Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 285 Insight

"Maybe only Thea... would still treat us like children even now..."

Inside the room, Zabini's tone was inexplicably melancholy, and even the people around him were affected by his downcast mood.

The somber atmosphere didn't last long. Theodore suddenly stood up and walked outside without saying a word.

"If you dare step out of the gates of Hogwarts, I'd like to see how many seconds it takes Thea to kick you back here!"

Zabini stood up at this moment, calmly crossing his arms, his tone neither warm nor cold, but he successfully stopped Theodore's steps.

“Brother,” Zabini said, swaying slightly as he walked up to Theodore and patted his friend on the shoulder, “we’ve all grown up together, we all know each other’s tempers…”

"I know you're not happy about it, you're not happy that Gella can get so close to Thea, even though we were here first..."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the people present all flickered.

Honestly, is Theodore the only one who's dissatisfied?

Not necessarily, they just hid their resentment better than Theodore.

Zabini continued speaking, and everyone silently pricked up their ears.

“But we must understand one thing: we are not just Theodore, Draco, Daphne, or Pansy.”

“Behind us are Nott, Malfoy, Greengrass, and the Parkinson family…”

"As long as we keep this surname, we'll never be number one in Thea's eyes!"

"Perhaps Thea was initially drawn to our surname, but as she has risen to the top of that organization, our surname has become something she cares about to some extent."

"Because even we can't guarantee that there won't come a day when, for the sake of the family, we might plunge a blade into her back."

"We dare not gamble on this, and neither does Thea."

"Therefore, Gella became the best choice for Thea."

“A person with a noble surname but a clean record, or at least relatively clean record, is the kind of person Thea wants who will not betray her.”

Zabini rarely speaks at length, but everyone knows that when this "strategist" speaks, no one will refute him, and no one will doubt the truthfulness of his words.

"But...but I just want to stand by her side, is that not allowed?"

Zabini's heart-wrenching words had already brought tears to Theodore's eyes. The thought that he might never have the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with him made Theodore feel a bitter taste in his breath.

“It’s not that it’s impossible, it’s just very difficult,” Zabini said, deeply troubled by his childhood friend’s stubbornness.

He said seriously, word by word, "The number of people around Thea is fixed. If you want to rise, you have to bring down the people above you."

"Actually, I agree with what Thea said: you can only stand in a position according to your ability."

“Theodore, no one can see your true heart through your heart, so if you want to rise to the top, the only way is to use your abilities to shut up all those who oppose you.”

"Including Thea."

She is an extremely rational person; as long as you can provide enough value, she will not refuse you.

As expected of the "insightful" person that Thea had described, Zabini's heartfelt words made Theodore suppress his thoughts of dropping out of school.

As for the others, no one knew what they had figured out from Zabini's words, but... seeing how frequently they were running to the library, Zabini smiled, keeping his achievements hidden.

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"How did they get here so quickly?"

Inside the Riddle mansion, Thea, sitting behind a large desk, was somewhat surprised, but mostly delighted. Heaven knows how long she had been tormented by these documents that were almost piled up to the ceiling!

"The new professor is hurting my eyes, but it's just a matter of submitting a withdrawal application anyway, it'll be the same sooner or later!"

As he spoke, Gella casually picked up a document from the table, opened it to a page, and immediately began to complain:

"What's going on? Why do you have to approve something as simple as revising a brochure?"

"'Mudbloods—a threat to peaceful pure-blood societies'—which idiot came up with that idea?"

Hearing the familiar disdain from Gella, Thea relaxed slightly and explained unhurriedly, "Have you heard the recent claims that Crouch saved half of the Ministry of Magic?"

“I’ve heard about it,” Gella nodded blankly, not understanding how the topic had suddenly turned to this.

Seeing Gellar's stunned expression, Thea smiled wryly, "That's a very accurate argument, because the other half of what the Ministry of Magic needs to do—is all here!"

Upon hearing this, Gellar was completely stunned.

After a while, almost everyone on this floor heard Gella's tearful accusation coming from Thea's office:

"Thea, you're not human!"

"I came here out of kindness to lend you a hand, but I didn't expect you to kick me into a fire pit!"

"So that's why you strictly forbade Draco and the others from coming over. Turns out they're your little darlings, and I'm the one who got the blame!"

Before the words were even finished, Thea's flustered explanation followed, "No way! I was just trusting you—"

I don't want your trust!

"I want to go back to school! I'm still a student!"

Gella's get-out-of-jail-free card was ultimately shattered by Thea's words, just like the person she was.

"But didn't you already submit your withdrawal application?"

"Professor Snape's approval might arrive in a few minutes!"

Seeing Thea's smug expression, Gella raised a trembling finger, "Thea...you're not human..."

Just when everyone thought it was over, Thea casually added, "Do you remember our fifth-year professor of Dark Magic Defense?"

"Congratulations! From now on, all the work of coordinating with her is in your hands!"

Fifth grade... Professor Dark Magic Defense—Pink Toad!!!

The handover is now in your hands.

Give it to...

You're here.

"Aaaaaaaaaaa!"

After a roar that was hard to believe a human could utter, Gella died.