After Vid learned Dumbledore's version of the Slow Spell, he would occasionally use it to slow down the Basilisk.
His magic power was quite weak compared to the Basilisk, only capable of having a slight restraining effect.
But even if it could only delay by a tenth of a second, as long as it was used at a crucial moment, it would still be effective.
The students didn't know there was another help here—
When they entered the Chamber of Secret, Vid and Dumbledore used the Disillusionment Charm to become invisible.
Dozens of students surrounded the Basilisk, initially panicking and disoriented, and seven or eight people were seriously injured and sent away by the professors.
Gradually, the bravest among them stood in front, forming a defense, while the other students also gradually regained their composure, at least no longer throwing down their magic wands and fleeing in fright.
Then, even those who started to run away came back with their faces flushed.
Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw...
Students from the four houses mingled together, collaborating without distinction, engaging in a "life and death struggle" with the Basilisk.
When they cast spells, they didn't bother to consider whether the Basilisk was attacking friend or foe; when they reached out to help fallen classmates, they completely ignored what house colors the other was wearing.
They only thought about defeating the terrifying "enemy" before them.
For wizards, mindset significantly affects the effectiveness of their magic.
For a moment, many students were evenly matched with the massive Basilisk.
Watching this scene, reminiscent of a group of ants battling a worm, Vid couldn't help but wonder—how did Harry, alone, defeat such a colossal beast?
Of course, it might be because Harry used a sword, while the students now were using magic... The Basilisk's "magic resistance" was indeed high; most spells hitting its scales felt like tickling.
Yet Vid preferred to believe that, back then, Dumbledore was like now, invisibly standing by, secretly using magic to restrain the beast, watching with satisfaction as the young Savior pierced the Basilisk's palate with Gryffindor's Sword.
Thinking this, he turned to look at the headmaster, only to find Dumbledore also looking at him, his eyes shimmering with tears, as if deeply moved.
Vid was startled: "…Professor Dumbledore?"
"Isn't it wonderful?"
The headmaster's gaze was gentle, smiling lightly: "Watching the children abandon previous rivalries, helping one another, facing the enemy together, it's truly beautiful... It can't help but fill one's heart with warmth and hope."
"Hmm... It does seem that way indeed..." Vid slowly said, "But why are you saying this looking at me? I'm not among them."
"But this scene is because of you."
Dumbledore looked at the fighting children, his gaze deep yet tender, as if seeing far into the future.
"The inter-house competition at Hogwarts has continued since its founding, for over a thousand years... Even during times of war, I've never seen them so united."
"But this unity is temporary... It's only because they've encountered an enemy they must join forces against."
Vid calmly remarked: "Once this challenge is over, the divisions will still persist."
"But they have fought side by side..." Dumbledore optimistically said, "Even if it's only once, it will leave a mark on their hearts."
Vid thought: How many times did Peter Pettigrew fight alongside James Potter? Yet when he wanted to betray, he did it without mercy.
But then he thought, someone like Peter Pettigrew is rare, and can't be generalized.
Suddenly, the snake emitted a painful roar, its tail twitching violently, its upper body slammed heavily onto the ground.
By now, the snake was riddled with countless large and small wounds, but only two were fatal—
Neville Longbottom astonishingly carried the sword Vid had given him, and he deeply stabbed the sword into the Basilisk's neck from below.
A venomous fang of the Basilisk was sliced off by the Diffindo spell, and Harry astonishingly rode a broom, holding the venomous fang, flew above the Basilisk's head, and then with precise direction, dove down to pierce the venomous fang directly into the bloody eye socket of the Basilisk!
Everyone was stunned by their heroic feat.
Vid was also very surprised.
While many senior students did not flinch or avoid, bravely fighting, the ones who ended the battle were still Harry and Neville...
For a moment, he seemed to feel a force called destiny.
As if certain people... they are destined to become heroes.
Neville was drenched with the dark snake's blood, and after the Basilisk fell, he seemed to not believe what he had done, supporting himself with his hands on his knees, gasping heavily.
A muffled "thump" sounded from nearby.
"Harry—"
Hermione cried out, rushing over; the nearest George had already caught him, preventing him from falling to the ground.
He laid Harry on the ground, only to see his face turning black, his arm with a few wounds scraped by snake fangs.
"Harry is poisoned!" George shouted: "Who has the antidote?"
Michael, who was observing the Basilisk with his mouth agape, immediately pulled out a small bottle from his pocket, raised it high and ran over, shouting: "I have it, I have! I have the antidote!"
No one thought much of it, quickly clearing the way, Michael knelt nearby, uncorked the bottle and poured the antidote into Harry's mouth.
The effect of the potion was swift, and within seconds, the bluish-black caused by the venom faded from the boy's face, and the blood flowing from the wounds returned to normal red.
"I'm fine... I'm better now..."
Harry felt as if several people were squeezing him tightly, hugging him. He muttered as he spoke and pushed away those who were holding him.
When he opened his eyes, he saw George, Hermione, Michael beside him, and Neville who was looking very anxious at his leg.
"This antidote is really impressive!" Ravenclaw's prefect, Robert, squatted nearby, seeing the situation, patted Michael on the shoulder, asking with interest: "Michael, how did you get it?"
"Uh..."
Michael quickly glanced at the entrance of the Chamber of Secret, where Professor Snape was expressionless.
Before coming here, Professor Snape had secretly given several students who performed well in the Magic Potion Class (specifically Slytherin and Ravenclaw) a bottle each, telling them they might need it.
This potion was extremely precious, with only a mouthful in each bottle and only a few bottles available.
Being a private favor from the professor, it couldn't be revealed.
As Michael hesitated, Robert already found an explanation himself.
"It was given by Vid, wasn't it? You two are always close... I even heard that he is the designer of this challenge..."
Robert stood up, glanced around: "Why isn't he here?"
"Because it would be too unfair to the participants if the referee also joins the match."
A voice suddenly echoed from nearby.