A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

"Um...aren't you two overthinking this?" Ron chuckled. "We're using Malfoy's identity, so even if we wrong him, it won't affect us."

Moreover, if we wrongly accuse him, it might not be a bad thing; at least it would prove his innocence and that he is not the heir to Slytherin.

“That’s right.” Harry breathed a slight sigh of relief, then looked at Hermione firmly. “Let’s prepare Polyjuice Potion first!”

If the school finds a Slytherin successor within a month, then abandon the plan; if there are no other suspects, then…”

Harry didn't finish his sentence, but Ron and Hermione understood what he meant.

However, this may be the only thing they can do right now; they can't just waste their time!

They were very efficient; Harry got the approval slip in the afternoon, but it still took Mrs. Pince quite a while to check it before he was able to borrow the book.

However, a single approval slip can only be used for a limited time. Before the potion is finished, they will need to get a few more approval slips from Lockhart, otherwise they won't be able to keep the book.

They decided to prepare the compound decoction in the washroom where Myrtle lived, and the necessary materials were exactly as they expected.

They could get their hands on simple things like grasshoppers, leeches, sapwort, and two-eared grass, but rarer materials like powdered two-horned beast horns and the skin of African tree snakes were only available in Snape's office.

However, this is not a big problem. It's really too easy to sneak into an office when no one is around with an invisibility cloak.

Everything was going smoothly, and the compound decoction was mostly completed by the second week of December, but the last ingredient proved to be particularly difficult for them.

Because the final materials are things from the person you want to become, such as hair, nails, blood, fragments of skin, and so on.

However, they usually had little interaction with Draco and his two henchmen, and when they met, they would only exchange sarcastic remarks, so they couldn't find any opportunities to interact with them.

The three were at a loss. Harry and Ron even considered finding a reason to fight the three of them in order to get their things, since pulling hair during a fight is quite normal.

Although it might violate school rules and cause Gryffindor to lose ten or so points, at least the goal can be achieved.

But luck always comes at just the right time, and on Saturday, a piece of parchment appeared on the bulletin board.

"Duel Club?" Ron looked at the notice with some doubt. "It seems to be somewhat useful. At least when facing monsters, they won't just run away."

But which professor organized this event?

“I don’t know, it wasn’t mentioned on the notice,” Hermione said. “But I guess it’s Professor Flitwick, he was the dueling champion when he was young.”

“This is also our chance,” Harry said thoughtfully. “It would be even better if we could get some of Malfoy’s hair during the duel.”

“Perfect, let’s teach Malfoy a lesson in broad daylight.” Ron picked up his wand, which was still wrapped in a thick layer of tape, but he had figured out how to use it these days, and at least it hadn’t caused any problems recently.

"By the way, how has Aaron been these days?" Hermione asked the two of them nervously. "Has he done anything unusual?"

Harry's expression became somewhat complicated, and Ron also hesitated to speak.

"Say something!"

“We were just suspicious at first,” Harry said with some difficulty, “but now we’re pretty much certain.”

Aaron takes Abe around every day; we've both heard that he's inquiring about the family situations of students in the four colleges.

“And they are particularly fond of Slytherin,” Ron added.

"But what does that prove?" Hermione asked, puzzled.

Merlin!

"Can't you see it's that obvious?" Ron rolled his eyes. "He's choosing his target, the next target of the chamber monster."

"No way!" Hermione frowned. "If it's about choosing targets, then why investigate Slytherin?"

“That’s what you call meticulousness,” Ron said calmly and confidently. “You know him. Since he’s decided to take action, he should at least thoroughly investigate the situation in his own backyard!”

“That’s it, Hermione.” Harry shrugged. “I know this is hard to accept, but it’s the truth.”

Hearing what the two said, Hermione was no longer as confident as she had been at the beginning. She let out a long sigh and it took her a while to come to her senses.

"If we get what we need from Malfoy and his men, we should be able to prepare the Polyjuice Potion before Christmas."

“Great!” Harry said excitedly. “Tonight I’ll challenge Malfoy, and you two will challenge Crabbe and Goyle. They certainly won’t refuse.”

At 8 p.m., the students gathered in the auditorium.

The four long tables have disappeared, replaced by a long arena in the center.

A row of torches lined both sides of the wall, and the light from the torches and the hundreds of candles hanging from the ceiling made the auditorium exceptionally bright.

Aaron held Abe in his arms, glancing around at the crowd every now and then.

To be honest, he didn't want to come; investigating the locked room was much more important.

But he searched almost every part of the castle without finding the secret room, and his investigation into the Slytherin heir was also fruitless.

Since Colin was petrified, the heir seems to have become more vigilant and has not shown his face.

It can't be said that there were no results at all; at least many places and people were eliminated, and the scope of the investigation was narrowed down considerably.

But after working hard for more than a month, it would be a lie to say I wasn't tired.

I'll take advantage of watching some dueling tonight; it'll be a good way to relax.

Chapter 166 Lockhart's Self-Awareness

"Aaron, are you going on stage later?" Draco asked excitedly, while Crabbe and Goyle beside him were also eager to try.

"I have no interest in duels," Aaron said nonchalantly, feeding Abe a snack. "However, I am interested in learning from the fighting styles of other wizards."

"No!

This opportunity doesn't come around often; with your talent, you're sure to shine on stage.

"Forget it! I wouldn't have come if I wasn't so bored lately."

“Speaking of this…” Draco paused slightly, looking at Aaron with a meaningful gaze, “What have you been doing these days?”

Every time you return to the common room, you lock yourself in your dorm room and refuse to come out.

"Hmm... I'm learning," Aaron said seriously. "It's a very profound kind of magic."

“Alright!” Draco shrugged, then looked at the ring. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to duel Harry Potter later.”

Aaron raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Is this really necessary?"

"If I accidentally lose in Quidditch, then I have to get my revenge elsewhere."

Aaron gave him a thumbs up and said, "Good luck."

By the way, was the Duel Club run by Professor Snape?

“It doesn’t seem so. I heard…” Draco began, a wry smile appearing on his face, “that he’s here.”

Aaron followed Draco's gaze, and his eye twitched involuntarily.

Lockhart, dressed in a green and gold robe, stepped onto the ring, surrounded by a group of students. Under the spotlight, he appeared particularly smug, his smile revealing a row of gleaming teeth.

"Don't tell me he's in charge of this dueling club."

Aaron was speechless. He had been somewhat looking forward to it, as a wizard duel at Hogwarts was a rare occurrence.

But the moment Lockhart appeared, his already dwindling interest vanished instantly.

This Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, who only knows how to make jokes and has absolutely no real knowledge, can't teach them anything at all.

"Surprising, isn't it!" Draco found Aaron's disappointed expression somewhat amusing. "I was surprised too when Professor Snape told me."

Lockhart's idea wasn't entirely without merit, given how brilliant it was.

"What a waste of my precious time," Aaron said speechlessly.

“At least he set up this arena,” Draco said meaningfully. “If you don’t like him, you can go up and challenge him later.”

Aaron was indeed tempted, but after glancing at Lockhart who had walked to the center of the ring, he gave up the idea.

He wouldn't feel guilty about hitting Lockhart, but hitting his teacher in public would be inappropriate.

"Everyone come here! Can you see me?" Lockhart shouted. "Can you hear me?"

The students in the auditorium gradually gathered together and surrounded the arena.

"Given the dark events of these past few weeks, Dumbledore has allowed me to open this dueling club to train you all so that one day you can protect yourselves as easily as I can."

"For full details, please see my book." Lockhart said, tossing his coat under the ring to reveal a suit of soft armor underneath. "Let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape."

Professor Snape was dressed in a black wizard's robe, just like his usual attire, except that his face was terrifyingly dark.

"Good heavens, this is really good!"

"He even knows to hire an assistant; it seems he knows his own limitations," Aaron quipped. "There's a reason Lockhart is doing so well; it's good to know your own limitations!"

"Aaron," Draco winked at him discreetly, "just a heads-up, it's best not to say anything bad about Lockhart in public."

Upon hearing this, Aaron sensed many hostile gazes and quickly composed himself.

Lockhart may be a good-for-nothing, but Hogwarts has a lot of die-hard fans who are so engrossed in his autobiography that they refuse to acknowledge reality.

“Professor Snape has generously agreed to give me a demonstration,” Lockhart explained smugly. “Young men, don’t worry, I will return your Potions teachers to you in perfect condition after the demonstration.”

Aaron blinked in surprise and turned to look at Draco, but he looked equally bewildered.

"Don't look at me, I don't know either."

Where does his confidence come from?

Although Aaron disliked Lockhart, he couldn't help but silently mourn for him for a second when he saw Professor Snape's slightly upturned lips.

"Could it be that your judgment is flawed?" Draco asked somewhat uncertainly. "Is there such a possibility?"

Lockhart's teaching skills are terrible, utterly terrible, but his practical combat abilities are quite good.

"Heh!" Aaron said dismissively. "I really hope what you're saying is true, but he can't even handle a Cornish elf."

Draco, thinking of the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class of the semester, immediately dismissed all positive assumptions about Lockhart.

There was only one thing he admired: Lockhart's level of recklessness was exceptionally high.

Of all the professors available, he chose the one who was the most ruthless.

On the ring, Lockhart and Snape stood facing each other, bowing to one another.

They then drew their wands and held them up to their chests like swords.

"one two three..."

Lockhart had just called out three when Snape uttered the spell: Expelliarmus.