Draco Malfoy, who had just made an offhand remark that turned out to be true, was now utterly dumbfounded by Glenn's sudden appearance. He stretched out his trembling hands, staring at them in disbelief.
"Could it be… I have the gift of prophecy?"
(It's a no.)
"But wasn't he supposed to be called by Hermione? Why isn't she clinging to him?"
Looking up again, Draco was puzzled to see only Glenn standing there.
Could they have missed each other?
Or perhaps…
Draco's face darkened as a troubling thought crossed his mind.
No way… if something happened to Hermione, wouldn't Glenn tear Hogwarts apart?!
"What's going on? Caught slacking off, haven't you?"
A familiar female voice suddenly rang out behind Draco, playful and teasing. Startled, Draco jumped in shock, having heard no prior movement.
It was Hermione.
When had she gotten behind him?!
"It's the Disillusionment Charm and a spell to conceal my presence. Glenn and I decided it'd be better not to appear together, so I snuck over while he cast the Exploding Charm to create a distraction."
Seeing the mix of fright and confusion on Draco's face, Hermione shrugged, her expression full of disdain, as if saying, "Why are you so easily scared?"
"...You two lovebirds are terrifying, you know that? Can you please not pick up Glenn's bad habit of sneaking up on people like that? It's really bad for the heart."
Relieved to see Hermione unharmed, Draco quickly regained his composure and reverted to his usual sarcastic self.
"No, no, I didn't—didn't pick up anything like that!" Hermione's cheeks flushed, and she pouted in mock annoyance, though her face betrayed no real displeasure.
Draco, accustomed to the little witch's usual scowls, now found himself feeling a shiver run down his spine at her shy expression.
Ugh, goosebumps.
"So you're not even denying the lovebird thing anymore, huh? Whatever, I can't be bothered with you two. So, what's the deal with Lockhart?"
"Oh, nothing much. He was acting suspiciously in the castle, and when Glenn and I confronted him, he tried to attack us with a spell. So, it's highly likely that Lockhart is…"
"…the mastermind behind this Acromantula riot."
As Hermione explained to Draco, Glenn, taking advantage of the brief lull after temporarily dealing with a portion of the Acromantulas, quickly and concisely relayed his observations and deductions to everyone present. However, he omitted his and Hermione's identities, attributing them instead to "the Night Watchman Professor."
"So, Professor, you noticed something unusual while heading to the Great Hall, caught Lockhart sneaking around the castle, deduced his intentions based on the ongoing events, and captured him in self-defense when he attacked you. Is that correct?"
Percy Weasley, after a brief moment of silence, was the first to piece together Glenn's rapid explanation. While the other students were still bewildered by the speed of his words, Percy summarized the situation for everyone and asked loudly.
Glenn nodded.
The students in the hall began murmuring amongst themselves upon hearing this. Some were incredulous, others outraged, and still others sighed in relief at finally understanding the truth.
But Glenn paid no mind to their reactions. Even he couldn't say with absolute certainty that Lockhart was the mastermind behind these events.
Not that it mattered.
"I've already located the root of the Acromantula infestation in Hogwarts. I need to head out again. Please keep an eye on this suspect for me."
"To be safe, it's best to use binding spells to restrain his movements and limit his mobility."
Ignoring the growing commotion in the Great Hall, Glenn spoke calmly, stating his request. He didn't bother trying to quiet the students; as long as Hermione, Draco, Neville, and a few responsible upper-year students heard him, that was enough. They were merely a precaution in case Lockhart somehow managed to break free from the Stunning Spell.
Hermione's Stunning Spell should be enough to keep an adult man unconscious until Dumbledore and the other professors returned from the Forbidden Forest.
However, given the uncertainty surrounding Lockhart's true nature and the possibility that he might possess unknown means to wake up early, Glenn made these arrangements.
"...Professor, do you really have to go out again?"
After Glenn's announcement, a timid first-year witch nervously asked.
"All the other professors are gone, and we're the only ones left in the Great Hall…"
"...I'm really scared…"
Glenn felt numerous similar gazes directed at him. The owners of those gazes likely shared the same feelings as the young girl before him.
At the end of the day, even though they had managed to hold their ground against the Acromantulas' assault without any casualties until his arrival, they were still just children.
Now that they had someone to rely on, the hastily constructed mental defenses they had built for themselves crumbled instantly.
"So… could you stay in the Great Hall to protect us?"
Faced with the question from the young witch—or rather, the silent plea of most of those present—Glenn responded in a deep voice.
"No."
His response was blunt, showcasing his straightforward nature.
But before the students could react, Glenn continued, his voice calm and steady beneath his mask.
"Your abilities were enough to withstand the initial assault of the Acromantulas without any help from the professors. That exceeded my expectations."
"If any of you had been injured or worse before I arrived, I might have stayed to reinforce the defenses."
"But the fact is, you protected yourselves admirably."
"So, I've determined that you don't need me to stay and protect you."
This wasn't a comforting or flattering statement. Glenn wasn't the type to waste brainpower on such things unless it involved Hermione. What he said was simply the truth, a conclusion drawn from the facts.
"Since you were able to withstand the previous assault, the attacks you'll face moving forward will only grow weaker."
"The condition of the Acromantulas attacking you is just one factor."
"The second factor is that I intend to locate and destroy the Acromantula nest within Hogwarts."
"Along the way, I'll eliminate any Acromantulas I encounter, which will significantly reduce the pressure on you here."
With that, Glenn saw no need to waste more time. Black mist began to seep from his body.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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