0061 Eagerness

Words : 1202 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

In fact, Harry was already quite eager to duel with Malfoy. Though Adrian had made him consider the consequences, he had already thought it through. If they weren't discovered, there would be no consequences at all. Even if the professors found out, it would be nothing more than getting caught out after curfew. At worst, he'd get a few days or weeks of detention, plus a small deduction of points. Detention? The Weasley twins had already told him it wasn't a big deal. Gryffindor students getting detention was commonplace, and they themselves were often caught wandering around after hours in their first year. Around ten o'clock at night, Harry was discussing with Ron how to select suitable spells from his limited repertoire to use against Malfoy. "I plan to use the Levitation Charm first," Harry said. "And then? Maybe a fire spell—ah, that probably won't work, I don't know how to extinguish fires... How about a Cutting Charm? Though I feel it might be less effective than my fingernails..." "Where did you learn so many spells?!" Ron found this increasingly strange. "Didn't I mention it?" Harry explained. "I studied some during the holiday." Ron closed his mouth, and just felt that Harry seemed somewhat unfamiliar. The Gryffindor dormitory housed five students per room. Besides Harry and Ron, there were three other students: Dean, Seamus, and Neville. At this moment, Dean and Seamus had already fallen asleep, while Neville was still at Madam Pomfrey's receiving treatment for his broken arm. "Let's go, Harry, it's about time," Ron checked his watch and got off the bed, beckoning to Harry. "We should head out now. You know where the trophy room is, right?" "Give me a moment." Harry thought for a bit, then went to the Biting Cabbage on the windowsill. After considering for a while, he decided to bring the Biting Cabbage along. If he couldn't defeat Malfoy, at least the cabbage could give Malfoy's backside a good bite. Harry gently shook the cabbage's leaves. The Biting Cabbage was still in dreamland and, after being disturbed, it bared its teeth slightly. Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Little one, do me a favor," Harry quickly stroked the cabbage's leaves and this could calm it down. "Can you make yourself a bit smaller?" Sensing Harry's familiar presence, the Biting Cabbage retracted its sharp teeth and obediently shrank to the size of Harry's fist. "Perfect." Harry quickly put the Biting Cabbage into his pocket. "Hurry up, what are you dawdling for?" Ron urged from the doorway. "Coming." Hogwarts was completely silent in the dead of night, with only faint moonlight streaming through the windows onto the corridor floor. The two tiptoed down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. In the dimly lit environment, Harry and Ron fumbled their way forward, until... "You two actually dare to do this! Harry, and Ron." Both boys jumped in fright, turned around to see Hermione sitting in a chair with her arms crossed, glaring at them coldly. "You've been waiting here for us all this time?" Ron asked incredulously. "Just for this? Are you mad?!" "I almost told Percy," Hermione said icily. "He's a prefect, he would definitely have stopped you." "Oh, Percy, that guy..." Ron muttered, seemingly dismissive. As for Harry, upon hearing Hermione's words, he felt angry but also somewhat relieved. "At least you haven't told him yet, have you?" He said to Hermione. Hearing this, Hermione took a deep breath, "Don't think I'm threatening you—I really will do it." Harry stopped talking and simply pulled Ron toward the exit. But Hermione kept following them, rambling: "Harry, you can't just think about yourself, you should care more about Gryffindor! Do you know how many points Gryffindor will lose if you're caught out after hours? All the points I earned from Professor McGonagall will be deducted." Harry stopped and turned around, his tone carrying a hint of impatience: "I've earned plenty of points in Herbology and Charms too. Even if points are deducted, it's none of your business. Besides, I already promised Malfoy. If I don't go, what do you think the Slytherins will say about us?" Hermione was stunned by his retort, her expression growing increasingly unpleasant. But Harry and Ron just kept heading for the exit, completely ignoring Hermione. In Harry's view, once he had agreed to a duel, he must keep the appointment. Not going would be the act of a coward. When Harry and Ron reached the door, they discovered that Hermione had followed them out as well. When she tried to go back, she suddenly realized that the door had closed, and the portrait frame was empty—the Fat Lady was gone. Now Hermione had no choice but to follow Harry and the others. "I was just trying to persuade them to go back," she murmured softly, as if convincing herself. "Now that we can't go back, I have no choice." The three had barely walked a few steps from the common room when Harry suddenly felt his foot step on something soft. "Ow!" A deep cry of pain came from beneath Harry's foot, followed by a familiar voice tinged with hurt and panic: "Who stepped on me?!" All three were startled by the voice and quickly looked down. Neville Longbottom was curled up on the floor, rubbing his toes, his face contorted in pain. He had obviously just returned from Madam Pomfrey's, with bandages still visible on his arm, looking rather disheveled. "Neville?!" Ron's eyes widened as he exclaimed in a hushed voice, "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the infirmary?" Neville looked up, his face showing embarrassment and dejection, and said quietly, "I forgot the common room password. The Fat Lady isn't here, so I can't get in, so... so I was waiting here to see if anyone could help me get in." Hearing Neville's explanation, Harry felt exasperated. "Why didn't you ask a professor for help?" Neville's face instantly turned crimson as he lowered his head and mumbled, "I... I was afraid of losing points. If I went to find a professor because I forgot the password, they might think I'm too stupid and deduct points from Gryffindor..." "Professors wouldn't deduct points for that," Hermione sighed, glancing at Harry and Ron. "If only certain people had your level of awareness." "Alright, Neville," Ron said, apparently not having heard Hermione's comment, "The password is 'Pig Snout.' When the Fat Lady returns, you can get in. Now, we have important matters to attend to. Goodbye." With that, Ron turned to leave. However, Neville grabbed his leg, looking pitiful as he pleaded, "Don't leave me... I'm scared alone..." Harry and Ron exchanged glances and sighed resignedly. "Fine, Neville, stick close and keep quiet," Harry said softly. And so, their group grew by one more person. ________________ You can read more chapters on: /IamLuis

0061 Eagerness

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