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Chapter 974: Snape's Second Hearing
Chapter 974: Snape's Second Hearing
Ever since Vandarozier took over all matters related to Horcruxes, Kyle felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
He no longer needed to request leave from Professor McGonagall and continued his usual duty of ensuring the safety of students during exams, until the History of Magic exam concluded a few days later.
At Hogwarts, the History of Magic exam was traditionally the last one, a practice that applied to both the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams.
Early that morning, even Professor McGonagall arrived and occasionally appeared in the Great Hall to supervise all seventh-year students as they wrote their exam papers.
Despite Professor Machinban's repeated assurances that everything was normal and no different from previous exams, she couldn't calm down and would frequently return to check on the students after spending some time in the Headmaster's Office.
Once all the exam papers were collected, the Hogwarts Castle, which had been quiet for many days, erupted with waves of cheers and celebrations.
"No more homework from now on!" Ron stood by the window and forcefully threw his History of Magic book out.
"Ron!" Hermione glared at him from behind, "How could you do that?"
"It's fine," Ron shrugged, "Ginny already has a History of Magic book, so I don't need to keep this old one."
The Weasley family had many children, almost one in every grade, and sometimes a single book would be passed down through several siblings.
The History of Magic book Ron had just thrown out was one that Charlie had used.
The 'Advanced Transfiguration Guide' for sixth-year Transfiguration classes was also an old book originally belonging to Bill. By the time it reached Ron, the cover was already wrinkled and worn.
According to the Weasley family tradition, this book would have been passed down to Ginny, but Fred and George couldn't bear to see it and bought her a new one.
Hermione was aware of this.
"That's not what I meant!" she said irritably, but didn't scold Ron further.
A swarm of students poured out of the castle and onto the grounds outside.
Kyle was among them.
Conna had also come to Hogwarts today. Kyle watched as she poured a bottle of blue potion into the Black Lake and asked curiously, "Why did you suddenly decide to brew a mermaid tonic... Is this also a potion formula given to you by Headmistress Sascha?"
Kyle couldn't understand why Headmistress Sascha of St. Mungo's would have a potion formula for magical creature tonics, something Newt Scamander would be interested in. Could it be that St. Mungo's had a magical creature treatment department that he didn't know about?
"This isn't a tonic, it's the Gillblister Potion I brewed," Conna explained.
"What is the Gillblister Potion?" Kyle asked, furrowing his brows.
"Like the Gillwort, it's a potion that allows people to grow gills and webbed feet underwater, and the effects can last for half a day."
"Oh, I see," Kyle nodded in realization.
So it was an enhanced version of the Gillwort... similar to the White Fresh and Blood-Stopping Potion.
"Then why did you pour it into the Black Lake?" Kyle glanced at her, "Do you think the mermaids in the Black Lake need to grow another pair of gills?"
"That's because I... made a mistake..." Conna's voice grew softer as she spoke.
"Uncle Snape's storage room only had Gillwort after it was harvested. Although it can also be used to grow gills and webbed feet, it's obvious that brewing potions requires fresher ingredients."
Conna took out another bottle and poured the blue potion into the Black Lake.
"But Uncle Snape said that although this failed potion can't make wizards grow gills, it has many benefits for magical creatures living in the water."
"I happened to come to Hogwarts to see Professor McGonagall today, so I wanted to see the effects in the Black Lake."
Conna squatted by the Black Lake, observing the water.
The mermaids didn't appear, but the Giant Squid did. It was now sucking up the lake water from the shore as if it had seen a bottle of Firewhiskey and was drinking it like Sybil Trelawney.
Its reaction clearly showed that this failed potion was, in some sense, a success.
Conna quickly took notes on the Giant Squid's behavioral changes.
"Snape..." Kyle glanced at the castle behind him. "When did he leave Hogwarts?"
"It's been a long time, probably on the day the N.E.W.T. exams started," Conna said, "How come you didn't know?"
To be honest, Kyle didn't know. He had always assumed that Snape didn't want to face the students and professors, which was why he hadn't gone to the Great Hall for meals.
Moreover, he had been quite busy these past few days and couldn't keep an eye on Snape... Of course, even if he had nothing else to do, he wouldn't have watched Snape.
"You said you came to Hogwarts to see Professor McGonagall?"
Kyle deliberately changed the topic, "Is there something you need my help with?"
"No." Conna shook her head, "It's about the hearing. Yesterday, the Wizarding Council sent a letter to Uncle Snape, informing him of the date for the second hearing."
"Professor McGonagall mentioned that we should inform her once we receive the letter."
"When is it?"
"It's the day Hogwarts goes on holiday."
"Perfect, I'll go then too."
"Hmm."
The two chatted, and before long, Professor McGonagall walked out of the castle with the representatives from the Wizard Examinations Authority, seeing them off from Hogwarts.
Conna immediately went over.
She had arrived early, but at that time, the castle was still conducting History of Magic exams, so she didn't want to disturb Professor McGonagall and waited outside with Kyle.
Kyle watched as Professor McGonagall led Conna into the castle, but he didn't follow.
Regarding Snape's second hearing, there was little he could do to help, and even if he followed, it wouldn't make a difference.
"Kyle!" Hagrid approached from not too far away, "I'm taking Harry and the others to Hogsmeade for a drink of mead. Do you want to come along?"
As Hagrid drew closer, Kyle noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione following behind him.
Normally, even after exams, Hogwarts didn't allow students to leave school early to go elsewhere, including Hogsmeade.
But this year, they were all in their seventh year, and the school's restrictions on adult wizards were relatively more relaxed.
Moreover, with Hagrid accompanying them, even if Professor McGonagall found out, she wouldn't say anything.
"I'll pass." Kyle waved his hand, declining Hagrid's invitation.
Hagrid didn't mind and turned to lead the three towards the school gates.
"Kyle...um, Professor..."
After exams, it was always particularly lively. Just after sending Hagrid off, someone else came looking for him.
This time, it was Justin Finley from Hufflepuff, along with his inseparable friend McMilan, and Neville Longbottom from Gryffindor.
When Kyle was still a student, these people were his good friends, and Justin had even joined him several times for midnight snacks in the kitchen.
So even after Kyle became a professor, they still couldn't change the way they addressed him.
Running over, Justin eagerly asked, "We're planning a party, do you want to come along?"
"A party?" Kyle looked at him and then at Neville, "And it's for both houses?"
"You're going to the tower, or are you planning to have Gryffindor come to the kitchen... I must remind you that even though you're in DA, some things shouldn't be taken too far, or Professor McGonagall will still put you in detention before the holidays."
"No, it's not for both houses, it's for four... Well, to be precise, it's for three." McMilan stepped forward to explain, "And we guarantee that Professor McGonagall will never find out about this party."
"Because we're going to a place she'll never find." Justin said.
"DA's secret base."
"DA?" Kyle was a little dazed, "Dumbledore's Army?"
"Yes." Neville nodded, his face showing a hint of pride and confidence that he never had before.
"All the members who joined DA stayed during the last war, and we all kept our promise from back then."
After the war, Neville became much more confident. His grandmother, Mrs. Longbottom, once suspected that Neville was being impersonated and insisted on using the Revealing Charm on him.
Thankfully, Professor McGonagall stopped her in time.
"Yes." Justin said, "But... DA has now fulfilled its mission, and it's time to disband. We just want to celebrate one last time."
When DA was established, most of the participants were senior students. By the time Kyle graduated last year, the membership had decreased by nearly half, and after this year's graduation, it would decrease by another half.
The remaining members might not even reach ten, so there wasn't much difference from disbanding.
Of course, it was only a nominal disbandment.
At least for a long time afterward, they would all remember their unique identity and be proud of it.
After all, among the numerous clubs in Hogwarts, only DA had all its members participate in the war against Voldemort, and they even won.
"Including this party, only DA members are allowed to attend. Potter and Granger are buying butterbeer, and some people are setting up the party venue on the eighth floor."
"So come along, I'm sure this will be the most lively party." Justin invited again.
This time, Kyle didn't refuse, only saying that he might go and check it out later.
The three of them looked cheerful and, after chatting with Kyle for a while, they quickly returned to the castle.
At that moment, Conna also happened to come out from the castle.
"What did Professor McGonagall say?"
"She said she'd be going to the Ministry of Magic that day and told me not to worry."
"You really don't need to worry," Kyle smiled. Professor McGonagall had handed over all the 'Horcruxes' to the Ministry, so they wouldn't possibly make things difficult for Snape.
"Professor Snape... He let you come alone?"
Conna sighed, "He doesn't want to go out."
"Ever since the last hearing ended, the Aurors have been watching his every move. Uncle Snape doesn't want to see them, so I came instead."
"Are the Aurors... being troublesome?" Kyle asked.
He suddenly thought of Kingsley, the current head of the Auror Office, with whom he had a decent relationship. Moreover, due to the 'Horcruxes', he had always felt ashamed. If he went to Kingsley, perhaps he could get the surveillance on Snape lifted.
Originally, after the 'Horcruxes' were handed over, this second hearing had become a mere formality. Even if Snape was foolish, he wouldn't possibly try to escape at this time.
But Snape clearly disliked the Aurors' surveillance, and Kyle was happy about his unhappiness.
So, Kyle had been hesitating about whether to go to Kingsley.
"It's a bit troublesome," Conna said softly. "Every time Uncle Snape sees the Aurors outside the window, his mood gets really bad. Although he's never said anything, I can tell."
"Oh..." Kyle's lips curled slightly, then quickly returned to normal.
"Is that all?" he asked.
"Also, I can't buy the materials I need," Conna thought for a moment. "Some of the ingredients for the potions I'm studying aren't available in Diagon Alley. I have to go to some... less safe places to get them."
"But with the Aurors watching, Uncle Snape can't possibly go, and he insists on not telling me the address."
"I see," Kyle said, his thoughts wavering a little.
Although Snape's bad mood was pleasant news, Kyle hadn't expected it to affect Conna as well.
Indeed, brewing potions, especially complex ones, required those prohibited trade materials.
As a Potion Master, Snape naturally had his own connections, though they were probably not very legitimate.
Conna didn't know what Kyle was thinking. She continued, walking and talking, "I searched for fresh gillwort in Diagon Alley for a long time but couldn't find it. Uncle Snape also refuses to tell me where to buy it."
"Wait," Kyle suddenly stopped Conna. "The potion you need is gillwort?"
"Yes," Conna nodded. "It's so hard to find, especially unharvested ones. They don't exist in Britain. I'd have to go to the Mediterranean, but I can't go that far."
"Who said that?" Kyle laughed and grabbed Conna.
"Come with me."
He ran quickly towards the wooden hut, and Conna had to follow since she was being pulled.
Once they returned to the hut, Kyle didn't say anything. Instead, he placed the box on the ground, opened it, and jumped right in.
"Kyle, you..."
Conna, who was completely confused, didn't have time to ask before Kyle disappeared.
She had no choice but to jump into the box as well.
After that, Kyle took her straight to the only lake in the box and stopped at a spot with several empty flower pots. This place used to be full of mandrakes, but now only a few remained.
"Kyle, why did you bring me here?" Conna finally found an opportunity to speak.
"You wanted fresh gillwort, didn't you?" Kyle took out his wand and pointed it at the water's surface. "Look at these. Aren't these what you want..."
The water parted, revealing a mermaid eating below.
Conna blinked in confusion, not understanding why Kyle was showing her the mermaid until she noticed what it was biting—a coral-like plant.
"Gillwort..." she exclaimed, her eyes wide.
The water plant with coral-like roots and grass-like leaves was the original form of gillwort, and there was quite a lot of it.
There was a large patch of it at the bottom of the lake.
"You... you said this plant was hard to cultivate on a large scale in Britain?"
"I don't know."
Kyle shrugged, "I bought this thing from Diagon Alley, then I threw it here and forgot about it. If it weren't for the mermaid, I might not have known there was such a large patch of gillwort at the bottom of the lake."
...
(End of Chapter)
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