Chapter 181 New Attack, Martial Law
"What?" Hermione exclaimed in shock, cautiously looking around, fearing she would see a pair of giant eyeballs at any second.
"No need to be so nervous." Aaron smiled nonchalantly and said calmly, "Ninety-nine percent of Hogwarts' people are here, including powerful Professors and the unfathomable Dumbledore. It can be said that there is nowhere safer than here."
Hermione instinctively sighed in relief, but soon she thought of something. "If the Basilisk's target isn't here, then that means..."
"The Castle." Ron turned to look at Hogwarts Castle, swallowing involuntarily. "We have to stop it quickly, or students will die."
"How do we stop it?
With just the three of us?" Aaron retorted, "Although I don't want to say this, unfortunately, we can't help much. Going there would just be providing an extra meal for the Basilisk.
Even if we called Dumbledore, it wouldn't be fast enough. The Basilisk kills faster than a spell."
"So, that means we can't do anything at all?" Hermione said anxiously.
"You could say that.
I've experienced this feeling of powerlessness several times.
Before we find the Chamber of Secrets, all we can do is pray that the student targeted by the Basilisk only made indirect eye contact with it." Aaron shrugged helplessly, then looked at Hermione. "It's best not to go out alone before this is over. Your safety is somewhat guaranteed if you stick with Harryand Ron, two pure-bloods.
Even if you have to go out alone, you must carry a mirror with you, because... looking through a mirror can prevent direct eye contact with the Basilisk."
Hermione nodded blankly, feeling despair but also a hint of secret joy in her heart. Regardless, this was a form of concern.
"Wait!" Aaron paused slightly. "Something's not right!"
"What's not right?" Ron asked.
"It's too much of a coincidence, really too much of a coincidence.
That diary was stolen yesterday, and today the door to the Chamber of Secrets was opened again."
"Are you saying Riddle's diary is problematic?" Hermionesaid somewhat nervously, "Could it be that you're overthinking it? Harry had it for so long and he was fine, just like before, wasn't he?"
"That's right." Ron nodded in agreement. "Perhaps Slytherin's heir thought that once they had the diary, they had no worries, and couldn't wait to try out the Basilisk's power."
"I hope I'm overthinking it." Aaron said in a deep voice, "Otherwise, the Chamber of Secrets incident will be much more complicated."
At this moment, a huge cheer erupted from the stadium, as the Gryffindor team in red robes and the Hufflepuff team in yellow robes flew into the sky above the pitch simultaneously.
The match was about to begin, and the fourteen players were all doing their warm-up exercises.
Madam Hooch released the Bludgers and the Golden Snitch, and just as she was about to throw the Quaffle to officially start the match, Professor McGonagall rushed to the center of the pitch.
"It is with regret that I inform you all, the match has been canceled." Professor McGonagall held a large microphone, her voice tinged with a hint of fear and unease. "Now please return to your respective common rooms. The heads of the houses will tell you more. Please leave as quickly as possible."
"An attack has probably been discovered." Aaron sighed. "Another attack has occurred in the new term. This time, the school might not be able to suppress it."
"Then we..."
Hermione was about to say something else when Aaron interrupted her. "Let's see what the school decides first. What we can do is limited, and it's already difficult enough to protect ourselves.
If it really comes to the point where Hogwarts has to close, then let's lay our cards on the table with Dumbledore!
Safety first. I really don't want to force him to a lose-lose situation unless absolutely necessary."
"The Professors will understand you." Ron said.
Hermione also comforted him, "Everyone will understand you."
Aaron noticed the determination on their faces and felt a bit bewildered, wanting to laugh but unable to.
These two definitely misunderstood. Understanding isn't important, but Hogwarts absolutely cannot close.
By signing in at the magic school, how many years of struggle could he save?
Wait, it seems Hogwarts isn't the only magic school. He might try other magic schools later if he has time. If the cost-performance ratio is higher, it's not impossible to transfer.
Aaron's thoughts raced, but he quickly dismissed the idea of transferring. Besides Hogwarts, his freedom would be greatly restricted elsewhere. People might even follow him to the toilet, which wouldn't be worth it!
"Ahem! Well... I don't like being in the spotlight.
If we're going to lay our cards on the table, you two should tell Dumbledore.
Remember then, everything was discovered by you. Absolutely do not mention my name."
"Isn't that inappropriate?" Ron said hesitantly.
He admitted he was tempted. This was a huge credit, even bigger than the House Cup.
He would become a hero of Hogwarts, and his parents and brothers would look at him with new respect.
However, these were clues Aaron had painstakingly uncovered, and he wasn't so shameless as to snatch someone else's hard work.
Hermione also shook her head. "That really isn't appropriate. We didn't help you at all."
"No, believe me, it's very appropriate, extremely appropriate." Aaron said very seriously, "You get the spotlight, I get the low profile I want. This is a complete win-win for us.
Of course, if you're unwilling, I can go find Draco. I believe he..."
"I agree." Ron said immediately.
Shamelessly accepting Aaron's gift or watching Malfoy take the spotlight, he would undoubtedly choose the former.
Besides, things hadn't gotten that serious yet!
"Good, then it's happily decided."
The three followed the line of students back to their respective common rooms.
Soon after, a piece of news spread.
Ravenclaw prefect Penelope Clearwater had been attacked, but like the previous cases, she was petrified and not in life-threatening danger.
She was lucky; she happened to be holding a mirror, possibly having made indirect eye contact with the Basilisk.
Professor Snape personally came to the Slytherin common room. He looked no different than usual, without the sense of impending doom.
"I believe you all know that an attack has occurred again.
Although I don't think Slytherin will be in any danger, because you are all pure-blood Wizards."
As his words fell, the students in the common room all showed knowing smiles.
As the saying goes, if it doesn't concern you, don't worry about it.
The fire wasn't burning them, and compared to the other three houses, Slytherin felt very secure.
"However, Dumbledore has enacted the following new regulations." Professor Snape said indifferently, "All students must return to their common rooms before six o'clock, and no student may leave their dormitory after this time.
All students must be accompanied by a teacher to class, and may not use the lavatories without a teacher's accompaniment.
All training and matches are postponed, and no activities will be held in the evenings."
"Superfluous." Draco said unhappily. "It also restricts Slytherin's development."
"I also think this isn't very fair to Slytherin, Malfoy.
But this is the Principal's order, after all. Dumbledore is worried that if things escalate, Hogwarts might have to close down."
"He's worried he won't keep his position as Principal!
My dad always said that Dumbledore being Principal was the unluckiest thing to happen to Hogwarts." Draco said without reservation, and Crabbe and Goyle behind him also let out disdainful sneers.
"Ahem!" Aaron coughed, giving him a warning look. "Draco, I must tell you a reality.
Right now, you are a student, and Dumbledore is the Principal."
Draco pursed his lips and did not continue to mock.
Snape gave Aaron an appreciative look. "The regulations I just mentioned take effect immediately. I hope you don't take them lightly. This is for your own safety."
...As evening approached, Aaron finished feeding the two roosters in the cage and planned to practice advanced magicformations.
But a sudden knock on the door made him temporarily abandon this idea.
"Come in!"
The door opened, but no one was seen.
However, a moment later, the sound of curtains rustling appeared in the air, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione emerged from the Invisibility Cloak.
"Oh my goodness." Aaron rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, "I have to admit, you keep surprising me. To come and see me this way, it's not like the school is under lockdown, is it?"
"We're going to see Hagrid."
"Then go!" Aaron looked at Harry, half-laughing, half-crying. "I won't stop you."
"We want you to come with us." Harry explained, "Time is short. Professor McGonagall said that unless the culprit is found, Hogwarts will close."
"So what? What does that have to do with whether you call me or not?"
"But with you there, neither of us will be awkward." Hermione said awkwardly, "Otherwise, we wouldn't feel comfortable asking him."
"Oh!" Aaron suddenly understood, chuckling, "That's tough for you.
But don't have too high hopes. Hagrid was clearly framed fifty years ago. He doesn't have any valuable clues."
"Every little bit helps!" Harry said eagerly, "We must find the Chamber of Secrets and stop the heir from attacking again."
"Let's talk about it tomorrow. No need to rush."
"No, you don't understand the seriousness of the situation." Harry said bitterly, "Once Hogwarts closes, I'll have to go back to Vernon's house.
There's no warmth of home for me there. I'll be homeless."
Aaron was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Alright! Who made me such a kind person!"
Upon hearing this, joy appeared on the faces of the three.
"Wait, there's still one problem." Hermione suddenly realized something, her expression changing slightly. "The Invisibility Cloak is already barely covering three people; it's impossible to squeeze four in."
Ron, however, looked at Aaron. "It's not just four people; we'll probably have to add a pet too."