When Albert used the Imperius Curse to make Ginny Weasley return to the dormitory by herself, Professor McGonagall had just woken up Madam Pomfrey who had fallen asleep.
The head nurse, wearing only a jacket over her pajamas, hurried out following Professor McGonagall. She couldn't help but gasp when she saw the boy lying stiffly on the bed.
"What's going on?" Madam Pomfrey asked Dumbledore in a low voice.
She walked to the bedside and leaned over to check the boy's condition. This symptom was very strange, she had never seen it before. The boy was stiff as a stone, which made her think of the rumors she had heard a while ago.
To be honest, if there hadn't been a precedent, Madam Pomfrey would have even suspected that the stiff boy in front of her was dead.
"Another attack," Dumbledore said calmly. "McGonagall found him on the stairs."
All three of them looked at Colin intently, trying to find some clues about the attacker from him.
"I heard Mr. Creevy's cry, and when I came out to check the situation, I found that he had been attacked." Professor McGonagall lowered her voice and said, "You should have noticed Mr. Creevy's wide eyes and stunned expression. He must have seen the attacker, and the attacker might be an unexpected guy.
"What should we do, I mean how should we treat him?" Madam Pomfrey asked in a low voice.
"A powerful restorative potion made from mandrake roots can remove the petrification curse." Dumbledore comforted him, "Mrs. Sprout happens to have a batch of mandrake roots. When they mature, Severus will be able to make an antidote."
"Petrified?" Madam Pomfrey frowned slightly and began to search her mind for similar symptoms.
"Yes." Professor McGonagall's tone was filled with uneasiness. "I have never heard of any dark magic that can petrify people... I actually wanted to chase him before, and now I shudder when I think about it... If I hadn't met Albus, who knows what would have happened..."
"The Chamber of Secrets has been opened again," Dumbledore said quietly.
"But Albus... you must know... who?" Professor McGonagall stared at Dumbledore blankly, hoping to get an answer from him.
"The question is not who," Dumbledore said, taking the camera from Colin's stiff fingers. "The question is how they did it."
Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey looked confused, obviously not understanding what Dumbledore said.
"Did he take a picture of the attacker?" Professor McGonagall asked anxiously, looking at the camera.
Dumbledore did not answer, but reached out and pried open the back cover of the camera. A pungent smell of burning plastic came out of the camera.
Madam Pomfrey said in surprise, "It actually melted..."
Dumbledore replaced the back cover of the camera and placed it on the bedside table next to the bed. He said to Madam Pomfrey, "Take care of Mr. Creevey until the powerful restorative potion is prepared."
"I will."
"This is very unusual, Albus." Professor McGonagall followed Dumbledore out of the hospital wing. "I noticed that Mr. Creevey was carrying a bunch of grapes. I guessed he wanted to sneak in here to see Potter. But the attacker was able to seize the opportunity accurately and quickly disappeared after using dark magic to petrify Mr. Creevey."
"I will look into this matter."
Professor McGonagall stopped and looked at Dumbledore with an oppressive look: "You know what I mean, my students were attacked? I can't just turn a blind eye to this."
"Well? According to my sources? He's currently hiding in the forests of Albania."
"he?"
"Voldemort."
Professor McGonagall shuddered when she heard Dumbledore say the name.
"As far as I know, Voldemort is the last Slytherin heir." Dumbledore said calmly: "Although there is no evidence, I believe he was the one who did it."
"Could it be that he has sneaked into the school again?" Professor McGonagall thought of what happened last year? Voldemort possessed Quirrell? Invaded Hogwarts and stole the Philosopher's Stone.
"So? I can't figure it out." Dumbledore continued walking forward. "How on earth did he do that?"
Yes? Dumbledore couldn't understand that.
In fact, Dumbledore traveled through the forests of Albania after the Halloween attacks.
In that forest, there are traces of Voldemort's use of dark magic everywhere, and all signs indicate that his old student is still hiding deep in the forest.
Since Voldemort was in the forest of Albania, how did he do it
Horcrux
Last time? Albert found the crown? Proved that Voldemort created the Horcrux.
Based on his understanding of Voldemort, he should have created more than one Horcrux.
However, Dumbledore was also unfamiliar with the evil dark magic items such as Horcruxes.
Dumbledore returned to the headmaster's office with a cup of hot chocolate from the kitchen. He looked at the old bird standing on the branch and murmured, "Fawkes, you need to act quickly. I will need your help soon."
Dumbledore actually had guesses about the Chamber of Secrets and the monster in it a long time ago.
He had investigated the incident fifty years ago when Myrtle was killed by the monster in the Chamber of Secrets, even though there was no evidence to implicate the murderer.
At that time, he could only remain silent and monitor the other party silently.
Dumbledore knew very well that even if he did anything extra, he would not be able to change anything. He could only provide help to Hagrid as much as possible.
After the attack on Halloween night, Dumbledore once again put his dusty memories into the Pensieve, trying to sort out valuable information.
He was not in a hurry to catch the monster in the Chamber of Secrets. It was more important to find out how Voldemort did it.
As for the attack.
Dumbledore believed that future patrols by professors would minimize incidents, and Harry, who was involved in this matter, would continue to investigate.
Harry will once again face new challenges.
Dumbledore knew what kind of risks he needed to take, but he had to give Harry enough training while he was still strong enough.
Only by giving Harry enough training can he grow up quickly and gradually get closer to the truth.
If he doesn't get enough exercise, how can Harry cope with the difficulties he will face in the future
Although there were times when Dumbledore felt that perhaps he should have told Harry the truth earlier, Harry was too young, and twelve was not much better than eleven.
He would rather let Harry gradually understand the truth as he grows up. This is more useful than telling Harry the facts all at once. It can also keep Harry calm and allow him to face everything bravely.