The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 241 truly became a nightmare.

In early June, temperatures in the Scottish Highlands were soaring every day.

Similarly, as the final exams drew closer, Hogwarts visibly became somewhat restless.

This is especially true for fifth- and seventh-grade wizards.

These two important exams not only represent their academic performance but also determine their future life trajectory.

……

However, the tense atmosphere before the exam never really affected Slytherins.

For more than 80% of baby snakes, a smooth path has already been paved for them before they are even born.

Whether it's OWLs or NEWT, frankly speaking, they are all restrictions imposed on ordinary people.

Even Goyle, after graduating, will inherit the family business. For him, going to school is probably more like a vacation where he can casually critique the food in Hogwarts kitchen.

The four colleges always present four different scenes.

……

Slytherin dormitory.

In the quiet environment, the only sounds were the turning of pages and the scratching of a quill pen.

"Lina, my suggestion is Middle-earth. I've finished telling you the story, but the choice is ultimately yours."

Ino's gaze swept over several handwritten books on the table; just looking at the titles was enough to send chills down one's spine:

"Crush Your Brain," "Making a Potion with One Finger," "Twelve Uses for Your Eyeball," and "The Techniques of the Killing Curse"

"You don't need to worry about me! I've already chosen the location," Lina said in a cool voice.

"These books were selected! This is the last thing I can do to help you."

"Put the book aside for now, choosing a good place is very important!" Ino emphasized again.

He knew very well that once a choice was made, it was difficult to change. Especially given the time difference between the two worlds, their next meeting might be decades later.

"There's not much of a choice! It's just about experiencing life. Besides, I'm already quite content. Since I entered Narnia, all I've encountered is endless malice and rejection..."

Lina took eight steps and lightly leaped onto the tabletop.

"I never expected to be given a second chance at life! For that, I want to thank you."

"But you are still not free!"

For the first time, Ino pointed out the drawbacks to his face.

He had been deliberately avoiding this topic all along; the miraculous nature of the shelter gave him absolute control over Lina.

After he pointed out the problem, the dormitory fell silent for a while.

……

Time passed silently, second by second.

After a while, Lina broke the silence first:

"So, will you force me to do something?"

"Of course not!" Ino retorted without even thinking.

"If that's the case, then why call it not free, little one!"

Lina chuckled, her form clearly that of an eight-eyed giant spider, yet at this moment she once again displayed the confidence of a legendary witch.

The familiar address also brought back memories for Ino.

The reindeer sleds, Simon the dwarf, the castle on the ice field, the ice sculptures in the auditorium...

"Yes! You are free!"

At this moment, Ino's tone was unusually certain.

After he finished speaking, he felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and he felt a sense of relief.

As if she had expected this, Lina not only didn't take it to heart, but also changed the subject:

"Although I don't know how much longer, if you have any questions, ask them now! This world gives me a very unusual feeling."

It's more than just unusual; Ino knew this a long time ago.

The magical world is very sophisticated and mysterious, like the smoke of a sanctuary, making it difficult to glimpse its most fundamental secrets.

Although shrouded in mystery, he wouldn't be too fixated on it, much less pursue the truth as a lifelong endeavor like the Ravenclaw ladies.

Perhaps, just like fate at the beginning, he chose to disguise himself as a bard, and in the process of disguising himself, he was also subtly changing himself.

Nowadays, Ino is not too attached to anything, just like the protagonist of the novel "Mr. Almost", who only cares about being "good enough" in everything.

The pursuit of the ultimate often only brings the ultimate pressure.

However, since Lina had brought it up herself, he wouldn't let this opportunity to discuss it pass by.

"If I really have any doubts, perhaps there is only one at the moment."

As Ino spoke carefully, he simultaneously mobilized the Boggart hidden in the shadows, and a cloud of extreme black mist slowly emerged.

"Boggarts, a type of magical creature. But now they've changed, and some have speculated that they're connected to nightmares..."

……

There are no secrets at Hogwarts.

Similarly, Hogwarts is full of secrets.

One thing is certain: the safety level of student dormitories is an absolute priority, and so is absolute privacy.

Slytherin, the bedroom beneath the castle.

The predominantly green color scheme, paired with the flickering candlelight, always evokes a sense of mystery and gloom.

But now, in a double dormitory room of about 20 square meters.

Black mist wafted through the room, and on the table sat an eight-eyed giant spider, a foot in diameter, and several magic books whose titles alone could mislead anyone.

All of this combined means that even if Voldemort were to arrive, he would have to admit that he has a worthy successor.

"...That's the whole story. The shelter's mechanics allowed me to accidentally gain control of this Boggart, and the second magical surge also changed it."

Amidst the black smoke, Ino calmly recounted the changes that had occurred over the past year.

He had nothing to hide from Lina, nor was there any need to. Frankly, they were all in the same boat, a boat that could never be cut.

After his detailed explanation, the expected silence did not occur.

Lina didn't even hesitate before taking the lead and expressing her opinion.

"There's nothing strange about that! The reason for all this is simply because you believed that story, you believed in your heart that Boggart and Nightmare had changed."

"Of course, this is not enough to bring about a fundamental change."

Lina gently stirred the smoke in the air with her footsteps, while her clear, cold voice rang out in the dormitory:

"The root of everything lies in the magical surge, which is one of the reasons why I hold this world in such high regard. Children who have never learned magic can do things that many powerful wizards cannot during a magical surge."

"When they're emotionally charged, they can even make their wishes come true. But this power is uncontrollable; it only grants the young wizard's deepest desires, like getting a piece of cake or making themselves fly..."

As Lina recounted her story, Ino gradually came to understand the problem.

One of the most striking examples is when 11-year-old Harry used the Vanish Charm silently and without a wand at the zoo, causing the glass of a Brazilian python to disappear.

Faced with this irrefutable evidence, he had come to agree with Lina's point of view.

The second magical upheaval was triggered by Boggart, and he also subconsciously believed that Boggart was connected to Nightmare.

Under this almost magical power, everything naturally underwent a fundamental change.

(End of this chapter)