The night wind in the Forbidden Forest carried the smell of blood and scorched flesh, while moonlight spilled through the leaves onto the ravaged clearing.
Dumbledore stood amid the wreckage, the blue eyes behind his Half-moon Spectacles shimmering with complicated emotions.
His silver beard swayed gently in the night wind, and it was impossible to tell whether his expression showed helplessness or a headache.
Earlier, Charlie had gone to his office and told him Professor Quirrell had attacked them in the Forbidden Forest.
He had hurried to the scene, only to find this sight.
Dumbledore used his Wand to lift the corner of the cloth, took one look, and quickly covered it again.
Good grief. Only a head was left.
He turned to Charlie, wanting to speak but hesitating.
His original plan had been to have Quirrell steal the Philosopher's Stone, then let Harry choose whether to confront Quirrell.
That would test Harry's courage while also letting him witness the threat of Voldemort with his own eyes.
But Charlie had directly beaten Quirrell to death.
Couldn't this kid stay out of trouble for even a moment?
Although Voldemort would still come to steal the Philosopher's Stone in the end, without Quirrell, there were bound to be more variables.
Moreover, while Voldemort was inside Quirrell, Dumbledore could monitor him at any time. Now, he had no idea where Voldemort would go.
"Headmaster."
Charlie interrupted Dumbledore's thoughts.
"We saw a man in black beating a Unicorn as soon as we arrived in the Forbidden Forest," Charlie explained.
"I stepped in to stop him, only to discover that he was Professor Quirrell."
He paused, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.
"Headmaster, does this count as assaulting a professor?"
Dumbledore wondered why this kid seemed a little hopeful.
He helplessly shook his