"Are you suggesting... Ginny?" Hermione suppressed her voice, and under Glenn's prompting, fragmented pieces of information in her mind began to reassemble. "Is that... even possible?"
Glenn didn't confirm but simply shared his thoughts.
"After the serpent left that day, while I was hanging on the wall avoiding the crowd, I noticed something—Ginny Weasley wasn't among them." As he spoke, Glenn's hands kept flipping through the book in front of him. "You know, the reason I left during the Halloween feast was to search for her and keep an eye on her, but I couldn't find her anywhere. Hermione, after I left, did you see her at the Gryffindor table?"
"No, actually, when you left, I had a vague idea of what you were up to, so I paid attention," Hermione shook her head, recalling the scene. After Glenn left, thinking that merely sitting and observing might not be thorough, Hermione used the excuse of going to the bathroom to leave her seat and discreetly scan the Gryffindor table. "Until we heard that series of noises in the Great Hall and everyone ran to see the commotion, I never saw her."
"By the way, I also noticed that Harry and Ron were missing too." Hermione glanced at Harry and Ron, who were currently excitedly asking questions, and muttered softly, "It seems like wherever there's trouble, there they are."
Glenn shook his head, indicating he didn't know the reason. "But I think there's a significant chance that those two could be the heirs, even though I have a clear grasp of their movements," he said.
"Because there's one thing that really bothers me." Glenn had thought about it for a long time but still couldn't find an answer. "Harry and that Weasley boy were initially in an empty classroom deep in the basement. But how did they manage to get to the scene faster than you, who were in the Great Hall on the first floor?"
"And before I used the grenade for the first time, they triggered the alarm I set on the wall of the staircase leading from the basement to the upper floors." Glenn flipped another page, trying to find information about the serpent but to no avail. "Considering all this, I think they obtained some information about the serpent's attack in advance through some means."
"But how much they know and how detailed, that's unclear."
"Uh..." Hermione made a disgusted face. "Honestly, just like I don't believe Ginny would inexplicably go to Hagrid's place to kill his rooster, those two..." The little girl pointed her thumb at Harry and Ron, who were grinning foolishly. "...do they really seem like the kind of bad guys who would release a monster and let it attack Muggle-born students at Hogwarts?"
"Emmm, although they are indeed a bit mischievous, they shouldn't be that bad." Hermione spread her hands, then added, "And even if they were, they wouldn't be stupid enough to stay at the scene after committing the crime, waiting to be caught."
"Some people linger at the crime scene after committing a crime, either to observe their masterpiece or to feign innocence." The class bell rang just then, and Glenn closed his book. "But I agree with your view, which is why I think Ginny Weasley, who has always been out of our sight, is more suspicious. As for Harry Potter and Ron Weasley..."
"...we can ask them directly."
"Well, what if they refuse to talk?" Hermione began packing up her desk and asked.
"I brought Veritaserum," Glenn said coldly and emotionlessly.
"But as far as I know, the Ministry of Magic has strict regulations on Veritaserum." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"We can make sure no one sees us," Glenn replied with his usual response to such questions.
Apparently, Hermione had anticipated Glenn's answer and was not surprised at all.
"Wow, what a great idea." The little girl rolled her eyes but didn't seem to want to stop Glenn.
After all, under Glenn's influence, the little girl had already done quite a few things that violated school rules or even magical laws with him, including setting up a "cross-border smuggling passage."
A little Veritaserum? Piece of cake!
However, at this rate, Hermione, who had thoroughly studied Hogwarts' school rules and magical laws, might become the most dangerous outlaw someday.
"But I don't agree with you doing the same to Ginny. She's my friend," Hermione added, seemingly afraid that Glenn would secretly grab Ginny and force-feed her a few bottles of Veritaserum for interrogation.
"Don't worry, I know," Glenn responded without much reaction. He indeed had no such plans.
Before the little girl brought it up today, Glenn had already considered this method but ultimately decided against it.
If Ginny weren't Hermione's good friend, he would have acted.
Interpersonal relationships are truly troublesome.
Trying to balance the little girl's feelings while quickly uncovering the truth about the Chamber of Secrets, the serpent, and Ginny Weasley—or the reason behind her unusual behavior—was indeed challenging.
However... thinking about it, the mysteries and suspicions surrounding Ginny Weasley were piling up. And she was Hermione's friend, meaning the two had frequent interactions...
Maybe Veritaserum after all, followed by a Memory Charm...
"It's also not okay to use Veritaserum on Ginny first and then a Memory Charm to make her forget," the little girl added quietly before Glenn's thoughts could finish forming.
"..." Glenn fell silent.
How does Hermione know everything?
"I know you too well. Honestly, if it weren't for me stopping you, who knows what you'd do." Seeing Glenn's frustration, Hermione proudly put her hands on her hips.
"You need to have a little more faith in me. I know you're worried about me," Hermione reached out and patted Glenn's head. "Although I'm happy to be protected by you, I'm not some burden who always needs someone to shield me."
"I'm working hard to get stronger too!"
Looking at Hermione waving her little fist defiantly, Glenn's lips curved slightly upward.
"Besides, back in primary school, wasn't I the one protecting you every time? I'm even older than you. Little guy, don't worry so much," Hermione hooked her finger and lifted Glenn's chin. "Come on, Little Glenn~ Call me big sister~"
Glenn's lips returned to their usual straight line.
I'll just stay silent.
"""
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