Ambition

"This involves a secret of time. The Time Force will correct the effects caused by time travel.

When the impact of time travel on the 'Collective Consensus' exceeds a certain range, a new Parallel Timeline is generated.

For example, the 'Collective Consensus' knows that the only person who knew the Basilisk was hidden in the Chamber was Tom Riddle, who opened it. If he decides not to open the Chamber again, then in the 'Collective Consensus', no one knows the Basilisk's status.

If you kill the Basilisk at this point, it won't affect the 'Collective Consensus'. Whether the Basilisk lives or dies won't create a new Parallel Timeline.

If you kill the Basilisk before the Chamber is completely sealed, the Time Force will make corrections based on Tom's memory, generating a timeline where Tom knows the Basilisk is dead.

If you choose not to go back in time to kill the Basilisk, then until the Chamber is opened again, the Basilisk's status remains unknown.

Perhaps there's a Living Basilisk, or perhaps someone else went back in time and killed it before the Chamber was reopened," Merlin explained.

What a Schrödinger's Basilisk...

Matthew understood. So, when he had crossed into this world, it was already a new timeline.

In terms of his Previous Life, he could say he had crossed into a Parallel Space-Time of the Hogwarts world.

The initiative was still in Matthew's hands. He only needed to avoid changing the 'Collective Consensus'. The Basilisk's life or death wouldn't affect his return to the current timeline.

Matthew asked again, "Do ghosts and portraits count toward the 'Collective Consensus'?"

Merlin shook his head. "Only Living Beings count toward the 'Collective Consensus'. Ghosts and portraits are incomplete; the Time Force will forcibly correct their memories.

My situation is special. I can make the Time Force ignore my existence."

Matthew couldn't help but feel admiration. Merlin had walked too far down this path, even finding loopholes in the Rules of Time.

He decided to accept Merlin's Trial. This might be the beginning of exploring the secrets of time, and he had no reason to miss this opportunity.

Besides, he was quite tempted by that Thousand-Year Basilisk. The Basilisk was a five-star Magical Creature, a rare breed in modern times, let alone one that had lived for a thousand years.

The Basilisk was a treasure from head to tail. Its eyes could be made into Alchemy Items with Petrification Function, its fangs' Deadly Poison had devastating destructive power and were one of the few things that could destroy a Horcrux. Its Flesh and Blood and Snake Bone were excellent Potion Ingredients, and even its skin was a good material, capable of making armor with high Magic Resistance.

Matthew said, "I accept the trial. Please help me return to the past."

In the portrait, Merlin raised his wand high, and a dazzling halo radiated from the Wand Tip.

In an instant, Matthew was Enveloped by White Light.

After a moment, Matthew entered a strange place. It was still the same room, but everything except Matthew was only in black and white. The entire world seemed composed of Black and White Sketches.

After a while, Merlin's portrait seemed to be colored in by an invisible painter, gradually outlining its original hues.

Once the portrait was fully colored, Merlin's portrait became lively again.

Merlin pointed his wand forward, and a Light Door radiating a white halo appeared before him. "Pass through this door, and you'll return to 1943."

He said seriously, "Remember, you only have one day. You must return to this room within that day."

Matthew nodded solemnly. "I remember."

Matthew stepped into the Light Door. In an instant, the black-and-white world was filled with its original colors.

Matthew had returned to 1943.

"Meow~" Preserved Egg had come along too, still in Matthew's arms.

Matthew sensed the Disk in his mind. It wasn't affected. He could feel that even in the past, it didn't prevent him from activating the Disk to cross to another world.

Holding Preserved Egg, he walked out of the room. The Slytherin Common Room decades ago wasn't much different from the future one, only some decorations had slight variations. On the mantelpiece hung a Wall Clock carved with snake patterns; in the future, this spot would hold a Slytherin banner.

"Tom, curfew is about to start. Are you still going out?"

A Black-haired Boy said gently, "The professor just notified me to go to the Headmaster's Office."

Another Sturdy Boy curled his lip and said, "Is it about Rubeus Hagrid again?

If you ask me, Tom, you're just too kind. Since the ones who died were Muggle-borns anyway, just let that Half-giant and those Muggle-borns fight it out among themselves. Why bother with all this extra effort?"

Deep Within Tom Riddle's Eyes, a flicker of killing intent flashed. His father was also a Muggle. He loathed that Muggle, loathed his name. One day, he would shed this filthy identity.

He had already found a way. Just a while ago, he had successfully created a Horcrux. In the future, he would rule this world forever under a new identity!

Matthew stood beside them, holding Preserved Egg, watching this scene with great interest. From their conversation, he understood that the Black-haired Boy before him was likely Voldemort during his Hogwarts years.

The Time Force had hidden the traces of Matthew and Preserved Egg, so no one in the common room noticed them.

Tom wore a gentle smile on his face and said sincerely, "After all, it's that Half-Giant's pet. I'm afraid they might harm our Slytherin companions in the future. Before any of them get hurt, I must expose his actions to the public."

Matthew blinked. Voldemort's acting in his youth was truly Oscar-worthy. Even Matthew couldn't find any flaw in his expression—it was full of sincerity.

No wonder he had managed to fool everyone during his school years and successfully framed Hagrid. If Dumbledore hadn't firmly protected Hagrid, Hagrid would probably have ended up in Azkaban for further education.

Matthew followed Tom out of the common room. Every student they met along the way greeted Tom. In everyone's eyes, Tom was the hero who risked his life to report Hagrid.

Sitting in the Headmaster's Office was a frail, thin wizard with a bald head and only a few wisps of white hair.

The current Headmaster of Hogwarts wasn't Dumbledore yet; at this time, Dumbledore was the Transfiguration professor.

Seeing Tom enter, the old wizard said weakly, "Ah, Riddle."

"You wanted to see me, Professor Dipper?" Tom looked a bit nervous.

"Sit down," Dipper said. "Let's talk."

Once Tom sat down, Dipper stared into Tom's eyes and said softly, "Hagrid has been expelled."

Tom's face was full of grief. "Hagrid didn't mean to kill anyone, but his hobby cost Myrtle her life. The monster in the Chamber of Secrets is hardly an ideal pet."

"What's done is done. We can only try to minimize the damage." Dipper consoled him gently.

"For the sake of Hogwarts' reputation, we will claim that Myrtle died in a mere accident, and that the Chamber of Secrets is just a legend—something that never existed. I hope you won't discuss the Chamber with anyone afterward. For your courageous actions, we have decided to award you the Special Contribution to School Award."

The Headmaster's intent was to frame the matter as Hagrid privately keeping a dangerous pet at Hogwarts, leading to a classmate's accidental death by that pet—the whole affair having nothing to do with the Chamber legend.

Tom hesitated for a moment, then a flicker of resolve crossed his face. "I understand. Hogwarts' reputation must not be tarnished."