Ignoring Hermione's emphasized "Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor," Lockhart looked at her like seeing a savior. Pleadingly.
"There's no voice. Harry's joking with me, right?" He hurriedly confirmed. Eyes hopeful.
"Yep. Harry's messing with you."
Hermione nodded.
"But!"
Harry panicked too.
He really heard hoarse whispers. But seemed Hermione and Lockhart couldn't hear them. Made him incredibly anxious.
"Alright, whatever it is—talk later."
Hermione waved her hand. Suppressed Harry's emotion. Then looked at Lockhart. "Professor, you've written letters for several hours. Time you were tired. Should go sleep."
Hearing this, Lockhart hurriedly stood.
"Right, right, I should rest. Still have to teach you tomorrow."
Though got Harry's answer, still felt the classroom suddenly eerie. Couldn't wait to leave.
Grabbed the letters from the desk. Lockhart fled.
Seeing Lockhart disappear through the door, Harry finally spoke. "Hermione, I really heard someone talking. You have to believe me."
Hermione said helplessly, "I didn't say I don't believe you. But even if you heard it—I and others can't hear it. Going around telling people now will just make them think you're unwell."
"Even in the magical world, hearing things others can't—not a good thing."
She naturally knew what Harry heard.
Something that "talks" only Harry could hear. Likes swimming through walls. Muttering while swimming. Only one such creature in Hogwarts.
The Basilisk kept in Slytherin's Chamber.
One and only.
Harry was speechless.
Next second, he heard something again. Expression changed.
"That voice said... blood, blood, blood. I will tear you. I will kill you. Kill, kill, kill." Harry's face tense. "I think it's going to kill someone!"
Damn little Basilisk has quite rich inner thoughts.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
She wasn't a Parselmouth. Couldn't understand what the chatty Basilisk was hissing about. Just thought its behavior—crawling darkly through pipes while muttering—was idiotic.
"Maybe it just lost a game and is cursing?"
Hermione waved dismissively. "Don't worry about it!"
Nothing had happened yet. No body discovery bells... Just a Basilisk locked up too long, mentally unclear, babbling. In others' eyes, not a big deal.
Harry felt vaguely uneasy. Felt something terrible would happen... But since even Hermione had this attitude, he said nothing more.
Next day.
The body discoverer wasn't Monokuma, but Harry and Ron.
Early morning, Hermione was dragged up by Lavender. Said Ron urgently needed her.
Hermione yawned, went out. Just saw him pacing at the girls' dormitory entrance.
"Hermione, quick, quick, something happened!"
Ron's tone urgent. "Harry stayed at the scene watching. Told me to quickly find you. He suspects it's related to yesterday's voice!"
As expected, Harry told his good buddy Ron about this last night.
Hermione nodded slightly. Followed Ron through twists and turns. Quickly reached somewhere in the corridor.
Just seeing Harry, he pointed at the wall ahead.
"Hermione, look!"
Following his finger, first thing visible—two rows of huge bloody letters.
THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE
Hermione nodded. "Mm, quite considerate. After doing bad things, still knows to warn everyone."
Harry and Ron: "..."
Is that the point?!
Beside the bloody letters—a gray-furred cat. Tail hanging on a torch bracket. Cat body rigid as stone.
Victim Number One appears.
"It's Mrs. Norris." Harry said. "Mr. Filch's cat. If Mr. Filch finds out, he'll definitely..."
Before finishing, a voice came from behind.
"What have you done!"
Hearing this voice, Harry's heart chilled. Slowly turned around.
Precisely Hogwarts' caretaker, Argus Filch.
Filch stared straight at Mrs. Norris. Lips trembling. Then lowered his head. Glared at Harry.
"You murdered my cat!"
"Mr. Filch, this wasn't me..."
"You murdered my cat!"
Filch grabbed Harry's collar. Roared in grief and rage.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"
Right before morning classes, the corridor commotion quickly attracted nearby students' attention. Crowds gathered.
"What's happening?"
"Isn't that Filch's cat? Why's it hanging here? Looks like Harry Potter did it?"
"Filch loves his cat most. This'll be interesting."
"Look, there's bloody writing on the wall. The Chamber has been opened... What does it mean?"
Seeing this scene, Malfoy—with his deep family knowledge—immediately understood. Perked up. Looked at several Muggle-born wizards nearby. Casually sneered. "You'll be next, Mudbloods."
After speaking, just feeling smug when suddenly saw Hermione leisurely yawning in the distance. Eyes suddenly widened.
I'm doomed!
Young Malfoy's legs trembled. Nearly couldn't stand. Fortunately Crabbe and Goyle beside him were quick. Supported him.
My life is over!
This instant, he wanted to slap his ten-seconds-ago self.
Couldn't keep your mouth shut!
However after waiting long, Hermione didn't react. Made Malfoy's heart start wondering.
Perhaps... she didn't hear?
Great! Dodged disaster!
Must reform from now on!
Sob sob sob. Nearly scared to death.
Good thing this terrifying Witch didn't hear. Otherwise tonight he'd probably be like Mrs. Norris—corpse hung upside-down.
While Malfoy frantically had psychological struggles, on the other end, Harry and Filch's conflict gradually intensified.
One insisted it wasn't him. The other determined it was.
Watching Harry unable to clear himself, Hermione secretly smiled.
So fond of playing detective. Even protected the crime scene. Now you're in trouble.
Don't you know the first person discovering a crime scene is always suspected first?
Seeing Harry stubbornly denying, Filch was furious. Just as he was about to unleash his fury, professors finally arrived.
"Argus, stop!"
Dumbledore stopped Filch. Then looked at the bloody letters.
Next moment, whether him or other professors—all shocked. Then expressions became extremely grave.
Only comedian Lockhart looked left and right. Still didn't understand what was happening.
Recovering, Dumbledore looked at Filch.
"Argus, can't confirm who the culprit is yet. Please remain calm."
Dumbledore's words carried weight. Filch reluctantly released Harry.
"Hey, isn't it just finding the culprit?"
Hermione's voice suddenly rang out.
"I know!"
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