Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 106 The Shadow After the Tea Party

Chapter 106 The Shadow After the Tea Party

Most of the snacks were eaten, and another round of black tea was served. The presentation ended in a pleasant atmosphere. Everyone leaned back comfortably in their chairs.

Enjoying a rare moment of leisure. The setting sun cast long, warm patches of light through the high windows into the room.

"Time flies," Karen sighed, gazing at the dust motes dancing in the sunlight. "It feels like Christmas just ended, and in the blink of an eye, the Easter holidays are almost here." He recalled the warm yet slightly worried family time he spent at home during the Christmas holidays, the concerned looks on his parents' faces when they saw the Daily Prophet's report, and the cheers of his sister Lily when she received her gifts.

"Yeah!" Wesley responded immediately, having just finished a chili chocolate cauldron cake and sucking in pumpkin juice from the spiciness. "It feels like the Quidditch season just ended! Cullen, are you going home for Easter? We can play football together!"

Fabian adjusted his glasses. "I'm planning to go home. My mother has recently become obsessed with cultivating magical herbs, so I need to go back to help her tidy up the garden and give her some Forbidden Forest soil samples and spores that I collected for her to study. Also," he patted his draft of a plant atlas, "this data also needs to be carefully supplemented and improved."

Ernesto picked up his teacup with an elegant gesture. "Griffith Manor has a traditional spring stargazing dinner. Also, I need to go back and consult some family books, specifically the section on the properties of ancient magic-converting metals and starstones. It might be helpful for your research on energy storage materials, Karen." He looked at Karen. "And you, Karen? What are your plans for this vacation? Going home?"

Karen was silent for a moment. The house was warm with a fireplace, her parents' concerned voices, and her sister Lily's chattering. But Professor Castor's pale face and the black lines spreading across his arms resurfaced. The professor's time was running out. Although he had previously said he had two more years, the situation had worsened, and the time was uncertain. Optimizing the protective badge, improving absorption efficiency, finding energy storage materials, and further studying the Helbo Curse chapter in *The Doors of Truth* were all necessary. There might still be undiscovered details in the Sinclair Diary regarding active runes and visual magic. Staying at the university meant quieter, less undisturbed research time.

Karen hesitated before speaking, not wanting to worry her friends, "I might not be going back this time."

"Huh?" Wesley sounded a little disappointed. "Why? The castle's all empty during the holidays, how boring! And it's been almost three months since Christmas, hasn't it?"

"Is it because of research?" Fabian asked astutely.

Karen nodded, trying to sound relaxed. "Yes, the Protective Badge V1.0 is still in its early stages and needs a lot of testing and optimization. Staying on campus, Eagle's Nest is quiet, and the library isn't too crowded, which will help me concentrate. Also," he added, "Professor Victor might arrange some extra alchemy instruction, so there's plenty of time during the holidays, and summer vacation is in about three months." He didn't mention the curse; that was a secret that absolutely could not be revealed.

Ernesto gave Karen a deep look, his gray eyes seeming to see something, but he didn't press for details, simply saying calmly, "That's fine. Staying on campus has its peace and quiet. If needed, I can have my owl bring you some snacks or anything from your research materials list."

"Thank you, Ernesto," Karen said gratefully.

"Alright then," Wesley said, a little disappointed but understanding. "Don't just focus on your research at school. Remember to go to the kitchen and ask Dobby for something good to eat! Also, the Quidditch pitch should be empty, so you can practice flying there. Although your flying skills have improved quite a bit, you still need to practice more. And maybe the thrill of flying will help you think of something you hadn't noticed before!"

“I will,” Karen smiled. “Give my regards to your family, Wesley. And Fabian, wish your mother a bountiful harvest at her magic herb garden. Ernesto, I look forward to the good news you find in the family library.”

"No problem!" Wesley patted his chest.

"I will definitely bring it." Fabian nodded.

"I'll keep an eye on it," Ernesto replied.

As the sun gradually set in the west, it bathed Eagle's Nest in a warm golden glow. The teapot was empty, and the snack plate was almost bare. The four of them tidied up the mess of cups and plates, discussing their holiday plans, possible new explorations of the Forbidden Forest upon their return, and their expectations for the holiday. A relaxed and pleasant atmosphere filled the small secret base, temporarily dispelling the shadow of the curse and the pressure of research that surrounded Karen's heart.

Just then, there was a rhythmic knocking on the Eagle's Nest door. It wasn't the casual knocking of a familiar classmate or friend.

The four immediately fell silent, exchanging a glance. Karen gestured for everyone to put away the charts, astrolabes, and other items on the table, then walked to the door and asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"

Professor McGonagall's serious and clear voice came from outside the door: "It's me, Mr. Hawthorne. Please open the door."

Karen felt a chill run down his spine. How could Professor McGonagall have found the Eagle's Nest directly? He quickly removed several protective and silencing spells from the door and opened it.

Professor McGonagall stood outside the door, wearing her usual emerald green robe, her expression as serious as ever. But Karen keenly noticed that her tightly pursed lips seemed to be pressed together more forcefully than usual, and there was a hint of seriousness in her eyes.

"Professor?" Karen greeted respectfully, stepping aside to let him pass.

Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze swept over the slightly disheveled traces of the tea party in the room, and over Wesley, Fabian, and Ernesto, who stood ramrod straight behind Karen, looking somewhat nervous. Her gaze lingered on Karen for a moment, in particular.

“Mr. Hawthorne,” Professor McGonagall’s voice was steady, but carried undeniable weight, “the Headmaster wants you to come to his office immediately. It’s urgent.” She paused, then added, “The password is ‘Lemon Olaf.’”

Dumbledore? Now? Karen's heart sank. At this moment, Professor McGonagall's sudden visit to the Eagle's Nest to deliver the message, coupled with her slightly grave expression, instantly instilled a sense of foreboding in him.

Could it be related to Professor Castor and his Friendship Curse?

"Yes, Professor. I'll be right there." Karen tried to keep her voice steady as she quickly grabbed her school robe draped over the back of the chair.

Professor McGonagall nodded, her gaze sweeping over the room and the other three boys again. "Mr. Cruz, Mr. Brian, Mr. Griffith, if there's nothing else, please return to the common room as soon as possible and don't linger outside." With that, she turned and strode away, her robes fluttering.

The Eagle's Nest door closed, leaving the four of them staring at each other. The relaxed and pleasant tea party atmosphere vanished, replaced by a sudden tension and worry. Although no one knew what had happened, everyone could feel Professor McGonagall's serious demeanor.

"Headmaster Dumbledore—is he looking for Cullen now?" Wesley asked anxiously. "What could it be about?"

"Professor McGonagall looks very serious." Fabian pushed up his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses filled with worry.

Ernesto frowned slightly, his grey eyes looking at Karen: "Karen—"

Karen took a deep breath, quickly put on his school robe, and suppressed his chaotic thoughts. He couldn't panic. "Don't worry," he told his roommates, trying to sound calm, "It might be about the aftermath of the Selwyn incident? Or maybe there's been a change in Professor Victor's alchemy instruction? I'll go check it out. You guys go back first." He didn't mention the curse, as that would only cause his friends more worry.

He patted Wesley on the shoulder, nodded to Fabian and Ernesto, and then without hesitation opened the door to the Eagle's Nest and hurried toward the headmaster's office, the gloom of the curse in his heart suddenly becoming incredibly heavy.

The last rays of the setting sun cast his shadow long, long on the ancient stone walls of the castle.