Harry's throat felt like it was being pierced by needles.
He thought of countless possibilities, but what he never expected was that upon opening the Map Secret Room, he would see a portrait of a girl.
"Vivi..."
His voice was hoarse.
"I think we should avoid it now." Professor Luke Wood said irritably, standing by Villatia's portrait, "This Map Secret Room is about to..."
"Charlie?" Principal Fitzgerald said softly, "Close your mouth and follow us."
Professor Luke Wood cast a resentful glance at Harry, then turned to leave the portrait with the other two professors.
"I've waited for you for so long..." Villatia's voice was gentle.
"I..." Harry's throat quivered, unable to utter a single word.
After a while, he finally asked a bitter question.
"Are you... are you alright?"
"I should be... alright." Villatia said softly.
Harry sat down on the ground.
He really couldn't accept this reality.
To him, Villatia was not just a close friend, but someone like a teacher, like a sister.
Although he hadn't known her for long, in this world, Vivi should be the one who could unconditionally embrace him the most.
"You..." Harry's tears burst forth, "Is this what you call being alright? Just staying in a portrait like this..."
"I think you misunderstand, Harry." Villatia said with a gentle smile, blinking mischievously, "Actually, I haven't died, you know. I'm just leaving some clues for you in this Map Secret Room so you won't lose me... You know, time traveling is an incredibly difficult adventure, and now seeing you, I also know... perhaps I'm still trapped in Slytherin's study."
"In Slytherin's study?!"
Harry's voice rose by eight octaves, and he stood up suddenly, anxiously saying, "I'll go rescue you now!"
"Harry!"
Vivi called to him.
"Listen to me first."
Harry paused, seeming to feel he was too far from Villatia standing on the stairs, so he moved forward, trying to get closer to Vivi.
"Since I haven't appeared, it means the Time Magic Array is probably missing some materials," Villatia said in a gentle tone, "You still need a few materials: Angel's Feather, Fire Dragon Heart, Phoenix Tears..."
"Fire Dragon Heart is easy, Charlie, Ron's brother, raises dragons in Romania." Harry said eagerly, "As for Phoenix Tears, Professor Dumbledore has a Phoenix, so there's no shortage... But what's Angel's Feather? Are there angels in this world?"
"In the gold vault of Gringotts, I have some Angel's Feathers in storage." Villatia said softly, "Also, there's a small amount of money in the vault, which is our shared property."
"I don't lack money now, Vivi." Harry said hurriedly.
"Of course, I know, you are a famous child of the Potter family." Vivi smiled warmly at him.
"Huh? How do you know?" Harry asked in confusion.
A hundred years ago, the Potter family hadn't sought him out, after all, there were many with the surname Potter among the Muggles, and they assumed Harry was from the Muggle side, so they didn't pay attention.
At that time, he didn't know he belonged to the Potter family in the Magic World and always thought he was from the Muggle Species.
Vivi, how does she... know?
"More than that, I need to tell you about one last material." Villatia interrupted Harry's thoughts.
"Oh... oh?" Harry scratched his head, "There's one more material?"
"The last material is the Snake Monster Poison Fang." Villatia said.
"Snake Monster?" Harry asked.
Villatia explained to Harry: "The Snake Monster is a giant toxic snake, a creature cultivated by Dark Wizards. Legend says the despicable Helbo was the first to cultivate the Snake Monster, he placed a chicken egg under a toad's body to hatch, resulting in these creatures known as Snake Monsters."
"Snake Monsters are extremely dangerous, their eyes can instantly kill any creature or person that makes eye contact with them... At the same time, their venom also contains toxic substances that can kill most creatures..."
"Then where can we find a Snake Monster!" Harry asked loudly.
"I'm sorry, Harry, I don't know either." Vivi said softly.
Harry scratched his head and felt a bit frustrated.
So close, there's even the legendary Angel's Feather, but simply can't find the trace of a Snake Monster...
Do I have to hatch a Snake Monster myself?
How long will that take? Can Vivi hold on in Slytherin's study?
"Relax, Harry, there will always be a way." Villatia comforted Harry gently, as she usually did.
Hearing the girl's voice as gentle as water, Harry's mind gradually calmed down.
After a while, he raised his head and asked, "Vivi, then... you said earlier that I come from the Potter family... you are..."
"Oh, that." Villatia's expression suddenly became a bit unnatural.
She hesitated slightly and said to Harry, "This matter... it also relates to the Ancient Magic Spell on you, I... if you know... um, if you know everything, you might have a different view of me."
Harry suddenly became nervous.
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm sorry..." Villatia bit her lip and said, "You should see for yourself... over there, yes, the Meditation Basin behind you."
Harry looked in the direction she pointed, and indeed saw a Meditation Basin.
"Inside it, is your mother's memory." Villatia revealed shocking news.
"My mom?!" Harry asked in disbelief, "My mom, how could she have come to the Map Secret Room?!"