Chapter 276: Professor McGonagall Out of the Loop

Professor McGonagall was awakened by a series of urgent knocks at her door, startling her.

"Professor McGonagall, Professor McGonagall..."

She grabbed her wand from the bedside, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Professor McGonagall. Professor Snape sent me to inform you of an emergency!"

It was Filch.

McGonagall got up in confusion, quickly donning a robe and glasses. She opened the door, somewhat displeased, "Mr. Filch, do you know what time it is?"

"Sorry, Professor McGonagall, but Professor Snape said it's urgent."

"What happened, Filch?"

"The fourth-floor corridor, Professor Snape said it has been breached. Two students were taken, I didn't quite catch the details, but he's waiting for you there."

The fourth-floor corridor!

Professor McGonagall became instantly alert. Just after Dumbledore left, something happened there!

"You said two students were taken, by whom?"

"I don't know, Professor. I have to wake up Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout... oh, and that oaf Hagrid... oh, my legs..."

Professor McGonagall became very anxious. Two students taken? Who were they? Who took them?

She quickly put on a hat and hastened towards the fourth-floor corridor.

Along the way, images of Harry and other young wizards popped into her mind. She had a feeling that today's events couldn't be disconnected from Harry Potter.

Sure enough, upon arrival, she saw two young wizards crouching in the corner like quails - Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, as expected.

"You two, why are you here?" Professor McGonagall asked sternly. "Where's Professor Snape?"

"Professor, Harry, Harry and Tom were taken by Professor Quirrell..." Hermione burst into tears upon seeing her, "Professor Quirrell is the one after the Philosopher's Stone. He seemed to control Tom, then they took Harry, and the Philosopher's Stone..."

"What?!" Professor McGonagall was shocked, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the information.

This was completely unexpected.

Why would they know about the Philosopher's Stone?

And why would Quirrell want it? Why take Harry?

And what about Tom?

And the Philosopher's Stone is gone?!

Everyone else seemed to be following the plot, but Professor McGonagall was completely out of the loop.

"The Philosopher's Stone is gone," Snape emerged from the end of the corridor, "I just checked the traps. Most have been destroyed. But that's not the most important thing. Professor McGonagall, can you contact Dumbledore? Quirrell has taken Harry and Lucas. They are in grave danger!"

In fact, Snape had already sent a Patronus message to Dumbledore upon waking up.

But he had to consider the worst-case scenario. If Voldemort truly returned, he might need to continue his undercover work. Revealing himself as an ally in front of other Hogwarts professors could be risky. It seemed more appropriate for Professor McGonagall to notify Dumbledore.

And he hadn't received a reply from Dumbledore yet.

"What exactly happened, Severus?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"A bunch of arrogant kids thought they could thwart the Dark Lord's plan, so they entered the traps early. They actually got the Philosopher's Stone... With Dumbledore away today, I was concerned about the trap's safety, so I came to check and caught them red-handed. But I didn't expect Quirrell to be lurking in the shadows. He caught me off guard, knocked me out, and took Harry, Lucas, and the Philosopher's Stone."

"Quirrell must be an agent of Voldemort. Professor McGonagall, we must..."

He was interrupted by Filch, who hobbled over, panting, "Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape..."

He finally reached them, gasping, "Auror, the Aurors are here, they're telling everyone to go to the Three Broomsticks..."

"The Three Broomsticks?" Professor McGonagall was baffled, her mind in turmoil with the night's events.

"The captured students were found, along with Professor Quirrell..."

...

Nearly all the professors involved in designing the traps, along with Hagrid, Hermione, Ron, and even Zhang, were awakened and led by Auror Proudfoot to the Three Broomsticks.

Along the way, they tried to inquire about the situation, but the leading Auror was stern, urging them to hurry. "All school governors, the Minister of Magic, the head of the Auror Office, and the Commander of the Watchers... half the high officials of the Ministry of Magic are waiting for us."

Professor McGonagall grew increasingly nervous at Proudfoot's words, but his next statement was somewhat comforting, "Dumbledore is also there."

Dumbledore is there, that's a relief. But what exactly happened?

...

At the Three Broomsticks.

When Professor McGonagall and the others arrived, the place had already been cleared out. Wizards in Watcher uniforms stood guard outside but opened the door for them.

The pub was packed.

As the Auror had said, Minister of Magic Barty Crouch, Auror Office Head Rasmus Selwyn, Commander of the Watchers Winston Robinson, and all twelve school governors were present - nearly all the powerful figures of the Ministry of Magic were there.

Professor McGonagall immediately spotted the white-haired old man at the heart of the crowd, "Dumbledore! What happened?"

"Minerva." Dumbledore's deep blue eyes peered at her through his glasses, "One of our students appears to have died."

A student died?

Professor McGonagall didn't notice Dumbledore's strange wording.

She pushed her way in, and people parted to let her through.

At the center of the crowd, a space about three or four meters in diameter was cleared, with two tables put together. On them lay a boy.

Lucas Tom Brightson.

His complexion was pale, one arm twisted and broken, and a huge wound in his abdomen, blood slowly seeping out, apparently drained.

"Oh, my God." Professor McGonagall covered her mouth, overcome with sadness, "What happened?"

The extent of the boy's injuries suggested unimaginable torture.

"Tom!" Hermione and Ron also squeezed in, shocked at the sight of the body, rendered speechless for a moment.

"Uh..." Hermione suddenly ran out, overcome with fear and indescribable emotions, as if a hand was clutching her stomach, making her feel nauseous.

Ron, too, turned pale and was led out by an Auror, "They're just children, who let them in here!"

"Harry, where's Harry?!" Ron suddenly cried out, "Is Harry alright?"

He tried to re-enter the crowd, but a hand stopped him, "Harry is fine, he hasn't woken up yet. The Aurors are working on lifting the curse."

Ron turned to see Professor Murphy looking at him wearily, "When he wakes up, comfort him. Tell him, it wasn't his fault."

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