George huddled in the corner, only peeking out with half his head sticking out.
"Does he/she not look like a student... or a thief?"
"But why would he steal the kitchen?" Fred said.
"Who knows? Maybe... he's the Heir of Slytherin?"
George made a bold guess.
"If we catch him and hand him over to Dumbledore, he might just give us a special award!"
The two became more and more excited as they talked, completely ignoring Silan and walking up to her on their own.
The two of them boldly circled around behind the figure, approached silently, and then took out their wands.
"Don't move, hands up!"
George tried to lower his voice to make it sound mature and composed.
Fred pulled out his wand and whispered a threat, "You're surrounded!"
"We've already informed Dumbledore; he'll be here soon."
You'd better not make any rash moves!
The figure silently raised his hand.
He seemed to be holding something in his hand. He paused as it passed his lips, probably taking a sip, before raising his hand.
"Stand against the wall!" George said.
The figure obediently stood by the wall.
George and Fred exchanged a smug look, seemingly surprised that things had gone so smoothly.
Silan looked at the figure and felt something was off.
Sneaking into the kitchen to eat in the middle of the night?
Could it be Dumbledore?
To verify his theory, Silan activated his Wizard's Eye, and then he clearly saw a light as bright as a lighthouse...
The case is solved; it really was the old bee.
But what is he holding in his hand?
Silan slowly took two steps toward George and Fred, without giving them any warning.
The young Gryffindor lion has subdued the old Hogwarts bee!
What a moving and legendary story!
Seeing how obedient the figure was, George and Fred exchanged a smug look and went around to the front.
"Let me see who you are."
Fred used a Lumos.
A faint light appeared, illuminating the tall figure.
Upon recognizing who it was, George and Fred were struck dumb, frozen in place, mouths agape, stammering, "D... Headmaster Dumbledore?"
How could it be Dumbledore?!
He also sneaks into the kitchen to eat in the middle of the night?
A jumble of chaotic thoughts surged through their minds, leaving them somewhat bewildered.
By the light of the fluorescent glow, Silan was finally able to see Dumbledore's face clearly.
He was wearing a cream-colored wool morning coat and a nightcap, his hands somewhat comically raised above his head, with a cup of hot chocolate in his right hand.
Sure enough, it's an old bee.
The fluorescent light shone on him, making his beard Winky and giving him the appearance of an old alpaca.
"Gentlemen, may I put my hands down now?"
Dumbledore looked at George and Fred, and asked with a smile.
George and Fred nodded repeatedly.
Are you kidding me? Are they going to capture Dumbledore, hand Dumbledore, and then have Dumbledore award them a special contribution award?
Dumbledore lowered his hand, took a sip of hot chocolate, and winked at them.
"It tastes good, would you like a drink?"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the four Butterbeer bottles George was carrying.
"Ah, it seems you've already had your drinks."
Fred put away his wand and scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. "Headmaster Dumbledore, what are you doing here?"
"I'm the headmaster," Dumbledore stroked his beard and said matter-of-factly, "So it wouldn't be strange for me to be here anywhere."
George and Fred glanced at the hot chocolate in Dumbledore's hand, then at the kitchen door.
"All right."
Dumbledore shrugged. "I just wanted a hot chocolate. But... what are you guys doing here?"
"Shouldn't you all be sleeping at this time?"
Dumbledore's gaze swept across their faces one by one, finally settling on Silan.
"Based on your answers, I may have to deduct some points from your score."
There was no point in hiding it, Silan said frankly, "We went to visit Harry at the Hospital Wing; he was injured during the match today."
"I've heard about it too." Dumbledore nodded, paused for a moment, and then smiled, saying, "I don't support young wizards going out at night... but... it's only right that you visit your classmates and care for your friends."
Dumbledore winked at them.
"If you promise not to tell anyone that I went to the kitchen in the middle of the night to drink hot chocolate, I won't deduct points from your score."
"Of course!" George and Fred said at the same time.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded, about to speak, when suddenly he heard a terrible, piercing scream.
"Ah!"
A boy's voice rang out from not far away, climbing up the corridor and stairs, and entered the ears of the four people.
Dumbledore, who had been all smiles just moments before, instantly turned grim, and the cup of hot chocolate in his hand vanished without a trace.
George and Fred looked in the direction of the sound with some curiosity, but Dumbledore pressed down on their shoulders.
"Take your cousin back to the lounge, and then you two go back to the lounge immediately!"
Dumbledore spoke a little faster, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable air of authority.
As soon as he finished speaking, Dumbledore vanished from the spot.
He Apparate to the vicinity of the screams, only to find that he was still a step too late.
Colin stood frozen in place, camera in hand, his body as stiff as a statue.
Dumbledore's cheekbones twitched, and his eyes darted around quickly, trying to find something.
But all around was quiet, and there was nothing there.
He circled the petrified Colin and found a bunch of grapes lying on the ground.
Dumbledore thought to himself, "This kid probably wants to sneak off to the Hospital Wing to visit Harry."
He looked around again, but found nothing.
Dumbledore frowned and muttered to himself, "How did he do that...?"
The series of attacks can no longer be simply defined as accidents.
Dumbledore was now absolutely certain that the Chamber of Secrets had been opened.
The culprit behind all this wasn't hard to guess; what puzzled him was how this culprit got into the school.
How was the Chamber of Secrets opened?
His thoughts were as numerous and chaotic as Dumbledore's beard, making it difficult for him to sort them out in a short time.
After a moment of contemplation, Dumbledore carefully lifted Colin up and headed towards the Hospital Wing.
At this point, this is the only way to proceed for now.
Dumbledore had been gone a while when Professor McGonagall hurried over, carrying a lamp.
"Albus... Ah!"
Before Professor McGonagall could finish speaking, she saw Colin, who had turned into a statue.
She gasped for breath, letting out a short gasp, and her hand holding the lantern trembled violently.
The flickering light cast their shadows, making them appear to grow longer and shorter.
"Who did this?" Professor McGonagall lowered her voice, her lips pressed into a thin line.
The issue isn't who it is...
Dumbledore's gaze swept over Colin. "The question is, how...?"
Professor McGonagall's eyes gleamed. She quickly turned around, wiping her eyes. "Let's get him to the Hospital Wing first."
"That's the only way," Dumbledore nodded.
The two of them, one in front and one behind, lifted Colin up and walked towards the Hospital Wing.
As soon as he pushed open the door, Dumbledore frowned.
He heard two soft voices speaking.