The Chamber of Secrets

Li Wei's alchemical weapons caused quite a stir among the student body.

Even the most reluctant students found their dissatisfaction with Li Wei reaching its lowest point in a short period.

Excited chatter about the two alchemical weapons could be heard everywhere, in the hallways and the great hall.

Hermione pushed through the crowd, listening to them discuss and praise Professor Li Wei. Thinking that she was part of Professor Li Wei's study group, her mood unconsciously improved.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Hermione gently knocked on the door and waited obediently.

The door opened, and Li Wei, dressed in black, stood behind it.

"Granger? What can I do for you?"

"Uh, Professor, it's like this.

I feel that the current workload is not yet sufficient for me, and I believe this knowledge is very meaningful. I was wondering if you could provide me with some extra assignments?

For example, the information on dark creatures you compiled. I've found that even the information compiled by the library isn't as detailed as what you've given us. Of course, if you're unwilling, it's fine."

"Asking for extra homework?" Li Wei gave Hermione a peculiar look and chuckled, "Of course, that's a small matter."

As Hermione's heart beat faster, Li Wei beckoned, and a thick book bound in parchment flew into his hand.

"This is the information on dark creatures I've recorded and compiled over the years. You can use a spell to make a duplicate copy—I've already written the key points of the spell on the back. I imagine you can learn it before Sunday?"

"Thank you, Professor. I'll return it to you this weekend."

"Mm, then you can just hand it back to me on Sunday afternoon. I have other arrangements for the rest of the weekend."

"."

Li Wei's words were quite blunt, almost as if he had "don't disturb me on the weekend" written on his face.

This left Hermione somewhat speechless, even making her hesitate about whether she should reveal the true purpose of her visit.

No, it was precisely because of Professor Li Wei's indifferent nature towards other matters that asking him was safer!

With this thought, Hermione spoke as if by chance:

"Professor, do you think wizards can hear sounds that others cannot?"

"Did you encounter something strange?"

"Ah, no, no, no, it wasn't me, it was a friend of mine."

Hermione hadn't expected Li Wei to ask so directly. In her panic, she admitted part of the truth, which flustered her.

A wizard hearing sounds they shouldn't be hearing was often seen as an ominous sign in the wizarding world.

If possible, Hermione just wanted to probe indirectly.

"Hmm, strange sounds? There are actually quite a few ways to achieve that effect."

"Many?"

Hermione echoed blankly.

What seemed like a hopeless situation to her apparently had many possibilities in front of the professor?

"For example, dark creatures: Basilisks, ominous ghosts, Thestrals. These three creatures can all lead to the situation you described."

"Or perhaps it's contact with items related to Dark Arts, or being under a curse, or some kind of magical talent—like Legilimency, or foresight.

You will learn all this knowledge in the future. As for the three dark creatures I mentioned, they will also be in that notebook."

Just hearing this knowledge made Hermione's eyes light up, and she nodded repeatedly.

Seeing that Li Wei's expression remained calm, as if this matter was nothing to him, Hermione's last lingering doubt vanished, and she continued:

"My friend said he recently heard very terrifying sounds in Hogwarts castle."

"Is that so? What did the sound say?"

"I didn't ask for details, but it seemed to involve dangerous words like tearing and killing."

"Is that so? Then among the three magical creatures, we can rule out Thestrals first.

You can ask your friend if he heard any canine howls or growls during this process. If not, then it is very likely a Basilisk."

With that, Li Wei realized belatedly:

"It is said that Salazar Slytherin, one of the four founders of Hogwarts, left behind a Chamber of Secrets before leaving the school, and made a declaration."

"The true heir of Slytherin will open the Chamber and use its power to purify all students whom Salazar Slytherin deems unworthy of learning magic."

Basilisk. That's right, in the background story of Harry Potter, Salazar Slytherin placed a Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, and this matter was related to Voldemort.

Who was orchestrating all of this from the shadows?

Li Wei frowned subconsciously.

After searching his past memories without success, he decided to let it go. With Dumbledore around, it wasn't his place to worry.

"Students unworthy of learning magic?"

Hermione, immersed in the joy of acquiring new knowledge, asked curiously.

"It refers to half-bloods and Muggle-born wizards. Slytherin believed that pure-bloods were inherently noble, and only such noble bloodlines were qualified to learn magic.

Allowing those with mixed bloodlines to become wizards would only diminish the nobility and rarity of magic."

At this point, Li Wei couldn't help but shake his head.

"Someone with such a narrow mindset could become one of the Four Founders. Perhaps this is one of the unreasonable aspects of magic."

"Slytherin's ideas were this extreme? The school's history of the Four Founders doesn't mention this."

Hermione was skeptical. Her attitude towards authority figures was akin to worship. It was hard to believe that legendary figures from countless books could be so despicable, even wanting to expel 'Mudbloods' like them.

"After all, he was one of the Four Founders. Even if he did absurd things, later generations would still defend him.

Books, being the most widespread medium, naturally had to consider the negative impact certain facts might cause."

Having said this, Li Wei lost the interest to continue talking with Hermione.

No matter how despicable Slytherin was, he was still one of the Four Founders, an absolute pioneer who emerged from a barbaric and chaotic era.

Slytherin's understanding and mastery of magic were far beyond what he could compare to now. If Slytherin were to return, Li Wei believed he wouldn't even have the qualifications to stand before him.

And these qualifications were what Li Wei should be focusing on right now.

Even though the Four Founders were no longer present, he still used them as his benchmark.

"Let's leave it at that. You can go back and ask your friend for specific details to see if it's a Basilisk.

Of course, I'm more inclined to believe it's for other reasons.

If he experiences any physical discomfort, remember to see Madam Pomfrey."

"Okay... okay."

Hermione, still absorbed in the information she had received, responded subconsciously.

By the time she snapped back to reality and wanted to say something more, the door in front of her had already been closed by Li Wei.

"."

Hermione looked at the closed door, puffed out her cheeks, and after a moment's thought, decided not to knock again and hurried away.

She would find the answer herself.

Using the Professor's notes on dark creatures!