Tn
I'll stop here today tomorrow I've go a test on literature so wish me luck because that test is 65% of the whole grade and if I fail then I can't get my high school diploma like who the freaking heck decided that literature should be a fucking core subject
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"Audrey, what's wrong?"
Audrey had maintained her position for a while, and Dumbledore suspected she had run into trouble, so he asked,
"Do you need our help?"
"No, Professor Dumbledore," Audrey said.
Looking at Iseline's serene face, she sighed,
"I… will be fine in just a moment."
Suddenly, she thrust her right hand upward. Black smoke drifted out from Iseline's seven orifices, coalescing in the air, forming a shape.
A few seconds later, the spectral image of an old man in a green robe appeared in midair.
Dumbledore: !!
Snape: S-S-Salazar?
"I am Salazar Slytherin," the projection declared, "the greatest of the four founders, an extraordinary strategist, thinker, educator, and master of magic. My achievements are unparalleled. Hogwarts—the greatest school of magic—was established under my leadership…"
Slytherin's self-praise continued unabated. The headmaster, the four house heads, and Madam Pomfrey gawked in shock.
Audrey had already memorized this projection, and she wished she could dig a hole and hide in it. Equally embarrassed was Snape, the current Slytherin head.
Audrey could pretend to fuss over Iseline—tugging at blankets, smoothing hair—to cover her awkwardness. Snape, however, could only lower his head, his face dark enough to drip water.
[Why did I join Slytherin instead of Gryffindor? I could've been with Lily!]
At that moment, everyone's mind involuntarily merged a smiling blonde figure—oily, self-aggrandizing—with the image of Slytherin himself.
No, no, no—this was one of Hogwarts' founders, one of the greatest wizards. How could he be associated with a man who couldn't even handle a goblin in Cornwall?
It was sacrilegious!
Fortunately, Slytherin's bragging didn't last long. He cleared his throat:
"Enough idle chatter," he said, restoring his cold and imposing demeanor.
"I have but one announcement." He pointed to Iseline.
"The curse on this young lady was a test for my heir, Audrey Astrey. Audrey has successfully passed this test, and from this moment, she is the heir of Salazar Slytherin!"
The spectral image of Slytherin blinked, spun in midair, and then dissipated. The black mist quickly vanished into the air.
Dumbledore and the others were still in shock:
"Audrey Astrey is Slytherin's heir??"
At that moment, Iseline slowly woke.
"Audrey?"
She sat up, astonished. "Professors!"
Dumbledore, snapping out of his shock, said, "The curse has been lifted. I'm sure Audrey has much to say to Miss Windsor." He looked at the others. "We should leave them some privacy; while we are here, they cannot properly talk."
Everyone dispersed. Iseline grabbed Audrey's arm.
"Audrey! Do you know how long I waited for you at noon? I nearly had to go to class! You—actually stood me up!"
Audrey blinked, then said, "Iseline, it's already the next day. You've been lying in the hospital wing all night."
"Hmph! That doesn't matter. Tell me, how are you going to make up for standing me up?"
"I'll have Momo make some of your favorite Chinese dishes," Audrey offered.
"Hmm…"
Iseline almost blurted "okay," but decided she couldn't let Audrey off so easily.
"That's not enough!"
Audrey's usual tactics had failed. She had to think of another way.
She pulled a crown from her pouch and handed it to Iseline.
Iseline took it and gasped:
"This is the Crown of Edward the Penitent! The long-lost St. Edward's Crown! How do you even have this?"
Audrey immediately regretted offering it; her heart ached. She forced a smile and replied awkwardly,
"Is this sufficient as an apology?"
"This is far too precious!" Iseline gently caressed the crown, as if seeing into the past through it.
"Since you say it's too precious, we can choose another gift!"
"No, this is perfect! Consider it a prepayment for the next times you stand me up! Hmm, you can skip me ten more times—no, five, no, three!"
Iseline, you've changed. Are our feelings really measurable in money?
I can give you my feelings; can you give me the money back?
…
Snape returned to his office.
He rummaged through old books and found a notebook.
It belonged to an 18th-century Slytherin head.
"I discovered the location of Slytherin's vault from the records. The entrance lies between the third and fourth pillars on the west wall at the end of the Slytherin dungeons.
I tried every method to open it but failed. Only when Gontia Gaunt arrived did the entrance react—but ultimately, we still failed. It seems Gontia's talent didn't meet the vault's criteria.
However, one thing became clear: to enter Slytherin's vault and become the true heir, one must possess Slytherin's bloodline.
Cursed fate! That means, aside from the Gont family, no one else can become the heir!"
To enter the vault and inherit, one must be a descendant of Slytherin!
Snape narrowed his eyes, frowning deeply.
Audrey Astrey…
Who else in England could carry Slytherin's blood?
I didn't expect… you are her daughter!
…
So then, who is her mother?
As a seasoned Death Eater, before the Potters died, he was Voldemort's confidant. Based on Audrey's age, the woman around Voldemort at that time…
Bellatrix!! Bellatrix Lestrange!
The only witch frequently entering the old Gaunt estate at that time!
During that period, Hydra Lestrange—treasured by Voldemort—was born!
Snape checked Audrey's student file.
Name: Audrey Astrey
Birthday: May 22, 1975
Snape remembered clearly: Hydra Lestrange's birthday was the same, and her magic had nearly killed her mother at birth. Too rare to forget.
There aren't that many coincidences in the world!
So it was you… Hydra Lestrange.
Dumbledore must have known all along. Otherwise, he wouldn't have put in so much effort to "redeem" her.
So… this was your plan, Dumbledore?
Having a daughter oppose her father?
Truly ruthless.
"Phew…"
Snape exhaled, knowing that hatred toward a parent shouldn't be transferred to an innocent child. At least for now, Audrey had committed no evil acts.
On the contrary, she was quite… useful.
"Audrey Astrey, +50 points to Slytherin for breaking a fellow student's curse!"
He had been too shocked to award points earlier—better late than never!