Lupin was genuinely shocked by Gerald's words.
If Helena really was looking for people to die in her place, then these people...
"Paracelsus's laboratory can't have been left undefended. A master alchemist who studied dark magic and necromancy wouldn't design his laboratory like a public toilet that anyone could wander into. There must be traps, curses, and forbidden things inside that even a dark witch like Helena wouldn't dare touch."
Gerald looked into Lupin's eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Helena Perry probably lied about being unable to decipher the runes on the Stone Tablet. What she really can't unravel is the laboratory's defenses. So she needs other people to enter that laboratory for her, trigger those traps for her, and die for her. Once everyone who needs to die is dead, she'll come along behind them and reap the rewards."
"How certain are you of this theory?" Lupin paused for several seconds before speaking again.
"I'm not certain at all. It's only a theory."
Gerald paused, glanced at the engrossed wizards on the platform, and continued.
"But whether it's true or not, we have no reason to get mixed up in this. Neither the Philosopher's Stone nor the Necromancy Notes have anything to do with what we came to Albania for. As for whether to tell Chris Horton, that's up to you, Professor. But I don't think he'll listen even if you do."
As Gerald spoke, his gaze settled on Chris Horton's back.
The shabbily dressed older Gryffindor alumnus was crouched in front of the Stone Tablet, with the Magnifying Glass in his hand almost pressed against its surface.
Lupin fell silent for several seconds, then gave a bitter chuckle.
He wanted to argue, but found he couldn't say a single word.
He and Horton had spent seven years