The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 342 The Students' Big Discussion

Chapter 342 The Students' Big Discussion

"Are you telling the truth?"

In a classroom, a group of Pinecone Party students were surrounding Hermione, who was sitting in the middle.

"That's right." Hermione pursed her lips and said softly, "Professor Hamilton—he doesn't look like the Chocolate Frog card at all—"

"She's more like a little girl!"

"A little girl?" A group of students looked at each other in bewilderment.

"But she's very cute—and very pretty," Hermione added after a moment's thought. "She has pointed ears that twitch."

"And then there were eyes like sapphire," Hermione said carefully, "like the sea!"

"But the blue of the sea is not a reflection of the sky—"

"Is this the point?!" A student who interrupted was berated by a group of people.

"Shouldn't the focus be on Professor Hamilton's appearance?"

"Professor Hamilton is alone in the Astronomy Tower—it must be because of his family's betrayal!" A girl was already crying. "He woke up from a coma, all alone—"

"And then he was betrayed by his family—it's just too tragic!" She wiped her tears and pursed her lips. "Professor Hamilton is so pitiful!"

Professor Hamilton, who had just been contemplating whether to turn Peterson into a test subject, sneezed.

"Yeah, yeah, just thinking about that scene makes you feel so sorry for them!"

"In my grief, I can only stand atop the tower of Hogwarts, gazing into the distance, leaning against the wind to soothe my wounded heart—oh! I'm practically crying my eyes out!"

What are you all talking about? — Hermione looked at the students whose discussion was getting more and more heated and didn't know what to say.

No wonder Professor Hamilton was reluctant to remove his mask. If he did, the Veela's allure would surely have them all completely captivated.

But after looking closely, Hermione realized that most of the comments were from girls, and she didn't know what to say next.

"And you know what? This semester is almost over. What if Professor Hamilton doesn't stay at Hogwarts next semester?"

"Yeah, yeah! After all, such a bad thing happened!" These Pinecone Party members seemed to steer the conversation in a strange direction.

"Why don't we try to persuade Professor Hamilton to stay?"

"What will happen to my magic array class if she leaves!"

"Yes, yes! And without Professor Hamilton, I'm completely listless in class all day."

"That won't happen," Hermione said, coughing slightly. "I just saw Professor Hamilton studying magic array textbooks in the library—"

"She won't leave."

"And I also spoke with Headmaster Dumbledore," Hermione blurted out. "He said Professor Hamilton will be working here for a long time too."

"Really? Is this true?"

"Of course it's true." Hermione shrugged helplessly. These things were indeed true, but she didn't know them from Dumbledore or the library.

Rather, it was what they saw in Peterson's office that day, from his memory—except that he didn't see Professor Hamilton's face in his memory—upon closer reflection, it was as if he could forget it.

No wonder he did such wicked things! Hermione felt that if the Ministry of Magic had a ranking of the most despicable and monstrous criminals, Peterson Hamilton would definitely be at the top of the list.

"Alright, let's stop here for today," Ezreal said with a light cough. "We still have classes, don't we?"

"Furthermore—" she said, looking at Hermione and all the students with a slightly serious expression, "It's best if everyone pretends not to know about this."

"Don't tell anyone else either."

"Why?" a student asked, raising his hand.

"Because judging from Professor Hamilton's behavior—she doesn't seem to want others to see her like this—nor does she want—too many people to know about this, right?" Ezreal's words made the students nod subconsciously.

"Then should I not have told you?" Hermione asked slowly, realizing something.

"Ahem, we're different—we're very tight-lipped," several Pinecone Party students quickly said. "We won't tell anyone."

"That would be for the best." Ezreal raised an eyebrow. "Then—meeting adjourned!"

"My next class is Professor Hamilton's class," she said, and quickly left.

Soon, all the students left.

The classroom fell silent once more.

But Hogwarts did not fall into tranquility.

Whether it was some Pinecone Party student who couldn't keep their mouth shut, or someone who had learned a great deal from Hagrid, it didn't take long for the fact that Professor Hamilton was actually a girl of only thirteen or fourteen years old to spread like wildfire throughout Hogwarts.

Professor Hamilton, who originally wore a mask, was the center of all sorts of strange topics. Some people proposed the theory that she was a dark wizard, an old lady, or even that she was Voldemort in disguise.

These topics all disappeared after the Chocolate Frog cards were released, and everyone got used to imagining Professor Hamilton's image on the Chocolate Frog cards under the mask.

But this new rumor has broken the previous convention.

Professor Hamilton doesn't look like the one on the Chocolate Frog card; in fact, she looks like a little girl!

The shocking news that a powerful, aloof, and mysterious professor is actually a student about the same age as himself is bound to cause a sensation at Hogwarts.

The students were immediately excited, which even affected the professors' work.

"Professor Rozier, is Professor Hamilton really a little girl?"

"Is this any of your business?"

"Professor Snape, Professor Hamilton—"

"This is a classroom, not your lounge—shut up with pointless questions!"

"Hagrid, Hagrid, is Professor Hamilton really—hey, don't cover your mouth and run away!"

"Professor Hamilton, what do you think should be done about this?"

"ah----"

Standing in the headmaster's office, he looked at Dumbledore's smiling face and McGonagall's helplessly shaking head.

Loila didn't know what to do either—how could she have known these students were so bored! Or was it because they didn't have enough homework?

"I think we should give them—a lot of homework," Loila said, expressing her idea. "If there's a lot of homework—they won't have time—no time to think about this."

Isn't this a bit too—direct?

McGonagall coughed and said, "I think it's best to just leave it alone."

"The holidays are coming soon. They'll be on vacation for a few months, and when school starts again, they'll have forgotten everything."

"Professor Hamilton, you'll just have to be patient during this time."

Professor McGonagall's idea seemed good—but patience was incredibly difficult; Loila received love letters more frequently than ten times over.

The stove no longer needs firewood.

"Ahem." Dumbledore suddenly spoke up at this moment, coughing lightly as he said, "I do have an idea."

"That is—not wearing a mask."

"Huh?" Are you crazy, Dumbledore, or do you want me dead?

Loila's lips twitched slightly as she looked at Dumbledore.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate, Albus?" McGonagall couldn't help but purse her lips.

"No, no, no," Dumbledore said gently, shaking his head. "The student was just curious."

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"If Miss Hamilton really stopped wearing a mask to class, it might cause a lot of discussion in the first few days, but once the students get used to it, nothing will happen."

"But if Miss Hamilton continues to wear a mask—I believe that such a thing will happen every now and then."

It seems to make sense.

"What kind of logic is that?!" Loila shook her head instinctively. "No—no, no, no, no, that won't work!"

"Going to class without wearing a mask or anything like that —"

"It's alright," Dumbledore said softly. "You can start by not wearing the mask in your daily life."

"Once you've gotten used to it, then we can begin lessons," Dumbledore continued without pausing. "And Miss Hamilton, you're not ugly at all; you're quite beautiful, aren't you?"

"At Hogwarts, the Veela bloodline isn't a curse; it's more like a gift." Dumbledore gave a gentle smile. "A gift from your parents."