"I feel like we're rabbits," the Weasley Twins quipped, "like rabbits huddled together, waiting for the petrifying monster to catch us all in one go."
"Look on the bright side, George, Fred," Ron said, "at least you've got each other for company, unlike Colin who only has his camera."
"I think Colin is fine with just his camera," Fred said, "look at that kid, he's inseparable from it. If you didn't tell me, I'd think it was his girlfriend."
Everyone laughed at Fred's words.
Though Colin had only been lively for a week, the shadow he left during that week was plenty enough...
He not only bothered Harry but tried to take photos of every student, saying it's for his dad to see.
On the afternoon of the next day's History of Magic class, Harry yawned a few times, habitually feeling sleepy.
But he suddenly thought about the Snake Monster, so he raised his hand.
"Mr. Potter? Do you have a question?"
Professor Bin looked up, seemingly puzzled at Harry for raising his hand to ask a question.
"Professor Bin, I'd like to ask you a question—I read about some legends somewhere..."
Before Harry could finish, he was interrupted by Professor Bin.
"Since you know it's a legend, you shouldn't be asking this question—this is a serious history class, Mr. Potter."
Professor Bin seemed uninterested in the word "legend," observing Harry closely, and suddenly frowned.
"Wait, why do I feel like you look familiar?"
"Because I'm your student, professor." Harry was a bit speechless; I've been in your class for nearly seven years.
Professor Bin uttered an "oh."
"I saw a letter, a handwritten letter left by Salazar Slytherin," Harry said.
Upon hearing this, Professor Bin fell silent.
"What letter? Tell me about it," he said.
Harry recounted the contents of the letter from start to finish.
Professor Bin remained silent, just when everyone thought he might continue to be silent, he suddenly spoke.
"This is not a legend, Mr. Potter," Professor Bin said, "I have seen this letter before, it is indeed a handwritten letter by Slytherin."
Hearing this, the whole class was in an uproar.
A handwritten letter by Salazar Slytherin?!
Ron's eyes went red, he grabbed Harry's sleeve, and said unwillingly, "Why didn't you call me for something this good... Harry..."
"I thought it was fake," Harry said softly to Ron.
Ron made an "oh" sound and believed Harry's words.
"But there's also a legend circulating within the school, just as the letter says," Professor Bin said, "Salazar Slytherin had differences with the other three founders, and legend has it that he built a Secret Chamber in the school, containing his terrifying creature, but I think it's nonsense."
He then passionately recounted some of his personal experiences, as well as tales about Salazar Slytherin himself, and the whole class listened intently.
The students were amazed, surprised at themselves for listening so attentively to a History of Magic class for the first time.
"However, this legend is not unfounded, after all, there's the letter as evidence," Professor Bin said again, "According to the legend, Slytherin sealed the Secret Chamber, so no one could open it, until his true heir came to the school—only that heir could open the Chamber, release the horror inside, and cleanse the school of all unworthy of studying magic."
"Professor..." Hermione raised her hand dryly and asked, "Who, in Slytherin's eyes, are unworthy of studying magic?"
"That's correct, Miss Grant, you can put your hand down," Professor Bin said, always unable to remember Hermione's last name.
Hermione put her hand down in confusion, only then did she realize what Professor Bin meant...
Oh, so I'm considered unworthy of studying magic in Slytherin's eyes?
She felt very angry, a cold feeling surged into her heart.
"But I must tell you, that thing doesn't exist at all," Professor Bin said again, a bit impatiently: "There's no Chamber, and no monster—do you know, it's been a thousand years, if there was a Chamber, it would have been discovered by the headmasters over the generations."
"This legend has been circulating in Hogwarts since the four founders passed away, and many headmasters have tried to find the legendary Chamber afterward, even inviting various powerful wizards to the school, but there was no success."
"But professor," Seamus suddenly said, "you can't deny the existence of the Chamber just because the headmasters didn't find it!"
"So what?" Professor Bin retorted, without any dullness, "So we don't find that monster in Hogwarts, and tomorrow that monster will pop out and petrify me? Ridiculous!"
"So, your previous numb demeanor while teaching was all an act?" Harry suddenly asked.
Professor Bin was taken aback, it's hard to imagine something that could leave a ghost speechless.
"If you could maintain such enthusiasm while teaching, I think students would really enjoy the History of Magic course, and like you too," Harry said sincerely, so genuinely that he believed it himself, "If I recall correctly, 'Hogwarts, A History' once recorded, 'As lunch approached, students reluctantly left Professor Bin's class, each looking very excited. The transformations showed them the magic's wonders for the first time, and Professor Bin's history made the children dream endlessly of magic.'"
"If I hadn't just witnessed your passionate side, I might have thought that book embellished your virtues," Harry added one last comment.
Professor Bin took a deep breath.
He bowed his head and continued with the class.
In less than five minutes, the students were once again engulfed in a heavy drowsiness.
Harry thought for a moment and gave up on persuading Professor Bin again.
He figured having a class that allowed him to sleep wasn't so bad.
With that in mind, he gently closed his eyelids and blissfully drifted into sleep, accompanied by Professor Bin's lullaby-like tone.
——————
(Request for monthly votes)
(The last 4000 words are an additional update for 1500/2000 monthly votes)