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Chapter 144
"This time the culprit targeted Malfoy. Not only are they controlling the Basilisk, but they even sent a house-elf to attack Harry directly. They must still be working with Voldemort!" Ron said angrily.
By the time Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the bathroom, news of Colin Creevey's attack and uncertain condition had already spread throughout the entire school.
Rumors ran rampant across Hogwarts. Students were frightened, suspicious of one another, and constantly on edge. Students from the other Houses kept their distance from Slytherin, while the Slytherins themselves seemed even more arrogant and self-satisfied than usual.
The first-years rarely traveled alone anymore, preferring to move around in groups out of fear that they might be the next victims.
Ginny sat next to Colin in class, and she was especially worried about what had happened to him. In an attempt to cheer her up, Fred and George dressed up as lunatics and lepers, covering themselves in fake boils and sores to scare her.
Percy was furious and threatened to write to their mother, Mrs. Weasley, which finally put an end to their prank.
Almost overnight, protective charms, anti-curse trinkets, and all kinds of bizarre magical objects became popular throughout the school. Taking advantage of the situation, Ron sold off his spare roosters at outrageously high prices. He even considered selling the rooster he had brought himself, believing that as a pure-blood wizard he had nothing to fear from monsters.
Fortunately, Hermione and Harry immediately stopped him, reminding him that Malfoy might be the one controlling the Basilisk. Ron quickly abandoned the idea.
Besides buying one of Ron's roosters, Neville Longbottom also purchased garlic, amethysts, and dried salamander tails.
He seemed particularly anxious.
"They've already gone after Filch. Everyone knows I'm practically a Squib. I could be next."
During the second week of December, Professor McGonagall began compiling the list of students who would remain at Hogwarts for Christmas.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all signed up to stay.
They also learned that Malfoy would be remaining at school as well, which only deepened their suspicions. They decided to use the holiday period to take Polyjuice Potion and try to extract information from him.
Unfortunately, brewing the potion was far from easy. They still lacked two crucial ingredients: powdered bicorn horn and shredded skin of an African Tree Snake.
Both ingredients could only be found in Snape's private storeroom.
No one wanted to deal with Snape.
Getting caught by him was even more terrifying than facing Slytherin's monster. He would undoubtedly expel all three of them—something he had probably wanted to do for years.
"We need to create a distraction," Hermione suggested.
Thursday was Potions class, and it would be their best opportunity.
"One person causes a commotion while another sneaks into Snape's office. That way we can get the bicorn horn and Tree Snake skin."
"Who causes the distraction, and who does the stealing?" Harry and Ron asked nervously.
"I should be the one sneaking in," Hermione replied seriously.
"You two have already gotten into enough trouble. If either of you gets caught, you'll be expelled immediately. I don't have any disciplinary record. You just need to disrupt the lesson long enough to keep Snape occupied."
"All right," Harry and Ron agreed awkwardly.
Compared to sneaking into Snape's office, causing trouble during one of his classes might have seemed safer—but only slightly.
Thursday arrived.
As usual, they entered the spacious underground classroom for Potions.
Twenty cauldrons stood between the rows of wooden tables. Brass scales and jars filled with ingredients covered the desks.
Snape prowled through the room amidst clouds of potion fumes, continuously criticizing and mocking the Gryffindors.
Meanwhile, the Slytherins watched with smug satisfaction.
Draco Malfoy, in particular, clearly enjoyed Snape's favoritism and constantly shot mocking looks at Harry and Ron.
Neither Harry nor Ron was especially patient, but they knew better than to provoke him. Fighting back would only cost Gryffindor points—or worse.
Besides, they had more important matters to deal with today.
Harry barely paid attention to the potion simmering before him. He simply waited for Hermione's signal.
After Snape finished ridiculing Harry, he moved on to torment Neville.
Hermione subtly gave Harry the sign.
Harry immediately reached into his bag and pulled out a string of magical fireworks he had acquired from Fred. These fireworks produced explosions and showers of sparks—perfect for disrupting a Potions lesson.
He tapped them lightly with his wand.
The fuse hissed to life.
A few seconds later, Harry rose smoothly and, with perfect aim, tossed the fireworks into Goyle's cauldron.
BOOM!
Goyle's potion exploded instantly.
The swelling solution sprayed across the entire classroom.
Screams erupted everywhere.
Malfoy was struck directly by the potion. His face, nose, and cheeks swelled until they resembled overinflated loaves of bread.
Goyle staggered around blindly, his eyes swollen shut like enormous cauldrons.
Snape desperately tried to restore order, but it was hopeless.
Students ran about like headless chickens.
Amid the chaos, Harry spotted Hermione slipping quietly out of the classroom.
The plan was underway.
Harry anxiously monitored the room, ready to create even more trouble if necessary.
"Quiet! Quiet!" Snape shouted.
"I have antidotes here! Anyone hit by the potion, come to me immediately! And when I find out who did this—"
Harry struggled not to laugh.
Malfoy's nose had swollen to the size of a pumpkin. Holding it with both hands, he stumbled toward Snape.
Other students crowded around as well. Some had arms swollen larger than their legs, while others had mouths so puffed up they could barely speak.
In the middle of the confusion, Harry finally saw Hermione sneak back into the classroom.
Her robes bulged suspiciously.
Relief washed over him.
At least she hadn't been caught.
Once everyone had taken the antidote, the swelling gradually subsided.
Snape approached the ruined cauldron and used a pair of tongs to lift out the twisted remains of the fireworks.
The classroom fell silent.
Someone had deliberately sabotaged a Potions lesson.
The sheer audacity of it was unbelievable.
Snape's face turned deathly pale.
In a low, furious growl, he said:
"How dare someone disrupt my class! I will find out who is responsible—and when I do, that student will be expelled."
(To be continued.)