https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-71-Let-s-Give-Professor-Dumbledore-Some-Fun/13439663/
Chapter 72: Are You Still Planning to Check That Corridor?
Chapter 72: Are You Still Planning to Check That Corridor?
Umbridge's sudden spell caught everyone off guard, and Professor Mcgonagall was particularly startled. She had suspected that these Specter Masks were mostly created by Ivan using a Transfiguration Spell, and if they were undone by a Revealing Charm, it would be disastrous.
However, neither Mcgonagall nor Fudge expected the Revealing Charm to be ineffective. The Specter Masks remained unchanged.
"This is impossible!" Umbridge shouted, losing her composure.
Dumbledore was not overly surprised by the outcome. When he had touched the masks earlier, he had already estimated the level of Ivan's Transfiguration Spell. He was puzzled by how the wooden Specter Masks were so structurally sound, even exceeding the expected level.
Dumbledore was unaware that during the second magical surge, Ivan had coincidentally used his magic to analyze a mahogany round table, gaining a deep understanding of wooden structures. Otherwise, he would not have been so surprised.
In contrast, although Umbridge was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic, she had been busy consolidating her power and engaging in political intrigue over the years, and her spellcasting skills were quite average. Even with the Revealing Charm, she could not quickly dismantle the wooden Specter Masks transfigured by Ivan.
Mcgonagall was so astonished that she could not speak. She remembered that a few days ago, Ivan's Transfiguration Spell was far from this level. If she didn't know that this was where the Three-Headed Dog was, she might have thought that Snape had really bought a bunch of masks and hung them here.
"It's impossible, you must have done something!" Umbridge accused Dumbledore, believing that the other party must have hidden some secrets in advance, leaving her with nothing.
Her judgment could not be wrong!
"Are you questioning me?" Dumbledore turned his head, the Vampire Mask still on his face.
But what frightened Umbridge even more was the look in Dumbledore's eyes behind the mask, as if he could see through her completely. Under his gaze, Umbridge's mind involuntarily recalled buried memories, those sordid things she thought she had long forgotten.
Only then did Umbridge remember that the hundred-year-old man in front of her was not one of the small fries she usually dealt with, but the most prestigious and powerful wizard in the current magical world!
Umbridge's legs trembled with fear, anger, worry, and other emotions, but she dared not say another word.
Dumbledore did not waste time on Umbridge, a small fry. He took off the mask from his face, put it casually in his pocket, and then turned to Fudge.
"Fudge, have you seen everything you needed to see? Everything at Hogwarts complies with the Ministry of Magic's regulations! There are no dragons here, no dangers, and the Young Wizards studying here are perfectly safe."
"Of course, I have seen it", Fudge said, his face uncertain. He was sure that Dumbledore was hiding something from him, but he had no way to prove it and had to admit it with a grimace.
"Umbridge, let's go", Fudge said in a disappointed tone, tossing the Specter Mask he was holding to the side and addressing the trembling Umbridge.
"Perhaps you can take a tour of Hogwarts." Dumbledore said with a casual smirk.
"No, the Ministry of Magic has a lot of official business to handle", Fudge said with a stern face, pushing the door open and walking out, with Umbridge following closely behind, unable to maintain her usual insincere smile.
Professor Mcgonagall walked last, closing the wooden door. She vaguely saw the Specter Mask that Fudge had thrown into the corner twist and transform into a small wooden comb, and the others turned into various small objects. Hundreds of Every Flavor Beans fell to the ground with a rustle.
Professor Mcgonagall smiled and closed the door behind her.
"Wait, what was that sound?" Minister Fudge, who was walking at the front, seemed to have heard something and turned his head to look back, but all he could see was the wooden door closing.
"Are you still planning to check that corridor? I think you could pick a mask as a souvenir. How about this one?" Dumbledore took out the Vampire Mask from his robes and gestured to it.
"Forget it", Fudge said, his face turning red with anger. He had hoped to catch Dumbledore in some wrongdoing, but instead found only this bizarre object.
Dumbledore nodded and put the mask back into his robes. Without his magical support, the mask twisted and returned to its original form—a small, round mirror.
On the other side, Ivan, who had fallen from above, was completely unharmed. The Devil's Snare had cushioned his fall, and Ivan had also cast a Levitation Charm on himself before landing, ensuring a smooth descent.
The others were not so fortunate. They were scattered on the ground, their bones nearly dislocated, but they dared not make a sound. Fluffy, the Three-Headed Dog, was still in the room, and if they woke it, it would be disastrous.
"Where are we? A secret underground chamber? I didn't expect the castle to have such a place", Ron whispered, looking around.
"We speculated before, didn't we? This is where Professor Dumbledore placed the Philosopher's Stone. Fluffy and the Devil's Snare are probably here to prevent intruders", Hermione explained softly.
No, the Devil's Snare was designed by Professor Sprout to prevent them from falling to their deaths, Ivan thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Ivan noticed that this was a long corridor. The gray stone walls were covered in moss and vines, suggesting it wasn't a temporary passage but an existing space within Hogwarts. Dumbledore had likely just modified it slightly.
To avoid a confrontation with the possibly waking Fluffy, Ivan continued forward.
At the end of the corridor, there was a room. Through the light, they could see that the wooden door had been blown open, and a circle of key-shaped objects lay scattered on the ground.
"Someone got here before us. They cast a Flame Spell and then blasted open the door!" Hermione squatted down to pick up a key, which had burn marks on it.
"It must be Quirrell!" Ivan's face darkened. No wonder Fluffy was asleep when they entered; it might have been under a Sleeping Charm, or perhaps Quirrell used a Transfiguration Spell to create a flute or something.
However, from the state of the Flying Keys, Ivan guessed it was more likely the former. The intruder seemed to have no intention of playing any games and was willing to expend a lot of magic to force their way through, possibly due to a very bad temper.
It couldn't be because of me, could it? Ivan thought guiltily.
But Ivan had one question: How did Quirrell, or Voldemort, have the nerve to enter Hogwarts again, and how did he get in?
"We need to tell Professor Dumbledore!" Harry said urgently.
But after speaking, the four of them realized something. Today, Minister Fudge was personally visiting Hogwarts, and Dumbledore and Mcgonagall, as headmaster and deputy headmistress, had to accompany him throughout the visit. They couldn't be spared.
(End of Chapter)
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