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"Alright, things haven't been peaceful at school lately. I hope that after you learn these spells, you can use them to protect yourself and your fellow Slytherins well."
Snape's expression was serious, but George looked a bit puzzled.
"We Slytherins—"
He started to say, but then quickly stopped and smiled, changing his words.
"I understand. I will protect my classmates and friends."
Since Slytherins are either pure-blood or half-blood, logically, the opening of the Chamber shouldn't pose a danger to Slytherin wizards. Therefore, Snape's words must carry a different meaning.
With a little thought, George guessed the reason.
It was simple: Snape hoped that after George learned these spells, if he happened to encounter young wizards from other houses—especially if Harry were in danger—he could step in and be of help.
Snape detested Harry because Harry resembled James, who bullied him in the past. However, he also had to ensure Harry's safety, as Harry was the child of his beloved Lily.
Dumbledore wouldn't share everything with Snape. In Snape's view, the opening of the Chamber at this time made the monster inside very dangerous for Muggle-born wizards and for Harry.
This was also why he was assisting the insufferable Lockhart in teaching the young wizards duel techniques.
Although Snape wasn't as fair-minded as McGonagall, as a Hogwarts teacher, he felt a responsibility to protect all students, including Muggle-born wizards.
However, Snape would never openly admit this.
He knew that he and Harry, Hermione, and the others were friends who often studied together. If they faced danger, learning the Disarming Charm would be quite helpful.
Days went by, and George devoted most of his free time to learning the Disarming Charm and the Hanging Charm.
Hogwarts had remained peaceful during this time, with no further incidents of petrification occurring, as Voldemort's diary was now in Harry's possession.
It was only on the Sunday of the second week of school that Harry and his friends approached George, who was reading in the library, to inform him about the results of their communication with the diary the previous week.
"So you suspect Hagrid is the heir of the Chamber and released the monster inside?" George asked, amused.
"We've known for a long time that Hagrid was expelled from school. Since he was kicked out, the attacks must have stopped. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have won the award," Harry replied, looking troubled.
He didn't want to believe this conclusion, but the evidence pointed to Hagrid.
Hagrid had always had a fondness for large creatures. Last year, he even tried to raise a dragon in his hut and kept the three-headed dog guarding the Philosopher's Stone.
"We think he might just not have wanted the monster to be kept locked up and didn't expect it to kill anyone," Ron added.
George looked at Hermione, who was looking down. "We actually don't believe it either, which is why we came to ask your opinion. I know you often visit Hagrid in his hut."
"Honestly, it can't be Hagrid," George said confidently.
The three of them perked up at his response.
"Why not?"
"First of all, Slytherin wizards place a high value on bloodlines. He wouldn't choose a wizard with giant blood as his heir.
Secondly, if Dumbledore trusts Hagrid, it indicates that Dumbledore doesn't believe Hagrid was involved in the incidents from back then.
Finally, we can't just take what the diary says at face value. Who knows if the scenes it creates are real? Maybe the one behind it all is actually the heir, who is trying to frame Hagrid."
George suggested slowly, "In this situation, I think it would be best for you to ask Hagrid directly, or if you feel uncomfortable doing so, I can help you ask him."
While he hoped the Chamber incident would escalate, he didn't want Hagrid to face the same consequences as in the original story and end up spending months in Azkaban.
Azkaban was a dreadful place, where one's emotions were drained daily by Dementors, making it a torment comparable to enduring the Cruciatus Curse.
Hagrid was a simple-minded good person who had taught him a lot of useful knowledge over the past six months. Compared to Dumbledore, George preferred people like Hagrid.
After all, even if Hagrid didn't go to Azkaban, if the Chamber incident continued, Dumbledore would eventually be asked to leave the school for a while; it wouldn't conflict with Hagrid's situation.
Moreover, helping Hagrid clear his name could also reduce some of Dumbledore's suspicions about him and build goodwill.
"Right, George, you're right! If Hagrid were truly the heir of the Chamber, Dumbledore wouldn't trust him so much!"
Upon hearing George's explanation, Harry instantly felt better.
Since evidence pointed to Hagrid as the likely heir who opened the Chamber, his mood had been gloomy.
"We shouldn't just pretend we don't know about this. If more attacks happen, Hagrid could be framed as a criminal again.
George, let's go ask Hagrid together."
Hermione agreed with George's reasoning.
Ron scratched his head, saying, "Alright, let's hope this is a pleasant visit."
He began to imagine how awkward it would be when they asked Hagrid if he had recently released some savage, hairy creature from the castle.
That afternoon, they made their way to Hagrid's hut.
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand? I could have made you some rock cakes," Hagrid said, delighted to see George and the others as he dealt with a mole by the school gate.
Harry and the others felt a bit nervous as they looked at Hagrid.
"Hagrid, we came to ask you about…"
Seeing the three of them struggle to get the words out, George decided to speak up.
"It's about this, Hagrid. We learned that you were expelled from school because of the monster that opened the Chamber and killed Myrtle, and we want to know what really happened."
"Oh, so that's what this is about," Hagrid said with a sigh.
"I didn't want to bring this up again, but now that the Chamber has been opened once more and two attacks have occurred, I think it's important to tell you the whole story.
I didn't open the Chamber; I was wrongfully accused."
Then Hagrid recounted the events from back then.
It turned out that in 1943, when Hagrid was still a student, he had received a giant spider egg from a traveler, which he secretly hatched and raised at Hogwarts, naming it Aragog.
When the Chamber was opened, a student named Myrtle was killed, and everyone except Dumbledore believed Hagrid had unleashed the giant spider to attack her.
Thanks to Dumbledore's protection, he wasn't sent to Azkaban but was instead expelled and became the Keeper of Keys and Grounds.
(End of Chapter)