[Antoine: Hahahaha, so you're investigating? I thought it was weird to prepare the venue with two weeks left until the competition.]
Antoine's handwriting on the parchment exuded a sense of high spirits.
[Antoine: Did you find anything unusual?]
Vid glanced out the window. The twilight shrouded the plane at Salem Academy, with only a few windows still emitting light.
He lowered his eyes and scribbled new words on the parchment:
[Vid: I don't think so. Today's school is as calm as ever.]
[Antoine: Not sure about other schools, but at least I can guarantee that Salem Academy's students haven't been replaced.]
[Vid: Because you're always watching them?]
[Antoine: No, because the ethos of this academy can't be mimicked just by looking alike.]
[Antoine: Besides, Salem's students are very united, almost like family. You know, when the Champion was selected, I didn't see jealousy or discontent on any of the kids' faces.]
[Antoine: So if someone here was replaced, they would be found out immediately—even with a Confundus Charm or Memory Modification Spell.]
Vid pondered for a moment and then wrote again:
[Vid: Actually, I've been thinking lately, the reason the victim was murdered might not be because he was to be replaced, but because he discovered some secret of the murderer?]
[Antoine: So the bones weren't deliberately buried, but he walked into Hogwarts while still alive?]
[Antoine: Perhaps the unlucky guy was going to tell Dumbledore about his discovery, but was intercepted halfway... and then wiped clean, becoming an unidentifiable skeleton?]
[Antoine: Your speculation is interesting. I'm now starting to think this is the truth.]
Yes, that's Vid's thought.
He couldn't help getting up and pacing the room, his heart suddenly beating fast, with a faint feeling of his scalp tingling.
When he wrote again, he could feel his blood rushing through his veins.
[Vid: But this would raise a new question...]
[Antoine: How did the murderer gain the victim's trust?]
[Vid: If he was going to relay a major secret, he would be very nervous and wouldn't trust others easily.]
[Antoine: If strangers or suspicious people approached, he would naturally be extremely cautious. In this case, he wouldn't be easily killed silently so close to the castle... while the heads of various magic schools were at Hogwarts.]
[Vid: So the murderer must have first gained his trust and then approached him closely.]
[Antoine: And those who could earn the trust of the deceased at such a time must be from Hogwarts... even those whom Dumbledore trusts most.]
[Vid: But they haven't been replaced.]
[Antoine: Are you sure?]
[Vid: Yes.]
After a long pause, new words appeared on the parchment.
[Antoine: In this case... doesn't it make things even more interesting?]
Vid seemed to see the anticipatory, playful smile on his face.
Not malicious, but like a born troublemaker, eager for the moment when a beautiful scene is destructively ruined.
After a long pause, Vid wrote down: [It's just you and me speculating.]
[Antoine: Indeed (laughs).]
[Vid: Rather than believing a professor is controlled or bribed, I'm more inclined to suspect the murderer is hiding in another school... like Durmstrang.]
[Antoine: Of course, that's very possible. Dumbledore can't search other schools, Aurors also have their hands tied; they can only observe secretly.]
[Vid: So your idea is...]
[Antoine: I think you're not someone who would cheat yourself (laughs heartily).]
Vid's nostrils twitched quickly as he stared at the text on the paper, silent for a long while.
No replacements, could the murderer be a school's professor?
Who could he suspect?
According to tradition, at this time one would mention the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
But after reviewing repeatedly, Moody was still Moody, not turning into "Barty Crouch" or anything like that.
Alastor Moody is someone who would rather fight to the death than bow down to Dark Wizards.
Besides, since Barty Senior left Hogwarts last time, he hasn't returned... even when discussing competition matters, it's Ludo Bagman who travels between Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic.
Could those bones be Barty Senior?
But...
Though Hogwarts's professors are exceptional, the number that can use such dark magic—killing silently—is few.
Accurately saying, apart from Dumbledore, only four house heads, Professor Morry, and Professor Moody have that level of skill.
If it were Harry, he would certainly lock in the suspect without hesitation—"It must be Snape; I knew he had problems!"
Vid could almost visualize his expression as he said this, along with others' reactions around.
But because he understands the plot, Vid knows Snape is one of the least likely to betray.
And because he knows the plot, he also knows Snape is not only a Death Eater but trusted deeply by Voldemort, even personally taught magic by the Dark Lord in the original story...
In terms of understanding dark magic, he undoubtedly ranks among the school professors.
Professor Morry...
Including him in the suspect list is actually unfair.
Because Professor Morry has never shown any formidable fighting level. Vid only knows he is knowledgeable in Alchemy, mastering many ancient scripts unfamiliar to most.
But then again, with Professor Morry's age and intelligence, Vid believes if he desired, he could undoubtedly have profound expertise in dark magic.
After a long moment of contemplation, Vid finally responded to Antoine:
[Help me check two people... see if they've had any anomalies lately.]
[No problem.] Antoine replied almost instantly: [Three days maximum; wait for my update.]
[Vid: Thank you... I'm counting on you.]
Putting away the Friendship Book, Vid sat alone before the desk, extinguishing most magic candles, leaving a single flickering flame casting uncertain shadows.
Outside, the Forbidden Forest's trees swayed eerily in the wind, reminiscent of giant trees suddenly coming to life. Durmstrang's ship rocked on the water, with waves crashing onto the shore.
Suddenly, his eyelid twitched as he turned his head sharply, instinctively holding his breath—
By the distant Black Lake, a silhouette abruptly entered his sight, standing quietly by the shore, its outline blurred by night mist, only the silver hair shining faintly in the darkness.