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"Alright, Potter, just do what I showed you, and you'll definitely win this duel."Lockhart patted Harry on the shoulder cheerfully, clearly confident in the technique he'd just taught."What, you mean dropping my wand on the floor?"But Lockhart wasn't listening at all.
"One, two—two—one—go!" he shouted.
Malfoy quickly raised his wand and yelled, "Serpensortia!"The tip of his wand exploded.Harry stared in horror as a long, black snake shot out and thudded onto the floor between them. It raised its head, ready to strike.The crowd screamed and backed away fast, clearing space around them.
"Yikes. Clearly, Draco hasn't mastered that spell properly," Loki said casually, standing in front of Augustus, watching Harry's panicked face. "That snake looks all bark and no bite. If it were me, I could get rid of that fake-tough snake in at least five different ways."
"Don't move, Potter," Snape drawled lazily.He looked pleased to see Harry frozen in place, locked in a staring contest with the angry snake."I'll take care of it—"
"Let me!" Lockhart interrupted loudly.He raised his wand and waved it threateningly at the snake.
Suddenly—BANG!Instead of vanishing, the snake shot a few feet into the air and crashed back down on the floor, hissing furiously.It slithered straight toward Justin Finch-Fletchley, its tongue flicking wildly.Then it reared up, bared its fangs, and coiled into an attack stance.
Lilian covered her mouth, letting out a snort."Ah yes, classic Lockhart—our fearless hero. Always full of surprises. If there were an award for Most Likely to Cause Accidents at Hogwarts, he'd win it hands down."
Harry had no idea why he did what he did next.He didn't even realize he'd made a decision.His legs moved on their own, like they were on wheels, and before he knew it, he was walking toward the snake and shouting, "Leave him alone!"
And then something miraculous—completely unbelievable—happened.The snake dropped to the floor like a soggy hose, calm and harmless.Its eyes stayed locked on Harry.Somehow, he knew it wasn't going to attack anymore. He couldn't explain it, but the fear inside him melted away.
He looked up at Justin and grinned.He expected Justin to look relieved, maybe confused—or even grateful.He definitely didn't expect to see him looking furious and terrified.
"What kind of dark magic are you playing at?!" Justin shouted.Before Harry could say a word, he spun around and bolted out of the hall.
"Parseltongue?" Augustus's expression darkened slightly.He hadn't expected Harry to be a Parselmouth.As far as he knew, in modern times, only Salazar Slytherin's descendants—and one other person—had that gift: Voldemort.
Now that Harry had revealed it, the consequences were impossible to predict.One thing was certain, though: to many, Parseltongue was synonymous with evil. Most people hated it.
In truth, being able to talk to animals shouldn't have been seen as something bad.It was Voldemort's long reign of darkness—and the fact that he was a Parselmouth—that caused the ability to become stigmatized.In other worlds, most druids could talk to animals.
Druids, champions of nature and peace, made it clear that no ability was inherently good or evil.Judging magic by human ideas of morality was foolish and ignorant.
Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake vanished in a puff of black smoke.He looked at Harry with a strange expression—cunning and calculating.Harry didn't like it one bit.
All around them, whispers were spreading like wildfire.
Malfoy returned to Augustus with a triumphant smirk, like he'd just uncovered a dark secret."Ha! Who would've thought Harry was a Parselmouth? Caught him red-handed!
Let's see him try to act like the saintly 'Chosen One' now.I'd love to see the looks on those self-righteous wizards who worship him when they find out what he really is."
"You're underestimating those 'righteous' folks," Loki said, eyes watching Harry as he walked out of the hall."They've already decided to make Harry their golden boy. As long as he doesn't totally cross the line, they'll bend over backwards to defend him.Being a Parselmouth? That's nothing.
They'll wave their banners of justice and crush any dissenting voice.That's politics for you.They need Harry to be their poster child."
"That may work in the Muggle world," Augustus said quietly, "but you're forgetting what kind of world this is.In the magical world, power comes from within.Both Dumbledore and Voldemort understood that—That's why they stood above the Ministry and held the fate of others in their hands."
He glanced at Loki, eyes sharp."Remember this: in our world, politics is just a side game.Real strength comes from yourself.How far you go down the path of magic depends entirely on you."
Augustus had noticed the conflict in Loki's eyes.He knew that if they hadn't met, Loki—with his intelligence, ambition, and powerful family behind him—might have gone far in the Ministry.He would've been praised by power-hungry officials, floated to the top…And eventually lost himself in the chase for status and influence, becoming someone like Cornelius Fudge.
But Loki had chosen to follow him instead, to walk the path of magical truth.And that meant Augustus had a duty—to help him understand where true power really lies.
In the end, the choice would still be Loki's.But Augustus believed that with his wisdom, Loki would figure out what he really wanted.
The road of magic was never easy to walk.The sights along the way and the thorns beneath your feet could make anyone doubt their purpose.
Few ever reached the end.But the path had no end—only those willing to keep walking, even if it cost them everything.If you heard the Way in the morning, it would be worth dying at dusk.
And maybe, just maybe… with a few companions by your side, the journey wouldn't feel so lonely after all.
"....."