Chapter 315: Valentine's Day Surprise
Chapter 315: Valentine's Day Surprise
"To be honest..." Michael put down his completed Potions homework and thought for a moment before continuing, "I feel like they're not normal."
Kyle was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Do you know what they usually talk about?"
This time, Michael didn't even bother with his homework and put down his quill. "Every time I go to their Common Room, I hear people loudly discussing who the Heir is and how they want to help him purify the school."
"Ha... Help the monster in the Chamber of Secrets purify the school?" Michael became increasingly agitated as he spoke. "Listening to their tone, it's as if they see us as pests. No wonder so many people dislike Slytherin."
"I couldn't hold it in one day. When someone went out, I gave a boastful guy a punch, and that's when I was discovered."
"But those people ran too slowly. I only needed three staircases to shake off everyone... Unfortunately, I didn't notice my scarf had fallen when I ran, and a third-year Slytherin recognized me, and I lost fifty points."
Michael couldn't help but feel a little annoyed and knocked on the table.
Kyle shook his head with a smile.
Fortunately, Michael ran fast at that time. If he had been caught on the spot, he might have suffered more than just a fifty-point deduction.
However, what Michael said helped Kyle eliminate some suspects, such as Pansy, Millicent, and Crabbe and Goyle...
Given their personalities, if any of them had released the monster, they would have bragged about it by now.
All he needed to do now was focus on observing the remaining few individuals.
Kyle thought for a moment and asked, "Do you know if any of them didn't attend the Halloween feast?"
"The Halloween feast?" Michael replied quickly, "They should all have gone."
"They discussed Filch the most. If someone wasn't in the Great Hall at that time, they would have been questioned by everyone. But when I went, that didn't happen."
"Is that so?" Kyle frowned and thought as he returned to the dormitory.
...
In the following days, Kyle paid special attention to a few Slytherin individuals.
However, after observing them for a month, he didn't discover anything unusual; everything seemed normal.
In early February, the snow gradually melted, and the sun began to weakly shine upon Hogwarts once again.
During this time, the castle experienced no further attacks, and more people began to believe Lockhart's words, their moods becoming more optimistic.
Additionally, Professor Sprout happily announced in class that the Mandrakes were becoming moody and silent, indicating they were rapidly outgrowing their childhood.
In just one or two more months, those who had been petrified would fully recover.
Good news kept coming.
Lockhart had been extremely proud lately.
Because of his speech at the start-of-term feast, more and more people began to believe that he had stopped the monster in the Chamber of Secrets. Some who had previously lost faith in him became his admirers once again.
"To boost morale and erase the bad memories of last semester, I've prepared a surprise for all of you."
During a Defense Against the Dark Arts class, he cheerfully said, "It's still a secret for now, but I think you'll all like it."
Whispers filled the classroom as people speculated about Lockhart's surprise.
However, they soon found out.
The next day was Valentine's Day.
When Kyle entered the Great Hall as usual to have breakfast, he wondered if he had walked into the wrong room.
The walls were covered with large pink flowers, and colorful heart-shaped confetti continuously fell from the ceiling. Behind the staff table, a giant heart made of various flowers hung on the wall.
If a few more blessings were added, this would be a grand wedding scene.
"I bet this is Lockhart's surprise," Fred brushed the confetti off his head.
"I think so too," Cedric looked up at the staff table where the professors were seated.
Lockhart was also wearing a bright pink robe, standing at the front and waving to get everyone's attention.
The professors sitting beside him all had stern expressions, especially Snape.
His position corresponded exactly to the left half of the giant heart decoration behind him, while Lockhart stood on the right half.
This peculiar arrangement, combined with the surrounding decorations, made Snape look extremely gloomy, as if someone had stuffed a pile of cockroaches down his throat.
He was tightly gripping his wand, and Kyle had no doubt that if anyone said the wrong thing, Snape would definitely use the Killing Curse on them.
The only one still smiling was Dumbledore.
He had even changed the color of his robes to a pearl white that matched the decorations.
"Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!" Lockhart said cheerfully. "So far, sixty-five people have sent me cards, and I would like to thank them... Yes, I took the initiative to arrange this little surprise, and there's more to come!"
Lockhart clapped his hands, and twelve gloomy-looking dwarves, each with golden wings and carrying harps, walked in.
Lockhart happily announced that these dwarves would wander around the castle all day, delivering Valentine's Day cards for the students.
"I know you're all eager, but just a bit more patience, it's not over yet." Lockhart clapped his hands again.
"Everyone, look up!"
Hundreds of owls crowded into the Great Hall, dropping letters and packages to the students.
Pieces of paper filled with words were mixed in and fell down as well.
Cedric curiously picked one up, and his face changed color as soon as he glanced at it...
"His golden hair is like freshly cooked cornmeal, and his red lips are as tempting as ripe tomatoes..."
"What the hell is this!"
Cedric felt a wave of nausea in his stomach and quickly threw the paper away, rubbing his hands vigorously on the bench.
"I know some of you may not have experience in writing cards, so I have carefully selected some from the ones I received to give to you..."
Lockhart showed his shiny teeth. "If you don't know how to write, you can definitely refer to these... or even copy them."
"Of course, if you have other ideas, that's fine too.
Professor Snape is an expert in brewing Love Potions and has never failed in this area.
And Professor Flitwick, he is more proficient in Confusion Magic than any wizard I've ever seen, the sly old dog!"
Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands, almost disappearing under the table.
Snape's forehead bulged with veins, and he raised his wand several times.
"I dare say Professor Snape is having a tough time holding back."
Cedric looked at the dwarves, seemingly having an idea, and turned to Kyle. "Kyle, I remember you can use the Disillusion Charm..."
Kyle nodded.
"Can I borrow your Invisibility Cloak for the day?" Cedric hopefully asked. "I'll trade all my money for it."
"Money isn't necessary," Kyle smiled. "The Invisibility Cloak is in the dormitory, I'll get it for you after lunch."
"Deal." Cedric breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he didn't know if anyone would send him a card today, it's always better to be prepared. If he got cornered by these dwarves in a crowded place... that would be too embarrassing.
He wasn't ready to transfer to another magic school yet.
(End of Chapter)
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