It was Fred, frantically shushing him. Then, Fred and George practically dragged Harry aside. Harry impatiently pushed Fred away, about to say something, when he heard Dumbledore's voice intermittently drifting from the innermost partitioned area.
"...Hermione, I hope you can... help..."
"Don't worry, Professor Dumbledore. I'll definitely keep an eye on Harry."
"...Alright, we shouldn't keep Harry waiting too long. He's right outside for you now."
Soon after, the curtain of the innermost section was pulled open, and Hermione, with her hair in a wild mess, appeared before Harry. Harry's eyes immediately found Hermione, completely overlooking Dumbledore beside her.
Hermione rushed towards Harry like a whirlwind and threw her arms around him, but Harry couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze. Dumbledore didn't interrupt them. He waved a hand at the Weasley twins, and they quietly exited, leaving Harry and Hermione alone.
Hermione seemed to sense Harry's inner turmoil and began to comfort him. "Harry, don't blame yourself. I'm perfectly fine, see?"
Then, Hermione released Harry and twirled around a few times. Harry managed a weak smile.
"Hermione, actually I—"
"Harry, an injury like this is nothing in the wizarding world. You're the one who told me that!" Hermione interrupted Harry, cutting off whatever he was about to say, then looked at him with anticipation.
They gazed at each other for a long moment before Harry finally smiled. He suddenly pulled Hermione into a tight hug.
"Ow, gently now!" Hermione playfully punched Harry's chest, but he only held her tighter. Seeing this, Hermione said nothing more, wrapping her arms around Harry in return. They simply stood there, quietly embracing.
Outside the hospital wing, Dumbledore watched the two inside with a knowing smile. Madam Pomfrey had just returned from Snape with a new potion. She looked bewildered, seeing Dumbledore standing by the door, smiling to himself.
Suddenly, a yelp of pain came from inside the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey was about to rush in, but the Weasley twins stopped her.
"Hermione, I'm serious, you should head back to the dormitory, wash your hair, and then go to class. I really don't get why you keep your hair so thick—Agh!" Hermione, mortified, hit Harry, finally shutting him up.
Outside, Dumbledore shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Madam Pomfrey checked Hermione and the Weasley twins over again, then handed a potion to Hermione. "Granger, take a sip after every meal until your head no longer feels dizzy."
Harry, standing nearby, committed Madam Pomfrey's instructions to memory, stating he'd make sure Hermione took her medicine on time. Hearing this, Fred and George made exaggerated silly faces at Hermione, making her blush slightly.
Seeing that there was nothing else, Dumbledore turned to Madam Pomfrey. "Poppy, I'll escort these young wizards back to the Great Hall now."
After bidding Madam Pomfrey farewell, the group headed towards the Great Hall, and Dumbledore shared the new regulations with them.
"Professor Dumbledore, has something happened in the castle?" Harry asked, puzzled.
Dumbledore spoke gravely, "Harry, someone was attacked in the castle last night."
"Was it the person in the hospital wing?" Hermione asked, surprised. Hermione had seen Penelope lying in the nearby bed when she woke up that morning but had assumed Penelope was just sleeping. Now, with Dumbledore's words, she was taken aback. The Weasley twins beside her remained silent; they had learned of this last night.
Dumbledore nodded, then cautioned everyone not to speak of Prefect Clearwater's petrification. Harry's heart sank. If it was a simple petrification, Dumbledore surely would have resolved it already.
The rest of the journey was silent, with no one speaking.
At the entrance to the Great Hall, Dumbledore addressed them. "Harry, I know you have that thing, but I still hope you won't go out at night anymore for a while. And Mr. Weasleys, you two shouldn't go out alone either."
After the young wizards had entered the Great Hall, Dumbledore turned to leave, but Harry quickly caught up to him.
"Harry, is there something else?" Dumbledore asked, perplexed.
"Professor, I wanted to ask about Legilimency," Harry quickly stated.
"I thought you wouldn't touch that magic again for a while," Dumbledore said, surprised.
Harry shook his head. "Professor, I just wanted to ask why Hermione still needs to drink potion. I read in books that after someone's mind is invaded, there should only be mild discomfort."
Hearing Harry's confusion, Dumbledore led him into a nearby broom cupboard (the same place where Goyle and Crabbe fell unconscious after eating the cakes in the Chamber of Secrets). Dumbledore briefly explained his understanding of Legilimency, adding that since it was Harry's first time using it on a person, his method was rough, which was why he had hurt Hermione's mind.
"Harry, if I were to use Legilimency, it certainly wouldn't cause any harm."
Harry understood Dumbledore's unspoken meaning: Practice makes perfect.
"Thank you, Professor, I have no more questions."
However, just as Harry was about to leave, Dumbledore stopped him. Dumbledore hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Harry, I hope you won't abandon this magic because of this accident. Few people know that Tom also enjoys using Legilimency in battle."
"Because only Legilimency can counter Legilimency?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore nodded, then shook his head. "Occlumency can also counter Legilimency, but if you confront Tom, you won't have any hope of escaping without knowing Legilimency yourself."
Hearing Dumbledore's answer, Harry began to recall his encounter with Voldemort. Harry had thought his Levitation Charm was subtle, but Voldemort had easily detected it. Afterward, Harry had assumed Voldemort saw through him due to extensive combat experience. Now, Harry realized that Voldemort had used Legilimency on him, which was how he'd anticipated Harry's next move.
But Harry still had one lingering question: he hadn't felt anyone invading his mind. Harry shared his confusion with Dumbledore.
"Harry, Tom is a master of Legilimency. If he wishes, a wizard who hasn't mastered Occlumency won't feel their mind being invaded by him. Of course, most of the time, Tom disdains controlling his magic; he prefers to hear the screams of his victims as their minds are invaded," Dumbledore explained.
"But Professor, both Opening Others' Minds and Secrets of the Mind say that anyone subjected to Legilimency will have a corresponding sensation," Harry said, still confused.
"Harry, Severus mentioned you use some methods in Potions class that aren't in the books," Dumbledore replied, skirting the question.
"Oh, that's just my speculation, like squeezing works better than cutting—" Harry suddenly realized what Dumbledore was hinting at. "Magic books are... censored. No wonder they don't warn practitioners not to look directly into others' eyes," Harry ventured.
Harry saw Dumbledore nod, and he knew he had guessed correctly.
"To ensure you master this magic as quickly as possible, I will arrange for a master to teach you," Dumbledore concluded.
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