Ambushed Again, Out of Control

Although the diary was lost, life had to go on. Tomorrow was a Quidditch match, and Wood had specifically instructed everyone to eat well and rest well, especially Harry.

The next day, after breakfast, Harry, Ron, and Draco went to pack the game supplies. Hermione planned to go to the library to search for any clues about the victimized girl from back then, while Bing Huan had to go out.

"When I found out Riddle was problematic, I had my people investigate what he did after graduation. Originally, they were just supposed to send the information directly, but a relative of mine was coming here on a business trip, so they offered to deliver it and visit me at the same time."

"Then we'll split into three groups."

About an hour later, the spectators and both teams had gathered at the Quidditch stadium. Harry was about to mount his Nimbus 2000 when Professor McGonagall, holding a megaphone, came to the center of the field to stop the match.

"How can a professor cancel Quidditch?" Wood said sadly.

Professor McGonagall gave Wood an apologetic look and then instructed all students to return to their respective common rooms. She then asked Harry, Ron, and Draco to follow her, trying to make her voice sound as gentle as possible: "There has been another attack, two people this time."

The hearts of the three instantly sped up. Professor McGonagall pushed open the door to the infirmary. Inside, Madam Pomfrey was bending over to examine a long-haired sixth-year student. Harry recognized her as the Ravenclaw girl who often walked with Percy.

On the bed next to her lay their friend.

"Hermione!"

The normally wise young witch lay there motionless, her eyes staring blankly.

"He was found near the library. Alright, I'll escort you back to the Gryffindor Tower." Professor McGonagall was very heavy-hearted, but she understood her responsibility.

The observant Harry noticed that Hermione seemed to be holding something. While Professor McGonagall turned away, he secretly took it out, planning to look at it in the dormitory.

Back in the common room, Professor McGonagall explained the current situation and stipulated that they must return to the common room before 6 o'clock. They needed a teacher to escort them to and from classes. If the case remained unsolved, Hogwarts might even be closed.

Percy sat there, his face pale, while other students began to whisper amongst themselves. After dinner, Bing Huan, who had gone out, returned.

"How was the match today, Harry? Why is the common room so lively?"

"Ah, this~" Harry found it difficult to speak.

"Oh, and guess what? There's almost no news about Tom Riddle in the outside world. As an outstanding student like him, he shouldn't be unknown in the Wizarding World. And not long after he graduated, Voldemort appeared. Such an excellent student shouldn't be unknown, yet there's not a trace of his records.

And Voldemort appeared out of nowhere. He refused to use his real name, and his past experiences can't be found. Then there's only one answer. Tom Riddle is Voldemort."

"Bloody Hell! You mean we were chatting with Voldemort that night. That's terrifying!"

"Now that you mention it, it's quite thrilling. What about Hermione? Is she still in the library?"

"..."

"What happened to her?!" Their stammering made Bing Huan nervous.

"Alright, Huan, you must stay calm. Hermione... she was attacked and is now petrified in the infirmary."

"What!" Bing Huan ran out.

Watching Bing Huan's retreating figure, Harry said to Ron, "We have to do something too. Hagrid, although he was wrongly accused, he experienced that incident back then. He must have a clue."

"But Professor McGonagall said we have to stay in the tower."

"I think it's time to bring out my dad's old cloak. Remember to call Draco."

Meanwhile, Bing Huan stumbled into the infirmary. He saw the girl who had told him to be careful on the road that morning now lying on the bed like a statue, motionless.

"Min..." Bing Huan placed his hand on her face, hoping for a response from her cold and stiff skin.

After a long while, Bing Huan stood up. "I will definitely save you. Yes! Mandrakes! Professor Sprout!"

He ran to the greenhouse and pushed the door open. "Professor! Professor! Professor Sprout!"

The Head of Hufflepuff came out. "What is it, child? Is something wrong?"

"Professor, are the Mandrakes not ready yet?"

The professor shook her head. "I'm afraid, child, they still need a few more days to grow."

"I can't wait. Do they have to be fully mature to be used?" Bing Huan ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

"Child, I want to help you, but for the sake of the entire school, I must wait until they are fully mature. Alright, be patient. Petrification won't truly harm their lives."

"Professor!"

"Enough!" Bing Huan was about to say more when he was interrupted by a deep voice. It was Snape. "Mr. Bing, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office. If you still want to get Mandrakes at Hogwarts, we've contacted everywhere we could, and there are no usable Mandrakes available."

"...Sorry, Professor, I got a bit emotional just now."

"It's alright, child."

Walking with Snape, Bing Huan couldn't help but ask, "Professor, what type of potion is the Mandrake potion?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"Whether it's your potions or our Alchemy, most formulas follow one of three principles: combining properties, neutralizing properties, and refining properties. Which category does the Mandrake potion fall into?"

"Refining."

"Are the active ingredients of Mandrakes only present during maturity?"

"Not necessarily, but the concentration is highest during maturity. During the immature stage, the yield per unit is lower. As for the seeds, it's even less."

"There are seeds too? Why not extract the active ingredients from the seeds? Seeds don't seem to be lacking."

"That's why it's called a Mandrake potion, not named after a certain ingredient. The active ingredients within cannot be extracted by known means."

"What about the concentration and purification?"

"Using the medicinal liquid within the seeds as a medium, its purification multiple is limited. Even at its limit, it cannot be used to make potions. Unless we can find a different medium, but as I said before, its effective substances cannot be extracted. Even if you had a way, there are almost no media in the world that can withstand so much concentration and purification."

"Human blood."

Snape stopped, looking at Bing Huan with a scrutinizing gaze, as if seeing himself when Lily had just passed away. "Don't do anything foolish."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't harm anyone. You can't control us from a legitimate school anymore, right?"

"...As you wish."

Upon being led into the Headmaster's Office, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Grindelwald were already waiting. It seemed they had something to do shortly, as Dumbledore got straight to the point. "Little Huan, I know you're anxious right now. But Fudge is arriving soon, and for the sake of the bigger picture, I hope you can calm down first.

Once this matter is over, we'll help you find a solution. Even if we can't, Professor Sprout's Mandrakes will be mature soon. I promise you, Hermione will be fine." With that, he patted Bing Huan's shoulder and left the Headmaster's Office.

"The bigger picture... TM, the bigger picture again!" Bing Huan's suppressed emotions were reignited.

"Chi... Child, I know you blame yourself, don't be like this!" Professor McGonagall tried to comfort Bing Huan. Dumbledore had just told her the whole story, and she understood the young man's pain. Someone he cared about was attacked by a danger he brought...

Grindelwald also said, "Kid, the priority now is to deal with the Chamber of Secrets. Once it's resolved, she'll definitely be safe."

"No! I brought that thing in, I shouldn't have left her alone. Whether as her boyfriend or as one of the instigators of this incident, I have to save her, now!" Bing Huan's eyes were bloodshot; this was the first time he had completely lost his composure.

"And you don't care about the others?" Grindelwald's words brought him back some semblance of reason.

"What do you mean?"

"Those three boys are in danger now. Fudge is here, so it's not appropriate for me to act. You need to go to the Forbidden Forest."

"..." Bing Huan turned and took out Crimson Trail. "When I get back, I want to see what I asked for."

"You're not using your wand?"

"I'm not in the mood to play today." With that, he vanished from his spot.

Professor McGonagall looked reproachfully at Grindelwald. "He's still a student, how can you let him go to the Forbidden Forest?"

"Minerva, he needs to vent. Trust him."

At night, after their roommates had fallen asleep, Harry and Ron got out of bed and dressed. They took out the invisibility cloak. They then circled around to the Slytherin common room entrance to pick up Draco, and the three of them headed towards Hagrid's hut.

After ensuring their safety, Hagrid let the three into his house. "Hagrid, have you heard about Hermione?"

"Yeah, I heard." His voice was choked. "Huan, is he okay?"

"How could he be okay?" Harry shook his head. "Actually, I wish he'd caused a huge scene."

Just as they were about to ask for details, a knock sounded again.