Chapter 101: Ginny's Testimony
Chapter 101: Ginny's Testimony
After about half an hour, Felix stood up from his chair and walked over to the young wizards.
"Alright, young wizards, stop there."
The group looked up, a few of them sweating profusely.
Felix scanned the room. "Now, tell me your thoughts."
"I found it quite interesting, except for a few odd questions", Luna said in her ethereal voice.
"You mean—"
"The questions about the Forbidden Forest", Luna thought for a moment. "For example, ‘You wandered into the Forbidden Forest out of curiosity and heard a clicking sound. You turned around and saw a large claw covered in thick black fur. What happens next?’"
"Oh, and what was your answer?" Felix asked, having added this question on the spot.
"I chose ‘Say hello to it,’ hi, Mr. Acromantula."
"Why didn't you choose to run away?" Felix asked her.
"But that's the second step", Luna replied earnestly, much to the shock of the other young wizards.
Ron's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
"So, you think—"
Felix's voice hardened. "That when you encounter an Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest, you should greet it before turning to run."
Luna nodded and added, "Actually, both can be done simultaneously, depending on how fast it chases you."
"Alright, thank you for your answer, Miss Lovegood. But I don't recommend that approach. In fact, you shouldn't be sneaking into the Forbidden Forest, especially not with a young wizard."
His gaze shifted to Ginny, who seemed much more normal. She lowered her head in sadness; this was her first detention since starting school.
"Does anyone else have any insights?"
"Professor, George and I think the parchment's feedback could be more diverse. We tested it, and there are only about twenty types of responses."
"Oh? Please continue", Felix said, intrigued.
Fred looked excited. "Professor, besides text and simple drawings, we could add some punishments, like sprays of black smoke, or even stink juice—"
"We could also add sounds. If you answer incorrectly, you could hear Professor Flitwick's voice: ‘We are wizards, not baboons waving sticks!’"
Fred mimicked Flitwick's voice, causing a few less astute young wizards, like Marcus and Ron, to shiver involuntarily.
"Any other ideas?"
"The text feedback is too gentle. The tone could be more intense, Professor. George and I can help with that", Fred said, eagerly volunteering.
"Hmm..." Felix imagined implementing these suggestions and wondered if the young wizards would have a mental breakdown.
"The sound idea is interesting and feasible", Felix said, picking the most practical suggestion.
The atmosphere grew more lively.
"Professor, maybe we could add a scoring system to see our progress more clearly", Eddie Carmichael suggested. He always did well but enjoyed using a few tricks.
"Good point."
"Professor Hup, can we add our names?" Ginny hesitated before speaking.
"Names?"
"Yes, at the beginning, it could say ‘Welcome, Ginny Weasley, to the quiz space’—" Her voice grew softer, her cheeks turning as red as her hair, clearly embarrassed.
"An excellent suggestion."
"Professor, can we add house emblems?"
"Professor, can we have a high score list, like a House Cup competition?"
"Professor, can we see how others are doing?"
"Professor, can we categorize the questions, like Ancient Runes, History of Magic, Potions, Herbology, and General Knowledge?"
...
The nine young wizards began to argue among themselves, debating which features were most important.
Felix's expression grew increasingly strange. Combined, these features sounded a lot like a modern educational app.
Categories, answer effects, leaderboards, friend options, competitive modes, customizable skins...
But I just wanted to create an Ancient Runes class teaching aid?
What's the point of adding so many features? Besides, there's no guarantee they'll even work...
After some thought, Felix said, "Write down your ideas and try to flesh them out as much as possible. I'll selectively incorporate them. Mr. Ron Weasley, come with me for a moment."
Ron pointed at himself and, receiving a clear response, followed Professor Hup to a corner of the office.
"Weasley, tell me in detail about Lockhart's behavior that night..."
After about ten minutes, Ron finished recounting his encounter.
"Very good. I'll relay this information to Headmaster Dumbledore. With the details you've provided, Lockhart will soon face the appropriate punishment."
"However, I must seriously warn you, and I've said the same to Hermione Granger: do not privately interact with Lockhart. If you sense any danger, immediately seek out any professor you can find."
"Is that clear?"
Ron looked at the stern expression on Professor Hup's face, swallowed hard, and nodded repeatedly.
"Very well, you may return. On your way out, please bring your sister to me."
"Ginny? What's wrong with her?" Ron asked, concerned.
"It's just a minor issue", Felix said, downplaying it.
Soon, Ginny Weasley nervously approached him.
"Hello, Miss Weasley. We've met a few times before, but this is our first formal introduction."
"Y-yes, Professor Hup."
"Let's get straight to the point. I want to know where you got that diary from."
Ginny's eyes widened in shock, "P-professor, what do you mean?"
Felix calmly met her gaze, "We've seen each other a few times, like near Hagrid's hut and the girls' bathroom. Do I need to explain further?"
He avoided mentioning the key evidence provided by Luna to protect their friendship.
Ginny's lips trembled as if she wanted to say something. Felix waited quietly.
After about a minute—
Tears welled up in her bright brown eyes, but she finally mustered the courage to admit, "Professor, I don't know... I just wrote in it. The diary, it really has something to do with the Chamber?"
"You had no idea?"
"I'm not sure. At first, I just wrote in it, and it responded to me. It was very understanding, giving me advice. Later, I often lost chunks of my memory, and that's when the attacks happened."
"Then, the professors emphasized in class not to trust dark magic items, and Fred and George said the same thing, so I threw it away."
She sobbed as she recounted her experience.
Felix nodded, comforting Ginny, "Young wizards are often deceived. In the future, if you encounter similar issues, don't hesitate to seek help from a professor you trust. It's not a shame."
"Believe me, what seems like a difficult problem to you is often simple for a professor."
Ginny nodded lightly, quickly adding, "Thank you, Professor Hup."
"So, let's return to the initial question. Do you remember where you got the diary from?" Felix asked.
"I... I'm not sure. I thought it was from my mother, but maybe not."
"Did you notice anything unusual?"
"The diary was tucked inside one of my new books. My mother wouldn't do that."
"New books? Was it the day you went to Diagon Alley for supplies?"
"Yes, that day was also Professor Lockhart's book signing. He gave Harry a complete set of new books, and Harry gave me one. That night, I found the diary."
Lockhart and Potter... perhaps it was a coincidence.
Felix paused, then continued, "Do you remember what happened that day? Was there anyone who might have touched your book bag?"
"That day, my family went to Diagon Alley for supplies, and Harry was with us. His relatives don't treat him well... We met Hermione's family at the bank and then split up. My mother took me to buy robes and a wand, and then we went to get books. At Professor Lockhart's book signing, my father even got into a fight with Malfoy..."
Felix interrupted her, "Malfoy? Lucius Malfoy?"
"Yes, he and my father don't get along well", Ginny said softly.
"Let's go over this in detail", Felix said calmly.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
