Xiwen had finally figured out the truth. He now desperately wanted to inform the professors!
Ignoring the strange looks from the other young wizards, he headed straight for the staff table, circled around one side of the dais, and arrived beside the Head of House seats near the middle of the long table.
Professor Slughorn saw Xiwen approaching and greeted him with a beaming smile. "Ah, Xiwen! How was the Halloween feast?"
"Not bad, Professor," Xiwen replied casually.
He looked at his smiling Head of House, then at the surprised Gryffindor Head of House looking his way. He felt it would be inappropriate to speak to Dumbledore alone in front of Professor Slughorn. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to tell both Heads of House his deduction.
"Professor Slughorn, Professor Dumbledore," he said, looking at them both. "I have something important to tell you."
The two professors were somewhat surprised, but they nodded obligingly. After informing Headmaster Dippet, they followed Xiwen to a corner of the Great Hall.
Standing behind a huge pumpkin, Xiwen got straight to the point. "Professor Dumbledore, I think I know who cast the Confundus Charm on me."
"What? Someone cast a Confundus Charm on you?" Before Dumbledore could speak, Professor Slughorn cried out in shock, though his expression was admittedly a little exaggerated.
"What is going on?" he asked Dumbledore with an inquiring look.
Dumbledore's expression also turned serious. "Who was it?"
Xiwen stared intently at both their faces and said, word by word, "Professor Lore."
"Xiwen, you must understand that falsely accusing a professor carries serious consequences!" Professor Slughorn looked at Xiwen sternly, unable to believe it. "If you change your mind now, we can pretend we heard nothing."
Xiwen shook his head. "Professor, I'm not accusing him without cause."
Dumbledore frowned. "How