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Chapter 43 – Hydra's Fang
"Would you like some cockroach clusters?"
The moment Audrey sat down, Dumbledore opened his crystal confectionery box. Two sugar-coated cockroaches crawled out, their legs twitching faintly.
Audrey rolled her eyes.
She gently nudged the phoenix perched on her shoulder—Fawkes, who was doing his best to burrow into her collar—then flicked her finger. One cockroach shot straight into her mouth.
She chewed slowly, considering.
"The taste is acceptable," she said. "But it's far too sweet."
She absent-mindedly stroked the phoenix's feathers and added, "At your age, eating this much sugar really isn't good for your health."
Dumbledore had been rather pleased. At last, someone willing to share his peculiar snacks.
But her words inexplicably reminded him of Frank Mitchell, the Dark Arts professor from five years ago.
That's what he told me too, Dumbledore thought distantly.
Right before he fell down the stairs and broke his neck.
(Does anyone still remember that man?)
"Stop reading my thoughts," Dumbledore said calmly.
Audrey raised an eyebrow. "Then stop thinking so loudly."
He cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Have you heard of Hydra's Fang? Kingsley mentioned it earlier."
Audrey immediately bristled. "I've never joined any assassin organization! Don't frame an innocent person!"
Dumbledore chuckled. "I never said you founded it."
Audrey ground her teeth. "Then I'd very much like to know which unlucky bastard is impersonating me."
---
Meanwhile…
In a dim underground hideout, rage echoed against the stone walls.
"She's just a Muggle-born wizard!" a man roared. "She's never even studied at Hogwarts before! What were you all doing?!"
The trembling subordinate lowered his head. "Sir… we underestimated her. Her magic output was terrifying. And she vanished—we couldn't detect any spell residue at all."
"That was an illusion," the leader snapped. "Obviously."
"No, sir," the man insisted. "It wasn't the Disillusionment Charm. There was no distortion, no shadow. She simply… ceased to exist."
Silence fell.
The leader stepped out of the darkness. Half of his face was hidden beneath a dark mask.
Bode Grey.
Missing for months. Presumed dead by the Ministry.
"Enough excuses," he said coldly. "Do you understand how important Audrey Astray is to Hydra's Fang?"
His eyes burned with obsession.
"The Guardians' vaults. Ancient magic. Every clue points to her."
No one dared respond.
Bode Grey clenched his fist. If manpower weren't scarce, he would have already killed these useless fools.
---
Back at Hogwarts
"Of course it wasn't you," Dumbledore said lightly. "You're far too lazy to run an assassin organization."
"Don't take liberties just because we're familiar," Audrey shot back. "I'll sue you for defamation."
Dumbledore laughed outright.
Then his expression grew serious.
"Audrey," he said, "if Hydra's Fang has targeted you once, they will try again. They may even attempt to infiltrate Hogwarts."
He popped another cockroach into his mouth, crunching thoughtfully.
"You must be careful."
"I thought Hogwarts was the safest place in the world?"
"It is," Dumbledore admitted. "But even I don't know every secret passage in this castle."
"So you summoned me just to warn me?"
"Yes."
Audrey smacked her lips. "I thought this was about Professor Quirrell."
Dumbledore's eyes sharpened. "You noticed him as well?"
"The dark magic behind his head is stronger than the oil on Professor Snape's hair."
"That is your Head of House," Dumbledore sighed.
"If he troubles me, I'll just drop out," Audrey replied lazily.
"Tens of millions of pounds a year sounds quite comfortable."
They stared at each other.
"…Let's not discuss Quirrell," Dumbledore said at last. "I hope you won't interfere."
"Because of Harry?"
"Yes."
Audrey waved it off. "Do I look like someone who enjoys meddling? As long as no one provokes me, I don't care who lives or dies. It's exhausting."
Dumbledore gave her a sideways look.
"And the Grey family incident two months ago?"
"…That was on the way."
---
The Next Morning
"Little master, it's time to wake up!"
Audrey groaned and rolled over.
"Morning, Momo. What classes today?"
"Potions in the morning. Transfiguration in the afternoon."
"Good. I can't be late for Snape's class—glug—"
She spat out her mouthwash.
"What's for breakfast?"
"Fried dough sticks, soy milk, and shrimp buns!"
Audrey opened her eyes. "Momo, I love you."
---
The Great Hall
Audrey quickly discovered she had made a terrible mistake.
Ghosts.
Everywhere.
Floating. Clinging. Surrounding her like affectionate leeches.
"Enough," she finally snapped. "You're freezing me to death!"
"It's fine!" the Fat Friar said warmly. "I can teach you a warming charm!"
"That's not the problem!"
Nearly Headless Nick beamed. "We can block the crowd for you!"
Audrey looked ready to cry.
"What do I have to change for you all to leave me alone?!"
Helena Ravenclaw hovered at a distance, her voice low and distant.
"You are a source of magic," she said.
"Hogwarts sustains us with fragments. You… nourish us."
Audrey froze.
"…So I'm a walking charging station."
Wonderful.
For the twelfth time since leaving the Slytherin common room, Audrey sighed.
Surrounded by ghosts, watched by students, even the breakfast in front of her had lost all appeal.
I really should have stayed home and earned money.
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