Chapter 317: Useless Understanding
Chapter 317: Useless Understanding
Kyle's method proved to be highly effective.
When a thick stack of greeting cards was distributed to the dwarves, they managed to have a relatively normal morning.
Although there were still some stragglers popping out from various corners, Kyle was able to dodge them in time using the Disillusionment Charm.
During class time, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick both accepted Kyle's suggestion and sealed the classroom doors with spells, preventing the dwarves from entering.
According to students from other grades, there were also two petrified dwarves in the Potions classroom, positioned on either side of the underground classroom door, resembling a pair of tasteless statues.
Initially, everyone thought there was another attack, causing some panic, but they later learned that it was Snape's doing...a warning to the remaining dwarves to stay away from him.
As the morning's two classes passed, the frequency of dwarf sightings in the castle increased, indicating that they had completed their task.
By the end of the last Charms class, there were already three dwarves waiting for Kyle in the corridor.
Cedric was in a similar situation.
This forced them to take refuge in the Common Room for lunch.
"Someone must be causing trouble!"
Cedric stuffed a piece of toasted bread into his mouth and frowned, "There are so many people in Hogwarts, why are they always targeting us? There's definitely something wrong with this."
"Do you still need to think about it?" Kyle glanced at him and pointed towards the ceiling.
Cedric instantly understood and gritted his teeth, "Fred, George!"
No wonder he had felt a sense of familiarity with the content of the greeting cards; now it all made sense—it was the twins' style.
He had even felt guilty earlier, not realizing that the two of them had already started causing trouble. The five dwarves he encountered near the entrance hall in the morning were likely their doing.
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that someone wrote a greeting card as soon as he stepped out?
"It seems like we're on the same page," Kyle shrugged.
"Should we continue writing in the afternoon?" Cedric asked.
Kyle shook his head.
With a three-on-two advantage, their lead wasn't significant, and Fred and George loved chaos, whether it was their own or someone else's, which already put them in an unbeatable position.
Moreover, Professor Lockhart wouldn't agree to sealing the classroom door during the afternoon's Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
They couldn't very well use the Disillusionment Charm and the Invisibility Cloak in the classroom...
"Forget it, let's give them a break for now."
After some thought, Kyle decided not to engage in this pointless competition and instead focused his efforts on Professor Lockhart.
Furthermore, they had paid out of their own pockets to become enthusiastic admirers, offering a Galleon to anyone who wrote a greeting card for Professor Lockhart.
One Galleon per card, and twenty-nine cards for a total of twenty-nine Galleons.
The amount wasn't significant, but the task was simple, and by the time afternoon classes started, all fifty spots were taken.
...
Professor Lockhart was delighted, extremely delighted.
He had never imagined that after experiencing so many events, his number of admirers in Hogwarts would continue to grow...those over a thousand greeting cards were proof.
Even if he didn't have time for classes, what did it matter?
If possible, he would love to do this every day.
In the evening, Professor Lockhart strolled happily towards the Great Hall. On the way, he saw a group of professors gathered around the underground classroom passage, seemingly discussing something.
"What a lively gathering! Are you comparing the number of greeting cards you received?" he joined them, proudly saying, "Why wasn't I informed...oh, I suppose you've heard as well. I received over a thousand greeting cards..."
All the professors turned to glare at him.
Professor Lockhart was startled and blurted out, "Well, if you think it's unfair to compare with me, I won't participate...wait, why is there a dwarf here?"
He noticed a motionless dwarf among the professors.
But the problem was, thirty minutes ago, they should have completed the task and left the school.
"Ah... the problem solver has arrived," Snape said in a low voice, "As you can see, another attack has occurred, and now, your moment of glory has finally arrived."
Lockhart looked at the petrified dwarf on the ground, and his breathing quickened.
The dwarf lay in front of a suit of armor, stiff as a board, just like the previous victims of the attacks.
"No... this... how is this possible!" Lockhart stuttered, "Don't joke around... Professor Snape, I can tell at a glance that he's been petrified by a petrification curse... just like the one you placed at the entrance of the underground classroom."
"In fact," Snape glanced coldly at Lockhart, "I lifted their petrification curse three hours ago, or you can try it yourself. I think lifting the curse should be a piece of cake for you..."
"Of course... I'll definitely lift the curse." Lockhart stepped forward, waving his wand and muttering incantations.
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A muscle on Professor McGonagall's cheek twitched. In her many years of life, she had seen a lot, but she had never heard such a bizarre incantation... It was as if he had made it up on the spot.
She even doubted that if Lockhart were to say it again, it wouldn't be exactly the same as before.
Lockhart performed for nearly a minute, and as expected, the petrified dwarf showed no signs of recovery.
"Oh, so the Wogwarts Secret Technique doesn't work either?" Lockhart put away his wand, "I learned this from an old wizard during my travels. It can lift almost any curse."
"Oh?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"I know what you're thinking, Professor Snape." Lockhart sighed, "I was deceived. Obviously, that guy hasn't seen the outside world."
"It's alright, the Mandrakes are almost mature, and they'll recover soon."
Professor Sprout said, "But, Gilderoy, didn't you say on the first day of school who the heir was?
So go and find him out, that's the most important thing."
"Yes... you're right... I know..." Lockhart started to panic.
If he knew who the heir was, he would have publicized it long ago. Why wait until now? Isn't Dumbledore the most powerful wizard? How could he not have solved the Chamber of Secrets after such a long vacation?
This was not what Lockhart had expected!
Lockhart stammered, unable to speak, and the other professors ignored him.
Professor Flitwick sent the dwarf to the Hospital Wing.
The other professors also stood up and left one by one.
No one paid attention to Lockhart, as if he had never existed.
"The situation is getting more serious," Professor McGonagall said, looking at the bustling Great Hall in the distance, "Before the students get hurt, we must find a way to resolve this matter."
"But the problem is, who is it?" Snape asked, "We've searched the entire castle, but found nothing."
"Let's wait a little longer, it's almost time."
Professor Sprout whispered, "Wait another month... no, the Mandrakes are getting more excited. In less than a month, they'll want to repot again.
Those who were petrified must have seen something. Once they wake up, we'll know if the monster is human or something else."
"You're right, Pomona," Professor McGonagall said heavily, "But a month is too long. We can't guarantee what will happen during this time. Regardless, I must speak to the students."
(End of Chapter)
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