Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 78 Colin is petrified

Thea woke up again because of the sound of footsteps.

No one knew how much sleeping pills were in the tranquilizer Snape gave her, but Thea always felt like she could barely keep her eyes open.

"Why did you leave him here?"

This is Madam Pomfrey; her voice is much lowered, clearly out of consideration for the two young wizards present. (Draco returned to his room before Dumbledore and Thea spoke.)

“Another attack,” Professor McGonagall explained, “Mrs. Pomfrey.”

Thea realized what was happening and froze. The basilisk had come out again tonight?

Professor McGonagall suggested, "Look, perhaps he took a picture of the attacker."

Dumbledore leaned down slightly and carefully took the camera from Crevy's hand.

The next second, Thea heard a loud bang and smelled a burning smell.

“What does this mean, Albus?” Professor McGonagall asked worriedly.

After a long silence, Dumbledore said in a low voice, "This means that our students are now in great danger. Hogwarts will no longer be safe. Just as we feared, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened once again, Minerva."

Before leaving, Dumbledore glanced at Thea's bed. He trusted Snape's potion-making skills; the most suspicious little witch definitely wouldn't have the strength to leave the hospital wing tonight.

But if it wasn't her, then who could it be?

The white-bearded wizard sat at his desk, sadly unwrapping another candy and skillfully popping it into his mouth.

Is there another person?

Thea didn't notice the house-elf's presence all night, perhaps because she was afraid of discovering it?

If you were afraid, why did you choose to betray them in the first place?

Thea's expression was indifferent, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips.

Because Dumbledore did not forcefully suppress the news, and there were countless well-informed people at Hogwarts.

Soon, news of Colin Crevet's petrification spread throughout Hogwarts.

After undergoing numerous thorough examinations by Mrs. Pomfrey, Thea was finally discharged from the hospital early on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, news of Thea's punishment for inciting her classmates to threaten the professor spread throughout Hogwarts.

Thea's actions resulted in a deduction of 50 house points from Slytherin's records, and she was also required to undergo detention in the Headmaster's office for an indefinite period!

Thanks to Thea's deliberate indulgence, this news successfully overshadowed the petrification of Colin and quickly became the top headline at Hogwarts.

"How dare that old bee! He's been sent to enforce Thea's confinement for an indefinite period!"

Daphne, unusually abandoning her ladylike demeanor, paced anxiously back and forth in front of Thea.

"I have to tell my dad! Dumbledore is just taking revenge! She clearly saved that... Poot!"

Draco was just as bad as Daphne, and he seemed to want to stomp a hole in the floorboards.

Zabini, unusually serious, said, "What are you planning to do? Dumbledore's words are practically written all over his face!"

“Exactly! So many of us raised our wands, yet they only punished Thea!” Pansy’s words caused a moment of silence in the private room.

Faced with everyone staring intently at her, even the slow-witted Pansy realized she might have said something wrong...

"Clap clap clap!" Applause came from Thea's side.

Daphne turned around in shock, looked at Thea's smile, and exclaimed excitedly, "Thea! What time is it! How...how can you still be smiling!"

“Because of what Pansy said!” Thea looked around at the people in the room and said seriously, “Even if we break the floor today, Dumbledore won’t change his mind!”

Besides, compared to the confinement, our most pressing need is to reassure the young wizards who care about me, isn't it?"

Thea had barely finished speaking when the door was pushed open forcefully, revealing Theodore's face, which was covered in sweat.

"Something's wrong! Thea, there are a lot of people gathered at the entrance of the lounge!"

"Tell me slowly, what happened?" Thea poured Theodore a glass of water, signaling him to calm down.

Theodore took a sip of water, organized his thoughts, and said, "I just came out of my dorm, intending to find you here, but a little wizard pulled me away halfway, and I followed him to the entrance of the common room..."

He paused for a moment and then said, "There were people everywhere at the door. I glanced around and saw that most of them were from our study group. I didn't dare to delay, so I rushed over to find you."

Upon hearing this, Thea knew that her goal had been achieved, and that her efforts to spread the news to the notorious gossip had not been in vain.

Thea stopped sitting and immediately beckoned the others to walk towards the door of the lounge.

“Did those people at the door say anything?” Thea asked.

“They must have come about your punishment. I arrived in a hurry and didn’t hear everything.” Theodore’s face showed a hint of regret.

"It's okay, you've done very well," Thea reassured her.

Seeing Thea and the others approach, Fane immediately pulled Thea over as if she had seen a savior. "There are about seventy or eighty people outside. Apart from the one who raised the wand that day, they are all members of the study group."

Listen, Thea, I don't care what method you use, you must evacuate everyone within 10 minutes!

Professor Snape should be out buying potions now, but I'm not sure if he'll be back early.

"Thank you, Prefect," Thea said politely, accepting the other party's kindness.

"Everyone, quiet down!" After coming out, Thea didn't say much, but directly used a voice-enhancing spell to make her voice reach everyone's ears.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Thea regained her usual smile.

"Can someone tell me why you've come here?"

Hermione, being closest to Thea, spoke first: "We heard you were punished with confinement, so we came to confirm it with you, and also..."

The little witch pursed her lips, then said firmly, "We want to go to the professor together to plead our case. This isn't just Thea's fault; we've all made mistakes! The professor can't punish only you!"

"Yes! It's not just your fault!"

"We should be punished along with you!"

"We can't let you take all the blame!"

Hermione had barely finished speaking when many of the young wizards echoed her sentiments.

Seeing this scene, Thea felt a strange sensation. Although she had been the one to push things along, she felt uneasy when these young wizards came with such sincerity.

"No, everyone, listen to me."

"First of all, I am very grateful to everyone for standing by my side, both on the Quidditch pitch and now!"

"However, this whole thing was indeed caused by my impulsiveness!"

"In addition, I noticed that most of the people here today are members of our study group, and we happen to have a knowledge-sharing event next week!"

"I've decided that next week, I will share the Transfiguration techniques I've learned over this period! As usual, each young wizard, regardless of their type, must prepare at least one point to share!"

"Rather than having a large group of young wizards locked up at the same time, I would much rather be able to speak freely at next week's knowledge-sharing session!"

"So, gentlemen, are you still going to waste your time here? The library is much more comfortable than the cellar, isn't it?"