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Chapter 110 – Young Souls from Fifty Years Ago (Part 1)
🕑 Added 2025-04-08 12:09:18 +0000 UTC
The world beyond the circular iron door was surprisingly bright. The candlelight flickered slightly, revealing the presence of a draft—clearly, air was flowing in from somewhere.
Rows of enormous snake head sculptures lined the walls—majestic and intricately detailed, noble yet menacing. Behind these imposing statues lay a vast square hall.
Though simple in design, the square exuded an aura of grandeur and ancient mystery. At its center stood a towering statue—an enormous stone face carved with incredible precision.
Even from a distance, Noah could see the features clearly. The man depicted was dignified and awe-inspiring. Though aged, his presence radiated power and nobility.
Noah immediately recognized the identity behind the statue.
Salazar Slytherin.
This must be his true likeness.
Slowly, Noah released a small stream of magical energy to test the statue—but the moment his magic approached, it was abruptly severed.
A protective enchantment.
The statue was warded by powerful ancient magic.
“My God… that’s Salazar Slytherin! This is the real Chamber of Secrets!” Draco Malfoy blurted out, unable to contain himself. His voice echoed heavily throughout the chamber.
“Quiet, Mr. Malfoy. If you shout again, I’ll silence you myself,” Noah said sharply, clearly displeased. Draco’s outburst had startled even him.
“S-Sorry… I was just excited,” Draco mumbled, immediately lowering his voice. The usual arrogance in his tone was gone.
“Hurry up. We’ve found the Chamber of Secrets, but I want to see what else is hidden here. And once Ginny regains consciousness, the professors will definitely find out about this place. I’d rather not get dragged into a lecture.”
“We get it, Noah.”
The three boys cautiously descended the stone stairs, wands at the ready, making their way toward the colossal statue of Slytherin.
Although Noah had already slain the basilisk, the atmosphere was still oppressive and chilling. The haunting silence of the Chamber made every step feel like a potential danger.
Luckily, their path remained clear. No traps, no attacks. That alone brought a slight sense of relief.
Standing before the statue, Noah examined it closely.
The craftsmanship was masterful. And despite nearly a millennium of decay, it had held up in this damp, hidden environment—testament to the magic protecting it.
It wasn’t pristine, of course, but Noah couldn’t see any noticeable signs of time wearing it down.
“Incredible,” he muttered. “I wonder what’s hidden inside.” He remembered—the mouth of the statue could open. That’s where the basilisk had once emerged.
The statue stood over twenty meters tall, and while he couldn’t estimate the full dimensions, it had to be massive if it once housed such a monstrous creature.
The only question now was how to open it.
But that wasn’t really a problem. With Harry here, it could be done.
“Actually, I’d like to know what’s in there too. I never got the chance before,” a voice said suddenly, echoing through the chamber.
Noah, Harry, and Draco immediately froze.
They turned, wands raised—and standing not far behind them was a handsome young man, with short blond hair and clad in a Slytherin school uniform.
Harry and Draco exhaled in relief at first, but Draco even started to approach the stranger—until Noah quickly grabbed him by the arm.
“What are you doing?” Draco hissed, annoyed—until realization dawned on his face, and he went pale.
“There it is,” Noah muttered, releasing Draco’s arm and rolling his eyes. “At least you’re not completely hopeless.”
Only four people knew about this Chamber—Ginny, and the three of them.
Yet now, a Slytherin student they had never seen before appeared here, looking like a fifth-year. That alone was suspicious enough.
“Who are you?” Harry asked warily, wand trained on the stranger.
“No need for that,” the young man said with a slight smile. “You already know my name.”
Noah narrowed his eyes.
“Tom Marvolo Riddle, right?” he said coldly. “What I want to know is—what state are you in now?”
“The memory of fifty years ago,” Riddle replied, smirking. “I must admit, you’re quite different from the Ravenclaws I remember—less of a bookworm, and more of a threat.”
“Should I be flattered… or disappointed to be complimented by Voldemort?” Noah replied bluntly, not bothering to play along.
Riddle’s smirk faltered, his expression darkening.
He couldn’t understand how this second-year Ravenclaw—Noah Finniel—knew so much. Even more impressive, this was the same student who had slain Slytherin’s basilisk with a terrifying spell.
Too young. Too talented.
Riddle himself was only sixteen, a fifth-year student when this memory was made, and a prodigy in his own right. But still...
“Oh? So you know a lot more than you should,” Riddle said mockingly. “No matter. Thanks to you, Ginny Weasley confessed everything to me. I should be annoyed, but I suppose I should thank you.”
“Still planning to resist?” Noah asked, tilting his head. “You’re a Horcrux, aren’t you?”
“You even know about Horcruxes?” Riddle’s eyes widened in shock.
“Yes. I assume you discovered the Room of Requirement, but probably didn’t get to use it much. Especially after you framed Hagrid. Professor Dumbledore must’ve had his eyes on you, limiting your chances to explore.”
“You found the Room of Requirement?” Riddle’s tone was amused. “Your luck is almost infuriating.”
He shook his head. As Noah had guessed, his opportunities to retrieve forbidden books had vanished once Dumbledore began watching him closely.
“Seems like you were already leaning into the dark arts back then,” Noah said mockingly.
The condescending tone made Riddle bristle.
Don’t look at me like Dumbledore. You don’t have the right!
“You’re not Dumbledore,” Riddle said with a sneer. “And I don’t need your pity.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not here to pity you,” Noah replied calmly. “But I am curious. Your Horcrux—the diary—was taken by Professor McGonagall. Yet here you are. Aren’t you afraid of being destroyed?”
“Hmph!” Riddle growled. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had to act so quickly!”
His expression darkened, then twisted into a smirk.
“But in a way, I should thank you. You forced me to make a decision—and it turned out better than expected.”
“Better?” Noah frowned, a sudden realization dawning on him. “You mean… life transference?”
“Correct!” Riddle grinned. “Didn’t expect you to know such a dark spell. You have the makings of a dark wizard, Noah. I’m impressed.”
Noah’s expression soured.
“So you used Life Transference to start restoring your soul here, while the professors are still examining the diary? If they fail to destroy it in time, you’ll fully resurrect.”
Exactly what he feared.
When they left the Gryffindor common room, Ginny had been taken to the hospital wing, emotionally unstable. McGonagall had taken the diary to Dumbledore.
If they didn’t realize what it was soon enough…
Riddle would return.
“Smart boy,” Riddle said, his admiration clear. “You remind me of myself. You grew up in an orphanage, didn’t you? We’re alike. I see myself in you. So tell me—why don’t you join me? Together, we could rule the world.”
Harry and Draco stared in disbelief.
Tom Riddle—young Voldemort—admired Noah?!
Just how powerful was he?
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