Orochimaru travels to Hogwarts

Chapter 116 The Ritual Team! Orochimaru, it's the Ritual Team! (Second Update)

Snape's breath hitched.

His lips moved for a moment, but he didn't know how to speak.

"The Malfoy outside is fake, isn't he, Professor?" Orochimaru said slowly. "I've heard that Slack's shapeshifting technique is extremely advanced, allowing him to transform into anyone at will, with effects comparable to Polyjuice Potion."

"That's right, you are the real Malfoy."

Snape followed Orochimaru's words and silently extended his wand toward the slightly ajar door.

The door slammed shut, completely sealed by his magic.

"Unless I agree, you shall never end your confinement, Mr. Malfoy."

Snape turned around and loomed over Orochimaru like a dark cloud.

"There are countless textbooks on Occlumency, and every wizard has his own understanding of it."

"Although there are many ways to practice, it is extremely difficult to get started."

"Because many people don't understand the essence of Occupational Neuralgia: it's not about hiding, but about selectively presenting information."

"Place the unimportant things on the top shelf and keep your most secret thoughts in the corner."

"Compared to the boundless human consciousness, no one can detect that tiny thought, not even Merlin."

Snape spoke slowly, as if afraid that Orochimaru might have missed something or not understood something.

"In conventional methods, practicing Occlumency requires the assistance of a master of mind control. But—"

Snape curled his lip, recalling the scene of him practicing Occlumency alone.

"It's possible to succeed alone. It only requires a little practice and a magical item that can accurately determine the degree of Occlumency."

"That item?"

Orochimaru continued. He didn't like people prying into his mind, because it held too many secrets.

"I can't tell you, not because I don't want to, but because I'm bound by the promise I made back then."

As Snape recalled his experiences during his student days, the oldest interest group gradually came to mind.

"But I can give you a clue. It is the oldest existence, yet it is also a product that evolves with the times. It is right beside you, next to every Slytherin student."

"Every Slytherin has a chance to get in, but not every Slytherin can get in."

What is that?

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, but a strange thought suddenly popped into his mind.

"Interest groups?"

Orochimaru asked softly.

Snape didn't answer directly, but a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Snape even felt that if Slyke hadn't been so eager for immortality and resurrection, Slyke would have been his proudest student and the best Slytherin.

But how can Slytherin, who do not yearn for immortality and resurrection, be considered excellent?

This is a paradox in itself.

Instead of directly confirming Orochimaru's guess, Snape revealed all the key points of the Occlumency technique.

"What you need most is to feel the enemy's detection of your mind."

"Before being detected, you must hide your thoughts and prioritize them in advance."

"It is almost impossible to empty the mind, but it is not difficult to fill the mind with one or a few memories."

Snape spoke in great detail, even recounting his experiences practicing Occlumency.

He wished Orochimaru would learn the Occupy Central technique tonight so that their plan could proceed more quickly.

Although Orochimaru didn't offer any deal, he's already placed his bet, hasn't he?

Orochimaru listened attentively, occasionally asking questions.

As the two engaged in deeper conversations, Orochimaru gradually grasped the essence of the Occupy Central technique.

This is similar to some ninjutsu in the ninja world, especially those that prevent torture, particularly the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird Seal.

With just a few minor modifications, correcting the method of immediately destroying one's brain if top-secret information is discovered, he has already embarked on the smooth path of brain-sealing techniques.

He is very experienced and will be able to handle things with ease in a short time.

Orochimaru patiently compared and learned, and before he knew it, more than half an hour had passed, reaching the maximum time limit for students to be confined.

The door that Snape had previously sealed with magic was now silently pushed open by the wind, revealing a small crack.

Malfoy didn't leave; he remained standing at the door, waiting, and could be clearly seen through the crack.

Snape looked at the enthusiastic Orochimaru and sighed almost imperceptibly.

He gave a lot, revealing almost all his experience with the Occlumency Technique, and even told Orochimaru about the secret of the Philosopher's Stone.

That was a trap specifically set for Slack Anguis.

He gave so much, but what did he get in return?

Snape's fiery heart gradually cooled, and he even doubted whether Dumbledore might have made a mistake.

This young wizard is outstanding, has great potential, and is also very ambitious.

But he is definitely not the wizard who can create miracles of the dead and bring the dead back to life; most likely he is not.

Snape's depression wasn't very obvious, but Orochimaru still noticed it. In fact, as time went on, he found that Snape's self-glow was spending more and more time on that empty table.

Human emotions are like ocean waves, forever undulating, never a calm, still mirror.

This is both the tragedy and the preciousness of humanity.

This is proof that they are alive.

Orochimaru was fully aware of this and knew it perfectly well.

So he suggested to Snape that this was the end of it, and under Snape's hesitant yet expectant gaze, he slowly bowed.

"Well then, goodbye, Professor. Thank you for what you taught me today; I am very grateful."

Orochimaru spoke casually, completely ignoring the expectation in Snape's eyes.

He didn't even wait for Snape to speak before turning around and opening the door.

Malfoy jumped back in fright at the sound of the door opening, as if he had been electrocuted.

Seeing Orochimaru open the door, Snape's heart sank even further.

He did so much, yet gained nothing. This made him seem like a fool who overestimated his abilities.

Orochimaru didn't try to comfort Snape; he simply said softly the instant the door opened, "You've made a mistake, Professor. The procedure is incorrect."

Bang!

Orochimaru slammed the door shut, leaving Snape alone in the office.

But his expression changed.

His eye twitched suddenly, and then the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

His gaze was fixed on the empty desk, the one where the two small snake corpses had previously sat.

Although Slack didn't tell him where he went wrong, the fact that he admitted he was wrong proved that—

Does he, Slack Anguis, know the right answer to bringing people back to life?

Snape turned his head sharply and looked at Orochimaru, who was walking further and further away with Malfoy. Looking at Orochimaru who had returned to his original form, he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction welling up in his heart.

This is the power of hope, even if that hope is so elusive.

He suddenly realized something.

He had just betrayed both Voldemort and Dumbledore.

Voldemort wanted him to find out the whereabouts of the Philosopher's Stone and create an opportunity for him.

Dumbledore, on the other hand, hoped to guide Slack to steal the Philosopher's Stone once, so that he could use his powerful magic to bring the young wizard, who was so eager for immortality and resurrection, back on the right track.

But he had placed all his bets on a vague possibility, on a little wizard who had just started first grade.

This is absolutely insane; unless a miracle happens, he has virtually no chance of winning.

but----

Snape closed his eyes, recalling the scene when he first met Lily, the bright sunlight, and her radiant beauty under the sunlight, as well as her bright and clear eyes like spring water.

My meeting with Lily was like a miracle, wasn't it?

But shouldn't magic be a miracle?

Orochimaru had no idea what Snape was thinking.

He returned to his dormitory after Malfoy's incessant narration, and learned from another perspective what Harry had done to Malfoy.

"So this was your plan after all, Orochimaru!" Malfoy exclaimed excitedly. "Luckily, I acted quickly and cast a curse on Snape."

Oh, Harry, you've fallen into the sin of jealousy.

Orochimaru suppressed a smile and slowly nodded to Malfoy, confirming his judgment.

"I have something I want to ask you, privately."

As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking, Malfoy glanced at Goyle and Crabbe.

They stood up instantly and respectfully closed the dormitory door.

Orochimaru couldn't judge how the other Slytherins were doing, but at least the first-year students were all very well-trained.

"Malfoy, you come from a pure-blood wizarding family, your family has been Slytherins for generations."

Orochimaru organized his thoughts, recalling Dumbledore's words and the information he had seen in the forbidden book section.

Clearly, the wizard who died a hundred years ago, who was knowledgeable in ancient magic, encountered Death because he tried to resurrect the dead, and was subsequently erased from all traces of his existence by successive headmasters of Hogwarts.

However, the wizard seemed to have foreseen his fate, leaving behind some clues beforehand, clues that proved his existence.

"If a student at Hogwarts were erased from existence, where might the proof of their existence remain?"

I don't understand what you're saying.

Malfoy looked up blankly, staring at Orochimaru with a puzzled expression.

Orochimaru sighed; he decided to be more open and honest.

"I found the story of a student in the restricted section who is very likely a Slytherin student. His story has been deliberately erased by all the headmasters of Hogwarts throughout history."

"If he wants to leave some room for maneuver, where might he ultimately do so?"

"Do you know?"

Orochimaru had already given up hope when he saw the completely bewildered Malfoy.

To his surprise, Malfoy's eyes lit up instantly, and he almost jumped up, uttering a word that Orochimaru would never have associated with it.

"The ritual team! Orochimaru, it's the ritual team!"