Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 227: Two Days of Holding Out
“Professor Dumbledore knew, yet he allowed the Mystic to remain hidden in the Forbidden Forest… How could he do such a thing…”

Hermione's face turned pale, as if something inside her had collapsed.

“Don’t worry, Harry, we’re all here. And Dumbledore has laid a trap for the Philosopher’s Stone, he dares not go there… But why doesn’t he leave? Is it just because he can’t bear to part with it?… But what prompted him to drink the unicorn’s blood?”

Justin seemed equally shaken by what happened last night, but he forced himself to remain calm and analyze the situation.

Even without Sheen in the Hope Hut, Justin's voice could still bring the young wizards back to their senses.

"Because he needs to regain his strength... Harry, think, what else did Ferrenze say?"

His voice was gentle yet powerful.

Harry's terror from the night was somewhat dispelled by reason:
"Only someone who has nothing but wants everything would commit such a heinous crime? No, no, no..."

To save his own life, he slaughtered a pure, vulnerable, and helpless one. So from the moment its blood touched your lips, you possessed a half-dead life, a cursed life—I understand!

"Voldemort—slaughter?!"

After hearing a series of shocking stories about the Forbidden Forest, Neville finally, as expected, fainted.

Justin and Harry didn't say anything at this moment, they just moved him to the sofa.

"He hasn't killed the unicorn yet, and his strength hasn't recovered enough."

Suddenly, a calm voice broke the tense conversation, but instead of being annoyed by the abrupt interruption, everyone was simultaneously pleasantly surprised:

"Sheen is back!"

Ron was the first to shout.

"Xion..."

Even Neville's ears twitched, and he groggily got up from the sofa.

"Sheen, you're back. How was the conference?"

Justin gave a forced smile.

"Sheen, where is Professor Dumbledore?"

Harry asked hopefully, and Hermione trembled for a moment when she heard the word, but still gave him a hopeful look.

"I'm fine... but Headmaster Dumbledore needs to preside over the meeting and won't be back for two days."

Sheen's words made the atmosphere in the cabin heavy.

“Without Headmaster Dumbledore, once he kills the unicorn and regains his strength, and Professor Quirrell brings the Philosopher's Stone... Hogwarts will cease to exist. He will raze the school to the ground, or turn it into a school dedicated to teaching dark magic! He will not let us go, because none of us will condone his atrocities and join his dark magic forces.”

Harry muttered to himself in despair.

Sheen took his seat at the head of the table. He had confirmed some good news: Professor Quirrell's soul was not completely cursed... They still had a chance.

England has had little good weather since April, with torrential rain pounding against the windows, from the spires to the entire tower, as if trying to soak the whole castle.

The atmosphere inside the cabin was very oppressive.

"We won't let him succeed—"

Justin suddenly spoke, his voice filled with unprecedented determination and courage.

"I saw him scared away by the centaurs; he's afraid to reveal himself! Although the professor may not believe the mysterious man is in the Forbidden Forest, we're still here!"
If we can find him and take a picture of him, the professors will take over the Forbidden Forest;
before this--

We will defend the Forbidden Forest and protect the unicorns—we will stand firm to the very end, without retreating an inch! We will stand with the centaurs, we will stand with Hagrid!
My mother said, "A truly noble character never surrenders!"

His almost audacious words did not frighten anyone in the cabin.
Neville suddenly clapped his hands, his fingers trembling, followed by Ron, then Hermione and Harry. “Sheen, we need your leadership. You are the most capable and intelligent among us. Please say something.”

Justin said softly.

All the expectant, eager, fearful, and apprehensive gazes fell upon Sheen, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Voldemort is not present, but a desperate, manipulated Professor Quirrell will indeed come to kill the unicorn. They will have difficulty detecting Professor Quirrell because at that time, he is essentially Voldemort in his Voldemort form. However, Voldemort has not yet killed the unicorn and has only just begun drinking its blood; he is extremely weak and would certainly not dare to expose himself, much less confront the professors directly…

As long as they keep an eye on the unicorns, Voldemort, without the Philosopher's Stone and without strength, will at least be hesitant to act rashly for now.

Two days later, after Headmaster Dumbledore returns, Professor Quirrell may truly be saved.

After all, the professor still had a squirrel cookie in his hand.

Sheen knew, of course, that the plan was not without flaws and that there were many unforeseen changes, but there was never a perfect plan.

He looked into the pairs of eyes that were there—in their hearts, they knew they had no ability to resist, knew they might not succeed, and even though their bodies were trembling, they did not back down and were determined to persevere to the end.

"I will make some improvements to the plan map. Once something is discovered, touch the signal on it and quickly use the Bowtruckle Cookie to transform and hide."
I will create five improved flying brooms before nightfall, equipped with high speed, stealth, and automatic tracking capabilities. Before transforming into a magical creature, you can choose to use the broom to travel, leave, or attract attention.

They would travel in groups of two or three, with Hagrid or Ferenze the centaur.

—The Third Roundtable Meeting—We will hold fast to the forbidden forest until dawn.

Sheen said calmly.

The room of hope was silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous applause.

So the whole day passed by in an atmosphere that was a mixture of depression and excitement.

Justin and his friends went to find the professors, but the professors were not interested in their nonsense about "centaur prophecy" and "the return of the Dark Lord." Even Hermione was given a long lecture by Professor Flitwick.

On the shore of Black Lake, a fire dragon the size of a young wizard was wrapped in the patterns of a fire lizard.

Sheen unleashed his magic without reservation, and the fire dragon instantly swelled violently, transforming into a massive wave of flames.

[You have practiced an advanced Transfiguration spell to the standard of a master, proficiency +3000]

Sheen cast another spell, and a stone instantly transformed into a free-moving stone statue, over a meter tall.

[You have practiced an advanced Transfiguration spell to the standard of a master, proficiency +3000]

A few seconds later, Sheen put down his wand.

His Transfiguration was approaching that of a master, and although he still didn't think he could fight Professor Quirrell, he could at least send a signal and buy some time.

This short period of time is enough for others to arrive or, in a moment of crisis, ride brooms to find the professor who is "catching the students who are wandering the forbidden forest at night."

This was their backup plan—besides the four people in solitary confinement, Sheehan and Neville could also be charged with trespassing in the Forbidden Forest.

However, this cannot be used as a last resort. A nighttime stroll through the Forbidden Forest? Both offenses would be committed at once—Hogwarts rules are not to be underestimated.

In the wind and rain.

A pair of calm green eyes are reflected in the constantly breaking and reforming surface of the Black Lake.

Which unicorn will the weakened Voldemort choose?

This is an easy-to-guess outcome: Hagrid and the centaurs can protect the safety of others for a short period of time.

Sheen will protect the injured unicorn.

(End of this chapter)