Chapter 64: The Snake Slayer

Chapter 64: The Snake Slayer

On the other side, Ron woke up under the effects of the potion.

"Ugh... Where am I? Harry! Hermione?" Ron sat up, a bit confused, and soon he saw Harry and Hermione battling the serpent.

He quickly recalled what had happened.

He had chased after Harry with the enchanted puppets, and they encountered the serpent. Harry had attempted to speak Parseltongue, but the serpent attacked immediately.

They had to run for their lives, not daring to look back.

And then, a majestic silver bird appeared. It pecked out the serpent's eyes, only to be swatted away by the furious creature, leaving Ron in agonizing pain. He had almost thought he was done for.

Ron's last memory was of Harry supporting him and the once magnificent silver bird reduced to a pitiful tiny form, perched upon his shoulder.

Was it weeping, mourning for me?

Ron stood up, flexing his limbs, surprisingly unharmed.

He drew out his wand, prepared to step forward, but the memory of being swatted by the serpent's tail flashed before his eyes, gripping him with immense fear.

I'm going to die!

He fixed his gaze on the scene before him. Harry held a foreign silver sword in his hand. Had Hermione brought it? But where were the professors, Dumbledore? Ron looked around, unable to find them.

And those devilish vine-like things? Ron felt like he had woken up only to find the situation utterly incomprehensible.

By now, the serpent had broken free from its third devil's snare. It seemed even angrier, spewing venom and baring long fangs as sharp as daggers.

It coiled its body, tail smacking against the pillars, sending debris flying.

In the midst of chaos, Harry scrambled onto the toes of the Salazar Slytherin statue. The serpent lunged, its massive head creating a half-meter-deep pit upon impact.

Hermione's beaded bag had lost its effect. She emerged, casting several red curses at the serpent, but its scales deflected them easily.

What should I do?

Ron trembled all over, torn between conflicting emotions.

Snape's lips curled into a soundless smirk as he raised his wand.

However, in the next moment—

Ron Weasley charged forward, picking up a stone and smashing it onto the serpent's head.

"Hey! I'm over here!" He exaggeratedly waved his arms, diverting the serpent's attention.

The serpent's dark eye sockets turned toward Ron, making him swallow hard.

Under the Invisibility Cloak, the professors had diverse thoughts.

"Foolish lion," Snape's perspective.

"Brave Gryffindor..." Dumbledore's eyes glistened with moisture.

Harry also laughed, looking quite miserable himself. His arm had numerous scratches, and a long gash adorned his thigh—a parting gift from the serpent's final moments.

He was about to say something, but his vision blurred suddenly.

"Harry!"

"Harry!"

Ron and Hermione's voices seemed distant, difficult to discern. Struggling to hear, Harry faintly caught Hermione mentioning something about snake venom being potent, that even the serpent's venom was highly toxic.

Am I going to die?

Harry questioned himself, his lips moving, yet he wasn't sure if he was speaking.

"Harry!" Ron shouted loudly.

Hermione called towards the location where Felix and the others stood, "Professors, Headmaster..." The Disillusionment Charm was lifted, and Dumbledore strode forth.

"Headmaster, Harry's dying," Ron mournfully said, not sparing a thought for how fortuitous Dumbledore's arrival was.

"He won't die!" Dumbledore's resolute tone brought immense comfort to Ron and Hermione.

With a wave of his hand, Fawkes the phoenix emitted a melodic cry and swooped down. Landing beside Harry, large teardrops fell onto his wounds.

The wounds swiftly closed, healed, and vanished.

"Headmaster? Professor?" Harry opened his eyes, staring at Fawkes before looking at his wounds. "What's happening? I'm not..."

"Harry, phoenix tears can counteract poison and heal wounds."

Harry gazed curiously at the small Fawkes. Was this really a phoenix? But it looked so ugly, and so small—barely the size of a palm.

"What's its name?"

"Fawkes."

Harry stared at the phoenix, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Fawkes. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Harry, Harry Potter."

The tiny phoenix hopped onto his shoulder, nuzzling Harry's cheek affectionately.

Dumbledore introduced, "Phoenixes are truly captivating creatures. Unfortunately, Fawkes has just undergone a rebirth. In a short while, its entire body will be covered in wondrous red and gold feathers."

"They can carry heavy loads, their tears counteract poison, and they're particularly loyal pets."

Afterward, they returned to the castle. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were taken to the infirmary.

Ron and Hermione had suffered scrapes, with Ron's injuries being more severe. Harry, on the other hand, had just been healed by Fawkes' tears. Aside from some dirt, he was completely unharmed.

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