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Chapter 783: Stirring Up Trouble
Chapter 783: Stirring Up Trouble
The Prophet was extensively covering the escape of the Griffin, portraying the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in a comical light. Rita Skeeter further fueled the fire by insinuating that the committee had deliberately set the Griffin free. Now, everyone knew that the clever creature had escaped unnoticed from under their noses in less than ten seconds.
"Anything interesting in the paper?" Ron took the Prophet from Harry and began reading the headline.
"Not really. The Ministry still hasn't found Buckbeak," Harry said, pausing as if he'd just thought of something. "But they seem to suspect Hagrid of secretly unlocking the chains and letting Buckbeak loose."
"They're just looking for a scapegoat," Hermione said sharply. "I bet that if it weren't for Dumbledore vouching for Hagrid, he might have already been sent to Azkaban by the Ministry. Plus, the paper doesn't mention a word about the Ministry officials accepting bribes."
"Don't get upset, Hermione," Harry said in a consoling tone. "At least Buckbeak isn't dead."
What Harry didn't know was that Lucius Malfoy had requested the Ministry to administer a Veritaserum test on him to prove his innocence regarding the Griffin's escape, but the Minister had vetoed the idea.
After all, using Legilimency or Veritaserum on Harry would expose all his secrets.
However, the Ministry's so-called "laws" clearly didn't permit the blatant misuse of such substances, especially not on the savior of the wizarding world.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione, who was packing her things.
"There's a D.A. gathering today. Do you want to come?" Hermione finished packing and prepared to leave. "I think it's practice against Bogarts."
"Wait for me," Harry said, eager to join her. He had long since lost interest in doing holiday homework and quickly gathered his things to accompany Hermione to the gathering.
"What about Ron?" Hermione asked.
"I guess I'll come too," Ron said, stuffing the rolled-up newspaper into his bag. He decided to join Harry and Hermione for the eight o'clock gathering.
Before heading to the gathering, the trio returned to their dormitory to drop off their bags and then rushed to a corridor on the seventh floor of the castle.
Upon their arrival, they were startled by the crowded and noisy corridor.
"There sure are a lot of people here," Ron commented as they made their way through the throng.
"Indeed, a lot of people are interested in joining the D.A. gathering," Hermione noted, counting the students gathered on the seventh-floor corridor, which numbered over a hundred.
This was, in part, thanks to the enigmatic figure known as the "Mysterious Man."
Many students curious about his appearance had flocked to the gathering, hoping to catch a glimpse of his face during the Bogart practice.
Additionally, Albert's D.A. group was open to others, and he had quite a few admirers himself.
"I see quite a few Slytherins here, and they don't look like they're up to any good," Ron added, recognizing several familiar faces from the rival house.
"Look over there," Harry said, pointing at Malfoy, who was talking to someone at the edge of the corridor.
Ron followed Harry's finger and blinked, wondering if he was seeing things.
Indeed, it was Mr. Malfoy, who had suffered from diarrhea and lacked toilet paper.
Fortunately for him, he had encountered an acquaintance who provided him with some toilet paper, sparing him from a potential disaster.
Frankly, Harry felt that disruptive students like Malfoy shouldn't be allowed to attend the gathering, especially considering his disdain for Muggle-born wizards. It was odd that he would show up here.
"Everyone, quiet down!" Albert emerged from the passage behind the portrait, addressing the rowdy crowd in the corridor. "I think many of you don't know why we're gathered here."
"To learn Dark Magic Defense?" someone suggested.
"To practice against Bogarts?" another voice chimed in.
The crowd buzzed with various speculations.
"Unfortunately, this is actually a remedial class for the O.W.L. Defense Against the Dark Arts exam," Albert announced.
Albert created a piercing, earsplitting blast with the tip of his wand, causing everyone to cover their ears. Only after the noise died down did the crowd gradually quieten.
"The reason we're gathered here is to help fifth-years achieve good results in the upcoming O.W.L.s Defense Against the Dark Arts exam," Albert began, ensuring everyone understood the purpose of the gathering. "I don't want any misunderstandings or confusion."
Murmurs filled the air as students whispered amongst themselves.
"Of course, we don't refuse anyone who wants to get a head start on understanding the O.W.L.s Defense Against the Dark Arts exam," Albert continued, pausing briefly before adding, "But there are a few things you should know: the content of this gathering will prioritize fifth-years. If you wish to participate, no disruptions are allowed. If you don't like it, you can quietly leave. Lastly, if anyone deliberately causes trouble, I'm sure there will be others willing to stop them from wasting our precious time. Think it over before you enter."
With that, Albert turned and entered the room, leaving the students outside to whisper amongst themselves.
Most of the fifth-years followed him in, having initially been slightly resentful of Albert for letting others join. However, his words had clearly established the ground rules, and they trusted that he had everything under control.
They wondered if a Bogart would appear in the practical exam.
They had, of course, asked the sixth and seventh-years about this.
And the answer was yes.
No one wanted to miss out on the opportunity to face a Bogart due to the actions of a few troublemakers.
Driven by curiosity, many students were eager to see what the gathering was all about.
After all, they had heard that the previous gathering had been fun, and they wanted to experience it for themselves.
As a result, quite a few students ventured into the room, making the already expanded space feel a bit cramped.
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Fifth-years, line up over here," Albert instructed.
"Can't we participate?" someone asked, unable to contain their curiosity.
"There are too many of you, and our time is limited," Albert explained.
"Then what's the point of us being here?" the same person complained, voicing the sentiment of many students.
"The door is over there," Fred and George chimed in, their smiles devoid of warmth. "No one is forcing you to stay. If you don't like it, you can leave. The door is right there."
"I'd like to see you try to make me..." the student began, but his voice trailed off as his body stiffened.
"Sorry, everyone, make way. We need to escort this fellow out," Fred said, walking towards the fallen student.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Many students were taken aback, not expecting them to resort to physical force.
"Sending him on his way, of course," George replied casually.
"Once again, no one is forcing you to be here. If you want to leave, the door is right there," Albert's voice rang out, carrying a hint of authority. "If you choose to disrupt our gathering, we will throw you out."
"I'd like to see who throws whom out," a defiant voice challenged.
Several students hiding in the crowd took the opportunity to cast nasty hexes at Albert, but their spells were deflected before they could reach him, leaving the would-be assailants stunned.
"Wh-what...?"
Before the Slytherin student could react, he was struck by multiple spells and collapsed to the ground. Others who had been egging him on were also 'taken care of', creating chaos in the room.
Of course, most of the time, students from other houses took the opportunity to get back at their Slytherin counterparts.
As a result, the majority of those who were knocked out were Slytherins, with only a handful of level-headed individuals escaping unscathed by keeping their distance from the conflict.
"If you don't like it, don't force yourself to stay. Causing trouble comes with a price. Why is that so hard to understand?" Fred and George hauled the unconscious Slytherin out into the corridor, and others followed suit, soon creating a pile of Slytherin students lying in the hallway. Whether they were innocent or not, it was simply their bad luck.
"Alright, now that the troublemakers are gone, let's continue. Try to figure out how to deal with the Bogarts," Albert said, returning to the front of the room where the Bogart box was kept.
(End of Chapter)
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