great-warnovel Chapter 142 The Confession
Chapter 142 The Confession
Chapter 142 The Confession
As Hermione walked back to the medical wing, her feelings were mixed.
She never expected that Draco would see the error of his ways and, on Christmas Eve, couldn't help but tell his mother everything.
She didn't want to conduct the trial on her own, so she decided to take Draco and Narcissa to the medical wing. These things are probably best left for them to clarify themselves.
As they were walking, they suddenly heard footsteps ahead, and Hermione stopped abruptly.
"Miss Granger? The lights are off. Why are you here alone?"
It's Dumbledore!
He and Barty Crouch Jr. stood side by side in the hallway, both looking at the girl with surprised expressions.
"When I went to the school hospital to visit Professor Lockhart, I think I forgot my worksheet there, so I was going to go get it," Hermione replied without batting an eye.
"Oh, I think your professor will be very touched that a student is thinking of him at Christmas," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"But you'd better hurry back. If your dean catches you, I won't plead for you."
Hermione smiled mischievously: "So as long as you don't get caught, you'll be fine, right?"
Barty, standing nearby, looked Hermione up and down with great interest: "Is this the Granger who subdued Lucius and created the Brilliant Stone magic?"
He stared intently at Hermione: "You sound more like a Slytherin than a Gryffindor."
"Would you be interested in working in Malfoyburg after graduation? We would love to welcome a genius like you."
"Will anyone covet my hand bones and tongue? Or will I have to guard against house-elves assassinating me while I'm at work?" Hermione asked innocently.
Little Barty wasn't annoyed. He chuckled and said, "I apologize for what you've been through, but my invitation is still valid. If you're willing, I can promise you at least a position equivalent to a director."
In terms of his public persona, as the only son of the Crouch family, the son of the current Speaker of the House of Malfoy, and the Director of the Legal Enforcement Division, Barty Jr. has no problem saying these things from his standpoint and motivation. He is just like a standard wizarding nobleman recruiting geniuses for his own power.
Hermione's current performance, both in terms of ability and intelligence, far surpasses the level of a 7th-grade graduate.
Inviting someone to a prestigious position, such as the president of an experimental spell research association, would show greater respect.
"Alright, Barty, she's only in second year. You're being way too hasty," Dumbledore teased.
"Go check on the injured person you mentioned, but I must say, instead of pinning your hopes on me, you should try your luck in Beauxbatons."
The two passed Hermione.
"Oh, right!" Dumbledore suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Miss Granger, if you run into Hagrid, remember to ask him to fix the ceiling on the fourth floor. Lately, I've been feeling like there are spiders crawling in there." He winked.
"I understand, Professor," Hermione replied calmly.
Finally, as the footsteps faded into the distance, she waved her hand, dispelling the transformation she had just hastily cast.
Two figures pressed tightly against the wall, motionless, not daring to even breathe loudly.
"A magical illusion spell, no, even more effective than an illusion spell," Narcissa said, calming her breathing.
"Thank God, I really don't know how to answer if Dumbledore asks." She knew that Dumbledore was a very powerful Legilimency, and if her expression was even slightly off, he would probably notice.
Draco was even more distraught. He had never realized how important Occlumency was. Death Eaters could freely probe his thoughts, and even white wizards could. It was incredibly difficult to hide a secret in the wizarding world. He began to regret not listening carefully to Lockhart's lectures.
"We need to hurry, or we might run into other professors," Hermione said in a low voice.
Fortunately, no further incidents occurred on the road ahead, and they arrived at the medical wing without incident. It was Narcissa's turn to be on night duty tonight, and Mrs. Pomfrey had already gone back to her room to rest, so no one else would be coming here for the time being.
Lockhart leaned against the bed, his complexion still not very good, but after finishing half a pie, he was at least not so weak anymore.
"My two older sisters' finger bones." He looked at the rag doll in his hand that had been cut open, with two small white joints wrapped in messy black cotton, which had lost their power.
"Perhaps it's the effect of the Hogwarts barrier; they can't connect with the rest, so the curse has been temporarily interrupted."
He looked up at Draco, who had been keeping his head down and remaining silent, his expression gentle: "Can you tell me why you suddenly regretted it?"
Draco remained silent for a while, then took out a badge from his pocket. The silver-green snake gleamed in the dim candlelight. Hermione recognized it; it was the Christmas present she had given him.
"The glory of Slytherin," Draco said in a hoarse voice.
"You said that how to obtain the glory is more important than the glory itself."
He didn't go into detail about his inner journey, as it was too shameful. But in general, it was about a boy who suffered greatly from mental anguish, who was eventually awakened by a gift from a rival who was both friend and foe. However, he didn't dare tell other professors, so he could only tell his mother.
"I'm very pleased," Lockhart said with a smile.
"At least one child in Slytherin listened to me, which means I haven't been the headmaster for nothing."
He turned to Hermione and teased her in a triumphant tone, "So, are you satisfied with the result, young lady?"
Hermione shrugged noncommittally.
Narcissa said apologetically, "I know this is a very serious crime. Draco almost killed you, but I still hope to beg for your forgiveness."
"If we tell the headmaster and the others, Draco will be expelled. He won't be able to survive outside. There are too many people who want the Malfoy family to go extinct." She rambled on, her words halting and stumbling, looking exhausted, but she forced herself to stay awake. As a mother, she had to do it.
Draco kept his head down, not saying a word. In fact, after being caught red-handed by Hermione,
He was already prepared to have his wand broken and be expelled.
"If there really has to be punishment, I'm willing to take Draco's place, even if it means breaking my wand or trading my life for his!" Narcissa said resolutely, biting her lip.
"I know of a curse that binds my life to yours, so that when you suffer a fatal wound, my life will be consumed first."
Draco jerked his head up: "Mom!"
He hadn't expected the price to be this heavy.
The last time I was here, Lockhart was asking Narcissa for forgiveness for his mistake. I never expected that less than two months later, the situation would be completely reversed. Only Draco remained the same, still the person involved.
"Oh, I think that's unnecessary."
Lockhart carefully removed the two finger bones, wrapped them up, and put them in his pocket: "If letting me sleep once can allow Draco to grow like this, then it's not unacceptable?"
He looked at Hermione with a questioning tone. She was the most resolute person present, and if she insisted on telling the headmaster, no one else could stop her.
"This isn't over yet," she said, puffing out her cheeks in a huff.
"I saw with my third eye that the two Green Flame Party members who threatened Draco, they are also holding Dobby, the little elf who tried to assassinate me, hostage. They are also planning a second assassination attempt against the professor after spring, and this time they will take me with them."
Lockhart frowned.
"Dobby deserves to die! A little elf who dares to harm a wizard deserves to have his head chopped off!" Narcissa replied coldly.
"Don't worry about whether he lives or dies. He and Lucius—they both deserve it!" For Draco, she could now give up anyone or anything else.
"It's the Carlo siblings," Draco suddenly whispered.
"Those two Green Flame Party members are Amicus Caro and Alecto Caro; they came on Voldemort's orders."
"Those two? I remember them." Lockhart closed his eyes in thought.
"That brother is quite capable, but he's not very bright. His sister is even better at plotting schemes and knows how to manipulate minds. She's full of bad ideas."
"And the basilisk," Hermione added.
"Voldemort knows that these two alone cannot deal with you. He has a curse specifically targeting you, as well as a mutated basilisk that has lived for a thousand years and has devoured countless bodies. With all these things combined, even the Platinum Knight probably cannot handle it."
"Ha, looks like we're going to be busy this semester, aren't we?" Lockhart laughed.
Hermione had to admit that the virtual persona was sometimes really useful; even in such a dangerous situation, he could still find joy.