"Damn it! I knew it wouldn't be that simple!"
In the distance, in the shadows, Voldemort's face was grim.
If there was only one Snape, he would still dare to take the gamble.
But now, it was not just Snape; there was also Harry and the two Weasleys!
If anything happened to any of them, Dumbledore would turn Hogwarts upside down!
In his current state, a direct confrontation with Dumbledore would be tantamount to suicide.
"What... what should we do, Master?"
"Should we... should we wait until they leave before we go?"
Quirrell's timid voice infuriated Voldemort even more.
"What do you think you're doing? How long can a giant stop Dumbledore?"
"He's coming after us before we even get there!"
Voldemort took a deep breath.
"Now I can only pray that my good disciple can get his hands on the item."
"But judging from the situation, he's probably not that honest!"
Voldemort could tell at a glance that Argus was the same kind of person as he was.
Ambition lurked in his eyes!
However, compared to himself, the other party had more resources.
He would also be better at hiding it!
Without finding an opportunity to capture Hermione and the others, Voldemort wouldn't believe that Argus would be loyal to him.
But he still hoped that Argus could obtain the Philosopher's Stone.
After all, Argus still had room for negotiation, while Dumbledore wouldn't even give him that chance!
"Let's go. This operation has failed. We'll have to find another opportunity."
Voldemort verbally told Quirrell to leave, but he already had another plan in mind.
Quirrell and his condition were deteriorating. If this continued, they might not be able to hold on until they got the Philosopher's Stone.
We need to think of a way...
...
Third floor.
Snape watched Harry and Ron with a cold eye.
"Professor..."
"I didn't ask you, Mr. Weasley!"
Snape didn't give Percy a chance to continue speaking.
Percy saw this and grew very anxious.
He wished he could speak up for them.
Tell me why you two came here!
At least give me something to work with!
Harry hesitated for a long time, but finally couldn't withstand Snape's pressure: "Professor, we... we saw Argus coming here, so... so that's why..."
"Snort!"
Snape chuckled.
"Then please tell me, Savior, where is Mr. Grindelwald, whom you are tracking?"
"I... we lost him..."
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Grindelwald is not like you, doing nothing all day long."
"We saw him come to the third floor with our own eyes!"
Ron couldn't hold back any longer and retorted.
"Then please tell me, Mr. Weasley, where Mr. Grindelwald is?"
"..."
"Clearly, our two detectives have not found any evidence."
Snape's mockery deepened.
"Because of your violation of school rules by trespassing into restricted areas, coupled with your slander of your classmates."
"Gryffindor -10 points."
"Remember, it's ten points per person!"
Ron was still a little unconvinced, but Percy pulled the two of them behind him.
He was afraid that these two troublemakers would speak again.
"Professor Snape, I'm so sorry. I'll take them both back right away!"
After saying that, he immediately put his arm around the two of them and left.
Snape watched the three of them go, and only after a long while did he glance thoughtfully in the direction of Quirrell's office.
...
On the way back to the Gryffindor common room.
Ron kept talking.
"Snape must have hidden him!"
"That evil Grindelwald goes to his office every day; who knows what shady things they're secretly doing!"
"Enough! Ron!"
Percy angrily interrupted Ron: "Don't you think you've caused enough trouble already?!"
"Do you know how long it will take us to get these points back!"
"We are brave Gryffindors; how can we stand by and watch the evil Slytherin..."
"Have you found him? I've been chasing you guys for ages, and I haven't even seen a shadow of Argus!" Percy didn't give Ron a chance to speak.
He was too embarrassed to scold Harry, but he was quite confident in his ability to deal with Ron.
Moreover, when Mrs. Molly had come last time, she had personally instructed him to keep an eye on Ron.
If she knew that Ron had provoked Argus again, given her temper, she might actually bring Ron home.
After thinking about it, Percy realized that Ron was, after all, his own younger brother.
We can't really let Mum take him home and keep him there forever.
"Percy, we really saw Argus run up to the third floor! You can ask Harry if you don't believe me!"
Percy looked at Harry suspiciously, but Harry remained silent.
His brows were furrowed.
"I'll take you back to the Gryffindor common room first. I'll check on this matter!"
As soon as the three returned to the lounge, they saw the Weasley twins holding a box of brightly colored Cockroach Clusters and talking to someone next to them.
Upon seeing Percy, the two immediately hid the Cockroach Clusters behind their backs.
"Oh, our Prefect is back with Harry and Ron!"
"So, how many points did you lose this time?"
Upon hearing this, many people in the lounge immediately glared at Harry and Ron with unfriendly expressions.
"Alright, that's enough. Has the troll issue been resolved?"
"It's resolved. Professor McGonagall came in person. We were about to ask if the party tonight should still go ahead, but it seems..." George gestured around and shrugged.
"It's good that it's resolved."
"You told me last time that Argus wanted to return the notes to me, but couldn't find a suitable time, right?"
"Perfect timing. You two keep an eye on them and make sure they don't run around. I'm going to get the notes."
Percy made up a random excuse and headed toward the Slytherin common room.
On his way back to the Gryffindor common room, he thought a lot.
Ron and Harry had been behaving themselves during this time; it was impossible for them to have gone to the restricted area on the third floor without a reason.
His own younger brother was also impulsive and wouldn't make up a reason so quickly, and he wouldn't risk being taken home by their mother just to keep harping on Argus.
Whether it was for Gryffindor house points or something else, he needed to see it with his own eyes to be at ease.
Upon arriving at the Slytherin common room, he found Gemma Farley and several other Prefects, including Argus, waiting at the door.
"Percy? What are you doing here?"
Gryffindor and Slytherin had never gotten along, and the moment they saw the other Prefect arrive, the atmosphere immediately became tense.
"Gemma Farley, I don't want to argue with you!" Percy refused to acknowledge her.
He looked at Argus.
"Argus, I heard from George and Fred that you've been asking me to return your notes these past few days. I've come to get them while you're here today."
"Okay, wait a moment. I've left it in my dorm."
Argus saw through Percy's little scheme at a glance and went to the lounge dormitory on his own initiative.
Gemma Farley was disdainful of Percy's behavior.
"He even came over to ask for a notebook."
"Petty!"
Percy realized the inappropriateness of his behavior, but the words had already been spoken, and it was too late to take them back.
So instead of dwelling on the topic, he tried to get to the point indirectly.
"Your Slytherin Prefects are quite responsible; they're all guarding the door."
"Of course!" Gemma Farley said proudly. "Speaking of which, it was Argus who suggested that the Prefects guard the outside so that the students inside could be protected in case anything happened."
"He proposed it?"
Percy was somewhat surprised, but secretly relieved.
To get to the Slytherin common room from the third floor, you had to go up several stairs.
If Argus really had gone to the third floor, there definitely wouldn't have been enough time to go back and forth.
He had a good impression of Argus and didn't really believe that the other party would do anything against school rules.
Since the other party had suggested that the Prefects stand guard, it proved that he had been with the Slytherin head all along.
Under such circumstances, how could he possibly go to the third floor?
Thinking of this, a sense of guilt welled up in his heart.
Last time Ron had caused such a big mess, the other party hadn't held it against him and had even comforted him.
But he himself, after hearing just a few words, had doubted him and even come over to verify it himself!
I'm such a lousy brother!
He secretly decided that next time George and Fred messed with Ron, he would pretend he didn't see it!
They don't care at all!
Snort!
....
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