Chapter 85: “Chaos Engulf Hogwarts”
Matthew was unaware of the crisis his two friends were facing at that very moment.
He couldnt have imagined such a situation.
From his perspective, Hermione and Neville should have returned to theirmon rooms after lunch in the auditorium.
The afternoon ss was Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Matthew and the rest of the Slytherin first-year students entered the ssroom.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts ss was held jointly with Ravenw, but Matthew couldnt spot Hermione among the Ravenw students.
Was she runningte? That was umon for her.
As he pondered this, Matthew opened his The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection and started flipping through it, feeling bored.
Time passed, and several minutes into the ss, Professor Rosier, had yet to show up.
This was an infrequent urrence. Matthew began to wonder if something had happened.
They couldnt wait much longer, and after another five minutes had passed, Mr. Pringle, the Caretaker, burst into the Defense Against the Dark Arts ssroom.
He shouted, Todays ss with Professor Rosier is canceled. Everyone stays in the ssroom and does not wander around. Your respective deans wille to pick you up and return you to yourmon rooms!
Whats going on? Draco stood up and asked aloud.
Thats none of your concern, Mr. Pringle snapped at Draco. Anyone caught outside their designated areas in the castle will be held responsible for any consequences.
What consequences? Padma Patil from Ravenw asked curiously.
Mr. Pringle gave her a cold smile and replied, Missing, injured, or dead
He briskly exited the ssroom with those words, followed by Mr. Donald.
As Mr. Pringle left, the entire ssroom erupted in chaos.
Whats happening? Draco, Vincent, and Gregory approached Matthew, eagerly discussing the situation.
Didnt a Hufflepuff student get attacked this morning? Theodore calmly analyzed, Could it be rted to that?
But they should have informed us in the morning! Draco voiced his dissatisfaction.
Matthew, Gregory turned to him, What do you think?
Perhaps Matthew hesitated momentarily and replied, What has happened since the attack on the Hufflepuff student this morning?
He nced at the Ravenw again but still couldnt spot Hermione. Suddenly, Matthews mind raced to a troubling possibility.
His words sent a wave of panic through the boys. If there were two attacks at Hogwarts in one day, they had to start considering their own safety.
Im such a fool! I made a terrible mistake! Draco regretted, My father wanted to send me to Durmstrang, but I heard that Hogwarts was the best magical school in the world, so I insisted oning here
If I hadnte to Hogwarts, I wouldnt have been targeted by dark magic and spent months in the school hospital If I hadnte to Hogwarts, none of this would have happened Draco panicked.
Enough, Draco, Matthew gestured for Draco to stop speaking.
The head of Ravenw and Slytherin, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Slughorn entered the room while Draco was still rambling.
Children, follow me! Slughorn, usually wearing a smile, now had a serious expression. I will take you back to the Slytherinmon room.
Over a dozen first-year Slytherin students formed two lines and followed Professor Slughorn.
Hogwarts has not been so peaceful these days! Slughorn sighed. Remember, you are strictly forbidden to leave the Slytherinmon room today and the uing weekends.
What?
Do we have to stay in themon room for two and a half days? Vincent asked.
What about meals, then? Greengrass asked with a weary expression.
Exactly, Mr. Crabbe. Slughorn replied, ncing at Crabbe and then Greengrass. Miss Greengrass, dont worry about meals. The house-elf will deliver food to your dormitory.
What the hell is going on, Professor? Draco asked, puzzled.
Draco, Im afraid I cant disclose that to you, Professor Slughorn said, spreading his hands.
He stopped answering their questions and led them toward the Slytherinmon room.
He looked around vigntly along the way, especially when they passed the eerie fork in the corridor.
Silence prevailed during the journey.
They finally reached the stone door of the Slytherinmon room.
The first-year students entered one by one while Matthew lingered at the back of the line.
Until he and Professor Slughorn were the only ones left outside the door.
Professor Slughorn, Matthew spoke softly, What happened? Can you tell me I swear I wont tell anyone else!
Well, Matthew if I were to tell only one person Slughorn sighed and lowered his voice.
The Hospital Wing was attacked, theres a mess with blood everywhere Madam Pomfrey was knocked unconscious. She hasnt woken up yet And besides
Slughorn hesitated for a moment.
There are other victims? Matthew asked with a serious tone.
Yes, two first-year students Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger, Slughorn sighed. They are both missing Professor Rosier is leading the entire school in a search for them.
Matthews heart sank. It seemed his worst fears hade true.
He took a deep breath and continued, By the way, Professor, you mentioned that we are forbidden to leave the Slytherinmon room these days
Thats correct, Matthew, Slughorn smiled. I know you wouldnt want to be left in the dark. I changed the password to the entrance and made it so that attempts to leave themon room would trigger its effectiveness None of you know the new password, so none of you can leave themon room.
But, Professor, Matthew said earnestly, did you forget that there was an incident in themon room before If something goes wrong here these days, we wont be able to leave and theres nothing worse than that!
Youre right, Matthew. Slughorn contemted, nodding in agreement.
You should at least inform the prefects of the password, Matthew suggested.
You can pass them a message from me. I need to join the search for Longbottom and Granger, Professor Slughorn agreed. Remember, no one should know the password except the prefects.
Of course! Matthew nodded without hesitation.
The new password is Professor Slughorn lowered his voice.
Merlin!