Chapter 121 The Lucius Conspiracy

For a moment, no one spoke, the corridor was very silent, and Evan thought they had already left.

Then, he heard a sound again. It was the resonant, loud cry of Hagrid.

"Calm down, Hagrid, you'll wake up the two children inside," said Professor McGonagall sternly. "I know you're worried about them, but could you calm down for a moment? It's been an hour since we returned from Hogsmeade, and you're still crying!"

Hagrid wiped away his tears with his huge handkerchief and tried to compose himself. His sorrowful weeping was restrained into a whimper, sounding even more discomforting.

Evan shifted slightly, and Madam Pomfrey walked towards him from the end of the dim ward. He turned to look at her.

She took the largest piece of chocolate he had ever seen. It looked more like a small rock.

"Ah, you're awake!" exclaimed Madam Pomfrey lively, placing the piece of chocolate on the table beside Evan and starting to break it with a small hammer.

"I have something to tell the Headmaster," said Evan, sitting up in bed.

"I don't think it's best for you. You both are utterly exhausted, both physically and magically. It would be better for you to lie down and wait until I think you're well," replied Madam Pomfrey.

"No, this is very important," Evan recalled the ominous dialogue between Greyback and his masked companion. It was evident they were planning something truly sinister.

Evan got out of bed, as did Hermione. Madam Pomfrey tried to stop them, but their voices had already reached those in the corridor: Dumbledore, Cornelius Fudge, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Hagrid. The five immediately entered the ward.

"Evan, Hermione, how are you now?" Hagrid asked anxiously, embracing them tightly, tears of sadness falling into his tangled beard. Sobbing, he said, "It was all my fault, I drank too much and it took me a while to react after hearing the werewolf howl."

"We are all equally to blame, Hagrid," said Professor McGonagall. "We should all have responded more promptly."

"Who would have thought that in Hogsmeade, such things would happen on Christmas Eve? But now that we are here, they won't be bothered. Both of you should better lie down," Fudge instructed Pomfrey, asking her, "Did they eat chocolate?"

"Wait a moment, Minister, I have something to say," Evan looked at Dumbledore and hurriedly said, "Those who attacked Hermione and me seem to be plotting something. They mentioned werewolves and Muggles..."

"Yes," Hermione quickly nodded. "It seems there's a gathering of werewolves, and they are planning to attack Muggles."

"Children, you must have misunderstood," Fudge's expression changed upon hearing Evan and Hermione and looked at them uneasily. "That attack must have confused both of you. Greyback, that dreadful monster, must have terrified you."

"I am not afraid, I am not confused!" Evan responded with irritation. Fudge's indifferent attitude greatly bothered him.

He could sense that all the Minister wanted was tranquility.

If it were true that werewolves were plotting to attack Muggles, it would surely cause panic throughout the magical world. It would be much more serious than Black's prison break.

After all, Black was just one person, but the werewolves were hundreds.

If what Evan and Hermione were saying were to come true, it would lead enraged crowds to flood the Ministry with complaints. Fudge would likely end up losing his position. Surely, that was not something he wanted to see.

"Children, I know what you've been through," his lips moved with difficulty to show a grim smile. "What you need to do now is to stay in bed and rest until tomorrow morning. Then your minds will be cle..."

"I am very clear-headed now, and I know what I'm talking about!" exclaimed Evan loudly. "Minister, the attack is far from over. Someone had orchestrated all this from the shadows. Only Greyback made it to Hogsmeade, and the other werewolves were..."

She didn't finish her words when Mrs. Pomfrey suddenly filled his mouth with a large piece of chocolate.

He was stunned, and she took the opportunity to make him return to bed.

"Gentlemen!" Mrs. Pomfrey exclaimed exasperatedly. "I must insist that you leave. These two children are my patients. They shouldn't be disturbed!"

"Oh, I'm not bothered. I will tell you what happened," Evan desperately forced the large piece of chocolate down his throat.

"Professors, what Evan said is true. I also heard the werewolf say those things," Hermione interjected quickly.

"For goodness' sake, you should both lie down at once!" Mrs. Pomfrey turned around and looked at Dumbledore, saying hysterically, "Headmaster, please leave immediately. These children need care. Is this the appropriate place for this? In the hospital? I must insist..."

"I'm sorry, Poppy, but I believe it is necessary for Mr. Mason and Miss Granger to continue," Dumbledore said calmly, looking carefully at Evan through his half-moon glasses. "Cornelius, I consider the information they provided very valuable, and Fenrir Greyback's actions tonight were highly suspicious."

"Very well, Albus, as you believe so, then I..."

Fudge's words were cut off as the door to the ward swung open. Snape, dressed in a black cloak, and Lucius Malfoy, also cloaked in black travel robes, entered. Both men wore grim expressions.

"Good evening, gentlemen!" Lucius said with a cold smile on his face.

"Malfoy, what are you doing here?!" Hagrid stood up, looking at Lucius with his big, hairy head. He shouted angrily, "Get out and leave Hogwarts. You are not welcome here!"

"My dear friend, please believe me. If it weren't an emergency, I wouldn't have come. I'm not thrilled to be here either," Lucius looked disdainfully at Hagrid, smiling, and said, "And please, mind your words. Three months ago, the hippogriff you raised attacked my son in your class. I had my reasons..."

"Alright, dear Lucius. That matter has been resolved by the Committee for the Eradication of Dangerous Creatures. You will receive a statement in due course," Fudge's hand wiped sweat from his forehead, not wanting Malfoy to continue speaking.

Thanks to Newt Scamander's intervention and his association, public opinion on the incident had exerted much pressure on him, and it was unnecessary to further complicate the situation.

"Of course, Minister," Lucius's eyes fixed on Dumbledore and then quickly returned to Fudge. "That minor setback is not a significant issue. In fact, I have more pressing matters to attend to. I heard at the ministry that you were here and asked Severus to bring me. I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Dumbledore, you don't mind that I didn't notify you of my arrival, do you?"

"Of course not. Hogwarts is always open to people of goodwill. Come whenever you wish," Dumbledore's voice sounded very polite, but glints of anger could be seen in his blue eyes.

"Thank you for your understanding. I just heard from Severus that an unfortunate attack occurred in Hogsmeade. Two students were attacked by a werewolf that appeared out of nowhere," Lucius's cold, grayish eyes flickered as he looked at Evan and Hermione.

Evan immediately understood that he was responsible for all of this.