Chapter 333: Percy's Little Secret
Chapter 333: Percy's Little Secret
The Aurors thoroughly searched the office, taking away almost everything, including the paintings and autographed photos.
"Farewell, Professor McGonagall. We'll be on our way now," one of them said.
"I'd rather not see you here again, Harden," Professor McGonagall whispered.
"Sorry, Professor, but I have no choice," Harden replied with a smile. "But I'll soon become an Auror, and then I probably won't be back."
"Unless the school hires another Death Eater as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," he added jokingly.
But Professor McGonagall didn't find his joke amusing at all.
Death Eaters? Yes, there was one last year... and even their master showed up.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Harden turned and walked out of the office, with two Aurors escorting Lockhart behind him.
"Hey, where are you taking me?" Lockhart asked.
"Take it easy, don't walk so fast..."
"Oh, this is beautiful..."
Lockhart's voice echoed down the corridor.
Kyle watched his back, feeling a strange sense of being manipulated.
Lockhart must have received the news in advance and was waiting for the Ministry officials to arrive.
Kyle became more convinced of this as he thought about it.
No one would cast the Forgetfulness Charm on someone who was prepared. Usually, it was used in surprise attacks... Lockhart couldn't be unaware of this.
But as for erasing his memories to avoid judgment, it was hard to say if he was being clever or foolish.
After all, the cost of such an action was significant, and it was useless for minor matters and ineffective for major ones...
After Lockhart was taken away, news of his situation quickly spread throughout the school.
Lockhart was not the legendary adventurer he claimed to be; he had stolen others' experiences and passed them off as his own, making him a complete fraud.
Some of Lockhart's fans refused to believe it, but most others quickly accepted the truth.
It was unexpected yet inevitable, and his performance in class was the most convincing evidence.
"I told you he was a fraud," Ron boasted to Hermione at the end-of-year banquet. "You didn't believe me, but now it's proven I was right."
Hermione turned away, ignoring him.
But Ron continued to talk incessantly, thrilled that he had finally surpassed Hermione in some aspect.
So caught up in his triumph, he didn't notice Hermione's face growing darker by the moment.
Harry tried to remind him several times, but to no avail.
"Ron..."
Finally, an exasperated Hermione turned around, "You'll never see my homework again!"
With that, she switched places with Parvati Patil.
Ron sat there with his mouth agape, looking at Harry and muttering, "Do you think it's too late for me to apologize?"
Harry gave a dry laugh. He had known this would happen.
Soon, Dumbledore entered the Great Hall.
Due to the Chamber incident, Kyle once again received the Special Contribution Award, and Hufflepuff gained two hundred points.
This significant score allowed Hufflepuff to surpass Ravenclaw and win the House Cup.
The Hufflepuffs' cheers nearly shook the ceiling.
They never dreamed that their house would achieve a three-peat championship.
Professor Sprout was so excited that her face turned red. She shook hands with the other professors while straightening her new robe.
She had specially purchased this robe from Hogsmeade for today, and both the materials and craftsmanship were top-notch.
This is a significant day, as Hufflepuff has achieved a three-year championship streak... Professor Sprout doesn't mind spending a little money to look more presentable.
...
After the banquet, everyone begins to enjoy the most relaxed time of the year.
It seems like just a blink of an eye, and the exam results are out.
Due to a few mistakes in the Muggle Studies Exam, Kyle didn't get a perfect score, but he still achieved an unparalleled first place in his grade.
Fred and George also did well, with nearly half of their grades being 'O,' which is enough to keep Mrs. Weasley from nagging them during the holidays.
The next day, they will be taking the Hogwarts Express home.
As Kyle prepares to board the train, Professor McGonagall approaches him and hands him a note.
"This is from Professor Dumbledore," she says.
The note contains only a very brief sentence.
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"Your item has been sent, but Professor Snape seems a bit unhappy."
Kyle is a bit surprised, as he thought Professor Dumbledore would be engrossed in researching the Time Turner and forget about this matter.
"The Headmaster also asked me to tell you that the Chamber of Secrets incident is over," Professor McGonagall says. "He said you know what this means."
"I understand, Professor," Kyle nods.
Professor Dumbledore's meaning is simple; he doesn't want the Basilisk to appear in the school in any form.
"That's good," Professor McGonagall looks at Kyle, feeling a bit puzzled, but doesn't ask further.
Professor Dumbledore is always mysterious, and this is not the first time, so she is used to it.
"Don't forget about the essay; be sure to write it well," she reminds him again before returning to the castle.
When Kyle boards the train, Connie and Cedric have already found a compartment.
Ginny is there, and Fred and George are asking her about something.
"What did Percy just say to you..."
"What is he hiding from us and not allowing you to tell anyone..."
"It's nothing..." Ginny hesitates, "You must have misheard."
"Two cans of Pepperup Potion!" Fred holds up two fingers.
"But I promised Percy to keep it a secret..."
"Add a bag of Pepperup Potions!" George says, "And it's the new kind that can spray blue fire, which only we can get."
"It's nothing," Ginny quickly says, "It's just that Percy has a girlfriend."
Fred drops the Snapdragons on George's head.
"What?"
"She's a Ravenclaw Prefect, named Penelope Clearwater," Ginny says, "During last year's vacation, Percy kept writing letters to her, and yesterday I happened to see them secretly dating in an empty classroom."
"No wonder... He wouldn't lend us his owl no matter what," Fred says with a grin.
"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Ginny asks anxiously.
"Absolutely not!" George assures her, while secretly laughing.
After Ginny leaves, Fred and George whisper to each other for over half an hour before joining the others to play Snapdragons and Wizard's Chess.
The Hogwarts Express passes through fields of wheat and villages, gradually slowing down and stopping at King's Cross Station.
...
Thanks to FYZ331fot for the reward.
(End of Chapter)
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