In the wake of the pure-blood supremacy theory, another ideology gained traction within Slytherin: the belief that power is paramount. Slytherin was undergoing a transformation, and John Wick's influence was akin to a drop of ink dispersing through clear water, irrevocably altering its purity. Dumbledore, observing these changes, mused to himself about the risks John was taking. "Do you really want to draw the heir's attention, John? This is exceedingly dangerous." He understood that John's actions, which seemingly trampled on pure-blood ideologies to elevate himself, could provoke the heir of Slytherin. If the heir remained passive, it would render the threat of the Chamber of Secrets laughable. Conversely, if the heir reacted against someone other than John, it would imply fear of John, thereby quelling the school's growing panic. John had not only established his prestige but had also begun to instill his own beliefs among the students. Dumbledore sighed, "Ambitious, John, I just hope your intentions are not dark." He couldn't help but see similarities between John and another person from the past.
Despite his apparent defiance in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, John was diligently working on brewing the Elixir of Felicity. The complexity of the potion required his utmost attention. For John, the Felix Felicis was not just an experiment; it was a lifeline. Acquiring the ingredients had been costly, but with his store, Johnny Silver Hands, thriving, financial constraints were not an issue. The challenge lay in the scarcity of the ingredients, which made self-brewing a necessity. "I just hope that snake stays hidden while I finish this," John thought, referring to the creature from the Chamber of Secrets.
During the brewing process, John continued to hone his magical abilities. Instead of the usual forward-pointing wand gesture, he aimed his wand at the ground and whispered, "Induction." Closing his eyes, he felt his wand emit sonar-like waves, mapping his surroundings through magical feedback. Although the resulting image was basic, it thrilled John. "It's still in its early stages, but the Super Sensation Charm is effective," he noted with satisfaction. This spell, a product of his own invention, was designed to enhance sensory perception through dispersed magical energy. John had named it the Sense Charm, a tool that allowed him to detect movements without relying on sight. "As long as it doesn't have those deadly eyes, it's merely a defanged tiger," he mused, referencing the basilisk.
John's prowess was not limited to potion-making and spell invention. His influence was palpable in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, where even Professor Lockhart seemed superfluous. Under John's guidance, the gaps in the students' knowledge were swiftly bridged. Harry Potter, impressed by John's teaching, remarked, "It would be great if John were the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." Ron Weasley agreed silently, but Hermione Granger appeared disheartened. Sensing her distress, Harry offered comfort, "What's wrong, Hermione? Don't worry, with John here, the heir of Slytherin wouldn't dare target you." They were referring to the legend of the Chamber of Secrets, which, according to history, was opened to purge Hogwarts of those unworthy of wizardry. John's recent actions had mitigated much of the students' fear. Hermione, however, shook her head, "It's not that. It's just that John is so intelligent, and next to him, I feel utterly foolish."
Ron, ever dramatic, exclaimed, "Blimey, Hermione! If you're a fool, what does that make Harry and me?" His words echoed the sentiment that, in the light of John's brilliance, they all felt overshadowed, yet it was this very brilliance that offered them protection and knowledge in uncertain times. Hermione Granger, often hailed as the brightest witch of her age, harbored a secret that only she knew: her intelligence was not innate but the result of relentless hard work. She committed everything to memory through sheer force of will, dedicating three to ten times more effort than her peers. Yet, despite her diligence, she found herself lagging behind John, who had already achieved the level of proficiency to assist professors. This realization shattered the fragile self-confidence she had painstakingly built, leaving her disheartened.
In an attempt to lift Hermione's spirits, Harry, Ron, and she ventured to the corridor where Mrs. Norris had been petrified. There, they encountered a cluster of spiders, which, to Hermione's amusement, sent Ron into a state of terror. This moment of levity, watching Ron's fear of spiders, brought a rare giggle from Hermione, momentarily lightening her mood.
Their investigation into the petrification incidents led them to suspect the involvement of purebloods, with Draco Malfoy as their prime suspect. Their quest for answers took them to the girls' bathroom, where they sought the insight of Moaning Myrtle. "We just want to ask if you've seen anything unusual lately," Hermione inquired, mentioning the attack on the cat outside Myrtle's door on Halloween. Harry pressed further, asking if Myrtle had noticed anyone suspicious that night. Myrtle recounted being teased by Peeves and mentioned seeing John, who had claimed to have encountered a large snake in the corridor. Despite this lead, they were unable to glean any useful information.
Hermione proposed a plan to brew a complex potion, a task that would require considerable time and Harry's assistance. Harry, initially unsure of how he could be of help, found himself reluctantly seeking an autograph from Professor Lockhart for the plan, a task he found more daunting than facing a troll.
The trio debated whether to inform John about their suspicions and plans. "Should we tell John?" Hermione pondered, aware of John's connections to Slytherin and Malfoy. Ron, dismissive of Malfoy's allegiance, reminded them of Malfoy's disdainful remarks about Muggle-born wizards and his confrontation with John. Encouraged by Ron's words, they resolved to proceed with their potion brewing without involving John.
Meanwhile, John sought the assistance of the Bloody Baron, the most formidable ghost at Hogwarts, to enlist the castle's ghosts in gathering information. The Baron, recognizing John's courage and strength, agreed to help. John, also armed with the Marauder's Map, kept a vigilant watch over the castle's inhabitants, determined to uncover the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets.
John's physical and magical prowess had grown significantly, evident as he exercised in his room. His dedication to improving himself was interrupted by a knock at the door, revealing a guilt-ridden and fearful Malfoy. Malfoy's apology was heartfelt, driven by his fear of losing John's friendship. Unlike his other acquaintances, who were drawn to his wealth and family name, John valued Malfoy for who he was, not his status. This realization compelled Malfoy to seek forgiveness, fearing the consequences of his actions and the potential loss of his only true friend. Malfoy extended an apology, to which John nodded and responded, "I accept your apology."
"You accepted?!" Malfoy was visibly stunned, prompting John to give him a puzzled look. "I've accepted your apology. Is there something wrong with that?"
"No, it's just... you're not angry?" Malfoy asked, his confusion evident.
John chuckled lightly before replying, "Draco, what exactly are you expecting? Do you want me to cast a curse on you as a form of retaliation?"
Malfoy visibly shuddered at the thought and quickly said, "That won't be necessary."
"Strength should always come first, Draco. You must understand that neither pure blood status nor a renowned family name equates to personal strength. I hope you'll remember this lesson," John said earnestly, his tone conveying the importance of his message. He didn't want Malfoy to be swayed by the allure of the Death Eaters. "Remember my words, for they are the path to eternal glory."
"For eternal glory," Malfoy echoed, a sigh of relief escaping him. In that moment, he realized the folly of his previous ways. The two of them let go of their past grievances, paving the way for a renewed friendship.
_________
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https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge