Chapter Sixty-Seven: Grindelwald’s Conspiracy

Looking at the three people who refused to yield to either persuasion or coercion, both the headmaster and the school board were troubled.

At that moment, Hevin took out the bottle of Veritaserum he had obtained from Professor Slughorn and placed it on the table, saying softly, “I suggest we use Veritaserum. I happened to...”

“This is something I asked Hevin to keep for me,” Professor Slughorn suddenly stood and declared. Hevin glanced, surprised, at his head of house and saw him give a meaningful look, prompting Hevin to fall silent.

“Armando, gentlemen of the board, allow me to use Veritaserum on these criminals. I’ll be careful with the dosage,” Professor Slughorn said, looking at Headmaster Dippet and the board members.

“I have no objection,” Mr. Malfoy answered first, as if accustomed to such proceedings.

Sandrine naturally had no objection to her son’s suggestion and nodded in agreement.

The remaining board members, unconcerned about bending a minor rule, all voiced their approval.

Upon hearing Veritaserum would be used, Professors Lore, along with the other two, lost their earlier composure; their expressions became uneasy.

“Using Veritaserum for private interrogation is no different from vigilante justice; you have no right to do so!” Professor Lore forced himself to remain calm, speaking out. “Headmaster Dippet, you are known for your respect for rules. Surely you won’t allow anyone to violate Ministry regulations right under your nose?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the old headmaster.

Headmaster Dippet’s expression flickered uncertainly. He bit his lip several times, seemed about to speak, but ultimately remained silent, struggling inwardly.

Mr. Malfoy sneered, “Headmaster, this is no time for indecision!”

Professor Slughorn picked up the bottle of Veritaserum and also looked to Headmaster Dippet for approval.

“Sigh—”

Under everyone’s gaze, Headmaster Dippet let out a long sigh, waved tiredly at Professor Slughorn, and then leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.

Seeing the headmaster’s tacit consent, Professors Lore and his companions finally showed expressions of despair, their eyes gradually filling with a determination to die.

“For the greater good!” Professor Lore murmured, a white flash crossing his eyes.

“Petrificus Totalus!”

Professor Slughorn narrowly dodged a powerful Full Body-Bind Curse, then turned to Dumbledore, visibly shaken, and complained, “Albus, what are you playing at?”

“They intended to detonate their magical core and commit suicide,” Dumbledore said gravely.

“What?” The entire room was stunned. Turning to the three fully immobilized figures, they saw that determination and resolve still lingered on their faces.

“Heavens, such people are truly terrifying…” Professor Melis covered her mouth in shock.

Sandrine, also visibly shaken, gave Hevin a stern smack on the back of his head, repeatedly warning him to stay away from lunatics like that in the future.

Hevin looked at the three professors with a complex expression, uncertain what kind of force could make them so resolutely abandon their lives.

“Horace?” Dumbledore prompted Professor Slughorn, who was still in shock.

“Oh, oh, right.” Professor Slughorn, roused by the reminder, expertly pried open the stiff mouths of the three immobilized figures and dropped three drops of Veritaserum into each. He then cast a General Counter-Spell to release them from their bonds.

Once freed from the Full Body-Bind, the trio’s expressions turned dull and rigid, their eyes unfocused, staring at the ceiling.

Professor Slughorn nodded to Headmaster Dippet and Mr. Malfoy, then returned to his seat.

“Reveal your true master,” Mr. Malfoy demanded.

“It is Lord Grindelwald,” the three replied in monotonous voices, yet the flatness of their reply sent shockwaves through the room.

“Grindelwald?!”

“Is he really behind all this?”

“…”

The room erupted in chaos, and several board members grew visibly uneasy.

Hearing Grindelwald’s name, Mr. Malfoy blanched and instinctively glanced at Hevin and his mother.

Sandrine’s expression was equally unsettled. Within the pureblood circles, it was common knowledge that the French branch of the Rozier family included a known Grindelwald supporter.

“Silence!”

Headmaster Dippet suddenly opened his eyes and commanded loudly.

The board members, realizing their behavior was unbecoming, quieted down and once again focused on the headmaster.

As the scene descended into disorder, Headmaster Dippet stood again, regaining his usual composed presence. He fixed his sharp gaze on the three professors and spoke, word by word, “Explain your entire plan in detail!”

…

Through the trio’s account, those present gradually pieced together the course of events—

Professor Lore was a follower of Grindelwald, cultivated in Britain for his remarkable abilities and steady demeanor, and entrusted with infiltrating Hogwarts. The mission to sabotage the magical nodes was given only this year.

Their operation involved three people, one beast, and a ghost. Professor Lore was responsible for covert sabotage within the castle. Scholar Angulo, a ghost who had recently been converted, used his expertise and unique ghostly abilities to help Lore identify the locations of the magical nodes and provide warnings when necessary.

The other two infiltrated the Forbidden Forest and cared for the Venom Panther, ready to cover Lore at critical moments. For example, if Lore was suspected, they would sneak near the castle and spread the panther’s toxic gas widely, creating a non-lethal but troublesome threat to all young wizards, distracting the professors from the magical node crisis.

They planned to sabotage the first node shortly after the start of term, when no one would notice; the second during the Halloween feast, while everyone gathered in the Great Hall; the third during Christmas break, and the fourth over the following year’s Easter holiday.

However, the two who entered the Forbidden Forest were spotted by the unicorn Selis. Hevin, coincidentally recognized by the unicorn’s horn, arrived at the forest for detention and was guided by Selis and Professor Kettleburn to track down the two dark wizards. That day happened to be the rendezvous for Lore and his accomplices.

After they were discovered, patrols increased in the Forbidden Forest, making the Venom Panther’s infiltration plan impossible.

Following the sabotage of the second magical node, Lore, lacking cover, was easily discovered by Hevin, who even summoned the school board for a forced interrogation.

Thus, Lore and Scholar Angulo made a desperate move, destroying the third magical node in the castle the very next day and planning to escape.

Unfortunately, their plan was again foiled by Hevin, who, with his cat, intercepted Lore outside the Forbidden Forest.

In the end, their scheme was nearly ruined entirely by a first-year student!

…