Harry Potter's ability to speak Parseltongue had become the talk of Hogwarts. During a particular incident in the auditorium, everyone witnessed Harry's unique skill, catapulting him into the center of rampant speculation. Some whispered that Harry might be the heir of Slytherin, while others approached John, hoping he would address this troubling development. John, however, urged them to abandon such thoughts.
In a short span, Harry had become synonymous with the heir of Slytherin. There were even wild conspiracy theories suggesting that Voldemort had attempted to kill Harry out of fear that Harry would usurp his position as the Dark Lord. This notion was so absurd that it elicited laughter from John.
A heavy snowstorm led to the cancellation of the afternoon Herbology class. Professor McGonagall escorted Harry away for a discussion, leaving John in the auditorium. Percy Weasley joined him, sipping on warm pumpkin juice, and apologized for not finding anything suspicious in Harry's luggage despite searching it three times.
"Percy, you have to trust Harry. He can't be the heir," John said, shaking his head in a mix of frustration and reassurance. Percy nodded, though John could sense his lingering doubts. Harry's ability to speak Parseltongue had given John an idea about possibly using Harry to uncover the Chamber of Secrets, but with Harry now with Professor McGonagall, that plan would have to wait.
"I'll prove he's not the heir," John promised Percy, who then left. Alone, John pulled out the Marauder's Map to survey the castle. He noted that no one had been to a particular location for some time, except for Harry and his two friends. The basilisk, he reasoned, couldn't escape the Chamber of Secrets without someone opening it, which meant Hogwarts was safe for now.
John pondered what the trio could be doing in the girl's bathroom, recalling the scent of a potion brewing during his last visit. It seemed unlikely they were brewing potions there, but then again, they didn't have access to the Room of Requirement like he did.
Meanwhile, Harry was grappling with the rumors and his own identity after a conversation with Dumbledore, who had inquired about his knowledge of the Chamber. Harry chose to withhold information, fearing the implications of his ability to hear voices others couldn't. The Sorting Hat's suggestion that he belonged in Slytherin only added to his turmoil.
Hermione noticed Harry's distress and suggested seeking John's help. Harry remembered a duel where he saw John's eyes resemble those of a snake, which made him hesitant. However, Hermione assured him that John would be willing to help a friend.
With a mix of apprehension and hope, Harry approached John on the castle's covered bridge. John greeted him with understanding, immediately addressing Harry's concerns about being the heir of Slytherin.
"Stop worrying, you are the savior, not the heir of Slytherin," John said with a chuckle, finding the idea ludicrous. Harry, initially annoyed by John's laughter, was taken aback by his own reaction.
John's laughter ceased, and he looked at Harry seriously. "You are not the heir of Slytherin, at least not now," he said, adding with a light chuckle, "Rumors only stop with the strong, Harry. Those who are truly strong don't concern themselves with lineage."
Harry felt a sense of relief and understanding. John's words resonated with him, offering a new perspective on strength and how it could silence baseless rumors.
"You can't expect everyone to be like this. The strong lead the weak. That's just how it is," John concluded, leaning on the railing of the bridge, his gaze fixed on the horizon, leaving Harry to ponder the true meaning of strength and how it could shape his path at Hogwarts. Standing on the corridor bridge, John Wick gazed into the distance at the landscape blanketed in snowflakes. Christmas had arrived. While many students had left Hogwarts for the holiday season, a significant number remained, including some Muggle-born wizards. They felt a sense of security with John around, especially after he had defended Justin Finch at the dueling club. This act had left such an impression that some students began to regard John as their guardian, placing pictures of him battling the basilisk by their bedsides as a form of protection.
Upon waking, John found himself inundated with packages, one of which was from Cedric. It contained a stylish new bag, seemingly chosen with John's tastes in mind. With the sheer volume of gifts, John decided it would take a full day to open them all and opted to do so later that night.
Exiting his dormitory, John encountered Daphne and Pansy. He found it odd that they hadn't gone home for the holidays but didn't dwell on it. Draco Malfoy was already waiting for him in the common room, complaining about the early start after a late night. However, Malfoy's late night was spent preparing a training project for John, indicating his desire to strengthen his own abilities. This was particularly after his less-than-stellar performance at the Dueling Club, where his spells had no effect on Harry Potter.
Together, they headed to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom for a more spacious training environment. John brought out a Boggart from a cabinet, a familiar sight in his classes, and they began their training session, with John instructing and Malfoy practicing.
As evening approached, John had to conclude their session to visit the Room of Requirement. Malfoy, on his way back, encountered Goyle and Crabbe, unaware that they were actually Harry and Ron in disguise. Malfoy, ever the show-off, unwittingly shared sensitive information with them, including secrets about the Chamber of Secrets.
Back in the Room of Requirement, John lamented the difficulty of brewing the Felix Felicis, also known as Liquid Luck. Despite his advanced alchemy skills, the potion's complexity and the precision required in its creation proved challenging. He then turned his attention to enchanting his sword, Iron Wick, contemplating the potential enhancements magical creature components could offer. However, cautious of ruining the Muggle-made sword, he decided to postpone the enchantment.
Experimenting with wandless magic, John focused on channeling his emotions to drive his spells. He discovered that anger, though difficult to control, could be a powerful catalyst. This revelation marked a significant moment in his magical exploration, blending his innate abilities with his growing understanding of the wizarding world's complexities. Anger, in its purest and most intense form, can be a powerful catalyst. This was a revelation to John, who discovered that the mere thought of being forced to consume stargazing pie was enough to ignite a fierce anger within him. This emotional surge proved to him that it was indeed possible to cast spells without the aid of a wand. After several attempts, John found that under the grip of intense anger, he could successfully perform simple spells.
The castle, with its never-ending supply of meals, offered John a chance to relax after his rigorous training. As he made his way to dinner, he encountered Goyle and Crabbe, who seemed to be recovering from a state of confusion. John found their disoriented state somewhat odd.
The encounter was brief, and John couldn't help but ponder the implications of his newfound ability. The realization that emotions could fuel magic without the traditional means opened up a world of possibilities for him. It was a revelation that could change the way magic was understood and practiced.
As he continued on his way to dinner, John's mind was abuzz with thoughts of what this discovery could mean for his future at Hogwarts. The idea that he could harness his emotions, particularly anger, as a source of magical power was both exhilarating and daunting. The potential for both innovation and chaos was immense, and John knew that he was treading on uncharted territory.
The dinner that evening was a lively affair, with the Great Hall buzzing with the chatter and laughter of students. John, however, was only partially present, his mind still wrestling with the implications of his discovery. The ability to cast spells without a wand was a secret that he knew he had to explore further, but with great caution. The power of raw emotion was a double-edged sword, and John was acutely aware of the need to control and understand it before it could control him.
As the evening wore on, John's thoughts drifted back to Goyle and Crabbe. Their dazed state could not have been a mere coincidence. Could it be related to his experiments with wandless magic? Or was there another, more sinister force at play within the castle walls? These questions lingered in John's mind as he finished his dinner, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on his shoulders. The journey ahead was fraught with danger and discovery, and John knew that he had to be prepared for whatever lay in store.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
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