On a bright afternoon, the students were listening intently to an ancient legend.
Professor Binns spoke in his usual slow manner:
"You all surely know that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago—though the exact date is uncertain—by the four greatest wizards of that era. The four Houses are named after them: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They built this castle together, far from the prying eyes of Muggles, for in those times, Muggles feared magic, and wizards suffered much persecution."
"For the first few years, the founders worked together in harmony, seeking out young people who showed signs of magical talent and bringing them here to be properly trained. But over time, disagreements began to grow. The rift between Slytherin and the others widened. Slytherin believed that Hogwarts should be more selective in admitting students. He thought magical education should be reserved for those from pure-blood wizarding families. He was unwilling to accept Muggle-born children, believing them to be unreliable. Eventually, after a fierce argument with Gryffindor over the matter, Slytherin left the school."
"That part is reliable history." Professor Binns seemed unwilling to continue, but the looks on the students' faces made it impossible for him to stop.
Reluctantly, he went on:
"But in recorded history, there exists one particularly murky legend."
"That tale claims that Slytherin built a secret chamber within the castle, a chamber the other founders knew nothing about."
"According to the legend, Slytherin sealed the Chamber of Secrets, ensuring it could not be opened until his true heir arrived at the school. Only that heir could unlock it and unleash the horror within, to purge the school of all those unworthy to study magic."
The story ended, and the classroom fell silent.
Finally, Professor Binns concluded, "Of course, it's all nonsense. Only simple-minded people believe in such tales."
Still, the students continued bombarding him with questions, eager to learn more—what exactly was the terrifying creature inside? Was it an ultra-powerful monster like Pikachu with a million volts? How could the chamber be opened—perhaps with the heir's blood?
Professor Binns snapped, "I told you, it's all rubbish! Misunderstood myths! Now, back to your books."
And then, every student in the room thought to themselves: What a perfect afternoon this would be… for a nap.
When Dumbledore later learned that Binns had discussed the Chamber of Secrets during class, he was so furious his nose nearly went crooked. He had been doing everything he could to keep that topic suppressed.
…
Time passed slowly.
Because Harry wasn't particularly obsessed with uncovering the secrets of the chamber, and because he hadn't revealed that he could understand Parseltongue, the matter didn't escalate much. Hermione, curious as ever, pursued the topic out of scholarly interest, but she wasn't planning to brew Polyjuice Potion to interrogate Malfoy.
That Saturday, around eleven in the morning, the entire school headed to the Quidditch pitch.
The air was damp and the skies overcast. Thunder rumbled overhead—today's match might unfold in a downpour.
Harry, wearing his school uniform, sat in the tall stands with the other students.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin teams marched onto the field.
Their respective housemates cheered them on with gusto. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws also threw their support behind Gryffindor—they certainly didn't want Slytherin to win.
Gryffindor team captain Oliver Wood rallied his team:
"So what if they've got the newest Nimbus brooms? We've been training hard since August!"
"Their Seeker Malfoy is still a rookie!"
"This time, we'll show them that money isn't everything!"
…
Astoria, sitting beside Harry, asked, "Brother, who do you think will win?"
Harry shook his head. "Hard to say. One side has better brooms, the other trained harder."
Without Harry on the team, the Malfoys' house-elf Dobby hadn't interfered, and the Bludgers were behaving themselves, simply crashing around in the sky.
After half an hour, the rain began to fall.
Magical protections kept the rain away from the four house stands.
The players, however, tore through the storm.
The score remained close, and neither Seeker had spotted the Golden Snitch. Both sides were growing impatient and fatigued.
The speed of flight slowed gradually under the rain.
Around one in the afternoon, Madam Hooch and the Heads of House convened and agreed to pause the match. Players and spectators were allowed to rest and have lunch. The game would resume at two thirty.
Harry didn't find Quidditch all that enjoyable, but during lunch, most students kept speculating about who would win.
Harry just wanted the boring match to be over.
And, as if willed by his powerful thoughts, shortly after the game resumed, Gryffindor managed to take the lead: 640 to 620. But then, Malfoy, as if possessed by a lucky spirit, caught the Golden Snitch. The game was over.
Malfoy, clutching the tiny golden ball in his hand, beamed with pride. He looked toward the Gryffindor stands with a smug, punchable expression, raising the Snitch high in the air.
Harry blinked. Was that aimed at me?
The other students didn't know the context, and they were furious. They took it as a provocation, and a shouting match broke out between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
At dinner, Wood approached Harry, sounding a bit accusatory, questioning why Harry hadn't joined the team—as if trying to shift the blame for the loss onto this innocent bystander.
Once Harry realized what Wood was implying, he didn't even bother being polite—he simply ignored him.
After Wood stormed off, Hermione spoke up, "I didn't expect him to be that kind of person…"
Harry appreciated Hermione standing up for him, but his thoughts were elsewhere—because the basilisk had struck again.
…
A boy had gotten lost on the moving staircases and wandered into an unfamiliar area.
He had a camera slung around his neck.
Suddenly, he heard a strange scraping sound above him.
Could it be the monster from the rumors? Gripping his camera tightly, he followed the noise, thinking feverishly, If I could just get a photo…
He reached a large pipe. A shadow emerged from within.
He raised the camera, heart pounding.
And then—he saw a massive head and a pair of earthen-yellow pupils.
He was petrified on the spot.
The basilisk, mission complete, slithered back into the pipe.
It wasn't until the next day that someone discovered Colin's stiffened body.
The report was made swiftly to the Head of House. Soon, Dumbledore and the other professors arrived.
Looking at Colin, now a stone-like statue, Dumbledore muttered to himself, "It seems the Chamber has truly been opened."
"Professor Sprout, how long until the Mandrakes for the anti-petrification potion are fully grown?"
"Three months," Professor Sprout said worriedly.
Professor Lockhart interjected, "I know a method to accelerate Mandrake growth. It'll only take three days." He grinned confidently.
Professor Sprout snapped, "I'm the Herbology professor. I'd rather not have to start growing Mandrakes from seed all over again."
Lockhart looked deflated but piped up again, "Well, when they are mature, please allow me to brew the potion. I assure you, I've done it before—back when I…"
Snape interrupted coldly, "Sorry, the school's Potions Master isn't dead yet."
Lockhart shut up, realizing the other professors weren't particularly fond of him—though all he wanted was to offer some helpful guidance.
Dumbledore said gravely, "Let's hope nothing else happens in the meantime. Otherwise, we might be facing a school closure."
His words changed the atmosphere. The professors' faces darkened. They had worked at the school for many years and held deep affection for it. If Hogwarts could no longer protect its students, and closure was even being considered, parents would lose all trust in the institution.
Only two professors remained unmoved: Snape and Lockhart.
Lockhart said, in his usual clueless tone, "Well, if Mr. Dumbledore were suspended, someone would have to act as interim Headmaster. Given my calm demeanor and formidable skill, perhaps the Board should consider me?"
Snape could barely tolerate standing next to this idiot. He had been waiting for years to replace Dumbledore, and this newcomer thought he could skip to the top? And he had the audacity to say it in front of the current Headmaster.
Dumbledore had never regretted a hiring decision so much. At first, he thought Lockhart was merely a fool—now it seemed he was completely brainless.
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THE REBIRTH OF HARRY POTTER
⚡🦉 THE REBIRTH OF HARRY POTTER 🦉⚡
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📢 MAGIC REBORN! 📢
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The wizarding world is changing.
Old destinies twist, familiar names return under new shadows, and magic itself may follow a different path this time.
🪄 A second chance.🌙 A different fate.⚡ A wizarding world reborn.
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