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Chapter 974: The Second Hearing
Chapter 974: The Second Hearing
Ever since Vandar Rozier took over everything related to the Horcruxes, Kyle felt a sense of relief.
He no longer needed to request leave from Professor McGonagall and continued his usual duty of ensuring the safety of the exam students until the History of Magic exam concluded a few days later.
As was customary at Hogwarts, the History of Magic exam marked the final test, a tradition that applied to both O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. examinations.
Early that morning, even Professor McGonagall made an appearance, occasionally supervising the Great Hall where all seventh-year students were writing their exam papers.
Despite Professor Machinban repeatedly assuring that everything was normal and no different from previous exams, she couldn't calm down and kept checking in from the Headmaster's Office.
After all the exam papers were collected, the Hogwarts Castle, which had been quiet for many days, erupted in a burst of intermittent cheers.
"No more homework from now on!" Ron stood by the window, forcefully tossing his History of Magic book out.
"Ron!" Hermione glared at him from behind, "How could you do that?"
"Ah, it's fine." Ron shrugged, "Ginny already has a History of Magic book, so I don't need to keep the old one."
The Weasley family had many children, and almost every grade had one, and sometimes a book could be passed down through several siblings.
For example, the History of Magic book Ron had just thrown out was previously used by Charlie.
The Advanced Transfiguration Guide for sixth-year Transfiguration class was also left by Bill, and 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 generously bought Ginny all new books.
Hermione was also aware of this.
"That's not what I meant!" She said irritably, but didn't accuse Ron further.
A large number of students poured out of the castle and onto the grounds outside.
Kyle was among them.
Conna also came to Hogwarts today, and Kyle watched her pour a bottle of blue potion into the Black Lake, asking curiously:
"Why did you suddenly think of brewing a mermaid tonic... Is this also a potion formula given to you by Headmistress Sylva?"
Kyle couldn't understand why Sylva, as the Headmistress of St. Mungo's, would have a potion formula for magical creatures, something that only Newt would be interested in.
Did St. Mungo's have a magical creature treatment that Kyle didn't know about?
"This isn't a tonic, it's the gill sac potion I brewed." Conna explained.
"Gill sac potion, what is that?" Kyle asked with a frown.
"Like the gill sac herb, it's a potion that allows people to grow gills and webbed feet underwater, and it can last for half a day."
"I see." Kyle nodded in realization.
So that's what it was, an enhanced version of the gill sac herb... similar to the white fresh and healing potion.
"Then why did you pour it into the Black Lake?" Kyle glanced at her, "Do you think the mermaids in the Black Lake and need another pair of gills?"
"That's because I... made a mistake..." Conna's voice became much softer as she spoke.
"In Uncle Snape's storage room, there were only post-harvest gill sac herbs, and although they could also grow gills and webbed feet after ingestion, it was clear that brewing potions required fresher ingredients."
Conna took out another long-necked bottle and poured the blue potion into the Black Lake.
"But Uncle Snape said that although this failed potion couldn't make a wizard grow gills, it had many benefits for magical creatures living in water.
"I happened to come to Hogwarts to find Professor McGonagall today, so I wanted to see the effect in the Black Lake."
Conna crouched by the Black Lake, watching the lake water.
The mermaids didn't come, but the giant squid did. It was now sucking up the lakeside water like Sybill Trelawney seeing Sherry wine.
From its reaction, it wasn't hard to tell that this failed product was, in a 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 began." Conna said, "You didn't know?"
To be honest, Kyle didn't know. He had always thought 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 lately and couldn't keep an eye on Snape all the time... Of course, even if he had nothing to do, he wouldn't be watching Snape.
"You just said you came to Hogwarts to find Professor McGonagall?"
"Kyle deliberately changed the subject, 'Is there something you need help with?'
'No,' Conna shook her head, 'It's about the hearing, yesterday the Wizengamot sent a letter to Professor Snape regarding the time of the second hearing.'
'Professor McGonagall mentioned that we should inform her once we receive the letter.'
'When is it?'
'It's the same day as the Hogwarts holiday.'
'Perfect, I'll be there too.'
'Yeah.'
Before long, Professor McGonagall and the representatives from the Ministry of Magic's Examination Department walked out of the castle, seeing them off as they left Hogwarts.
Conna immediately went over.
She had arrived much earlier, but 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 Professor Snape's second hearing, he could only offer limited help, and following them wouldn't be of much use.
'Kyle!' Hagrid approached from not too far away, 'I'm taking Harry and the others to Hogsmeade for a drink of honey wine, do you want to come along?'
As Hagrid drew closer, Kyle noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione following behind him.
Normally, even after exams, Hogwarts doesn't allow students to leave school early to go elsewhere, including Hogsmeade.
But they are all in their seventh year this year, and the school's restrictions on adult wizards are 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 trio towards the school gates.
'Kyle... um, Professor...'
After the exams, it was always particularly lively. Just after sending Hagrid off, someone else approached.
This time, it was a group of seventh-year students, led by Justin Finley from Hufflepuff, his inseparable companion McMillan, and Neville from Gryffindor.
When Kyle was still a student, these were his good friends, and Justin had even joined him for midnight snacks in the kitchen several times.
So even after Kyle became a professor, they still couldn't change their way of addressing him.
Running over from a distance, Justin eagerly asked, 'We're planning a party, will you join us?'
'A party?' Kyle looked at him and then at Neville, 'Is it for both houses?'
'Are you going to the Tower or are you bringing Gryffindor to the kitchen... I must remind you that even graduates should not go overboard, or Professor McGonagall can 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.' McMillan stepped forward, 'And we assure you, this party will definitely not be discovered by Professor McGonagall.'
'Because we're going to a place she'll never find.' Justin said.
'The DA's secret base.'
'DA?' Kyle was a bit dazed, 'Dumbledore's Army?'
'That's right.' Neville nodded, his face showing a hint of pride and confidence that he never had before.
'All the members who joined the DA stayed behind during the war, and each of us kept our promise.'
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.
Fortunately, Professor McGonagall stopped her in time.
'Yeah.' Justin said, 'But... the DA has now successfully completed its mission, and it's time to disband. We want to celebrate one last time.'
When the DA was established, most of the participants were senior students. By the time Kyle graduated last year, the number 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's not much difference from disbanding.
Of course, it's only a nominal disbandment.
At least for a long time to come, they will remember this special identity and be proud of it.
After all, among the many clubs in Hogwarts, only the DA had all its members participate in the war against Voldemort, and they won.
'Including this party, only DA members can attend. Potter and Granger are buying Butterbeer, and someone is setting up the party venue on the eighth floor.'
'So come along, I dare say this will be the most lively party.' Justin invited once more.
Kyle didn't refuse this time, merely saying that he'd go and take a look when the time comes.
The three of them seemed very happy, and after chatting with Kyle for a while, they quickly returned to the castle.
At this moment, Conna also happened to walk out from the castle.
"What did Professor McGonagall say?"
"She said she'll be going to the Ministry of Magic that day and told me not to worry."
"You really don't need to worry." Kyle smiled, as Professor McGonagall had handed over all the 'Horcruxes' to the Ministry of Magic, so they certainly wouldn't make things difficult for Snape.
"Snape... Professor, did he let you come alone?"
"He doesn't want to go out." Conna sighed.
"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... troublesome?" Kyle asked.
He suddenly thought that the current head of the Auror Office was Kingsley, with whom he had a good relationship. Moreover, due to the 'Horcruxes,' he had always felt ashamed. If he went to find Kingsley himself, perhaps the surveillance on Snape could be lifted.
Originally, after the 'Horcruxes' were handed over, this second hearing became a mere formality. Even if Snape were foolish, it would be impossible for him to escape at this time.
But Snape clearly disliked the Aurors' surveillance, and Kyle was happy about it.
So Kyle had been hesitating about whether to go and find Kingsley.
"If they're troublesome, they are, a little bit." Conna said softly, "Every time I see the Aurors outside the window, Uncle Snape's mood becomes terrible, even though he's never said it, but I can tell."
"Oh..." Kyle's mouth curled up slightly, then quickly returned to its usual state.
"Is that all?" he asked.
"Also, I can't buy the materials anymore." Conna thought for a moment, "In the potion I'm studying now, some of the materials are not available in Diagon Alley. I have to go to some... less safe places to get them."
"But now with the Aurors watching, Uncle Snape definitely can't go, and he insists on not telling me the address."
"I see." Kyle said, his thoughts wavering a bit.
Although Snape's bad mood was pleasant news, Kyle hadn't expected it to affect Conna as well.
As for brewing potions, especially complex ones, those prohibited trade materials were indispensable.
As a master potion maker, Snape naturally had his own connections, of course, which were probably not very legitimate.
Conna didn't know what Kyle was thinking, and continued talking as they walked, "Fresh gill sac herb, I've been looking for it in Diagon Alley for a long time, but I couldn't find it, and Uncle Snape won't tell me where to get it."
"Wait." Kyle suddenly stopped Conna, "The potion you need is the gill sac herb?"
"Yes." Conna nodded, "That thing is so hard to find. There's none in Britain that hasn't been harvested, and I can't go as far as to find it now."
"Who said that." Kyle laughed and grabbed Conna.
"Follow me."
He quickly ran towards the cabin, and Conna, being pulled along, had no choice but to follow.
Once they returned to the cabin, Kyle didn't say anything but opened the box, jumped straight into it.
"Kyle, you..."
Conna, who was completely confused, didn't have time to ask before Kyle disappeared from sight.
She had no choice but to follow him into the box.
Then, Kyle took her to a lake inside the box and stopped at a spot with several empty flower pots. This place used to be filled with man-eating kale, but now only a few dozen remained.
"Kyle, what did you bring me here for?" Conna finally found an opportunity to speak.
"You don't want fresh gill sac herb?" Kyle took out his wand and pointed at the water, "Look at these, is this what you want... the thing you want?"
The water parted, revealing the thestrals eating below.
Conna blinked in surprise, not understanding why Kyle was showing her the thestrals. Then she noticed what they were eating, those coral-like things.
"Gill... gill sac herb..." She widened her eyes.
The grass-like leaves, coral-like roots, this was the original form of the gill sac herb, and there was still a large patch of it.
There was a whole patch of it at the bottom of the lake.
"You, you said it's difficult to cultivate this plant on a large scale in Britain?"
"I don't know."
Kyle shrugged, "I bought this thing from Diagon Alley, and after I threw it here, I forgot about it. If not for the thestrals, I might not have known there was such a large patch of gill sac herb at the bottom of the lake."
(End of Chapter)
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