Wentworth stiffly looked up and saw Snape standing in front of him, glaring at him with a gloomy expression. Behind Snape, the Slytherin students were all furious. Wentworth even saw someone slowly reaching for their wand.
Wentworth deeply regretted what he had just done. He had only whispered those words in Cassandra's ear because he didn't want anyone else watching while he dueled her.
But who could have guessed that Cassandra would faint right then? Now Wentworth couldn't explain himself!
"Professor Snape, I'm your student too!"
Wentworth said awkwardly.
Fortunately, there were enough professors present, and Dumbledore was there to keep things under control, allowing Wentworth to retreat among the Hufflepuff students.
As the Hufflepuffs made their way back to the common room, still in high spirits, people kept asking:
"Wentworth, what exactly did you say to Cassandra? You actually made her faint!"
Wentworth explained helplessly:
"Give it a rest! Professor Ilona and Professor Flitwick both said Cassandra fainted because she'd run out of magic. What does that have to do with me?"
"Then how come she fainted right after you finished talking to her? You must have said something that upset her!"
"I think you're all trying to get me killed!"
Laughing and chatting, they returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room.
For countless years afterward, countless wizards tried to find out what Wentworth, known as the Third Dark Lord, had said to Cassandra that day. But the people involved never revealed the answer.
One thing was certain, however: when Grindelwald's name once again swept across Europe and America, Cassandra always stood by his side. The magical governments of Europe and America even came to call her the Queen of the Dark Night!
When Wentworth, Cedric, and the others returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room, they opened the door and were astonished to find the place completely transformed. Snacks and desserts were scattered throughout the room.
"Did we get so excited that we took a wrong turn and ended up in the Hogwarts Kitchen?"
Green, the Prefect, stared at the scene, dumbfounded. After five years at school, this was the first time he'd ever seen their common room looking like this.
Just then, Hufflepuff's Head of House, Professor Sprout, came in and clapped her hands.
"Children, what are you waiting for? This is such a memorable night—we have to throw a party!"
The Hufflepuffs immediately understood what Professor Sprout meant and burst into cheers, rushing forward to find their favorite desserts.
Green held a Cockroach Cluster in one hand and a Toffee in the other, his mouth full as he asked indistinctly:
"Professor, when did you prepare all this?"
Professor Sprout smiled broadly.
"The moment you stepped onto the dueling platform, Green, I understood what you were planning. I knew then that victory would belong to Hufflepuff, so I quietly asked the house-elves to start preparing these desserts!"
Hearing this, Green beamed and asked:
"Professor, was I cool?!"
Professor Sprout smiled just as brightly.
"Of course! You were all wonderful! Especially our little Wentworth! Thank goodness you came to Hufflepuff instead of going to Ravenclaw!"
Wentworth accepted the compliment without a hint of modesty. He didn't think it was anything to be proud of; it just showed how simplehearted Hogwarts still was.
Cedric spoke up from nearby:
"Professor Sprout, what if—just hypothetically—what if we'd lost?"
Professor Sprout answered unconcernedly:
"Then I think you'd have needed a dessert party even more!"
Laughter and cheers filled the Hufflepuff Common Room.
Just then, an unwelcome guest suddenly appeared in the Hufflepuff Common Room. It was none other than Slytherin's Head of House, Professor Snape.
As soon as Professor Snape entered and saw what was happening, he froze for a moment. His expression darkened further, but he still frowned and walked over to Professor Sprout.
"Professor Sprout, you know Cassandra has exhausted her magic and will need several days to rest. I'd like to brew her some Potions to speed up her recovery, but I've run out of a few herbs. I wanted to ask if you have any..."
As Professor Snape spoke, he and Professor Sprout walked out of the Hufflepuff Common Room together. Their voices faded until they could barely be heard. Yet compared with Snape, the smile on Professor Sprout's face stood out even in the darkness.
"Maybe Professor Sprout, who's been Hufflepuff's Head of House for half her life, is even happier about tonight's victory than we are."
Green said expressionlessly as he ate his Cockroach Cluster.
When Green had finished the last of his dessert, he placed both hands firmly on Wentworth's shoulders and said earnestly:
"Wentworth, if you can, lead us to winning the House Cup. It's an honor Hufflepuff hasn't received in many years!"
Seeing this, Cedric hurriedly spoke up, worried that his friend might feel too much pressure:
"Hey, Prefect Green, isn't that supposed to be your responsibility?"
Green replied with a helpless look:
"Isn't it obvious that I'm not capable enough? Besides, don't call me Prefect. I'm Wentworth's loyal lackey now."
Wentworth stared straight into Green's eyes and said slowly:
"Could you get your paws off my shoulders and stop wiping your hands on my clothes?!"
Green gave an awkward smile, took his hands away, and patted him.
"Don't sweat the small stuff, Wentworth. You're a wizard destined for great things!"
Wentworth and Cedric rolled their eyes at the same time.
After the revelry died down and the other Hufflepuffs returned to their dormitories to rest, Wentworth quietly slipped out of the room again.
Wentworth crept along nervously, afraid of running into Filch. He knew Filch was probably still cleaning the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom at that hour.
After making his way carefully along the corridors, Wentworth headed upward until he finally reached the eighth floor of Hogwarts Castle. He stopped in front of a tapestry depicting a troll and carefully checked his surroundings. Once he was sure no one had seen him, he let out a long breath.
Then he turned around to face the wall opposite the tapestry.
Before you continue