After the dinner, Ian planned to go back to the office directly, but was stopped halfway in the corridor.
"Professor Bones, congratulations on your achievement."
The sound is clear and clear, it is Hermione·Granger.
She stood upright, holding the book tightly with both hands, and her eyes flashed with that unique, overly serious light.
"Thank you, Miss Granger." Ian smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone, "What can I do?"
"Actually, first of all I want to thank you for the gift you gave me last year."
"Gift?" Ian thought for a moment, and then understood, "Oh - you are referring to the alchemical artifact? The one that allows you to practice magic at home without being tracked by Ministry of Magic?"
Hermione nodded with a serious expression. "Yes. I have been practicing continuously throughout the summer vacation, just like you said. Now I can independently perceive Magic Core, and can also control the flow of magic more stably."
Ian raised his eyebrows slightly, and said with relief in his tone, "Not bad. If you can persist in this boring practice every day, your perseverance is much stronger than that of your peers.
The vast majority of wizards are looking for speed, and only those with real potential know what it means to 'lay a good foundation'."
Hermione's face turned red slightly, but he still mustered up the courage to continue:
"Actually, I came to see you today and I have something else I want to ask you."
"Say it."
"Professor, I would like to take your Alchemy Class."
Ian was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud, "My class is only for students in third grade and above, and you are only in second grade now."
"I know." Hermione explained eagerly, "But I have been studying all the second- and third-grade courses throughout the summer.
Although I still don't understand some parts, I believe that I have reached at least the third grade level.
Moreover, professor, didn't you say that you like to help students who are talented and willing to work hard?
As long as I have your guidance, I will be able to make up for the shortcomings as soon as possible."
Ian looked at her quietly, her brown eyes shining with persistence.
He was speechless for a moment.
I couldn't help but think to myself: --When did a twelve-year-old child learn this kind of "talking skills"?
He pondered for a moment and finally said, "I have no objection.
However, this special arrangement must be approved by Professor McGonagall, who is responsible for the curriculum and timetable.
If she agrees, you can come to class."
Hermione heard this, his eyes lit up. "Thank you, professor!"
Before she finished speaking, she trotted towards McGonagall's office.
The back was as brisk as a hawk that had received a pass.
Ian looked at her back, the corners of her lips slightly curved.
He knew that this girl would become an amazing wizard in the future.
--
Late at night, the corridor of Hogwarts is Silencio.
Ian was wearing Cloak, walking slowly, but went straight to the girls' restroom on the second floor.
When he pushed the door open, the ghost Moaning Myrtle raised his head in surprise.
"Ah? Professor? Come on -"
Before she could finish her words, she was hit by a flash of gray light in Ian's eyes, and her body suddenly stiffened.
After a few seconds, she fell softly and fell into a deep sleep.
Ian whispered, "Sorry, Moaning Myrtle."
He raised his hand and cast a memory seal on her. In a few hours, she would wake up, but she would not remember anything about tonight.
Then, he whispered the incantation Parseltongue, and the stone door under the sink slowly opened.
The ancient entrance made a low stone sound, revealing the dark passage leading to Chamber of Secrets.
Ian's body moved and fell lightly into the depths.
He dived along the winding corridor and soon saw the huge stone statue - Slytherin.
He whispered Parseltongue again, and the huge snake-like monster slowly crawled out, its eyes flashing with poisonous light in the darkness.
Ian Meet those eyes.
No dodging, no fear.
He just stared, calmly feeling the power of the curse trying to erode his mind.
Magical fluctuations crisscrossed the air, and a pale silver halo appeared in his pupils.
"Very good." He whispered, "The combination of energy properties and curses is extremely subtle."
Then, he conjured up a pair of lens-like glasses, put them on, and continued the experiment.
The result shows--
Through physical refraction, the petrifying effect of Basilisk will be significantly weakened.
Then, he directly used magic power to build a defense layer and looked directly at Basilisk again.
This time, he used pure magic to fight against that life-depriving gaze.
Success.
He moved slightly, took out a sack, and released a tiger from it.
"Bite it." Ian ordered softly.
Basilisk's eyes flickered again, and the tiger stiffened on the spot.
Ian Wave your wand to check.
"Interesting." He murmured, "Basilisk can not only petrify the target, but also absorb the victim's life energy.
This is probably the key to its immortality."
He tested the flow of magic power on Basilisk's body surface again and frowned slightly.
"It does appear that it maintains activity by absorbing life energy, but there are other mechanisms behind it.
If the complete principle can be analyzed, it may be possible to artificially cultivate an 'improved version of Basilisk'."
He recalled the last failed experiment of imitating the dark wizard Herpo in trying to hatch eggs, and raised the corners of his lips.
"This time, I won't fail again."
After completing the processing, he erased all traces of the scene and then left Chamber of Secrets.
--
The lights inside London, Ministry of Magic Minister's Office were still on late at night.
Cornelius Fudge was pacing anxiously in the room, sweat dripping from his forehead.
The contents of the letter echoed over and over in his mind -
Dumbledore warned him: Bones family seemed to be plotting to seize his position.
At first he was extremely uneasy, but soon after, another rumor spread:
Dumbledore himself is extremely dissatisfied with him and is planning to run for minister himself.
At that moment, Fudge almost lost his mind.
If Dumbledore runs, he won't even be able to make it to the second round of the voting list.
Therefore, he secretly sent people to investigate and even secretly monitored Dumbledore's allies.
However, this period of surveillance made him realize--
The real threat may not be the principal.
It's Amelia·Bones.
In recent months, Mrs. Bones's popularity has risen almost unrivaled.
Both ordinary wizards and Ministry of Magic employees regard her as a symbol of integrity and justice.
If she runs, Fudge has almost no chance of winning.
He slammed his fist on the table and gritted his teeth anxiously.
"Dumbledore That letter is simply a trap to divert attention."
There was a knock on the door.
"Please come in."
The person who walked in was Dolores Umbridge, with that false sweet smile still on her face.
"Minister, I have investigated it," she said softly, "Everyone behaved normally.
There is no evidence that Amelia·Bones is preparing to run for office."
"Are you sure?" Fudge's eyes were sharp.
"Maybe you are too sensitive." Umbridge pretended to be concerned, "After all, Mrs. Amelia's behavior has always been correct."
Fudge snorted coldly, "No, her recent actions are completely unusual. Once a woman has the desire for power, she can no longer suppress it."
Umbridge was silent for a moment and asked softly, "Then what are you going to do?"
"The only way," Fudge whispered, "Is to let Dumbledore publicly stand on my side. But with my recent relationship with him... plus that damn Ian·Bones--my chances of winning are slim."
He sighed heavily, picked up his quill, and began to write a letter. The ink blurred on the parchment, and his expression was complicated.
"It's not easy to be a minister."
The night was dark, and his shadow swayed in the candlelight, as if even the air was filled with anxiety.
--