Chapter 456

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-Still in Professor McGonagall's Office-

"Well, professor, how about we change the subject?" I suggested, wanting to talk about something lighter to make Professor McGonagall put her concern for me aside.

And hearing this Professor McGonagall looked at me with a raised eyebrow, "Oh, this time you're at least going to be paying attention to what I'm going to be saying?" she asked me.

"Obviously," I said indignantly, as if anything more than that was unacceptable.

And Professor McGonagall just looked at me skeptically when I said that.

'I guess she really didn't like being ignored while she was talking all this time' I thought sweating.

I then nodded, before clearing my throat.

"So," I started to say, "Has anything interesting happened to you in the last few days?" I asked.

And hearing my question the feline woman stopped to think for a few seconds, placing a finger on her chin, "Hmm, I can't think of anything that has happened recently" she replied.

She then looked at me, a glint of interest in her eyes, "What about you? Has anything interesting happened to you this week?"

"Well, if you consider pranking Bagman as something interesting, then yes," I said with a shrug.

And Professor McGonagall looked at me with a strange expression when she heard this, "Are you seriously confessing to a teacher that you pranked a ministry employee?" she asked.

"First, that ministry employee was Bagman, so he deserved the prank," I said.

And hearing this, Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, but she couldn't say that I was wrong, since even someone like her felt a certain dislike for the fat little man.

"And secondly, you're not going to turn me over to the authorities for this horrible, cruel crime of mine, right?" I asked with a playful smile.

"I don't know about that," Professor McGonagall said, but there was a small smile on her face.

I then saw Professor McGonagall tilt her head, looking at me with a curious look, "But you know Ethan, I thought that as the Hogwarts champion you would have more to talk about your days at the castle" she said.

"Well, it may not seem like it, but being a champion didn't change much about my school days," I said, and that wasn't a lie, as my days continued normally with me training, studying and having fun with my friends.

But then I stopped, remembering an event that happened this month that was very relevant and important, at least for me and the people involved.

"Actually, something very interesting happened earlier this month," I said, which caught Professor McGonagall's attention.

"Really?" she looked at me with a raised eyebrow, "And what would that be?" she asked.

"Well, on our last visit to Hogsmeade, Harry came to me with a request," I started to say, "And that request was for me to train him, or more specifically, he asked me to teach him how to duel."

"Oh, really?" Professor McGonagall asked, a little surprised.

"Yes," I nodded, "And now at least three times a week Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fleur, and I meet in an abandoned classroom on the fifth floor, where I then train and teach them."

"Are you also training Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, and even Miss Delacour?"

"Professor, did you really think that Harry's two faithful friends wouldn't be with him in this training? Especially Hermione who loves learning new things?" I looked at Professor McGonagall with an amused smile.

"Well, putting it that way, it kind of makes sense" she said with a wry look, "But what about Miss Delacour? She doesn't seem like someone who would be helpless in a fight, and from what I remember, Beauxbatons School has dueling classes."

"That's true," I nodded, "But she thinks I can teach her more than your school can, and in all humility, she's right."

"Oh, very humble indeed," Professor McGonagall joked.

"I know," I said as I waved my hand cheekily, which made her snort, "But back to the training I'm giving them, it's harder and a little more painful than normal, but it's also much more effective."

And hearing this Professor McGonagall nodded, "I see" she said.

But after a few seconds she blinked, before turning to me, "Wait, painful?" she looked at me strangely.

And feeling her gaze on me I looked away, taking a sip of my tea.

"Hmm, this tea is very good," I commented innocently.

"Don't change the subject Ethan," Professor McGonagall glared at me with narrowed eyes, "What do you mean by 'painful'?"

But I pretended not to hear her question, looking at my cup with an analytical gaze, "Do you think Headmaster Dumbledore would agree to let the house-elves sell this tea in the Muggle world? It would definitely be a hit."

"Ethan Night!"

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-Some time later-

I stayed in Professor McGonagall's office for another hour talking and spending time with her, and when we saw that it was getting late we decided to end our afternoon tea.

And after I said goodbye to Professor Animagus I left her office, preparing to head to the Room of Requirement for some light training.

But as soon as I took two steps away from her office I came across Hermione, who was coming towards me with some books in her hands.

"Hi Ethan," she said, stopping in front of me.

"Hi Hermione," I greeted her, before looking at the books she was carrying with a raised eyebrow, "Are you stealing from the library again?" I joked.

"No," she rolled her eyes in amusement, "These books are mine, and I was taking them to Padma who asked to borrow them."

"Oh," I nodded in understanding.

"And you? Where were you coming from?" Hermione asked me.

"Oh, I was having tea with Professor McGonagall," I replied, gesturing with my thumb behind me.

And Hermione then looked behind me, seeing that we were next to the door to our Transfiguration teacher's office.

"Hmm, I see," she nodded.

After that Hermione looked back at me, and I noticed that she was staring at me with an analytical gaze.

And I was going to ask why she was looking at me like that, but then the girl with thick hair approached me, "So, did you find out anything?" She asked me quietly.

"If I find out anything?" I looked at her confused.

"Yeah, about Night, the author of those muggle books," she explained.

And hearing this I blinked for a moment, before my eyes widened slightly in realization, "Oh… Ooh!"

'I had forgotten that I had promised her that I would make Professor McGonagall tell me Night's 'secret' identity' and I thought, mentally palming my forehead.

And seeing me stay silent without answering her question, Hermione waved her free hand in front of my face, bringing my attention to her again.

"Sooo?" she said, looking at me with her eyes shining with expectation as she leaned her body towards me.

"Oh... Uh, I actually haven't found out anything about him yet," I said, pulling away from her a little.

"Aw, seriously?" she asked with a pout.

"Yes, sorry" I said with an apologetic look, "Professor McGonagall doesn't talk much about her personal life or anything like that, and it may not seem like it but she's someone who's really good at keeping secrets."

And hearing this Hermione became disheartened, "Sigh... I know" she said, and I could feel her disappointment.

And seeing this I decided to try to cheer her up a little.

"Look, don't worry. It might be hard to get her to reveal Night's name right now, but if I keep insisting I know she'll eventually tell me it," I said, placing my hands on her shoulders.

"You think so?" She looked at me uncertainly.

"I'm sure," I said, nodding confidently, 'Well, in a way she's already told me the author's name, since every time she says my name she's literally saying his name too.'

And unaware of my thoughts and the fact that I was kind of 'deceiving' her, Hermione glared at me.

And feeling the conviction in my words, the studious girl began to feel her hopes return.

"Okay, I'll trust you," she said, more excited than before.

"Great," I said.

'I just hope that after she finds out the truth she doesn't try to jinx me' I thought, with a tight smile on my face.

End.

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