Hearing the cheers, Professor Snape's face became even darker.

He knew very well that if Slytherin had won, there wouldn't have been such an uproar. Only when Gryffindor won would three-quarters of the students celebrate.

Amidst the ear-piercing screams and laughter that even the thunder couldn't drown out, the Potions professor abandoned Wade and limped towards the castle's dungeons.

Wade didn't understand why he didn't just use magic to make things easier for himself—after all, he could simply float back to his office.

In the end, Wade could only assume that Professor Snape had a slight tendency toward self-torment.

Suddenly, someone pounced on him and wrapped their arms around his neck.

"Ha, Wade! Why didn't I see you earlier?" Michael laughed and said, "Did you see what Harry did just now? He caught the Golden Snitch right in the middle of the Slytherins! Haha, they were furious!"

Wade withdrew the wand he had almost drawn and smiled. "Harry won?"

"That's right! Harry Potter! He's definitely going to be a world-class Quidditch player!"

Other students, whether they knew Wade or not, echoed Michael's excitement.

Before Wade could even say a word, Michael was pulled away by others.

Everyone was acting as if they had won the match themselves.

Even the usually composed Ravenclaws were this excited—let alone Gryffindors. Many students were running wild in the pouring rain on the Quidditch pitch, repeatedly tossing the players into the air.

The girls, however, had mostly returned to the castle in small groups as soon as the match ended, and the Hufflepuff students had also started heading back.

Almost everyone had been drenched in the rain all day. Now, cold and hungry, they shivered as they walked.

"Wade?" Theo and Ryan, hugging bottles of warming flames, had water dripping from their faces as they called out, "Let's go together?"

Wade walked over and asked, "Everyone seems especially excited today?"

"Yeah, yeah! At the last moment, Harry pulled off a classic maneuver from the Polish Quidditch team—using the harsh weather to distract his opponents. In the end, he caught the Snitch while surrounded by four Slytherin players!"

Theo gestured wildly in excitement. "Although he ended up falling off his broom, it wasn't serious—Professor Abigail caught him!"

"Professor Abigail?" Wade's steps faltered slightly.

"Yeah," Theo said. "For some reason, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick weren't around today, and we didn't see Professor Snape either. But luckily, Professor Abigail was there—otherwise, Harry would've been hurt."

Ryan asked, "Wade, you didn't watch the match today?"

"No, I took advantage of the heavy rain to go for a flight," Wade said. "I flew a bit farther than expected."

"That sounds really stupid," Theo said disapprovingly. "Flying in this weather? Be careful, or you might get struck by lightning."

"It's not that bad. If you fly high enough, there's no more rain," Wade replied.

Laughing and chatting, they made their way back to the castle. The match had gone on quite late, but thankfully, the kitchen had saved dinner for all the students.

However, there were almost no Gryffindor students in the Great Hall—they would probably celebrate all night in their common room.

The SSC group was still sitting together, and even Michael and Padma seemed to have made up. They were sitting side by side for the first time in a while, waving at Wade and the others.

Wade waved his wand, drying the cold rainwater that had soaked everyone. Their clothes instantly became warm and dry.

"Thanks, Wade," Padma said happily. "It was awful having those cold, wet clothes sticking to me. If I weren't starving, I'd have gone straight to the dormitory."

"It's just a simple little spell," Wade said as he sat down. "I'll teach you all later."

"Yes, please!" Michael chimed in eagerly, then turned to Padma and added, "I'll be the first to master it so you'll never have to suffer like this again."

Padma scoffed. "I don't need you—I'll learn it myself!"

Theo turned to Ryan and asked, "Have you finished your Astronomy essay? I couldn't figure out the positions of a few constellations."

"Yeah, I finished it," Ryan replied. "I'll help you check yours later."

"Help me too, Ryan!" Michael pleaded, putting on a pitiful look. "We haven't been able to do proper star observations for three straight lessons, but Professor Sinistra still gave us the same amount of homework! My brain feels like it's about to explode."

Wade grabbed a beef pie for himself, and as soon as the rich aroma hit his senses, his mouth watered.

He sat in the bright, clean Great Hall, candles burning eternally above his head, surrounded by friends chatting about homework and the Quidditch match.

So peaceful, so ordinary—it almost felt like everything that had happened on the island was just a dream.

"Mr. Corner, if you could memorize every star chart like Mr. Carrow, I wouldn't mind reducing your homework a little." (TN: Michael Corner, Ryan Carrow)

A lighthearted voice suddenly spoke from behind them, startling Michael so much that he nearly fell off his chair.

They turned around to see several professors passing by, with the one speaking being Professor Aurora Sinistra, their Astronomy teacher.

Michael quickly put down his roasted potato and jumped to his feet, putting on a serious face.

"That wouldn't be right, Professor! Studying the movements of stars and planets deepens our understanding of magic, helps us grasp the connection between celestial changes and all things in the world, and even allows us to predict the future!"

"This subject is so important—how could I slack off in my studies? I must complete my Astronomy assignments with full dedication! Even if it makes my head feel like it's splitting open, I won't give up!"

Michael's dramatic performance had the professors laughing, and Professor Sinistra decided to let his earlier comment slide. She shook her head and told him to sit back down and eat.

Professor Abigail smiled before suddenly saying, "Wade, several professors left the match halfway through. Was there some kind of emergency?"

Wade looked at her curiously and replied, "I'm not sure, Professor. Maybe you could ask Professor Dumbledore?"

Michael chimed in, "Professor, we were watching the match the whole time. But I think I saw Professor Snape at the end—he should know what happened."

"Hmm, that works too…" Professor Abigail gave Wade a thoughtful look. "I don't know why, but I have a feeling you might know something… but never mind. Oh, by the way, about the matter we discussed last time…"

"It's mostly done. I can give it to you on Monday," Wade said.

"That's wonderful!" Professor Abigail smiled.

The professors walked toward the staff table—Professor Sera Abigail for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Aurora Sinistra for Astronomy, Professor Charity Burbage for Muggle Studies, Professor Septima Vector for Arithmancy, and Professor Bathsheba Babbling for Ancient Runes.

It was a group of female professors, yet Abigail did not seem out of place among them. Her beauty was striking, but her demeanor was effortlessly natural.

Wade vaguely overheard them mentioning his name. Professor Babbling, for instance, was complaining about how Wade always secretly helped other students solve introductory rune puzzles. Though from her tone, it sounded more like she was boasting rather than complaining.

The professors continued their discussion.

Extremely talented students and extremely struggling students alike were always the main focus of their attention.

As Wade sat down, he noticed Michael staring at him.

"What's wrong?" Wade asked.

Michael leaned in and whispered, "Is there something up with Professor Abigail?"

Wade was caught off guard and didn't answer immediately.

Back in his first and second years, he had an unconscious sense of superiority as a transmigrator, treating Hogwarts like the fairy-tale world he had once seen in movies.

But as more of this world revealed its true, often harsh reality, he had grown much more cautious.

However, his brief hesitation was enough for Michael to get his answer.

"Sigh—"

Michael let out a deep sigh and said, "In the first year, there was the Dark Lord on the back side. In the second year, the Dark Lord's servant disguised as a pet to infiltrate the student dormitories. I was actually thinking—this year has been so peaceful, it felt kind of… off!"

"Peaceful feels off?" Padma had caught part of the conversation and asked in confusion, "Hasn't it always been peaceful?"

Michael smiled. "Yeah, you're right. Oh, by the way, do you want some pear juice?"

As if he had completely forgotten what he just said, he eagerly picked up a clear glass bottle and poured Padma a drink.

But Wade, because of Michael's words, fell silent for a long time.

…

As Snape led Wade away and disappeared, Haley let out a surprised gasp—then quickly covered her mouth.

Mabel, holding the little girl in her arms, looked at the old man with the long white beard in front of her and asked, "Hey, what are you planning to do with us?"

Through his half-moon spectacles, Dumbledore studied them carefully and asked in a gentle voice, "What do you think should be done?"

"I... I know I killed someone. If you want to kill me, go ahead! But don't hurt Haley! You are not allowed to experiment on her!" Mabel said fiercely.

"N-No! I don't want Mabel to die!" Haley shouted. "If Mabel dies, then I'll go with her!"

"Don't be afraid, children," Dumbledore reassured them. "I promise no one will die here… Do you remember your parents? Do you know where your home is?"

Mabel shook her head. "I don't remember anything from before."

Haley, on the other hand, said, "My mom is dead, and my dad didn't want me anymore." She hugged Mabel tightly and said, "Wherever Mabel is, that's my home!"

"Hmm... I see…" Dumbledore nodded. "Would you mind if I performed a simple examination on you?—Using magic."

Mabel instinctively wanted to refuse. But then she realized that the old man in front of her was terrifyingly powerful—he didn't actually need her permission at all. So she reluctantly nodded.

Dumbledore waved his wand, and soft beams of light fell upon the two of them, like countless white feathers drifting down in silence.

Haley curiously reached out to catch one, but the feather passed through her hand and melted into her body.

Mabel, on the other hand, tensed up completely, dark mist flickering around her as if it could erupt at any moment.

A moment later, Dumbledore withdrew his wand and his expression grew slightly serious.

Haley's condition wasn't too bad—aside from malnutrition and some anemia, the girl who had nearly died was surprisingly resilient and in relatively good health.

But just as he had suspected, Mabel's memory had been completely erased—thoroughly and irreversibly.

Even worse, there was the Obscurus.

Children consumed by this dark creature typically did not survive past the age of ten, as an Obscurus constantly burns away at its host's soul.

But Mabel was already fourteen.

It seemed that Muggles had once used some method to suppress her magic, preventing the Obscurus within her from fully awakening. Until today… until she had been unshackled…

Dumbledore did not share his findings. After a long silence, he finally smiled.

"Would you like to go to school?"

He asked with a cheerful smile, like a grandfather preparing to hand out Christmas presents.

"School?" Haley's eyes lit up with curiosity, but there was also hesitation. "I used to go to school… I made it to second grade…"

Mabel was stunned for a moment. She wanted to ask—is the whole killing incident just going to be brushed aside like that? But as she came to her senses, she swallowed the question and instead asked, "Can we stay together?"

"I'm afraid not," Dumbledore said apologetically. "Haley will be going to a normal school, while you are a witch—you should attend Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts?" Mabel murmured.

They had heard Skeeter mention that place before. In the journalist's descriptions, it sounded like a school straight out of a fairy tale.

"Yes," Dumbledore said with a smile. "It's a school of magic. Almost all young witches and wizards from the British Isles study there. You'll meet many kind and interesting classmates there—they can all use magic, too."

"Will Wade Grey be there?" Mabel asked.

"Of course."

"But… What about Haley?" Mabel hesitated and looked at the little girl.

"I will find her a good adoptive family," Dumbledore said. "She will grow up healthy and happy, just like any ordinary child. And during the holidays, you can visit her."

Mabel didn't want to be separated from Haley.

But deep down, she knew which choice was best for Haley.

This old man is someone Wade trusts… and he doesn't seem to have any bad intentions…

And if everyone there is a wizard, then surely no one would be trying to dig into my magical genes, right?

After thinking for a long time, Mabel finally nodded hesitantly and convinced the reluctant Haley to agree as well.

"…Once I learn magic, I can take you flying in the sky, too. And if anyone bullies us again, I'll just whoosh whoosh whoosh and take them all down!"

"Magic can even turn tiny ants and little butterflies bigger than a house! Then you can ride on a butterfly's back and fly across the sea…"

The two girls began imagining a future filled with magic, and the worry on their faces slowly gave way to excitement and joy.

Dumbledore watched this scene in silence, his blue eyes were filled with quiet sympathy.

…

On the ruined island, more and more Ministry of Magic officials were arriving after receiving the alert.

With explanations from the Hogwarts professors, the Ministry finally understood that the Muggles here were not helpless victims in need of protection. On the contrary, they were criminals who had committed atrocities against wizards and had murdered many innocent children.

All the Muggles on the island were taken away, awaiting trial and punishment by the Ministry of Magic.

At the same time, the children locked in the dungeons were rescued. Those in poor health were immediately sent to St. Mungo's, while the others would be identified and returned to their families.

Rita Skeeter, in the midst of the chaos, had managed to retrieve her crocodile-skin handbag.

She pulled out her camera and began snapping pictures furiously, capturing an abundance of exclusive, firsthand photos. Her enchanted quill was scribbling so fast it looked like it might take off in excitement.

At this moment, Skeeter was the only journalist on the entire island, holding an exclusive scoop of enormous proportions. She was grinning from ear to ear, feeling that all her previous suffering had been well worth it.

Arriving at the scene just a little too late, Umbridge wore a dark expression—but there was nothing she could do about Skeeter.

The journalist had already shamelessly woven a dramatic tale of heroism for herself and was constantly embellishing it, with the rescued children eagerly backing her up.

Most of the Ministry employees believed her completely and looked at the "fearless war reporter" with admiration, wishing they could have fought alongside her.

Meanwhile, Cornelius Fudge and a group of wizards had finally confirmed the last known location of the Obscurus and were making their way toward the only building still standing.

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⭐Harry Potter: Becoming a Study God (HP:BSG)- +235 Chapters

⭐MCU: Druid's Adventures (MCUDA)(⭐COMPLETE⭐) - Total Chapter 460

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