Hogwarts: Harry Returns from Water Margin

Chapter 81 Hermione Asks About Talismans After Being Slapped

Picking up where we left off, Dumbledore asked Harry if he knew any Chinese wizards. Harry pondered the word "China" carefully, not understanding its meaning, but feeling that it sounded very familiar.

It should be noted that the word "China" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Cīna". Although the two words are different, they have some similarities in tone.

Harry had also studied Buddhism with his senior brother Zhishen, read three or five scriptures, and learned some Sanskrit, which is why he was able to recognize it.

He thought to himself: Could the China the professor is referring to be the present-day territory of the Great Song Dynasty?

Seeing that he was lost in thought, Dumbledore flicked his wand and drew a circle, isolating the sounds inside and outside the circle.

"Harry, I'm just curious because I once saw a Chinese wizard use this method."

"If I remember correctly, this should be called... a talisman, right?"

The word "talisman" was pronounced in Chinese characters.

Harry was surprised and thought to himself: The professor actually knows him! Could the wizard who used the same method as me be a disciple or grand-disciple of Master Gongsun?

His heart pounded with anxiety, and he asked urgently, "What is the name of this Chinese sorcerer the professor spoke of? What is his background? Where does he live?"

"Ah... all I know is that his name is Liu Tao," Dumbledore said absently. "He was the Minister of Magic in China—at least in 1932."

Listen, dear reader: Dumbledore became acquainted with Liu Tao because this man was running for the position of president of the International Federation of Wizards.

At that time, Grindelwald was recruiting soldiers and manipulating the zombie Qilin to pretend to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, attempting to seize the chairmanship.

When Newt and his group uncovered the plot and the man fled, Liu Tao was the one who chased after him.

"Even though sixty years have passed, I still remember it very clearly. He drew a talisman in mid-air with his wand, almost exactly the same as the one in your hand."

"However, his talisman was much more powerful; he blew up an entire building."

Upon hearing this, Harry exclaimed, "What an exceptionally talented person! Professor, could you perhaps introduce me to him?"

"I'm sorry, Harry, I haven't heard from him in decades," Dumbledore sighed. "The last time I wrote to him was in 1937."

"He led the wizards to fight in World War II for Muggles."

"Viccia never understood this; she believed that wizards shouldn't meddle in Muggle affairs..."

Meanwhile, Draco was uneasy for a moment. Seeing that Harry was only focused on talking to Dumbledore and had completely forgotten about him, he immediately had the idea of ​​escaping unscathed.

It should be noted that he had previously humiliated Harry's sworn brother, and just now he made a series of provocative remarks.

If we wait until the scarred man has a free hand, we will definitely use that blood magic to summon lightning to strike him.

Just then, the school bell rang loudly, its sound shaking the rooftops. Draco was overjoyed. Taking advantage of the noise, he slipped away as if his feet were greased and made his way to the classroom door.

Seeing him reach for the doorknob, Ron, despite his injured lung, gasped for breath and shouted, "Malfoy—he's going to run!"

Upon hearing this, Harry's eyes widened, and he roared like thunder, "Hey! Where do you think you're going!"

With that, he flicked his wand, and a spell shot out, striking Draco squarely in the left buttock.

Draco let out a painful cry, and blood splattered everywhere as he collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face, groaning in agony.

"Ouch! My butt!"

Seeing his ridiculous behavior, the students in the classroom were stunned for a few moments before bursting into laughter.

Even the Slytherin students in his house covered their faces with their sleeves, unable to bear the sight.

When Snape saw this, his face twitched and veins bulged on his forehead. He could only lament that Draco was hopelessly useless.

I had already forcibly saved him in the ring, and yet he was cursed off the stage!

It's still the butt!

That's an absolute idiot who deserves to be sent to Azkaban!

He said grimly, "Gryffindor, deduct twenty points!"

"Potter! This isn't a dueling arena, how dare you attack your classmate!"

The points deducted were harsh, but the Gryphon students didn't seem to care. Harry even sneered, "Ha! If this guy had nothing to hide, why would he run away?"

"It's simply a case of a guilty conscience!"

Seeing that Harry was about to clash with Snape again, Dumbledore felt a terrible headache coming on.

How can he get into arguments with anyone? And I hadn't even finished asking my question... Or was he deliberately avoiding the topic?

This is getting interesting...

Dumbledore was lost in thought, seemingly in a trance. Snape, seeing this, was furious; the heat on his head was so intense it felt like it was about to scorch the ceiling.

"Dumbledore! As the headmaster, don't you have anything to say about this blatant violation of school rules?!"

The old headmaster came to his senses, bent down, and immediately a house-elf came and explained the whole story to him.

After listening, he shook his head. "Harry, Draco, your behavior is appalling."

"In addition to the academic penalty, I must also sentence both of you to a week of solitary confinement."

Upon hearing this, Draco turned ashen-faced, and even his buttocks no longer ached.

Putting Potter in solitary confinement? For a whole week? I'm not even sure I can make it through the first night!

His heart pounded like a drum, while Harry's eyes blossomed with a smile. He immediately bowed to Dumbledore, saying, "Professor, you are absolutely right. I am deeply impressed."

Dumbledore nodded absentmindedly. "Ah, let's take these two injured young wizards to the school hospital first."

"Gidero, can you do me this favor?"

"Of course." Lockhart propped himself up, hurriedly smoothed his hair, and forced a smile. "Leave it to me."

Dumbledore gave the others some more instructions and then headed out of the school.

"Liu Tao... Liu Tao... Ah, old friend, I really wish you were still alive."

Meanwhile, in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, all the students had dispersed. Lockhart, supporting Draco, was panting heavily, taking a break every few steps, wishing Draco would bleed to death.

Harry and Hermione, both agile as ever, declined the Gryphon students' offer of help, each supporting Ron on one arm, walking with a powerful stride.

"That damn white-haired brat, he got away with it again."

Ron spat out a mouthful of blood. "Twice on the train, once in flight class—oh, and once at Flourish and Blotts."

"Does he take Felix Felicis every day? He's so lucky."

Harry said, "Brother, don't panic. When we're in solitary confinement, I'll settle this score with you."

"Hey, it would be great if we could get Colin to come and take a live photo."

The two continued chatting and laughing to themselves, while Hermione remained silent.

Seeing this, Harry asked curiously, "Is something on your mind, eldest sister?"

"Oh, I was thinking about that spell you drew on your hand." Hermione's eyes sparkled. "Was that thing we used to tie to our legs for travel based on the same principle?"

PS: Viccia Santos, the new president of the International Wizarding Federation in 1932.

(End of this chapter)