Professor Li Wei Has Big Problems

"Is that so? I understand."

After hearing the whole story about the Basilisk incident from Hermione, Cedric's handsome face was as stiff as wax.

"First, did you confirm that Professor Li Wei notified Dumbledore about this?"

"Of course, we saw it with our own eyes."

Ron said without hesitation.

But his words were immediately refuted by Harry.

"No! Professor Li Wei just wrote a letter and asked a house-elf to deliver it. Do you remember what Barton said to him at the time? There might be a problem with this. He might not have sent the letter!"

Cedric and Hermione suddenly turned their heads sharply at this moment, staring at Harry with keen eyes.

"Wh-What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Hermione's expression was full of regret, while Cedric shook his head and said:

"No, you make sense. We can't completely rule out the possibility that Professor Li Wei was just pretending to notify Headmaster Dumbledore."

"It's just—" His eyebrows furrowed under his prominent nose, like two sharp swords, revealing his heroic face and exuding a strong sense of justice. "I absolutely do not believe Professor Li Wei would be that kind of person."

"Exactly, Harry, why do you always suspect Professor Li Wei?"

"What are you talking about? Why can't we suspect him?"

Seeing that both of them were questioning Harry, Ron decisively stood by his side.

"Hermione, you're too superstitious of authority! Is Professor Li Wei definitely right? Have you forgotten about Professor Quirrell?

We were deceived by his appearance back then, thinking he was a simple and honest person. And what happened?"

"That's different!"

Hermione's voice wavered slightly, but she still insisted on her own opinion.

"You haven't been in Professor Li Wei's study group, so you won't understand what an extraordinary person he is.

If you knew how profound his understanding of magic is, and how good he is at teaching, you would never think he was like Professor Quirrell!"

"Fine, is it time for bragging and contempt now? We two aren't good enough to get into the study group, so we're not worthy of being associated with you two, are we?

Lady from Gryffindor, do I need to remind you that the professor you admire comes from the evil Slytherin?"

"I didn't mean that at all! Why are you saying that!"

Hermione was almost infuriated by Ron.

Harry watched their argument from the side, feeling a little uneasy and a little ashamed—he also wanted to join Professor Li Wei's study group, but Quidditch training was too busy, and he couldn't surpass Hermione in academic excellence.

No, now is not the time to think about these things.

"You two, stop arguing."

Cedric stepped forward, placing himself between Ron and Hermione.

"Ron, you're right, it's just that we don't want to think of Professor Li Wei that way."

Cedric then gave Hermione a look.

"It doesn't matter if we can't reach a consensus on this issue. It's almost lights out, and we must quickly discuss a resolution and take action immediately!"

"Do we have to do it now?"

"If Professor Li Wei is truly untrustworthy, it means Headmaster Dumbledore is still unaware of this, and he might be deceived by Professor Li Wei tonight.

We must find a way to notify the Headmaster, or notify Deputy Headmistress McGonagall.

Time is of the essence. Since you chose to tell me this information, it means you chose to trust me. At least for now, let's unite and not quarrel amongst ourselves, okay?"

Cedric's extraordinary demeanor, combined with his rational words, made Ron and Harry begin to admire him.

They were immediately convinced.

"What do you want to do?"

"First, we cannot solve this matter with our own strength alone. We must rely on the professors—we will go to Professor McGonagall's office together right now to inform her of this matter."

"Wait, if Professor McGonagall finds out about this, she'll definitely cancel classes immediately!"

Harry's face showed a look of panic.

"So what! Which is more important, everyone's safety or attending class?"

Cedric didn't know about Harry's family situation or how badly the Dursleys treated him, so he didn't understand Harry's hesitation.

However, Hermione and Ron understood.

Seeing Harry's expression, and Cedric about to act immediately, Hermione suddenly had a flash of inspiration, remembering a detail she had overlooked before, and hurriedly said:

"Wait! We must first confirm that the Basilisk actually exists."

"Hermione, are you crazy? Didn't we already see Mrs. Norris petrified?"

Ron looked at her with a headache.

"No, I'm clearer than ever."

Hermione looked at the three of them solemnly and said calmly, "Listen, although I don't want to suspect Professor Li Wei, but—assuming Professor Li Wei is really the mastermind behind all this.

Then, this incident is very likely unrelated to the Basilisk, and he fabricated it to deceive us—don't you remember, Professor Dumbledore said at the time that anything that could cause such a phenomenon must be an extremely profound Dark Art.

Besides, none of us actually saw the Basilisk, did we?"

"Then what about the sound of the Basilisk I heard?"

Harry asked blankly.

"Did you forget? Professor Li Wei can also speak Parseltongue, and he wasn't with us that night."

Everyone suddenly realized, and Ron said excitedly, "Do you remember the first time we met him? We felt he was a bit off then. He was too calm when Harry heard the Basilisk's voice!

And after confirming it was the Basilisk, he neither personally notified Dumbledore nor took the Basilisk seriously, as if he was certain the Basilisk would never hurt anyone. If Harry hadn't confronted him then, he wouldn't even have planned to go out and check."

"And think about it, who can be that smart? Hermione only asked him one question, and he guessed what she wanted to know and coincidentally told her the answer?"

"You mean, he deliberately guided us to think this way from the beginning?"

Harry also began to feel something was wrong—what made him feel even more unsettled was that he still had the leisure to think about something else at this moment.

If Professor Li Wei is really a minion of the Dark Lord, then is Jiamer too? Will he have to be enemies with her?

Why did fate play such a huge joke on him?

"So, we must confirm first!"

Hermione concluded.

"Even if we find Professor McGonagall now and tell her the legend of the Chamber of Secrets, will she believe us?

Remember what happened last semester? Once she finds out we're planning to do something adventurous, she'll pay even more attention to us, and then we won't be able to do anything!"

"I stand by my opinion," Cedric shook his head. "Professor Li Wei couldn't possibly be that kind of person."

"However, what you're saying isn't entirely without reason."

Cedric knew in his heart that Hermione and the others must have overlooked some seemingly irrelevant but very important information—like the matter she mentioned last semester, or Harry's panic when he discovered the school was going to close.

Although he firmly believed that telling Professor McGonagall would be the best choice—he still had a hurtful thing to say—Professor McGonagall might not believe Harry and the others' 'nonsense', but if it came from his mouth...

Cedric was confident that Professor McGonagall would listen to him and consider it carefully. If that didn't work, he could ask his own Head of House, Professor Sprout, to vouch for him.

However, since the three chose to tell him this important information, it would seem ungrateful if he acted recklessly and went his own way. Moreover, what Hermione said had some truth to it.

If such a major matter were mistaken, the consequences would be fatal, and they as students would not be able to handle it.

Cedric's expression was serious, and he confirmed the future course of action with the three.

"My bottom line is that we must have results before the Basilisk attacks again.

Otherwise, even if I can't convince Professor McGonagall, I will tell her about this—after tomorrow, I will try to gauge her reaction.

Next, we need to do three things.

1. Figure out the truth of the Chamber of Secrets legend, whether the so-called heir of Slytherin truly exists, and who it might be.

2. Observe Professor Li Wei, see what he does in his daily life, especially when he suddenly disappears.

3. Spread the word among the student body, have them all prepare glasses or other protective gear, and especially, do not act alone."