Chapter 19
- Awesome! It's just awesome to see the friendly and competitive spirit thriving in our great school! Now, let's move on to our lesson. Today we are going to continue learning about the topic we started in the previous lesson. And in case anyone accidentally forgot, our lesson is about finding the secrets of Hogwarts. I'm sure you've already discovered many interesting, but carefully hidden hiding places and secret passages!
- So, maybe some of you would like to share your amazing discoveries?
As soon as she asked her question, I felt the same wave of excitement sweep over me again. As my mind cleared, I realized I had raised my hand like so many others. Quickly lowering it, I realized that Professor Reikpik had taken notice. After she questioned the next student, her gaze went in my direction.
- Draco, I saw that you were going to say something too. Why did you change your mind later? Feel free to share your findings. - the professor turned to me.
- Professor, you misunderstood. I just wanted to go to the restroom, but then I decided to wait until the end of class when I realized I had raised my hand. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to tell you about. I haven't come across any secret passages or other secrets.....
- Oh, really? Nothing, really? - grinned the professor. - Maybe you should think again, maybe you'll remember something?
Under her insistent gaze, I felt my mouth begin to move against my will. I was aware of what was happening, but I couldn't do anything about it.
- Yes, you're right, Professor. - the words came out of me. - Once, while following glowing directions that no one but me could see, I discovered a hidden place in Hogwarts not marked on the school's student maps. There was a stone door that could not be opened in any way.
- Wow, that sounds amazing. Can you pinpoint the exact location of this door? - The professor came closer, showing keen interest.
- Of course it's located... - as I gathered my thoughts, I was ready to tell everything I knew.
- Well! What's going on here? - Professor Snape suddenly burst into the office, then quickly assessed the situation and waved his wand. The obsession that had enveloped me and the other students vanished, and it was as if they hadn't realized anything, because they hadn't shown any concern.
Professor Reikpik, on the other hand, had paled at the sight of the Dean of Slytherin. She must have been in a lot of trouble.
- Professor Reikpik, would you mind explaining to me what's going on here? Oh, no, no, no, there's no need for explanations. Rest assured, you will lose your title of professor for using hypnosis techniques on the students of our school, and I assure you that will be the easiest thing to do in the near future....
- Professor Snape! You've got it all wrong! Actually, I--
- Save your explanations for Headmaster Dumbledore! I don't have time in my schedule to listen to your empty and useless ramblings. Please leave, the Headmaster is waiting for us.
Patricia turned even paler at what she heard and in a moment of panic made a bad decision to deal with the situation. She grabbed her wand and pointed it at Professor Snow and tried to cast a spell. The Dean of Slytherin was clearly prepared for this outcome, so without giving her any chance of a successful attack she instantly swung her wand and shouted:
- EXPELLIARMUS!
A flash of light knocked the wand out of Patricia's hand, depriving her of the last thread of hope for another outcome.
The room was suddenly quiet, as if space itself was holding its breath, waiting for events to unfold. Snape, imposing and stern, stood in the middle of the room, his gaze piercing everyone present, as if searching for something hidden in their eyes.
Patricia Reykpick, usually so confident, now looked like a trapped animal. Her hands trembled and her face reflected a mixture of fear and determination. She realized that she had violated every possible standard of behavior for a Hogwarts professor, and now it was time to pay for her actions.
Professor Snape, a straightforward and strict man, did not wait for excuses. His voice was confident but icy as he turned to Reikpik.
I'm sorry, Professor Reikpik, but your attempts to magically attack a colleague is something unacceptable. - He said, as if every word was a weighty judgment.
The whole office froze, as if waiting for further instructions. No one dared even move to avoid drawing Professor Snape's attention to themselves.
- I apologize, Professor Snape. Я... I was agitated. - She mumbled, trying to find an excuse for her behavior.
- You'll be the one explaining to the Headmaster, now. - Snape cast a glance toward the door as if to indicate for her to go forward.
Patricia nodded silently and headed for the exit, feeling the stares of the students filled with mixed feelings of surprise and dismay. Snape followed her, maintaining his unwavering poise as if nothing could faze him.
- Children, your lesson is over. Disperse! - He didn't forget to give us an order, and all the students, including me, quickly gathered their things and left the room as if stung.
***
- Hey Draco, did you realize what just happened? Why did Professor Snape barge into our office and why are professors being punished? - Angelina turned to me as if it was normal for me to know everything. She wasn't the only one interested, though; all the students were joking amongst themselves, coming up with different theories about what was going on
- You really didn't notice anything?
- Did you? What should I have noticed? - The girl was surprised, and in time with her words, all the students fell silent and strained their ears to hear what I was about to say.
- Back in the last class, I had a vague feeling that I was being affected by magic, making me want to obey Professor Reikpik's will. Puzzled by this, I went to our dean and told him all about it. And he, being a good and responsible professor, of course volunteered to check my doubts. And as you can see, my suspicions were right. Professor Reikpik hypnotized us all to question us about our findings. And I don't think it was just us she was doing it to. Either way, the truth will soon come out and we'll know exactly what happened and why she did it. Although there have been rumors around school that she's supposedly looking for some kind of treasure. Isn't that silly?
- Uh, why are you the only one who noticed it? I didn't feel anything strange... - the girl frowned her forehead, as if pondering over a complex puzzle.
- Who knows, maybe I have a stronger predisposition to mental magic, that's why I noticed something wrong. We all have strengths and weaknesses, after all.
- Hmm, this is getting kind of creepy. I'll have to learn how to protect my mind from intrusion. Or you'll end up with no secrets!
- Exactly. Our world is very complex, so it's always worth learning new things and improving your skills. - Having agreed, I broke away from the crowd and went to my favorite place called "library". After all, we had no more lessons today, so it was worth spending my free time in a useful way, especially considering what had happened at school, and who knows what dangers might await in the future. And in that moment, I vowed to myself again, to become stronger. So that no one could threaten me, my family, or anyone close to me!