Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking echoed, but before Professor McGonagall could say, "Co in," the person at the door had already spoken in his unique tone.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall. Responding to your invitation, Gilderoy Lockhart has co to visit."
Professor Lockhart is really as overly familiar as ever; thought William, who was sitting there racking his brain, wondering if he had missed sothing. He couldn't help but envy the Professor outside the door. Ignorance was sotis bliss, especially when one knew about a certain curse.
He might not know, but if it cos down to personal strength, the curse would probably hit first—
It was infuriating.
"Co in."
Professor McGonagall had already adjusted her mindset by this point. Her tone had returned to its usual steadiness, though William couldn't shake the feeling that there was a trace of disdain in her gaze.
Before William could think further, the office door opened with a creak. Today, Professor Lockhart was dressed head to toe in pink, yet sohow managed not to appear effeminate. Instead, he gave off a dazzling impression, leaving William reluctantly impressed. Purely in terms of fashion sense, Lockhart was undoubtedly the best-dressed person in the school, including the Headmaster.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall—ah, Professor William, you're here too. It seems you're also working hard to help persuade Professor McGonagall. Thank you so much, Professor William."
Could I take back that complint from earlier?
Are you sure you're a Ravenclaw graduate and not a Gryffindor student?
Why do you exhibit Gryffindor recklessness too?
"Hogwarts has no such precedent. No Head of House would agree to cancel detention just because of a banquet," Professor McGonagall said in an official tone, reminding William of what Lockhart's persuasion was about.
"Not cancel, just postpone, Professor. September is such a charming month; It would be a pity not to hold a banquet now."
William felt an overwhelming urge to retort, but considering he had also requested a party to reward hardworking students, he kept his mouth shut.
"Enough, there's no room for negotiation here. If you really think it's a pity, Professor Lockhart, you can hold the banquet on an evening without classes." Professor McGonagall added a rare concession, but before Lockhart could consider its feasibility, she quickly brought up a new topic.
"Actually, today I want to investigate a little. Are there any lower-year students who have shown exceptional performance in class?"
Whether it was because the question was too difficult or because Lockhart was still preoccupied with thoughts of the banquet, William, eagerly awaiting an answer, saw an unprecedented look of confusion on Lockhart's award-winning smile.
"Exceptional performance?"
Lockhart repeated the question, sounding like a student caught daydreaming in class.
"Yes, exceptional performance. That would definitely be Hermione. Yes, Hermione Granger."
Lockhart's response was almost embarrassingly panicked, as if clutching at straws, but neither William nor Professor McGonagall paid it any attention.
That familiar na made William freeze in place. It was the student whose na he had morized on the first day of school. The spell she had used to knock down a Ministry of Magic employee was still fresh in his mory.
Could it be her? The thought surfaced in William's mind as he began analyzing the possibilities.
In terms of ability, the girl Hagrid had called the brightest of her year certainly had it. The cards he had drawn earlier also confird just how terrifying her potential was as a second-year student.
[Hermione Granger; Learning 2/Magic 1/Potions 1/Dark Arts 1/Transfiguration 1…]
The card was followed by a long list of zero-level skills. Just from the card alone, it was clear how capable this young girl was. For most wizards, they never even reached the stage where potential mattered.
As for involvent in peculiar rituals; that was entirely plausible.
A Muggle-born girl who, upon confirming the existence of magic, began researching Muggle occult practices to maintain her position as the top of her class? Completely reasonable.
In terms of initiative, sneaking off the train on the first day of school was proof enough. William had no doubts about her courage or her ability to execute a plan like the chicken-killing ritual.
William cast a tentative glance at Professor McGonagall. Honestly, he wasn't very familiar with the lower-year students. After already making a mistake with the Weasley twins, he didn't dare jump to conclusions again.
"Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall hesitated as well. Compared to William, she had a much clearer understanding of how much mischief that second-year student was capable of causing.
The magical protections guarding the Philosopher's Stone had been thoroughly dismantled by three children. While it was ultimately Potter who went through to the end, as both Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House, McGonagall was well aware of which child had contributed the most to the operation.
Last year's incidents, combined with the Fat Lady's utterly atypical reaction for a Gryffindor student, had led her to temporarily rank Hermione as the pri suspect.
I'll summon Miss Granger along with any other capable students for a private conversation. For now, I'll set this matter aside; McGonagall thought.
Oliver Wood had long since reported the conflicts between the Slytherin and Gryffindor Quidditch teams. While McGonagall hadn't openly intervened, she had noted the grievances her own students suffered. Just as Quidditch players were occasionally granted leniency with their howork, she decided to take a similarly lenient approach with this Muggle-born prodigy; if it really was her.
A necessary conversation is still required. I just can't let anyone else know, especially Lockhart. He's such a blabbermouth.
Having made her decision, Professor McGonagall resolved to keep things discreet. One professor would suffice for the conversation; adding two more would make it feel like an interrogation. Especially considering Lockhart's tendency to crave publicity. Who knew how far the matter would spiral if he got involved?
As for William, to avoid giving Lockhart the impression of unfair treatnt, he would have to be sent away as well.
"I think I understand now. It looks like we can move forward with the party to celebrate. Professor William, since you're not very familiar with Hogwarts, I imagine you'll need an excellent guide to help you with the party preparations," McGonagall said with a smile.
Before William could react, she turned to Lockhart.
"Professor Lockhart, I trust you wouldn't mind guiding Professor William through the preparations for his small party. If you decide to hold it tonight, perhaps Professor William could even provide substantial help."
"Of course, of course," Lockhart replied with his signature smile. Though he hadn't quite figured out what had just happened, it seed the matter was resolved, and he was genuinely enthusiastic about ntoring a fellow professor.
In my next book, perhaps Professor William could play an important role in my Chronicles of Hogwarts! Lockhart thought to himself.
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