Chapter 636: The Real Dark Arts Classroom
Chapter 636: The Real Dark Arts Classroom
After being kicked out of class by Snape, Kyle didn't rush off. Instead, he pressed his ear against the door again, earning a curious glance from Connor.
All he could hear, however, was a buzzing sound, as if a swarm of Billywigs were flying inside.
This was the effect of the Muffliato spell.
"Darn it, not even a shred of trust left," Kyle muttered.
He knew he wasn't going to hear any juicy gossip today.
With no other choice, Kyle left the underground classroom with Connor, sharing his suspicions along the way.
"That's unlikely..." Connor hesitated, "but why would Professor Snape use the Forgetfulness Spell on Umbridge?"
Although she knew that Snape could be a bit harsh in his interactions with professors he didn't get along with, like Lupin or Sirius, he had never resorted to violence.
Even when facing Sirius, they resorted to mutual sarcasm without ever getting physical, let alone underhanded tactics.
After all, they were all professors, and this was Hogwarts; they couldn't afford to act too outrageously, no matter how angry they became.
"I don't think I'm wrong," Kyle said, glancing back at the distant underground classroom. "As for why Professor Snape would do that, perhaps Umbridge said something overboard... It's not unusual for her."
Kyle had intended to wait a little longer, curious to see if Snape would cast the Forgetfulness Spell on Umbridge again.
However, as no one emerged from the classroom and their next class with Professor Sprout was about to start, he had to temporarily suppress his curiosity and head toward the greenhouses outside the castle with Connor.
That evening at dinner, the atmosphere in the Great Hall was peculiar. Some students seemed to be eagerly anticipating something, displaying an unusual level of excitement.
Fred even accidentally set off a Fireball spell, sending a lion-shaped spark running and jumping across the ceiling. This frightened some of the younger students, who screamed and dodged, knocking over several cups of pumpkin juice.
Fred paid the price for his mischief, as a furious Professor McGonagall deducted twenty points from Gryffindor.
In contrast, Cedric, who had been tense for several days, was unusually calm, a stark change from his previous demeanor.
"Aren't you nervous?" Kyle asked.
"It's strange," Cedric said, scooping some corn soup, "I was so nervous at lunch that I couldn't eat. But after class just now, I suddenly felt fine.
"We've prepared for a long time, considered all possible scenarios, and made the necessary arrangements. So, why should I be nervous?"
"It's good that you think that way," Kyle said.
He noticed that Cedric and Harry seemed to be in opposite states. While Harry had been acting normally in the past few days, he was now tense and dazed, not touching his food. Not even Fred's accidental fireworks display could capture his attention.
Cedric, on the other hand, became more relaxed as the crucial moment approached.
"Are you going to the Room of Requirement tonight?" Cedric asked. "At noon today, everyone who decided to study Dark Arts Defense on their own signed a magical contract.
Under the influence of magic, they can't reveal what happens in the Room of Requirement to others, so you don't have to worry about Umbridge finding out."
"In that case... alright then.
Kyle had to admit that while Professor Lockhart's character was not admirable, he had taught them a very useful spell, especially for situations like this, which could solve a lot of problems.
At half-past seven, Kyle, Connor, and Cedric left the Hufflepuff common room and made their way towards the Room of Requirement.
"I asked beforehand, and the house-elves can't take us to the eighth floor. We'll have to go in batches," Cedric explained.
He glanced at the fruit-painted portrait at the end of the corridor and added, "Unless they have the Headmaster's permission, they can't use magic in front of students."
"Then why don't you go and get permission from Professor Dumbledore?" Kyle suggested.
"Are you joking?" Cedric gave him a look. "What we're doing tonight will violate at least ten school rules. How can we possibly tell the Headmaster? He definitely won't approve."
"That's not necessarily true," Kyle argued. "You're doing this to learn, right? I'm sure the Headmaster wouldn't mind giving you a little privilege."
"Well... let's forget about it." After hesitating for a moment, Cedric shook his head.
As a typical Hufflepuff, he had a soft spot for Headmaster Dumbledore and had never considered breaking the rules right under his nose.
Perhaps the only person in all of Hogwarts who would dare to have such thoughts and actually act on them was Kyle.
When they reached the eighth floor, there was already a door in front of the silly Barnabas the Barmy tapestry.
Cedric knocked three times, then pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Within, they found Hermione, Harry, Ron, Fred, and George.
Upon seeing Kyle with them, Ron's expression darkened, and he was about to say something when Fred and George eagerly greeted them.
"I knew you'd come, mate," Fred said.
"Your plan is important, but it would be a shame to miss out on something this interesting," George added.
"You two... aren't you..." Ron stared at them, feeling his brain short-circuit.
Hadn't they fallen out with each other? Just a while ago, they were ignoring each other, and now they've made up so quickly?
However, Hermione, who was holding a book, wore an expression that said she had expected this.
She had guessed that Kyle and the others must have had a plan, but Ron was too dense to figure it out.
"But this is the first time we've seen you stand up for us like this..." Fred patted the stunned Ron.
"Yeah, it makes us feel bad about pranking you now..." George smiled.
Even Ron realized he had been tricked at this point.
He was Fred and George's younger brother, yet they had kept everything from him, watching him embarrass himself without saying a word...
This was too much! Ron felt betrayed, his face flushed with anger, and he silently vowed to never meddle in others' business again!
Seeing Ron's angry face, Fred and George laughed even harder.
Meanwhile, Kyle surveyed their surroundings.
The bookshelves in the room were filled with books related to Dark Magic Defense, ranging from simple to advanced levels, suitable for any grade level.
In addition, there were some special magical artifacts on the shelves, although they were all basic items like Sneakscopes, Probity Probes, and Revealer mirrors. Still, they could be quite useful.
(End of Chapter)
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