Hermione quickly flipped through the newspaper, skipping over some past events she already knew, even understood better. She had learned about these things through Veritaserum, even more clearly than what was in the newspaper.
These words were useless for her to understand the truth behind it.
"Hermione, stop reading. You need to rest now," Harry said, reaching out to grab the corner of the newspaper and stop her from turning the page.
"The rest of it is just made up by the reporter. Don't worry about it," Ron added, only to be glared at by Harry. That was too obvious a cover-up.
Hermione ignored their words and continued to pull the newspaper back in front of her, scanning it quickly.
"Peter Pettigrew, whose plan was exposed, became enraged. He needed our savior, Harry Potter's life, to avenge his master. But he was found out. Peter Pettigrew would never know that, even earlier, Draco Malfoy, who was pretending to be controlled by him, had secretly confessed everything to Headmaster Dumbledore and set up an inescapable trap for him, just to avoid alerting the enemy. This plan has been kept very secret."
"As for why not seek help from the Ministry of Magic? Minister Fudge's actions in recent days must have left a deep impression on readers. I am not at all surprised that Draco Malfoy made this decision. The following words represent only the author's personal views and have nothing to do with the Daily Prophet."
"Fudge should really step down. I even suspect that he and Peter Pettigrew are in cahoots. If this student had really chosen to inform him, I think Fudge would have suppressed the news to protect his position."
"Fudge is capable of doing such things. For details, please see page three of the newspaper. Our reporter conducted an in-depth interview with the xx department of the Ministry of Magic. The Dementors committed far more offenses than we reported, but they were all suppressed by Fudge's concealment policy. When the Minister of Magic loses the public's trust, it is time for him to step down."
Hermione even suspected that her memory had been tampered with. She still clearly remembered that, in Hogsmeade, it was Malfoy who provided Fudge with information about Sirius Black. So, on the evening of that holiday, Fudge brought Peter Pettigrew to the forefront.
A terrible thought surged from Hermione's heart.
Fudge was also a victim.
"We should go, Ron," Harry said, tugging on Ron's shoulder and whispering in his ear, "She's about to see the later reports. I think it'll be awkward if we're here." So Harry dragged Ron out of the hospital room, half-forcibly, half-pleadingly.
The focused Hermione did not notice the departure of the two people at the bedside, but continued to concentrate on reading on.
"Unfortunately, Peter Pettigrew lost his mind at the time and became increasingly deranged. Just as he was about to be caught, he kidnapped a Hogwarts student."
"Rita Skeeter's writing is really good. It's still so sensational even after reading it again. I even think you've fallen in love with me," a familiar voice came from Hermione's left, causing her whole body to freeze for a moment. Taking this opportunity, a strong hand snatched the newspaper she was reading.
"The cliché of a hero saving a damsel in distress being written so emotionally and movingly is also her skill," the boy said with a chuckle.
Still that dazzling blond hair and casual tone, Malfoy was now standing by the hospital bed, sizing up Hermione.
"Oh, looking at your eyes, the confusion has disappeared. I think you've guessed what happened. Am I right, Miss Granger?"
Hermione had no time to be ashamed and angry at Rita Skeeter's clumsy and exaggerated writing. She portrayed herself as a love-struck fool who fell in love with someone at first sight because she was saved! But now she had more important things to ask the Malfoy in front of her, to confirm her guess, and had no extra emotions for other things.
"You" Hermione's tightly pursed lips were about to open,
Emitting a syllable, but was interrupted again.
"This is not the attitude to treat a lifesaver, Miss Granger," Malfoy said, placing the issue of the Daily Prophet back on the bedside table.
"All I can tell you now is this, listen carefully, and don't interrupt," Malfoy began to pace around the hospital bed, looking around, making sure that only the two of them were left before saying, "Your memory is definitely not wrong. If someone modified it, it must have been modified to be what the newspaper said. That would be a one-time solution for us, but an old man opposed this approach, so it could only be abandoned."
Malfoy shrugged helplessly, then continued: "You can freely guess what happened, but it's best not to try to say what you think is the truth, otherwise, those two guys who finally got their freedom might have to cooperate with the investigation again because of your changed testimony."
"Are Professor Lupin and Sirius okay?" Hermione asked excitedly, her pale face from the long coma now covered with an excited flush.
"At least better than you are now," Malfoy glanced at Hermione lying on the bed, and said mockingly.
She still had many questions in her heart, such as the reason for Moody and Malfoy's performance at that time. At that time, she had really completely lost hope, but the result was a huge reversal. At least the current result was so pleasant, and the guilt in her heart had completely disappeared.
The only thing she cared about was whether Peter Pettigrew had been captured and brought to justice, and she didn't want to think about anything else. That was not something she could get involved in.
"Thank you," Hermione still wanted to ask other questions, but for some reason stopped at her throat, and only managed to utter the word.
"My previous words still count. Take care of your hair and teeth before you say these meaningless words to me, then I might be able to consider it," Malfoy waved his hand and said, then turned and walked out of the hospital room, no longer looking at Hermione's expression.
The poor Hermione could only grab the bed sheet tightly, staring at the back of this hateful person with a look of shame and anger.
With a "click", the door was gently closed, and the ward returned to its proper tranquility, his shadow completely disappeared from Hermione's sight.
"Phew." Malfoy casually sat on a chair outside the ward and let out a long breath.
"The script of a bad guy teasing an innocent girl is really too embarrassing, but it's worth it." Malfoy could only sigh in his heart, lowered his head, and still couldn't recover. These days, his acting skills had improved rapidly, switching seamlessly between various roles, from a precocious big conspirator, a reneging negotiator, to a pure student who didn't blink an eye when deceiving people. All of this exhausted his energy.
But soon, his eyes regained their vigor, because he saw a strand of long, silver-white beard hanging in front of him.
"Hello, Professor Dumbledore, long time no see," Malfoy said, raising his hand and greeting Dumbledore friendly.
Dumbledore was now standing in front of him, his blue eyes carefully sizing him up.
"You've given me a big problem," Dumbledore said in a slightly complaining tone, stroking his flowing beard.
"Your sense of responsibility is so strong, even if I don't say it, you will definitely think of other ways. How are those guys being trained?" Malfoy asked casually.
"It's already okay," Dumbledore said easily.
"What about that rat?" Malfoy pressed.
"See for yourself," Dumbledore raised his wand.
A dazzling white light suddenly emitted from the tip of Dumbledore's wand, and then a huge projection suddenly appeared on the white wall opposite Malfoy.
A thin rat was running desperately, its small eyes constantly and cautiously observing its surroundings, even though it was pitch black all around.
The rat was surrounded by tall shrubs and needle-shaped plants, blocking all light. Although it was not night, the lower layer of this forest structure was dim and gloomy. The rat's fast-moving claws stepped on the fallen dry leaves, constantly making rustling sounds as the leaves were crushed. From a distance, there were occasional deep roars of giant beasts, adding a bit of dangerous atmosphere to this forest.
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