From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 45: A messy corridor
The professors filed in from the stairs. In addition to Professor McGonagall who was leading the way, Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell followed behind.

Hermione felt nervous because she had never faced so many professors alone, let alone an angry Professor McGonagall.

I used to be Professor McGonagall's favorite student, it's all Ivy's fault for insisting on finding some Halloween surprise!

Hermione thought angrily.

Wait, speaking of Halloween surprises... Professor Quirrell! Could it be that he put that mountain-sized monster into the castle? But why did he do that?
Once people have a target of suspicion, they can always connect various clues together. Hermione immediately remembered the scene when the professors entered this corridor from the stairs before - they came from different directions. Snape and Quirrell came down from upstairs, while Professor McGonagall came up from downstairs.

Hermione knew what was upstairs - the three-headed dog and what it was guarding. Unlike Ron, who only knew how to brag about how brave he was, Hermione knew very well that there was a trapdoor under the three-headed dog, so Professor Dumbledore must have put it there to guard something.

That being the case...

Hermione made the most daring decision of her life! She wanted to deceive three professors with one lie!

I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall.

Hermione apologized quietly to Professor McGonagall and glanced quickly at her pale lips.

"I..." The burnt smell in the air made Hermione feel sick. She couldn't help but miss the bubble that Ivy had just put on her head. "I just wanted to take a walk around the castle while everyone was having a party... I didn't expect there would be such a huge monster wandering around in the castle..."

Oh - it's terrible!

As soon as the lie came out, Hermione couldn't help but comment to herself, she didn't attend the dinner in the hall and wandered around Hogwarts alone? It's amazing that she could come up with such a lame lie. No professor should be fooled, right?
Hermione prayed for her lie and turned to meet Snape's dark eyes that were shining with suspicion.

"Miss Granger." Hermione turned her head and saw that Professor McGonagall's lips had regained some color. "I know you are a capable child, but promise me that you'd better stay with everyone next time."

"I promise!" Hermione didn't expect to be able to get away with it like this, and she answered Professor McGonagall as quickly as possible, as if she would become suspicious if she was any later.

"I don't understand one thing," Professor McGonagall's eyes flashed inquiringly under her glasses, "How did you manage to paint a giant monster over twelve feet tall... um... on the wall?"

This was the question Hermione least wanted to face, because answering it would mean she would have to tell a second lie.

"...When I saw that mountain-sized troll walking towards me with a stick in hand, I was so frightened that I even closed my eyes. Then I heard a 'bang!'..." Hermione made an explosion gesture, "and the corridor became like this... I'm sorry, Professor."

After saying that, Hermione lowered her messy head and stopped herself from looking at the doubtful expressions on the professors' faces.

Ivy and the Elemental Orbs were not around, and if Hermione told everything about them, she might not be able to return to bed on time tonight.

"Oh..." Professor McGonagall did not continue to ask. She just patted Hermione's shoulder comfortingly, "Today must be difficult for you, Miss Granger. Well, now it's time to go back and rest. The kitchen will deliver food to the common room. You should also enjoy the festive atmosphere."

"Professor McGonagall..." Hermione looked up. She felt extremely guilty. Not only did she lie to Professor McGonagall, but she also said, "You didn't even deduct a single point from me..." "If this weren't a classroom, I would have given you a few extra points." Professor McGonagall returned to her usual serious tone. "Now, go back before I change my mind."

Hermione nodded hesitantly and quickly ran off.

"Professor McGonagall, don't tell me you didn't realize she was lying." Snape stared at Hermione's figure disappearing on the stairs, then turned around and spoke to Professor McGonagall in a slow tone.

"So what, Severus? I think the professors who neglected their duty and let the troll into the castle should be more to be blamed than the little witches who wandered around during the Halloween party." Professor McGonagall looked at her two colleagues with a condemning look, then raised her wand amid Quirrell's sobs, ready to repair the corridor that had been bombarded by the fireball.

"Minerva," a voice called to her. It was Dumbledore.

In order to cope with Halloween Eve, Dumbledore specially changed into a childlike robe embroidered with bats, and a small pumpkin lantern was hung on the top of the wizard's hat.

"And Severus, go and comfort your students. Leave this to me." Dumbledore's figure appeared from the other end of the corridor. He nimbly stepped over the scattered armor fragments, trying his best to prevent the burnt and smelly troll tissue from sticking to the soles of his shoes.

Snape's dark eyes swept across Dumbledore, and then fixed on Quirrell: "Professor Quirrell, the joy potion may make you feel much better. Perhaps I can make you some?"

"Thank you! Thank you..." Quirrell thanked Snape repeatedly while crying, and left with Snape.

Professor McGonagall watched the two men disappear completely, then quickly walked up to Dumbledore and asked in a low voice, "Are you sure about your plan..."

Under Dumbledore's serious gaze, Professor McGonagall could not go on. She whispered again: "Okay... but you have to remember Dumbledore, my students are still just children!"

"But some of them are born with a heavy fate." Dumbledore shook his head at her, indicating that the topic should not be continued.

Professor McGonagall didn't bother any more and turned away.

"Perhaps we should talk." Dumbledore said softly in the empty corridor.

"Haha." Ivy appeared with a low laugh, "I heard something interesting."

"Exquisite magic." Dumbledore exclaimed. "I have never seen a spell that can help someone change their appearance. If I hadn't looked carefully, I would have been fooled."

Ivy realized that he was talking about disguise. It seemed that the senior Slytherin student went to the dinner with his own face.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Ivy asked, "There are dark wizards in the castle. Is that also your plan?"

"Quirinus is a poor man, but I believe he still has a chance to turn back." Dumbledore did not hide anything and directly pointed out Quirrell's identity, which meant that he had noticed Quirrell's situation from the beginning.

(End of this chapter)