Lady Helena nodded, a faintly puzzled expression appearing on her face. "Isn't that his name? An old white-bearded wizard with a prosthetic limb."
Sean's brow immediately furrowed. After the Ashwinder incident that day had ended, he had chatted with some of the other students. Later, it had been the four Heads of House who returned to the Great Hall last; the other professors had been scattered throughout the castle, dealing with the remaining snake eggs and the fires they had caused.
But Professor Kettleburn had clearly been near the Hospital Wing. He had been placed under the Imperius Curse and was ultimately rescued by Professor Dumbledore. He was now lying in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries receiving treatment.
The route from the fourth floor to the Hospital Wing had to pass through the Great Hall, and Apparition was forbidden at Hogwarts. Professor Kettleburn could not possibly have avoided everyone's notice in such a short time.
What was more, Professor Kettleburn's condition clearly suggested he had been waiting outside the Hospital Wing the whole time. The one who knocked out Madam Pomfrey was most likely Kettleburn while he was under the Imperius Curse.
Then who was this "Kettleburn" on the fourth floor...?
Quirrell? No...
A terrible feeling abruptly rose within Sean.
He said goodbye to Lady Helena, who no longer seemed interested in talking, then entered the Room of Requirement alone, frowning.
As he watched Dave wolf down its meal, Sean's thoughts gradually began to unfold.
The one lying in the hospital had to be the real Kettleburn. Professor Dumbledore could not have failed to notice that. Therefore, the Kettleburn who appeared in the fourth-floor corridor had to be an impostor.
What was the purpose? Appearing on the fourth floor meant he was most likely after whatever lay