Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

The young wizards played and frolicked along the way, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Until they encountered the dark old bat rushing over and the tense-looking Professor McGonagall.

Before Thea and the others could refuse, the young wizards were forcibly packed into the medical wing.

Looking at the smiling Madam Pomfrey in front of her, and smelling the dark potion in her hand, Thea's face was full of rejection.

Perhaps it was because Thea had a strong mental fortitude; even though she had just been so close to death, she still maintained a calm and composed expression, as if she hadn't just faced the threat of death herself.

But Draco was different. After drinking the potion that Madam Pomfrey gave him, he lay on the bed as if he had lost all his strength.

Perhaps he had just exhausted too much energy, or perhaps it was the first time he had faced the threat of death directly. Everything that happened tonight had far exceeded his tolerance.

Of the group, Harry was in the worst condition; his scar seemed to be constantly aching, causing the boy to show signs of pain even in his drowsy state.

“Thea, I think you really need this ointment right now,” Madam Pomfrey said, noticing the way Thea looked at Harry, a smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you, Mrs. Pomfrey."

Thea noticed Mrs. Pomfrey's teasing tone, but showed no embarrassment and gracefully accepted the ointment from her hand.

Mrs. Pomfrey sighed with regret when she saw that Thea did not show the expression she wanted to see.

"Madam, do you know where Headmaster Dumbledore is?"

Madam Pomfrey suppressed her regretful expression, glanced at Thea with some confusion, and then replied, "Mr. Dumbledore went to a meeting at the Ministry of Magic and shouldn't be back until tomorrow morning. Is there something you need, Thea?"

“I’m fine, it’s just that Mr. Potter doesn’t look well. I thought Dumbledore might be able to help him.” Thea said calmly.

“Oh, Thea is such a kind and good girl,” Mrs. Pomfrey praised Thea.

Then he handed over a bottle of medicine, saying, "This is the Dreamless Potion."

"My child, your body tells me you need a good night's sleep."

Thea did not refuse Mrs. Pomfrey's kindness and obediently took the potion and drank it down in one gulp.

Feeling a wave of drowsiness wash over her, Thea's eyes flashed with a hint of confusion. She quickly perked up and said goodnight to the worried-looking Mrs. Pomfrey.

Only then did I follow my body's instincts and close my eyes to go to sleep.

In the silence, a whooshing sound of a phantom moving through the air came from the open space near the medical wing.

Immediately afterward, a dark figure appeared, and Madam Pomfrey also came out from inside the door.

"How is Miss Black feeling?" Dumbledore asked as soon as he opened his mouth.

"The magic power within her body is unstable and could erupt at any moment. Moreover, the danger of the spell she used today far exceeds the limits of her body's tolerance."

She needs to rest well and can't use any magic for the next week!

Madam Pomfrey clearly knew Thea's physical condition well, summarizing it in a few words. Then, she looked at Dumbledore with disapproval and said:

"I don't understand. She's only 12 years old! Why does a 9-year-old have to face something so terrifying!"

“…I’m sorry, Mrs. Pomfrey…”

Faced with this healer who was so devoted to the young wizards, Dumbledore felt somewhat helpless, after all...

"Madam, how is Miss Black doing after taking the sedative?"

It was rare to see Dumbledore looking so disheveled, and Snape secretly felt a sense of amusement, but he was mindful of the "trolls" in the hospital wing.

Snape decided to abandon his plan to watch the spectacle and began to inquire about the group's physical condition.

Speaking of the Dreamless Potion, Madam Pomfrey's worry deepened: "Snape, that child's resistance to potions is getting stronger and stronger. The effect of that Dreamless Potion has been tripled!"

Even an adult would fall into a deep sleep instantly after drinking it.

But that child still managed to say goodnight to me before going to sleep! And I could tell she wasn't sleeping very soundly..."

Snape's expression grew increasingly serious as Madam Pomfrey spoke, and Dumbledore beside him also frowned.

"...How is Harry doing?"

“Harry’s condition wasn’t very serious. He was fine after taking the sedative.”

When Harry's condition was mentioned, a smile clearly appeared on Madam Pomfrey's face, indicating that Harry's situation was much better than she had expected.

"And what about the other young wizards?" Dumbledore asked again.

"Draco is just exhausted from using magic at a high intensity and was also a little surprised. He'll be fine tomorrow after a night's rest."

"Hermione and Ron, needless to say, had no problems except for being a little tired."

Dumbledore was relieved and said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work tonight." He paused, "Since Miss Black is not feeling well, let her rest in the medical wing for a week."

As for Harry, let him rest for three days. If there are no other complications after three days, he can be discharged.

Mrs. Pomfrey pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Dumbledore! Quirrell's strange behavior is because of him?"

As soon as the two stepped into the headmaster's office, Snape asked directly.

Although it is a question, it conveys a sense of certainty throughout.

Dumbledore didn't hide anything and answered crisply, "Yes, Severus, he's hidden in Quirrell and has returned to Hogwarts."

Having received confirmation from the old man, Snape's usually indifferent face revealed a hint of anxiety.

"Dumbledore, I don't believe you didn't notice Quirrell's strange behavior all along! How could you let him return to Hogwarts so easily!" Snape said angrily.

Faced with Snape's accusations, the old man's body froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

Dumbledore took off his glasses, wiped his eyes, and said wearily, "Yes, Severus, my negligence has caused such a great impact."

However, we now have concrete information about him; he's reduced to surviving on unicorn blood! And we understand his purpose now, don't we?"

Snape looked at the old man before him, his lips twitched for a moment, but he ultimately said nothing.

After a long pause, Snape said in a low voice, "Dumbledore...you promised me you would protect that child..."

“Yes, Severus, I have never forgotten this promise,” Dumbledore said solemnly.

"So, what do you plan to do with that child? Let her stay at Hogwarts, so close to that person?"

I remember that child was called into Quirrell's office more than once! Does she really know nothing about her origins?

After uttering those hurtful words, Snape had no more desire to hear the old bee's theories about "love."

He turned and walked towards the door, the air currents swirling around him, billowing his dark robe, making him look like a large bat flying close to the ground.