Not long after the poor Moloch Rat drank the potion, all its fur fell out. In a pleased tone, Snape "congratulated" Harry and Ron on inventing a powerful hair-loss potion that would completely free the vast number of balding people from their worries—
Perhaps recalling the loud laughter from the Slytherins yesterday, Harry and Ron shrank away from Snape's gaze. Then, a voice helped shift their attention. "Harry, good afternoon!"
The familiar voice made Harry's back go numb in an instant.
He exchanged a glance with Ron and turned around. Sure enough, Colin Creevey was squeezing through the crowd excitedly.
As usual, the boy had his old-fashioned camera slung over his shoulder and greeted them eagerly.
Harry forced a smile in reply. "Good afternoon, Colin—um, did you sign up for the Dueling Club too?"
Colin was delighted to see him, but he shook his head. "I didn't. Of course I wanted to come, but—first-years don't seem to be able to learn much here. Yes, that's it. So I came with my classmates. They're over there."
Following the direction he pointed, Harry saw a group of first-years huddled together like quails at the edge of the older students. A few of them were looking at him, their eyes filled with excitement and curiosity.
They had probably heard the rumors about the so-called Savior again.
Only the new first-years at Hogwarts still harbored fairy-tale fantasies about Harry Potter, and Colin Creevey was the most fanatical among them.
For instance, after greeting him, Colin asked expectantly, "Will you be showing us anything during the dueling event, Harry?"
"What?" Harry asked in confusion.
"Magical combat! Look, it's the Dueling Club—what a perfect opportunity! You shouldn't keep such a low profile anymore, Harry. You should take out your wand and use magic to teach those