Halloween Crisis

Over the next several weeks, Linley repeated the process of studying Alchemy Runes, going to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office on Saturdays to engrave Alchemy Formations, and improving his alchemy under Professor Green's guidance. During this time, Linley's progress in alchemy was astonishingly rapid, and his robes and accessories all became alchemical products inscribed with Alchemy Formations.

His robes contained over a dozen different defensive Alchemy Formations, allowing him to resist all spells cast by Auror-level wizards, including the Disarming Charm, and to withstand the Dark Arts of ordinary adult wizards.

The strength of these defensive Alchemy Formations was tied to Linley's own power. As the magical power within him grew with age, the power of the Alchemy Formations he created would also increase.

Before long, Halloween arrived.

The moment the young wizards woke up that morning, they could smell the sweet, tempting scent of roasted pumpkin wafting through the corridors. Countless pumpkin decorations covered Hogwarts Castle, making the Halloween atmosphere even more festive.

On that lovely Halloween, the Weasley twins suggested throwing a Stink Pellet in the Great Hall, but Linley strongly stopped them.

"Please, even Professor Flitwick would need to put in some effort to clear away the Stink Pellets you're holding. Don't you two have any self-awareness at all?!" Linley snatched the Stink Pellets from their hands, looking utterly helpless.

As early as the day after Linley learned to engrave Alchemy Formations, he had taught the Weasley twins how to make Improved Stink Pellets. Though the twins did not understand the principles behind them, they could still imitate what they saw.

After making a simple carving knife, Fred and George had stockpiled dozens of Improved Stink Pellets over this period.

If they really threw those Stink Pellets into the Great Hall, Gryffindor's House points would definitely take a massive hit.

Although Linley belonged to Slytherin House, the two of them were still his friends. He did not want to see Professor McGonagall hang them up and beat them.

"Fine!"

"You've convinced us!"

Fred and George shrugged as they spoke.

At the Halloween feast, a thousand bats fluttered along the walls and ceiling of the Great Hall, while another thousand swirled above the dining tables like low, dark clouds, making the candle flames inside the pumpkins flicker again and again.

Countless delicious dishes suddenly appeared on the golden plates, making the feast even more lavish than the start-of-term banquet.

Faced with such a grand spread, even Linley, who normally did not eat much, could not help eating an extra large bowl.

After the feast ended, the young wizards dispersed, and the professors on the platform also began to leave.

Just as Linley was preparing to return to his dormitory and use the time to memorize a few more Alchemy Runes, he suddenly noticed that something seemed off about Professor Green as he left. Linley could see a hint of killing intent hidden in Professor Green's pale blue eyes.

Moreover, Professor Green was not heading toward his Defense Against the Dark Arts office.

Professor Green headed toward the gates of Hogwarts Castle. After exchanging a few words with Filch, he left the castle, seemingly heading toward Hogsmeade Village!

"Fred, George, wait! Something seems wrong with Professor Green!"

Linley grabbed Fred and George by their collars as they prepared to leave, his expression grave.

He had never seen killing intent in the eyes of the usually kind Professor Green. Clearly, Professor Green must have encountered some sort of trouble!

Linley told the Weasley twins his analysis and said, "I plan to use the One-Eyed Witch statue to get to Hogsmeade Village ahead of him and lie in wait. Maybe I can help Professor Green. Also, this trip may be dangerous. If I don't come back within an hour, report this to Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall immediately!"

Linley was not trying to help out of blind overconfidence. He had confidence in his own abilities.

First, after this period of training, he could already cast Incendio using Wandless Magic while chanting the incantation aloud. He could also use Silent Spellcasting for spells such as the Disarming Charm. His magical ability was even comparable to that of some rookie Aurors.

Second, the equipment Linley wore was covered in Alchemy Formations. Even if he encountered a powerful dark wizard, he would be able to hold out for at least an hour. The task he had entrusted to the Weasley twins was his final safeguard.

If Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall came to support him, then even if Voldemort himself arrived, he likely would not be able to kill Linley immediately.

Hearing this, Fred and George exchanged a glance.

"No problem. As long as you come back safely, it doesn't matter even if the secret passage is exposed!"

George said.

Neither of them suggested going with Linley. They knew their own limits. While Linley had already mastered Silent Spellcasting for many spells, including the Disarming Charm, they could only barely cast those same spells. If they truly went along, they would only hold Linley back.

After giving them his instructions, Linley quickly arrived at the One-Eyed Witch statue.

"Separation Jinx!"

Linley cast the spell to open the secret passage, rushed through it as quickly as possible, and arrived in the cellar of Honeydukes.

Linley raised his Wand and cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself.

Linley had learned the Disillusionment Charm from Professor Green a week earlier. Its invisibility ability had greatly improved his ability to protect himself.

Linley felt a cold liquid flow down from the top of his head and spread across his entire body. He raised a hand, only to discover that his body had become completely invisible.

Linley quickly climbed out of the cellar and left Honeydukes.

As the largest wizarding village in the British wizarding world, Hogsmeade Village was not a place where a fight could possibly break out. If a battle were going to happen, it would definitely be outside Hogsmeade. That made the final location obvious—the entrance to Hogsmeade!

Under the Disillusionment Charm, Linley headed toward the entrance to Hogsmeade. After rounding a corner, the entrance to Hogsmeade Village came into view. At the same time, he saw a black-robed wizard with his mouth and nose covered.

The moment he saw the black-robed wizard, alarm bells rang in Linley's mind. Though nearly a hundred meters separated them, Linley did not dare make the slightest movement.

He stood frozen in place, staring at the other man's feet rather than looking directly at him.

If this black-robed wizard truly was a powerful dark wizard, then he would certainly be able to detect the Disillusionment Charm. Rashly approaching him would definitely not be a wise choice. Powerful wizards could generally sense when someone was watching them, which was why Linley did not dare look at him directly.

Professor Green had taught him all this knowledge. Those lessons drawn from Professor Green's personal experience had benefited him immensely.