Chapter 259: Crabbe and Malfoy
Rushing footsteps echoed through the corridor. Occasionally, portraits on either side would open their eyes and exclaim loudly:
"Hey, kids, what are you up to today? I barely see anyone around!"
Wade paid him no mind, striding past with his black wizard robes billowing, giving him a distinct air of Professor Snape.
Behind him, the wizard in the portrait grumbled, "How rude!"
Wade reached the Hospital Wing door and glanced back. Mikey, who had brought him there, nodded, then vanished from sight with a "thump."
Wade then pushed the door open. A person standing by the door immediately looked up, staring at him with alarm.
It was Malfoy.
He shivered as if he'd seen a ghost, his face ashen, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Other Slytherin students stood not far away, as if an invisible barrier separated them from Malfoy.
Those were the Slytherin students who usually hung around with Malfoy and had participated in the competition with him this time—
Pansy, Zabini, Nott.
Along with Crabbe, Daphne, and Malfoy, they made up their entire team.
As for Goyle, his intelligence being too "touching," he could only remain outside as a spectator this time and wasn't present here.
Wade then noticed that several professors, including Dumbledore and Snape, were gathered around a hospital bed. On a nearby trolley sat over a dozen Potions bottles.
"This is all we can do for now..."
Madam Pomfrey whispered, "We need to send him to St. Mungo's."
Dumbledore nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you both, Pomona, Filius."
"You're too kind, Dumbledore, this is no trouble at all."
Professor Sprout wiped her tears, saying sympathetically, "Poor child."
Professor Flitwick carefully levitated the person on the bed with magic, while Professor Sprout wrapped most of the person's body in a sheet.
As they passed the door, Wade noticed that the person wrapped in the sheet was Crabbe.
His eyes were tightly shut, his face deathly pale, but a strong smell of blood emanated from him, along with fluctuations of Dark Magic.
Malfoy's body trembled violently. He abruptly took two steps back, not daring to look at Crabbe's appearance.
The door opened and closed.
Then, Professor Snape walked towards the group.
He was usually extremely cold and strict, but now he seemed even more terrifying.
And Malfoy, who was usually favored by this professor, was utterly terrified, looking as if he was about to faint from fright.
Professor Snape stopped in front of Pansy and the others.
"Get out!"
His voice was squeezed out, low and suppressed, as if through gritted teeth:
"If I hear any rumors—"
The Slytherins shook their heads like rattles. Led by Zabini, they quickly fled from the professor's sight.
Only Malfoy remained, staring fixedly at the floor in front of him, looking utterly despairing.
"Wade."
Professor Dumbledore approached, speaking with relative calmness:
"I recall you saying earlier that the Streaming Mirror can capture almost every corner of the maze?"
"Yes," Wade affirmed, pulling his gaze away from Malfoy.
"And the footage it records can be replayed for a short period?" Dumbledore asked again.
"That's correct," Wade said.
"Then we might need a small portion of it," Dumbledore said. "Roughly from ten minutes ago."
"I can arrange for Mr. Colliver to provide it," Wade said, looking around the Hospital Wing. "Uh... here?"
Although the ward was currently empty, it was foreseeable that it would be filled with students in ten minutes.
Quite a few students were injured in the competition, but they wanted to see the results, so they endured without immediate treatment, staying in the stands instead.
Dumbledore said tiredly, "Let's go to my office. Severus—"
He turned to Professor Snape.
"I think you need to send for Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Crabbe."
He was, of course, referring to their fathers.
Snape, looking grim, nodded without another word, not even sparing Draco Malfoy a glance, before turning and leaving.
"Wade, the recording is in your hands," Dumbledore said. "Fifth floor of the maze, northwest corner, about ten minutes ago."
"Alright." Wade nodded and quickly left.
As Wade exited the castle, he saw students returning.
Unaware of the incident, they were excitedly discussing the competition, occasionally bursting into laughter.
Even the injured didn't want to miss the excitement; those who could walk forced themselves to, some even actively showing off their wounds to others.
One student found a huge scale and held it above his head like a medal, surrounded by a group of younger students.
The Gryffindor students were carrying Harry, singing and dancing, looking incredibly happy. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff joined in the celebration, and even Slytherin wasn't in too bad a mood.
Although Slytherin didn't win the championship, they did secure second place.
Ministry of Magic officials stayed behind. Instead of immediately returning to the castle, they entered the maze to observe its setup. Fudge frequently asked questions, appearing very concerned.
With the Headmaster's sudden disappearance, Professor McGonagall, as Deputy Headmistress, had to take on the task of entertaining these people. Though her expression was as solemn as ever, there was a hint of annoyance.
The magical creatures didn't know these were government officials and would attack without warning, so Hagrid and others stayed by their side.
Only Mr. Weasley remained at the end, comforting a crestfallen Percy.
Wade easily found Mr. Colliver at the magical workshop. Before he even got close, he heard Colliver's excited voice:
"Where have you been, Mr. Gray—never mind, do you know the feedback from the Streaming Mirror broadcast? All the sub-mirrors across the British Isles can see the image! This is simply—"
"Mr. Colliver," Wade interrupted him, lowering his voice, "I need to take a master mirror."
Although Colliver's "control console" could broadcast, the images were still stored in their respective master mirrors.
Colliver paused, then seemed to understand something. Without further questions, he nodded and said, "Okay—which one do you need?"
Ten minutes later, Wade entered the Headmaster's Office with a Streaming Mirror.
Upon entering, he saw the Malfoy couple sitting with Draco. Their expressions were as pale as ever, and Lucius Malfoy silently rubbed the large jewel on his cane.
On the other side of the office, Crabbe's father sat with his head bowed.
It was Wade's first time seeing him, but the power of genetics was strong; just by looking at him, Wade knew who he was.
Professor Snape stood to the side with his arms crossed, his gaze very cold.
Hearing the door open, everyone in the office looked over.
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