Chapter 41 I Don't Eat Dog Meat
"You told it to enter its second phase, and it actually dared to?" Ron's brow furrowed as he looked at the Cerberus, Fluffy, in front of him.
Its six eyes were now glowing red, radiating ferocity, and its aura was several times stronger than before.
Ron's fighting spirit was also ignited by this aura, becoming even more intense.
Hermione stood to the side, her face grave as she watched the Cerberus, tightly gripping her wand:
"I read in a book that this is the Cerberus's enraged state. Its strength will instantly increase by several times, and we must be careful."
Harry also looked at Ron with a worried expression:
"Yes, Ron, let's just leave it at this. It's already impressive that we pushed it this far; there's no need to take more risks."
However, Ron shook his head, his eyes glinting with a sharp light:
"No, not like this."
Just at this critical moment, the Cerberus Fluffy's six eyes turned even redder, and a thick red aura gradually enveloped its body.
That aura was like a blazing fire, strong and hot, threatening to engulf the entire Chamber of Secrets.
The entire space became oppressive and heavy at this moment, making it difficult to breathe.
"Ron, run! The Cerberus is using all its strength!" Harry shouted, his voice filled with urgency.
Ron seemed not to hear him. He stood there, his gaze firm and fiery.
It's come to this point, and I still have so many trump cards. What's there to be afraid of?
Hermione looked at Ron, instantly understanding his thoughts.
She took a deep breath, straightened her chest, and said with a firm voice, "In that case, Ron, let's go together."
She knew that retreating now was meaningless. Only by fighting alongside Ron could they face the formidable enemy before them.
Ron's lips curved into a smile when he heard this.
He nodded and said, "That's right, it should be like this. Harry, don't just stand there. Do you remember the 'Tai Chi' I taught you? This is your time for practical application."
Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.
He knew that at this moment, they had to stand on the same side and face the challenge together.
He nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to mobilize the power within him.
"But I only learned Tai Chi breathing. This… what should I do?" Harry asked with some hesitation.
He knew he hadn't experienced such a battle and had no idea how to use the power of Tai Chi.
Ron looked at Harry, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.
"Of course… use your fists!" Ron didn't continue to answer Harry's question.
He revealed a set of white teeth: "Alright, you're in your second phase, and I'm about to enter my second phase too."
The Cerberus can only reach its second phase, but I, Ron, can go beyond that.
Ron took a deep breath, slowly mobilizing the spiritual energy within his body.
As the spiritual energy surged, faint sword shadows began to appear on his arm. The sword shadows were as hazy as morning mist, yet they contained endless sharpness.
Gradually, the sword shadows solidified, becoming increasingly clear and sharp, and a true treasured sword was about to emerge from the void.
Immediately after, a cold, gleaming sword appeared out of thin air in Ron's hand. It was the gryffindor sword.
The sword glowed faintly, containing endless power.
Ron gripped the sword tightly, his eyes shining like stars, no less brilliant than the Cerberus's red eyes.
"I told you to bark, let's see if you still bark," Ron growled, leaping up like a soaring eagle, straight into the sky.
He stood in mid-air, his gaze like a torch, looking directly at the Cerberus below.
At this moment, he was high above, formidable like a god!
And the Cerberus looked up at him, its three gaping mouths wide open, as if it was about to devour Ron.
He mobilized the spiritual power within him, slowly coiling the power of the stars around the gryffindor sword.
The sword immediately emitted an even more dazzling light, like a brilliant star.
"Harry, quickly!" Hermione's voice rang out.
She took a deep breath, gripping her wand tightly again, her fingertips gently gliding along the shaft as she began to chant a spell in a low voice.
As the incantation was uttered, a cold energy began to gather at the tip of her wand.
Hermione unhesitatingly waved her wand, and the Ice Binding Curse instantly shot out, transforming into a sharp ice arrow, directly aimed at the Cerberus's leg.
Seeing this, Ron secretly praised her.
As expected of Hermione, her combat talent is simply maxed out.
Just then, he noticed that the Ice Binding Curse hadn't achieved the desired effect.
As the ice mist approached the Cerberus, it was melted by the creature's steaming heat, unable to cause any substantial damage.
Ron frowned. He quickly mobilized even purer spiritual energy from his body, dividing it into fine threads and subtly transmitting it into Hermione's body from the air.
Hermione immediately felt an incredibly pure spiritual energy flowing within her. This power was strong and gentle.
She wasted no time and immediately used this power to cast the Ice Binding Curse again.
This time, the power of the Ice Binding Curse was clearly several times stronger!
A massive burst of ice energy instantly erupted from her wand, firmly freezing the Cerberus's leg.
The layer of ice crystals was hard and dense, and the Cerberus was unable to break it in a short time.
The Cerberus struggled fiercely, letting out a low growl, a sound filled with unwillingness and anger.
Harry watched all of this from the side, gradually understanding. He finally grasped the profound mystery of 'Tai Chi' and understood how to use his fists!
Harry took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and his magic power surged through his body, like a giant Dragon circling within him.
He unhesitatingly charged towards the Cerberus, his clenched fist gathering all his strength, aiming for the Cerberus's heart.
He knew that this punch would determine the outcome of their battle.
As he rushed towards the Cerberus, Harry felt a terrifying oppressive force from above.
He looked up and saw the Cerberus's huge mouth open, as if it could swallow everything.
He could even see the remnants of flesh between the Cerberus's teeth, and the bloody sight made his heart pound.
However, Harry did not back down.
He felt the Cerberus's heart beating like a divine drum, each thump echoing in his ears.
The Cerberus's blood-red skin was still radiating heat, and Harry could feel the scorching hot air wave rushing towards him.
But he chose not to flee, instead facing the challenge head-on.
He believed in Hermione, and even more so in Ron's decision and ability!
Seeing Harry's actions, a hint of admiration flashed in Ron's eyes.
This kid indeed had some tricks up his sleeve. To be able to detect the Cerberus's weakness in such a short time and bravely act on it was truly not simple.
Ron secretly nodded, very satisfied with Harry's growth.
Ron's previous kick to the gut had already created a noticeable dent in the Cerberus's heart area.
And now, Harry's powerful blow would undoubtedly further weaken the Cerberus's strength.
Their cooperation was becoming more and more seamless, filling Ron with confidence for the upcoming battle.
"Next, it's time for the protagonist to make his appearance."
Ron took a deep breath, gripping the sword in his hand.
He faced the Cerberus directly, the spiritual energy on his body burning like flames, making the sword appear even more dazzling and brilliant.
"Three Swords of the Stars!" Ron roared, like a Dragon's roar and a tiger's howl.
The long sword in his hand instantly split into three, forming three incredibly sharp sword beams that shot straight towards the Cerberus's gaping mouths.
At the same time, Harry was not to be outdone. His fist, like thunder, accurately struck the Cerberus's heart.
The two attacks landed almost simultaneously, and the Cerberus immediately let out a deafening roar of pain, a sound filled with endless fury.
"I don't eat dog meat."
Ron's lips curled into a cold smile, and the three swords in his hand, with lightning speed, pierced into the Cerberus's mouths, striking its vital points.
The Cerberus, disbelieving, bit down, but to its surprise, blood gushed out like a waterfall, instantly staining its entire body.
The bloody scene was shocking, making the Cerberus look like a monster that had just eaten a Dragonfruit, grotesque and terrifying.
The heavily wounded Cerberus stumbled back a few steps, its eyes revealing despair.
Finally, after a low growl, its massive body crashed down, completely losing its breath.
["You possess Unparalleled Enlightenment (heaven-defying comprehension), and by defeating the Cerberus, you have comprehended the God-level Beast Control Technique"]
A mechanical voice sounded in Ron's mind.
Chapter 42: Divine Beast Taming Technique
"Your comprehension is prodigious. By defeating the Cerberus, you have comprehended the God-level Beast Control Technique."
"God-level Beast Control Technique: Possess animal affinity. By defeating an animal, you can control it with 100% certainty. You can share the Beast's vision, control the Beast, and be telepathically connected with it."
Hearing this, Ron felt an indescribable sense of relief and satisfaction.
His long-term planning had finally paid off; it wasn't in vain.
The God-level Beast Control Technique, this powerful skill, had been comprehended by him, undoubtedly a huge leap forward.
It is well known that this world contains a large number of magical creatures, each with its own unique characteristics.
From the venom of the Acromantula to the scorching flames of the Dragon; from the terrifying roar of the Ghoul to the deep-sea dominance of the Hippocampus; and to the elegance and power of the Hippogriff.
These magical creatures all display their unique charm.
They hold a crucial position in this world, and their strength and wisdom are not to be underestimated.
From colossal Dragons to tiny fish, every corner of this world is filled with the miracles of life.
What would it be like if he were to subdue a Dragon in the future?
Would he still need to fight desperately?
If he thought more exaggeratedly, subduing three Dragons would allow him to conquer the world like the Dragon Mother.
Ron smiled, shaking these thoughts from his mind. These ideas were useless at this stage.
However, it seemed that one day in the future, Hagrid would obtain a Dragon egg, and he could plan for that.
Seeing the Cerberus collapse, Harry instantly felt all his strength drain away, and he fell weakly to the ground, looking up at the ceiling, a tired yet satisfied smile on his face.
He murmured, "I'm so tired!"
Ron looked at Harry, a smile playing on his lips.
He secretly praised the boy, whose cultivation wasn't strong, but his performance just now was indeed his best effort, not wasting his intentions.
He felt somewhat relieved and proud of Harry's growth.
Hermione witnessed the Cerberus falling and immediately turned and rushed towards Ron.
The excitement in her heart was indescribable; she almost wanted to hug Ron, but ultimately restrained herself.
Blushing, she softly asked, "Ron, are you alright?" Her voice revealed her concern for Ron.
Hermione was filled with shock.
Even now, she couldn't believe what was going on with the footwork and swordplay Ron had just displayed.
That extraordinary skill completely refreshed her understanding of the world.
She had never seen such a scene in her life; what exactly was going on?
She couldn't help but wonder if she and Ron were living in the same world.
Hermione hid her doubts in her heart; she would have to find an opportunity to ask Ron properly later.
Looking at Hermione's excited yet restrained expression, Ron gently waved his hand, comforting her, "What could happen to me? Don't worry. Go check on Harry instead."
Ron hadn't used his full strength in that battle.
In the first stage, relying solely on his physical strength, he delivered a powerful kick to the chest with eighty percent of his power.
This kick, like Mount Tai pressing down, directly knocked the Cerberus down.
In the second stage, he unleashed the 'Three Stars of Nebula' from the Nebula Swordplay.
The sword light flickered, like falling stars, incredibly powerful.
Even with such a powerful sword technique, it didn't consume much of Ron's spiritual energy.
It should be known that the Cerberus's strength was equivalent to a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, yet he, only at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, could easily defeat it.
Ron sighed in his heart: So, the so-called late-stage Qi Refinement strength is nothing more than this!
In the battle just now, he could have crushed the Cerberus even without Hermione and Harry.
However, he also needed to give them opportunities to grow.
He wasn't a babysitter; once Harry and Hermione grew up, they could also help him.
Ron lightly walked over to Harry, only to see Harry's eyes tightly closed, completely unconscious.
He reached out his finger, gently placed it on Harry's pulse, and used his spiritual energy to examine Harry's physical condition.
After some examination, Ron discovered that some of Harry's meridians were actually broken.
Ron couldn't help but think: Is he already done after just one punch? It seems he still needs to strengthen his training in the future!
He turned to look at the anxious Hermione, who asked with a worried face, "Ron, what should we do?!"
From Hermione's perspective, Harry was now only breathing in, not out, clearly in a bad state.
Ron smiled slightly, deliberately putting on a calm and composed look, and said, "No worries, with me here, this small injury is nothing. My pill will cure the illness."
Hermione looked at Ron's deliberately profound appearance, feeling a slight chill in her heart, but more so, trust and expectation for Ron.
Ron took out a verdant pill—a rejuvenation pill—from his pocket and gently placed it into Harry's mouth.
Then, he propped up Harry's head, allowing the pill to slide down his esophagus.
Hermione looked at Ron's skilled actions, feeling a bit confused: "Will this work? Just this green pill?"
Ron smiled nonchalantly and said, "It's fine, he'll be better soon."
He was secretly pleased. This was his treasured four-pattern rejuvenation pill, which had miraculous effects on treating internal injuries like this.
If even this couldn't cure it, then it would truly be strange.
Sure enough, not long after, Harry slowly woke up.
He slowly opened his eyes and saw Ron and Hermione watching over him with concern, a warm current flowing through his heart.
He struggled to sit up, looked at Ron, and asked, "Ron, how is it? Did we succeed?"
Ron smiled and nodded, saying, "You did very well, Harry. You didn't waste my intentions for you."
Hearing Ron's praise, Harry's mouth curved up happily, and most of his worries dissipated.
Ron's next words, however, instantly made Harry's mood sink again: "However, Harry, you still need to continue strengthening your training. You have to pay me for this rejuvenation pill."
Harry said with a bitter face, "Ron, I can accept the money, but the training is really too difficult for me."
After these few days of training, Harry felt that the pressure of these days was no less than staying at Uncle Vernon's house.
Ron smiled and said, "Harry, I just want you to understand that the importance of training is no less than any pill. And, my time and labor also have a cost, don't they?"
Harry, though somewhat unwilling, knew that Ron was right, so he nodded, indicating that he would continue to work hard on training.
Seeing Harry wake up like this, Hermione was a bit puzzled.
She looked at Ron, full of questions: "Ron, how did you do it? How did Harry just wake up like that? This is too exaggerated."
Ron smiled slightly, not directly answering Hermione's question, but turned to look at Harry.
Harry felt the medicinal power flowing through his body, as if a warm current was nourishing his meridians and muscles.
He did a carp jump, leaping up from the ground, and excitedly said, "Ron, I feel so much better! My body even seems to have gotten stronger!"
Hermione looked at Harry's energetic appearance, becoming even more confused.
She thought: How is he more energetic after being injured than before? Ron's strength is becoming more and more unfathomable.
Ron smiled and said to Harry, "Harry, remember to use the breathing method to refine the medicinal power when you go back; you will become stronger. However, now is not the time to rest; we need to go check on the Cerberus."
Saying that, Ron turned and walked towards the Cerberus, he had to subdue the Cerberus next.
Chapter 43: Taming the Three-Headed Dog
Seeing Cerberus's massive body, Ron couldn't help but show a satisfied expression.
He gently patted Cerberus's back and exclaimed, "The meat quality is really good!"
He knew that the reason Cerberus possessed such an astonishing body and strength was precisely because it had the bloodline of the hell Cerberus flowing within it.
With only 2.50% bloodline concentration, it had already displayed such powerful strength, making one marvel at its immense potential.
Ron couldn't help but imagine, if Cerberus could possess the full bloodline, what level of strength would it reach?
It would probably be an unimaginably terrifying existence!
Cerberus is the guardian of hell!
Although Cerberus was now powerlessly lying on the ground, Hermione and Harry still couldn't dispel the fear in their hearts.
Its massive size was enough to inspire awe.
Not to mention that Cerberus, due to Ron's previous thunderous Three Star Swords, was bleeding profusely from its mouth, and its entire body, as well as the surrounding ground, was stained with blood, making it appear even more horrifying and terrifying.
Hermione stared blankly at Ron, her eyes full of confusion, and she carefully asked, "Ron, didn't you say you don't eat dog meat?"
Ron was a little embarrassed, and he explained, "Oh, Hermione, you misunderstood. I just think Cerberus's physique is really amazing."
Ron actually had an unspoken thought in his heart: if it really came down to it, it wouldn't be bad as emergency food!
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Ron's explanation.
She recalled Ron's previous performances and couldn't help but marvel.
Ron's strength was truly growing stronger and stronger; he could even easily defeat such a terrifying Cerberus, which made her admire him greatly.
She looked around at the blood-stained ground and asked with some concern,
"Then what should we do with Cerberus now?"
Harry also frowned, following Hermione's words:
"Yeah, Ron. There's blood everywhere on the ground. If the Professor at school find out, how are we going to explain it?"
Ron smiled calmly, a never-before-seen confidence on his face: "I'm going to subdue it and make it my pet."
"Ah?" Harry and Hermione exclaimed almost simultaneously, their faces filled with surprise and disbelief.
They thought it was already amazing that Ron could defeat Cerberus.
Now he even wanted to subdue it, which was simply beyond their imagination.
Hermione looked at Ron with some concern; she knew that subduing such a powerful creature was not a simple matter, and a slight carelessness could cause greater trouble.
So she carefully asked, "Ron, are you sure? This is no joke."
Harry was relatively calmer; he was already used to Ron's unexpected actions.
He comforted her, "Don't worry, Hermione. Just trust Ron, he never does anything he's not sure about."
Hermione took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the doubts in her heart, and quietly waited for Ron's actions.
Ron gazed at the giant beast before him, a profound light flickering in his eyes.
He slowly released his spiritual energy, gently permeating Cerberus's massive body, feeling its injuries.
With this probe, Ron couldn't help but gasp.
He saw that all of Cerberus's teeth in its three mouths were broken, unevenly exposed, looking extremely tragic.
And its tongue was almost torn, swollen and bruised, almost unrecognizable from its original appearance.
More seriously, Cerberus's bones also suffered severe trauma.
Ron could clearly feel that many of its bones were fractured, especially the bones in its chest, which were almost pulverized due to Ron's gut kick.
These fractured bones were like sharp blades, piercing into Cerberus's body, causing it immense pain.
Ron's heart throbbed, and he continued to investigate deeper.
He found that Cerberus's internal organs had completely hemorrhaged, a complete mess.
Surprisingly, its heart was still faintly trembling; though weak, it was indeed still beating, indicating that it still had a glimmer of life.
Ron was overjoyed; he hadn't expected that this seemingly dying Cerberus still possessed such tenacious vitality.
What surprised him even more was that he astonishingly discovered that Cerberus was slowly recovering from its injuries at this moment.
Although the recovery speed was almost negligible, this discovery undoubtedly gave Ron hope.
He secretly congratulated himself, thinking that he had truly found a treasure.
Ron looked at Harry and Hermione, with some considerations in his heart.
He knew that Harry was brave, but sometimes still too naive, needing more experience to temper him.
So, Ron decided to let Harry see some blood, hoping he could learn from it and become more mature.
As for Hermione, Ron decided to let her observe from the side, without personally getting involved.
"Harry, go over and take a look." Ron motioned for Harry to step forward and check Cerberus's injuries.
"Don't just stand there, hurry up." Ron said, gently pushing Harry, making him stumble forward.
Harry was a little nervous, but he still mustered the courage to walk over.
When he saw Cerberus's severe injuries, he was too shocked to speak.
He recalled his own performance in the battle just now; he seemed to have not played much of a role, only using all his strength to throw a punch before falling to the ground.
Yet Ron, with just a few light strokes, had caused Cerberus such serious damage.
Harry couldn't help but be amazed by Ron's strength.
After seeing Cerberus's injuries, Harry walked over to Ron, smiling bitterly: "It seems I still need to practice."
Ron smiled and said, "It's not entirely useless. Alright, now watch how I subdue Cerberus."
He pulled two rejuvenation pills from his pocket, feeling a little pained; he would have to refine more pills again.
Ron took out the pills and stuffed them into one of Cerberus's mouths.
After a while, Cerberus's tightly closed eyes gradually opened, revealing a hint of confusion and bewilderment.
Its head shook a few times, seemingly trying to regain consciousness, then slowly stood up.
As Cerberus moved, the entire Chamber of Secrets also began to shake slightly, trembling at the giant beast's revival.
Harry and Hermione looked at the scene before them, a trace of fear rising in their hearts, instinctively wanting to retreat.
But when they saw Ron's determined back, the fear in their hearts subsided a little.
Cerberus's eyes were like six large red lanterns, exceptionally bright in the dim Chamber of Secrets.
It stared fiercely at Ron, Harry, and Hermione, its eyes flickering with vigilance and hostility.
Clearly, Ron's previous attack had left a deep impression on it, filling it with fear towards this human.
"Be a good doggy." Ron said softly, simultaneously extending his right hand towards Cerberus.
His tone revealed an indescribable authority.
Harry and Hermione watched Ron nervously, wondering what would happen next.
As soon as Ron's words fell, he felt a wisp of his sub-soul quietly enter Cerberus's body.
This was an unprecedented experience.
Ron seemed to be in a mysterious world, establishing an inseparable connection with Cerberus.
He could clearly feel Cerberus's every subtle movement, every emotional fluctuation.
And Cerberus also seemed to sense Ron's presence; its originally fierce gaze gradually softened.
When Ron tried to further control Cerberus, Cerberus suddenly began to struggle. It let out a low growl, trying to break free from this restraint.
However, the aura released by Ron's sub-soul was simply too terrifying.
It was a suffocating sense of oppression that Cerberus found irresistible.
In the face of this powerful oppression, Cerberus's struggles became increasingly weak.
It eventually had to give up resisting, allowing Ron's sub-soul to leave its mark within its body.
As time passed, Cerberus gradually felt a sense of closeness with Ron.
It sat on the ground, the red light in its originally fierce eyes gradually disappearing, replaced by a gentle glow.
Its mouth also returned to its normal shape, revealing a docile appearance.
Immediately after, Cerberus lowered its head, approached Ron, and let out two joyful barks, showing its submission to Ron.
"Ah?!"
This scene once again refreshed Harry and Hermione's understanding; where did that fierce dog from before go?
Ron looked at Cerberus's appearance and also felt very happy.
He secretly praised the power of the God-level Beast Control Technique, and at the same time began to ponder what role Cerberus could play now.
Chapter 44 Ron's Pawn
Hermione and Harry witnessed this scene together, and a turbulent wave surged in their hearts.
The formidable, awe-inspiring behemoth from just now had now completely transformed into a docile and well-behaved dog.
It lay quietly on the ground, as if it had a new soul.
Hermione looked at the Cerberus in front of her, feeling a little apprehensive, but also attracted by its gentle appearance.
She cautiously stretched out her hand, a hint of expectation in her voice: "Can I pet it? It won't bite me, will it?"
Ron couldn't help but chuckle as he saw her nervous look:
"Don't worry, Hermione, it's very docile now, it won't bite. Go ahead and pet it."
Hearing Ron's assurance, Hermione finally plucked up her courage and carefully reached out to gently stroke the Cerberus's head.
Cerberus Fluffy seemed to enjoy the petting.
It lay tamely on the ground, letting Hermione's hand gently glide over its head, a look of contentment on its face.
Harry also couldn't help but lean closer out of curiosity, he reached out and gently touched the Cerberus's body.
He could hardly believe that this beast, which had been so ferocious just moments ago, was now so well-behaved and obedient.
Ron's mind was as clear as a mirror, he knew that his soul fragment had been deeply imprinted in Fluffy's spiritual consciousness.
This meant that Fluffy's life and death were completely in his hands, at his whim.
He raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking: What if Cerberus is strong, in the end, it still has to be firmly controlled by me.
Control did not mean he could ignore Fluffy's injuries.
He murmured to himself: "I still need to see how Fluffy's injuries are recovering."
With that, Ron closed his eyes and began to carefully examine Fluffy's injuries.
His consciousness slowly delved deeper, as if passing through a mist, finally reaching Fluffy's body.
There, he saw that Fluffy's damaged organs had begun to show signs of recovery, and the tissues that had been injured in the battle were now slowly repairing themselves.
Ron continued to investigate and found that the collapsed bones in Fluffy's chest were also slowly healing, the previously broken bones were gradually reconnecting under the effect of the medicine.
And Fluffy's festering tongues were also gradually growing new granulation tissue, beginning to return to their original appearance.
Ron secretly nodded in his heart, the efficacy of the four-pattern rejuvenation pill was indeed powerful.
He also knew that due to Fluffy's enormous size and extremely powerful cultivation, the recovery process would not be too fast.
He estimated that in another two or three days, Fluffy's injuries should be fully recovered.
"Ron, logically speaking, we should be happy that we were able to escape from the mouth of the Cerberus," Harry said with a furrowed brow and a bitter expression.
"But, with all the commotion that happened in the Chamber of Secrets tonight, how should we deal with it?"
Hermione was also reminded by Harry's words, and she looked at Ron worriedly:
"Yes, Ron, we have to find a way to cover all of this up, otherwise it will cause a lot of trouble."
Ron looked at Harry approvingly; his ability to think about how to handle the aftermath was indeed a sign of progress for him.
In fact, Ron had already thought through these issues before coming.
This was why he had Harry and Hermione attack together just now.
With Harry as a 'get out of jail free card', was there any need to worry about the consequences?
After all, Harry was one of Professor Dumbledore's important chess pieces, and the old man would not let Harry get into any major trouble.
Thinking of this, Ron's face couldn't help but show a hint of helplessness.
Ultimately, we are all just pawns on a chessboard for now.
I long for the day when I can proudly become a chess player, ruling one side and controlling my own destiny.
Ron took a deep breath, suppressed the thoughts in his heart one by one, then looked up and said to Harry and Hermione:
"It's alright, I've already thought of a solution for this. You two first clean up the bloodstains in this room, remember to be careful and don't leave any traces. Then, Hermione, leave some faint magictraces to make it look like we had a fierce battle with the Cerberus."
Harry, though still somewhat confused after hearing Ron's words, saw that Ron had no intention of explaining further and did not press the matter.
He silently began to clean up the bloodstains on the ground, while repeatedly replaying Ron's words in his mind: "Think more."
Harry couldn't help but feel a little lost, he felt that he always seemed to be unable to keep up with Ron's thinking.
When danger arose, Ron could always quickly come up with a solution, while he was always a step behind.
He sighed and tried to focus his attention on cleaning the bloodstains.
Hermione, on the other hand, began to create some battle traces according to Ron's instructions.
She also didn't fully understand Ron's specific ideas.
But Ron's decisions had always been so effective, which gradually increased her trust in him.
She picked up her wand, gave a gentle flick, and left some battle traces in the Forbidden Forest.
Ron stood quietly to the side, his gaze fixed on Cerberus Fluffy, his mind constantly contemplating and planning.
He knew that Professor Dumbledore had placed many chess pieces on this chessboard.
And he, Ron, must also plant his own stake here to solidify his position.
He secretly decided in his heart to let Fluffy become his stake.
Fluffy would become an important force for him to guard the Philosopher's Stone, and even a key chess piece for him to control the entire situation.
He knew that now was not the time for him to take the Philosopher's Stone, as that would lose the bait to lure Lord Voldemort, the big fish.
What he needed was patience and strategy, to gradually guide the situation in the direction he controlled.
At this moment, his God-level Beast Control Technique came into play.
Ron was very satisfied with the capabilities of the God-level Beast Control Technique he possessed, especially one of its features—the ability to share the beast's vision.
This ability gave him a window into another world, allowing him to peer into corners that were normally inaccessible.
He cautiously mobilized his divine soul, slowly sinking it into the imprint that was closely connected to Cerberus Fluffy.
As his divine soul delved deeper, another scene gradually unfolded before his eyes—Harry and Hermione's movements clearly came into view.
Harry was kneeling on the ground, meticulously cleaning the bloodstains, while Hermione stood by, skillfully creating battle traces.
Ron strengthened his control over the Cerberus, and at this moment, he was surprised to find that he had merged with the Cerberus.
He could not only clearly perceive Fluffy's emotions and thoughts, but also control its actions at will.
He gently blew a breath, attempting to test this new connection.
Almost at the same moment, Cerberus Fluffy next to him also moved slightly, letting out a low growl.
Harry immediately noticed something was wrong, he turned his head and asked in confusion: "Ron, what's wrong with the Cerberus?"
Ron was secretly pleased, he knew that his stake had been planted.
He didn't answer Harry's question, just smiled slightly.
Next, what he needed to think about was how to deal with Professor Dumbledore.
And in this game, all he did was watch.
Chapter 45 Dumbledore: Our school is really full of talented people this year
After a brief familiarization with controlling Cerberus, Ron's sense of urgency eased slightly.
He stood aside, quietly observing Harry and Hermione tidying up the Chamber of Secrets.
Hermione suddenly squatted down, carefully examining the ground. Her brows were tightly furrowed, as if she had discovered an important clue.
She pointed to a trapdoor on the ground and said, "It's strange enough that the school keeps a Cerberus. It's clearly guarding something important."
Harry, hearing this, also squatted down to examine it carefully.
A thought flashed in his mind, and he suddenly realized, "What is this dog guarding? I think it's probably guarding the package from vault 713. Hagrid and I went there before, and the Gringottsrobbery in the newspaper two days ago must be related to this."
Ron stood by, listening to their conversation, and nodded inwardly.
He was well aware of the entire process of the matter but did not interject.
And now, what he needed to do more was to continue observing the situation, adapting to circumstances, and acting accordingly.
Ron feigned hesitation, his brows tightly furrowed, as if deep in thought:
"That's right... sending such a dangerous animal to guard must be to deal with hostile forces at Hogwarts or to prevent internal troublemakers in the school."
He paused and continued, "My exploration of the forbidden area is actually to learn more about the school, so we can better protect ourselves."
Ron remained silent about the Philosopher's Stone, knowing that at this sensitive moment, any disclosure could cause unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, he chose to use this seemingly reasonable excuse to fob off Harry and Hermione.
He knew they needed to understand this world slowly; forcing it would only be counterproductive.
Harry, hearing this, asked in confusion:
"An internal traitor in the school? Is it Snape? He kept staring at me at the start of the semester."
Ron's heart stirred. He knew Harry's prejudice against Snape was deeply ingrained, but at this moment, he didn't want to delve into the issue.
So, he calmly replied, "Who knows? We'll have to keep watching to uncover the truth."
He sighed inwardly, lamenting that even with his transmigration, he couldn't change Harry's initial thoughts about Snape!
Hermione looked a little worried. She said, "No matter what, we have to leave as soon as possible. This is a forbidden area after all. If we're discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable."
"Yes, we need to leave here quickly. Follow me, and stick close!"
Ron quickly scanned his surroundings, confirming that Harry and Hermione's setup was reasonable and left no flaws.
He gently comforted Cerberus for a few moments, then turned and left the fourth-floor forbidden area.
Ron, relying on his powerful divine sense, skillfully avoided Filch's detection, moving through the floors like a ghost.
On the way back to Gryffindor Tower, Ron suddenly felt as if someone was whispering.
He looked around but found nothing unusual.
"Are the school's portraits talking, or are those ghosts?" Ron muttered to himself.
However, he quickly relaxed, as the voices did not seem to show any malice towards him.
What Ron didn't know was that Peeves had been secretly observing their every move.
This mischievous little fellow was skilled in invisibility, and the current Ron could not detect his presence.
Upon returning to Gryffindor Tower, Ron's steps remained steady.
In contrast, Hermione and Harry looked somewhat tired, both panting as if they had used up all their strength.
"I'm so tired, Ron. How are you still looking like nothing happened?" Hermione's cheeks were flushed, and she was breathing heavily, clearly exhausted.
Harry trained every morning, but even he seemed a bit overwhelmed at this moment.
Ron smiled slightly. He didn't explain to Hermione, just gently comforted her, "Don't worry, you'll be fine after a rest. Go back to sleep."
Afterward, Ron and Hermione bid each other goodnight and returned to their respective dormitories.
Ron's roommates were still sleeping soundly. He looked at the small clock by his bedside; it was already half past two in the morning.
He walked to Harry's bed, gently patted his shoulder, and said with a half-smile, "Morning training still needs to continue, don't be lazy."
His elixirs could even heal Cerberus's severe injuries, let alone Harry's negligible training volume.
Harry gave a wry smile, nodded, indicating that he would persevere. He turned over and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Ron lay quietly on his bed, beginning to meticulously consider his next plan.
He knew that Professor Dumbledore would most likely appear in that Chamber of Secrets tomorrow morning because the entire school seemed to be filled with his informants.
Ron was well-prepared for this and believed he had arranged everything flawlessly.
Recalling his trip to the Chamber of Secrets, Ron couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
He had not only mastered the God-level Beast Control Technique but also successfully tamed Cerberus, making him his informant in the school.
This way, he would be able to more easily understand the goings-on in the school.
Thinking of Hagrid, Ron felt a slight pang of guilt.
Cerberus was Hagrid's treasure. If Hagrid knew that his beloved pet had become Ron's pet, he would probably be too sad to eat.
Moreover, Ron was still eyeing Hagrid's future Dragon. If Hagrid found out about this, he might faint from anger.
However, Ron wasn't someone who only took advantage of others.
He always adhered to the principle of repaying kindness and avenging wrongs.
He had used Hagrid in certain matters and intended to do things in the future to repay Hagrid.
Lost in thought, Ron gradually fell asleep.
Soon, a new day arrived. At seven in the morning, sunlight streamed into the dormitory through the windows of Gryffindor Tower.
Ron's roommates finished their morning exercises and returned to the dormitory one after another.
Seamus wiped the sweat from his forehead, a hint of confusion on his face:
"Harry, how did you suddenly become so strong today? I can barely keep up with you."
Dean also looked unwilling:
"I used to be the first to finish every day, but today you surpassed me. My natural talent for running is almost being outshone by you."
Neville, meanwhile, was tidying his bed, slowly saying:
"It seems I'll be the last one to finish every morning now. No, I have to work harder too."
Harry, hearing everyone's words, scratched his head and smiled a little sheepishly:
"Haha, actually, today was just a fluke. But I do feel much better physically than before."
He silently thanked Ron, for it was with Ron's help that his strength had significantly improved.
He believed that everything Ron did had a deeper meaning.
Ron looked at the atmosphere among his roommates and was very satisfied.
His past life experience told him that appropriate pressure and competition could stimulate people's potential and encourage continuous growth.
It seemed that this strategy was also working well with his roommates.
Indeed, you have to compete!
He decided that in the future, he would continue to improve his reward and punishment system, allowing his roommates to continuously improve their cultivation through competition.
Once their strength improved, he could then teach them some stronger cultivation techniques.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the school, Dumbledore and Snape stood before Cerberus, both with profound expressions on their faces.
Dumbledore slowly began, "Our house truly has many talented individuals this year!"
Chapter 46 Xianqi takes root
"It's amazing how Harry and these small wizards managed to injure Cerberus so severely!" Headmaster Dumbledore exclaimed after carefully examining Cerberus's injuries.
"Hmph, these students must be severely punished, they should even be expelled!" Professor Snapesaid angrily, gritting his teeth.
"Severus, calm down for a moment." Dumbledore maintained his gentle smile.
"Look, the combat skills and talent Harry and the others displayed are truly extraordinary. We should give them more attention and cultivation, rather than simply punishing them."
This morning, Dumbledore had just woken up when he heard the news from the portraits.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had actually broken into the forbidden area on the fourth floor last night.
It could be said that in this magic school, Dumbledore's eyes were everywhere, and his chess pieces were silently playing their roles.
Therefore, early this morning, he and Snape went to the forbidden area on the fourth floor to understand the full extent of the situation.
Meanwhile, Ron remained in his dormitory.
He suddenly felt the mark branded in Cerberus's mind tremble slightly, which was clearly a sign that someone was approaching Cerberus.
Ron's heart stirred, guessing that the person who came must be Headmaster Dumbledore.
He glanced at his roommates who were making their beds, and already had a plan in mind.
He turned to Neville and said gently, "Neville, you go to breakfast with Harry and the others today, but only for today. I have some private matters to attend to, you don't have to wait for me."
Ron knew that for someone like Neville, constant suppression and neglect would only make him more frustrated.
Only by giving appropriate praise and encouragement when he made progress could his enthusiasm be ignited.
When Neville heard Ron's words, a happy expression appeared on his face, and he immediately left the dormitory with Harry and the others to eat breakfast.
After his roommates left, Ron quickly locked the dormitory door and drew the curtains.
He knew that once he entered Cerberus's perspective, if any unexpected situation arose, he might not be able to attend to his own body.
So, Ron took a deep breath, concentrated his mind, and slowly merged his soul into Cerberus's brand.
At this moment, his body lay lifelessly on the bed, as if it had lost its soul.
Ron's current cultivation was not enough to control two bodies at the same time, he had to be cautious to avoid any accidents.
As Ron's soul gradually merged into Cerberus's brand, his perspective also switched to Cerberus's perspective.
Ron secretly sighed in his heart: The ultra-wide-angle view of six eyes is indeed clearer, and it is truly perfect to use Cerberus as his monitor.
As Ron's vision gradually adapted to this novel visual experience, he was surprised to find that in addition to Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor Snape was also present.
Professor Snape's face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip from it, clearly still in a state of anger.
Ron's heart tightened, and he thought: Why is Snape here? Will he discover anything? Since Lily's death, Professor Snape's style of acting has become even more decisive and ruthless.
But the current situation no longer allowed him to think too much, he could only continue to observe and see what they were discussing.
So, Ron held his breath and concentrated, quietly observing every move of Headmaster Dumbledoreand Professor Snape through Cerberus's perspective.
"Dumbledore, you say these small wizards are just starting out, I absolutely don't believe it!" Snapesaid indignantly, "You really should take a good look at the magic traces in this room!"
He pointed to the wound on Cerberus's body and continued:
"Look, the spells used by Harry and Hermione caused the most damage. Look at the frozen traces on Cerberus's fur. The entire room is filled with the magical aura they cast, this is definitely not something a novice can do!"
Snape turned to other places, his face even uglier:
"And these knife marks, they were clearly made by Ron's gryffindor sword. Is the gryffindor swordmeant to kill dogs? I really don't understand why this child was allowed to obtain this sword. He is simply abusing it!"
Snape's words were full of dissatisfaction with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. In his opinion, these small wizards would only cause him trouble and annoyance.
After listening to Snape's words, Ron's heart relaxed: He thought Snape had discovered something, but the traces he had instructed Hermione and Harry to create had clearly confused Snape. In the end, it was his arrogance that made him overlook his own abilities.
Snape felt that Ron could only swing the sword like a child.
However, Dumbledore's next words made Ron's relaxed heart tighten again.
Dumbledore said to Snape with a smile:
"Severus, I don't think so. Look at the magic splash marks all over the room, this is clearly caused by these small wizards' imprecise control over spells. Don't you agree?"
Snape frowned: "Yes, but so what? Even if these students are not proficient in casting magic, and they caused so much damage to Cerberus, shouldn't they be blamed even more?"
Dumbledore shook his head and said confidently:
"No, no, no, Severus. What I mean to say is that these surrounding traces were accidentally caused by Harry and Hermione during the battle, and the spell that caused the most damage to Cerberus was actually Ron's."
Snape seemed a little surprised, he stared at Dumbledore with wide eyes.
Ron secretly rejoiced, his hanging heart had completely settled, they had completely fallen into his rhythm.
The casual move he had made in Transfiguration Class a few days ago had now taken root.
Dumbledore continued: "Two days ago, Professor Minerva came to my office and said that Ron had shown extraordinary magic talent in class. So, in this battle, Harry and Hermione were secondary, and Ron was the main one."
That's right, Ron had also deliberately displayed his magical talent in class two days ago.
He paused, then added: "The most crucial thing is that Cerberus's injuries are mostly concentrated on the surface of his body, with very few internal injuries, which also aligns with the characteristic of new students having less magical power. It seems that Ron performed exceptionally well in this incident."
Hearing Dumbledore's evaluation, Ron was secretly satisfied.
He knew that his goal had been completely achieved, not only gaining Dumbledore's attention but also paving the way for his future cultivation plan.
Previously, he had put most of his resources on Harry, hoping to eliminate Lord Voldemort through Harry.
Now it seems that because of his magical talent, Dumbledore is likely to allocate more resources to him in the future, which will help him advance his cultivation plan more smoothly.
At the same time, Ron also maintained sufficient caution throughout the entire matter.
His several trump cards—Nebula Swordplay and the secret of cultivation, among others—were not exposed.
Moreover, he cleverly used the rejuvenation pill to help Cerberus recover, causing Dumbledore to underestimate his true strength.
Ron believed he had handled this degree perfectly.
If he recovered too quickly, his evaluation in front of Dumbledore would decrease; if he recovered too slowly, Dumbledore would become suspicious of him.
The room's airtightness was excellent, like an invisible barrier, isolating Dumbledore and Snape from the truth.
They could not see the full picture of the situation, and could only rely on limited clues and signs to make inferences and conjectures.
These seeds of conjecture quietly took root in their hearts.
Ron was very much looking forward to what kind of towering trees these seeds of conjecture would grow into.
Chapter 47 Bringing Lily Back from Hell
After listening to Dumbledore's detailed explanation, Snape's brows furrowed.
He felt that most of the situation was logical, but deep down, he still felt something was amiss.
"How is this possible?" Snape shook his head in confusion, his tone clearly incredulous, "If Ron truly possesses such talent, wouldn't he be comparable to the Dark Lord?"
Dumbledore observed Snape's reaction, understanding his doubts.
He took a deep breath and said seriously:
"Snape, I know this sounds astonishing, but the facts are right before us. Ron was able to pull out the gryffindor sword, and not just anyone can do that. You still remember the rules set by the original founders, don't you?"
Snape nodded, and after a moment of silence, said, "Of course I remember. Only those who truly possess the qualities unique to Gryffindor can obtain it when needed."
Then Snape recalled another matter: "Do you remember Draco, whom I mentioned a few days ago? He refined a Potion called 'Elixir'."
"Draco's talent naturally seems stronger than Ron's; he has created an entirely new system of magic."
Snape naturally favored the Slytherin students.
From Cerberus's perspective at this moment, Ron saw everything clearly.
He couldn't help but feel a burst of amusement.
If Snape knew that the "Draco" he spoke of was actually himself, what a scene that would be?
Dumbledore sighed with emotion:
"This year, our house is truly producing many talents. First Harry, Draco, Hermione, and now Ron."
"However, the matter of the Elixir might be a ploy by the House of Malfoy to win you over," Dumbledore said meaningfully, "Let's leave it at that; don't go asking Draco Malfoy about it."
Snape nodded, indicating he understood. He knew the priorities; the House of Malfoy had always tried to expand its influence through various means. He snorted lightly and, dragging his robes, left the Forbidden Forest.
After Snape left, Dumbledore began to cast healing magic, treating Cerberus's wounds.
As one of the most powerful White Wizards, his command of magic had reached a state of perfection.
He gently waved his wand, and a soft glow enveloped Cerberus, its wounds gradually healing.
At this moment, Dumbledore's heart was filled with doubt.
Recently, he had a nagging feeling that some past prophecies were amiss, as if important information had been overlooked.
He recalled the Sorting Hat's assessment of Ron, saying that Ron bore the shadows of the four original founders.
The weight of this statement was too heavy; if it spread, it would surely shake the entire Wizarding World.
However, he also remembered Sybill Trelawney's prophecy.
The prophecy only mentioned Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, and did not mention Ron Weasley's name.
This made Dumbledore very puzzled; he didn't understand why Ron was so highly regarded by the Sorting Hat, yet ignored in the prophecy.
Dumbledore knew that Sybill Trelawney was no ordinary seer.
She was the great-granddaughter of the famous "Seer" Cassandra Trelawney, and the profession of "Seer" had been extremely rare in the Wizarding World since ancient times.
There were very few seers who could truly enter a trance state and deliver accurate prophecies.
Sybill had prophesied that the one with the power to defeat the Dark Lord was about to appear.
This person would be born into a family that had thrice defied the Dark Lord, born at the end of the seventh month, and the Dark Lord would mark him as his equal.
The prophecy also stated that this person possessed a power unknown to the Dark Lord, and ultimately, there would be a life-and-death struggle between the two, for they could not coexist in the world.
Dumbledore pondered, the details in the prophecy perfectly matched the background and experiences of Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom.
However, Ron was overshadowed by the light of this prophecy. What role did he truly play in it?
Was it an omission in the prophecy, or was there a deeper meaning?
...
Ron watched as Snape and Dumbledore successively left the Chamber of Secrets, and he calmed Cerberus's agitated emotions.
Then, his consciousness slowly withdrew from it, returning to his original body.
He stood in place, closed his eyes, and once again replayed every detail of his actions over the past few days in his mind.
From refining the Elixir to his conversation with Snape, and then to all his subsequent experiences, he carefully checked every step, ensuring he left no flaws.
Ron opened his eyes, and after confirming everything was in order, he picked up his satchel and headed to the Potion Class classroom.
The Potion Class classroom was located in the dungeons, a cold place beneath the school.
Compared to the main Castle building, the atmosphere here was noticeably much colder, and the air was filled with an indescribable sense of oppression.
He went through the stairs and arrived at the Potion Class classroom.
Ron casually sat next to Hermione and chatted with her for a while.
Just after they had chatted for a bit, Professor Snape bustled into the classroom.
He stood at the podium, his tone cold and serious, not allowing for the slightest slackening.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving in this class, and for that reason, many of you will hardly believe this is magic."
His words conveyed an undeniable sense of authority, causing the small wizards to put away their wands and listen attentively to his explanation.
"I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the gently simmering cauldron emitting white smoke and a delicate fragrance, nor will you truly comprehend the subtle magic of the liquid that flows into people's veins, captivating the mind and blurring the will..."
Professor Snape's words revealed a deep love for Potions, making the small wizards even more curious about this mysterious subject.
"I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper on death."
These words were like a flame, instantly igniting the enthusiasm in the hearts of the small wizards.
They all widened their eyes, eager to learn more from Professor Snape.
However, as Professor Snape mentioned "putting a stopper on death," Ron noticed the emotions he inadvertently revealed.
A bitter, salty smell on the wind—was it the scent of regret?
Ron couldn't help but recall the past between Professor Snape and Lily Potter.
Indeed, Professor Snape possessed powerful Potion skills, capable of saving countless lives...
But he couldn't save that special person in his heart—Lily.
Whenever topics related to death were mentioned, an indescribable pain would flash in his eyes.
"Harry Potter, the famous one..." Professor Snape suddenly spoke, his voice revealing a complex emotion.
He then asked, "What would I get if I added powdered asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry stood up, and faced with this sudden question, he seemed a bit flustered, unsure how to answer.
Ron knew Snape's true meaning; what he actually wanted to say was: "I deeply regret your mother's death."
Ron secretly speculated, if Harry were a girl, and her pupils were exactly like his mother Lily's.
Perhaps at that moment, Professor Snape would not hesitate to abandon everything and directly challenge Lord Voldemort!
Suddenly, a lightning-fast thought flashed through Ron's mind.
He remembered his cultivation experience, and that this world also contained creatures like Cerberus.
A bold idea arose in his heart:
If I could bring Harry's mother, Lily, back from the underworld in the future, what would Professor Snape do?
Chapter 48 If you mess with me, you'll be like kicking a steel plate!
Professor Snape's sharp gaze was fixed on Harry Potter as he posed another difficult question:
"Mr. Potter, if I were in urgent need of a bezoar, where would you suggest I look?"
Harry was clearly stumped by the question; he looked troubled and couldn't provide an answer.
At this moment, Hermione Granger noticed Harry's predicament and unhesitatingly raised her hand.
Professor Snape seemed to ignore Hermione's action, continuing to wait for Harry's reply.
Malfoy and his two cronies burst into laughter when they saw Harry couldn't answer.
Malfoy was secretly pleased.
He realized he couldn't save face in front of Ron, but at least he could regain some dignity with Harry.
He had always held a grudge against Harry, and now he seized the opportunity to make trouble.
Professor Snape didn't give Harry a chance to breathe, immediately following up with the next question:
"Potter, now tell me the difference between aconite and wolfsbane."
Hermione eagerly stood up, her hand still raised, hoping for a chance to answer.
Professor Snape still ignored her, his gaze remaining fixed on Harry.
Harry felt a flush of embarrassment, and he quietly replied, "I don't know."
After saying this, he subconsciously looked at Ron, hoping for some inspiration from him.
Ron looked at Harry's embarrassed expression and thought to himself: There's no denying Professor Snape is brave, but his attitude towards students is indeed too harsh.
The contrast between these two aspects was indeed a bit difficult to comprehend.
However, this was Professor Snape's unique quality.
Ron understood Snape's harshness towards students, but he hadn't encountered Ron.
If you provoke me, you've hit a steel plate!
Ron didn't plan to challenge Snape immediately, and simply venting emotions was meaningless.
What he needed to do was wait for the right moment.
Watching Harry consistently fail to answer Snape's barrage of questions, Snape's face grew darker, as if a storm was brewing.
He glanced at Hermione, who still had her hand raised, and said in a cold and biting tone, "Put your hand down, you silly girl. Your answer isn't important."
Then, Snape's gaze turned to Ron.
A mocking curve appeared on his lips as he asked, "You idiotic Weasley boy, can you answer?"
Snape often deducted points from Fred and George. He had never held much affection for the Weasleyfamily.
However, Professor Snape had heard Professor Dumbledore's praise for Ron that morning, calling him exceptionally gifted in magic, which piqued Snape's interest in Ron.
Ron, however, appeared indifferent to Snape's provocation.
He calmly replied, "I'll still get points deducted if I say it, so why should I answer you?"
His experience as an adult in his previous life made Ron completely uninterested in such childish point-scoring games.
Especially under circumstances where he was being discriminated against and treated harshly.
He preferred to remain silent rather than compromise his dignity to appease Professor Snape.
Ron had already anticipated Snape's next move, and seeing Snape's astonished expression, a hint of smugness rose in his heart.
Professor Snape clearly hadn't expected Ron to challenge his authority so directly; his face instantly turned ashen, choked speechless by Ron's words.
"Good, good, you're very brave to speak to me like that," Professor Snape squeezed out these words through gritted teeth, his tone filled with anger.
He was clearly very displeased with Ron's attitude, considering it a challenge to his authority.
Ron didn't care at all; he looked at Professor Snape with a half-smile and said,
"I'm a Gryffindor. If I'm not brave, who is?"
Professor Snape was now utterly speechless with anger at Ron; he hadn't expected this seemingly insignificant Weasley boy to be so difficult.
Ron thought: I have a golden finger, why should I put up with your temper?
Seeing Ron dare to speak to Professor Snape like that, all the students in the room were shocked.
They hadn't expected Ron to have the courage to challenge Professor Snape's authority, nor had they expected him to utterly defeat Professor Snape with just a few words.
Especially the Slytherin students, who usually held Professor Snape in awe, were stunned to see Rondare to provoke him so boldly.
Malfoy was even more astonished; he had been waiting to see the Gryffindors make fools of themselves, but in the end, it was Snape who was humiliated by Ron.
"Very good, very good, this is truly the first time I've seen such a bold student," Snape's voice was low.
"Malfoy, you come out here. The two of you, go make a Potion for boils right now. Whoever makes it first, I'll award points to their House."
He glanced at Ron, a mocking curve on his lips,
"This way, Ron, you can't say I'm not giving points now, can you? I'm giving you this opportunity; let's see if you can seize it."
Snape found that he was indeed no match for Ron in this war of words, and he still felt a bit unwilling.
He kept feeling that Ron's tone of voice sounded familiar, which made him somewhat agitated.
Ever since "Malfoy" showed him the method for making the rejuvenation pill, he had looked at this student's Potion talent with new eyes.
He felt that Slytherin's Malfoy's talent would naturally not lose to Gryffindor's Ron.
In Snape's eyes, "Malfoy's" Potion talent was simply too strong, while Ron was only good at charms.
He believed that in a Potion showdown, Malfoy would definitely be able to demonstrate his abilities.
Malfoy felt a surge of dread when he heard Snape tell him to compete with Ron in Potion making.
He thought: Why do you think I have the ability to compete with Ron in Potion making? This is a joke.
Facing Snape's displeased expression, Malfoy had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree to the competition.
He knew he had no choice but to do his best, hoping not to lose too badly in this contest.
Ron felt a surge of amusement when he saw Professor Snape arrange for Malfoy to compete with him in Potion making.
He secretly thought, Is there a possibility that this "Malfoy" you're talking about is actually me?
Ron did not show his inner joy on his face; he maintained a calm expression.
In his heart, however, he had already begun to imagine Professor Snape's reaction if he were to reveal to him later that he was the "Malfoy."
Would he be so surprised he couldn't close his mouth, or would he be so angry he'd puff out his beard and glare? Ron's heart was filled with anticipation.
However, he knew it wasn't time to reveal it yet.
Ron calmly responded, "I accept this challenge, but I don't need your points. I only hope, Professor Snape, that you can maintain a fair attitude towards Gryffindor."
His voice, though not loud, was full of determination.
Ron didn't have high hopes for Professor Snape's attitude towards Harry.
He knew clearly that James Potter's bullying of Snape during their school days had left a deep rift between the two.
He also understood that after Lily's death, Snape had indeed done his best to protect Harry.
This complex emotional entanglement made Ron feel both indignant and a touch of respect towards Snape.
Ron's words stirred up all the Gryffindor students.
They looked at Ron in astonishment, unable to believe that he actually dared to directly demand Professor Snape to treat Gryffindor fairly.
This was a thought they had never dared to entertain.