Harry Tips His Hand

Professor Slughorn is ill.

The illness is very serious.

It is said that if a fever of 70 degrees Celsius does not subside, a cigar placed on it will produce smoke, and an egg placed on it will be cooked.

From another perspective, it's probably the "mystery of spontaneous human combustion".

Slughorn had also lost a lot of weight, going from a fat old man to a skinny monk, and seemed to be on his deathbed.

Anyway, the rumors were so detailed and convincing, it was as if they had seen it with my own eyes.

As for the cause... it is said to be from drinking Ganges medicinal wine brought from India by the twin Patil Sisters.

This wine is extraordinary!

Collect Ganges water from the lower reaches before Qingming Festival, mix it with sacred cow urine collected after Easter, and let it dry for 180 days!

Anyway, after drinking it, Slughorn immediately became unwell, convulsing violently, and almost died that night.

Patil, of course, swore that it had nothing to do with the two of them.

They both admitted to selling counterfeit alcohol, but denied giving it to Slughorn.

However, he did indeed not appear in Potions Class for a whole week.

Just then, a villain walked by in a flamboyant manner... That's right, Snape is back, temporarily serving as his Potions Professor.

So, the rumors quickly changed, and everyone said that Snape wanted to switch back to Potions Class and was afraid to take Defence Against Dark Magic anymore, so he poisoned Slughorn.

Snape also started mocking the students, ridiculing their progress in their studies every day.

It seems that without him, everyone's Potions Class grades have plummeted.

The truth is, without Snape, everyone's enthusiasm for learning increased significantly.

Even Neville regretted not choosing Potions Class.

As for Slughorn... William was indeed worried about his health.

But it wasn't until I heard the report from the school's House-elf:

The old man went to the school kitchen in the middle of the night and asked the House-elf to make him frozen cheesecake, truffle chocolates, cheese tarts... William was immediately relieved.

After all, it's a medical miracle that someone who's about to die can still eat so many sweets.

On Friday, after the Transfiguration, William and Qiu walked along the corridor toward the Great Hall.

The two were discussing the next steps in promoting Akali Shop when they noticed Harry sneaking up behind them.

Fortunately, the Ravenclaw Common Room is high enough that there are no large trees that can reach the windows of the girls' dormitory.

Otherwise, Harry might have climbed up and stood on the treetop to spy.

I wonder where he inherited this sleazy attitude.

It couldn't be Professor Snape, could it?

Harry followed for a while, and seeing that they were almost at the Great Hall, he hurried over.

William and Qiu also stopped in their tracks.

Thanks to Madam Pomfrey's skillful healing, Harry's injuries were basically healed.

However, the marks of a broken nose bridge can still be faintly discerned.

Surprisingly, Harry wasn't there to bother Cho, but to see William himself.

"William, there's something I want to tell you..."

"I'll go to the Great Hall for lunch now, William. See you later." Autumn tactfully left.

Harry, however, remained standing there, gazing longingly at Cho's retreating figure. Especially her long, straight black hair and slender waist...

Wow, it's so beautiful!

William curled his lip at Harry's lecherous gaze.

In his opinion, Harry's feelings for Cho were just so-so.

Didn't you notice something off about the way he looked at Ginny?

But as the saying goes, what you don't have always stirs your heart.

If Harry and Cho were to actually date, given Harry's Emotional Intelligence, they would probably break up long ago.

But Cho was already with Cedric, and with Cedric around, it was impossible for Harry to keep this unrequited love forever.

"Is something the matter, Harry?" William asked.

Harry then looked away, hesitated for a moment, and led William to a secluded spot, whispering:

"William, I heard Professor Slughorn is ill. Is it serious? Have you gone to see him?"

"No." William shook his head, squinted at him, and asked, "What, do you know what happened?"

"Maybe Malfoy poisoned him!" Harry said after a brief pause.

"He's been acting suspiciously lately, not even participating in Quidditch Match. I wonder what he's up to."

Remember when Katie got injured? And Ron was poisoned at Professor Slughorn's banquet...

Harry cited many examples, and finally, like a Supreme Court judge, concluded, "This time it must have been Malfoy again!"

Since Christmas, Harry's attitude towards Snape has completely changed.

Having figured out the relationship between Snape and Lily, he turned all his attention to Draco.

But this time it definitely has nothing to do with Malfoy.

He's practically been taken in by William as a dog, how could he possibly harm Slughorn?

Of course, this top-secret information couldn't be told to Harry.

William could only console Harry, saying there was no need to always focus on a man; wouldn't it be better to pay more attention to the people around him?

For example, Ron.

"That's none of your business, Harry." William patted him on the shoulder.

"But..."

"I'll investigate." William changed the subject, "By the way, how's the task Professor Dumbledore gave you going?"

"Not going too well!" Harry sighed deeply.

"Potions Class, I asked Professor Slughorn... about Horcrux."

But, uh, he won't give me my memories.

silence.

A deathly silence!

William looked at Harry and said in an incredulous tone:

"How did you ask that?!"

"Just ask him directly. I asked Slughorn if he knew about Horcrux."

But his face turned pale, filled with shock and fear. Harry shrugged.

He also asked me if I had seen the memories, and I said yes, and then asked him for the real memories.

Harry said with a sigh, "Professor Slughorn seemed very angry, saying he knew nothing about Horcrux, and then he ran away."

"..."

William had met honest people before, but never one as honest as this.

No, that's not just being honest, it's being a bit naive.

Knowing that Slughorn was unwilling to hand over his true memories, he remained extremely vigilant.

In this situation, it's impossible to directly question the Horcrux, or even demand its memories in person!

It's like someone committing a crime, and another person has evidence but refuses to provide it out of fear or for their own reputation.

You have to be roundabout, tactful, or devise a plan and proceed slowly.

How can you ask for it so bluntly?

Dumbledore couldn't come, and you want to come right away... how audacious do you have?

William was seriously doubting whether the headmaster had been too hasty in sending Harry to do this.

Also, Harry just suspected that Malfoy might have poisoned Slughorn...

Slughorn is feigning illness, clearly to avoid you, Harry!

What a stupid idiot I am!

"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong, William?" Harry hadn't realized that he had already lost the initiative.

How do I take down Slughorn?

Perhaps we should wait a few more months, let him feel secure, and then strike when he's off guard.

"And what about his party? Is it still going to happen?" Harry asked quickly.

"Even if I have to skip Quidditch training from now on, I'll still go and support Professor Slughorn, and make sure he understands everything perfectly."

"Harry," William patted him on the shoulder, "You should go tell Dumbledore that..."

"What did you say?!" Harry asked, looking up.

"Just tell him... Professor Slughorn is dead, and that he shouldn't send you anymore."

"..."