HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 131 Turmoil

"Damn it, I still couldn't stop her from writing nonsense." Harry was a little annoyed. He should have just broken free.

The Daily Prophet fabricated and exaggerated his personal life, including but not limited to his relationship with Hermione, his rivalry with Ron for Hermione's affections, Luna's feelings for him, Hermione's jealousy, and their arguments, among other love-hate relationships.

So much so that since yesterday, other people have been looking at them with a strange, curious, and puzzled gaze. They've almost become a famous tourist attraction, with everyone wanting to come and visit.

"Let's go to the library. Mrs. Pince is there; they won't dare do that."

"I agree, are they crazy?"

Hermione couldn't take it anymore and simply grabbed all the books and left. Ron followed behind, carrying her scarf, and the two walked side by side toward the library. When they reached the vicinity of the Great Hall, Ron saw Harry being pestered in the distance and gently pulled Hermione back.

"I'm going to rescue Harry. You go find a seat in the library first, see you later!" After saying that, he ran towards Harry and pulled him out of the encirclement.

Seeing that they had run far away, Hermione finally felt relieved and came out from the corner with her book. There was no way around it; her two best friends always caused some trouble, and she might have to come back to rescue them if she didn't see them leave.

Upon entering the library, Hermione saw Luna and Ariana sitting on the far right. They looked thoroughly annoyed and hoped that Rita Ski would make another appearance, or she would be in for a world of hurt.

"Phew, these people are crazy. We almost ran a lap around Hogwarts and we almost couldn't shake them off." Ron walked in with Harry, who looked normal. It was clear that Ron was too tired to run anymore, but Harry looked like he could run two more laps.

"Harry, aren't you tired?"

"It's alright, not as tiring as Professor Salafina's morning training. I only ran about half a lap today, so it's not too bad. I'm used to running more often. Why don't you train with me?"

"No..."

"All right."

Harry was somewhat disappointed. Lately, no one had been training with him. Draco couldn't see him to avoid suspicion, and now they barely saw each other once a day except for classes and meals. Thinking of this, Harry began to pray daily, hoping that Barty would soon be in trouble, and now he also had to add Rita Skeeter to the list.

"I wonder when this storm will pass. Even the ghosts are gossiping. Harry, you need to think of something!" Ron ruffled his hair, looking annoyed. He rested one hand on the table and the other on his head, his body unconsciously leaning towards Hermione.

"I don't really have any ideas either." Harry sighed, looked up at the window, and wondered when he would be able to sit with Draco again.

"Alright boys, stop worrying. We haven't finished our studies yet, so why are you bothering with those people?"

"Spare me."

"Ron Weasley, you haven't finished your homework yet. If you keep shirking your responsibilities, I'm going to write to Aunt Molly!" Hermione pulled out a pile of parchment and placed it in front of him.

Upon hearing Hermione mention Molly, Ron immediately pulled out his quill, took the parchment handed to him, and began writing his paper, while fiddling with his hair with one hand. Hermione ignored him; as long as he was doing his homework, that was enough. She turned to look at Harry, who was still staring at the beetle.

"Read more spellbooks and practice your spells, you hear me? The competition is almost here, why don't you feel any tension at all?" She felt like she had aged several years; neither of these two were easy to deal with.

"Don't you guys find it strange that this beetle has been staying right next to us and won't leave?"

"What's so strange about insects?"

"Ron, don't you want to think about Scabbers?"

"I had finally forgotten, thank you Harry for reminding me."

Ron's mind was filled with thoughts of sleeping with an old man for so many years, and he was so angry that he stuck a quill into Harry's head.

"You mean, this insect might be an Animagus? But I haven't seen anyone among the registered personnel who turned into an insect."

"We'll find out soon enough." Harry looked away, lowered his voice, and approached them, holding an empty bottle in his hand.

Hermione pulled Ron closer, and they whispered to each other that if the bugs came over, they were probably human; if they didn't, they were most likely real bugs.

"Buzzing".

Hearing the flapping of wings, the three quickly moved closer. Clearly, this insect was suspicious and was curious about what they were saying. Afraid of not attracting enough attention, Harry took out an empty potion bottle, drank it, then placed it in the middle of the table. He pushed Hermione aside, making her sit on the other side, and pulled Ron aside to start whispering.

"You can say whatever you want."

"Are you crazy too?"

"Didn't you see the bug coming? Speak up, or you'll give yourself away."

"Okay, okay, can you help me write my paper?"

"No, let's move on to the next topic."

"Can I use this as a reference?"

"No, next one."

"I can't think of anything."

Harry was speechless. He hadn't expected Ron, who was usually so talkative, to only have these kinds of thoughts when it came to a crucial moment. Oh well, he could hear the beetle flapping its wings getting closer and closer.

When a green smudge appeared on the table, Hermione didn't dare move, afraid the bug would escape. She quietly moved the jar little by little next to the beetle. Just as Harry got up to leave after losing the argument, and the bug instinctively flew towards him, she quickly slammed the lid back on.

"What do we do now?" Ron asked, scratching his head.

"Should we give it to the principal?"

"No, we can't give it to the principal. It will cause him trouble. I know someone who can handle this for me."

Harry carried the jar toward the cellar. Besides his mother, Severus was the only person he trusted most at school. In addition, Emeric often stayed in the cellar, so going there was equivalent to finding two people to help him, which was perfect for him.

"Knock knock".

"Enter."

"Huh? Harry, what brings you here?"

Emeric was surprised to see Harry come in; he usually wouldn't come unless there was a reason. After asking him to sit down, he handed him a cup of black tea, indicating that he could speak slowly without rushing.

"Brother Airi, do you have a way to verify Animagus? I suspect there's something wrong with this bug; it's been eavesdropping on our conversation." As he spoke, he handed over the bottle.

"Eavesdropping? Interesting, let me try."

"All petrified." After freezing it, Emeric poured it out onto the ground, walked to the potion cabinet, took out a bottle of potion, uncapped it, and poured it on the ground, gradually submerging the entire insect.

Soon, the insects on the ground transformed into Rita Skeeter lying on the ground. Emeric put away the bottle and looked at Harry. "Well done. Hand her over to me. I'll take care of it."

Several days later, Harry suddenly saw in the newspaper that Rita Skeeter had been arrested. The Daily Prophet clarified that they knew nothing about Rita Skeeter's actions and that it was all done to attract attention. Of course, they would also compensate the victims.

The commotion has finally passed, and Ron has finally let Harry off the hook and stopped nagging him to come up with a solution every day.