The agreement is between Lockhart and me. I shouldn't have told you.
Harry felt guilty.
Despite disliking Professor Lockhart, an agreement was an agreement.
Professor Lockhart had shared the secret with him to help him clear up the misunderstanding caused by Parseltongue, but he had failed to keep their agreement.
"You've already told us, so it doesn't matter if I tell Damon one more time, right?" Ron spread his hands, his attitude quite unconcerned.
Hermione pressed him a little more, "I can't believe it! Parseltongue is actually connected to the heir of Slytherin. He actually left a dangerous monster in Hogwarts? Merlin's beard, I really don't know what he was thinking.
Why have the professors never thought of solving this problem?"
"Perhaps the professors don't know about this secret either? Or perhaps if we just leave it alone, there won't be any danger at all?" Ron said immediately.
Harry listened to the discussion between the two, his mind in turmoil. "The priority now is to find out the truth about Hagrid. Would you like to go with me to find Hagrid tomorrow? Let's get to the bottom of this matter together."
"Dude, are you really not considering taking Damon with you? To be honest, I think there is something wrong with Professor Lockhart. If he really does something by accident, we may not be able to solve it, right?"
Hermione heard Ron's criticism of Lockhart and did not speak.
Ron continued,
"
Call Damon. Don't tell Dumbledore. This remains between us three students and Professor Lockhart. Thoughts?
"
I will. Maybe we'll have to see if Damon has the time."
"
He has been spending more time in the Room of Requirement. His Auror training is complete, and he is on standby, awaiting assignment.
Seeing Harry's surprised expression, Ron suddenly realized,
"You haven't been here much lately, so you didn't know about this. Haven't you noticed that Damon is almost always here every time you're here?"
"I thought it was just a coincidence!"
Harry envied Damon's increased free time, allowing him to offer invaluable guidance, explaining Ron's recent improvement.
All the previous worries combined couldn't compare to Harry's regret at this moment.
Why would he waste his time on Professor Lockhart?
Voldemort might return, as Lockhart suggested. He should become stronger quickly.
That night, Harry tossed and turned, forced to take a tranquilizer before finally falling into a deep sleep. Rumors had it that Professor Snape's instruction with Damon had recently concluded, but the old bat had insisted on passing on his Potions skills to him—this was Damon's own words, though Harry couldn't imagine Snape doing such a thing.
All in all, thanks to them, the dormitory had a wealth of useful daily potions.
The next day, Harry spoke directly to Damon about everything.
To his surprise, his expression showed no surprise or shock. He simply nodded in agreement, saying calmly,
"There must be some misunderstanding here. Hagrid may be a bit of a brash person, but it's unlikely to lead to any fatalities."
"Is that so? Do you think so?"
Influenced by his words, Harry began to calm down.
Yes, while Hagrid had a soft spot for enormous monsters, it wouldn't be so outrageous. His monsters might injure people, but to say they could kill someone
was beyond reasonable doubt. After class, the group headed to Hagrid's hut—Damon even sent an owl to deliver a message to Hagrid in advance.
But the unexpected always happens before the plan. Hagrid's hut had an unexpected visitor today, even before they arrived.
Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic.
This was technically Damon's first meeting with him.
Dumbledore was also there.
"Hagrid, I heard you illegally brought a Thunderbird into the country? Do you realize how dangerous that is?"
As they reached the hut, they heard Fudge's voice, followed by Hagrid's hesitant response.
"I didn't. This is simply slander. Look at me, where is the Thunderbird?"
"The evidence is conclusive. Don't try to play tricks on me. Although Dumbledore mentioned that a magical zoo might be built at Hogwarts, you can't hide this from me, understand? Everything must be done under my nose."
"Cornelly, I thought we had reached a consensus on this matter?"
Dumbledore's voice sounded at the right time.
But Fudge's voice rang out immediately afterwards:
"Albus, please think about it for me too - Hagrid has a criminal record. Faced with such a habitual offender, the Ministry of Magic has to take some measures - think about it, if we know that there is a phenomenon of illegality and we are indifferent to it, how will the school board see you? How will the outside world view us?
I am also under great pressure."
Dumbledore's voice faded away.
"Hagrid, this is your ultimatum. Do not do anything that might irritate the Ministry of Magic. For Dumbledore's sake, thank you!"
The door opened again, and a short, shaggy-haired old man in a pinstriped suit and bright red tie appeared. Next to him stood the familiar Dumbledore.
"Oh, Master White!"
Fudge, spotting Damon in the crowd, was overjoyed.
He stretched his arms wide, like a hen, and swiftly approached, ignoring Damon's thoughts and embracing him warmly.
"
This is our first meeting. I've long wanted to meet the youngest Transfiguration Master, but I've been busy, and Dumbledore has been protective, as if I would harm you.
Damon glanced at Dumbledore, questioningly. The old man simply shook his head slightly, a look of apology in his eyes.
It was clear that his promise to Damon was now void—Fudge had no intention of fully upholding their agreement.
The old man became extreme due to some irritation.
Damon rlled his eyes at Dumbledore. "I told you so long ago. Do you understand a little better now?"
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(End of this chapter)