Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 268 Entrance

"Team One, you have the most people, so you're responsible for keeping a close eye on the junior wizards from the other schools. Until the time is up, no matter what pranks you use, don't let any junior wizard leave the lounge!"

"Yes!"

"Second team, I'm leaving the Marauder's Map and the projector to you. Everyone must keep a close eye on every entrance and exit of Hogwarts and report to me promptly on the entry and exit status and the number of people."

"Yes!"

"Finally, check your communication devices. If there is any special situation, you must report it immediately. Otherwise, pay attention to safety."

"Yes!"

After making arrangements for everyone, Draco turned to look at Zabini and the others, and frowned upon seeing them.

"Where is Gella?"

"Thea sent word that Gala has gone to make preparations."

Pansy's answer did not satisfy Draco, and the phrase "Thea sent a message" made the group scratch their heads in frustration. They should have known better; Thea hadn't given Draco or the others any news since she left school!

If it weren't for Draco and his friends' keen sense of smell, they probably would have thought tonight was just an ordinary night, just like the other houses!

“Never mind,” Draco waved his hand and then said, “Let’s go, we should get moving.”

The group understood each other, and apart from Pansy and Daphne staying behind to gather the next information, Draco and the others headed towards their destination—the Room of Requirement.

The actions of the group naturally did not escape the notice of Snape, the Dean of the House, but in the end he did nothing. Firstly, because he had not yet completed the task Dumbledore had given him, and secondly, because of Draco's identity, they could be considered "colleagues" from the moment he accepted the mission to assassinate Dumbledore.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The perspective shifts to Dumbledore's side.

Dumbledore said they had arrived at their destination, but in reality they were still some distance away. In order not to waste time, they chose to swim directly there.

Seeing Dumbledore jump into the water without hesitation, Harry didn't hesitate either, biting his wand in his mouth and jumping in.

The seawater was cold; that was Harry's first impression.

Perhaps it was Harry's imagination, but he felt that Dumbledore seemed a little... anxious today?

Perhaps this word doesn't quite fit Dumbledore, but whether it's his earlier statement that "the time is almost up" or his current subtle urgency, these all indicate that Dumbledore is extraordinary.

The icy seawater numbed Harry's body, but it also helped him to ignore the slight unease in his heart and focus all his energy on resisting the cold.

Harry swam for an unknown amount of time until Dumbledore pulled him ashore, at which point he finally moved his frozen body.

Fortunately, he only needs to swim back at most. If he had to do it a few more times, he couldn't guarantee he would still be alive to complete Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration assignment.

Dumbledore was unaware of Harry's thoughts. After drying Harry's clothes and casting a Warming Charm on him, he focused entirely on the towering rock face.

The wait was tedious, and Harry forced himself to focus on Dumbledore's "deciphering" actions, but he still couldn't help looking around.

The salty, cold sea breeze, the surging waves, the deserted rocky beach—everything seemed normal, yet Harry felt inexplicably restless.

I always feel like something is watching me.

Just as people subconsciously guess what scary things might be lurking in the dark, Harry also started to get chills while waiting.

"...Magic, all magic leaves a trace."

Dumbledore's voice broke Harry's wandering thoughts at just the right moment, and he once again focused his attention on Dumbledore's next move.

Dumbledore stopped standing still and began to touch the rough rock wall with his hands, occasionally stopping to tap or bang on something.

He eventually concluded, "This is the entrance."

Following his gaze, Harry saw nothing. Then, Dumbledore pressed his wand against the rock wall, and as the two met, a stream of light, as if alive, pierced into the rock wall, but quickly disappeared.

“We may have to pay a price,” Dumbledore said. “I guess it will be blood.”

"Blood?"

Harry looked stunned and asked, but he quickly replied, "Use mine!"

Dumbledore paused slightly as he met Harry's gaze.

"...Voldemort wanted to weaken us, so he set up this trap. Professor is very capable, so it's obvious that this is your time to shine... Therefore, I am the most suitable candidate."

Harry's perseverance ultimately pleased Dumbledore, but it didn't change Dumbledore's mind.

Watching Dumbledore press his cut hand against the rock wall, Harry wished he could cut his own hand right now and replace the hand on the rock wall with his own!

"Harry, don't forget what you promised me."

Dumbledore's words stopped Harry from taking action.

"No one's sacrifice is a given; life is the most priceless treasure in the world."

“I’m over a hundred years old. I can’t let a child stand in front of me and go to the battlefield in my place.”

As he spoke, Dumbledore suddenly became somewhat dazed, perhaps due to the dizziness caused by the rock wall sucking his blood. Suddenly, a pair of eternally calm black eyes appeared in Dumbledore's mind.

"professor?"

Perhaps the rock wall finally got what it wanted, because a small crack appeared on its surface. The crack grew larger and larger, eventually forming a gap large enough for a person to pass through.

Behind the crevice lay darkness, like the gaping maw of an abyss, waiting for its prey.

"Let's go!"

Dumbledore regained his composure and took the lead, entering the crevice first.

As soon as Harry entered, he saw a vast, black lake in front of him. The lake was expansive and seemed to stretch to the horizon. Only in the distance, in the center of the lake, did a green light rise straight up, which seemed to spell out the word "conspiracy" in the darkness.

"We need to go there."

Dumbledore spoke succinctly, but his gaze subtly shifted towards the entrance, finding no unusual sounds, which reassured him slightly.

Dumbledore turned his gaze back to the lake, reconsidering his actions. A moment later, he extended his wand—

The wand swept through the air, and light appeared, spreading layer upon layer across the lake.

Dumbledore closed his eyes slightly, sensing the magical fluctuations in the air.

Suddenly, his hand reached out in a certain direction and then grasped it. A chain-like metal object slowly emerged with the sound of water.

Before long, the small boat connected to the end of the chain also surfaced.

“Let’s go,” Dumbledore called to Harry.

Watching Dumbledore nimbly leap onto the small boat, Harry sensed that Dumbledore was in a bit of a hurry.

Perhaps it's because they're about to find Voldemort's Horcruxes?

Harry guessed.