In addition to an impressive collection of books, Professor McGonagall's office held a variety of other items.
On the right wall hung an old broomstick—a Comet 200.
William recalled from his studies on the history of broomstick development that this model had been released in 1940.
Practically an antique.
Clearly, this was the broom Professor McGonagall had once used when playing for Gryffindor's Quidditch team. Even now, she had kept it. Next to the broom was a poster for the Montrose Magpies.
Once the most successful team in the British and Irish League, the Magpies had won the league championship thirty-two times and claimed two European Cup titles. Though the team had since faded from its former glory, Professor McGonagall kept this relic of her youthful fandom.
Behind McGonagall's desk hung a photograph of a slightly younger McGonagall with a wizard William didn't recognize.
As William took in the details of the office, Professor McGonagall, looking pensive, finally picked up a sheet of parchment.
She scribbled on it with her quill, sealed it in an envelope, and handed it to a white owl waiting at the window.
The owl nuzzled her affectionately before flying off, vanishing into the sky over Hogwarts.
With a weary expression, Professor McGonagall pressed her hand to her temple, as if she had a headache.
After a brief pause, she finally spoke: "William, I've written to Professor Dumbledore. Even if he receives it without delay, he'll only be back tomorrow morning at the earliest, as he'll be attending the evening's hearing."
William immediately stopped glancing around and nodded obediently.
McGonagall fixed him with a firm look and continued, "For now, child, please keep what you've learned today to yourself. Three innocent lives may depend on it."
The three lives she referred to were Snape, Hagrid, and Robert.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, William nodded earnestly. "Professor, I won't say a word to anyone. But please let me know as soon as Professor Dumbledore returns."
After a moment's hesitation, Professor McGonagall glanced at the ring on his finger and said, "About that ring… I couldn't remove it myself, but I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will know what to do. Try not to worry."
William had a feeling she was just trying to reassure him. He stood up to leave but, just as he reached the door, turned back.
"Professor McGonagall, may I ask… why was Professor Snape taken away? Was it merely because he was a suspect?"
McGonagall hesitated, debating whether or not to tell him. Finally, she sighed. "They found a Dark Magic wound on Professor Tywin.
"When the Aurors used the Priori Incantatem spell on his wand, it showed the spell was cast by Professor Snape's wand."
No wonder… William felt a sudden clarity.
Apparently, Professor Tywin had encountered Snape somewhere before going to the Room of Requirement.
But why had the two of them clashed?
William left, making his way back to the Ravenclaw common room.
Standing before the wooden door, he noticed that the eagle-shaped bronze knocker was indeed missing, leaving behind a large hole.
Most students were unaware of the recent events; they simply assumed that the knocker had gone missing again. The heads of each house had instructed all students to remain in their common rooms and not leave. Dinner was even served in their dormitories.
Once back in the dorm, William brushed off questions, saying he had "personal matters" to attend to.
Later that night, he lay in bed, stroking his cat Boba Tea while replaying the day's events in his mind.
He held the Marauder's Map, noting that Dumbledore and Snape's names were still missing.
Nor did Robert or Professor Tywin's names appear.
In the depths of night, William drifted off, unaware that the ring on his index finger was now glowing a bright sapphire blue.
Its light shone like a star.
Everyone in the room, including the cat, slept soundly, oblivious to the strange, daylight-bright glow illuminating William's dorm in the Ravenclaw tower.
In the deep underground chambers of Hogwarts, ripples disturbed a subterranean lake, and a golden compass by the shore slowly turned in a full circle.
After some time, everything stilled again, as though nothing had happened.
The next morning, William awoke promptly.
Sitting up, he looked around, noticing that Boba Tea had disappeared somewhere, while the ring on his finger reminded him that yesterday's events hadn't been a dream.
Rubbing his face, he rose, quickly dressed, and slipped the Marauder's Map into his pocket, intending to find Cedric.
Leaving the dorm, he entered the common room—and stopped, taken aback.
A lively group of students was gathered, enthusiastically discussing the Quidditch final, as though the match might still happen today.
William frowned and scanned the crowd until he spotted Cho.
She was sitting on a sofa, fiddling with a hat adorned with a little Hufflepuff badger.
Holding her wand, she was trying to charm the badger to move but was clearly struggling.
William sat down beside her and asked quietly, "Cho, what's going on? Didn't Professor Flitwick tell everyone the final was canceled?"
Cho blinked in surprise, accidentally flicking her wand and sending the hat flying, where it landed on Marietta's head.
"Canceled? Who told you that? Professor Flitwick didn't say anything like that," she replied.
Marietta grinned, plopping the hat on her head. "William, did you have a weird dream? Today's the final; it's not canceled.
"Look, you can even see the Quidditch field being set up!"
Following Marietta's gaze, William looked out the tall windows of the Ravenclaw Tower and saw the Quidditch pitch in the distance.
Hagrid was setting up a microphone at the commentator's booth, while Madam Hooch was inspecting the field's safety charms.
Professor McGonagall stood in the Gryffindor stands, holding her wand and conjuring an image of a roaring lion.
Something was wrong.
William stood there in shock, finally managing to ask, "What's today's date?"
"April 20th," Cho replied.
No, that couldn't be right. Yesterday had already been April 20th, which meant today should be the 21st!
In a rush, William pulled out the Marauder's Map and whispered the incantation, watching as the map populated with names.
His heart pounded wildly, feeling as if it might burst from his chest.
On the map, he saw Robert's name at the entrance to the common room; Professor Tywin in his office; Dumbledore; Snape…
William's mind was in total disarray.
join my patreon for 55+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL