Chương 155: Shocked
Artel only saw Dumbledore leave Hogwarts the previous day, unaware that he had gone to Gaunt's house.
After thinking it over, he reasoned that Dumbledore's visit was likely to seek clues about the Chamber of Secrets left by Salazar Slytherin. Unexpectedly, Dumbledore had found the Horcrux ring hidden there by Voldemort.
Voldemort didn't know the Resurrection Stone's significance, but Dumbledore did.
In the original story, Dumbledore, upon discovering the Horcrux at Gaunt's old house, was captivated by the Resurrection Stone, forgetting it was Voldemort's Horcrux and that it must be cursed. He made the fateful decision to wear it.
As a result, Dumbledore was cursed. Even Snape's potion couldn't fully remove the curse; it only suppressed it in one of Dumbledore's hands, leaving him with less than a year to live. This realization led him to orchestrate his own death.
The Resurrection Stone was the Deathly Hallow Dumbledore most desired, driven by his lifelong wish to resurrect his sister Ariana. This obsession had haunted him since her death decades ago.
"I don't know if the Aria of Light can cure Voldemort's curse... but it should be possible. However, Dumbledore, in his current state, is unable to cast the Aria of Light," Artel thought, glancing at Dumbledore's hand, which was concealed in his robe. He hadn't expected that his influence would lead Dumbledore to discover the Resurrection Stone so much earlier.
It was fortunate that he had introduced the Aria of Light ahead of time. Otherwise, Dumbledore might have died, depriving Artel of a strong ally against Sauron in the future, which would have been problematic.
"Calculating now, Nagini is gone, and the Resurrection Stone Ring is gone. Voldemort has lost two Horcruxes in less than a year, which is quite unfortunate for him," Artel mused.
He realized the gravity of their current situation. While the immediate threat of the basilisk had been dealt with, the broader implications of their discoveries and the ongoing battle against dark forces were profound.
Dumbledore, despite his weakened state, would need to recover and strategize for the challenges ahead. Artel knew that his role was growing more critical, and he would need to prepare for the battles yet to come, both within Hogwarts and beyond its walls.
Artel mulled over Voldemort and Quirrell's whereabouts, wondering if Quirrell was indeed searching for unicorns in Italy. He speculated that if Quirrell found none, he might return disappointed, especially since the unicorns in the Forbidden Forest had already been consumed by Shelob.
Lost in these thoughts, Artel was interrupted by Dumbledore's swift reprimand of both houses, deducting 100 points each from Slytherin and Gryffindor due to their disruptive brawl in the auditorium. This move amused Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff spectators momentarily, though it had no effect on Slytherin's lead or Gryffindor's trailing position.
After restoring order magically in the Great Hall, Dumbledore departed hastily, needing to attend to other pressing matters, possibly related to the curse upon him. Had he not heard the commotion upon entering the castle, he might have proceeded directly to Snape instead.
Dumbledore's departure left lingering questions about the cause of the clash unanswered. Prefects arranged for students from both houses to return to their respective dining areas, where Dumbledore's magic had swiftly repaired any damage caused during the incident. Artel noted the efficiency of magic in restoring even the most broken items.
Following the commotion, the initial fervor over Artel's basilisk slaying had diminished among the students. Only a few Gryffindor students remained curious about the Gryffindor sword, approaching Artel with inquiries. Once he addressed their questions, the crowd around him dispersed, though many continued to observe him discreetly.
Accustomed to attention since childhood, Artel calmly finished his breakfast and engaged in casual conversation with Hermione. She observed Dumbledore's departure thoughtfully and eventually leaned closer to Artel, whispering, "I feel like Headmaster Dumbledore was acting strangely just now."
Artel replied, "What do you mean?" He hadn't expected her to pick up on Dumbledore's odd behavior.
"It's quite strange. He didn't even inquire about what happened, or why the two houses were at odds... And most importantly, he didn't praise you."
Artel didn't know how to respond to Hermione's serious expression.
So, that was the reason.
Artel thought Hermione might have noticed signs of Dumbledore's curse...
"Headmaster Dumbledore left Hogwarts last night, otherwise it wouldn't have been my turn to kill that basilisk... I think maybe he returned and stumbled upon a commotion in the Great Hall without realizing what had occurred last night."
Artel explained it to Hermione in this manner, though Hermione still sensed Dumbledore's departure had an underlying urgency. She reasoned it might be because he sought out other professors to grasp the situation, thus she accepted Artel's explanation.
.....
After dinner, Artel strolled outside.
Today was supposed to be a spell class, but with Professor Flitwick recuperating in the infirmary, naturally, the class was canceled. Not only Artel's group, but all the teachers were absent, undoubtedly preoccupied with resolving the aftermath.
Shortly after Dumbledore returned to his office, Snape and McGonagall hurried in.
"You confronted the basilisk?"
Dumbledore immediately noticed Snape and McGonagall's breathlessness and the weariness in their faces, as if they had just been through a battle. His expression changed.
It was at this moment that he recalled his haste back to the office, realizing he hadn't observed the magical wards and props that had been set up.
"Has the basilisk been vanquished? Any injuries? What of the other professors? Were any students affected?" Dumbledore inquired with surprise.
During his recent visit to Gaunt's old house, besides discovering the Resurrection Stone ring, he had also stumbled upon a notebook left by Salazar Slytherin, which provided critical clues. Now that Dumbledore had confirmed the secret chamber's location in the second-floor girls' bathroom, he had initially anticipated resolving the basilisk menace upon curing the curse on his hand. He hadn't expected it to be resolved so soon.
However, Dumbledore understood the basilisk's formidable nature, and without his presence at Hogwarts, he knew this battle wouldn't have been easily won.
"Don't worry, no students were harmed, and the professors' conditions are stable. Sinistra was poisoned, but Sprout managed to heal her with Phoenix tears."
"Nagini sustained minor injuries, but Pomfrey assured us she'll recover with a few days of rest. Flitwick and Hooch, however, are both petrified. Snape went to Knockturn Alley this afternoon to procure Mandrakes."
Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief. If any professors or students had perished due to this incident, it would have been unbearable for him.
"So, who killed it?" Dumbledore asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Artel," Professor McGonagall said with a smile, knowing Dumbledore would never have guessed. Had she not witnessed it herself, she wouldn't have believed it.
"Artel? He did it?" Dumbledore was genuinely surprised.
Unlike Professor McGonagall, Snape had been observing Dumbledore with a perplexed expression ever since he entered. Once he was certain of something, Snape's demeanor shifted, interrupting Dumbledore just as he was about to speak.
"Dumbledore, are you injured?"
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