bacchusnovels Chapter 320 A Busy Night
Chapter 320 A Busy Night
Chapter 320 A Busy Night (Part 1)
Every hour, a teacher would appear in the auditorium to check if the students were safe and sound.
Around 3 a.m., many students finally fell into a deep sleep, exhausted.
Just then, Professor Dumbledore walked in.
His gaze swept back and forth across the Great Hall. Hermione quietly opened her eyes and watched him search for Percy.
Percy was walking among the rows of sleeping bags, scolding the students who were talking.
He was not far from the four children, and Dumbledore's footsteps gradually approached. The four children immediately pretended to be asleep.
"Professor, do you have any leads on him?" Percy asked in a low voice.
"No. Is everything alright here?" Dumbledore's voice was somewhat serious.
"Everything is fine, Professor," Percy replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
"Very good," Dumbledore nodded and said softly, "There's no need to disturb them now. I've found a temporary guard for the Gryffindor portrait entrance, and you can have them move it back tomorrow morning."
"Where is the fat lady, Professor?" Percy asked eagerly.
"She's hiding in the Argyllshire map on the third floor. Apparently, she wouldn't let Blake in without the password, so Blake resorted to violence. She's still in a bad mood; I'll have Mr. Filch fix her up once she's calmed down."
Hermione heard the Great Hall door creak open again, followed by more footsteps.
"Headmaster?" It was Snape; his voice was deep, tinged with displeasure. Hermione raised her head slightly, listening intently.
"We've searched the entire fourth floor, he's not there. Filch also checked the underground classrooms, he's not there either." Snape's voice sounded somewhat tired, but still maintained its usual coldness.
"Where is the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? Owlshaw?" Dumbledore asked.
"I've searched everything..." Snape's reply sounded somewhat impatient.
"Very good, Severus, I also expected Blake wouldn't stay here."
Another set of footsteps sounded.
"Headmaster, it's not on the second or third floor either." Hermione recognized Sean's voice.
"Well done, Phillips."
"It's what I should do."
Snape rudely interrupted their pleasantries, "Have you ever wondered how he got in, Headmaster?"
Hermione lifted her head slightly off her arm, pricked up her ears, and tried to catch their conversation.
"Many ideas, Severus, but none of them hold water."
Hermione quietly opened her eyes, squinted a crack, and looked in the direction where they were standing.
Dumbledore and Sean had their backs to her, but she could vaguely see the focus on Percy's face and the angry profile of Snape.
"Do you remember that conversation we had, Headmaster, right before—before the start of the school year?" Snape's voice was so low it was almost inaudible, as if he didn't want Sean and Percy involved in the conversation.
"I remember, Severus," Dumbledore replied calmly.
"Blake breaking into the school without any inside help—that seems—impossible. I've expressed my concerns before."
When you specify one
"I don't believe anyone in this castle could help Black break in." Dumbledore's tone was clear, as if he didn't want to continue the topic, but Snape wasn't about to give up so easily.
"Have you forgotten what happened last semester?"
As he spoke, Snape glanced warily at Sean, who was not far away.
After Snape interrupted his "mission report," he took the initiative to take on the patrol duties for Percy.
By this time, he had already patrolled to the second-year Ravenclaw sleeping area and was secretly admiring Luna's sleeping posture.
Luna was curled up in her sleeping bag, her long hair spread out on the pillow like golden silk, a stark contrast to the purple sleeping bags around her.
Luna's cheeks were rosy, making her look like a well-behaved little rabbit.
Sean was so engrossed in watching that he forgot to look away.
At that moment, Luna suddenly opened her eyes, blinked in Sean's direction, and then opened her mouth, silently uttering a few words.
"Don't make things up without evidence."
"I must go down and find those Dementors," Dumbledore continued. "I told them before that we would notify them once we had finished our search."
"Weren't they here to help, sir?" Percy, who had finally found a way to join the conversation, asked cautiously.
"Oh, yes," Dumbledore replied coldly, "but as long as I am the headmaster, I doubt a single Dementor will be able to cross the threshold of this castle."
Percy seemed a little embarrassed; he didn't know how to respond.
Dumbledore left the Great Hall, walking quickly and silently.
Snape stood there, watching the headmaster's retreating figure, his face filled with anger and resentment, before he too turned and left.
Hermione glanced at the three people beside her.
The three of them also opened their eyes, their eyes sparkling with starlight.
"What's going on?" Ron muttered under his breath, his voice filled with confusion and unease.
By four o'clock in the morning, the atmosphere in the auditorium had completely quieted down.
The initial hushed discussions and uneasy whispers had dissipated, replaced by even breathing and the occasional rustling of the sleeping bag as someone turned over.
Hermione thought she would fall asleep like the other students, but her mind was too heavy to calm down.
She tossed and turned in her sleeping bag, her mind replaying the conversation between Dumbledore and Snape, as well as the danger of Sirius Black sneaking into the school. The more she thought about it, the more serious the matter seemed, and her anxiety prevented her from relaxing.
Just as Hermione was about to try to close her eyes and force herself to fall asleep, she suddenly noticed Sophia moving beside her. Hermione quietly turned her head, opened her eyes, and saw through the dim starlight of the Great Hall that Sophia was silently getting out of her sleeping bag, moving very carefully, as if she didn't want to disturb anyone.
Where is Sofia going?
What is she doing up so late?
Hermione hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to follow her to see what she was up to.
She carefully lifted the sleeping bag, trying her best not to make a sound, then quietly got up and followed closely behind Sofia, maintaining a safe distance.
Sofia moved swiftly, crossing the auditorium and heading towards the main entrance.
Hermione quickened her pace, trying her best not to be discovered.
She watched helplessly as Sophia, like a nimble cat, easily bypassed Percy, the guard, and walked out the door.
Hermione's heart raced. She didn't know where Sophia was going, but a strong sense of curiosity compelled her to continue following her.
The two walked through the dimly lit corridor, where all was quiet.
Sophia walked all the way to Professor Phillips' office door, gently pushed it open, and went inside.
Hermione stood a short distance away, holding her breath, her curiosity at its peak.
She quietly approached the office door, crouched down, and gently leaned against the door, listening intently.
"What brings you here, darling?" Sean's deep, gentle voice came from under the door.