What Harry Didn't Know

As Albert used the Imperius Curse to send Ginny Weasley back to her dormitory, Professor McGonagall had just woken up Madam Pomfrey had already fallen asleep.

The head nurse, wearing only a jacket over her pajamas, hurriedly followed Professor McGonagall out. Upon seeing the boy lying stiffly on the bed, she couldn't help but gasp.

"What's going on?" Madam Pomfrey asked Dumbledore in a low voice.

She walked to the bedside and leaned over to examine the boy's condition. His symptoms were strange; she had never seen anything like it before. The boy was stiff as a stone, which reminded her of the rumors she had heard recently.

To be honest, if it weren't for precedent, Madam Pomfrey would have even suspected that the stiff boy in front of her was already dead.

"Another attack," Dumbledore said calmly. "McGonagall found him on the stairs."

The three of them stared intently at Colin, trying to find some clues about the attackers from him.

"I heard Mr. Creevey's shout and came out to check what was happening, and found that he had been attacked," Professor McGonagall said in a low voice. "You should have also noticed Mr. Creevey's wide eyes and stunned expression. He must have seen the attacker, and the attacker was probably an unexpected fellow."

"What should we do? I mean, how should we treat him?" Madam Pomfrey asked in a low voice.

"Strong restorative potion made from Mandrakes roots can lift the Petrification Curse," Dumbledore reassured him. "Mrs. Sprout happens to have a batch of Mandrakes roots; once they mature, Severus can craft the antidote."

"Petrified?" Madam Pomfrey frowned slightly, beginning to search her mind for similar symptoms.

"Yes," Professor McGonagall said, her voice tinged with unease. "I've never heard of any Dark Magic that can petrify someone... I actually wanted to chase after it earlier, and the thought of it now sends chills down my spine... If I hadn't met Albus, who knows what would have happened..."

"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened again," Dumbledore said softly.

"But Albus ...you must know...who?" Professor McGonagall stared blankly at Dumbledore, hoping to get an answer from him.

"The question isn't who," Dumbledore, taking the camera from Colin's stiff fingers. "The question is, how did they do it?"

Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey looked bewildered, clearly not understanding what Dumbledore said.

"Could he have taken a picture of the attacker?" Professor McGonagall asked anxiously, looking at the camera.

Dumbledore didn't answer. He reached out and pried open the back cover of the camera, and a pungent smell of burning plastic wafted out.

Madam Pomfrey exclaimed in surprise, "It actually melted..."

Dumbledore put the camera back on and placed it on the bedside table next to the sickbed. He said to Madam Pomfrey, "Take good care of Mr. Creevey until the Strong restorative potion is ready."

"I will."

"This is very unusual Albus." Professor McGonagall followed Dumbledore out of the School Hospital. "I noticed Mr. Creevey was carrying a bunch of grapes, and I guessed he was trying to sneak here to see Potter. But the attackers were able to seize the opportunity precisely, using dark Philosopher's Stone Mr. Creevey and then disappearing quickly."

"I will investigate this matter."

Professor McGonagall stopped and looked at Dumbledore with a menacing gaze. "You know what I mean. My student has been attacked, and I cannot turn a blind eye to this."

"Well, according to my sources, he is currently hiding in the forests of Albania."

"He?"

"Voldemort."

Upon hearing Dumbledore utter that name, Professor McGonagall shuddered.

"As far as I know, Voldemort was the last Slytherin Heir," Dumbledore said calmly. "Although there is no evidence, I believe he was the one who did it."

"Could it be that he has infiltrated the school again?" Professor McGonagall recalled what happened last year when Voldemort possessed Quirrell and broke into Hogwarts to steal the Philosopher's Stone.

"That's why I can't understand it," Dumbledore continued walking forward. "How did he manage to do that?"

Yes, Dumbledore couldn't understand that.

In fact, Dumbledore had already crossed the Albania forests after the Halloween attack.

Everywhere in that forest, there were traces of Voldemort's use of Dark Magic, and all indications suggested that his old student was still hiding deep within the forest.

Since Voldemort was in the Albania forest, how did he manage to do it?

Horcrux? Last time, Albert found the Diadem, confirming that Voldemort had created Horcrux.

Based on his understanding of Voldemort, the latter must have created more than one Horcrux.

However, Dumbledore was also unfamiliar with Horcrux, these evil Dark Magic items.

Dumbledore brought a cup of hot chocolate back to the Headmaster's Office from the kitchen. Looking at the old bird perched on the branch, he murmured, "Fawkes, you need to hurry. I'll need your help soon."

Dumbledore had long suspected the existence of the Chamber of Secrets and the monster within Chamber of Secrets.

He had investigated the case fifty years ago when Myrtle was killed by the monster in the Chamber of Secrets, even though there was no evidence to identify the murderer at the time.

At that time, he could only remain silent and keep a close watch on the other party.

Dumbledore well that even if he did something superfluous, he couldn't change anything; he could only offer Hagrid as much help as possible.

After the attack on Halloween Party night, Dumbledore once again put the long-forgotten memories into the Pensieve to try to glean valuable information.

He wasn't in a hurry to catch the monster in the Chamber of Secrets; figuring out how Voldemort had done it was more important.

As for the attack...

Dumbledore believed that the professors' future patrols would minimize the incident, and that Harry, who was involved, would continue his investigation.

Harry will face a brand new challenge once again.

Dumbledore knew what risks he had to take, but he had to ensure Harry received ample training while he was still strong enough.

Only by giving Harry enough training can he grow up quickly and gradually get closer to the truth.

If Harry doesn't get enough training, how will he cope with the difficulties he'll face in the future? Although Dumbledore felt he should have told Harry the truth sooner, Harry was just too young; twelve years old isn't much better than eleven.

He preferred that Harry gradually learn the truth as he grew up, which was more effective than telling Harry all the facts at once, kept Harry's mind at peace, and made him more courageous in facing everything.