Chapter 46: Miracle of Life

Dumbledore genuinely felt that Chu Yang’s fighting style was almost identical to Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of Hogwarts.

The great Godric Gryffindor himself once wielded a sword in one hand and a wand in the other, striking enemies with physical force and magic alike until they fled in panic.

Chu Yang had punched his roommate into lying flat on the floor; though his realm was slightly lower, his combat results were no less impressive.

Dumbledore rubbed his temples, sighing: “Single rooms are privileges reserved for prefects. I cannot break the rules—I can at most assign Itachi a double room.”

Chu Yang nodded in agreement, accepting the compromise as a gesture of respect toward Dumbledore.

He just wondered which poor Slytherin would be stuck as his roommate…

“Professor Dumbledore, Itachi simply must see this—it’s miraculous! That Whomping Willow just responded to me!” Hagrid rushed toward Dumbledore, gesticulating wildly as he recounted the miracle he had witnessed.

“As Itachi say, this is indeed a great miracle. Precisely because of that, we must protect this secret—otherwise Chu Yang will be in danger!” Dumbledore lifted his head, his deep eyes fixed on Hagrid, as if holding infinite stars and oceans within them.

Hagrid, swept up in excitement moments before, felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over him—he instantly snapped back to clarity and immediately pledged: “Rest assured, I will keep all your secrets.”

“Thank Itachi, Hagrid.” Dumbledore walked a few steps beside Hagrid, extending his wrinkled hand to press against the equally gnarled trunk of the tree, feeling its aura—and the wonder of life itself.

He had planted this Whomping Willow himself in 1971 for Lupin.

Every full moon, Lupin would enter the Shrieking Shack through the secret passage beneath the tree.

Howls of the werewolf often echoed from within.

Thus it became known as the Shrieking Shack—and that name had endured for many years.

After Lupin left, the shack was abandoned entirely, but the secret passage still led out to Hogsmeade Village, so Dumbledore refused to expose it; before arriving, he had already concealed it with a spell.

Professor McGonagall, exhausted from the day’s shocks, naturally calmed herself to contemplate this miracle of life before her.

She finally understood, in her bones, why Dumbledore had repeatedly emphasized Chu Yang’s importance—even his attention to Chu Yang rivaled that he gave Harry Potter.

This was a magical force beyond reason, one that had already subtly touched upon some ancient magical taboo.

To study it, perfect it, break it…

This process would propel modern magic into an entirely new realm!

Professor McGonagall couldn’t help glancing back at Chu Yang—on some level, he was even more important than Harry Potter, the Chosen One.

“Growing old makes one prone to dwelling on the past,” Dumbledore patted the Whomping Willow, sighing. “It’s no longer suitable to remain on school grounds—it may endanger the students.”

Hagrid, fearing Dumbledore intended to destroy the tree, hurriedly explained: “Chu Yang can command it.”

“Even so, it’s still unsuitable,” Dumbledore slowly shook his head. While student safety was one concern, the greater worry was Voldemort.

Voldemort, whose return was unpredictable, was like an unexploded bomb lurking in darkness—if he sensed anything unusual about the Whomping Willow, he might trace it back to Chu Yang.

Dumbledore could not let Chu Yang face such a risk—he was not Harry Potter, protected by his mother Lily’s blood charm.

At Voldemort’s current state, Chu Yang’s value was no less than Harry Potter’s—he would spare no cost to claim him.

Chu Yang suddenly spoke up: “Why not leave the Whomping Willow in the Forbidden Forest? Let Hagrid care for it—then no one will ever know.”

Chu Yang could not let the Whomping Willow go; it still held untapped potential that could greatly aid him in the future.

Dumbledore hesitated briefly, then finally nodded in agreement. In truth, he was deeply intrigued by the tree’s current state and wished to study it further.

No one was happier than Hagrid—he found Chu Yang more and more likable with every glance.

Watching Chu Yang depart, the nearly ten-meter-tall Whomping Willow rose to its feet and walked toward the Forbidden Forest. From afar, it now bore a distinctly humanoid form; each step shook the ground like an earthquake.

Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall brought Chu Yang back to Hogwarts. Since it was mealtime, the three headed straight for the Great Hall.

At the entrance, the trio of troublemakers and Neville stood anxiously waiting; without seeing Chu Yang return safely, no delicacy could tempt them to eat.

Fortunately, Chu Yang arrived in time—when he stepped into the hall alongside Dumbledore, Harry’s dull eyes instantly brightened!

“Chu Yang!”

The group shouted his name joyfully and rushed toward him.

Harry was so moved he nearly wept, lunging forward first to embrace him.

But Chu Yang, being straight, found it impossible to accept such emotional displays between men—he sidestepped Harry’s embrace.

Then he dodged Ron’s embrace, and inadvertently avoided Neville’s as well.

Under the wounded gazes of the three boys, Chu Yang opened his arms to welcome Hermione; they embraced tightly, then let go.

“Thank goodness Itachi’re safe!” Hermione’s eyes were red—she had waited so long, clearly fearing Chu Yang had met with disaster.

“Luckily, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall arrived in time,” Chu Yang said with visible relief, as if he had just escaped death itself.

Then Ron, Harry, and the others gathered around. Ron grumbled: “Itachi actually dodged our hugs?”

Chu Yang replied sincerely: “I was emotionally unsettled just now. Your sudden rush startled me—I reacted instinctively. If Itachi try again, I promise I won’t dodge.”

“Forget it,” Ron deflated instantly.

“Now then, gentlemen and ladies, how much longer are we going to stand outside? Aren’t any of Itachi hungry?” Professor McGonagall said calmly, her authority instantly settling over Harry and the others.

Hearing this, the young witches and wizards dared not speak further. Nervously, they pushed open the doors and filed into the hall one by one.

Since it wasn’t a special holiday, most students ate and left immediately, leaving the Great Hall often empty.

The first-years from Gryffindor and Slytherin remained here, unwilling to leave—most waited for news of Chu Yang; some Slytherins had wanted to leave but couldn’t.

Whether they stayed willingly or were trapped by circumstance, all of them erupted in loud cheers the moment they saw Chu Yang return safely.

“For his outstanding conduct during the recent incident, Slytherin earns twenty points!”

(End of Chapter)