As always, it was a dark and damp dungeon.
Snape, his face dark, looked at the "seriously injured" Blaise Zabini.
"Is there any witness?"
"That's me," Pansy said through gritted teeth. "Professor, Wayne started all of this. Without that damned Mudblood, Daphne wouldn't have—"
"Shut up!" Snape, who had no intention of getting involved in the matter, was frighteningly gloomy.
"Look at you guys, with such meager abilities, you think you can keep Greengrass?"
Blaise Zabini and Pansy were both terrified.
Get out of here right now!
I don't want to see hopeless idiots!
The two had just scurried out of the office when the door was slammed shut.
Snape's dark eyes revealed an unconcealable sadness.
Perhaps it awakened a memory; the wand pulled it out completely and placed it into a small, transparent bottle.
"Knock knock—" The knocking sounded at an inopportune moment.
"Professor Snape, are you there?"
He would never forget that voice.
"If you're not here, I'll come in~"
As Snape slid over, he pulled the door open forcefully.
Vincent, who was outside, was almost startled and jumped up.
The door opened with a whoosh, and a gloomy face suddenly appeared in front of me.
If it were someone else, they might have been terrified.
"I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now."
Just as Snape was about to close the door, Vincent stepped in to stop it.
"Professor, did someone just tattle on me?"
"No."
"That can't be right. I saw them when I arrived, and they were sweating profusely."
Blaise Zabini and Pansy must have been outmaneuvered.
We're all on the same side, could you lend me another hand?
"You need my help?" Snape scoffed. "Wayne, I never thought you'd ever need someone's help."
Vincent rolled his eyes. "Fine, if you're not going to help, I'll go find Professor Dumbledore."
"Etc--"
He wore a blatantly triumphant smile.
Whether I help or not doesn't matter, I have a trump card up my sleeve anyway.
Snape's expression was particularly complicated.
Although Dumbledore didn't say anything, just by looking at Harry's demeanor these past two days, everyone knew that something big had happened.
Tomorrow is Wednesday, and there happens to be a Potions Class in the morning.
Getting information out of people is very troublesome, and you're unlikely to get anything out of them anyway.
The little rascal in front of me is annoying, but at least he's easier to deal with than Dumbledore.
"Greengrass will be moved to another dorm room, a dorm room where he won't be disturbed."
Since you're being so sensible, Vincent will reveal a little information.
"The previous diary was Tom's Horcrux. The reason Harry speaks Parseltongue is actually because of what happened twelve years ago—"
"I understand!" Snape slammed the door shut.
Vincent blinked blankly for a moment before realizing that he had almost been hit on the nose.
The Old Bat is indeed Old Bat; even after doing a great favor, he still has to give them a hard time.
Petty and vindictive.
He walked out of the dungeon cursing, mentally refining his plan for Saturday.
Take what you're entitled to, and take what you're not entitled to.
Snape stood motionless in the office ever since the door was closed.
His expression was particularly pained, as if he were recalling some sad past event.
Some people will completely forget their memories if they are removed, while others will gradually recall them over time.
After a short while, the wand drew out another memory.
Its length and size are the same as before, and its content is likely the same as well.
Owl Court Club Room.
When Vincent walked in holding McGonagall's approval note, the students erupted in cheers.
"Let's have a party!" Fred and George skipped out.
A large group of students followed behind them.
Daphne, a newcomer, never expected the style of this place to be like this.
After a little encouragement, the president decided to throw a welcome party.
The vice president, unfazed by this, nodded in agreement, and the other members didn't have much of an objection either.
If it were a Black Swan, it wouldn't be able to joke around with the members.
"You'll get used to it quickly," Hermione said, sitting across from her at the table. "After a lot of studying, it's perfect to come here and relax."
Daphne looked around.
The ring was occupied by Cedric and Rolf, who were still muttering about getting revenge.
Vincent provided guidance from below, occasionally offering a bad idea with a smile;
Autumn and Marietta sat together, with a fluffy ball of brown fur lying on the table;
Davis, who joined a day earlier, was shouting and yelling, apparently having been outmaneuvered by Percy on the other side of the card game.
Hannah, Justin, and Ernie sat together, each seemingly holding a cookbook in their hands;
Parvati and her sister Padma were chatting with Lavender, occasionally glancing shyly at the ring.
Harry and Ron are playing cards, both looking preoccupied.
James was holding a comic book, while Alfred and Neville, sitting next to him, were both stealing glances at it, their faces flushed.
In the past, she viewed the Owl Court with a critical eye.
A club without entry requirements will inevitably be chaotic.
That's indeed the case.
The Black Swan were quiet, either exchanging learning experiences or discussing recent major events in the Wizarding World.
But she no longer finds the place noisy and chaotic; instead, she feels warmth from the genuine emotions of the members.
No more scheming and plotting, no more wearing a mask of hypocrisy.
"I love it here, Granger."
Hermione smiled and took a small metal ball out of the white, semi-circular bag.
She pressed the engraved Magical Runes on it, and the metal sphere melted into a long scroll.
"Once you write your name on it, you will be a full member of our Owl Court."
Daphne was surprised and pulled open the scroll.
Such a delicate texture can only come from precious Mithril.
She looked at the Magical Runes at the very top and felt that they looked somewhat familiar.
"This is Vincent's." Hermione pouted as if she remembered something. "He always uses this to encrypt his Potions papers."
Although I don't think it could hold fifteen inches of content, Professor Snape always gave it an 'O'.
That statement was sarcastic and made me a little annoyed.
Daphne took the quill pen offered to her, and felt that the white bag was also quite unusual.
"It cast Undetectable Extension Charm, didn't it?"
Hermione hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yes, he made it."
The Mithril paper automatically retracted into the scroll as Daphne Greengrass's name was written in full.
"Here, this is for you."
Daphne stared blankly at the small, round badge in her palm.
"The owl above is Gu Gu, our club's mascot."
She looked toward Qiu and Marietta.
If nothing unexpected happens, that brown, furry ball of flesh is Gu Gu.
Hermione followed the gaze and her face flushed slightly. "It's all Vincent's fault. He never sticks to his plan to put it on a diet for more than two days."
"No, I think it's quite cute." Daphne pinned the badge to her school uniform. "It suits Wayne's style."