The Sorrowful Professor

As Dumbledore left, the Great Hall immediately erupted in excited murmurs and whispers.

The Ravenclaw students were busy telling the other students what had just happened.

"Everyone, get into your sleeping bags!" Penelope shouted. "Ravenclaw students, get to sleep now, and no one is to speak!"

Prefect Robert had become a useless dog, squatting listlessly on the ground, staring at the ceiling of the Great Hall.

The loss of the door knocker was a huge blow to him; he was even dragged there by his Great Hall.

Penelope had no choice but to temporarily assume the duties of Prefect in place of Robert.

"Come on," Cedric said to Cho and William.

They grabbed three sleeping bags and hid in a corner, and the twin brothers squeezed in as well.

Qiu recounted what had just happened to the three of them, and they all fell silent.

"Do you think that Death Eaters is still in the castle?" Qiu asked quietly after a moment.

"That's obviously what Dumbledore thinks," Cedric said.

"That person was really bold. I don't think he suddenly broke into Hogwarts. It's more likely that he sneaked in while Dumbledore was away for Christmas."

"But we're all monitoring the school during Christmas," Fred said.

"There are only a few students; if there were any strangers, we would definitely be able to spot them."

The five of them, fully clothed, crawled into their sleeping bags and then chatted, resting their upper bodies on their elbows.

"What do you think of what Peeves said?" George asked.

"He's lying," Cho denied. "Professor Snape was sitting perfectly fine in the hall; everyone saw him."

"But I don't think he's lying." Fred shook his head. "No one dares to lie to Professor Dumbledore, not even Peeves."

"That's right!" George straightened up. "Remember the trial at the Ministry of Magic? Minister Fudge and the others also saw Snape at the scene of the attack."

"But Snape was in Dorset at the time," Cedric said. "Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Scamander. Newt Scamander both provided crucial evidence."

"Yes, but I don't think the Ministry of Magic is lying either." Fred frowned. "Does this mean that someone is really impersonating Snape to commit the crimes?"

"Possibly." William nodded. "I know several ways to impersonate someone, for example, Polyjuice Potion."

"That Death Eaters and Professor Snape probably have a grudge," Qiu analyzed. "But I still don't understand why he would steal a worn-out door knocker."

"Could that thing possibly revive... the You-Know-Who?"

No one could answer that William had vaguely seen the words "Ravenclaw Ring" somewhere, but he had brought the book "Hogwarts: Hogwarts, A History" home for Christmas.

"Lights out now!" the Head Boy yelled. "Everyone needs to get into their sleeping bags and stop talking!"

All the candles went out immediately. Now the only light came from the silver ghosts, who wandered around and spoke solemnly with the Prefect. The enchanted ceiling, like the sky outside, was filled with stars.

Even in this situation, whispers still filled the Great Hall, and William felt as if he were sleeping outdoors in a gentle breeze.

Bobocha nestled in his arms, already fast asleep; it was quite carefree.

Every hour, a teacher would appear in the Great Hall to check if everything was alright.

Around three o'clock in the morning, many students finally fell asleep, and that's when Professor Dumbledore entered.

Dumbledore was searching for Robert. Robert had eaten the chocolate and, although still feeling listless, had almost recovered.

Robert was not far from William, Cedric, and the twins, so they quickly pretended to be asleep.

At that moment, Dumbledore's footsteps grew closer.

"Any sign of a door knocker, Professor?" Robert asked in a hoarse voice.

No, how is it here?

"Everything is under control, Professor."

"Alright, there's no need to move them now. I've already replaced the door knocker at Ravenclaw House, so you can tell everyone to go back tomorrow."

"What about the original... door knocker, Professor?" Robert's voice trembled.

"It will return when needed," Dumbledore said solemnly. "No one can take away Hogwarts ' common property."

The hall door opened with a creak, followed by a soft footstep.

You don't even need to open your eyes to know it's Snape; it's just that when he walks, he looks like a ghost.

"Headmaster?" Snape asked as he entered.

They all remained lying quietly, listening intently, including Qiu.

"We've checked all the secret passages; they're not there. Filch checked the main castle building too, and it's not there either."

"The Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The place where owls roost?"

"I've checked everything..."

"Very well, Severus, I don't believe a Death Eaters will stay."

"How did they manage that? What's your take on that, Headmaster?" Snape asked.

William tilted his head up slightly so that he could hear more clearly with his other ear.

"Many, Severus, each one is different."

William opened his eyes a crack and peeked furtively at where they were standing.

Dumbledore his back to him, but he could see Robert's face, who was completely absorbed in his work, and he could also see Snape's profile, Snape seemed angry.

Snape glared at Robert, who immediately tactfully walked away.

"What did the Ministry of Magic say?" Snape asked after a moment, "What exactly did the Department of Mysteries lose?"

"Cornelius said the planetary chamber was attacked..."

"Ha! Another lie," Snape scoffed.

"I think so too," Dumbledore said.

Snape paused for a moment, then whispered, "You remember our conversation, Headmaster, it was—oh—a week after the start of term, wasn't it?"

When Snape spoke, his lips barely moved, as if he didn't want others to hear their conversation.

"I remember, Severus," Dumbledore said.

"It seems that the title 'Dark Lord' is reserved for his followers."

"It's just a title; it doesn't prove anything. We can't let that lead us to suspect innocent people," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Innocent? What about me?" Snape's voice suddenly became shrill. "Headmaster, someone is deliberately framing me, retaliating against me..."

"I'm sorry, Severus," Dumbledore voice. "I will never let you enter Azkaban again to face those Dementor, I promise..."

Snape scoffed, seemingly mocking him, then turned his back to Dumbledore and said coldly, "It's nothing. Dementor are useless against me. You know I haven't been happy in a long time."

Dumbledore opened his mouth, but found himself speechless. He remained silent for a moment, then patted the man in front of him on the shoulder.

Snape stared blankly out the window, lost in thought. From William's angle, he could see the professor's hands trembling, and tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.

The scene was both comical and tragic.

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