Chapter 1242: Taking Action
Chapter 1242: Taking Action
Harry was sprinting with all his might.
Never before had he hated his own weakness as he did now.
If only he had Albert's level of skill; then, he could fight alongside Dumbledore instead of being relegated to the role of a mere messenger.
Harry was also acutely aware that someone needed to notify the professors about the events transpiring in the school, so they could rush to the Astronomy Tower to reinforce Dumbledore.
Since he and Dumbledore had been the only ones in the office at the time, the task inevitably fell to him; it was unrealistic to expect others to discover the anomaly on their own.
However, for some reason, Harry had a strong sense of unease. While he naturally trusted that Dumbledore could handle the situation, he also didn't dare to underestimate Malfoy's scheming. The other boy had been plotting for an entire semester, and it was clear that his target was Dumbledore.
Could he really not see it? A conspiracy against Dumbledore was afoot.
Would Malfoy dare to act without any certainty of success?
Harry didn't think Malfoy was that foolish; he must have something or someone to rely on.
No matter how powerful a person was, they still feared conspiracies and being targeted.
The best example was Voldemort. Look at the once-unrivaled Dark Lord; now, thanks to Albert, he didn't even dare to show his face.
With the help of Felix Felicis, Harry's stamina and explosiveness had surpassed that of ordinary people. Still, after running at full speed, he was out of breath.
According to the original plan, he should have gone to find Professor Flitwick on the eighth floor of the West Tower in the Curse Office. However, that place was too far from the Headmaster's office; he would have to pass through the fourth-floor corridor of the castle to get to the West Tower.
Felix Felicis reminded Harry that he should go find Professor McGonagall first.
Although Harry didn't know why, he was clear that he should accept the guidance of Felix Felicis. After all, he had used Felix Felicis more than once and knew how to make the most of it.
Harry stumbled out of the secret passage on the second floor and steadied himself before continuing his sprint. Finally, without any intention of slowing down, he crashed straight into the wooden door of Professor McGonagall's office.
"Bang!" The wooden door didn't open, but Harry's momentum stopped abruptly, and he almost fell to the ground.
He steadied himself against the door, panting, and then drew out his wand to cast Alohomora and open the door.
Professor McGonagall, who had already been resting, was startled awake by the loud noise. She immediately grabbed her wand from the bedside table and emerged from her bedroom.
"Professor, Professor McGonagall, something's happened!" Harry shouted in the office.
"Potter, what are you up to!"
Professor McGonagall frowned, her displeasure at being disturbed growing. At that moment, she recognized the voice as that of her student, Harry Potter.
"There's a Death Eater in Hogwarts Castle..." Harry seemed to remember something and said breathlessly, "...The Dark Mark has appeared above the Astronomy Tower. Dumbledore has already gone there... He might need help."
"Death Eaters? Potter, are you sure there are Death Eaters in Hogwarts?"
Professor McGonagall was shocked. After locating Potter, she waved her wand to dispel the Disillusionment Charm on him and continued to ask, "How did the Death Eaters sneak into the castle unnoticed?"
"I don't know, maybe through secret passages or some other way." Harry took a deep breath and blurted out, "Dumbledore has sent Phineas to notify Sirius. It might take some time for the Order members to arrive as reinforcements. I need to go and notify Professor Flitwick immediately. I suspect that this incident is most likely Malfoy's doing. Their target is probably Dumbledore, and Snape can no longer be trusted."
"Wait, Potter!"
Professor McGonagall's mind was in turmoil, especially since she had just been rudely awakened and then bombarded with a slew of chaotic information. She couldn't help but wonder if she was dreaming.
"Sorry, Professor, but I have to go and notify the others. Be careful on your way there; I have a bad feeling about this."
Harry didn't give Professor McGonagall a chance to ask further questions and left at a quick pace.
Instead of going to the West Tower to find Professor Flitwick, he headed directly to the school hospital, not far from where he was. He remembered that Dumbledore had said Professor Slughorn would be staying there for the night. If the elderly professor was unwilling to participate in the upcoming battle, Harry intended to persuade him to go to the Headmaster's office. Someone needed to be there to inform the members of the Order of the Phoenix about the current situation when they arrived, lest they come unprepared.
Professor Slughorn had already been awakened by Harry's earlier door-crashing antics. When Harry rushed into the hospital, the professor was in the process of donning his cloak, evidently intending to go and investigate the situation.
Seeing the hurried arrival of Harry, Professor Slughorn asked, "Harry, what's going on?"
If it weren't for something important, Harry certainly wouldn't be rushing to the school hospital in the middle of the night.
"There are Death Eaters in Hogwarts," Harry repeated. "The Dark Mark has been raised above the Astronomy Tower, and Dumbledore has gone there. He needs help."
"Dumbledore needs help?"
Professor Slughorn pondered this carefully and obviously didn't agree with the assessment. How could Dumbledore, of all people, need help? It was preposterous.
Moreover, he didn't want to get involved in such matters.
"Professor, if your health hasn't recovered, you can go to the Headmaster's office to help out," Harry said, turning to Madam Pomfrey, who was wearing her sleeping attire. "There will be members of the Order coming later, and someone needs to inform them of the current situation."
"Professor Sprout, tell her about the Death Eaters' invasion of Hogwarts and the Dark Mark above the Astronomy Tower. I'd bet the Aurors won't be of any help tonight, and Voldemort will likely go to Azkaban to break out the prisoners."
"The Dark Lord is going to break into Azkaban?"
Professor Slughorn was stunned. Just as he was about to say something, Harry rushed out.
"Poppy, please go and notify Pomona; I'm heading to the Headmaster's office," Professor Slughorn said, tightening his cloak and drawing his wand as he headed out.
"Oh, alright, I'll go now," Madam Pomfrey replied, having recovered from her surprise, and hurried toward Professor Sprout's office.
By the time Harry ran to the West Tower to call for Professor Flitwick, the professor had already been awakened by Professor McGonagall's patronus, informing him of the events transpiring in the school.
Harry met Professor Flitwick along the way.
"I already know what's going on, Potter," Professor Flitwick said to the breathless Harry. "You've done well. Now, go back; I'm heading to the Astronomy Tower to meet with the other professors."
"No, Professor, I can fight, too," Harry said, shaking his head. "I've taken Felix Felicis, and I've received combat training. I won't be a burden."
"Alright, then follow me."
Realizing that he couldn't persuade Harry otherwise, Professor Flitwick beckoned for him to follow, and the two rushed toward the Astronomy Tower together.
(End of Chapter)
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