In the Harry Potter Without Harry Potter

Chapter 301: I will go out with you

Slytherin didn't simply call it all bollocks and didn't even bother to look at what Jon wanted him to see.

Although he is only just a portrait now, he has the wisdom and thinking mindset of an old man who founded Hogwarts Slytherin House a thousand years ago.

He would certainly be more trusting and close to Voldemort, who had his own bloodline than Jon, but that trust would certainly not be absolute.

All the information he had learned about the outside world might have all been hearsay, whether it was the version he had heard from Voldemort or what Jon was telling him now holding up a history book, he was only passively accepting what they wanted him to know.

As it was, in his right mind, he wouldn't believe one or the other of them absolutely.

Listening to Jon's account and also seeing all that was written in that book, Hogwarts: A History, regarding the signing of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, the Slytherin in the portrait frowned slightly.

"It's true that hiding all information about wizards and keeping the wizarding world undercover would have cut off the witch hunt movement. But won't anyone object to this bill? Those who have already gained the benefits won't give up what they've gained so easily."

Jon said with a nod.

"There was opposition, but not when this bill was first established. In the seventeenth century the witch-hunting movement had reached its peak and all wizards were so disgusted with the persecution that the negotiations with the Muggle hierarchy were just an attempt at the beginning, but if it was as you say, the muggle-born wizards are the ones who united with the Muggles to start the witch-hunting movement, they must have been the ones who ruined the possibility of peace talks at that time, and that is how this bill was signed. It was signed in 1689, and it was not until 1692 that it became officially enforced, and I think it is quite possible that in the period of three years, the then Ministry of Magic swept away those court mages as well as the church wizard to finally ensure that the Statute of Secrecy could actually come into effect."

"During the period of the 1930s and 40s of this century, some wizards who were fed up with the Statute of Secrecy and believed that wizards shouldn't live like rats in the shadow of muggles were led by a man who had initiated a war in which he wanted to completely break the Statute of Secrecy and make wizards the lords of muggles. But in the end what that man did was stopped by the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where I am now, Professor Dumbledore together with many magical governments."

Jon said as he turned the page for the Slytherin, so he could see what was written about Hogwarts at the time in that history fifty years ago.

Dumbledore, who had defeated Grindelwald, was still a Professor of Transfiguration at the time, and such a deed certainly would have made a strong mark in school history.

And after that slices of histories in that area were recounted, it was clear to Jon that what came next would be the real kicker.

"After that, the magical world entered a period of peace, but such peace did not last long. Thirty years ago, that descendant of yours, Tom Riddle, suddenly rose to prominence with his theory of pureblood supremacy, believing that the purer the bloodline, the more talented the wizard and the more power and wealth he should have. But in fact, he was only a half-blood himself, and the so-called pureblood theory was just an excuse for him to gain influence and enlist more people. But it was such ambition that led him to start another war in the magical world."

"At first the war was confined to Britain, and he was not yet strong enough to overthrow the British magical regime, but after he came to this labyrinth at the North Pole, which is where you are, he was a completely different person, more rational and stronger. Then with this change, he defeated Dumbledore, took over all of Britain and remodelled Hogwarts Castle, and it also became a Domestication Facility for muggle-born students who were not even qualified to learn magic with their wands and had to sign slave contracts and work day and night like house elves."

"Now he has invaded France, and the next step is all of Europe, he wants to be the master of all wizards in the world. After a failed attempt, Professor Dumbledore went into exile and created a resistant group by setting up another Hogwarts with professors who were willing to follow him."

"This is the truth, sir, once it was wrong for the muggle-borns to start a witch-hunt to gain authority, now it is right for the purebloods to put forward the theory of bloodline supremacy to gain authority?"

Jon looked Slytherin in the eye.

"If you think that what your scion is doing is the right thing to do, then I have nothing to say, but if he really is right, then why is he deceiving you?"

Slytherin fell silent.

He didn't make another sound but looked at the book Jon was holding up, his eyes contemplating as if he was trying to discern the truth in Jon's words.

Jon didn't continue to make another sound either, he had said all he could, and all that was left to see was who Slytherin would actually believe.

Voldemort was indeed someone who was very good at convincing people, it was evident from his student days at Hogwarts, except for Dumbledore who had always been wary of him, all the other professors who had taught him, including Slughorn and the Headmaster of Hogwarts at the time, had all been fooled by his show of kindness and friendliness, believing that he would become a pillar of the wizarding world in the future.

But even if he could make things look good, a lie would always be a lie, a lie that would not stand up to scrutiny, as long as Slytherin's trust in Voldemort was not blind, he would surely have been able to spot the problem himself.

After a long moment of silent reflection on Slytherin's portrait part, the old man with the goatee looked back at Jon.

"What Tom once described to me is indeed questionable, but what you are showing me now does not convince me either; so-called history is nothing but a muddy pond into which just anyone can throw a few pots of dirty water, not to mention that this history book you are showing me is not something I am sure is fair and accurate."

His answer did not surprise Jon.

It would have been a strange thing if Slytherin had simply stated that he believed everything he said without saying a word.

"And what do you want me to do to make you believe that everything I have said is true?" Jon asked seriously.

Slytherin looked calmly at everything in this bedroom, then he said softly.

"Take me out from here, let me see the magical world outside with my own eyes, and I will judge for myself who to really believe."

Jon did not hesitate at this request of his and agreed decisively.

"No problem, sir! I am perfectly willing to get you out of here if you wish."

No matter what Voldemort had gotten out of Slytherin here in the first place, if he was taken out of here, and saw for himself all the lies that Voldemort had told, then all the problems would be solved.

And even if it is only a portrait, as the founder of Hogwarts, Slytherin is still very significant in his own right!

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