Chapter 1312: News of the Crown (Part II)
Chapter 1312: News of the Crown (Part II)
"Is Professor McGonagall doing okay?"
"Minerva is fine," Flitwick assured them.
Ron found it hard to believe that the pink toad, Umbridge, would let McGonagall off so easily. "How is that even possible? From what I know of Umbridge, she doesn't seem like the type to back down."
"She did try to play hardball," Flitwick said.
"Hardball?" Harry repeated.
"She brought a bunch of Aurors with her and was determined to get the home addresses of the expelled students," Professor Flitwick explained.
"What happened then?" Hermione asked, curious.
"Minerva told her that part of the record was burned," Professor Flitwick said softly. "Albert had anticipated this day and reminded her to burn those documents."
"But did Umbridge believe her?" Harry asked, doubtful that the toad would be so easily convinced.
"Of course, Umbridge didn't want to accept it. She wanted to use Veritaserum on Minerva," Professor Flitwick said, his eyes filled with disgust as he recalled the incident.
"That woman is a lunatic. I can't fathom why she has so much prejudice against Muggle-born wizards," Hermione said, unable to understand Umbridge's fanaticism.
"It almost came to a fight," Professor Flitwick continued. He had considered taking action against Umbridge and then leaving Hogwarts.
"And Umbridge backed down?" Ron was incredulous.
"Minerva agreed to take a small dose of Veritaserum to prove that she wasn't lying, but Umbridge still didn't let it go," Professor Flitwick said, still feeling that he should have given Umbridge a harsher lesson back then.
"I've never met anyone as vile as her," Harry said angrily. "If I ever get the chance, I'll use the Obliviate curse to turn her into an idiot."
Ron and Hermione stared at Harry, surprised by his vehemence.
"And then what happened?" Harry asked.
"Then Snape showed up and put a stop to the whole fiasco," Professor Flitwick said with a frown.
"Snape?"
"I guess his master wanted to control the students' parents through Hogwarts," Harry speculated, seeing through Voldemort's intentions. "Dumbledore wouldn't allow Hogwarts to be shut down, of course."
"But how did Professor McGonagall...?" Hermione trailed off, realizing something. "Did she prepare a bezoar as an antidote for Veritaserum?"
"Yes, we were surprised as well," Professor Flitwick said.
Professor Flitwick stopped in front of an aged, polished wooden board and turned to the trio. "If you ever get into real trouble, I still suggest you go find Anderson. He's a seer, and I bet he can help."
"Is this the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room?" Ron asked, looking at the door in front of him. It had no handle or keyhole, only a bronze eagle-shaped knocker.
"Yes, you need to answer a question. Like this," Professor Flitwick said, knocking on the door. The eagle's beak opened, and a gentle voice asked, "Phoenix and fire, which came first?"
"Miss Granger, what do you think is the answer?" Professor Flitwick looked at Hermione.
"The phoenix can be reborn from the ashes; it's a cycle. There's no beginning or end," Hermione replied.
"That makes sense," the voice said, and the door opened.
"That was a brilliant answer," Professor Flitwick said with a smile. "Go on in."
The Ravenclaw common room was empty. It was a large circular room with many windows on the walls, offering a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains during the day.
However, Harry's attention wasn't on the scenery outside. His gaze was drawn to a tall white marble statue in a niche opposite the door.
He recognized it as Rowena Ravenclaw, and on her head was a delicate circlet made of marble, said to be a replica of the legendary diadem of Ravenclaw.
"Hermione, do you have a camera with you?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Why would I bring something like that?" Hermione replied.
"If you want to take a picture, I can help," Professor Flitwick said. He waved his wand, and a camera appeared out of thin air. He took a photo of the marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw for Harry.
"This was a Christmas gift from Albert in the past," Professor Flitwick said as he handed the photo to Harry.
"Thank you, Professor. You've been a great help," Harry said gratefully.
"Harry took the photo and said, "Maybe we should get Albert to join us." Hermione suddenly had a strange feeling that Albert might be keeping something from them.
"What are your plans now?" Professor Flitwick asked as he put away his camera. "Will you continue searching for news of the Crown?"
"I plan to meet with Madam Grey," Harry said, his thoughts clear. "If that yields nothing, then we'll go find Professor Binns..."
"Harry, I've found Madam Grey!" Ron interrupted, his eyes glued to the Marauder's Map.
"We should get going, Professor. We hope you can keep this a secret for now. The fewer people who know, the higher our chances of success," Harry said.
With that, the trio rushed off towards Madam Grey's location, but she had disappeared through a wall by the time they arrived.
"Where did she go?"
The three of them had been running at full speed and were now out of breath.
"She just left," Ron said, handing the map to Harry.
"Looks like we need some luck," Harry said, taking out the few Felix Felicis potions he had left. After drinking the potion, he started jogging in the direction indicated by the potion's guidance.
A few minutes later, Harry finally managed to intercept Madam Grey.
"Madam Grey, I apologize for the intrusion, but I need your help," Harry said, checking the Marauder's Map to confirm her name. "It's truly important."
"Very important?"
"Yes, very important. I'd like to talk to you about defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I believe you wouldn't want to see him occupying Hogwarts and turning its students into Dark Wizards, would you?" Harry stated his purpose directly, hoping to prevent her from ignoring him and disappearing again.
"Harry," Ron and Hermione panted as they caught up.
"What do you want to know?" Madam Grey asked, her tone indifferent as she eyed the trio.
"Do you know where the diadem of Ravenclaw is?" Harry added, "I just want to confirm whether He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has obtained it."
"I don't know," Madam Grey shook her head. "You're not the first to ask about the diadem. Generations of students have pestered me about its whereabouts."
Madam Grey was lying. She knew where the diadem of Ravenclaw was located.
Not long before Dumbledore's death, he had entrusted the diadem to Albert, asking him to keep it safe until the end of the Second Wizarding War, after which Albert would return it to Hogwarts.
Madam Grey had been present and was one of the witnesses to this event.
Therefore, she understood what Harry meant by defeating He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but she chose not to divulge anything about Albert and Dumbledore's secret, respecting their wishes.
After promising to keep their encounter a secret, Madam Grey had no intention of breaking her word and telling Harry about the diadem, as they seemed to have their own plans.
Ron, watching Madam Grey walk through the wall, frowned and asked, "What now? Are we going to find Professor Binns?"
"I think Madam Grey is lying," Harry suddenly said.
"What?"
"I suspect she knows something but isn't willing to tell us," Harry said, his mind racing. Suddenly, he asked, "Don't you think Madam Grey resembles someone?"
"Who?"
Ron was confused, unsure what Harry was trying to convey.
"Rowena Ravenclaw," Hermione said suddenly. "We just saw her portrait."
"Let's go find Professor Binns. I need to confirm something," Harry said, unfurling the Marauder's Map to search for the ghost professor's location, sharing his suspicions with the other two. "If Madam Grey is indeed a descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw, Professor Binns must know something."
"What if Madam Grey refuses to admit it?"
"That's not important, Hermione. Her identity is crucial, and I suspect Albert is hiding something. With his abilities, he must have discovered this," Harry said.
"But why wouldn't Albert tell us?"
"That's what I can't figure out," Harry said.
(End of Chapter)
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