Chapter 288: Clues
Chapter 288: Clues
Dumbledore received a message from Professor Mcgonagall and immediately rushed back to Hogwarts from the International Confederation of Wizards.
By the time he returned to the castle, it was already past midnight, around one in the morning.
Charlie and the Romanian dragon handlers were still dealing with the four fire dragons' corpses. Sherlock and the others had also returned to the castle and were summoned to the headmaster's office.
The only people present were him and Mad-Eye Moody. The others were instructed to keep the night's events strictly confidential and to go back to rest.
"Their movements are too frequent."
Dumbledore looked troubled, leaning back in his chair, appearing somewhat weary.
"Why would someone target Sherlock?" Mad-Eye Moody asked sternly, still unaware that Sherlock's identity had been revealed to the Death Eaters.
Since Dumbledore had called him here tonight, there was no intention to keep anything from him. Dumbledore quickly explained what had happened to Sherlock at the Quidditch World Cup.
"Their goal this time is clear", Dumbledore said, placing his hands together on his desk. "One is Harry, and the other is Sherlock. They want to accomplish both at once during the Triwizard Tournament."
Sherlock couldn't help but smirk.
"Such big appetites; don't they fear bursting their own bellies?"
Dumbledore was clearly already aware of everything that had happened.
"Without Severus's Sectumsempra Curse, and if you hadn't managed to control that creature called Fidelius beforehand, could you have dealt with the four dragons?"
Sherlock didn't argue, responding honestly.
"Without either of those, I would likely have died in the Forbidden Forest tonight."
"So, in a sense, their plan was a success", Dumbledore said, looking at Sherlock seriously. "It's just that the information on your personal capabilities is outdated. This is a warning, Sherlock. You must be more careful in the future!"
Sherlock always took such warnings seriously.
"I will be."
Mad-Eye Moody's brow furrowed as he pondered a question.
"Is the person who put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire the same one who lured Sherlock into the Forbidden Forest?"
This was indeed a thought-provoking question.
No matter how you looked at it, the person capable of both actions couldn't have come from outside the castle. Only someone who had been in the school all along could have done it.
At that moment, a cold smile appeared on Sherlock's lips.
"Perhaps we will know tomorrow."
Dumbledore and Mad-Eye Moody's gazes turned to him, but Sherlock spoke calmly about another matter.
"Tomorrow, the judges will definitely gather to discuss the proposal of whether to use the dead fire dragons to continue the first task of the tournament."
"The Black-robed Figure who lured me into the Forbidden Forest tonight didn't escape unscathed. He was hit by at least a dozen Sectumsempra Curses."
"The effect of this spell is not just cutting; it also causes continuous damage to the wounds. Unless a counter-curse is used, the wounds won't heal quickly."
"And the counter-curse for this spell is known only to me and the inventor, Snape."
The people in the room were all intelligent, and Sherlock's explanation was straightforward. Mad-Eye Moody's good eye glowed brightly.
"Your meaning is that when the judges gather tomorrow, we can check who among them bears the scars of magic power!"
Sherlock said calmly.
"Those who find excuses to avoid coming can also be considered suspects. When I was in the Forbidden Forest earlier, I didn't mention this in front of Madame Maxime to avoid spreading the news."
"Of course, Madame Maxime is almost certainly not a suspect. She has been with Hagrid the whole time, and the person I encountered was too different in build from her."
His plan was entirely feasible, and Dumbledore and Mad-Eye Moody had no objections.
Their conversation for the night ended there.
The events of that night were almost completely unknown to the students in the castle. The professors who knew wouldn't reveal the information, and the Romanian dragon handlers would only report to their research institute, not to the students.
The only student who knew everything was Harry, who had observed it all while wearing the Invisibility Cloak.
He left the Forbidden Forest before Mad-Eye Moody arrived and managed to return to the castle just in time to contact Sirius Black.
Harry didn't withhold any information. He told Sirius Black everything that had happened since the start of the school year, including what he had just witnessed.
"Hogwarts is currently at the center of a conspiracy, Harry."
Sirius Black said gravely after listening to Harry's account.
"This conspiracy targets you, as well as others. Professor Forrest is also involved."
Harry felt a mix of tension, excitement, and helplessness.
"What should I do now?"
"I suggest you take it one step at a time", Sirius Black said. "Professor Forrest is not an ordinary person. With him and Dumbledore, they can ensure your safety."
"But you must be extremely cautious, especially during the Triwizard Tournament! Your danger will likely come from the competition. Don't be careless during that time."
"I will be careful!"
Harry promised solemnly, knowing the gravity of the situation.
Even Sherlock had fallen into a trap tonight. As someone whose reputation far outweighed his actual power—so much so that he was less powerful than a house-elf—Harry knew he needed to be even more cautious.
After meeting with Sirius Black, Harry put the Invisibility Cloak back on and returned to the Gryffindor Common Room.
The rest of the night passed quietly.
The next morning, Dumbledore summoned all the judges to a temporary meeting room in the Great Hall.
To Sherlock's surprise, no one found excuses to avoid coming. All five judges were present.
Madame Maxime, who had been at the scene the previous night, knew what had happened, but the other three seemed completely unaware.
Karkaroff, Bagman, and Crouch all entered the meeting room normally.
Mad-Eye Moody and Sherlock were there as well, standing guard at the door like sentinels.
After years as an Auror, Mad-Eye Moody's keen eye detected something amiss.
"Old Barty's face... it's a bit too pale."
There was more to come.
(End of Chapter)
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