Trapped

"Ahhh!" "Aooooh!"

In the Slytherin boys' dormitory, Crabbe and Goyle, clad in tattered zombie costumes, were shouting nonsense again.

On the other side, Draco stood before the full-length mirror, a confident smile on his face as he meticulously combed his neat blonde hair with a comb slicked with pomade.

He wore fangs and the distinctive tights of the last century.

A massive gemstone necklace hung heavily on his chest, like a pigeon's egg; his deep green brocade coat shimmered under the lights, even brighter than the pomade on his head.

The young master's identity tonight was a vampire count.

"Hmm? Where did Klein go?"

Only after finally styling his hair to his satisfaction did Draco stop what he was doing.

He looked around for Klein but couldn't find him. He frowned and asked Crabbe and Goyle in confusion.

"Boss Klein is still in the restroom, probably putting on makeup." "Draco, you hogged the full-length mirror for too long, so Boss Klein had to go there to do his makeup."

Crabbe and Goyle, their faces covered in greasepaint, turned their heads simultaneously and replied casually before resuming their roughhousing.

Hearing this, Draco felt a little embarrassed but managed to hide it well.

He sat down on his bed and stared at the closed wooden door of the dormitory restroom, chuckling.

No matter what Klein dressed up as, he would definitely not be as handsome as him.

Tonight, he, Draco Malfoy, was destined to be the most dazzling one there!

Meanwhile, inside the restroom.

"Headmaster, you must be joking."

The voice that suddenly echoed in his mind made Klein speechless. Looking at his completely transformed reflection in the mirror, he rubbed his temples with a wry smile.

"Don't you know our house has a costume ball tonight? I just changed..."

"There's no time. A giant has already broken into the school. It must be Voldemort's doing. Snape and I are keeping an eye on Quirrell. You're the only one who can protect the students!"

The telepathic message sounded again, Dumbledore's tone more serious than ever.

"Alright, I'll deal with the giant. Don't worry."

Taking a deep breath, Klein pondered for a second before nodding in agreement.

This was something they had agreed on beforehand—Dumbledore would help him turn public opinion around, and he would help Dumbledore protect the teachers and students of Hogwarts.

"The giant is your responsibility. If Snape and I meet with misfortune, I hope you will continue to protect Hogwarts, or leave here, as far as possible."

Just before cutting off the telepathic connection, Dumbledore paused, then spoke the words hidden in his heart.

It wasn't an order, but a request.

It even carried a hint of pleading.

If Albus Dumbledore were not in the castle, then Klein Grindelwald would become the greatest danger.

As the headmaster, the old man had to stand on the side of all teachers and students.

Even though his relationship with Klein had become quite good.

"Once old people get old, they just like to worry unnecessarily."

Dumbledore's words made Klein shake his head and smile wryly.

But he could understand.

Calming himself, he looked at his own battle-ready reflection in the restroom mirror, his expression hardening, his eyes gradually turning cold.

Klein knew that the original course of fate would have complications during the Halloween banquet, but after severely injuring Quirrell and Voldemort, he had temporarily forgotten about them.

After all, soul injuries weren't easily healed. Anyone with a bit of sense would choose to lie low rather than jump out and cause trouble.

He hadn't expected Voldemort's desire for the Philosopher's Stone to be even greater than he imagined, acting despite the risk of soul damage.

He was truly stubborn.

"I thought you'd behave for a while, staying put until the final stage was set.

Tom, the consequences of ruining my mood are very serious."

Muttering to himself, Klein twisted the doorknob and walked out of the dormitory restroom.

The third floor of Hogwarts Castle, the girls' restroom.

"Shh, don't make a sound."

Pansy, dressed as Snow White, trembled as she spoke.

Despite her immense fear, she clearly conveyed her message.

The monster was right outside in the corridor. Anyone who couldn't hold their nerve would doom everyone here!

Several other Slytherin girls, also in their ball gowns, nodded. They huddled fearfully in the corner. Hermione, the only one wearing a Gryffindor robe in the restroom, suppressed the urge to cry and covered her mouth.

It would be okay, it would definitely be okay.

As long as they stayed quiet enough, the monster would never...

"Bang!"

Hermione was trying to comfort herself internally when suddenly, the door to the girls' lavatory was pushed open forcefully from the outside!

A few girls were startled and screamed instinctively.

The newcomers were also frightened by the escalating screams, retreating three or four steps before stopping.

"Hey, stop, it's us! We're not monsters!"

Harry, his face pale, and Ron waved their hands repeatedly, trying to calm the overreacting girls.

But once fear spread like a plague, it was hard to stop.

"Thump thump thump."

Heavy footsteps could be heard from not far away, and Harry and Ron's expressions changed.

Without time to think, the two quickly hid in the lavatory and locked the door behind them.

"We're done for, completely done for."

They had come to rescue Hermione, but ended up getting trapped themselves. Ron groaned, holding his head, and slumped powerlessly to the ground.

"Sigh."

Harry sighed, feeling incredibly annoyed.

The troll had clearly gone upstairs earlier, but these girls had actually lured it back down!

"You two, why are you two here?"

Hermione was the first among the girls to react. Her eyes wide, she stared at the two boys in disbelief.

"Why do you ask? Of course, we came to find you! You haven't been seen all afternoon, and Petil said you were here. We came to save you!"

Hearing this, Ron exclaimed excitedly.

If it weren't for that hurdle in their hearts, would he and Harry have gotten themselves into this mess?

Now, they were both trapped here, just waiting to be gobbled up by the troll!

"You!"

Ron's words were directed at Hermione, so Pansy naturally turned her anger towards Hermione.

If it weren't for her, none of this would have happened!

"Hmph!"

Knowing that she was largely responsible for the current situation, Hermione didn't want to show weakness in front of Pansy.

With a cold snort, she flicked her fluffy brown curly hair and, feigning composure, took out her wand.

"If you have the energy to bicker, you'd be better off thinking about how to deal with the monster outside."

Staring into Pansy's eyes, she suppressed the fear in her heart and spoke word by word.

"Don't underestimate me, do you know who you're talking to!"

Gritting her teeth, Pansy also drew her wand.

Now, it was Harry and Ron's turn to be dumbfounded.

What was going on?