Staring at the massive python and the panicked crowd, Qin Yu froze for a moment.
Could it really be this coincidental? This python looks so familiar—could it be the one Harry Potter set free?!
Heh, I just came to the zoo, and now I'm being forced into the plotline? Qin Yu internally groaned.
Besides, shouldn't this mess be left for Harry to clean up?
Beside him, Hermione's face was pale, her eyes wide with fear. She instinctively turned to Qin Yu. "Qin, what should we do? Can you use magic to control it?"
Qin Yu knew the python only wanted freedom and had no intention of harming anyone—as long as no one attacked it, of course.
"How could I possibly control it? Unless I knew Parseltongue, then maybe I could negotiate!" Qin Yu shrugged.
"Parseltongue is an advanced discipline. It's not something you can just pick up…" Hermione sighed helplessly.
She wasn't sure why she'd even asked Qin Yu. He looked only slightly older than her—how could he possibly handle such a massive snake?
Just as Qin Yu was pondering how to drive the python away, the long-dormant voice of the system chimed in his mind:
"Ding! Dear host, a major disturbance has occurred in your vicinity. Please make the following choice—
「1」Leave immediately. Reward: An owl.
「2」Drive away the python. Reward: Mastery of Parseltongue."
Well, at least the system is somewhat useful in critical moments, Qin Yu thought.
Without hesitation, he chose the second option.
"Ding! Host has chosen to drive away the python. Your courage is commendable! The reward will be issued in advance. May you use your abilities to help those in need!"
By now, some people had grabbed brooms and sticks, preparing to attack the python.
The snake, provoked, reared its head, its cold reptilian eyes fixed on the hostile humans.
"I really do have a knack for jinxing things…" Qin Yu muttered under his breath.
Cracking his neck, he turned to Hermione. "Stay back. I'll handle this big guy."
With that, he strode confidently toward the python.
His newly acquired Parseltongue ability felt like second nature. The moment he opened his mouth, the words flowed effortlessly:
"Hey, big guy, mind clearing out? You're scaring people."
"They're the ones attacking me… Huh? Another human who can speak?" The python turned its head toward Qin Yu, surprised.
"Your striking patterns probably triggered some primal fear in them. I'll stop them, but you should leave."
Qin Yu spoke calmly, gesturing for the adults to lower their makeshift weapons.
Seeing the python respond to the young boy, the crowd hesitantly obeyed, stepping back and dropping their tools.
"Such beautiful patterns, and they're afraid? Humans are baffling," the python grumbled.
"This isn't the time for interspecies debates. Head for the countryside—plenty of fields and forests there. That's where you belong."
Qin Yu paused, then added with a smirk, "If you stay, I can't guarantee they won't turn you into snake soup. And I might even suggest a few… exotic recipes."
The python recoiled slightly, feigning composure. "I wasn't planning to stick around anyway!"
The spectators, now at a safe distance, couldn't understand the exchange—Parseltongue was beyond their comprehension. All they saw was the boy confronting the python, and moments later, the snake slithering away into the zoo's wooded outskirts.
"Clap clap clap!"
"Kid, you're amazing!"
"Are you a snake charmer?"
"Did the zoo hire you?"
"Wow, that was incredible!"
As applause and chatter erupted, Qin Yu, overwhelmed, grabbed Hermione's hand and hurried off to find the Grangers, who had gotten separated in the chaos.
After a while, Hermione, still brimming with curiosity, asked, "Qin, what did you say to it? I thought you didn't know Parseltongue!"
Qin Yu grinned. "Just picked it up."
"That's impossible!" Hermione scoffed.
"Well… maybe it's a bloodline thing. Some wizards inherit unique abilities, you know," he lied smoothly.
"Oh! I've read about that in The Origins of Wizardry… but blood purity theories aren't exactly popular," Hermione said seriously.
"Agreed. I prefer the idea of hard work over lineage," Qin Yu replied.
"Me too!" Hermione beamed.
As a Muggle-born witch, she naturally despised blood purity rhetoric. Hearing Qin Yu reject it too made her happy.
Unbeknownst to them, a bespectacled boy with a lightning-shaped scar peeking from his fringe had witnessed the entire scene.
It was Harry Potter, who had come to the zoo with the Dursleys.
Harry felt an inexplicable connection to Qin Yu and wanted to approach him—to share his own secrets. But before he could take a step, Uncle Vernon yanked him away, dragging him toward the exit. Behind them trailed Aunt Petunia and a drenched, terrified Dudley.
Qin Yu caught a glimpse of Harry and wanted to help the boy, who was clearly mistreated by his relatives. But with the crowd, Hermione, and the Grangers around, it wasn't the right time.
There'll be another chance, he thought.
Aside from gaining Parseltongue, Qin Yu made another discovery at the zoo: he was no longer allergic to animal fur.
The realization sparked a desire to adopt a dog or cat. But since he was already a guest in someone else's home, bringing a pet along seemed unreasonable.
On the ride back, Hermione chattered excitedly about the zoo's animals—lions, bears, tigers—all of which she found adorable.
Meanwhile, Qin Yu grew uneasy. His powers were becoming harder to control. Earlier, he'd nearly harmed several animals unintentionally.
Whenever fear or tension crept in, dark impulses surfaced, leading to bizarre incidents:
A tiger struck by a falling rock.A bear ramming into a tree.A lion's tail mysteriously catching fire.
Hermione found their antics endearing, but Qin Yu knew better.
"This power is getting out of hand," he thought grimly.
I just want to live a normal life. Is that too much to ask? Damn system, can't you give me something actually useful?!
His frustration simmered, his gaze landing on a tree ahead.
Suddenly, an invisible force gripped the tree—
CRACK!
It was uprooted and slammed onto the road.
SCREECH!
Mr. Granger slammed the brakes just in time.
"Hermione?!" The Grangers turned to their daughter, alarmed.
"Not me!" Hermione protested, waving her hands.
"Qin?" Mr. Granger's questioning eyes narrowed.
Qin Yu's resigned expression said it all.
"So… this is the 'little secret' you and Hermione share?" Mr. Granger asked.
Hermione shrugged. "Dad, not so little anymore."
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