"—When a hundred calamities befall, Slumber Without Movement!"
"—When a hundred sorrows befall, Slumber Without Awareness!"
"—When a hundred evils befall, Slumber Without Hearing!"
The three incantations rang out in the Chamber of Secrets almost simultaneously. Dumbledore, Snape, and Zheng Qing raised their wands, and pale, misty spell-light descended upon the enormous basilisk like three layers of gauze.
The basilisk froze mid-roar.
Its gaping mouth slowly closed, its eyes gradually shut, and its raised head gently drooped over the edge of the piled Serpent Tower. Its bright red tongue hung from its mouth, extending and retracting with its long breaths.
"This spell again!"
Hermione watched the three adult wizards raise their wands, a flicker of envy passing through her eyes.
"—S-sorry!"
Ron's face flushed bright red as he looked at Hermione and apologized in a very small voice.
"The person you should apologize to isn't me..." The Little Witch's tone was stern, though her voice was equally quiet. Clearly, Ron's little bit of noise waking the basilisk earlier had left a deep impression on them.
"—Everyone needn't be so careful now. We just cast an ancient spell together. The basilisk has fallen into a deep sleep. It can't open its mouth, open its eyes, or hear anything outside."
Hogwarts's headmaster put away his wand and cheerfully explained what had just happened to the others. His booming voice was amplified by the echoes, buzzing through the sealed chamber, yet the sleeping basilisk remained completely unaware.
That made everyone—especially the young wizards—let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Then let's make the most of our time."
Zheng Qing's gaze fell upon the Blond Youth.
Reinhardt gave an almost imperceptible nod. The golden light flowing over his hands suddenly faded, revealing the gleaming silver Ravenclaw Diadem. At nearly the same moment, a violent