Chapter 125: Gryffindor Records
"So, the magic on these pages isn't protecting the words themselves, but the incomplete symbols in this corner."
George looked at the ancient magical writing deciphered by Phineas and said this.
Phineas nodded and continued moving his hands, copying the symbols onto a blank piece of parchment and translating them into other words using the table.
Then, an article appeared before the four of them, written in the universal script.
In 987 AD, I and three friends founded this school together and named it Hogwarts. The main purpose of establishing the school was to protect young wizards persecuted by Muggles and prevent them from suppressing their magic. Talented children who became Obscurials often met violent ends.
However, with the founding of the school came new problems. We all had different personalities.
In my opinion, the present age needs more wizards who have the courage to stand up and resist.
Rowena believes that wisdom is the most important quality for a wizard to develop.
Salazar thought talent was paramount. At the time, wizards with exceptional talent often came from pure-blood families, so he favored those of pure blood.
Helga is the kindest among us. In her view, every young wizard deserves help and education.
Because of our differing beliefs, we argued and eventually founded four houses, designed to support and challenge one another.
Over time, some Muggle-born wizards revealed the existence of the school to Muggles, bringing Hogwarts its first great crisis.
Although we successfully resolved the crisis, we then concealed Hogwarts, so that Muggles could neither see, hear, nor detect it.
But the disagreement over admitting Muggle-borns deepened. According to Salazar, if they could betray us once, they could do so again—twice, three times, or more. He believed we should avoid admitting Muggle-borns and focus only on half-blood and pure-blood wizards.
After one of our fiercest arguments, Salazar left the school, leaving behind a bitter message.
"I have sealed the Chamber of Secrets. No one can open it again until my heir comes. He will open the Chamber, release what lies within, cleanse the school, rid it of harmful Muggle-borns, and protect Hogwarts."
When he read this, Lee Jordan suddenly said,
"Wait a minute, I thought Slytherin left the Chamber of Secrets to purge Muggle-borns? Why does it say..."
Phineas nodded and said,
"If this was really left by Gryffindor, then the Hogwarts rumors passed down for a thousand years are all wrong. Slytherin didn't leave the Chamber to purge Muggle-borns—he left to protect Hogwarts."
After that, the four of them continued reading.
After Salazar left, I began to reflect. Truly, it was too dangerous to allow just anyone into Hogwarts. So Rowena, Helga, and I cast a secrecy spell on the school. No Muggle-born wizard would be able to tell anything about Hogwarts to Muggles. The spell is time-limited—we do not believe the current state of wizarding affairs will last forever. Eventually, things may improve. Perhaps, one day, wizards and Muggles can live in peace.
Though we found a solution, we still couldn't find Salazar. We searched everywhere we had been before, but there was no trace of him. It was as if he had vanished from the world.
Time passed, and the three of us grew old and could no longer search for him.
Later, Rowena's adopted daughter stole her diadem. That was something I hadn't expected. The diadem held no power, yet Rowena still wanted to preserve her knowledge, hoping one day her daughter might return. She thought it best to leave a legacy for the next generation of students.
It was a good idea, so I too left behind some things and hid them all in the Black Lake.
Helga also left things behind, though not as many. I don't know where she put them. But perhaps that's for the best—when future students search for our legacy, they'll do so through effort and wisdom.
There was a long blank space after that.
Rowena passed in the end. She never saw her daughter again. Helga was heartbroken and locked herself in her dungeon, never emerging. I, too, have grown old. I know I don't have much time left, and still there's no sign of Salazar. Has he forgotten us? I had hoped to apologize. If I hadn't been so stubborn, perhaps he wouldn't have left.
I cast a spell on myself, though it will take time to take effect. Once I transform into my Animagus form, I will never be able to change back. But it will grant me a long life, allowing me to guard this place forever—Slytherin's castle—waiting for Salazar's return. I recorded all of this in one of his favorite books. I intend to protect my inheritance and this castle.
There was no more content. Clearly, this was what Gryffindor intended to leave behind.
"Wow, there really is Gryffindor's treasure!"
George and Fred said excitedly in unison.
Lee Jordan shook his head and said,
"Didn't you see that? It's not a treasure—it's his legacy, and it's in the Black Lake. We don't even know the Head-Breaking Charm yet."
Phineas said,
"Even if we did, reaching the depths of the Black Lake is no easy task. There's a tribe of merpeople down there—not to mention Grindylows, hippocampi, lobaworms, and other creatures. Also, I suspect that the giant squid in the Black Lake is Gryffindor."
"What?"
The three of them responded in surprise.
Phineas nodded and said,
"According to the notes he left, he cast a spell on himself to remain forever in Animagus form, granting him eternal life to protect Hogwarts. The only creature that fits that description is the giant squid in the lake. Records say it's been in Hogwarts for centuries. Squids can grow extremely large—and possibly live for a thousand years. So it's very likely the giant squid is Gryffindor himself."