Chapter 246: We Only Need a Simple Spell to Solve the Problem!
Chapter 246: We Only Need a Simple Spell to Solve the Problem!
Ivan shook his head, dispelling the unease in his mind, and turned to look at the Gryffindor House Table, speaking up.
"Hals, come with me for a moment, I have something to ask you! Also, while I'm gone, the Prefect is in charge of maintaining order here!"
Ivan felt that the time for the Polyjuice Potion was almost up, so he took Lockhart out of the Great Hall, not noticing that Hermione had been watching them the whole time.
The two of them returned to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, waiting for the effects of the Polyjuice Potion to wear off and for them to return to their original identities.
Ivan carefully explained to Lockhart everything he had done as "Lockhart" that night, and warned him not to reveal anything.
Lockhart, curious, asked, "How is the Hufflepuff girl who was attacked? Is she still alive?"
"She's still alive, but Madam Pomfrey said the girl has lost a lot of life force. We don't know if she will regain consciousness." Ivan sighed.
Based on what had happened to Ginny in the original timeline, it would likely require the destruction of the Horcrux to cure the two victims.
At the same time, Ivan was a bit puzzled as to why Tom always targeted young girls.
Was it simply because they were easier to deceive? Or did Tom Riddle discriminate against the boys in the school, unwilling to drain their life force?
Lockhart, upon learning that no one had died, lost interest in asking more questions and immediately started complaining about Ivan's performance in the Duelling Arena.
He had spent three thousand Galleons, expecting to see himself shine on the stage, but instead, he almost lost to Snape.
"That's not befitting my status!" Lockhart said dejectedly.
Ivan rolled his eyes, too lazy to deal with the self-important Lockhart, and warned him not to talk too much when they returned to the Great Hall, to avoid revealing anything that could implicate him.
As they turned a corner, both of them stopped.
A brown-haired young witch was standing in the corridor, glaring at them angrily.
"Hermione?" Ivan was very surprised, not expecting the usually rule-abiding Hermione to sneak out of the Great Hall. It seemed she had overheard their conversation.
"Don't worry, this is something I excel at. We only need a simple spell!" Lockhart flamboyantly pulled out his Wand, ready to use the Obliviate spell to solve the problem.
Ivan turned and glared at him.
Lockhart had no choice but to put his Wand back, stepping back awkwardly. "You two take your time, I just remembered I have some things to do, so I won't disturb you."
Hermione ignored the departing Lockhart and scolded him angrily. "How can you help that fraud Lockhart and join forces with him to deceive us!"
The young witch was furious, like a lioness. After overhearing Ivan and Lockhart's conversation, she quickly figured out why Lockhart's strength had fluctuated so much over the past few months—it was all because of Ivan's help.
"Hermione!" Ivan suddenly interrupted her tirade, lowering his voice to avoid being overheard by anyone else Wandering around the Castle. "This is because we are doing something very important."
Hermione's anger had not yet subsided, but Ivan's words stunned her, and she looked at him with wide, surprised eyes.
"You should be aware of the recent attacks. I need to borrow Professor Lockhart's identity to investigate some suspicious students", Ivan said confidently, conveniently ignoring the fact that he had earned a good amount of Galleons from Lockhart.
Is that so? Hermione felt something was off but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
However, Ivan didn't give Hermione time to think it through. He continued, revealing that the attacks were likely another scheme by the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord must have used some method to manipulate a student at the school to carry out his evil plans.
"What should we do? Have you and Lockhart figured out who the attacker is?" Hermione was immediately drawn in, her concern evident in her voice.
Seeing that Hermione wasn't pressing him about using the Polyjuice Potion to become Lockhart, Ivan let out a quiet sigh of relief and said, "Almost. The attacker is likely one of the two absent girls. Filch, who informed us, might also be a suspect!"
Ivan mentally filtered through the list of suspects. Most of the students, along with Snape and Lockhart, were in the Great Hall tonight, so they couldn't have been the attacker.
The other staff members were strong and knowledgeable; Tom wouldn't have been able to manipulate them.
Hermione nodded at Ivan's analysis but then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Why was your bracelet in Luna's hands tonight?"
Ivan didn't try to hide anything. He explained that Luna had recognized him when he entered the Duelling Arena, and he had temporarily lent her the bracelet to keep her quiet and to have her cover for him.
"What about me? Now I know just like her", Hermione asked, her brown eyes fixed on Ivan.
"Maybe I can get Lockhart to sign some autographs for you? Hundreds if you want!" Ivan scratched his head, remembering that Hermione was one of Lockhart's biggest fans.
"I don't want them! Don't mention that fraud to me again!" Hermione was furious, recalling how she had even put up a large photo of Lockhart in her dorm room.
The two of them quietly slipped back into the Great Hall. Without the professor's identity, Ivan had to sit at the Gryffindor table, waiting for the situation to resolve.
Late into the night, Dumbledore rushed in and, after a brief conversation with Snape, said gravely, "I think you will need to spend the night here tonight."
Dumbledore waved his Wand, and the house tables rose and stacked themselves in the corners. In their place, hundreds of purple sleeping bags appeared.
"Everyone, get some rest. I also hope that the prefects will guard the entrances, and the male and female student council presidents will maintain order. If anything unusual happens, send a ghost to inform me immediately."
Dumbledore left the hall, and a murmur of discussion filled the room. Everyone understood that the situation was more serious than they had imagined, or they wouldn't be unable to return to their dormitories.
Ron seriously analyzed whether there might be a second attack tonight. As he continued to spread panic, he felt a chill run down his spine and turned around to see Snape, who had not yet left.
(End of Chapter)
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