Later events came so fast that Harry actually forgot to think about the whereabouts of Malfoy and the Dark Witch Cliodna.
Caught off guard by the sight of the two in the Headmaster's office, Harry and the others all looked astonished.
Professor McGonagall and the others were equally shocked by Harry's group's appearance.
"Merlin above!"
Professor McGonagall's face turned livid as she strode urgently toward them.
"I can hardly believe you're still alive!"
Professor McGonagall's furious gaze made Harry and the others unable to lift their heads.
"Now isn't the time for a lecture, Minerva—"
Sirius ruffled Harry's hair.
"Harry and the others have just been through a fierce battle. Dumbledore will be here soon, along with Ministry of Magic Aurors and a group of captured Death Eaters."
A fierce battle, and captured Death Eaters?!
Professor McGonagall stared at the young wizards from her House with an agonized expression.
"Can someone explain?"
Professor Slughorn said with a frown, "After you left, Dumbledore sent us a message with Phoenix feathers, telling us to wait here. Then young Mr. Malfoy and... this Death Eater suddenly appeared here and gave us quite a fright."
Why Vitia Criona and Draco Malfoy had been brought to Professor Dumbledore's office—
Harry did not need anyone else to explain it. He already had the answer.
Professor Breen had probably not been as careless as Harry had thought.
He must have tampered with the Vine Wand on the little wooden table beside the sofa long ago. He—wait!
Harry's eyes widened as he looked at the wooden table in the office. Besides the wand, there lay a... a...
"Sirius, is that..."
Harry's voice was slightly hoarse. Behind him, Hermione covered her mouth and slowly shook her head, as if unwilling to believe what she was seeing.
"You're seeing it