Chapter 164
Getting rid of the ghoul was much easier than Draco had expected.
Contrary to its frightening appearance, the creature was harmless. It lived on moths and spiders and preferred attics or barns. The Ministry of Magic classified ghouls at only XX—harmless and easily managed. The one hiding in the bathroom was quickly driven out.
Dobby and Kreacher could have handled it, but house-elves rarely used their magic in combat unless directly ordered. Although their magic differed from that of wizards, and even Hogwarts' anti-Apparition wards could not restrict them, they lacked the instinct to fight.
So Draco dealt with it himself.
---
The moment he stepped out of the bathroom, his body stiffened.
A voice echoed directly inside his mind.
"Not bad, young one. What year is it now?"
Without hesitation, Draco sealed his thoughts with Occlumency.
"1994," he replied cautiously.
The voice paused.
"More than a thousand years… Is Hogwarts still standing?"
Draco's suspicion was confirmed.
"I'm a student there. Slytherin."
"That's good," the voice said with quiet satisfaction. Then it added with interest,
"Strong Occlumency. I won't test you. You're a junior."
"You already know who I am," Draco said respectfully.
"I wouldn't dare deceive you, Salazar Slytherin."
---
Salazar's tone remained calm.
"I am only a lingering will. My magic is nearly exhausted. Someone turned my locket into something… foul. You destroyed it, didn't you?"
"If you wish to hold me accountable," Draco said evenly, "I accept it."
"On the contrary, I should thank you."
Salazar continued quietly:
"The one who altered it carries my bloodline. A fragment of his soul… Such magic should not exist."
Draco remained silent.
"Is it a Horcrux?" Salazar suddenly asked.
When Draco did not deny it, Salazar hissed softly.
"Herpo's legacy… How disgraceful."
---
"Is he dead?" Salazar asked.
"No."
"Strong?"
"He has multiple Horcruxes."
Draco took out the damaged diadem.
"Ravenclaw's crown?" Salazar sounded genuinely surprised. "If Rowena knew…"
After a pause, he added dryly:
"Then Helga's cup is probably involved as well. If Godric's sword had been turned into one, I would have liked to see his face."
Draco replied calmly,
"The sword wasn't corrupted. It has destroyed several."
Silence.
Then Salazar muttered, almost irritably,
"I still lost to that red-haired fool."
---
After a moment, his tone changed—serious now.
"Enough memories. I want that descendant destroyed. And you… you interest me."
What followed was a long night.
---
Salazar began teaching.
Ancient spells.
Forgotten magical theory.
Lost potion formulas.
Principles of magic from a thousand years ago.
Draco listened without rest.
The Ravenclaw diadem had given him no knowledge.
But Slytherin's locket had given him a teacher.
---
During their conversation, Draco also learned the truth.
Salazar's opposition to Muggle-borns had not been about blood superiority. In his era, many wizards had been persecuted by Muggles. Distrust and fear had driven him to extremes, eventually leading him to leave Hogwarts and create the Chamber as a final safeguard.
Time had twisted his intentions.
And his own descendant had turned that legacy into something far worse.
---
As dawn approached, Salazar's voice grew faint.
"I would have liked to see what magic has become…"
A translucent old man appeared before Draco—simple robes, stern eyes, worn but dignified.
"No ornaments," Draco thought.
"For him, power was the only crown."
Salazar looked calm.
"My friends have been waiting for more than a thousand years."
After a pause, he added quietly,
"Those Muggle newspapers you showed me… Perhaps I was wrong about some things."
Then he said simply:
"Goodbye, child."
His figure faded.
---
Draco stood and bowed to the empty air.
"Safe journey."
Outside, the first light of dawn appeared.
He had not slept all night.
Yet his mind was clearer than ever.
Many doubts had been answered.
And now—
He could not wait to test what he had learned.