Chapter 30. A Gift for You
"Professor, I can stand by my words. From the start of the semester until now, Lynn has practiced spells with me every morning by the Black Lake, including today. He hasn't left my sight for a moment, and even when we found Scalding Hex, we went there together."
Cedric's testimony was highly credible to the professors.
He consistently ranked first in his grade and was a typical Hufflepuff—upright, honest, and trustworthy.
At this point, Lynn was essentially no longer involved, and Professor McGonagall allowed them to leave.
However, Lynn deliberately stayed behind, waiting for Mitchell and the others to leave.
He seemed hesitant, as if he had something to say to the two professors.
"Bellok, is there anything else you'd like to say?" Professor McGonagall, seeing his intention, spoke up.
Lynn said hesitantly, "Professor, can I move out of my current dormitory and live alone?"
Snape didn't answer, but Professor McGonagall asked, "Why?"
"I'm scared," Lynn said, his eyes filled with fear. "They didn't succeed this time, but who knows if they'll do it again? I'm afraid to live with them."
Professor McGonagall didn't seem willing to agree to Lynn's request, but she patiently persuaded him.
"Don't worry, Bellok, this is Hogwarts. There are a group of professors protecting you. This was just an accident. I guarantee they'll never dare to do such a thing again."
"But Professor, no one can watch them every second."
Lynn's words silenced Professor McGonagall. He was right; even conflicts between ordinary children could lead to death, let alone a group of fearless young wizards.
However, Professor McGonagall still didn't want Lynn to live alone, feeling it wouldn't be good for his development and would only make him withdrawn and unsociable.
"I agree. I'll inform the prefect Raphael in a bit and have him take you to a new room where you'll live alone from now on,"
Snape, who had been silent until now, suddenly agreed to Lynn's request.
This made Professor McGonagall frown.
"Severus, this is against the rules, and besides, a student was just attacked; it's not safe for him to live alone,"
Snape said coldly without giving Professor McGonagall a reason. "He's a student of my house; I have the right to arrange things."
Lynn appeared very pleased and bowed to Professor Snape. "Thank you, Professor Snape."
Snape nodded, indicating he could leave.
Lynn respectfully left the Vice-Headmaster's office, closing the door behind him.
He walked down the corridor, preparing to return to the Slytherin common room. All the pretense on his face vanished, replaced by a smile.
He had actually anticipated this outcome, including the fact that it wasn't Professor McGonagall who ultimately agreed to his request, but Professor Snape.
From the moment he adopted the title, it was all part of laying the groundwork for his request to move out of his current dormitory and live alone.
All his earlier feigned pitifulness wasn't actually a performance for Professor McGonagall; Lynn's real audience was Professor Snape.
This would evoke empathy and remind him of his own experiences of bullying during his school days.
The rule-abiding Professor McGonagall would certainly refuse a request to live alone, but Professor Snape, with his similar "experience," might.
Professor Snape would definitely understand Lynn's current "feelings," and he was known at Hogwarts for his fierce protectiveness.
Of course, this plan wasn't Lynn's initial idea; he only came up with it on a whim after seeing Professor Snape's intimidating expression when Mitchell recounted their plan.
Failure would just be a performance, but success would be a huge win.
A dormitory to live alone meant more privacy, a more convenient environment for practicing Dark Arts, and a quieter study atmosphere.
Now, he had succeeded.
Lynn was in a very good mood and even thanked Scalding Hex in his heart.
If Scalding Hex hadn't tried to frame him, he wouldn't have had any excuse to live alone.
It's just a pity that the great philanthropist was attacked by some other great philanthropist, preventing Lynn from personally repaying his "favor."
Back in his dorm, Lynn began packing his things in front of Mark and Mitchell.
The atmosphere among the three was somewhat awkward; the plan to frame him had been exposed before it could even be carried out, leaving Mark and Mitchell unsure how to face Lynn.
"What are you doing?" Mitchell finally couldn't help but ask.
Lynn seemed to hold no grudge against them, replying cheerfully, "I'm moving to a different dorm. Professor Snape promised I could live alone from now on. Um, thanks to you guys."
Mitchell and Mark exchanged a glance; they were clearly happy to see Lynn move out, as their conflicts had already been laid bare.
Just as Lynn finished packing, the prefect Raphael found him and prepared to take him to his new dorm.
Before leaving, Lynn warmly said goodbye to his two roommates.
"Goodbye, you two. To thank you for taking care of me these past few days, and for the care you're prepared to give me, I have a gift for you both before I leave."
Hearing this, Mark leaned out and asked stupidly, "What gift?"
Lynn didn't answer, but smiled and pointed his wand at him.
"Scalding Hex!" x2 (A curse that causes a person's body to be covered in uncomfortable bumps.)
...
Lynn's new dormitory was the same size as a normal four-person dormitory.
Everything, including the decoration style, was the same as before, except that now he lived alone.
After he finished packing his things, he picked up the things he needed for the afternoon classes and went to the Great Hall for lunch.
As soon as Lynn arrived at the Slytherin table, Prefect Betty sat down next to him with a serious expression.
"Do you know what happened to Scalding Hex this morning?"
"What?" Lynn was very interested in this; he also wanted to know what had happened to Scalding Hex.
"The Crucifixion Curse! Someone tortured him with the Crucifixion Curse, and then erased his memory with the Forgetfulness Curse!"
Lynn was stunned, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses.
"Who said that?"
Betty's expression was serious, not like she was joking.
"Everyone's saying that. Apparently, Professor Snape accidentally let it slip, and that's how the news spread."
Lynn's face immediately turned incredibly gloomy; his good mood from before had vanished.
"Lynn, do you remember what I told you before?"
Betty looked at him, seemingly implying something.
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(End of Chapter)