Just after midnight that day, four Little Lions quietly slipped out again.
Hermione's afternoon conversation with Cho went very smoothly, much more so than their first meeting.
Is she easy to talk to?
"Yes, at least she doesn't pester people with questions, and it's very comfortable to be around her."
George chuckled awkwardly, "Oh dear, I'm a little hungry~"
He took the Marauder's Map and strode down the castle stairs.
Fred gave Vincent a wink.
"Why hasn't the smoke from the Forbidden Forest dissipated yet?"
"It must be because of that magic that prevents intrusion."
Hearing them deliberately change the subject, Hermione immediately became interested.
"When you flew out of the school on a broom last time, Professor McGonagall hadn't yet lifted the protective magic."
Vincent spotted a blind spot. "Do you think they've been tampered with?"
"Very likely."
Who would leave a huge cloud of choking smoke in the Forbidden Forest?
Hagrid?
Dumbledore?
"How about we go check their location now—"
Quirrell has gone out!
George, who had trotted up, pointed to the location of the Great Hall on the map.
The little footprints beneath the name Quirinus Quirrell stretch straight out into the distance beyond the castle.
"What should we do?" Hermione rushed to the window.
However, it was pitch black underneath, and the Forbidden Forest could only be vaguely discerned as an outline.
"He's almost there."
The Marauder's Map only shows the castle and its surrounding area.
Once Quirrell enters the Forbidden Forest, finding him will be difficult.
Vincent frowned, meeting three pairs of somewhat bewildered eyes.
They wanted to catch Quirrell, but were more worried about being caught by someone else.
If we allow the other party to step into the Forbidden Forest, we will feel extremely unwilling.
"You—me—"
Vincent took a deep breath and met the gazes of the three men with a serious expression.
"I'll go back to the dorm first. You guys stay outside the Forbidden Forest and don't go in."
Watching the figure running up the stairs, both the twins and Hermione felt a sense of relief.
Back in his dorm room, Vincent immediately opened the large box that had been hidden under his bed and sent from home a few days earlier.
He changed into a bulletproof vest, Transfiguration that of an ordinary jacket.
The newly made smoke grenades, daggers, silenced pistols, gas masks, and other items were all shrunk down and put into pockets.
He opened the hidden compartment of the box and stared speechlessly at the several large items.
"They probably won't need it yet..."
He quickly closed the suitcase, got up, and opened the dormitory door.
Outside the Forbidden Forest.
The twins were keeping an eye on what was happening inside, while Hermione was studying the Marauder's Map.
Dumbledore was still pacing around the Headmaster's Office;
The other professors stayed in their offices;
Filch is guarding the fourth floor;
The students were all very well-behaved.
She continued glancing down and saw Snape walk out of the office.
We're in big trouble!
George turned his head to the side, his expression gradually turning bitter.
"What is he planning to do by not staying in the Bat Cave...?"
"They must have found out the identity of the You-Know-Who."
Hermione followed the footprints upwards.
"He was checking if Quirrell was still in the office."
"What if they're not here?"
"Block the door."
George patted his chest. "Luckily, we have several secret passages to get back."
"I'm not worried about Vincent." She shifted her gaze to the tower. "I just think Quirrell will try to shift the blame to Batman."
Fred, staring at the Forbidden Forest, instinctively said, "Why don't we just lure Snape over here?"
Quirrell could find an excuse to go to the Bat Cave, but how would he explain going to the Forbidden Forest?
"Who's going?" Hermione's little hands trembled as she held the map. "We're all Gryffindor students, Snape will definitely House Points on the spot."
"Vincent?" George shook his head after saying that. "No, the Old Bat is too suspicious."
While the three were agonizing over their situation, Snape arrived at Quirrell's office.
Once those little footprints went in, they never came out again.
Vincent approached them, Hermione turned around and looked back.
"Why does everyone look so gloomy?"
He strode forward. "Did Quirrell go back?"
"No." Fred smiled wryly and Marauder's Map. "Old Bat has already figured out who You-Know-Who is."
After explaining the situation in general, Vincent also became troubled.
They either have to stop Quirrell or give up their House Points.
"So, you guys make a big commotion to lure Snape over here."
Hermione watched him put the gas mask he'd taken out of his pocket back on. "You're going to find Quirrell alone?"
"That's right." Vincent restored the dagger to its original form, transforming it into his own wand. "I know the Disillusionment Charm, so don't worry about me being discovered."
"Alright then." She looked away somewhat reluctantly.
"I'm a little wizard who comes with the effects of Felix Felicis."
He put on a gas mask. "It would be best to attract Professor Dumbledore as well, so that our House Points will be guaranteed."
The twins both understood what he meant.
With Dumbledore present, Snape probably wouldn't lose any points regardless of whether Quirrell was exposed or not.
Vincent, having made all the preparations, raised his wand and tapped it lightly on his chest, disappearing right before the eyes of the three.
"Dude, are you still there?"
George closed his mouth.
Without a sound, he left.
Hermione looked thoughtfully at the map.
Snape on the third floor is manageable, but what will it take to lure Dumbledore, who is on the same level as the Gryffindor Tower?
Did you bring any Dungbombs with you?
"George has two."
As if she had made up her mind, she spoke her mind.
Deep in the Forbidden Forest.
As soon as Quirrell arrived at the lake, he smelled the familiar pungent odor again.
The lingering effect lasted for a full two weeks, so it's 100% certain that someone tampered with it.
"Dumbledore— "
Voldemort's deep voice startled him, causing him to abruptly stop in his tracks.
Are you afraid, Quirinus?
"My master, has he already discovered something?"
"You really are afraid—"
Quirrell knelt down, trembling.
"No, Master!"
I'm just worried that if I die, I'll waste this precious opportunity to resurrect you.
"You dare threaten me, Quirinus!"
The roar echoing in his mind was like a crashing storm into the depths of his soul.
His entire face beneath his cloak was contorted in agony, and cold sweat trickled down his nose.
"Master—Master, please forgive me—forgive my ignorance."
"You won't die, Quirinus— "
Voldemort's voice was very calm, as if nothing had just happened.
"The hunting ground guard was my junior from school. He used to keep some kind of Fantastic Beasts at the school, and it directly caused the death of a student—"
Quirrell wiped the sweat from his brow. "Master, you believe this smoke is his..."
"Quirinus, this is my final act of mercy."
"I see."
He rose and gently waved his wand, moving deeper into the smoke that wasn't directed at him.