Chapter 200 - 200: Susie: We Were Just Taking a Stroll~

Words : 1820 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Hima's cheeks flushed slightly. "B-Because we saw in the paper that Professor Dumbledore has long been misusing public funds to send you travelling around the world on academic exchanges. We felt that such a valuable opportunity should be awarded through a transparent, public selection process. And…" "And now you're even standing in to teach classes, which made us even more upset…" "Uh." Realising how that sounded, she quickly added, "But now, I truly believe you're more than qualified to represent Hogwarts in international exchanges." Edward frowned slightly, thinking it over before asking, "All this…just because of what you read in the papers?" She paused in surprise, then said, "Actually, people have been quietly talking about this since a couple of weeks ago. Some even claim that over the years, much of the money donated by the school's board of governors has been embezzled by Headmaster Dumbledore. And you…as someone so close to him, supposedly benefited from it. They say you've taken opportunities that should've gone to others, and that this substitute teaching is just a way to pad your résumé." So it really was someone stirring the pot behind the scenes? Was this the Ministry of Magic subtly extending its influence into Hogwarts—starting with an effort to tarnish Dumbledore's reputation? "I see. Thank you." Edward clapped his hands. "Well then, if no one else has any objections, let's resume practising Transfiguration. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime." "Alright!" This time, the response was loud and unified. Tch. No matter what world you're in—whether you're facing pirates or students—if you want them to behave, sometimes you just have to beat a little sense into them first. The rest of the lesson proceeded peacefully. As soon as class ended, Cedric dashed over and slung an arm around Edward's shoulders. "Man, when did you get so powerful?" Edward gave a small smile. "I've always been this strong. I just had to hold back before, pretend to be ordinary—so I could be friends with you." "…Are you calling me ordinary?" "Hahaha." Cedric suddenly turned serious. "So someone's deliberately trying to ruin Headmaster Dumbledore's reputation among the students?" "Exactly." "Is it because he's running for Minister of Magic?" "I believe so." Cedric sighed. "Ugh, why would he do that now? The pure-blood families already hate how much control he has over Hogwarts, and now he's running for Minister too? No way they'll stand for that." Edward gave him a surprised look. "Huh, didn't think you were paying attention to that sort of thing." Cedric shrugged. "You forget—my dad works at the Ministry. I hear this stuff all the time." He shook his head. "Well, not like there's anything we can do about it. Let's just focus on class." Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "Hey, tomorrow's Saturday. Got any plans?" "Hmm, I might go to Hogsmeade with Audrey." His face turned gloomy. "Audrey again…" "Then you'd better pick up the pace and win over Cho Chang already." Cedric pouted and didn't respond. ——— Early the next morning, Draco Malfoy had already returned to his usual confident, arrogant self—and successfully regained the loyalty of his two lackeys. During Potions class that morning, after managing to cost Gryffindor another ten house points thanks to Harry, Malfoy was in high spirits. As he headed back toward the common room, he turned a corner and spotted Harry being surrounded by a few older Slytherin students. Malfoy recognised them—most were a year or two above him, and he remembered seeing them before at banquets he attended with his father. "Potter, let's have a chat." Hermione stepped in front of Harry protectively. "I don't think we have anything to talk about." "That's right!" Ron mustered his courage and chimed in loudly. A tall boy shoved Ron aside. "What's it got to do with you two? We're here for the famous Boy Who Lived." He leaned in closer to Harry. "We heard you had another run-in with You-Know-Who. And once again, you supposedly defeated him?" Harry's face darkened. "Yeah, so what if I did?" "Hahahahaha!" The tall boy burst into laughter and turned to his companions. "This guy's been lying so much he's started to believe it himself. If he's really that amazing, why didn't the Ministry award him an Order of Merlin? Why are they trying to interrogate him instead?" Harry's mind flashed back to that moment in the headmaster's office—how several people had questioned and mocked him, and how even Dumbledore had ultimately been forced to back down. But he also knew there was no evidence of what happened in the Chamber of Secrets. So he could only glare coldly and say, "That has nothing to do with you. Get out of our way." "Oh, but it does." The tall boy sneered. "You know, I really can't stand your type. Acting all high and mighty just because of your 'Saviour' title. Stirring up trouble wherever you go, spreading lies about defeating You-Know-Who just to soak up attention." He sneered even more as he glanced at Harry's friends. "And look at your little entourage. A Mudblood and a freak. Are you using them to make yourself look more noble, Mister Saviour?" Harry instantly whipped out his wand and pointed it at the tall boy. "Apologise! Apologise to Hermione and Ron right now!" "Oooh, look everyone! The great Saviour wants to attack me now? I'm so scared!" The tall boy pointed at himself with mock fright and sneered, "Go on, Saviour! Use that spell you used to defeat the Dark Lord on me! Or why don't you just admit you've been lying all along? You're nothing more than a pitiful brat who barely escaped that night eleven years ago thanks to your parents. You should've died back then!" Hermione quickly grabbed Harry's hand. "Harry, don't fall for it. Put the wand down." Harry's eyes stayed locked on the boy, his hand trembling violently as it held his wand. Just then, a voice rang out from behind them— "Snape is coming!" The tall boy's expression changed instantly. He hastily waved at his companions and took off. Just before disappearing around the corner, he turned back to sneer at Harry one last time. "I'll be seeing you again, Saviour." Ron tugged at Harry frantically. "Come on! If Snape really shows up, we'll all be getting detention and losing house points again." "Relax. Snape's not coming," drawled a voice. Malfoy emerged from the shadows, arms crossed. "I was just scaring them off." The trio blinked, startled. Ron looked particularly flabbergasted. "Why would you do that?" "None of your business, Weasel." Harry hesitated for a second, then said sincerely, "Thanks, Malfoy." "Tch." Malfoy glanced at him with a sideways look, lifted his chin, and turned to leave. As soon as he rounded the corner, his expression darkened. He had shouted earlier partly because Harry had defended him the day before…but more than that, it was the nightmares that haunted him. He saw himself—saw with terrifying clarity—driving a dagger into a serpent's eye. He saw his own hand casting the Killing Curse again and again. He'd heard people call him Master—the title Death Eaters used when referring to Voldemort. More than anyone, Draco believed the Dark Lord had returned. And more terrifyingly, he suspected that he himself might have been controlled by the Imperius Curse…and forced to commit those acts. So, more than anything, Draco hoped Harry Potter had not been lying. He hoped Harry really had defeated Voldemort once again. That way, he wouldn't have to lie awake at night, dreading the moment someone took control of him again—and forced him to do something even more horrible. "Bloody…Dark…Lord…" He muttered under his breath. ——— At lunch, the moment Edward stepped into the Great Hall, he could feel numerous surprised gazes fall on him. It was clear that news of his 'performance' that morning had already spread. Fortunately, his previous act as a madman had long since trained him to ignore such stares. Be it astonishment, suspicion, disbelief, or contempt—he faced it all with a calm, steady smile. Just as he sat down at the table, Audrey walked over. She scrutinised him with narrowed eyes, one hand on her chin, and said with mock admiration, "Edward, you really are the quiet type that stuns everyone when you act. I remember Emperor Roselle mentioned something like this in one of his novels…something about face-slapping those who doubt you." "…" Edward shot her an unamused glance. "Those kids were just being used. The real target was Dumbledore." "Yeah…I heard. There are more and more rumours going around about Professor Dumbledore—and a lot of them seem to be coming from the pure-blood kids in Slytherin." "Looks like Fudge has decided to fully side with the pure-bloods to crush Dumbledore's election bid." Audrey frowned slightly. "If this were in Loen, Dumbledore's chances would basically be dead in the water." "He must have his own plans. After all, the wizarding world doesn't revolve around the Ministry of Magic and the pure-blood families—and even the Ministry itself isn't entirely unified." Just then, Susie suddenly ran over. She quickly gave the two of them a meaningful look and gestured for them to follow. The two immediately stood up and went after her, leaving the Weasley twins—who had been about to come over to join the fun—thoroughly disappointed. Susie walked ahead at a steady pace, easily navigating the labyrinthine rotating staircases up to the eighth floor. Once they reached a quiet, empty corridor, Audrey lowered her voice and asked: "What is it, Susie?" Susie turned around and said, "Lilith caught a beetle!" "Huh?" Susie quickly added, "But it's not just an ordinary beetle—I sensed a human aura coming from it! I think it's actually a person who transformed." Edward suddenly chuckled in realisation. "I think I know who that beetle is." "Eh?" "Remember that nonsense article in the Daily Prophet this morning smearing Dumbledore?" Audrey thought for a moment. "Rita Skeeter?" Edward nodded. "Exactly. She's actually an unregistered Animagus. She transforms into a beetle—small and hard to detect—so she can sneak into private places, snap photos and steal secrets, and then write her little exposés." "Susie, where exactly did you find this beetle?" "Outside the Headmaster's office." Edward frowned. "Why were you two there?" "We were just…" Susie had barely said a word when she quickly raised a foot and covered her mouth with her hand, then shook her head firmly. "…Just strolling by. Yep, just taking a stroll." ——— [Note]: Don't forget to VOTE. It keeps me motivated.

Chapter 200 - 200: Susie: We Were Just Taking a Stroll~

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