Chapter 656: Harry Potter Grows Stronger Horace Slughorn’s move immediately drew the attention of everyone in the Great Hall.The witches and wizards who had no idea what |
If anyone had thought Harry Potter’s outstanding performance in Potions that day was just a stroke of luck, then after several more Potions classes, Harry Potter’s consistently steady performance directly slapped that idea in the face.
Harry Potter had proved that it was not luck at all. He really did have the skill and talent. He had simply been held back by a certain black bat, and so never had the chance to show it before.
It was also worth mentioning that after hearing about this, Snape had been wearing a dark expression for days, like someone owed him Galleons.
In short.
Although most of the young wizards found it hard to accept and were unwilling to believe it, it was a fact plain for all to see...
As for Draco, who was also in the Advanced Potions class, aside from being a little surprised at first, he had no interest in paying any more attention to it after that.
At the end of the day, the things they were looking at had never been on the same level to begin with.
Hermione, on the other hand, still could not let it go, and wanted to find out why Harry Potter had suddenly become so formidable.
At that moment, she and Pansy, who found the whole thing rather interesting, had their heads together, discussing the information each of them had managed to dig up...
Turning his head slightly, he looked over. “That is... Sybil Trelawney?”
Sybil Trelawney was Hogwarts’s Divination professor.
As far as Draco remembered, she should have been forcibly removed from the post last year, replaced by that centaur from the Forbidden Forest.
He truly had not expected to see her here again...
But very quickly, Draco noticed that something was off about her.
As Trelawney passed by Draco and the others, she did not seem to notice their presence at all.
More precisely, with her absent-minded look and constant muttering, Trelawney seemed completely immersed in her own little world.
And yet something about that strange behavior hit Draco with a strong sense of déjà vu. “Why does it feel like I’ve seen her in this state several times before?”
As Trelawney brushed past him, Draco finally managed to catch the words she was muttering under her breath...
“Two of Spades. Conflict. Seven of Spades. An ill omen. Ten of Spades. Violence... a red-haired young man, most likely upset, unwilling to let others question him.”
“...That can’t be right.”
Trelawney stopped in her tracks and immediately denied her own reading. Shuffling the cards in her hands, she then walked straight through the space between Draco, Pansy, and the others.
It was at that moment that Draco clearly caught the strong smell of sherry coming from her.
That gave him good reason to suspect that this seemingly mysterious former Divination professor was simply drunk.
Well... it could not possibly be another prophecy, could it?
Draco did not interrupt Pansy and Hermione, who were deep in discussion, nor did he stop Professor Trelawney as she passed by him.
He simply stood there in silence and watched her swaying figure leave.
Even though he did nothing, Draco still kept Trelawney’s words in mind.
After all, every now and then, this witch with the grand surname did manage to make a few reliable prophecies.
Well... supposedly, the less sober she was, the more accurate the prophecy...
...
Once they reached sixth year, the magic they had to learn seemed to jump sharply to an entirely new level.
Even outside class hours, you could still see the sixth-years working hard to finish the mountain of homework their professors assigned.
Not only had the assignments become many times harder than before, even the material being taught these days was difficult to absorb.
For most young wizards, they could barely understand half of it.
Even Hermione had to ask Professor McGonagall to repeat parts of the lesson once or twice before she fully grasped them.
That was why Harry Potter’s excellent performance in Potions had been so hard for everyone to believe.
As for Draco?
No one had ever worried about him in the first place...
At noon.
In the Great Hall.
Even though lunch was already over, quite a few students were still lingering there.
Most of them were sixth-years.
And not only that, every one of them had a red face and a strained expression, as if they were constipated.
In truth, they were just practicing Nonverbal Spells.
Because it was no longer just Snape’s Defence Against the Dark Arts. Charms and Transfiguration now also required them to cast using Nonverbal Spells.
And the reason they had stayed behind was naturally to exchange tips with one another so they could master this somewhat difficult technique as quickly as possible...
“Why do we have to stay too? You could just do this on your own, Granger.”
The impatient tone came from Pansy, who had not even bothered to take out her wand.
She was not trying to slack off. She was simply picking a fight with Hermione out of habit.
And Pansy got exactly what she wanted.
“What are you talking about? Out of everyone here, Draco is probably the only one who’s mastered Nonverbal Spells, so of course we should stay and practice more.”
“...”
Hermione’s disdainful look left Pansy speechless, but still unwilling to admit defeat, she put her hands on her hips. “Even so, we don’t have to do it here. Don’t forget, we train every day too.”
“Of course I know that, but I have another reason besides that.”
“Another reason?”
“That’s right.”
After saying that, Hermione shifted her gaze to Draco, who was idly twirling his wand, looking as though he had nothing to do.
“You still remember what we talked about last time, don’t you, Draco?”
“Last time? You mean when we were hugging...”
At once, Hermione began coughing violently, as if she had choked. “Cough, cough, cough!!”
Pansy, who knew the inside story and understood exactly why Hermione reacted that way, shot her a light sidelong glance.
Still, knowing the two of them were about to discuss something serious, Pansy had no intention of interrupting...
After calming herself a little, Hermione, whose face still looked slightly unnatural, continued, “Anyway, you haven’t forgotten that I wanted people from the other houses to join us, have you?”
Hearing this for the first time, Pansy raised an eyebrow slightly. Though she looked like she wanted to say something, she ultimately stayed silent.
After a pause, Hermione fixed Draco with her bright, beautiful eyes. “At the very least, we should let them understand that we aren’t their real enemies.”
“By sharing our experience with Nonverbal Spells?”
“Yes. All it would take is a few words from you.”
Even knowing full well how proud Draco was, and how much he disliked trouble, Hermione still said it.
Looking down into the hope shining in the girl’s eyes,
Draco fell silent...
...
Although the way she had been raised, along with the environment she grew up in, had always left Pansy indifferent to those “commoner” wizards and even openly disdainful of them, to put it bluntly, she looked down on them...
But as she grew older and gained more experience, and with the existence of an oddity like Draco at her side, Pansy had gradually come to realize that the values and beliefs drilled into her by her elders were not necessarily so absolute or correct after all.
Hermione Granger, her love rival, had especially made one thing clear. Among those wizards, there truly were exceptionally outstanding people.
That was why, when she heard Hermione’s somewhat fanciful idea, Pansy had still chosen to remain silent.
Because she could see the benefits in it.
Or more precisely, Pansy had already read from Draco’s expression that he, too, had agreed with Hermione’s idea...
...
And so, before everyone’s astonished eyes, Hermione chose Neville Longbottom, who looked timid and never seemed able to refuse anyone, as her very first target.
Although Mr. Longbottom was visibly nervous when he came up to Draco, and had quite obviously been dragged over by Hermione, the result still satisfied her.
At the very least, Draco had shown everyone present that he was not actually as difficult to approach as they imagined.
Even if he still wore a blank expression the whole time he was sharing his experience...
In any case.
If you truly wanted to change how someone thought, that was never something you could accomplish overnight.
Just like changing other wizards’ impression of the Malfoy family, it would definitely take quite a bit of time to achieve.
So Hermione was not so arrogant as to think that this one small incident alone could accomplish the final goal.
But more than that, what made Hermione happiest was not that the first step had finally been taken.
It was that Draco had actually been willing to do it. That was the real reason for her joy.
Even a day later, Hermione’s face was still full of happiness, which made Pansy roll her eyes from the side...
Just as Pansy was feeling a little envious, Goyle’s rough voice rang out by her ear. “Patil’s parents are taking her home. She and Eloise Midgen both withdrew yesterday.”
When they turned around, they saw that Goyle was reporting everything that had happened at school recently to Draco.
In truth, this was nothing new.
Just a few days earlier, someone had been called out in the middle of class.
Then they were told that their mother had been murdered, and after that, Draco and the others never saw that witch again.
Things like this were happening almost every day...
...
Outside the window, a cold, misty drizzle fell.
The weather seemed to be weeping for the wizarding world as it was now.
Goyle’s words drew both Hermione’s and Pansy’s attention.
Hermione reacted the most strongly, because the witch who had been called out halfway through class was from Gryffindor, her own house.
Watching someone you knew disappear from your life right in front of you was indeed a deeply shocking thing for anyone...
“People are panicking... the attacks outside are becoming more and more frequent.”
Hearing that, Pansy nodded in agreement. “That’s true. Just from the information we have now, there have already been several incidents involving Dementors attacking crowds.”
If the Death Eaters and dark creatures still had some restraints, then the Dementors had no such concerns at all.
Like mad dogs that had been let loose, they were constantly “feeding” all over the wizarding world...
Speaking of intelligence, although Draco had not yet made much progress in building a house-elf intelligence network, after that conversation with Lucius, he had gained access to the family’s own network.
And the one providing the information was naturally none other than Dobby.
While serving as a bodyguard, he had also become their source of intelligence.
That was why Draco and the others, even while at Hogwarts, were able to know in near real time what was happening outside...
“Have you noticed?” Hermione lowered her voice. “His seat has been empty a lot lately, just like Hagrid’s.”
“I think he’s been leaving the school to deal with matters related to the Order of the Phoenix. The current situation doesn’t exactly allow him to stay at school all the time.”
The “he” Hermione meant was, of course, Dumbledore, who had rarely been appearing at school lately.
As for the information about the Order of the Phoenix, Draco had heard it from Ginny and then passed it on to Pansy and the others.
Interestingly enough, Ginny herself probably did not even know that much.
But compared to that...
“Hagrid... has he been absent because he’s dealing with that giant in the Forbidden Forest?”
“That part isn’t very clear, but he definitely didn’t leave to send him back to the giants’ tribe. After all, those giants have already gone over to the Dark Lord.”
Just as Hermione and Pansy were whispering to each other, Professor Horace suddenly rose from the teachers’ table and started walking toward Harry Potter’s seat.
That action alone made everyone in the Great Hall turn to look.
Playing with his beard and thrusting out his great belly, Professor Horace greeted the somewhat startled Harry Potter with warm enthusiasm. “Harry, Harry, just the person I was hoping to see.”
“Um... Professor?”
“How about coming round to my place for dinner tonight? We’re having a little gathering, only a few rising stars. I’ve invited McLaggen, Zabini, and the charming Melinda.”
“...”
“I don’t know if you know her. Her family owns a large chain of apothecaries.”
As for Harry Potter’s roommates sitting beside him, Horace ignored them completely, not even willing to spare them a glance.
From that alone, it was easy to see just how differently Horace treated different students.
And after saying all that, he did not seem to think Harry Potter would refuse him, so he did not even wait for an answer. He simply turned and headed straight toward the Slytherin side instead.
It seemed Horace’s next target was Hermione Granger, who was blinking in surprise...
...
Horace Slughorn’s move immediately drew the attention of everyone in the Great Hall.
The witches and wizards who had no idea what Horace was planning all looked at the new professor with curiosity.
Those who knew Horace, however, turned envious eyes on Hermione.
Sure enough.
When Professor Horace stopped in front of Hermione, he invited her without hesitation. “I would very much like Miss Granger to attend my party as well.”
“But I...”
“If you’re worried, I’m sure Mr. Malfoy will be able to offer you a bit of advice.”
As he said that, Horace gave a slight bow. With how sincere he looked, Hermione found herself unable to refuse on the spot.
She knew perfectly well that he wasn’t really after her, and that he was very likely aiming at Draco instead. Even so, looking at Professor Horace standing in front of her now, Hermione found it hard to dislike him at all.
“Professor... I’m not really sure.”
“It’s only a small party. It doesn’t mean you have to join my club. Of course, if you’re willing to, I would be delighted.”
“If it’s only...”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you both there.”
Was it decisive efficiency?
Or simply an inexplicable confidence in himself?
Before Hermione could even finish speaking, Professor Horace had already patted his round belly and cheerfully left the Slytherin table, as if he had no doubt at all that Hermione would show up at the party later.
At a loss, Hermione turned to Draco.
She really did want some advice and help from him.
“That party?”
“Just like Horace said, it’s meant to give outstanding wizards like you a chance to meet one another, and then, through that, he invites the people he’s taken a liking to.”
Excellent people were always drawn to each other.
That was how connections were built.
At that, Draco paused for a moment. “Part of the reason is because of me, but in a way, Horace really does think highly of your potential and your future. That’s why he invited you.”
“...Forget it. I don’t really like that kind of occasion.”
After hesitating for only a few seconds, Hermione gave up this very rare opportunity.
And from the look on her face, it was obvious that this was how she truly felt, not something she was saying because she had no choice.
What Hermione didn’t expect, though, was that Draco had something else in mind.
“No. I’ll go with you when the time comes.”
“Huh?”
“There’s something I want to ask Horace.”
Hermione and Pansy both froze.
At that moment, they could see a thoughtful glint in Draco’s gray eyes.
…
By October, Hogwarts’ security measures had become tighter and tighter. Some classes that required students to go near the Forbidden Forest had even been canceled. But to everyone’s surprise, they still had a chance to leave Hogwarts.
And that chance was Hogsmeade.
Maybe it was because the Dark Lord’s threat still hadn’t reached Hogwarts, or even nearby Hogsmeade village, so the scheduled trip there hadn’t been canceled after all.
On the morning of the Hogsmeade trip, the wind outside was howling. The awful weather, mixed with snowflakes, beat mercilessly against the castle windows.
Even so, it did nothing to dampen the students’ excitement and anticipation.
Even Hermione, who lately always seemed to have Advanced Potion-Making in hand and looked determined to win back what she had lost in the coming class, had temporarily turned her attention to the trip to Hogsmeade.
“Let me think... We have to stop by Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. I want to replace my quill. Draco, do you have any recommendations?”
“Forget that. I’d rather go to The Three Broomsticks with Draco and spend this lovely break relaxing.”
“That sounds good. We’ll buy the quill first, then go to The Three Broomsticks.”
“No, no, no. We’re going to The Three Broomsticks first!”
“Tch. I’m buying the quill I want first!”
“Granger, if you want it that badly, then go by yourself. Draco and I aren’t stopping you!”
“Hah? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, Parkinson!”
Just as Pansy and Hermione were pressing their foreheads together in a standoff, Astoria, who was able to join them this year, suddenly raised her hand.
“Before any of that, let Draco go to Honeydukes with me first.”
“...”
“...”
Maybe it was just his imagination.
But Draco seemed to see sparks flying in the clash of the three girls’ gazes. Instinctively, he lifted the steaming cup in his hand and quietly used it to cover the lower half of his face.
As though doing that could somehow make him less noticeable.
Fortunately, before the battlefield could shift to Draco, the sudden commotion from the Gryffindor table interrupted the silent showdown between the three girls.
“Oh my God!”
“That was nonverbal casting!”
“Harry, you did it!”
“But that spell doesn’t seem to be one we’ve been taught. Harry, where did you learn it?”
“Forget that... Harry, put me down already... this feels awful.”
A flash of bright light passed, and the Gryffindor boy who had just been hanging upside down in midair dropped to the ground.
Luckily, he hadn’t been suspended very high, so he wasn’t hurt when he fell.
But compared to that, what really shocked everyone was the fact that Harry Potter had successfully used nonverbal casting, along with a spell no one had ever seen before.
…
The commotion on the Gryffindor side naturally drew Pansy and the others’ attention as well.
Hermione looked the most astonished of all. “That’s a jinx? And one that isn’t even in the books?”
“You’re sure, Granger?”
“Of course. Don’t question my memory. Unless that spell is something kept in the Restricted Section, but do you really think that’s possible?”
“Then... where did Potter learn it? Could it have been Dumbledore?”
Unlike the girls, who could only speculate, Draco had recognized the spell at a glance, and he kept looking Harry Potter over with suspicion.
It wasn’t that he suspected the Harry Potter who could perform nonverbal casting had been replaced by someone else.
What he was concerned about was the spell Harry had used.
“That’s Levicorpus.”
Levicorpus.
Just as the name suggested, it was a jinx that could leave someone hanging upside down in midair.
It looked like the kind of spell meant for pranks, but in truth, the wizard who had invented it was someone Draco knew very well.
And the wizard who had created that spell was none other than Draco’s tsundere godfather.
Severus Snape!