Heroes Are Born Outside the Girls' Bathroom / Stepping Up Is Only Right...

Light returned, Harry and his companions were led out of the dark pipe by the Occamy. The pool that had been moved earlier automatically returned to its original position.

"You guys actually came back alive?"

The commotion in the washroom naturally caught Myrtle's attention, and she quickly floated over, her tone filled with deep disappointment.

"I've been thinking that if you die, you could share this toilet with me," Myrtle said regretfully, her face even turning slightly shy.

"That's impossible." Harry refused without hesitation. "I absolutely, positively will never go into the Girls' Bathroom again!"

After this incident, Harry developed a real phobia of Girls' Bathroom.

Let whoever wants to come to this lousy place, I will definitely never set foot here again!

Salazar, Voldemort, and the like... anyone associated with Girls' Bathroom is a pervert!

"Are you stupid?" Hermione smacked Harry on the back of the head in annoyance. "At a time like this, shouldn't you be thinking about your own survival?!"

"Mmm~" Harry nodded hurriedly after being scolded by Hermione, as obedient as a chick pecking at rice.

A smile appeared on his face, and his eyes softened. "I promise you, I will never die. As long as you're by my side, I will definitely be able to get through this dangerous situation and will never let you be sad because of my departure!"

"Are you... are you out of your mind! Saying such nonsensical things..."

Harry's promise came so suddenly that Hermione was immediately embarrassed. She instinctively pushed Harry away, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the tile and hide.

That annoying little brother... why did he have to choose a time like this?!

"Please, I can't stand it anymore, please someone flush me away!" Seeing this, Myrtle jumped into the toilet with a look of utter despair.

"I'm also thinking of going back into my suitcase... my tooth hurts~"

Luna Lovegood was also expressionless. She could answer the questions some people said in a heartbeat. Wasn't that strange?

As for the suitcase... Luna Lovegood just remembered that there seemed to be something in the suitcase, but she was distracted by Hach's little skit and forgot about it again.

Never mind, it's not important anyway~

Clap clap clap!

Suddenly, a burst of enthusiastic applause drifted in from outside the Girls' Bathroom.

When Harry and his group looked outside, they found that Professors McGonagall and Flitwick, along with many students, had completely blocked the toilet door.

"What... are you doing?"

Harry's lips twitched in frustration. Honestly, being cornered in the Girls' Bathroom and clapped and cheered was just awful.

"We came here specifically to welcome you, Mr. Granger. Also..." Professor McGonagall's eyes were full of joy, but she managed to maintain a serious expression, "Shouldn't you come out of the Girls' Bathroom first?"

"Okay..." Harry stepped out of the bathroom with a sour face, but was immediately hugged by someone.

Rushing over was his mentor, Flitwick. The old professor was trembling all over, sobbing uncontrollably, with snot and tears streaming down his face.

"Harry, it's so good to hear you're alright!" Professor Flitwick's voice was choked with emotion. "I've been such a useless teacher, letting a child like you handle something so dangerous! I... I kept thinking, what if you were hurt? What if you didn't come back... Damn it, how could I say such things! You're back, and with Hermione and Miss Lovegood, it's just wonderful..."

"Professor, please don't say that about yourself!" Harry gently comforted the overly excited professor. "Before I went into the Chamber, you subdued Lockhart without hesitation, which really gave me tremendous encouragement!"

Harry's words came from the bottom of his heart; Professor Flitwick's care and trust in him had never wavered in the slightest.

"Mr. Granger and Miss Lovegood, although the three of you have violated far more than a hundred school rules in the past period of time, I still want to say... welcome back!" Professor McGonagall stepped forward and carefully looked the three of them over. Only after confirming that they were really not injured did she finally feel relieved.

"I'm sorry... Professor McGonagall, we've worried you." Hermione bowed obediently to Professor McGonagall. She had lived with Professor McGonagall for a while and knew that she cared about her and Harry a lot in private.

"We are the ones who should apologize... Professor Flitwick is right, it's because we faculty members didn't step forward to take responsibility that you've been forced to face these issues..."

"Uh, Professor McGonagall ..." A voice from the crowd interrupted Professor McGonagall; it was Ron who spoke.

"By the way... Mr. Granger, would you mind telling me about Miss Weasley's situation?"

After being reminded by Ron, Professor McGonagall suddenly realized what was happening and asked the question.

There's also a missing student in this incident, and their parents have already come to the school. It's just that Flitwick and I were too worried about Harry and the others' safety, so we didn't have time to ask them yet.

"Hey, she's alright~" Hearing Professor McGonagall's question, Harry belatedly slapped his forehead, hurriedly opened the briefcase, and pulled out the terrified Ginny from inside by her sleeve.

He said he seemed to have forgotten something along the way, and it turns out there was a grown person in the suitcase!

"Ginny!!" *N

Upon seeing the red-haired girl, the six Weasley in the crowd simultaneously pushed forward and surrounded Ginny.

That's right, there are six.

Ron, the Weasley Twins, Percy, and the Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who came after hearing the news!

"Ginny! That's great!"

Mrs. Weasley cried and hugged her daughter tightly, with Mr. Weasley beside her; the parents held Ginny close.

"Ugh... Daddy, Mommy! I'm so scared... There's a huge cat, and a dragon!"

Ginny was also crying and screaming, but what she said was somewhat incomprehensible to everyone present.

"Harry, I really... well, anyway, my family really has no way to repay you."

After letting her emotions vent for a while, Mrs. Weasley wanted to go up and give Harry a hug, but after seeing his polite refusal, she reluctantly gave up the idea and just hugged her daughter tightly.

"Hero! Harry is a hero at Hogwarts!!"

At that moment, a shout suddenly rang out from the crowd, followed by a burst of crisp applause.

It was Cedric Diggory spoke up, clapping and pushing his way to the front, cheering for Harry and encouraging those around him.

At his urging, Neville quickly joined in the applause, and soon the applause and cheers seemed to be contagious, sweeping through the crowd once again.

"Hey, a hero of Hogwarts, that sounds impressive!" Hermione laughed and clapped to tease Harry when she heard everyone addressing Harry as such.

"I appreciate everyone's kindness, but I really want to go back and rest right now... And is it really okay for you to leave a 'hero' blocking the entrance to the Girls' Bathroom?"

Harry wore a bitter smile that reflected both helplessness and exhaustion. If these teachers and students didn't let him off the hook, he really might fall asleep standing up.

Moreover, he really needs to get enough rest right now.

After all, the repercussions of the Chamber incident weren't over yet; he still had to deal with Cornelius Fudge and the others tomorrow.

Chapter 180 Stepping Forward Is the Right Thing

After repeatedly declining the overly enthusiastic teachers and students surrounding him, Harry took Hermione and Luna Lovegood back to the Eagle House common room, and then, out of humanitarian concern, took Lockhart to the Hospital Wing. Finally, he was able to return to the janitor's hut.

According to Professor McGonagall, the fact that School Governor Greengrass was stared to death by the Basilisk made the previously arrogant Pure-blood parents in the school feel insecure, and many of them fled with their children at the time of the incident... such as Lucius Malfoy.

Therefore, their ban on Harry was no longer valid, and Filch's office had been reopened to Harry.

This is definitely good news for Harry, who has been having a very uncomfortable time sleeping in his dorm for the past month.

Besides, he had already used his voice to hypnotize Goldstein and the others, giving them many good dreams for several nights in a row. Now it was time for him to get a good night's sleep.

Harry slept soundly that night, and when he woke up it was already the next day... well, it should be noon that day.

After all, it was past midnight when he came out of the Chamber.

After a quick wash, Harry ate some snacks he had stocked up on, organized all the evidence he had gathered, and then headed to the Headmaster's Office...

"Uh... Headmaster? When did you get back?" As Harry walked up the spiral staircase into the Headmaster's Office, he found Dumbledore sitting behind his desk!

"I received the news last night. I heard that those 'overly concerned' parents had lost control of the situation at the school," Dumbledore explained gently. "But when I returned to the school, Minerva told me that I had already resolved everything... So I just tidied up the Headmaster's Office a bit, since we might have guests later."

Harry immediately understood when he sensed the smile in Dumbledore's eyes.

After Albus Dumbledore rushed back, he first asked Professor McGonagall and the others about the situation, and helped clean up the 'crime scene' of his unauthorized brewing of Veritaserum. After everything was in order, he waited for me to arrive with peace of mind.

Harry had to admit that playing alongside Albus Dumbledore was a truly enjoyable experience.

Often, all they need is a little communication and a hint to develop an excellent understanding between them.

"It's unbelievable... Who would have thought that Ginny and Gilderoy would be controlled by a diary one after another?" After roughly understanding the ins and outs of the matter, Dumbledore couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "Tom, he is probably the second most outstanding student in the history of Hogwarts."

"Second best?" Harry was puzzled. Why was Albus Dumbledore ranking Voldemort?

"Because the most outstanding student of the future is standing right before me now!" Dumbledore's face crinkled with laughter. "This time, even the awkward Phineas Nigellus Black, all of us headmasters have been in complete agreement."

At this point, Dumbledore's smile faded, and his tone became quite solemn. "Harry, once again you have shouldered the safety of the entire school. In this incident, everyone witnessed your unparalleled talent, strength, and courage!"

"Headmaster, didn't I tell you before that such praise would make me arrogant?" Harry smiled calmly, unmoved by Albus Dumbledore's compliments.

He was never one to be easily pleased, and now, with the addition of the water element, he is even more composed than before.

"So... are we going to refuse the extra points again, like before?" Albus Dumbledore seemed to have guessed what Harry was thinking.

"That's right, and I don't think it'll be any more advantageous if something like this happens again." Harry nodded seriously. "Because... as a member of Hogwarts, standing up for others is simply our duty."

To be honest, Harry has always found the extra points awarded for saving the school puzzling, because if there are too many of these things, it's easy to get the feeling that you're hoping something bad will happen to the school every day.

Moreover, regardless of what others think, Harry himself, having ultimately chosen to stay at Hogwarts, will naturally do his best to resolve these unfolding disasters.

In his eyes, the school may have many problems... but these flaws never conflicted with his desire to protect it.

"I knew you'd say that, but... you deserve a reward." Dumbledore smiled kindly, completely unsurprised by Harry's attitude. "Harry, you will receive a special award for your service to the school... and not just you, Hermione and Luna Lovegood will too."

"Special contribution...that's a nice award." Harry nodded with a smile. "But there's no need to award them separately. Just make one trophy or medal and engrave our names on it. And it's not just the three of us, but also Neville, Cedric Diggory, the four Headmasters, Hagrid, and you... Headmaster, I was able to resolve the incident thanks to everyone's help, so this isn't just an honor for the three of us, but a victory for all of Hogwarts!"

"Harry ...you command my respect." Upon hearing Harry's words, Dumbledore even rose slightly in greeting.

Anyone can talk big, but few can actually do it; and what's even harder is to remain calm and composed after doing it.

Harry's ability to so easily shed the aura of hero and the Boy Who Lived, and to voluntarily share the honor with others, is what truly moved Dumbledore.

"Um... Harry?"

Just as Dumbledore was about to have another heartfelt chat with Harry, he noticed that the boy in front of him suddenly frowned.

"It's nothing, we just have some guests visiting..."

"Albus, Minister Fudge and Mr. Malfoy have arrived together."

Before Harry could finish speaking, Professor McGonagall appeared with two other people at the spiral staircase of the Headmaster's Office.

She looked annoyed and left immediately after bringing the people in, clearly disliking these two uninvited guests.

At the same time, Dumbledore was secretly surprised; he hadn't expected Harry's senses to be so sharp.

Cornelius Fudge was dressed similarly to last time, with a hint of apology and panic on his face. It was clear that he had learned about what was happening at school through his own channels and had come specifically to apologize.

As for Lucius Malfoy, his face was completely ashen; he was clearly so angry that he left without even washing his hair.

Harry's face was also grim, and even the water element couldn't suppress his anger.

Because he saw Dobby, covered in wounds and bandages, next to Lucius!

This guy is definitely taking his Dobby out on Dobby after his plan failed!

In addition, Harry also had a bad feeling.

Now that Fudge and Lucius have arrived together, Harry's plan to trick Lucius into revealing his identity is likely to fail...

Chapter 181 Dobby's Freedom Was Hard-Won

"Good afternoon, Fudge, Lucius, you've come at just the right time."

Dumbledore maintained a friendly demeanor towards the uninvited guests.

"It's like this, Dumbledore ..." Fudge began, "The one-month deadline has passed, and I've also heard that Mr. Granger has solved the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, so regarding the murderer..."

"Minister Fudge, I believe that since the incredibly brave Mr. Granger has solved the case, the culprit certainly won't escape. So please allow me to deal with the internal issues at Hogwarts first." Lucius interrupted Fudge, giving Dumbledore a sinister look. "I remember the Board of Directors suspended you from your duties, yet you still returned to Hogwarts on your own initiative!"

"Just recently, I received many letters from the board saying that Mr. Greengrass and Miss Weasley had been murdered and that they wanted me back immediately. Apparently, in their eyes, I am a better fit for the job than someone who deserted his post."

Dumbledore smiled confidently, glancing meaningfully at Lucius: "Besides, some of them seem to have been threatened... that if they don't agree to suspend me, you'll curse their families."

"Hmph, this is pure, despicable slander!" Lucius's face paled slightly, but he still stubbornly refused to admit it. "Since the board has made its decision, I'll take my leave..."

"Mr. Malfoy, don't you want to hear the whole story of the Chamber?" Seeing Lucius's scheme fail and he about to leave, Harry quickly intervened, "And the murderer... as one of the School Governor... aren't you curious about who he is?"

"That's between you and Minister Fudge!" Lucius replied coldly.