Chapter 83 "Feeding"

Hermione and Neville, following the sound of Professor Trocar's fading footsteps, crept along the corridor, making every effort to avoid making any noise.

As it was lunch break, hardly any people were in the corridor.

Professor Trocar was moving swiftly, his expression filled with worry.

Unaware of the two first-year students trailing behind him, he hastened towards the Hospital Wing, just as Hermione had anticipated.

Watching Professor Trocar enter through the gates of the Hospital Wing, Hermione and Neville quickly followed suit.

They hid behind the gate and listened attentively to the voices coming from inside.

"Professor Trocar?" Madam Pomfrey, the Hogwarts matron, sounded surprised. "What brings you here?"

"I heard that Hufflepuff first-year Justin Finch-Fletchley was bitten by something," Professor Trocar's voice remained calm. "So I came to have a look. I have some knowledge about magical creature bites."

"That's wonderful!" Madam Pomfrey exclaimed with excitement. "Poor Mr. Finch-Fletchley, his condition is worse than Weasley's before... His body seems to be reacting aggressively, convulsing violently. Honestly, I haven't been able to find a solution yet."

"Which ward is he in now?" Professor Trocar inquired, his voice carrying a hidden sense of urgency.

Despite his calm tone, anxiety lingered beneath the surface. He was clearly distraught.

"He's in the innermost ward," Madam Pomfrey replied gratefully. "Thank you so much, Professor Trocar!"

"You're welcome." Professor Trocar simply responded.

The sound of Professor Trocar's footsteps gradually faded away.

Hermione and Neville exchanged glances.

"Hermione, it seems like Trocar really went to see Justin!" Neville whispered.

"He claimed he was going to treat Justin..." Hermione shook her head. "But who knows? Justin's condition is already severe, and nobody would question Professor Trocar if he were to make it worse!"

"So, what do you suggest, Hermione?" Neville's expression revealed his hesitation.

"We need to follow through." Miss Granger stated firmly.

"But Madam Pomfrey... she'll never let us in!" Neville quickly shook his head.

Neville had been to the Hospital Wing during his first week at Hogwarts after a scuffle with a few older Slytherin students.

His encounter with Madam Pomfrey, the "harsh and stern" woman, had left a lasting impression.

"We'll find a way," Hermione said, just as footsteps echoed through the Hospital Wing once again.

The two of them hurriedly hid behind the door.

Soon after, they saw Madam Pomfrey emerge from the Hospital Wing carrying a pot of soiled gauze.

It was almost too good to be true.

As soon as Madam Pomfrey was out of sight, Hermione and Neville moved swiftly and quietly entered the Hospital Wing.

"Justin Finch-Fletchley's ward... it's in the innermost room..." Hermione muttered to herself as she led Neville down the corridor, carefully reading the signs on the ward doors.

One by one, they passed the pristine white wards, until finally, at the end of the corridor, they saw the door inscribed "Justin Finch-Fletchley."

However, the door was tightly shut, indicating it was locked inside.

Hermione lowered her head, pressing her ear against the door. But there was barely any sound coming from within.

"This is strange!" Hermione quickly deduced. "If Professor Trocar is really treating Justin, it wouldn't be this quiet inside, and he wouldn't need to lock the door!"

"So, what should we do?" Neville's face displayed his hesitation.

"We'll pretend we were visiting a friend and accidentally entered the wrong room," Hermione said as she reached into her pocket and drew out her wand.

Aiming at the keyhole, she softly chanted, "Alohomora!"

With a click, the lock released, and the door swung open abruptly. The two of them stepped inside.

"Sorry, Professor, it seems... uh, it seems... it seems we got the wrong room," Hermione Granger stammered, attempting to feign innocence, but her voice faltered:

"...went to the wrong room..."

Because before, she stood in an incredibly grotesque scene.

This image would be etched into her memory for a lifetime...

The pristine white sheets were drenched in crimson blood.

Their Transfiguration Professor, at that very moment, was feeding on blood!

Professor Trocar's face, which might have been considered somewhat gentle on ordinary occasions, was now consumed by an insatiable thirst for blood, revealing a primal hunger.

He opened his mouth wide, exposing two elongated fangs, and plunged them into Justin Finch-Fletchley's neck.

The boy's blood flowed continuously from the wound, some staining the bedsheets while the rest fed Trocar's ravenous mouth.

He was feeding.

This cruel Vampire was feeding...

Poor Justin Finch-Fletchley, still conscious to some extent, unable to utter a sound. He twitched and struggled helplessly while the repulsive Vampire drained him of his blood.

The sight was nauseating...

Hermione couldn't help but cover her mouth.

Disgusting was the only word that came to mind after witnessing such a repugnant scene.

As they opened the ward door, the Vampire before the bed became aware of their presence. Trocar retracted his fangs, stood up, and turned to face them.

Fixing his eyes upon the unexpected intruders, the Vampire's gaze took on a peculiar scarlet hue while droplets of Justin Finch-Fletchley's blood stained his robes.

He was staring at them!

Fear... was the second emotion that overcame Miss Granger.

Her legs turned to jelly.

Under the Vampire's gaze, her entire body trembled.

What should they do? What should they do? What should they do...

Her mind went blank.