[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hogwarts-learning-panel":3,"chapter-hogwarts-learning-panel-hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-333":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hogwarts Learning Panel",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2250571,4210,"Chapter 333: Tom Riddle","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-333",333,"\u003Cp>Dumbledore seemed somewhat satisfied; he popped a lemon sherbet into his mouth and offered one to Xiang Xiang Xien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Muggles made this candy, but it’s not just popular among them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien took the lemon sherbet; its outer layer was a hard lemon-flavored sugar coating, enclosing a white filling that fizzed softly upon contact with his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he ate the lemon sherbet, Xiang Xiang Xien idly glanced at the long table before him, where silver platters were piled high with sweets like lemon sherbets, cockroach clusters, sour toffees, and raspberry jam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minerva doesn’t care much for sweets, but she buys some anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore said, squinting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come along, Green, follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chamber of Secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing numerous stone pillars carved with entwined serpents, the statue of Slytherin stood before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the basilisk, wearing glasses, nestled inside the statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, to Xiang Xiang Xien’s surprise, he heard Parseltongue—and turned to find it was Headmaster Dumbledore speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surprising. You think this is difficult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien quietly averted his gaze; it seemed Headmaster Dumbledore not only understood Parseltongue but had some mastery of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Slytherin’s massive stone face stirred. Its mouth opened wider and wider until it became a vast black hole, and a creature, eager and impatient, slithered out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Salazar Slytherin used it to protect the school. As far as I know, for a long time, it served faithfully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then an accident happened. Do you know what it was?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Voldemort used it to kill Moaning Myrtle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The basilisk had already slithered to Xiang Xiang Xien’s feet; it stood taller than a hundred Xiang Xiens, yet now it merely circled him affectionately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is a tool, child. Undeniably, it was created not out of goodwill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But does birth determine everything? Child, I think not.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dark chamber, Headmaster Dumbledore’s voice echoed endlessly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, let us return to tools. In some hands, it is deadly—but I see you’ve managed it quite well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has already worn glasses. I suspect, when it wears ear muffs, it might hear even more clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien was startled; if it truly wore ear muffs and could no longer hear Parseltongue, perhaps the basilisk could truly serve as a castle guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, likely, it was of little practical use anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the basilisk fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Headmaster Dumbledore led Xiang Xiang Xien out of the Chamber of Secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a group of young wizards rushed past them, excited and chattering—but they seemed not to see Xiang Xiang Xien or Headmaster Dumbledore at all, as if they were invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien looked down and realized he was indeed transparent; Dumbledore had cast the Disillusionment Charm without him noticing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked all the way to the Headmaster’s office, where Dumbledore finally stroked Fawkes and uttered a word that made Xiang Xiang Xien pause:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tom Riddle…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Few know this name belonged to the young Voldemort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never expected you’d crossed paths with him so many times—and never lost to him. That’s incredible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of his wand, Headmaster Dumbledore summoned a shallow stone basin onto the desk; its rim was engraved with runes and symbols, its center filled with a silvery substance, both liquid and mist-like, swirling like clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We will enter my memory. I think you’ll find it vividly detailed and utterly accurate. You first, Green… lower your head…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien gazed thoughtfully into the Pensieve, then plunged his face into its cold, memory-laden surface—and fell into darkness…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds later, his feet touched solid ground. He opened his eyes to find himself and Dumbledore standing on a busy, old-fashioned street in London.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore naturally held his hand as they entered an orphanage on the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore pointed cheerfully at a tall figure ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xiang Xien found it strangely amusing: Headmaster Dumbledore was pointing at Professor Dumbledore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the memory-Dumbledore was speaking to a handsome orphan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m here to take you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orphan named Riddle whispered it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My abilities… are they… magic?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What abilities do you have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All kinds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riddle lowered his voice, a flush of excitement spreading rapidly from his neck to his hollow cheeks. He was visibly exhilarated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can move things without touching them. I can make animals obey me without training. Whoever angers me suffers. I can hurt them whenever I wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His legs trembled. He stumbled forward, sat back on the bed, and lowered his head, staring at his hands as if in prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve always known I was different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered to his trembling hands,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve always known I was special. I’ve always known there was something… inside me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. You’re right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore said, his smile fading as he fixed Riddle with a focused gaze,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are a wizard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riddle looked up. His face changed instantly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fanatical joy lit his features, wild as a beast’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Headmaster Dumbledore’s expression grew deeply complex:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When a wizard possesses extraordinary power, they always face a choice—giving in to evil is easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory faded quickly, replaced by another—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open the door.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Dumbledore pointed to a wardrobe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riddle hesitated, then walked over and yanked the door open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several tattered clothes hung on the rod; on the top shelf sat a small cardboard box, shaking violently, clicking and clattering—as if several mad rats were trapped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore said. Riddle lifted the trembling box, looking bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does this box contain things you shouldn’t have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore asked. Riddle looked deeply at Dumbledore, his gaze clear and cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I believe so, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally said in a dry, flat tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dumbledore said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riddle lifted the lid and dumped its contents onto his bed without looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them: a yo-yo, a silver thimble, a dull harmonica. The moment they left the box, their trembling ceased. They lay still on the thin blanket, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, they were stolen goods.\u003C\u002Fp>",1000,"2026-06-19T10:00:41.888Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","872bb6552ecc3ed2831afe8e315014d57e6e001cd9d46278e932123400eb3116","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-334","hogwarts-learning-panel-chapter-332",526,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhogwarts-learning-panel-cover.jpg"]