Hogwarts.
A sudden tremor ran through the corridors of Hogwarts, making the ground shake under the feet of all the students. In the midst of the confusion, the unmistakable voice of Professor McGonagall echoed, firm and clear, throughout the school.
"Attention, students," she began, her voice cutting through the air with palpable calm and strength. "Hogwarts is under attack by unknown dark wizards."
"All students from the fourth year and above should prepare for any possible emergencies. Be ready to fight at any moment. Students from the first to the third year should immediately head to the safety of their dormitories."
"Do not give in to fear. Stay alert and serene. Remember, you are wizards and witches of Hogwarts, trained to face even the darkest shadows."
"The Ministry of Magic has been notified, and reinforcements are on their way. We will hold our Hogwarts until they arrive. United, we are invincible."
"All teachers must gather in the dining hall."
With these words, a determined silence fell over the students. McGonagall's resolve not only instructed but also instilled a resilient courage in the hearts of all present.
Rose showed a dignified look, she turned and looked at Hermione. "Mione, go to the dormitory, I'll help."
"I'm going with you!" Hermione replied, with veiled determination in her voice.
"Hermione!" Rose raised her voice, more incisive, holding Hermione's face between her hands. "This is not a drill. It's real combat, and you could get seriously hurt... or worse."
"I won't let you face this alone." Hermione stood firm, defying Rose's insistence.
Confronted with those brown eyes filled with ironclad determination, Rose sighed, resigned.
"Alright, but once the battle starts, you must keep your distance from me," said Rose, her voice firm and authoritative, making it clear that she would not accept any objections. From the intensity of the magical vibrations beyond the Barrier, she knew she would be facing at least Three Special Grade Wizards!
The moment the confrontation unfolded, destruction was inevitable. Rose would never forgive herself if something happened to Hermione because of one of her own attacks.
"Yes, I'll run as far away as possible." Recognizing that there were no more arguments in her favor, Hermione agreed, and together, the two ran toward the dining hall.
To their surprise, upon arriving, they found they were not the only ones intent on helping. The dining hall already housed a notable group of students from all houses: Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and even some from Gryffindor.
It seemed that the impulse to fight was shared by many.
"I know you are here with good intentions, but many of you are just beginning your studies. You do not have enough experience to face a danger like this," said Professor Flitwick. His voice, usually sweet and calm, now carried a rare severity.
At that moment, the doors of the dining hall opened again, causing all eyes to turn towards Rose and Hermione.
Indifferent to the curious gazes, Rose walked directly up to Professor McGonagall, her expression as grave as her words.
"Professor, outside the Barrier, there are three Special Grade Wizards," she reported urgently.
Upon hearing this, a tense silence spread through the dining hall, cutting off any murmur that previously filled the air. The reality of the imminent danger silenced everyone present, leaving a heavy atmosphere of anticipation and fear.
Even Minerva and Filius couldn't help but take a deep breath at this information.
"Are you certain of this, Lady Potter?" Filius asked, his eyes calm.
"Absolutely certain!" Rose replied firmly.
Minerva and Filius exchanged glances, each seeing the caution and calm in the other's eyes. Both had been through wars; they were not novices to be panicked by such news.
"Change of plans," declared Minerva, authoritatively. "Even if reinforcements arrive, they will not be sufficient to stop three Special Grade Wizards. However, they also will not be able to penetrate Hogwarts, even if they try. The barrier will remain undefeated, even against such adversaries."
"And if the barrier is broken?" Hermione, always pragmatic, raised a legitimate concern, the anxiety evident on her face.
"There's no need to worry about that, Miss Granger," assured Minerva. "Hogwarts has stood for over a thousand years, largely because of that barrier. Even after a millennium, it represents the pinnacle of defense in the Wizarding World."
Turning to Filius, she continued in a grave tone: "Albus is in Israel, and we do not know where Asterion is. I need you at the entrance to the Core, even if it seems impossible that anyone could breach it, but it's never bad to be cautious."
Filius nodded and obeyed the orders without question, like a seasoned soldier. Despite his short stature, the students present could not help but look at his retreating back with admiration.
-
Looking down the dark and gloomy corridor, illuminated only by torches burning with flickering flames, two figures stop and dare not step into the corridor.
"Fascinating, the entire corridor is magically enchanted with thousands of magical traps. Even a semi-special grade wizard entering would be killed within minutes," spoke one of the figures, cloaked in a black mantle, his voice raspy and sibilant.
It was Voldemort, parasitizing the body of Quirinus, or at least, what was left of it.
Voldemort's condition was dire at this moment, half of Quirinus's face was rotting, with decomposing skin and maggots disgustingly moving underneath.
Even walking was complicated for Voldemort at this point, the price for using the Innate Technique using another person's body made him pay a bitter price, which even with Unicorn blood, he could only return to his peak for a few minutes.
As for Quirinus's consciousness, it had been long dead, Voldemort had killed him and completely occupied his body.
Remembering how he had come to this deplorable state, Voldemort's red eyes shone with cold murderous intent.
The hatred for Asterion in Voldemort's heart was no worse than his hatred for Dumbledore at this moment. If not for Asterion, his plans would have proceeded smoothly, he would have obtained the Philosopher's Stone and regained his strength; he would not be in this humiliating state.
"Master Voldemort."
Hearing the old and raspy voice, Voldemort's scarlet eyes fell upon the old man beside him. Voldemort hid well the disgust and intent to kill in his gaze, facing the Hogwarts traitor.
"Let us begin, Argus Filch," Voldemort spoke in a cold tone.
The flickering torchlight partially illuminated the aged appearance of the Hogwarts caretaker!
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Author's Thoughts: I found the identity of the traitor quite obvious. :D
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Next Chapter: Chapter 70 - Invasion of Hogwarts (3), Chapter 71 - Invasion of Hogwarts (4), Chapter 72 - Invasion of Hogwarts (5), Chapter 73 - Invasion of Hogwarts (6), Chapter 74 - Invasion of Hogwarts (7), Chapter 75 - Invasion of Hogwarts (8), Chapter 76 - Invasion of Hogwarts (9), Chapter 77 - Invasion of Hogwarts (10), Chapter 78 - Invasion of Hogwarts (11), Chapter 79 - Post-War (1), Chapter 80 - Heir of Salazar Slytherin (1), Chapter 81 - Heir of Salazar Slytherin (2), Chapter 82 - Heir of Salazar Slytherin (3), Chapter 83 - Salazar's Heir Slytherin (4), Chapter 84 - Sequels, Chapter 85 - Civil War (1), 86 - Civil War (2), 87 - Civil War (3), 88 - Civil War (4), 89 - Civil War (5), Chapter 90 - Civil War (6), Chapter 91 - Battlefield (1), Chapter 92 - Battlefield (2).