Everyone looked at Hermione who spoke.
"What, you know!"
Filch hurriedly stepped forward. Looked at Hermione.
"Quick, say it. Was it him!"
Pointed at Harry.
"Sigh." Hermione waved her hand. "The culprit's obvious. Weren't you all listening just now?"
"Who?"
Seeing Hermione speak with certainty, everyone quieted down. Watched her. Even Dumbledore's expression showed surprise.
In the silence, somehow, Malfoy suddenly felt uneasy.
"I remember someone just said something like 'you'll be next,' right?" Hermione said lightly. "Who sees a crime scene and says that first thing? Obviously the killer just finished the first victim. Making a follow-up murder declaration."
Everyone looked at Malfoy.
Draco's vision darkened.
"Alright, the culprit accidentally exposed himself. Case closed." Hermione clapped. "Professors, please call Aurors to arrest the culprit."
Walked to Filch's side. Patted his shoulder. "No need to thank me. Call me Detective Granger."
Why does that actually sound reasonable... Everyone thought.
"I... I..."
Draco looked at the surrounding suspicious gazes. Nearly cried. "It really wasn't me!"
Though he hoped to be Salazar Slytherin's heir, definitely not this kind of inheritance!
He didn't know who the culprit was. But this instant, one thing he could confirm—
This Witch definitely heard what he just said!
Malfoy harshly slapped himself twice.
Why is this mouth so cheap!
"Don't! Don't!" Seeing him continue, Crabbe and Goyle hurriedly held him.
Hermione was also surprised.
Why's he suddenly going full self-punishment mode?
"Pfft..."
First time seeing Malfoy like this, quite a few couldn't help laughing.
Harry: Amused. Ron: Amused. Lockhart: Amused. Malfoy: Not amused.
Watching Hermione's spectator expression, Dumbledore couldn't help covering his old face. After a while, finally said:
"Alright, Miss Granger, stop joking. Prefects, take students back to dormitories."
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger—stay."
After everyone left, Dumbledore looked at Filch. "Mrs. Norris isn't dead. Just petrified. Can be saved."
Filch's face lit up with joy. Just about to speak when Lockhart suddenly interrupted. "Right, right, I knew it! I happen to know the counter-curse to save her. Unfortunately I wasn't there."
Dumbledore: ... McGonagall: ... Hermione: ...
Feeling the three's strange gazes, Lockhart felt guilty. Dry laugh. Eyes shifty.
Only Filch took it seriously. Hurriedly said, "Professor Lockhart, I knew you'd have this ability. Please quickly revive Mrs. Norris!"
"Uh..." Lockhart petrified on the spot. More thoroughly than the cat.
Dude, think before lying. How can you say something exposed in one second... Hermione helplessly shook her head. Walked forward.
"Let me."
She extended her wand. Pointed at Mrs. Norris.
"Finite Incantatem."
White light flashed from the wand tip. However, nothing happened.
Hermione looked at Dumbledore. Shook her head. "Not caused by a Petrification Curse. Different reason."
The Petrification Curse she mentioned wasn't the Full Body-Bind like Petrificus Totalus, but true Dark Magic petrification.
Petrificus Totalus only made people look petrified—essentially restraining limbs. But true Petrification could turn people into actual stone.
Like Mrs. Norris before them.
The counter-curse could only remove spell effects. Couldn't remove petrification from other causes.
Hermione knew this. Dumbledore knew. McGonagall knew. Snape knew too.
"Indeed." Dumbledore nodded. "However... beautiful counter-curse work. Seems you've gained much from the Restricted Section recently."
"Thanks for the praise."
Hermione smiled.
"If so, what's the actual reason?"
Snape looked at Mrs. Norris. Brow furrowed.
"Could be many reasons. Still needs investigation."
Dumbledore said calmly.
Snape seemed to think of something. Suddenly looked at Harry. "What were you doing last night?"
Harry glared at Snape. Just about to speak when Hermione interrupted. "Last night Professor Lockhart and I were preparing lessons in the classroom. Called Harry to help."
Snape looked at Hermione. Nodded. "Since Miss Granger vouches for you, no problem for now."
"Well, I can also vouch—" Lockhart immediately spoke.
Professional performance artist. Never missed any chance for presence.
Snape directly ignored him. Said to Dumbledore, "After Mandrakes mature, can brew Mandrake Restorative Draught. When Professor Sprout's new batch matures, I can help."
"Good, then I'll trouble you, Severus..."
Before Dumbledore finished, hearing Snape's words, Hermione suddenly thought of something. "Oh right, Mandrake Restorative Draught—I happened to brew a bottle before."
With that, opened her bag. Dumped everything inside out.
Apples, clothes, books, flowerpots, brooms, Galleons, cauldrons, snacks...
Soon things piled into a small mountain.
Dumbledore: ... McGonagall: ... Snape: ... Harry and Ron: ??
That instant, Dumbledore couldn't help recalling another "bag of wonders" former student.
Then watched Hermione. Thoughts drifting.
After rummaging, Hermione finally pulled out a glass bottle. Filled with yellowish-brown liquid.
Snape immediately took it. Opened the cap, smelled.
"Correct. Mandrake Restorative Draught."
He looked at Hermione. Then at the potion in hand. Tone incredulous. "You brewed this yourself?"
Hermione shrugged. "Not many ingredients. Only brewed one bottle."
Seeing her admit it, Snape's expression somewhat dazed. After recovering, brow relaxed. Unprecedentedly said, "Well done."
Harry and Ron's eyes widened.
Good heavens!
Actually hearing Snape praise someone!
Is this the Snape they know?
Must be possessed!
Potion fed to Mrs. Norris. Soon, the cat revived.
Filch immediately went forward. Hugged it. Then came before Hermione. Bloomed a grateful smile. Repeatedly thanked, "Thank you, thank..."
Alright, alright... Hermione repeatedly waved. Couldn't handle this old face.
Anyway, she only had one bottle. She chose the cat. The rest—good luck to them.
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────
📖 80+ chapters ahead — full story available
🔍 Search "patreon.com/DarkGolds
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────