Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 85 The New Prohibition

"Ike, don't worry, we'll protect your safety."

Professor Flitwick tiptoed and patted Ike on the shoulder, offering words of comfort. Although he knew his student was strong and intelligent, he felt that at this moment, Ike needed a little comfort from his teacher.

"I'm sorry, Philius," Dumbledore sighed. "It's cruel to say this, but as I mentioned before, we can't offer Mr. Strand much help."

"Albus! My God!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed, surprised that Dumbledore would say such a thing. "Are you kidding me?"

"No, that's not it." Dumbledore shook his head. "The Pact of Life and Death is a very strange spell. From the moment the spell takes effect, both parties can only rely on themselves. Anyone who helps one party will affect the final outcome."

"It's as if there's an unknown entity acting as a referee; everything you do adds weight to your side of the scale. Every bit of help you receive from others diminishes it a little."

"If Mr. Strand was able to defeat the curse caster with our help, he might have lost his life even if he won, because he didn't have enough chips to go around."

"As far as I know, this can happen."

Ike remained silent until Dumbledore finished speaking, at which point he raised his head, his eyes filled with determination.

"Professor, don't worry about me, I'll take care of him..." He glanced back at Roger, who was lying motionless on the bed.

"As soon as possible...to the best of my ability..."

Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Sprout all looked at Ike with worried eyes, while Snape remained as cold as ever. Dumbledore smiled slightly, adjusted his glasses, and said, "Well then, Mr. Stradward, we can only wish you success."

Ike nodded, glanced at Roger again, and turned to walk towards the door.

"Oh, right..." Just as Ike reached the door, he heard Dumbledore's exaggerated voice behind him, "I almost forgot..."

"If you obtain magical items or magical creatures from others through your own efforts, it does not count as receiving help from others."

"As I get older, my memory is definitely failing..."

Before he finished speaking, Ike had already disappeared.

After leaving the school hospital, Ike went straight back to his dorm. As soon as he entered, he saw Stuart and the others looking worried.

"How are you, Ike?" Stuart asked as soon as Ike came in.

"I can't reveal too much," Ike shook his head. "In short, things are complicated."

"For the next period of time, our training will be suspended. You must work together as a group of four and do not be alone in anything you do."

"And what about you?" Terry asked.

"I have something important to do," Ike said with a sigh as he sat down in a chair, "but I have to do it alone."

"He's after me. As long as you're not alone, I don't think you'll be in any danger."

"But what will you do?"

"Don't worry about me," Ike laughed. "As long as we can find the person who attacked me, I'll take care of him easily!"

"Although it's inappropriate to say this, I can't guarantee your safety while I'm with you."

The four of them, including Stuart, looked rather grim, as if blaming themselves for their lack of strength to help Ike. Or perhaps it was because Ike's words had been too blunt and had hurt them.

Ike looked at the four of them, having seen everything. But there was nothing he could do; what he said was true.

Comrade Xiao Fu is hiding in the shadows this time. Who knows when he'll suddenly throw an Avada Kedavra from the corner?

What if Ekko doesn't react this time?

Everyone has moments of weakness, and Ike couldn't guarantee that he could always protect Stuart and his group while he was by their side, just as he couldn't guarantee that they wouldn't be attacked if he went off on his own.

But overall, the probability is much smaller.

Moreover, there are also professors.

"Trust me, as long as we stay together, there will be no danger. Try to stay with the crowd, and whatever you do, whatever you do, never get separated from others..."

This Easter holiday was destined to be anything but peaceful; when Ike woke up the next morning, Stuart and Terry were still asleep.

Unlike before, Ike didn't wake them up. After a quick wash, he left the dormitory.

After sitting in the auditorium for a while, Stuart and his three companions came in together. Just as he had said the night before, he even invited Padma, Morag, and Morty along.

The seven people were a large group, but none of them seemed to be in high spirits.

Clearly, Stewart and the others had told the ladies what Ike had said the night before.

Perhaps in another hour or two, the whole of Hogwarts will know.

The young wizards don't really have much of their own opinions, and they're not very brave. Even the Gryffindors will subconsciously huddle together when most people stick together. Even if there are a few who go it alone, they're just a handful and don't cause any real trouble.

As long as he doesn't end up alone with those he knows well and has a good relationship with, his goal will be achieved.

He waved, and the group quickly ran to the seats nearby. As soon as they sat down, Stewart began to whisper about the various rumors he had heard that morning.

There are all sorts of versions: Death Eaters sneaking into the school, the Dark Lord breaking in, the heir to the Chamber of Secrets striking again, and so on. Each story is so well-crafted that they seem almost real at first glance.

Before long, breakfast began. The young wizards had barely taken a few bites when hundreds of owls swarmed in, circling the ceiling and dropping letters and newspapers.

A letter landed right in front of Terry, and when he opened it, his expression changed.

"My parents know..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Morag, having received the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, exclaimed in surprise, hurriedly spreading the newspaper on the table and pointing to the cover article, saying, "Look here! It says the school is going to close!"

"That's impossible!" Stuart exclaimed in shock, snatched the book, glanced at it, and then looked at Morag with resentment, saying, "Morag, you're mistaken. It only says 'possible' on it."

"Maybe! It's not certain!"

"The school won't be locked down." Ike leaned over and glanced around before calmly saying, "Dumbledore won't close the school."

"Of course, we cannot rule out the Ministry of Magic taking some action, after all, three students have already been attacked, which is a big deal."

The Great Hall erupted in chaos. After reading the letter and the newspaper, the young wizards were shouting and screaming. Ike even heard crying coming from the Hufflepuff table next to them.

"Quiet!"

Just when everyone was in a state of chaos, Dumbledore suddenly appeared in front of the professors' table and silenced the noisy Great Hall with just one sentence.

"I think everyone knows what happened last night..." The professors appeared in their seats one by one, while Dumbledore remained standing, his eyes scanning the Great Hall, and said calmly, "...Indeed, Mr. Davis was attacked last night."

"However, Hogwarts will not close or be locked down!"

"I assure you, Hogwarts remains safe and will protect every student!"

"Of course, in these extraordinary times, I want to emphasize a few things to prevent attacks from happening again:"

"First of all, no one is allowed to enter any of the abandoned classrooms inside the castle. Do not act alone; stay with your friends."

"Secondly, no one is to leave the castle until the end of the Easter holidays, unless you have the Dean's permission!"

"Again, no one is allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest..." Dumbledore glanced at the twins meaningfully, "No nighttime strolls are allowed, and after curfew, I expect you both to stay in your dorm beds..."

"at last……"

"Quidditch matches are suspended indefinitely until we find the culprit."

(End of this chapter)