Chapter 239: A Lot of Information

Professor Smith's visit clearly involved something else.

After leaving the Great Hall, the two walked along the corridor to the second-floor office of Dark Arts Defense. Once inside, Professor Smith said directly, "Mr. Serafino Harixis asked me to deliver this invitation letter to you if you're free during the Christmas holiday."

With that, Professor Smith handed Albert a roll of parchment tied with a purple ribbon.

"Mr. Harixis' invitation letter?" Albert took the parchment and glanced at the wax seal on it, slightly furrowing his brow. "Why didn't he mention it in his letter to me earlier?"

"I suggest you open the invitation and see what it says inside. Perhaps, Mr. Harixis just wants to give you a surprising invitation," Professor Smith advised.

In fact, Professor Smith was also a bit surprised. He knew Mr. Harixis and their relationship was related to alchemy. So when Mr. Harixis asked him to help deliver this invitation, although he was surprised, he didn't inquire further.

"It seems that Mr. Harixis really has high expectations of you. I suggest you accept the invitation," Professor Smith suggested.

Albert opened the parchment and quickly scanned the contents:

Albert:

I dare say you must be surprised when receiving this invitation. January 13th is a special day, and it's a rare opportunity. I hope you can come and participate...

Awaiting your owl.

Your loyal

Serafino Harixis

January 13th... A special day?

Albert's expression suddenly became a bit strange. He handed the parchment to Professor Smith so he could see the content inside. "Do you know what Mr. Harixis means by 'a special day'?"

"A gathering!" Professor Smith explained mysteriously, "I've attended a few before. As for what kind of gathering it is, you'll know when you go."

"It's not a birthday party, is it?" Albert asked tentatively. Though he thought it was unlikely, he couldn't help but inquire.

"A birthday party? Of course not." Professor Smith was momentarily taken aback, shaking his head. "You'll find out when you go."

"Alright then, it's a gathering related to alchemy. Such opportunities are rare, and I suggest you don't turn it down." Professor Smith suddenly asked, "By the way, are you going home for the Christmas holiday?"

"Yes, I'm planning to celebrate with my family," Albert replied.

"In that case, you better contact Mr. Harixis and figure out how to get there. If not, you can book a ride on the Knight Bus," Professor Smith offered some advice after thinking for a moment.

"Will you also attend?" Albert asked tentatively.

"No, I haven't received an invitation for several years now," Professor Smith shook his head. "Besides, I don't focus much on this aspect now. You shouldn't be able to receive an invitation at your current age. But, there are always exceptions."

"Thank you, I understand. I will contact Mr. Harixis," Albert expressed his gratitude to Professor Smith once again and put the invitation letter into the pocket of his robe, preparing to return to the Wizarding Cards Club's activities.

However, just at that moment, Professor Smith called him back.

"Although it's a bit embarrassing to disturb your club gathering, I have something else to tell you," Professor Smith asked Albert to take a seat. "Would you like some milk tea?"

"Milk tea," Albert nodded and asked, "What is it?"

Professor Smith waved his wand, and two cups of steaming hot milk tea appeared out of thin air. One of them floated to Albert's side.

"Have you heard of the legend of Slytherin's Chamber?" Professor Smith asked after sipping his tea.

"The legend of Slytherin's Chamber?" Albert raised an eyebrow. Of course, he knew about the legend of Slytherin's Chamber, the entrance and its opening method, and the fact that it contained a fearsome serpent that would cause chaos at Hogwarts in a few years, only to be defeated by Harry Potter using the Sword of Gryffindor.

"The legend says that Salazar Slytherin built an underground chamber at Hogwarts that only he and those he allowed could enter."

"But... that's just a legend, isn't it?" Albert countered. "The former heads of Hogwarts must have investigated the matter. Unless they deliberately hid it, there's no evidence..."

"No, they couldn't find the entrance, and even if they did, they couldn't get in. Therefore, they couldn't prove the existence of the chamber," Professor Smith explained. "However, about fifty years ago, Slytherin's Chamber was opened once, and a student died as a result. According to the legend, there's a terrifying creature in the chamber, created to rid the school of students from Muggle backgrounds. You know, Salazar Slytherin disliked students of Muggle descent."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Albert looked puzzled, wondering why Professor Smith was sharing this with him.

Professor Smith didn't answer directly but continued, "However, there's another little-known version of the legend about Slytherin's Chamber. It says that Salazar Slytherin used the chamber to secretly research and test dark magic, and he left all the dark magic he mastered inside the chamber."

"You want that dark magic from the chamber?" Albert's expression became even more peculiar. As far as he knew, besides the serpent, there didn't seem to be anything else in the chamber. Could there really be something?

"No, I'm just telling you about the legend of the chamber," Professor Smith shook his head. "I haven't thought about going to find Slytherin's Chamber myself."

"Why are you telling me this then?" Albert thought of the Ravenclaw's knowledge repository and asked tentatively, "Do you think the Four Founders didn't just leave chambers at Hogwarts for Slytherin? Is there more to it?"

"Yes," Professor Smith grinned. "Remember those ancient runes I showed you last time?"

"Yes, I remember."

"They were found in the chamber left by Ravenclaw." Professor Smith continued, "I accepted Dumbledore's invitation to return to Hogwarts to teach Dark Arts Defense mainly for this."

Albert stared into Professor Smith's eyes, feeling that he was lying or not telling the whole truth.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Albert asked.

"Because I can't open the entrance to the chamber," Professor Smith sighed helplessly. "When the Four Founders designed their chambers, they used various means to protect them, making it difficult for anyone to enter without permission."

"Professor Brode went back to Hogwarts last year for this too?" Albert pretended to be surprised and asked.

"Yes, I think so, but Mr. Brode obviously didn't find the entrance either," Professor Smith's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.

"So, you're telling me this because you hope I can help you find a way in?"

"Yes," Professor Smith nodded.

"Although I'm flattered by your request, I'm still just a second-year student," Albert hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Have you asked Isabelle about this?"

"Isabelle? She knows about this; her father was a good friend of mine!" Professor Smith's face showed a hint of nostalgia. "However, she obviously doesn't have your expertise in ancient runes, and she suggested that I ask for your help. Although you're not a Ravenclaw student, knowledge and wisdom don't belong only to Ravenclaw and Gryffindor."

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(End of this chapter)