LRAB Chapter 153 The Curse of Defense Against the Dark Arts
Chapter 153 The Curse of Defense Against the Dark Arts
Chapter 153 The Curse of Defense Against the Dark Arts
No way? You're kidding, right? That's unlikely.
Did Miss Nagini really bite Mr. Lockhart?
Loila followed behind Luna, her mind a jumbled mess—even though Miss Nagini always muttered that, did she actually bite?!
What if Miss Nagini really bites her? — Think about it yourself. If Dumbledore begs for mercy, will he let Miss Nagini go?
I don't think so! If all else fails, I could give him some honey candy—but would that be okay?
That won't work!
Loila could only bite her lip and pray that this matter had nothing to do with Miss Nagini.
The school hospital wasn't far, or rather, Luna and Loila knew the way well, and they arrived at the hospital entrance in no time.
There was hardly anyone at the doorway, except for Professor McGonagall and Mrs. Pomfrey standing together, seemingly exchanging a conversation.
They frowned as Loila and Luna approached.
"Hami—Miss Lola and Miss Lovegood—" McGonagall paused before saying, "What are you two doing here?"
"Let's check on Mr. Lockhart," Luna said, pursing her lips. "We heard he fainted."
"
"He's fine," Professor McGonagall said expressionlessly, then turned her gaze to Loila.
"Alas!"
That look sent a shiver down Loila's spine. Could it really be something between her and Miss Nagini? If not, why was she looking at her like that?
"Miss Lovegood, I have something I'd like to discuss with Miss Lola." McGonagall took a deep breath and nodded to Mrs. Pomfrey as if she had made a decision.
"Ah—then I'll be going now!" The clever Luna seemed to understand what was going on. She smiled slightly and was about to leave, but Loila grabbed her with lightning speed.
"No—don't go—" Loila felt that if Luna left, Professor McGonagall would definitely criticize her—this matter was definitely related to Miss Nagini!
Luna, don't go!
"Don't worry, Loila." Luna blinked. "Professor McGonagall is a very nice person."
"You don't need to be afraid of anything—"
"No—no—" Loila watched as Luna gently picked up her hand and put it down, her broken heart like a falling meteor.
You—you betrayed me too, Miss Lovegood!
Loila was still in shock even after Luna left. Her face was ashen as she stared at the last corner Luna had turned, biting her lip in disbelief that Luna had actually left.
"Professor Hamilton—" McGonagall's voice rang out, making Loila shudder.
"Ah—Professor McGonagall—this—this has nothing to do with me—" Loila said, pointing her finger. "And I—I'm not Professor Hamilton—I am—"
"I am Miss Lola————"
"Of course this concerns you," McGonagall said seriously, unfazed by Loila's ramblings. "Besides, perhaps we should come in and talk."
As she spoke, she opened the door to the school hospital and gestured for Loila to go inside.
Is this... this solitary confinement cell?
Loila looked at the somewhat dark school hospital, feeling a hundred times unwilling, but running away now was out of the question—
—Does this count as fleeing from justice?
But it was Miss Nagini who bit me, so even if I were caught and sentenced by the Ministry of Magic—I should—I should only be an accomplice, right?
At most, it could be considered — covering up?
But Miss Nagini hasn't even shown up yet! I haven't even had a chance to protect her!
"Our next conversation shouldn't be overheard by the students," McGonagall continued, seeing that Loira hadn't moved. "This matter shouldn't be leaked."
"And—" she pursed her lips and lowered her voice, "Headmaster Dumbledore doesn't know about this yet."
"Hmm!" Loila paused for a moment upon hearing this, suddenly feeling a surge of emotion! Professor McGonagall, you're so kind! Not only are you willing to let a good-for-nothing like me work at Hogwarts, but you also came to see me when I was sick—
Now they're even willing to protect me and keep that scoundrel Dumbledore from finding out?!
You're so good to me—I'll have a hard time repaying you! Loila immediately felt guilty for her fleeting thought of running away—how could she think of running away just because her friend did something wrong?
"It's precisely because she's a friend that I must help her correct her ways!" Loila bit her lip and silently vowed, "Miss Nagini, you must truly reform yourself in Azkaban!"
This is for your own good!
So she strode confidently behind Professor McGonagall into the university hospital.
As the door closed, Professor McGonagall sighed softly and placed her hand on Loila's shoulder.
"Professor Hamilton————"
"I—I know—" Loila interrupted Professor McGonagall gently, seeing her troubled expression.
"You—you know?!" McGonagall looked quite surprised.
"Hmm—" Loila said softly, "After all, I'm her—her friend—"
"But this—Miss Naji certainly didn't do it on purpose—on purpose.—She might just be angry—or—"
"This matter also concerns me—" Loila's words became increasingly incoherent. She felt that she was really not good at expressing these rather complicated things, but even so, she still wanted to say some good things about Miss Nagini.
"I knew beforehand—I knew—Miss Nagini—wanted—wanted to bite Mr. Lockhart—"
"But no—nothing stopped her—"
"Please wait a moment, Professor Hamilton—"
"It's all my fault—don't just—just arrest Miss Nagini—I can do it too—"
"Please wait a moment—"
"Azkaban or something—"
"Professor Hamilton!" McGonagall exclaimed suddenly, her hand on Loyla's shoulder tightening slightly.
"Ugh!" Feeling a bit of pain, Loila subconsciously stopped explaining to herself and looked at Professor McGonagall with some fear.
Did I... make Professor McGonagall angry?
"Please don't just jump in and say these things," Professor McGonagall sighed, looking into her eyes, and then said, "What you just said is the exact opposite of what I'm about to say."
"Hmm... Oh?" Loila suddenly froze. "That was... Mr. Lockhart bit Miss Nagini?!"
"No, not exactly." McGonagall suddenly understood Professor Snape's feelings a little better—sometimes there was a reason for his angry demeanor, wasn't there?
"What I mean is—Miss Nagini sent Lockhart here."
"Wh-what?!" Loila's eyes widened, completely unexpected—wait, could it be that the murderer deliberately made himself the first to discover the crime to reduce suspicion?
Miss Nagini, you are so insidious!
"She found Lockhart unconscious in the hallway, so she brought him to the university clinic," Professor McGonagall said, shaking her head. "But that's not what I wanted to talk about."
"What I'm about to say concerns the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"Hmm... Hmm?" Loila was shocked by the huge twist in the case.
It was clearly Miss Nagini who committed manslaughter, so how did this incident get involved with the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?
"Do you remember the time you fainted before?" McGonagall lowered her voice.
"Hmm————" Loila nodded gently, recalling that she seemed to have fainted twice before Christmas——and she hadn't been feeling well these past few days.
"Your fainting spell was related to a curse." McGonagall pursed her lips, a hint of worry in her eyes. "It was a curse from the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"Curse, curse, curse, curse?!" Loila's face turned deathly pale.
Dumbledore, you wicked fellow, you actually introduced me to such a cursed job!