Turmoil (Special Thanks to Crazy Oregano for the Urgent Update Token-An Extra Chapter for the Boss)
The Halloween Feast at Hogwarts has come to a successful close. The Great Hall is still filled with the rich aroma of roasted turkey, the sweetness of Pumpkin Pasties, and the refreshing scent of various magical candies. The pumpkin lanterns decorating the Great Hall emit a warm orange glow, and the shimmering magical ribbons still float gently in the air, creating a joyful festive atmosphere.
The students left the Great Hall in twos and threes, their laughter filling the castle corridors. The Slytherin group walked among the crowd, each with a look of post-dinner enjoyment and relaxation on their faces.
"The caramel apples this year are so delicious! I wish I had taken two more." Callis said, linking arms with Astoria, her eyes crinkling with delight, her voice full of lingering joy, her smile still warm on her face, completely immersed in the festive spirit.
Blaise chuckled, raising an eyebrow and teasing, "This lady just ate three whole Chocolate Cauldrons; aren't you worried about not being able to sleep tonight?"
"Mind your own business!" Callis pouted, but couldn't help laughing out loud. The group joked and teased each other all the way, creating a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
Draco fiddled with the candy in his hand, his steps light and quick, chatting casually with Pansy beside him about the fun things that happened at the dinner party, complaining about how the Gryffindor wolfed down their food, his tone full of his usual pride and ease.
The group chatted and laughed as they walked up the stone steps to the entrance to the Slytherin cellar. As the command was given, the cold stone wall slowly slid open, and a warm green light rushed out.
The fireplace burned brightly, warming the entire common lounge with a cozy atmosphere. The soft velvet sofas and exquisite silver ornaments exuded comfort, completely silencing the hustle and bustle of the dinner party and leaving only tranquility.
"Finally, I can get some rest." Draco stretched and headed straight for the boys' dormitory. "At least I can get a good night's sleep tonight."
The others also stretched and relaxed, shedding their inhibitions from the academy. Callis was still gossiping with Astoria about the little incident at the banquet, while Daphne tidied Su Yu's hair, which had been ruffled by the evening breeze. The entire Slytherin Common Room was filled with a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
Su Yu sat on the sofa by the fireplace, closed his eyes for a nap, and enjoyed this rare moment of peace. Kurama sidled up to Daphne, chattering and clamoring for milk.
Daphne coaxed it gently but helplessly, then got up to get it some milk. Everyone dispersed; some prepared to go back to their dormitories to wash up and rest, while others chatted quietly about the joy of the holiday. No one noticed that a sudden change was quietly approaching.
This relaxing break lasted only a dozen minutes.
A steady yet undeniably authoritative voice suddenly pierced through the walls, echoing clearly in every corner of Hogwarts, instantly shattering the tranquility of the Slytherin Common Room —it was Dumbledore's voice, lacking its usual gentleness and imbued with a sense of solemnity. "All Hogwarts students, please proceed to the Great Hall immediately. I repeat, all students, please proceed to the Great Hall immediately."
The moment the voice fell, the laughter and chatter in the lounge came to an abrupt halt.
Draco had just reached the dormitory entrance when he suddenly stopped and turned back, looking puzzled. "What's going on? We just finished disbanding and now we have to assemble again?"
Callis's smile faded, and she exchanged a glance with Astoria, her eyes filled with confusion. "We've never seen anyone suddenly summon everyone like this before."
Daphne stood up, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Theodore also looked up at the entrance to the lounge, his aura momentarily hardening.
Su Yu slowly opened his eyes, a faint look of surprise flashing in them. Then, as if remembering something, he regained his composure, stood up, and ordered in a steady tone, "Stop talking. Everyone, line up and head to the Great Hall."
No one dared to delay, so they immediately put down what they were doing and quickly lined up. Ka-jie and Fa-jie also stood up immediately and followed closely beside Su Yu.
As the group emerged from the cellar, they found the castle corridors already packed with students from other houses. Everyone looked puzzled and chattered amongst themselves. The Gryffindor students, in particular, appeared flustered, chattering amongst themselves, their earlier joy completely gone.
Although the Slytherin students maintained their composure as a member of the house, doubts flickered in their eyes. No one knew what had happened; they simply followed Su Yu toward the Great Hall, their hearts filled with bewilderment at this emergency assembly.
It wasn't until they entered the Great Hall and saw Dumbledore standing solemnly on the platform, the professors exuding a heavy aura, and the Gryffindor students in a state of chaos and panic, that everyone belatedly realized that something extraordinary must have happened at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore stood on the stage, his gaze calmly sweeping across the entire audience, and slowly began to explain:
"Shortly after the banquet ended, someone broke into the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower, attacked the portrait of the Fat Lady guarding the gate, and tore it to pieces. Based on the evidence at the scene and eyewitness accounts, the intruder was Sirius Black, an escaped convict from Azkaban."
He paused, his voice steady and powerful:
"To ensure everyone's safety, all teachers and Prefect will immediately conduct a thorough search of the entire castle. Tonight, all students will spend the night in the Great Hall until the search concludes at dawn. Please remain quiet and do not move around unnecessarily during this time."
"The student council president and prefectural and Prefect are responsible for maintaining order, guarding all exits of the Great Hall, and patrolling throughout the night. Any unusual activity must be reported to the professor immediately, and no one may leave before the search is completed."
After saying this, Dumbledore raised his wand and gently waved it toward the center of the Great Hall.
Accompanied by a soft golden light, hundreds of thick purple sleeping bags slowly fell from the sky, neatly covering the previously empty ground in an orderly fashion.
Dumbledore finished speaking, the whole room erupted in an uproar. Many students looked panicked and glanced at the neatly laid-out purple sleeping bags on the ground.
Su Yu stood in front of the Slytherin team, merely raising his eyes indifferently, his face showing no tension whatsoever, but rather a clear hint of disdain.
He didn't even glance at the sleeping bags; he didn't want to be hugging a cold sleeping bag instead of Fa-jie tonight. He tilted his head slightly, his tone calm but unwavering:
"Black broke into Gryffindor, not Slytherin. Go back to the common room."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and walked out of the Great Hall.
Without hesitation, the Slytherin followed immediately, the entire group moving in perfect unison straight out.
Dumbledore and said, "Sue Fuli, the entire school is currently under strict arrangements for safety—"
"Kurama can detect the malice in everyone. Black isn't in the Slytherin crypts. Staying in the Great Hall is just a waste of time." Su Yu continued walking, his voice calm and resolute. "I will keep a close eye on my people. As for some others, I haven't touched you in three years. I hope you continue to hide well."
Snape stood aside, expressionless, and did not stop them.
The other professors exchanged glances, but none dared to step forward. Dumbledore watched Su Yu lead the entire Slytherin group away calmly, remained silent for a moment, and ultimately did not issue any further orders to stop them. He simply sighed softly and let them leave the Great Hall.
The Slytherin group completely disappeared at the entrance of the Great Hall. The noisy Great Hall was still filled with panic and astonishment. Many students whispered in the direction of the entrance, and their eyes looked at Dumbledore with a more complicated expression.
Harry stood in the Gryffindor crowd, his eyes fixed on the direction Su Yu had left, his brows furrowed, his mind churning with unsettling doubts.
He turned to Hermione beside him, lowered his voice, and said with a tone full of confusion, "Hermione, you saw it just now, right? Su Yu... he must know something! That he dared to leave with Slytherin. Did he already know Black wouldn't go to Slytherin, or even... did he already know Black would barge in? And that last sentence of his, who was he talking to? Snape?"
Harry's voice was tinged with probing. For the past three years, Su Yu had always behaved differently at Hogwarts, remaining calm and assertive, as if he had everything under control. His current demeanor, disregarding the school's arrangements and leaving so decisively, only strengthened Harry's belief that Su Yu was hiding a secret.
"I noticed it too, he was too calm." Hermione crossed her arms, her gaze complicated as she looked towards the Great Hall exit. She didn't want to sleep in a sleeping bag either; she really wanted to sleep in her dorm...
She turned and gently tugged at Harry, telling him to lower his voice, "But Harry, don't even think about asking him, and definitely don't go looking for him rashly."
"Why?" Harry looked at her, puzzled.
"Think about it, what kind of person is Su Yu?" Hermione said with certainty. "With his playful nature, if he wanted to talk, he wouldn't have waited until now, much less leave in such a direct way against the school's arrangements. If he doesn't want to talk about something, even if you press him, he absolutely won't reveal a single word; it will only cause trouble."
Hermione, seeing Harry's still unwilling expression, gently advised, "The whole school is on guard against Black right now. We just need to wait for the results. Besides, Professor Dumbledore didn't forcefully stop him, which means Su Yu has enough confidence. You simply won't be able to get any clues from him."
"Why don't you go and ask?"
"I'm not going. He didn't tell me about this because he doesn't want me to worry. I know him perfectly well." Hermione pouted.
Harry pursed his lips, lowered his head, and remained silent for a moment. The doubts in his heart had not dissipated, but he also understood that Hermione was telling the truth. Su Yu's unquestionable demeanor just now was telling him that Su Yu's thoughts were not something he could easily fathom.
He finally nodded slightly, suppressing the urge to ask further questions, but his gaze lingered on the entrance of the Great Hall, unable to look away for a long time. He still felt that Su Yu must know more secrets about Sirius Black.
The panic caused by Black's intrusion and the shock of Slytherin's mass exodus became the only topic of conversation at Hogwarts in the days that followed.
The hallways, classrooms, and dining tables were filled with buzzing discussions—some recounting the horrific scene of the Fat Lady's portrait being torn to shreds and her hiding in the third-floor floor plan; others vividly speculating which secret passage in the castle Black might be hiding in.
Many more people were whispering about Su Yu, the Slytherin First Master who dared to take the entire house away in front of Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and even Headmaster Dumbledore himself did not forcibly stop him. His composure and authority were something even the seventh-year Prefect would be ashamed of.
The position of Fat Lady was temporarily taken over by Sir Cadogan —that mad knight who always rode a fat pony, carried a broken sword, changed complicated commands three times a day, and was always ready to duel with students. The Gryffindor students complained, but could only put up with it.
Only the Slytherin, under Su Yu's arrangement, remained peacefully in the cellar lounge, completely unaffected.
During Wednesday's Divination, Professor Trelawney spent a lot of time telling others, "If Black had been obedient, he would have turned into a bush or a jar of coral, but he didn't; he ended up as that black dog that brings death."
At lunchtime that day, the Great Hall was bustling with activity, and the aroma of food filled the air. Hermione carried her plate to the Slytherin table and casually chatted with Su Yu, who was eating, about what had happened that morning.
"Professor McGonagall spoke with Harry today," Hermione said.
Su Yu put down her fork and looked up with some curiosity. "Oh? Because of Black?"
"Yes, she was worried it was too dangerous for Harry to train at the Quidditch Pitch in the evening, so she didn't want him to train anymore," Hermione said. "But Harry refused, saying the match was coming soon and he had to keep training."
"He never backs down when it comes to Quidditch," Su Yu chuckled.
"In the end, Professor McGonagall relented," Hermione continued, "But on one condition: Madam Hooch must accompany him during training to ensure his safety."
Su Yu began to doubt whether Madam Hooch truly possessed the ability... After all, when she saw Neville's state in first grade, she had yelled even louder Neville...
For several days in a row, Hogwarts was shrouded in a violent storm.
The Sky Void was a dark, oppressive black, and torrential rain poured down day and night. Raindrops pounded against the castle windows, the wind howled and swirled in the corridors, the lawns outside the castle were turned into muddy messes, the lake surface churned with turbid waves, and even the distant Forbidden Forest was blurred into a dark shadow in the rain. The whole world seemed to be submerged in water.
Even Theodore, who loves going on dates with Olivia at Black Lake, hasn't left the house for days, Tenten helping Olivia write her thesis in the group chat.
Despite the terrible weather, the first Quidditch Match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff took place as scheduled.
The Quidditch Pitch was already teetering on the brink of collapse in the wind and rain. The stands were soaked and covered in mud. Only on one side of the pitch, in the Slytherin area, several huge waterproof tents were erected. The thick magical canvas was firmly fixed to the ground, remaining unmoved by the wind and rain.
The tent was warm and cozy. Su Yu was tending to the barbecue grill, turning skewers of lamb by hand. The red-hot charcoal crackled softly, and the rich aroma of cumin and chili mingled with the smell of meat, completely dispelling the surrounding chill.
Su Yu sat in the middle seat, the table laden with hot drinks and snacks. Kurama lay obediently beside him, drinking milk, but his eyes were fixed on the meat skewers on the grill. Ka-jie and Fa-jie kept fanning themselves, afraid of getting the smell of barbecue on them. Daphne was the best, as she kept skewering meat for Su Yu, which earned her a kiss from Su Yu as a reward. However, Daphne was quite disgusted by this, because Su Yu had just finished eating a skewer and hadn't wiped his mouth yet!
The entire Slytherin was relaxed and comfortable, as if the raging storm outside had nothing to do with them.
The world outside the tent had long been swallowed up by the raging wind and rain. The leaden clouds hung extremely low, and streaks of silver-white lightning tore through the dark sky, followed by thunder that shook the ground. Large raindrops poured down, pounding heavily on the grass of the field, splashing up countless mud splashes. The gale whipped the rain into a chaotic mess, causing the magic poles on the field to tilt and even the air currents in the air to become disordered.
Madam Hooch, braving the howling wind, struggled to blow her silver whistle. The sound was torn apart by the wind, barely reaching the players' ears. The entire Gryffindor team, dressed in bright red uniforms, their robes already soaked through by the icy rain, clung tightly to their bodies. Their hair was dripping wet, their cheeks pale with cold, yet they still gripped their broomsticks tightly, their eyes resolute. Captain Wood circled back and forth in front of the goal on his broomstick, shouting tactical instructions at the top of his lungs, but his voice was swept away by the gale as soon as it left his mouth. He could only keep gesturing to remind his teammates. The Hufflepuff team, dressed in bright yellow uniforms, were equally disheveled, but showed no fear. Their players held their broomsticks firmly, ready to launch an attack at any moment.
As Madam Hooch waved her wand, the match officially began. Both Chaser simultaneously spurred their brooms, hurtling towards the Quaffle in the air like arrows. The strong winds disrupted their flight paths, and several players were blown off course, desperately trying to regain their balance. Gryffindor Chaser Alicia took the lead, using a slightly calmer gust of wind to deftly evade the Hufflepuff players' obstruction, grabbing the Quaffle and diving towards the opponent's goal.
"A beautiful steal!" Ka-jie, holding a cup of hot milk tea in the tent, casually commented, her eyes fixed on the field.
Hufflepuff's Beater immediately swung his bat, smashing it hard at the Bludger hurtling towards Alicia. The wild Bludger, hit, swerved and charged toward the Gryffindor player. Fred and George, working in perfect coordination, swung their bats left and right, deflecting the Bludger one by one. Their brooms swayed violently in the wind, but the two remained as steady as mountains, firmly protecting their teammate.
Alicia seized the opportunity, raised her hand and threw the Quaffle towards the Hufflepuff goal. The Quaffle drew a crooked arc in the wind and rain, accurately passing through the goal. Gryffindor took the lead with ten points. The Gryffindor students in the stands who had braved the rain to watch the game let out a faint cheer, which was quickly drowned out by the sound of the rain.
The game became instantly tense. The Hufflepuff Chaser, not to be outdone, used the strong winds to quickly pass and combine, breaking through Gryffindor's defense one after another, and approaching the goal several times, only to be bravely saved by Wood, who was guarding the goal. Wood was covered in mud, and every save required fighting against the strong winds. He was panting heavily, but he still held firm to the goal, refusing to let the opponent score easily.
The chaotic airflow made the Bludger increasingly agitated, no longer flying along its predetermined trajectory. It would suddenly turn and launch surprise attacks on the players on the field. A Gryffindor player was unable to dodge in time and was hit hard on the arm by the Bludger. He groaned in pain, and his broomstick instantly lost its balance, spinning several times in place before barely managing to regain its footing.
"These Beater are still too clumsy; they can't even control the Bludger." Draco curled his lip, reached out and took the freshly grilled lamb skewer that Su Yu handed him, took a bite, and was full of disdain.
Su Yu flipped the meat skewers; he wasn't interested in Quidditch.
Meanwhile, Harry, riding his Nimbus 2000, struggled through the air. Rain soaked his hair, streaming down his forehead. Even with the waterproof charm he'd cast beforehand, it had little effect in the raging storm. He could only squint, desperately searching for the Golden Snitch in the torrential rain, his hands gripping the broom handle tightly against the raging winds that threatened to blow him off at any moment. Cedric, Hufflepuff's Seeker, was equally composed, his flight steady, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He and Harry faced off, maintaining a distance, neither willing to let a single opportunity to catch the Golden Snitch by.
The score on the ground went back and forth, with Gryffindor temporarily leading by thirty points thanks to their excellent teamwork. Hufflepuff, on the other hand, played steadily and pressed forward relentlessly. Chaser, Beater, and goalkeepers from both sides were constantly in a whirlwind of activity. Every pass, every save, and every block had to be made in the face of the harsh weather, expending several times the effort. The players' breathing became increasingly rapid, their stamina was rapidly depleting, and the mud on their clothes grew thicker and thicker, making them look nothing like they did before the game.
Callis crossed her arms and watched the tense situation on the field with great interest, occasionally whispering to Astoria about the players' tactical mistakes. Blaise, on the other hand, chuckled and chimed in from time to time. The group maintained a relaxed, entertaining demeanor.
Just as Gryffindor scored again, widening the score to fifty points, Harry's pupils suddenly contracted as he caught a glimpse of a fleeting golden light through a gap in the rain in the distance—it was the Golden Snitch! Without hesitation, he spurred his broom and swooped down toward the golden light. Nimbus 2000 hummed slightly in the gale, its speed astonishing.
Cedric noticed the movement almost simultaneously and immediately turned his broom around, following closely behind Harry. The two of them rushed down the slope in the torrential rain, their bodies swaying slightly as the wind tore at them, but they both kept their eyes fixed on the golden light, chasing it with all their might. The distance between them grew closer and closer, and a duel between Seeker officially began.
Just as Harry was about to reach out and touch the Golden Snitch, a large cloud of chilling black mist suddenly surged up from the edge of the pitch. The icy chill instantly spread throughout the pitch, freezing even the wind. Hundreds of Dementor silently drifted into the pitch, heads bowed, exuding a suffocating aura of despair, and approached Harry in the air.
Harry froze instantly, an extreme chill running from his feet throughout his body. A piercing scream suddenly rang in his ears—his mother's dying voice. The familiar pain and fear overwhelmed him instantly. Everything went black, and his hands could no longer grip the broom handle. His body went limp, and he plummeted straight down from the high-speed Nimbus 2000!
All the players on the field panicked. Cedric, who was chasing the Golden Snitch, suddenly stopped and subconsciously looked at the falling Harry. In that moment of chaos, the Golden Snitch happened to fly to his side. Cedric instinctively raised his hand and grabbed the Golden Snitch.
The Hufflepuff players erupted in cheers, but Cedric showed no joy. His face was pale as he stared at Harry, who was plummeting rapidly. The Slytherin in the tent also stopped what they were doing and looked at the field. Kurama didn't even glance outside, blinking as he stared at Su Yu's roasted meat.
Dumbledore stood up, raised his hand and cast a gentle cushioning spell, steadily supporting Harry's body and gently placing him on the muddy ground. Meanwhile, Nimbus 2000, now out of its master's control, was swept by the gale towards the Forbidden Forest, crashing violently into the raging Whomping Willow, instantly shattered by the branches and completely destroyed.
Cedric turned pale and immediately ran to the referee, loudly demanding a rematch—he had no idea Harry had been attacked by the Dementor. But Wood shook his head, his face ashen, yet he still acquiesced. "You won fair and square."
The Hufflepuff players erupted in cheers, while Gryffindor fell silent. Harry, supported by McGonagall and Dumbledore, left the pitch pale-faced, soaking wet and covered in mud.
Just then, Su Yu finished grilling a skewer, sprinkled on the last bit of chili powder, and handed it to Kurama, who was wagging his tail with envy.
"Alright, the competition's over, and the skewers are ready. Come and get them."
Draco took a skewer, took a big bite, and laughed gleefully.
"Harry Potter, can't even keep his broom—how shameful."
The wind still howled, and the rain still poured down. Outside the tents, there was a mess, with some rejoicing and others grieving; inside, the tents were filled with delicious aromas and were warm and cozy. The Slytherin members ate hot lamb skewers while commenting on the Quidditch Match that had ended in a disastrous fashion, leisurely and content.