The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 35: Late Night

The pitch-black night enveloped the tranquil fjord, where a dark castle stood, emitting a dim, yellow light.

This is Durmstrang Academy, a magic academy located in Northern Europe, and one of the few academies that still teaches dark magic.

Even though they have already trained Grindelwald, who is now stirring up trouble on the European continent.

"For the greater good." The faded words are engraved on the wall outside the library. More or less, students passing by have glanced at this place, but when they see the girl sitting on the steps below the wall, holding a book, they all show disgust.

Loila Hamilton, a half-breed of a dirty wizard and a magical creature, a cowardly freak who can't even speak her mind.

However, she seemed to be engrossed in the book in front of her at that moment.

This is a book on magic arrays. Since arriving in Durmstrang, the girl has felt as if she has entered an ocean of knowledge... It's a wonderful place... provided she doesn't think about the things that happen to her every day...

"Smack."

"what……"

The girl felt a sharp pain in her head. She covered her head and looked towards the source... It was a small stone that had flown in from who-knows-where.

"Hehehe."

Laughter could be heard; were they the instigators?

It doesn't matter... The knowledge of magic arrays is far more important than arguing with them... Besides, the girl is afraid of arguing.

But sometimes, disputes and conflicts never go as you wish; they always come knocking when you're most worried.

"Hey! Pointy ears!" A slightly amused voice came, followed by a series of footsteps.

"Ah..." The girl raised her head and pursed her lips. She hugged the book tightly and slowly got up, while pulling the hood tighter with her other hand.

She seemed to recognize the person who came, and therefore instinctively wanted to run away.

Unfortunately, two boys dressed in thick robes blocked her way. These boys had wicked smiles on their faces and pointed their magic wands at the girl.

"I've heard that Veela ears can be used to make medicine, but I don't know if it's true or not." It was a young man with black curly hair who walked up to the girl with his head held high amidst the crowd.

"You might as well give me your ears," he said with a shrug and a grin. "You don't want them anyway, do you?"

"No...no..." the girl whispered, "This is my...mother..."

"Ah, of course we know your mother is a magical creature." The man shrugged and yawned. "And we also know how she, as a Veela, seduced your pure-blood wizard father into bed."

"You..." The girl stammered, trying to explain, but her words were drowned out by laughter.

"Oh, by the way, I also heard that Lord Grindelwald is coming here soon." The boy raised an eyebrow and continued, "Do you know why he's coming?"

The girl gritted her teeth and didn't speak. She curled up, wanting to leave, but all she could see were figures wearing thick black robes.

"He's here to kill you." The boy smirked. "To kill someone as filthy as you, born to tarnish the bloodline of wizards..."

"Enough!" Another voice came, making the boy frown and the girl pause slightly.

"I said, that's enough, Karkaroff!" The owner of the voice slowly stepped out from the crowd. He glared at the black-haired boy before continuing, "Do you always enjoy this kind of game of bullying the weak?"

"Or are you just such a pathetic person that you need to belittle others to satisfy yourself?"

"That's none of your business, Müller," Karkaroff said, glaring at him.

"Of course this concerns me." The young man named Muller walked between the girl and the boy: "I can't tolerate a good-for-nothing like you bullying others."

His words were quite harsh, causing Karkaroff to frown and raise his wand, but those around him quickly pulled him back.

"That's Muller... Don't fight him." The person next to him lowered his voice: "It's said that he once used the Crucifixion Curse on a classmate."

Upon hearing the Cruciatus Curse, Karkaroff turned pale. He gritted his teeth, took a few steps back, and said, "Just wait... you triangular-eared freak... and you, Muller."

You'd better not walk alone.

"I've always been alone," Muller said slowly, showing no fear of his threat. "But you, Karkaroff... you can't always be surrounded by a bunch of people."

Watching Karkaroff and the surrounding crowd leave, Müller turned to look at the timid girl, who was huddled in a corner, clutching the book in her hands.

"Miss Loila Hamilton, I hope you'd better protect yourself." He shook his head and turned to leave.

The girl only dared to slightly raise her head to glance at his back.

"call……"

Late at night, Loila took a deep breath and woke up from her nightmare, her face pale as she gasped for air.

She dreamt of Durmstrang's days... a difficult time, and also of someone who could possibly be called a friend...

The reason it's "possible" is...

Loila shook her head, no longer wanting to think about what would happen next.

what time is it now?

She gently lifted the magic wand from under the pillow and flicked it.

The tiny rays of light emanating from the tip of the staff allowed her to see the clock in the room.

2 AM...

She seemed to have woken up a little too early... Loila glanced at the wristband on the table.

Many days have passed since the first production, and the production of the communication wristband is nearing completion... Tomorrow should be the final touches.

I wonder what time Miss Lovegood will arrive...

It seemed a bit early, and she wondered if she should rest for a while... Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly noticed that Riddle's diary on the table had been opened at some point.

Is it the wind?

Loila subconsciously got up and walked to the table. Her slender fingers rested on the diary, and she was about to close it when a faint handwriting suddenly appeared on it.

"Good evening, Miss Hamilton." It was Riddle, talking to himself.

"Good evening... Mr. Riddle." Loira thought for a moment, then picked up her quill and wrote, "Aren't you going to sleep?"

"I'm dead, I don't need to sleep."

Sorry... Loila felt like she was saying something stupid again, maybe because she had just woken up and was still a little dazed?

"I have something to tell you," Riddle continued, "It concerns one of your friends."

"Friends?" Loila was taken aback. She only had two friends, Mr. Lupin and Miss Lovegood.

Could it be Miss Lovegood? After all, she said she was going to throw away her diary.

"Is it Miss Lovegood? She's a good person, just a little eccentric..." Loila hadn't finished writing when she saw Riddle's reply.

"I didn't say Miss Lovegood, I meant Lupin..." He paused, then continued, "Remus Lupin."

"Mr. Lupin?" Loila paused for a moment, watching Riddle's handwriting slowly emerge.

Listen carefully.

What?

Upon hearing Riddle's words, Loila paused for a moment and instinctively pressed her ear against the wall.

"Bang!"

The sound of breaking glass came from next door, startling Loila, followed by a flurry of footsteps.

Mr. Lupin has really had an accident!

Loila hurriedly wrapped herself in a robe and boots and arrived at Lupin's door without even having time to put them on.

It was late at night, and the tavern's corridors were quiet. The rooms seemed to be well soundproofed, and no one except Loila could hear anything.

"Mr. Lupin?" Loila knocked on the door.

The room was silent; there was no reply.

Was my voice too soft?

Loila pursed her lips and raised her voice slightly: "Mr. Lupin!"

There was still no answer...

Loila took a deep breath and raised her wand.

I'm sorry, Mr. Lupin, but if you really have nothing to say, feel free to criticize me...

The Arajo Cave is open.

As Loila silently chanted the incantation, she flicked her wand.

"Clatter".

The door to the room slowly opened, and Loila poked her head out.

Mr. Lupin is not in the room!

The room was a mess, with books scattered everywhere and bits of cloth strewn about, while the full moon outside was reflected in the broken glass of the window.