https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-380-An-Unusual-Transfiguration-Class/12538647/
Chapter 379: The Ferocious Black, Not Even a Painting is Spared
Chapter 379: The Ferocious Black, Not Even a Painting is Spared
Upon seeing Professor Dumbledore, Kyle knew that the incident had little to do with them anymore.
Soon, the other professors arrived as well.
A tortoiseshell cat gracefully leaped down from a pillar next to the stairs and transformed into Professor McGonagall mid-air.
Snape rushed over, his face tense, only relaxing slightly when he saw that Connor was unharmed.
Professor Lupin followed close behind, his wand tightly clutched in his hand.
"Chasing after Black...what in the world were you lot thinking?" Professor McGonagall's lips were pale, and her voice was icy cold. "Black is one of the most vicious criminals in the wizarding world, do you know how dangerous it was to engage him like that? Consider yourselves lucky that he didn't kill you!"
Snape shot a piercing glare at Kyle.
"Then, can someone explain what happened?" Professor Dumbledore's face was equally grave.
"Well, Professor..." Fred and George immediately stepped forward and gave a detailed account of what had transpired, omitting any mention of the Room of Requirement and the mist gemstone. They simply stated that they had been testing out a new prank product in an empty room.
"By the time we noticed the time, the feast had already started..."
"We saw Black on our way to the Great Hall..."
"He was standing in front of the Fat Lady's portrait, trying to break into Gryffindor's common room..."
"If it weren't for us showing up, he might have succeeded..." Fred added, not forgetting to emphasize their role, "It was a close call, very close."
"In fact, only the Fat Lady can open the entrance to the common room." Professor McGonagall's face was stern, but her tone had softened slightly. "Without her permission, Black couldn't get in even if he dug through the wall."
Fred and George were momentarily lost for words, awkwardly averting their heads to the side.
"Then why did you chase after him when you found out he had escaped?"
As soon as she mentioned this, Professor McGonagall's anger resurfaced. "Why couldn't you have just gone straight to the Great Hall like Miss Chang and informed the professors?"
"We were worried he might harm other students..." Fred explained, "so we wanted to capture him as soon as possible."
"Black didn't have a wand, it was the perfect opportunity."
"Mr. Weasley..." Professor McGonagall said, "can you guarantee that Black didn't take a wand from another wizard before this?"
"Then why did he run..." George muttered, "I mean, we're just a bunch of students, if he had a wand, why would he run..."
"Perhaps he wanted to lure you into a false sense of security and then kill you one by one."
Snape's face was grim as he said, "That scum of a wizard..."
Hearing Snape's words, Professor Lupin's expression became complicated, and he let out a pained sigh without arguing.
"Which way did he run?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"I lost him, Professor." Kyle replied, "He knows the school too well, and I couldn't catch up."
"Yes, no one knows this place better than him."
Lupin walked up to Dumbledore, "Professor, we need to conduct a thorough search of the castle."
"So eager to capture Black, are you?" Snape sneered, "Or do you have some other motive?"
"You should know, Severus." Professor Lupin said in a low voice, "I want to catch him more than anyone."
"Let's hope so..." Snape's lips twitched, as if he didn't want Kyle and the others to hear too much.
"Professor McGonagall..." Dumbledore spoke up at the right moment, "I'm sure they must be hungry. Could you please escort them to the Great Hall before the feast ends? By the way, we'll be conducting a thorough search of the castle, so the students may have to stay in the Great Hall for the night. Extending the feast a little longer won't be a problem."
The Fat Lady herself was absent, probably having taken refuge in another painting.
Professor McGonagall noticed this as well, and her expression darkened further.
"As you can see, Black's ferocity knows no bounds, not even sparing a painting. Do you realize now how foolish your actions were...?"
When they arrived at the Great Hall, she pushed open the door and gestured for them to enter.
Professors Flitwick and Sprout were standing guard at the entrance.
"Minerva, what...?" Professor Flitwick asked, lowering his wand.
"It was Black," Professor McGonagall whispered.
Professor Flitwick clutched his chest, breathing heavily. "How did he get in? Didn't the Dementors at the door see him?"
"I don't know, but they let him slip by once already..." Professor McGonagall said, "We'll be conducting a thorough search of the castle, and the students will be spending the night in the Great Hall."
"Go on in."
She turned to the group behind her and said, "Because of your recklessness, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff will each be deducted ten points... Ravenclaw will receive twenty points, as Chang was the only one who made the right choice."
After saying this, Professor McGonagall left once more.
Kyle, Connor, and Cedric made their way to the Hufflepuff table.
The table was laden with delicious food, but no one was eating. All eyes were on them, and a buzz of curious questions filled the air.
"Quiet!" Professor Flitwick shouted. "Don't worry, everything is under control. Please continue with the feast..."
The Great Hall settled into a slightly calmer atmosphere, though whispered discussions continued.
"Are you guys okay?"
Autumn had somehow slipped over to the Hufflepuff side and was now hiding between Connor and Cedric, her head poking up curiously.
"We're fine," Cedric replied. "The professors arrived about two minutes later. But how did you get here so fast? You must have sprinted all the way from the eighth floor."
"Of course not," Autumn said. "I went to the Room of Requirement and got a broom, then flew straight here."
"Oh... smart." Cedric gave her a thumbs-up. "Just as I'd expect from a Ravenclaw."
"Don't change the subject," Autumn said, glaring at them. "I haven't finished scolding you yet. You were supposed to go notify the professors, but instead, you all ran off."
"We weren't really thinking at the moment..." Cedric scratched his head. "We just reacted without thinking."
"Then why did you pull me along... don't deny it, I saw you! You thought I was weak and would slow you down, didn't you?" Autumn glared at Cedric.
"Well, someone had to go for help..." Cedric said, slightly embarrassed.
"And as it turns out, I was right. Gryffindor and Hufflepuff lost ten points each, while Ravenclaw gained twenty."
"Hmph..." Autumn let out a cold laugh, still eyeing Cedric. "So, Ravenclaw only needed those twenty points?"
"Ahem... Ravenclaw is now in the lead for house points." Kyle pointed at the hourglasses. "And we're just five points ahead of Slytherin."
Autumn's next words caught in her throat, leaving her speechless.
"That's right," Cedric quickly added. "You're now tied with Slytherin. Who knows, with these extra twenty points, you might even win the House Cup."
...
(End of Chapter)
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