Time quickly ushered in Halloween, with the familiar jack-o'-lanterns and the same familiar scenes decorating Hogwarts.
However, among the crowds at Hogwarts, only Wentworth knew that from this year onward, with Harry Potter's enrollment, the tranquility of Halloween at Hogwarts would become a thing of the past.
On the morning of Halloween, Wentworth summoned Cedric and Kirk to his dormitory.
As soon as he entered, Kirk couldn't wait to blurt out, "Calling us here so early—what's the matter, Wentworth? I've got a card game scheduled."
Wentworth motioned for both of them to sit. Once all three were seated, he finally spoke.
"Rest well during the day, both of you. Tonight, we have business to attend to."
Hearing Wentworth's words, both Kirk and Cedric were momentarily stunned. They quickly put away their playful expressions, exchanged a glance, and finally, Kirk broke the silence.
"In the name of the Pureblood Party?"
Wentworth nodded without hesitation. "That's right. In the name of the Pureblood Party."
At those words, both Kirk and Cedric sat up straight, adopting attentive postures.
Seeing this, Wentworth chuckled. "No need to be so tense—just think of it as playing a few games. Besides, we have a little advantage on our side."
Pausing for a moment, Wentworth added, "I remember you both are quite good at Wizard's Chess, aren't you? Practice a little more during the day—you'll need it tonight."
Kirk and Cedric exchanged puzzled looks. Cedric, with some disbelief, asked, "Wizard's Chess? Wentworth, is tonight's mission really just a game?"
Wentworth smiled and nodded. "Precisely—a very interesting game."
Meanwhile, in the first-year Charms class for Gryffindor and Slytherin, Professor Flitwick was teaching the Levitation Charm.
The students' magical talents were on full display—some mastered the spell quickly, while others struggled to make a single feather rise.
Hermione Granger stood out among the first group. Despite being born to Muggle parents and learning of the magical world only after receiving her Hogwarts letter, she had already mastered basic spells like the Mending Charm through self-study in just a few months.
In stark contrast, Ron Weasley—descended from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight—found his magical talent lacking. He watched enviously as Hermione instructed him on the Levitation Charm, his frustration eventually driving him to slump over his desk in irritation.
After class, Ron vented his annoyance to Harry, unaware that Hermione overheard every word. Offended, she shoved Ron as she stormed off in anger.
Harry sighed. "Ron, I think she heard you."
"Of course she heard me! But you're worse than she is—I'm truly embarrassed for the Weasley family!" came a mocking voice from behind. It was Draco Malfoy.
Draco stepped forward, addressing Harry. "I told you to stay away from these people—our futures are destined to be different."
Harry replied patiently, "Draco, you're my friend—but so are they. We agreed after the duel not to discuss this again."
Draco shrugged regretfully. "Suit yourself. Oh, by the way, I got a stash of Honeydukes' limited-edition Halloween sweets. Care to share?"
Harry eagerly nodded, while Ron's face flushed. Draco glanced at him with disdain but begrudgingly added, "You too, I suppose—since Harry insists on being your friend."
As night fell, the annual Hogwarts Halloween feast began.
Wentworth, Cedric, and Kirk encountered Harry, Draco, and Ron on their way to the Great Hall. The sight of the three boys together struck Wentworth as oddly amusing.
Draco and Harry spotted Wentworth, their faces lighting up as they hurried over. Draco produced a bag of Honeydukes sweets from his pocket, offering it to Wentworth.
"Here, Wentworth—Honeydukes' limited Halloween sweets. I saved some for you before those two devoured them all."
Harry looked sheepish, but Wentworth thanked Draco graciously, and the group entered the hall together.
The moment they stepped inside, Wentworth felt a pair of eyes locked onto him. He glanced toward the high table, meeting the piercing gaze of Professor Snape.
Wentworth returned Snape's look with a knowing glance before taking a seat at the Hufflepuff table with Cedric and Kirk.
Headmaster Dumbledore arrived shortly after, and the feast began. However, not everyone enjoyed the lavish meal. Cedric and Kirk were preoccupied with their upcoming mission, while Harry and Ron, wracked with guilt over Hermione's absence, could barely eat.
Then, with a thunderous crash, the Great Hall doors burst open.
Everyone turned in shock—everyone except Wentworth, who calmly wiped his mouth and murmured to Cedric and Kirk:
"It's begun."
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