Although Wentworth was filled with confusion, he still took the delivery list from Cassandra's hand and carefully read through it. He knew that if Cassandra had handed it to him, there must be something noteworthy within it.
The list was densely packed with names and quantities, but Wentworth immediately spotted what Cassandra wanted him to see—it was simply too obvious.
Gringotts!
The very first name on the list was Gringotts, and the amount they had purchased far exceeded that of any other buyer.
At that moment, Cassandra spoke up:
"According to my father's investigation, just one day before the incident in Hogsmeade, Gringotts purchased an enormous amount of Floo Powder from the Floo-Puff Company—far more than they usually acquire. Wentworth, you must know what that means."
Wentworth nodded, calmly tucking the delivery list away before replying:
"Of course. Either Gringotts is preparing for a large-scale personnel movement, so they stocked up on Floo Powder in advance, or a major movement has already taken place, and they are now replenishing their supply."
"In any case, the goblins of Gringotts must have been making significant movements in those few days."
Cassandra nodded before softly adding, "Wentworth, I fear something is wrong with Gringotts."
Hearing Cassandra's words, Wentworth turned his gaze towards the distant horizon—towards Hogsmeade. After a long silence, he sighed deeply and said meaningfully:
"I just fear that the problem isn't with Gringotts itself, but with the goblins."
Just then, a voice called out from not too far away.
"Wentworth! Wentworth!"
Wentworth frowned, clearly displeased that someone was interrupting his moment alone with Cassandra.
Following the direction of the voice, he saw Harry and Draco sprinting towards him, with a few others trailing behind.
"Why are they here?"
Cassandra stood up, watching as Harry and the others approached, and asked with curiosity.
Wentworth shook his head in exasperation and said, "I don't know, but I do know one thing—it can't be anything good."
Moments later, Harry and the others arrived, panting. Harry spoke first:
"Wentworth, I can't believe you're here! We've been searching everywhere for you!"
Wentworth smiled slightly and responded, "If it was so hard to find me, then maybe you shouldn't have looked."
Harry: "…"
When Harry explained their reason for seeking him out—specifically, their plan to steal something from Snape's office and their hope that Wentworth would help—Wentworth scoffed.
"Are you all out of your minds? Do you know who we're talking about? Severus Snape, Hogwarts' Potions Master, Head of Slytherin House!"
"You want to steal from his office? You might as well go straight for Voldemort! Trust me, Voldemort would be easier to deal with right now than Snape."
"I've said my piece. If you insist on going, I won't stop you. But don't expect me to help—I have no experience when it comes to suicidal missions."
The group fell into an awkward silence.
Although they had expected Wentworth to refuse, they hadn't anticipated how blunt his rejection would be. None of them knew what to say in response.
At that moment, Cassandra spoke up.
"Why did you come to Wentworth?"
Hearing her question, Harry absentmindedly replied:
"Because, of all the people I know, the only one who might stand a chance against Snape is Wentworth. I don't know why, but I just have this feeling that as long as Wentworth is involved, we'll succeed."
Upon hearing this, Wentworth shot back sarcastically:
"Well, I appreciate you thinking of me while jumping into a pit of fire."
Harry hurriedly tried to explain, looking anxious:
"I'm sorry, Wentworth, but that paper crane is really important to me!"
"…Wait, what paper crane?"
Wentworth froze, his expression puzzled.
Draco quickly summarized the events of that night, explaining how Snape had snatched the paper crane that had fallen from Lily Evans's notebook.
Hearing this, Wentworth's face twisted into an odd expression as he muttered to himself:
"I think I finally understand why they used to love tormenting Professor Snape so much…"
His voice was so low that no one else caught what he had said.
When he refocused on the present, he saw Harry looking dejected. Wanting to comfort him, Wentworth said:
"Harry, breaking into Snape's office isn't easy. Even I can't guarantee I'd be able to bypass all of his protective enchantments."
"Besides, even if we're lucky and avoid triggering any defenses, how can you be sure the paper crane is in his office? What if he's carrying it with him?"
Harry and the others were momentarily stunned by the realization. Draco blurted out in disbelief:
"No way!"
Wentworth cast Draco a knowing glance—actually, it was very likely. He found it far more plausible that Snape would keep the paper crane on his person rather than leave it in his office.
Harry thought it over carefully, realizing that Wentworth's reasoning made a lot of sense. His shoulders slumped in frustration as he muttered:
"Then what do we do? Are we really going to have to fight Professor Snape?"
Wentworth sighed. "…Or, you could try apologizing to him. Tell him you broke curfew that night and have since realized your mistake. Accept your punishment, but politely ask him to return your mother's keepsake."
"Harry, Snape is still a professor at Hogwarts. You're going to be punished, no doubt about it. But I doubt he'd feel comfortable holding onto your mother's possession after that."
Draco and Hermione exchanged worried glances, while Harry's expression darkened.
As expected, in the next moment, Harry's eyes turned red with anger as he snapped:
"I will never apologize to the man who killed my parents!"
Wentworth was taken aback. Beside him, Cassandra frowned in confusion and said:
"The man who killed your parents? But… wasn't it Voldemort? The entire wizarding world knows that."
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