Capítulo 62: Chapter 62: You Suspect Me, I Suspect You
"Malfoy? He didn't go home for Christmas, of course I saw him around the castle," Sherlock Forester mused aloud. His arms folded across his chest and his gaze pivoted quickly, fixing Hermione Granger with an astute stare, "Why do you ask, Miss Granger?"
Bearing the weight of concealed motives, Hermione instinctively averted her eyes from his inquisitive gaze.
"Well, you cannot deny that Malfoy isn't the most affable individual," she started, her voice trilling with feigned casualness. "We merely wondered if you had exchanged any salutations or pleasantries with him recently?"
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley hadn't looked directly at the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor as Hermione spoke, but, their ears perked up, indicating their deep interest in his response. Sherlock, caught off guard by the seemingly odd question, quirked an eyebrow at Hermione.
"Would assigning him janitorial duties in the toilets be considered as a cordial exchange? Regardless this is really none of your business."
His sharp gaze narrowed, as if he had just unraveled a puzzle piece. "You're not suspecting me of being involved in his petrification, are you?"
Hermione, Harry and Ron were taken aback by his blunt inquiry. Hermione let out a nervous laugh, deflecting any suspicion, while Harry and Ron shared a glance filled with silent communication.
"Of course not, Professor Forester. We are simply trying to satiate our idle curiosity."
"Just friendly chatter, Professor - haha. We would never suspect you of anything."
"'Course not Professor, we have complete trust in you!"
Studying them for a moment, Sherlock finally responded, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Indeed you do. Would you be interested in performing some janitorial duties as a form of cordial exchange?"
The trio backtracked hurriedly, refusing his mock offer. "No, thank you, Professor. We really don't deserve your goodwill, anyways we must be going. Dinner waits for us in the Great Hall. Goodbye, Professor!"
Sherlock watched their hurried departure, unable to suppress a mild chuckle, "To think that they would regard me as a suspect, those meddlesome kids."
No sooner had the young wizards disappeared, Severus Snape appeared, accompanied by Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father.
In Dumbledore's office, Sherlock stood leaning against the wall adorned with portraits of past Hogwarts headmasters. His arms were folded across his chest as he observed Lucius, his face ashen, like he had smeared soot across it.
"I entrusted my son's education and wellbeing to Hogwarts, Dumbledore, and this is how you treat him?!" His anxiety wasn't feigned. It was true, his own family was among the few things he really cared for.
Sitting quietly, Dumbledore responded evenly, "It's our mission at Hogwarts to give our students the greatest care we can. However we are not omnipotent, unfortunately we can't protect the children from things beyond our foresight."
"My son's life is at stake and you think your responsibility ends at empty promises and assurances? You can't run from this, Dumbledore, you will be held accountable, mark my words!" Lucius's eyes were fraught with a volatile mix of fear and anger.
"By tomorrow I will incite a vote amongst the Board of Governors, your tenure at Hogwarts will end with our decision!"
His threat sent ripples of anxiety through both Professor McGonagall and Snape. Meanwhile, Dumbledore remained composed. He glanced at Lucius Malfoy, his voice steady, "Lucius, as a member of the Board, your rights remain steadfast. You can certainly initiate a vote, but we both know you won't."
Lucius's eyes were bloody, his gaze still fixed on Dumbledore. But the clenching of his teeth lessened, and his voice was no longer filled with accusations, "Draco's well-being is all I care about, Dumbledore. I know there isn't a better candidate than you in a situation as dire as this one"
With that, Lucius fell silent, seeming to contemplate his next move. Sherlock, choosing this moment to interact with Fawkes the Phoenix. However, Fawkes seemed uninterested in Sherlock's antics. In response to Sherlock's teasing, Fawkes merely held his head up high, looking at him with a cold gaze that seemed to say "stupid human".
Several minutes elapsed before Lucius spoke again. His tone had mellowed, sounding almost pleading. "He's all I have, Narcissa and I cannot bear to lose him, please... I beg of you.."
Pulled out of their shock at Lucius's vulnerability, Snape and Professor McGonagall turned their attention back towards Dumbledore who assured the desperate father, "Rest assured Lucius, I would do everything in my power to protect Draco even without your appeal. But I have to wonder, how can this predicament be solved? Perhaps do you have something to share, Lucius? We both want this to end, don't we?"
Lucius, however, rebuffed Dumbledore's insinuation, appearing frenetic, "I am not privy to Hogwarts's matters, Dumbledore!"
Dumbledore paused before proposing, "Are you positive you have no information that could aid us?"
After a moment of silence Lucius finally admitted, "The little Weasly girl, Ginny Weasley... something about her doesn't seem right..."
A tense expression on Dumbledore's face eased, while Professor McGonagall looked at Lucius in disbelief. Snape didn't react as strongly, but he shared the same gaze.
"Could we ask for Miss Ginny Weasley from Gryffindor to be brought here please? Thank you, Phineas."
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