Shocked, Harry and his friends stared at the two girls. Their eyes were wide open, but they did not blink or move. Their skin was pale and their hair was stiff. They looked like wax statues that had been frozen in a moment of terror.
"Are they…" Daphne trailed off in a horrified whisper.
"Petrified," Amelia Bones replied with a grim expression. "Something or someone has attacked them with a dark curse of a most heinous kind."
They all stared at the girls, feeling a chill down their spines. They wondered what or who could have done this to them.
McGonagall looked at the students with a piercing stare.
"I take it you were all with Mr. Potter this evening?"
The students nodded.
Amelia Bones, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, glanced at her niece in concern. Susan looked troubled at the sight and she gave her a reassuring nod. The young redhead nodded back.
"You should all go to bed now," Dumbledore said gently. "The aurors will take charge of this situation. Aurora, Septima, Sybil, please escort them to their dormitories."
Professor Sinistra led the Slytherins away while Professor Vector took the Hufflepuffs with her, leaving Harry to be guided by Professor Trelawney. He truly did not know what to think of her. She always wore strange clothes and looked as if she was lost in a dream.
Quietly, they walked through the corridors toward the Ravenclaw tower.
Harry's mind raced with questions. He was concerned about what had happened. Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley had been found petrified near the girls' bathroom on the second floor and he wondered who had attacked them.
It was not commonplace to find people petrified outside of cursed places like tombs or away from cursed objects. To find two people petrified in the heart of Hogwarts was both a cause of concern and a mystery.
He searched his memory for clues, but all he could remember was Dobby's ominous warning. The elf had told him of a dark plot, concocted by Malfoy, to ensure terrible things happened at Hogwarts. Two months had passed with nothing happening, until now. He had no proof, but he had a nagging suspicion that this was what Dobby had warned him about.
He racked his brain for clues about Malfoy's sinister scheme. He was sure that Voldemort had a hand in this, and he had even unearthed his accursed diary. However, the diary was safely in his grasp and there was no way it could have been utilized to unleash such havoc.
He wondered how Malfoy had managed to pull off this attack. He had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning of the dark and dangerous plot and he feared that more innocent lives would be in peril if the mastermind behind this was not caught soon.
Suddenly, Harry stopped in his tracks and stared at Professor Trelawney, who had frozen a few steps ahead of him. She stood as rigid as a statue and stared blankly into the distance. Harry felt a surge of alarm as he looked at her. He wondered if she had been petrified too, but he quickly noticed that she did not have the same signs as the two girls. She did not look pale or stiff, but rather like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
"Professor?" He asked, puzzled when the woman did not respond. He cautiously approached her and examined her face.
The woman's eyes were glazed over as she looked ahead, but suddenly they snapped to his forehead where his scar had burned some time ago. Before Harry could say anything, she opened her mouth and uttered in a strange voice:
"The one with the dark hair, the one with the mean stature, the one with tragic losses so young in life, the one born as the month died. Demise awaits the one. The mark of the serpent shall triumph…"
The woman snapped out of her trance as quickly as she had fallen into it. She looked around, confused, until her eyes met Harry's and she smiled.
"Shall we get going?"
More than a little perturbed, Harry smiled uncertainly.
"We're almost there, Professor. I can walk the rest of the way by myself. You should go and get some rest too. You've had a rough day as well," he said, gently moving away from the woman.
"Ah, I suppose you are right. Alas, the headmaster would be cross with me should I not carry out my duties. Come," she smiled aloofly and walked, leaving Harry with no choice but to follow.
Shortly afterward, Harry lay in his bed in the Ravenclaw Tower, replaying the bizarre incident that had transpired with Professor Trelawney. What she had uttered… he could not help but associate it with himself. He possessed dark hair, he had endured losses at a young age, and he was indeed born at the end of July. A sense of dread washed over him as he remembered what she had proclaimed afterward.
"The mark of the serpent shall triumph…" he trailed off, holding his scar.
The pain had subsided, but the incident from earlier that evening had reminded him harshly that it was still there. He knew it was connected to his encounter with Voldemort when he was an infant. What he did not know was what it implied.
The woman had spoken of demise… his demise. She had predicted his death.
Harry had never given much credence to Divination. He had always thought that people shaped their own destiny and nothing was predetermined. However, even his rational mind could not help but be wary of the prophecy. It certainly sounded like one to him.
He shook his head vigorously. It was futile to worry about what might occur. Two girls had been petrified by a dark curse and somehow Lucius Malfoy was involved in it all. That was alarming and he knew who was really behind it. The only question was how?
-Break-
The Halloween night attack sent shockwaves throughout the castle. It was the talk of every corridor, classroom, and common room at Hogwarts. The aurors were relentless in their pursuit of the culprit, leaving no stone unturned in their investigation. They often barged into the school grounds, disrupting lessons and activities, much to the annoyance of the students and staff. Unfortunately, there had been no progress yet.
Ginny and Luna lay unconscious in the Infirmary. The Weasleys and Mr. Lovegood visited them frequently, hoping for a miracle, but Madam Pomfrey had no good news to offer. The girls remained in a deep slumber, oblivious to the world around them.
A petrification could only be reversed with the help of a Mandrake Restorative Draught, but there were two big complications that prevented their recoveries. The Mandrakes needed to be fully mature and it would take months for it to happen. Furthermore, the draught had a shelf life of a few weeks at most, which meant keeping a stock of it was impossible. As such, it was impossible to awaken the girls until the end of the school year.
Harry and his friends had not been idle. They had discussed it all and agreed that Lucius Malfoy was involved in the entire affair. Alas, without concrete evidence, they could not accuse him of anything. Draco Malfoy, his son, was strutting about like a peacock, pompously proclaiming for all to hear that the Heir of Slytherin would soon cleanse the school of all who were unworthy of studying magic. Such abhorrent behavior garnered him nothing but scorn from the rest of the student body, not that the idiot cared.
Harry had half a mind to teach the ponce another lesson, but a loudmouth idiot was very low on his list of priorities.
They had visited the spot where the attack had taken place. The warning, though scrubbed from the stone, remained etched in their collective consciousness.
Slytherin's Heir had returned to purge the castle of the undesirables. No one knew who these undesirables were, but Hannah had theorized that the term probably meant the muggleborns.
Harry knew that the Wizarding World had a misguided perception of Salazar Slytherin and that was why they would think that his ideology was endorsing the attack. However, the logic fell apart when he considered that the girls who had been petrified were purebloods, not the ones Slytherin would have despised.
Daphne had given the most clear and logical explanation, in Harry's view.
The Heir of Slytherin was a hoax. It was a mask that the attacker was wearing to conceal his true identity.
Their conviction remained steadfast: Lucius Malfoy was the mastermind behind the attack and they also knew that he would not get his hands soiled. Instead, he would use someone else as his pawn. What they needed was to find undeniable evidence of Lucius Malfoy's involvement. Unfortunately, they had no clue how to do that.
In the midst of all the turmoil surrounding Hogwarts, Harry had refrained from burdening his friends with Trelawney's prophecy. He chastised himself in the privacy of his mind for fretting over something he considered inconsequential. Unfortunately, the paranoia had settled within him and wary of someone hurting him or his friends, his gaze would dart around in a state of heightened alertness whenever something unexpected happened.
Perhaps it was his newfound paranoia that pushed him back into the hellhole that solitude was. Harry began to spend a lot of time in the Come and Go Room, meticulously studying the tomes of Slytherin and Dolohov. He intensified his offensive arsenal, practicing and mastering numerous curses and hexes that would be deemed as dark by many. He found he cared little for such labels, as long as they served his purpose.
He also delved deeper into the lore that surrounded the Chamber of Secrets, having found it intriguing the first time he had read about it, and how Slytherin repeatedly emphasized that only his heir could locate it and command the monster within. The whereabouts of this chamber and the identity of this monster remained shrouded in mystery, but Harry was still in no hurry to discover anything.
His friends did not miss his unusual behavior. He reassured them that he was fine, unwilling to unnecessarily trouble them. He acknowledged it as a personal challenge, one he resolved to tackle on his own. They knew he was not entirely truthful but refrained from prying further, which he greatly appreciated.
The next few weeks leading up to the Yule were the same. Harry spent a lot of his time on his own in the Come and Go Room, wholly dedicated to refining his spellcasting and precision. The spells in Salazar's tome proved demanding. He could cast only a few before he found himself out of breath. It served as a stark reminder of his current level of fitness, prompting him to intensify his efforts in physical training.
His friends looked even more concerned over his lack of interaction. Daphne and Tracey, unaccustomed to this side of him, didn't know how to take it. Meanwhile, for the trio of Hufflepuffs, it felt as if they had gone back to the initial months of their first year when he used to navigate the castle in complete solitude.
After another day of spell practice, Harry walked into the Ravenclaw Common Room where he found, to his surprise, someone waiting for him.
"You sure I can take it?" Cho asked hesitatingly. Harry smiled and nodded reassuringly.
"Sure. I'm not using it much either way. Better it gets some use than collect dust in my dorm."
The girl smiled gratefully.
"Thanks a lot, Harry. I owe you one," she replied.
"No issues. When's the match, by the way?" Harry asked curiously.
"The day after tomorrow. With the Gryffs," she told him. Harry nodded absently.
"I'll get it for you tomorrow then. Better get yourself a bit used to the feel of handling it."
Cho nodded graciously, a smile gracing her lips, and rejoined her circle of friends who glanced at him and began to giggle. Harry rolled his eyes and noticed that Edgecombe was back with them. It seemed the bully had gotten her friends back. Harry couldn't help but harbor the disdainful thought that at least Lovegood would be spared Edgecombe's bullying, now that she was petrified.
With a shake of his head, Harry walked toward the stairs leading to the boys' dormitories, oblivious to the intense gaze fixed on him. Unbeknownst to him, those eyes flashed a sinister shade of crimson before reverting to their customary hue.
-Break-
"I don't like this at all," Susan muttered, playing with her quill. "How many weeks has it been now?"
"Six, almost seven," Daphne replied curtly. "And I agree with you. Don't like this at all."
"This feels exactly like first year. He's back to being a loner."
"What happened though?" Tracey asked curiously.
"No clue. He's been like this since the Halloween night," Neville remarked. "Considering how he's holed up in the Come and Go Room, I feel he's practicing advanced spells to get stronger so that nothing happens to him… or us."
Neville finished quietly and Daphne slammed her hands on the table.
"Silence!" Madam Pince thundered with a glare. Daphne glared back and sat down, gripping the quill hard enough to break it. She clicked her tongue in annoyance and threw it in the bin.
Susan's gaze shifted to the blonde, a sigh escaping her lips. In truth, she harbored the same restlessness as the other girl, yet was at a loss for how to respond. Harry felt distant, casting an additional layer of tension over their already anxious group. They had already been worrying over this dark plot Malfoy had hatched, not knowing when the next attack might be and on whom.
She couldn't deny her frustration with Harry over this little stunt he had pulled. She didn't think he even knew how much he was troubling them with this phase of his. It made her even angrier. He was both a noble soul and an idiot.
She stated as much, making Daphne nod vehemently in agreement.
"Enough of this," the blonde muttered. "Susan, come with me. We'll drag that moron out of that room."
Taken aback, Susan turned her gaze toward Daphne, who regarded her with utter seriousness.
"Don't look at me like that," she said curtly. "Out of everyone here, only you and I feel similarly about this situation. You know why. I'd rather you be with me when I bash his head in, and I'd prefer if we did it together."
Wide-eyed astonishment swept across the table. Neville, Hannah, and Tracey exchanged incredulous glances, while Susan stared at Daphne as if the blonde had just sprouted wings. This was the first time anyone had explicitly alluded to their not-so-hidden feelings out in the open. If this wasn't an open admission, they weren't quite sure what else could be.
Susan's throat bobbed as she regarded Daphne. Her expression turned resolute as her eyes locked with the blonde's blue ones. Their eyes held steady in a silent understanding and she nodded curtly.
"It seems we finally need to talk about the elephant in the room," the redhead remarked, earning a curt nod from the blonde.
"That can come later. For now, someone needs to have some sense knocked into his thick skull," Daphne replied as she stood up.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Susan smirked as she followed suit.
Without bothering to look at the others, they strode out of the library in unison, leaving a shocked trio in their wake.
"Fucking hell," Hannah whispered.
"She just came out and said it," Tracey nodded.
"I pity the bloke," Neville muttered sympathetically. "Should we go after them or…"
"I think they've got it handled between them two, right?"
"… Right."
-Break-
"I know we agreed to talk about it later, but I'll have you know I'm not backing off," Daphne said curtly as they walked off the staircase into the seventh-floor corridor that led to the Come and Go Room. She stared straight ahead with her head held high.
Susan glanced at the blonde, unimpressed.
"You won't find me giving up either."
Nothing more was said as they reached the room and they saw the door was already materialized for them. Ever since Harry had told them about this room, the entry was never restricted for them and it seemed to be the case even when he was keeping to himself.
Susan and Daphne shared a glance, a mutual understanding passing between them. As one, they pushed the door open. Their eyes widened at the sight they were greeted with.
Harry was in the middle of the room, surrounded by at least twenty dummies that fired at him relentlessly. Their eyes widened in astonishment as the spells sputtered and fizzled away roughly a few feet away from him.
"Invisible shield," Daphne whispered in awe. Casting an invisible shield charm was widely acknowledged as an arduous feat. Typically, the shield would bear some semblance of color, or at the very least, it would be translucent. Yet, Harry's shield defied all expectations—it was entirely transparent, making him look unprotected in the heart of the fray. The bolts of furious red, blue, green, and yellow clashed relentlessly with his invisible barrier.
Daphne and Susan remained transfixed, staring at Harry as he endured the vigorous onslaught without any strain. In a swift, decisive motion, he slashed his wand downward. A gasp escaped their lips as thin strings emerged around each dummy out of thin air and sliced through them, reducing them to dozens of shattered fragments. Their torn-apart remnants fell on the floor as the rapid fire of colorful spells ceased.
Wide-eyed, Daphne and Susan stared at Harry who looked around at his handiwork before his eyes fell on them.
"Hey," he said casually. "What's up?"
That did it for Daphne. She marched forward furiously and before Harry could react, punched him right on the upper arm.
"Ow! What was that for!?" He asked, stepping back.
Susan, refusing to be left behind, strode over and socked him on the other arm. Harry found himself at the receiving end of twin glares from a blonde and a redhead and his eyes darted back and forth between the two formidable young women.
"Again, what was that for!?"
Daphne fumed. She had rehearsed countless tirades on the way here, envisioning herself giving this insufferable prat a thorough piece of her mind. Yet, now that she stood face-to-face with him, she found herself strangely at a loss for words. No matter how angry she was with him, she could not ignore the effort he was putting in to, as Neville said, protect himself and those he cared about.
She glanced at Susan and found her sentiment mirrored in the redhead's eyes. Sighing, she reached out, gripping his right shoulder for support, and gently rested her forehead on her hands. Surprised, Harry glanced down at the blonde head nestled on his shoulder and he gingerly reached out, caressing her hair.
He was surprised when Susan mirrored Daphne's actions, resting her head on his other shoulder, and with a sigh, he placed a reassuring hand on her head and gave a soft stroke as well.
They remained standing in silence for a while. The shared moment of solace seemed to bring a sense of togetherness amidst the lingering tension that had permeated their lives in the recent weeks.
-Break-
A pang of guilt gripped Harry as he listened to Daphne and Susan telling him how troubled they had all been since he had begun keeping to himself. He could see how upset they were with his recent behavior and how concerned they were for him, not to mention the disappointment he could sense. It seemed that in his fervor to grow stronger to safeguard himself and those he cared about he had once again neglected his relationships.
"Promise us you won't do this again," Susan said softly, her eyes pleading. "We're here for you. Share your concerns and worries, let us in. We'll face them together."
"You're not alone anymore, Harry," Daphne's gaze held a depth of understanding, her anger at him a distant memory. "You want to protect all of us, and you can't imagine how much we admire you for it. But don't push us away. We all are working to improve together, aren't we? Confide in us then. As Susan said, we'll all work together to deal with whatever the problem is."
"You trust us, right?" Susan asked softly. Her eyes had a hint of vulnerability to them.
Harry sighed and nodded.
"You have to understand it's hard for me," Harry began, his voice tinged with a sigh. "I've never had anyone to confide in, to truly trust. It's become almost second nature, this self-reliance."
Harry's voice carried a mixture of sorrow and yearning. It felt as if his words were spilling out with a weight that he had carried his entire life.
"We do truly understand, Harry," Daphne's voice had a tender compassion as she spoke. Gently, both she and Susan cradled his hands in both of theirs. They caressed his fingers softly, smiling warmly when he seemed to reflexively curl them around theirs. "We fully understand. But you must not forget that now you have people who care deeply for you. People you can confide in. Your concerns and your fears will never be a burden to us. We want you to rely on us, just as we have come to rely on you."
A lump formed in Harry's throat as he bit his lip, his gaze fixed at the hands that held his own in unwavering support. He berated himself silently once again for succumbing to that inner voice that had led him astray, convincing him he needed to bear it all on his own, not realizing the truth that was apparent for all to see. He truly had people who cared for him now and he trusted them implicitly with all his heart.
He met the gaze of Daphne and Susan, their eyes brimming with tenderness and it was impossible to miss the sheer depths of emotions in their eyes.
He had been aware of their feelings for a while now. It was quite unmissable considering how they acted around him and how they reacted when either they or any other girl showed any interest in him.
However, the thought of choosing one over the other, and thereby causing immeasurable pain, was simply inconceivable. His heart held an equal, fervent affection for both of them. In moments of quiet introspection, he couldn't deny the profound emotions that stirred within him whenever he thought of either Daphne or Susan.
As such, he had feigned obliviousness to their unhidden feelings all this while.
He was acutely aware that this was a coward's way. He was evading a difficult choice and he should tell them how he felt as well. Yet, he persisted with this course of action, all the while cursing himself for unwittingly entangling them in this web of uncertainty.
As Harry gazed at them, a surge of determination coursed through him. He understood that it was time to tell them that he knew about their feelings. It had already been an emotionally charged evening for them, and it was better to get it all out in the open in one heartfelt revelation.
Daphne and Susan sat in stunned silence as Harry revealed everything. Every word he spoke seemed to carry the weight of a revelation. He bared his soul, admitting that he was well aware of their feelings for him. He confessed, with an earnestness that left them breathless, that he held an equal, unwavering affection for both of them. The admission of feigned ignorance weighed heavily in the air, a poignant testament to the depth of his inner struggle. It was impossible for him to favor one over the other, a truth he could no longer keep hidden.
"I'm really sorry, Daphne, Susan, but I cannot make this choice. I never thought I was going to say anything about this but I can't hold it in anymore. Once again, I'm really sorry."
Their hands released his reluctantly, falling limply to their sides. They couldn't bring themselves to meet his gaze, their eyes fixed blankly on the floor. As Harry gently withdrew, a heavy silence lingered in his wake. He rose unhurriedly, each step carrying the weight of his confession, and with a heavy heart, he turned and walked away.
-Break-
Harry wandered through the seventh-floor corridor, his footsteps echoing hollowly against the stone. His mind churned with turmoil and he kept questioning himself whether he had done the right thing by coming out and telling them the truth. He knew he had hurt them, but he felt it was better to nip the bud in its infancy.
As Harry approached the third floor, a shout of his name pierced the air. He turned to look and spotted Neville, his expression etched with urgency. The boy was followed by the troubled figures of Hannah and Tracey. An ominous feeling settled within Harry's chest, a sinking realization that something wrong had happened. He hoped it was not another attack.
"What happened?" He pressed, hastening to meet them.
"It's very bad, Harry," Neville replied, his voice tinged with urgency.
"We can tell him on the way, Nev. Come on!" Hannah tugged the boy's arm urgently.
They moved swiftly, descending the stairs with purpose.
"What the hell happened, you guys?" He asked in agitation. He didn't like how worried they looked. "Is it another attack?"
"It's the Chang girl, you know, the one you talk to," Hannah replied without turning around.
Harry's eyes widened.
"What happened?"
"She crashed head-first into one of the massive hoops on the pitch," Neville replied with a grimace. "She was flying… you know…"
"I know," Harry interrupted, his voice edged with shock. He had loaned out his broom to Cho this very morning for her to get familiarized with it so that she could use it in the match against Gryffindor tomorrow.
"They're saying you cursed the broom and got her hurt deliberately," Tracey informed him gravely. "Her condition was pretty bad."
"What the fuck!? I'd never do that!" Harry said, aghast.
"We know, Harry. You don't need to explain anything to us."
With utmost urgency, the quartet hastened toward the infirmary and as they walked in, they spotted Madam Pomfrey getting through the curtain around one of the beds. The entire Ravenclaw Quidditch Team stood to the side, looking tense.
In the midst of the charged atmosphere, Harry's instincts kicked in. He swiftly ducked under a flailing arm and looked at the one who had dared to assault him in full view of everyone.
"What the fuck do you think you're here for!?" The girl shrieked. "Come to finish the job once and for all, huh?"
Hannah and Tracey were forcibly keeping the girl away from him and Harry quickly recognized her as none other than Marietta Edgecombe.
"Mind yourself, Edgecombe," Hannah warned the girl, her grip firm on the flailing arms while Tracey held her from behind.
The quidditch team came closer, looking concerned, as Edgecombe struggled against the two girls restraining her, the ruckus adding to the turmoil.
"Tell that to this criminal!" the girl cried out loud, her voice sharp with accusation. "He tried to kill my best friend! He should be in Azkaban for this!"
"What on Earth is happening in my infirmary!?" Madam Pomfrey's incredulous voice cut through all the commotion and everyone looked over. "Out! Each one of you, out! Right now! Get away from the infirmary right this instant!"
Silent, the entire group walked out of the infirmary. Tracey and Hannah kept a firm hold over Edgecombe who seemed to burn holes through Harry's head with her furious glare.
"It should've been you, Potter! What did Cho ever do to you!? She was always nice to you! This is how you repay her kindness!?" Edgecombe spat venomously.
"I'm warning you, Edgecombe. Keep these vile lies to yourself. Harry's done nothing," Tracey shot back as she glared at the girl who returned the glare twofold.
"How did it happen then, huh? How the hell did she find herself on a cursed broom?"
"I believe that is for the proper authorities to find out, Miss Edgecombe," a firm voice intoned from behind them. They turned around and were met by the stern visage of Professor McGonagall. She was flanked by the resolute figure of Professor Flitwick. Undoubtedly the man was concerned for one of his prized students.
McGonagall continued without missing a beat, her tone no-nonsense, "I believe Madam Pomfrey told you all to leave. Follow her instructions. Potter, come with us."
Harry nodded and watched as everyone dispersed. He ignored Edgecombe's hateful glare and offered his friends a reassuring look before falling into step behind McGonagall and Flitwick.
"Where are we going, Professor?" Harry inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.
"To the headmaster," McGonagall replied. "Before you ask, both Filius and I believe that you are not the culprit."
"Thank you for the trust," he said sincerely. Truth be told, he was flummoxed as to how this had occurred. There had been no issues with his broom that very morning. He had flown on it for over an hour, feeling no hint of malfunctioning before handing it over to Cho.
Silently, they ascended the staircase leading to the Headmaster's office.
At the arrival of Professor McGonagall, the gargoyle guarding the entrance sprang to life, granting them passage. They stepped on the ascending spiral staircase and emerged on the other side.
"Enter," the headmaster called out and Professor McGonagall led the way. Harry shut the door behind him as he stepped inside.
"Please, take a seat, everyone," Dumbledore smiled gently.
Harry waited for them to sit down before he took a seat. He did not miss the sorry sight of his broom, or whatever was left of it. He felt a dull ache in his chest as he stared at it. His friends had gifted him that broom.
"Now, I have examined the remnants of this broom. It is indeed cursed," Dumbledore intoned solemnly. McGonagall and Flitwick stared at the table, concerned.
"Is it possible to identify who cursed it, headmaster?"
"Unfortunately, the broom has been obliterated to such an extent that the recoil of its innate magic has nullified any traceability. It is impossible to identify the magical signature of the one who cursed it," Dumbledore informed.
"I flew on this broom in the morning before handing it over to Cho. Nothing was wrong with it back then," Harry said firmly. "Someone cursed it after I'd given it to Cho."
"Do you have any suspects?" Dumbledore asked keenly. Harry frowned and tried to think.
"Cho is on good terms with almost everyone as far as I'm aware," he replied. "But it's also apparent that someone deliberately targeted her. Everyone in our house knew that I was loaning out my broom to her for the match. It can't be anyone outside of Ravenclaw."
Grave looks were exchanged around the office as everyone pondered on the implications.
A short while later, Harry left the office, troubled. The professors all had faith that he was not involved, however, due to lack of evidence in his support, the aurors would be treating him as the prime suspect. It was shitty but Harry could do nothing about it. He was indeed involved directly.
As the door shut behind Harry, Dumbledore turned to his two professors.
"What is happening this year, Albus? First, two first years were petrified, and now another student's life is endangered. It is mere fortune that Miss Chang was not fatally wounded," McGonagall said in concern.
Dumbledore rubbed his beard, looking contemplative.
"Do you believe these incidents are connected, Minerva?"
"They may very well be," she asserted. "We do not know what is going on, Albus, and to be honest, it fills me with unease to see how helpless we are in the face of it all."
Dumbledore hummed.
"The aurors should be arriving shortly. I want you to fully cooperate with their investigation, Filius. It is as Mr. Potter said. No one outside Ravenclaw knew that Miss Chang would be using his broom."
"It could truly be a student behind this, Albus?" McGonagall spoke in concern.
"It is indeed a possibility, Minerva," Dumbledore intoned solemnly. The identity of the perpetrator of the attacks was clear in his mind, but the means by which they were carried out remained an enigma.
All Dumbledore could ponder was, 'How?'.
TBC.
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