The Return to Hogwarts

Leaning against the opposite bed, Malfoy, who had been staring at Harry's face ever since entering the school hospital, spoke with a sinister expression.

"What can I do for you, Malfoy?"

As the school's most prominent rival, Harry obviously couldn't let go of his grudges with Draco just because of a failed collaboration. While deep in thought, he subconsciously gave Malfoy an annoyed glare.

Insulted, Malfoy pursed his lips, his cheeks flushed red at a visible speed, glared at Harry hatefully, and then turned his head away.

However, a few minutes later, Malfoy couldn't suppress his question any longer and stared straight at Harry's face, asking,

Why did you do that this afternoon?

Harry understood what Malfoy wanted to ask, but he didn't know how to answer. In that life-or-death moment, his decision was driven entirely by instinct, and even after he came to his senses, he felt that his decision was absurd and ridiculous.

Are you kidding me? Why would he choose to save Malfoy, the one he hates the most among all the young wizards in the school?

"If you're willing to tell me what you really meant by your comments about Professor Blaine, Malfoy, perhaps I can frankly tell you why I made that foolish decision back then."

"Potter!"

Now, the slight unease that had arisen from gratitude in Malfoy's heart completely vanished. He bared his teeth and glared fiercely at Harry like a threatened hyena.

"You expect me to be grateful for your paltry help, huh? Actually, you did nothing, just like everyone else!"

"Aha, thank you!"

Harry perked up too; he sat up in bed, his eyes equally sharp.

"I would never dare to ask for your thanks. To be honest, Malfoy, I seriously doubt you even know what that word means."

The book club leaderboard suddenly has 10,000 members; it's a bit inexplicable.

Chapter 67 Amazement

When Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Amos Tower entered the school hospital one after another, almost half of the young wizards were drawn to Harry and Draco's inexplicable rivalry. For young wizards, forgetting is always easier than remembering, and the pursuit of novelty and the unknown is an innate virtue.

"what--"

Dumbledore smiled at the two of them, walked to the center of the crowded hall, looked around at the still energetic young wizards, cleared his throat, and...

"I'm so glad I don't see any frustrated or disappointed faces here."

Professor McGonagall coughed twice, clearly annoyed, because Dumbledore's words weren't entirely objective. Several young wizards still had uneasy looks in their eyes, and many more looked utterly dejected.

“Just now, Professor McGonagall, Professor Blaine, and I had a detailed discussion about whether the Defense Against the Dark Arts practical course should continue. Professor McGonagall believes that exposing you to such dangerous dark creatures is beyond your capacity, but Professor Blaine insists that danger can always strike unexpectedly, so it is urgent and necessary to train your ability to handle and resolve dangers.”

Apart from Mrs. Pomfrey muttering disapprovingly as she leaned against the wall, no one made a sound; everyone stared expectantly at the three people in the center of the hall, each with a different expression.

"--I think the decision-making power should be returned to you."

Dumbledore looked at the young wizards with gentle eyes, speaking slowly to make sure everyone could hear him clearly.

Do you think this approach, which you believe might be somewhat 'radical,' should continue?

The scenario that Professor McGonagall had anticipated—where the young wizards eagerly gave up—did not occur. The young wizards looked at each other, but none of them were the first to say they wanted to give up.

"But, Headmaster Dumbledore—"

After a long while, Ginny timidly raised her hand. She looked at Professor Blaine, who was smiling but didn't seem particularly concerned about the young wizards' choice, and a flicker of fear crossed her eyes.

“We can’t give up, can we? I mean, we’ve all signed that contract, and if we give up halfway, we’ll be severely punished.”

“If you’re afraid of that, Miss Weasley, there’s absolutely no need,”

Amosta explained to everyone.

"Headmaster Dumbledore has the power to help you forcibly break the contract. If anyone believes they are unable to defeat the dark creatures in the labyrinth, you can submit your application now. Headmaster Dumbledore and I can both ensure that you will not suffer any punishment."

This time, the atmosphere in the hospital was much more lively, with many people showing eager expressions, but no one took the lead and no one spoke up for a while.

"Professor Blaine—"

At this moment, a dejected Hermione raised her hand.

"Do you really think that's something a junior wizard can defeat?"

“It’s not difficult, Miss Granger—”

Amostella gazed at the little witch he admired, nodded, and smiled.

"You were merely blinded by fear, failing to see the weakness beneath the enemy's ferocious exterior. As far as I know, Miss Granger, you, Mr. Potter, and your mutual friend Mr. Weasley once defeated a twelve-foot-tall monster together in the girls' restroom during your first year. May I ask—"

Amosty nodded to Hermione and Harry, who was in the bed next to hers.

"Did you use any particularly powerful spells back then?"

"No, Professor!"

Harry wasn't stupid; he could tell whose side Dumbledore's previous words were biased towards. With Dumbledore's trust, Malfoy's inexplicable accusations against Professor Blaine no longer bothered him. Hearing Professor Blaine's question, Harry instinctively answered...

"Ron used a levitation charm, and I used a little trick to distract it. In short, although it was thrilling, it didn't actually take much effort."

Professor McGonagall watched proudly as Harry blew his nose hard. She seemed to want to say something, but was stopped by Dumbledore, who was listening intently.

Amostella nodded in satisfaction. He glanced at Madam Pomfrey, who was administering medicine to Professor Lockhart, and then, looking around at the pairs of earnest eyes that were sparkling in their gazes, continued to ask.

"Does anyone think that what you encountered in the maze today was more difficult to deal with than a giant?"

The second-year wizards present all had a vivid memory of what happened on the night before Halloween two years ago. Trolls were not particularly mysterious creatures. Even if they had not seen one in person, most of the young wizards had seen what trolls looked like in books. Faced with Professor Blaine's question, the young wizards who had already encountered the Infernal that afternoon all frowned.

"In my opinion, the trolls are much harder to deal with!"

"Of course, a crazed giant could throw me into the air, that thing in the maze."

When the chatter of the young wizards reached his ears, Amosta smiled gently.

"It seems you all understand now, right? Despair will only truly descend when you face fear and choose to give up completely!"

"What a remarkable and insightful statement!"

Dumbledore took off his half-moon glasses, wiped his eyes, and muttered to himself.

"But, Professor—"

Hermione was an extremely rational little witch. Although she was greatly encouraged by Professor Blaine's speech, she still hoped to get a more concrete answer.

"We know nothing about that thing, and we don't know how to deal with it!"

"Heh, haven't I already told you the method?"

Amosta winked playfully. "And my hint has been quite obvious, Miss Granger."

Unsurprisingly, everyone was bewildered. When had Professor Blaine ever mentioned such a terrifying creature in class?

The young wizards were buzzing with discussion. Hermione frowned, carefully recalling every lesson, every word, and even private conversation Professor Blaine had given since becoming the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. But no matter how hard she tried, inspiration was like moonlight shrouded in thick clouds, unable to penetrate!

Harry, standing next to Hermione, bit his lip in confusion, but seemed to have figured something out.

“I…I wish to continue, Professor McGonagall.”

Ten minutes later, to everyone's surprise, Neville Longbottom, the obscure and unnoticed Gryffindor student, was the first to raise his hand and express his opinion.

Amosta looked at the round-faced little boy with a strange gaze; this was the second time Neville Longbottom had surprised him today.

Honestly, he hadn't expected any little wizard to dare to engage in hand-to-hand combat with an Infernal. If nothing unexpected happens, this Longbottom is bound to become a great man in the future!

"Mr. Longbottom!"

Professor McGonagall looked sternly at Neville.

"If you're just trying to please your grandmother, you don't need to prove yourself this way!"

Professor McGonagall's gaze nearly made Neville shrink back into his chest, especially with Headmaster Dumbledore present. He could barely muster the courage to argue, and could only mutter something unintelligible under his breath.

"Then, the decision-making power rests with you two—"

Amos Tower didn't wait for every young wizard to express their opinion. He gave Lockhart a deep look, then turned and smiled and nodded at Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall before leaving the school hospital and heading straight for his office.

There, he had more important things to do.

Chapter 68 Distant Memories

Amosta, who had just come out of the school hospital, walked through the corridor toward the stairs, only to unexpectedly run into the Weasley kids standing hesitantly at the corner of the stairs. They seemed to have noticed Professor Blaine walking this way, but they didn't hide; it was as if they were waiting for him.

"It seems it's almost bedtime, gentlemen Weasley?"

Amosta looked at Prefect Percy and the twins and Ron Weasley standing behind him. "Have you suddenly decided to have a family party?"

"Actually, Professor Blaine—"

The Weasley children, except for Ginny, who were all present for once, looked at each other in bewilderment. Finally, it was the eldest, Percy, who stepped forward to explain.

"Professor McGonagall won't let us visit her in the university hospital, but we're very worried about Ginny."

"what--"

Amosta smiled and nodded knowingly.

"It's understandable to worry about your family's safety. Don't worry, everyone, your little sister is perfectly healthy. In fact, none of the junior wizards have suffered any real harm. Madam Pomfrey has already said that they only need to stay overnight at the school hospital for observation and can be discharged first thing tomorrow morning."

This answer was undoubtedly reassuring, and the brothers all breathed a sigh of relief. Ron, who had been lucky enough to be assigned to the latter half of the trial by Amosta today, blinked and asked hopefully,