The next day.
The weather was fine and sunny, with a clear sky.
Everything seemed to be the same as usual.
The only difference was that, in the past, when professors asked questions in class, Argus had always left it to chance.
He would answer if he was called on, and he would listen attentively if he was not.
But today he seemed more proactive, almost like Hermione had possessed him.
He raised his hand to answer.
His extensive knowledge, combined with abundant practical experience, made his answer even more perfect than the standard answer.
Professor McGonagall nodded approvingly, and the young wizards around her looked on with admiration.
There was only one exception!
Ron!
The jealousy in his eyes was almost overflowing!
Even Harry, who sat next to him, noticed the distorted expression on his face!
As someone who had regarded Argus as his lifelong enemy since the beginning of his enrollment, how could he tolerate the other party showing off like this!
What upset him even more was that his family treated Argus extremely well!
They were even better than to one's own family member!
These past few days, his mother, Mrs. Molly, even prepared a sweater for Argus!
Even his own son didn't have a sweater like that!
"That evil Slytherin must have used some kind of Dark Arts to bewitch others and make them fascinated by him!"
"I've read in storybooks that many dark wizards use evil magic for their own ulterior motives!"
"Argus isn't that kind of person…" Harry replied weakly.
"Of course he is! You see him disappearing every day, he's definitely up to something..."
Ron spoke louder and louder, completely unaware that everyone's eyes were now focused on him.
"Mr. Weasley! If you don't pay attention in class, I won't hesitate to kick you out!"
Professor McGonagall's serious voice rang out.
A burst of laughter erupted in the classroom, and everyone looked at Ron with mocking eyes.
His already bright red hair contrasted sharply with his flushed cheeks.
"I'm...I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall!"
One lesson made him the laughingstock of everyone once again.
A slight smile played on Argus's lips, a dark glint in his eyes.
There was no need to use any special methods to deal with this kind of brainless person.
A little provocation was enough to hook him.
After class, Ron led Harry away amidst countless jeers.
Argus, however, was surrounded by a group of female admirers and chatted and laughed with others.
He even had the time to give the two of them a mocking look.
This enraged Ron!
"That wretched dark wizard! Don't let me get a chance, or I'll definitely teach him a lesson!"
"Alright, Ron, Argus didn't do anything, he just answered a few questions. If you want, you can answer them too." Harry was speechless at his friend's words.
He was just easily swayed, and his previous life had been too lonely; he'd never made any friends.
This led to difficulties in handling interpersonal relationships.
But that didn't mean he was stupid!
To put it bluntly, Argus was from a completely different world than them, and there was absolutely no reason for him to target them.
It was all just Ron's jealousy at work.
But his words struck a nerve with Ron.
If Ron had that ability, he would have been showing it off long ago!
It was precisely because he lacked it that he was so jealous of Argus!
"Are you still my friend?! Why do you keep speaking up for that dark wizard?!"
"Of course I am, but Argus… he is too…"
"What is he! He is the evil Slytherin, the enemy of Gryffindor!"
Ron roared at Harry.
His tone betrayed a guilty conscience and fear that he himself was unaware of.
Since enrolling in school, his greatest reliance had been his friend, the Savior. If even that barrier was gone, his future life was unimaginable.
"I must uncover his conspiracy!"
"You'll help me, right, Harry?"
Feeling Ron's burning gaze, Harry initially wanted to refuse, but after hesitating for a long time, he finally nodded.
"But how can the two of us conduct an investigation?"
"I've already thought about this!"
Ron excitedly pulled Harry to a corner.
His eyes kept scanning his surroundings, as if he were carrying out some secret operation.
"We'll keep an eye on where he goes every day. If he wants to perform those evil rituals, he will definitely find a secluded place to do them secretly."
"If we catch him, we can expose his conspiracy!"
Harry was speechless for a moment.
He thought Ron had some great ideas!
It turned out it was all just stalking!
Everyone knew that Argus lived a monotonous life, so what could they possibly find out by tracking him?
Unfortunately, Ron was too caught up in his own thoughts to notice Harry's disappointment.
"Then we..."
"Let's start now! I refuse to believe he can keep up the act forever!"
...
Argus finished dealing with the potion in Snape's office in the evening.
Seeing Ron pretending to stroll around in the corner and Harry looking guilty, Argus couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
With this level of skill, they dared to even try tracking?
Shouldn't they use their brains a little?
The two of them were usually more afraid of Snape than of each other, and now they dared to linger outside his office?
Even someone with a brain could tell something was wrong!
However, he did not expose them. After having dinner in the hall, he returned to the Slytherin common room with Draco and the others.
A number of people had already gathered in the lounge.
With Halloween just around the corner, even though most of the Slytherin snakes were of noble birth, they were unusually excited.
Organized by several senior students, they took the initiative to decorate the lounge lobby.
The originally slightly gloomy atmosphere became much warmer.
In high spirits, the group chattered excitedly about what kind of candy they should prepare.
"The opportunity has arrived!"
Argus waved his wand and stepped forward to help, drawing surprised glances from several little girls.
Draco looked surprised: "That's rare! You didn't go straight back to your dorm to study today!"
"I'm not a bookworm who only knows how to read books all day. Halloween is just around the corner, so we need to prepare some candy and costumes."
"That's true!" Draco had no doubt.
In the West, Halloween was as important as Qingming Festival in the East.
The meanings were different: Qingming Festival in the East was mainly about remembering loved ones, while Halloween in the West was about warding off evil spirits and praising autumn.
"What is Argus planning to dress up as for Halloween?"
Pansy seemed very interested in this and took the initiative to ask.
"I can't tell you that; you'll find out when the time comes."
"However, it seems that Professor Snape's office is unprepared."
"I guess I'll be spending this year all alone, right?"
"That must be it! I spent three years at Hogwarts, and every year the professors would leave right after dinner, sigh!" A female upperclassman chimed in.
"I go to the professor's office every day and he is always alone. He must be quite lonely."
Argus made a brief, unintentional remark, leaving it at that, and offered no further advice.
Seeing several senior students deep in thought, he nodded in satisfaction.
He had witnessed it when he was in school in his previous life.
Every class had a few conspicuous individuals who liked to flirt with the teacher, whether they had something to do or not.
Chat with teachers during breaks, give them gifts or hang out with them on holidays.
With them taking the lead, the other students had no choice but to follow suit!
This would force Draco and the others to go with them to Snape's office.
Once people from other houses found out, they would naturally follow suit to save face for their own house.
With people from several houses gathered together, it was not something that could be resolved in a short time.
In this way, it would be perfectly reasonable to use the professor to protect the people around him.
Even if Voldemort knew, he couldn't blame him.
After all, he didn't propose the idea, and he didn't even participate!
Why should he be involved?!
....
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