When Wentworth and Draco arrived at the entrance of the Hogwarts Great Hall, they happened to run into Harry and his two friends coming from the opposite direction.
"Harry, tonight I'll prove to you that I was right all along!" Draco declared confidently.
Harry, however, greeted Wentworth first before turning to Draco and saying, "Draco, we're friends. Honestly, I don't want to fight you. But if you insist, then I accept your challenge."
Draco raised an eyebrow at this before responding, "Harry, tonight—just wait for me!"
Wentworth, on the other hand, wasn't particularly interested in the duel itself. He was more inclined to watch the spectacle unfold, so he remained on the sidelines and observed the exchange with amusement.
Afterward, Wentworth entered the Great Hall and made his way toward his usual seat. However, halfway there, he noticed Cedric and Kirk huddled together, seemingly deep in discussion.
Approaching them, Wentworth playfully smacked both on the back before asking, "What are you two scheming about?"
The sudden intrusion startled them, and they exchanged a quick glance before Kirk hurriedly replied, "Nothing! What could we possibly be talking about? By the way, we haven't seen much of you today. What have you been up to?"
With a sly smile, Wentworth answered, "Oh, just pulling some strings from behind the scenes! By the way, Cedric, let's put our spell practice on hold for tonight. I have somewhere to be—I'm heading to the Room of Requirement to watch an interesting show!"
Cedric had originally been contemplating how to tactfully tell Wentworth that he wouldn't be attending their usual practice session that night, as he had already promised Cassandra to discuss the establishment of a new secret organization at Hogwarts. But before he could even bring it up, Wentworth had conveniently provided an excuse himself.
Cedric exhaled in relief, but when he glanced at Kirk, he noticed a cryptic look in his friend's eyes. Then, realization struck him—Was Wentworth deliberately giving him this opportunity? Could Cassandra have been right all along? Had Wentworth been subtly hinting that they should establish a secret group at Hogwarts?
While Cedric and Kirk exchanged meaningful glances, Wentworth suddenly leaned in between them, frowning in curiosity. "What are you two thinking about?"
Both of them immediately snapped back to attention. Cedric quickly replied, "Alright, Wentworth, go handle your business. This actually gives me a chance to take the night off and rest."
Wentworth looked surprised. "Oh? Aren't you the least bit curious about the show? I thought you'd both be fighting to come along!"
Cedric hesitated for a moment, but Kirk reacted quickly. With a hearty laugh, he threw an arm around Wentworth's shoulder and said, "Ah, Wentworth, you're practically a big shot in the wizarding world now! Even though not many wizards know you yet… Go on and handle your affairs. It's been a while since Cedric and I had a good card game—we'll take this chance to relax!"
Wentworth eyed them both suspiciously. "Why do I feel like you two are hiding something from me?"
Kirk burst into laughter. "What? No way! You're our leader, aren't you, Cedric?"
Cedric nodded vigorously in agreement.
At that moment, the tables in the Great Hall filled with a feast, and, following the proud Hufflepuff tradition, Wentworth wasted no more time and focused entirely on eating. This allowed Cedric and Kirk to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
After dinner, Wentworth, Kirk, and Cedric made their way to the Hufflepuff common room. On their way out of the Great Hall, they happened to run into Cassandra, who had also just finished her meal.
Walking behind Wentworth, Kirk discreetly flashed Cassandra an "OK" gesture, signaling that Cedric had shared everything with him and that he agreed with her plans.
Seeing this, Cassandra cast a knowing glance at Wentworth, a small smile forming on her lips.
Wentworth, however, was utterly bewildered by her expression.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Draco confidently approached Harry and his friends once more.
"Tonight. Don't forget to wait for me!" he said smugly.
Hermione, standing beside Harry, immediately voiced her concern. "But curfew is about to start soon! Where do you plan to duel? If we get caught by a professor or Filch, none of us will get away!"
Draco raised an eyebrow at her question, then smirked. "Don't worry, I have a plan. I guarantee that no one will find us!"
At that same moment, in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, Professor Snape stood silently, watching Albus Dumbledore, who was deep in thought.
After a long pause, Dumbledore finally spoke. "So, you believe I should dismiss Professor Quirrell?"
Snape, visibly agitated, responded, "Headmaster Dumbledore, there is something seriously wrong with Quirrell. I suspect—no, I am certain—that the person behind him is him!"
"I was eavesdropping outside his door today, and the more I listened, the more convinced I became that something was off. When I finally burst in, Harry and the others had their backs to Quirrell and didn't notice, but I saw it clearly—Quirrell had his wand aimed directly at Harry!"
Dumbledore raised a hand to calm Snape's urgency. "But we have no concrete evidence, do we? Perhaps Quirrell was simply taking out his wand to demonstrate a spell for them?"
Snape looked at Dumbledore, his expression complex, before saying slowly, "Dumbledore, I cannot allow Harry to bear the consequences of the mistakes I once made."
With that, Snape turned to leave.
But before he could step away, Dumbledore's voice stopped him. "Wait a moment, Severus."
Dumbledore approached Snape, his expression unreadable. "Trust me, Severus. I gave you my word—I will protect Harry."
"As for him, I have been preparing for years. And now, I am more confident than ever."
Snape, still facing away, responded curtly, "Because of that boy from the Grindelwald family?"
Dumbledore's answer was firm.
"Yes. Because of Wentworth Grindelwald."
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