The alchemical weapons Li Wei had made caused a huge stir among the students.
Even the most truant students found their dissatisfaction with Li Wei dropping to its lowest point in a short time.
In the corridors and the Great Hall, people everywhere were excitedly discussing those two alchemical weapons.
Hermione crossed through the crowd, listening to them discuss and praise Professor Li Wei. Thinking that she was a member of Professor Li Wei's study group, her mood unconsciously improved.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Hermione knocked softly and waited obediently.
The door opened, revealing Li Wei in black robes.
"Granger? What is it?"
"Um, Professor, it's like this.
I feel that my current workload isn't full enough, and I think this knowledge is very meaningful. Could you perhaps give me some additional assignments?
For example, the information on dark creatures that you compiled—I found that even the library's materials don't have the level of detail you gave us. Of course, if you're unwilling, then forget I asked."
"Voluntarily asking for more homework?" Li Wei gave Hermione a strange look, then chuckled. "Of course. It's only a small matter."
As Hermione's heartbeat quickened, Li Wei beckoned, and a thick parchment-bound book flew into his hand.
"This contains the information on dark creatures that I've recorded and compiled over the years. You can use the Doubling Charm to make yourself a copy—I've already written the key points of the spell on the back. I assume you can learn it before Sunday?"
"Thank you, Professor. I'll return it this weekend."
"Mm. Then hand it in on Sunday afternoon. I have other arrangements for the rest of the weekend."
"..."
Li Wei's words were rather blunt, practically spelling out, "Don't come bother me over the weekend."
Hermione was left somewhat speechless, even hesitating over whether she should reveal the true purpose of her visit.
No, it was precisely because Professor Li Wei didn't care much about other matters that asking him was safer!
With that thought, Hermione casually asked:
"Professor, is it possible for a wizard to hear sounds that others can't?"
"Have you encountered something strange?"
"Ah, no, no, no, not me. It's a friend of mine."
Hermione had not expected Li Wei to ask so directly. In her panic, she admitted part of the truth outright, which made her even more flustered.
A wizard hearing sounds they should not hear was often considered an ominous sign in the magical world.
If possible, Hermione only wanted to probe indirectly.
"Hmm, strange sounds? There are actually quite a few ways to cause that."
"Quite a few?"
Hermione echoed blankly.
Something that seemed completely without clues to her actually appeared to have so many possibilities before the professor?
"For example, dark creatures: Basilisks, ominous ghosts, and Thestrals. All three can cause the situation you described."
"Or perhaps contact with items related to the Dark Arts, being afflicted by a curse, or some kind of magical talent—something like Legilimency, or even the ability to foresee the future.
You'll be able to learn all this knowledge in the future. As for the three dark creatures I mentioned, that notebook will cover them as well."
Just hearing about this knowledge made Hermione's eyes shine as she nodded repeatedly.
Seeing that Li Wei still looked entirely unconcerned, as though this matter meant nothing to him, Hermione's last trace of hesitation vanished, and she continued:
"My friend said that he recently heard a very terrifying voice in Hogwarts Castle."
"Is that so? What did the voice say?"
"I didn't ask in detail, but it seemed to say dangerous things like 'tear apart' and 'kill.'"
"I see. Of those three magical creatures, we can rule out Thestrals first.
You can ask your friend whether he heard canine howls or low growls during this time.
If not, then it's very likely a Basilisk."
At this point, Li Wei realized belatedly:
"Apparently, Salazar Slytherin, one of Hogwarts's four founders, left behind a Chamber of Secrets before leaving the school, and declared—"
"The true heir of Slytherin will open the Chamber of Secrets and use the power within to purge all students Salazar Slytherin deemed unworthy of learning magic."
A Basilisk. Right, in the backstory of Harry Potter, Salazar Slytherin had placed a Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, and this was also connected to Voldemort.
Who was secretly orchestrating all of this again?
Li Wei frowned instinctively.
After failing to search his past memories for an answer, he decided to put the matter aside. With Dumbledore around, it was hardly something he needed to worry about.
"Students unworthy of learning magic?"
Immersed in the joy of gaining new knowledge, Hermione asked curiously.
"That refers to half-bloods and Muggle-born wizards. Slytherin believed that pure-bloods were innately noble, and only such noble bloodlines were qualified to learn wondrous magic.
Letting people with mixed bloodlines become wizards would only diminish magic's nobility and rarity."
At this point, Li Wei could not help shaking his head.
"For someone so narrow-minded to become one of the four great founders—perhaps that is one of magic's unreasonable aspects."
"Slytherin's views were actually this extreme? The school history of the four founders never mentioned any of this..."
Hermione was doubtful—her attitude toward authority bordered on worship. A legendary figure who existed in so many books was actually so abhorrent, even wanting to drive out Mudbloods like them.
"After all, he was one of the four great founders. Even if all he did was absurd, there would naturally be descendants to defend him.
Books are the most widespread means of transmission, so naturally they must consider the negative impact certain facts might have."
At that point, Li Wei lost interest in continuing the conversation with Hermione.
No matter how terrible Slytherin had been, he was still one of the four great founders, an absolute pioneer who had emerged from a savage and chaotic era.
The other man's understanding and accomplishments in magic were far beyond anything Li Wei could compare with now—if Slytherin returned, Li Wei believed he would not even be qualified to stand before him.
And that qualification was what Li Wei should be focusing on now.
Even though the four great founders were gone, he still regarded them as his benchmarks.
"Let's leave it at that. You can go back and ask your friend for the details to see whether it's a Basilisk.
Of course, I'm more inclined to think it's another cause.
If he has any physical discomfort, remember to see Madam Pomfrey."
"O-okay."
Immersed in all the information she had gained, Hermione answered absentmindedly.
By the time she came back to herself and wanted to say something else, the door before her had already been shut by Li Wei.
"..."
Hermione looked at the closed door, puffed out her cheeks, then thought it over. In the end, she did not knock again and hurried away.
She would find the answer herself.
With the professor's dark creature notes!
Before you continue