Marvel's Magic Master: I Have a Clone in the Harry Potter World!

"Alright, the school has been unsettled lately. I hope that after learning these spells, you can use them wisely to protect yourself and your fellow Slytherins."

Snape spoke with a serious expression, but George felt puzzled.

"All of us Slytherins are…"

Halfway through his sentence, George abruptly stopped and changed his tone, smiling as he said:

"I understand. I'll do my best to protect my friends and classmates."

Slytherins were either purebloods or half-bloods, so logically, the opening of the Chamber of Secrets shouldn't pose a threat to them. Snape's words clearly held a deeper meaning.

It didn't take long for George to figure out the reason.

It was simple: Snape wanted George, once he had mastered the spells, to be able to help other students, especially Harry, if they were in danger.

Snape despised Harry because he resembled James, who had bullied him in their youth.

However, he was also compelled to protect Harry, as he was the son of Lily, the woman Snape had loved deeply.

Dumbledore wouldn't tell Snape everything, but in Snape's view, the re-opening of the Chamber of Secrets and the monster within posed a grave danger to Muggle-born students and Harry.

This was also why Snape reluctantly assisted the insufferable Lockhart by teaching students dueling techniques.

While Snape wasn't as impartial as McGonagall, he still believed in protecting all students at Hogwarts, including Muggle-borns.

Naturally, Snape would never openly admit any of this.

Knowing that George often studied with Harry and Hermione, Snape likely hoped George's mastery of spells like Sectumsempra could help protect them if needed.

As the days passed, George devoted much of his free time to mastering the spells Sectumsempra and Levicorpus.

Hogwarts remained calm during this time, with no new reports of students being petrified—mainly because Voldemort's diary was now in Harry's possession.

The calm ended on the second Sunday of the term when Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached George in the library. They shared the results of their communication with the diary the previous week.

"So, you suspect Hagrid is the heir of Slytherin and released the monster from the Chamber?"

George asked, his tone tinged with amusement.

"We've known for a while that Hagrid was expelled. Ever since he was removed, the attacks stopped. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have received his award for special services to the school."

Harry looked deeply troubled. He hated the idea, but all the evidence pointed to Hagrid.

Hagrid's fascination with massive creatures was well-known. Last year, he tried to raise a dragon in his hut and was the caretaker of Fluffy, the three-headed dog that guarded the Philosopher's Stone.

"We think he didn't mean for the monster to harm anyone—maybe he just wanted to set it free," Ron speculated.

George turned his gaze to Hermione, who was looking down at the table.

"We don't really believe it, either," she admitted quietly. "That's why we wanted to ask your opinion. You've spent time with Hagrid in his hut, haven't you?"

"Honestly, it's impossible for Hagrid to be the heir," George said with certainty.

The trio's eyes lit up at his response.

"Why?"

"First of all, Slytherin valued blood purity above all else. He would never choose someone with giant blood as his heir.

Second, if Dumbledore trusts Hagrid, it's a strong indication that he doesn't believe Hagrid opened the Chamber.

Finally, you shouldn't blindly trust everything that diary says. For all you know, Riddle himself could be the heir and just framed Hagrid to cover his tracks."

George paused before offering a suggestion: "I think you should talk to Hagrid directly about this. Or, if you're too nervous, I can ask him for you."

George didn't want Hagrid to endure the same fate as in the original timeline, where he was sent to Azkaban after being falsely accused.

Azkaban, with its soul-sucking Dementors, was a place of torment that rivaled the Cruciatus Curse.

Hagrid was a kind-hearted man who had taught George much in their time together. Compared to Dumbledore's manipulative tendencies, George genuinely admired people like Hagrid.

Helping Hagrid clear his name wouldn't interfere with George's plans. He still anticipated that Dumbledore would eventually be forced out of Hogwarts temporarily, even if Hagrid avoided imprisonment.

And by aiding Hagrid, George could earn Dumbledore's trust and goodwill—a tactical bonus.

"You're right! If Hagrid really were the heir, Dumbledore wouldn't trust him so much," Harry said, visibly relieved.

Ever since evidence had pointed to Hagrid, Harry's mood had been clouded by doubt and dread.

"If we ignore this and more attacks happen, Hagrid could be falsely accused again. George, let's talk to Hagrid together," Hermione urged.

Ron scratched his head awkwardly. "Alright, let's just hope this visit doesn't get too awkward."

That afternoon, the four of them headed to Hagrid's hut.

"You lot should've told me you were coming! I could've baked some rock cakes for you," Hagrid exclaimed warmly as he spotted them near his garden.

Standing at the gate, he had just finished dealing with a pesky mole infestation.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione hesitated nervously before blurting out together: "Hagrid, we wanted to ask you about… about…"

Seeing their struggle, George stepped in smoothly:

"We heard about your expulsion years ago—that it was tied to the Chamber of Secrets and the death of Moaning Myrtle. We wanted to know what really happened."

Hagrid let out a heavy sigh at the question.

"I didn't want to talk about this again, but with the Chamber reopened and students being attacked, I reckon it's best you lot hear the truth."

He recounted the events of 1943.

As a student, Hagrid had obtained an Acromantula egg from a traveler. He secretly hatched and raised the giant spider, naming it Aragog.

When the Chamber was opened, a student named Myrtle Warren was killed. Most people—except Dumbledore—believed Hagrid had released the creature responsible for the attack.

Thanks to Dumbledore's intervention, Hagrid was spared from Azkaban but was expelled and made the school's gamekeeper.