"If Snape isn't the thief, then why did he attack Harry during the match?" Hermione asked, enunciating each word with deliberate care.
As she spoke, her gaze flickered cautiously to Qin Yu.
Qin Yu was caught off guard by the look she gave him. There was confusion, a touch of pity, a dash of worry, and a hint of searching curiosity—all tangled together. What on earth was going on in her head?
He'd never seen such a complicated mix of emotions in her eyes before.
While he was still puzzling over it, Hagrid was already flustered by the question, stumbling over his words:
"How could that be? Snape—no matter what he's like—he'd never hurt Harry! Sure, maybe he doesn't much like Harry, but that's just because he's James's son… Even if he didn't get on with James, he and Lily were close. At least, they were at first…"
"Hmm?"
Everyone in the room turned to stare at Hagrid.
They all knew that James Potter—also known as James—was Harry's father. Ron had seen the name in the trophy case. As for Lily, probably only Harry and Qin Yu knew for certain who she was, but it wasn't hard for the rest to guess—obviously, she was Harry's mother.
It was just that, coming from Hagrid, the whole thing suddenly sounded like juicy gossip, and for a moment, everyone was stunned.
Hagrid quickly realized he might have said too much and hurried to clarify:
"I mean, Snape would never hurt Harry over some old grudge! Honestly, you lot have no reason at all to suspect him!"
Even though there isn't really a "respect for the dead" saying in the wizarding world, everyone wisely chose not to dig into the previous generation's drama—out of respect for Harry.
Still, Hermione wasn't entirely convinced. She turned to Qin Yu:
"But then, why did you target Snape with that Bludger during the match?"
There it was again—that look of worried sympathy! Qin Yu grumbled inwardly.
After a moment's thought, piecing together what she'd said and everything that had happened, Qin Yu suddenly understood what was going through her mind.
So, she thinks I've uncovered some dark side of Snape and am heartbroken about it? That's way too much drama! I must have told her too many stories before…
He shook his head, half-exasperated, half-amused.
He paused, then said, "I didn't actually aim the Bludger at Professor Snape. I was…"
But of course, with so many people in the dark, he couldn't explain further. He had to leave it hanging.
Honestly, he couldn't come up with a convincing excuse—he wasn't some web novelist who could spin endless tales at the drop of a hat.
If he claimed he'd just wanted to win and hit the Bludger by accident, no one—especially Hermione—would buy it. That would only make her more suspicious.
"And you were…?" Hermione pressed, her eyes full of curiosity.
Harry and Ron both leaned in, eager to know—especially Harry, who was sure there was more to that shot. After all, it was right after that moment that he regained control of his wild broomstick. There had to be a connection!
After a long pause, Qin Yu simply said, "It's a secret."
Before Hermione could protest, he cut her off: "Don't ask what kind of secret. Let's just say it's as classified as whatever Fluffy the three-headed dog is guarding."
Now Hagrid looked alarmed. "Qin, do you know something? Dumbledore said this isn't something to go telling just anyone!"
You've already spilled half the story—what's a little more from me? Qin Yu thought, rolling his eyes internally.
"So, is that thing related to Nicolas Flamel? Hagrid just mentioned the name, but we don't know who that is," Harry asked, seizing on what he thought was the key detail.
Finally, the conversation was back on track. Nice going, Harry Potter!
Qin Yu couldn't help but admire Harry's sixth sense—whatever the reason, he'd latched onto the name Nicolas Flamel and wouldn't let go.
Meanwhile, Hermione, after watching Qin Yu for a while and seeing he wasn't devastated by any "Snape is evil" revelation, found her interest in the issue fading—though, since Qin Yu had called it a "big secret," she still burned with curiosity.
After Harry's question, everyone glanced from Hagrid to Qin Yu, hoping they'd spill something more.
Hagrid looked deeply uncomfortable under their stares. He opened his mouth, thought better of it, and finally just gulped tea from his bucket-sized mug.
Qin Yu, on the other hand, sipped his tea calmly and said, in his most unhurried tone:
"As for this particular matter, I can't say there is a connection, but I can't say there isn't. And whether you think there's a connection or not—I can't say you're right, but I can't say you're wrong either… So, the situation is what it is, and the thing is what it is. I really can't say any more. Got it?"
Got it? Not a chance!
Harry and Ron were utterly bewildered. Hermione was so annoyed she was practically grinding her teeth, looking like she might bite Qin Yu any second.
"Ahem, since Hagrid already mentioned Nicolas Flamel, if you're really curious, why not just look up who he is?" Qin Yu said, neatly shifting the blame onto Hagrid.
Hagrid's eyes widened in disbelief.
Qin Yu reassured him, "After all, that name isn't exactly top secret. It's not a problem if regular students know, right, Hagrid?"
"Well… I suppose… that's true…" Hagrid muttered, thinking it over and realizing Qin Yu had a point.
Thanks to Qin Yu's explanation, he realized the information he'd let slip wasn't all that serious. He hadn't revealed what Fluffy was guarding, only a name that, to most, was just trivia.
With that, the guilt that had been weighing on Hagrid's conscience faded, and his spirits lifted.
"Right, that's settled then. If you want to know more, go find the clues yourselves," Qin Yu declared, wrapping up the matter once and for all.
"Any hints?" Hermione asked hopefully, her eyes shining with the thrill of a new puzzle.
"Yeah, any hints?" Harry and Ron chimed in, eager for the challenge.
"No hints! You're on your own. Work together or separately, I don't care," Qin Yu replied, putting on his best "strict and impartial" face.
"Hmph, stingy Qin!" Hermione pouted.
"Oh, and if you run into anything suspicious or dangerous while you're investigating, let me know right away. Don't go rushing off on your own!" Qin Yu added, not forgetting a final warning.
The others nodded in agreement.
And so, Qin Yu managed to resolve the situation, while Hermione, Harry, and Ron gained a new little quest—one with no deadline and no reward.
But, Qin Yu thought, young people need something to keep them busy. That's what makes life interesting.
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