Hogwarts' Golden Glory

Instantly, a chorus of groans filled the auditorium. Ron slumped onto the bench as if his bones had been removed: "I knew it!"

He groaned in despair, "How could they possibly let us go!"

Fred clutched his heart dramatically and leaned on George's shoulder: "This is too cruel! George, I might not make it through this disaster!"

"Hang in there, brother!" George patted his back, pretending to wipe away tears.

"Just imagine how heartbroken Mom would be if she received the bad news—she hasn't even received the ticket for blowing up the bathroom the day before yesterday!"

Professor McGonagall glared at the twins, but her lips twitched slightly.

Snape scoffed. "Perhaps some people need confinement more than extra homework."

"Severus..." Dumbledore whispered a reminder, and Snape immediately shut his mouth, but his dark eyes still gleamed with displeasure.

Harry noticed Sirius Black on the teachers' table winking at him and mouthing "See you tonight."

Lockhart, meanwhile, was busy adjusting his collar, seemingly considering whether to give an inspiring speech.

He reluctantly lowered his hand, which was halfway up, only after Professor McGonagall cleared her throat as a warning.

"Now," Dumbledore clapped his hands.

"Please have the class leaders lead the students back to the common room in an orderly manner. Remember—" His voice suddenly turned serious.

"Any unusual situation must be reported immediately. Hogwarts needs everyone's vigilance and cooperation."

Percy immediately jumped up, his prefectural badge gleaming on his chest: "Gryffindors, follow me! Keep formation!"

His head held high and chest out made him look just like a proud rooster.

As Percy, chest puffed out, guided the Gryffindor students into line with the light reflected from his prefect's badge.

Harry noticed that Dumbledore and Snape exchanged a glance, and then the two hurriedly left the Great Hall.

Professor McGonagall stayed behind to oversee the evacuation; her tightly pursed lips and the constant tapping of her wand betrayed her inner anxiety.

"Why would Colin be on the second-floor corridor after curfew?" Parvati, who was walking ahead of Harry, asked in a low voice.

"Maybe it was to photograph the castle at night?" Seamus guessed. "He always said he wanted to write a book called 'The Night View of Hogwarts'."

Dean shook his head: "No, he asked me yesterday how to join the Gryffindor Quidditch team as a photographer..."

Harry's heart sank even further.

When he thinks of Quidditch teams, he recalls his crazy ideas before bed.

Ron seemed to read his mind and gave him a firm squeeze on the shoulder: "It's not your fault, Harry. Who knew that kid would sneak out in the middle of the night?"

The fat lady in the Gryffindor tower stared wide-eyed in surprise when she saw the group: "Good heavens! What's going on? The password?"

"Dragon Flame," Percy replied. "Some students have run into trouble."

In the common lounge, everyone began to worry.

Neville slumped in his armchair, his face as pale as if he had been kissed by a Dementor;

The twins were unusually silent. George stared at the flickering flame, while Fred mechanically fiddled with a packet of sizzling honey candy.

"Listen," Percy tried to maintain order, but his voice was eight octaves higher than usual, "Everyone back to your dorms immediately! The girls, Penelope will lead the way, and the boys, follow me—"

"Wait," Harry suddenly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet room, "We need to know the truth."

He turned to Hermione and Ron. "Colin doesn't go out at night for no reason. Something must have attracted him..."

Hermione's eyes lit up: "You mean... he might have discovered something? Or he wants to photograph some evidence?"

Ron's face turned as red as his hair: "Merlin's pants! You wouldn't be thinking—"

"We need to tell the principal to be aware of that camera."

Harry said firmly, a sharp pain suddenly shooting through his scar, but he ignored it. "If Colin filmed the attacker..."

Just then, the portrait of the Fat Lady suddenly opened, and Professor McGonagall's serious face appeared in the opening: "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger. The Headmaster wants to see you."

The three exchanged a tense glance.

As Harry followed Professor McGonagall down the spiral staircase, his heart pounded as if it would burst out of his chest.

They were just thinking of telling the principal to check the camera, since maybe they didn't know much about Muggle cameras?

Or will they ask something? What does Dumbledore know?

The stone beast lazily made way for the principal's office door.

The circular room inside was darker than usual, the silverware spinning silently and emitting thin wisps of smoke. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his half-moon spectacles reflecting the candlelight and obscuring his eyes.

"Ah, you're here." The old headmaster's voice was unusually gentle. "Lemon Olaf?"

Harry shook his head, then said.

"Principal, you can check Colin's camera; there might be photos of the killer on it!"

Dumbledore shook his head.

"Kids, I've seen it. All the negatives inside are ruined."

Harry was somewhat puzzled.

"Then why did you call us over?"

Dumbledore sighed, crossed his fingers, and looked at the group: "I just think you must have many questions."

"Will Colin really be alright?" Hermione blurted out.

"The mandrake will take time to mature, but Madam Pomfrey assures him that he will fully recover," Dumbledore said calmly.

Then, suddenly turning to Harry, she asked, "Did you notice anything unusual last night? Any... unusual sounds?"

Harry was taken aback.

He did remember being awakened in the middle of the night by a strange hissing sound, but at the time he thought it was the sound of water pipes...

"No, Professor," he finally replied.

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. So..."

His gaze sharpened. "The three of you must guarantee that you will not conduct any...unauthorized investigations. The castle is in danger now."

Harry's ears turned red: "Of course not, Professor!"

The old headmaster's lips curled into a slight smile: "Very good. Go back and rest now. Remember—"

His deep blue eyes looked directly at Harry. "Some temptations may seem to lead to the answer, but they actually lead to a deeper labyrinth."

After leaving the headmaster's office, the three walked silently back to the Gryffindor Tower.

Hermione suddenly stopped in her tracks: "He's warning us."

"And he thinks we'll investigate," Ron groaned. "We're doomed."

Harry touched the scar on his forehead, which was still throbbing slightly. "We need to know what attacked Colin. I have a feeling that it wasn't necessarily human..."

Meanwhile, in the Slytherin common room, Kane leaned against the window of his dormitory.