Chapter 418

A/N: Do you want to finish reading the book today? Do it! Now you can ;)

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After my words, surprise appeared on the girl's face, which was quickly replaced by a kind of acceptance of this fact.

"I won't be surprised by anything anymore. But what about the prophecy? Although, it could well have been misinterpreted. Or something else. But tell me, Max, did you really have to be the one to do it?"

"Who, if not me? Of course, it was possible to wait until Potter was capable of such a thing. A year, two, ten years? How many different crimes, murders, and violence would the Death Eaters have committed during this time? You know, I don't think there were many really loyal to the Dark Lord. Surely the overwhelming majority saw in him a path to power or a semblance of legalizing their antisocial needs and desire for violence. Now, since the public still doesn't know about Voldemort's death, and some kind of active activity continues to boil in the Ministry, I can assume several options."

"It's pretty obvious," Hermione nodded. "If that's the case, then those of the Death Eaters who are most adequate will try to grab as much as possible or leave the country in a rush. Maniacs and murderers will lurk, werewolves, whose movement of packs has been a concern to some students' parents, will scatter back to their corners. The Daily Prophet wrote about the giants coming down from their camps in Europe not so long ago. I think that has something to do with it, too."

"Funny," I smiled. "I'm sitting here, all bandaged up in my pants and robe, discussing the situation in the country with my friend, and it wasn't long ago that I had a fight to the death."

Hermione smiled and shrugged.

"Well, I asked about your well-being, and I already know about your state of health - I've been directly involved in the diagnosis and treatment myself. Your state of mind is obviously intact, so there's that."

"Have you talked enough?" Delphine came up to us unnoticed and sat down in her seat.

At the same moment, various snacks appeared on the table, and though it was not a dining table, even so, it was quite possible to eat comfortably here.

"Bon appetit, everyone," I nodded and began to eat.

Having conjured Tempus during the meal and making sure it wasn't too late, I decided that after the meal, I should head to Hogwarts and rest there in peace without abusing Lady Greengrass's hospitality.

***

The return to Hogwarts took place after dark and was as casual as ever. Over the past half of the holidays, no one really left school, and the number of remaining students was still very high.

Unnoticed by everyone, under the spell of concealment, Hermione and I went into the common room and took our sofa, keeping a small distance from each other. Nearby, at the table, Dean, Seamus, Lavender, and Parvati were once again suffering from idleness, playing something magical, as before. Holidays allowed us to disregard the dress code, but Dean, as always, was all too fond of wearing exactly the school uniform, perfectly fitted and well-groomed. Our absence didn't seem to bother anyone, or maybe the others didn't even notice it.

Having settled down on the sofa more comfortably and relaxed, I began to create magic constructs without a wand in order to better hear what was happening — I wonder if there were any rumors…

...To my great regret, well, or joy, I haven't decided yet, there are no rumors about Voldemort's death at all. But there are a lot of rumors and assumptions about what the young head of Malfoy was playing with that turned the grounds into ashes, one half of the house literally evaporated, and the other half is a ruin. It would seem that this should not concern the Gryffindors, but no - the assumptions are different, one more beautiful than the other, but they all rest on the fact that "the vile slug has played with Dark Magic." Even the investigative department of the DMLE went there but couldn't establish the exact cause of what happened - the magical manipulations were too strong and erased all traces, and the scorched and destroyed desert can be obtained in many dozens of ways, illegal of which are simply beyond the power of even strong wizards. That's the way things are.

After hearing enough, I said goodbye to those present and went to bed. I hope no one will notice the stinginess and neatness of my movements - you can see that in sick and elderly people who do everything slowly and carefully, so as not to provoke pain in the lower back or elsewhere. That's something that should be obvious. Good thing Delphine gave me a set of potions for the rehabilitation period.

After cleaning myself with magic, because I was too lazy to bandage myself after the shower, I took the potions as recommended and fell into healthy dreamless sleep.