Chapter 958: Snape's Hearing
Chapter 958: Snape's Hearing
The following day was the weekend, the first weekend after Hogwarts reopened. Despite having only attended one day of classes, the students eagerly anticipated their much-needed break.
Perhaps to quickly dispel the impact of Voldemort, this time, it was a Hogsmeade weekend.
Early in the morning, students from third year and above eagerly gathered in the entrance hall, waiting for the professors to lead them out.
"It's been so long since we last visited Hogsmeade," Ron asked excitedly in the crowd.
"I can't quite remember," Harry pondered for a moment, "It seems like ever since Voldemort became active, we haven't been allowed to leave the school."
"That's right. It was for our safety," Hermione said, "Death Eaters might be hiding in Hogsmeade, which isn't as safe as the school."
"Yeah, it was so stifling back then," Seamus, who was standing in front, turned and said, "But now it's better. Voldemort is defeated, and the Death Eaters are too busy to dare come out again, haha..."
"Indeed," someone added, "Zizzing Honeydukes, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans... I almost forgot their taste."
"And Zonko's, I hope they've reopened," another student said.
"The Galleons I have are itching to be spent," a third chimed in.
The students stood together, chatting excitedly about whether to buy candies first or head straight to The Three Broomsticks for a long-awaited Butterbeer.
Meanwhile, the younger students in the first and second years could only watch from the sidelines.
First and second years were not allowed to go to Hogsmeade. Not even the war could change this rule.
"Oh, why haven't the professors arrived yet..." Complaints echoed through the crowd.
"Quiet down, everyone gather here!" Filch appeared with a special instrument, scanning each passing student.
This instrument was used to detect Dark artifacts. Before Voldemort's attack on Hogwarts, every young wizard entering or leaving the castle had to undergo this inspection.
Although Voldemort had been defeated, the professors had not yet made a clear ruling, and Filch had not canceled this step.
After all, this was one of the few opportunities he had to cause trouble for the students.
Filch's actions were as rough as ever, which only increased the complaints from the crowd.
Fortunately, at this moment, the professor they had been waiting for finally entered the castle.
"Why are you all still standing here? Quickly form a line outside and prepare to depart," Kyle waved his hand.
He was the professor in charge this time.
The other professors had more important matters to attend to, and only he, with the most free time, took on this task to avoid potential trouble.
"Wait, the inspection isn't finished yet!" Filch shouted as he saw the students starting to move outside.
"There's no need for the inspection," Kyle glanced at him, "And as for that antique you're holding, I suggest you put it back in the warehouse. After that, students can enter and exit the castle freely as usual, without any checks... Well, that's it."
A cheer erupted from the crowd.
Filch's face turned ashen, but he had no choice but to comply.
Although Kyle was also a student who had to undergo inspections before entering the castle last year, his status had now changed to that of a professor.
Even if he was a professor with the fewest students, like Professor Tiberius, his words carried more weight.
However, Filch wasn't going to let it go.
"I'll go find the Headmaster!" he said coldly.
"Go ahead if you can find him," Kyle waved dismissively, and another cheer rose from the crowd.
After that, everyone followed Kyle and left the school, chattering excitedly as they arrived in Hogsmeade.
When they saw the distant pointed cottages, some students instinctively broke away from the group and ran ahead.
Seeing that Kyle didn't stop them, more students left the group, and by the time they reached the village entrance, only a few disciplined third-year students remained.
"As a reward for following the rules..." Kyle looked at them and suddenly raised an eyebrow, "If you go to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and mention my name, you'll get a 20% discount."
"Awesome!"
"You're the best professor!"
...
The young wizards cheered and ran off, leaving only one person standing there.
"Hermione, do you have something else?"
"Is this the reward you mentioned?" She had a strange expression on her face.
"Yes, don't you like it?"
"But Ron told me that today is the opening day for Fred and George's new branch," she said.
Hermione looked at Kyle and said word for word, "Even without mentioning your name, everything is 20% off..."
"But they're happy, aren't they?" Kyle shrugged, "I suggest you go and buy something too... Oh, remember to mention my name, and you'll see the difference."
After that, Kyle didn't wait for Hermione to say anything else and walked ahead on his own, arriving at The Three Broomsticks.
He had just been there with Headmistress Saxia yesterday, and now he was back again.
Upon entering, Kyle scanned the area and quickly found Kanna sitting at a round table near the window, having arrived early.
Across from her sat Cedric and Autumn.
"Don't worry, I inquired, and Professor Snape, the Aurors didn't give him a hard time." Cedric handed Kanna a piece of parchment, "He asked me to give this to you."
Kanna took it and glanced at it, slightly relieved, "Then when will he be back?"
"I don't know about that."
Cedric shook his head, "Some things can't be explained in a few words... You know, when the last Wizarding War ended, many Death Eaters escaped punishment with excuses like the Imperius Curse, but this time they were all proven to be lying."
"Of course, I'm not saying Professor Snape is a Death Eater, I just mean the Ministry's scrutiny has tightened."
"I understand." Kanna nodded.
At this moment, Kyle happened to walk by.
"Weren't we supposed to meet at eight? Why are you all here so early?"
"If you check the time now, you'll see we're not early." Cedric replied with a hint of annoyance.
True to Kyle's character, he was ten minutes late yet boldly claimed they had arrived too early.
"Maybe it's because it's my first time bringing students to Hogsmeade, so I took a little longer..." Kyle took a sip of the butterbeer Mrs. Rosmerta sent over, "Plus, keeping them in order is quite a task."
"Maintaining order... Are you sure?" Cedric looked at Kyle doubtfully.
He remembered how Kyle, as a Prefect, had offloaded most of the work onto him.
Cedric didn't think that becoming a professor would change Kyle's habit.
"It doesn't matter." Kyle waved his hand, taking the initiative to change the subject, "So, how about the hearing you mentioned in your letter yesterday, regarding Professor Snape?"
"I've already told Kanna about the details." Cedric said, clearly not intending to repeat it for Kyle.
Or rather, there was no need.
He had come to see Kanna this time, after all, the hearing about Professor Snape had little to do with Kyle... At least, not for now.
However, Autumn, sitting next to him, suddenly became tense upon seeing Kyle.
"Sorry, yesterday at St. Mungo's, we kept you waiting outside..." She said apologetically, "I just felt embarrassed, not being able to participate in the real war."
"No, you're wrong." Kyle looked at her earnestly, "You participated in a war as well, just on a different battlefield."
"You don't need to comfort me..." Autumn fidgeted with her hair, "The Death Eaters in the Ministry, they can't even cast a decent Dark Curse.
"Oh dear, and I'm a Ravenclaw..."
"Yes, you should have been sorted into Hufflepuff." Kyle said, unable to hold back a laugh.
As if remembering something, Autumn also laughed.
Looking at the three people before her, she sighed, "Mediocrity, that's probably the biggest misunderstanding all wizards have about Hufflepuff."
Cedric, the top graduate of his year, had achieved full marks in all ten N.E.W.T. exams.
Kanna, also with ten certificates, was the youngest member of the Exceptional Potioneers Association.
As for Kyle, he was even more impressive, a graduate who could take on Voldemort, the youngest professor at Hogwarts, and a recipient of the Second Class Order of Merlin... His titles alone could take five minutes to recite.
And they were all mediocre Hufflepuff students.
"Let's continue talking about the hearing." Cedric took the opportunity to steer the conversation back to Professor Snape, sharing some details of the hearing with Kanna.
As noon approached, the group finally left the Three Broomsticks.
At Kyle's suggestion, they headed to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes (Branch Store), located near the entrance.
After Fred and George's tireless efforts, they successfully acquired Zonko's and opened a branch store next to Hogwarts.
"I knew you'd be fine." Kyle said as he exited the classroom, just as Professor McGonagall returned, scrutinizing him before nodding slightly. "I believe you'd excel as a Transfiguration professor as well."
"I still have much to learn, Professor. Ancient Runes is more my forte." Kyle politely declined Professor McGonagall's offer.
He glanced at the parchment in Professor McGonagall's hand.
"Professor, what's that?"
"I've compiled some information based on my memories regarding Severus' actions. It might be useful for the hearing."
"Snape's hearing?" Kyle was taken aback.
"Yes."
"When is it?"
"I'm heading to the Ministry of Magic right now," Professor McGonagall said, "I received the letter this morning. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked you to cover my class."
"Can I come along?" Kyle asked.
"You can, but did you receive an invitation?" Professor McGonagall took out an envelope with the emblem of the Wizengamot on it.
"No," Kyle shook his head honestly. He had just learned about the hearing and wouldn't have received an invitation.
"In that case, I suggest it's better for you to remain at Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall whispered, "This hearing is quite formal, and only those with invitations are allowed to attend. So, even if you came to the Ministry, you'd have to wait outside."
"What about my Second Class Order of Merlin?" Kyle blinked, puzzled. "As a member of the Order of Merlin, like the Wizengamot, I should be able to attend any hearing or trial."
"Second Class... Oh, I forgot." Professor McGonagall tapped her forehead.
It had been a long time, and she had almost forgotten about Kyle's honor.
Being a member of the Order of Merlin was one of the highest honors for a wizard, and even a Third Class Order holder was qualified to attend any hearing. Kyle's Second Class Order made it even more so.
"Then let's go together." Professor McGonagall didn't refuse anymore. "Miss Prince is probably anxious, so we'd better hurry."
"Okay."
This time, Professor McGonagall didn't change the Hogwarts restriction but left with Kyle.
In front of the main gate, the two used Apparition to travel from Hogwarts to the Ministry of Magic.
As soon as they appeared, Kanna, who had been waiting, rushed over.
"Professor McGonagall... Kyle, you're here too."
Seeing Kyle following behind, her eyes lit up, and she subconsciously walked towards him.
"Relax, we have ample evidence." Kyle took Kanna's hand, "But you should have told me earlier. If I hadn't met Professor McGonagall, I wouldn't have known the hearing had already started."
"Hmm..." Kanna didn't speak but held Kyle's hand back.
"Ladies, I apologize for the possible inconvenience, but we should hurry." Professor McGonagall couldn't help but glance at the two.
No wonder Kyle insisted on coming along.
However, Kanna seemed to have genuinely calmed down.
"The letter I received mentioned that the hearing is on the second floor." Kanna took out a folded parchment from her pocket.
"Second floor... which courtroom?" Kyle asked.
"Courtroom Two." Professor McGonagall said.
"That's good." Kyle nodded. There were ten courtrooms in the Ministry, and the lower the number, the less serious the matter.
"We have sufficient evidence regarding Severus' identity, so they can't mess around." Professor McGonagall said, still appearing slightly dissatisfied.
"They said Courtroom One is still under repair... Nonsense, after such a long time, they could have rebuilt the entire Ministry, yet they can't fix a small courtroom?"
"This is fine."
"Let's hurry, or they might pull some other tricks..." She still remembered from a few years ago when Harry was on trial, the Ministry had switched courtrooms.
At that time, Kyle seemed to have been tricked into coming to the Ministry as well.
Although the current Minister, Amelia Bones, was more rule-abiding than Cornelius Fudge, Professor McGonagall still felt it was better to be cautious.
After all, they no longer had Dumbledore to back them up.
The three took the elevator to the second floor.
"Minerva, Kanna, you're finally here."
Mr. Weasley had been waiting and immediately greeted them as the elevator doors opened.
"Oh, Kyle? Did you receive an invitation too?"
"No, but I have a Second Class Order of Merlin, so I can attend."
"Oh... right, that's correct." Mr. Weasley paused for a moment before exclaiming.
It was evident that, like Professor McGonagall, he had overlooked Kyle's honor.
It had been a long time, and with Kyle occasionally making headlines with his accomplishments, it was understandable that they might forget.
"How is it, Arthur? Any issues?" Professor McGonagall asked as she stepped out of the elevator.
"This time, it's in Courtroom Two." Mr. Weasley said, "I've been keeping an eye on it. Since it's not early yet, many people haven't arrived, but Minister Bones is already here."
...
(End of Chapter)
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