Chapter 74: Encounters

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.

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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