Are These Photos Authentic? (First Release!)

William said he was going to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Office, but he took a detour and headed towards the Slytherin Common Room.

He was eager to see how Ron, the sales genius, peddled his photo albums at the dungeon entrance.

There were only a few students on the road, and William cast Disillusionment Charm so no one could see them.

The two walked down the marble steps deeper underground.

The Slytherin Common Room is located in the Hogwarts Castle dungeons, beneath the Black Lake.

William had never been there because during Christmas in his second year, he and Hermione, while riding in Nicolas's Toad submarine, accidentally smashed the glass dome of the common room.

As a result, the waters of the Black Lake flooded the dungeons, causing the tragedy of "the flooding of the Slytherin Common Room".

From then on, William abandoned the idea of going to the dungeon. He was afraid that the little snakes would throw him into the Black Lake to feed the Merpeople.

Of course, age also plays a role. He's getting old and doesn't like dark, damp environments.

But the Slytherin students all liked it.

In the words of Slytherin Prefect Gemma Farley:

"There can't possibly be anyone who doesn't like this kind of lounge with a deep-sea shipwreck atmosphere, right...? Hehe."

Having attended so many of Professor Snape's lectures, William sometimes couldn't tell whether the little snakes genuinely enjoyed them or were just... being sarcastic.

This is probably what Slytherin is like; it bears some resemblance to Snape, the Serpent King.

Halfway through the dungeon, William and Hermione encountered Peeves.

It is setting a trap: a dozen or so Dungbomb mixed with a solution, inside a strawberry-flavored latex balloon.

Peeves then used a transparent fishing line to attach to the spherical handle of a door.

If the fishing line gets caught, with a snap, the liquid will pour down like a torrential downpour onto the Slytherin students' heads.

Peeves chuckled.

"Those hateful Slytherin, those hateful Snape, those hateful bad professors who want to poison Lupin."

"Peeves!" a deep voice rang out, like a saw cutting wood.

Peeves was startled and nearly fell from the air. He managed to regain his balance and hovered about a foot above the corridor.

A ghost drifted in from the corner. He was terrifying, with blank stares, emaciated, and his robes stained with silver blood.

"What are you doing, Peeves?"

"I'm sorry, Blood Man, dear Mr. Baron," Peeves said in a blatant change of expression, immediately showering him with sweet words like a lackey.

"Just a little joke, please forgive Peeves. I'll move these pranks to the Gryffindor Common Room right away."

Peeves is most afraid of Dumbledore and Bloody Baron.

Bloody Baron, nodded blankly, his voice low and deep. "Very well, I don't like those stupid lions."

"Yes, sir. I also dislike Gryffindor and will certainly treat them well."

Hermione gripped William's hand tightly, almost crying out. It was Peeves did it; no wonder the common room reeked of Dungbomb.

Fortunately, it was Black who got infected.

William grimaced. Hermione looked delicate and frail, but she was surprisingly strong.

Clearly, those girls who constantly whine and say they can't open bottle caps are all lying.

If you encounter such a "delicate" woman again, don't hesitate, pick up the bottle and smash it over her head.

You're guaranteed not to be taken advantage of again.

"I'll be going now." Peeves put away his balloon.

"Wait, how's the thing I asked you to do going?" Baron's voice was icy.

"Lord Baron, Grey Lady is very difficult to amuse..." Peeves a mournful face.

"Otherwise, why would I come to you?" Baron drawled. "You must make her happy; that's my lifelong wish."

William gasped. He hadn't expected that the seemingly aloof Baron... was actually such a simp.

But this guy is covered in blood and doesn't look friendly. Could he be someone who killed his sister to prove his path to enlightenment?

The two ghosts were still discussing Grey Lady when William and Hermione walked past them toward the dungeon.

The dungeon entrance was bustling with noise.

William initially thought Ron was secretly selling photos with a shabby little bag, but little did he know he had already set up a... street stall!

A group of senior Slytherin wizards were examining the goods, seemingly quite excited.

"Hey, Weasley, how much for a set of these photos?" asked Marcus, the Slytherin Quidditch captain.

"One Galleon per set." Ron said, head bowed.

Ron's mental state wasn't good; he had very thick bags under his eyes and dark circles. He seemed to be depressed because of Scabbers's situation.

"Is your photograph made of gold, or is the content made of gold?" Marcus asked.

"These are all exclusive photos. You think they're too expensive? I think they're too expensive too," Ron said impatiently.

"Are you sure this photo is authentic?" Marcus asked skeptically.

"I sell professional photos, why would I sell you fake ones? These were all taken by Professor Snape himself," Ron said, annoyed. "So, do you want them or not?"

William's eyelids twitched as he listened, a feeling that Marcus was about to grab a fruit knife and stab Ron in the stomach.

Ron also seemed a bit unusual; selling photos outside Slytherin's gate was something he wouldn't normally do.

Okay, Ron almost died at the Whomping Willow last year while driving a black car with Harry... The reckless little lion seems to make sense.

Marcus and Ron soon started arguing.

The awkward thing is, Marcus wasn't arguing because he was defending his own dean, but because... they couldn't agree on a price.

He thinks it's too expensive!

The two started fighting, Marcus grabbed Ron by the collar, trying to take him to Professor Snape.

Marcus was the Quidditch captain, Ron was no match for him. He was dragged along like a chicken towards Snape's office.

William's gaze sharpened slightly as he noticed Marcus secretly slipping a few photos into his pocket.

It seems he's planning to take it back and enjoy it slowly while lying in bed.

While walking down the street, a group of people encountered Baron and Peeves.

Peeves, hovering in mid-air, chuckled and shouted a reminder: "Snape went to Lupin's office."

I just ran into him on the road. He was carrying poison and was going to kill Lupin!

Hermione was about to follow when William grabbed her and pulled her into a corner.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione," William frowned, "Have you noticed something?"

"What's up?"

"The Dementor invaded during the Evening Feast; we only need to rewind two hours at most. Why did Dumbledore make us rewind three hours?"

Hermione, her mind racing, immediately understood. She exclaimed in surprise, "You mean... it was the two of us who reminded Dumbledore to go to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Office?"

William nodded solemnly, "That must be it. Harry said Dumbledore happened to arrive."

"No one notified the principal; he couldn't have suddenly gone to Lupin's office."

"Shall we go to the Headmaster's Office?" Hermione asked softly after a moment's hesitation.

"No need." William smiled and raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum!"

A silver sea eagle emerged and circled William and Hermione twice.

William instructed, "Go to the Headmaster's Office later; take a stroll in the Forbidden Forest first."

The eagle flew through the window and headed outside.

William and Hermione hurried after them towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts Office.

(Please vote for this post, everyone!)

(Thanks to QQ Reading readers "Li Lingyu" and "Ji Chang" for their generous donations.)