Chapter 96: Who is the Heir of Slytherin?
"Good. The school hasn't been peaceful lately. I hope that after learning these spells, you can use them to protect yourself and your fellow Slytherins."
Snape's expression was serious, but George was a bit puzzled:
"But we Slytherins are all..."
He stopped mid-sentence and quickly changed his tone, smiling:
"I understand. I'll protect my classmates and friends."
Slytherins were either pure-bloods or half-bloods. Logically, the opening of the Chamber of Secrets shouldn't pose a threat to Slytherin students. So Snape's words must have had another meaning.
After a moment of thought, George roughly guessed the reason.
It was simple. Snape hoped that after learning these spells, George could step in and help if students from other houses, especially Harry, were in danger.
Snape deeply disliked Harry because he resembled James, who had bullied him in the past.
But he was also obligated to protect Harry because Harry was the child of Lily, the woman he had loved.
Dumbledore didn't share everything with Snape. From Snape's perspective, the opening of the Chamber of Secrets posed a danger to Muggle-born students and Harry.
This was also why Snape was assisting the insufferable Lockhart in teaching students dueling skills.
Although Snape wasn't as fair as McGonagall, as a Hogwarts professor, he still had a duty to protect all students, including Muggle-borns.
Of course, Snape would never openly admit this.
Snape knew that George was friends with Harry and Hermione and often studied with them. If they were in danger, George's mastery of the Sectumsempra Curse could be of great help.
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As the days passed, George spent most of his free time learning the Sectumsempra Curse and the Levicorpus spell.
Hogwarts had been relatively calm lately, with no further petrification incidents, as Voldemort's diary was now in Harry's possession.
However, on the second Sunday of the term, the trio approached George, who was reading in the library, and told him about their recent communication with the diary.
"So you suspect Hagrid is the Heir of Slytherin and released the monster?"
George asked with an amused smile.
"We've known for a while that Hagrid was expelled from school. After Hagrid was removed, the attacks stopped.
Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have received an award."
Harry looked troubled. He didn't want to believe this conclusion, but the evidence pointed to Hagrid.
Hagrid had always been fond of large, dangerous creatures. Last year, he had even tried to raise a dragon in his hut, not to mention the three-headed dog, Fluffy, guarding the Philosopher's Stone.
"We think he might have just wanted to free the monster and didn't realize it would kill people."
Ron added, trying to soften the accusation.
George turned to Hermione, who was looking down:
"We don't really believe it either, so we came to ask for your opinion. I know you often visit Hagrid's hut."
"To be honest with you, it can't be Hagrid."
George stated firmly.
The trio's eyes lit up.
"Why?"
"First, Slytherin was a wizard who placed great importance on blood purity. He wouldn't choose someone with giant blood as his heir.
Second, since Dumbledore trusts Hagrid, it means Dumbledore doesn't believe Hagrid was responsible for what happened back then.
Finally, we can't take everything the diary says at face value. Who knows if the scenes it showed are real? Maybe the diary's owner is the real heir and is framing Hagrid."
George spoke calmly and then suggested:
"If you're unsure, I suggest you ask Hagrid directly. Or, if you're uncomfortable, I can ask him for you."
Although George wanted the Chamber of Secrets incident to escalate, he didn't want Hagrid to be wrongly accused and sent to Azkaban, as in the original story.
Azkaban was a terrible place, where the Dementors fed on prisoners' emotions, making it as torturous as enduring the Cruciatus Curse.
Hagrid was a kind-hearted and simple man who had taught George many useful things over the past year. Compared to Dumbledore, George preferred people like Hagrid.
Even if Hagrid didn't go to Azkaban, the Chamber of Secrets incident would eventually lead to Dumbledore being temporarily removed from the school, so there was no conflict.
Moreover, clearing Hagrid's name could reduce Dumbledore's suspicions about George and earn him some goodwill.
"You're right, George! If Hagrid were really the heir, Dumbledore wouldn't trust him so much!"
Hearing George's explanation, Harry's mood immediately improved.
Ever since the evidence pointed to Hagrid as the likely culprit, Harry had been feeling down.
"We really shouldn't ignore this. If there are more attacks, Hagrid might be arrested again.
George, let's go ask Hagrid together."
Hermione also agreed with George's reasoning.
Ron scratched his head:
"Alright, let's hope this is a pleasant visit."
He was already imagining how awkward it would be when they asked Hagrid if he had released some wild, hairy creature in the castle.
That afternoon, they visited Hagrid's hut.
"Why didn't you let me know in advance? I could've made some rock cakes for you."
Hagrid, who was dealing with moles near the school gates, was delighted to see George and the trio.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked nervous as they spoke:
"Hagrid, we came to ask you... ask you... ask you..."
Seeing them stammering, George decided to step in:
"Hagrid, we heard that you were expelled because of the monster from the Chamber of Secrets that killed Myrtle. We wanted to ask you what really happened."
"Oh, that."
Hagrid sighed:
"I didn't want to bring it up again, but since the Chamber has been opened and there have been two attacks, I think it's important to tell you.
I didn't open the Chamber back then. I was framed..."
Hagrid then explained the events of 1943.
When Hagrid was a student, he had obtained an Acromantula egg from a traveler and secretly hatched it at Hogwarts, naming it Aragog.
Later, when the Chamber was opened and a student named Myrtle was killed, everyone except Dumbledore believed Hagrid had released the Acromantula to attack her.
Thanks to Dumbledore's intervention, Hagrid wasn't sent to Azkaban but was expelled and made the gamekeeper.
(End of Chapter)