Chapter 149 Malfoy, who was so frightened that he called for his father
The students were too scared to move.
Ron was especially terrified, wishing he could run away.
The Acromantula's black fur gleamed under the sun, and its eight eyes stared densely at the students, as if choosing their dinner.
Harry swallowed, turning his head to look at Draco.
"Hey, Malfoy."
"Aren't you going to go up there and show it who's boss?"
Harry's words were not very harmful, but they were extremely insulting.
Draco's face turned from pale to red, his lips trembled slightly, and his eyes glared at Harry.
Harry was not to be outdone and glared back.
Goyle and Crabbe stood behind Draco, their faces also not looking good. If Draco hadn't still been standing there, they would have immediately turned and fled.
Hagrid noticed the students' fear and called out, somewhat flustered.
"Don't be afraid, everyone!"
"They're very docile, really! As long as you don't provoke them, they won't hurt you."
Ron's lips trembled as he muttered softly.
"Docile my foot."
Hagrid pulled out a large basket from behind him, filled with pre-cut pieces of meat.
"Come on, everyone, step a little closer."
Hagrid waved, signaling the students to move forward.
"As long as you feed the Acromantula the meat, they won't hurt you anymore."
The students looked at each other, but no one dared to move.
Hagrid looked at everyone, somewhat at a loss.
"Just try it, they're really friendly."
Harry took a deep breath and, bracing himself, took a step forward.
Ron immediately grabbed his sleeve.
"Are you crazy?"
"That's an Acromantula, it eats people!"
Harry gritted his teeth.
"Hagrid wouldn't harm us."
He broke free from Ron's hand, walked to the edge of the basket, and picked up a piece of meat.
The meat was wet and warm to the touch, and Harry's hand trembled slightly.
He walked to the nearest Acromantula, extended his hand, and offered the meat.
The Acromantula's eight eyes stared at Harry in unison, then slowly opened its mouth, revealing sharp fangs.
Harry's heart pounded, and his hand trembled even more violently.
The Acromantula stretched out its head, took the meat with its fangs, then stepped back and began to chew.
Hagrid was so happy he almost jumped up.
"Yes, that's it!"
He clapped his hands excitedly.
"Gryffindor, ten points! Harry did very well!"
Harry sighed in relief and turned to walk back to the crowd.
Hagrid looked around.
"Come on, everyone, give it a try!"
Harry turned his head, staring at Draco.
"What, Malfoy?" His voice was laced with provocation.
"Where's your show of dominance?"
At this point, he had successfully fed the Acromantula and was in an unselectable state, so he went straight for a close-up taunt.
Draco's face changed.
The surrounding Gryffindor students all looked over, and Ron spoke directly.
"Yeah, didn't you sound pretty tough just now?"
Draco gritted his teeth, his eyes sweeping over the Acromantula, then looking at the people around him.
He was in a difficult situation.
If he backed down now, his earlier words would become a joke.
Moreover, Harry had already gone, so how could he back down?
Draco took a deep breath and, bracing himself, walked to the edge of the basket and picked up a piece of meat.
He walked to the nearest Acromantula, its eight eyes staring at him in unison.
Draco honestly extended his hand and offered the meat.
If there were winged beasts, he might dare to disobey Hagrid and provoke them. But facing the Acromantula, he didn't dare to be the least bit dishonest.
The Acromantula opened its mouth, took the meat, and chewed.
Hagrid nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, Draco! Slytherin, ten points!"
He turned around and began to call out to the other students.
"Come on, everyone, give it a try!"
Just then, the Acromantula, seeing that Hagrid's attention was elsewhere, a cunning glint flashed in its eyes, and it made clicking sounds.
"Fresh human flesh... let me eat you."
Draco's body froze.
"Father! !"
...Charlie was unaware of what was happening in the Care of Magical Creatures Class.
This morning's class was Transfiguration.
Professor McGonagall stood at the podium, wand in hand, demonstrating how to turn a teapot into a tortoise.
Her movements were clean and precise; her wand drew an arc in the air, and the teapot instantly transformed into a small tortoise with its head retracted.
"Remember, keep your wrist steady when casting the spell," Professor McGonagall's voice was stern.
"Don't use too much force, or uncontrollable changes will occur."
The students all took out their wands and began to try.
This was a piece of cake for Charlie, who had already mastered it.
He casually waved his wand twice, and the teapot turned into a tortoise. Then he started to daydream, listening to the system remind him of rising tyrant points.
Professor McGonagall didn't bother him; after all, Charlie's skill far exceeded the content of this class, and studying diligently wouldn't yield any new knowledge.
When the bell rang, the students packed their things and left the classroom.
Charlie walked to the podium with his essay.
This was the Animagus essay on magical creatures that Professor McGonagall had assigned last semester. Hermione had finished it during the holidays and given it to Charlie on the first day of school.
"Professor, here is the essay you asked for." He handed over the parchment.
Professor McGonagall took the essay, her eyebrows slightly raised.
"You finished it so quickly?"
For a groundbreaking essay, it was not uncommon to spend a year or even several years on it.
But Charlie had finished it in a few months, which greatly surprised Professor McGonagall.
"Yes." Charlie nodded, then added.
"However, Hermione provided a lot of help for this essay; she is the second author of this paper."
Professor McGonagall's expression was somewhat surprised. She opened the essay and began to skim through it.
The further she read, the more obvious the surprise in her eyes became.
The essay's structure was clear, its arguments well-supported, and it even cited many ancient texts.
"Well written." Professor McGonagall closed the essay, her tone filled with satisfaction.
"I will examine it carefully and make some revisions. If it's up to standard, I will send the essay to transfiguration today."
Charlie nodded; this all conformed to the process of writing an essay.
Just then, the classroom door was suddenly pushed open.
Filch rushed in, panting, his steps hurried, his face flushed, looking very anxious.
He walked to Professor McGonagall's side, bent down, and whispered something in her ear.
Professor McGonagall's face instantly changed.
She stood up abruptly, her voice raised.
"Hagrid let the students touch Acromantula? Why would he do that?"
Charlie's mouth twitched; Hagrid really did that?
He stood in front of the podium, staring straight ahead, silently chanting: It has nothing to do with me, it has nothing to do with me.
Professor McGonagall grabbed her wand and hurried towards the door.
Her steps were fast, her robes billowing behind her, looking like she had a lot to do.
Charlie was somewhat curious about what had happened, so he turned and walked towards the Great Hall.
Harry and the others should be out of class by now; he would go ask what happened.
Chapter 150 Harry's Real Enemy?
Pushing open the Great Hall doors, Harry and Ron were laughing so hard they were practically falling over, Ron's eyes were watering, and Harry was clutching his stomach, slumped over the table.
Hermione wasn't there; she must have gone to her next class.
Draco sat at the Slytherin long table, his face ashen, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Crabbe and Goyle sat beside him, wide-eyed and silent, not daring to speak.
Charlie walked to the Gryffindor long table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
"What happened?" he asked.
Ron looked up, a smile still on his face.
"It's such a shame, Charlie, you didn't see it. Draco was so scared of the Acromantula he called for his daddy!"
He mimicked Draco's tone, yelling exaggeratedly, and burst into another fit of laughter.
Charlie raised an eyebrow, looking at Draco.
Draco's face darkened further. Charlie was someone he had been trying hard to win over, and if Charliethought he was a useless coward who only called for his daddy, he would lose all face.
He suddenly stood up, pointing at Harry and Ron.
"Shut up, Potter, Weasley!"
But the two of them laughed even harder, treating his threats as nothing.
Draco gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly.
He was actually very puzzled. That Acromantula clearly spoke, saying it wanted to eat him, but no one around seemed to have heard it. Was it a hallucination?
Regardless, he absolutely refused to let Harry make him lose face in front of Charlie.
Being ridiculed now was certain, so he needed to find a target even more embarrassing than himself; that way, he wouldn't seem so mortifying.
"Don't get too smug, Potter," Draco's voice was icy.
"At least I didn't faint from fear like you did when the Dementor came."
Harry's smile froze for a moment, but he immediately retorted, unwilling to show weakness.
"Even if I fainted, it's better than someone crying and calling for his daddy."
"You're more disgraceful."
"You're the most useless."
"You're trash."
...Charlie rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Was this a kindergarten squabble?
Not long after, the two seemed to tire of arguing and gradually quieted down.
But after a short rest, Draco was still not satisfied and continued:
"I'm definitely going to tell my father about this and have the school board fire Hagrid."
Harry's anger was ignited by these words.
"You're just a daddy's boy; you're useless without your dad."
Draco's expression twisted for a moment but quickly returned to a sneer.
"Daddy's boy?"
"Better than having no father at all."
This made Harry clench his fists in fury, his eyes spitting fire, wishing he could punch Draco to death.
Charlie looked at Draco in surprise.
This kid seemed to have wised up since Charlie had cursed him; his mouth had become venomous.
Ron suddenly stood up, pointing at Draco and shouting, "Shut up, Malfoy!"
Draco, however, laughed even harder. He folded his arms, his head tilted slightly.
"If it were me, I would personally catch my enemy and get my revenge, instead of hiding in the Castleall day."
Ron looked at Draco as if he were an idiot, opening his mouth.
"What... what are you talking about?" His voice was full of confusion.
"Who doesn't know your family is You-Know-Who's lapdog, and Harry has already had his revenge; he defeated You-Know-Who."
Draco let out a scoff, a hint of triumph flashing in his eyes.
"So you still don't know."
Harry frowned, his anger burning even brighter on his face.
"Are you crazy, Malfoy? What stupid things are you saying?"
Draco, however, wasn't annoyed at all; instead, he smiled profoundly.
The more anxious the other party was, the less he wanted to speak, but he overlooked that there was another person present whose curiosity he had piqued.
Charlie frowned.
"If you keep playing coy, do you believe I'll make you really go feed the Acromantula?"
Draco's smile froze for a moment, his neck retracting, and he finally spoke honestly.
"Because of Sirius Black's betrayal, You-Know-Who killed Harry's parents."
"So Harry's true enemy is the Ministry of Magic fugitive, Sirius Black."
At these words, Harry froze in place.
Charlie was also a little surprised, not expecting Sirius Black and Harry to have this connection.
Ron questioned, "What evidence do you have?"
Draco rolled his eyes at him:
"Do you think every family is like yours, so poor they know nothing?"
(Draco was mocking Ron, but in reality, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley knew but were unwilling to tell Harry, fearing he would seek revenge.)
Ron's face instantly flushed red. He opened his mouth to retort but couldn't speak.
You could criticize the Malfoy family's character, but you couldn't say they lacked ability. Knowing such information was easy for their family.
Draco turned to look at Harry, a sneer playing on his lips:
"Honestly, if it were me, I would have gone out to find him long ago, unlike you, still hiding in school, waiting for the Dementors to take him back to Azkaban."
Harry ignored his taunt, staring intently at Draco.
"You said Sirius betrayed them; was he once allied with my father?"
Draco looked at Charlie, seeing that he was also watching him, and put away the mocking expression on his face, his tone becoming unusually serious.
"I'm not clear on the specifics, but what's certain is that Sirius betrayed your parents."
Harry's fists clenched, cracking, his knuckles turning white.
His chest heaved violently, his breathing became rapid, and intense anger surged in his eyes.
Charlie pondered for a moment.
To get rid of Sirius, Grandma White would truly be safe.
He lowered his voice and leaned closer to Harry: "Want revenge?"
Harry suddenly turned his head, his eyes bloodshot, and nodded heavily.
Charlie's lips curved slightly upward.
"Then this weekend, go to Hogsmeade, and follow my lead."
...Leaving the Great Hall, the next class was Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, which Hufflepuffand Gryffindor took together.
In the corridor, Harry walked beside Charlie, looking as if he wanted to speak but held back.
He opened his mouth several times, but in the end, he held back. The weekend was still a few days away; asking now was useless.
Ron noticed Harry's expression and whispered, "Don't worry, Charlie definitely has a plan."
Harry nodded, but his brow remained tightly furrowed. Draco's words were like a thorn, stuck in his heart, impossible to pull out.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor.
Hermione ran over, panting, her cheeks flushed, fine beads of sweat on her forehead, and her robes a little disheveled.
"Wait for me," Hermione gasped, finally squeezing into the line with difficulty.
Charlie glanced at her and asked:
"Just finished class?"
Hermione nodded, taking a few deep breaths, finally recovering.
"The Arithmancy Class Professor talked for too long; I almost didn't make it."
Charlie clicked his tongue in wonder; this was a true top, spinning non-stop all day.
Hermione pulled out a thick copy of "Defensive Magical Theory" from her bag, flipping through it as she walked.
The group arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class classroom door and pushed it open.
Many students were already seated in the classroom, with Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students sitting on opposite sides.
Charlie found a window seat and sat down, with Ernie and Justin following closely to sit beside him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the front row.
The bell rang for class, but the podium was empty.
Students began to whisper.
"Why isn't Professor here yet?"
Just then, the classroom door was pushed open.
Professor Lupin walked in, carrying a worn briefcase.
His robes were still tattered, but his complexion was much better than on the first day of school; there was some light in his eyes, and he no longer walked so wearily.
It seemed that Hogwarts' food really nourished people.
Professor Lupin walked to the podium, put down his briefcase, and turned to face the students.
"Sorry, I'm late," his voice was gentle.
"I ran into a little trouble on the way."
"But it's alright; we'll start class now."
Chapter 151 Boggart
Professor Lupin looked around the classroom, a smile playing on his lips.
"Today we won't be using textbooks; we'll have a practical class."
The students immediately grew excited, stuffing their textbooks back into their bags.
Charlie recalled Lockhart's practical class last semester, the farce with the Cornish Pixies.
Since that incident, Lockhart had never dared to hold another practical class, instead making students read his self-aggrandizing books every lesson.
And first-year Quirrell, due to Lord Voldemort, was extremely perfunctory in his classes, mostly just reading from the textbook.
So, up until now, even though they were already in their third year, they had never had a proper practical class.
He wondered how Professor Lupin would teach.
"Follow me." Professor Lupin led the way out of the classroom.
The students filed out, following behind him.
Halfway there, a rustling sound came from ahead.
Peeves was crouching in front of a door, a wad of pink chewing gum in his hand, stuffing it into the keyhole.
He cackled as he did it, clearly pleased with his prank.
Professor Lupin stopped.
Peeves looked up, saw Professor Lupin, and let out a strange laugh.
He floated into the air, circled Professor Lupin once, and began to sing an unpleasant song.
"Loony Lupin, raggedy Lupin--"
The students were stunned.
Although Peeves usually enjoyed playing tricks on students, he was generally respectful to Professors, at least not singing taunts to their faces.
But now, he was completely rude to Professor Lupin, even disrespectful.
Ron whispered, "What's wrong with Peeves?"
Hermione frowned, clearly sensing something was amiss too.
But Professor Lupin didn't get angry; his expression remained gentle, even with a hint of a helpless smile.
"Peeves." Professor Lupin's voice was calm.
"If you stuff chewing gum into the keyhole, Mr. Filch won't be able to get in to get his broom. Let's make a deal, take the chewing gum out of the keyhole."
Peeves rolled his eyes and spat twice at Professor Lupin.
The students gasped; had he always been this brave?
Even the most good-tempered Professor couldn't tolerate such provocation.
Professor Lupin sighed.
He drew his wand and turned to face the students.
"Next, I'll teach you a very useful spell."
He raised his wand, pointing it at the keyhole.
"Waddiwasi!"
A white light shot from the tip of his wand.
The chewing gum in the keyhole flew out like a bullet, tracing a pink arc in the air, and precisely shot into Peeves' nostril.
Peeves froze for a second, then clutched his nose and let out a shriek.
"Ah!"
He did a somersault in the air and flew away, muttering curses.
The corridor immediately erupted in laughter, and the students looked at Professor Lupin with admiration.
Most of them had been pranked by Peeves and were helpless against him.
Everyone continued forward, arriving at the door of the staff room.
Professor Lupin pushed open the door, signaling for the students to enter.
Charlie walked in, surveying this place he had never been to before. The walls were all wooden panels, a few old armchairs were arranged inside, and a cabinet stood against the wall, looking very much like a storage room.
This was where the Professors would briefly rest after class.
Snape was sitting in an armchair by the window, flipping through a book in his hand.
Hearing the commotion, he looked up, his deep black eyes sweeping over the entering students, finally resting on Lupin.
A cold sneer appeared on his lips.
"Oh, Lupin, what are you doing?"
Professor Lupin smiled.
"I'm bringing the students for a practical class."
He turned to close the door.
Snape stood up, his black robe spreading out like bat wings.
"Don't close the door, Lupin."
"I don't want to stay here watching your class."
Charlie, like a marmot in a melon field, sensed a big drama unfolding; there was definitely a conflict between the two of them.
But unfortunately, Professor Lupin didn't respond.
Snape strode towards the door, stopping as he passed the students.
He glanced at which students were present and said mockingly:
"Perhaps no one has reminded you, there's a student named Neville Longbottom in this class."
"He'll mess up everything you give him, so it's best not to let him do anything."
Neville stood in the crowd, his face instantly flushed. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
If not for the fact that the other person was a Professor, he really wanted to use the dueling techniques Charlie had taught him.
Professor Lupin's smile didn't falter, gentle and sincere.
"I was actually planning to have Neville help me with the first step of the lesson."
He turned to look at Neville, his eyes full of trust.
"I believe he will do very well."
Neville was stunned, his ears redder than before.
No Professor had ever defended him like this.
Snape snorted coldly, his hooked nose wrinkling.
His gaze swept over the students, finally landing on Charlie, his eyes becoming meaningful.
"You'd best be alert during class."
"If you notice anything unusual, it's best to consult your textbooks to understand what causes such situations."
With that, he swished his robes and walked out of the staff room, like an unhappy large bat.
Charlie raised an eyebrow; Snape seemed to be hinting at something.
Do you really trust me to grasp your meaning, Professor Snape, you fellow?
Facing Professor Snape's trust, Charlie chose to put the matter out of his mind.
He had no desire to solve riddles; was the food in the dining hall not tasty, or was sleep in the dormitory not good?
Professor Lupin closed the door as usual, turned around, and still wore a gentle smile on his face.
He gestured for the students to come to an old wardrobe.
The wardrobe shook violently, emitting thumping sounds, and the entire cabinet trembled.
Several students jumped back in fright, almost bumping into the people behind them.
"Don't be afraid." Professor Lupin's voice was calm, carrying a soothing power.
"There's a Boggart inside."
He turned around and looked at the students.
"Does anyone know what a Boggart is?"
Hermione's hand immediately shot up, almost a reflex.
"A Boggart is a shape-shifter; it transforms into what we fear most."
Professor Lupin nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes.
"Excellent answer, five points to Gryffindor."
He walked over to the wardrobe and patted the cabinet door.
"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces, so wardrobes, under beds, cupboards—these places can all hide them."
Charlie's expression was strange; it can shapeshift, likes to hide in dark corners—what kind of magical world 'Old Wang' is this?
Chapter 152 What Charlie Fears
Professor Lupin paused, then added, "One more thing to add—the Boggart in the wardrobe doesn't have a specific shape; it doesn't know what the person outside the wardrobe fears.
Only when it sees you will it transform into your greatest fear."
The students exchanged glances, some looking nervous.
"The Spell to repel a Boggart is very simple, but it requires strong willpower.
What you need to do is imagine the Boggart turning into something ridiculous and comical."
He looked around.
"Practice the Spell with me—Riddikulus!"
"Riddikulus!" the students chanted in unison, their voices uneven.
"Very good, once more," Professor Lupin encouraged.
"Your voices need to be firmer."
"Riddikulus!" This time, their voices were much more synchronized.
Professor Lupin nodded with satisfaction, his gaze falling on Neville.
"Neville, you go first."
Neville looked a little bewildered, pointing at himself.
"Me?"
"That's right," Professor Lupin walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder.
"Neville, what do you fear most?"
Neville opened his mouth, many things flashing through his mind.
After Charlie's training during this period, he was no longer as timid as before.
At least when faced with Malfoy's provocation, he dared to fight back directly.
But there was one person who always remained an insurmountable obstacle in his heart.
That was Snape; his conflicts with Snape in Potion Class were usually a three-to-seven split—three minutes, and he'd be scolded seven times.
Every Potion Class was an ordeal; Snape always found a reason to deduct his points and mock his stupidity.
This made Neville both angry and afraid of Snape.
"Professor Snape," Neville whispered.
As soon as he spoke, a few snickers broke out in the classroom.
Professor Lupin, however, did not laugh; his expression remained serious.
"Very good, then let's imagine Professor Snape in a comical way."
He paused, his voice filled with encouragement.
"As comical as possible.
He could be dancing, or he could be wearing your grandmother's clothes."
"I'm sure Professor Snape wouldn't mind."
Charlie now understood why Snape had such animosity towards Professor Lupin from the start.
You, Lupin, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, if you cut him open, there's still a bit of darkness inside.
Neville was stunned for a moment, then nodded solemnly.
He took a deep breath and walked to the wardrobe door.
The surrounding students retreated, making space.
Charlie stood in the crowd, watching the scene with great interest.
Professor Lupin drew his wand and waved it gently.
The wardrobe door slowly opened.
A black figure emerged from the wardrobe, robes billowing, greasy black hair hanging on either side, and a prominent hooked nose.
It looked exactly like Professor Snape just now.
Snape, in the form of the Boggart, had icy eyes and walked menacingly towards Neville.
Neville's body froze for a moment.
But the next second, a flicker of anger flashed in his eyes.
In Potion Class, he was scolded by Snape until he couldn't lift his head; if it weren't for the teacher-student relationship, he might have already acted.
Now, this Boggart in front of him was exactly like Snape, and the anger in Neville's heart immediately overshadowed his fear.
Normally you scare me, and now in Defense Against the Dark Arts Class you're still scaring me, so isn't this class completely pointless?
Thus, evil rose from his heart, and anger fueled his courage.
Neville suddenly raised his leg and delivered a groin kick directly to the Boggart's crotch.
"Bang!"
The Boggart let out a scream, bent over, clutching its crotch, and fell to the ground.
Ron gasped, muttering softly, "Oh my god..."
Harry unconsciously clutched his crotch, feeling a faint phantom pain.
He warned himself in his mind never to provoke Neville.
Neville didn't stop.
He pulled out his wand, aimed it at the Boggart on the ground, and loudly chanted:
"Riddikulus!"
A white light shot from the tip of his wand.
The Boggart's body instantly transformed.
Two black bruises appeared on its face, its eye sockets swelled like walnuts, its nose was crooked, and its lips were cracked.
The Boggart lay on the ground, wailing like a child who had suffered a great injustice.
No matter how terrifying a person was, once they looked like this, they couldn't be terrifying anymore.
Professor Lupin withdrew his hand, which he had intended to use to stop him, his expression somewhat complex.
He looked at the crying Boggart on the ground, marveling at how much resentment this child held.
After Neville finished, the next student went.
Parvati saw a blood-stained mummy, Seamus saw a female ghost, Ron saw an Acromantula, Ernie saw a Vampire, and Justin saw his treasured magazines discovered by his mother.
Each student's reaction when facing the Boggart was different.
Parvati screamed in fright but still gritted her teeth and chanted the Spell; the mummy was put in a ballet dress and danced a comical, limping dance on the ground.
Seamus's Spell gave the female ghost a bow on her head and smeared her with cheap lipstick, making her look like an old woman with failed makeup.
Ron's hands trembled violently when facing the Acromantula, but he eventually turned the spider into a figure falling while wearing roller skates.
Ernie made the Vampire wear pink bunny ears and even gave it a pacifier.
Justin's face turned pale when facing his mother, and tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
When he successfully cast the Spell, the magazine in his mother's hand turned into a textbook.
Justin breathed a sigh of relief, eliciting a round of good-natured laughter from those around him.
Charlie stood in the line, genuinely curious about what the Boggart would turn into when it was his turn.
To be honest, he didn't really have anything to fear right now; how many Sectumsempra Spells could those monsters or magical creatures withstand from him?
When it was Charlie's turn, he stepped forward and met the gaze of Justin's mother.
The other students were all very curious about what Charlie would fear, staring intently at Justin's mother.
The next second, she began to tremble violently, her outline gradually blurring and distorting.
Rows of desks appeared out of thin air, neatly arranged in the room.
Each desk had a label in the upper right corner, covered with densely written names.
A blackboard grew out of the wall.
The light from outside the window turned stark white, shining through the glass and casting a cold tone over the entire scene.
A tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the classroom; the air itself became heavy.
Charlie's face instantly froze.
He stared at the scene before him, his mouth twitching.
Damn it, it's the college entrance exam!
Everyone's college entrance exam experience is different, but Charlie happened to experience the most terrifying mode.
So much so that even after transmigrating for so long, he occasionally still had nightmares.
In the dream, he sat in the examination room, not a single word written on the test paper, but it was almost time to hand it in.
The invigilator stared at him from the podium, and the countdown clock chimed, each second striking his heart.
That feeling of powerlessness, that despair, was even more terrifying than facing Lord Voldemort.
Ron's eyes widened.
"What is this? A classroom?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes, carefully observing the desks and blackboard.
"It's a bit like a Muggle school exam, but why is the atmosphere so oppressive?"
Harry frowned, completely unable to understand.
"Why would Charlie be afraid of an exam? Is this Boggart broken?"
Charlie's temples throbbed; he took a deep breath and raised his wand.
"Riddikulus!"
This time, his chanting of the Spell was exceptionally firm, even with a hint of gritted teeth.
A white light shot out.
The examination room simulated by the Boggart instantly exploded.
Desks shattered into pieces, the blackboard split in half, test papers flew through the air, then turned to ashes.
The entire scene looked as if it had been bombed by a missile, completely reduced to ruins.
Charlie instantly felt refreshed; he had wanted to blow up this wretched place for a long time.
Chapter 153 Seducing Sirius
The practical class continued, with the Boggart frantically shifting between various forms, each transformation accompanied by the students' screams and laughter, turning the entire staff room into chaos.
The Boggart moved through the crowd, gradually approaching Harry.
Harry gripped his wand, his palms slightly sweaty; he took a deep breath, preparing himself.
He wondered what the Boggart would turn into—Lord Voldemort? A Dementor?
Just as the Boggart was about to reach Harry, Professor Lupin suddenly rushed forward.
"Look here!" he shouted, pointing his wand at the Boggart.
The Boggart spun around sharply, meeting Professor Lupin's eyes.
Its body transformed, its outline blurring and twisting, and a full moon appeared out of thin air.
Charlie raised an eyebrow; Professor Lupin was afraid of the moon? That was a bit strange.
Ron muttered, "What's so scary about the moon?"
Professor Lupin calmly raised his wand.
"Riddikulus!"
A white light shot out.
The full moon instantly turned into a lightbulb, swayed in the air, and then flew back into the wardrobe.
"Bang!" The wardrobe door closed.
The staff room was silent for a few seconds, then erupted into enthusiastic applause.
Professor Lupin turned around, a smile returning to his face.
"Excellent, everyone performed very well," his voice returned to its gentle tone.
"Especially Neville, for your outstanding performance, Gryffindor gets five points."
Neville's face instantly flushed, and he lowered his head shyly.
Professor Lupin looked around and added:
"That's about it for today's class. The homework is to write an essay about Boggarts, a foot long will do. Class dismissed."
The students packed up their things and left the staff room, the corridor filled with excited chatter.
"Did you see that mummy? Wearing a ballet skirt, hahahaha."
"And that Acromantula, falling over in roller skates, it was so funny."
"Neville just kicked the Boggart, that was brutal."
Everyone chattered away, but Harry was dejected.
He walked at the very back of the group, head down, his face gloomy.
Professor Lupin deliberately didn't let him face the Boggart. Was it because he fainted on the train, thinking he wasn't capable? This made Harry feel very frustrated.
Hermione was also unhappy; she and Harry were among the few who didn't get a chance to face the Boggart.
"I wanted to try facing a Boggart too," Hermione muttered.
Charlie, walking beside her, turned his head when he heard this.
"Then it would probably turn into a library with no books."
Hermione imagined the scene and shivered.
"That would be terrifying."
Soon, the weekend arrived.
Everyone in the school had taken Defense Against the Dark Arts Class once, and this class became the most popular course in the entire school.
In the corridors, at the dining tables, everywhere, students could be heard excitedly discussing the Boggarts' transformations and Professor Lupin's teaching style.
However, there were exceptions.
A portion of Slytherin students had quite a few complaints about Professor Lupin.
Draco sat at the dining table, poking his steak with a fork, his tone full of disdain.
"Those robes are all patched up, like a beggar's," he rolled his eyes.
"When did Hogwarts get so poor that it can't even afford to buy a new robe for a Professor?"
Pansy nodded, agreeing, "Exactly, it's embarrassing to look at."
Goyle and Crabbe ate in silence, not joining the conversation.
They actually found Professor Lupin's class quite interesting, but they didn't dare say so in front of Draco.
Even more displeased was Snape.
He heard from somewhere that Neville had kicked him in the groin during class, even though it was a Boggart transformed into him.
This made Snape's face even gloomier than usual, and his entire being exuded an aura that warned people to stay away.
Also because of this, during Potion Class, he went out of his way to make Neville's life difficult.
Neville was powerless against his oppression, only able to suppress all his anger, preparing to unleash it all on Professor Snape during the next Defense Against the Dark Arts Class.
Besides targeting Neville, Snape was also full of hostility towards Lupin.
Whenever he heard someone mention Lupin's name, he would glare fiercely.
It was clear how deeply Snape hated Professor Lupin, even temporarily surpassing his hatred for Harry.
Hagrid's days were not easy either.
Because of the Acromantula incident, Professor McGonagall called him to her office and gave him a stern warning.
This led to the next few days of classes becoming very conventional.
He no longer took students to see dangerous magical creatures, but instead lectured on relatively docile animals like salamanders and Flobberworms, following the textbook content.
Students reacted differently to this.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief, finally not having to see Acromantulas anymore.
But Fred and George were greatly disappointed.
They had been very much looking forward to what Hagrid would do in the fifth-year Care of Magical Creatures Class, but now it had become as unremarkable as before.
In the Great Hall, Charlie walked up to Harry and gave him a look.
Harry immediately stood up, a flicker of excitement on his face.
He glanced at Ron and Hermione, who quickly understood and followed suit.
As the four had just stepped out of the Great Hall door, footsteps sounded behind them.
Harry looked back, his face instantly falling.
Draco had also followed them at some point, leaving Goyle and Crabbe in the Great Hall.
Ron's brows furrowed, and he muttered, "What's he doing here?"
Hermione was also a bit surprised, but she didn't speak, only looked at Charlie.
Draco walked up to them, his chin slightly raised, his gaze sweeping over Harry's face with a hint of provocation.
Harry stared at him, clenching his fists.
Their eyes met in the air, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
"Malfoy," Harry's voice was cold.
"Potter."
Draco's lips curved into a smirk, and just as he was about to open his mouth to taunt, Charlie had already turned and walked deeper into the corridor.
"Keep up," Charlie said without looking back.
Harry gritted his teeth, suppressing the anger in his heart, and quickly followed.
Ron and Hermione also followed.
Draco was at the back, the sarcastic words stuck in his chest, making him extremely uncomfortable, but he still followed.
The corridor was quiet, only the sound of their footsteps echoing.
A few days ago in the Great Hall, Charlie said he had a way to catch Sirius, but he didn't say how exactly.
So Harry was very eager, catching up to Charlie and asking in a low voice, "What's your plan?"
Charlie's steps didn't stop.
"It's simple, you'll be the bait."
Harry was stunned: "Bait?"
"Yes." Charlie turned his head and glanced at him.
"Sirius wants to find you, doesn't he? So let's go with the flow. Spread rumors of your presence in Hogsmeade to lure Sirius into the trap."
Chapter 154 As long as you don't get caught, it's not considered a violation of school rules.
Harry clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles turning white.
He remembered what Draco had said in the Great Hall, and the deaths of his parents.
If it weren't for that traitor, maybe he too could have grown up with his parents' care, instead of living under someone else's roof and being bullied.
"Alright." Harry agreed with hardly any hesitation, nodding.
"I agree."
Charlie smiled. He also wanted to catch Sirius Black as soon as possible, in case he ran to the orphanage to interrogate Harry, which would be terrible.
Even with Norbert guarding the orphanage, it wasn't 100% safe.
Harry's cooperation pleased Charlie greatly.
Ron opened his mouth beside them, wanting to say something, but ultimately closed it.
He knew Harry's temper; once he made up his mind, no one could dissuade him.
Hermione, however, frowned, a worried expression on her face.
This wasn't the day for students to go to Hogsmeade, and leaving school without permission was against school rules, but that wasn't what she was worried about; she was concerned for Harry's safety.
She quickly took a few steps to Harry's side.
"Harry," Hermione's voice was a little hesitant.
"Won't this be too dangerous?"
Harry turned to look at her, his gaze firm.
"I'm not afraid."
Hermione bit her lip.
"But Sirius Black is a murderer, what if something unexpected happens…"
"Nothing unexpected will happen." Harry interrupted her.
"I will definitely catch him."
Hermione opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but seeing Harry's expression, she finally fell silent.
Ron, beside them, pouted and whispered:
"With Charlie around, instead of worrying about Harry's safety, you should worry about whether Sirius Black will even show up."
Hermione froze for a moment, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face, as if that were indeed the case.
Charlie led them to the statue of the Humpbacked Witch.
Harry asked, puzzled, "Why are we here?"
Charlie didn't answer, directly pulling out his wand and tapping it on the statue.
"Dissendium."
The statue made a slight grinding sound, and a crack appeared in its back.
Draco's eyebrows raised, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Although he had been at Hogwarts for three years, this was the first time he had seen this secret passage.
Ron's eyes widened.
"There's a secret passage here?"
Hermione leaned forward to observe, her eyes full of curiosity.
Charlie went in first, and the others followed closely.
The secret passage was pitch black, only the silhouettes of the people in front could be seen. The flagstones underfoot were a bit slippery, and water droplets occasionally fell from above. The air was filled with the smell of mold and earth.
Harry walked behind Ron, his hand on the wall, inching forward. The wall was cold and somewhat damp to the touch.
"Where does this path lead?" Hermione asked softly.
"To Honeydukes in Hogsmeade," Charlie's voice came from ahead.
Draco stepped on a loose stone, his foot slipped, and he almost fell.
He steadied himself against the wall and swore under his breath.
Ron stifled a laugh from behind.
Draco turned and glared at him, and Ron immediately pretended nothing had happened.
After walking for about ten minutes, Charlie pushed open the trapdoor above.
The surroundings were piled with wooden crates, labeled with various candy names.
The air was filled with a rich sweet aroma, a mix of cream, chocolate, and fruit candy.
"This is Honeydukes' storeroom." Charlie turned to face them.
"Before we go out, put on the Disillusionment Charm."
He raised his wand, and a silvery-white light flowed from the tip, pouring down from above like water.
Charlie and the others gradually became transparent, finally disappearing completely into the air.
Harry exclaimed:
"The Disillusionment Charm is even more effective than my Invisibility Cloak!"
Hermione, however, shook her head.
"A normal Disillusionment Charm can only make you transparent; if you look closely, you can still spot something, but Charlie's magic is so strong that it made the Disillusionment Charm achieve complete invisibility."
Charlie gestured for them to be quiet, then they walked out of the storeroom and through Honeydukes' back door.
The streets of Hogsmeade were bustling with people.
Ron looked around, his gaze involuntarily falling to his side.
Although he couldn't see anyone, he could feel that annoying person nearby.
"Malfoy, what exactly are you doing here?" Ron finally couldn't help but ask.
Draco's sneer came through the air.
"If it weren't for Charlie, do you think I'd be here? Just being near you makes me feel stinky."
Ron's face immediately flushed, but he didn't back down.
"I think your mouth is too stinky, that's why you smell something bad."
"Enough," Charlie's voice interrupted their argument.
"Draco is here to help."
"Help with what?" Harry's voice was full of confusion.
"Two days ago, I already had Draco spread the word in Hogsmeade," Charlie explained.
"Saying you would appear in Hogsmeade, otherwise, how would we lure Sirius Black?"
Harry froze.
Ron opened his mouth, speechless for a long time.
Hermione whispered, "So you had it all planned out?"
"With Draco's family background, doing this is incredibly easy," Charlie's tone was calm.
Draco snorted proudly, his chin slightly raised. Although no one could see him under the Disillusionment Charm, he still couldn't help but let out a soft huff.
Harry's emotions were incredibly complex.
He and Draco had been at odds for so long, ever since their first meeting on the train, they had disliked each other.
In first year, they almost fought on the train, and in second year, they actually fought in the Duelling Club. Over these three years, their conflicts were countless.
But now, Draco was helping him get revenge, even if it was because of Charlie, he was genuinely helping him.
Harry took a deep breath, adjusted his mindset, and took a few steps in Draco's direction.
"Thank you," Harry's voice was a little unnatural.
The air was silent for a few seconds.
Now it was Draco's turn to be uncomfortable; his face was a little red, and he said with his neck stiffened.
"Who told you to thank me? I'm helping Charlie, it has nothing to do with you."
Charlie dispelled the Disillusionment Charm, the surrounding air twisted, and their figures reappeared.
Draco immediately reverted to his arrogant self, his chin slightly raised, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding shops, looking disdainful of everything.
A few passing wizards looked at them, their eyes lingering on them for a moment, then they looked away and continued walking.
Ron looked left and right, whispering, "They won't report us, will they? We clearly look like we're still in school."
Hermione was also a little nervous:
"Right, normally, we have to wait until Halloween to come to Hogsmeade. Isn't it a bit too conspicuous for us to be here like this?"
"Don't worry, they won't," Charlie said casually, walking ahead.
"Which year at Hogwarts hasn't had students breaking school rules and sneaking out? The people in Hogsmeade have seen it all."
Hermione seemed shocked: "What if the professors find out, don't they care?"
Charlie smiled:
"You've been in school for two and a half years, haven't you noticed?"
"Hogwarts has a hidden school rule."
"As long as you're not caught in the act, it doesn't count as breaking school rules."
Chapter 155 The Screaming Shack and the Big Black Dog
Charlie and the others strolled leisurely through Hogsmeade, their eyes constantly scanning the people coming and going.
They had all seen Sirius's appearance in the newspapers—tangled black hair, sunken eyes, and gaunt cheeks. His mad look was unforgettable.
They wandered from morning until afternoon, entering all sorts of shops. Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks Pub, prank items at Zonko's Joke Shop, and a dazzling array of sweets at Honeydukes.
Charlie even bought a large pile of Cockroach Clusters at Honeydukes. Who invented these things? They looked disgusting, but tasted surprisingly good.
But they didn't even catch a glimpse of Sirius.
Ron yawned.
"He didn't come at all, did he?"
"It's possible." Hermione frowned.
"After all, this is Hogsmeade, full of Wizards. If he dared to show his face publicly, he'd be caught in minutes."
Draco leaned against the wall, explaining to Charlie beforehand.
"I've spread the word, so if he didn't come, it's not my fault."
Charlie was silent for a moment, then turned and walked towards a less crowded area.
"Let's check the more secluded places."
The others followed, walking along the street and out of town.
The hustle and bustle of Hogsmeade gradually faded, the surrounding buildings became sparser, and the cobblestone path underfoot grew uneven.
In the distance, a pointed-roof house appeared in their line of sight.
Draco stopped, pointing at the house.
"That's the Shrieking Shack."
"The Shrieking Shack?" Harry looked at the dilapidated building in confusion.
"They used to say there were always wailing sounds coming from inside." Draco's tone was dismissive.
"So hardly anyone goes there, but I think it's all just a trick."
Charlie raised an eyebrow and walked towards the Shrieking Shack.
The closer they got, the more obvious the house's decay became. The windows were broken, the door panels askew, and the walls were covered in vines. The air was filled with the smell of mold and decay.
Charlie pushed the door open, and the wooden door let out a grating creak.
The room was dimly lit, with only faint light filtering through the broken windows. A thick layer of dust covered the floor, and broken furniture was piled in the corners.
A big black dog lay in the center of the room, splayed out on its hind legs, licking its backside.
Hearing the movement, the big black dog raised its head, freezing in place.
Charlie was stunned for a moment.
"What a big dog."
This big black dog was unusually large, almost as big as a calf. Its black fur was disheveled, but its eyes were surprisingly bright, staring intently at the people who had entered.
Harry's face instantly changed.
He took half a step back, his hand unconsciously tightening around his wand. In Divination Class, Professor Trelawney said his death omen was a big black dog. And now, this dog appeared before him, staring at him with a strange look.
Harry's heart pounded, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Hermione noticed Harry's pale face.
She quickly walked a few steps to Harry's side and whispered, "Don't be nervous, this is just a coincidence. Don't believe those rubbish predictions from Divination Class."
Ron also tried to start a conversation to cheer Harry up: "This must be a stray dog, there's no one around here."
The big black dog heard Ron's voice and suddenly turned its head to look at him.
Its bright eyes instantly turned fierce, it bared its teeth, and a low growl rumbled in its throat.
Ron was startled and took half a step back, instinctively reaching for his wand.
Draco sneered, "Even dogs hate you, Weasley. It only gets angry at you, so it seems you really have a problem."
"You shut up!" Ron's ears instantly turned red, glaring at Draco.
"It was clearly facing all of us just now!"
"Was it?" Draco raised an eyebrow, his tone full of mockery.
"Why do I only see it barking at you?"
The big black dog bared its teeth, a flash of human-like ferocity in its eyes, looking as if it was about to lunge forward.
But the next second, its gaze fell on Charlie, and its entire body suddenly froze.
A strong sense of threat emanated from Charlie.
That feeling made the big black dog instinctively tense its muscles, and its fur stood on end.
It felt that if it dared to pounce and bite, there would be terrible consequences.
A hint of unwillingness flashed in the big black dog's eyes, and the growl in its throat gradually stopped.
It stared at Charlie for a few seconds, then suddenly turned, pushing off with all four legs, and bolted out the door.
The wooden door slammed shut with a bang, and a few splinters of wood fell from the doorframe.
The big black dog's figure quickly disappeared into the wilderness outside the Shrieking Shack.
Ron sighed in relief: "Good that it ran away."
Draco pouted: "Coward."
"Who are you calling a coward?" Ron immediately retorted.
"The dog," Draco sneered.
"What, do you think I'm talking about you?"
Just as Ron was about to speak, a violent trembling suddenly came from his pocket.
Scabbers was struggling frantically in his pocket, claws tearing at the fabric, his whole body shaking like a sieve.
Ron reached in to pull him out: "Scabbers, what's wrong with you?"
But Scabbers refused to come out, even burrowing deeper into the pocket. His small body trembled even more violently, emitting tiny squeaks.
Ron felt his pocket and said with a frown, "He might have been scared by the big black dog."
Hermione glanced towards the door: "That dog was indeed quite scary."
Harry took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He told himself this was just an ordinary stray dog, not some death omen.
But the unease in his heart wouldn't go away.
Charlie walked around the room; the dust on the floor was thick, and apart from where the big black dog had been lying, there were no other traces.
Broken furniture was piled in the corner, and moss grew in the cracks of the walls. The entire house exuded an air of long-abandoned decay.
"It seems Sirius hasn't been here," Charlie said.
Harry silently looked out the window; the sky had already begun to darken. The lights of Hogsmeade lit up in the distance, scattered like tiny jewels in the darkness.
From morning until now, they had been wandering around Hogsmeade all day, without even catching a glimpse of Sirius.
"It's getting late," Hermione reminded them. "If we don't go back soon, we'll miss dinner."
Ron's stomach rumbled in agreement. He awkwardly rubbed his belly: "I'm hungry too."
Charlie turned and walked towards the door: "Let's go back to Hogwarts."
He hadn't expected to find Sirius in just one day; he planned to come to Hogsmeade every weekend after this.
Even if he didn't catch Sirius, the tyrant points for leaving school without permission were substantial; the system's alerts hadn't stopped all day.
Chapter 156 The Big Black Dog Invades Hogwarts?
Late at night, Gryffindor dormitory was silent.
Harry turned over, breathing evenly, clearly fast asleep. Ron lay on his side in bed, mouth slightly open, snoring softly.
A rustling sound came from under the covers.
Scabbers poked his head out from the edge of Ron's duvet, his two shifty eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
After confirming there was no danger, he carefully crawled out, moving with extreme caution, afraid of making any noise.
Moonlight streamed through the window, falling on him.
Scabbers' fur was dusty grey, with a few bald patches on his head, making him look ancient.
He squatted by Ron's pillow, his front paws unconsciously scratching the bedsheet.
The scene from the afternoon replayed repeatedly in his mind.
In the Shrieking Shack, the big black dog's gaze made him tremble all over.
That wasn't the look of an ordinary dog; it was the look of a human, or more precisely, the look of Sirius Black.
Scabbers was too familiar with that gaze.
Thirteen years ago, it was these eyes that stared at him, filled with anger and murderous intent. He thought he would never see these eyes again, because Sirius had been imprisoned in Azkaban.
But now, he had escaped.
And he had found Hogwarts.
Scabbers' claws gripped tighter, leaving several marks on the bedsheet.
Sirius must be after him.
Scabbers desperately wanted to flee far away at this moment, but where could he go?
He had been with Ron's family for thirteen years, long accustomed to being fed, having a warm bed, and not worrying about wind and rain.
To make him return to the wild, wander around, rummage through trash cans for food, and evade attacks from other animals?
He was unwilling to live that kind of life.
And in his current state, it was impossible for him to become a pet in a new family.
He was too old, his fur was ugly, and he shed. What normal person would choose him as a pet?
Scabbers was silent for a moment, then finally crawled back to the edge of Ron's duvet.
The Ministry of Magic would surely catch Sirius.
He prayed desperately in his heart... In the next few weeks, Hogwarts was unusually calm.
So calm that Charlie was a bit unaccustomed to it.
There had been too many strange occurrences in the previous two years. Charlie had grown used to something going wrong every so often. Now, with nothing happening, he felt a little uneasy.
Every weekend, Charlie would take Harry to Hogsmeade, but they never spotted Sirius.
Only that big black dog was often seen wandering around the Shrieking Shack. Every time Ron saw it, he would clutch his pocket tightly, to prevent it from scaring Scabbers.
In Divination Class, Professor Trelawney seemed very keen on prophesying Harry's death, which made Harry genuinely feel like dying every time Divination Class came around.
But the female students were very taken with it.
After class, Gryffindor's Parvati and Lavender would gather around Professor Trelawney, chattering about the patterns in their teacups.
Hannah would even run to Trelawney's classroom during meal times, returning with a mysterious expression, as if she had discovered some incredible secret.
However, not all girls liked Divination Class.
Hermione was almost fed up with Trelawney's nonsense.
In her opinion, only rigorous numbers like those in Arithmancy could truly predict the future. Trelawney's tricks of reading tea leaves and crystal balls had no logic whatsoever.
And Professor Trelawney was also the only Professor who said Hermione had poor talent.
She always said Hermione had no Inner Eye, which greatly displeased Hermione.
"She doesn't understand anything about prophecy!" Hermione said through gritted teeth.
Time came to the end of October, Halloween.
Students returned to Hogwarts from Hogsmeade for the feast. Today was the first day students went to Hogsmeade this semester without violating school rules.
Charlie, of course, went too.
However, just like the previous few times, he still found no trace of Sirius.
Harry was a bit discouraged, but Charlie was not anxious. Fishing requires patience, and coming up empty is normal, but remember, no one stays empty-handed forever.
The feast was held in the Great Hall.
Hundreds of bats fluttered on the ceiling, jack-o'-lanterns floated in the air, and candlelight flickered.
The tables were laden with all sorts of food: roasted chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie.
Harry had barely sat down when Wood walked over from beside him.
"Harry," Wood's voice was serious.
"Remember to come to practice tomorrow."
Harry froze for a moment, then looked up.
"Tomorrow? But tomorrow is Sunday."
He had planned to go to Hogsmeade again tomorrow.
"I know," Wood nodded.
"But we must hurry."
With that, Wood turned and left, his steps firm, like a soldier going to battle.
Harry looked at his retreating back, then turned to Ron with a bitter expression.
"Wood is crazy." Harry's tone was full of helplessness.
"He's graduating next year, so this year is his last chance to win the House Cup."
Ron swallowed his food.
"So he's going to work you guys to death?"
"Pretty much."
Last year, the House Cup unexpectedly fell into Hufflepuff's hands.
Wood saw this as a great humiliation and spent the entire summer devising new tactics. This year, to compensate for the broom advantage, the intensity of training was simply inhuman to the team members.
At the end of the feast, the ghosts of Hogwarts floated out.
Nearly Headless Nick emerged from under the Gryffindor table, his head tilted to one side, held by his hand.
The Bloody Baron, covered in bloodstains, hovered by the Slytherin table.
The Fat Friar floated over from the Hufflepuff side, smiling cheerfully and greeting the students.
The students erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Nick began to perform his specialty — taking his head off his neck and then putting it back on.
Headmaster Dumbledore stood at the faculty table, a faint smile on his lips, quietly watching the ghosts' performance.
Just then, a piercing laugh came from outside the Great Hall.
"Hehehe, hahahaha —"
Peeves flew in from the doorway, doing a somersault in the air. His tiny top hat was askew on his head, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Intruder! There's an intruder at Hogwarts!"
Peeves' voice was sharp and shrill, but it didn't sound tense at all; instead, it carried a hint of schadenfreude.
The Great Hall instantly fell silent.
Students looked at each other, not knowing what had happened.
Charlie looked up at Peeves, who was tumbling in the air, and helplessly rubbed his forehead.
Damn it, who said this semester would be peaceful?
Dumbledore's expression turned serious. He stood up and spoke calmly.
"Peeves, what happened?"
Peeves reined in his smile. He wouldn't dare mock Headmaster Dumbledore.
"Follow me!" Peeves' tone was unusually serious for a moment.
Dumbledore walked down from the faculty table, following Peeves. Professors all rose, and students followed suit.
The entire procession moved grandly through the corridor, arriving at the Gryffindor Tower.
Charlie stood at the front of the student group, looking up at the portrait.
The portrait of the fat lady had been torn to shreds.
Long claw marks were left on the canvas, as if ripped by sharp claws.
the fat lady, who should have been in the portrait, was gone.
The figures in the surrounding portraits had all retreated far away, peeking out and whispering.
Filch hurried over, carrying his cat, his expression grim.
"Principal, I'll go find the fat lady right away."
Peeves did a somersault in the air and chuckled.
"No need to look! She doesn't want to see anyone right now. She's hiding and crying in a landscape painting on the fifth floor."
Dumbledore's gaze fell on Peeves.
"Peeves, do you know who did it?"
Peeves said fawningly.
"Of course, Professor Head! It was a big black dog!"
Charlie immediately reacted, looking at Harry, and Harry also happened to meet Charlie's gaze.
big black dog?
There's a problem, a big problem.
Chapter 157 Who is Peter Pettigrew?
Charlie stared at Peeves, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Peeves, what did that dog look like?"
Peeves did a somersault in the air, laughing even harder.
"Really big! Almost like a calf! All black fur, ran super fast! Hehehehe—"
Charlie's gaze deepened.
Such a big dog was already rare, and they were all black.
He was almost certain this was the dog from the Shrieking Shack.
Could it be that the dog just happened to find a secret passage, just happened to find the Gryffindorcommon room, and just happened to tear up the fat lady's portrait?
That was too much of a coincidence, trying to fool a ghost?
Charlie didn't believe in coincidences; that couldn't be an ordinary dog.
Who would want to infiltrate Gryffindor?
The answer was obvious: Sirius Black.
A thought flashed through Charlie's mind—could Sirius be that big black dog? Could he also be an Animagus?
Once this thought emerged, it wouldn't go away.
Charlie turned his head to look at Harry.
Dumbledore, seeing that Charlie seemed to have an idea, looked at him with an inquisitive gaze.
But Charlie didn't say much, and Dumbledore didn't press the matter.
The surrounding students began to whisper amongst themselves.
"A big black dog? I don't believe an ordinary dog would attack a portrait."
"Could it be an Animagus?"
"But there are only seven registered Animagi, and none of them can turn into a dog."
"I don't think it's an Animagus; it must be a hellhound from hell, an Asura."
The students' voices grew louder, and the corridor outside the Great Hall became chaotic.
Dumbledore raised his hand, signaling for silence.
"All students, return to the Great Hall immediately." Dumbledore's tone was calm, but brooks no argument.
"prefects, lead your house members."
Percy, as Head Boy, immediately stepped forward and raised his wand.
"All students, follow me!"
The students, led by their respective house prefects, lined up and walked towards the Great Hall.
In the Great Hall, Dumbledore waved his wand.
Purple light flowed from the tip of his wand, condensing into sleeping bags on the Great Hall floor.
The sleeping bags were neatly arranged between the four long tables, each with a soft mattress, looking quite comfortable.
"For everyone's safety, you will all rest here tonight. I will have the Head Boy and prefects manage you." Dumbledore's voice echoed through the Great Hall.
"The Professors and I will search the entire school."
Then he instructed Percy, who was standing nearby.
"If anything happens, have a ghost report to me."
Percy, having received the instruction, looked incredibly proud.
The students exchanged glances, some excited, some nervous. They couldn't help but whisper, and the Great Hall buzzed.
It was like a self-study session when the school's power went out.
Percy stood at the front, raising his wand and tapping the air, producing a few crisp sounds.
"Quiet! Everyone, find your sleeping bags immediately!" Percy's voice was loud, clearly trying to project the authority of a Head Boy.
"Lights out in ten minutes, no one is allowed to leave the Great Hall!"
The students began to find their sleeping bags.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione grabbed their sleeping bags, squeezed through the crowd, and walked over to Charlie.
Hermione's face was a little pale, and she whispered:
"Is the dog tonight… the same one we usually see at the Shrieking Shack?"
Harry also thought of this question; his hands were tightly clutching his sleeping bag.
Charlie stood up and brushed the dust from his robes.
"It's not certain yet, but it's highly probable."
Hermione froze.
"Where are you going?"
"I have a way to find out where Sirius is." Charlie's tone was calm.
Ron's eyes widened.
"Now? But Dumbledore said to stay in the Great Hall—"
"I know what he said." Charlie interrupted him, turning to walk towards the door.
Percy happened to be standing there, and he stopped Charlie.
"Charlie, you are not to go anywhere." Percy's face was stern, and his Head Boy badge gleamed in the candlelight.
"As Head Boy, I have the right to manage all students, including you."
Charlie stopped, looking up at him.
Percy's expression became even more serious.
"Go back to your sleeping bag; this is for your safety."
Charlie didn't speak, just pulled out his wand.
Percy took two steps back, swallowed, and looked a little nervous.
"What do you want to do? I warn you—"
Before he finished speaking, Charlie's figure suddenly twisted, as if being wrung by an invisible hand, and then he vanished into thin air.
Percy froze in place, his hand still in the gesture of blocking someone, his mouth slightly open, his expression changing from serious to shocked.
Was that Apparition just now?
But *Hogwarts: A History* said that the Castle has various protective Spells, and Apparition is ineffective inside the Castle.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances.
Ron swallowed.
"As expected of Charlie."
Hermione frowned.
"But Apparition requires passing an exam to use, and Hogwarts has anti-Apparition magic…"
"Apparently, it doesn't work on Charlie," Harry whispered.
Percy finally came to his senses. He took a deep breath and said to a ghost nearby.
"Sir Nicholas, please inform Dumbledore that Charlie has left without permission!"
…Charlie Apparated to his dormitory.
[Your Majesty disregarded the Grand Tutor's regulations, tyrant points + 10]
He ignored the system, skillfully taking out the marauder's map from his bedside table drawer.
This map could show the names and locations of everyone within Hogwarts. Fred and George had given him the map, but he hadn't used it much yet. Now it would come in handy.
He unfolded the parchment and tapped it with his wand.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Ink lines spread from where his wand touched, quickly outlining every corridor and every room of Hogwarts.
Dense little black dots moved on the map, each labeled with a name.
Charlie's gaze scanned the map, looking for the name "Sirius Black."
Currently, almost all names were concentrated in the Great Hall, with only a few Professors scattered around the school.
Dumbledore was on the fourth floor, Professor McGonagall on the third, Snape in the basement… Charlie frowned.
Had Sirius already escaped the school?
He turned his gaze back to the Great Hall, carefully examining every name.
What if he was still hiding among the students? After all, with so many people crowded together, it wasn't impossible to blend in.
Names scrolled past his eyes one by one.
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom… These names were arranged in order.
Suddenly, Charlie's hand stopped.
He saw two names overlapping.
Ron Weasley.
Peter Pettigrew.
Charlie's eyes widened, and he froze in place.
Who?
Who was Ron sleeping with?