"Wait a minute..." George suddenly noticed a contradiction, "So according to this... the reason the House-Elf found Harry is because—"
"—he's not malicious? He's genuinely trying to protect Harry?" Fred said almost at the same time.
Vid nodded, "He might really think Hogwarts is in danger, so he doesn't want Harry to return to school."
"His way of protecting people is quite unique."
Fred frowned, "If that's the case, why are you suspecting that House-Elf again this time? His name is... uh..."
"Dobby." George said, "I remember Harry said he called himself Dobby."
"The living environment and mindset of House-Elves are different from ours."
Vid said, "Just as he thinks Hogwarts is dangerous, he'd rather have Harry expelled from school than let him return; maybe this time he's also worried something bad will happen if Harry stays at school..."
"—so he'll send him to St Mungo's first?" Fred said.
George shook his head, "What danger could Hogwarts have? The safest place is... uh..."
He suddenly recalled Voldemort infiltrating the school last year, making the usual remarks hard to utter.
"If we're talking about the biggest danger this semester, it's our Maze challenge..."
Fred looked back at the giant Maze in the night, saying, "Could Harry meet the Mysterious Man in the Maze?"
"Who knows?" Vid said, "Dobby is just one possibility for the culprit; maybe it's as you've guessed, done by a Slytherin student; or a Death Eater hiding their identity, or simply a coincidence..."
"Anyway, compared to sneaking into the Slytherin Common Room, I'd rather first ask Harry if he has any leads."
Vid suspected it was Dobby but didn't dare to assert definitively.
Because his butterfly wings flapped a bit too strongly, many things in this world are diverging more and more from the original plot, Vid's 'Prophet' advantage is gradually being lost.
Fortunately, Harry soon gave him a definite answer, letting Vid know this world hasn't strayed too far off course.
"It was that House-Elf, the one named Dobby."
Lying on the hospital bed, Harry said angrily, "I met him in the Maze, I thought he was a rescue House-Elf from the school; later, when I saw his clothes, I realized it was him..."
"What did he say, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"He said he had warned me, asked why I came back to school..."
Harry wore a look of frustration and disgust as though being harassed by a stalker.
"He also said, given the situation... being seriously injured and sent home is better than staying here."
"Did he say what dangers Hogwarts might have?" Vid asked.
"He seemed to mention..." Harry recalled, taking a while to say, "He said something like... history will repeat itself, the Chamber of Secret will be opened again... I don't understand what it means—what Chamber of Secret?"
"In terms of Chambers, there are too many..." George rubbed his chin.
"I seem to have seen something similar in a book..." Hermione frowned, "I'll check later."
The infirmary door opened, and Neville and Theo entered from outside.
"Harry, are you feeling better? We brought you some food from the Great Hall..."
The noise woke up Lockhart, who was in the next bed; he groggily rubbed his eyes and sat up, asking, "Is it morning? Why so noisy?"
Lockhart opened his eyes, seeing Neville pass by his own bed.
Their eyes met.
Neville had no choice but to say, "Good evening, Professor. Are you feeling better?"
"Much better, Longbottom. You've come to see me and brought cake? That's so kind!"
Lockhart, as he spoke, reached out and took the cake from Neville's arms.
He looked around at the students, saying energetically, "No need to worry, kids, no need to worry! This is just a small mishap. Your favorite professor—me, Gilderoy Lockhart, Merlin's Third Class Order holder, will still appear in class tomorrow as scheduled..."
The students glanced at each other, then displayed awkward but polite smiles.
Fred quietly said to his brother, "Could we switch his medicine and keep him in the infirmary for two more days?"
George squeezed a word through his teeth, "Do you want to be killed by Madam Pomfrey?"
...
Hogwarts was completely shrouded in night.
Vid stood by the window, seeing Hagrid, holding a lantern, patrolling near the Maze, with a Thestral following behind him, occasionally spreading its bat-like wings and flapping.
Some students lingering around the Maze were caught by Hagrid, all driven back to the castle. Luckily, it was not yet curfew time, or they might be punished with a few days of confinement.
These students were like kids from ordinary families who just started playing online games. Even knowing there were dangers, they still couldn't resist the joy brought by the game.
The night was deep, the castle lights gradually dimmed, but the edge connecting the Forbidden Forest and the Maze became lively, creatures occasionally poked their heads curiously around.
Hogwarts' thousand-year-old buildings were unchanged, yet now had a giant Maze. It's probably something new for creatures in the Forbidden Forest.
A Unicorn glowing faintly led its young around the Maze boldly, even entering with Hagrid.
A few Centaurs stood under the big trees, holding bows and arrows, their bodies hidden in shadows, pointing at the Maze and saying something, seemingly debating.
After a while, they walked away.
At the Forbidden Forest edge, dim light flickered, it was the creatures inside taking advantage of the night to come out and watch the commotion.
In the Black Lake, a giant squid surfaced again, and some strange-looking Merpeople peeked their heads, resembling rocks in the lake.
The day's excitement belonged to the students, but the night seemed to be the realm of the animals.
It's uncertain whether the professors can persuade them to willingly act as NPCs in the Maze...
Vid thought about it, and felt it's unlikely.
Even though there's a Magic Contract, which can restrict animals from harming students, the intelligent creatures in the Magic World are typically proud, wary of Wizards, and disdainful of humans.
Though Wizards often hold the same view.
Vid watched the Maze sink into the night and be swallowed by darkness. He heard rustling sounds from the room behind him, knowing it's the House-Elf cleaning the room.
"Zoe?" Vid turned back to look at the House-Elf, asking, "Can I ask you for help with something?"
"Of course, Mr. Gray." Zoe bowed, "What can I do for you?"
"Recently, there might be a House-Elf sneaking into the school, it's called Dobby, dressed in rags." Vid said, "If you see it, can you bring it to meet me?"