Hermione met Professor McGonagall's gaze, her expression showing no sign of fear.
She spoke earnestly yet clearly:
" Mr. Malfoy claimed that he learned that specific magic because of his special physical condition."
"Now that a comprehensive check-up is required, I'd like to take the opportunity, out of concern for my classmate's health, to gather some information from the sidelines."
As she spoke, Hermione's gaze swept over Snape stood beside her with an icy expression.
It seemed as if it was being spoken to him.
"Furthermore, I was one of the reporters who covered the riot just now."
"These physical health issues that could potentially affect the safety of Hogwarts are matters of great importance to every teacher and student in the castle, and I have the right to verify the objectivity and impartiality of the inspection process."
A low, cold laugh suddenly rang out.
Professor Snape scoffed, " Miss Granger's curiosity is more intriguing than any of those ancient, dusty spells in the Restricted Section."
"Medical examinations are Madam Pomfrey's duty; why should a greenhorn like a first-year student come here to pontificate and 'get information'?"
Hermione retorted without backing down, "I don't ask to participate in the specific process of the examination, I only ask to wait outside the examination room, or, with Madam Pomfrey's permission, to know some basic, non-private conclusions."
" Mr. Malfoy just used a spell with an unknown effect. If his constitution is truly as special as claimed, then it is closely related to the safety of the entire castle."
"Understanding the relevant information is the responsibility of every Hogwarts student, not simply a matter of curiosity."
Professor McGonagall frowned, lost in thought.
Her gaze swept between Hermione's determined face and Snape's impatient, cold expression.
I was caught in a dilemma.
Hermione's words were all reasonable.
It is both reasonable and in accordance with school rules.
However, Snape's doubts were not entirely unfounded.
There's really no need for a first-year student to get involved in this investigation, which is rife with secrecy.
After a moment, Professor McGonagall finally sighed helplessly and conceded:
Your passion and persistence always put people in this dilemma.
"Alright, Hermione, you can wait on the bench outside the examination room, but you must remain quiet and not disturb Madam Pomfrey's work."
"I can only inform you of some non-privacy examination findings if both she and I agree."
"Thank you, Professor!" Hermione nodded immediately.
A hint of joy appeared on her face, and she solemnly promised, "I promise to strictly abide by the rules and never barge in or ask questions!"
Professor Snape, seeing this, let out another cold snort.
He flicked his sleeves, too lazy to say another word.
He then strode off towards the Hospital Wing.
A barely perceptible hint of amusement flashed in Draco's eyes.
He silently lifted his foot and slowly followed Snape's steps.
Hermione followed closely behind him, her sharp gaze fixed on the slender yet upright figure ahead.
Draco walked down the corridor, listening to the staggered footsteps behind him, his mind racing.
This inspection, seemingly a check and balance by Dumbledore, was in fact more like a game of chess involving multiple forces.
If things go wrong, the plot could completely spiral out of control.
If Voldemort, who was possessing Quirrell, noticed something amiss with him, he might just eliminate this "variable" completely.
The thought had barely crossed his mind when Draco suppressed it.
A very faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Because he wasn't flustered at all.
The four walked together, their footsteps echoing intermittently in the quiet corridor.
Before long, the group walked through the winding corridor and arrived at the familiar door of the Hospital Wing on the second floor.
A shiny plaque hangs on the door, with the words "Hospital Wing " clearly engraved in gold lettering.
A faint smell of disinfectant, mixed with the unique fragrance of herbs, wafted out from under the door.
Just then.
The door to the Hospital Wing was pushed open from the inside, and Madam Pomfrey came out carrying a tray full of empty medicine bottles.
She was wearing a neat white robe, and her hair was combed meticulously.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape appeared side by side.
Behind them were two students with different expressions, and Madam Pomfrey's brows furrowed instantly.
Her professional instincts honed through years of practicing medicine allowed her to keenly sense something unusual.
" Minerva? Severus? Is there a problem?" Madam Pomfrey put down the tray she was carrying.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward and succinctly explained her purpose, " Poppy, it's like this..."
"Special constitution? Easily attracts unclean things?" Madam Pomfrey repeated, her brows furrowing even more.
She asked Draco, "What exactly did it feel like, Mr. Malfoy? Tell me in detail."
Draco pondered for a moment, then calmly stated, "This feeling is vague, Madam Pomfrey. It's not something you can experience all the time."
Madam Pomfrey then pressed, "When did it start? And what were the specific symptoms?"
"Usually in certain specific circumstances," Draco replied.
"For example, some particularly old corners in the castle, or those with poor lighting, and... some places where, according to legend, something bad happened."
"Whenever I'm in that kind of environment, I suddenly feel a chill down my spine, or... it's like something is quietly watching me from the shadows."
"My grandfather said I was just sensitive to certain residual 'energy traces,' and it wasn't a big deal."
Madam Pomfrey nodded and then posed another crucial question.
"Did you experience any accompanying symptoms such as fever, unstable magic, or mental confusion? Or, did you see anything you shouldn't have?"
"No, I've never had those symptoms," Draco shook his head, answering crisply.
Hearing this, Madam Pomfrey stepped aside to make way for Draco to follow her inside.
After Draco went inside, Madam Pomfrey nodded to McGonagall and Snape. "Come in, to the examination room inside."
Finally, her gaze fell on Hermione by the door, and she said:
" Miss Granger, you can wait on the bench outside. Don't come in and disturb us unless I call you."
Although Hermione was unwilling, she knew that this was the bottom line.
She nodded and obediently walked to the bench in the hallway outside and sat down.
But her ears were perked up very high.
The door to the examination room closed slowly behind Madam Pomfrey.
The room was lit by soft, magical lighting, which was bright but not glaring.
The room was clean and tidy, spotless.
A white sheet was placed in the center of the room.
On the shelf next to it, various medical instruments and bottles were neatly arranged.
The smell of herbs and disinfectant in the air was a bit stronger than outside, but it wasn't pungent.
On the contrary, it gave people a strange sense of security.
At Madam Pomfrey's prompting, Draco removed his robe.
He then slowly walked to the inspection table and stood there.
Professor McGonagall stood a little distance away with her arms crossed.
Professor Snape, like a dark shadow, silently slid to the side and behind the examination table.
This location was chosen in an extremely difficult way.
It allows one to clearly observe every subtle change in Draco's facial expression and to take in all of Madam Pomfrey's actions.
He put his hands in the pockets of his black robe and made no further move.
Madam Pomfrey said no more, raising her wand, the tip of which shimmered with a soft, pale green light.
Holding her wand, she slowly moved down from Draco's head, performing a basic full-body scan.
Where the green light passed, a faint glow lingered, as if it were probing something.
Her expression was extremely focused, but her brows furrowed more and more tightly as the examination progressed.
"Vital signs are stable, pulse is steady, breathing is even..."
Madam Pomfrey scanned the area while muttering to herself.
When the wand moved to near Draco's chest and forehead, she visibly paused.
The duration of the movement also increased.
"Magic flow... hmm... interesting."
"His magic level is within the normal range for students, but... his fluctuation curve seems slightly more active than his peers, though still within the normal threshold."
"There are no traces of Dark Magic, no influence of curses or evil spells, and the soul's state... is stable and without concern."
After saying that, she slowly put away her wand, looked up at Draco, and asked another question:
" Mr. Malfoy, do you sometimes find it difficult to control your magic? Or do your magic leak out uncontrollably when you are particularly emotionally agitated?"
Draco shook his head again and said, "No, madam, my magic control has always been very stable."
"It's just... occasionally, especially when I'm feeling down or the surrounding environment is... gloomy, I feel... a little cold."
After saying this, Draco secretly groaned inwardly.
He felt that the story he was making up had gone further and further astray.
Madam Pomfrey, please don't ask any more questions. If you keep asking, he might really run out of things to say.