Chapter 144: The Vanished Basilisk Fangs

No one expected the phoenix to appear here suddenly, but after seeing it, everyone sighed in relief.

Because the phoenix is an extremely rare magical creature, and in Britain there is only one—Fawkes, who belongs to Dumbledore.

This phoenix is Fawkes; its presence here means Dumbledore already knows about the basilisk.

Moreover, the phoenix's tears are the best healing potion, effortlessly healing the areas where Hagrid had been burned by basilisk blood… and also the wound on Lupin's head.

But Silven thought that even if the phoenix hadn't come, Lupin would have been fine; the three-headed dog's offensive capabilities might not be as varied as the basilisk's, nor could it fly like a dragon, but in terms of thick skin and tough hide, both the basilisk and the dragon ranked behind it.

In "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," Newt Scamander described the three-headed dog as a moving hill, and besides its massive size, another reason was how incredibly hard its hide was—like facing a mountain itself.

Even venom lethal to giants would, for the three-headed dog, amount to nothing more than a drowsy sleep lasting a few days.

In comparison, Lupin actually preferred the phoenix's song; its sound was so beautiful it instantly swept away some shadow in Lupin's heart, sending him into deep slumber.

Silven studied Fawkes curiously, but the large bird still disliked him as before, landing directly on the goalpost, far away from him.

Yet at that moment, Silven suddenly noticed a tattered object on the ground beneath the phoenix.

As he drew closer, Silven's eyebrows lifted slightly, and he immediately stepped forward to pick it up.

But before he could do anything, Professor Sprout's voice came from behind.

"Oh, isn't that the Sorting Hat? Why is it here?"

"You're mistaken, Professor," Silven blinked. "It's my school cap—I turned it into an umbrella to block the basilisk blood, and it got ruined afterward."

"Actually, your hat is here," Professor Flitwick said, holding up a more tattered scrap of fabric, unrecognizable as anything.

"I tried, but I couldn't repair it at all."

"Is this… my hat?"

"Of course—or just take a look, you'll surely recognize the Sorting Hat."

With no choice, Silven pulled his hand from behind and glanced at it.

"Oh dear, it really is the Sorting Hat—I misjudged it just now." He reluctantly handed the hat to Professor Sprout.

"But why is the Sorting Hat here?"

"Perhaps Fawkes brought it," Professor Sprout said, not caring much, and turned to Silven. "Mr. Ollivander, could you please return to the castle and inform Professor Snape of what happened here?"

Professor Sprout merely wanted Silven to return to the castle; telling Snape was just an afterthought.

He shouldn't have been here in the first place; the professors had only lacked time to send him back due to the emergency earlier.

Now that the matter was resolved, they naturally wouldn't let Silven stay here any longer.

Of course, Silven didn't refuse; after one last glance at the Sorting Hat, he left.

The moment he departed, a crack split open along the brim of the Sorting Hat.

"Thank you, Pomona—I felt I was just barely alive, so close to being taken away."

Professor Sprout, busy examining the basilisk, didn't understand its meaning, only nodded. "That's true—if Fawkes had dropped you beside the three-headed dog, it might truly have torn you apart."

"I'll return you to the Headmaster's office, but it might take a little while."

"Of course, Pomona," the Sorting Hat paused, then added, "but please return me yourself—not to any student."

"I will."

Meanwhile, Silven had already returned to the castle and told Snape, who stood at the entrance, everything that had happened.

Upon hearing that Fawkes the phoenix was also present, Snape didn't hesitate—he ran out immediately.

He truly ran, sprinting—Silven had never seen him act so unbecoming before.

Professor Caradoc Bubaji, who taught Muggle Studies, was curious about what had happened outside; in good spirits, Silven stood in the entrance hall and described the scene to her.

"The scene was too brutal…" Silven painted it vividly. "Hagrid held the basilisk's head, giving the three-headed dog the chance to tear into its body…"

Soon, other professors gathered around; even Professor Sinistra, who taught Astronomy, came over and stood nearby, listening intently…

"I say Hagrid and the three-headed dog worked perfectly together—basilisk blood everywhere, scales scattered on the ground, every breath reeking of thick, foul stench…"

Silven was still speaking enthusiastically when a piercing shriek suddenly rang from outside, instantly cutting him off…

"Where are the basilisk's fangs?"

"The basilisk's gallbladder is gone too!"

"And the eyes—the huge eyes—where did they go?"

The voice sounded like Snape's—how uncouth, shouting so loudly at night, disturbing others' sleep?

"That's it—the basilisk was killed together by Hagrid and the three-headed dog," Silven finished the rest, then made an excuse and hurried away.

A few minutes later, Snape returned like an angry bat, pacing through the entrance hall, glancing left and right constantly.

"Where is Silven Ollivander?" he asked in a low voice.

"Back in his dormitory," Professor Sinistra said. "After such a shocking event, the boy must be terrified."

"I think so too," Professor Bubaji said. "He was excited at first, but after that excitement faded, he probably felt fear… his face turned quite pale afterward."

Snape's face also darkened, and he immediately turned to go upstairs.

But just then, Dumbledore walked in from outside.

"Perfect, Severus—you're here."

"Dumbledore?" Snape turned. "I thought you wouldn't return until tomorrow."

"I realized halfway that if MacLaine had an emergency, he'd use the Two-way Mirror, not write a letter," Dumbledore said. "So I immediately thought someone didn't want me to remain at the school."

"You realized it just in time," Snape said coolly.

"I hope I haven't missed too much," Dumbledore said. "Come with me—Minerva has already taken Potter, Weasley, and Granger to the Headmaster's office. I believe they know exactly what happened tonight."

These words seemed to hold magic; Snape instantly forgot his original intention and followed Dumbledore to the Headmaster's office.

Meanwhile, Silven hadn't returned to the common room; when he reached the second floor, he met Professor McGonagall and was forcibly taken to the hospital wing.

With him were Harry and Ron; Harry looked fine, but Ron didn't—he was pale as death, stumbling as he walked, no one knew what had happened.

Fortunately, he was still conscious, and seemed to have no serious injury.

Several people arrived at the school infirmary; Madam Pomfrey, following Professor McGonagall's instructions, first checked Harry's condition and, after confirming he was unharmed, Professor McGonagall took him away.

Ron did not go with them; his condition was worse than Harry's, and Madam Pomfrey had him placed on a bed against the wall.

(End of Chapter)