Chapter 48: Catgirl Hermione
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Harry and Ron entered the bathroom with dejection. The silence within sparked hope, suggesting Hermione might have evacuated. Ethan and Snape followed them in. Harry and Ron focused on the cubicle where Hermione was, hoping it was empty. Unfortunately, their hope shattered when Hermione's shrill voice echoed.
"Harry, Ron, is that you?" Hermione's voice sounded strange, but Harry and Ron, no longer attentive to such details, felt as if their bones had been removed, realizing their plan had failed.
"Weakly," Harry said, "Hermione, come out quickly. Professor Ethan and Professor Snape are here."
A brief silence ensued before Hermione's sharp cry, "Go away! Please, leave me alone! Leave me alone."
Concerned, Snape asked, "Hermione, are you okay?"
Suspecting Hermione had transformed into a catgirl, Ethan added gently, "I can help you."
Hermione cried, "I can't come out now; please go!"
Ethan reassured her, "Hermione, you can't always stay inside. What happened? I can help you."
Another silence, and then Hermione's weak voice, "Can Harry and Ron leave first? I don't want them to see it."
Suddenly, a white ghost girl with glasses emerged from Hermione's cubicle, laughing sharply. "Wait and see," she said, "It's terrible! There's a good show to watch. Now!" With a sharp laugh, she entered a toilet, splashing water.
Harry and Ron, confused, exchanged curious glances.
"Professor Snape, take Harry and Ron to the Headmaster's office first," Ethan instructed, "I'll rush over after dealing with this."
Expressionless, Snape nodded and led the disheveled Harry and Ron out.
Ethan observed as Snape escorted Harry and Ron out of the bathroom. He turned to Hermione in the cubicle and cautiously whispered, "Okay, Hermione, they've all left."
The door lock slid open, revealing Hermione sobbing with her robe pulled over her head.
Concerned, Ethan asked softly, "What happened, Hermione? What's the matter?" He spoke with care, mindful of her emotions.
Hermione let her robe fall, revealing a face covered in black hair, yellow eyes, and two long pointed ears.
"It was cat hair," she cried mournfully. "Milicent must have a cat. But this potion... it's not meant for transforming animals!"
"It's okay, Hermione. I'll accompany you to find Madam Pomfrey. She'll cure you, and I'll ask her to keep it a secret," Ethan reassured her gently.
"I can't go out like this; my tail is sticking out," Hermione sobbed.
Helplessly, Ethan removed his wizard robe, covered Hermione with it, and led her to the medical wing.
Blind to the path ahead due to the cover, Hermione clutched the corner of Ethan's clothes, and they slowly made their way to the medical room. The unusual sight drew the attention of paintings in the hallway, still asleep, sparking a flurry of artistic activity.
Madam Pomfrey quickly examined Hermione in the medical room while severely reprimanding Ethan. She believed his actions amounted to a severe dereliction of duty as a professor, leading to an outrageous accident.
Unable to refute, Ethan silently accepted Madam Pomfrey's criticism. Despite the scolding, she agreed to treat Hermione and found a bed with a curtain to provide some privacy for her.
Hermione's mood stabilized as she sat silently behind the curtain, contemplating her thoughts.
"Hermione, I need you to explain your plan thoroughly. Harry and Ron have confirmed that Malfoy is not the heir to the Chamber of Secrets. There is a better time for games. It's still dangerous outside," Ethan urged, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Realizing the failure of their plan and being caught by Professors Ethan and Snape, Hermione decided to be transparent. She shared the entire plan with Ethan, who took a deep breath and rubbed his temples in disbelief. Hermione, who seemed well-behaved, had devised a risky strategy, suggesting the Sorting Hat might have put her in Gryffindor for a reason.
"Professor Ethan, am I going to be expelled?" Hermione whispered from behind the bed curtain, her expression hidden.
"Don't worry, I'll speak up for you. I don't want to see such a good assistant dismissed," Ethan reassured her in a relaxed tone.
Silence lingered behind the bed curtain as Hermione processed the situation. Ethan suggested she rest, intending to go to the headmaster's office.
Just as Ethan turned to leave, Hermione spoke again, her voice small, "Professor Ethan, are we good?"
Turning back, Ethan replied gently, "Yes, we are. Get some rest." With that, he bid farewell to Hermione and left the medical wing.
Harry and Ron faced difficulties as they endured Snape's cynicism on the way to the headmaster's office. Snape also informed Professor McGonagall about the incident. Finally reaching the headmaster's room, the trio anticipated a challenging encounter.
The headmaster had yet to appear in Dumbledore's office, and Snape lost interest in lecturing the two. Harry and Ron huddled in the corner, enduring an unbearable silence.
After a while, Dumbledore finally entered, wearing snow-white pajamas and a robe with a purple and gold design. His blue glasses peered curiously at the trio through the half-moon glasses.
"I suppose something important must be afoot to disturb an old man's sleep in the middle of the night," Dumbledore joked, though no one found it amusing.
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