Hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor, and were occasionally interrupted by the voices of portraits who opened their eyes to shout:
"Hey, kid, what are you all up to today? Why haven't I seen many people around?"
Wade ignored them and moved forward briskly, with his black wizard's robe billowing dramatically like Professor Snape's often did, lending him a similar imposing presence.
One of the wizards in a portrait grumbled indignantly: "How rude!"
Wade arrived at the entrance to the hospital wing and glanced back. Maggie, who had escorted him, nodded in acknowledgment before disappearing from sight with a "pop."
Wade pushed the door open. The moment he entered, someone standing by the doorway whipped their head around and looked over in panic.
It was Malfoy.
He recoiled as if he'd seen a ghost, and shuddered visibly with an ashen face. His entire body trembled uncontrollably.
Nearby, a few Slytherin students stood at a noticeable distance, separated from Malfoy by an invisible barrier of tension.
These were the same students who frequently associated with Malfoy and had also participated in the competition alongside him:
Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, and Theodore Nott.
Adding Crabbe, Daphne Greengrass, and Malfoy completed their team.
As for Goyle, whose intellectual capacity left much to be desired, he had been left out of the competition and was instead a spectator. Unsurprisingly, he wasn't present here now.
Wade's attention shifted to a scene at the center of the hospital wing. Professors, including Dumbledore and Snape, stood gathered around a bed. And a nearby cart held a dozen or so potion bottles.
"We've done all we can for now…"
Madam Pomfrey said softly. "We'll have to transfer him to St. Mungo's."
Dumbledore nodded and said, "Thank you, Pomona, Filius. I appreciate your help."
"You're too polite, Dumbledore. This is no trouble at all."
Professor Sprout replied and wiped tears from her eyes as she gazed at the patient with pity. "Poor child."
Professor Flitwick carefully levitated the person on the bed with magic, while Professor Sprout wrapped the patient in a sheet, covering most of their body.
As they passed by the door, Wade caught sight of the person on the bed—it was Crabbe.
Crabbe's eyes were tightly shut, and his face was deathly pale and devoid of any color, though the thick stench of blood and the unsettling aura of dark magic emanated from him.
Malfoy's body shook violently. He staggered back two steps and abruptly averted his gaze, unable to look at Crabbe's condition.
The door opened and then closed again.
Professor Snape then walked over to the group.
Normally cold and stern, he appeared even more intimidating at this moment.
Malfoy, who was typically favored by the professor, seemed utterly terrified, as if he were about to faint from fear.
Snape stopped in front of Pansy and the others.
"Get out!"
His voice was low and suppressed, as though forced through clenched teeth.
"If I hear even a whisper of rumors—"
The Slytherins shook their heads vigorously, like rattles, and Blaise Zabini led the group in a hasty retreat, disappearing from the professor's line of sight.
Only Malfoy remained. He stared fixedly at the floor ahead, and looked utterly desolate.
"Wade."
Professor Dumbledore approached, his tone measured and calm.
"I recall you mentioned earlier that the Streaming Mirror can capture almost every corner of the maze?"
"Yes," Wade replied, shifting his gaze from Malfoy to answer confidently.
"And it can replay recordings within a short time frame?" Dumbledore asked further.
"That's correct," Wade confirmed.
"Then we might need a portion of the recording," Dumbledore said. "Approximately ten minutes ago."
"I can request it from Mr. Colliver," Wade replied, glancing around the hospital wing. "Uh...here?"
Though the ward was still empty at the moment, it was clear that in ten minutes it would likely be filled with students.
Many participants had sustained injuries during the competition but were holding on, waiting to see the results before seeking treatment. Most remained in the stands for now.
Dumbledore sighed wearily. "Let's go to my office. Severus—"
He turned to Professor Snape.
"I believe you'll need to summon Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Crabbe."
It was clear he was referring to their fathers.
Snape, who had a grim expression, nodded without saying a word. He didn't spare another glance at Draco Malfoy before turning and leaving.
"Wade, I'll leave the recording to you," Dumbledore said. "Maze, fifth level, northwest corner, about ten minutes ago."
"Understood." Wade nodded and quickly left.
As he exited the castle, he saw the students returning.
Unaware of the incident, they were enthusiastically discussing the competition, laughing and chatting as they went.
Even the injured students didn't want to miss out on the excitement. Those who could walk managed to keep going and proudly showed off their wounds to others.
One student had found a giant snake scale and was holding it above their head like a trophy, surrounded by a group of younger wizards.
The Gryffindor students were carrying Harry Potter, singing and dancing in celebration. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students joined in the festivities, and even Slytherin seemed to be in relatively good spirits.
Although Slytherin hadn't won the championship, they had claimed second place.
The Ministry of Magic officials stayed behind. Instead of returning to the castle immediately, they entered the maze to inspect its design. Fudge asked questions incessantly and showed great interest in it.
With the headmaster otherwise occupied, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall had to handle the reception for these guests. Her usual stern demeanor was tinged with faint annoyance.
The magical creatures, who were unaware of the officials' significance, occasionally launched surprise attacks, and because of this, Hagrid and others remained on high alert.
Only Mr. Weasley lingered at the end, trying to console the visibly dejected Percy.
…
Wade found Mr. Colliver of the magic workshop with ease. Before Wade could approach, he heard the man's excited voice:
"Where have you been, Mr. Grey? Never mind that—you know what the feedback is on the Streaming Mirror broadcast? Every sub-mirror across the British Isles can see the feed! This is simply—"
"Mr. Colliver," Wade interrupted in a low voice. "I need to borrow a master mirror."
Though Colliver's "control console" could broadcast the feed, the footage itself was stored on the individual master mirrors.
Colliver froze for a moment, then seemed to grasp the situation. Without asking further, he nodded and said, "Of course—which one do you need?"
Minutes later, Wade arrived in the headmaster's office with the Streaming Mirror device.
Upon entering, he saw the Malfoys seated together. As usual, their faces were pale. Lucius Malfoy was silently rubbing the large jewel on his cane.
On the other side of the room sat Mr. Crabbe, with his head bowed.
It was Wade's first time seeing him, but the resemblance was unmistakable; genetics told him who the man was.
Professor Snape stood off to the side, with arms crossed and an icy expression.
At the sound of the door, everyone in the office turned to look.
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⭐Harry Potter: Becoming a Study God (HP:BSG)- +235 Chapters
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