Chapter 92

Chapter 92

“Have you heard?”

“About that? Ages ago.”

“Then you can’t have seen it. It was dreadful.”

“I only heard Peeves tormented some student last night.”

“What happened?” asked a third, less well-informed voice.

“I’ll tell you. You know Malfoy from Slytherin? He was hiding in a classroom on the first floor, eating… and then Peeves found him…”

On the way to the Great Hall, Suer passed clusters of students whispering excitedly. Their conversations reached his ears whether they intended them to or not.

The castle had enjoyed a lively night.

Suer’s mouth curved as he walked on.

At the Gryffindor table, a delighted Ron immediately shared the newest version of the tale. Rumour was a ferocious beast; in Ron’s account, the story had already transformed beyond recognition.

Harry gave Suer a peculiar look as he accepted the returned Invisibility Cloak. He was a clever boy. Twice Suer had borrowed the Cloak, and twice something had happened to Malfoy the next morning. The culprit was not difficult to guess.

Suer raised an eyebrow, making no effort to deny it.

Their morning class was Charms with Professor Filius Flitwick, shared by Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. After class, Harry could contain himself no longer.

“Suer, did you do it?”

“Yes.”

Harry stared. The version he had heard resembled Ron’s.

“Did you really use…” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “Dark magic?”

“Of course not.” Suer laughed. “I used a Full Body-Bind Curse and frightened Malfoy a little.”

Harry exhaled. “I knew Ron’s story was ridiculous.”

“Still, well done.” He gave Suer a discreet thumbs-up.

Suer glanced towards Hermione, who sat with Hannah nearby.

“He shouldn’t have used that word against her.”

After lunch, Professor McGonagall summoned Suer to her office–along with a great many other students.

Malfoy had managed in less than two years to offend all three houses besides Slytherin.

Snape was there, as was the long-haired man Suer had seen in Diagon Alley: Draco Malfoy’s father, Lucius Malfoy.

More students arrived after Suer, all victims of the younger Malfoy or participants in his collective bullying. Lucius’s mouth twitched.

By the end, more than twenty young witches and wizards crowded the office, most in Malfoy’s year or below. As first-years lacked the magical ability required, Professor McGonagall questioned them briefly and let them go.

Soon it was Suer’s turn.

“Mr Bones, don’t be nervous. Where were you at eight last night?” Professor McGonagall asked gently.

“In my dormitory, Professor.” Suer avoided looking towards Snape.

He had forgotten one important detail: Snape was a master of Legilimency.

“Can anyone confirm that?”

“Yes. I was tired after practising during the day and went to bed shortly after seven. My roommates Justin and Morn can confirm it.”

“Very well. I will speak to Mr Finch-Fletchley.” Professor McGonagall prepared to dismiss him.

“Wait,” Lucius said.

Suer’s heart jumped.

“Show us your wand.”

Fortunately, he had left his own beside the bed throughout the operation.

“That is improper, Mr Malfoy,” Professor McGonagall said sternly before Suer could respond.

“A simple Reverse Spell,” Lucius replied coldly. “It would establish Mr Bones’s innocence more conclusively and take only a moment.”

“My son told me that he and Mr Bones quarrelled several days ago. I have reason to suspect last night’s attack was his work.”

“No. Students are not criminals.”

“It’s all right, Professor.” Suer drew his wand from the holster Hermione had given him.

Search all you like. If you find a spell I cast last night, I’ll call you Father.

Lucius would probably not appreciate acquiring a large new son.

Professor McGonagall accepted the wand with a rigid movement, anger hardening her expression.

“If the Reverse Spell proves Mr Bones innocent, you will apologise, Malfoy.”

“Of course. But if Mr Bones cannot explain the result, he must be punished,” Lucius said darkly.

His suspicion was reasonable. Anyone could discover how close Suer was to Hermione. Lucius might be furious with his son for the vicious slur, but Draco had still been tormented and now lay dazed in the hospital wing.

“I remain certain that my student is innocent.” Professor McGonagall raised her wand.

“Prior Incantato.”

White light burst from Suer’s wand and formed a smoky image before the assembled witnesses. No magic appeared from the time of the attack.

“Apologise, Malfoy.” Professor McGonagall returned Suer’s wand.

Surprise cracked Lucius’s cold expression.

“That does not prove Mr Bones entirely innocent.”

“Apologise.” The frost in her voice touched everyone in the room.

Lucius’s breath caught. Colour rose in his pale face. After a long hesitation, he muttered an apology.

“No harm done, Mr Malfoy,” Suer replied solemnly.

“You may go, Mr Bones,” Snape said, having watched in silence.

The pressure in his gaze made Suer suspect he knew the truth.

What was the spell that protected one’s mind against Legilimency?