The Prisoners of Hogwarts

Chapter 269 Identity and Countering Provocation

Chapter 269 Identity and Dealing with Provocation (5.4K) (1/2)

The moment this question was raised, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became delicate.

Professor McGonagall's face showed obvious worry, Professor Flitwick stood on tiptoe anxiously, and Professor Sprout clasped his hands together nervously.

Upon hearing Lupin's name, Snape's face, which had been clouded by the fruitless search, transformed into an undisguised, malicious sneer.

His lips twitched slightly, and his dark eyes gleamed with a cold, amused light, as if he had long anticipated this question being raised and was happy to see the trouble that would follow.

After all, it was he who personally brewed and delivered the wolfsbane medicine, so he knew better than anyone what kind of "inconvenient to receive guests" situation Lupin was in at this moment.

Just as Professor McGonagall took a half-step forward, about to speak, Dumbledore's gentle, humming voice rang out first: "Professor Lupin is seriously unwell tonight and unable to leave his office. I have personally confirmed that he is resting and is unrelated to tonight's events."

He met Scringer's gaze calmly, as if trying to end the conversation.

However, Scrimgeour was not someone who could be easily appeased.

He frowned slightly and insisted, "Headmaster Dumbledore, in these special circumstances, the situation of every faculty and staff member needs to be verified. Especially after a dangerous fugitive has just broken in. I need to confirm Professor Lupin's safety, and—his exact condition."

Dumbledore was silent for a moment, a faint trace of helplessness flashing across his aged face.

He knew Scrinker's stubbornness and that it wasn't a deliberate attack.

"Alright." Dumbledore gestured for a private conversation and led Scrimgeour to a corner of the corridor, slightly away from the crowd.

Then Lynch saw Dumbledore whisper something to Scrimgeour.

Although Dumbledore's voice was so low that he couldn't catch a glimpse of it.

But in the silent corridor, Scrimgeour's barely audible exclamation, "Werewolf?!"—uttered in utter shock—still reached Lynch's ears clearly, like a pebble thrown into calm water.

Seeing the undisguised shock and disapproval on Director Scrimgeour's face, Headmaster Dumbledore slightly raised his hand, making a gesture to calm him down.

"Master Scrimgeour, please don't be agitated," Headmaster Dumbledore's voice remained calm. "Professor Remus Lupin is indeed a werewolf. But more importantly, he is also an exceptionally capable and completely controllable educator. His teaching at Hogwarts is entirely in accordance with regulations, and he has taken far more precautions than necessary, including taking wolfsbane regularly each month. Professor Snape can attest to this."

Director Scrimgeour's brow furrowed deeply. He lowered his voice, but the skepticism in his tone remained: "Headmaster Dumbledore, I must point out that hiring a werewolf to teach in a school full of underage wizards is an extremely rare and risky decision! The Ministry of Magic must have the right to know and evaluate this—"

“Master,” Headmaster Dumbledore interrupted him gently, but his blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles sharpened. “The appointment of Hogwarts faculty and staff is a matter within the purview of the Board of Trustees and myself, as Headmaster. We bear full responsibility for it. I understand your concerns, but I can assure you that what happened tonight has absolutely nothing to do with Professor Lupin. He has been in absolute and safe isolation all night, a fact I can vouch for with my reputation.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the waiting crowd not far away, and continued, "The top priority right now is dealing with the Black intrusion and ensuring the continued safety of all faculty and students. I don't think we should be distracted by the issue of Professor Lupin's qualifications. What do you think, Director?"

Director Scrimgeour pursed his lips and stared at Dumbledore for a moment.

He could sense the firmness in the old headmaster's words and the unspoken subtext—this was an internal matter of Hogwarts.

Considering Dumbledore's prestige, the current emergency, and the potential for a bigger uproar over the sensitive topic of "werewolfs," he ultimately chose to temporarily set aside the controversy.

"—I understand, Headmaster Dumbledore." Headmaster Scrimgeour took a deep breath, his tone regaining its professional composure. "We will focus our investigation on Black's intrusion. However, the Ministry reserves the right to inquire further about Professor Lupin's case."

"Of course, we can communicate again at the appropriate time." Headmaster Dumbledore nodded slightly, thus bringing this brief and unpleasant private conversation to a close.

The two returned to the group. Director Scrimgeour stopped mentioning Professor Lupin and instead began to deploy the subsequent tasks of perimeter security and tracking around the castle.

Lin Qi, who was standing to the side, had already quietly noted down this unexpected discovery.

"We have completed the documentation of the scene." Scrimgeour's voice was firm, announcing to his Aurors and the Hogwarts professors, "Black is extremely cunning, leaving no obvious clues pointing to his hiding place. But the intrusion itself is the most important piece of information—he is not only still nearby, but also possesses an unknown ability to infiltrate the heart of Hogwarts."

His sharp gaze swept over each professor.

"The Ministry of Magic will immediately deploy additional Aurors to strengthen patrols around the castle and Hogsmeade. At the same time, I expect the school administration to fully cooperate in reassessing and reinforcing all security measures within the castle, especially the security network comprised of portraits, armor, and ghosts."

Dumbledore nodded calmly: "Of course, the safety of Hogwarts is our shared primary responsibility."

Scrimgeour nodded slightly, acknowledging a temporary consensus, and then left without saying anything more, leading his men away in a flurry of activity, his robes billowing in the corridor.

Once they left, only Hogwarts staff remained in the corridor.

Professor Flitwick wrung his hands nervously, Professor Sprout's face was filled with worry, while Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, her eyes a mixture of lingering fear and a firm sense of responsibility.

Snape's lips were pressed tightly together, and a gloomy, smug expression hung over his sallow face. He had clearly caught the snippets of conversation that Dumbledore and Scrimgeour had just exchanged, and he had also keenly sensed Scrimgeour's dissatisfaction with Lupin's identity.

His cold gaze swept over the direction of Lupin's office, a barely audible snort escaped his nose, and then he turned his head, waiting for Dumbledore's instructions.

Dumbledore calmly surveyed the core deans and Lynch present, his voice still steady.

"Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, Professor Snape," he said, looking at McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, and Snape in turn. "Tonight is far from over. The students are gathered in the Great Hall; they need to see the professors and feel absolutely safe. Our task now is to ensure they get through this night safely."

He gave specific instructions: "Professor McGonagall, please take charge of maintaining order in the Great Hall and calming the students, especially the Gryffindor children. Professors Flitwick and Sprout, please assist Professor McGonagall in looking after the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students respectively, ensuring that no disturbance or panic spreads."

Professors Flitwick and Sprout immediately nodded, and Professor McGonagall straightened her back, her face regaining its usual resolute expression.

Dumbledore's self-light ultimately fell on Snape and Lynch.

"Professor Snape," he said, "you will be responsible for patrolling the perimeter of the Great Hall, paying particular attention to all entrances, windows, and the high balconies. Your vigilance is crucial; I need you to ensure that nothing, whether alive or—whatever—can approach there without us noticing."

Having received their instructions, the deans nodded and left, leaving only Dumbledore and Lynch in the corridor.

Dumbledore turned to Lynch, his deep blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles unfathomable.

"Professor Lynch," his voice lowered, "you—didn't you find any unusual details during the entire search? About how Blake came and went without a trace?"

The crow on Lynch's shoulder tilted its head slightly, its dark eyes gleaming in the dim light.

Lynch stroked its feathers, his voice as calm as ever: "No. I haven't found any useful traces."

His infiltration and escape were remarkably clean, leaving no trace other than the mess in the Gryffindor Tower. After all, he was a wizard capable of escaping Azkaban single-handedly; such an achievement was not surprising.

He paused slightly, noticing the interest in Dumbledore's eyes, before continuing, "But I have a guess. A conjecture based on past information—I've heard Lily mention that James Potter and his small group, who called themselves 'The Raiders,' were very adept at conducting clandestine explorations inside and outside the castle during their school days, always managing to sneak out of school unnoticed. So, the secret passage Black used this time was probably one they discovered and used during their school days."

At this point, Lin Qi paused at the right moment, and then added as if casually: "Speaking of which, there is someone in the school who knows this matter better than anyone else."

1

Dumbledore paused for a moment, then suddenly realized.

He nodded slightly.

"I understand." His voice was steady. "I will ask Professor Lu Ping first thing tomorrow morning."

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Great Hall of Hogwarts was heavy and somber.

The tables from the four houses were moved to the wall, and the floor was covered with hundreds of purple sleeping bags, in which the young wizards lay, but very few were actually asleep.

A tense whisper filled the air, like a swarm of startled bees buzzing.

Whenever a professor—such as Professor McGonagall, pale-faced but with firm steps; or Professor Flitwick, tiptoeing among the sleeping bags; or Professor Sprout, her face etched with maternal worry—patrols by, the students immediately close their eyes, make exaggerated yet even breathing sounds, and pretend to be fast asleep.

However, as soon as the professors' robes brushed past, those "sleeping" eyes opened again, and whispers resumed, even more enthusiastic than before.

"How did he get in?"

"Where is the fat lady? Was she really—"

"His target is Gryffindor Tower! His target is definitely Harry Potter!"

"Merlin, what does he want to do to Potter?"

Various speculations and rumors spread rapidly in the dimly lit auditorium, each one more terrifying than the last.

Fear and excitement intertwined, making sleep seem like a distant dream.

Amidst this oppressive restlessness, an annoying, familiar voice suddenly shrieked from the direction of the auditorium doors.

"Oh—! There's a fight! There's a fight! Bad guys have broken in! It's tearing! It's smashing!"

Peeves burst into the auditorium like a fat, brightly colored bullet, somersaulting in the air with a malicious smugness on his face. Wearing a crooked top hat and a bright tie, he became even more smug when he saw hundreds of eyes instantly focused on him.

"Peeves!" Professor McGonagall roared, her face ashen with anger and exhaustion. "Get out of here!"

But Pipi Ghost wasn't afraid at all.

He swooped down, skimming low over the students' heads, and announced in his shrill voice, "Why not ask poor, frightened Peeves what he saw? I went, I went to Gryffindor Tower to see what was going on! Hee hee hee! Sirius Black! He went in! He scared the Fat Lady into hiding, and then he went into little Potter's dormitory!"

He paused deliberately in mid-air, basking in the deathly silence and Professor McGonagall's fiery gaze.

"He tore the bed curtains to shreds! He ripped the red and gold quilt to pieces! Feathers were flying everywhere, like a snowstorm! He even left muddy footprints on the wall! What was he looking for? He didn't find it! He was furious! He was enraged!"

"Pee-pee-pee!" Professor McGonagall's voice trembled with extreme anger. Her wand was already pointed at him, but she knew that ordinary banishing spells would have limited effect against this chaotic elf and would likely cause even greater chaos.

Peeves stuck his tongue out at her and continued shrilly, "Breaking news! Breaking news! Murderer Black is going crazy in Potter's bed!"

Now, the pretense of being asleep is completely over.

The students sat up abruptly, and a wave of alarmed and excited chatter swept through the auditorium.

The Gryffindor students were particularly shocked, all looking toward where Harry, Ron, Seamus, and the others were, trying to find confirmation on their faces.

Harry himself was stunned. He only knew that Black had broken into the castle and claimed to be from the tower, but he didn't know the specific details were so targeted and malicious.

Just as Professor McGonagall was about to unleash a powerful forbidden spell on Peeves, the Great Hall doors were pushed open again.

Dumbledore walked in.

He appeared calm, but the entire auditorium fell silent when his blue eyes scanned the room from behind his half-moon glasses.

He didn't even raise his voice, but simply raised his wand and clearly said, "Peeves, leave the Great Hall. Now."

""

His voice wasn't loud, but it contained a powerful magic.

Pipi Ghost's triumphant laughter caught in his throat instantly. Like a balloon with its neck being choked, a hint of fear appeared on his face for the first time.

He muttered a few obscured curses, made a rude gesture toward Dumbledore, but still…

With a "whoosh," it disappeared through the wall.

The auditorium fell silent instantly, and all eyes were focused on the principal.

Dumbledore walked to the center of the Great Hall, his light sweeping gently but firmly over each of the still-shaken little faces.

"I know that something very disturbing has happened tonight," he said, his voice steady and carrying throughout the Great Hall. "You are all afraid and confused, and that is perfectly normal. But please believe me, and believe your professors, that Hogwarts is safer than ever."

He paused, then continued, "The Aurors from the Ministry of Magic are patrolling outside the castle, and your professors will be guarding it throughout the night. Regarding what Peeves said earlier," he glanced in the direction of the Gryffindor table, "there was indeed some damage, but importantly, no students were harmed. The Fat Lady was just frightened; we'll bring her back once she's calmed down."

He didn't elaborate on how Black found Harry's dormitory so precisely, nor did he explain why he could come and go without a trace, but his composure itself was a powerful motivator.

"Now, I need all of you to show the courage and composure that your house should possess," Dumbledore's voice was encouraging. "Try to rest, even if it's just closing your eyes and relaxing. Conserve your strength, stay calm. Hogwarts needs each and every one of you safe and sound. Believe me, as long as we stand together, nothing can truly threaten us."

He didn't say anything more, but his very presence calmed the restless hearts.

Although the students were still nervous, their chatter subsided, and many obediently lay back down in their sleeping bags, their eyes still wide open.

Dumbledore nodded slightly to the professors, signaling them to continue maintaining order. Then he turned and walked steadily out of the Great Hall, his long, silvery-white hair and robes leaving a reassuring silhouette in the dim light.

Meanwhile, Lynch found Snape in the shadows of the armored corridor.

The light from the tip of his wand outlined his taut profile, his dark eyes reflecting the gloom of a fruitless search, and a lingering, malicious pleasure that rose from the exposure of Lupin's secret.

"Severus," Lynch began, the raven on his shoulder turning its head silently in the dim light, "let's patrol together."

Snape turned his head: "We all know that coward has already run away with his tail between his legs. This futile formalism is wasting the time we could have used for—more valuable things."

"If you mean tracking Sirius Black," Lynch said calmly, "I'm sorry, I can't do that."

Snape's lips curled into a mocking smile: "I thought... you were good at tracking."

Lynch seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in his words: "I'm very good at tracking." He turned to Snape, "But that requires my personal presence, and you and I both know my current situation; I can't get out."

Snape narrowed his eyes: "You said you could do things outside of Hogwarts using that raven on your shoulder."

Lynch shook his head: "It can help me do a lot of things, but not this."

He paused for a moment: "Just like brewing a potion, standing far away and using a wand to control the stirring is ultimately different from standing in front of the cauldron and stirring it by hand."

Snape snorted coldly and didn't dwell on the topic any further.

After a while, Lin Qi casually spoke up: "Tonight, luck is on our side. Sirius didn't know the date, and the Halloween party meant he missed it. Isn't that lucky?"

Snape didn't speak, nor did he pause in his steps, but Lynch knew from the sudden chill in his aura that he understood the hidden meaning in his words.

The commotion created by Peeves filled the Great Hall. A slight smile appeared on Lynch's lips as he walked side by side with Snape through the shadows cast by the gargoyles.

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