A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

She's a pureblood; she shouldn't have been dragged into the secret chamber.

"That's the truth. The only good news is that her fate is currently unknown."

Upon hearing this, Ron glared at Aaron with red eyes, "This can be good news?"

"Don't look at me like that. After I found out about her accident, I told several professors everything, including who the heir to Slytherin is."

"Do you know who the heir is?" Hermione asked.

“I understand.” Aaron nodded. “To be honest, we’ve all met him, and some of us have even had some contact with him.”

But the luckiest one was Harry Potter; he actually survived.

"Um... could you explain it a little more clearly?" Harry asked, puzzled.

“Tom Riddle’s diary is the culprit, the mastermind behind it all,” Aaron said meaningfully. “The magic in the diary will slowly make people lose themselves and then be controlled by it.”

The group of people were struck dumb, standing there in a daze.

"Now you understand, I would never have stepped forward under any circumstances, but sometimes I really have no choice."

This morning I promised Ginny that she would give me Riddle's diary to keep safe, and then I would find a way to destroy it, but I didn't expect...

"It's all your fault!" Ron roared angrily, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't wrong people."

I told you about Ginny's suspicions months ago, and you assured me confidently that she was innocent.

"If you had been even a little more reliable back then, the mystery of the locked room would have been solved long ago, and she wouldn't have faced such great danger."

“I…” Ron’s expression froze, and his anger instantly turned into endless self-reproach. “Then you shouldn’t have let her go to get that diary alone.”

"Heh! Heh heh!"

She came to me because she didn't want you to know. If she hadn't really had no other choice, she wouldn't have asked me, a Slytherin, for help.

Besides, I never imagined that diary would have such a powerful effect.

I promised her I would keep it a secret, but now it's obviously impossible to keep it a secret, otherwise she might not even be alive.

“Alright, you lot,” Professor McGonagall interjected. “Business is more important. Let’s talk about any disagreements after we’ve rescued Ginny!”

“I brought the roosters.” Aaron handed two roosters to Professor McGonagall. “They are the nemesis of the basilisk.”

“Leave it to me!” Lockhart said with a grin. “I guarantee I’ll take down the basilisk.”

He can't compete in high-level games, he can't compete in low-level games, and he struggles even when he's ahead, but if he can't seize the opportunity in a game where he's winning big, then all his twenty-odd years of life have been wasted.

Holding a rooster and standing there, you could win an epic victory with your eyes closed—an opportunity you couldn't even dream of.

Killing the giant serpent and saving Hogwarts would definitely be a highlight of his career.

Professor McGonagall glanced at him dismissively. Although she knew this grinning fellow was definitely unreliable, she still handed the rooster over to him.

Because at this moment, no one present valued the two roosters more than Lockhart.

"Let's find the secret room first!" Snape said calmly.

The group pushed open the door to the restroom and walked in in a grand procession.

Myrtle, who was wallowing in self-pity on the ceiling, suddenly flew down. "Why are so many people coming to my place? Quite a few professors too?"

“I’m sorry, Myrtle, we’re requisitioning this restroom today,” Professor McGonagall said. “This is a serious matter, not something I’m discussing with you.”

Myrtle was somewhat reluctant, but looking at the lavish lineup, she could only nod helplessly, "Alright, but I have one small condition."

She pointed at Aaron, who was hiding behind the crowd, and said with a lovestruck smile, "During the conscription period, I just need him to keep me company and talk to me."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes fell on Aaron, especially Snape, who had a strange smile on his lips.

Aaron's eyes twitched, and he said coldly, "Dream on. Unless it's your next life, don't even think about making me sell my body."

I love your pride.

Upon hearing this, Aaron wished he could slap a curse in her face.

But his upbringing taught him not to hit women, so he could only suppress his anger and look at Professor Flitwick with a helpless expression, "You are the head of Ravenclaw, say something!"

“Me?” Flitwick pointed to himself in astonishment. “But she had been dead for decades when I was the dean. I didn’t know her at all.”

“Myrtle, we cannot agree to your conditions,” Professor McGonagall said. “We still need Aaron’s help; we can’t do without him.”

"It's not my business?"

“It concerns the cause of your death,” Aaron said. “If you want to know who killed you fifty years ago, cooperate properly and don’t get in our way.”

Upon hearing this, Myrtle hesitated for a long time before flying up in tears, saying, "I'll cooperate."

"Do you remember where you died?" Harry asked.

“It should be there,” Myrtle said, pointing to the pool in front of her. “That tap never produces water.”

The group went forward to check, thoroughly examining the pool inside and out, but found nothing unusual.

“Could it be that you’re mistaken?” Lockhart asked. “If so, just say so. It’s normal not to remember things from fifty years ago.”

“She’s right,” Hermione said suddenly, then pointed to a small snake carved on the side of the dragon’s head. “That’s the Slytherin symbol.”

“But how do we open it?” Professor Sprout asked.

"Parseltongue," Aaron said. "Only those who can speak Parseltongue can unlock it."

Harry nodded seriously, and under the expectant gazes of everyone, he hissed at the dragon head: "Open."

Chapter 188 Lockhart's Grievance

As the snake language was spoken, the upper half of the pool slowly rose, while the lower half of the pool moved forward, with the water tank facing the crowd submerging into the ground, revealing a hole in the center.

Gasps of cold air rose and fell, and whether it was an illusion or not, the temperature in the bathroom seemed to have risen slightly.

"Everyone, it seems we're in luck," Aaron said excitedly, as if he could already see a large number of magic points beckoning to him.

Lockhart glanced at the incredibly deep opening and immediately took a step back in fright.

"Haha, if we really have to go down there, I suggest we think about it carefully."

"You go first," Snape said calmly. "I don't think the renowned Gilderoy Lockhart lacks the courage to lead the charge!"

“This…I…” Lockhart instinctively gripped the two roosters tightly, and said righteously, “This is not a question of whether or not to lead the charge, but rather that it is unwise to act rashly before the danger has been determined.”

“That’s right, but what we lack most right now is time.” Aaron said as he walked up to Lockhart, quietly took the two roosters away, and then gently pushed him.

"what..."

A loud voice suddenly rang out, but it grew softer and softer.

Aaron listened intently at the cave entrance, and only after he clearly heard the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground did he turn around to look at the crowd who were still in shock.

"If I heard correctly, this passage is a long, winding pipe, but there is no danger."

If I had to use a metaphor, it would be like a slide, which safely takes you to the very bottom.

“That’s a good analysis,” McGonagall said. “But next time, don’t just use other people to scout ahead.”

“Professor Lockhart is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!” Aaron chuckled. “You should have read his books, this is nothing.”

Snape gave Aaron an approving look. "You can just jump down, right?"

"Is such that."

“I’m the vice-principal, I’ll go down first,” McGonagall said, then looked at the three Gryffindors, “You guys go back to the common room, it’s safer there.”

"But professor, we..."

“Listen to me, Granger,” Flitwick warned. “It’s dangerous down there. We can’t let three children take risks.”

"And what about him?" Ron pointed at Aaron, unconvinced. "Why should he be allowed to go with you?"

“Given Gaius’s abilities, he has some capacity to protect himself,” Snape sneered. “But the three of you would only be a hindrance.”

We can't be distracted by taking care of you while we're fighting the basilisk!

“Um… Professor, I think we should still let Harry Potter come down with us.”

Who knows if we'll need snake language next?

Snape frowned slightly, but before he could voice any objections, Harry walked up to McGonagall with a look of grim determination and said, "Let me go, Professor."

Professor McGonagall nodded, moved, her eyes even slightly moist.

“I’m going too,” Ron said loudly. “The one who got arrested is Ginny Weasley, she’s my sister, you have no reason not to let me go.”

“Okay, you go too, and Miss Granger will come along as well.”

“Professor McGonagall, this isn’t appropriate!” Snape said, displeased. “We’re going to battle, taking them along…”

“They are Gryffindors, and I will protect them,” Professor McGonagall said directly, her tone very firm.

In her view, this was originally a favorable situation. Although it seemed rather dangerous, they had two natural enemies of the basilisk, which undoubtedly added a sure-win weight to the scales of victory.

Since that's the case, it wouldn't hurt to bring three Gryffindors along to broaden their horizons.

Having said that, Professor Snape couldn't offer any further objections and could only give the three of them a knowing look.

Professor McGonagall walked to the entrance, took a deep breath, and jumped down, followed closely by Flitwick and Sprout.

Snape walked to the entrance, and just as he was about to jump, he remembered something, turned around and looked at Harry and the others, "I'll only say this once, it's not too late to go back now."

After he left, Aaron turned around and looked at the three of them with a sigh. "My opinion is similar to Professor Snape's. Except for Harry, you two had better go back and wait for news."

“That’s my sister! I have to go,” Ron said righteously.

Hermione remained silent, but her eyes were more resolute than anyone else's.

Aaron hesitated for a moment before giving the two roosters in his hand to Ron and Hermione.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, puzzled.

Aaron didn't explain, picked up Abe and jumped down.

"Perhaps in his eyes, we are too weak!" Hermione said thoughtfully.

Hearing this, Ron was a little angry, but the rooster in his arms gave him a great sense of security, and he wouldn't throw away the amulet for the sake of saving face.

The three exchanged a glance, walked to the entrance one by one, closed their eyes, and jumped down.