Chapter 44
The news that Professor Snape had smiled in class spread like wildfire throughout the entire school immediately after the lesson ended, propagating even faster than the "rumors" that Cedric and his friends had deliberately spread.
After all, for students of any year, this was blockbuster news—the level of shock was no less than if Peeves had flirted with Dumbledore.
After some discussion, the students realized that although not every class had witnessed Snape's smile firsthand, his mood during all four of his lessons that day had indeed been much better.
The most indisputable example was that the Savior Potter, who was always targeted by him, had only lost a single point in class that day.
And Neville, who had always been despised by Snape, actually received Snape's "patient correction" treatment that day.
This couldn't exactly be called extremely rare, but it was certainly unprecedented "Let's not talk about that for now—I have some bad news and some good news to tell you all!"
A third-year Gryffindor student who had just finished class arrived in the Great Hall. Because of the Chamber of Secrets incident, the relationships between the three houses had become closer than ever, and their gathering spot had shifted from their respective common rooms to the Great Hall.
"That homework-mad professor announced something terrifying to us and the second-years today—he's going to start monthly exams for the lower years too. Do you know what monthly exams are?"
"Exams every month? Just hearing those words makes me want to throw up."
"Don't throw up yet—there's something even more important! From now on, monthly exam scores will be tied to the House Cup points. The house with the most first-place finishes each month will earn 50 House points, second place gets 20, third place gets 10, and fourth place gets nothing!"
"Merlin's beard! As if all those exercises and homework weren't enough, now we have to prepare for exams too?"
"You finished the good news—what's the bad news?"
?
Everyone at the long table turned their gazes in unison toward the girl who had spoken.
'Oh, she's from Ravenclaw—that's fine then.' The Gryffindors clenched their fists and turned their heads back; just moments ago, the tri-house alliance that had formed less than a day earlier had quietly faced the risk of dissolution.
"Ahem." The student cleared her throat, pretending nothing had happened, and announced excitedly "The good news is that the Chamber of Secrets really is just a legend! You know Percy Weasley from sixth year, right? Our Gryffindor prefect—the guy who got 12 O's in his O.W.L.s!
"I heard that in History of Magic, he asked Professor Binns a question about the Chamber of Secrets, and Professor Binns actually answered him—he's practically a genius, isn't he?"
"Really? What did Professor Binns say?" one asked almost jumping up.
"He said it's a myth and doesn't exist at all! Our hero Percy even managed to annoy him with that question."
"So we can relax now?"
"Of course!"
On the other side, Harry and Ron were crouched motionless near Lucian's office door, draped in the Invisibility Cloak.
Hermione had always believed deep down that Lucian was innocent, and besides, there was no need for all three of them to stake out together, so she hadn't joined them.
If it had been just one person there—whether Harry or Ron—they definitely wouldn't have been able to hold out but when the two of them were together, everything became manageable.
What made Harry feel even luckier was that they didn't have to wait long this time, because just as dinner time approached, Lucian emerged, with Jeffery and Camille following behind him.
Harry guessed they were heading to eat, but he quickly followed anyway.
"What do we do now, Harry?" In the Great Hall, Ron mumbled unclearly while shoving a sausage into his mouth. "We'd better pray we don't run into Hermione right now."
"Think about it—we bragged that we'd definitely find something on the professor, and now here we are eating in the Great Hall!"
"Don't worry, Hermione will understand. And she's probably busy right now anyway." Harry's expression was a bit awkward too. But the more situations like this arose, the more determined he became to keep investigating!
Once Lucian finished eating, Harry patted Ron—who was still stuffing food into his mouth—and the two quickly followed again.
"If he heads straight back to his office, I say we call it a day. I haven't touched my homework yet." Ron grumbled just before pulling on the Invisibility Cloak.
Harry didn't respond, but inside, he was even more anxious than Ron. He had a Quidditch match tomorrow afternoon and had to get up early for training—his workload was far heavier than Ron's!
But Hogwarts was clearly in serious trouble now. Whether there was a basilisk in the Chamber or Professor Lucian was a lurking Death Eater, either would be a catastrophic disaster for the school's students.
'Could he really just ignore all this and go back to do his homework?' Harry pressed his lips together and began moving carefully with Ron.
To their relief, this time Lucian parted ways with his two assistants and headed in a different direction—which meant they might actually get some results this time.
"Harry, where do you think he's going?" Harry didn't answer Ron's question but they soon found out—Lucian only walked from the Great Hall to near the entrance hall before stopping.
There was a dim, windowless small room there.
"That's Filch's place?"
"Ron!" Harry frowned and shot Ron a glance—according to Hermione, Professor Lucian's magical prowess was quite high.
Although Harry had tailed Professor Snape before without getting caught, that didn't mean Lucian wouldn't notice. In any case, Ron's behavior was far too reckless.
"Sorry." Ron whispered. In that brief interruption, they saw Professor Lucian knock on the door and reach into his robes.
'What is he doing? Pulling out his wand? Right here in plain view?!' Harry's heart began to race as he saw a cautious Filch—the Hogwarts caretaker looked visibly frightened at that moment, his movements timid and shrinking, completely lacking his usual ferocity.
'Why is he so scared? is he afraid of Professor Lucian? Perhaps he knew some of his secret?' Harry's brow furrowed even tighter—he had never seen Filch like this before. Even when facing Dumbledore, the man's expression was always tense and unhappy.
"Filch, this is what I promised you earlier." Lucian handed the specially crafted alchemical weapon to Filch.
"Thank you, Professor Lucian!" Filch eagerly took the object he had longed for from Lucian's hand and gripped it tightly.
"I suggest you start keeping a diary from today, recording the time you use this tool each day, the thoughts that arise while using it, and any changes in your body. If you encounter any issues during the process, or if you do successfully gain the ability to cast spells, I hope you'll inform me."
"Since it's you, who's asking, I will definitely do it!" Seeing that Lucian had quickly fulfilled his promise, Filch's attitude became even more respectful.
"Hm." Lucian nodded and turned to leave.
Only after confirming he had returned to his office did the air in the corner suddenly shimmer, revealing Harry and Ron.
"Bloody hell, why was Filch so afraid of him? And he gave Filch a weapon—I remember that's the alchemical toy he uses to reward good students? What for, giving it to Filch?"
"I don't know, Ron—I only know that Professor Lucian definitely has secrets."
Then, the two said in unison "Let's go find Hermione!"
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