In the school clinic, a heated debate unfolded among friends. "Harry, you're mistaken," Hermione countered with a hint of anger in her voice. "How can you possibly suspect John? He's our friend, and he's a Muggle-born himself."
Even Ron, who often shared Harry's suspicions, found Harry's theory far-fetched. After all, John Wick had become a hero in their eyes, dispelling the fear surrounding the Slytherin heir and saving Gryffindor students from the deadly basilisk. The idea of doubting him seemed ludicrous.
Despite their disbelief, Harry persisted, laying out his observations. "Consider who first discovered the basilisk. It was John," he pointed out.
Hermione, unimpressed, retorted, "And if it weren't for John, you'd be wrongly accused by Filch of being a cat murderer by now."
Harry, however, was undeterred. "But what about the second incident? John was there with the basilisk when Colin was taking photos. If Colin hadn't gone to fetch a professor, no one would have known they were together. Doesn't that strike you as odd?"
Ron hesitated, sensing a sliver of truth in Harry's words.
"Think about it," Harry continued, "How did John escape unscathed from an encounter with a creature as dangerous as the basilisk? He merely ended up resting in the hospital."
"Perhaps John is just that strong," Hermione suggested, unwilling to entertain Harry's doubts.
"Yes, he's powerful. He faced Slytherin's monster alone. But don't you find these coincidences a bit too convenient?" Harry pressed on, recalling a conversation he had with Malfoy that had sown the seeds of doubt in his mind.
"John often vanishes without a trace. Each time the basilisk appears, John's reputation soars. It's as if..." Harry trailed off, implying that these events were orchestrated to elevate John's status.
Hermione, visibly frustrated, argued, "That's absurd, Harry. John is a Muggle-born. Slytherin wouldn't ally with a Muggle-born!"
"What if he's not?" Harry proposed, causing Hermione to pause and Ron to express his surprise.
"You mean John isn't a Muggle-born?" Ron asked.
Harry, with a look of determination, theorized, "Maybe John has a Squib in his family, making him a half-blood. And consider his friendship with Malfoy, who despises Muggle-borns the most."
Hermione, skeptical, advised, "You're jumping to conclusions, Harry. You need to calm down."
Ron agreed, suggesting that Harry might be overthinking due to stress.
Despite their skepticism, Harry couldn't shake off his suspicions, especially after recalling John's vertical pupils during the Dueling Club. The seed of doubt had taken root in Harry's mind, making him increasingly wary of John.
Meanwhile, John sneezed in his room, puzzled by the sudden chill. Glancing at two parchments on his table, he muttered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!" The parchments revealed themselves to be copies of the Marauder's Map, showing identical moving footprints and names.
Noticing Peter Pettigrew's name next to Ron's, John mused, "The Marauder's Map isn't infallible. A powerful enough Confundus Charm might just confuse it."
John speculated that only a spell of fourth level or higher could trick the map, a feat likely beyond most at Hogwarts, except perhaps Professor Flitwick or the head of the Fourth House.
After deactivating the maps, John reflected on the ease with which he could now cast spells without a wand. He carefully stored the maps away, mindful of their value and the potential interest from the likes of the Weasley twins.
As Christmas passed and a new term approached, Hermione's absence from class was noted, her transformation into a "cat girl" leaving her indisposed for the time being. John often felt a bit isolated in class, overshadowed by a know-it-all who always seemed to be in competition with him. This sense of solitude was akin to the proverbial warrior in search of a worthy opponent, a quest for defeat. Meanwhile, Neville Longbottom returned to school brimming with joy, having earned his grandmother's praise. The physical training over the summer had led to significant weight loss, a development that filled Mrs. Longbottom with both pride and concern.
As June approached, Hermione Granger was discharged from the hospital, fully recovered from her ailment. However, John couldn't shake off the feeling that Harry Potter was keeping his distance. He wondered if Harry had discovered that he was the one who had inadvertently caused him trouble during the summer. Considering this, John thought it best to apologize. The preparation of the Felix potion was nearly complete, but he needed Harry's ability to speak Parseltongue to access the final ingredient. With the location of the entrance known, the only missing piece was Parseltongue. The heir of Slytherin had yet to reveal themselves, leading John to humorously speculate whether someone had accidentally taken the crucial paper to the bathroom.
Regardless, John was determined to explore the Chamber of Secrets of Slytherin, seeing it as an opportunity not to be missed. He was aware that the chamber might not offer the same kind of challenges as the Gryffindor's, but the thought of missing out was unbearable.
The new semester brought a renewed sense of normalcy to Hogwarts. The castle echoed with laughter, and the Quidditch pitch was once again filled with Oliver Wood's fervent coaching. Tom, the puppy, had become a familiar sight, eagerly waiting at the Slytherin common room door for the students. Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson encountered Tom upon their return, with the latter appearing particularly distracted, her attention consumed by a diary.
Daphne noticed Pansy's preoccupation and teased her about it, only to be met with a shy admission of love. The conversation took a playful turn, with Daphne trying to silence Pansy's teasing about her own crush. Tom, the puppy, watched the exchange with a tilted head, barking twice before attempting to climb the stairs. Daphne, seeing the struggle, picked him up, finding comfort in the small dog's presence.
John's return coincided with this scene, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain for the overly affectionate display towards Tom. Daphne, noticing John, thanked him for his care of Tom and subtly shifted the conversation towards Valentine's Day, hinting at a surprise planned by Professor Lockhart. John, however, was skeptical of any "surprise" Lockhart might have in store, given the professor's penchant for causing trouble. Despite the initial success of the Dueling Club, John was convinced that Lockhart needed to be kept busy with tasks like writing books, away from meddling in student affairs, to prevent any further disruptions. On the second day, John couldn't believe his eyes when he saw twelve dwarfs dressed as Cupids approaching him. He instinctively covered his face in embarrassment, especially after realizing he had received a greeting card that had brought this spectacle to life. The situation was so absurd that he felt like he could die of embarrassment right there.
Malfoy, witnessing the scene, was on the verge of bursting into laughter. However, he managed to restrain himself, aware that John's glare was fixed on him. The tension between the desire to laugh and the need to maintain composure added a layer of complexity to the moment, making it clear that their interactions were always charged with an undercurrent of rivalry and mutual observation.
_________
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge