Meanwhile, in the Headmaster's office, Narcissa, having stopped her sobbing, stood beside her husband as they faced Dumbledore.
"Speak," Lucius demanded, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Dumbledore. "Let's hear the excuse you've come up with to deceive us."
Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, sighed, and decided it was best to reveal some information.
"Recently, someone has been seeking a certain artifact—one that can bring the dead back to life," Dumbledore explained. "The professors here have each set up protections to guard it."
"So? Are you saying Draco died because he stumbled into one of those protections?" Narcissa shouted.
Lucius remained silent. He hadn't allowed his anger to cloud his judgment. From Dumbledore's words, he sensed there was something unusual going on. He glanced at Dumbledore, as though the answer had become clear to him.
"No," Dumbledore replied. "Mr. Malfoy encountered a troll that was escaping one of the protections. The location was the corridor on the first floor of the school."
Dumbledore continued, "Though I hate to say this and risk angering you both, the real reason lies in Mr. Malfoy's unauthorized departure from the group."
"You're blaming my poor Draco?" Narcissa roared. "How dare you!"
Lucius quickly silenced his wife's outburst.
"We need a reasonable explanation," Lucius said, his voice firm. "I am here today representing the Crabbe and Goyle families. This is the anger of three pure-blood families. Without a reasonable explanation and accountability, this will not be so easily resolved."
"Lucius?" Narcissa stared at him in disbelief. She couldn't understand why her husband had suddenly become so willing to negotiate.
"What kind of explanation and accountability do you want?" Dumbledore asked.
"Why did Draco leave the group?" Lucius pressed. "I trust Draco. He is not the type to act recklessly."
"We don't know," Dumbledore replied, shaking his head. "No one noticed when Mr. Malfoy left the group, nor do we know what caused him to stray."
"If you don't know, then investigate!" Lucius's anger began to boil over. "If Hogwarts can't handle it, I'll involve the Ministry. Let the Aurors investigate!"
"Are you sure you want the Aurors involved, Lucius?" Dumbledore asked, his gaze fixed on him.
"I must investigate, whether or not the evidence has been tampered with," Lucius replied, his voice low with suppressed anger. "I fear the consequences... can you guess what they are?"
"If that's the case, feel free to proceed with the investigation," Dumbledore said calmly. "As long as it doesn't disrupt the students' lessons or leisure time."
"Then, before the Ministry starts its investigation, tell me who let that blasted troll into the castle!" Lucius's hand, gripping his wand, was trembling with fury.
"The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Mr. Quirinus Quirrell," Dumbledore answered.
...
Padma Patil grew anxious upon receiving Ernie's message and immediately began searching for Leonard's whereabouts.
Guided by some kind-hearted students, she found Leonard near the southern edge of Hogwarts Castle, close to the forest. Hogwarts is situated in an environment surrounded by mountains on three sides and bordered by water on one. Except for the area east of the castle designated as the Forbidden Forest, the outer edges of the other forests do not fall within the Forbidden Forest's boundaries. Students sometimes came here to appreciate the natural scenery and relieve the stress of their studies.
Had Leonard come here to soothe his own emotions? Did he feel guilty about Malfoy's death?
Padma Patil slowly approached Leonard. Soon she saw him cradling a gray rabbit in his arms, his palm gently rubbing the fluffy little creature's head. The sight of the boy cradling the adorable rabbit was like a painting, making Padma's heart flutter wildly.
So adorable—both the boy holding the rabbit and the rabbit in his arms. This feeling was simply...
Before Padma could finish her thoughts, she saw Leonard's sinister hand reach for the rabbit's neck, and then...
Twist the neck to the right!
Snap... The little gray rabbit snapped cleanly. Then she saw Leonard grab the rabbit by the ears, looking satisfied at the plump little creature as he wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth.
Drool?
Padma realized it. Leonard hadn't come here to enjoy the scenery or soak up the atmosphere—he'd come hunting for ingredients.
So did this Leonard even need comforting?
While Padma was lost in thought, Leonard had already noticed the girl appearing behind him. He turned to glance at Padma and beckoned her over.
"Padma, wanna join us for some barbecue?"
"Huh?" Padma blinked. "Barbecue? Roast rabbit?"
"Yeah, try my cooking," Leonard invited.
"But... but rabbits are so cute! How could I eat them?" Padma glanced at the gray rabbit, its neck twisted to the right, and hesitated.
"It's really tasty."
"Well, that doesn't... change anything."
Despite her protests, Padma followed Leonard to the barbecue spot.
They arrived at the Black Lake. Leonard arranged the firewood he'd gathered along the way, then picked up a stick and transformed it into a sharp knife with a Transfiguration spell. Using the clear lake water, he gutted and cleaned the rabbit.
The pyre blazed fiercely. Leonard skewered the rabbit with a sturdy branch and slowly roasted it over the flames.
The process was a bit brutal, but the rabbit smelled incredibly delicious once roasted. Leonard used a Summoning Charm to "borrow" various seasonings from the Hogwarts kitchen.
As the flames licked the meat, fat mixed with spices dripped onto the fire, crackling and popping as waves of astonishing aroma burst forth.
Though Padma insisted she didn't eat rabbit, she ultimately couldn't resist and tearfully devoured two large chunks.
After filling their bellies, the two sat by the lake, gazing at the water as they chatted.
"Macmillan mentioned you've been feeling down, but you don't seem too bad," Padma remarked. "You even have an appetite for rabbit."
"I'm channeling my sorrow into appetite. Can't exactly cry my eyes out over Malfoy, can I?"
"You could. You cry, I'll sit beside you," Padma offered earnestly.
"No, that sounds weird," Leonard grimaced.
"Are you truly okay?" Padma pressed. "If something's bothering you, you should talk about it."
"Relax, it's just a little discomfort," Leonard replied, his expression tinged with resignation.
He was merely acting—using Ernie and the others to spread the story that he'd saved Malfoy, hoping it would overshadow their conflict.
Humans are emotional creatures. Leonard deliberately projected a dejected demeanor to reinforce others' impressions, steering their thoughts toward conclusions like "Leonard is a good person," "Leonard is kind," "Leonard wouldn't harm anyone."
Ultimately leading to the conclusion that Leonard couldn't possibly have deliberately killed Malfoy.
He hadn't expected Ernie, without thinking twice, to call Padma over first. Thinking about it now, it felt a bit frustrating.