svetikya Chapter 75 Bow, Gryffindors
Chapter 75 Bow, Gryffindors
Chapter 75 Bow, Gryffindors
Everyone looked at Orochimaru, everyone was waiting for him to speak, everyone was waiting for his instructions.
It can be said that Orochimaru was the focus of everyone's attention at this time.
What will he do, and what will he say?
Everyone is thinking, everyone is guessing, everyone wants to know the answer.
but----
Orochimaru did nothing and said nothing; he simply played with the kettle in his hand calmly and waited quietly.
Those in high positions do not need to speak.
Because often, silence possesses unimaginable power—power strong enough to distort beliefs, crush courage, and brew countless storms.
The Slytherins, receiving the instruction to remain silent, slowly turned their heads, gripped their wands, and calmly looked at the Gryffindors.
The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, these young wizards who happened to be there because of the only weekly history of magic class where all four houses were together, instinctively held their breath.
They felt that if a fight really broke out later, it wouldn't just be the curses that would splatter on them; they might even get blood on them!
As for the Gryffindors, they looked at each other, wondering how much courage each of them still had left.
Even more remarkably, Ron Weasley immediately looked at Harry Potter.
Harry once told Ron about his friendship with Slack before he entered Hogwarts, saying that the two were very, very good friends.
But would a true friend put you in such a difficult position, forcing you to bow and pay respects to them?
Ron Weasley was internally screaming, desperate to make Harry figure out who his real friends were.
He simply couldn't remember that if it weren't for his publicizing it, Harry wouldn't have ended up like this.
He even forgot that if he hadn't run away the moment he saw Filch, he might have been one of the night wanderers that night.
People tend to overlook their own mistakes, don't they?
then----
Ron Weasley pursed his lips, gripped the new wand his father had just bought him because his father had suddenly had to work overtime, and silently straightened his chest.
He wanted to lead all the first-year students of Gryffindor in a battle against the Slytherins he hated.
But he didn't have that reputation.
He could only hope for Harry.
Say something, Harry Potter!
Ron silently cried out in his heart, but all he saw was Harry's somewhat puzzled look.
His gaze lacked conviction, making him seem like a coward.
Ron Weasley was displeased, but before he could urge them on, someone else spoke first.
"Bowing, Gryffindors."
Malfoy drew his wand and said loudly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Slytherins behind him responded in unison.
"Bowing, Gryffindors!!"
The sound, like a tidal wave, echoed throughout the History of Magic classroom in an instant, finally transforming into an unavoidable tsunami that crashed into the Gryffindors.
Where have the first-year wizards ever seen this before?
Although they were sorted into Gryffindor because of their courage, not all of them were audacious. Just as there are different levels of courage, there are also different levels of Gryffindor.
when!
With a soft thud, the young wizard Simona Vincent's wand fell to the ground.
Everyone turned to look at her, which terrified the young wizard from a Muggle family. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, and she gritted her teeth desperately.
But the fact that she dropped her wand still drew silent sneers from the Slytherins, who all stared at her, watching her helpless expression.
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class.
The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs left the classroom immediately, without even stopping. They wanted to see a good show, but they didn't want to risk their lives.
Surprisingly, some Gryffindor students were mixed in with the surging crowd, pretending not to hear the Slytherins' orders.
Parvati Petil, of Indian descent, and Ravend Brown, of pure blood, pretended to need to use the restroom and hurriedly slipped into the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff crowd, quickly escaping the scene.
This was merely a conflict between the boys and Slytherins, and in some ways, it really had nothing to do with them.
Moreover, the Slytherins did not stop them; in fact, they were willing to let the less resolute Gryffindors leave.
Sometimes, you need to be pushed to be brave.
The young Gryffindor wizards had no reason to leave the suffocating classroom before the bell rang.
But once class is over and you can leave, things change.
Since someone had started, and could even follow the crowds from the other two colleges, they went through a mental struggle before leaving quietly.
Who can say that not being coerced isn't a form of courage?
The number of Gryffindors dwindled until only a few students remained standing.
Ron Weasley was seething with resentment at that moment.
He looked at Harry with a hint of disappointment, at the person who should have been the one to turn the tide in the most dangerous moment.
Everything would be resolved if Harry said just one thing.
Why were you so silent in front of Slack?
What is it about him that you care about so much?
Summon your courage, Harry!
Ron Weasley roared inwardly again, looked around, and found that only his roommates were still in the classroom.
No, not just the people in their dorm, but also Hermione Granger, the witch who seemed intelligent but did a lot of foolish things.
Ron suddenly felt he should push Harry to speak.
So he raised his elbow and nudged Harry lightly.
Before Ron's elbow could even hit Harry, a trembling, slightly stuttering voice suddenly rang out in the classroom.
It was a voice that sounded both honest and foolish, making one wonder if someone from Hufflepuff School was standing in the wrong place.
He stammered, "Absolutely—absolutely not!"
Who is so brave?
Ron Weasley turned sharply to look at the person who had spoken.
The man had a round face, was rather short, and a bit overweight.
But when everyone's eyes turned to him, the man who had spoken gripped his wand tightly.
The magic wand that was passed down from his father.
His parents are at the San Mando hospital, never to wake up, and never to pat him on the shoulder and celebrate his achievements at school.
But he still felt—
If their Auror parents saw their children bowing and scraping before a bunch of Death Eater kids, they would surely be disappointed.
Definitely!
"My name is Neville Longbottom."
His tongue was almost completely tied, but he raised his wand high, his eyes shining.
"You can hit me now, but I... I will never, ever put down my wand!"
The Slytherins looked at him strangely and simultaneously raised their wands.
Magic was brewing, and Neville Longbottom was trembling.
Ron wanted to step forward, but felt as if his feet were made of lead and he couldn't move an inch. He could only nudge Harry's lower back with his elbow.
Just then, Orochimaru stood up.
He slowly walked towards the forefront of the confrontation, and the Slytherins along the way, like the Red Sea parted by Moses, naturally made way for Orochimaru.
He walked unhindered to the front of the crowd, facing the trembling Neville Longbottom.
First he looked down, then he scrutinized him, and finally, a faint smile crept across Orochimaru's lips.
He asked softly, "Have you thought this through?"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the Slytherins turned to look at Neville Longbottom.
This was different from the intimidating presence they had shown when facing the entire first-year Slytherin class. With Orochimaru leading the way, they suddenly possessed an aura reminiscent of an army.
This is something that first-year wizards simply cannot experience, and it is something that first-year wizards absolutely cannot resist.
Neville Longbottom was almost suffocating, but he still held his father's wand in his hand, the wand that seemed to give him endless power.
Think of a spell, and give him a good shot!
Neville Longbottom tried desperately to recall, but found his mind completely blank.
But he had to do something!
So he started working on it.
Neville Longbottom used his wand as a sword and thrust it fiercely at Orochimaru with unwavering despair.
Orochimaru casually raised his hand and, with just two fingers, deftly grasped Neville Longbottom's wand, as easily as if he were holding a leaf.
The Slytherins' cruel laughter was also revealed at this moment; they were certain they could hit Neville Longbottom accurately.
But at that moment, Orochimaru loosened his grip.
"You have earned my respect. Tell me your name."
When Neville Longbottom heard this, his face did not show any joy, not even the expression of someone who had survived a disaster.
His eyes reddened, and he glared fiercely at the Slytherins behind Orochimaru, announcing his name.
This time, his tongue didn't get tied, and his voice was incredibly loud.
"Neville Longbottom, son of Auror Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom!"
Orochimaru silently stepped aside, clearing a path for Orochimaru to escape.
Neville Longbottom, holding his father's wand high, gritted his teeth and strode out of the classroom, his head held high amidst the piercing gazes of the Slytherins!
This is a true Gryffindor.
Although no one spoke, everyone understood.
But what about the rest of the people?
The Slytherins all turned their heads, following Orochimaru's gaze to look at the remaining Gryffindors.