The Prisoners of Hogwarts

Chapter 169 Admonition and Return

Chapter 169 Admonition and Return

Upon returning to the castle, Professor McGonagall immediately summoned all the faculty and staff.

With a grave expression, she solemnly announced the terrible events that had just occurred and sternly warned that this attack was no accident, that Professor Dumbledore would be returning tomorrow, and that everyone must be on high alert to ensure the safety of every student.

After the faculty and staff meeting ended, the crowd dispersed like the receding tide, leaving only the echoing footsteps and suppressed whispers in the corridor.

Lynch did not head towards the castle gate. Instead, he turned slightly on the stone corridor and called out to the figure in a black robe that almost blended into the shadows.

"Severus".

Snape stopped, slowly turned around, his black eyes like two unfathomable pools of cold water in the dim light, devoid of any emotion.

"Professor Lynch," his smooth voice carried its usual, almost imperceptible sarcasm, "what advice do you have? Or have you finally decided to point out that obvious 'detail' I missed?"

Lin Qi ignored the barb in his words, his gaze sweeping across the empty corridor, his voice steady and deep: "About the words on the wall."

Snape's lips curled downwards, forming an almost mocking smile.

"Obviously. It was a student. An overly energetic lowerclassman trying to get attention." He paused, his dark eyes fixed on Lynch. "But that doesn't matter much. What's really important is the cat's condition."

“Indeed,” Lynch continued. “That’s magic no child could possibly wield. The power is ancient and malevolent, carrying—an inhuman aura. The things in the secret chamber are real, and they’ve already been released.”

"And our savior," Snape's voice was laced with sarcasm, "happened to possess a unique gift of hearing, allowing him to pinpoint the exact location of that 'inhuman' being. How—coincidental."

"This is no coincidence, Severus." Lynch's tone took on an undeniable, cold hardness. "It's a clue, and possibly a warning. Whatever that monster is, Harry's ability to sense it puts him in an extremely dangerous situation."

"His situation at the school became difficult when Harry first showed up at the scene."

"The pressure of public opinion can make a person act irrationally, and you should understand this better than I do."

"So?" Snape finally managed to squeeze out two words through gritted teeth.

“So,” Lynch stepped forward, his gaze sharp as he stared into Snape’s eyes, “put away your usual, undisguised disgust for that kid, and stop provoking him! It’s our duty to make sure he’s not attacked by that monster alone in some corner of a corridor when no one is watching. This requires you to actually pay attention, not just stand by and watch.”

Snape was silent for a moment, his facial muscles tense.

Despite the boy's striking resemblance to James Potter, which evoked a physical revulsion in him, protecting the boy's life was an unshakable vow, a redemption he would spend his entire life fulfilling. "I don't need you to teach me how to fulfill my duty, Lynch," he said coldly, his voice filled with suppressed rage.

With a flick of his long, black robe, he said no more, turned and slid into the deeper shadows of the corridor like a giant bat, disappearing swiftly from sight.

Lynch's gaze remained fixed on the end of the corridor where Snape had disappeared.

His intention in stopping Snape was never to persuade him to protect Harry—the bat's personality was as stubborn as steel, not easily swayed by others. His real purpose was simply to make Snape clearly receive the message that he cared about the boy's safety.

Now that the signal has been delivered, that's enough.

After standing still for a moment, Lynch called out softly, "Totz."

A soft crackling sound came from the air, and the house-elf Thorts, dressed in a black tailcoat, appeared respectfully at his feet.

"Mr. Lynch?"

"From this moment on," Lynch's voice left no room for argument, "your primary task is to secretly follow Harry Potter. Keep your distance and don't let him or anyone else discover you. Report to me immediately if anything unusual happens, or if he goes to a secluded place alone."

"Torts understands! Torts will protect Mr. Harry Potter!" The little elf nodded vigorously, his big eyes filled with seriousness, then there was a slight pop, and he disappeared without a trace.

Lynch then turned around and walked steadily through the silent castle toward the road leading to the Forbidden Forest, his figure gradually blending into the night outside.

The next morning, the first pale rays of sunlight had just climbed to the top of Hogwarts Tower.

Albus Dumbledore appeared outside the castle gates, his long, silvery hair and beard seemingly weathered by the journey, and his blue eyes behind his crescent-shaped spectacles appeared exceptionally sharp.

Without pausing, he walked straight to the corridor on the second floor where the incident had occurred.

Filch was already there, angrily and forcefully scrubbing the last trace of dark red on the wall with a pungent-smelling cleaner, muttering indistinct curses. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw the headmaster; a new wave of grievance and accusation immediately welled up in his cloudy eyes.

"Headmaster Dumbledore! You're finally back! My Lady Norris—"

"I know, Argus, I know." Dumbledore's voice was gentle yet possessed a calming power. "I'm sorry I can't get back immediately, but I trust Madam Pomfrey will take good care of her, and she can return to you once the mandrake matures."

Professor McGonagall practically ran over, her face paler than usual.

"Professor Dumbledore," she said eagerly, "it's good to see you back. Last night—" She quickly and clearly recounted the events, the professors' examinations, and Hagrid's questioning.

Dumbledore listened quietly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the wall that had been wiped so clean it was almost peeling, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"...That's the situation. We had to bother Hagrid about the whistleblower from back then; he insists on waiting for your return." Professor McGonagall concluded, her voice filled with worry. "Professor Dumbledore, the students are terrified, we must—"

"You've done very well, Minerva," Dumbledore interrupted her gently, his blue eyes gleaming with approval. "You handled the situation impeccably. And asking Professor Lynch for assistance was an extremely wise choice. Now, leave this to me."

At breakfast time, the auditorium was filled with unusual, subdued murmurs.

At Hogwarts, rumors always spread at an astonishing speed.

Rumors about Lady Lorris and the blood-written words on the wall have been embellished and spread throughout the long tables of the four houses.