bacchusnovels Chapter 207 The Panicked Little Girl
Chapter 207 The Panicked Little Girl
Chapter 207 The Panicked Little Girl
The two men took two outing passes from Professor McGonagall and went to the infirmary.
Mrs. Pomfrey let them in, but she was reluctant.
"Talking to a petrified person is a complete waste of time," she said.
After settling into the chair beside Hermione's bed, they had to admit that Ms. Pomfrey was right.
Clearly, Hermione had no idea someone was visiting her. They should have just talked to the bedside table and told it not to worry, that everything would be alright.
"I wonder if she saw the attacker?" Ron said sadly, looking at Hermione's stiff face. "If that guy sneaked up on them from behind, no one would know—"
The two of them couldn't sit still for long.
After saying goodbye to Mrs. Pomfrey, the two of them quickly left the infirmary and went to the second-floor washroom.
They were very lucky.
When they came in, Myrtle was sitting on the toilet tank in the innermost cubicle.
"Oh, it's you," she said upon seeing Harry. "What brings you here this time?"
"I want to ask how you died," Harry said bluntly.
Myrtle's expression changed drastically in an instant. Clearly, no one had ever asked her a question that made her feel so valued.
"Oh my, that's horrible," she said excitedly. "It all happened right here. I died in this little cubicle. I remember it all clearly."
"Back then, Oliver Humbell mocked me for wearing glasses and looking like a four-eyed dog, so I hid here. I locked the door and cried inside."
Suddenly, I heard someone come in.
As Myrtle began her narration, for some reason, the atmosphere suddenly became eerie.
Harry and Ron couldn't help but shiver.
"The language they were speaking was strange; I figured it must be another language. But what angered me the most was that I heard a boy's voice speaking."
"So I opened the door, yelled at him to go away and go back to his own boys' restroom, and then—" Myrtle proudly puffed out her chest,
His face radiant, he said, "I'm going to die."
Both of them were speechless at this sudden turn of events.
After a long while, Harry, having recovered his senses, quickly asked, "How did he die?"
"I don't know," Myrtle said mysteriously in a low voice, "I only remember seeing a pair of terrifyingly large yellow eyes. My whole body felt like it was being grabbed, and then I floated away."
She looked at Harry absently. "Then, I came back. You know, I've always wanted to settle scores with Oliver Humbell. Oh, she really regretted making fun of me for wearing glasses."
"Where exactly did you see those eyes?" Harry continued to ask.
"It's about there," Myrtle said vaguely, pointing to the pool in front of her.
Harry and Ron looked in the direction Moaning Myrtle was pointing and saw a dilapidated pool.
The edges of the pool were worn down considerably, showing mottled marks as if they had been eroded over countless years.
Just as the two were about to go forward to check the pool, the school bell suddenly rang, breaking the surrounding silence.
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and regret.
Once the bell rings, it means they must return to the common lounge immediately.
Harry sighed softly, his gaze returning to the dilapidated pool.
He was filled with curiosity and doubt, and wanted to uncover the secret immediately.
However, now is not a good time to explore.
"Let's come back tonight," Harry said to Ron.
Ron nodded in agreement.
The two turned and left the bathhouse.
About two minutes after they left, a shadowy figure walked in.
When Madam Myrtle saw who had come in, she was about to speak.
But with a smile from the other person, Myrtle shyly crawled into the toilet and refused to come out again.
Lockhart observed the pool where Myrtle had just pointed, his hand rubbing against the faucet.
Look what he discovered.
He actually felt a small snake carved on the side of the pool.
Sean woke up exceptionally early.
Today was the day he and Lucius had arranged to meet at Greengrass Estate.
Including Lucius, there were a total of seven patriarchs of pure-blood families attending this banquet.
Greengrass House is located in Manchester.
Compared to Malfoy Manor, Greengrass Manor is rather small, but this does not diminish its status within the pure-blood family.
On the contrary, its small size adds a touch of refinement and warmth, like a low-key aristocrat who, though unassuming, possesses a profound inner depth.
The estate is surrounded by meticulously manicured bushes and ever-blooming flowers, and a path paved with small pebbles leads to the carved gate, which is inlaid with the coat of arms representing the Greengrass family, gleaming softly.
Led by a servant, Sean, Lucius, and Riddle, dressed in a black robe, passed through the gate.
What comes into view is an exquisitely laid-out courtyard, with a fountain in the center. The clear water jets reflect dazzling light under the sun, and the surrounding area is filled with well-arranged sculptures and carefully cultivated flower beds.
The main building of the manor is a three-story building with a warm beige exterior and white window frames, giving it a cozy yet elegant feel. Wisteria climbs the roof, adding a touch of romance and dreaminess to the structure.
Sean was admiring the building when he suddenly noticed a little girl with a full head of silver hair on the third-floor balcony.
She wore a light white dress, like a pure little flower among the romantic wisteria. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the wisteria vines...
The light sprinkled on her silver hair shimmered softly, adding an incredible touch of brilliance to the serene scene.
The little girl seemed completely oblivious to Sean downstairs. She simply stood there quietly, holding an old book in her hand, occasionally looking up into the distance with a profound and longing gaze beyond her years.
Sean unconsciously slowed his pace, afraid that he might disturb the little girl.
However, things don't always go as planned. Just when he thought he had been careful enough, the little girl suddenly glanced down.
Those deep eyes seemed to see through everything.
She saw four people getting closer and closer. A hint of surprise flashed in the little girl's eyes, followed by a barely perceptible panic.
In the blink of an eye, she was like a startled fawn, quickly putting down the old book in her hand and running back to her room.
It wasn't until he heard the whispers around him that Sean finally snapped out of his daze.
"Mr. Greengrass, this is Principal Phillips." Lucius introduced Sean to a middle-aged man wearing black glasses who looked refined.
Greengrass's status among the Death Eaters was only average; he usually kept a low profile, which is why he was able to escape punishment at a much lower cost than Lucius during the final trial.
"Hello, Principal Phillips, it's a pleasure to meet you." Greengrass extended his hand warmly.
"Hello, Mr. Greengrass, it's a pleasure to meet you too." Sean gently shook Greengrass's hand, gave it a polite shake, and then let go.
"And this is...?" Greengrass turned his gaze to Riddle, who had been standing silently to the side without saying a word, and asked with a hint of curiosity and confusion.
He pondered to himself, because in that brief moment, he seemed to sense a strange familiarity with this young man, which made him want to know more.
"This is a friend of mine. I apologize, but he's not very good at social situations. I hope you can understand." Lucius quickly made up an excuse to brush it off, then skillfully changed the subject, asking, "By the way, Mr. Greengrass, have the others arrived?"
"Oh, yes, the others have arrived and are waiting in the drawing room," Greengrass replied, his gaze lingering on Riddle for a moment, the sense of familiarity in his heart growing stronger.
"Let's go over there now, don't keep them waiting," Lucius said, gently patting Greengrass on the shoulder, gesturing for them to come along.
Greengrass nodded, withdrew his gaze from Riddle, and led the three of them toward the drawing room.
Throughout the journey, Greengrass tried to recall the source of that familiar feeling, but to no avail.
He thought to himself that perhaps he was just being too sensitive, and it was normal to have some inexplicable feelings occasionally.
Inside the reception room, the other board members were already seated, conversing in hushed tones, creating an atmosphere that was both solemn and slightly relaxed.
Sean and Riddle did not sit with Lucius. Instead, they sat at the very bottom of the long table, quietly observing everyone's expressions and movements as their eyes darted among the people.
As the group took their seats, the gathering of former Death Eaters officially began.
Lucius stood up and began speaking eloquently to the other pure-blood family patriarchs:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have gathered you all here today for a very important matter."
Lucius's deep, powerful voice drew everyone's attention. He paused deliberately, glancing around to make sure everyone's eyes were on him.
"As you know, our family has faced unprecedented challenges and difficulties since that man's failure. Our reputation and wealth have shrunk dramatically, and those filthy mud-blooded people have taken away everything we should have had."
"But today, I don't want to reiterate our predicament, but rather talk about a turning point, an opportunity for our family to rise again."
At this point, Lucius deliberately slowed down his speech, each word sounding as if carefully calculated to ensure it would leave a deep impression on the listeners.
"What we need is a transformation, a rebirth. Not only to restore our former glory, but also to trample those who mocked and betrayed us underfoot." Lucius's words were filled with unwavering resolve, his gaze seemingly piercing through to the heart.
He looked directly at the patriarchs of the other six pure-blood families present.
Today is a chance to perform well in front of my master, so I can't afford any accidents.
The thought had barely crossed his mind when an unexpected event occurred.
"Hmph, Lucius, you make it sound so easy. Change? Rebirth? Do you think you alone can restore the glory of our pure-blood families?" The patriarch of the Carlo family sneered, his voice filled with obvious mockery and disbelief.
Lucius did not respond immediately, but merely raised his eyebrows slightly, staring intently at the patriarch of the Carlo family, as if trying to completely suppress him with his gaze.
After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice deep and powerful: "I am not asking you to blindly believe me, Mr. Carlo. What I am asking is that you see the reality we face and the opportunities I bring."
He surveyed his surroundings, taking in the heads of the other pure-blood families one by one: "Our world is changing. The status of Mudbloods and half-blood wizards is quietly rising. If we continue to be complacent and cling to past glories, then what awaits us..."
It will only lead to an even more tragic fate.
“Lucius, you make it sound so easy,” the head of another family, the leader of the Parkinson family, said coldly. “Change? Opportunity? What makes you think you can bring these things? We, the Parkinson family, don’t easily believe the sweet talk of a Malfoy.”
The patriarch of the Goyle family, a man with a gloomy face, also raised his doubts: "And Lucius, what makes you think you can lead us out of this predicament? Your family has also suffered greatly; what special plans or resources do you have to ensure our success?"
One question after another came crashing down on Lucius, as fierce as a storm, but he did not get angry.
He had anticipated this outcome before he arrived.
Although the pure-blood families appear to be closely connected, each family is actually self-reliant and arrogant, unwilling to submit to anyone else, and naturally resists being bullied. (Of course, the man who used to send Avada Kedavra to eat melons at the drop of a hat is an exception.)
In their eyes, Lucius was just trying to use this opportunity to solidify his position as the leader of the pure-blood family.
In fact, they were right; that was exactly what Lucius was thinking.
Lucius simply smiled, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Mr. Parkinson, I am not here to seek easy trust."
"What I'm offering is a plan based on realistic analysis, an opportunity for us to get out of our current predicament together. You and I both know that the status of pure-blood families is facing unprecedented challenges, and we need to unite to deal with it together."
"For example, by leveraging the Malfoy family's connections, the Carroll family's influence, and the Parkinson family's funds... as long as we unite, nothing can stop us."
He paused, then continued, "As for what I can rely on? It's my deep understanding of the magical world's situation over the years, and my keen insight into future trends. I'm not asking you to accept my plan immediately, but please at least give me a chance to listen."
Finally, Greengrass, the host, spoke. He took off his glasses and placed them on the table, then slowly said, "Lucius, even if we are willing to listen, can your plan ensure that our family's interests are not harmed? After all, past experience tells us that blindly trusting others often leads to betrayal and loss."
Lucius gave him a deep look, then slowly said, "Mr. Greengrass, I understand your concerns. On this point, I can assure you that my plan fully considers the interests of every pure-blood family."
"It's not a one-sided transfer of benefits, but a win-win strategy. I will explain in detail how to ensure that the interests of each family are maximized while jointly promoting our revival."
He paused again, letting the weight of his words settle in the air, before slowly continuing, "I believe our cooperation will not only restore our status but also elevate us to unprecedented heights in the magical world. But this requires your trust, the collective effort of all of us, and a determination to pay any price."
"At all costs?" Goyle's sharp voice interrupted Lucius. "Malfoy, what do you mean by 'at all costs'? Do you want us to sacrifice our family members or betray our principles?"
Sean frowned.
He was fully aware of both sides' ulterior motives.
First, there was Lucius, who deliberately avoided mentioning how to establish the factory, only offering a vague plan and demanding leadership, clearly intending to escalate the conflict.
When the conflict escalates to a certain point, he and Riddle will have to step in to resolve the problem for him, thus allowing Lucius to successfully establish his prestige among these pure-blood families and gain the leadership he desires.
On the other hand, in Sean's view, Goyle simply disliked Lucius or didn't want Lucius to take the lead, so he nitpicked and opposed Lucius.
However, having Lucius lead the other families also fits his plan; otherwise, he wouldn't have time to scheme against the heads of the other pure-blood families.
However, Lucius's failure to prioritize his affairs made him very unhappy.
It seems I'll have to visit Malfoy Estate a few more times when I have the time.
Sean patiently read on.
"No, of course not," Lucius tried to calm Goyle down. "What I mean by 'at all costs' is that we need the determination and courage to face the challenges ahead and make some difficult but necessary decisions. It doesn't mean we have to sacrifice family members or betray our principles."
However, Goyle was clearly not satisfied with this explanation: "Lucius, your words sound too vague. We need something definite, not these ambiguous promises. What makes you think we can trust you? What makes your plan think it can succeed?"
"It's based on my understanding of the magical world, and my foresight of the future." Lucius's voice began to harden. "I have provided enough information to demonstrate my sincerity and determination. If you still choose to doubt and refuse, then I can only express my regret."
"Regret?" Goyle sneered. "Lucius, your regrets are meaningless to us. What we need are concrete actions and clear guarantees, not your empty words."
The atmosphere instantly became tense, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
The five people began to express their opinions, some supporting Lucius and others opposing him.
Just then, Riddle, who was sitting next to Sean, couldn't help but stand up.