Professor McGonagall watched Fred and George walk away and sighed softly. "Those two kids!"
"Headmaster Dumbledore, shall I take Vizette back with me?" Penelope asked tentatively.
The fact that no points were deducted for this incident was the best possible outcome.
"I'm afraid not, Miss Clearwater." Dumbledore waved his hand. "I have some things I'd like to ask Mr. Lovegood alone."
"Professor Flitwick, could you please take him to the Headmaster's office? The password is 'Sherbet Lemon'."
The number of people dwindled again. Dumbledore looked at Quirrell and asked softly, "Professor Quirrell, I couldn't find you earlier. Where did you go?"
"Ah... I woke up!" Quirrell stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. "And then I... I left! Later, I heard a noise and came over... to check it out!"
"Is that so?" Dumbledore murmured, turning to Snape. "Professor Snape, I saw you coming with him just now."
Quirrell took a deep breath, his eyes filled with worry, and looked at Snape with trepidation.
Snape pursed his lips and gave a brief reply, "I just happened to run into him."
"Yes…it was a coincidence." Quirrell breathed a sigh of relief. "I was a little groggy when I woke up, but I'm…much better now!"
"It's great that you're alright, Professor Quirrell!" Dumbledore nodded. "Why don't we all go back to our quarters and get some rest?"
...
The professors left, leaving only Dumbledore in the Great Hall.
He strolled to the far corridor, where the floor was a mess, littered with bricks and stones knocked over by the giant.
"Traces revealed!"
He murmured, and golden smoke flew from the tip of his wand, forming a vortex in the air.
The vortex made a rustling sound, scattering countless golden dust particles outwards...
The gold dust gathered again, forming moving figures, like a scene from a movie.
Dumbledore pulled out a bag of sherbet lemons and, like an audience member in a movie theater, ate one with relish while watching the projection.
"Magic fireworks! Fred and George's skills have improved. Could it be with Vizette's help?"
"So this is the special summoning spell that Minerva was talking about? How interesting..."
"Knowing the troll's weakness, an extremely skillful levitation spell... and it seems there's additional magical power at play."
"Is this what makes the Obscurus so special? The power of the Obscurus... is comparable to that of some Death Eaters."
Realizing this, Dumbledore carefully put away the sherbet lemons, his expression turning extremely serious. "So this was Voldemort's purpose!"
"What is his purpose?" Snape's voice suddenly rang out as he limped toward Dumbledore.
Seeing Snape's limp, a hint of guilt flashed in Dumbledore's eyes. "You're not in good shape. I need to get Fawkes to..."
"There's no need," Snape said curtly. "Since you say Quirrell is the Dark Lord's henchman, we should have less contact with him."
"Phoenix tears can indeed heal wounds, but my wounds healed too quickly, which will make me more insecure in the future."
"I'm sorry," Dumbledore sighed softly. "Your leg… was it because of your fight with Quirrell? His strength is…"
"I was bitten by Fluffy," Snape interrupted. "You didn't tell me that Fluffy was hiding in that room. Why isn't that thing in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Actually, I did mention it… at the opening feast," Dumbledore explained. "I set up a spell on that room, marked by the door."
"Fluffy only stays inside; it won't come out and hurt anyone unless the door is opened. I never expected you to go inside."
Snape opened his mouth, trying to keep his tone cold. "Quirrell disguised himself very well; his silent spellcasting was very skilled, and he destroyed the door with fire, which was a lucky accident—something I didn't expect."
Dumbledore sighed. "He was a talented wizard. What a pity..."
"You certainly have a talent for foolishly risking your life for the Dark Lord," Snape said mercilessly. "What did you just say was the Dark Lord's purpose?"
Dumbledore explained, "Let Vizette use dark magic to stir up the Obscurus... Voldemort's goal is the Obscurus."
His eyes revealed a hint of reminiscence, as if he were recalling some past event, and his expression instantly turned grim. "He also wanted to obtain the power of the Obscurial."
Snape asked, "Is this the Dark Lord's intention, or Quirrell's?"
Dumbledore frowned. "What else happened between you and Quirrell tonight?"
"When Quirrell heard Vizette's voice, he immediately tensed up, even begging me and exposing his back to me before running downstairs like a madman."
"Is this why you've all appeared together?" Dumbledore's brow relaxed as he stroked his long silver beard. "That's a good thing."
"To gain Vizette's power and care for him at the same time—is that a good thing?" Snape crossed his arms. "I think he should go to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries to get his head checked."
"Perhaps his soul has split, with one half caring about Vizette and the other half only thinking about carrying out orders. I don't mind brewing some potions to free him."
Dumbledore waved his hand. "Conflict is an opportunity. Under Vizette's influence, Quirrell may have a chance to turn back."
"You still need to maintain contact with him and find out how Voldemort is doing now. That's very important to us."
"Heh... what else?" Snape sneered. "That's why I don't use phoenix tears. I'll go see him again tonight."
Dumbledore gave Snape a deep look and said sincerely, "Severus, thank you..."
"No need!" Snape's tone was very curt. "I'll do anything to kill the Dark Lord!"
"Ah! I haven't sighed this often in ages!" Dumbledore said with a self-deprecating laugh, changing the subject. "Let's keep watching! Do you need me to help you?"
Snape didn't speak, but frowned and took two steps forward, demonstrating his answer through his actions.
The two returned to the auditorium and saw Vizette, made of gold dust, emanating a twisted aura.
Dumbledore said in a deep voice, "The Obscurial is stirring. This is not a good sign!"
He looked thoughtful. "By the time I calmed Harry down and returned to the Great Hall, Vizette had already returned to normal. How did he do that?"
Soon, the tracking spell gave him the answer: Vizette, made of gold dust, waved his wand and cast a spell on himself.
Seeing that familiar movement, Snape's expression turned strange. "A composite spell, something new right in front of me. I remember the incantation is... Scourgify!"
The wand traced a beautiful "S" arc, and a vortex rose from beneath their feet, carrying away a cloud of dust…
...
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