A Study in Blood
The Red Skull Dance Troupe is a well-known performing arts group in the wizarding world.
They are similar to ghosts, belonging to the category of dead wizards, but instead of becoming ghosts, they transformed into a one-to-one version of Susanoo.
From then on, she began a career of selling herself and her art, a path marked by both virtue and talent.
Chair dancing, striptease, pole dancing... they can all be performed, as long as they won't be arrested by the Ministry of Magic and sent to Azkaban for being sexually suggestive.
However, at Dumbledore's request, they performed a heavily modified version of Hamlet this time.
Finally, the Red Skull, playing Hamlet, wielding the bones of Thor, beats his usurping uncle Claudius to death.
Hamlet then took the Resurrection Stone and resurrected his beloved Ophelia.
William was stunned; what was clearly a tragedy had been transformed into a comedy.
He was thinking that next year he could get Dumbledore to bring "Thunderstorm" to Hogwarts as well.
This master of creative adaptations might also try to turn the ending into a comedy, for example... by giving Zhou Ping's father, Zhou Puyuan, a role similar to Duan Zhengchun.
In this way, Zhou Ping and Lu Shiping would no longer be related by blood, becoming half-siblings who could be together without any pressure.
After the performance, Dumbledore took a handkerchief and wiped away the tears he couldn't stop.
"Theatrical performances are far more captivating than anything we've done here!"
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow. She had also heard a series of alternative words such as music, education, snacks, and same-sex friends.
--These were all said by the principal on different occasions.
Professor McGonagall certainly wouldn't point this out in public... otherwise, why would she be the vice-principal instead of Snape or Flitwick?
There's a reason for that!
"Professor, if you don't mind, you can lean on my shoulder."
As Dumbledore henchman, Hagrid immediately offered his deepest concern.
So many students were expelled from Hogwarts, including well-known figures like Newt Scamander.
Why is Hagrid able to earn a stable salary at the university and occasionally supplement his income with extra money?
There's a reason for that!
"Thank you, Hagrid! I will control my emotions." Dumbledore wiped away his tears again.
"Principal, this play is just so-so, the story isn't very compelling," Lockhart interjected. "I could write this kind of clichéd plot while I'm dreaming about it."
Professor McGonagall shook her head. "Young man... you've narrowed your path."
"Headmaster, were you also moved by Hamlet?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"No, I was moved by Laertes," Dumbledore said sadly.
"His sister died because of Hamlet, and in order to avenge her, he also became Hamlet's enemy, but he had no intention of attacking, and his wand was reluctant to strike Hamlet easily."
When he resolved to strike Hamlet, the narration said, "But my heart did not approve of it."
Alas, Laertes must have been in great pain.
I think he wished he were the one who died, so that his sister and Hamlet could save their lives.
Flitwick stared at Dumbledore, utterly bewildered. Wasn't Hamlet the protagonist of this play?
Why does Laertes seem greater and have a more complex inner life, according to Dumbledore?
Indeed, there's a reason why the principal is so great; he always manages to notice things that others miss.
Dumbledore suddenly stopped talking, raised his head, and listened intently.
"What's wrong, Professor?" Snape asked, frowning.
Dumbledore didn't speak, but instead frowned, as if deep in thought.
Soon, the dinner ended, and everyone got up to leave, pushing and shoving their way towards the lounge.
But just as they reached the top of the stairs, a shrill voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone stopped in alarm and looked ahead, where Mrs. Norris Bobocha appeared at the top of the stairs.
They weaved through the crowd and ran straight toward William.
Bobocha seemed terrified; it ran wildly at a speed disproportionate to Big Orange's weight and jumped into William's arms.
Mrs. Norris screamed even more shrilly, her voice like that of a baby crying, sending chills down everyone's spines.
Its eyes were wide open, and it barked at William several times.
Everyone was staring at the cat that had suddenly gone mad.
"Is it trying to tell us something?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"Something must have happened to Filch."
Mrs. Norris turned and ran, and William pushed through the crowd and strode after her.
Hermione stayed close to William, seemingly afraid something might happen to him.
Mrs. Norris raced up the Marble Staircase at full speed, rushing to the third floor, finally turning a corner and arriving at the last empty corridor.
On the wall at the end of the corridor, a line of words Winky, standing out prominently in the darkness.
The Chamber of Secrets has been opened.
Those who are enemies of the heir
Alert!
Harry stood in front of the wall, looking panicked, as if he had been caught red-handed.
"It wasn't me..."
Harry hurriedly tried to explain, but before he could finish, Malfoy pushed his way out of the crowd.
His cold eyes lit up, and his usually pale face flushed crimson. He looked at the words and grinned maliciously at Hermione.
"Those who oppose the heir, beware! You could be next, you bastard..."
Malfoy suddenly stopped talking, his lips pressed tightly together as if stitched together by an invisible force.
William placed the Bobocha in Hermione's arms, walked up to Malfoy, and remained quiet and expressionless.
Malfoy's two henchmen rushed over, but William didn't turn around; he simply twirled his wand.
A red light flashed,
The two figures crashed into the wall at an even greater speed.
Malfoy trembled slightly, and William laughed in exasperation, whispering in his ear, "Don't be afraid, I won't hit you."
I'm just curious, who gave you the courage to talk to me like that, huh?!
this time,
Shut up for a day.
next time,
It's been three days.
I hope this is the last time I hear the word "Mudblood" from your mouth.
"Otherwise,"
William tilted his head and lightly gestured with his wand across Malfoy's neck.
I can't guarantee you won't lose your voice forever.
Malfoy collapsed to the ground, completely terrified.
William turned and walked towards Harry, his pupils contracting sharply as he told Hermione not to follow.
On the other side of the corridor, Filch lay sprawled on the ground.
Not far from him, there was a large piece of rotten sheep's stomach and a broom.
Before being attacked, Filch appeared to be cleaning up the pile of rotting food that Nicolas had lost.
There was a pool of blood on Filch's sternum; that was the only wound.
Strangely, the wound bled very little and even began to heal slowly.
Only a small patch of blood, already congealed into powder, had accumulated underground.
On Filch's right palm, there was a pattern drawn in blood.
Filch also had blood on his left index finger, indicating that someone had inserted their finger into the wound to create the pattern.
Use blood as ink, and skin as a canvas!
The murderer was... playing a game.
(Thanks to "vul3z06" and "Zhenli" for their tips.)