"Did he come into contact with something recently?" Dudley frowned in thought.
Then he also stood up and followed. At the same time, he blinked slightly and activated his spirit vision.
Under spirit vision, Dudley saw that the colours on Malfoy's body had indeed become chaotic. Some colours representing health had become very faint, and at the same time, there was a faint black aura entwining around his body.
"What is that thing?" Dudley moved closer to examine.
At this time, Harry and Malfoy had already begun arguing loudly.
Harry denied being Slytherin's heir, but Malfoy did not believe it at all. Even from the expressions of surrounding classmates, most people did not believe what Harry was saying.
There was one thing Malfoy said that was not wrong. The monster in the Chamber was meant to purge Muggle-born wizards. According to Slytherin's rules, the monster would not attack pure-blood wizards, but Crabbe had been attacked.
This indicated that either the monster in the Chamber had lost control, or it was being controlled by someone to attack pure-blood wizards.
From the current situation, Harry was the most likely to be able to do this.
Actually, after last night's events, quite a few people were speculating whether the monster in the Chamber might be a snake. Only this explanation fit the legend.
And Harry happened to be a Parselmouth.
"It is indeed the aura of dark magic, but where did he pick it up?" Dudley did not pay attention to their argument but carefully examined the black mist entwining around Malfoy.
This mist was very faint. If it were not for Dudley's keen perception, it would be completely undetectable.
Judging from the state, this should be caused by Malfoy recently coming into contact with some dark magical item.
These black mists only floated on the surface and had not penetrated deep into Malfoy's body.
The argument quickly attracted Professor McGonagall. After sternly criticising both of them, she deducted ten points each from Gryffindor and Slytherin.
However, obviously everyone was not very concerned about point deductions anymore. In this crisis-ridden situation, they were more concerned about whether Hogwarts was still safe and whether the school could continue operating.
With the development of events, whether Hogwarts would be forced to close was already out in the open.
"Professor, I have something to tell you." Dudley quickly caught up with Professor McGonagall.
Seeing this, Harry's trio also followed.
"If you are here to convince me to cancel the point deductions, then do not bother speaking," Professor McGonagall said with a stern face. She did not look well, with obvious dark circles around her eyes.
For the school's safety, she had been patrolling for the past two days and had not had a proper night's sleep.
"No, we have determined what the monster in the Chamber is," Dudley said directly.
Professor McGonagall's expression shifted slightly.
"Follow me!"
In the office, Dudley laid out all his reasoning and also told Professor McGonagall about the basilisk moving through the sewers.
"A basilisk! It is actually this kind of ancient magical creature," Professor McGonagall was extremely surprised.
They had suspected many things before, but had never thought there would be a basilisk in the Chamber.
"How has it survived all these years?" Professor McGonagall found it incredible.
"We are not sure either, but based on the information we have, a basilisk is the most likely thing in the Chamber," Dudley said.
Professor McGonagall fell into thought.
After a long while, she spoke again.
"It seems we need to tell everyone about this and let them prepare for defence," Professor McGonagall said solemnly.
"It is best to remind everyone to carry mirrors or similar items. When they discover something abnormal, do not look directly. Use mirrors or similar tools to observe. This way they can avoid looking directly into the basilisk's eyes and causing immediate death. Petrification can at least be cured," Dudley said.
"That is a good method. Well done, Dudley," Professor McGonagall said seriously.
Although Dudley's discovery could not help Hogwarts completely solve the current troubles, it at least let everyone know how to deal with the crisis.
"I will tell everyone about this as soon as possible. Thank you for your contribution to Hogwarts, Dudley," Professor McGonagall said, then looked at Harry's trio. "And you three should have played quite a role in this as well."
"A little bit," Ron said modestly.
Professor McGonagall smiled. "One hundred points to Gryffindor. Forty for Dudley, twenty each for you three."
Hermione showed a happy smile upon hearing this.
"All right, if you have any new discoveries, you can come tell me anytime," Professor McGonagall said finally.
"Yes, Professor."
The four left Professor McGonagall's office together and hurried to their first class.
Not long after, a notice was posted at the entrance to Hogwarts' Great Hall.
"To All Faculty and Students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:
Following investigations by Mr Dudley Dursley, the monster locked in Slytherin's Chamber is very likely an ancient magical creature, a basilisk! This is an extremely dangerous magical creature with shocking methods of killing. Besides its deadly venomous fangs, its stare can also cause death. Anyone who makes eye contact with it will immediately perish.
Therefore, for the following period, please be vigilant. The basilisk may very well be moving through the castle via the sewers. If you encounter any abnormal situations, remember never to look with the naked eye. Use mirrors or similar tools to observe the situation. This way, even if you see the basilisk, you will only be petrified, not killed, and can be cured with Mandrake.
Deputy Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall."
The appearance of this notice made everyone who saw it feel afraid, even involuntarily screaming.
A basilisk. This was an unheard-of monster for many people. No one had thought that this terrible creature that only existed in legends would appear in the castle.
Even though Professor McGonagall had explained that as long as you do not make eye contact with the basilisk, you will not immediately die, it still caused great panic.
Many students had already begun considering whether to suspend their studies and leave Hogwarts.
At the same time, Dudley, who was in Potions class, suddenly frowned.
He did not yet know that Professor McGonagall had already announced the basilisk matter, but just now, he felt the Interrogator extraordinary characteristics in his body rapidly digesting. In just the blink of an eye, the Interrogator's extraordinary characteristics had been completely digested.
At the same time, the Judge extraordinary characteristics in Dudley's body immediately began fusing into his body.
Dudley began advancing toward Sequence 6 Judge of the Justiciar Pathway.
Once he completed the absorption, Dudley would progress from low sequence to mid-sequence, completing his first qualitative transformation.