Chapter 101: Rumor Monger
Chapter 101: Rumor Monger
The Slytherin team's expected defeat became a popular topic of discussion among Hogwarts students during mealtimes. The unfortunate substitute goalkeeper, Vicky Avery, was a particular source of amusement for many, even though Madam Pomfrey had already fixed his knocked-out teeth. Students from other houses would recall the phrase circulating in Gryffindor House whenever they saw him: "He knocked out his own teeth by colliding with my elbow."
No one truly cared how true Albert's words were. They merely mocked young Avery for bringing it upon himself.
The mockery stemmed purely from dislike.
At least, that's what Albert believed. Otherwise, how could there be any humor in those words? Even he couldn't find them funny.
This incident certainly helped stabilize his hatred points, to the extent that a new side quest popped up.
However, Albert didn't mind much. After the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match, the tension between the two houses intensified.
The atmosphere between the houses was extremely strained, and they were on the brink of open conflict.
Skirmishes frequently broke out in the corridors, causing Filch's mouth to twist in anger. The number of rule-breakers had skyrocketed recently, exhausting his supply of parchment for writing out detentions.
Eventually, the situation escalated into a nasty incident.
A group of Slytherins cornered Mark, intending to get physical. Some Gryffindor students "just happened" to pass by and got entangled in the mess.
The outcome? A Gryffindor student grew strange scales on his face, and a Slytherin's nose sprouted chives.
When Professor McGonagall learned of this, she was furious. Both Gryffindor and Slytherin houses lost a significant number of points.
Now, one house was back at the bottom, while the other became second to last.
Of course, quite a few Slytherin students sought to trouble Albert, as being defeated by a Muggle-born newcomer was a disgrace to them.
However, the Slytherins didn't have many opportunities. Someone had once tried to trip Albert in the corridor, but one of them ended up in the hospital wing with a stomped foot, while the other was kicked in the shin and shed tears from the pain.
What infuriated them the most was how this newcomer would always look at them with a helpless expression and calmly ask, "Are you alright? How did your leg end up in my way?"
In essence, he was conveying that he was innocent, harmless, and that it was their fault.
This left them with no room for argument, as they had indeed extended their leg to trip him, only to hurt themselves accidentally.
As for ambushing Albert?
Albert always had his three friends by his side, rarely being alone. Even when alone, he mostly stayed in the library.
This guy was also very patient. He once lay in wait outside the library for a long time, but his target never came out.
But that wasn't the most frustrating part.
Not long ago, a third-year Slytherin student thought he had a chance when he followed Albert into the boys' bathroom, only to be discovered stepping on a wet spot and falling over, eventually passing out.
Of course, there was more than one persistent troublemaker.
George was walking alone in the empty second-floor corridor, not far from an abandoned girls' bathroom.
Humming a tune, he seemed unaware of the fifth-year Slytherin student stealthily following him, wand drawn, ready to cast a nasty jinx to teach George a lesson.
However, when the Slytherin raised his wand, the newcomer walking ahead turned around and smiled at him.
Before the unlucky student could recover from his surprise and understand what was happening, a faint sound came from behind him.
Stupefy! Those were the last words he heard before passing out.
"Another troublemaker!" George prodded the unconscious body with his foot and grinned. "Well, well, didn't expect me to have backup, did you?"
"Stop blabbering. Carry him into the girls' bathroom. We'll give everyone a nice surprise."
A few minutes later, some lower-year Hufflepuff girls passed by the girls' bathroom door and spotted a guy with his head wrapped in his robe, sprawled at the entrance.
Half his body was inside, and he was making a climbing gesture with his hands, as if trying to crawl out of the bathroom.
Hearing the commotion, Filch rushed over and saw the puddle of water in the corridor, causing the muscles in his face to twitch.
"Did... did he fall?" he muttered. "And what's a boy doing in the girls' bathroom? What did he see, and why is he crawling out looking so disheveled?"
The girls' imaginations ran wild, and by the time Filch found a couple of students to help lift the drenched troublemaker and send him to the hospital wing, their minds were already filled with speculations.
The Albert quartet, who "happened" to be passing by, witnessed this scene and struggled to hold back their laughter, their ribs aching.
Why had the Slytherin student fled the girls' bathroom in such a sorry state?
The girls who first discovered him exercised their imaginations, speculating about why a boy would enter the abandoned girls' bathroom and then escape from it in such a pitiful manner.
"Next time, if anyone dares to mess with us," Fred made a peeling motion, "we'll stuff his head in the toilet."
"Some jokes are too extreme," Albert said, trying hard not to laugh too obviously, but he still reminded them, "But if we come across them again, let's knock them out and stuff them into the stalls in the girls' bathroom. I'm sure the girls won't let him off easily."
"That's a great idea!" George blinked. "I'm suddenly looking forward to it."
"They'll definitely be on their guard."
"Definitely. But I don't think they'll ever guess that you know how to use the Disillusionment Charm." Jordan pointed out their biggest advantage. The Slytherins had completely underestimated Albert's abilities.
Because of the Disillusionment Charm, they never expected someone to be lurking behind them, ready to strike. Moreover, Albert could also use the Stunning Spell to easily take them down.
Although some suspected Albert was behind these incidents, they soon ruled him out. After all, even a Muggle-born wizard with exceptional talent wouldn't be able to master so many spells in a short time.
As for the people around Albert, it was even more unlikely. A newcomer who could cast the Stunning Spell was rare, even in Slytherin.
So, in the end, the blame fell on the older students of Gryffindor House.
After all, Mark and his friends had set the precedent! (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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