A Bit Too Much Information

Professor Smith came to see him, clearly for some other reason.

After leaving the hall, the two walked down the corridor to the Defence Against the Dark Arts office on the second floor. Once inside, Professor Smith said directly, "Mr. Sera Harishis asked me to give you an invitation if you are available during the Christmas Holiday."

With that, Professor Smith handed Albert a roll of parchment tied with a purple ribbon.

"An invitation from Mr. Harishis?" Albert took the parchment, glanced at the wax seal on it, and asked with a slight frown, "Why didn't he mention this to me in the letter beforehand?"

"I suggest you open the invitation and see what's inside," Professor Smith suggested. "Perhaps Mr. Harishis just wants to give you an unexpected surprise."

In fact, Professor Smith was also a little surprised. He knew Harishis and his expertise in alchemy was related to Harishis, so when Harry asked him to help deliver the invitation, although he was surprised, he did not ask any questions.

"It seems Mr. Harishis really thinks highly of you. I suggest you accept the invitation," Professor Smith advised.

Albert opened the parchment and quickly glanced at its contents: Albert: I bet you'll be quite surprised to receive this invitation. January 13th is a special day, a rare opportunity, and I hope to invite you to attend...

Waiting for your owl.

Your loyal Sera Harishis, January 13th... a special day?

Albert's expression immediately turned a little strange. He handed the parchment to Professor Smith so that the other could see its contents. "Do you know what Mr. Harishis meant by this special day?"

"A party!" Professor Smith explained mysteriously. "I've attended a few of them. You'll find out what kind of party it is when you get there."

"It's not a birthday party, is it?" Albert asked tentatively, though he thought the possibility was very low, he couldn't help but ask anyway.

"A birthday party? Of course not." Professor Smith paused for a moment, then shook his head. "You'll find out when you get there."

"Alright, it's a gathering related to alchemy. Such an opportunity is rare; I suggest you don't refuse," Professor Smith suddenly asked. "By the way, are you going home for the Christmas Holiday?"

"Yes, I'm going back to spend the holidays with my family," Albert said.

"Then you'd better contact Mr. Harishis and see how you're going to get there. If that doesn't work, you can book Knight Bus," Professor Smith said after thinking for a moment, offering Albert some advice.

"Are you going too?" Albert asked tentatively.

"No, I haven't received an invitation in years," Smith shook his head. "Besides, I rarely focus on that kind of thing anymore. Logically speaking, at your age, it's unlikely you'd receive an invitation. Of course, there are always exceptions."

"Thank you, I understand. I will contact Mr. Harishis." Albert thanked Smith again, then slipped the invitation into the pocket of his robe and prepared to return to the Wizard Card Club's activities.

However, at that moment, Professor Smith called him back.

"I'm a little sorry to interrupt your club gathering, but I have something else to tell you." Professor Smith gestured for Albert to sit down. "What would you like to drink, milk tea?"

"Milk tea," Albert nodded and asked, "What is it?"

Professor Smith waved his wand, and two steaming cups of milk tea appeared out of thin air, one of which floated to Albert's face.

"Have you heard of the legend of the Chamber of Secrets?" Professor Smith asked after taking a sip of his tea.

"The legend of Chamber of Secrets?" Albert raised an eyebrow. Of course he knew the legend of Chamber of Secrets of Secrets, knew the Chamber of Secrets and how to open it, and knew that a Basilisk was hiding in the Chamber of Secrets, which would cause chaos at Hogwarts a few years later and was eventually killed by Harry Potter with the Sword of Gryffindor.

"Legend has it that Salazar Slytherin built an underground structure at Hogwarts, which only he and those he permitted could enter."

"But...that's just a legend, isn't it?" Albert countered. "The headmasters of Hogwarts must have investigated this matter, unless they deliberately concealed it, otherwise..."

"No, they can't find the entrance, and even if they did, they couldn't get in, so they can't prove the existence of the Chamber of Secrets of Secrets." Professor Smith shook his head and explained, "However, about fifty years ago, Chamber of Secrets was opened once, and a student died as a result. According to legend, there is a terrible monster in the Chamber of Secrets, and its existence is to purge the Muggle-born students in the school. You know, Salazar Slytherin hated Muggle- born students."

"Why are you telling me this?" Albert looked at Professor Smith, puzzled. He wanted to know why the other man was telling him this.

Professor Smith did not answer, but continued, "However, there is another little-known version of the Chamber of Secrets legend about Salazar Slytherin: Salazar Slytherin secretly researched and tested the Dark Magic in the Chamber of Secrets, and left all the Dark Magic he knew in the Chamber of Secrets."

"You want the Dark Magic from the Chamber of Secrets?" Albert's expression became even stranger. As far as he knew, there didn't seem to be anything else in the Chamber of Secrets of Secrets besides the Basilisk. Could there really be something there? "No, I'm just telling you about the legend of the Chamber of Secrets of Secrets," Professor Smith shook his head. "I never intended to look for Chamber of Secrets."

"Why are you telling me this?" Albert asked tentatively, recalling Ravenclaw's Knowledge Vault. "Do you believe that Slytherin wasn't the only one among the Four Founders to leave behind the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts?"

"Yes," Professor Smith grinned. "Remember those Ancient Runes I showed you last time?"

"Yes. I remember."

"Those are Ancient Runes found in the Chamber of Secrets of Secrets left by Ravenclaw," Professor Smith continued. "The main reason I accepted Dumbledore's invitation to return to Hogwarts School to Defense Against the Dark Arts was for this."

Albert stared into Smith's eyes, and he felt that the other man was lying, or not telling the whole truth.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Albert countered.

"Because I can't open the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets." Professor Smith sighed helplessly. "When the Four Founders designed their respective Chamber of Secrets, they used various methods to protect Chamber of Secrets, making it difficult for anyone to enter. Only those who were allowed to enter could go in."

"Was it for this that Professor Broad returned to teach at Hogwarts last year?" Albert asked, feigning surprise.

"Well, I think so, but Mr. Brood obviously hasn't found the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets either." Professor Smith's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.

"You're telling me this because you want me to help you find a way in?"

"Yes," Professor Smith nodded.

"While I'm flattered by your words, I'm still just a second-year student." Albert hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Have you spoken to Isobel?"

"Isobel, she knows about this. Her father and I are good friends!" Professor Smith said with a hint of nostalgia. "However, she is obviously not as good at Ancient Runes as you are. Moreover, she suggested that I ask you for help. Although you are not Ravenclaw student, knowledge and wisdom are not divided between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor."