Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Thea didn't care what Harry and his friends thought.

She's currently busy dealing with Dumbledore's confinement!

Yes, that's right, Thea will still be in solitary confinement this semester.

"Dumbledore still wants to impose your confinement? Just because you pointed your wand at that... professor?" The familiar handwriting reappeared in the notebook.

He paused slightly when he wrote the word "professor".

Thea pretended not to notice and continued writing earnestly:

"Yes, Tom, so I probably won't have much time to consult with you anymore, which is a real shame."

"It's okay. Annie must be very busy. There's so much to do in the study group. Can't your friends help you out a bit?"

Thea felt that this statement was inexplicably a bit slick and sarcastic.

"Speaking of them, please forgive my rudeness, but I must point out that you are the one who organized the study group, and they are your subordinates."

They enjoy the convenience and rights that come with their positions, but are unwilling to fulfill their responsibilities.

If this problem isn't resolved promptly, there's a good chance that team members will become resentful, which could ultimately affect team cohesion.

Thea stared at the endless stream of words appearing on the notebook, speechless for a moment.

To be honest, if Thea hadn't lied on her own, and if she had harbored any resentment towards Daphne and the others, she might have already fallen into Tom's verbal trap.

Thea thought for a moment, then said righteously, "Tom, they are my friends, not my servants. I believe they will help me if I ask."

But I couldn't bear to. They'd already done what was within their job responsibilities; there was no reason for them to help me further. Besides, even if they were willing to help, how many of them would be truly sincere?

I'm so sorry, Daphne and the others. If it weren't for trying to appease Tom, I wouldn't have lied.

"But what if you offer them something in return? Like notes? Magic? Or information about the secret chamber? As long as the reward you offer is enough to entice them, they will naturally be willing to help you."

Tom realized that Thea had refused, so he stopped insisting and instead used the situation to bring up information about the secret room.

"What? News about the secret room? You know about it?" Thea took the bait as expected.

Upon seeing this, the darkness in Tom's eyes vanished, replaced by a glint of shrewdness.

"When I was in school, the Chamber of Secrets was opened once... It was a terrible disaster... This disaster resulted in the death of a Muggle-born wizard..."

"Later, someone discovered who had opened the secret room, and the murderer was expelled... But Headmaster Professor Deppet was ashamed that such a thing had happened at Hogwarts and forbade the students to tell the truth."

Tom paused slightly. "They're so hypocritical, aren't they?"

The handwriting in the notebook was fragmented and discontinuous, vividly depicting the personal experience of a survivor!

"And then what happened? Who was the murderer?" Thea pressed.

However, the writing did not reappear for a long time.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?" Thea asked anxiously, much like someone turning to the next page of a book only to find the ending was: To be continued!

“...Annie, I don’t have enough energy to bring you in here. If I had enough energy, I could show you the truth of the matter.”

The notebook showed writing again, but the content made Thea frown.

fraud!

You clearly took Harry inside in the story!

Are you trying to fool me again?

"Then what can I do to restore your energy?"

A fleeting sense of dissatisfaction crossed her mind, but Thea pressed on with more questions.

"I need some alchemical items, or gems, plants, etc. that contain abundant magic."

Replying so quickly, do you really think I'm a sucker?

“…Sorry, Tom, it may take me some time, after all, alchemical items and magically rich materials are not easy to find,” Thea replied.

"It's alright, Annie. But hopefully you'll find them next time we meet."

“Of course, Tom, I promise!” Thea said confidently.

"Snapped!"

As the laptop was closed, Thea let out a heavy sigh of relief. After all, having to be constantly on guard against someone spying on your mind was a terrible feeling!

"...Thea?"

Thea's movements caught Daphne's attention. Daphne put down the comb in her hand and asked Thea in confusion.

"I'm fine, but why are you dressed up so... extravagantly?" Thea looked at the huge red bow on Daphne's head, feeling very puzzled.

"Of course it's because it's Valentine's Day!" Daphne said matter-of-factly. "Thea...you haven't forgotten, have you?"

After receiving a bewildered look from Thea, Daphne instantly jumped up from her chair and exclaimed incredulously, "Good heavens! The most beautiful girl at Hogwarts has forgotten that today is Valentine's Day!"

I bet countless guys will have their hearts broken for you when this news comes out, baby.

"...Is it really that exaggerated?" Thea asked, somewhat incredulous.

“No, baby, you should have some awareness of your appearance! Okay?” Daphne said as she pressed Thea in front of the mirror.

"Look, what a beautiful woman!"

Thea looked up and saw a girl in the mirror who felt both familiar and strange to her.

The girl had thick, black hair like seaweed, with slightly curled ends that fell obediently to her sides. Her obsidian-like eyes were full of laughter, yet they inexplicably sent a chill down one's spine.

Thea raised her hand and touched her face. It was indeed an excellent trump card. The sharpness in the girl's eyes was slightly softened by the childishness unique to her age. When she smiled, no one could detect her ambition at all. But when she turned cold, she could still make others feel a chill.

Daphne looked at Thea and, no matter how many times she looked at her, she couldn't help but marvel at the Creator's favoritism.

Finally, after Thea rejected Daphne's twelfth extravagant bow, Thea delivered the final blow: "Professor Snape's Potions class will start in 20 minutes."

"What? Wasn't there still an hour left?" Daphne immediately panicked and rushed to her desk.

He grabbed the schoolbag and, holding Thea's hand, rushed towards the Potions classroom.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! There are still 15 minutes left! We can definitely make it!" Daphne grabbed Thea's sleeve and rushed out of the lounge in a flurry of activity.

Thanks to Professor Snape's cold demeanor, the two encountered almost no other young wizards taking Potions class along the way.

But this only made Daphne more anxious. She kept looking around between her running, hoping to spot other young wizards.

"Boom boom boom!"

As they engaged in vigorous exercise, their breathing became increasingly heavy.

As the rapid tapping of leather shoes on the floor filled the air, both of them gradually relaxed, realizing they were getting closer to their destination...

But what is this creature blocking our way?