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Chapter 551: Reconnaissance Results
Chapter 551: Reconnaissance Results
Usually, the Common Room isn't very crowded after dinner, as most students have their own things to do. However, today, after Liam finished studying Sectumsempra, he noticed that the room was unusually noisy. Looking around, he realized that the chatter was coming from the sixth-year students.
What had everyone excited was a new notice posted on the bulletin board, announcing the Apparition exam dates. Students who turned seventeen before the first exam on April 21st could sign up to participate in special training in Hogsmeade (under strict supervision) before the exam.
This didn't concern Liam, as his birthday was in May. Even though he had mastered Illusion Apparition, he would have to wait for the second exam. The same went for Harry, but his exam was even later, in July.
The most unfortunate was Ron, who was the oldest among them. However, age didn't give him any advantage in Illusion Apparition, as he had never succeeded in class. In this regard, he wasn't even as good as Harry, who had managed to appear in the wooden circle for the first time during the last lesson.
After understanding the dangers of Sectumsempra, Harry started to rack his brain to figure out how to get Slughorn's memory. During their discussion the previous day, Hermione had informed him that there was only one way to force someone to do what you wanted: the Imperius Curse.
However, Liam told him that with his current level, he couldn't control Professor Slughorn. He advised Harry not to use such a foolish method.
Harry had to admit that Liam's judgment was correct. Someone who had been the Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts for a long time was undoubtedly one of the top wizards in the wizarding world, far beyond the capabilities of young wizards like himself to control with the Imperius Curse.
"Liam, is there really no magic or potion that can make Slughorn talk?" After thinking for a while and feeling his mind go numb, Harry stood up and walked over to the table where Liam and Hermione were sitting.
"Really, there isn't, Harry", Liam said helplessly. "Unless we can truly control Slughorn and then use some irreversible and dangerous methods, there might be a slight chance—"
At this point, Hermione slapped Liam's hand.
"Harry, don't listen to Liam's nonsense", Hermione glared at Liam and then turned to Harry. "Dumbledore said only you can get that memory, which means you can convince Slughorn, and others can't. It's not about giving him a potion or using a spell. If it were that simple, Professor Dumbledore would have done it himself long ago, and he wouldn't need you."
As time passed, the Common Room gradually emptied. After Harry reluctantly closed the Half-Blood Prince's Potion Book, he realized that only he, Liam, Ron, and Hermione were left. Three minutes ago, Ginny had finished her homework and gone upstairs to rest, as she was busy preparing for her O.W.L. Exams this year.
At that moment, a loud crack echoed through the now empty Common Room. Dobby appeared in front of the three of them, his teapot hat tilted to one side. "Harry Potter said Dobby should report on Malfoy's movements regularly, so Dobby has come to report his observations."
"Did you find me because you discovered something?" Harry asked eagerly.
"Draco Malfoy is a bad boy!" Dobby screeched angrily, "A bad boy, he—"
At this, Dobby's entire body, from the fringes of his teapot hat to the tips of his socks, began to tremble. He lunged toward the fireplace as if he wanted to jump in. Fortunately, Liam reacted quickly and grabbed him.
After a few seconds of flailing and struggling, Dobby calmed down and thanked Liam. "Thank you, sir. Dobby still finds it hard to speak ill of his former master..."
"That's understandable; you may need some time to adjust", Liam said, placing Dobby on the ground. "Alright, if you have any new discoveries, share them quickly. That's the important part."
"That's right", Dobby said, looking at Harry with his large eyes. "Dobby didn't catch Malfoy breaking any rules, but he was still cautious to avoid being discovered. He often brings different students to the Eighth Floor, where they keep watch while he enters the Room of Requirement."
"I should have thought of that", Harry said, slapping his forehead. "Most places in Hogwarts show up on the Marauder's Map, but the Room of Requirement has never appeared on it. I should have realized this earlier. Dobby, did you see what Malfoy was doing inside?"
"No, Harry Potter, that's impossible", Dobby replied.
"But last year, Umbridge and the others—"
"That was because you had a snitch last year", Liam interjected. "The Room of Requirement has the same protective properties as the Chamber of Secrets. Think about it—before you were betrayed, neither Filch nor Umbridge, despite their efforts, managed to find you. Now, we don't know what the room looks like when Malfoy enters, so we can't access the same place he does."
"There must be a way", Harry said confidently, then added, "You did a great job, Dobby."
"Thank you, Mr. Harry Potter!" Dobby said happily, then handed a small leather pouch to Liam. "And Mr. Layne Liang, thank you for these magic artifacts. Otherwise, I might have had to follow Malfoy day and night without sleep."
"It's nothing, it's what I should do", Liam said, taking the pouch. Dobby bowed to Liam and then left.
"I think I understand what's going on now. I might be able to catch Malfoy soon", Harry said excitedly. "All we need to do is wait for him to enter the Room of Requirement and then corner him."
"That sounds good, but we're still too few in number", Ron pointed out sharply. "Don't forget, Dobby said Malfoy always brings different people with him. If he's having a gathering inside with a group, we won't be able to figure out what he's up to, and we might even raise his suspicions."
"Don't worry about that", Liam said, thinking for a moment. "Based on what Harry said, Malfoy is planning something huge, even keeping it from Snape. In that case, I don't think he would involve a large group. The more people involved in a conspiracy, the more likely it is to go wrong."
"What do you think is going on, then?" Ron asked, puzzled.
"I suspect it's Polyjuice Potion", Liam explained. "That would explain everything. He's probably just using Crabbe and Goyle, but having them drink Polyjuice Potion with different people's hair."
"That makes sense", Harry said, his eyes widening. "Malfoy is really cunning. He doesn't want people to see Crabbe and Goyle hanging around there all the time, as it would raise suspicions. And during our first Potions class, there was a whole cauldron of Polyjuice Potion in the classroom. He could easily have taken what he needed."
"So, the two girls I saw with Malfoy were actually Crabbe and Goyle?" Ron said, laughing. "Heaven... no wonder they haven't been happy lately... disguising themselves as girls..."
But his laughter quickly faded when he saw Liam looking at him with a frown.
"Alright, let's get back to the important stuff", Ron said, his face serious. "Why would they listen to Malfoy? They should be strongly resisting."
"All Malfoy has to do is show them the Dark Mark on his arm", Harry said excitedly. "A full-fledged Death Eater has some sway over those Slytherin thugs."
"Harry, you need to focus on that crucial memory right now. It's the key to defeating the Dark Lord", Liam said, tidying up the table. "As for Malfoy, I believe the Headmaster's control over the school will prevent him from causing too much harm."
(End of Chapter)
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