Since Snape became the new headmaster and the Death Eaters took up posts as new professors, Hogwarts had been shrouded in an oppressive, stifling atmosphere. Especially after October's rainy season began, that feeling had only grown heavier, nearly suffocating everyone.
"I heard another first year was locked in the dungeons."
"They'll probably take him to Dark Arts class again and use him for the students to practise the Cruciatus Curse."
"They're completely insane."
The students eating breakfast in the Great Hall whispered about what had happened yesterday. Unconcealed anxiety and fear filled every face. The student tortured with the Cruciatus Curse last time was still lying in the School Hospital.
Listening to the whispers around him, Neville sat down at the Gryffindor table, lost in thought.
"It's a trap. They're trying to lure you in. Don't leave any evidence behind." Seamus sat down to Neville's right and warned him not to do anything foolish.
Hogwarts was now like a powder keg. The Death Eaters' brutal rule and Dumbledore's Army's furious resistance were clashing fiercely, and Hogwarts could be blown apart at any moment.
Yet the situation was becoming increasingly unfavourable to them. Not only did the Defence Association refuse to support a direct confrontation with the Death Eaters, but even the school's professors could offer them no help. Most of the time, they could only watch helplessly as their own people were thrown into the dungeons and whipped. This had left many members of Dumbledore's Army deeply dissatisfied.
No one liked weakness. No one liked being bullied. They wanted to strike back in fury. They wanted to drive the Death Eaters led by Snape out of the school.
Neville silently drank his corn porridge, then looked up at Parkinson at the professors' table and lowered his voice. "I don't know."