章 79: The Play
On the flip side, Artel reveled in a picture-perfect Christmas family dinner with the Shelby family. Following the feast, his two uncles and aunts ventured off to a high-profile celebrity party hosted by a prominent business tycoon.
Artel remained oblivious to the Shelby family's dealings with Swiss magnates, but the ease with which Michael and Jimmy navigated this social realm suggested established connections. Unfazed, Artel dismissed any concerns and, after a leisurely afternoon in Geneva, returned to his hotel.
As the darkness draped the outside world, Artel instructed Sophia not to disturb him, securing the door tightly. Alone in his room, he retrieved the Isil spar.
Tonight marked Artel's plan to infiltrate Hogwarts—a long-anticipated venture. With a play to watch and a role to enact, he eagerly embraced the challenge.
As the clock struck ten, the Isil spar flickered to life. Observing Harry and Ron returning to their dormitory, ready to succumb to sleep, a mischievous smile played on Artel's lips.
In an instant, Artel vanished from the hotel room.
.....
Hogsmeade.
Transformed into the likeness of Saruman, Artel materialized in Hogsmeade Square. Despite the raging blizzard, the festive spirit of Christmas saturated the air. Wizards roamed the streets, offering polite greetings to Artel, although unfamiliar, on this joyous occasion.
Artel reciprocated the smiles and greetings, glancing toward the lively Three Broomsticks Bar and the Pig's Head Bar on the corner. The cacophony of revelry echoed in the distance as Artel leaned on a scepter, strolling toward the Honey Duke Candy Store.
Under the snowy curtain, Artel's figure subtly disappeared, leaving behind a trail of footprints that drifted away, unnoticed by the merriment of the wizarding village.
The candy store, usually bustling with customers during the day, transformed into a quieter haven at night, with only a few children running around. Upbeat music played, and the air was filled with the vibrant hues of bluebell-colored bubbles as a child enthusiastically chewed Bubble Super Bubble Gum.
Amidst the playful atmosphere, Artel entered the store, skillfully navigating through the children. The shopkeepers, were engaged in cheerful conversations with the youngsters, oblivious to Artel's arrival. Seizing the opportunity, Artel quietly opened the cellar door, descended the ladder, and located the trapdoor leading to Hogwarts among crates and wooden boxes.
"Not bad," Artel thought with a silent smile, confirming that it matched his imagination. He opened the trapdoor, revealing a 200-step stone staircase leading directly to the ground.
Following the stone stairs through a winding dirt passage, Artel spent ten minutes navigating until he encountered an upward stone staircase, finally arriving at Hogwarts. The exit led him to the hunchbacked, one-eyed witch statue on the third floor.
Using the Marauder's map obtained from the Weasleys, Artel cast a spell to open it and saw Harry's name moving toward the seventh floor.
"There's still time," Artel mused.
He stowed the Marauder's map and proceeded to the forbidden book area on the fifth floor. Placing the parchment in a forbidden book, he waited patiently.
After about ten minutes, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the forbidden area. Artel turned his attention toward the sound, spotting an oil lamp floating in the air, steadily moving closer. Soon, Harry emerged, perhaps finding it inconvenient to read while wearing a cloak and holding an oil lamp. Harry removed the cloak and began searching the forbidden books area.
Artel raised his right hand, giving a light wave. The forbidden book containing the parchment trembled suddenly. Startled, Harry turned around sharply, holding the oil lamp, as Artel made his presence known.
Observing Harry's frightened expression, Artel playfully twitched the corners of his mouth and gently extended his hand, leaving a magical mark on Harry's body. After being caught during the night tours before, Harry was now thoroughly spooked, realizing that another capture would be truly miserable.
"Looks like there's something."
Harry scanned the surroundings, finding no one in sight. He felt a moment of relief, gathered some courage, and approached cautiously.
Holding an oil lamp, he continued searching and eventually located a book with a parchment atop it.
"This is…"
Harry opened the book, pulled out the parchment, and as he glanced at it, a terrifying roar erupted from the book. A ghost-like entity seemed ready to burst out, startling Harry. In panic, he knocked over the oil lamp, plunging the entire forbidden area into darkness once again.
"Who's over there?"
Filch, on patrol duty, reached the fifth floor just in time to hear the noise. He hurriedly rushed over.
Without much thought, Harry slammed the book shut, seized the parchment, and swiftly donned the invisibility cloak.
Artel, using the magic mark, could discern Harry's location. As Filch investigated the forbidden area, Harry silently slipped away, with Artel trailing behind.
Upon reaching the upper floors, Snape's indifferent voice echoed from the darkened corner.
"You don't consider me your enemy, Quirrell..."
"Why are you... looking for me?"
Professor Quirrell's voice wavered, carrying a hint of grievance and fear, akin to a deflating airbag.
"You know perfectly well that you should..."
Snape paused abruptly, his gaze shifting to the side as if sensing something.
Harry had just reached that spot.
"It's here! It's finally here!"
Artel discreetly positioned himself behind Harry, prepared to assist Snape if needed.
Snape eyed the empty corridor suspiciously, his intuition signaling that something was amiss. Especially considering the strange occurrences at Hogwarts recently, Snape's heightened sensitivity led him to trust his instincts even more.
.....
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