The massive explosion Su Er had caused kept the Castle buzzing for days, and did somewhat dispel the students' panic over Dumbledore's departure.
Su Er spent every day worrying that Fawkes would suddenly turn up in the Room of Requirement with Dumbledore to settle accounts with him.
He was deeply worried, afraid of being saddled with an enormous debt at such a young age.
It took no thought at all to imagine how many precious things there must have been in that burned stretch of the Forbidden Forest. At the very least, those few chests of Galleons in his vault definitely would not cover the damages.
After a Herbology lesson, Hermione brought Su Er some new information-according to Professor Sprout's estimate, the burned woodland would need at least 150 years to recover.
Su Er grew even more worried.
Fortunately, there was still some good news. No, it could not exactly be called good news.
"The mandrakes are nearly mature. Professor McGonagall said all the petrified students would be able to return to class in a few days," Hermione said happily.
"That means you won't have to hide here all day and wait until night to go out for a stroll."
"I don't think that's good news..." Su Er sighed. It meant he would soon have to leave behind this life of sleeping until he woke naturally and doing whatever he pleased.
"Hmm?" Hermione tilted her head. "Isn't that good news?"
"Oh, well. It had to happen sooner or later. How have Harry and the others been doing lately?" Su Er asked, watching Hermione review her class notes according to her revision schedule.
"All right." Hermione flexed her wrist and answered without looking up. "They've confirmed that the monster is a basilisk. I showed them that book, and they've been trying