Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 196 The End of the Holiday

Chapter 196 The End of the Holiday

The last day of the Christmas holiday has finally arrived.

Early morning light streamed through the tall windows, illuminating Hogwarts' entrance hall. The air was still cold, but a restless atmosphere had already begun to permeate the spacious hall. House-elves bustled about, using magic to clean up the last traces of holiday decorations. Filch, holding his cat Mrs. Norris, sat with a grim face, warily scanning every corner, clearly alert to the impending return of the "little troublemakers."

Cullen stood early before the massive oak doors of the foyer, seemingly calmly watching the carriages carrying students back to school. He wasn't simply welcoming his roommate; he was carrying out a temporary task agreed upon with Dumbledore—to use the "Eye of Truth" to quickly scan each returning student, checking for signs of unusual magical possession, mind control, or being marked with tracking symbols. They all suspected Voldemort might target the returning students.

Dumbledore stood not far from him, his silver-white beard and hair fluttering gently in the breeze. His deep eyes watched the students file down, and he exuded a calm yet powerful aura that subtly soothed the crowd.

"Concentrate, Cullen," Dumbledore's gentle voice sounded in his ear. "This inspection is extensive. Pay close attention to any discordant 'noises' in the flow of magic. If anything seems amiss, let it pass first, then inform me immediately. Don't alert them."

"Understood, Headmaster." Karen nodded slightly. He quietly activated his Eye of Truth, and in his vision, the bustling crowd was instantly stripped of color and form, leaving only the streams of light representing life force and magic. Most of the students' magical abilities were normal.

At this moment, Cullen was like a highly efficient scanner, her gaze quickly and methodically sweeping over each student entering the hall. Cedric of Hufflepuff possessed a gentle, stable magical field, radiating a warm, sun-like glow; Percy Weasley of Gryffindor had a disciplined and orderly magical field.

Like precise gears; the Weasley twins' magic field was full of vitality and playful sparks, like mischievous elves; Harry Potter's light stream. Cullen's gaze lingered on him for half a second longer, and deep within that light stream, besides his own burgeoning magic, there was indeed a faint, yet exceptionally profound and cold, dark imprint—a fragment of Voldemort's soul, temporarily dormant. It seemed that everything Voldemort's main soul had recently encountered had no effect on him.

Everything was normal. Karen's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

"Hey, Karen!" came a lively shout. Wesley, dragging his suitcase, was the first to rush over, his face beaming with the excitement of a long-awaited reunion. "Hey! How was your vacation? How's everything about what you mentioned in the letter?" His first sentence was quite loud, immediately attracting the attention of some students around him, but he suddenly lowered his voice after talking about the Basilisk.

Fabian followed closely behind, his eyes behind his glasses, beneath his curly black hair, held a gentle smile, but also a hint of worry: "Karen,"

Are you alright? We've seen that vague report in the Daily Prophet at home, saying there are monsters lurking in the castle.

Some even say that Quirrell was killed by Dumbledore.

Ernesto walked last, his sharp gray eyes sweeping across the somewhat oppressive atmosphere of the foyer. He nodded to Karen and coughed succinctly, "Looks like the situation is worse than expected? More than a week and still no news from the Basilisk?"

Karen stepped forward, patted Wesley on the shoulder, gave Fabian and Ernesto a reassuring smile, and said in a deliberately relaxed tone, "I'm fine. There was a bit of trouble at the castle, but the professors have it under control. We'll discuss the details back at the Eagle's Nest." As he spoke, his gaze subtly swept over the other students pouring in behind them, especially the Slytherin students, to make sure there was nothing amiss.

The influx of people brought a long-awaited liveliness, but like a pebble thrown into a stagnant pond, it stirred up ripples of unease. Karen's keen ears caught scattered, deliberately hushed whispers:

"...Have you heard? The newspapers say Professor Quirrell—it seems he's really gone?"

"Shh! Don't talk nonsense! The professors only said he's missing."

"Missing? You're kidding me! Some of the students who stayed on campus saw him in the snow."

"Some even say that a snake bigger than a fire dragon lurks in the Forbidden Forest! Its eyes can kill!"

"Really? No wonder things have been so strict lately."

Panic began to creep through the crowd. Several younger students, who had just returned to school, were pale-faced and clung tightly to their companions' arms. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick appeared in the hallway at the opportune moment, maintaining order with stern yet gentle voices:

"Keep quiet and proceed to your respective common rooms in an orderly fashion! Do not spread unverified rumors! Hogwarts is perfectly safe, and the professors will ensure the safety of every student!" Professor McGonagall's voice was as firm as a rock, carrying an undeniable authority. Professor Flitwick then cast a small, calming spell, sending pale golden specks of light drifting like fireflies, effectively dispelling some of the tension.

Watching the professors skillfully manage the situation, Karen felt far from relieved. The return of people, while certainly alleviating the holiday's deathly stillness,

But it also provided Voldemort with perfect cover and a potential pool of hostages. Crowds are the best smokescreen, and also the most vulnerable yet most powerful shield.

"Let's go back to the tower first," Karen whispered to her three roommates, picking up her suitcase first. The four of them joined the flow of people returning to the Ravenclaw tower.

Returning to the familiar Eagle's Nest, closing the door, and shutting out the outside noise, the atmosphere finally relaxed, but was immediately replaced by solemnity.

"Alright, Karen, now that we're all alone." Wesley put down the box, plopped down on the sofa, and his expression turned serious. "What exactly happened? The previous letter wasn't detailed enough. Tell us what exactly happened, and that basilisk, can it really kill people with its eyes?" He made a snake-like crawling motion.

Fabian and Ernesto also sat down around, their eyes fixed on Karen.

Karen didn't hide anything, concisely recounting the events of the Christmas holidays, including Quirrell's death at the hands of the Basilisk, how the Chamber of Secrets was discovered, the marks left by Voldemort controlling the Basilisk, the pursuit at the edge of the Forbidden Forest and Voldemort's probing mental lock, his role as bait, and Voldemort's final, eerie retreat. He emphasized the Basilisk's danger—its deadly gaze—

Powerful strength, deadly venom, and Voldemort's cunning and patience.

"—So, that's the situation," Cullen concluded, her voice low and clear. "Voldemort has confirmed my existence; I'm the one who can track him. He's lurking in the shadows, like a venomous snake poised to strike. The Basilisk is his most lethal fang. The more people there are, the more opportunities he has. Dumbledore has organized several expeditions to the Forbidden Forest to investigate anomalies, but unfortunately, the Forbidden Forest is too vast, and they still haven't been able to find him."

The room was silent except for the crackling of the fireplace. Wesley gasped, his fists clenching involuntarily. Fabian's face paled, and he instinctively adjusted his glasses. Even Ernesto, usually so composed, had shock and gravity in his grey eyes.

"Merlin," Wesley murmured, "are we sitting on a powder keg now?"

"More dangerous than a powder keg," Ernesto said in a deep voice, "is sitting next to an ancient beast that could awaken at any moment."

"Cullen, you were too reckless!" Fabian looked at Cullen with concern. "What if he hadn't locked on, but had let the basilisk attack directly?" "I was prepared, and Headmaster Dumbledore was nearby to provide support," Cullen explained, but didn't deny the risks. "But now is not the time to discuss the past. What matters is now, what's next." He stood up, walked to a locker in the corner, opened the door, and took out three small bags that he had prepared beforehand.

"These are for you." Karen handed the small bags to her three roommates.

Wesley opened it curiously, revealing a pair of somewhat peculiarly shaped glasses with thick lenses and intricate runic engravings along the edges. "What's this?"

"An improved version of the 'Anti-Basilisk Gaze Glasses'," Karen explained. "The lenses are made of multi-layered composite gold-plated glass, inlaid with powerful light-filtering runes and deflection spells. The core is a thermal sensing module that can detect the outline of large heat sources in dim light or smoke, providing early warning. The activation switch is on the right side of the frame. Remember, wear them all the time, and activate them immediately if you encounter unusually bright light or hear a hissing sound! It greatly reduces the lethal effect of the Basilisk Gaze, and may even transform the fatal curse into petrification, but it doesn't provide complete immunity, so you still need to run!"

Fabian also opened a bag and took out a small item. "What's this?"

"An enhanced version of the 'Sonic Jammer'," Karen pointed to the metal tube, "when activated, it emits ultra-high-frequency, directional sound waves that mimic the crowing of a rooster from Hagrid's territory. It strongly stimulates and interferes with the auditory system of snakes. Although it won't be as lethal as the basilisk described in the previous book, it can effectively disrupt its attack rhythm. The seed is from 'Fast-Growing Iron Thorns,' which I obtained from Professor Sprout after the previous bait operation. After activating it with my prepared nutrient solution, it will grow into a tough, thorny barrier within seconds. While it won't stop the basilisk, it can temporarily hinder its movements or buy you time to dodge."

Ernesto opened a bag containing a dozen or so metal spheres, their surfaces engraved with fine runes. "These are alchemical smoke bombs. When triggered, they instantly release a large amount of specially made smoke that can quickly neutralize various biological toxins. I designed this for the basilisk's poison. It also has a strong light interference effect and a slight magic interference effect, which can buy you a few precious seconds to react and escape."

Looking at the carefully prepared life-saving tools in their hands, the three felt a mix of emotions. Beyond gratitude, they had gained a more acute understanding of the dangers they were about to face.

"Thank you, Karen." Fabian gripped the sonic device and seed bag tightly, his voice slightly hoarse.

"This thing is so cool!" Wesley tried on the glasses, looking around. Although the view was a bit strange and he wasn't used to it,

But my sense of security has greatly increased. "Don't worry, I'll wear it all the time, even when I sleep!"

Ernesto carefully examined the protective gear specifically prepared for the basilisk, then looked up at Karen, his eyes sharp: "What should we do? Passively wait for him to make his move?"

"Not entirely." Karen walked back to the table and spread out the castle map marked with various defensive points and risk areas. "Passive defense is always passive. We need to maximize our vigilance and preparedness within the rules."

He pointed to the map and said, "These are my requirements for you. First, absolutely, absolutely do not go alone! Whether it's day or night, go to the classroom, the auditorium, the library, or even the restroom, always in pairs, preferably in groups of three! Wesley and Ernesto, especially during Quidditch practice, you must stay with the other team members. The training ground is open and extremely dangerous! And Fabian too, I know you like to go to the greenhouse when you're free, but please be careful!"

"Second, avoid high-risk areas. Never go to open corridors or courtyards, especially at night, near the Forbidden Forest and Black Lake! Even during the day, pass through quickly and remain vigilant."

"Third, be alert for anything unusual: any unusual hissing sounds, a slippery scraping sound, a pungent, fishy smell, or a sudden, large shadow—immediately activate your equipment, sound the alarm (e.g., shout for help, flick sparks with your wand), and then run as fast as you can to a crowded place or the nearest professor's office! Don't be curious! Don't linger!"

"Fourth, information sharing. Whoever discovers any clues, even if it's just a feeling that something is wrong, should immediately notify others, especially me or go directly to the professor!"

Karen's gaze swept over his three roommates, his tone utterly serious: "Protect yourselves. Voldemort's target is me, but I don't want any of you to get hurt because of me. Remember, stay together and be vigilant at all times. If you notice anything unusual, or hear my alarm, immediately run to a crowded area, or go to the nearest heavily fortified area, and then notify the professor!" He looked at each of his roommates, "The Eagle's Nest Squad, not one less."

Wes nodded vigorously: "Understood! Don't worry, I don't want to be the basilisk's snack!"

Ernesto carefully packed away the equipment and said in a deep voice, "The required vigilance and preparation within the rules. We understand."

Fabian took a deep breath. "We'll be careful, Karen. What about you?"

"I'm going to continue with the bait plan. Always being on the defensive isn't a good approach. Voldemort isn't a good guy. The best thing would be to lure him out!" Karen stated his thoughts directly.

"But..." Fabian was interrupted by Karen before she could finish speaking. "Don't worry, Fabian. I've made all the necessary preparations."

Even if I can't capture Voldemort, I can guarantee my own safety, and I have a way to summon Dumbledore directly for help.

After hearing Cullen's words, the atmosphere in the Eagle's Nest remained heavy, but it was no longer simply fear; it had been replaced by a sense of unity and determination to face the storm. Cullen looked at his three reliable companions, feeling slightly relieved. However, when his gaze returned to the seemingly peaceful Forbidden Forest outside the window, that worry never truly disappeared. The returning influx of people brought life, but also undercurrents of uncertainty. How long could Voldemort's patience last?