Chapter 1355: The Missing Professor
Chapter 1355: The Missing Professor
Is Professor Quirinus Quirrell missing?
Upon receiving the news that prompted his hurried return to Hogwarts, Severus Snape's face grew even gloomier as he listened to Amicus Carrow recount the disappearance of Professor Quirrell.
"When was the last time anyone saw Quirrell?" Snape inquired, his brow furrowed.
"He taught the fifth-year students as usual last Friday afternoon, and no one has seen him since," Amicus replied, signaling for Vincent Crabbe, the leader of the special action team, to join them and brief Snape on the latest information they had gathered.
None of the portraits, ghosts, or students in the castle had laid eyes on Professor Quirrell since Friday, making it impossible to determine whether the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher had vanished within the school grounds or beyond.
The main reason for the uncertainty was that Professor Quirrell often left Hogwarts during the weekends. Aside from gatherings related to the Dark Arts, he rarely appeared before students on Saturdays and Sundays, and unfortunately, this weekend's gathering had been canceled.
"Continue your investigation," Snape instructed, dismissing the special action team members. Turning to Amicus, he added, "I'll get in touch with Yaxley and have the Ministry send someone to substitute for Quirrell's classes."
"You seem convinced that something unfortunate has befallen Professor Quirrell," Amicus remarked, clearly taken aback.
"I'm merely preparing for the worst," Snape replied stoically.
His expressionless gaze shifted to the churning clouds outside the window, foreboding another impending rainfall.
"The worst-case scenario?" Amicus queried.
"You must have heard the unsavory rumors surrounding the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," Snape stated flatly.
"What rumors?"
"A curse seems to plague the position. Each year, something happens to the professor teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, preventing them from continuing their tenure," Snape explained without a hint of emotion. "In fact, these are not merely rumors, as such incidents have indeed occurred annually, yet no one has ever discovered the reason. I..."
"So, you believe that Quirrell's disappearance is linked to this ridiculous curse?" Amicus interrupted impatiently, finding Snape's suggestion utterly absurd.
"No," Snape clarified. "I'm merely taking precautions. In the past, there has been a similar case where a professor went missing and was never seen again."
"Could it be the work of the Order of the Phoenix?" Amicus insinuated, his implication clear.
"We have no evidence, and Quirrell's disappearance is still recent," Snape countered, seemingly aware of the woman's unease.
"Since when have you needed evidence?" Amicus retorted coldly. "Use Veritaserum."
"Based on my understanding over the years, they wouldn't be involved in such foolishness," Snape said, not refuting her suggestion. He pulled out a bottle of Veritaserum from his drawer and placed it on the table. "This is the last bottle. I haven't had the time to brew more recently."
"You can ask Horace Slughorn for assistance with the brewing!" Amicus suggested without hesitation.
"That would mean waiting at least another month," Snape said irritably. "Now, go and do what you need to do. Remember, only three drops. I don't want to have to find a new Transfiguration professor when I return."
"Where are you going?" Amicus asked.
"To find out if Quirrell is truly missing," Snape replied.
All the evidence pointed towards an unfavorable outcome, and it was clear that Professor McGonagall was not involved in this incident. Thus, Amicus's "interrogation" was merely a formality.
"Then it's most likely the curse," Professor McGonagall said after drinking the tea laced with Veritaserum, her words infuriating Amicus.
By the end of the afternoon, the entire student body of Hogwarts was abuzz with the news of Professor Quirrell's disappearance, and many believed that their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher had fallen prey to the supposed curse.
As if to celebrate Quirrell's disappearance, fireworks lit up the night sky, and neither Filch nor the special action team could identify the culprit.
Where had Professor Quirrell gone? This question became yet another enigma within the walls of Hogwarts.
However, no one could have imagined that their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was still within the confines of the school, albeit in an unexpected form.
Indeed, Professor Quirinus Quirrell had been transformed into a mouse.
Now, confined within an iron cage and cloaked in darkness, he found himself in the Room of Requirement, the very heart of Dumbledore's Army's gatherings.
"It's best that we don't let too many people know about this," Ernie said, eyeing the covered mouse cage warily.
"Then let me take care of it," Michael suddenly interjected.
"You're not planning to kill it, are you?" Simon spun around, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Michael.
"No, no," Michael reassured them. "I just want to continue keeping it as a pet, letting it live out its days as a mouse. That would be the greatest punishment for it." Michael's tone was light, his mood seemingly upbeat.
"Perhaps we should turn all those Death Eaters into mice as well," Ernie suggested. "They don't deserve to live as humans anymore."
Both Ernie and Simon saw the flicker of unease in each other's eyes, sensing that Michael had somehow changed.
...
"So, you turned Quirrell into a mouse?" Albert raised an eyebrow at a slightly embarrassed Fred, counter-questioning, "You didn't leave any evidence behind, did you?"
"No, I didn't. Quirrell often leaves the school during the weekends, and I used a potable polyjuice potion. I even made an appearance at the Leaky Cauldron, so I doubt anyone would suspect a Hogwarts professor of plotting against him. They'll likely assume he went missing outside of school," Fred explained.
Fred seemed rather pleased with himself as he recounted the incident, and he couldn't resist making a suggestion to Albert, "From now on, whenever we defeat those Death Eaters or dark wizards, we can turn them into rats and keep them as pets. That way, we avoid killing them, and we prevent those vicious individuals from continuing their evil deeds. It's a multi-pronged solution."
"So, you're giving up on being a joke shop owner and plan to open a pet shop instead?" Albert teased with a smile.
"Is that a bad idea?" Fred asked, looking puzzled.
"Some things are best done in secret, but we shouldn't be so blatant about it. If the Death Eaters find out what you've been doing, what do you think will happen?" Albert countered.
"They'll probably say I did a brilliant job!" Fred winked mischievously, knowing that Albert wasn't upset with him.
"It will definitely stir up a new round of turmoil. I assume you don't want a repeat of the Hagrid incident, do you?" Albert glared at Fred. "The Death Eaters' morals are far lower than ours, so there's no point in trying to outdo them in that regard. We simply can't compete with them on those terms."
"Let's not publicize this matter any further. Be sure to remind those three about it. As for Parkinson, let him live out the rest of his days as a rat. It's a fitting punishment for harming Hogwarts students, and I think it will help alleviate the anger in their hearts."
When Fred mentioned turning defeated Death Eaters and dark wizards into rats, Albert had also considered something similar—it wasn't much different from his plan to turn people into vagabonds. However, this was not something to be widely publicized, as most people were terrible at keeping secrets.
If they were allowed to act so wantonly, the British wizarding world would surely descend into chaos.
There would be mutual retaliation.
For Albert, such actions would bring no benefits and would only draw unwanted attention to himself, a completely lose-lose situation.
Therefore, for the time being, feigning ignorance was the best option.
...
"I've received news about Parkinson," Snape said as he emerged from the rising fireplace and looked directly at the man sitting on the sofa, getting straight to the point.
"Old Tom saw Parkinson at the Leaky Cauldron last weekend. He seemed to be heading to Knockturn Alley, and then there was no further trace of him," Yaxley pushed a folder towards Snape, "Here's the list you requested. There are five people who are willing, but as you know, there's a curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Even changing the name won't lift that damned curse, so they're not willing to take on the job long-term."
"Is Parkinson's disappearance unrelated to the Order of the Phoenix?" Snape opened the folder and took out a piece of parchment.
"Have you heard any rumors?" Yaxley asked, looking up.
"No, I thought it might be the work of the Order or the Defense Association. Although there have been similar cases in the past, Parkinson's disappearance is indeed unusual." Snape tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "I hope you don't mind if I borrow some of your men."
"Are you planning to continue the investigation?" Yaxley asked, sounding a bit surprised.
"Yes, I think it's necessary. A small team should suffice, and I'll pay them well," Snape replied.
Yaxley didn't object, effectively giving his consent. He was just a little surprised that Snape didn't seem to have any reliable helpers of his own, but on second thought, that was indeed the case.
"All Aurors?" Snape asked, raising an eyebrow as he finished reading the documents.
"No Death Eaters?"
"Your perks and benefits here are not as attractive as those offered by the Ministry," Yaxley shrugged. "For most people, it's not enticing, and they'd rather take advantage of the current situation to line their pockets. As for the people on this list, they simply don't want to work for the Ministry and thought they'd try their luck with you."
"I need to meet them and determine who is the most suitable candidate to take over the teaching position."
Since Aurors would be filling in for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, Snape naturally wanted to choose someone with a high level of proficiency.
After finalizing the matter of Snape's substitute teaching arrangement, Yaxley brought up the topic of their next private gathering.
As the Dark Lord was currently away from Britain, the private gatherings of the Death Eaters were organized by Yaxley and Snape, the Dark Lord's left and right hands.
This was also the main reason why Yaxley was willing to accommodate Snape's requests—their interests did not conflict.
"Are you planning to mobilize the Death Eaters to suppress the unrest in Hogsmeade?" Snape, of course, had heard about the disturbances in Hogsmeade.
"Yes, it's not beneficial to let the situation there continue to spiral out of control," Yaxley said seriously.
"I have no objections, but do you think that will truly be effective?" Snape was skeptical. "I mean, it will only temporarily solve the problem, at best."
"Problems will always exist. I never expected to be able to eradicate them entirely," Yaxley said.
He was well aware that he had to resolve the situation in Hogsmeade before the Dark Lord returned to Britain, especially since several Death Eaters had died. He needed to provide a reasonable explanation, or he would be the one in hot water.
(End of Chapter)
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