In the Gori, he sat in the deepest corner of the cave, leaning against the stone wall, his gaze passing over the narrow ray of light at the cave entrance and landing on the gradually darkening shadows of the trees deep in the Forbidden Forest.
It has been several days since the last contact with the lower-ranking Vampire of the Chris Clan.
He could feel the presence of his kin outside growing clearer, like the rising tide in the distance, the waterline inching closer and closer to the shore.
The plan seemed to be going very smoothly, and his fellow clansmen outside were gathering near Hogsmeade in accordance with the instructions he had given them.
Although Werewolf and Vampire distrust each other, the Werewolf leader Greyback who came this time seemed quite sensible, and under his mediation, they managed to maintain a semblance of cooperation.
More importantly, they brought news:
Dumbledore has left Hogwarts for Wizengamot, where he is hosting a seminar on Gringotts security and the necessity of Ministry of Magic intervention.
Based on the Gori's description of the Ministry of Magic, this messy meeting won't end for several days, and it's even more likely that it will be rescheduled.
However, what happened to Gringotts has little to do with Gori, since his treasure is all kept in the castle. The important thing is that Dumbledore won't be in charge of the school for a while, and he'll be free soon.
Thinking of this, the corner of Gori's mouth twitched slightly in the dim light, but he quickly returned to his tired and silent state, sitting there with his eyes closed, listening to his own breathing and the faint sound of the wind in the distance.
The operation happened to take place on a weekend.
The streets of Hogsmeade are bustling again, and both students who have been attending classes all week and professors who have been bothered by students all week need a break.
Students flocked to the Honeydukes candy counter to pick out sweets, squeezed into the Zonko's Joke Shop to choose the things that would explode, and occasionally a few couples would go into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, where they would kiss and make out in the cramped private rooms, and drink some milk tea with who-knows-what added to it.
Some daring and curious students went to the Hog's Head to see what was so special about it, only to leave looking disappointed or terrified.
The professors mainly frequented bars, not places like the Hog's Head, but rather the Three Broomsticks.
The Three Broomsticks was quite deserted in the morning, since not many people were drinking there so early in the morning, except for professors who really had nothing else to do.
With professors present, naturally few students would come to drink, especially since there aren't many students of legal drinking age who are allowed to drink in the first place.
Madam Rosmerta idly wiped the shop's glass windows, the rag tracing arcs across the glass. Occasionally, she would glance up at the street outside and notice a few faces that had recently become frequent visitors.
Those people wore dark robes with their hoods pulled low, completely hiding their faces in the shadows. They were always in a hurry and deliberately walked in the shadows of houses, as if intentionally avoiding the sunlight.
Madam Rosmerta had seen many wizards visiting Hogsmeade, but these men walked in a way unlike any other guest she had ever met. They moved along the base of the walls with quick, light steps, never lingering in the sunlight.
Another unique thing is that when they come to Hogsmeade, they don't even get a cup of Butterbeer from her Three Broomsticks.
Moreover, it seemed that the number of such people was increasing. Thinking of this, she put down the rag, turned around and walked towards the bar.
Flitwick was sitting on a high stool specially reserved for him at the bar, where he could even clink glasses with Hagrid.
In front of him was a short cup, with half a mouthful of mead still remaining on the rim.
Madam Rosmerta walked to his side, bending slightly to bring her eyes to his level. " Professor Flitwick, there's something I feel I need to tell you."
Flitwick was examining the pale golden stain at the bottom of his glass when he heard the voice. He looked up, his small body turning slightly. "What's wrong? Is a student refusing to pay their bill?"
Madam Rosmerta shook her head. "It's not about the students. It's that recently many unknown wizards have come to Hogsmeade. They seem very strange to me, like something I've seen before."
Flitwick's gaze lifted from the rim of the glass and rested on her face. "What is that?"
Madam Rosmerta lowered her voice slightly. "Like Vampire."
Flitwick sat up straight immediately, the slight intoxication dissipating within seconds. "Are you sure?"
Madam Rosmerta nodded. "Indeed. I've served Vampire in bars before, and they're always like that—cloaked, pale-faced, and uninterested in most drinks, except for the Gillywater, that special concoction with Fantastic Beasts blood."
Flitwick's gaze lingered on the bar for a moment, then his expression turned very serious.
He put down his cup, took out a few Silver Sickle and placed them on the table. Then, without stepping over the stool's steps, he jumped down from the high stool, his feet making a light sound on the wooden floor. "Thank you very much for the news. I need to go back to school immediately."
He strode towards the door, then turned back as he reached it, adding earnestly, "I suggest you don't open the door for the next few days. Cast more defensive spells around the house. No, I suggest you go away for a few days until some issues are confirmed."
After saying that, he pushed open the door and ran out, running along the path towards the castle. His short figure flashed around the street corner and disappeared around the bend.
But Flitwick didn't go straight back to the castle. He first circled around Hogsmeade, deliberately concealing his presence. With the help of his natural advantage, he secretly raised his head to observe the figures hidden in the shadows as he walked.
He hadn't paid much attention when he came before, since under normal circumstances, someone of his height could only see the part of a pedestrian below the knee.
But this time he deliberately went around to the flower bed across the street, stood on a slightly higher step, and took the opportunity to look up and scan the surroundings while observing a potted plant.
Several wizards dressed in dark robes stood in the shadows of the candy store's side wall, whispering to each other. The chin of one of them, which was slightly turned to the side, appeared unnaturally pale in the sunlight.
A faint, pungent smell of blood lingered in the air, mingling with the sweetness of candy and the earthy scent of the street corner; it was hard to distinguish, yet undeniably present.
Flitwick withdrew his gaze, as if confirming something, and quickened his pace back to the castle.
When he arrived at Deputy Headmistress McGonagall's office, Percy was inside giving a report, and Flitwick overheard the last part.
"Headmaster, I saw many unfamiliar faces in Hogsmeade. They were dressed like dark wizards and were acting suspiciously. I feel it's necessary to report this to you."