Chapter 88: Hogwarts Ruined by Rumours

The school's Hospital Wing.

Dumbledore carefully examined Down's injuries.

"How's everything?" Snape asked first. He suspected that Voldemort had altered Down's memories.

That was the Dark Lord's speciality.

Dumbledore shook his head slightly, "Severe injuries, even if he comes to his senses, I'm afraid it will be difficult to return to normal in a short time."

Snape frowned slightly.

Shaking his head meant that Down's memory had not been modified.

That was never a good thing.

Because that meant Voldemort had other means.

Snape glanced at Dumbledore.

Voldemort's opponent this time was Dumbledore, so Voldemort must not be viewed in the same light as before.

"Albus, what the hell is going on?" Professor McGonagall asked in a stern tone.

A school professor had encountered an attack in the Forbidden Forest, and this matter must not be easily overlooked.

The one who had been attacked this time was a professor, and the one who would be attacked next time could be a student.

No, a student had already been attacked.

"And the one who attacked Malfoy, is it the same person?" Professor McGonagall asked immediately after.

"I believe so."

Dumbledore didn't deny it, "The castle is facing a major threat, and we must protect everyone in it."

Professor McGonagall nodded gravely, "I will notify the students and tell them not to go alone, I will also arrange for professors to patrol the castle to make sure the students are safe."

Flitwick tilted his head and looked at Dumbledore, "Any clues?"

"This time, I'll personally deal with it." Without further ado, Dumbledore turned and walked out of the school's hospital wing.

Snape thought for a moment and followed Dumbledore out as well.

***

The Headmaster's office.

Snape showed a hint of sarcasm on his face, "It seems that what has happened recently is beyond your control."

Dumbledore took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with a tired face.

It couldn't be said that it was out of control, only that it was completely unexpected.

The night Harry and Ron explored the Forbidden Forest, Dumbledore had been ready to settle everything.

But who would have thought ...

Harry unexpectedly did not even enter the Forbidden Forest.

In fact, in Dumbledore's plan, Andy was also counted among the people who acted at that time.

Andy seems to have a sense of justice after all, and at the same time, he has a personal feud with Quirrell, and he is a friend of Ron and Harry. Combined with the adolescent hot-blooded nature, and the curiosity about the Forbidden Forest...

With all these reasons combined, Andy should have easily accepted Harry's invitation to explore the Forbidden Forest with the two of them.

Yet, it was unexpected that Andy didn't have this intention at all.

"It was indeed my mistake."

Dumbledore did not shirk his responsibility, "I will resolve this matter as soon as possible."

Snape frowned slightly, "You intend to personally take action?"

Dumbledore looked up at Snape, what else? You would fight?

Snape misdirected his gaze, he didn't want to confront the Dark Lord head-on.

"Weren't you originally...?" Snape asked tentatively.

After this semester or so of observation, Snape had sensed Dumbledore's purpose.

Although he was a little displeased, he had to admit that Dumbledore was right.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, "We'll find another opportunity later."

Right now, Harry is still too young.

Snape gave Dumbledore a look, that is to say, Dumbledore had decided to take matters into his own hands, which means that Quirrell and Voldemort are doomed to fail.

It seemed...there was nothing to worry about anymore.

With that thought, Snape turned to leave.   

Dumbledore sat alone in his chair, his gaze calmly fixed on the tabletop, but there was an unending worry between his brows.

If Harry never grew, then Voldemort's resurrection would have to be delayed.

But the problem was, Dumbledore didn't know how much longer he could hold out.

He was a hundred and ten years old.

Ageing body, sluggish reflexes...

Even if his magic power hadn't weakened, and he still held the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows, in his hand, he wasn't sure he still could stop the resurrected Voldemort.

***

Ravenclaw Common Room.

"Last school year Malfoy was attacked, this school year Professor Down was attacked ... Do you guys really believe Dumbledore's words?"

"I've heard that Professor Down was badly injured, if he encountered a dangerous creature in the Forbidden Forest, with the professor's strength, even if he couldn't beat it, he shouldn't have been injured that badly."

"You mean he can still run?"

"Yeah! The Forbidden Forest isn't far from the castle, so the professor can run back and ask for help from the other professors."

"I heard that Professor Down was attacked by dark magic."

"What do you guys think, the ones who attacked Malfoy and Professor Down, what kind of people are they?"

"..."

The common room was abuzz with talk.

Two attacks that were more than four months apart were linked together by them, and all sorts of conspiracy theories ensued.

"Andy, who do you think attacked them?"

Andy's roommate, Anthony, swore, "Maybe it was Harry! I heard from the Gryffindors that Harry got hurt last time because he sneaked off to the Forbidden Forest."

Terry, another roommate, asked, "Who did you hear that from?"

Michael, on the other hand, was thoughtful, "You mean Harry set up traps in the Forbidden Forest? But why did he attack Professor Down?"

Anthony spread his hands, "Who knows! He was the one who defeated You-Know-Who, so maybe he was practising some sort of dark magic."

Hermione walked over from the girls' side, "I've heard no less than ten conspiracy theories, and someone else said that the person who attacked Professor Down was Professor Snape; because Professor Snape has always wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

Andy: "..."

Maybe one day Hogwarts will be ruined by rumours.

"Leave them alone."

Andy said breathlessly, "Things will always come to light one day, we should just wait patiently."

"Andy, what do you think...should we do something?" Hermione was a little agitated.

"What makes you even think that?"

Andy looked alarmed, "We're only first-year wizards, even if we had the intention to help, I'm afraid we would only add trouble to the professors."

Hermione gave Andy a blank look in dismay, "I'm not a Gryffindor, how could I possibly run off alone to stop Quirrell?"

Andy was instantly relieved.

People can be affected by their environment, and Hermione had been hanging out with Andy for a long time, so naturally she wouldn't be as reckless as she was in the original.

"What do you want to do?" Andy asked curiously.

Hermione leaned sideways closer and lowered her voice, "If it was Quirrell who attacked Professor Downe, then his hiding place is considered exposed."

Andy nodded, that's what happened.

"If he's still trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone, what do you suppose he'll do next?" Hermione asked.

Andy shook his head, how am I supposed to know what Quirrell is thinking?

Hermione covered her mouth with her hand and said mysteriously, "Did you forget about Malfoy?"

Andy raised an eyebrow, Malfoy?

Hermione had a 'you're so stupid' look on her face, "Why would Quirrell attack Malfoy if he could hide in the Forbidden Forest?"

Andy jerked up!

Hermione's words reminded him that the reason for Quirrell's attack on Malfoy might not be as simple as he had previously thought.

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