Chapter 397: Butterfly

Chapter 397: Butterfly

Upon hearing the cheers, Professor Snape's expression grew even more unpleasant.

He knew that if Slytherin had won, there would not have been such an uproar. Only a Gryffindor victory would have three-quarters of the students celebrating for them.

Amidst the screams and laughter that even thunder couldn't drown out, the Potions professor left Vold, limping towards the castle's cellar.

Vold couldn't understand why he didn't use magic to make things easier for himself, as he could have floated back to his lounge.

In the end, Vold could only conclude that Professor Snape had a bit of a self-torturing tendency.

Suddenly, someone rushed over and hugged his neck.

"Hey, Vold, I didn't see you just now!" Michael laughed, "Did you see that move from Harry just now? When he caught the Golden Snitch amidst the Slytherins, haha, they were all furious!"

Vold retracted his wand, which he had almost thrust forward, and laughed, "Did Harry win?"

"Yes, Harry Potter! He's sure to become a world-class Quidditch player!"

Other students, whether they knew him or not, echoed loudly in agreement.

Vold didn't even have time to react before Michael was pulled away by others.

They were so excited, as if they had won themselves.

Even the usually calm Ravenclaws were like this, not to mention the Gryffindors. Many students were running around in the Quidditch pitch in the heavy rain, repeatedly tossing those players into the air.

The girls, however, returned to the castle in twos and threes as soon as the match ended. The Hufflepuff students also began their journey back.

Today, almost everyone had been soaked in the rain all day, and now they were cold and hungry, shivering all the way.

"Vold?" Theo and Ryan held a warming fire bottle, their eyes seemingly dripping with water, and called out, "Shall we go together?"

Vold walked over and asked, "Everyone seems particularly excited today?"

"Yeah, yeah," Theo replied. "In the final moments, Harry reenacted the classic tactic of Poland's Sidney, using the bad weather to distract the opponents. In the end, he caught the Golden Snitch amidst the encirclement of four Slytherin players!"

Theo danced with excitement, "Although he fell from his broomstick in the end, it's no big deal—Professor Abigail caught him!"

"Professor Abigail?" Vold paused slightly.

"Yeah," Theo said. "I don't know why, but Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were both absent today, and I didn't see Professor Snape either. Fortunately, Professor Abigail was still there; otherwise, Harry would have definitely been injured."

Ryan asked, "Vold, didn't you watch the match today?"

"Yeah, it's rare to have such heavy rain, so I went out for a fly," Vold said. "I flew a bit too far."

"That sounds pretty stupid," Theo said disapprovingly. "Flying in this weather? You better watch out for lightning."

"It's fine if you go a bit further," Vold said.

The group chatted and laughed as they returned to the castle. The match had lasted late into the evening, but fortunately, the kitchen had prepared dinner for everyone.

However, in the Great Hall, there were hardly any Gryffindor students to be seen—they were probably celebrating all night in their own common room.

The members of the SSC were still sitting together, and even Michael and Padma seemed to have reconciled, sitting close to each other again.

Vold waved his wand, removing the cold rain that had soaked everyone, instantly making their clothes warm and dry.

"Thank you, Vold," Padma said happily. "The cold, wet clothes were so uncomfortable, and I was freezing. If it weren't for my growling stomach, I would have gone straight back to the dorm."

Vold sat down and said, "It's just a simple spell. I'll teach you all later."

"Great!" Michael quickly agreed, then turned to Padma and said, "I'll be the first to learn it, and I'll never let you suffer like this again."

Padma hummed and said, "I don't need you; I'll learn it myself!"

Theo asked Ryan, "Have you finished your astronomy essay? I'm not clear about the positions of a few constellations."

"I've finished it," Ryan replied. "I'll help you look at it later."

"Help me too," Michael said, feigning a pitiful expression. "I haven't been able to observe the stars for three classes in a row, but Professor Sinistra hasn't reduced the homework at all. My head feels like it's grown a size from all the stress."

Vold took a piece of beef pie for himself, and the aroma of the food instantly conquered his taste buds.

He sat in the clean, bright school hall, surrounded by the voices of his friends discussing homework and the match.

Such peace, such normalcy, as if the experiences on the island were just a dream.

"Mr. Vold, if you could memorize all the star charts like Mr. Carol, I wouldn't mind reducing your essay assignment a bit."

Suddenly, a voice filled with laughter sounded from behind, startling Michael, who almost fell off his chair.

Everyone turned around and saw several professors passing by, and the speaker was Professor Aurora Sinistra, the Astronomy professor.

Michael hastily put down the baked potato in his hand and jumped up, speaking earnestly, "How can this be, Professor? Studying the trajectories of stars and planets can deepen our understanding of magic, comprehend the connection between celestial phenomena and everything in the world, and even predict the future!"

"This subject is so important; how can one be careless in their studies? I must take my astronomy assignments seriously and not slack off under any pretext. Even if I get a headache from studying, I won't give up!"

Michael's enthusiastic performance amused the professors, and Professor Sinistra, who had been holding him to his previous words, shook her head and gestured for him to sit down and continue eating.

Professor Abigail smiled and then suddenly asked, "Vold, there were a few professors who left during the match. Was there an emergency?"

Vold looked at her strangely and said, "I'm not sure, Professor. Perhaps you can ask Professor Dumbledore?"

Michael interjected, "Professor, we've been watching the match all this time. But at the end, I think I saw Professor Snape, and he should know what's going on."

"Well, that's good..." Professor Abigail looked at Vold thoughtfully and said, "I don't know why, but I feel like you might know something... But never mind. By the way, about what we discussed last time..."

"It's almost done. I can give it to you on Monday," Vold said.

"That's great!" Professor Abigail smiled.

The professors walked towards the staff table—Professor Sierra Abigail of Dark Arts Defense, Professor Aurora Sinistra of Astronomy, Professor Caridee Bubaji of Muggle Studies, Professor Setima Victor of Arithmancy and Divination, and Professor Bashe Babulin of Ancient Runes.

All of them were female professors, and Professor Abigail didn't look out of place among them. Her beauty was dazzling, but her demeanor was naturally amiable.

Vold vaguely heard the group discussing his name. For example, Professor Babulin complained that Vold was always secretly helping other students solve introductory puzzles, and her tone sounded more like boasting than complaining.

The group began to discuss.

Exceptionally excellent students and extremely poor students were the focus of the professors' attention.

When Vold sat down, he saw Michael staring at him.

"What's wrong?" Vold asked.

Michael leaned in and whispered, "Is there something wrong with Professor Abigail?"

Vold was taken aback and didn't answer immediately.

In his first and second years, he had an unconscious sense of superiority as a time-traveler, viewing Hogwarts as the fairy-tale world he had seen in movies.

But as this world gradually revealed its true and cruel side, Vold became much more cautious.

However, before he could deny it, Michael already knew the answer.

"Oh..."

Michael sighed deeply, "In my first year, there was a mysterious person's pendant, and in my second year, I discovered that the mysterious person's servant had transformed into a pet and was hiding in the student dormitory. I originally thought that this year was so peaceful, but it's a bit abnormal!"

"Isn't it always peaceful?" Padma heard a bit of the conversation and asked in confusion, "Hasn't it always been peaceful?"

Michael smiled, "Yes, you're right. By the way, would you like some pear juice?"

He seemed to have forgotten what he had just said and eagerly poured pear juice for Padma from a transparent glass bottle.

Vold, on the other hand, fell silent for a long time due to Michael's words.

...

As Snape led Vold away, Haley exclaimed in surprise and then covered her mouth.

Mabel hugged the little girl and looked at the white-bearded old man before them, asking, "Hello, what will you do with us?"

Dumbledore carefully examined the two through his half-moon glasses and asked gently, "Do you have any ideas yourselves?"

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"I... I know I've killed someone. You can do whatever you want to me, but don't harm Haley! Don't experiment on her!" Mabel showed a fierce expression.

"No, no!" Haley shouted, "I don't want Mabel to die! If Mabel dies, I'll go with you too!"

"Don't be afraid, children," Dumbledore soothed, "I assure you that no one will die here... Do you remember your parents? Do you know where home is?"

Mabel shook her head, "I don't remember anything from before."

Haley said, "My mom is dead, and my dad doesn't want me anymore." She hugged Mabel's waist tightly and said, "Wherever Mabel is, that's my home!"

"Hmm... I think I understand..." Dumbledore asked, "Do you mind if I perform a simple check on you? Using magic."

Mabel subconsciously wanted to refuse, but then she realized that the old man before her was incredibly powerful and didn't really need her consent, so she reluctantly nodded.

Dumbledore waved his wand, and gentle rays of light fell upon the two girls, as if countless white feathers were silently drifting down.

Haley curiously reached out to catch the feathers, which passed through her arm and merged into her body.

Mabel watched this scene with her whole body tense, dark mist flickering as if it could burst out of her at any moment.

After a moment, Dumbledore withdrew his wand, his expression slightly serious.

Haley was in relatively good condition, aside from malnutrition and anemia. The girl who had almost died now displayed a reassuringly healthy state.

However, as Dumbledore had suspected, Mabel's memory was completely erased, thoroughly and irretrievably.

Worse still was the Malefic.

Children parasitized and consumed by this dark force rarely survived past ten years old, as the Malefic would continuously burn its host.

But Mabel was already fourteen.

It seemed that the Muggles had used some method to suppress her magic, which prevented the Malefic from fully awakening. Until today... until she was freed from her restraints...

Dumbledore did not reveal his findings, remaining silent for a long while before finally smiling.

"Do you want to go to school?"

He asked with a chuckle, like a grandfather about to hand out Christmas gifts.

"School?" Haley was both eager and afraid. "I used to go... up to second grade..."

Mabel was stunned, wanting to ask if the murders would just be overlooked. But after a moment, she swallowed her question and asked, "Can we stay together?"

"I'm afraid not," Dumbledore said apologetically. "Haley will go to a school for ordinary people, and you, as a witch, should go to Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts?" Mabel murmured.

They had heard Miss Skitt talk about this place. In the journalist's description, it was like a fairy tale.

"Indeed," Dumbledore smiled. "It's a school of magic, where almost all underage witches and wizards from the British Isles study. You'll meet many kind and interesting friends there, and they all have magic."

"Will Wade Grey be there too?" Mabel asked.

"Of course."

"But... what about Haley?" Mabel looked at Haley, hesitant.

"I'll find her a good adoptive family. She will grow up healthy and happy like all ordinary children. During holidays, you can visit her," Dumbledore said.

Mabel didn't want to separate.

But she knew what was best for Haley.

The old man in front of her was someone Wade trusted... and he didn't seem to have any bad intentions...

And if everyone was a wizard, no one would try to find the magical genes in her, right?

After much thought, Mabel finally nodded hesitantly and convinced the reluctant Haley.

"Once I learn magic, I can take you flying. If anyone bullies us again, I'll just zap them!"

"Magic can make ants and butterflies as big as houses. Then you can sit on a butterfly's back and fly over the sea..."

The two girls imagined their magical future, and the anxiety on their faces gradually turned into joyful anticipation.

Dumbledore watched this scene silently, his blue eyes filled with silent compassion.

...

On the island, which was now in ruins, more and more Ministry of Magic officials arrived upon notification.

Under the explanations of the Hogwarts professors, the Ministry finally understood that the Muggles here were not helpless, innocent people in need of protection. Instead, they were criminals who had committed cruel acts against wizards and murdered many innocent children.

All the Muggles on the island were taken away, awaiting trial and punishment from the Ministry of Magic.

Meanwhile, the children in the dungeon were also rescued. Those in poor health were immediately taken to St. Mungo's, while the others would be returned home after their backgrounds were verified.

Rita Skeeter had taken advantage of the chaos to retrieve her crocodile-skin handbag. She took out her camera and snapped numerous precious first-hand photos, with her quill excitedly scribbling away.

As the only journalist on the island, Skeeter was thrilled, feeling that her previous suffering had not been in vain.

Umbridge, who arrived later, looked grim but could do nothing about Skeeter—this journalist had already woven a dramatic and heroic story for herself, constantly embellishing it. The children also chimed in, supporting her.

Many Ministry of Magic employees believed her story, looking at the brave "war reporter" with admiration, wishing they could fight alongside her.

And a group of wizards, led by Fudge, finally confirmed the location of the vanished Malefic and approached the still-standing building.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end