Chapter 67: “Dangerous Person”


    Matthews face suddenly became serious.


    Because he really couldnt figure it out.


    Why would anyone want to track him? He was just an ordinary first-year freshman and had no social rtionships in the wizarding world.


    Could it be that the witch, wrapped in a thick ck scarf down to her feet, was actually a character simr to a Muggle trafficker? Was she trying to abduct him?


    It was possible. The Hogs Head Inn had always been the gathering ce of gulls, ghosts, and snakes. Since this witch came from there, she might be nning something.


    In ces like Hogsmeade, she wouldnt be easy to start with, but when it got dark when she tried to return to Hogwarts, the secluded path between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade would be the best ce for her to attack.


    Matthew put down the mead in his hand and stood up.


    He was ready to go to Madam Malkins Robes for All asion to find Profesor Slughorn, who had bought his robe there, and then return to Hogwarts with the professor. Having an adult wizard with him would surely deter the witch from wearing the thick ck scarf.


    But soon, Matthew sat down again. He realized something was wrong. He picked up the mead and took a sip.


    He had been at the Hogs Head Inn before, but Professor Slughorn had picked him up.


    Even if the witch wrapped in a thick ck veil was nning something, it should have been visible to Professor Slughorn. After all, Professor Slughorn was a well-known figure in the wizarding world.


    Then why was she so quickly following him? Under normal circumstances, even if she had initially intended tomit a crime, she should have given up at this point.


    Was it because she wasnt afraid of Professor Slughorn at all? Or perhaps she had a reason to target him?


    Suddenly, Matthews face changed. It urred to him that he had no social rtionships in the wizarding world, but he did have something precious and potentially dangerous in his handsthe book.


    Because of the influence of that book, the Sorting Hat acted strangely, cing him in Slytherin.


    Because of the book, Bloody Baron had mistaken him for a ghost.


    Could it be that the witch wearing the thick ck veil was a witch studying mysteries, and she had sensed something about him that attracted her?


    Or maybe she wasnt a witch at all but a disguised wizard!


    While sipping the mead in his ss, Matthew nced from the corner of his eye at the witch in the thick ck scarf. She had ordered a small ss of lemon juice and was secretly observing him.


    This further deepened Matthews previous judgment. If the book genuinely attracted her, then the n to find Professor Slughorn would have to be canceled.


    Professor Slughorn might not be able to handle her, and during the Christmas season, he might not be as vignt as he should be.


    Moreover, Matthew didnt know where Madam Malkins was from where he was right now. Does he need to go through an alleyway to reach there faster? What if the witch intercepted him before he could reach the ce?


    What could he do about it? Hogsmeade probably had no Aurors patrolling.


    Matthew raised his ss and finished the mead. He thought of a way.


    When Matthew walked out of the Three Broom Bar, he could vaguely see through the frozen window that the witch was also hurrying to settle the bill and quickly catching up.


    There was no doubt that she was indeed tracking him. He estimated a 70% possibility due to the book and a 30% possibility due to other reasons.


    Trying to lose her by speed alone would probably be impossible. So, he had to do something else.


    Matthew didnt rush and went to Honeydukes Sweets Store. The popr store was crowded with witches and wizards snapping up candy.


    The witch wearing the thick ck scarf, hesitated for a while but didnt choose to chase after him. This was what Matthew had expected.


    Honeydukes was too crowded, and his small frame could easily get lost. It would be much more challenging for an adult like the witch to navigate.


    She was probably worried about losing him, so she chose to wait nearby. Matthew approached the Honeydukes counter, pretending to choose sweets.


    The busy store environment made it easy for him to blend in. The owners, Ambrosius Flume and his wife, were too upied with receiving customers to notice him.


    Taking advantage of the opportunity, Matthew sneaked behind the counter and discovered the entrance to the cer; he took out his wand and softly said, Alohomora! The cer door opened, and Matthew entered, closing it behind him.


    In the cer, he found piles of crates and wooden boxes. He searched the dusty floor, asionally squatting down and reaching out to touch.


    After almost five minutes, he found a trapdoor hidden in a cornerit blended perfectly with the gray floor.


    Once inside, he entered a tunnel that connected Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. This tunnel was built by wizards specifically for the goblin rebellion in the 17th century.


    While studentsmonly used it to sneak into Hogsmeade, Matthew was now using it in the opposite direction.


    Using his wand to illuminate the path ahead with a Lumos spell, Matthew walked unhurriedly through the tunnel.


    After about fifteen minutes, he arrived at a stone slide and began climbing. He climbed until he hit something on top of his head.


    Dissendium! Matthew whispered. A small holerge enough to crawl through appeared before him, and he crawled out slowly.


    Looking back, he saw a statue of a hunchbacked, one-eyed old woman. As he emerged, the small hole closed again.


    He had sessfully returned to Hogwarts.


    It seems I cant go to Hogsmeade casually, Matthew muttered to himself as he returned to the Slytherinmon room.


    Today had been his first time experiencing Hogsmeade, and it hadnt gone as nned.


    The seventh-year girls had already left in themon room in the morning, and only Agnes Lestrange remained.


    Wickfield! Lestrange called out his name just as Matthew returned to his bedroom.


    Whats wrong? Matthew turned around, curious about why she had called him.


    I suggest you keep a certain distance from Slughorn, Lestrange said coldly. He is a dangerous man.


    Huh? Matthew frowned, confused. I dont quite understand.


    Lestrange ignored him and bowed her head, leaving Matthew with unanswered questions.