Preparations for Reasonable Beatings

When Hermione returned to the first floor, Bing Huan had just seen Dumbledore off. Without a second thought, she threw herself into his arms.

"What's wrong?"

"I missed you."

"Did old Grindelwald bully you?"

"No."

After a while, Hermione's embrace turned into a grip.

"...My legs are numb."

Bing Huan: (•ิ_•ิ)?

In the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore looked at Grindelwald strangely. "You couldn't persuade her?"

Grindelwald nodded and then shook his head. "That girl probably recognized me. She didn't even give me a chance to speak, and left after a few words. She's always been sharp, even as a child."

"I didn't expect that in just two years, the bond between these two children could become so strong."

"Albus, time doesn't mean everything. Weren't we also drawn to each other in just two months?"

"Gell."

"Why are you looking at me? I don't regret anything."

Dumbledore looked at the old man with heterochromatic eyes before him and said, "I mean, after all this is over, let's go see Ariana."

"...Okay."

Meanwhile, Bing Huan helped Hermione to a seat by the garden. Hermione massaged her legs and asked, "What did Dumbledore want to see you about just now?"

"It's related to this petrification incident. He wants me to lead the Dueling Club activities and also dumped the task of finding a supervising professor on me. There's one more thing: he wants me to research with Professor Snape what kind of monster is causing this, and come up with some preventive measures."

"Dueling Club? Who are you planning to ask?"

"Ennnmm..." Bing Huan looked up at the sky and pondered. "The most suitable person would be Professor Flitwick, after all, he's a dueling champion. Professor McGonagall should also be quite suitable, but both of them are heads of houses and might not have the time. Old Grindelwald could do it, but if he came, it would probably be too focused on practical combat, which isn't suitable for the younger years.

I'll go ask first. Anyway, besides Lockhart, any professor would be enough to teach us. This club is meant to help you all improve your vigilance while learning a few self-defense moves. Those who can get into Hogwarts have some skill to begin with."

"Besides Lockhart, right?" Ever since she learned Lockhart's true nature, Hermione wished she could erase the memory of her admiration for him during the summer holiday. It could be said that she hated Lockhart now as much as she had admired him then.

"You can't say that, Min. At least... his marketing skills are second to none." Bing Huan nodded earnestly.

"Pfft~"

As expected, the issue of the Dueling Club had no problems with the students; it was an instant hit. Bing Huan had Harry and the others count the attendees while he snuck off to the Ravenclaw Head of House's office. Inside, Cho Chang and Penelope (Ravenclaw prefects) were helping Professor Flitwick sort through questions.

Professor Flitwick looked at Bing Huan, who had just entered, with surprise. "It's rare for you to look for me. What's the matter, student Bing?" Bing Huan leaned in, grinning cheekily, "Professor, are you free tomorrow night?"

"No." The refusal was swift and decisive.

Bing Huan: (?_?)

"Professor! Aren't I your favorite student?"

"Pikachu."

"...Then second?"

"Penelope."

"Third isn't impossible either..."

"Cho and Hermione."

"Just tell me directly, what place am I in."

"Outside the top fifty." The two girls beside them were trembling with suppressed laughter.

"Farewell!" Bing Huan couldn't stay in this place for another second! "Wait a moment." Professor Flitwick suddenly called him back.

"Have you changed your mind?"

"No." (Coldly) "I just wanted to ask where Pikachu went. I haven't seen that child in a while."

"Oh, it's like this. Cultivation and magic have some conflicts. To practice both, the two energies need to be harmonized. For me, my Master and old Dumbledore helped me sort it out. A while ago, Pikachu stayed with you for two days and thought he could do it himself, so he practiced cultivation techniques without permission. The consequence, well~ I sent him back to Huaxia overnight for my Master to help him regulate. He'll be fine once his internal system stabilizes."

"Poor child. Well, if that's all, you can go. Ravenclaw needs to prepare for the knowledge competition these few days, and I really can't get away."

"Alright then~"

Leaving the office, Bing Huan walked to his own Head of House's office. After hearing the reason, Professor McGonagall looked apologetically at Bing Huan. "I'd love to help you, child, but I just promised Wood I'd help them with their anti-wind training. Because of that, I have to move some of my work to the evening, so..."

"It's alright, Professor. We're practically family, no need to be so formal."

Professor Sprout was more focused on taking care of the potions, especially during this special period when Mandrakes were needed.

So, there was only one answer left. As evening approached, Bing Huan and Snape were investigating the culprit behind the petrification. They first ruled out poisoning and curses, not to mention whether they could achieve such an effect, but at least Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore wouldn't have taken no measures.

The two listed all other creatures with petrifying abilities, ruled out those with unreasonable body sizes or those that were extinct, and were stumped by the five remaining suspects on the table. "Bing Huan, you and Potter were at the first crime scene. Are there any details you overlooked?"

"Details?" Bing Huan propped his chin and tried hard to recall what happened that night. "Yes, Harry heard something, but we didn't hear anything."

"A special language?"

"The sound of crawling and friction in the pipes... Ow! I should have thought of it sooner! The secret chamber left by the founder of Slytherin for Slytherin must be related to snakes! My brain!"

"A Basilisk?"

"Is this difficult to handle?"

Snape glanced speechlessly at Bing Huan. "The introduction was very clear. The only outcome of looking directly at a Basilisk is death. The previous two times they had indirect contact by luck, which is why they were only petrified. Only a Phoenix is fearless of the Basilisk's gaze."

"Hmm, look on the bright side, Professor Snape. At least we can first focus on figuring out how to eliminate the 'death' part of 'casualty reduction.' As long as no one dies, there's still room to maneuver, isn't there?"

"Do you have an idea?"

Bing Huan picked up his textbook. "It says right here! As long as it's indirect contact, it results in petrification. If we enforce only indirect contact, then the worst-case scenario is petrification. But is there a potion for that? That would require an item."

"Alchemical items are unlikely to be distributed within a few days, and there's the risk of them being lost or forgotten. As expected, I can't count on someone like you to appreciate the exquisite nature of potions." Snape took out a potion book and opened it, placing it in front of Bing Huan.

"Potion goggles?"

"Potions originally prepared for those who dislike or are unsuitable for wearing glasses also have a certain protective effect. For defending against a Basilisk, we can use double-layered, non-prescription lenses. They won't affect the daily lives of those who don't need glasses."

Bing Huan scratched his head. "Even if we remind them to drop the potion every morning, the problem of forgetting still isn't solved?"

"That's the most crucial point. We remind them to drop it daily, but this potion lasts for three days. Even if some idiot forgets, it will still save his life."

"What if someone forgets for three days?"

"Then he deserves to die."

Bing Huan: (￣□￣;)

"Oh right, Professor Snape, I heard you've always wanted to get a position in the Dark Arts Defense class?"

"How so?"

"Now there's a way to indirectly help you achieve that. Are you in or out?"

Snape raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Duelling Club. Mr. Bing, have you become so confident that you think I'd play house with you?"

"Ah, that's not quite right, Professor Snape. If the Dark Arts Defense class were proceeding normally, then this Duelling Club would indeed be lacking. But times have changed. You know what the previous two teachers were like. Quirrell was okay; at least he covered what was in the textbook.

But Lockhart? He's just a complete fraud! Everyone was already dissatisfied. As soon as they heard the Duelling Club was inviting other professors to teach, they exploded. If you come now, it would be what everyone wants!"

Snape looked at Bing Huan. "Assigning you to Gryffindor was definitely that old hat's biggest mistake."

"What are you saying! What are you saying!"

The next evening, Bing Huan stood beside an even more speechless Snape. "Why did you invite this guy here?"

"I don't know which idiot spread the word that I was coming to teach the Duelling Club. This guy has been clinging to me since noon; I can't even kick him away."

"...Bad luck" x2