Chapter 400: Student Assembly
Transforming the Space wasn’t an easy task. The Closet Space had been built upon an Invisible Expansion Charm, layered with countless overlapping spells that constantly influenced one another. To make changes wasn’t as simple as tearing a poster off a wall—it was more like peeling back the wall’s skin and carefully extracting a specific wire from within.
Just clearing out the excess clutter took Wade an entire day. Fortunately, the Room of Requirement was more than willing to accommodate anything, no matter how strange or unwieldy. Wade temporarily set aside a section of the space, organizing usable magical materials, construction supplies, various ores, and plants into clearly marked zones.
For the magical creatures within the Space, Wade released those capable of surviving in the wild. But some remained—orphans without parents, injured or disabled animals, and magical creatures displaced by human activity. To send them away would be tantamount to sentencing them to death.
Thanks to the influence of Scamander and Steven Mor, Wade had always held a deep affection for fantastic beasts. So, he reserved half the area for their continued habitation. The other half would gradually become his own private magical laboratory and a personal library—a substantial project he planned to complete over time.
Right now, however, his immediate priority was mastering Apparition and Portkey magic.
Yet after returning to school, Wade waited several days without seeing Dumbledore, nor did the island incident appear in the newspapers.
Instead, during free time, he occasionally overheard hushed conversations among students.
“You’ve heard about it, haven’t you?” Ernie MacMillan murmured to Hannah Abbot from Hufflepuff. “I never would’ve dreamed they’d be that bold.”
Hannah frowned. “My mum wants me to stay at school for Christmas. I think they’re overreacting. What danger could there possibly be on the way home?”
“Silent Shadow has vanished,” Braith Zabini said gravely to his friends from Slytherin. “You know how serious that is. Only a few wizards can face something like that.”
“It can’t possibly attack the Hogwarts Express, can it?” Pansy Parkinson scoffed. “Not even he ever targeted the school’s train.”
“Silent Shadow has no mind,” Theo Nott said darkly. “Who knows what it might do?”
Rumors spread quietly through the school. Most of those discussing it were Purebloods, whispering in hushed tones, their eyes darting suspiciously whenever a half-blood or Muggle-born student came near. As if, in this moment, bloodline distinctions had eclipsed even House rivalries.
On Friday, Wade used his Time-Turner to attend an Ancient Runes class, followed by Muggle Studies. After class, as he and a visibly exhausted Hermione packed up their bags, preparing to head to the Great Hall for dinner, Theo suddenly emerged from a shadowy corner, eyes lighting up at the sight of them.
“Finally found you two! Wade, Hermione—come with me, quick! We’re missing only you.”
“What?” Wade blinked, confused.
He glanced at Hermione, who looked just as bewildered.
“What’s going on? Can’t it wait until after dinner? I’m about to starve!”
“Don’t worry,” Theo said, waving his wand. A red flare shot into the sky, bursting with a loud crack. “I’ve already sent word. Everyone inside knows you’re here. We’re gathering—this is important. Especially for you two. You’ve been nowhere to be found all day. It’s been impossible to track you down.”
As he spoke, Theo gestured again, and a bright red signal flared above the castle.
Hermione was utterly baffled, but Theo’s solemn expression stirred unease in her chest.
Wade, however, had a sinking suspicion. He turned to Hermione. “Let’s go. Theo knows what he’s doing. Something big’s going on.”
Hermione followed, still puzzled. As they wound through the castle corridors, they nearly collided with a group of Slytherin students. They had been deep in conversation, but froze the moment they saw Wade and Hermione. Their stares were unnervingly fixed—cold, unreadable, almost predatory.
It was unusual. While both Wade and Hermione were well-known as Muggle-borns, most Slytherins, aside from a few, held Wade in respect. And Hermione, as a top student and close friend of Harry and Wade, had earned general admiration despite Malfoy’s constant provocations. Most students wouldn’t openly show hostility.
Hermione felt a chill crawl up her spine. She forced herself to meet their gazes head-on, defiant.
The younger Slytherins, facing the fierce presence of Gryffindor’s lioness, shifted uncomfortably. Some glared, but most looked away. Theo’s expression grew tense. He quickened his pace.
Wade, meanwhile, remained utterly indifferent. He didn’t even register the stares. His mind was still caught on a passage from his Portkey essay in class.
To him, people who didn’t matter were no more than roadside shrubs—obstacles to be bypassed, not acknowledged.
The two groups passed each other. A few steps later, Hermione glanced back—and saw several younger Slytherins still watching them, their eyes lingering on their backs.
It felt wrong. Not the usual taunting or mockery. Something deeper, colder. More unsettling than Malfoy’s insults.
They climbed all the way to the sixth floor, winding through hidden passages until they reached a place they’d never seen before.
It was a plain wooden door, flanked by a proud wizard statue mid-speech, cloak flowing dramatically behind him.
“Where is this?” Wade asked.
“The Student Council President’s Common Room,” Theo replied, knocking three times.
The door swung open, revealing a room packed with students. Every eye turned toward them.
The space was opulent—chandeliers hung with twenty or more candles cast a warm, glowing light. Walls and floors were polished white marble. Giant golden-framed landscapes adorned the walls, and thick blue curtains were drawn shut. If pulled back, they’d reveal the distant view of the Black Lake.
Theo quickly pulled Wade and Hermione inside, and Harry and the others hurried to clear space for them—several soft cushions placed on the floor, conjured by magic.
The plush sofas and armchairs had already been claimed by older girls.
Wade noticed Penelope Clearwater, Ravenclaw’s prefect, waving at him with a relaxed smile.
Hermione exhaled in relief.
This was the kind of atmosphere she recognized—the familiar, friendly energy of her classmates. Not the eerie silence and strange stares from earlier.
They sat on the cushions. Instantly, Wade noticed most of the students gathered here were Muggle-born or half-bloods, with only a few Purebloods present—mainly the Weasley siblings.
“What’s going on?” Hermione whispered to Harry.
Harry looked just as lost. “I don’t know.”
Ron leaned in. “Percy got a letter from Dad. He wouldn’t tell me what it said, but I’m guessing it’s about you two.”
He gestured toward Wade and Hermione. “Fred and George nearly blew up at him over it. I overheard them mention your names.”
Hermione’s eyes widened. “Mr. Weasley’s letter? About us?”
She turned to Wade, searching his face for answers.
Then she looked at Theo. He was the one who knew.
“I’ve heard rumors,” Theo admitted. “But Percy knows more. After all, he’s the head of the Ministry’s Office for Prohibiting Misuse of Muggle Items.”
“Let’s eat first,” Michael offered, passing a plate piled high with sandwiches. “Carrot juice?”
“Yes, please,” Hermione said, grabbing a sandwich. Wade did the same.
Food and drinks were handed around. The group sat loosely, eating in silence. Then, Percy Weasley entered, holding a long scroll of parchment.
“Sorry, everyone. Before I explain the seriousness of this incident, I need to confirm that all the relevant people are here.”
He split the parchment into several parts and passed them to those seated near the front. Penelope received one and stood to verify the Ravenclaw students.
“Wait,” Mandy Bloxham murmured. “Lisha hasn’t arrived yet.”
“She’s Pureblood,” Penelope said. “She should’ve received the message.”
“Oh… right.” Mandy looked down, slightly confused.
A few moments later, the prefects returned the lists. Percy cleared his throat.
“Now, I know you’re all wondering—why am I calling you all here? Why not the Great Hall? Not a classroom? Not the lawn? But here—in my Student Council President’s Common Room?”
He straightened, chest swelling slightly. The badge on his robes gleamed under the candlelight.
“Because this matter… concerns your safety. Your very lives.”
The room fell silent. Some students shifted nervously. The change in tone among the Purebloods wasn’t lost on anyone.
Percy looked around, seeing the attentive faces—Penelope listening intently, even Fred and George sitting still, no jokes in sight. A wave of pride swelled in his chest, warm and powerful.
He hadn’t wanted to do this. He’d worried it would hurt his career at the Ministry, paint him as a troublemaker. But when the twins volunteered, insisting they’d take the lead despite the risk, he couldn’t let go.
This wasn’t just responsibility. It was honor. It would earn him the loyalty and gratitude of every Muggle-blood student.
In the end, he’d hesitated—weighing risks, considering consequences.
But now? Doubt was gone.
Percy’s face flushed slightly with emotion.
“Friends,” he began, “this morning, I received a letter from my father. It contained news so shocking, some of you may have already heard…
“Not long ago, the Ministry of Magic dismantled an island—a place concealing countless crimes and buried bones. And you—my friends—were almost among them.”
He paused, letting the weight settle.
Then, after a moment of silence, he pulled out a folded stack of letters and began reading the key points aloud.
The Ministry had called in wizards to clean up the island. Naturally, silence couldn’t be maintained forever. Arthur Weasley had learned of the truth late, but as the head of the Muggle-related division, he remained behind to sort through equipment and documents after most officials had left.
That’s why he knew more than most.
In his letter, he warned Percy that Christmas would be busy. He asked the children to stay at school. He instructed Percy to look after his younger siblings—especially Fred and George—so they wouldn’t sneak out. And he added a note about Harry Potter: a warning not to return to his Muggle relatives’ home without caution.
But Percy didn’t read the parental instructions. He only shared what his father had discovered on the island.
“A Muggle criminal organization committed unspeakable atrocities there… horrifying acts… I can’t go into details, but I can tell you—over ninety bodies were found. None older than twenty-five.”
“Most were Muggles. But young wizards were the preferred targets. Victims of living experiments—tortured beyond endurance. They called it research. But it was nothing but crime.”
After Percy finished, Penelope added her own account.
“I heard a minor wizard turned into a Silent Shadow and escaped. She fled toward Britain.”
Her voice dropped. “You know what that means. Hogwarts is still safe. But elsewhere? Not so much.”
A few students shivered. One small hand shot up.
“Sorry,” Colin Creevey said, voice trembling. “I don’t know what a Silent Shadow is… is it a magic creature that can’t speak?”
Harry nodded silently. It was exactly what he’d wanted to ask, but had been too embarrassed to voice.
In the awkward silence, Colin looked down, embarrassed.
Penelope didn’t laugh. She explained gently.
“Silent Shadow is a magical creature—but not like a hippogriff. It’s born from a wizard’s pain and hatred. A twisted creation… a curse given form.”
(End of Chapter)
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