HP: I beat the otome game at Hogwarts

At lunchtime, the entire Great Hall was abuzz with talk of the third attack that had just occurred: Justin Finley of Hufflepuff and the ghost of Gryffindor had been petrified.

To make matters worse, Harry was spotted at the crime scene once again.

The discoverer was Pippi the Ghost, who screamed all over the castle: "They've made their move! They're not letting anyone, human or ghost, get away with it!"

This undoubtedly made Harry's situation even worse.

The fact that even ghosts who have already died can be harmed again is what makes everyone even more terrified.

“It wasn’t Harry who did it!” Lyra said to those around her at the table. “I had just parted ways with Harry before that. I saw him stop and chat with Hagrid when I left. Harry simply didn’t have the time to do it.”

But it seemed that only the twins, Lee, and Hermione Ron believed her; everyone else looked doubtful.

Lyra wanted to continue her analysis and present evidence, but the entire auditorium suddenly fell silent.

Harry walked into the Great Hall.

Harry walked straight from the doorway toward the Gryffindor table, and everyone stared at his every move.

When passing by Hufflepuff's table, some students near the aisle would dodge in terror, as if touching Harry's clothes would kill them instantly.

Lyra also saw Ernie Macmillan and his friends trembling on the Hufflepuff table, as if Harry was about to give them an Avada Kedavra.

The next second, Ernie McNeeland's gaze met Lyra's, and Lyra couldn't help but give the boy a mischievous smile.

Seeing the other person's face turn deathly pale, she swallowed a piece of caramel pudding with satisfaction.

*

Harry was excited that Christmas was coming soon, which meant most students would be going home for the holiday.

He was tired of being avoided wherever he went, as if he could suddenly go berserk and attack others indiscriminately at any moment; he was also tired of people pointing fingers and gossiping about him behind his back.

Fortunately, there are still people who believe in his innocence.

Regardless of how others reacted, Ron and Hermione remained steadfastly by his side.

Fred and George would often run ahead of him, bow to him, and shout with laughter, "Make way for the heir to Slytherin, the most wicked wizard is here—"

Or he might laugh out loud and pretend to use a clove of garlic to block a non-existent dark magic attack from Harry, or sometimes he might pretend to be defeated by Harry, screaming and falling to the ground pretending to be petrified.

Harry was pleased to see Lyra always laughing at the twins' antics, which showed that she also thought his idea of ​​being the Slytherin heir was ridiculous.

But not everyone finds the twins' trick ridiculous.

Percy was very displeased with the twins' behavior, believing it was inappropriate to make fun of them. Ginny, on the other hand, sadly tried to stop them every time she saw the twins joking about Harry.

And then there's Draco Malfoy, who, seeing the twins making fun of the Slytherin heir while Lyra laughs uncontrollably, looks increasingly grim.

“He’s probably angry that you stole all the limelight,” Ron analyzed. “He’s the one who should be the Slytherin heir, but you got all the honors. That must have infuriated him.”

“The compound decoction will be ready soon,” Hermione reassured everyone. “By Christmas, we’ll be able to get the truth out of him.”

*

Leila was also excited about the upcoming vacation, which meant she would finally have some personal space.

Although the twins believed Harry wasn't the heir, the numerous attacks on Muggle students at school had put them on high alert. In recent days, the twins had been constantly by Lyra's side, scrutinizing anyone who approached her.

They even had to stop their amulet business, and all the admirers who came to chat them up and give them gifts were driven away by the two of them.

“We can joke about anything, but not about your safety,” the two said, unusually serious.

Leila was initially very touched, but when she discovered that the two of them even followed her to the bathroom, she broke down on the spot—"Can I switch to Angelina and Aria instead!"

Until the day before the holiday, Leila was still trying to get the two away from her so she could go to the library alone.

“You can take me to the library before you leave,” Leila said, making a last-ditch effort on the way. “I’ll be fine alone in the library; it’s very safe there—”

“That’s hard to say. Justin Finley was murdered near the library,” Fred said.

“That’s right, the whole castle is open to the heir of Slytherin,” George said. “Legend has it that Hogwarts was actually Slytherin’s private castle, which he generously contributed to build the school.”

“No wonder no one can find the Chamber of Secrets left by Slytherin,” Lyra was successfully led astray. “Who knows the castle better than him…?”

"Lyra." Someone called out to Lyra from behind.

All three stopped in their tracks. Lyra turned around, and the newcomer was wearing a Slytherin uniform; he was a composed and handsome upperclassman, and also her ex-boyfriend, Leslie Foley.

“Hi, Leslie,” Lyra greeted with a smile, stopping the twins’ unfriendly actions: both of them wanted to block Lyra from getting close to her Slytherin ex-boyfriend.

"Can I speak with you alone for a few minutes?" Leslie Foley didn't care about the twins; he only had eyes for Lyra's reflection.

“Okay.” Lyra gestured for the twins to stay where they were, and then she and Leslie walked to the window a short distance away.

"This is for you."

Lyra looked at the black velvet box handed to her, and the familiar style gave her a premonition.

“This is an amulet made by an alchemist. It can withstand one instance of damage in case of danger,” Rice said softly. “Hogwarts is not safe right now. Wearing this amulet will provide you with some protection.”

“Thank you, Leslie, but I already have protective alchemical artifacts—” Lyra gently raised her wrist, revealing an emerald bracelet beneath her school uniform robe, “so it’s not necessary…”

“Lyra, I’m graduating this summer,” Leslie said, not taking the box back. He gazed intently into the girl’s smoky gray eyes. “There will never be another chance… This is the last… Please don’t reject me.”

Laila couldn't resist those pleading eyes. She watched the other person leave after their wish was fulfilled, unaware of the darkening expression on their face the moment they turned away.

He had seen that emerald bracelet before; it was in another boy's hands.