Chapter 52 "The Return of The Headmaster"

Neville's words filled Matthew with fear.

"So, there was another attack last night?" He furrowed his brow.

His mind wandered as he continued conversing with Neville.

After Neville left, he stuffed a sausage filled with jam into his mouth and suddenly noticed it tasted unusually cold.

His mood mirrored the temperature of the sausage—chilled.

In a way, he had narrowly escaped... he thought, shuddering with lingering fear.

Maria Adams is a seventh-year student, and Rico Carlo is a fourth-year student. The attack must have occurred after Slughorn's Slug Club ended...

That means it happened on their way back from Professor Slughorn's office to the Slytherin common room.

And Matthew, theoretically, should have taken the same path with them and returned together. After all, there is only one way to reach the Slytherin common room.

If it weren't for his desire to eavesdrop and inquire about the book from Professor Slughorn, he would have returned almost an hour later.

Perhaps his name would be added to the list of victims.

Then, last night, he heard a noise from inside when he passed by the Potions classroom around ten o'clock. Could it be related to the attack?

And at that time, Professor Rosier suddenly appeared from behind with her bizarre appearance and movements. Could she be involved in the attack?

Of course, there's also Professor Trocar. Last night, Matthew noticed that his demeanor was different from usual, but he seemed remarkably energetic.

Why were they there?

Could it be...

Matthew suppressed his numerous doubts and continued eating his breakfast.

...

Breakfast was still ongoing when the sound of hurried footsteps came from beside Matthew.

Then, a slender figure approached him—

"Wickfield!" The person asked eagerly, "Are you alright?"

Matthew was taken aback, his mouth still full of sausage, rendering him speechless. He simply nodded in response.

It was Agnes Lestrange, her azure blue eyes fixed intently on Matthew.

"Nothing... I'm fine." After taking a sip of pumpkin juice and swallowing his food, Matthew managed to reply, "What's the matter?"

"Aren't you a member of Slughorn's Slug Club?" Lestrange's tone turned colder.

"Yes!" Matthew replied, "Wait... how did you know?"

But Lestrange ignored his question, saying, "I heard that Adams and Carlo were attacked... and it seems to have happened after the Slug Club ended, on their way back to the Slytherin common room..."

"Yes... but luckily, I wasn't with them when it happened..."

Matthew answered, pondering how this girl knew he had joined the Slug Club. He hadn't mentioned it to anyone before.

"Oh!" Lestrange nodded, then stood up and walked away.

Her cascading silver hair brushed gently against Matthew's shoulder.

Left alone, Matthew couldn't help but feel perplexed. He didn't understand why she acted that way. They weren't particularly close, were they?

"Forget it; let's eat!" Matthew grabbed another sausage and stuffed it into his mouth.

...

Rumors spread like wildfire, even with Hogwart's sophisticated methods of controlling public opinion. The news of another attack had reached every corner of the school, causing a stir.

Matthew noticed groups of first-year students gathering together, seemingly afraid to be alone as if they believed it would protect them from being attacked.

But it didn't make much sense to stick together... Didn't Maria Adams and Rico Carlo return to the Slytherin common room together? And yet, they still suffered the attack.

As a seventh-year student eligible to join the Slug Club and valued by Slughorn, Maria Adams possessed considerable knowledge of spells and defensive magic comparable to some adult wizards.

Students like her had been attacked...

The grim atmosphere even affected the classroom.

During Monday morning's History of Magic class, a subject usually enjoyed by many students, whispers filled the air as first-year students discussed the previous night's events.

Bathilda Bagshot, usually a gentle professor, was furious.

"If you don't want to attend the class, you can leave now and never return!" the old professor roared angrily.

She coughed violently, and a house-elf rushed to her side, patting her back.

The class fell into silence.

Matthew overheard Slytherin students discussing the attacks on Adams and Carlo during lunch.

As he sat down to eat, he heard various versions of the news—

Some claimed that Adams and Carlo had died on the spot, their bodies promptly cremated by Professor Rosier and sent back to their homes.

Others said they were still alive but severely injured, similar to what happened to Weasley and Malfoy, and were currently receiving treatment at St. Mungo's Hospital.

Some insisted that there were more than just two victims, but according to Ministry regulations, the number of casualties in such incidents should not exceed three. If it did, the Hogwarts Headmaster would be forced to step down. One student claimed to have seen a magical carpet transporting bodies to the castle gate that morning...

In short, rumors circulated throughout the school, leaving everyone skeptical and suspicious.

Matthew also noticed several younger students secretly exchanging talismans, protective charms, and other trinkets rumored to safeguard wizards from harm.

This trend seemed to gain popularity. For instance, Theodore Nott, his fellow Slytherin dorm mate, proudly displayed his newly acquired treasures to those around him after lunch.

These items included but were not limited to a foul-smelling dark onion, a round purple crystal, and a dried newt tail...

However, Nott's triumph was short-lived. A few minutes later, prefect Gemma Farley approached, confiscated all his "amulets," and tossed them into the trash bin.

...

The afternoon Herbology class also descended into chaos.

Clearly, everyone was lacking energy.

Fortunately, Professor Sprout, the Herbology teacher, had a good temper and didn't get angry.

After the class ended, Matthew and the others returned to the Great Hall from the greenhouse.

To Matthew's surprise, he noticed more students gathered in the Great Hall than he had ever seen before, even though it wasn't mealtime yet.

Everyone seemed afraid to be alone in other parts of the castle, and the crowded Great Hall provided a sense of security.

Matthew glanced towards the head table and furrowed his brow.

He realized he hadn't seen Headmistress Vinda Rosier sitting at the main table during breakfast, lunch, or now.

This was unusual because Professor Rosier consistently attended mealtimes and rarely missed them.

Moreover, if Professor Rosier had appeared and provided a specific explanation, it might have calmed the panic and rumors circulating throughout the school.

Matthew suddenly remembered that Professor Rosier had been limping slightly the previous night...

Could it be that she was already injured at that time?

Perhaps that's why she hasn't been seen since then.

While Matthew pondered over this, dinner commenced.

The dinner menu remained unchanged: two vegetarian options and one meat dish, Welsh lamb, baked potatoes, carrots, and soup.

The aroma filled the Great Hall, but everyone's mood was somber, and their appetite was poor.

Even several teachers at the head table seemed affected.

For example, Professor Horace Slughorn, the Head of the Slytherin house, sat with a sad and defeated expression.

Perhaps it was due to the incident involving two of his Slytherin students who were also members of the Slug Club. Or maybe it was because the attacks had halted the Slug Club's evening parties for the foreseeable future.

But at that moment...

A burst of light blue smoke suddenly materialized in the center of the head table, just like at the school banquet.

The chatter in the Great Hall stopped as all eyes focused on the smoke.

When the smoke dissipated, a familiar figure stood before them.

It was Gellert Grindelwald, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, returning once again.

For Matthew Wickfield, this was the second time he had seen the headmaster in nearly a month and a half since the start of the school year.

Principal Grindelwald appeared weary as if he had been attending to numerous matters, as Matthew had heard throughout the school.

However, the headmaster's arrival didn't elicit the same eager applause this time.

Although everyone regarded him respectfully, there was an air of concern and apprehension.

"I am aware of the recent events at Hogwarts," Gellert Grindelwald said calmly. "I apologize for the incidents that have occurred since the beginning of the school year."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried enough weight for everyone to hear, and it seemed to possess a specific power that resonated with those who listened.

Matthew felt a sense of relief as his anxiety and worries were somewhat alleviated. The fearful expressions on the faces of the students around him also softened.

"First and foremost, I want to assure you that no one's life is in immediate danger," Grindelwald continued. "A friend of mine has seen Mr. Malfoy's condition, and his recovery is progressing well. I guarantee he will be back in class before Halloween..."

Pansy Parkinson, who sat across from Matthew, clasped her hands to her chest and visibly relaxed.

"...Mr. Weasley's condition is more severe, but he is now out of danger. Madam Pomfrey's expertise is extensive, and I believe he will recover soon..."

"...As for Miss Adams and Mr. Carlo, they sustained minor injuries. They will be released from St. Mungo's after Halloween!"

Professor Grindelwald's words brought visible relief to many teachers and students.

The previous rumors had weighed heavily on everyone, causing a great deal of distress.

Knowing that no one had lost their lives, the general mood improved considerably.

Cheering erupted once more, with many students even standing up and applauding.

Professor Grindelwald raised his hand, effortlessly quieting the hall and regaining control of the atmosphere.

"But I believe many of your speculations were correct," he continued.

This time, Grindelwald's voice shifted abruptly from calm to an intense sharpness:

"There is indeed a formidable and terrifying enemy lurking around Hogwarts. The injuries sustained by Mr. Weasley, Miss Adams, and Mr. Carlo are all connected to this individual. This enemy is solely responsible for..."

The atmosphere in the Great Hall grew solemn.

"...but rest assured, everyone, if this enemy dares to cause chaos at Hogwarts and attacks my students... I swear they will pay a terrible price!" Professor Grindelwald said with a serious expression.

Grindelwald's serious and sharp expression vanished from his face, replaced by the familiar gentle smile, "Therefore, please be reassured that Hogwarts is safe. Starting today, it will be kept safe! Because I am here!"