Dumbledore Loses His Composure

Bang, bang—

The door to the Headmaster's office was suddenly knocked on.

"Come in!"

Under the watchful eyes of the five professors, eight prefects from the four Houses filed inside. (Note: The Deputy Headmaster was also the Head of Ravenclaw.)

"Reporting to the Heads of House, a seventh-year Slytherin student, Michael Smith, went out to Hogsmeade and has yet to return..."

After the eight of them bowed to the professors present, Abraxas Malfoy, the Slytherin prefect, was the first to make his report.

"Mm-hmm, I approved his leave slip."

Professor Walrus wiped his cold sweat with a gold handkerchief.

"All Hufflepuff students are in their dormitories..."

Juliana Raphael, Hufflepuff's female prefect, spoke softly next.

Bernice Leslie, the Head of Hufflepuff, let out a long breath. But when she thought of the students still in Hogsmeade, her expression turned tense again.

"Gryffindor... Gryffindor has six young wizards who haven't returned... but only three were registered as going to Hogsmeade..."

Annie Angeline, Gryffindor's female prefect, glanced at Charles Weasley, whose face was as red as his hair from shame under Dumbledore's gaze, and spoke viciously.

Where did all that smooth talk of yours go? Now you're making a girl like me give the report?

As expected, Malfoy let out a perfectly timed whistle.

It made even the strong-willed little witch Annie Angeline flush red with anger.

"Slytherin loses fifty points! For failing to unite with fellow students and sowing discord between the Houses."

Deputy Headmaster Brandt said expressionlessly. Malfoy froze, and his face reddened as well.

Professor Walrus wanted to plead for mercy, but after opening his mouth and meeting the Deputy Headmaster's oppressive glare, he gave up struggling.

"Other than the missing first-years Cypher Corvin and Luna Freya Hill, and Iris Fergus... no one else is missing."

Everyone followed the voice and looked down, only then seeing who had spoken.

It was Filius Flitwick, Ravenclaw's prefect, a short half-blood Goblin.

After mentioning Iris, he looked toward his own Head of House. He knew Iris had gone home but had not yet returned... Fortunately, his Head of House nodded, indicating that there was no need to say more. That meant Iris was still at home.

After hearing everyone's reports, Dumbledore understood.

In other words, four young wizards were definitely in Hogsmeade.

The rest might have been wandering outside the castle at night, or hiding in secret passages without receiving the assembly notice.

Cypher and Luna were most likely in the Room of Requirement.

He gently stroked the head of Fawkes the phoenix. The bird lightly pecked Dumbledore's fingertip, then vanished from the Headmaster's office in a blaze of golden-red fire.

"Alright, prefects! Return to your respective Houses and guard the entrances to your common rooms. If the situation becomes urgent, I will notify you to lead all students to assemble in the Great Hall!"

The Deputy Headmaster issued the order, and the Headmaster nodded slightly in approval.

The eight prefects nodded repeatedly to show they understood. Without even bowing goodbye, they hurried out of the Headmaster's office.

After all, the atmosphere in the Headmaster's office was far too stifling.

This time, the silence did not last long.

A clear phoenix cry shattered the stillness as Fawkes appeared on Dumbledore's shoulder in a burst of fire.

The phoenix chirped softly, and Dumbledore received Fawkes's message.

After hearing it, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"The three Gryffindor students were in one of the castle's secret passages. Fawkes has already taken them back to their common room."

At that, Professor Walrus and the gentle lady visibly relaxed.

"There's no need to worry about Cypher and Luna either..."

Just as Dumbledore was about to say that the two were studying in his office—

The flames in the fireplace suddenly leaped high.

Several witches and wizards in black Wizard Robes stepped out.

At their head was Hector Fawley, the Minister for Magic, whose term was nearing its end and who had adopted a hands-off approach toward Grindelwald.

This flamboyant man strode to the center of the office with what he clearly believed was a dashing gait. All manner of silver ornaments hung from his body, jingling and clattering—a man with his own walking background music. (Star-Lord?!)

It had to be said that although the Minister's behavior was uncomfortable to watch, he had at least successfully diverted the Headmaster's attention. Dumbledore's expression was still unpleasant, but it was no longer solely because the lives of four students were unknown.

Bernice Leslie, the Head of Hufflepuff, wore an equally remarkable expression.

The Deputy Headmaster and Dumbledore seemed used to it, their expressions utterly calm.

But Horace Slughorn was captivated by the extravagant display. He stared at Hector Fawley in the center of the room, envy written across his face.

"Gentlemen! We—oh! And dear Madam Leslie!"

Hector Fawley dramatically raised an eyebrow and began preparing his speech. After sweeping his gaze around the room, he suddenly noticed Hufflepuff's female Head of House and hastily changed his words, nearly biting his tongue.

"We came so promptly—our response time was just as efficient as it usually was during Sunday dinner. No more nonsense. What exactly happened at Hogwarts that an emergency support signal was sent to the Ministry of Magic's Auror Office?"

"Hector, I hope you can still smile after hearing this. Four Hogwarts students are trapped in Hogsmeade, which is suspected to be under siege from Dark wizards. You know what that means, don't you?"

After saying that, Dumbledore ignored the stunned Hector Fawley standing in the center of the room.

Headmaster Armando Dippet rubbed his stiff face and greeted the Aurors arriving in dribs and drabs with a dignified smile.

Most of the Aurors present had once been his students. As for the rest, he had stopped teaching by the time he became Headmaster.

Facing the greeting and scrutiny of their former Headmaster, the Aurors all bent over and respectfully bowed to him.

"Four students? Who are they?"

Once the Aurors had straightened up, Hector Fawley finally came to his senses and hurriedly asked.

"Three Gryffindors and one Slytherin."

Deputy Headmaster Brandt Fergus did not give their specific names, but their Houses already said enough.

"Hiss—"

Hector Fawley drew a sharp breath. Gryffindor could be ignored, but Slytherin...

Even if they were fallen nobles, if he mishandled this matter, it would leave a stain on his record that would be difficult to erase.

"Is there no intelligence? If not, then we set out now!"

"No. You'll need to probe carefully with spells. There is a powerful barrier outside, and touching it will cause injuries."

Headmaster Armando said, then paused. "I hope every one of you returns with the students!"

"Yes!"

The Aurors were instantly energized, shouting in unison as their morale surged.

Only then did the Minister for Magic have the chance to intervene. He motioned for everyone to follow him.

They could not Apparate within Hogwarts, so they had to run all the way out of the castle.

Even on brooms, they could hardly borrow the Headmaster's office window, could they?

Just as Hector Fawley twisted open the door and stepped out with one foot—

A blaze of crimson light suddenly flared behind him.

Everyone turned around to see Dumbledore standing there in shock.

He had thought Cypher and Luna would be in the Room of Requirement.

But now Fawkes had vanished before he could even inform him.

Cypher and Luna needed Fawkes's help—at a time when Hogsmeade was suspected to be under attack by Dark wizards!