Chapter 273: Aftermath
While Dumbledore hadn't truly reached the level of divine creation, he could influence the transformation and movement of matter purely through his own will.
Before this, Wade only knew of one type of person who could do something similar—
Children experiencing magical outbursts.
Take Harry, for example. In the original story, without a wand in hand, his sheer anger alone was enough to inflate Aunt Marge like a balloon. This was something he could never do in his normal state.
But magical outbursts were only accidental. As their thoughts matured and their understanding of the world became more complete, wizards found themselves unable to alter the material world with mere emotions and thoughts.
Everyone had to rely on fixed spells and gestures, practicing repeatedly to become familiar with spells and perform magic.
This was true for almost all wizards.
Dumbledore was the only exception Wade had ever seen.
Even now, closing his eyes, he could almost see the incredibly shocking, magnificent, and beautiful scene from back then.
Dumbledore seemed to glow in his vision, countless golden threads and rings filling the formerly empty and dark Chamber of Secrets.
Rubble and shattered stones floated slightly in the air, the giant snake separated, and every drop of blood flew according to that person's will. The material world and magic intersected, forming trajectories like star-bridges weaving through the air.
Wade had always believed he had come a long way on the path of magic, further than any other student at Hogwarts.
But now, he realized he was merely like a baby taking its first steps.
Far, far ahead of him, there was another tall figure.
...
The experience of challenging the Millennium Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets naturally became the hottest topic at Hogwarts for the next while.
Every student who participated tirelessly recounted the story repeatedly, from different angles and in different ways, mentioning it over and over until everyone was sick of it.
Harry and Neville, who ended the battle, were regarded as heroes by most students. The Gryffindors, led by the twins, even composed a catchy song praising the two—
"Dark abyss, Basilisk roars.
Fangs glint, eyes are blind.
He—
Champion Longbottom, unafraid, Sword in hand, bravely charges.
He—
Star of Salvation, battles death, Leaps down, unyielding, brave and true..."
They weren't satisfied with just making a ruckus in the Common Room all night. The next morning, they paraded the two around, and the entire path from Gryffindor Tower to the Great Hall echoed with the catchy tune.
Soon, even students from other houses were singing it.
Neville, who was experiencing such attention from his classmates for the first time—and not criticism or ridicule—was initially flustered, almost jumping off the tower.
But after getting used to it for a morning, he was already singing along with everyone.
When the Basilisk story spread beyond the school, letters poured into Hogwarts like rain, delivered by Owls, all protesting the school's professors for disregarding student safety.
But soon, parents learned that the children involved had suffered no casualties, and minor injuries like broken bones could be healed by Madam Pomfrey in the blink of an eye, no different from a scratched finger.
So the protests faded, and busybodies began to discuss just how powerful Hogwarts students were, hinting in their words that Dumbledore was planning something big.
But the Headmaster completely ignored these external claims.
He didn't have Harry re-seal the Chamber of Secrets; instead, he left it open, even allowing younger Wizards to visit.
The long pipe still retained its original damp and foul-smelling character, but after students slid through it hundreds of times, the pipe had become cleaner than a floor scrubbed by a small crab.
The shattered stone walls and pillars, the pockmarked floor, and the statue of Salazar Slytherin himself also remained as they were, with bloodstains still visible in some places.
However, visitors no longer had the chance to pick up scales from there. So, a few days later, some of the scattered stones on the ground quietly disappeared, and even some small animal bones in the corridor outside went missing.
Although the Basilisk's body had been moved into the professors' private storage, Dumbledore temporarily kept the shed skin. Every Young Wizard who entered was startled at first, then stood beside it, imagining how dangerous and fierce the battle must have been for the challengers that day.
Colin Creevey and Rolf Scamander became the most popular people in school—because everyone wanted to pose for a picture in front of the shed skin, and they had cameras.
Half a day later, Wade's camera was borrowed by Michael as well.
As he walked towards the Chamber of Secrets with a group of girls, including the Padma sisters, he happened to run into Professor Snape.
The group was so frightened they barely dared to breathe, but unexpectedly, Professor Snape said nothing and simply walked past them.
During this time, Professor Snape was in an exceptionally good mood, having acquired most of the Millennium Basilisk's body.
All he could think about was how to utilize these materials and what Potions could be brewed, having no time to bother with what new tricks the school's little Trolls were up to.
Besides Professor Snape, Myrtle also felt an unprecedented joy.
This ghost, who had always stayed in the lavatory, crying all day, had never seen so many students wandering around her territory!
She complained that her home had turned into a tourist attraction, but at the same time, happily chatted with students as she followed them. When they entered the Chamber of Secrets, she would suddenly pop out of the walls or the shed skin, startling everyone.
It felt like she had almost become a second Peeves.
It wasn't long before photos of the shed Basilisk skin appeared in the Daily Prophet, sparking another wave of discussion.
Marchioni seized the opportunity to release a line of snake-shaped Magic Golem Pets, which quickly sold out.
Before they knew it, it was time for the end-of-term feast. Before dinner, Dumbledore announced the points awarded to students from various houses for their participation in the Chamber of Secrets challenge.
As expected, Gryffindor once again won the House Cup. The scores of the other three houses were all quite close.
This time, even Slytherin didn't have much objection to the outcome. When cheers erupted in the Great Hall, a small number of students at the Slytherin table politely applauded along.
"Dark abyss, Basilisk roars. Fangs flash, eyes now blind…"
The Gryffindors thumped on the tables, singing loudly, and Dumbledore, smiling, conducted them. Hufflepuff House and Ravenclaw also joined in the chorus.
Goyle: "Dark abyss, Basilisk roars…"
The boy unconsciously started singing along, which Malfoy, sitting next to him, heard. He glared fiercely and barked, "Shut up!"
Goyle jumped, immediately clamping his mouth shut.
Although Crabbe was out of danger, he was still in St. Mungo's Hospital and hadn't been released yet.
Goyle was a little scared of Malfoy now.
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