[22] The Suspicion of Old Men

"Little Professor William~" Draco grinned, hooking an arm around Hall's shoulder.

"Could you give us a hint about the exams?" Blaise whispered.

They flanked Hall on both sides, squeezing him between them.

"The exam content—" Hall shouted. Draco and Blaise lunged forward, covering his mouth.

"Keep your voice down!"

"Just tell us, you jerk!"

They bickered playfully in the corridor. Younger students greeted Hall warmly as they passed. He was the centre of attention.

"You're more popular than Potter," Draco said, with undisguised satisfaction.

Hall shrugged. Fame didn't matter. Once the Squib potion was successful, he could have as much fame as he wanted.

"By the way, Henry — I heard a third-year girl confessed to you."

"She just thought it was funny."

That was true. But he'd refused. He didn't have time for romance. And the way she'd looked at him — with that maternal affection — had reminded him of Mum. He wondered how his parents were doing. He couldn't write to them — owls would reveal his address.

"Henry William."

Professor McGonagall appeared at the end of the corridor. "The Headmaster wants to see you."

The Slytherin common room buzzed with gossip.

The office held Dumbledore, Snape, and a third person whose back was to Hall.

Quirinus Quirrell.

Hall's heart tightened. He had a bad feeling.

The setting sun streamed through the window behind Dumbledore, obscuring his expression. Hall turned to Snape.

Snape's eyes were empty. His hand gripped his forearm tightly.

Occlumency. In the most secure room in Hogwarts, Snape was using Occlumency.

The place he was gripping — Hall remembered. The Dark Mark.

"What did you see, Henry?" Dumbledore's voice was calm. Too calm.

"The Professor's arm is injured?"

Quirrell jumped up. "Only the Dark Lord knows where everyone's Mark is! It must be him! He's back! He's back!"

He repeated the phrase over and over, trembling, until he hid under Dumbledore's desk.

Hall understood. Quirrell was accusing him.

"Are you questioning my identity?" His tone was hostile.

The Weasley family was always first to fight Voldemort. One of his own brothers had died in the war. These reasons alone made him an enemy of the Dark Lord.

And now they were questioning his loyalty.

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Dumbledore emerged from the shadows. His blue eyes held scrutiny. "I'm sorry, my child. Professor Quirrell has suffered a great deal. His mind is broken."

The office held three figures waiting for him.

"Henry, sit down." Dumbledore conjured a chair.

Hall sat. He didn't know what Dumbledore wanted.

"Minerva, would you please take Professor Quirrell back to the infirmary?" Dumbledore said calmly. "Severus, could you teach the next first-year class? I need to speak with our Professor William."

Everyone filed out. The door closed.

"Henry, you've done well lately." Dumbledore waved his wand, and two cups of honey tea appeared. "Whether it's your teaching, your studies, Quidditch training, or the development of the Squib potion. You've done very well. I'm proud to be your Headmaster."

Hall waited for the "but."

"But, my child... you're still too inexperienced."

Hall frowned. Inexperienced? Where?

"Do you know the difference between dark wizards and light wizards?"

"Light wizards heal. Dark wizards attack."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Light wizards can attack. Dark wizards can heal. What truly distinguishes them is the heart. Magic itself is neither good nor evil. It's always the heart that's wrong."

Days passed in a haze of thought.

Days passed. Hall thought about Dumbledore's words.

Dumbledore hadn't believed Quirrell's accusations. But he was suspicious. After all, Dumbledore knew Hall wasn't the real Henry William.

Yet he hadn't forced Hall to reveal his identity. For that, Hall was grateful.

He needed to prove his innocence. And he had an idea.

The Philosopher's Stone. Hidden on the third floor.

The Squib potion needed stabilising. They'd tested countless materials. What if he used the Philosopher's Stone? It was the most successful alchemical creation in history. It could grant immortality. Surely it could restore magic.

If he completed the Squib potion, wouldn't that prove his identity to Dumbledore? After all, the Dark Lord and his followers despised Squibs. They would never try to cure them.

The biggest obstacle was the Cerberus guarding the Stone.

Hall remembered the creature's weakness. It loved music. If he found a music box that could play continuously, the beast would fall asleep.

He searched everywhere but couldn't find one. So he built one himself. The Room of Requirement provided the materials. After several sleepless nights, he had a music box that could play all night long.

He chose a simple tune.

He waited until everyone was asleep. Then he cast the Immobilising Charm on his roommate — Milicent Bulstrode, who'd been spreading rumours about him.

"Exchange for the Hover Charm, the Summoning Charm, and the Unlocking Charm."

[Ding — Panel Update]

B-Rank Abilities: Spells (Patronus Charm, Basic Transfiguration Charm {Self-Learned}, Petrificus Totalus, Finite Incantatem, Silencio, Immobilising Charm, Trip Jinx, Leg-Locker Curse)

Available Galleons: 1,508 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts

He took out the Marauder's Map and followed the simplest route to the third-floor corridor.

As he passed near the Gryffindor common room, he heard voices. His name.

He hid behind a column.

"Harry, I'm telling you, that William is definitely suspicious," Ron was saying. "The borrowing records show he was the one who borrowed those materials. Why is he investigating this?"

"Ron, don't talk nonsense. Maybe Henry's just curious."

"Then what about the time he drove Professor Quirrell crazy?"

"He's a dangerous person!"

Hall shook his head. I'll have to give Ron a discount next time. He's dumber than I thought.

The idea took root slowly.

Hall emerged from behind the column and continued toward the third floor.

The wooden door was old and dilapidated, locked with an iron lock. He recalled the defences from memory — each professor had set a challenge. Simple but tedious.

He placed the music box on the ground, opened it, and let the melody play. The Cerberus inside would fall asleep.

"Alohomora."

The lock clicked open.

The Cerberus lay on the floor, fast asleep, one of its heads blowing bubbles. Hall placed the music box in a corner where the beast wouldn't crush it, then searched for the next door.

One of the Cerberus's paws shifted, revealing a wooden trapdoor beneath it.

He cast the Hover Charm twice to lift the massive creature, then opened the door and dropped through.

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