Hogwarts: I'm Truly a Model Wizard

The stack of parchment was nearly an inch thick. After Cedric sat down, he handed it to Kyle.

"What are these…?" Kyle asked, intrigued.

"Photos of magical items," Cedric explained. "I got them from the library at the start of term. I'm not sure if they'll help, but I thought you might want to take a look."

Kyle opened the stack and began flipping through the pages. Each sheet held photographs and lengthy descriptions, which looked like they had been carefully copied from a book. The first picture showed a Sneakoscope, shaped like a spinning top. Farther down were Magical Glasses, which could see through Invisibility Cloaks; a pocket-sized Cauldron that could be worn around the neck; a Time-Turner; a Winged Slingshot; an Exploding Pocket Watch...

Though each magical object was different, they all had one thing in common: they were attached to chains. Some chains were purely decorative, while others were designed for convenience, allowing the items to be carried easily.

"Do you remember that Christmas gift you gave me?" Cedric asked. "I've always thought it seemed… distinctive. It's like those maps we ordered with the house crests for Slytherin."

He pointed to the chain on the Exploding Pocket Watch in the photo. "With enough Galleons, I could get one of these watches and have it customized with a little snake, badger, or lion."

Kyle nodded thoughtfully. Listening to Cedric, he realized he had been slightly fixated on the chain's appearance before. But perhaps that detail wasn't as crucial as he'd thought. The chain itself was just a functional addition, used to carry items conveniently. Its appearance didn't change the object's essence.

But if that were the case, this clue didn't seem particularly valuable. There were countless magical objects attached to chains, and even these photos, just a fraction of them, formed a stack almost an inch thick.

Who knew what the chain had originally belonged to?

...

The lights in the Hufflepuff common room stayed on late into the night as everyone lingered, chatting and speculating until sleep finally overtook them. With heavy eyelids and yawns all around, the students eventually returned to their dormitories. But no one could have imagined that, early the next morning, they'd be hit with startling news: the Heir had been caught!

"I knew it was him—the Keeper of Keys," Lockhart announced, his hair once again perfectly styled as he preened to anyone who would listen. "Ha! I gave him a chance. If he'd just surrendered, he wouldn't have been taken away by the Ministry of Magic. But no matter—the crisis is over."

"Hagrid? How is that possible?" Kyle and the others overheard, and Cedric's eyes widened in shock as he hurried up to Lockhart. "Professor Lockhart, are you saying Hagrid was taken by the Ministry?"

"Yes, the Minister and Aurors were here," Lockhart replied, flashing his gleaming teeth. "Last night, while you were all tucked away, fast asleep."

"I don't believe it. Hagrid couldn't possibly be the Heir of Slytherin—there must be some mistake," Kanna muttered.

"I'm sure I know a bit more about Hagrid's situation than you do, Miss Prince," Lockhart said smugly. "He may have tried to hide it, but I discovered the truth. His only mistake was waiting to open the Chamber until after I arrived at Hogwarts. And, dear boy," he added, turning to Cedric, "the Minister wouldn't have taken Hagrid if he weren't absolutely certain."

"What will happen to him?" Cedric asked, concerned. "Will they send him to Azkaban?"

"Oh, definitely…" Lockhart said grandly, clearly enjoying the attention. "He'll be there with the Dementors for company—"

"Professor Lockhart!" came a stern voice. Professor McGonagall approached, her expression severe. "I don't think you should be telling students about this matter before the facts are confirmed."

"Ah, apologies, Professor McGonagall," Lockhart replied casually. "I was simply eager to share the good news." Professor McGonagall gave him a look of profound distaste, as if he were a badly Transfigured creature that still had a tail.

"Please show some discretion, Professor. We don't need more rumors spreading among the students."

She turned to Kyle, Kanna, and Cedric. "You three, come with me. I have a few questions." Without waiting, she walked briskly out of the castle, and they hurried to follow.

Professor McGonagall led them across the grounds to Hagrid's hut. It felt strangely still without him there.

"Now, I need the truth from you," she said, pointing toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest. "Did you cast the Beast Repelling Charm?"

"Yes, Professor," Kyle nodded. "It was quite a while ago. Fred, George, Cho, and the three of us spent the whole morning on it. Hagrid didn't even help."

Professor McGonagall's face softened a little, the tension in her expression easing. Thankfully, this Charm hadn't been Hagrid's doing; otherwise, not even Dumbledore could have protected him.

"Professor," Kanna ventured, "did they really take Hagrid away?"

Professor McGonagall nodded. "I know you're close to him, Kanna, and I'm afraid it's true. But…"

Her face brightened slightly. "Because of these Beast Repelling Charms, Hagrid was only taken in for questioning."

"Because of the Charm?" Cedric asked, puzzled.

"It has to do with Trace Magic and the unique properties of the Repelling Charm," Professor McGonagall explained. "Simply put, the Repelling Charm creates a kind of invisible wall. If a large, unauthorized creature tries to enter, it would disturb this barrier and leave magical traces."

"You're saying… these Beast Repelling Charms are all still intact?" Kyle asked.

"That's correct," Professor McGonagall said with a faint smile. "The Ministry had suspected Hagrid of harboring creatures in the Forbidden Forest, but these Charms proved them wrong. Headmaster Dumbledore anticipated this issue… I can't share all the details, but I assure you, Hagrid won't be sent to Azkaban unless new evidence emerges."

The three of them breathed a collective sigh of relief, though Cedric still looked troubled. He didn't understand why the Ministry had arrested Hagrid at all. Hagrid rarely even ventured into the castle, let alone orchestrated monster attacks.

Professor McGonagall didn't answer his question, only cautioning them to keep quiet about what they'd discussed.

As they prepared to head back to the castle, Kyle lingered near Hagrid's hut, pushing open the door. Fang bounded over to him excitedly.

The dog, as always, seemed blissfully unaware of what had happened to his owner, which, Kyle thought, was probably for the best. He took some dried meat from the shelf and put it in Fang's bowl. The dog wagged his tail with delight, chomping away happily.

"Come along, we'll be late for class," Professor McGonagall called from outside. Kyle gave Fang a quick pat, then shut the door and followed her back to the castle.