radicalducati Chapter 67 Orochimaru's Innate Magic
Chapter 67 Orochimaru's Innate Magic
Chapter 67 Orochimaru's Innate Magic
Orochimaru's words now carry immense weight.
At least that was the case for the first-year Slytherin students.
Therefore, after receiving a clear rejection, Orochimaru was delighted to find that the first-year Slytherin girl was no longer following him or doing anything sneaky.
Children and women are always the most unpredictable.
Not to mention the first-year female students at Hogwarts, who practically possess both of the aforementioned attributes simultaneously.
Orochimaru, lost in thought, walked out of the Slytherin common room and headed towards the agreed-upon place.
library.
To be honest, this was Orochimaru's first time visiting the Hogwarts library.
It wasn't that his thirst for knowledge had diminished; it was simply because Orochimaru understood one thing: the most precious knowledge should never be made public for anyone to view.
Unless most people can't understand it.
Orochimaru smiled and shook his head, leisurely walking through the entrance courtyard, across the overpass filled with owls flying around, and finally exiting the central courtyard in the northeast direction before finding the path leading to the Hogwarts Library.
His green-trimmed Slytherin robes stood out conspicuously from the Ravenclaws' attire.
Being conspicuous can sometimes be a form of camouflage.
Orochimaru, trying to maintain a curious expression, walked towards the library, which was clearly converted from a church.
He pushed open the door and saw an unmanned, automatic staircase moving back and forth in the library, providing convenience for the students.
This is mainly for young wizards who are not yet able to use magic to summon the books they want.
As for the older wizards, their method of summoning books is much simpler.
With a flick of his wrist, the books flew off the bookshelf like bullets and landed on the long table in front of them.
"Isn't that amazing? This is a summoning spell; we don't learn it until fourth grade!"
A familiar yet unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out behind Orochimaru.
Orochimaru turned around and saw Hermione Granger's face beaming with smugness, as if she had just solved an extremely difficult problem.
"Looks like you've been cooped up in Gryffindor," Orochimaru said, seeing through the pride on Hermione Granger's face. "Do you have few friends there?"
"Lots! Otherwise, why would Harry have asked me to come find you?"
Hermione Granger, clutching her thick tome, glanced around and found a secluded little table to sit down at.
She had clearly reserved this table in advance.
At least that's how Orochimaru saw it, because the table, being in a corner yet spacious enough, was perfect for the two to have a quiet conversation.
but----
It's not secret enough.
Exchanging information covertly in crowded places is a ninja's specialty.
Orochimaru felt that although he wasn't as skilled as that white-haired idiot, he still had his own unique insights.
He casually pulled out a book titled "Introduction to Advanced Potions" and sat down behind Hermione Granger.
Hermione was taken aback by his actions and before she could speak, she heard Orochimaru's voice beside her.
The sound seemed to have been pre-controlled in volume, and those who were a little further away could not hear it at all.
Hermione stared in shock, realizing that Slyke Anguill was hiding far more secrets than she had anticipated.
"First of all, I want to apologize for using Mr. Wendell's car without permission, even though he didn't mention it to you."
Orochimaru's back-and-forth exchange instantly struck a chord with Hermione's secret desires.
She can still remember the look of confusion on her father's face when he saw that the Maybach's fuel tank was completely empty.
"Honey, does getting close to the magical world cause oil to evaporate?" That's what Dad asked me back then. "I thought it only happened when we got close to America."
Hermione didn't understand her father's lame joke, but she felt that he was in a good mood at the time.
Thinking of this, Hermione subconsciously bit her lower lip.
She now probably understands why her father is happy.
"I am deeply grateful for the help your father provided me." Orochimaru slowly turned the pages of the book, looking as if he was satisfying his thirst for knowledge.
His eyes scanned the list of potions; although there were no recipes listed, there were countless potions with miraculous effects.
For example, a magical potion called Compound Soup can completely transform a person into another person, provided that a small part of that person's human tissue is obtained.
If I use a strand of Sasuke's hair as a catalyst, can I temporarily obtain the Sharingan?
Orochimaru was startled by the thought that popped into his mind, but then felt a pang of regret.
Unfortunately, no one in this world understands my lame jokes.
He was thinking this, but before Hermione could speak, he slowly started talking about what she was going to do next.
For spies, ninjas are typically used in two ways.
The former was what Danzo preferred: using spies as tools, suppressing their emotions, distorting their needs, and discarding them after use.
There's a small problem with this method —
Once the truth is discovered, spies are always prone to turning against their accomplices.
The latter cleverly strikes at the deepest desires of spies, making them willingly be driven, even at the cost of their lives.
Orochimaru was very good at this, so he felt he could handle it.
"Miss Hermione Granger, what I am about to say is not feigned, but rather comes from my most sincere concern."
Orochimaru pretended not to notice Hermione's slightly disordered breathing and continued speaking calmly.
"The matter I'm involved in with Harry is somewhat dangerous and easily misunderstood. Your father has been kind to me, and I cannot put you in danger, especially given your precarious situation in Gryffindor."
What do you mean I'm in a bad situation in Gryffindor?
Upon hearing this, Hermione wanted to get up and refute Orochimaru.
Before she could even get up, Orochimaru's words followed.
"My affair with Harry has been the talk of the town in every house, but no one has mentioned it to you. Forgive my bluntness, but discrimination and hostility exist everywhere, and they won't make an exception just because you're in the same house."
As Orochimaru spoke, the image of White Fang involuntarily appeared in his mind.
This ninja, whom he had once somewhat feared, ultimately died a meaningless death due to internal strife and the jealousy of the village's mediocre members.
"Sometimes, because of your excellence, they become even more jealous of you. You—" Orochimaru slowly closed the potion book in front of him, succinctly stating his thoughts, "Do you understand what I mean?"
Hermione Granger looked at the thick book "Hogwarts: A History of the School" in her hands. She wanted to read every word carefully, but Orochimaru's words kept echoing in her mind.
Hermione assumed the subtle exclusion she received from her fellow students was due to her background.
But after hearing Orochimaru's words, Hermione finally understood a truth that couldn't be more obvious.
They ostracized them because they couldn't allow a little wizard from a Muggle family to be better than them.
Although these words may not be spoken aloud, they have already become a reality.
Hermione lowered her head, staring at the dense letters on "Hogwarts: A History of the School," but felt that every word was a mockery of her.
She is not stupid; in fact, she is the most intelligent witch of this generation.
Even if Orochimaru hadn't said it, Hermione Granger understood how to overcome subtle discrimination and integrate into the entire Gryffindor school.
Don't be too outstanding. It's okay to make some small mistakes in exams. Don't be too arrogant. Blend in with them, do what they like to do, become one of them, and contribute to the honor of Gryffindor.
but----
"You're not reconciled, are you?"
Orochimaru didn't know if there was magic in this magical world that could manipulate people's minds, but he knew of another way that didn't require magic power.
Because language always possesses a magic that is unimaginable to ordinary people.
"Because you want to prove that you, Hermione Granger, are better than anyone else, not for honor, not for status."
Orochimaru believed that this was why Hermione Granger was sorted into Gryffindor.
"But simply proving your own excellence always requires far more courage than you imagine, doesn't it?"
Hermione paused, her hands turning the pages of the book.
Her gaze lingered on the words "Hogwarts," and the wise witch was unusually lost in confusion.
She knew perfectly well that what Orochimaru said was very strange, but she couldn't help thinking about it, and even secretly wanted to try it out.
She didn't want to follow in the footsteps of those pure-blood wizards, let them copy her homework, or play silly wizarding games with them.
She wanted to be herself freely, and then prove—
She, Hermione Granger, a witch from a Muggle family, is no less than anyone else!
"What do you want me to do?"
During Orochimaru's lengthy spellcasting, Hermione Granger asked in a low voice for the first time.
Although she didn't know exactly what had happened, she had already decided that she had to get involved.
"I was hoping to get a bridge connecting me and Harry."
Orochimaru laid out his plans, saying with a mixture of relief and temptation, "But now I've changed my mind."
As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru suddenly stood up and slowly walked to Hermione Granger's side.
He looked down at Hermione Granger with a scrutinizing gaze.
Hermione raised her head without flinching, or rather, she raised her head more stubbornly than Orochimaru had anticipated.
She truly deserves to be a Gryffindor.
No, this is the kind of witch that makes a Gryffindor.
Orochimaru was filled with emotion, and his tone became even softer and more soothing, sounding like a gentle breeze blowing across a windmill.
He slowly said, "I need the help of the best witch in the world, Miss Hermione Granger."