Chapter 188 Lockhart's Grievances
As the Parseltongue was spoken, the upper half of the pool slowly rose, and the several troughs in the lower half moved forward, with the trough facing the crowd sinking into the ground, revealing a hole in the center.
Gasps of cold air rose and fell, and whether it was an illusion or not, the temperature in the lavatory seemed to have risen slightly.
"Everyone, it seems we're in luck," Aaron said, somewhat excitedly, as if he could already see a large number of magicpoints beckoning to him.
Lockhart glanced at the incredibly deep hole and immediately stepped back in fright.
"Haha, if we absolutely must go down, I suggest we plan carefully."
"You go first," Snape said flatly. "I imagine the famous Gilderoy Lockhart shouldn't lack the courage to lead the way!"
"This… I…" Lockhart instinctively tightened his grip on the two roosters and said righteously, "This isn't a matter of leading the way or not, but rather that acting rashly before determining the danger is unwise."
"That's right, but what we lack most now is time," Aaron said, walking up to Lockhart, silently taking the two roosters, and then gently pushing him.
"Ah…"
A high-pitched sound suddenly rang out, but it grew softer and softer.
Aaron listened carefully at the entrance of the hole, and only after he distinctly heard the sound of a heavy object landing did he turn around to look at the still-recovering crowd.
"If I heard correctly, this passage is a winding tube, very long, but without any danger.
If I had to compare it, it's like a slide; it will safely deliver people to the very bottom."
"A very good analysis," McGonagall said. "But next time, please don't use others to scout ahead so casually."
"Professor Lockhart is the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class teacher!" Aaron chuckled. "You must have read his books; this is a minor situation for him."
Snape gave Aaron an approving look. "So we just jump down directly, is that right?"
"That's right."
"I am the Principal, I'll go down first," McGonagall said, then looked at the three Gryffindors. "You three hurry back to your common room; it's safer there."
"But Professor, we…"
"Listen, Miss Granger," Flitwick warned. "It's very dangerous down there, and we can't let three children take risks."
"What about him?" Ron pointed at Aaron indignantly. "Why does he get to go with you all?"
"Because of Gaius's ability, he has some power to protect himself," Snape sneered. "But you three would only be a hindrance if you went.
We can't be distracted caring for you while fighting the Basilisk, can we?"
"Um… Professor, I think Harry Potter still needs to come with us.
Who knows if Parseltongue will be needed down there?"
Snape frowned slightly, and before he could voice any objections, Harry walked up to McGonagall, looking ready to face death, "Let me go, Professor."
Professor McGonagall nodded, moved, her eyes even a little moist.
"I'm going too," Ron said loudly. "Ginny Weasley was taken; she's my sister. You have no reason not to let me go."
"Alright, you go too, and Miss Granger will also come."
"Professor McGonagall, isn't this inappropriate!" Snape said unhappily. "We're going to battle; taking them…"
"They are Gryffindors, and I will protect them," Professor McGonagall said directly, her tone very firm.
In her opinion, this was originally an easy victory. Although it looked quite perilous, they had two natural enemies of the Basilisk, which undoubtedly added a sure-win weight to the scales of victory.
Since that was the case, taking three Gryffindors along to gain some experience was not a big deal.
With the conversation reaching this point, Professor Snapecould no longer raise any objections and could only give the three of them a look that said, "You're on your own."
Professor McGonagall walked to the entrance, took a deep breath, and jumped down. Flitwick and Sprout followed closely behind.
Snape walked to the entrance, and just as he was about to jump, he remembered something, turned to look at Harryand the other two, "I'll only say this once: it's still not too late to go back now."
After he went down, Aaron turned to look at the three and sighed, "My opinion is similar to Professor Snape's. Except for Harry, it's best if you two go back and wait for news."
"That's my sister! I must go," Ron said righteously.
Hermione said nothing, but her gaze was more resolute than anyone else's.
Aaron hesitated for a moment, then handed the two roosters he held to Ron and Hermione.
"What is this?" Ron asked, puzzled.
Aaron didn't explain, picked up Abe, and jumped down.
"Perhaps in his opinion, we are too weak!" Hermione said thoughtfully.
Hearing this, Ron was somewhat angry, but the rooster in his arms gave him a huge sense of security. He wouldn't throw away his amulet just for a bit of pride.
The three exchanged glances, then one by one walked to the entrance, closed their eyes, and jumped down.
They slid rapidly forward in the dark, slimy passage, involuntarily letting out screams.
After an unknown amount of time, the pipe gradually changed from steep to flat.
After a period of deceleration, they slid out of the exit and landed in an open space.
"It's so dirty," Ron said with disgust.
"If only it were just dirty," Aaron said, casting a cleaning charm on himself, and then added meaningfully, "Friendly reminder, you'd better not look down."
"Lumos." Hermione raised her wand and cast a light, looked at the ground, then screamed in panic, instinctively hugging Aaron who was standing next to her.
Because the place where they stood was covered with white bones, from various animals, which was chilling.
"I told you not to look down," Aaron said, laughing helplessly, and cast another cleaning charm on his soiled clothes.
"Ginny."
Ron's face was pale; he couldn't even imagine what his sister would look like when she was found.
"Let's go quickly!" Professor Flitwick said. "We don't have time to waste here."
"That's right, finding the girl is the top priority," Lockhartsaid.
"You go first," Snape gave Lockhart a look. "Now is the time to prove your ability. I'm sure you wouldn't refuse, would you!"
Lockhart forced a calm nod, about to take the rooster from Hermione's hand.
But as soon as he approached Hermione, a black wand appeared before his eyes. Aaron looked at him with a grin and said, "I don't think Professor you would snatch a student's amulet, would you!"
Lockhart was dumbfounded. Without these two roosters, let alone showing off, whether he could even save his life was a serious question.
"This, that…"
"Stop with the 'this and that,' the Professors are all watching!"
Hearing this, Lockhart's heart sank. Although he was scared to death, he still had to force a smile and gritted his teeth, "Of course not."
"I certainly didn't misjudge you, Professor Lockhart," Professor Snape sneered, then made a gesture of invitation, "Please!"
Lockhart looked at the dark bend, his legs trembling slightly, and with difficulty, he took a step.
Through the bend was an uneven underground space.
But everyone looked at the enormous object before them, their mouths agape in disbelief.
"Basilisk skin," Professor Sprout murmured. "These are the skins shed by the Basilisk, the best record of its size changes over nearly a thousand years."
"This is not good news," Professor Flitwick carefully drew his wand. "The smallest shed skin here is twenty feet long.
The largest one is probably fifty or sixty feet long!"
"Don't worry, Professor Flitwick," Professor Snape said with a sarcastic laugh. "We have Gilderoy Lockhart here; a mere Basilisk is absolutely child's play for him.
With him leading the way, all problems are no problems, right, Professor Lockhart?"
Hearing this, Lockhart did not answer, only his cheeks twitched continuously, and in his heart, he cursed vehemently.
Didn't I just put on a show a few times in front of you? Is it necessary to harm me to this extent?
If it were normal times, he would certainly shamelessly accept this vanity, but now he only wanted a life-saving rooster.
But inadvertently turning his head, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, along with the two roosters in their hands, were all protected behind Professor McGonagall. There was no chance to act at all!
In a moment of desperation, Lockhart rolled his eyes and fell backward.
Faking a faint; the most versatile way to solve a problem is to hand it over to someone who can solve it.
"Professor!" Hermione cried out in alarm, wanting to go and check, but Professor McGonagall stopped her. "Don't run around, Lockhart has only fainted."
"Oh dear!" Snape said with disdain. "It seems our Defense Against the Dark Arts Class Professor isn't as formidable as he boasts. If he didn't want to lead the way, he could have just said so. Why did he faint!"
Lockhart: …With your fierce look, dared I refuse?
"Leave it to me," Aaron said, volunteering, then walked up to Lockhart and pointed his wand at his face, "Aguamenti."
Cold water was directly splashed on Lockhart's face, but his acting was on point; he didn't even open his eyes, let alone move a muscle.
"Holy crap!" Aaron's eyes widened, and he patted Lockhart's left cheek. "You're quite a talent.
Being a teacher is really a waste of your talent; you should be an actor, or even an undercover agent."
"Aaron, isn't that a bit much?" Hermione said with some reluctance. She still held a tiny bit of illusion about Lockhart, after all, he was one of her admired figures.
"Sigh!" Aaron let out a long sigh and put away his wand.
Seeing this, Hermione's face broke into a smile, and Lockhart, lying on the ground, also let out a sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted.
However, the next moment, a slap landed on Lockhart's face, making him groan in pain and scramble to his feet.
"You…"
"No need to thank me; some Muggles save people this way.
Professor Lockhart, you are my good teacher and friend, my guiding light. How could I bear to leave you alone here!" Aaron said with a grin, then pointed at the path, which was impossibly blocked by shed Basilisk skin. "Since you're awake, I'll entrust the task of leading the way to you. You wouldn't refuse, would you!"