NOVEL WEB Chapter 231: Chapter 122: Ohhhh
"Hmph, all you ever do is pick on me."
Hermione pouted, fussing with her robes as she grumbled about something entirely untrue.
"I don't like being tickled."
"And that was self-defense, not bullying."
Glenn protested his innocence, countering Hermione's accusations. He knew if he didn't set the record straight now, Hermione would only escalate her antics in the future.
Then again, he suspected that no matter what he said, Hermione would still act cute and feign ignorance.
The two bantered their way to the Great Hall, which was already abuzz with lively chatter.
"If I'm not mistaken," Hermione squinted her eyes, "the news about the Chamber of Secrets being resolved has somehow spread again, hasn't it?"
Glenn remained silent. He was used to this sort of thing by now.
The damage caused in the second-floor corridor during their battle with the Serpent had been repaired by the professors overnight. So, students coming down from the upper floors wouldn't have been able to deduce anything from the corridor's condition.
Glenn suspected that Dumbledore had followed him and Hermione the entire time, observing the skirmish and chase from the shadows, and repairing the corridors as he went.
Of course, it was likely Dumbledore himself who had leaked the news to reassure the frightened students. Glenn didn't mind—after all, the credit for resolving the incident wouldn't go to him or Hermione anyway. While they were somewhat involved, it wasn't significant enough to matter. Let Dumbledore do as he pleased.
Eavesdropping slightly on the surrounding students' conversations, Glenn confirmed that the situation was indeed as he and Hermione had anticipated. The Chamber of Secrets, the monster within, and the Heir of Slytherin had all apparently been dealt with by some mysterious figure.
As the two of them sat down, Glenn felt a distinct gaze directed at them. It was different from the others.
"Ginny Weasley, is it?"
Without changing his posture, Glenn extended his heightened perception in that direction and quickly identified the owner of the gaze.
Hermione, too, noticed Ginny's stare. Unlike Glenn, who chose to ignore it, she turned around casually and met Ginny's eyes.
"Ginny looks a bit uneasy... but mostly grateful," Hermione murmured.
Since gaining access to the power of Sanctity within her, Hermione's already sharp intuition had become even keener. She could instantly discern the emotions behind the flicker in Ginny's eyes.
Knowing that Dumbledore would share a "modified truth" of the events with Ginny, Hermione wasn't flustered by Ginny's grateful gaze.
She winked at Ginny, gave a playful smile, and pressed her index finger lightly to her lips.
"Shh~"
She mouthed, signaling secrecy.
...
"Even if you don't seek gratitude from others, I believe that as someone who has been helped, Ginny has the right to know who saved her. She also has the right to express her gratitude to the one who pulled her back from the brink of death.
"I understand your desire for anonymity, Glenn, and your concerns, but I can assure you that Ginny Weasley will keep this secret. Once she makes a promise, she won't speak of it to anyone else.
"I trust the Weasleys, and I stake my reputation as Albus Dumbledore on this."
...
Glenn replayed Dumbledore's words in his mind.
...
"Fine, but the truth needs to be adjusted."
That had been his reply.
"For instance, the main credit for this should go to someone who doesn't actually exist."
That had been his condition.
...
"The incident has been resolved. The crisis within Hogwarts has been eliminated!"
As the students had speculated, Dumbledore made the announcement.
"The remnants of a thousand years ago, the grievances of fifty years past, were eradicated last night by the Watcher Professor. From today onward, students will no longer face harm from within Hogwarts.
"And the students attacked by the monster in the Chamber will soon recover once Professor Sprout's next batch of Mandrakes is ready. There's no need to worry."
"That's all for tonight. You may begin your feast!"
Clearly, Dumbledore was unwilling to fully disclose the details of the Chamber's secrets at this time. Such information would only cause unnecessary anxiety among the students.
As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking, the Great Hall erupted into thunderous cheers. It was the sound of students, relieved of their deep-seated fears, celebrating the return of their safe and normal lives.
Of course, their joyous cheers were accompanied by loud chants of a certain professor's name.
"Watcher Professor!" "Watcher Professor!" "Watcher Professor!"
The waves of chants grew louder and louder, as the students released the pent-up tension they had been carrying.
"Where is the Watcher Professor?" "Yeah, where is he?" "We want to thank him in person!"
Realizing that the mysterious professor they had only seen once at the first Dueling Club meeting was absent from the staff table, the students began clamoring.
Naturally, Dumbledore had anticipated this reaction and prepared an explanation.
"Your Watcher Professor is resting in his quarters after last night's exhausting efforts. He won't be attending tonight's feast."
...
After a brief silence, the students exchanged glances before breaking into chatter.
"Oh!" "That's a shame, but the professor should get some rest!" "Yeah! We can thank him later!" "..."
Listening to the students' concern for the mysterious Watcher Professor, Hermione cast a playful glance at Glenn.
"How does it feel to be praised by so many people?"
She asked teasingly.
Glenn's expression remained unchanged.
"I don't feel anything."
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