The days at Hogwarts

Professor McGonagall's breathing became visibly rapid. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and said, "Dumbledore? A reply?"

"When has he ever replied to any letter from a student's parents? As long as the letter is not addressed to him specifically, all the letters are given to me."

Hermione shrank her neck, her instinct telling her not to continue this topic.

Professor McGonagall calmed down after scolding Dumbledore for a while. She still had a good impression of this little witch: "What can I do for you, Miss Granger?"

Hermione lowered her head, stirred the corners of her magic robes, and whispered, "Professor, I want to learn Apparition."

"Apparate?!"

This word made Professor McGonagall laugh, her nostrils flaring and breathing heavily. "How could you think I would agree to let you violate the Ministry of Magic's regulations and ignore the dangers of this spell to allow a little wizard to practice Apparition privately before the age of 17?"

The angry question suppressed the little courage Hermione had in her heart. If it was any other professor, she might have argued with him, but this was Professor McGonagall, the Professor McGonagall she respected the most.

Oh no, Loren killed him!

Hermione lowered her head, staring at her shoes, and said, "But, but... I..."

"It must have been Mr. Morgan who gave you the inspiration, right?"

Hermione's head snapped up and looked at her in disbelief.

How did Professor McGonagall know this?

That's right, how could Professor McGonagall not know...

Professor McGonagall glared and said angrily, "Filius was deceived. He was bewitched by Morgan's words and thought that I asked Morgan to learn Apparition from him."

"Huh?" Hermione opened her mouth.

She thought it was ridiculous, but also felt that this was something Loren could do.

"B-but...w-why..." Hermione stammered, unable to finish her words.

"Because Dumbledore knew about this matter and asked Filius and I to let it go. At Dumbledore's strong request, we did not pursue Loren's fault."

Speaking of the two naughty kids, one old and one young, Professor McGonagall had a headache. One was extremely daring, and the other helped the daring one to deal with everything.

Hermione said weakly, "Well, can I still learn Apparition?"

Professor McGonagall didn't answer her, but just stared at the little witch until Hermione got the answer from her eyes.

"Oh." Hermione responded sullenly. Her plan failed before it even started.

Professor McGonagall really liked this little witch. She sighed and comforted her, "Don't worry. When you are old enough, there will be special classes for Apparition. You will be able to learn it in a few weeks."

"Professor McGonagall, I have one more thing to do." Hermione had to give up Apparition temporarily and focus on another thing.

"You said."

"I want to see Headmaster Dumbledore. I have something important to tell him." Hermione replied.

Professor McGonagall looked at her suspiciously. It was no wonder that she thought too much. Anyone who had heard the conversation just now would have thought that Hermione was going to Dumbledore to ask for privileges and learn how to Apparate.

"Hermione, listen, Morgan is very special. Apparition is not the magic you should be exposed to right now. Be patient and don't rush. You have plenty of time." Professor McGonagall tried to comfort her.

Hermione wanted to laugh: "Professor, it's not about Apparition, it's about something else, about the new Professor Black."

"Professor Black? Is there something wrong with him?" Professor McGonagall asked puzzledly.

Hermione avoided Professor McGonagall's gaze and said cautiously, "I, I can't tell you yet. I want to tell Headmaster Dumbledore first."

Professor McGonagall nodded and said nothing more. Although she was a little curious, she was happy to find something for the headmaster to do if she could just pass it to Dumbledore.

Taking Hermione out of the office, the two came to the corridor on the third floor, turned a corner silently, and stopped in front of an extremely ugly stone monster.

Hermione heard Professor McGonagall say the command "Shepherd's Cube," and the monster in front of her came to life and jumped aside. The wall behind the monster split in two, revealing a spiral staircase that went up like an escalator.

Hermione had heard of Laurent mentioning this, but this was her first time walking this route under the guidance of Professor McGonagall. The two of them stepped onto the spiral staircase, which spiraled higher and higher, and finally came to a shining oak door.

Hermione knew where she was being taken, it must be where Dumbledore lived.

Professor McGonagall picked up the brass griffin knocker and knocked. The door opened silently and they walked in.

The big, round, beautiful room was full of funny little noises, and on the table there were many odd little silver objects spinning and emitting little puffs of smoke, and on the walls were portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all snoring softly in their frames.

The Sorting Hat on the shelf, and Fawkes the Phoenix perched on a golden branch. While Hermione was looking around the headmaster's office, Professor McGonagall said a few words to Dumbledore and then left.

It was unknown how much time had passed before Hermione came to her senses and noticed Dumbledore sitting behind the table. He was looking at her with a smile, and there was no sign of the disappointment on his face when he was talking to Cornelius Fudge in the Chamber of Secrets.

This was the first time Hermione was alone with Dumbledore, and although they had talked several times in the ward, Hermione was still a little nervous.

Dumbledore motioned for Hermione to sit down first, picked up the teapot on the table and poured her tea. There was a smile in his voice: "You are different from Loren. When he first came, the first thing he noticed was me, not the furnishings in the room."

There was an inexplicable taste in the old man's tone. Hermione was silent for a moment. Was Headmaster Dumbledore blaming me for not looking at him first?

Unconsciously, Hermione felt less reserved. She subconsciously took the teacup handed to her by Dumbledore and took a sip.

Sweet! ?

Take another sip.

Not only is it sweet, it’s also so sweet that it makes your throat choke.

"Sorry, I should have asked you what you wanted to drink first?"

Noticing the surprise in her eyes, Dumbledore asked considerately, "I still have juice, milk, black tea, and butter beer..."

"Enough, that's enough." Hermione stopped him quickly. She came here to discuss business, not to have afternoon tea.

"The secret to mixing it is to add more sugar cubes and honey." Dumbledore winked at her. "Loren likes this too. It seems that I am not old enough to be out of the taste of young people, am I?"

Hermione nodded reluctantly.

Thinking of Loren's mysterious signs and the secret between him and Dumbledore, Hermione asked curiously: "When did Loren come here for the first time?"

"Well, it should be the first night after the Sorting, when he noticed the suspiciousness of Peter Pettigrew, also known as Scabbers the Mouse," Dumbledore replied.

Earlier than she thought... Hermione felt that Dumbledore was easier to talk to than she thought. She tentatively asked another question: "That day, when we were in Hagrid's Hut, what were you and Loren talking about?"

Feeling that the question was a bit too much, Hermione quickly added, "If you can't tell me, or if you need to keep it a secret, then you don't have to tell me."

Dumbledore smiled and began to look for candy in the drawer. "Don't be so nervous. It's not a confidential matter. If Loren were here, he would tell you too."

He dug out a box of cockroaches, thought about it, and decided to switch to a licorice wand. Dumbledore opened the box and handed the candy to Hermione: "To study how to deal with the basilisk's eyes."

Hermione's hand shook violently as she took the candy. She stared at Dumbledore in shock: "What!?"

Several licorice wands spilled out and broke on the table.

"You, you...Lo, Loren, you knew about the basilisk a long time ago?!" Hermione's lips trembled.

Dumbledore picked up the licorice wand on the table, put it in his mouth and bit it, making a "crunch" sound, waiting quietly for Hermione to digest the news.

Telling Hermione the relevant things was the conclusion he came to after careful consideration.

Worried that Loren would be used by Voldemort and induced to fall into the dark abyss, using magical items comparable to the Hallows and the Philosopher's Stone for the wrong reasons.

The best way to win Loren's heart is to use Miss Granger.

Dumbledore was very willing to believe in the kindness in Loren's heart and the beautiful light hidden in his soul. But his disappointment with Fudge and his original choice made him want to be more cautious.

"The basilisk's gaze is too dangerous. I was looking for a way to retain the petrifying magic in the basilisk's gaze and remove the life-depriving magic."

No wonder, no wonder all the victims were coincidentally petrified.

Visit Filch, ask Myrtle, brew Polyjuice Potion...

Countless scenes of dragging Loren along to investigate flashed through his mind, and finally stopped at——

It was the first duel club event. She had just finished fighting with Millicent. Loren asked as he helped himself to his magic robe: "Are you sure you pulled the hair from her head? You didn't make a mistake, did you?"

I can't make a mistake...

I can't make a mistake...

Hermione screamed madly in her heart... He knew, he knew it all, he had known it all along!

A feeling of shyness and anger instantly blinded Hermione's eyes. She now just wanted to beat him up, beat him hard.

Next to him, Dumbledore bit off a licorice wand leisurely.

Chapter 231 Hermione is lurking and observing

The sound of candy breaking brought Hermione back to reality. She mustered up the courage to ask, "But why?"

"Why didn't you just confine the basilisk when you knew there was one in the school? Why did you let the basilisk commit crimes? Why didn't Harry stand up and explain it when he was misunderstood?"

The little witch fired off a series of questions like a machine gun. She was so excited that her mouth was dry. She raised the cup and drank the sugar water in one gulp. Then she frowned because of the sweetness.

It's so funny how he has to force himself to look serious even though his throat hurts.

Dumbledore held back his laughter, slowly picked up the teapot again, and poured her another cup: "Black tea, drinking it will make your throat feel better."

The steam rising from the cup carries with it the invigorating aroma of tea, indicating that this time it is not sugar water.

I'm asking such a serious question... Hermione was a little conflicted, but in the end her throat felt uncomfortable, so she had to raise the cup and drink the black tea.

But she glared at Dumbledore fiercely and made her attitude clear: "Don't change the subject. You must give me an explanation!"

Dumbledore's shoulders drooped a little, and his eyebrows drooped to the sides, highlighting his old age. He said in a sighing and helpless tone: "Many years ago, I witnessed Voldemort gathering the power of the Death Eaters and stirring up turmoil in the wizarding world. Every day I received news of innocent people being killed. People said that I was the only one who could deal with him."

"But I can't stop him, Hermione." Dumbledore's voice was weak and even trembling.

Hermione's heart suddenly panicked, and she stammered to comfort him: "Principal, no, don't say that. We all know that you are the most powerful wizard. The only one Voldemort is afraid of is you. You protected many people at that time."

Dumbledore waved his hand and said, "Hermione, I never thought of myself as the most powerful wizard. Maybe when I was young, I made a name for myself by relying on my insignificant talent in magic."

"But now, I am old," Dumbledore said softly, "you must be wondering, what does this have to do with the basilisk?"

Hermione nodded with difficulty.

"Voldemort has been dormant for ten years, and his little actions have become more and more frequent and excessive. Hermione, you are a smart child, can you understand that he is about to come back?"

"Twelve years ago, it was Harry who defeated Voldemort, which won him the respect of many people, but also incurred Voldemort's hatred and revenge. I hope he can grow up quickly and learn enough skills to protect himself. Be able to resist Voldemort's persecution." Dumbledore looked at Hermione.

Under this premise, many doubts that had existed were instantly solved. After sorting out her thoughts for a moment, Hermione realized everything: "So it was the same in the first grade. You thought Harry had the right to face Voldemort and deliberately let him learn a lot of useful things. It's the same this year. Through the basilisk and Voldemort confrontation, is this also planned?"

Hermione was a little angry, but she couldn't tell what exactly she was angry about.

Dumbledore admitted frankly: "Yes, Loren accidentally revealed Harry's Parseltongue to me. Under my conscious guidance, many people began to doubt Harry. This is exactly what I hope to see. The power of the mind is as important as the power of magic."

Hermione was still furious. She didn't think it was right to do so. "But what about Colin and Justin? They are innocent, but because they were attacked by a basilisk, they have to stay in the hospital for half a year. This is not fair to them!"

Dumbledore nodded solemnly: "I realize my mistake. Whether it is Mr. Colin Creevey or Mr. Justin Finch-Fletchley, I will try my best to win their forgiveness."

Hermione was speechless and sat sullenly in the chair.

Dumbledore praised the little witch's kindness and did not let the silence continue. He took out a box of lemon Sherbet from the drawer and handed it over:

"Professor McGonagall said you came to me about Professor Black. What's wrong with him?"

"Um, Professor," Hermione calmed down and pulled her thoughts back from what had just happened, "I think there seems to be some entanglement between Loren and Professor Black..."

The lemon sherbet was on the table, untouched, the delicate silverware spinning and emitting little puffs of white smoke.

After listening to Hermione's description of the various signs, Dumbledore didn't think she was overthinking it... He tapped the table with his thick fingers, making a dull sound.

After a long while, Dumbledore slowly said, "I will investigate this matter carefully. If there is any progress, I will inform you as soon as possible."

Seeing that the little witch had become more serious after his actions, he smiled instead: "Don't worry, Hermione. I don't think Loren would cook and eat his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at school, right?"

Hermione smiled at the suggestion.

"Regarding today's conversation, I guess this is our little secret, right?" Dumbledore winked at her.

"Can't you tell me about the basilisk?" Hermione asked somewhat disappointedly.

"better not."

No, I don't want to keep it a secret. I want to beat Loren openly... But facing Dumbledore's gaze, Hermione agreed against her will.

Although I got the terrible news, it seemed that all my plans for today had failed.

Hermione turned around and was about to leave with a gloomy look, when she suddenly heard Dumbledore's voice coming from behind -

"Besides, Professor McGonagall has a lot of school affairs to deal with. I think you can take my note and ask Professor Flitwick to teach you how to Apparate."

"Really?" Hermione looked up in surprise: "Thank you, Professor!"

After the little witch left, Fox, who was busy combing his new feathers, raised his head from under his armpits and kept chirping in disgust.

"What are you talking about? How can you say that to me?" Dumbledore retorted with a look of heartache, "How can this be considered deceiving a child? I didn't lie!"

In the principal's office, Fox chirped...