Professor Flitwick's face was extremely serious, and his whole demeanor was very tense, as if a wild Fire Dragon could appear at any moment.
Some senior students stepped forward to ask what had happened, but Professor Flitwick said nothing, only urged them to return to the castle as quickly as possible.
Everyone was discussing what could have happened, and based on previous experiences, the most likely troublemaker was Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
"I'm sure it's him!" Gemma Farley declared confidently, "Almost every major incident that has happened at Hogwarts before has been related to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"Moreover, Professor Quirrell didn't come to watch the match today." Someone immediately agreed, "I remember he said during the last match that he loved Quidditch, there's no reason for him not to come!"
"Do you think Professor Quirrell could be a Dark Wizard like Oren last year?" Someone asked worriedly.
"He might even be a Death Eater!"
"Don't say that, why do I feel so cold..."
"We better hurry back to the castle. With Professor Dumbledore there, even if the Death Eaters come, it won't matter."
"Indeed..."
The young wizards swarmed into the castle, finally feeling a lot safer.
Kael was also among the crowd, but instead of returning to the common room with the others, he took advantage of Professor Sprout's distraction to slip into the Gryffindor group.
"Kael?" Fred and George spotted him immediately and asked excitedly, "Do you know something?"
"Tell us, if you have a plan, don't forget to include me and Fred!"
"Sorry, Fred, George..."
On the stairs, Kael whispered to them, "I need to confirm something now, don't have time to say much, can you cover for me?"
The twins frowned, not knowing what Kael intended, but moved to stand behind him regardless.
They deliberately blocked the view behind them with their shoulders.
"Thanks."
Kael whispered, bending down and casting a Disillusionment Charm on himself. He quietly slipped away on the third floor.
"Merlin... It's the Disillusionment Charm!" Fred blurted out, "I've always wanted to learn that spell."
George waved his arms in front but touched nothing.
"Kael is only a second-year, and he already learned the Disillusionment Charm!"
"What else is he hiding from us!"
On the other side, after separating from the crowd, Kael hugged the wall and cautiously made his way to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom door.
He first looked at the quill stuck in the door gap, let out a breath of relief when he saw it was intact.
Thankfully... it shouldn't be a Basilisk.
"Who's there, come out, I see you."
At this moment, a round head suddenly emerged from the middle of the door.
"It's me, Moaning Myrtle." Kael lifted the Disillusionment Charm, appearing before her.
"Oh, it's you, Kael." Moaning Myrtle chuckled, "Have you finally decided to share a bathroom with me?"
"Sorry, I don't have such plans for now."
Kael shook his head and said, "I'm here to ask whether anyone else has come by recently?"
"You?"
"I meant anyone else."
"Then no one." As Moaning Myrtle spoke, she started crying again, "No one ever comes here. Who would like the ugly, pitiful, sullen, crying Moaning Myrtle?
They don't even want to linger at the door."
Kael awkwardly said, "Uh... At least Peeves quite likes you."
Being told this by Kael, Moaning Myrtle cried even louder.
The shrill wails echoed down the third-floor corridor, sending chills down Kael's spine.
To avoid attracting attention, he hurriedly changed topics, "By the way, didn't I make an anti-Peeves device here for you before? How is it, is it effective?"
"I don't know, that annoying ghost hasn't been here for a long time."
Moaning Myrtle's mood was like a faucet, turning off as quickly as it turned on.
She glanced back into the bathroom, doubtingly saying, "But is it really useful... Can laying down a dozen books really drive away that annoying ghost?"
"Of course it can... Besides, those aren't books, they're specially made fireworks."
Kael said with a smile, "As soon as Peeves opens the door, the entire castle will hear it, and it will scare him away."
"Well then... I'll be heading back first."
Knowing the castle's troubles had nothing to do with the Basilisk, Kael prepared to leave. It would be quite a hassle if Professor Sprout noticed he wasn't around.
"Oh, all right..."
Moaning Myrtle said with regret, "If you change your mind, you're always welcome to move in."
Hearing this, Kael sped up his pace.
When he reached the entrance to the Hufflepuff Common Room, Professor Sprout happened to come out from inside.
"Oh, Kael... Luckily, you're safe." She said sternly, "Where did you go earlier? Why didn't you come back with everyone else?"
Kael saw her in such a fiery mood for the first time and guiltily said, "Professor, I just... um, was a little worried... so I stayed outside a bit longer to see if I could help."
Just as Kael was struggling to come up with an excuse, Professor Sprout suddenly sighed and said, "Who told you all this, Minerva?"
"What?" Kael froze, not understanding what she meant.
Professor Sprout seemed to have some misunderstanding and gently said, "I understand, your relationship with Hagrid is very good. Suddenly hearing he's seriously injured, it's normal to be worried.
But you're just a second-year young wizard after all. The most important thing right now is to ensure your own safety. Madam Pomfrey will heal Hagrid."
"What did you say! Hagrid seriously injured... Sorry, I mean, can you tell me how he is now?"
Kael truly hadn't expected the incident to involve Hagrid.
"I can only say it's not bad." Professor Sprout thought for a moment and shook her head, "When we found Hagrid on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, there were many dark magic marks on his body.
If he wasn't mixed... physically strong, he would have died long ago.
But rest assured, he's been taken to the hospital wing, he's sure to be fine."
"Thank you, I understand." Kael asked, "Then professor, can I go see him?"
"Not now!"
Professor Sprout gave Kael a stern look.
"Before Dumbledore returns from the Forbidden Forest, all of you must stay in the common room, you're not allowed to go anywhere."
"Now, you should head back!"