed in: "That's right, what does it have to do with it?"
Dumbledore turned around.
"If you've packed it up, let's go."
This action made Professor McGonagall grit her teeth in anger. Old Bee, just thick-skinned!
Not long after, this tunnel suddenly came to an end.
Professor McGonagall wondered: "Is this tunnel this short?"
"It doesn't look as terrifying as the rumors say."
Dumbledore stood in front of a wall. A beautiful snake totem was carved on it; after all these years, it was still lifelike.
Every reflection of the snake scales was clearly visible.
"Minerva, you understood it wrong."
"This is the true entrance to the Chamber of Secrets."
Professor McGonagall stepped forward and stood side by side with Dumbledore, looking at the carving on the wall.
"It wouldn't be that we still need to use Parseltongue, would it?"
Dumbledore just wanted to say he would try, when Xiao Deng's voice came from behind.
"Principal, wait a moment, let me go take a pee first."
Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall exchanged a look, and both turned their heads to the side at the same time.
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"This child, you have to teach him to be careful with his speech."
Professor McGonagall nodded.
"It is a bit ungentlemanly."
"What was Hermione attracted by? Was it because he knows how to say 'pee'?"
Chapter 162: Discovering the Basilisk
Xiao Deng went to take a leak, leaving the two of them standing there, inexplicably awkward.
Fortunately, it didn't take Xiao Deng long.
"Principal, why aren't you opening the door?"
"Don't you want to open it?"
"Come, come, let me use Fire-Thunder Blast..."
Professor McGonagall grabbed Xiao Deng and glared at him.
"Shut up!"
"The two of us were worried about issues when opening the door, so we were waiting for you."
"We wanted to ensure your safety before opening it."
Seeing that he couldn't show off, Xiao Deng couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Dumbledore said while taking out his wand:
"The power of the Spells you created is indeed impressive."
"But this is underground; if you just go around blasting things, no one knows if it will collapse."
"Although we can use magic to restore it, it's not certain which would be faster: the casting speed or the collapse."
Xiao Deng curled his lips and didn't speak.
Parseltongue was spoken once again by Dumbledore.
The gems embedded in the snake's eyes flashed, and the two snakes on the wall suddenly began to move.
The wall also slowly opened to both sides.
A wave of dampness and the stench of animals wafted out.
Dumbledore twitched his nose.
"It seems it really is the Basilisk."
Professor McGonagall shielded Xiao Deng behind her, simultaneously drawing her wand, ready for battle at any moment.
After entering, Professor McGonagall couldn't help but exclaim.
"Where on earth have we descended to?"
"The ceiling is ridiculously high!"
In the deepest part, there was a statue that occupied almost the entire wall.
From the ceiling down to the floor.
What was a bit strange was that its mouth was open.
Dumbledore issued a warning:
"In case we encounter the Basilisk, avoid its eyes."
"That is an absolute lethal weapon."
magic faintly swirled at the tips of Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall's wands, ready to attack at the first sign of trouble.
Suddenly, a rustling sound reached the ears of the three of them.
The two of them immediately became highly tense; only Xiao Deng looked curiously at the source of the sound.
A massive head poked out from the stone statue's mouth.
"Hiss, hiss~"
Just as Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were about to dodge, Xiao Deng's voice came.
"Don't move!"
"This Basilisk's eyes are closed."
"Its current posture is more like a warning."
The two looked closely, and sure enough, the Basilisk's eyes were closed.
Professor McGonagall poked Dumbledore with her wand.
"Don't you know Parseltongue? Communicate with it."
Dumbledore was at a loss for words.
"This ability is an innate talent carried in the Bloodline."
"I only studied it a bit and learned some pronunciation techniques."
"I can barely manage things like passwords; if it's right, it's right and works; if it's wrong, it's wrong and doesn't work."
"But if it's direct communication and commands, the underlying logic is different."
"If I say something wrong, express it incorrectly, or if the Basilisk misunderstands, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Just as the two were discussing without reaching a conclusion, the Basilisk's patience was wearing thin.
Suddenly, Xiao Deng spoke up.
"Let me handle it."
Dumbledore looked at Xiao Deng in shock.
"You aren't a pure-blood Slytherin, you..."
"Albus!"
Dumbledore then realized he had said the wrong thing.
"Oh, Minerva, you know I didn't mean it that way."
"I know, but can Xiao Deng know that? He is still a child."
Xiao Deng ignored the two of them and slowly walked out.
Xiao Deng walked very slowly to prevent any misunderstanding by the Basilisk.
Immediately, Xiao Deng's figure slowly rose until he was level with the snake's head.
Xiao Deng's Divine Sense spread out, attempting to make contact with the Basilisk.
Unexpectedly, it went very smoothly.
"Hello."
"Eh? What magic is this? It's so amazing!"
"But who are you people, and why have you entered the Chamber of Secrets of Slytherin?"
"I am a student at Hogwarts."
"Someone opened the Chamber of Secrets a few days ago, and I came to investigate."
"A few days ago, an idiot did indeed open the Chamber of Secrets, but he ran away very quickly."
"I smelled a familiar aura on him."
"I was very careful when I came, fearing you might start a massacre."
"Salazar does not allow me to kill people, unless there are intruders."
Hmm?
If Salazar Slytherin did not allow the Basilisk to kill, how did Myrtle die decades ago?
Xiao Deng was not in a hurry to question the Basilisk.
"My name is Xiao Deng Hehuan Sect, do you have a name?"
"Snake King!"
Xiao Deng's mouth twitched. Is Slytherin's narcissism genetic?
Malfoy also has this kind of narcissism where he thinks he's awesome.
"Let me ask you a question."
The Snake King shook its large head and retreated a bit, as if it didn't dare to face Xiao Deng.
"You want to ask about the little girl who died at the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets decades ago, right?"
"That was a misunderstanding."
"Decades ago, a young Parseltongue came here."
"He was a Slytherin, and also the only Parseltongue who had found this place."
"So, he logically became the heir."
"Salazar told me to obey the commands of a Parseltongue and attack intruders."
"I hadn't been out for a long time, and when I heard him say he would take me out, I was very excited."
"When I get excited, I tend to make mistakes. After I came out, he gave the order."
"Later, I found out that the little girl was from Hogwarts."
Xiao Deng frowned. If that's the case, the Basilisk was just executing the Parseltongue's orders.
"And then?"
"Although it was a misunderstanding, I knew I had made a mistake. According to the past, Salazar would have grounded me."
"I stayed here for another few decades until you appeared."
"So, do you have any thoughts?"
"Me? I don't have any thoughts, I just execute Salazar's commands."
"If the Parseltongue thinks I haven't been grounded long enough, then I'll stay longer."
"But can I discuss something with you?"
Xiao Deng felt a bit of dissonance; the legendary Basilisk was discussing something with him.
"Go ahead, I'll try."
"You are the only one who has been able to communicate with me in all these years besides that Parseltongue."
"The previous Parseltongue didn't ask about my situation at all."
"So, can you bring me something to eat?"
"Just eating some bugs, dogs, rats, and ants really isn't enough to fill me up."
"Although I can hibernate, I always have to hibernate on an empty stomach."
"I, I have been starving for a thousand years."
The Basilisk flicked its tongue, and Xiao Deng actually saw a hint of flattery on its face.
Xiao Deng's mouth twitched. Who would believe that the legendary Basilisk had actually been starving for a thousand years?
It's no wonder the Basilisk was so excited when Lord Voldemort said he would take it out; once out, it might get to eat its fill!
Unexpectedly, it was just a tool for Lord Voldemort to kill people.
Looking at the aggrieved Basilisk, Xiao Deng couldn't help but feel a bit sympathetic.
Some people act like irritable lionesses over a cup of pumpkin juice.
It's really hard on the Basilisk to have been starving for a thousand years without going out to cause trouble.
"Fine!"
"I agree to this condition. I'll get it sorted for you as soon as I go out later."
"Whatever chicken, duck, fish, or meat you want, I'll make sure you're full!"
Hearing Xiao Deng's promise, the Basilisk started drooling.
"However, I want to ask you one thing."
"Are you a Horcrux?"