Chapter 38: 38. Happy's Frightening Genius
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"Wait! Mrs. Norris was supposed to be petrified! Why is Professor Lockhart petrified here?!"
Happy saw the body of Professor Lockhart on the floor, frozen like ice.
He felt his heart beat utterly fast while he tried to wonder what else had changed because he existed in the world. He reckoned many lords and dark wizards under the service of Voldemort had their timelines disturbed ever since the news of his blood carrying luck potion came out.
Happy's eyes darted around the hallway, scanning the walls for any signs of a message. His heart still pounded in his chest as he took slow steps forward, careful not to disturb the scene.
Suddenly, footsteps appeared, and the professors came, followed by Harry, Ron, and Hermione; looking panicked.
Happy's eyes flickered to Mrs. Norris in Flich's arms, who also came with the group, 'Was she also petrified?'
"My poor Mrs. Norris," Filch croaked, his eyes red-rimmed with tears.
Happy looked at the body on the ground and realized he was in the worst place at the worst time. But, being smart, instead of trying to defend, he acted like an investigator. "Great timing, professors. Professor Lockhart seems to be petrified somehow."
"How did that happen?" Professor McGonagall asked him.
Happy shrugged. "I don't know. I was looking for Harry and the rest when I stumbled across the Professor's body. What happened to him? He can be healed, am I right?"
The professors looked at each other's faces, knowing well that they could not blame Happy right away as they didn't even understand the situation at that time.
"Yes, we should be able to cure him," Dumbledore said. "Return to your dorms now. It's long past curfew by now."
Happy felt the eyes on him, many filled with suspicion even. There was no doubt his previous duel with the professor was going to come into question. But he silently left as he had the benefit of the doubt since Mrs. Norris was also petrified. He was happy to leave, not wanting to deal with the massive snake or what was supposed to be Harry's mess. He had enough things to deal with anyway.
Of course, he felt worried for the future as well since the dueling class where Harry was going to speak to snake was not going to happen anymore. How will the plot move forward? How will Harry confront the snake and realize his ability to talk to them?
The fact that the future had become so uncertain made him feel anxious at times. But he tried his best to be stoic and not worry about what had not happened yet.
He just followed his friends to the Common Room. But as expected, they didn't go to sleep right away.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over them after the incident with Professor Lockhart and Mrs. Norris. Despite their exhaustion, they found themselves unable to sleep and decided to spend the night in the Gryffindor Common Room.
They huddled together on a couch near the fireplace, watching the flames dance and flicker in the darkness.
As they sat there in silence, Happy rummaged through his inventory and pulled out a bag of marshmallows.
"Anyone want to make some marshmallows?" he asked.
The idea of roasting marshmallows by the fire was too tempting to resist, and soon they were all gathered around the hearth.
"How are you? You've been avoiding us for the past few days." Hermione asked Happy worriedly.
Happy answered honestly. "I've been training my magic for fighting mainly. Inside the school, I'm safe, but I won't be staying here forever. Outside, my head is worth a lot of gold."
The three looked down as they felt powerless. They knew not how to help him, nor did they have any resources to do so. Ron felt more helpless as he knew that his father might be an employee of the ministry; it was such a low rank that it made no difference.
Happy chuckled and took out a bag of chocolates next. "Come on now, no need to be depressed. It's useless to worry about the future. As long as I prepare well, I have nothing to worry about. But I'm afraid I won't be meeting you three during the summer holidays for the next few years."
"Why?" Ron asked.
"I will be living in secrecy during that time. I have no idea who will be after me, so it's better not to take any chances. After all, you can imagine who'd love to get their hands on infinite luck." Happy said as he glanced at Harry and nodded.
Indeed, the world may not believe it, but Harry had firsthand seen Voldemort on the backside of Professor Quirrell's head. The evil wizard was still alive and trying to return to life. Harry could imagine Happy's blood being valuable to him.
"Be careful," Harry advised. "You can come and live at my home if you ever need to. I'm sure my aunt and uncle would love it."
Happy chuckled, remembering how he dealt with the obnoxious couple with some money. "Got it, Harry."
"You can stay at my home as well." Ron and then Hermione suggested.
Happy clearly said no to them. "Then what? Put your families in danger as well? Hermione, your family doesn't even know magic. How would they respond if someone were to attack? And you, Ron? Are you sure your house will withstand the attack?"
They lowered their heads and nodded. Indeed, there was nothing they could do to help him.
"So let's not worry and just go to sleep." Happy rose. "What happened to Professor Lockhart may just be a warning about something ominous that's about to happen. So be careful."
With that, Happy returned to his dorm room to sleep. After all, he had a lot to think about before making a master plan.
....
Eventually, Sunday morning arrived, and Happy made his way to the Quidditch pitch to train Cho Chang as he had promised. Cho was already waiting for him, looking nervous. Happy wondered if she had heard and believed the rumors spreading around school about him.
"Ready to get started?"
"Um, yeah," she replied, her voice hesitant. "Can I ask you something first?"
"Of course," Happy said, gesturing for her to follow him on her broom and get used to the feeling.
"I heard a few from Slytherin talking. Did you...petrify Professor Lockhart?" Cho asked, her eyes fixed on him.
"What? Why would you think that?" Happy exclaimed, "No, I didn't petrify him. I found him frozen on the floor while walking through the corridor."
"Then what do you think happened to him?" Cho asked.
"I don't know, but something dangerous is lurking around the school. So hear my advice—I want you to be careful and not walk around alone at night," Happy said, concern etched on his face.
"What is so dangerous in a school?"
"I don't know..." Happy shrugged and flew away. "Let's practice and leave that to the professors,"
Soon, Cho started feeling comfortable flying around Happy as they continued to practice. She often tried to make small talk but only received short, stoic replies.
Sadly, Happy was in no mood of spending time in leisure and only came to train her as he had promised.
Still, he didn't do it half-heatedly and seriously taught her how to fly fast and better. He knew better than to take out his frustration or anger with those who had nothing to do with the bad things.
"Faster! Lower your head more for better speed!"
He broke the poor girl until she began to pant and feel sore all over her body. The first day at Quidditch practice was like the first day at the gym, beginning with a full-body workout.
"I can't walk!" She groaned after laying down on the ground. "Why does my entire body hurt?
In the end, he had to help her reach the Ravenclaw common room.
...
Eventually, the moment he was waiting for arrived. As the next day, Happy found himself sitting in front of Professor Snape after the class was over. This time, he came to meet him on his own accord.
Happy realized his methods to guilt trip Snape had worked. And the man now looked at him as if he saw his younger self in Happy.
"What happened to Professor Lockhart?" Snape questioned coldly. "The rumors will not help you go too far. The ministry is also taking the matter seriously. I don't suspect you, nor does any other faculty, but the ministry will take any scapegoat they can find."
Happy sighed and avoided looking into the man's eyes. "I found him petrified while walking; there is nothing else to the story. I don't have the reason nor the ability to do something like that to a grown wizard. Isn't it rather silly to believe I did something to a wizard who was awarded 'Order of Merlin 3rd class'?"
Snape suddenly smirked for a split second. Of course, he loved seeing Happy ridicule Lockhart. The man was as obnoxious as a human could be.
"You must remain alert," Snape advised. "It is your last name that matters to most, not your actions or reasoning. Many in the Ministry would love to interrogate you just for being a Lestrange and further their career."
Happy shrugged. "Of course they do. Torturing a child is all those incompetent folks can accomplish. While the storm brews outside and that unspeakable man tries to return to power, the ministry lives in their own happy little dream."
Snape frowned. "It appears you know more than you let out."
Happy threw the bait, and the man took it. "Professor, my father was the original first Death Eater. Of course, I know more than any. I even know what…Leave it. You can't do anything to something so powerful."
Snape glared at him. "You will not leave until you tell me, Lestrange. What is it?"
Happy marveled at his own bright mind for manipulating the intelligent professor. Truly, sometimes he felt his genius was...almost frightening.
So, he made a scared face and exclaimed aloud.
"A Basilisk, Professor! A Basilisk in Hogwarts!"
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