Anthony leaned closer, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright, Mr. Longbottom? You seem a little pale."
Neville shifted uncomfortably in his bed. "Y-yeah, I'm fine, Professor," he stammered.
"Remember, any discomfort at all, you tell Madam Pomfrey straight away," Anthony instructed gently. "Pushing yourself could lead to complications, and trust me, you wouldn't want to see Madam Pomfrey truly angry."
Neville managed a weak nod. "I understand, Professor."
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "Professor Anthony, a word if you please? We can discuss Mr. Longbottom's Transfiguration assignment later." She cast a concerned glance at Neville. "Get some rest, Longbottom. Transfiguration homework can wait. Monday's deadline for the paper can be extended."
Neville's face drained of color. Anthony suspected the impending Transfiguration assignment had completely slipped his mind.
"Certainly, Professor McGonagall," Anthony replied, rising to his feet. He offered Neville a reassuring smile. "Excellent to see you on the mend, Mr. Longbottom. Take care. Goodbye." He gave the cat's paw a gentle squeeze and waved to Neville, who mirrored the gesture with a weak hand emerging from under the covers.
"See you around," Neville rasped, a hint of a smile gracing his lips.
...
Most of the students in the corridor didn't know what was going on, and greeted Anthony and Professor McGonagall casually as they passed by.
The senior students bought all kinds of small commodities from Hogsmeade Village and distributed them to the envious junior students. They enjoyed this sunny weekend, shared snacks and secrets, and learned from friends' papers. Their young faces were filled with the joy and troubles of youth.
Professor McGonagall led Anthony to the office and gestured to the seats in front of the table: "Sit wherever you like, Professor Anthony."
She waved her wand and conjured a climbing frame for the cat, with jingling cat toys hanging from the frame. Anthony put the cat on it, and it immediately began to have a great time playing.
The door closed gently, and she sat down on her most familiar seat, suddenly looking a little tired.
"What's the matter, Professor McGonagall?" Anthony asked.
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips: "The Headmaster hopes that we won't mention this matter anymore. Severus will handle the Slytherin side, and I will explain it to Longbottom's grandma..."
Anthony looked at her. He must have looked quite obvious, because Professor McGonagall sighed.
"I know, Henry." She suddenly called his Christian name, "But this is also to protect you. Although Hagrid has evacuated the surrounding students, when you rescued Longbottom, half of the Black Lake was there Shine, and someone will inevitably notice."
Anthony shook his head: "Just tell them that I used super fluorescent flashes to illuminate Longbottom."
Professor McGonagall said: "Yes, we did intend to say that. But there was a strong smell of black magic at that time, and wizards familiar with black magic should have discovered it... Not to mention Albus, even Quirinas was alarmed, and came out and see what's going on."
"Professor Quirrell?"
"Not to mention his class, he does have a way of dealing with dark magic." Professor McGonagall said appreciatively, "He was complaining to me that Severus was always hostile to him, and then he suddenly stopped, I ran out of the castle very quickly...I didn't even realize what happened, and Severus didn't seem to sense it either..."
Anthony asked without any hope: "Is there a dark magic version of fluorescent light in the magic world?"
"Yes, but it's not better than undead magic." Professor McGonagall said, "So Severus suggested that we say that your super fluorescent flashes alarmed the magical animals under the Black Lake."
"What animal?" Anthony asked.
Professor McGonagall nodded: "Unknown magical animals. Hogwarts is an ancient magic school, full of secrets buried in the dust of history. If someone is really so curious, he can go to the Black Lake by himself. Find out...at least that's what Severus suggested."
"great."
Professor McGonagall said: "In short, our story is like this. But if someone insists on exploring this matter, there will always be loopholes in it. The agreement reached between the Headmaster and the Ministry of Magic at the time included the requirement not to let the public know about, There's a necromancer outside of Azkaban."
She looked at Anthony apologetically: "I know this is unfair to you. I don't like this either, but it makes sense. As for Malfoy's solution." She paused, "This matter is... complicated ."
"I can see it," Anthony said with a hint of sarcasm. He couldn't believe it when he was in the principal's office, so he left after the punishment was finalized.
Professor McGonagall lowered her head: "I fully accept your accusation."
Anthony took a deep breath: "Fortunately, Longbottom survived."
"Yes." Professor McGonagall said, "I can't imagine if Alice's son died...for such a ridiculous reason..."
"This is not a ridiculous reason." Anthony said seriously, "I have wanted to ask for a long time, why is the hatred between Gryffindor and Slytherin so deep?"
"Because of that person." Professor McGonagall said seriously, "Because of the blood theory, because of the war, and because their parents have a blood feud."
"And the school still decided to put them together in classes."
Professor McGonagall said: "That's right. There's no benefit in avoiding them, we need them to communicate...even if it's in the form of a fight. Henry, wizards are different from Muggles. You can say wizards are more barbaric, but the school is huge Part of teaching is teaching students how to fight."
"I'm glad Caredi and you are here," she said. "Many people don't realize that Muggle Studies is actually a very important course. It teaches students to understand others. To have empathy for people who are different from themselves. Curiosity, and ultimately the realization that the difference is not that great—Henry, understanding is a kindness."
Their conversation stretched on, Anthony's rescue of Neville seemingly fostering a newfound trust with Professor McGonagall. As a firsthand witness, she recounted the chilling events of Voldemort's rise to power in the British wizarding world.
....
Before he left, Professor McGonagall generously gifted him the climbing frame for his cat. "I have a good idea of what shelves and toys would be most engaging," she admitted. "In fact, I've overheard the house-elves grumbling about your rather empty office. Apparently, there's little to clean!"
"Should we take it back then?" Anthony playfully asked the cat nestled in his arms.
The feline creature snuggled deeper, its rumbling purr a clear sign of contentment.
"Thank you, Minerva," Anthony said sincerely.
Professor McGonagall eyed the cat with curiosity. "Speaking of which, does it shed?"
Anthony chuckled. "Not at all. Perhaps if it did, the house-elves would have more to occupy themselves."
He emerged from Professor McGonagall's office and took a deep breath, gazing at the setting sun. Its golden light cast a frigid gleam on the icy landscape, the setting sun's beauty marred by a biting chill.
"Professor Anthony!" a student's voice echoed through the corridor. "Yorkshire pudding for dinner tonight!"
Anthony's lips curved into a smile. "Really? How does it compare to your Christmas dinners at home?"
The student puffed out his chest with pride. "Just wait, Professor! I'm confident mine will be far better and more delicious. You'll see when I get home for the holidays!"
###
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