Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 363 The Death Knell

The midnight bell tolled in Thea's ears like a funeral bell to send her off.

Thea unconsciously tightened her grip on the cedarwood wand, which Voldemort had returned to her 10 minutes earlier.

As she stroked the smooth shaft of the staff, Thea could almost feel the joy of their reunion.

"Are you scared, old friend?"

"Not afraid!"

Just before stepping out the door, Thea kissed her cane, as if saying goodbye, or perhaps as a gesture of encouragement.

Having gone through countless experiences with front-loading washing machines, this time Thea was more serious than ever before.

She wrapped her clothes tighter, actually trying to confirm the sharp dagger she was carrying.

Has he reached the point of being invulnerable to swords and spears?

Probably not, after all, he hasn't transcended the level of a mortal yet.

Can I kill him?

can.

Despite the constant encouragement, Thea remained silent, gripping the dagger tightly in her hand.

In her dizzying, disorienting state, she couldn't help but wonder: Did the warrior named Jing Ke from the Qin state thousands of years ago also experience the same bewilderment she is now?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Hogwarts should have been quiet at midnight, but ever since the first Death Eaters set up camp outside, that quietness has changed.

The teenagers grew up overnight amidst the overwhelming barrage of shouting letters, and tears became the most common farewell gift among them;

But more teenagers chose to stay, and the continuous stream of senior students who came to help them resist became their source of strength.

"Anna!"

The moment Rose saw the blonde witch, she couldn't help but pounce on her, and this became one of the few happy occasions at Hogwarts.

Compared to the harmonious atmosphere here, Slytherin House seemed to have drawn a deep chasm between itself and everyone else. Despite the professors' constant calls for equal treatment, Slytherin, who had long been accustomed to solitude, became more and more distant from the other houses day by day.

"Daphne, where are you rushing off to? The auditorium is in an uproar!"

A young Slytherin wizard stopped Daphne, who was hurrying along, and kindly offered a suggestion.

"Thank you! But I have something to do here..."

Before Daphne could finish speaking, and just as she was about to sneak away, a pair of hands grabbed her from behind.

"Where are you going? Why don't you take me with you—"

The deliberately drawn-out tone sounded like jerkiness to Daphne, and she didn't tolerate it. She casually elbowed the other person to interrupt the spellcasting.

Zabini's dodging movements were also very fluid, as if he had rehearsed them many times.

Daphne was not surprised, and withdrew her hand and continued heading towards the auditorium.

But Zabini was persistent, chasing after Daphne and saying:

"Just got back from the library? Didn't you read the special issue?"

Seeing Daphne stop, Zabini perked up, though his tone wasn't as cheerful as before:

"Thea successfully killed Harry Potter. Just one hour ago, there were as many as a hundred wizards who witnessed it."

After receiving this bombshell news, Zabini noticed the tension on Daphne's face.

Two seconds later, Daphne turned around and followed Zabini quickly toward the Slytherin dormitory.

They need to have a meeting!

The two walked hurriedly, oblivious to the cold indifference and hostility that the wizard by the roadside could not hide.

"She's coming to Hogwarts tonight,"

"However, she only goes to Black Lake."

Draco slowly destroyed the note in his hand, and the pale-faced crowd around him did not affect his expression at all.

"I'll be in charge of patrolling the forbidden forest tonight!"

The Forbidden Forest isn't far from Black Lake!

Daphne's mind worked quickly on Thea's question, even before Zabini could react.

"No, you have more important things to do tonight."

Draco's refusal made Daphne's face turn indignant, but when she heard Draco's next words, her face instantly lit up with joy.

"The assembly you're in charge of...gathering all the members of the academy...tonight is very important..."

Although Draco's words were vague, Zabini and Daphne still showed excited expressions.

The decisive battle may very well be tonight!

The three of them exchanged glances, and each saw the same answer in the other's eyes.

"Zabini, you'll have to work a little harder tonight. Take your men to re-inspect the shelter and defense network, and then compile a general combat strength report. Submit it to me before 10 o'clock."

"it is good,"

Zabini agreed, and then asked:

"You're in charge of force allocation?"

"Yes, it's good to be prepared early so that we won't be caught off guard."

Draco nodded, confirming Zabini's guess.

After Zabini left, the meeting room welcomed several former core members of the study group.

When they left the conference room, without exception, they all had excited expressions on their faces.

At 10 p.m., Hogwarts lights out on time, but there are still a few places where the lights are still on, including the headmaster's office.

Apart from the professor in charge of patrolling, all the other professors were here, even the eccentric Trelawney.

Looking at the group of professors in front of her, McGonagall couldn't help but glance down at the letter in her hand again. The special, circle-within-a-circle handwriting made her eyes sting with tears.

She stood up, holding the thin sheet of paper in her hand, as if she were saying "We're here to Hogwarts" to those bewildered freshmen every year, her voice trembling with excitement yet hushed:

"Albus Dumbledore, he's not dead, he's alive! He'll be back at Hogwarts in three hours!"

Upon hearing this, every professor present wore an expression of utter astonishment, except for Trelawney, who remained remarkably calm amidst the general disbelief.

"I predicted it long ago, that we would win!"