Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 295: Speculation

Gilderoy Lockhart found it increasingly surprising and also increasingly interesting.

He picked up the copy of "Wizarding Weekly" and flipped through it. His handsome face on the cover had disappeared, leaving only a mysterious silhouette.

His face showed a mixture of jealousy and anticipation. He had thought that becoming Harry Potter's teacher would make him famous enough, but he never expected that he would even have the chance to be included in the Chocolate Frog cards.

After finding the little wizard, what names will they give themselves?

The wise respect their teachers?
A knowing smile played on his lips.

Professor McGonagall watched this scene coldly, and only approached Dumbledore after she left the room.

"Albus, why insist on hiring Lockhart to teach? What can students possibly learn from such a vain, fame-seeking person?"

Minerva McGonagall was deeply worried.

“Even from a bad teacher, students can learn a lot, such as what they shouldn’t do and what kind of person they shouldn’t become.”

Albus Dumbledore wore a deep smile, his gaze lingering on Lockhart for a moment.

What happened in the main hall had no effect on the young wizards.

Everyone is still somewhat looking forward to the upcoming Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Except Harry.

A very thin, gray-haired little boy was staring at him as if he were mesmerized. The boy was clutching something in his hand that looked like an ordinary Muggle camera.

The boy's face immediately turned bright red when Harry looked at him.

“Hello, Harry? I—my name is Colin Crevey.”

He spoke breathlessly, and took a timid step forward.
"I'm in Gryffindor too. Do you think—maybe—I could take your picture?"

He raised his camera expectantly.

"Photograph?"

Harry asked, bewildered.

"That way I can prove I saw you."

Colin said eagerly, taking a few more steps forward.
“I know everything about you. Everyone has told me. How you escaped the mysterious man’s clutches, how he disappeared, and so on. You still have a lightning bolt-shaped scar on your forehead.”

Colin took a deep breath, his trembling slightly with excitement.

"This is really interesting, isn't it? Before receiving the letter from Hogwarts, I never knew that all those strange things I could do were magic. My dad delivers milk, so he couldn't believe it either. That's why I'm taking a ton of pictures to send to him. If only I could have one of yours—"

He looked at Harry pleadingly.

"—Maybe I can stand next to you and ask your friend to press the button for you? And then, could you sign your name?"

He then looked at Sheen with a pleading gaze, holding the camera.

Could you please take a picture for me?

Sheen, who was about to leave, did not refuse. He waved his wand, and the camera floated up.

Colin quickly moved closer to Harry.

"Autographed photos? You're giving out autographed photos, Potter?"

Draco Malfoy's loud, shrill voice echoed in the courtyard.

He stopped behind Colin, with his two burly, menacing buddies beside him: Crabbe and Gore.

"Don't make me laugh, Potter. The entire wizarding world is waiting for another photograph, and you fools are the only ones who let that person take the picture—oh dear, everyone, line up!"

Malfoy shouted at the crowd,

"Harry Potter is going to be giving out autographed photos!"

"I didn't!"

Harry said angrily.

"You're jealous."

Colin shrieked, his entire body only as thick as Crabbe's neck. "Jealous? Ridiculous. Jealous that your eyes are on the back of your heads, unable to see who's qualified to release the photos?"

Malfoy said with a cold laugh.

His father had told him that the Green was a mysterious figure, and even the Ministry of Magic wouldn't allow anyone to look into his information.

He must be a descendant of an ancient pure-blood family, otherwise there is no way to explain why his family has such a profound influence in the Ministry of Magic.

Everyone at Hogwarts was wrong! They thought that Grimm represented Muggle wizards—how absurd!
In fact, he is the next leader of the noble purebloods, the undisputed leader!
No wonder Professor Snape was behaving strangely...

Malfoy considered himself the most intelligent wizard in all of Hogwarts.

His cleverness lay in his knowledge that some great pure-blood wizards had grander goals, which is why he moved among Muggle wizards with such nonchalance.

For example: in a faraway place, on a high tower, the once-powerful UMNO party and its leaders.

Thinking this way, he didn't even hate those Muggle wizards so much anymore.

"Your eyes are crooked, go eat slugs, Malfoy."

"Ron said angrily. Crabbe stopped laughing and began to rub his chestnut-like knuckles fiercely as he scanned Ron and his group.

When his eyes accidentally met Sheen's, he quickly looked away, pretending to hum a little tune.

“Be careful, Weasley,”

Malfoy sneered,

"Don't cause any more trouble, or your mother will have to come and take you back."

He adopted a shrill, harsh voice:

"If you don't follow the rules again—"

A group of fifth-year Slytherin students nearby burst into loud laughter.

Harry and Malfoy often had this kind of scene, but today Malfoy's strange words made Sheen realize something.

He glanced at Malfoy, who seemed somewhat flattered.

It was only a matter of time before he was found, but Malfoy's appearance was just too strange.

"Consider yourselves lucky—let's go!"

When Malfoy stopped looking at Sheen, his disdainful expression returned.

As if receiving some kind of signal, he left amidst the angry and confused gazes of Harry and his companions.

"Young Master Malfoy, why are we leaving?"

Gore was completely baffled.

“Gow, of course your stupid brain can’t understand. Some people may seem to be on the side of Muggle wizards, but their noble bloodline means that their allies will not be those dirty Muggle wizards.”

Malfoy spoke in a melodious tone.

In the auditorium.

Harry was even more confused. Malfoy walked over, said something sarcastic, and then left.

"The entire wizarding world is waiting for another photo," "Let that person take the picture"... It's all too easy to guess who it is.

The question is, how did Malfoy know that?
"Ron, do you know what's going on with Malfoy?"

Harry asked in a low voice.

“I suspect he’s trying to sow discord, Harry. Don’t you think it’s easy to pinpoint Sheen’s identity at Hogwarts? Come on, nobody’s more special than Sheen.”

Ron responded quietly.

As the morning mist spread, Hogwarts Castle was shrouded in an inexplicable atmosphere, giving the wizards here many different speculations.

　Another chapter is coming soon; this is the fifth update today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)