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Chapter 156
Ron comforted him, saying, "Most students are idiots. Don't care about their opinions."
"Yeah, ignore them. Now it's just us, plus Malfoy and his followers. As long as we uncover the truth, everyone else will soon realize how foolish their version of the story is," Hermione said calmly, watching everything unfold. Once they found evidence against Malfoy, the truth would naturally come out.
Fred, as always, loved pranks. He treated the situation like an amusing joke. He would deliberately run up to Harry, stand like a guard, and shout loudly:"Make way! The Heir of Slytherin is here—the most powerful dark wizard has arrived!"
Percy disliked Fred's teasing. "This is not something to joke about," he said coldly. "It's not funny for the students or for Harry."
"Move aside, Percy," Fred said dismissively. "Young Master Potter is running out of time. He's going back to the Chamber of Secrets to have lunch with his evil servant." Then he burst out laughing again.
Ginny also hated these jokes. "Stop it… stop it," she said.
Whenever Fred loudly asked Harry who he planned to attack next, Ginny would cry out in distress.
Harry didn't care too much, although he didn't like the joke either. At least Fred treated it as a joke and wasn't actually afraid of him.
Unlike the others, some students pretended not to know anything, but when they approached him, they trembled all over—as if he truly were a monster with scales and fangs.
Draco Malfoy also hated Fred's jokes. Every time he heard them, his expression turned dark.
"Malfoy isn't a peaceful person. He would love to openly admit what he did. His only concern is that he can't beat Dumbledore," Ron said, seeing through him.
"He launched the attacks and spread fear, but you ended up gaining fame because of it, while he can only hide in the shadows. That makes him very cunning."
"It won't happen that quickly," Hermione said firmly. "The Polyjuice Potion will be ready in a few days. We'll soon know the truth."
After the end of term, the noisy campus suddenly fell silent. Thick snow covered both the ground and the castle, as well as the entire atmosphere of the school.
The cold wind swept away the noise. With the students gone, fear and suspicion also faded. Hogwarts at this moment looked completely different.
Everything was surrounded by endless white. Snow and castle blended together like a mountain spirit, like a hidden world. If not for the lurking unknown danger, it would truly be an ideal escape from the world.
Harry enjoyed this quiet beauty. He, Hermione, and the Weasley twins felt like the owners of the castle. They could roam freely through Gryffindor Tower, run happily, shout freely, and play without restraint.
There were no teachers scolding them, no points being deducted, and no hostile students around.
Mrs. Weasley had gone to Egypt to visit her eldest son Bill. Fred, Ginny, Ron, and Percy stayed at school, although Percy rarely stayed in the common room because he disliked childish behavior.
At the beginning of Christmas, the weather remained cold, but their mood was warm. Besides Christmas, there was another important event—the Polyjuice Potion was finally complete, and they planned to take it that night.
At the Hogwarts Christmas feast, although there were fewer students than usual, everyone eagerly enjoyed the holiday atmosphere and the rich meal.
The grand hall was decorated beautifully: dozens of Christmas trees covered in silver frost and snow, decorated with stars and golden ribbons. Delicate ornaments hung from the ceiling, reflecting the snowflakes drifting through the air—warm and beautiful.
With fewer students, the school felt more like a big family—lively but not noisy, joyful but not chaotic.
Dumbledore enthusiastically led everyone in singing several of his favorite Christmas songs. His taste was as unusual as ever, but it did nothing to reduce everyone's joy.
Hagrid drank glass after glass of eggnog, his voice growing louder. Normally he wouldn't get such a chance; he could only secretly drink at his hut. But now it was a time of reunion and relaxation, and everyone could enjoy themselves freely.
Percy didn't notice Fred pranking him again. His carefully polished prefect badge now read "IDIOT." He only felt that everyone was admiring his charm and laughing at his brilliance.
Only Draco Malfoy, sitting at the Slytherin table, continued playing his role as the "bad boy." He didn't care about the occasion or the consequences.
He looked at Harry's new sweater with disdain. "That sweater really suits his ridiculous sense of style."
The Malfoy family had a tailor. He believed clothes should always fit perfectly and reflect one's image. If it weren't for the school uniform, he would dress elegantly every day and show these fools what true class and luxury look like.
Harry and Ron didn't mind during dinner. They went back for more pudding and juice, exchanging a look that said: Malfoy won't be able to act like this for long.
By the end of the meal, Hermione led them out of the hall. They were still a little hesitant. Was there any spell that could make people eat more? It was a question every wizard who loved food would think about.
"We're still missing the last pieces," Hermione said coldly. "This is the final step."
"Of course, it would be best if we could get something from Crabbe and Goyle. They're Malfoy's followers, and he must have told them everything. We also need to make sure we question Malfoy himself—they can't interfere halfway through."
"I've already planned it," Hermione said, her eyes sparkling with determination. She ignored Harry and Ron's shocked expressions.
She picked up two pieces of chocolate cake carefully and said, "I've put a sleeping potion in the cake. You just need to make sure Crabbe and Goyle find it. You know they're lazy and greedy—they'll definitely eat it all."
"When they're under the influence of the potion, you can pull out a few of their hairs and hide them in the broom cupboard."
(To be continued.)