It was dinner time in the Great Hall.
The long tables were laden with food.
Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin juice, their aromas mingled together.
Charlie sat at the Hufflepuff long table, poking his steak with a fork.
He cut off a piece and put it in his mouth.
The gravy burst on his tongue.
A group of Young Wizards swarmed over.
They surrounded Charlie, chattering excitedly.
"Charlie, where can I buy that flying sword?"
"I want one too."
"Yes, yes, I want one too."
Charlie put down his knife and fork and looked up.
The crowd was filled with excited faces.
There were Hufflepuff students, and students from other houses.
Even a few Ravenclaw students seemed interested.
Draco was also in the crowd.
He held his head high, feigning disinterest, but his eyes kept darting to the flying sword on Senior Jenny's back.
Charlie glanced at him.
"You all want one?"
The Young Wizards nodded frantically.
Charlie leaned back in his chair.
"The Flying Witch store in Hogsmeade sells them."
"You can go there to buy one."
The Young Wizards' eyes lit up.
"We must buy one next time we go to Hogsmeade."
"But what if we're second-years and can't go to Hogsmeade?"
"Stupid, just find a third-year to buy it for you."
Charlie suddenly remembered something.
He had funded the research and development of the flying sword.
Shouldn't the Flying Witch store give him a cut for selling them?
He narrowed his eyes.
This money couldn't just slip away.
Charlie turned his head to look at Draco.
"Draco."
Draco paused, then walked over grudgingly.
"Is there something you need, Charlie?"
He still had a psychological shadow from Charlie.
"The Potion Mr. Lucius requested is ready; you can tell him he can come to the school to pick it up."
"Also, I funded the research and development of the flying sword, and I'd like Mr. Lucius to help me out by negotiating the profit share for me."
Draco blinked.
"Is that all?"
"Then I'll write to my father."
He turned to leave.
Just then, Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked over.
Harry's face was a bit pale, and his left arm was still bandaged.
Charlie looked at him.
"Harry, do you also want to buy a flying sword?"
Harry shook his head.
"No."
He took a deep breath.
"I have something to tell you."
Harry recounted Dobby's story from beginning to end.
Charlie listened, his brow furrowing slightly.
"What's that House-elf's name?"
Harry paused.
"Dobby."
Draco spun around sharply.
"What?"
His voice rose, his face filled with shock.
"Dobby?"
Draco's face instantly flushed red.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"Dobby is my family's House-elf!"
Charlie was also stunned.
Dobby belonged to the Malfoy family?
His mind raced.
Dobby warned Harry that the school was in danger.
His source of information was likely from his master, the Malfoy family.
After all, House-elves rarely interact with anyone other than their owners.
The diary matter was definitely related to Lucius.
Charlie looked at Draco.
The shock on his face didn't seem faked.
He probably wasn't aware.
But what was Lucius's goal?
Harry exploded when he heard Draco's words.
"You're Dobby's master, so you're the one who released the Basilisk!"
Draco's face turned red with anger, but strictly speaking, he really was the one who released the Basilisk.
And the diary also resembled the one his father treasured.
Draco suddenly felt a little guilty.
But he absolutely couldn't admit it.
He sneered.
"Potter, did a Bludger smash your brain?"
"If I knew how to control a Basilisk, you'd be the first one I'd have it bite to death."
Harry glared at Draco resentfully.
"Dumbledore should expel you!"
He truly hated Draco at this moment; if it weren't for that diary, Dobby wouldn't have sought him out during the summer, he wouldn't have missed his friends' letters, he wouldn't have been blocked outside the station at the start of term, and he wouldn't have been injured in the match.
Draco didn't show any weakness either.
"Expel me?"
"My father is a school governor; Dumbledore doesn't have that authority."
"You're the one who should be expelled, Potter."
Charlie immediately understood upon hearing this.
Lucius placed the diary in the school.
The diary would release the Basilisk.
If the Basilisk killed even one student, the Principal would be held responsible.
Lucius, as a school governor, could then seize power.
Coupled with the Ministry of Magic's search for Dark Arts objects during the summer.
The diary was a big problem for Lucius as well.
Furthermore, Lucius giving the diary to Ginny could also get the Weasley family into trouble.
It was a plan that killed three birds with one stone.
Charlie narrowed his eyes.
This partner's cunning was deeper than he had imagined.
But the problem was, Lucius's actions affected him.
He was supposed to have a relaxed and easy semester.
Now he had to guard against the Basilisk.
Charlie made a note about Lucius in his little book.
The two had a huge argument, neither able to get the better of the other; Draco was guilty, and Harry had no evidence, so it could only be left unresolved.
A week passed.
Charlie would carry a Rooster around the Castle every day.
He wanted to find the Basilisk.
But perhaps there were too many Roosters, making the Basilisk afraid to approach the Castle.
Charlie never found any trace of the Basilisk.
The corridors, classrooms, and Great Hall of the Castle were filled with the sound of Roosters crowing.
The students had grown accustomed to this environment.
Some even started developing the habit of waking up to the sound of Roosters.
Charlie walked through the entrance hall; a crowd had gathered in front of the bulletin board.
Students were squeezed together, chattering and discussing something.
Ernie saw Charlie and excitedly ran over.
"Charlie, did you see the notice on the bulletin board?"
"The school is holding a dueling club, for dueling people, I wonder if there are any conditions to participate."
"You want to learn dueling?"
"Of course, if you don't know dueling techniques, you'll be at a disadvantage when fighting others."
Charlie recalled Professor Flitwick's skills from last year.
That "Instant Hell Murder Array" move was very impressive, but he still hadn't drawn Apparition, so he couldn't replicate it.
If Professor Flitwick were teaching, it might be worth checking out.
Evening quickly arrived.
The Great Hall had been transformed into a dueling arena.
The long tables had all been pushed against the walls.
A huge stage was set up in the center.
A golden carpet covered the stage.
Students surrounded it.
Charlie stood in the Hufflepuff line.
He looked around.
Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw students were all there.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood not far away.
Harry's left arm had fully recovered.
He was whispering something to Ron.
"Who do you think will teach us?"
Harry asked.
Ron shrugged.
"I don't know."
He paused.
"It's definitely not Lockhart, anyway."
No sooner had he spoken.
Lockhart walked onto the stage.
He was wearing a magenta robe.
Golden patterns were embroidered on it.
He looked dazzling.
Harry and Ron's faces instantly fell.
Both simultaneously raised their hands to cover their faces, their voices filled with despair.
"Why him?"
Hermione stood nearby, her lips pressed together.
"It would be better if Charlie taught than him."
Charlie raised an eyebrow when he heard that.
Me teach?
Oh, Hermione, you're a genius.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"