Chapter 63. Conflict
Dumbledore is lying.
The murderer couldn't possibly be the Death Eater named Wilkes, killed by Professor Fawkes!
He hid in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts to escape Professor Fawkes' revenge, especially now that Fawkes had become a Hogwarts professor. Would he really do something as harmful as attacking two students?
To clear Professor Fawkes's name, conceal his motives for revenge, and emphasize that he captured the Dark Wizard, he's giving the young wizards the psychological impression that he's risking his life to protect them.
Lynn can understand Dumbledore's actions; according to Professor Fawkes, their relationship was indeed extraordinary.
But why is he saying Wilkes is the murderer?
If Hogwarts is now under lockdown, and more attacks occur, how will Dumbledore explain that?
Lynn doesn't think he would do something so self-destructive.
Unless the real murderer has already been caught,
or he knows who the real culprit is, or even if he hasn't caught him, he's certain the culprit won't continue attacking.
Combining Lynn's previous suspicions, he suddenly felt an unusual unease.
Hubert had a conflict with him and was attacked by dark magic on the very day he plotted revenge.
Raphael had also clashed with him and was attacked the same day he left the school hospital.
Both attacks were carried out by people who were Lynn's enemies, all plotting revenge against him.
Moreover, Dumbledore wasn't at the castle during either attack.
Coupled with Dumbledore's current reaction, this sent chills down Lynn's spine.
Just then, the system suddenly appeared.
[Side Quest: Find the true culprit hidden within Hogwarts.]
[Quest Description: You have discovered suspicious points in the two attacks. The shrouded in mystery of the attacks and Dumbledore's strange reaction have made you uneasy, so bravely seek the truth!]
[Task Reward: Unlock Talent: Bloodline Inheritance.]
[Task Duration: 30 days.]
All other information was negligible, but the task reward stunned Lynn.
Bloodline Inheritance.
What kind of talent was that?
But the young wizards in the Great Hall didn't give him much time to think; they chatted enthusiastically with Lynn, who could only nod mechanically.
Hogwarts lifted its security, meaning they would continue classes after breakfast.
Dumbledore announced that due to Professor Fawkes's precarious health, Defense Against the Dark Arts would be temporarily taught by Professor McGonagall, who also taught Transfiguration.
Lynn, Ian, and Cedric parted ways in front of the Great Hall; this morning's Charms class would be taught by Slytherin and Ravenclaw together.
"Something seems off about you," Ian said.
Lynn rubbed his eyes and sighed.
"Even you can tell? I'm hesitant about some things I don't know whether to do."
Ian remained silent; he was naturally aloof, and always quiet when with Lynn and the others.
Lynn turned to look at him and suddenly said,
"Can you do me a favor?"
"What favor?"
Lynn didn't answer, but stared at Ian's face for a long time.
Well, his acting wasn't great, but his expressionless face was a plus.
"This favor is a bit dangerous. Actually, it would be better to have Cedric help, but his personality isn't quite right. Everyone in school knows he's a pushover."
Ian's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
So, he's a pushover, and I'm the villain?
Lynn whispered a few words in Ian's ear. Ian looked at him strangely, hesitated for a moment, and without asking why, nodded in agreement.
At lunchtime, Lynn spoke to Cedric again. Cedric stared at Lynn inexplicably, his gaze like that of someone looking at a brainless monster.
"That look makes me want to give you a good whack with your front teeth," Lynn said unfriendly.
Cedric asked, puzzled, "Why would you do that?"
Lynn didn't explain too clearly, only saying…
"I want to conduct an experiment."
"What kind of experiment requires this?"
"If it succeeds, you'll find out then."
The afternoon Herb Class ended uneventfully, and Hogwarts seemed to be back on track, except for a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Only during dinner did a small incident occur.
Lynn and Ian started arguing in public.
"You just sneaked out to show off, you got lucky!" Ian said coldly.
Lynn glanced at him sideways and retorted sarcastically.
"I think you're just jealous to the core, jealous to the core! Seeing me in the limelight while nobody pays attention to you, you're desperate for attention!"
Ian naturally had a poker face, devoid of any expression, yet perfectly matching his current mood.
"I'm jealous of you? I'm just laughing at some troublemaker who suddenly got lucky and is now smugly oblivious to it."
"Pah! I got lucky? That's because I was brave enough to go out back then. Would you dare? Would you dare?"
Cedric, exasperated, stood between them. Although they had been briefed, he couldn't tell if they were really arguing or just pretending.
"You, you all need to calm down, calm down," he could only say.
The young wizards of Hogwarts got excited. They were incapable of discerning right from wrong, but they were all experts at watching the spectacle, craning their necks like giraffes to see what was going on.
Ian's face, when it turned sarcastic, could infuriate anyone.
"I'm perfectly calm now, it's just that some people's eyes have turned into the back of their heads, and their nostrils into eyes!"
"Oh? I look down my nose at people? I'm not looking down my nose at people, but at a jealous bug who dares not admit it."
Ian's expression didn't change, but those around him could clearly see his face darken.
"You've gone too far, Lynn Belloc." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone could sense the coldness in his tone.
Lynn scoffed, "What can you do to me?"
Ian seemed completely enraged by his words. To everyone's surprise, he raised his wand and pointed it at Lynn.
"You're just showing off for now, Lynn! In other people's eyes, you're just a lucky Mudblood! I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget! I'll give you a good thrashing!"
Lynn seemed completely unprepared for Ian's sudden spell. Caught off guard, he was hit, his body covered in goosebumps.
Enraged, he raised his wand in return, and the two began exchanging spells right there in the Great Hall!
The young wizards scattered, crowding around the perimeter of the Great Hall, excitedly watching the spectacle, until Professor McGonagall charged in like an angry lioness!
"You, you are utterly audacious! Ravenclaw and Slytherin lose 20 points! Belloc's confinement is extended to the end of the term! Campbell will do two months' worth of chores with Professor Sprout!"
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(End of Chapter)