Kyle's strategy proved highly effective.
After handing over a thick stack of greeting cards to the Dwarves, they finally managed to enjoy a somewhat normal morning. Although a few Dwarves still managed to slip out from hidden corners, Kyle was able to dodge them in time using his Disillusionment Charm.
Regarding the lessons... Professors McGonagall and Flitwick had agreed to Kyle's suggestion and cast Charms to seal the classroom doors, keeping the Dwarves out. Reports from other year groups mentioned that two petrified Dwarves were stationed in Snape's Potions classroom, placed on either side of the door to the Dungeon like two tasteless statues.
Initially, this sight caused a bit of panic as students thought there had been another attack. But soon, they realized it was Snape's handiwork—his way of warning the remaining Dwarves to steer clear of him.
As the morning wore on and classes continued, the Dwarves began reappearing with greater frequency, evidently having completed their previous tasks. By the end of the last Charms class, three Dwarves were already waiting for Kyle in the corridor.
Cedric faced a similar situation, forcing both of them to retreat to the common room for lunch.
"Someone is definitely stirring up trouble!" Cedric grumbled, biting into a piece of toast. "There are loads of students at Hogwarts—why do they keep targeting us? Something's off."
"Do you even need to ask?" Kyle raised an eyebrow and pointed toward the ceiling.
Cedric immediately caught on, gritting his teeth as he muttered, "Fred, George!"
No wonder the greeting cards felt strangely familiar. It all clicked—it was undeniably the twins' signature style. Cedric had initially felt guilty about the chaos but never imagined the twins would start mischief this early. He suspected they were responsible for the five Dwarves he'd encountered by the foyer that morning.
Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that a greeting card popped up every time he left his dorm?
"It seems we're all thinking the same thing," Kyle shrugged.
"So, should we keep at it this afternoon?" Cedric asked.
Kyle shook his head.
Though they outnumbered the twins three to two, Fred and George thrived on pranks, whether they were the instigators or simply involved, which gave them an almost invincible advantage. Plus, the Hufflepuffs had Defense Against the Dark Arts in the afternoon, and Lockhart would never agree to barricading the door. After all, neither the Disillusionment Charm nor an Invisibility Cloak would be practical in class…
"Forget it, let's let them off the hook this time," Kyle thought, deciding to skip the petty rivalry with the twins. Instead, he chose to redirect his efforts toward Lockhart.
In fact, they even funded a small incentive to recruit more "admirers" for Lockhart. Anyone who wrote Lockhart a greeting card would earn a Knut.
One Knut. Twenty-nine Knuts. It wasn't much, but the task was simple, and by the time the afternoon class began, all fifty slots had been filled.
...
Lockhart was ecstatic, absolutely over the moon.
He never imagined that after everything that had happened, his number of admirers at Hogwarts would only increase—over a thousand cards as proof! Who cared if he didn't have time for his classes anymore? If he could, he'd do this every single day.
That evening, Lockhart strolled happily toward the Great Hall. On his way, he noticed a group of professors gathered near the entrance to the Dungeon, all focused on something. "What's all this fuss about?" he asked smugly. "Comparing how many cards you've received? Why wasn't I invited? Ah, I suppose you all heard already—I received over a thousand cards…"
All the professors turned to glare at him.
Startled, Lockhart muttered defensively, "Alright, if you think it's unfair to compete with me, I won't participate… Wait, why is there a Dwarf here?"
He noticed a motionless Dwarf among the professors. But the issue was, the Dwarves should have completed their tasks and left the school half an hour ago.
"Ah… the problem-solver has arrived," Snape said in a low voice. "As you can see, there has been another attack. Now, your moment to shine has finally come."
Lockhart's breath caught as he looked down at the petrified Dwarf on the floor.
The Dwarf lay rigid in front of a suit of armor, identical to the pose of the last petrified victim.
"No… this… how could this be!" Lockhart stammered. "Don't joke around… Professor Snape, I can tell at a glance that he's been Petrified—exactly like the ones you set up at the entrance to the Dungeon…"
"As a matter of fact," Snape said coldly, "I lifted that Petrification Charm three hours ago. Or you could try it yourself. I wouldn't think it too difficult for you to lift a charm…"
"Of course… I can lift the charm," Lockhart replied through gritted teeth. He stepped forward, waved his wand, and muttered an odd assortment of sounds.
A muscle in Professor McGonagall's cheek twitched. In all her years, she had never heard such a peculiar incantation; it sounded like Lockhart was making it up on the spot. She doubted he could even repeat it exactly if asked.
Lockhart continued his spell for nearly a full minute, but unsurprisingly, the petrified Dwarf remained entirely unmoved.
"Oh dear, it seems even the secret magic of the Wagga Wagga tribe isn't working," Lockhart said, putting away his wand. "I learned it from an old wizard during my travels; it can lift almost any curse."
"Oh?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"I know what you're going to say, Professor Snape," Lockhart sighed. "Clearly, I was deceived. That fellow probably hadn't set foot outside his village."
"Never mind; the mandrake roots are nearly mature," said Professor Sprout. "Soon they'll be ready, and those petrified will recover. But, Gilderoy, didn't you claim on the first day of term that you knew the identity of the Heir? Well then, go find him—that's what's most important."
"Yes… yes… I know…" Lockhart stammered, growing increasingly flustered.
If he truly knew who the Heir was, he would have made a grand show of it long ago, not waited until now. But wasn't Dumbledore supposed to be the most powerful wizard around? He had been back from holiday for quite some time, yet the Chamber of Secrets remained unsolved. This was certainly not the outcome Lockhart had expected!
Lockhart stuttered, unable to form a coherent response, and the other professors ignored him entirely. Professor Flitwick arranged for the petrified Dwarf to be taken to the Hospital Wing, and the rest of the professors filed out, leaving Lockhart standing there as if he were invisible.
"Things are getting serious," Professor McGonagall said, glancing toward the Great Hall, which was bustling with students. "We need to take action before any students get hurt."
"But the question is, who?" Snape replied. "We've searched every corner of the castle and found nothing."
"Just a little longer. It won't be much longer now," whispered Professor Sprout. "A month at most… no, even less. The mandrake roots are already showing signs they're ready to be repotted. Those who were petrified must have seen something. Once they wake, we'll finally know if the monster is a person or… something else."
"You're right, Pomona," Professor McGonagall agreed, her expression grave. "But a month is still too long. None of us can guarantee what could happen in that time. In any case, I need to go speak to the students."