https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-171-Remember-There-Are-No-Giants-at-Hogwarts/12538285/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-173-The-Parchment-Booklet-in-the-Hut/12538288/
Chapter 172: Snape's Change of Heart
Chapter 172: Snape's Change of Heart
By the time Hermione came back to her senses, Kyle was already gone, leaving only Harry and Ron looking at her with concerned expressions.
"Are you alright, Hermione?" Harry asked anxiously. "Did you see the giant too?"
"What... I mean, of course not," Hermione shook her head. "The giant was at least ten feet tall and reeked of filth. If I had seen it, I would have run for sure."
"That's true," Harry scratched his head, feeling a bit foolish for asking.
If they had indeed encountered the giant, neither Hermione nor Kyle would be calmly standing here.
No matter how talented they were, they wouldn't be able to handle a monster that stood over ten feet tall.
It was impossible.
Harry sniffed the air. "I'm glad you're okay. Let's get out of here." He said, feeling increasingly uneasy as he detected a faint putrid odor lingering in the air.
Perhaps the giant was nearby and could appear at any moment.
"I think you're overreacting, Harry. There might not even be a giant," Ron interjected, less worried than his friend. "This is probably just Professor Quirrell's idea of a prank to liven up the atmosphere. The professors will probably come and tell us to return to the Great Hall soon. Don't forget, we're in Hogwarts... with Dumbledore."
"You're right about that," Harry conceded, feeling somewhat reassured at the mention of Dumbledore's name.
However, he still couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
"Never mind, let's just get back..." Harry suggested. "At least until we figure out what's going on. We don't want the professors to catch us here or we'll definitely lose points."
With that, the trio quickened their pace toward Gryffindor Tower.
Along the way, Harry and Ron discussed their encounter with Snape and agreed that he had gone upstairs toward the restricted area.
Hermione, on the other hand, remained silent, deep in thought about something.
As they were about to exit the corridor, she suddenly spoke up. "Were you two looking for me just now?"
"Yes, we heard from Parvati Patil that you had locked yourself in the bathroom," Harry explained. "Since you didn't go to the Great Hall for the feast, we thought you should know about the giant."
"But now it seems like it was a false alarm," Ron shrugged.
Hermione nodded slightly.
After a long pause, she murmured, "Thank you..."
"Don't mention it," Harry replied. "That's what friends are for."
"Just don't lecture us next time," Ron added.
"Hey, Ron..." Hermione started.
"Alright, alright, I won't say anything," Ron relented.
...
As the trio left the corridor and continued toward the staircase, they turned the corner and heard voices up ahead.
"I didn't see any giant, Professor," Kyle said innocently, standing amidst a group of professors. "And I have a reason for not going to the feast on time as well."
"Then let's hear it," Snape drawled. "What could be so important that you forgot about the Halloween feast?"
Hearing that nightmarish voice, Harry shuddered involuntarily and turned to flee.
But it was too late.
"You three, come here!" Professor McGonagall said coldly. "The Headmaster already gave clear instructions for everyone to return to their dormitories. Didn't you hear him?"
At that moment, Hermione spoke up softly, "Please don't, Professor McGonagall. They were looking for me."
"Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall frowned.
Hermione stepped forward and said in a low voice, "I came to look for the giant, to see what it looked like... I've only read about them in books, so I was curious."
Ron stared at her with wide eyes. Hermione Granger was actually lying to the professor?
"They were concerned for my safety, so they came to find me," she continued.
Harry and Ron did their best to look as if they had known this story all along.
"If that's the case..." Professor McGonagall stared at them, "Miss Granger, you silly girl, real giants are far more dangerous than you imagine. You should be thankful you didn't encounter one."
"Yes, you're absolutely right..."
Hermione lowered her head.
Harry was speechless. Hermione was actually lying and saying she had broken the rules to get them out of trouble.
It was as unbelievable as Snape suddenly starting to hand out candy to everyone.
"Miss Granger, for this matter, Gryffindor will be docked five points," Professor McGonagall said. "I am disappointed in you. Now, it's best you head back to the Gryffindor Tower immediately."
Then she turned to Harry and Ron.
"And you two again," she said. "I believe your detention for dismantling the armor in the middle of the night isn't over yet, and now you've broken more rules?"
"No!" Ron explained, his face turning red. "There was something hidden inside the armor. I saw it..."
"But at the time, I only saw you destroying it, and there was nothing inside," Professor McGonagall countered.
She shook her head. "Fine, I don't want to pursue this matter further. Consider it a warning.
Additionally, because of your actions in helping Miss Granger today, your previous detention is canceled. You may go now."
Harry and Ron were overjoyed and quickly made their way past the professors without a word and headed upstairs.
Kyle had also wanted to leave with them, but Snape was standing right in front of him, blocking his way.
"I don't believe I heard your explanation," Snape said.
Kyle was perplexed, looking at Snape who was standing in his way like a roadblock.
Why was he still being targeted when Harry was right here?
Had he gotten over Lily so quickly?
With no other choice, Kyle stepped back to his original position and said, "Because Professor Sprout rewarded me with a pumpkin shell from the armor, I was studying it in my dormitory and forgot about the feast."
"Hmm, a pumpkin shell from the armor..." Snape wrinkled his nose. "If you were in your dormitory the whole time, why do you have the stench of a giant on you?"
"Do I?"
Kyle maintained his composure and replied calmly, "I believe that's the smell of compost... You know, it's all over the greenhouses.
Of course, if you don't believe me, you're welcome to take my robe back and examine it closely."
As he spoke, he started to take off his robe.
Kyle knew he had already used the Scouring Charm on himself, so there was no way any stench would remain.
Snape was just trying to trick him.
(End of Chapter)
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