My School Life At Hogwarts Chapter 1332: Disappearance - Novel Cool

Chapter 1332: Disappearance

Chapter 1332: Disappearance

Ever since Snape became the new headmaster and Death Eaters took up positions as professors, a suffocating and gloomy atmosphere has enveloped Hogwarts, especially with the onset of the rainy season in October, making it even more oppressive.

"I heard another first-year student has been locked up in the dungeons," a student whispered during breakfast in the Great Hall, anxiety and fear evident in their eyes as they recalled the student who had been tortured with the Cruciatus Curse and was still recuperating in the hospital wing.

Seated at the Gryffindor table, Neville Longbottom remained silent, deep in thought, as he listened to the hushed conversations around him.

"This is a trap. They're trying to lure you in, so don't leave any evidence behind," Seamus Finnigan warned as he sat down next to Neville, urging him not to do anything rash.

Hogwarts was like a powder keg, with the oppressive rule of the Death Eaters and the furious resistance of Dumbledore's Army pushing the school closer to an explosion.

However, the situation was becoming increasingly unfavorable for Dumbledore's Army. Not only did the Defense Association discourage them from confronting the Death Eaters directly, but they also received no support from the school's professors, who could only watch helplessly as their students were whipped in the dungeons. This discontent had been growing among the members of Dumbledore's Army.

No one liked feeling weak and bullied. They wanted to fight back, to drive the Death Eaters led by Snape out of the school.

Neville, quietly sipping his corn porridge, glanced at Professor Parkinson seated at the staff table and murmured, "I don't know." He had been feeling lost lately, especially after his efforts were subtly rejected, and had been pondering his next move.

Should they continue the resistance or go underground? Neville wasn't sure if he could convince the others.

"What do we do now?" Seamus asked, concerned by Neville's gloomy expression. "You don't look so good. Are you alright?"

"Sorry, I didn't sleep well last night," Neville excused himself, just as clueless as the rest.

If they released the younger student from the dungeons, finding a place to hide him would be a huge challenge.

Should they make him 'disappear' in the Room of Requirement? Unless he agreed, that wouldn't solve the problem.

They needed guidance.

Neville began to understand why Albert had discouraged them from escalating the situation.

Unless both sides completely opposed each other, they would always be at a disadvantage.

But what good did this realization do now?

"What about Ernie?" Neville asked suddenly.

"He thinks we should seek help from the professors," Seamus replied with a bitter smile. "But how could the professors not know about this already?"

"If Professor McGonagall could have done something, she would have by now," Neville agreed, aware of the professors' concerns. That was why he hadn't expected any help from them from the start.

"What about Luna?" Neville asked.

"Luna suggested that we could make him pretend to be sick. Maybe he'll be sent to the hospital wing, which is still better than being in the dungeons," Seamus relayed Luna's idea, which he actually came to discuss with Neville.

"Maybe we should send him some Skiving Snackboxes. I think we still have plenty in stock," Neville agreed with Luna's plan, finding it quite good. "But we also need to convince him that if Parkinson insists on using him for Cruciatus Curse practice, he should just play dead."

Neville didn't really trust the younger student, but he was willing to help him avoid a worse fate. Otherwise, if he was used for Cruciatus Curse practice, he would be miserable.

The previous unfortunate victim had been bedridden for half a month and still hadn't fully recovered, reportedly suffering from severe psychological trauma.

Luna's plan was not difficult for them, as they could all cast the Disillusionment Charm. The only trouble would be Filch, but they could easily handle him with an Immobilizing Spell.

The whole thing went even more smoothly than Neville had expected. He went to the dungeons to meet with the unfortunate Gryffindor first-year student and discuss the solution.

As expected, the student chose to pretend to be sick, not wanting to drop out of Hogwarts so soon after arriving.

After eating the Skiving Snackboxes, the Gryffindor student began to run a high fever and dramatically fainted during the Cruciatus Curse practice.

Professor McGonagall was furious and almost got into a fight with Professor Parkinson. Although this didn't stop them from testing the Unforgivable Curses on students, it at least ensured that the first-year student was safely transferred to the hospital wing for treatment.

Overall, the plan was a success.

This greatly encouraged everyone.

As a result, they held a small meeting to discuss their next steps.

Without the Weasley twins' prank items and Peeves' distractions, they were likely to become targets of the Death Eaters.

"We should temporarily abandon those dangerous actions and focus on more secretive underground work," Luna suggested, raising her hand.

"I agree with Luna," Ernie said, knowing that this was what Albert had suggested and that it was to keep them safe, especially now that the Defense Association's support in terms of prank items had decreased. "Our main goal here is to train in Dark Arts defense, and getting rid of the Death Eaters from Hogwarts is just a secondary goal to pass the time."

"I'm worried that we won't be able to convince the others, you know..." Neville began, but was interrupted by the sound of the Room of Requirement's door being pushed open. Michael rushed in, out of breath.

"Something's happened."

"What is it?"

Everyone in the room had a bad feeling about the situation.

"Nick told me that Parkinson gave that first-year student who just woke up a Veritaserum, and they now know it was Neville who was behind it all. They're looking for you, Neville, and plan to make your life difficult," Michael panted, glancing anxiously at Neville.

"Don't worry, I'll probably just get some form of punishment." Neville didn't seem too concerned.

"No, it seems they believe you're involved with Dumbledore's Army." Michael voiced his worry, "If they use Veritaserum on you as well..."

Unavoidably, everyone's eyebrows furrowed at the thought. If the Death Eaters used the truth serum, the activities of Dumbledore's Army would be exposed, and all those involved would suffer the consequences.

"Maybe I should disappear for a while." After a moment of silence, Neville suddenly spoke up, "If I just vanish, and Dumbledore's Army lies low, the Death Eaters probably won't continue to target us."

Everyone in the room turned to stare at Neville, surprised by his suggestion.

"You're really thinking of... dropping out?"

Ernie's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard as he looked at Neville, seemingly shocked by his choice.

"I never really wanted to come to Hogwarts in the first place." Neville offered some reassurance, "It was only because Mr. Anderson wanted someone to organize Dumbledore's Army that I returned to school."

A heavy silence fell upon the group.

"Let's leave it at that, it should be enough to make everyone calm down." Neville remained calm, his composure almost surreal to the others.

Neville's calmness had a reason behind it.

Fred had once told him that if things at Hogwarts became unbearable, they would make sure to pull him out of the school.

"We gathered together and re-established Dumbledore's Army to teach everyone Dark Arts defense and give them the ability to protect themselves." Neville spoke softly, "If we had the skills of an Auror, we could easily overthrow Snape and drive the Death Eaters out of Hogwarts..."

"You're indeed here." Seamus pushed the door open and entered, out of breath as he looked at the others and spoke, "Caro and Parkinson have been searching for you everywhere, and they almost had a conflict with Professor McGonagall."

"Oh, I already know." Neville remained calm.

"How can you still be so calm?" Seamus was almost driven mad with worry, "They won't let this go easily. What should we do now?"

"I plan to disappear for a while." Neville stated calmly.

"What do you mean? Do you intend to hide in the Room of Requirement and never come out?" Seamus was bewildered.

"That's more or less it. You can handle Professor McGonagall, right?" Neville looked at Seamus, "No problem, I hope?"

"But... you're really not going to..."

"Anyway, I never intended to stay at Hogwarts in the first place." Neville suddenly thought of something, "Later on, you can seize the opportunity to spread some negative rumors outside, such as me being persecuted by the Death Eaters, I believe no one would want their children to be in danger at Hogwarts."

Everyone was left dumbfounded by Neville's mischievous idea.

"Are you really going to do that?"

"It's better to give them some trouble so they don't have the time to bother others." Neville thought his idea was brilliant.

"Okay, I'll go talk to Professor McGonagall." Seamus agreed.

Playing missing was indeed a useful tactic.

The furious Death Eaters were left helpless. They knew Neville was hiding, most likely in the Room of Requirement, but they just couldn't get in.

So frustrating! As a result, they assigned people to keep watch on the Room of Requirement 24/7, waiting for Neville to come out and fall into their trap.

After a few days without any progress, people were astonished to find no activity coming from the Room of Requirement.

Had Neville Longbottom truly disappeared?

Rumors started spreading throughout the school, with some saying that Neville had been captured by the Death Eaters, others claiming he had been killed, and some even holding a memorial service for him in the Great Hall.

Neville's disappearance once again plunged Hogwarts into chaos.

"What exactly are you all up to?"

As Professor McGonagall listened to Seamus' words, her facial expressions became increasingly colorful.

"He said he never intended to study at Hogwarts in the first place." Seamus shrugged, indicating that it was Neville's own decision.

"So, where is Mr. Longbottom now?" Professor McGonagall asked, frowning.

"He's left Hogwarts."

"How did he leave Hogwarts?" Professor McGonagall seemed to have guessed something.

"Well, I'm not sure, but I think Mr. Anderson sent someone to pick him up." Seamus lied.

Neville was still in the Room of Requirement, delving into Dark Arts defense every day, and food and water were being delivered to him through other means.

"Albert." Professor McGonagall's face twitched as she asked, "So, was all of this orchestrated by Albert?"

"No, Mr. Anderson only wanted us to receive training in Dark Arts defense, but the others... they wanted to drive the Death Eaters out of the school." Seamus felt embarrassed as he spoke; after all, he had also supported the idea of overthrowing Snape and expelling the Death Eaters.

"Alright, Mr. Finnigan, I now understand the situation. This was all Mr. Anderson's doing, isn't that right?" Professor McGonagall stopped Seamus from continuing, "Do you understand?"

Seamus nodded, looking perplexed.

"Only Mr. Anderson is fearless in the face of the Death Eaters. And it's good to learn some Dark Arts defense, but it's unwise to turn against them now." Professor McGonagall sighed and explained helplessly, "As long as the Dark Lord is still alive, we will never be able to drive the Death Eaters away. So, don't make things worse, it won't benefit any of you."

(End of Chapter)

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