Hogwarts: I Became the Third Dark Lord.

Rita Skeeter's face twitched at the address Wentworth, and she gritted her teeth as she said:

"Aunt?!"

At this moment, Dumbledore stepped forward, blocking Wentworth's path, his gaze fixed on Rita Skeeter, and said in a somewhat heavy tone:

"Rita, I advise you to stay away from my students!"

Having witnessed such scenes many times before, Rita Skeeter seemed completely unfazed. Instead, she looked at Dumbledore with a somewhat affected smile and spoke cryptically:

"Of course, Headmaster Dumbledore. So, can you tell me what you're doing here so late, bringing a Hogwarts student with you and causing such a commotion?"

In response to Rita Skeeter's question, Dumbledore frowned and replied:

"I don't think I need to explain my whereabouts to you, do I?"

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Rita Skeeter raised an eyebrow and spoke in an exaggerated tone:

"So, what Headmaster Dumbledore did in the woods late at night with a student was a secret? What an unbelievable answer! I think our readers will be very curious!"

Upon hearing Rita Skeeter's words, Wentworth finally understood why Hermione and the others in the original story hated this woman so much.

But just as Wentworth was about to speak, Dumbledore grabbed him and then turned to Rufus, saying:

"Rufus, I'm taking Wentworth back to Hogwarts now. If there's any new information, please let me know when it's convenient."

Rufus quickly responded:

"Of course, Headmaster Dumbledore. Also, if I need your assistance in any investigation, I would appreciate your cooperation."

Upon hearing this, Dumbledore slowly nodded.

Rita Skeeter, who was standing nearby, showed great interest in the conversation between the two, perhaps because she knew she wouldn't get any valuable information from Dumbledore, or perhaps because Dumbledore's identity made her somewhat wary.

Rita Skeeter then turned her attention to Rufus.

But Rufus seemed to have no intention of communicating with Rita Skeeter, and walked straight to the side, directing the Aurors around him to work.

While Rita Skeeter's attention was focused on Rufus, Dumbledore didn't hesitate to Apparate back to Hogwarts with Wentworth.

When Wentworth, led by Dumbledore, returned to the gates of Hogwarts Castle, he immediately saw Ilona waiting there.

"Professor Ilona, ​​what's going on?"

Seeing that Ilona had been standing in the cold wind for who knows how long, Wentworth was so moved that he didn't know what to say.

Ilona rushed over to Wentworth, and after carefully examining him and confirming that he was unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ve already said, Professor Ilona, ​​I will ensure Wentworth’s safety.”

"Dumbledore said from the side."

Ilona, ​​however, was clearly still angry, and said in a somewhat stiff tone:

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I have never doubted your abilities, but my students’ lives are very precious, and I do not want to see them harmed!”

Hearing Ilona's words, Dumbledore remained noncommittal, only gently nudging Wentworth and saying:

"Go back to your dorm, Wentworth. I bet your friends are worried about you!"

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Moonlit Night Argument

Wentworth glanced at Dumbledore, then at Ilona, ​​sensing that the two had something to say to each other.

"Go on, Wentworth. It's getting late. Go back and get some rest. You're at a crucial stage of your growth, and lack of sleep is bad for your development."

Ilona also urged from the side.

Seeing this, Wentworth was eager to know what the two women were saying, but he also knew very well that if they didn't want him to hear what they had to say, there was nothing he could do.

Without further hesitation, Wentworth walked straight into Hogwarts.

After Wentworth's figure had completely disappeared into Hogwarts, Dumbledore finally spoke:

"Professor Ilona, ​​you just said that the lives of your students are very precious. Are you referring specifically to Wentworth students, or to all Hogwarts students?"

Upon hearing Dumbledore's question, Ilona frowned, seemingly puzzled, and said:

"Headmaster Dumbledore, I don't understand what you mean?"

Dumbledore, staring intently into Ilona's eyes, said:

“Professor Ilona, ​​as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, I expect you to treat every Hogwarts student equally.”

Hearing Dumbledore's words, Ilona laughed as if she had heard a joke, then looked at Dumbledore defiantly and said:

"Headmaster Dumbledore, it seems you're the one who hasn't treated everyone equally, isn't it? What's with this unique curse on Wentworth? I think you have no right to criticize me!"

Upon hearing Ilona's answer, Dumbledore looked in the direction where Wentworth's figure had last disappeared and said earnestly:

"I just hope that every student can enjoy their time learning at Hogwarts, instead of being distracted by other things. Students should do what students are supposed to do."

Ilona seemed somewhat unconvinced by Dumbledore's explanation.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, some people are destined to shine like fireworks in the night, and that cannot be suppressed, can it?"

This time, Dumbledore did not object; instead, he nodded and responded:

"Of course, you're right, but I hope he attracts attention because of his abilities or his character, not because of anything else, like his surname!"

After Dumbledore finished speaking, Ilona didn't immediately object, which caused a moment of silence. After a long pause, Ilona finally spoke:

"Headmaster Dumbledore, how long do you think your method can be sustained?"

Dumbledore looked at Ilona and replied:

"As long as no one else interferes, I think we can hold on for a while longer, at least until he becomes the best among his peers. Right now, he is far from being the best among his peers!"

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Ilona remained noncommittal, simply waving goodbye to him gently before turning to leave.

But Dumbledore called out to Ilona.

“Professor Ilona, ​​it’s best not to wander around Hogwarts alone at night. Not long ago, Professor Snape was attacked by strangers in his office. Someone has entered Hogwarts with ulterior motives, and I don’t want anything like that to happen again.”

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Ilona, ​​who was about to leave, stopped and, after a moment, said:

"Perhaps someone from outside Hogwarts sneaked in under the cover of night. Who knows? I've heard there are several secret passages in Hogwarts that lead outside the school. Or maybe Professor Snape lied. I've heard that Professor Snape used to be a Death Eater?"

But Dumbledore said very firmly:

“Snape was a student at Hogwarts, I believe him.”

Ilona chuckled dismissively in a low voice:

"Hogwarts students? Half of Azkaban are Hogwarts students, and many of them are former outstanding students of Hogwarts! It's practically a Hogwarts alumni association!"

"One more thing, I absolutely hate this kind of imprisonment, I hate it so much! If I find out who put that key on Wentworth's bed tonight, I will make sure they never get a chance to enter Azkaban!"

After Ilona finished speaking, she strode away, leaving Dumbledore standing there, lost in thought.

While Dumbledore and Ilona were talking outside Hogwarts, Wentworth finally returned to the Hufflepuff common room.

As soon as Wentworth entered, he saw Cedric and Green, who were lying on a bench in the Hufflepuff common room, seemingly asleep.

Wentworth, seeing this, knew that the two had probably been waiting for him to return, and felt a surge of emotion.

Just then, it seemed that the sound of Wentworth opening the door startled Cedric. Cedric slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still a little hazy, but when he saw Wentworth standing there, his eyes immediately lit up with surprise.

"Wentworth, you're back! I'm so relieved to see you're alright!"

Seeing the sleepy-looking Cedric's eyes light up with surprise upon seeing him, Wentworth couldn't help but think to himself:

I originally planned to just experience the charm of Hogwarts and not cause any trouble for myself. I wanted to be friends with Cedric because I thought I could have a top student to copy my homework from. I never expected that we would become best friends!

Now, it seems unlikely that I can stand idly by during the three-way battle a few years from now! I can't just watch my best friend die, can I?

But thinking of this, Wentworth couldn't help but laugh at himself. He was actually worrying about others, even though he was barely able to take care of himself. They were practically storming into Hogwarts!

Thinking of this, Wentworth felt a renewed desire for power. If before it was the pressure from the outstanding people around him, now it was for survival! For his best friend!

At this moment, Green was also awakened by Cedric's voice. He stood up, yawning, and said sleepily:

“You’re finally back in Wentworth. I’m relieved to see you’re alright. But then again, with Headmaster Dumbledore with you, nothing bad will happen. But still, a father worries when his son is far away!”

Wentworth looked at Green and silently calculated the time, then realized with some disappointment that by the time the Triwizard Tournament came around, Green would have already graduated.

Wentworth then disappointedly abandoned his plan to make Green a Hogwarts champion, replacing Cedric and participating in the Triwizard Tournament with Harry Potter.

Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Headline of the Daily Prophet

Wentworth joked with the two for a bit, then yawned. Seeing this, the three said goodnight to each other and went back to their respective dorm rooms.

Wentworth, back in his dorm, didn't rest immediately; his earlier yawn was meant for Cedric and Green to see.

Wentworth immediately took out a quill and stationery and wrote down everything that had happened that night. He planned to have the owl mail the letter to Rozier and Abernathy the next day.

In Wentworth's eyes, Rozier and Abernathy, among others, were also masters of dark magic and might know the origins of the group of dark wizards tonight.

While Wentworth was writing furiously in his dorm room, someone else had already placed his completed manuscript on the desk of the editor-in-chief of The Daily Prophet.

The editor-in-chief of the Daily Prophet looked at the article written by Rita Skeeter and seemed a little hesitant, but after Rita Skeeter's persuasion, the editor-in-chief agreed. He called his subordinate over, handed him Rita Skeeter's article, and asked his subordinate to put this report on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper.

Along with Rita Skeeter's manuscript, a magical photograph was also sent to the Daily Prophet's printing press. In the photograph, Wentworth is hiding behind Dumbledore with a look of surprise on his face.

The next morning, Wentworth, carrying the letter he had written the night before, first went to the Great Hall of Hogwarts with Cedric for breakfast, intending to send the letter out to the Hogwarts owl afterward.

While Wentworth, Cedric, and the others were having breakfast in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, suddenly, many owls flapped their wings and flew in, bringing various letters to the Hogwarts students, including today's copy of the Daily Prophet.

At this moment, Hogwarts Great Hall was bustling with activity, as Hogwarts students who had received letters or gifts were happily discussing various topics.

Suddenly, from somewhere, a curse rang out, attracting the attention of many people.

Subsequently, discussions arose continuously in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, and amidst the cacophony of voices, occasional angry curses were also heard.

Wentworth, who was eating with his head down, frowned when he heard the commotion around him. He looked up and happened to see Green holding the latest issue of the Daily Prophet, walking quickly toward him.

Seeing this, Wentworth had an idea and spoke up before Green could:

"What? Am I in the newspaper again?"

Upon hearing this, Green paused, then nodded with a wry smile and said: