“Hermione!” No sooner had Charlotte cast the Disillusionment Charm and slipped away than Harry Potter and Ron came rushing downstairs.
The moment they saw Hermione standing unharmed in the corridor while the ferocious troll lay motionless on the floor, both of them froze in shock.
Ron pointed at the troll, his eyes nearly popping out.
“Blimey!” “Hermione…” “You actually killed a troll all by yourself?” Hermione’s face was deathly pale.
If that mysterious person hadn’t appeared when they did…
She would probably have ended up inside the troll’s stomach.
Hearing Ron’s ridiculous conclusion, she looked at him as though he were an idiot.
“Will you shut up?” “If you don’t have a brain, don’t speak.” Ron immediately exploded.
“Harry and I came to rescue you!” “We risked getting eaten by a troll!” “And this is the thanks we get?” Hermione simply turned her head away.
She had no desire to say another word to Ron.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall and the other professors hurried over.
When they saw the troll lying dead on the floor…
They were every bit as astonished.
The moment they’d received news of the troll’s invasion, they had rushed straight to the underground classrooms.
Only to discover…
The troll wasn’t there.
After hearing the disturbance from this corridor, they had immediately changed course.
Barely three minutes had passed.
Yet somehow…
The troll was already dead.
After a long silence, McGonagall finally spoke.
“Would someone care to explain exactly what happened here?” Harry.
Ron.
Hermione.
All three shook their heads simultaneously.
After confirming why they had been in the corridor…
McGonagall said nothing more.
She simply had Harry, Ron, and Hermione escorted back to the Gryffindor common room.
A few minutes later…
Headmaster’s Office.
Professor McGonagall wore a troubled expression.
“Albus…” “I don’t believe today’s events were that simple.” “How could a troll enter Hogwarts without triggering any alarms?” “And someone managed to kill it right under our noses…” “Without leaving a single clue behind.” “Whoever did it…” “They certainly aren’t an ordinary member of Hogwarts.” Rather than answering directly, Dumbledore asked, “You said the troll was killed by lightning magic?” “In a single strike?” “Yes.” “I’m certain of it.” McGonagall nodded firmly.
Dumbledore then turned towards Snape.
“And the fourth-floor chamber?” “There were signs someone attempted to enter it.” Snape’s expression remained cold.
“Fortunately…” “I arrived in time.” “And thanks to Fluffy standing guard…” “They never reached the chambers below.” “However…” “I’ve been unable to determine the intruder’s identity.” Dumbledore fell silent for several moments.
Finally he spoke.
“I’ll handle this matter personally.” “Continue teaching as normal.” “There’s no need to cause unnecessary panic among the students.” “Understood, Headmaster.” Once McGonagall and Snape had departed…
Dumbledore lightly tapped the air with his wand.
A document floated into view.
“A Dark Wizard killed by lightning magic…” “A wand with a Thunderbird feather core…” “And now…” “A troll.” He murmured thoughtfully, “Could it truly be you?” “Who exactly are you…” “And why have you come to Hogwarts?” With another flick of his wand…
The parchment burst into flames.
Within seconds…
Nothing remained but ashes.
Meanwhile…
Back in Gryffindor Tower.
Hermione stopped Harry and Ron before they entered the dormitories.
“I think the troll was released deliberately.” “And…” “I know who did it.” Harry and Ron looked at her simultaneously.
“Who?” Hermione glanced around to make sure no one was listening.
Lowering her voice, she whispered, “Snape.” “He’s the one who let the troll into Hogwarts.” “Do you remember the room on the fourth floor we accidentally found?” “The one guarded by that three-headed dog?” “There must be something incredibly valuable hidden there.” She continued confidently, “I noticed a claw wound on Snape’s leg.” “He released the troll to distract everyone…” “So he could sneak upstairs and steal whatever’s being guarded.” Harry and Ron exchanged glances.
Ron scratched his head.
“But…” “What exactly is he trying to steal?” “I don’t know.” Hermione answered immediately.
“But whatever it is…” “It has to be something extremely important.” “We can’t let him succeed.” Ron yawned.
“That’s only a guess, Hermione.” “We’re going to bed.” “See you tomorrow.” With that, he dragged Harry away towards the boys’ dormitory.
Hermione stamped her foot angrily.
“I never should have told those two idiots.” “If it had been Charlotte…” “He would’ve believed me.” “Tomorrow morning…” “I’ll go find Charlotte.” “I’ll get him to help me investigate Snape.” At that very moment…
Charlotte had absolutely no idea that two completely different people now had their eyes on him.
After killing the troll…
He had quietly returned to the Ravenclaw common room without anyone noticing.
He was extremely satisfied with Thunderstrike’s performance.
Although its power was slightly weaker than the lightning he wielded in his Thunderbird Form…
It was still extraordinarily destructive.
The only drawback…
Was its enormous magical cost.
A full-powered Thunderstrike consumed nearly half of his total magic.
Fortunately…
Now that he had practical experience using it…
He could simply adjust the spell’s power by controlling the amount of magic he poured into it.
“That troll wasn’t bad at all.” “The system actually rewarded me with ten Skill Points…” “And even Fiendfyre.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“Though…” “Why does this system always reward me with Dark Magic?” “The Killing Curse…” “The Imperius Curse…” “And now Fiendfyre.” Compared to Thunderstrike…
Fiendfyre felt somewhat unnecessary.
Today’s troll attack had also confirmed one important fact.
Voldemort…
Had returned.
He was hiding himself extremely well.
But not well enough to fool Charlotte.
If his deduction was correct…
Voldemort was currently hiding inside Argus Filch.
Or…
Perhaps the current Filch wasn’t Filch at all.
It might actually be Quirrell disguised with Polyjuice Potion…
While the real caretaker was imprisoned somewhere within Hogwarts.
Charlotte had no intention of exposing the truth just yet.
Firstly…
He wasn’t completely certain.
Secondly…
This time…
He refused to alert the enemy again.
When he struck…
He intended to destroy Voldemort’s wandering soul in a single blow.
“The Skill Points for fusing a third magical creature bloodline…” “…will probably come from Voldemort.” “I just hope…” “He’s worth enough.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Dark_Verse IF YOU LIKED THE CHAPTER PLEAsE WRITE REVIEW