To prevent the horrific scene in the Great Hall from frightening the young wizards, Professor McGonagall shooed them all out and closed the door.
When she returned, she looked at Lockhart lying on the ground and felt a headache coming on.
Lockhart's arms were both severed, and the mangled flesh hung on the exposed bones, revealing the gruesome and bloody wounds.
He had almost bled out of his body; his skin had turned grayish-white, and his face was covered in bruises, making him look like a pig's head. His robes were stained with blood and were now tattered.
Most seriously, Lockhart's mental state seemed to have been driven to the brink of collapse.
His eyes were vacant, his gaze was blank, and he kept muttering to himself.
"It hurts... it hurts so much..."
In this condition, even if he were taken to the hospital, it would be difficult to save him.
Even if he could be saved, given that he used the Killing Curse multiple times in battle, he would probably spend the rest of his life in Azkaban.
McGonagall sighed, waved her wand to restore the Great Hall to its original state, and then retrieved Lockhart's severed limbs.
"Severus, take Lockhart to the Hospital Wing first, then go to his office and see if he has any other Dark Magic artifacts hidden there," Professor McGonagall said slowly, looking at Snape.
Snape glanced at Silan, nodded, and left without a word.
The others had no objections to Professor McGonagall's arrangement.
With Dumbledore absent, Professor McGonagall could easily assume the duties of headmaster.
As soon as Snape stepped out of the Great Hall, he was stopped by Hermione was waiting outside.
"Professor Snape!" Hermione asked anxiously, her face tense, "Silan... is he alright?"
Hermione nervously tugged at the hem of her clothes, a fine layer of sweat beading on her forehead, clinging to a few strands of hair.
It's obvious at a glance that she's very worried about Silan.
This gave Snape a great sense of satisfaction, and he said softly, "Don't worry, Miss Granger, he's perfectly fine."
"Sorry, I have to go now."
After saying that, Snape turned and left, a slight smile playing on his lips.
As he turned the corner, he was suddenly confronted with Harry and Ron, Snape's expression instantly froze.
These two guys are like ghosts, always haunting me!
Snape said fiercely, "Weren't I telling you to go to the common room?! Why are you following Miss Granger around again?"
"I'm warning you, you'd better stop harassing Miss Granger."
"You two slug-headed idiots and red-haired Gnome!"
With that, Snape snorted and swung his robes toward Lockhart's office.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, completely bewildered.
"Harass Hermione? Us?" Ron said indignantly. "Snape must be mistaken. He should have warned Hermione to stop harassing Silan!"
"Who knows?" Harry shrugged.
He was now completely used to Snape's tendency to stir up trouble and didn't take it to heart at all. Instead, he asked with interest, "Did you hear what Snape said just now?"
"What?"
"Sorry, I have to go." Harry repeated, mimicking Snape, before making a gagging motion.
"Good heavens, that's disgusting. Snape actually spoke like that!"
Ron smiled wryly, "He always seems to take a strange liking to Silan and Hermione, and of course, to us too."
After Snape left, Professor McGonagall continued to arrange the remaining matters.
She looked at the Basilisk lying at Silan's feet, her brows furrowed, as if she were considering how to deal with it.
Putting it in the Great Hall is certainly not appropriate, but we can't just leave it at school either.
Or maybe we should just find an abandoned classroom and lock them up?
As Professor McGonagall pondered this, Silan suddenly spoke up, suggesting, "Professor McGonagall, Headmaster Dumbledore gave me a box before; it's quite spacious, and I think it should be able to hold the Basilisk. Perhaps..."
"No!" Professor McGonagall refused outright.
"You should know that the Basilisk is a terrifying and dangerous creature, and I can't let you take that risk!"
As she spoke, Professor McGonagall glanced quickly at the Basilisk, her eyes flashing with wariness.
Although Silan knew Professor McGonagall meant well, he had to keep the Basilisk under control.
"Don't worry, Professor McGonagall."
Silan said, "As long as the ring covering the Basilisk's eyes isn't removed, it poses no danger to me."
McGonagall glanced silently at the double rings on the Basilisk's head.
A circular ring secures the neck, while a wide circular ring covers the eyes; the simple design achieves the best effect.
Moreover, it appears to be hard and durable, not easily damaged.
Wearing it will render the Basilisk's eyes useless.
Even so, Professor McGonagall remained somewhat worried and hesitated, unable to make a decision.
Silan had no choice but to add fuel to the fire, "Right now, only I can control the Basilisk. I'm not comfortable putting it anywhere else."
"How about I take care of it? We can let Headmaster Dumbledore decide when he returns. What do you think?"
Professor McGonagall hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Why don't we just get rid of the Basilisk... I remember Hagrid still has some roosters with him."
Hearing this, Silan's heart tightened.
If I kill the Basilisk now, won't all my efforts be wasted?
He tried to dissuade us, saying, "The Basilisk is actually innocent. It told me that it was only being controlled by Lockhart and had no other choice, and it even helped us just now."
McGonagall's scrutinizing gaze was fixed on the Basilisk.
Although she felt that there was some truth to what Silan said, it could not absolve the Basilisk of its sins.
Because of it, the students spent almost the entire school year in fear and anxiety. What's more, it petrified several students.
Even 50 years ago, it had already claimed a life.
However, at Silan's insistence, she did not forcefully demand the immediate execution of the Basilisk.
She knew the child was kind-hearted, and probably felt a little reluctant to do it.
"Then let's wait until Headmaster Dumbledore returns before making any arrangements. Until then, you absolutely must not release it," Professor McGonagall sternly instructed.
"Of course," Silan nodded in agreement.
The Basilisk seemed to sense the oppressive atmosphere from before, and stayed quietly and obediently to the side.
She even shamelessly rolled over, lying on her back and exposing her belly.
This is to show that they pose no threat.
Silan took out the Suitcase and, under Professor McGonagall's watchful eye, carried the Basilisk inside.
Professor McGonagall breathed a sigh of relief after Silan locked his Suitcase.
"Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick, could you please calm the students down? I'll take Prewett to the Hospital Wing for a checkup."
She was still somewhat worried about Silan.
Facing such a crazed Lockhart, it would be disastrous if he were struck by some kind of hidden Dark Magic.
The group walked out of the Great Hall together. Just as they reached the corner by the door, one small head after another popped up.
Hermione, Neville, Harry, and several Weasley immediately surrounded them upon seeing them.
"Are you alright, Silan?"
"Silan, you're amazing! You defeated the Basilisk and Lockhart without even using a wand!"
"I have a chicken leg here, do you want some?"
The chattering of the group made Professor McGonagall frown.
"Alright, everyone quiet down! I'm going to take him to the Hospital Wing now."
"Mr. Prewett needs to rest well, you should all go back and rest too."
Hermione looked on with a Professor McGonagall, her eyes wide with reluctance.
Professor McGonagall glanced at Hermione's pitiful gaze and quickly looked away. After a while, Hermione was still staring at her like that.
Professor McGonagall sighed helplessly.
"Alright, Miss Granger, you can stay with him."