[HP] Being a problem student at Hogwarts

The Hogwarts Junior Detective Team worked hard to search for several days, but could not find any useful clues.

At first, they suspected that Roger's accident was due to the dangerous plants in the third greenhouse. But Professor Sprout stopped teaching for half a day, sealed the third greenhouse and searched it, but found nothing.

"...There is no trace, just like it was suddenly swept away by the wind and disappeared out of thin air." Harry overheard Professor Sprout saying to Professor McGonagall. However, she cautiously continued to seal the third greenhouse and did not allow students to approach it.

Later they also suspected that Coco was dragged into the water while feeding the octopus. But it has been so long that there are no useful traces left by the lake for reference. Octopuses also have difficulty communicating.

If Coco and Rogge disappeared, they might still be in danger, but what danger could Ruda encounter if he just went to clean the classroom?

"Maybe he fell into the secret room." Ron said.

"It's not shown on the Marauder's Map either." Hermione complained, "House elves are like air!"

"Maybe it's because of those socks of yours?" Tom himself denied it again, "It won't be that fast. They basically disappeared earlier than you were given socks. Besides, being free is not being deported, so there is no reason to disappear without a trace."

They even ran back to the kitchen to confirm again that the missing elves had indeed never returned.

When they walked out of the kitchen, Luo Luo's big red and swollen eyes full of expectation kept watching them. Harry was so sad that he couldn't speak.

The young detective team, which had made no progress, also visited Professor Kettleburn of the Conservation of Magical Creatures class. Unfortunately, Professor Kettleburn, who concentrated on studying magical creatures, knew more about those dangerous creatures and had little influence on domestic children. The elves also know very little.

"They will always come back." Professor Kettleburn said nonchalantly, busy holding down the sniffers who were about to pounce on the students. "Those nervous little things! Who knows where they went."

Hagrid didn't know anything about house elves either.

"House elves?" Hagrid asked in confusion. "Aren't they just doing sanitation and cooking in the castle? What could happen to them?"

"I can't believe it!" Hermione said angrily, "Every one of them! They actually have such indifference to house elves!"

Harry walked with his head down, and after a while he whispered: "Lolo is still waiting for his brother to come home."

Ron bit his lip and said, "Let's go find the principal!"

Tom was glad they finally listened to him.

Principal Dumbledore seemed to have been waiting for their arrival. When they opened the wooden door, they saw that a small long table and four comfortable-looking soft sofas had been set up in the principal's office. There were also four sofas on the long table. Cup of steaming milk.

Tom looked around and found that Fox was not there.

"Fawkes was sent out by me," said Dumbledore. "The eyes in the sky can help us see better."

"So," Tom sat down and asked, holding a glass of milk, "you already have an idea?"

"Magic will always leave traces. Sometimes they are very obvious traces." Dumbledore motioned to the other children to drink some hot drinks to warm themselves up. "I have been in school for many years and have seen all kinds of magic." What kind of students, some of whom had a style that I always remember.”

Dumbledore sighed.

"We went to the crime scene to check and found no traces," Harry said.

"It's a trace of magic, Harry. Don't limit yourself to mortal sight." Dumbledore smiled, "If it weren't for the danger, I would be happy to take you to a practical class."

"Take us there."

"We already went to check it out anyway."

"With the principal here, what danger can there be?"

"Please, Principal!"

The children begged and begged.

"Ah." Dumbledore couldn't help it. "Let me explain a little bit first. The easiest way to check the traces left by magic is to use the other party's wand to check."

"I know!" Hermione replied quickly, "It's the Flashback Curse!"

"What?" Harry asked.

"Flashback spell." Tom answered. "Putting the tip of the wand against the target wand, driven by the spell 'Flashback Curse', can force the target wand to display the spells previously cast in a flashback."

"Very good, two points for Gryffindor." Dumbledore approved, "But this method of checking traces requires the other party's wand to be in hand, and the other party did use the wand to cast the spell before. If the other party used If the spell is cast without a wand, or if many unrelated spells are cast after the spell is cast to cover it up, the effect of the flashback spell is very limited."

"The correct casting of magic spells requires the cooperation of spells, gestures, emotions, etc., setting off magic tides of varying sizes in the magic field of vision, driving the magic factors to achieve the goals according to the spell requirements. Experienced magicians can read the magic power The traces left by the tides, understanding what spells work, and guessing the identity of the caster through some familiar little movements.”

"Many wizards have no awareness of concealing the traces of their spells, and some arrogant wizards even deliberately leave behind their own messages. For example, the infamous Dark Mark was originally a cruel and fun emotion left by those dark wizards who loved to kill. Combined with the desperate wails of the dying victims and the fear of the people around them, the black mist with the aura of the undead was formed, which was then consciously used by the dark wizards to form a spell."

"The power of this spell is further strengthened by the fear or perverse joy exuded by each person who beholds the Dark Mark."

"I don't understand," Ron frowned and asked, "I mean, after all, the Dark Mark is just a mark, what power can it have?"

"Fear itself is a kind of power." Dumbledore replied, "Imagine that on an ordinary evening, you come home and stand at the door of your home, but you see the Dark Mark hovering above. You know very well that when you push the door and go in, you will see To what..."

"Angry, panic, anger and panic. Refusing to believe, refusing to accept, because this is what everyone is afraid of happening."

"The fear absorbed by the Dark Mark will further suppress the victim's power, but it can also simultaneously strengthen the dark wizard. How many people can suppress their anger and have enough ability to leave the effective range of the Dark Mark and then fight back? Those Failed, desperate struggles are also the nourishment of the Dark Mark."

After a moment of silence, Tom asked: "Why do you want to give this example? Because you also found similar messages in the traces left this time?"

"Or..." Tom asked hesitantly, "Do you think the disappearance of the elf this time is related to the person who cannot be told?"

"Ah! Harry!" Hermione cried worriedly.

Harry looked left and right inexplicably, wondering why Hermione suddenly called his name.

"Call him Voldemort, children. Always use the correct name for a thing. Fear of a name reinforces fear of the thing itself."

"Yes, I think this time the matter is still related to Voldemort."

"Still?" Tom keenly caught the key word, "Does that mean it's the same as last time? You mean... Professor Quirrell?"

"I'm sorry, children." Dumbledore said seriously, "I'm afraid Professor Quirrell has left us forever."

"Didn't you say last time..." Harry murmured, "Did Professor Quirrell escape?"

"Yes, last time we raided the Defense Against the Dark Arts office and found that Professor Quirrell's personal belongings were missing, floo powder was scattered on the floor, and the fire in the fireplace was burning brightly. So we inferred that Quirrell The professor, realizing something was wrong, escaped through the fireplace.”

"But unfortunately, Fang, the big dog raised by Hagrid, found Professor Quirrell's suitcase in the swamp deep in the Forbidden Forest while accompanying Hagrid on his inspection of the Forbidden Forest. One thing at a time, just those personal items that disappeared from the office.”

The cruel truth behind this news does not need to be explained further by Dumbledore.

"Professor Quirrell... was silenced by the person hiding behind him?" Hermione asked with a trembling voice.

"Hidden behind him," Dumbledore repeated, "that's an appropriate statement. In fact, I guess that person - probably Voldemort, is hiding behind Professor Quirrell's turban, in a possessed way, Eluded Hogwarts' detection system."

Harry imagined Professor Quirrell taking off his turban and seeing a piece of human face stuck to the back of his head... He almost retched.

"Then Professor Quirrell is bald?" Ron's focus was strange.

"Why did you guess it was Voldemort?" Hermione asked, "I mean, Voldemort...he is dead."

"I have some evidence that he did not die back then, but just disappeared. In this incident, I can infer that it was him from some familiar traces. Teachers will never easily forget the outstanding students he taught... …”

"We still have no way of knowing where he has been hiding all these years. We can only infer from Professor Quirrell's experience that he lost his body and has been looking for a body that he is willing to share. Unfortunately, Professor Quirrell was chosen... "

"If Professor Quirrell is dead," Harry struggled not to laugh, "then he is now using the body of a house elf?"

Dumbledore didn't laugh.

"I'm afraid it's worse than that."

"I expected his fall, but his fall was faster and more decisive than I expected."

"I think you have also noticed Professor Quirrell's symptoms during his lifetime - he became increasingly pale and thin. This was not only due to the pressure brought to him by Voldemort's orders, but also due to the effects of Voldemort's possession on his body. burden."

"I mean, Voldemort was sucking the life out of him."

Harry shuddered and asked, "How is this possible?"

"Voldemort is not really dead, but he is not really alive either. He is somewhere between life and death, and has some characteristics of a ghost, so he can possess other people's bodies and rely on sucking life to strengthen himself."

"After he realized that Professor Quirrell's identity was useless, he must not have hesitated to plunder Quirrell's remaining value. He has always been ruthless to his enemies, and he was equally ruthless to his followers."

"He faked the scene of Professor Quirrell's escape," Tom said. "In fact, he hid deep in the Forbidden Forest and sank the suitcase in the swamp, thinking that no one would find it."

"But the truth will always come out," Dumbledore replied. "Before Quirrell's remaining life is consumed, he must find a new source of vitality."

"Every magical creature in the Forbidden Forest is a rare and rare species. The disappearance of students in the castle will definitely cause a sensation in the wizarding world. Is there anything more ignored than a house elf?" Dumbledore asked.

There was sadness in Hermione's eyes.

"Yeah, it's okay if one is missing. If it's gone, it's gone. If two are missing, it's okay. They are just neurotic little monsters." She said softly, "It doesn't matter if three are missing. Anyway, as long as someone does the housework, it's fine. ”

The little witch cried.

"I'm sorry I didn't discover it the first time." Dumbledore sighed, "He cunningly took advantage of wizards' arrogance and indifference to house elves."

"But why!" Hermione shouted, "Why does everyone turn a blind eye to the elves! For centuries, no one has ever thought of what to do-"

"Ah, this." Dumbledore cleared his throat, "There are some historical reasons for this."

"What?" Tom asked, "I looked through all the books about house elves in the library, and there was almost nothing useful mentioned in them."

"I'm sorry, kid," Dumbledore said hesitantly. Tom had never seen such a hesitant look on Dumbledore's face.

"First of all, we have to admit that in the magical world, knowledge itself is valuable. Therefore, the establishment of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a very great initiative. It marks the union of the magical world, the sharing and popularization of knowledge, and from then on the magic world Inheritance has a formal and open system, and it no longer relies entirely on family oral traditions. This means that even young wizards who are Muggle-born, or those who have unfortunately lost their wizarding family, are qualified to learn magic. , instead of relying entirely on luck to cast spells like before, or worse, having no control over your own power."

"But, alas, human selfishness cannot be eliminated. I have to be honest with you - although I think it is a bit cruel to show you the reality so early, the reality is the reality and will not be changed because of our avoidance. Disappearance - Although Hogwarts has the best professors to teach, it still teaches basic magical knowledge. Advanced courses are taught by students and professors through mutual selection, and more precious knowledge It is still passed down only in ancient pure wizard families."

Ron opened his mouth stupidly.

Harry looked at Dumbledore confused.

But Tom and Hermione were already frowning.

"So there are some secrets that many wizards don't know," Dumbledore said, "such as house elves."

"Miss Granger, you are a very smart witch who has read a lot of books. Please tell me - the goblins have launched rebellions many times and caused huge losses to the wizarding world, but now the goblins still control the wizards' banks. Gringotts; werewolves and vampires are spreading viruses everywhere, and some giant tribes even still maintain the bad habit of cannibalism...Why are they treated better than house elves in the wizarding world?"

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"The centaurs are skilled in bows and arrows and hate wizards, but they will never harm foals; even if you are alone and stay with goblins who are so greedy that they squeeze the oil out of their bones, you don't have to worry about your life... Why? "

"Because there are house elves." Dumbledore himself answered, "No, I don't mean they secretly protect young wizards.

I mean, their very existence is a deterrent. Deterrence from the wizard race. "

"House elves were not called this name originally, but no one remembers the original name. You may have read that they are a foreign race conquered by wizards. Wizards are indeed arrogant, but they are also very willing to show their kindness in a condescending manner. and generous, so we are willing to give goblins a chance again, and we are willing to keep in captivity all kinds of magical creatures that were slaughtered into cherished species, but house elves cannot."

"They violated the taboo of wizards and slaughtered young wizards."

"Wizards are very precious. Young wizards are even more precious because they lack the ability to protect themselves. They are the future of the wizarding world. Even if the Vatican is hunting down wizards, they will not attack young wizards easily. They usually choose to take them back. Brainwash and become the new guardian of the Holy See."

"So the house elves' planned sneak attacks and massacres of little wizards angered all wizards." Dumbledore said, "Imagine a man who can cast spells without a wand, and whose average magical ability is no better than that of wizards." How panicked and angry the wizards can be when a much weaker alien race targets their children."

"And at that time, there were many magical species competing with the wizards for their survival. The behavior of the elves could be imitated. In order to deter all races, and to let everyone and non-human beings understand, the bottom line of the wizards is absolutely not Those allowed to be touched - the ancient wizards united and used the resentment and fear of the dead young wizard, the grief and hatred of the victim's family members, and the hatred and determination of other wizards to cast an unprecedentedly complex curse."

"From then on, house elves were born. The wailing and resentment of the victims never ceased, and the curse spread in their blood, cursing them to serve the wizards forever to atone for their sins. The birth of house elves successfully deterred all foreign races, so You can see that any alien with wisdom and heritage would not dare to harm a young wizard easily."

"House elves are a lesson learned from the past."

"As a person, I sympathize with the current treatment of house elves, so if any of them asks me to improve my treatment, request for vacation, etc., I will be happy to fulfill it. But as a wizard, even without humility, As one of the existing wizards who still has some fame and appeal, I will not participate in any, any activity to liberate house elves." Dumbledore said, "Can you understand, Miss Granger?" 7K妏婩

"B-but..." Hermione's voice trailed off, "It's been so many years..."

"I have told you, Miss Granger." Dumbledore said bluntly, "The curse relies on the resentment and fear of the young wizard who died, the grief and hatred of the victim's family, and the hatred and determination of other wizards. .”

"The cries and resentment of the dead have not faded away. In what capacity do you want to persuade them to let go?"

"Of course, just like true love's kiss in Muggle fairy tales can awaken Sleeping Beauty, revive Snow White, and restore the Beast Prince, there is a way to break any curse. If house elves want to get rid of the curse, they need their free will, Volunteer to fight to protect wizards.”

Tom felt something was wrong when he heard this, and asked, "Doesn't this mean that the house elves were tamed voluntarily?"

"I'm sorry, but as far as I know, yes," Dumbledore replied.

"I will come up with another way." Hermione bit her lip and said, "I will definitely come up with another way!"

"Looking forward to that day, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said.