"Playback!"
This was a privilege exclusive to professors. It could temporarily turn a portrait into a mirror, reflecting recent events.
However...
The delight on Professor Leslie's face did not last long.
The scene only played up to the point where Abraxas Malfoy repeatedly looked back before sneaking over here.
Then... the image froze.
When it resumed, Abraxas Malfoy... was gone?!
Wait! Gone?!
Cypher quickly raised his hand and conjured a smooth ice mirror.
Sure enough, Abraxas was not reflected in it.
Gaze really was one of the mediums.
In other words, to find the source of the projection, he needed suitable magic as a medium.
Tom still had an important piece of information to tell him after their duel.
That meant it was magic Tom had kept as his trump card!
If it was not a curse, then it was one of the three Unforgivable Curses!
Cypher was inclined to believe it was one of the Unforgivable Curses because... Professor Dumbledore had uncharacteristically taught two of them to Iris and Luna without discussing it with him first.
And now he had left Cypher a prophecy, making him take the initiative.
Could it be... the Imperius Curse!
That was it. Tom's eyes had turned red at the time. He had probably been casting the Imperius Curse!
Tsk, Tom, even if you use the Imperius Curse on me, it will not have much effect.
With my Occlumency, you did not have enough time in a duel to break through my mental defenses.
"Professor, seal off the entire corridor. For the magic I'm about to use, it would be best if no one else sees it."
"Oh, all right!"
Still deeply dejected, Professor Leslie said nothing more. With a light wave of her hand, walls rose from the floor at every staircase along