Cro sighed, feeling a bit disappointed as he released the struggling tabby cat. He had hoped for a Diamond Chest but only got a Golden Chest. It seemed Professor McGonagall wasn't as upset as he thought. Perhaps, in her eyes, the two of them didn't know her true identity, and that's why she didn't get enraged enough to drop a higher-tier chest, only giving out a Golden Chest instead.
The tabby cat landed on the ground and transformed into Professor McGonagall. She stood there with a stern expression, dressed in her characteristic emerald robes and tall wizard hat, leaving no doubt about her identity.
"Professor McGonagall?! I... he...!" Hermione stammered, trying to explain.
"Mr. Cro, Miss Granger, no need to say anything. I'm not angry," McGonagall said calmly.
Hermione, caught off guard, shot Cro an annoyed look. No wonder she had felt something was off earlier. How could she have forgotten about McGonagall's Animagus form? They had seen it before, but she had been so focused on Cro's antics that she didn't realize this was the same cat. In her defense, Transfiguration usually required a reference object, so she had assumed McGonagall's Animagus form was based on her own pet cat.
But she hadn't considered that the wizarding world had a higher-level magic called Animagus, allowing wizards to transform into animals at will.
"Mr. Cro, I think it's time you head to Charms class. If you don't hurry, you'll be late," Professor McGonagall said, her expression calm, but the bulging veins on her tightly gripped wand betrayed her inner turmoil.
Being picked up and petted like a common house cat was one thing—she could almost tolerate that, as it was oddly comfortable—but the idea of being discussed for breeding and having her gender checked was beyond humiliating! Even though she knew they likely didn't mean it, she couldn't help but feel anger.
"Oh, Professor McGonagall, I'm terribly sorry! If I had known it was you, I wouldn't have picked you up and—uh—petted you or suggested... checking..." Cro tried to apologize but was cut off sharply.
"Mr. Cro, it's time for your Charms class!" McGonagall said, her tone icy.
Before Cro could respond, McGonagall waved her wand, and a mysterious force picked him up and tossed him out the door.
[Detected intense anger!]
[Reward: Golden Chest!]
[Detected intense worry!]
[Reward: Silver Chest!]
Cro rubbed his sore backside, grinning uncontrollably. Another Golden Chest! Things were looking up today—perhaps there was hope for a Diamond Chest after all. Hogwarts was truly a treasure trove!
Humming a tune, Cro made his way to the Charms classroom. After all, a certain precious girl was waiting to "dedicate" herself to him... oh, and Professor Flitwick, of course. Not only was Flitwick the head of Ravenclaw, but he was also a former dueling champion, an expert in various charms. There was no doubt that treasure chests from him would contain rare and powerful spells!
Headmaster's Office
Dumbledore calmly popped a strange-flavored jelly bean into his mouth after listening to Snape's report. His face remained unchanged.
"Children are always a little mischievous, Severus. As teachers, it's our duty to guide them down the right path. We can't give up on them just because they act out," Dumbledore said with a hint of amusement.
Snape, despite his usual stoic expression, couldn't help but twitch at the headmaster's words.
"Calling it mischief when he's using Dark Magic? What exactly would you consider not mischievous, then?"
"I admit he used Dark Magic, but no real harm was done, right? It was just a prank. You're being too tense, Severus," Dumbledore waved off Snape's concerns.
"That boy is a good kid, Severus. You need to guide him properly. Don't let him walk down the wrong path. Don't let history repeat itself," Dumbledore said, his tone softening with a touch of sadness.
Snape's face remained cold as he gripped his wand tightly, his knuckles white.
"Don't you find his appearance suspicious? Have you not considered that he might be... connected to him?"
Snape's voice was harsh, his words heavy with implication.
"Yes, his arrival is strange. He joined Hogwarts the same year Harry did, and he's only ten years old yet already knows Dark Magic," Dumbledore acknowledged with a nod, though his demeanor didn't change.
However, Snape's expression stayed rigid, knowing full well that convincing Dumbledore was no easy task.
True to form, Dumbledore shook his head after a moment. "But the boy has no bloodlust, does he? That means he's never killed anyone. He may know Dark Magic, but so do you and I."
Dumbledore stood up and walked to the cabinet, gazing at the dormant Sorting Hat inside.
"Knowing Dark Magic doesn't make someone inherently evil. He's just a child, Severus. If you guide him with care, he won't disappoint you."
Snape shot a deep, calculating look at Dumbledore, then snorted softly before turning to leave, his parting words cold as the air.
"You'll regret this."
Dumbledore chuckled softly and shook his head, picking up the Sorting Hat as his eyes lost focus for a moment.
"Which path will you choose, I wonder? Will you chase after the throne built on bones... or something else?"
[Detected intense curiosity!]
[Reward: Golden Chest!]
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T/N:
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