Three hours later, Liam finally completed the emergency enchantment.
Resting in his palm was a delicate silver hairpin.
Simple.
Elegant.
And far more valuable than it appeared.
Unlike the enchanted necklace he had created for Borgin, this hastily crafted item lacked a self-replenishing magic array. There simply hadn't been enough time.
Instead, Liam had directly infused it with his own magical power.
By his estimate, the enchantment could withstand twenty to thirty Killing Curses before failing.
More than enough.
No sane wizard would continue casting the same curse dozens of times after discovering it wasn't working.
And unlike Borgin, who spent his life surrounded by Dark Wizards in Knockturn Alley, Hermione was unlikely to face repeated assassination attempts.
For now, this would keep her safe.
If necessary, he could always improve it later.
With the hairpin finished, Liam closed his suitcase and headed toward the Great Hall.
Following the attack, every student in Hogwarts had been gathered there for protection.
Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick stood guard at the entrance, wands already drawn.
The atmosphere was tense.
The moment McGonagall spotted Liam, she visibly relaxed.
"Liam."
She beckoned him over.
"You're late."
"I had something to take care of."
Liam answered honestly.
"Headmaster Dumbledore granted me permission to move independently."
McGonagall immediately frowned.
"Honestly, what is Albus thinking?"
Her voice carried obvious irritation.
"Hogwarts is dangerous enough right now without allowing first-years to wander around alone."
Liam smiled slightly.
"Professor, I can protect myself."
McGonagall sighed.
She couldn't really argue.
After all, this was the student who had just flattened part of the Forbidden Forest with a meteor.
"Just be careful."
"I will."
With that, Liam entered the Great Hall.
Students sat in tightly packed groups according to House.
Most were speaking nervously.
Rumors spread rapidly through the hall.
Some claimed Death Eaters had infiltrated Hogwarts.
Others believed Voldemort himself had returned.
Near the Gryffindor tables, Hermione sat alone in a corner.
No one sat beside her.
No one invited her into their conversations.
She hugged her knees and stared blankly ahead.
The emergency evacuation had happened so quickly that she hadn't even been able to grab a book.
For Hermione Granger, that was a genuine tragedy.
Liam raised a hand.
Immediately, Hermione's face brightened.
She jumped to her feet and hurried over.
"Liam!"
Without wasting time, Liam produced the silver hairpin.
"This is for you."
Hermione blinked.
"What is it?"
"A protective enchantment."
He handed it over.
"Wear it."
Her eyes widened instantly.
Given everything that had happened today, she wasn't stupid.
She immediately understood.
A protective item.
Created specifically for her.
The realization made her heart skip a beat.
"Liam..."
She looked down at the silver hairpin.
"Don't tell me this can—"
"Just understand it yourself."
Liam interrupted calmly.
"And don't lend it to anyone."
His expression turned serious.
"It took a lot of effort to make."
Hermione immediately clutched it protectively.
"I'll treasure it!"
The excitement in her voice was impossible to miss.
Satisfied, Liam pulled another book from his bag.
"If you're bored, read this."
Hermione gasped.
"A High-Level Spell Theory Manual?"
Her eyes practically sparkled.
"Thank you!"
The previous loneliness vanished instantly.
With a book in hand, she could happily ignore everyone else for hours.
"I'll return it when I'm finished."
"No rush."
Liam waved dismissively.
Hermione hurried back to her corner.
Within seconds, she was completely absorbed in reading.
Liam couldn't help smiling slightly.
Then another figure appeared beside him.
Cassandra.
Her emerald eyes narrowed immediately.
"What did you just give that Gryffindor girl?"
"A defensive magical artifact."
Liam answered honestly.
"She helped me a lot in the library."
"She answers many of my questions."
"So it's only fair."
Cassandra hesitated.
The answer sounded reasonable.
Very reasonable.
Which somehow made it difficult to stay annoyed.
"Oh."
She looked away.
"Fine."
Liam nodded.
"I'm leaving."
"Leaving?"
Cassandra immediately grabbed his wrist.
"Where?"
"To investigate."
Liam looked toward the entrance.
"The sooner I find whoever attacked you, the sooner this ends."
Her grip tightened.
"That's dangerous."
Her voice softened.
"Can't the professors and Aurors handle it?"
"You should stay here too."
"Don't go wandering around."
The concern in her eyes was obvious.
Liam smiled.
"You've dueled me enough times."
"Do you really think someone can beat me?"
Cassandra froze.
Then she remembered countless afternoons spent getting utterly overwhelmed during their training matches.
Meteor spells.
Wind blades.
Magic missiles.
Every session felt like surviving a natural disaster.
"No."
She answered honestly.
"I don't think anyone can beat you."
"Then don't worry."
Liam gently reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.
The unexpected gesture immediately turned Cassandra's face red.
"I'm strong."
"I'll be fine."
"Besides, the professors can't guard Hogwarts forever."
"The sooner I deal with the problem, the safer everyone becomes."
Cassandra bit her lip.
Then she tightened her grip again.
"Promise me something."
"What?"
"You'll come back."
Her voice became firm.
"You're not allowed to die."
"I won't allow it."
For a moment, Liam simply stared at her.
Then he laughed softly.
"Alright."
He squeezed her hand.
"I promise."
"Good."
Only then did she reluctantly release him.
Liam turned and walked toward the exit.
Behind him, Cassandra watched until he disappeared from sight.
Only then did she touch the necklace resting against her neck and quietly relax.
...
Outside the Great Hall, Liam approached Professor McGonagall.
"Professor."
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Have you completed the student roll call?"
McGonagall's expression immediately darkened.
"We have."
"Anyone missing?"
"Yes."
She nodded grimly.
"Two students."
Liam's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
"Kurat Vane from Slytherin."
"And Agri Swan from Ravenclaw."
"We've already questioned their classmates."
McGonagall folded her arms.
"No one has seen either of them since this morning."
The moment she finished speaking, Liam's expression became serious.
The investigation had finally produced its first real lead.
....
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