The Weasleys' Invitation

The Basilisk, a mysterious and powerful creature, held incredible value in every part of its body.

Its exceptionally tough hide was a miraculous suit of armor bestowed by nature, resilient enough to withstand magical attacks and the ideal material for high-grade protective gear.

Its blood was an extraordinarily rare and precious ingredient, its unique properties capable of producing unimaginable magical effects.

Though Basilisk flesh was often overlooked in legends, it was actually a rare delicacy. Tender and nutritious, it could bring unexpected benefits to whoever ate it.

Yet the most coveted parts of a Basilisk were undoubtedly its pair of eyes gleaming with mysterious light and its incomparably sharp fangs.

A Basilisk corpse was practically a gold mine worth a fortune.

Wes carefully removed the Basilisk's eyes, treating them with the utmost caution, as though they were the most precious treasures in the world.

He carefully placed them into a specially made magical container, which would preserve their vitality so they could later be turned into a powerful magical item.

As for the pair of fangs, after careful consideration, Wes decided to forge them into a pair of daggers.

Though a Wizard wielding daggers did seem a little out of place.

But across the countless worlds, there were even Wizards wielding greatswords and hacking away at orcs. Anything was possible.

While processing the Basilisk, Wes had to face an enormous challenge. Its massive size made harvesting materials from its body an arduous task.

Fine beads of sweat covered Wes's forehead. After several hours of work, he finally finished collecting the most valuable parts of the Basilisk.

After all that effort, he was left reeking from head to toe.

Once he had finished gathering everything, he returned to the dormitory and immediately headed into the bathroom. He took a hot bath, letting the warm water wash away the day's exhaustion and the smell clinging to his body.

He changed into clean clothes. When he returned to his office, he found Dumbledore and Lucius quietly waiting for him outside the door.

"Have the Ministry of Magic people all left?" Wes asked softly.

Dumbledore nodded slightly.

Wes opened the door and invited the two of them inside.

"Hagrid's name can be cleared now." Dumbledore sat casually on a stool as though he were in his own home, his beard bobbing as he smiled happily.

"The idiotic politicians finally did something right."

While Wes was happy for Hagrid, he did not forget to mock Fudge.

"The Basilisk has been dealt with. Next comes the question of how to handle the Horcrux." Wes met Dumbledore's gaze and raised a new issue.

Dumbledore took out the Diary and gently placed it on the table.

"Ordinary weapons and magic cannot damage a Horcrux."

In private, Dumbledore had tried several times. Every attempt had only made him more deeply aware of how powerful and troublesome Horcruxes were.

"I happen to have a weapon that isn't ordinary."

Without the slightest hesitation, Wes took out a Basilisk fang and drove it forcefully into the Diary.

The sharp fang pierced through the Diary in an instant with a crisp sound.

Then the Diary began to burn, black flames rising from it. The fire seemed to come from Hell, radiating an evil aura.

Tom's image flickered within the flames. His eyes were filled with murderous intent and hatred, as though he wanted to devour the entire room.

Yet Wes and Dumbledore both remained remarkably calm.

Lucius, however, reacted completely differently. His body trembled involuntarily. Though he had already decided to betray Voldemort, the fear buried deep in his heart remained deeply rooted.

With nerves like that, if he went undercover at Voldemort's side, he would probably be exposed at once.

Lucius's behavior made Wes worry about whether he was truly capable of the job.

Wes's doubtful gaze was too obvious, and Lucius noticed it.

"I was just a little..." Lucius tried to explain himself, a hint of panic in his voice.

Wes said nothing more. He simply took a ring from his pocket and tossed it to Lucius.

The ring was exquisitely crafted, set with a sapphire that radiated a profound gleam. Even someone as discerning as Lucius could not find a single flaw in it.

"What is this?" Lucius asked doubtfully.

Wes explained, "This is a ring that can help you conceal your thoughts. It has effects similar to Legilimency. In your current state, if you went to Voldemort's side, you probably wouldn't last even a day."

Lucius immediately put on the ring and said, "I'm just not used to it yet. Once I..."

Wes did not expose him. He knew that Lucius needed time to adjust to his new identity, and time to overcome his fear of Voldemort.

"Voldemort definitely made more than one Horcrux. Before Voldemort returns, we need to destroy as many Horcruxes as possible," Wes continued.

"That's right. Tom was an extremely proud and arrogant man. He pursued perfection in everything. This Diary was made while he was still a student, so it clearly could not be called 'perfect.'"

As the people who understood Voldemort best, Dumbledore and Wes shared the same view. "He must have made other Horcruxes, and their vessels must be objects worthy of his status."

With Wes's reminder, Dumbledore gained a few ideas.

But there was no need to rush. After bringing Wes into his camp, Dumbledore's pressure had lessened, and he was far more at ease.

"Tom, you won't get a second chance this time."

Half a month later, the Daily Prophet's report sent shockwaves through the entire wizarding world.

"Shocking!! Hogwarts had actually been hiding a monster for a thousand years!"

"The wise Minister personally took the lead, fearlessly eliminating the Basilisk!!"

"..."

The newspapers were filled with praise for Cornelius Fudge, portraying him as a hero, while Dumbledore and Wes's contributions were completely overlooked.

Moreover, most of the reports about Dumbledore were condemnations, accusing him of being senile and failing to notice such a dangerous monster within the school, calling it a grave irresponsibility toward the students' safety.

As for Wes, the person who had truly dealt with the Basilisk, the reports did not mention him at all.

Most people were misled by the coverage. Some parents even sent Howlers to Dumbledore to express their anger.

Other parents planned to take their children away, afraid of letting them study in a school filled with such dangers.

However, Dumbledore resolved every one of these matters, and Wes was thoroughly impressed by the methods he used.

No wonder Fudge was so wary of Dumbledore. Even after taking the seat of Minister for Magic, Fudge had always worried that Dumbledore might kick him out of it at any moment.

When someone possessed greater strength, prestige, and influence than you, it did not matter whether he had any such intentions. What mattered was that he had the ability to do it.

Hogwarts became even livelier. Every student was talking about the Basilisk and Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets, and it became the hottest topic of conversation after meals.

Their enthusiasm even surpassed their interest in Quidditch, and the once-bustling Quidditch pitch became much quieter.

Some particularly bold students—Gryffindor's little lions—had even formed teams to search for the Chamber of Secrets. Yet Dumbledore did not stop them. He even encouraged them to look.

With that, all the young wizards joined in. They were always full of curiosity and the desire to explore.

Surprisingly, it was the Slytherin students who cared the most. If another House found Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets first, they would practically want to bash their heads against a block of tofu.

But Dumbledore had quietly moved the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets into the Headmaster's Office.

The students had all been played by that old fox Dumbledore. They searched all over the castle, yet could never find the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.

The students' enthusiasm lasted all the way until Christmas.

This Christmas was somewhat special for Wes, because he had received an invitation from The Weasleys.