Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 120: Crisis

"She didn't even tell you guys, no wonder..."

Ron told the girls that they were struggling to walk through the crowded corridor.

"If you lived with her, you would know that she was like a nightmare."

"A blonde Gryffindor girl said angrily."

Just then, someone bumped into Harry and then hurried past them.

It's Hermione.

Harry caught a glimpse of her face—and he was surprised to see that she was crying.

"I think she heard what you said."

Harry had been feeling very uncomfortable ever since those girls said those hurtful things.

Even Ron was stunned at this moment.

"so what?"

The girls spoke, but a hint of unease also showed.
"I think she must have noticed by now that she doesn't have a single friend!"

……

Halloween is indeed a lot of fun.
Especially after learning that it was unlikely that Ron and the others would clash with Hermione.

Sheen entered the hall and saw a dazzling array of Halloween decorations—a thousand bats fluttering on the walls and ceiling, and another thousand like low, dark clouds hovering above the tables, causing the candle flames inside the pumpkins to flicker.

The first thing served on the golden plates was a lot of desserts, just like at the banquet at the start of the school year.

Sheen sat at a secluded long table in Ravenclaw, waiting for Hermione, Justin, and Neville.

Just then, he saw Professor Quirrell walk out of the auditorium, trembling and walking quickly, as if he were going to do some homework or something.

He often forgets what he's doing and then leaves in a hurry.

From the teachers' table, Professor Snape watched him leave with a cold gaze.

Of course, there was another pair of eyes like that under the teacher's seat.

Neville was already seated, and Justin Sheehan knew he was busy in the kitchen, but where was Hermione?

Sheehan glanced around the long table and confirmed that Hermione was not in the Great Hall.

At that moment, a group of ghosts emerged from beneath the auditorium and passed through the area.

They discussed the deliciousness of their lunch, including maggots, rotten fish, spoiled cake, and moldy cheese.

In the magical world, people who die may become ghosts, and ghosts lose many of the pleasures of the living, such as eating.
However, if the food is in a state of extreme decay, to the point that it would suffocate a living person, a ghost can taste it.

Therefore, ghosts often gather beneath the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

Behind these passing ghosts were two unexpected figures for Sheen.

"Sheen, we came to find you because..."

Ron rushed over, but stopped mid-sentence, unsure how to continue.

Hermione was very upset because when Ron asked the Gryffindor girls about their notes, they said some very hurtful things.

Harry didn't distort the facts, speaking each word clearly and deliberately.

“We’re so sorry, we’ve been looking for her for ages. We finally learned that Hermione and Parvati Petit were quite close, but…”

“Pavati Petil has been ignoring us and won’t tell us where Hermione has gone.”

"I see."

Sheen nodded.
“This has nothing to do with you, Harry and Ron. Thank you for telling me this. I will go find her.”

Harry and Ron were initially a little uneasy, but they breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Sheen's words.

Harry and Ron's worries vanished instantly when Sheen said he would handle it, as if Hermione had already appeared in the Great Hall the moment Sheen finished speaking.

But perhaps only Sheen knows that things are not so simple.

Whether it was some strange force of fate or some other reason, Hermione still did not attend the dinner party.

What worried Sheehan even more was what would happen if Hermione didn't go to the original bathroom, but instead chose another corner or somewhere else? Finding Parvati Petil became Sheehan's only thought.

On the Gryffindor table, Sheen moved swiftly and found the surprised Parvati Petit without much effort.

"Excuse me, but I'd like to ask..."

Before Sheen could finish speaking, Petil covered her mouth in surprise, drawing the attention of all the young wizards around them.

“Of course, I know what you want to ask… Mr. Green, Hermione is crying sadly in the women’s restroom… and won’t let anyone comfort her.”

Parvati Petil emphasized the word "others".

"Could you tell me exactly where it is?"

Sheen breathed a slight sigh of relief, his tone gentle yet firm.

“I’d be happy to, right here in the restroom on the fourth floor.”

Parvati Petil is very enthusiastic.

Neville, who was standing nearby, also wanted to go along, but Sheen kept him there with just one sentence.

"If we both go, who will tell Justin who's been looking for people all over the place?"

And so, Sheen left the auditorium alone.

Neville was still standing there, bewildered, until—

Professor Quirrell suddenly burst into the auditorium, his large scarf askew on his head, his face filled with terror.

Everyone stared at him as he walked to Professor Dumbledore's chair, leaned against the table, and said, panting:

"The troll—in the underground classroom—I thought you should know that."

After saying that, he collapsed to the floor and lost consciousness. The auditorium immediately descended into chaos.

Professor Dumbledore had to make his wand explode with purple sparks several times before everyone quieted down.

“Prefect,”

He said in a low voice,
"Immediately lead the students from each college to their dormitories!"

Neville was stunned. It was still some time before the dinner party started, and Justin had just returned from the kitchen when he heard this shocking news.

"Trolls... Merlin! They say trolls are usually twelve feet tall and weigh a ton! Neville, we need to get out of here! Oh, and where's Sheehan? And Hermione?"

Even in his haste, Justin remained organized.

"Hermione's on the fourth floor... Sheehan, go find her..."

Neville's voice grew softer and softer, but his eyes grew increasingly red.
"I...I'm not leaving..."

His body trembled, but that did nothing to conceal the unwavering resolve emanating from him.

"...Then what are we waiting for?"

Justin didn't hesitate for a moment, which startled Neville. He looked at Justin, who was also trembling.

The same flame burned in their eyes.

Percy was shouting at the edge of the Gryffindor table:
"Follow me! Don't get separated, first-year students! As long as you listen to me, you don't need to be afraid of any giants! Okay, stay close behind me. Excuse me, first-year students need to pass! Please forgive me, I am the prefect!"

"Are they crazy?!"

Ron's lips trembled, and he even tried to crack a joke in his immense fear.

"Sheen and Hermione... don't know about trolls yet."

Harry suddenly spoke up as well.

"Then let's go."

Ron bit his lip, remained silent for a few seconds, and saw Harry's surprised look.

"What, Harry, do you think I'm a coward?"

(End of this chapter)