I, Hogwarts Week Two

Chapter 493 Emergency Meeting

"You can't even tell the truth," Irving said with an unhappy look on his face.

"Why? Is self-stable education popular in the wizarding world now?"

"Okay Owen, please know the situation!" Harry bumped into Owen's arm and said in a low voice.

"So--" Owen rolled his eyes at Harry and said, "You're admitting that you'll come back to class if you change professors, right!"

"I didn't!" Harry retorted immediately.

"I think it's obvious!" Owen sneered, "You are such an ungrateful bastard! Humph!"

"." Harry's face turned blue and red.

Hermione quickly spoke to comfort him, "Don't be fooled by him, he is just upset because he has classes and we don't."

As she spoke, the little witch realized that her explanation was becoming more and more confusing. It was as if they were really glad that they didn't take the Care of Magical Creatures course.

"Uh - that - Hagrid, what is that!"

Seeing that both sides' faces were becoming increasingly worse, Hermione quickly changed the subject.

She noticed a large barrel in the corner.

A strange crunching sound came from inside.

Looking closely, she found that the bucket was filled with maggot-like things about a foot long, sticky, white, and wriggling constantly.

Hermione put down the tea bucket in her hand, suppressed the churning in her stomach, and tried her best to smile, making her tone sound merely curious rather than disgusted.

"Damn, that's disgusting!" Owen said bluntly with a frown.

"Giant grub." Hagrid glared at Owen and said coldly
"Will I turn into a fly?" Irving stood up and moved his bench to the other side.

Taking Hermione along.

"Oh my god - why do you keep something like this?"

"No!" said Hagrid angrily. "I keep them to feed Aragog."

As he spoke, his expression suddenly darkened.

Tears dripped from his big eyes.

Without any warning, he suddenly started crying.

"Hagrid!" Hermione called, jumping up and hurrying around the table - deliberately going around the far end to avoid the bucket of giant grubs.

She put her arm around Hagrid's shaking shoulders. "What's the matter?"

"It... it is..." sobbed Hagrid, tears streaming from his dark little eyes, and he wiped his face with his apron. "It's... Aragog... I think it's dying... It's been sick all summer and it hasn't gotten better... I don't know, if it... if it... what should I do... We've been together for so long..."

Hermione patted Hagrid's shoulder, not really sure what to say.

Harry knew how she felt.

No one would consider a talking acromantula their friend.

Hagrid is the only one in the whole world who would do this.

"What can we do?" Hermione ignored Owen whose eyes suddenly lit up and focused on Hagrid.

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do, Hermione," Hagrid sobbed. "You know? In the tribe, in Aragog's family... they saw that it was sick and behaved strangely... it's a little out of control..."

"When will he be able to control his descendants?" Owen shrugged.

Over the past few years, almost all the eight-eyed giant spiders have turned to Voldemort. Only the old, weak and sick are left in the Forbidden Forest. And the remaining ones are not obedient beasts. They just haven't shown up in the past two years because they are afraid of the power of wizards.

This time, Hagrid didn't object.

Because it is.

It was no secret that the Acromantula had turned to Voldemort.

These beasts can be found in many places.

"Aragog is not dead yet!" Owen suddenly became energetic and said, "Wait until it is completely dead, remember..."

"Owen!" Hermione snapped.

"Okay, okay. Okay! I'll shut up." The boy spread his hands.

Finally, he murmured softly.

"A gallon of the old man's venom would probably sell for several hundred Galleons."

Although Owen's voice was low, Hagrid's room was not big either.

The sound of his words was completely heard by others.

Harry and Ron both looked embarrassed.

Hermione was a little angry.

As for Hagrid - what did he say?

He was a little discouraged.

Looking distraught.

"Well, Hagrid, I think you should cheer up. After all, you are still a professor, and..." The girl frowned, suppressing some emotions in her heart and continued: "And your friends definitely don't want to see you like this."

"Besides - where is Ms. Olympe Maxime? How are you getting along with her? I didn't even hear you say you were there."

Suddenly, Hagrid's hut became even colder.

Owen quietly gave Hermione a thumbs up and said, "Good boy, you are really good at exposing people's scars."

I haven't heard any progress between the two of them for over a year. Doesn't that speak volumes?

If they were getting along so well that they were talking about marriage, wouldn't Hagrid be happy to tell them?
Sure enough, as soon as Hermione finished speaking, Hagrid's face immediately became even darker.

"Oh! No!" Hermione covered her forehead and instantly realized that she had said the wrong thing.

The giant, whose tears had almost stopped, had tears in his eyes again.

"The situation in Europe is so chaotic now, especially in Paris. Ms. Olivia Maxime will definitely focus on the war. How could she have the mind to talk about love affairs now?" She hurriedly found an excuse for Ms. Olivia Maxime.

Although it is not clear what exactly happened between the two.

But there is definitely nothing wrong with saying this.

Because all problems can be blamed on war.

On the other side, Owen was whispering to Harry.

"That acromantula is dying," he said.

"What's wrong?" Harry glanced at him.

"The venom of the Spider King is extremely precious. When the time comes, you can tell Slughorn about it. He will definitely be interested." Owen said confidently, "You can use this information to get closer to him."

"?" Harry was stunned.

Then he said, "That is indeed a solution. But what exactly does Dumbledore want from Slughorn?"

So far, Dumbledore had not told Harry what exactly he needed.

All he was asked to do was get on good terms with Slughorn.

Owen glanced at Hermione who was comforting Hagrid, then tilted his head and whispered, "Slughorn used to be Tom's professor and his most proud student."

"Regarding Horcruxes, Dumbledore speculated that some of the knowledge might have been revealed to Tom by him."

"You don't think Voldemort knew it all by nature! He learned and grew up slowly."

"Horcrux!" Harry's eyes widened. This was the first time he heard this news. "Did Slughorn create the present Voldemort?"

"No..." Owen shook his head. "It has an impact but it's not decisive. Decades ago, there were books about Horcruxes in the Hogwarts library. As you know, there are so many books in the castle that a person probably can't even read one-tenth of them in his lifetime. No one knows how many dark magics are in them."

"Voldemort found information about Horcruxes from those books."

"Of course, Slughorn has to tell you in person what he said to Voldemort, but your burden is now heavier." Owen paused and continued, "You also have to find out the truth about Regulus' death. Slughorn must know something, which may be more important than Voldemort's Horcrux."

"Why me?" Harry whispered blankly.

"You're the most suitable one! Anyway, Slughorn doesn't talk to me anymore. Hermione has also been affected. As for Ron, he doesn't have much talent in Potions, and even with that old textbook, he's only so-so. So you're the most suitable one. Besides, this is the task Dumbledore gave you."

Owen certainly knew Dumbledore's purpose.

The first is the question of the number of Voldemort's Horcruxes.

Although he had previously speculated that there were seven Horcruxes, there was no evidence, and old Dumbledore needed to verify it from Slughorn.

Also, Voldemort's seven Horcruxes.

The diary, the locket, the golden cup, the crown, the mysterious statue and Harry, six of them have been found or destroyed.

But the Gaunt ring was missing.

The Riddle family's ancestral home was razed to the ground several years ago.

The ring was most likely taken away by Voldemort at the time.

No one knows exactly where the Gaunt Ring is now.

Dumbledore needs more memories of Voldemort in order to deduce his current location.

This is very important.

Even Owen worried that Voldemort might have discovered the secret of the Resurrection Stone.

The Resurrection Stone, one of the three holy relics, is inlaid on Gaunt's ring.

Back then, his grandfather Grindelwald had been looking for the Resurrection Stone.

It can be used to create an army of Inferi.

As for Voldemort, he has never had love in his heart, and no one has ever loved him, so even if he holds the Resurrection Stone, he will not see anything. In the original book, he never discovered the secret of the Resurrection Stone. But after the Battle of Berlin, Owen speculated that he may have learned the secret of the Resurrection Stone.

"——Huh." Owen sighed slightly.

Although the Resurrection Stone is a powerful weapon for creating an army of Inferi, they are just Inferi - apart from causing some trouble, they cannot have any effect on wizards. Even the Muggle army can easily kill these Inferi. If it were not for a sudden outbreak in a densely populated city like a city, they would not even suffer any casualties.

But trouble is trouble.

Who wants to fight a bunch of Inferi if they don't have to?

----

Hermione spent the next moment comforting Hagrid.

And Harry talked about what he saw and heard in the headmaster's office.

This included a memory of Voldemort that he saw in the Pensieve.

About his mother and father.

Owen was very surprised by what Harry said. He didn't expect that in such a chaotic situation, Dumbledore would still have the mood and time to show Harry those things.

Perhaps it was from this time that Old Man Dumbledore was already hinting at the connection between him and Voldemort, and the fact that Harry had to face death again.

They talked for about an hour.

The rain outside lightened a little, and the few of them got up and left Hagrid's hut.

Buckle was captured by Owen.

This dragon must not be left alone any longer.

Plus, Hagrid has been in a bad mood lately, so the care he's received for it may not be adequate.

It would be better if he took it back to the castle to raise it.

On the ridge, the path was very muddy because it had just rained.

Every step they took would stir up mud, and no matter how careful they were, their trouser legs would still be stained with mud.

Just as they returned to the bridge and were about to enter the castle.

An unexpected figure squeezed out of the air with a "puff" sound.

"Master." A bullfrog-like voice sounded.

The person who came was a house-elf wearing a dirty rag and almost naked.

Its head was bald, but a lot of white hair had grown in its two large bat-like ears. Its eyes were bloodshot and gray, and its fleshy nose was so big that it looked like a pig's nose.

As soon as Owen heard the voice, he knew who it was.

Kreacher, the elf of the Black family.

Only it still uses the slave's name for the master, calling him Master.

Other elves, such as Dobby and the elves in the Hogwarts kitchens, would simply address him as sir.

"Kreacher?" Harry was very surprised that this elf appeared here.

"Why are you here?"

"Someone is looking for you." Kreacher replied in a low voice. "It's Miss."

Hearing this, Owen frowned slightly.

"time and location!"

"Right now," said Kreacher. "In the Forbidden Forest." It pointed in a direction.

"Okay, I get it." Owen nodded.

The next second, Kreacher disappeared with a 'puff' sound.

"She's looking for you?" Hermione knew about the deal between Bella and Owen.

I also know that their contact is Kreacher.

"It seems to be a very important matter." Owen nodded, then turned around and headed towards the forbidden forest.

Hermione followed immediately.

Harry and Ron were completely confused, with a lot of questions in their minds. They didn't stop for long and followed.

"The war in Europe has been going on for months. It is normal for Voldemort to take new actions. But -"

"But she shouldn't come to you in person!" Hermione helped Owen express his guess. "If it's general information, just let Kreacher pass it on."

"That's right." Owen nodded. "A month ago, I think she passed on the message, but she said that the Death Eaters were in a state of chaos recently and it was difficult to contact me. Now."

"Is this another conspiracy?" Hermione asked immediately. She never believed in dark wizards like Bella.

"Probably not." Owen said, "We have the protection of the Fidelius Charm, and if she wanted to trick us out of the castle, she should have arranged the meeting place farther away, not at the edge of the Forbidden Forest."

"There is Professor Dumbledore in the castle, and the Aurors are watching closely. She won't be that stupid."

"And..." The boy raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a sneer, "Where does she get the confidence to think she can beat me?"

"Even if our dear senior Tom comes in person, it will be impossible for him to defeat us quietly."

"Hmm." Hermione pursed her lips, her face full of worry, but Owen was right. With their current strength, even Voldemort could not defeat them easily.

The two fell silent.

Harry and Ron behind him didn't interrupt.

Although they were surprised by the name Bella, all their confusion would be solved soon, so there was no rush to ask questions.

The four of them walked slowly towards the edge of the forbidden forest.

The sky in the distance was covered with dark clouds, blocking the last trace of sunlight, and the forest was shrouded in thick shadows.

The wet ground reflected the faint light, as if it was a silent lake, with no ripples, only bottomless darkness.

The leaves trembled in the cold wind, making rustling sounds, as if whispering unknown secrets. Raindrops slid down the leaves and hit the ground, splashing water, and the sound echoed in the silent forest, which seemed particularly abrupt.

The air was filled with the smell of dampness and earth, mixed with an indescribable dullness that seemed to be suppressing people's breathing.

Suddenly, the four of them stopped.

Just in front of where they were looking, under a fir tree that required four adults to surround it, Bellatrix Lestrange was leaning against the trunk, slumped on the ground.

Her black dress, which looked like a formal gown, was stained with mud.

His face was a strange blue-white color, and one of his eyes had turned a cloudy milky white.

She had one hand on her neck and the other holding her wand.

The exposed part of his chest was covered with acne-like wounds.

The green, yellow and blue colors mixed together and looked filthy.

The neck was throbbing violently.

Even if she covered it with her hands, it was still clearly visible.

It seemed as if there was some creature under her skin, sucking her blood in big gulps.

Owen stepped forward quickly.

Under Bella's weak, cold and sinister gaze, he removed the hand that was protecting her neck.

"Is this a dead root?"

Owen asked speculatively.

Because the thing under her skin looked like some kind of roots, with countless green threads spreading to all parts of her body.

It was as if the roots were using her body as a hotbed and growing wildly.

"Junior." Bella said weakly.

He only uttered two words and then he didn't have the strength to speak again.

Seeing this, Owen didn't say anything. He took out the Phoenix Wand, pointed the tip of the wand at her neck, and slid it gently.

The already cracked skin suddenly split open.

Then he stretched out his left hand, cut his index finger, and a drop of blood flowed out.

In another kind of vision that ordinary people cannot observe, the drop of blood is accompanied by the overflow of terrifying ancient magic power.

Almost instantly, the roots under Bella's neck seemed to be inspired and stretched out several roots, trying to devour his blood.

Irving naturally wouldn't let him succeed.

He slowly removed his fingers.

Little by little, the roots of temptation were peeled away from Bella's body.

Of course, he has simpler and more brutal methods, but although those methods can kill the roots 100%, there is a high probability that they will also kill Bella as well.

This intelligence girl is still somewhat useful, and it would be a shame to kill her now.

That's why Irving used such primitive means.

The extraction of roots is extremely painful.

This can be seen from Bella's sudden arched body, the unconscious trembling all over, and the whole distracted state, as if she had suffered a stroke.

And this pain did not end quickly. Instead, it lasted for a long time.

Peeling off the [dead roots] like peeling off silk threads from an onion is certainly not something that can be done quickly.

(End of this chapter)