"Jack, he really died..."
Though it was noon in summer, Professor Leslie stood rooted to the spot, her hands and feet turning cold as she trembled uncontrollably.
Now that she controlled most of Hogwarts' authority, she could sense it whenever a young wizard died at Hogwarts.
"Please accept my condolences, Professor. No one wanted to see something like this."
Cypher comforted her softly.
"Still, he was only a child..."
Though she had grown accustomed to the fighting and killing of the wizarding world, and had seen quite a few young wizards die from magical mishaps,
this was the first time she had encountered a young wizard being murdered inside Hogwarts.
Professor Leslie found it hard to accept for the moment.
"Professor, the portraits are no longer safe."
Cypher had to make her pull herself together, so he hardened his heart and continued.
"We just don't know whether Hogwarts' portraits had always been compromised, or whether someone secretly replaced or altered them."
"I understand. I'll have the House-elves take down every newly hung portrait at once."
Realizing that the portraits could no longer be trusted, Professor Leslie decisively abandoned them.
To keep the young wizards from falling victim, she specifically had the House-elves secretly serving Hogwarts handle this dangerous task.
"Huh?"
On the way back, Cypher suddenly let out a startled sound and stopped walking.
"Did you think of something else?"
Professor Leslie stopped as well, tilting her head as she listened carefully to Cypher's thoughts.
"Professor, do you think this person's goal might be to make us take down all the portraits?"
"..." At his words, Professor Leslie's brows furrowed tightly as well.
Take them down or leave them up?
That truly was a difficult choice.
If they did not take them down, then judging by the current situation, the