Who let this Dementor into Hogwarts!

Chapter 551 The Cold Grim Reaper Turns into a Warm Automated Chat Device
After Death stopped nagging him, Cohen felt the whole world was finally at peace.

He kept saying he wanted to talk to me, but he didn't reveal any information until I replied.

Cohen said: Riddlers must be punished.

Therefore, Cohen now firmly stands on Edward's side.

Back at Hogwarts Castle, they were finally free from the howling wind, which caused Harry's little mind to start working at full speed again, and he began trying to find the suspects in Slughorn's murder—

"Do you think Malfoy might be the murderer of Slughorn?" Harry guessed. "He wasn't invited to join the Slug Club by Slughorn, then joined the Death Eaters, bought a huge bag of contraband from Borgin Burke, and Snape said that Pierce Sinkness protected Malfoy at the start of school—because Malfoy tried to bring dark magic items into the school..."

Hermione wanted to say something, but Cohen immediately dispelled Harry's doubts.

“It’s not Malfoy,” Cohen said. “He’s got other things on his mind right now.”

“But if…” Harry still insisted that Malfoy was the murderer, his anger towards Malfoy had been rising in recent days, much stronger than the simple house rivalry of the past.

Cohen speculated that it was because Malfoy had actually murdered "Harry's best friend".

Harry didn't rush over to duel Malfoy directly because of the mediation between Korn and Dumbledore.

“He’ll only make his parents die faster by doing this,” Cohen said. “Slughorn isn’t as easy to talk to as Dumbledore or me—if he gets caught and can’t complete the mission, his whole family will die. He wouldn’t do something like this even if he were stupid.”

“I really don’t understand why they would allow a Death Eater into the school,” Harry said angrily.

“I don’t understand it either,” Ron agreed. “Speaking of which, has anyone lifted Malfoy’s robes to check if he has the Dark Mark on his wrist?”

“If he really did have one, he would definitely cover it up with some kind of magic or fake skin.” Hermione shook her head. “If Dumbledore were willing to help him…”

“Because Dumbledore thinks he can still be saved,” Cohen said. “That’s what gives Dumbledore a headache. Oh, and Slughorn, I saved his life, he should give me some reward…”
-
However, Cohen did not find Slughorn in his office. After borrowing Harry's Marauder's Map, Cohen discovered that Slughorn was in Dumbledore's office and seemed to be discussing with Dumbledore about someone trying to murder him.

Curious, Cohen went to the stone statue downstairs from the headmaster's office, wanting to wait and see the final result of Slughorn and Dumbledore's discussion.

“The chubby old professor was furious,” the stone statue said to Cohen. “The skinny, bad student was just watching the show—”

"It was me who saved that 'chubby old professor,' what do you mean I was just watching the show?" Cohen questioned.

“Because you look very happy!” the statue said as if singing.

“I don’t understand your way of thinking, Stone.” Cohen shook his head.

This gargoyle often says things that don't make sense—Cohen didn't seem particularly happy at all.

“I know…I know…Dumbledore, but—”

“It seems the scope of the inspection should be broadened to ensure the safety of the professors,” Dumbledore said. “I’m sorry this happened, Horace.”

Two old men, one tall and one short, came down the spiral staircase. Dumbledore was behind Slughorn, as if seeing him off.

“Ah, my little hero.” Slughorn forced a pale smile at Cohen. “Are you here to see Dumbledore? You two chat, I think I need to go back and drop off a few more gifts. I just remembered there are a few students who might not like me that much…”

Slughorn strode away, his long white beard drooping, looking very dejected.

“Horace was terrified,” Dumbledore said sadly. “He often told me about his experiences of pulling strings to get students into key departments of the Ministry of Magic, but some vipers always bite the one who embraces them.” “I thought he was going to quit,” Cohen said. “He’d witnessed two murders in less than two months of teaching.”

“That was true at first, but he realized that leaving school wouldn’t make life any safer.” Dumbledore sighed. “Did you come to me because you have something to say? Before that, I must thank you sincerely for saving Horace’s life. He is one of my few and longest-lasting friends.”

“It was nothing, and I didn’t really want that strange old man to succeed,” Cohen said. “Headmaster, I came to ask you a question…”

Do you think Death is real?

"Sorry? 'Death'?" Dumbledore asked.

“Let me put it another way, Grim Reaper. Have you heard of him or seen any records of him?” Cohen asked.

“Come in and talk,” Dumbledore said, putting his hand on Cohen’s shoulder.

After arriving at the headmaster's office, Cohen briefly recounted what he had seen to Dumbledore.

“In fact, I had looked for such things before,” Dumbledore recalled. “Death, powerful magical relics, and spells that touch the soul and life and death—but I’m sorry, Cohen, I’ve never seen a real ‘Death,’ nor have I ever seen any record of it in any documented literature.”

“Oh…” Cohen said.

“I agree with Edward; if you did see him, remaining silent is a safe option,” Dumbledore said. “He’s been trying to entice you to talk to him, hasn’t he?”

“Yes,” Cohen said. “Like all nagging old men, I bet you know them well.”

"Me?" Dumbledore asked with interest.

"..." Cohen looked at Dumbledore with a blank expression.

“No need to give examples like that,” Dumbledore said.

"..."

"Cohen, okay, I get what you mean. You don't need to treat me the same way you treat him."

Dumbledore closed his eyes and sighed.

“We are having a discussion; one-sided statements do not count as a discussion.”

"..."

“Cohen,” Dumbledore repeated.

“Like this,” Cohen shrugged. “But he had less patience than you; he only acted as an automated chatterbox for a few minutes before disappearing again.”

“I know now,” Dumbledore said helplessly, “but I think there are some people who can answer your question—some of the people who are most likely to have seen Death.”

"Who?" Cohen asked, tilting his head. "Do you have any more members at 'near-death experience clubs'? Isn't it dangerous for elderly people to participate in this—"

“Ghosts, Cohen.” Dumbledore blinked his deep blue eyes. “You can ask them; there is no one more qualified to answer the question of ‘death’ than them.”

(End of this chapter)