Herpo the Foul and Elvis Heller, two Dark Wizards both from Greece, were connected across time by an Ouroboros pendant.
However, whether Elvis Heller was a later follower of Herpo the Foul or an inheritor of his magic, it differed from Karl's previous conjectures.
Does this guy have any connection to Lord Voldemort? Is he perhaps a part-time Death Eater?
Karl scratched his head in confusion; the more information he got, the more complicated the problem became.
And as for the Basilisk that made the Acromantula colony in the Forbidden Forest hide, was it the one from the Chamber of Secrets, or one that Elvis Heller himself bred?
If only he knew whether he was a Parselmouth.
That's right! There's a way to confirm this!
Karl suddenly recalled a story Nina told him when she was talking about Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Nina, are you sure a wand with a Horned Serpent horn as its core can sense a Parselmouth?"
"That's right. Chadwick and Webster, the two brothers, received a warning from their wands, which allowed them to stop Gormlaith Gaunt in time and save Isolt Sayre and her husband. Otherwise, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would surely have been destroyed."
"Then can Seth sense a Parselmouth?"
"Who is the target?"
"Elvis Heller!"
Nina shook her head and took out her wand, indicating to Karl its handle, which was clearly not made of oak.
"This is made from Seth's horn, and it has the same ability, but I haven't received any warning, so he's clearly not a Parselmouth."
Karl sighed as he looked at the magnificent wand; he felt utterly shocked.
"Don't tell me the feathers and scales on the wand are real too?"
"They are real. They're sheds from Lucy and Seth when they were young, just incorporated into the wand using a special technique."
Karl: (▔,▔)
Alright, alright! The disparity of the world is laid bare before my eyes!
What decent family makes a wand like this?
Mr. Ollivander's dream, unbeknownst to him, was already half-fulfilled by someone else.
However, since Heller is not a Parselmouth, that means there are now two Basilisks at Hogwarts.
Tsk! That's just ridiculous!
Just then, Nina reached out and grabbed his sleeve. "So that Ouroboros pendant belongs to Professor Heller?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Karl, you seem to be doing something very dangerous."
Meeting Nina's worried gaze, Karl patted her head and smiled easily.
"How could that be? I'm always cautious. I even stare carefully at each step when I go down stairs, just in case I miss one."
"Don't lie to me! You must understand that Dark Wizards associated with Herpo the Foul are no less dangerous than Grindelwald's followers or the Death Eaters established by Lord Voldemort."
Karl feigned surprise, "You dare to speak You-Know-Who's name?"
Nina frowned in displeasure. "Don't change the subject. I'm not a British Wizard, I don't know his terror and I don't want to know. I only care about what you're going to do right now."
Karl had no choice but to promise her, "I swear I won't do anything dangerous. Please trust me, okay?"
Originally, he did intend to learn the Fiendfyre Curse and then take care of Heller, but now that he'd discovered how mysterious this guy was, it seemed better to call Headmaster Dumbledore to help.
After all, safety first, cowardice always.
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"Do you need me to stay and help you this Christmasholiday?"
"No, I can handle it myself... *Hiss!"
Before he could finish speaking, Karl clutched the soft flesh on his waist, taking a sharp breath from the pain.
His good friend's concern was truly impactful!
Nina's eyes widened. "You're lying to me!"
Karl, who had let slip, looked up at the sky in exasperation. When did this little girl learn to trick information out of people?
"Even if you don't trust me, you should trust Headmaster Dumbledore. With him around, do we still need to worry about that Dark Wizard Heller?"
If Karl had said this on the Hogwarts Express, Nina would certainly have agreed.
But now... ever since she learned Heller's identity, it was truly hard for her to believe.
"How about... you come with me for the holiday?"
Karl looked bewildered. "Huh? Where to?"
It seemed he was indeed popular; this was already the second person who wanted to take him away.
"Dorset. Don't you like Magical Creatures? Grandpa Newtand Grandma Tina live there, and since you're a Hufflepuff, they'll surely like you very much."
"This..."
It must be said, Karl was very tempted.
After all, it was Newt, the old senior. What if he gave him a magical trunk enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm? Wouldn't that be a huge gain?
But he also had to stay to give Senior Tom his Christmasgift, and explore the Restricted Section and the Castle's secret passages.
Elvis Heller could be put aside for now, but Lord Voldemort's Horcrux should ideally be dealt with as soon as possible.
After all, ravenclaw's diadem should be the easiest of all the Horcruxes to handle.
"But I've already signed up on the staying-at-school list, and think about it, Elvis Heller won't be at school during the Christmas holiday, so no matter how dangerous it is, it has nothing to do with me."
After Karl's earnest persuasion, Nina could only give up her decision to take him to Dorset.
...
When the holiday arrived, the Young Wizards took their luggage and left Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Karl saw his friends off at the underground dock; first-year students had to return via the same route they came.
It was still Hagrid leading them, first taking a boat across the Black Lake, then walking to Hogsmeade Station, where they would board the Hogwarts Express.
As Karl bid farewell to Shabi, Stebbins, Cho, Audrey, and others, Nina stood by, watching him with her expressive eyes.
"Don't worry, I'm not stupid."
"Alright then, see you next term, and Merry Christmas in advance."
"You too, Merry Christmas."
Karl raised his hand and fist-bumped Nina, then watched them board the small boat, creating ripples as they moved away.
As soon as the fleet's shadows disappeared, he quickly left the dock and passed through the Castle, because someone else was waiting for him.
There was no helping it, having many friends came with such troubles; spreading himself around was quite tiring.
By the time Karl arrived at the main entrance of Hogwarts, most of the older Young Wizards had already left.
Only Cedric, Summers, and the Weasley Brothersremained, with a carriage without horses beside them.
The carriage was pulled by a Magical Creature called Thestral, but Karl had not yet witnessed death, so he could not see it.
As for Cedric, he was originally going to stay at school, but after Karl's 'killing words'... *Ptooey!*
It was after his comforting persuasion that he decided to go back and experience the love of his parents and the warmth of home.
Because only then could his riddled heart be healed.
Karl: You tell me if it had an effect or not?
As everyone was saying goodbye, the Weasley Brotherssecretly slipped the marauder's map to Karl.
"We won't need it during the holiday, so it's yours. Have fun!"
"Don't forget our Christmas presents! See you next term!"
Karl touched the marauder's map in his pocket and waved to the four people boarding the carriage. "Goodbye!"
The exciting Christmas holiday! It has begun!