A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 74: Encounters

On the night of Christmas, as the bustle gave way to silence, the Hogwarts castle was enveloped in the cloak of night.

In the office of Ancient Runes, Felix Harp habitually opened his diary and engaged in conversation with the young Dark Lord within.

For the past couple of days, he had been trying to steer the conversation towards Salazar Slytherin, but the topic had always been diverted.

Tonight, Felix decided to employ a different strategy. He needed to delicately set a trap, allowing the young Dark Lord to step into it on his own.

For this purpose, he revisited several psychology books.

"Something rather sensational happened today," Felix wrote.

"What is it?" the diary asked with evident interest. Lately, it had been quite troubled. After each interaction, this astute professor would lock it away, leaving it completely cut off from external information.

"The attack on the Chamber of Secrets was reported. People are talking fervently, some even suggesting the dissolution of Slytherin House and stripping Salazar Slytherin of all honors."

Felix felt like a grand spider, artfully weaving a web.

The diary's pages immediately displayed a hasty scrawl, "Ridiculous discourse, utterly absurd! Who is it? Dumbledore, perhaps! He's always had biases against wizards from Slytherin lineage."

Felix smirked slightly, wickedly penning, "No, not him. It's a woman named Rita Skeeter, known for concocting rumors about celebrities."

The name "Rita Skeeter" flickered on the diary's pages, appearing chaotic and menacing—she seemed to want to etch that name firmly in her memory.

Within the diary, the young Tom Riddle was indeed angered. He couldn't help but wonder if the magical world had deteriorated to such a degree.

After a long pause, the diary inquired, "And then? The Ministry surely wouldn't entertain such a preposterous proposal!"

"Of course not, but this matter has sparked extensive discussions within Hogwarts. Many young wizards have a rather negative opinion of Salazar Slytherin—well, you could say it's extremely unfavorable."

The diary couldn't help but write, "Salazar Slytherin is the greatest among the Founders! Yet, later generations merely judge him superficially, desperately smearing his reputation!"

Felix thought of the immense face within the Chamber of Secrets: an aged, simian visage with thin, stringy facial hair that almost reached the hem of his robes.

It had to be noted that it was Slytherin himself who had carved that. There was a possibility of self-glorification.

He struggled to imagine what the real Slytherin was like, especially with all those serpents with their forked tongues constantly surrounding him.

Felix offered a somewhat "objective" insight, "This illustrates the point quite well. You see, people tend to reject things they don't understand, much like Slytherin's serpentine accent."

"I couldn't agree more, Felix Harp. Your perspective is truly insightful," praised the diary.

Felix Harp modestly explained, "I've read some of Ravenclaw's manuscripts. Just through fragments of description, one can imagine the grandeur of that era." He sighed in his writing, "Four of the most talented wizards and witches coming together to shape a new era in the wizarding world."

The diary echoed his sentiment, saying, "That's indeed a history worth remembering." Its tone shifted to a more peaceful one.

However, shortly after, Felix deliberately or unintentionally commented, "I just don't understand why Salazar Slytherin suddenly had a falling out with the others. Was it truly a clash of ideologies? You know, the pure-blood ideology wasn't popular back then."

"And he secretly constructed the Chamber of Secrets, leaving behind a terrifying monster. I believe—" Felix wrote word by word, "he self-destructed his own creation; it's a classic trait of a dark wizard."

Tom Riddle in the diary couldn't help but counter, "Perhaps his chamber wasn't meant to purge Muggle-born wizards."

"Then what was it for, Tom? I must remind you that many of Slytherin's studies were gruesome and cruel, which influenced his character."

Tom Riddle continued to refute, "But he also cleared the fog of truth for the generations to come. Look at his subjects of study: fairies, giants, dwarves, centaurs... His achievements are enough to elevate wizards to supreme heights! It just requires a minor, inconsequential cost."

"Tom, are you his fanatic?" Felix wrote.

"No, of course not... It's just that I partly agree with his ideology. Wizards and humanoid creatures are distinct concepts, right?" The diary strained for objectivity in its tone. "Moreover, any judgment detached from the context of the time is hypocritical and foolish. The moral standards of wizards back then were entirely different from now."

"You make a valid point," Felix wrote, "but from what I understand, these precious magical records have not been passed down. Whether they're truly 'great' remains uncertain."

"That truly is the 'greatest' achievement," within the diary, the young Dark Lord seemed quite impassioned, trying to convince Felix.

"How do you know?" Felix wore a triumphant smile.

"I'm merely guessing..."

"Don't deceive me, Tom! Your knowledge of Salazar Slytherin goes beyond my imagination, and your stance on him is overly protective," Felix began tightening the noose. "It makes me wonder if you opened the Chamber? Are you the true heir of Slytherin?"

He wrote word by word, the force almost as if it would tear through the paper, "I need an explanation, or else, I'll have no choice but to hand you over to Dumbledore."

In the diary, Tom Riddle was noticeably nervous. He despised this feeling of being "exposed."

After a long silence, the diary displayed a line of text, "Is that what you think? That I lied to you? I thought—we had established a sturdy friendship."

Calmly, Felix wrote, "That's why I've given you a chance to explain."

From the perspective of the Dark Lord, as long as he didn't reveal the truth about the Horcruxes, everything could still be discussed.

The diary rapidly and hastily responded, "It's certainly not me. I'm a Muggle-born, remember? I have no connection whatsoever with Salazar Slytherin."

Felix remained silent. He didn't reply with any words, just exerted a gradual pressure.

In the diary, Tom Riddle couldn't endure any longer. He wrote again, "But... I must admit, I did stumble upon something during my school days. Yes, I acquired some advanced magical knowledge."

"Was it from Salazar Slytherin?" Felix held his breath and asked.

"I guess so," the diary replied succinctly.

"Tell me, Tom, where did you place it?"

The diary remained silent. The young Dark Lord was in quite a predicament. He desperately wanted to refuse, but this professor was far too perceptive. He was backed into a corner; if he denied, he would undoubtedly be considered the culprit who opened the Chamber—though he indeed was.

His frustration with his own powerlessness grew, and he was on the brink of madness.

But soon, he replied with polite, composed language, "It was fifty years ago. I found a rather extraordinary room on the eighth floor of the castle..."

This chapter features a game of wits between the main character and Tom, filled with deception and falsehoods. It's rich in misleading elements and is intriguing to explore.

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