stjorthotic Chapter 211: Lure the snake out of its hole
Chapter 211: Lure the snake out of its hole
Chapter 211: Lure the snake out of its hole
Snape let out a series of undisguised, sarcastic snorts, his lips twisting into a mocking arc. Professor McGonagall's brow furrowed even more; she was clearly impatient with Lockhart's hindsight and his tendency to steer the conversation toward self-aggrandizement.
Lynch showed no emotion, but continued to press, "So, you didn't actually see him enter the Hufflepuff common room, but only parted ways with him in the hallway leading to the common room, right?"
"Yes—yes, you could say that." Lockhart shrugged, trying to maintain a polite smile. "But I'm sure he went straight back! It's just steps from the lounge!"
After leaving Lockhart's office, which was filled with overpowering perfume and an air of vanity, and returning to Professor McGonagall's office, Lynch and the other two fell into a brief silence.
"A walking disaster," Snape broke the silence first, his voice low, "his stupidity and vanity alone are enough to constitute a crime."
Professor McGonagall's remaining professional ethics and integrity prevented her from commenting; she simply stated, "We need to verify Professor Lockhart's claims."
Lynch didn't speak; he took action again.
He carefully inquired about all the portraits along the route from Lockhart's office to the Hufflepuff common room.
This process took some time, but the results largely matched Lockhart's description.
Several portraits hanging in the relevant corridors, including a dozing nun and several gossipy nobles, confirmed that Professor Lockhart and Justin Finley were seen passing by together after curfew last night, heading towards the Hufflepuff common room.
They also confirmed that shortly afterward, Lockhart was seen returning alone by the same route, his expression—in the words of the nun's portrait—"seemingly still smug about something."
Their last impression of Justin was indeed that he parted ways with Lockhart and walked alone towards the pile of large barrels. Afterwards, the portrait at the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room did not show Justin returning to the common room.
Lynch returned to his two waiting colleagues and compiled the testimonies from the portrait.
"The portrait confirms Lockhart's words," Lynch concluded calmly. "He did indeed take Justin to the vicinity of the lounge, but he didn't see him go in."
Snape's expression darkened further: "Does this mean that Finley's accident happened on the short stretch between separating from that fool and actually entering the common room? Or—did he never intend to go straight back?"
Professor McGonagall said with concern, "So who or what led Mr. Finley to that secluded corridor?"
The investigation has reached a dead end; all leads have been exhausted.
Lockhart provided an alibi, and there was a sketch to corroborate this. Justin disappeared and was attacked during the very short journey he took after leaving Lockhart and returning alone to the lounge.
The truth of the story was as if it had been erased from the sky by the most skillful magic.
Lin Qi stood by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky outside, then suddenly turned around, breaking the suffocating silence.
"We've been chasing the attacker's shadow, but we've overlooked the most basic question." His voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet office. "Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, please tell me, what exactly does this mastermind want?"
McGonagall and Snape exchanged a glance, both seeing the same confusion in each other's eyes. The question was too simple, yet too fundamental, to have been overlooked during the intense investigation.
"Based on the information left at the scenes of the two attacks," Lynch continued without waiting for their reply, "the Chamber of Secrets next to Madam Norris has been opened," and there's also the threat against Muggle-born students. He didn't want the lives of any specific person, but rather to create panic at Hogwarts, and more importantly, to incite mutual suspicion and even hatred between Muggle-born and wizarding students.
The office was so quiet you could hear the wind outside the window.
Lynch's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.
"So," Lynch's gaze swept across his two colleagues' faces, "I suggest we let him have his way."
"What?!" Professor McGonagall jumped to her feet, her eyes wide behind her glasses. "Professor Lynch, do you know what you're saying? Letting panic and suspicion spread among the students? This will cause a riot!"
"No," Lynch replied calmly. "What we need to do is allow this emotion to exist, but not let it spread. Like channeling a flood, rather than simply blocking it. Let this antagonistic emotion exist, but don't let it get out of control. That way, the person hiding in the shadows will feel that their goal is about to be achieved, but lacks the final push, and will then strike again."
Snape, who had stood silently in the shadows, suddenly spoke: "The risk is great." His voice was as cold as the air in a cellar. "How can you ensure that the situation doesn't truly spiral out of control?"
"That's where we professors come in," Lynch said, turning to Snape. "We need to be more vigilant and more observant than ever before. Minerva, you're the vice-principal, with the highest prestige among the students; you'll be in charge. Severus, you're the head of Slytherin; pure-blood ideas are most likely to take root in your house, and I need you to watch out for any unusual statements or movements."
Professor McGonagall sat down again, her hands clenched tightly together, revealing her inner struggle.
"I understand your thinking, Professor Lynch. Using students as bait to lure out the dangerous attacker. But—it's too risky. What if anything goes wrong—"
"If you have a better idea, I'm all ears," Lynch said softly, looking directly at McGonagall.
Silence fell in the office once again.
After a long pause, Professor McGonagall took a deep breath, as if she had made a firm decision. Her shoulders slumped slightly, then straightened again, more upright than ever before. She was an educator, and protecting her students was her duty, but sometimes, to eliminate threats at their root, she had to resort to extraordinary measures. Lynch's proposal seemed like a very feasible plan.
"Alright." She finally conceded, but then her gaze sharpened again, becoming as keen as the sword of Gryffindor. "But I need to make it clear beforehand that this is conditional and time-limited. If this method doesn't produce any results by the end of the month, we must immediately stop, set things right, and use the strongest measures to eradicate this malpractice and appease the students. At that time, I will personally explain the situation to Headmaster Dumbledore and take full responsibility."
"Agreed." Lynch nodded. "If there's no progress by the end of the month, I'll follow your orders."
Snape's sallow face was expressionless, except for a barely audible hum from his nose.
"I will keep a close eye on Slytherin," he said simply, which was tantamount to acknowledging the plan for this adventure.
"There's another problem," Professor McGonagall said, her gaze fixed on Lynch. "How can we ensure we can apprehend the attackers in time if another attack occurs?"
Lynch appeared confident, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Excuse me... would you mind if, occasionally, a little... just the right amount of fog appeared in the castle?"