Chapter Sixty-Two: The Castle in Disarray

Because of the disruption to the magical nodes, the young wizards quickly noticed that things were not as they used to be. The next morning at breakfast in the Great Hall, tapping their plates did not summon food as it normally did. Instead, diligent house-elves bustled along the long tables, pushing small carts and deftly delivering food to the hungry students with their short legs.

This change was due to the fact that the corridor between the kitchens and the Great Hall relied on the castle’s inherent magical conduits to transport food. However, after the magical node that Hufflepuff had placed at the kitchen entrance was destroyed, the channel lost its source of magic and could no longer function.

It wasn’t only the students’ dining habits that were affected; other aspects of life in the castle suffered as well. For example, a small number of the moving staircases in the main tower had come to a complete halt. Many classrooms could only be reached via these staircases, so the young wizards often had to cast spells themselves to pull the stairs towards them before they could climb up, and then, once on the stairs, use magic again to send them to their destination.

At least those that were fully stopped could be moved manually. However, some seemed to be experiencing intermittent magical connectivity, twitching and shuddering erratically in place. Even when summoned by spell, these staircases might suddenly jerk, giving the student atop a startling ride.

Already, one unfortunate student had been thrown off by a rogue staircase. Fortunately, a prefect noticed in time and caught him with a spell, so there were no injuries.

The professors, faced with this chaos, had no choice but to cast spells to fix the most unruly staircases in place, and temporarily constructed new stairways using Transfiguration and the Permanent Sticking Charm, so students could reach their classrooms.

As a result, it was hardly surprising that many students were late to the first Transfiguration lesson on Monday morning. But having just finished building makeshift stairs, Dumbledore arrived even later than they did, so there was no question of punishment.

By the end of the day, the young wizards were all grumbling in complaint, having truly experienced just how inconvenient life in the castle was without its steady supply of magic!

The professors were even more exhausted, having to teach their classes while also managing the students’ order and safety throughout the castle, and still finding time to search for the culprit who had destroyed the magical nodes…

“When the castle was running smoothly, I never appreciated it. Only now that it’s gone do I realize how convenient things used to be,” Abraxas complained to Hevin as they ascended the temporary staircase to the Deputy Headmistress’s office on the third floor.

Hevin glanced at the frozen staircases suspended in mid-air and nodded in agreement. “Indeed, when those moving stairs were functioning, I found them bothersome. But looking at it now, they saved us so much energy.”

Abraxas nodded, then as if recalling something, asked uncertainly, “By the way, do you really think your plan will work?”

“Don’t worry. Today we’ll definitely catch the culprit behind all this!” Hevin replied, his expression growing steadily colder.

…

At that moment in the Deputy Headmistress’s office, one imposing figure after another stepped out from the fireplace.

Meles wore a strained expression, but still managed a faint smile as she addressed them, “To what do we owe the pleasure of the Board’s unannounced visit today? Is there an urgent matter?”

“Professor Meles, I hardly think the repeated destruction of Hogwarts’ magical nodes can be considered a trifling matter,” said a man with platinum shoulder-length hair, a pale face, and a luxurious black cloak trimmed with gold.

“We will handle this matter, Mr. Malfoy,” Professor Meles replied, frowning.

“We must disagree,” retorted a woman with sleek black hair and a refined face, raising her voice. “Professor Meles, if you were truly capable of handling this, the magical nodes wouldn’t have been sabotaged a second time!”

Professor Meles’s face grew darker; she had no retort for that.

Knock, knock, knock—

At that moment, a knock sounded at the office door.

“Come in!” Professor Meles immediately flicked her wand to open the door, hoping it was a student with a trivial question to give her an excuse to change the subject.

But when she saw the two young wizards standing outside, her faint hope sank further.

“Rosier, Malfoy, what brings you here?” she asked, still clinging to a sliver of hope.

“We’ve come to see our father and mother, of course, Professor,” Hevin replied with an easy smile, waving to Sandrine, who was lounging languidly by the fireplace.

Sandrine’s frosty expression melted, and she smiled as she studied the face she hadn’t seen in two months.

It dawned on Professor Meles that this sudden visit from the Board was likely orchestrated by this smiling new student.

Seeing his son, Mr. Malfoy, with his long platinum hair, beckoned Abraxas over. “Abraxas, come here.”

Abraxas, clearly somewhat in awe of his father, shed his usual arrogance and obediently walked to Mr. Malfoy’s side.

Hevin also went to Sandrine and embraced her warmly.

“In just two months, my son has become quite the little gentleman,” Sandrine said with a beaming smile.

‘In truth, I was already an adult…’ Hevin thought silently to himself. He suspected that Sandrine’s pampering had subtly changed his temperament, making him feel at times as if he’d returned to his youth.

“Mother, I think we should find the Headmaster and resolve the castle’s problems first,” Hevin quietly shifted the topic.

“You’re right,” Sandrine nodded, then turned to Professor Meles. “Professor Meles, take us to the Headmaster.” Her expression turned frosty once more when addressing others.

…

Fortunately, the spiral staircase leading from the fourth floor to the Headmaster’s office had not failed, sparing the visiting Board members the indignity and toil of climbing all the way to the eighth floor.

At that moment, Headmaster Dippet was in his office, overwhelmed by the letters piled on his desk.

When the doorbell rang, he looked up to see the Board members entering the office with a formidable air.

At the sight, Headmaster Dippet’s expression instantly changed.

“Armando, they’re here to investigate the sabotage of the magical nodes,” Professor Meles explained to him with a hint of resignation.

Headmaster Dippet frowned at the Board, his voice stern. “This is not your concern. The professors of Hogwarts will handle it.”

“That isn’t for you to decide, Headmaster,” came a sudden voice from the group—Hevin’s.

Hearing the boy’s voice, Headmaster Dippet looked in disbelief at the not-quite-twelve-year-old first year. He hesitantly asked, “So, it was you who arranged the Board’s visit, Mr. Rosier?”

At his words, Hevin smiled.

“Congratulations, you guessed correctly.”

…

…