Amosta understood what Professor McGonagall was worried about. He didn't answer immediately, but silently pondered. After a while, he looked up, meeting Professor McGonagall's stern gaze with frankness.
"The crux of the problem lies in making choices, Professor."
Professor McGonagall's lips moved slightly. Being intelligent and capable, she probably already knew what Amosta was going to say.
"Choices,"
Amosta continued, "We all know what kind of crisis Hogwarts is facing, Professor McGonagall. None of us want to see it face such an end. But if the current terrible situation cannot be relieved... or even,"
Amosta prepared himself, catching the flicker of wavering in Professor McGonagall's hawk-like, sharp eyes. He said calmly,
"While the Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets heir remains unexposed, two young wizards being petrified won't be the end of this series of events. Next, other people will surely be attacked, Professor McGonagall, can you guarantee that it will only be petrification next?"
Professor McGonagall's eyes wavered a few times, and her breathing became heavy.
"Reality, though bloody and cruel, must be faced, because evasion solves nothing." Amosta said rationally,
"I don't know why the hidden person didn't directly kill Colin Creevey and Justin Finch-Fletchley... Perhaps, he simply enjoys the thrill of creating fear and doesn't want to take a young wizard's life. But, Professor McGonagall, are you going to place your hope in the enemy's mercy?"
"I understand all that, Amosta—"
When the word 'kill' was mentioned, Professor McGonagall's thin body trembled. She blew her nose, and her tough exterior began to crumble.
"Dumbledore said nothing, but I could tell he was also worried about the situation you mentioned. But, Amosta, we are not the Ministry of Magic. We don't have the right to..."
"Freedom and rights are worthless in the face of noble lives."
Amosta raised his voice, rudely interrupting Professor McGonagall.
"I understand what the school is worried about. Yes, I can imagine the censure Hogwarts will face if the young wizards, their families, or public opinion learn that Hogwarts is monitoring the young wizards' every move."
Amosta also revealed the assertive side of his personality. He said firmly,
"But I believe this is not important. If our actions can save... even just one child's life, then it is worth it, even if the school bears endless questioning!"
Professor McGonagall fell silent, tormented internally. The principles she had always adhered to and her clear rationality were fiercely battling in her mind.
"If it were according to my original idea, Professor McGonagall,"
Amosta rubbed his stomach. He was a little hungry.
"Gather everyone in the school to the Great Hall. One by one, use Legilimency or Veritaserum on them in the antechamber. Those who pass can go wait in the courtyard. Perhaps within a day, we can resolve this matter!"
"Absolutely not!"
Professor McGonagall started abruptly, startled by Amosta's bottomless proposal. She immediately refused sternly,
"That is a serious violation of the law, Amosta. If we do that, perhaps Hogwarts will have to close even before that heir strikes again!"
Amosta shrugged, his expression innocent. "It's just an idea, Professor. I didn't actually intend to implement it."
Professor McGonagall was ultimately persuaded; this was inevitable. Unless she could come up with an effective plan next semester, the corridors, towers, and courtyards within Hogwarts Castle were countless. Relying solely on the school's professors, prefects, and student council to increase patrols would simply be insufficient.
Moreover, who said prefects and professors wouldn't be attacked?
If such a situation truly occurred, not to mention the young wizards, there were few in the school who had enough strength to handle dangerous situations.
"Try your best to keep it confidential, Amosta. Some young wizards..." Professor McGonagall chose her words carefully. "Especially those from Gryffindor... are quite fond of adventure."
Amosta readily agreed. Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, seemingly thinking he hadn't realized how troublesome some young wizards in Gryffindor truly were.
"Would you like to come down and eat, Professor McGonagall?"
With the matter settled, Amosta was in a fairly good mood. He invited Professor McGonagall to join him for lunch in the Great Hall.
"No, I have many things to attend to. I'll have the house-elves prepare something for me later."
Professor McGonagall stood up, watching Amosta leave. However, before he reached the door, Professor McGonagall suddenly seemed to recall something and hastily called out to him again. Facing the puzzled Amosta, she looked a little troubled.
"There's something I just thought of, Amosta, and I haven't had time to consult Headmaster Dumbledore yet. Perhaps you could help..."
Amosta blinked. Professor McGonagall was always efficient and decisive, not indecisive. What problem could possibly make her so troubled?
"Have you heard of Gilderoy Lockhart?"
Professor McGonagall's expression was interesting, half annoyed, half helpless.
"If you're referring to the best-selling author..."
Amosta said, surprised, "I have indeed heard of him, Professor. His books are very famous. I've seen people reading his exciting adventure stories in many other European countries. I've also read them myself; they're indeed very interesting. He's a good storyteller. Are you... asking if I can get his autograph?"
"It has nothing to do with that!"
Professor McGonagall shook her head violently, as if swatting away annoying mosquitoes. She said irritably,
"He's teaching at the school now. Headmaster Dumbledore invited him."
"Oh!"
It seemed Professor McGonagall didn't like the celebrity author. Amosta's eyes widened.
"Then I dare say he's extremely popular with the young wizards... so?"
"How should I put it!"
Actually, Professor McGonagall wasn't the type to privately gossip about colleagues. That wasn't her style. However, as the Deputy Headmistress of the school, she had to be responsible for Hogwarts' teaching quality.
"Professor Lockhart might have some insights in compiling... I mean, writing books, but he... ahem, doesn't seem particularly good at teaching. You know, Amosta, fifth-year students in the second semester face O.W.L.s, and seventh-year students also need to take N.E.W.T.s. This is very important; it concerns the young wizards' future. Several students have already approached me, saying they can't get any help or improvement from Professor Lockhart... So, I just thought..."
Professor McGonagall looked at Amosta with anticipation.
"I was thinking, perhaps I could hire him an assistant—"
Amosta frowned. His main task at Hogwarts was to find the Chamber of Secrets and obtain Slytherin's legacy within. His method was to monitor the young wizards and observe those who behaved abnormally.
For this, he had to stay in the monitoring room all day and couldn't go out.
And serving as an assistant to a professor would mean he had to leave his office during the day, which would be putting the cart before the horse.
"—If you are willing, I can discuss it with Headmaster Dumbledore and pay you a salary commensurate with a regular professor."
You're actually bribing me with money, Professor McGonagall? This isn't your style!
Amosta asked righteously,
"I won't have to do homework grading, will I? Oh, by the way, which subject does this Professor Lockhart teach? Sorry, I'm not very good at Divination... Hmm, Professor Kettleburn retired?"
"Not Divination and Care of Magical Creatures, Amosta..."
Professor McGonagall was rarely so cautious. "Uh... hmm, it's... it's Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Clang!
Amosta turned sharply and slammed the door behind him.
"Sorry, goodbye!"
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