[90] The Old Ways

"We're doomed! Will we be expelled?"

"Yeah, Peeves was talking so arrogantly — does the Headmaster look really bad?"

Ron and Harry were incredibly anxious, their palms sweating. The relief they'd felt moments ago was replaced by panic.

Harry inwardly cursed the house-elf. He knew their inability to enter the platform was likely Dobby's doing.

Hall shook his head. "Don't worry. The Headmaster wouldn't expel students who haven't done anything wrong. Otherwise, how could he earn the students' respect?"

"But... but..." Harry hesitated.

"Weren't we breaking school rules...?" Ron looked troubled.

Harry and Ron had never so desperately wanted the stairs to take them somewhere strange. But contrary to their wishes, the usually mischievous stairs were unusually obedient, forming a straight line to the first floor.

"They've never been this friendly before," Ron muttered.

"Let's go." Hall tugged Ron's sleeve and led them out of the castle.

He knew that with Dumbledore's control over Hogwarts, they'd likely been discovered the moment they appeared at the Room of Requirement. His experience over the summer told Hall that as long as it wasn't a matter of principle, Dumbledore was lenient with students — especially Gryffindors. He seemed to enjoy them causing minor trouble.

Hall was Slytherin, but he had two Gryffindors behind him. Two trump cards.

Still — Hall frowned. Why would Dumbledore choose the Whomping Willow? That was where the secret passage to Hogsmeade was.

As they approached the Willow, Dumbledore stood quietly a short distance away, hands behind his back, lost in thought.

"Headmaster."

"Headmaster."

"Headmaster."

They greeted him politely. Dumbledore did not turn around, continuing to gaze at the Willow.

Ron and Harry, sweating anxiously, looked helplessly at Hall. He shook his head — he was powerless too.

Hall took a half-step forward. "Headmaster, what brings you here?"

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Dumbledore seemed to only then notice their presence. "You've come." He beckoned them closer. "I understand your situation. Don't be too nervous — it's not a serious problem." A slight smile appeared on his face.

The weight of expulsion loomed as the history of Hogwarts unfolded.

"Many years ago, Hogwarts students all earned their places based on their own abilities. The methods you used are probably just old tricks those students had already mastered. Hahaha."

Hearing this, Ron and Harry breathed a sigh of relief, though still puzzled. They exchanged glances. Harry helped Dumbledore up.

"Headmaster, why did you bring us here?"

Dumbledore smiled, pointing to the enormous tree. "Oh, I just wanted to introduce you to this old fellow." His eyes held a deeper meaning. "Its existence makes things safer and more convenient."

Though he didn't look directly at Hall, Hall understood. Dumbledore didn't know about the Vanishing Cabinet, but he knew Hall must have used some easy method. Harry and Ron's magic was unstable, and Dumbledore needed to be responsible for them. Therefore, the tool used must have been extremely safe and fast. For something like that to be stored in some hidden corner of Hogwarts was dangerous.

Dumbledore wanted Hall to take the cabinet and place it in Hogsmeade through the secret passage under the Whomping Willow.

But Hall had a better idea. Where could be safer than Nurmengard? Grindelwald was recovering well, though he still loved to act. With the boost of the short-term Squib potion Hall had crafted, he was only stronger now.

Imagine — if the Death Eaters used the Vanishing Cabinet to enter Hogwarts, what could be more terrifying than opening the door to find the first Dark Lord smiling at them?

Hall decided to ignore Dumbledore's hint.

"Now, why don't you two go back to your dorms and rest?" Dumbledore said to Ron and Harry. Then he looked at Hall. "I have something to say to Hall." He winked mysteriously.

Ron and Harry, though confused, obediently turned and left.

"See you in the Great Hall later," Ron whispered.

Hall nodded.

Now only Dumbledore and Hall remained under the Whomping Willow.

Dumbledore looked at Hall. "Lupin said you already know." He took off his half-moon spectacles and wiped them.

"I know. Isn't that interesting?" Hall shrugged. "Can the Headmaster ensure his safety? After all —"

"Of course. I'm also responsible for the students." Dumbledore put his spectacles back on. "You'll keep it a secret for me too." He winked playfully.

Hall gave a standard business smile and nodded. But he didn't truly believe Dumbledore's words. He didn't think Dumbledore would have enough time to protect every student from a werewolf.

Lupin, as a werewolf, was an extremely dangerous creature, no matter how pitiful he seemed. Placing him in the school posed a significant safety hazard. Though he was kind-hearted when lucid, on the night of the full moon, he lost all reason and became a bloodthirsty beast.

Hall couldn't change Dumbledore's decision, but the Wolfsbane Potion Lupin had taken was one Hall had personally prepared. He could immobilise Lupin during those crucial days, minimising the risk. But that wasn't something he could tell Dumbledore beforehand.

"Your teacher is waiting for you. Go and visit him." Dumbledore smiled warmly, his eyes hidden behind his half-moon spectacles. "This time, I won't go with you."

He strode toward the castle, waving goodbye.

"See you tonight, Headmaster."

Hall turned and headed toward Nurmengard.

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