Chapter 176: 'Beginning”

Chapter 176: “Beginning”

However, Professor Slughorns prediction did not seem to materialize.

For an extended period after Valentines Day, the Hogwarts campus remained relatively quiet. It appeared to be business as usual, maintaining its usual air of calm.

This temporary calmness did provide Matthew with some relief, as his perpetually tense nerves eased ever so slightly.

The Easter holiday was swiftly approaching, leaving only ten weeks until the final exams.

However, unlike the relatively carefree Christmas break, the Easter holiday brought with it a barrage of homework assigned by every classs instructors.

This burden weighed heavily on many students, eliciting sighs of resignation.

The first day of the Easter dawned bright and early.

Matthew, setting out from the Slytherin common room, had a destination in mind the library.

As he exited the library doors, he nearly collided head-on with Shafiq. Good morning! Matthew greeted her cheerfully.

However, Shafiq responded with a cold nod, her demeanor distant.

She briskly made her way into the library, with Matthew following suit.

The library was relatively empty at this early hour.

Matthew glanced out the window, taking note of the fantastic weather.

It was a rare day, characterized by an exceptionally clear sky, the hue reminiscent of forget-me-not flowers.

The scent of summer lingered in the air.

Amidst this picturesque scene, something peculiar caught Matthews attention.

An animal was prowling on the emerald green lawn near the castle, lurking along the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Matthew squinted his eyes, trying to identify the creature.

Was it a cat?

With time, he recognized the bottle-brush tail and ginger-colored fur. It was undoubtedly Crookshanks.

It piqued Matthews curiosity; what was Crookshanks up to? He paused to observe the cats actions.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

The large, squashed-faced cat continued to wander around the castles lawn, seemingly waiting for something.

Suddenly, a small figure emerged from the castles corner.

Matthew strained his eyes, but the figure was too diminutive to identify.

Fortunately, a brass telescope on one of the bookshelves caught his eye.

He swiftly grabbed the binoculars, rushed back to the window, and opened it.

Adjusting the focus, he eventually managed to see the small figure clearly.

It appeared to be a mouse, and it was interacting with Crookshanks!

As Matthews gaze focused on the mouse, it darted back into the castle.

While its gray fur remained the only distinguishing feature he could discern.

Higher and higher it ascended until, at last, it reached a shiny oak door.

This door featured an ornate brass door knocker, a fusion of a lion and an eagle.

To those familiar with Hogwarts, this was unmistakably the principals officea space that belonged to Professor Grindelwald.

It was hard to fathom that the principals office, a place of immense power and significance, would be left so unprotected, allowing a mere mouse to access it with ease.

However, the mouse did not appear intent on entering the office.

Instead, it waited patiently, as if preparing for something significant.

Soon, a soft meow pierced the silence.

A tabby cat materialized in the room, and, with a quick transformation, it became a stern-looking woman.

She sported square glasses and an emerald green cloak, her dark hair pinned neatly.

Gazing upon the hidden door, Professor Minerva McGonagalls excitement was palpable.

I believe weve found it, Peter, she declared, her voice trembling. The means to confront Grindelwald

Two figures, one tall and one short, entered through the hidden door within the principals office.

Inside, they found themselves in a peculiar space surrounded by utter darkness.

Above them, the starry sky shone brightly, an unusual sight given the time of day.

It was as though they had materialized on the rooftop of Hogwarts.

Two stone steles stood before them, one tall and one short. The taller one bore a multitude of student names inscribed upon it.

At its apex, the shorter stele displayed a single name, one that ignited excitement within them: Albus Dumbledore.

However, there were faint traces of darkness that lingered around the name.

Minerva McGonagall brimmed with enthusiasm, although it was clear she was working hard to maintain her composure.

She brandished her wand and aimed it at the stone monument in front of her, whispering an incantation.

It was a lengthy process, but as time passed, the darkness surrounding the name Albus Dumbledore began to recede visibly, shrinking at a discernible rate.

Ancient and venerable Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall murmured softly, her voice filled with reverence. Awaken your sentience. Cast aside the usurper and welcome the true master of your choosing.

As the last vestiges of darkness dissipated, the stone monument began to tremble.

Meanwhile, Matthew was seated in the Great Hall, enjoying his lunch.

Suddenly, the golden dinner plate before him started to clatter, and his goblet trembled.

The entire dining hall began to shake and sway, as if caught in the throes of an earthquake.

An earthquake? But that was impossible. A History of Hogwarts had recorded the schools imperviousness to earthquakes, fortified by potent protective magic.

Even a magnitude 9 earthquake in Glasgow wouldnt elicit a tremor within these walls.

Everyone, please evacuate Hogwarts orderly, follow your prefects instructions! Professor Rosiers composed voice echoed through the hall.

The announcement was met with a mix of confusion and anxiety among the students.