“What happened, Professor McGonagall?” Leon and Harry immediately understood that the situation was serious.
Minerva McGonagall was normally calm and composed, yet her hands were trembling.
“A student was found petrified on the stairs a few minutes ago,” she said after taking a steadying breath.
Her voice sounded strained.
“It was Colin Creevey.” “Colin?” Harry’s face turned pale.
“He was taking pictures of me during the celebration.
I have to see him.” Harry rushed toward the door, but Leon placed a firm hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
“Calm down, Harry.” “But Professor, Colin—” “I know you are worried about him.
However, you cannot help anyone if you place yourself in danger first.
Rushing toward the scene may only give the attacker another victim.” Harry looked into Leon’s calm eyes.
The urge to run slowly faded and was replaced by helpless anger.
“Professor Cromwell is correct,” McGonagall said as she regained control of herself.
“Return to Gryffindor Tower at once.
Do not wander through the corridors.
I will order the students from every other house to do the same.” Harry hesitated but finally obeyed.
Leon watched him disappear at the top of the stairs before turning toward McGonagall.
“Take me to Colin.” Colin Creevey lay motionless inside the hospital wing.
His body remained frozen in the position he had been in while holding his camera.
His eyes were wide with terror and his skin looked almost like polished marble.
Madam Pomfrey moved anxiously around the bed.
It was clear that none of her normal potions could treat the condition.
Leon adjusted his enchanted glasses and examined the boy.
[Name: Colin Creevey] [Race: Human] [Condition] [Basilisk-Induced Petrification: The target resisted an instant-death effect.
The failed effect was reduced to permanent petrification.] His condition was identical to that of Mrs.
Norris.
Basilisks also existed in Faerûn.
Their gaze caused petrification rather than immediate death in most cases.
There were two established ways to reverse it.
The first was the fifth-circle spell [Greater Restoration].
Clerics, Druids, and Bards could learn it once they reached the proper level.
The second required oil taken from the glands or stomach of a freshly killed basilisk.
Applying it to the victim could remove the petrification.
Adventuring groups without access to a powerful healer often relied on this method.
Neither option was available to Leon.
He was an eleventh-level Wizard with powerful offensive and defensive magic.
Healing remained one of his greatest weaknesses.
If only I had a ninth-level healer.
Leon thought about Hagrid and Snape.
He had no idea how far either of them had progressed since gaining their new classes.
For now, the only practical choice was to wait for Professor Sprout’s Mandrakes to mature.
Once they were ready, a restorative potion could be brewed.
Half an hour later, every member of the Hogwarts staff gathered inside the Great Hall.
The atmosphere around the long table was heavy.
“The Chamber of Secrets has truly been opened,” Dumbledore said from the head of the table.
His eyes moved across the assembled professors.
“This is only the second time it has happened in fifty years.” “Who is responsible?” Professor Flitwick asked.
His high voice trembled with concern.
“A student died the last time.
If this continues—” “Someone will die again,” Professor Sprout finished.
Soil still covered her robes and gloves.
She had clearly rushed there from the greenhouses.
“The Mandrakes were planted only recently.
They will need several more months to mature.” “Should we close the school, Albus?” McGonagall asked.
Every professor turned toward Dumbledore.
“If the attacks continue, we may have no other choice,” he replied with a weary sigh.
“I refuse to simply wait.” Leon’s voice broke the silence.
He sat in an armchair near the corner of the hall and slowly turned his wand between his fingers.
“Close the school and send everyone home?
What happens to the attacker?
Do we allow them to walk free?
Are we supposed to hope the assaults stop once the students leave?” Snape looked toward him.
“What do you suggest?” “Danger has already entered the castle.” Leon rose from his chair.
“At the very least, we should teach the students how to defend themselves.” He turned toward Dumbledore.
“I propose creating a Duel Club.” “A Duel Club?” Flitwick’s eyes brightened.
“That is an excellent idea.” “Teaching students to fight during a crisis may encourage reckless behavior,” McGonagall warned.
“It will teach them how to survive,” Leon replied.
“A student who has never faced a hostile spell will panic during a real attack.
Controlled practice is safer than ignorance.” Dumbledore considered the suggestion for several moments before nodding.
“Your reasoning is sound.
I approve the proposal.
You may organize the club.” He looked around the table.
“That concludes tonight’s meeting.
Every member of staff should remain alert.
Please remind the students not to travel through the castle alone.” The professors left in small groups.
Their expressions remained tense.
Leon had barely stepped into the corridor when a black-robed figure blocked his path.
“Cromwell.” Snape stood beneath the dim torchlight.
His dark eyes were fixed on Leon.
“Is something wrong, Professor Snape?” Leon had expected Snape to approach him sooner or later.
“What you said before about Clerics.” Snape lowered his voice as though discussing a forbidden subject.
“I have followed the instructions in the book you gave me.
I can feel the power, but I cannot learn the higher-circle divine spells as quickly as you claimed.” His irritation became more obvious.
“How do I increase this level faster?
How long will it take before I can cast [Resurrection]?” Snape reached inside his robes and produced an Adventurer’s Record.
Leon had created one for him after completing the student versions.
Snape drew his wand and touched the parchment.
“Adventure begins.” Leon nearly smiled at the sight of Severus Snape solemnly reciting such a cheerful activation phrase.
He managed to keep his expression under control and examined the information.
[Name: Severus Snape] [Race: Human] [Class: Cleric—Life Domain] [Level: 6—99%] [Attributes] [Strength: 11] [Dexterity: 12] [Constitution: 12] [Intelligence: 15] [Wisdom: 17] [Charisma: 10] [Traits and Features] [Actor: Highly skilled in imitation, deception, and maintaining false identities.] [Dark Wizard: Mastered dark magic outside the Cleric spell system.
Using such magic does not consume divine spell slots.] [Potions Master: Possesses extensive knowledge of magical brewing and alchemical preparation.] [Channel Divinity—Preserve Life: Channels divine power to restore severe injuries.] [Destroy Undead: Deals increased radiant damage against undead creatures.] [Blessed Healer: Healing another creature also restores the caster’s health.] Leon’s eyes narrowed.
Level six.
Less than a month had passed since Snape first began studying divine magic.
Yet he had already reached level six and stood only one percent away from level seven.
At level seven, he would gain access to fourth-circle Cleric spells.
The speed was absurd.
Leon had spent ten years fighting in Albania before reaching level eleven.
Snape had advanced through half of that journey in several weeks.
Is this what true talent looks like in this world?
He also wondered how far Hagrid had progressed as a Druid.
Dumbledore had already been estimated at level fifteen or higher before learning any D&D magic.
“What is it?” Snape asked impatiently.
“Is the answer difficult?” “No.
Your progress is simply far beyond what I expected.” Leon looked at the man standing before him.
Snape was driving himself forward for a hope that might never be fulfilled.
“You want to know how to level quickly.
Reading, study, meditation, and repeated practice all provide progress.” Leon’s voice became more serious.
“However, combat remains the fastest method for almost every class.
A real battle forces you to use everything you have learned at once.
When your life is at risk, your potential is pushed far beyond its normal limits.” “Combat…” Snape repeated the word.
A strange smile slowly appeared on his pale face.
“In that case…” He raised his head.
For once, his dark eyes carried obvious fighting spirit.
“You will need someone for the Duel Club demonstration.
As the person who proposed it, I assume you have not yet found a suitable opponent.” Leon looked at Snape’s expression.
It practically announced that he wanted to fight and gain experience.
A quiet laugh escaped him.
“Of course, Professor Snape.” Leon gave him a graceful bow and accepted the challenge.
“Let us give the students a demonstration they will remember.” [Milestone: [Milestone: 10 Reviews = +1 Chapter] Enjoyed this chapter?