A Ninja Calamity is a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts

Kouchi walked through the winding corridors of Hogwarts with measured steps, his mind alert and calculating. 

The summons to Dumbledore's office weighed heavily on him, but outwardly, he remained composed. He had been prepared for this moment, anticipating that his actions might draw attention. 

The use of a shadow clone to remain in his dormitory had been a calculated move, and now he hoped it would pay off.

As he reached the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office, it sprang aside, revealing the spiraling staircase. Kouchi ascended with calm confidence, each step taking him closer to the confrontation he knew was inevitable.

Inside the office, Dumbledore sat behind his grand desk, his expression a blend of wisdom and quiet authority. His piercing blue eyes met Kouchi's as he entered, and for a moment, the room was silent.

"Kouchi," Dumbledore began, his tone gentle but firm. "Where were you last night?"

Kouchi bowed slightly, his voice steady. "In my room, Headmaster. I stayed there the whole night."

Dumbledore's gaze did not waver, scrutinizing Kouchi as if trying to peer into his very soul. The silence stretched, the air heavy with unspoken tension.

"I see," Dumbledore finally said, though his tone suggested he was not entirely convinced. "And yet, I have reason to believe you might have been elsewhere."

Kouchi maintained his calm facade, though his mind raced. "I assure you, Headmaster, I did not leave my room."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "Is that so? Well, I have no evidence to suggest otherwise, for now."

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "However, I will be speaking with the ghosts of Hufflepuff House. They have a way of knowing things that sometimes elude the rest of us."

Kouchi nodded, feigning indifference. "Of course, Headmaster. I have nothing to hide."

Dumbledore's gaze lingered on Kouchi for a few moments longer before he waved his hand dismissively. "You may return to your dormitory."

Kouchi bowed again, his expression unreadable. "Thank you, Headmaster."

As he left the office, he let out a breath of relief. The conversation had been tense, but he had anticipated Dumbledore's line of questioning. His shadow clone had done its job, fooling even the observant ghosts who would later confirm that Kouchi had been in his bed all night, even sharing their memory of it with Dumbledore.

Though Dumbledore's suspicions lingered, without concrete evidence, he was forced to let the matter drop, at least for now. However, Kouchi knew this was only the beginning. The headmaster's watchful eyes would be on him, and he needed to tread carefully.

As Kouchi walked back to his dormitory, he contemplated the risks. He was confident in his abilities, certain he could take on Dumbledore if necessary. But he also understood the power and influence of the wizarding world. Until he uncovered more of their secrets, he preferred to remain in the shadows, observing and learning.

For now, he had escaped unscathed, but the game was far from over.

______

After Kouchi left Dumbledore's office, the headmaster sat back in his chair, his mind whirring with unanswered questions. 

The boy's demeanor had been calm, perhaps too calm for someone being questioned by the most powerful wizard in the castle. Dumbledore couldn't shake the feeling that Kouchi was hiding something.

Rising from his chair, Dumbledore decided to seek out the ghosts of Hufflepuff House. They were ever-watchful, their spectral presence unnoticed by most but keenly aware of the comings and goings within their domain. 

If anyone knew where Kouchi had been the previous night, it would be them.

In the dim corridors of Hogwarts, Dumbledore found the Fat Friar, the ghostly resident of Hufflepuff House. The Friar floated near the entrance to the common room, his jovial expression fading as Dumbledore approached with a serious demeanor.

"Good evening, Headmaster," the Fat Friar greeted, bowing slightly in respect.

"Good evening, Friar," Dumbledore replied, his tone gentle but firm. "I need your assistance. There is a matter concerning one of your students, Kouchi. I need to know where he was last night."

The Fat Friar's ghostly form flickered for a moment as he pondered the question. "Kouchi? He was in his bed, Headmaster. I witnessed it myself."

"Are you certain?" Dumbledore asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Quite certain," the Friar assured him. "I even checked on the students as they slept. Kouchi was there, undisturbed."

The Friar then extended his translucent hand, offering to share the memory with Dumbledore. With a nod, Dumbledore accepted, his mind connecting briefly with the ghost's to view the scene from the previous night. True to the Friar's word, Kouchi lay in his bed, seemingly asleep.

Despite this evidence, Dumbledore's suspicion lingered. Could Kouchi have used Polyjuice Potion to have someone else take his place? The thought troubled him, but without concrete proof, he had to let the matter rest for now.

Just as Dumbledore was about to probe further, a sudden call for his attention echoed through the halls. The children required his presence, and with a resigned sigh, he dismissed the Friar and turned to fulfill his duties.

Meanwhile, back in the corridor, Kouchi released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding as he exited the office. The weight of the encounter lifted slightly, though he remained on edge. He knew Dumbledore was suspicious, but without evidence, the headmaster could do little.

Kouchi felt confident that if a confrontation arose, he could face Dumbledore. Yet, he was acutely aware of the risks involved in exposing himself to the entire wizarding world. Until he fully understood their secrets, it was best to remain cautious and out of direct conflict.

______

The following morning, the atmosphere at Hogwarts buzzed with a peculiar tension. News of the mysterious "secret corridor" had spread like wildfire through the student body. The discovery that someone had ventured into the forbidden area left the students abuzz with speculation. Whispers filled the Great Hall during breakfast, each conversation more speculative than the last.

"Did you hear? Someone went into the corridor guarded by that three-headed dog!" a Ravenclaw whispered to her friend, her eyes wide with fascination.

"No way! I heard it was cursed, and anyone who goes near it could disappear!" her friend replied, shivering slightly at the thought.

Theories and rumors circulated rapidly, each more dramatic than the last. Some believed it was a ghost, others thought it was an older student playing a dangerous prank. The identity of the intruder remained a mystery, and though the truth lingered dangerously close to Kouchi, his name was never uttered in connection to the event.

Despite his anonymity in the rumors, Kouchi felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He moved through the halls with his usual quiet confidence, but the unease around him was palpable. Students glanced his way, their expressions a mix of fear and curiosity, but they quickly averted their eyes, unwilling to engage with him.

Even his fellow Hufflepuffs, who had been more welcoming at the beginning of the term, now kept their distance. Whispers and sidelong glances followed him wherever he went, creating an invisible barrier between him and the rest of the school.

Kouchi pretended not to notice, though inwardly, he was keenly aware of the shift in their behavior. He was used to being an outsider, but this level of fear and avoidance was new, even for him.

As the day progressed, Kouchi kept to himself, maintaining a low profile. He knew better than to draw attention now, especially with Dumbledore's suspicions still lingering. The last thing he needed was to become the focus of another investigation or to give the headmaster a reason to question him again.

For now, he would remain in the shadows, observing, waiting, and planning his next move carefully. The students' fear worked in his favor, keeping them at a distance while he continued to uncover the secrets of this magical world.