C107(2)

The seventh-year wizards were busy preparing for graduation. Among them, those skilled in Herbology and Potions were recommended by Kain to join his shop, as he was planning to open a new branch soon and would need more manpower. 

Meanwhile, sixth-year wizards were focused on advancing their studies, while those taking the N.E.W.T.s could more easily handle their final year due to their preparation.

Fifth-year students, on the other hand, were occupied with their O.W.L. exams. Knowing the O.W.L.s involve actual combat, Kain wrote to Lupin and sent him two hundred Galleons, requesting a compiled guide on exam topics.

When the fifth-year students received the study materials Kain had provided, they cheered enthusiastically. 

Although the content was over a decade old, the Ministry of Magic hadn't significantly updated the exam format in years, making the preparation guide highly effective.

However, some bold female students tried to use this as an opportunity to approach Kain and even attempted to offer kisses. 

Their actions seemed organized and premeditated, but Kain, quick to react, blocked them with a barrier spell. While one or two admirers might have been manageable, a crowd of them was overwhelming.

For first- to fourth-year students, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were relatively straightforward. Memorizing Kain's lectures and performing well in the final duel class almost guaranteed a perfect grade.

Upon returning to Hogwarts from the Forbidden Forest, Kain often encountered students on his way.

"Professor!"

"Professor Pent!"

Kain always greeted them individually. Yet, he was known among the students for being elusive outside class. Rumors spread that only Hermione Granger seemed to see Professor Pent regularly.

One rumor claimed that a bold student had once sent Professor Pent an inappropriate gift—specifically clothing—which caused him to avoid staying on school grounds often. Though unconfirmed, the story circulated persistently, and many believed it to be true.

Kain, however, remained oblivious to such gossip. No one dared bring it up during class, and outside class, Hermione was the only student who would converse with him regularly.

Today, once again, his search for unicorns had yielded nothing.

When Kain returned to his Defense Against the Dark Arts office, he noticed the door was unlocked.

"Hermione?"

He entered to find the faint aroma of potion brewing. The cauldron was bubbling away, but the room was empty. He had given Hermione permission to use his office for brewing potions, and she often took advantage of this privilege.

"She probably stepped out to the bathroom," Kain mused.

He approached the cauldron and inspected its contents. Based on its peachy aroma, he guessed it might be an intelligence-enhancing potion. However, with his limited knowledge of potion-making, he couldn't be entirely sure.

It's best not to disturb a potion during its brewing process, and Hermione had likely left after ensuring everything was properly arranged.

Sitting at his desk, Kain suddenly remembered he hadn't tormented Tom's diary in quite some time. The idea of using fiendfyre on it was tempting—after all, the diary was a malicious object.

However, when Kain went to retrieve the diary, he discovered it was missing.

"Where's the diary? Did Hermione take it?"

It was difficult for anyone else to enter his office without permission, and among the younger students, only Hermione might know the counter-spell to unlock the protective wards.

 Still, Hermione should have known it was a dark magic artifact and wouldn't tamper with it lightly.

"Professor Pent!"

A sudden shout interrupted his thoughts. Harry and Ron appeared at the office door, both out of breath.

"What's the matter?" Kain asked, standing up.

"There's been an incident!" Harry blurted.

Kain's expression turned serious. "Where's Hermione?"

"Hermione? What does this have to do with her?" Harry asked, confused. "The accident happened to a fifth-year Gryffindor. Near the Gryffindor Tower, one of the seniors was attacked and has been petrified by a very powerful spell."

Kain frowned. "Ron, go back and wait for updates. Harry, come with me."

Without waiting for a response, Kain cast a levitation spell on Harry, causing him to float behind, and then used a flying spell to rush directly to the second-floor girls' bathroom.

A minute later, Harry, still levitating, landed beside him and looked around nervously. "Professor, this is the girls' bathroom."

"I know," Kain replied curtly, pointing to the sink beside him. "Now use your Parseltongue to tell this sink to open."

"Open."

"You're speaking English, Harry."

Kain sighed, reminding himself that Harry's Parseltongue ability came from Voldemort's soul fragment. It was possible he couldn't summon the ability when he was nervous.

Before Harry could try again, Kain conjured a small, illusionary black snake that slithered toward Harry. The sight startled him into instinctively switching to Parseltongue, though all he managed to say was, "Back up, back up fast!"

"Harry, it's a fake snake. Just tell it to open, and it'll disappear."

"Open!"

This time, Harry spoke in Parseltongue. The sink instantly shifted aside, revealing a dark passage leading down to the Chamber of Secrets.

"Go back now, Harry. You'll be fine," Kain instructed before using a flying spell to descend into the chamber.

"Professor, I'm a Parseltongue!" Harry protested, wanting to follow. He felt this situation was serious and believed that if he stuck close to Professor Pent, he wouldn't encounter any danger. 

But before Harry could step forward, Kain was already gone.

Harry peered down the passage, but it was pitch-black. He had no idea how far the drop was, and he didn't have his wand with him.

"I should probably inform Professor Dumbledore," Harry muttered to himself.

Convincing himself this was the right course of action, he turned and ran out of the bathroom.

….

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