105

Chapter 105: Investigation, Rumors

As soon as the words were spoken, the mysterious voice abruptly ceased. Michael's initial fear gave way to astonishment.

Shortly after, two red-haired heads peeked out from behind the mirror—one from the left and the other from the right.

"How did you know it was us?" Fred asked with a grin.

"Your feet weren't quite hidden," George chimed in as he emerged.

"Aren't we identical?" Fred complained good-naturedly.

Initially mistaking the approaching figures for a professor, the twins hastily hid behind the mirror. One foot was concealed behind the clawed support, while the other awkwardly hung in the air, assuming an octopus-like posture to maintain balance.

Realizing it was Wade and Michael, the twins abandoned their ghostly pretense, eager to join the scene.

"Why are you two here?" Wade inquired.

"Same reason as you—checking up on why our little Ronnie got knocked out," Fred replied.

Curiously, Fred squatted beside the pile of ashes, prodding it with his finger.

Michael interjected, "You should be heading to the infirmary instead!"

"Percy already went," George interjected, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "We opted for something more intriguing—the Forbidden Section investigation!"

"Is this Quirrell?" Fred questioned, eyeing the remains skeptically. "What kind of magic burns someone like this?"

"Dark Fire?" Michael speculated. He vaguely recalled such a term, known for its potency compared to ordinary flames.

"Not likely," George countered. "Intense fire consumes all combustibles; it seems more like... another form of dark magic."

"When Harry wakes, we can ask him," Wade suggested, his concern palpable. "Anyone studied Dark Fire?"

Fred grinned proudly. "We snuck into the library during night rounds... managed to peruse a few off-limit texts like 'Encyclopedia of Curses' and 'Advanced Dark Magic Unveiled'..."

"Dark Fire is perilous and tricky to control, but mastering 'Fight Fire with Fire' has its benefits. Some useful minor hexes can be learned," George shared, unabashedly.

After a fruitless examination of the mound, the twins pocketed some dust as a souvenir for Ron.

Michael scoured the chamber, finding nothing of note. As he passed the mirror twice, an unsettling feeling nagged at him.

Stepping back, Michael gazed into the mirror.

His eyes widened in astonishment, then flushed crimson.

In the mirror, instead of Wade or the Weasley twins, he saw Padma.

Her wheat-colored complexion glowed with vitality, a sweet smile adorning her face framed by a deep blue sari, revealing smooth, delicate arms.

In the mirror, she embraced Michael tenderly, their closeness palpable.

For a moment, Michael felt a pang of jealousy towards his own reflection.

"What did you see?" Fred leaned in playfully, eyeing Michael with amusement. "Your face is as red as boiling water!"

"N-nothing," Michael stammered, hastily covering the mirror.

Wade joined them, noticing the inscription on the mirror and read aloud, "I reflect not your face, but the hearts desire ..."

He glanced at Michael knowingly.

Michael, face still flushed, coughed awkwardly, attempting to regain composure before stepping away from the mirror.

Upon reflection, he realized that Wade understood his desires without the need for a mirror.

Yet, he yearned for another glimpse of Padma in the mirror.

After lingering for a while longer, they reluctantly tore themselves from the illusionary happiness and prepared to depart.

Before leaving, Wade cast a final glance back—the magic mirror stood in the center of the empty room, seemingly beckoning silently.

Wade averted his gaze and hastened to join the others, as if escaping from a whirlpool.

---

Harry remained asleep in the school infirmary for three days before waking. During his convalescence, rumors swirled throughout the school. Dumbledore neither confirmed nor denied them, allowing students to freely discuss the recent events.

Those who had ventured beneath the trapdoor were besieged by fellow students eager to hear the adventure recounted time and again.

Neville quickly escaped the spotlight due to his early exit. Theo, normally even-tempered, found himself tongue-tied at times, occasionally contradicting himself amidst the recounting.

Soon, apart from Harry's solo experiences, the entire school knew every detail of the story. They learned that Professor Quirrell sought the Philosopher's Stone, only to be thwarted by Harry Potter and his companions.

Ron, who had displayed bravery and sacrifice, became the Gryffindor hero. Upon his awakening, several Gryffindor boys carried him triumphantly from the infirmary to the Great Hall, while his mischievous brothers made merry at his side, rendering Ron's face as red as his hair.

However, a more outlandish rumor quietly circulated—that Quirrell was not acting alone but rather a puppet manipulated by You Know Who. Thus, Harry Potter had once again vanquished the man whose name could not be spoken...

Of course, few believed such an audacious claim. Yet, precisely because of its incredibility, it circulated with heightened enthusiasm: "Did you hear? The truth is not as it seems..."

The rumor spread swiftly across the school.

Dumbledore's response was ambiguous. When directly questioned, he remarked vaguely, "The Philosopher's Stone... is coveted by many, particularly those who seek to evade death..."

The questioner understood immediately—the name "Voldemort" meant "flight from death."

"Yes, our students displayed courage and responsibility, bravely confronting evil and safeguarding the Stone..."

Dumbledore's tone shifted, smiling enigmatically. "However, Nicolas and Perenelle decided the Stone posed too great a risk. They resolved to attend to some matters before embarking on a new journey... For those who have lived long enough, death holds a different allure, does it not?"