Chapter 271: A Hero's Destiny
After Wade learned Dumbledore's version of the Slowing Charm, he would occasionally use it to slow down the Basilisk.
Compared to the Basilisk, his magic was quite weak, only capable of a small amount of restraint.
But even if it only delayed things by a tenth of a second, as long as it was used at a crucial moment, it would still make a difference.
The students didn't know there was an extra helper here—
When they entered the Chamber of Secrets, Wade and Dumbledore had already become invisible using the Disillusionment Charm.
Dozens of students surrounded the Basilisk, initially panicking and at a loss. Seven or eight people were seriously injured and sent away by professors.
But gradually, the bravest among them stood at the front, forming a defense, and the other students slowly regained their composure. At least they weren't so scared that they dropped their Wands and ran away anymore.
Then, even those who had initially fled came back, red-faced.
Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw…
Students from the four Houses mingled together, collaborating without distinction, engaging in a "life-and-death struggle" with the Basilisk.
When they cast Spells, they didn't stop to consider whether the Basilisk was attacking an enemy or a friend; when they reached out to pull up a fallen classmate, they paid no attention to which House uniform the other person was wearing.
They only wanted to defeat the terrifying "enemy" before them.
For Wizards, their mindset also greatly affected the efficacy of their magic.
For a time, the numerous students actually formed a stalemate with the massive Basilisk.
Watching this scene, like a group of ants battling a worm, Wade couldn't help but wonder—how did Harry, all alone, defeat such a behemoth?
Of course, it might also be because Harry used a sword, and at this moment, the students were all using magic... the Basilisk's "magic resistance" was indeed very high; most Spells landing on its scales seemed like mere tickles.
But Wade preferred to believe that Dumbledore, just like now, was invisibly standing by, secretly using magic to restrain the monster, and watching with satisfaction as the young Savior pierced the Basilisk's upper jaw with the Sword of Gryffindor.
Thinking this, he turned to look at the Headmaster, only to find Dumbledore also looking at him, tears welling in his eyes, as if deeply moved.
Wade was startled: "...Professor Dumbledore?"
"Isn't this wonderful?"
The Headmaster's gaze was very gentle, and he said with a soft smile, "Seeing the children cast aside their old rivalries, helping each other and fighting a common enemy, this feeling is truly beautiful... It makes one feel their heart filled with warmth and hope."
"Um... it does seem that way, yes..." Wade said slowly, "But why are you looking at me when you say that? I'm not among that group."
"But this scene came about because of you."
Dumbledore looked at the fighting children, his gaze deep and tender, as if seeing a distant future.
"The House rivalries at Hogwarts have existed since its founding, for over a thousand years... Even during wartime, I've never seen them so united."
"But this unity is only temporary... it's just because they've encountered an enemy they have to team up against."
Wade calmly poured cold water on the idea: "Once this challenge is over, the rivalries will still be rivalries."
"But they've fought side by side..." Dumbledore said optimistically, "Even if this experience happens only once, it will leave a mark on their hearts."
Wade thought to himself: How many times did Peter Pettigrew fight alongside James Potter? Didn't he still betray him mercilessly when he wanted to?
But then he remembered that people like Peter Pettigrew were rare, and one shouldn't generalize.
Suddenly, the great snake let out a pained roar, its tail still twitching violently, its upper body slamming heavily onto the ground.
At this point, the snake's body had countless wounds, large and small, but only two were fatal—
Neville Longbottom still had the sword Wade had given him, and he had plunged it deep into the Basilisk's neck from below.
One of the Basilisk's fangs had been broken off by someone using a Severing Charm. Harry, astonishingly, was holding this fang, flying on a broom above the Basilisk's head, then swooped down, aiming precisely, and plunged the fang directly into the Basilisk's bloody eye socket!
Everyone was stunned by their feat.
Wade was also surprised.
While many older students didn't shrink back but bravely fought, it was still Harry and Neville who ended the battle...
For a moment, he felt a force called destiny.
It was as if some people... were destined to become heroes.
Neville was covered in black snake blood. After the Basilisk fell, he seemed unable to believe what he had done, supporting himself on his knees, gasping for breath.
Beside him, there was a dull thud.
"Harry—"
Hermione cried out, rushing over. George, who was closest, had already caught him, preventing him from falling to the ground.
He laid Harry on the ground and saw that his face was dark, and there were several scratches on his arm from the snake's fangs.
"Harry's been poisoned!" George shouted, "Who has Antidote?"
Michael, who had been observing the Basilisk with his mouth wide open, heard this and immediately pulled a small bottle from his pocket, running over with it held high, shouting, "I do! I do! I have Antidote!"
No one thought twice; they quickly cleared a path. Michael knelt beside Harry, uncorked the bottle, and poured the Antidote into Harry's mouth.
The Potions took effect incredibly quickly. In just a few seconds, the dark blue discoloration caused by the poison receded from the boy's face, and the blood flowing from his wounds turned back to a normal red.
"I'm fine... I'm all right..."
Harry felt as if he were being constricted by several people, held in a very tight embrace. He mumbled and pushed away the people holding him.
When he opened his eyes, he saw George, Hermione, and Michael beside him, and Neville and others, looking anxious, by his legs.
"This Antidote is really powerful!" Robert, the Ravenclaw prefect, leaned over and stood nearby. Seeing this, he patted Michael's shoulder and asked with great interest, "Michael, how did you get it?"
"Uh…"
Michael quickly glanced at Professor Snape, who stood expressionless at the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets.
Before they came, Professor Snape had given a bottle each to a few students who performed well in his Potions Class (specifically those from Slytherin and Ravenclaw), saying they might need them.
This Potions was extremely precious; each bottle contained only a single sip, and there were only a few such bottles in total.
Of course, they couldn't mention the special care the professor had shown them in private.
While Michael hesitated, Robert had already found an explanation himself.
"Wade gave it to you, didn't he? You two have always been close… I also heard that kid designed this challenge match…"
Robert stood up and looked around. "Why isn't he here?"
"Because if the judge also competes, it would be too unfair to the participants."
A voice sounded from nearby.
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