HP: Pure-Blood Glory

Luke originally had class today.

However, Professor Sprout generously agreed to Professor McGonagall's request to have Luke assist her with preparations.

Thus, Luke was now responsible for handling the broad transformations, while Professor McGonagall fine-tuned the details.

Whether it was the floating streamers, the pumpkin heads, or the bats flying through the castle, all were part of their efforts.

"I don't remember us conjuring this many bats, Professor"

Luke said, somewhat bewildered as he looked at the swarm perched in one corner of the Great Hall's ceiling, chirping as if discussing the festive preparations.

"Some of them are real bats that I had Hagrid bring over. After all, the bats we conjure lack the intelligence of real ones. To make their flight look natural, we need the live bats to lead them"

Professor McGonagall explained as she added intricate patterns to the streamers.

Luke nodded, quickly understanding the reasoning.

"You asked Hermione to tell me earlier that there would be an attack, and later, you told me you'd already received confirmation of it..."

Professor McGonagall abruptly brought up the topic.

"The first was based on scattered clues and guesses, while the second was direct confirmation," Luke replied, somewhat helplessly.

"My initial guess came from observing your reactions and the information I gathered during my nighttime wanderings. As for the later confirmation, I still don't know who sent that letter."

Luke knew his explanation wasn't just for Professor McGonagall—it was also indirectly meant for Dumbledore.

Although their relationship seemed to have improved significantly, such peculiar occurrences were bound to attract attention, which gave Luke a headache. He had no desire to gain this kind of notoriety.

Who on earth had sent him the letter? He'd racked his brains and still couldn't figure it out.

But... could Dumbledore, of all people, truly have no clue about the sender? Luke doubted it.

Still, Dumbledore probably wouldn't tell him. And Luke had no intention of asking and inviting unnecessary trouble.

If Dumbledore thought it necessary for him to know, he would naturally summon him.

"In any case, Professor, this has nothing to do with me," Luke said with a bit of contempt.

"If I was involved, I wouldn't have been so sloppy that all these random people managed to figure out the secret."

Seeing his confident expression, Professor McGonagall felt the urge to teach him a lesson but ultimately held back.

How could she explain it? Tell him that this had been under the professors' watchful eyes from the start? That it was all part of Dumbledore's design? That, despite their readiness for any attack, they were carefully orchestrating the situation?

What would be the point of telling him?

If it were an ordinary first-year student, they'd probably just marvel at the professors' capabilities.

But Luke wasn't an ordinary first-year student. He was intelligent and quick-witted.

Telling him might lead to unnecessary speculation.

Thus, less said was better than more, and silence was better than speaking at all.

"You've got time to feel smug? Go and transform all the chairs to fit the Halloween theme!"

Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

Hearing her, Luke could only nod in resignation.

"Yes, yes! Got it!"

With that, Luke turned and walked off in another direction.

Meanwhile, down a different hallway, two short figures were huddled together, making their way through the winding corridors, muttering as they went.

"Harry, do we really have to look for the secret passage today?"

Ron asked, though he already knew it was a pointless question.

"Today's the best chance we've got. Professor McGonagall's busy setting up the venues with Luke, and Percy's off somewhere—who knows where—but at least he's not keeping an eye on us"

Harry said, a rare note of excitement in his voice.

Normally, Harry wasn't eager to take risks. With someone always watching over him, he preferred to play it safe. He wasn't foolish.

While McGonagall's attention toward him didn't quite match her focus on Luke, it still exceeded what she gave even a star student like Hermione.

Based on his years in Muggle schools, Harry had no illusions about why Professor McGonagall might treat him differently than the near-perfect Hermione.

So he usually chose to stay out of trouble. But when Ron came up with something exciting to do, Harry was more than willing to go along.

Adventure and exploration seemed to be ingrained in his very soul. His restless spirit wouldn't settle until it had faced challenges and ventured into the unknown.

"Where else would Percy go? Probably off to Ravenclaw again," Ron scoffed.

"He's always badmouthing Luke while benefiting from everything Luke does. Acting all high and mighty with that superior attitude. And yet Luke treats you better as a brother than Percy ever does."

Ron mercilessly criticized his older brother without any guilt.

Harry considered defending Percy, but after a moment of thought, he decided against it and stayed quiet.

"Do you think Luke would be mad if he knew we were using his map for this?"

Harry suddenly voiced his concern, though the tone of his question leaned heavily toward certainty.

"... He probably wouldn't be, right? Luke's so generous!"

Ron's voice grew louder as he tried to convince himself.

Harry quickly gestured for him to keep quiet, then glanced at the map. Seeing that no one was nearby, he finally relaxed.

"Alright, this has nothing to do with Luke. If we run into a professor, let's just keep our mouths shut and act like nothing happened"

Harry said after some thought, giving Ron a serious warning.

"Got it. The less fuss we cause, the more likely Luke will help us out if we do get in trouble"

Ron said without hesitation.

Then he noticed Harry giving him a strange look.

"Hey! My dad works at the Ministry of Magic, you know. I've heard this kind of thing since I was a kid"

He muttered, almost to himself, "And besides, I am a pure-blood wizard from a noble family, even if I'm not too fond of the title. Still, I got the education that comes with it."

"I remember you didn't like mentioning your noble heritage much before. Why bring it up now?"

"Well... lately, it's not as bad a thing to say, even in Gryffindor"

Ron replied, rubbing his nose.

Then, suddenly, he was yanked by Harry to the side.

"What's wrong?"

He asked nervously, instinctively lowering his voice.

"Someone just showed up on the map. They're taking the secret passage"

Harry said quickly.

Ron's nerves shot up.

"Who? Who is it?"

*****

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