Hogwarts in the shadows

Hearing this, Hephis' curiosity was immediately aroused.

After all, a wall that even invisible ghosts cannot pass through is definitely worth exploring.

He followed Nick, but found something was wrong the further he walked.

Isn't this the way to Gryffindor Tower?

Sure enough, the two of them ended up at the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.

Hephis looked at Nick in surprise: "The mysterious wall you mentioned is right here?"

Nick nodded, "Yes, it's in the Gryffindor Common Room."

Hephaestus's emerald eyes flashed with a gleam.

Could it be...

Nick continued awkwardly, "But, I... I don't quite know the password to get in. Wait for me, I'll go in and find a little wizard to open the door."

Hephis smiled, "Don't bother, Nick."

If he wants to get in, there are actually many ways.

However, since he was going to enter the lounge of another college, he should choose the formal channel.

He looked at the fat lady in the portrait and asked politely, "Dear Madam, may I come in?"

The Fat Lady smiled at Hefeth and bowed slightly, "Of course, Mr. Dam."

Then the portrait slowly moved away, revealing the entrance to the lounge.

Since Hephis accepted the gift from Hufflepuff, he has had some authority over Hogwarts.

It is difficult to determine exactly how many there are, but there is no door in the entire Hogwarts that will stop him.

He also experienced what it was like for Hermione to climb the cave entrance every day.

In the Gryffindor common room, a warm fire was jumping.

The sunlight shines through the window onto the floor, making it look particularly bright.

Unlike the Slytherin common room, where torches are kept burning all year round.

A group of little wizards are enjoying a relaxing time.

Some of them sat on the comfortable sofas, enthusiastically discussing the interesting things that happened during the summer vacation.

Several little wizards were gathered in a corner, playing wizard chess with great interest.

Laughter and cheers rang out in the room from time to time.

Hephes's arrival did not attract any attention at first.

But when the first little lion called out his name, the entire lounge fell silent.

Pairs of doubtful eyes turned to Hephis.

Hephis smiled gently, "Everyone continue, I'm just passing by and taking a look."

Although the little lions were curious, they didn't say anything and just looked at him quietly.

Although Hephis often ate at the Gryffindor table, this was his first time in the common room.

And there was no fool who would stand up at this time and not allow Hephis to visit.

After all, little lions are just a little reckless sometimes, but they are not really stupid.

Nick seemed unaware of the strange atmosphere around him.

He floated over to the roaring fire.

"Mr. Dam, right here."

It was the fireplace that Nick was referring to.

Hephaestus was lost.

Whose ghost is going into the fireplace for no reason?

He waved his hand and cast a Vanishing Charm, sweeping away the flames and ashes in the fireplace.

The fireplace instantly looks as clean as new.

He squinted his eyes and carefully observed every corner of the fireplace, but there seemed to be nothing unusual.

Then he released his magical perception and caught a trace of almost imperceptible magical fluctuations.

If it weren't for his extremely sharp perception, this slight fluctuation would probably have slipped away.

Hephis pondered for a moment, then stretched out his finger again and gently touched the edge of the fireplace.

The entire outline of the fireplace disappeared, and even the walls were stripped of a layer.

Revealing the hidden side inside, a magical pattern covered with mithril threads.

The runic symbols carved on it undoubtedly represent the meaning of "door".

What is even more eye-catching is that the pattern is also carved with totems of lions and flames.

The little wizards around were all shocked when they saw this scene.

They have lived here for so many years, and no one had ever thought that there was such a secret hidden behind the fireplace.

Some clever little wizards had already vaguely guessed something in their hearts the moment they saw the lion pattern.

However, complicated expressions soon appeared on their faces.

Some clever little wizards saw the lion pattern and realized something.

The secret behind this wall is obviously related to Gryffindor.

But it was a Slytherin who discovered it.

And this person is Hephaest.

They didn't dare to compete with Hephes.

Hephis placed his hand on the mithril pattern, his fingers gently stroking the delicate lines.

Suddenly his eyes fixed, as if he sensed something.

He gently grasped the air, as if grabbing an invisible door handle.

The next moment, his figure disappeared from the spot.

Only the little wizards were left with astonishment on their faces.

The clever little wizard rushed to the entrance of the lounge.

Professor McGonagall must be told about this.

Hephis suddenly appeared in a long corridor.

As he appeared, raging fires broke out on both sides of the corridor in front of him, with extremely high temperatures.

Even with Hephis's physique, he felt a burning and uncomfortable sensation as if he was being licked by flames.

Just as he was about to put out the flame, the flame in the corridor changed again.

The flames seemed to be attracted by some force, gathering and rising rapidly.

The result was a 30-foot-tall flaming lion.

There was an unexpectedly human-like expression of confusion on the lion's face.

It stared at Hephaestus with burning eyes.

Then a rough human voice came out of its mouth, "You are not a student of Gryffindor College."

"I'm from Slytherin," Hephis replied calmly.

"A little snake?" The lion showed a nostalgic look.

"You are Godric Gryffindor." Hephis guessed.

"I am only a trace of Gryffindor's consciousness," the lion explained.

Hephis looked at the lion with a smile.

"So, since I'm not a Gryffindor student, I can't get through this?"

He is not a rule-abiding man.

Regardless of whether the lion agrees or not.

Now that he's here, how could he not take something away?

The lion thought for a moment, "Since you are a Slytherin student, I will make a special exception."

Then a sly smile appeared on its face.

"But the difficulty will definitely increase. After all, this is a legacy left to Gryffindor students."

"Do I need to defeat you?" Hephis asked directly.

The lion was stunned.

According to the rules, as long as the students have the courage to walk up to it, they have passed the test.

Since the one coming is Slytherin, it also wants to see what level the young wizards in Slytherin are at now.

It originally planned that as long as the little wizard could last three rounds under its control, it would be enough.

I didn't expect this little wizard to be so crazy.

Speak to defeat it.

The lion snorted, sparks coming out of his nostrils, "Yes, you must defeat me to pass this test."