57 In Advance (Edited)

Snape's satisfaction soared as he observed the visibly disheartened Weasley and company. Remarkably, his own somber mood was considerably lifted.

The twins had been a constant thorn in his side, and seizing the moment, Snape admonished them sternly before reluctantly allowing their return to the common room.

Once Weasley and his gang had departed, Snape and McGonagall engaged in a discussion, delving into the peculiar events they had just witnessed. Mutual understanding unfolded as they realized they had both encountered the same entities.

Convinced that these spectral apparitions couldn't possibly be Dementors, given their ethereal nature and ability to traverse solid walls, the duo concluded that a thorough investigation inside the castle was imperative.

Concern etched across McGonagall's face, she voiced her unease about the timing of this disturbance, coinciding with Dumbledore's departure from Hogwarts. A disquieting premonition lingered, as if unseen eyes were fixated on them.

"Perhaps we should notify the other professors, mobilize the ghosts and murals within the castle. We must leave no stone unturned for the safety of the students," McGonagall suggested to Snape, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily.

Acknowledging the urgency, Snape concurred, feeling the weight of dual responsibilities—keeping a vigilant eye on Quirrell while ferreting out the elusive intruder lurking in the shadows.

"Parchment, Gandalf, Balrog, Troll, and Dementors…"

Snape sighed and went to meet the other professors with McGonagall.

.....

Having stowed away the spar, Artel, content with his progress, embraced a restful night's sleep. The certainty of the Academy Cup's triumph enveloped him; a few more deductions from Gryffindor, and the primary task would be accomplished. The remainder lay in amassing additional points.

Upon the dawn of a new day, Artel graced the Great Hall with his presence. The ambiance was peculiar. Lingering discussions among students about the troll incident from the previous night intertwined with whispers about the abnormal behavior of ghosts and mural characters.

Gryffindors fixated on the jeweled hourglass symbolizing the House Cup, were met with disbelief. In the span of a single night, Gryffindor found itself stripped of a staggering three hundred points! The anticipation of a last-place finish in the Academy Cup now loomed over the once-proud Gryffindors.

Speculation ran rife as students pondered the orchestrators behind this drastic point deduction. Many fingers pointed towards the Weasley twins, known for their Halloween night adventures.

The myth of their nocturnal exploits, unscathed for two years, seemed shattered by the events of the previous night.

The aura of the Great Hall buzzed with a mix of astonishment, intrigue, and the undeniable realization that Gryffindor's fate in the Cup had taken an unforeseen and significant downturn.

.....

Artel savored his mashed potatoes with an air of graceful detachment, seemingly unaffected by the turmoil around him, until the entrance of Hermione disrupted his tranquility.

"I'm losing my mind, Artel!" Hermione declared, plopping down beside him with an air of frustration.

Her gaze, sharp as ever, bore into Pansy Parkinson across the table. She emphatically slapped the tabletop, summoning a glass of milk, which she consumed in a determined gulp before letting out a sigh of relief.

"It's infuriating! Last night, Harry, Ron, Fred and George, and other third-year Gryffindors went on a nighttime adventure and got caught by Snape and Professor McGonagall!" Hermione exclaimed, her irritation palpable. "Fifty points deducted from everyone! We're destined for the last position in the House Cup this year."

Her words echoed the sentiments of the Gryffindors, who now faced the stark reality of their plummeting house points.

The previous year's House Cup summaries had Gryffindor consistently in the 300-plus range, owing to Snape's frequent point deductions.

However, the current scenario was dire—Gryffindor's points had spiraled into negatives, a situation seemingly irredeemable by the term's end.

In an attempt to console Hermione Artel chimed in, "Don't dwell on it; it's only adding to your troubles. It's not your fault, anyway."

His reassuring words carried a subtle smile, offering a glimmer of solace amid the turbulent aftermath of the night's misadventures.

As Hermione enjoyed her breakfast, Artel maintained an air of nonchalance, knowing he was the hidden puppet master behind the unfolding chaos.

"They're saying someone infiltrated the castle, and it's on everyone's lips."

While Hermione shared her findings, ordering breakfast and weaving through various topics, she connected the dots.

"They claim these infiltrators released the trolls last night. Remember when Professor Snape fell ill? It might be the same group. The professors believed they had departed, but they lingered, orchestrating the troll incident."

Hermione paused to mention Ron's perspective on George and Fred's discovery during the Dementor encounter. Her enthusiasm heightened as she delved into Dementors, explaining their nature from the books she had read.

"Harry, however, suspects Snape. He saw Snape with an injured leg last night, suspecting it was a result of the three-headed dog. Snape's presence on the fourth floor, along with Harry and Ron's encounter, made Harry belief that Snape was the culprit."

Listening attentively, Artel nodded in understanding, much to Hermione's satisfaction. "I sense danger. The ghosts and murals seem unusually nervous. Something significant may unfold."

Hermione then expressed her disbelief at the presence of Dementors in Hogwarts. "It's truly unbelievable that something as menacing as Dementors could be here," she mused, capturing the gravity of the situation that loomed over the castle.

.....

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