Hermione's thoughts were spot on. For Amanda, finding a senior from among Ravenclaw's past graduates who was skilled in Charms and could easily infiltrate the Ministry of Magic was simply too easy.
The day after she sent a letter to Senior Platt, Senior Platt wrote back to her.
In the letter, Senior Platt told her that the arrangements had been made: two men and two women, split into two groups to'shift' and monitor the Department of Mysteries twenty-four hours a day, day and night. Currently, these four people had already entered the interior of the Department of Mysteries.
"They're... already in?"
Hermione sat next to Amanda, looking at the reply in her hand in complete disbelief. In her surprise, the broccoli she had just speared with her fork fell off.
Merlin's beard, these were four people! Not a snake. The earliest Senior Platt could have received the letter Amanda sent yesterday was in the evening, yet by noon today, four people had already entered the Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries.
And this was supposed to be the most mysterious and most heavily guarded department in the Ministry of Magic.
If that were the case, Hermione highly suspected that as long as a few powerful Wizards were sought out, they could easily assassinate a Minister for Magic like Fudge.
Seriously, living in such a'secure' environment every day, it was truly impressive that Fudge could last until now with such 'contentment'.
Of course, it also proved from another perspective that everyone in the British Wizarding World was indeed very law-abiding. With Fudge's behavior and the Ministry's lax defense, it was a wonder he'd survived this long.
"The Ministry's defense being too poor is one reason," Amanda spoke calmly beside her, hearing Hermione's incredulous question. She folded the letter twice and put it back into her wizard robe pocket. "The two seniors and two senior sisters Senior Platt found must also have their own extraordinary qualities."
"That's why breaking into the Ministry of Magic was so easy."
"Really..." Hermione's expression was a bit complex. She now truly felt that if it came to breaking into the Ministry of Magic, she could do it herself.
"It is, after all, the core institution of the British Wizarding World. No matter how you look at it, it should have some defensive capabilities."
Amanda spoke expressionlessly, while using her own fork to pick up the broccoli that had fallen from Hermione's fork and bringing it to Hermione's lips.
After Hermione opened her mouth and ate it, she silently added, "It's just that this'some' has a lot of room for fluctuation."
On the other side, Harry also received a reply from Sirius. Sirius was, after all, his godfather, so he had mentioned the matter of his dreams to Sirius.
In the letter, although Sirius said he didn't know why this was happening, he expressed his intention to help Harry talk to Headmaster Dumbledore.
After reading Sirius's letter, Harry sighed helplessly. He knew exactly why it was happening—because he was one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, an accidentally created Horcrux.
But could he tell Sirius? Harry didn't really want to, because this fact meant he was destined to take a hit from the Avada Kedavra. Even though Amanda had analyzed before that his survival rate could reach over ninety percent, there was still a probability of death. Sirius would definitely not be happy once he knew.
However, Voldemort had to be defeated and killed. So the best choice was not to tell Sirius. Once everything settled, if he was still alive, he could have a home of his own with Sirius. If he died, he hoped Sirius could forget him, his godson, and go have two children of his own.
Yet, he would still crave this kind of love from an elder after all. Harry gently stroked the letter in his hand, saying nothing.
With Christmas quietly approaching, the atmosphere in Hogwarts gradually became cheerful. Even Umbridge's presence couldn't dampen such an environment.
During these few days, Amanda had already received news that Mr. Weasley had begun appearing at the Department of Mysteries. It seemed that the organization led by Headmaster Dumbledore had also begun to take action.
After reaching this conclusion, Amanda didn't pay much more attention to the news. After receiving news of Harry's dream, it would be strange if Headmaster Dumbledore didn't take action.
But what exactly was in the Department of Mysteries? Something Voldemort wanted so badly, and something that made Headmaster Dumbledore so wary.
Based on the information she had now, the Department of Mysteries was full of strange things, some of which even touched upon fields that humans shouldn't meddle with.
Of course, besides that, there was also a Hall of Prophecy in the Department of Mysteries. According to Senior Platt's relaying of information, it was filled with prophecy crystal balls.
So which one of these things did Voldemort actually want?
Amanda still didn't have the slightest clue as to what Voldemort wanted, but it was clear that his first move had already begun.
Just tonight, while Amanda was sleeping soundly in her bed in the Ravenclaw Dormitory, the emergency call from the communicator made her'spring' directly out of bed.
Harry, who was being shaken awake by Ron in the Gryffindor Dormitory, had the same reaction.
"Having those dreams again?" Ron handed the water to Harry.
"You were shouting and screaming there. I had no choice but to wake you up."
"Now is not the time for this," Harry breathed in fresh air in large gulps, sweat pouring off him like rain, as if he had just finished an exhausting Quidditch match. "Quick, go find Professor McGonagall, go find Amanda. Your dad, something happened to him, go quickly!"
"What do you mean something happened to my dad?" Ron's eyes shook violently. While asking in surprise, his feet were not slow at all; he got up and rushed out of the Dormitory to find Professor McGonagall.
Harry, who was about to answer with his mouth open, hadn't said anything yet when he saw the back of Ron rushing out the Dormitory door.
"Harry, I'll go help you find Amanda and the others." Neville, who had also just gotten out of bed, put on his slippers and, like Ron, hurriedly rushed out of the Dormitory.
Harry sat by the bed, took a deep breath to calm himself down, and covered his head with both hands.
Meanwhile, in the Ravenclaw Dormitory, Amanda had just finished listening to the emergency call from Senior Platt.
"Mr. Weasley has already been sent to St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries?"
"Yes, and Dilworth immediately performed hemostasis on Mr. Weasley. Although that snake is a bit strange, he is best at this area, so Mr. Weasley is not in any serious danger."
Platt's calm and steady voice came through. It was inconvenient for Amanda to contact the outside world, so for the past few years, she had been serving as the 'relay station'. Over time, this Little Eagle, who had only graduated a few years ago, had already become a sharp and steady hunter in the sky.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you for your hard work, Senior Platt and all the seniors."
"It's nothing," Platt shook her head on the other end of the communicator. "In addition, you should hurry to Gryffindor Tower. Mr. Potter should have seen it over there too. Reassure them, and then if the Weasley children want to see their father, tell them to go directly to St Mungos."
"Okay."
Amanda responded and hung up the communication. The three girls nearby, who had also been woken up, breathed a sigh of relief in unison upon hearing that Mr. Weasley was okay.
"It's lucky you arranged for people in advance, Amanda." Cho Chang patted her chest. It was fortunate Amanda had arranged for people ahead of time, and more than one, otherwise Mr. Weasley might have truly been in danger.
"I'm going to Gryffindor Tower now." Amanda stood up, threw on her wizard robe, and went to the window to open it.
"I'll go with you."
Hermione, like Amanda, picked up her wizard robe and threw it on, then waved her hand at Senior Cho Chang and Senior Marietta, who were also putting on their wizard robes.
"Senior Cho Chang, Senior Marietta, you two shouldn't go. It's inconvenient if too many people go. Mr. Weasley is out of danger anyway; we might be back very soon."
"Alright then." Thinking that a patient indeed needed space and that too many people would make it difficult to move around, Cho Chang and Marietta Eckmore gave up on the idea of going, but still urged Hermione to convey their concerns.
"Don't worry."
Hermione nodded to show she wouldn't forget, then reached out and hugged Amanda's waist without leaving room for argument.
Amanda, with her waist being held, pursed her lips, reached out to wrap her arm around Hermione's shoulder, opened the window, and flew out using the Levitation Charm.
Moving from Ravenclaw Tower to Gryffindor Tower through the sky was very fast. In just one minute, Amanda was already knocking on the window of Harry's Dormitory.
Harry, who was sitting on the bed with his hands clasped and staring blankly, looked up and saw Amanda and Hermione outside the window. He was surprised and at the same time felt a sudden surge of relief as he ran over to open the window.
"Good evening, Harry."
Amanda spoke in a completely flat tone, floating into Harry's Dormitory while holding Hermione.
"Did Neville find you? Where is Neville? Never mind that, I just saw in a dream, Mr. Weasley..."
"Neville hasn't reached Ravenclaw Tower yet. I know Mr. Weasley was attacked by Voldemort's giant snake. I had people arranged in the Ministry's Department of Mysteries beforehand. Mr. Weasley's bleeding has been stopped and he's been urgently delivered to St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Currently, his life is not in danger."
Amanda answered all of Harry's questions in one breath, and while she was at it, explained the current situation very clearly.
Harry slowly closed his open mouth. What else could he say? There was nothing left to say. Amanda had already solved everything in advance.
It felt like with Amanda around, one would truly have a lot of confidence no matter what the situation.
"Wipe the sweat off your head."
Hermione reached out and took Harry's towel from his nearby table, handing it to him.
"Thanks, Hermione."
Harry responded, took the towel, and slowly wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Just a dozen seconds later, Ron rushed into the Dormitory with Professor McGonagall. "Potter, what's going on? Weasley told me you had a nightmare?"
"It wasn't a nightmare, Professor McGonagall, it was seeing the truth. Mr. Weasley was attacked by Voldemort's giant snake. He's been sent to St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries now, and his life is not in danger."
The string of information caused even Professor McGonagall to pause for two seconds. She had previously received a letter from Albus explaining part of the situation regarding Harry's dreams, and she also knew that Arthur had been sent to the Department of Mysteries by Albus.
So she could understand Harry seeing Arthur being attacked by Voldemort's giant snake, and she could understand that it wasn't a dream. But the part about being sent to St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries... Professor McGonagall's gaze slowly moved to Amanda. There was no helping it; of everyone present, the only person most likely to be able to do that was her.
Facing Professor McGonagall's gaze, Amanda nodded indifferently yet certainly. "I also arranged for people in the Department of Mysteries. It was they who sent Mr. Weasley to St Mungos, and they also performed emergency hemostasis and detoxification on him, so Mr. Weasley's life is not in danger."
"Thank you, Miss Lin. You truly manage to surprise us every time."
Professor McGonagall patted her chest, feeling a sense of relief.
"Thank you, Amanda." Ron gave Amanda a solemn bow. Amanda's brow twitched violently as she forced herself to resist the urge to dodge the gesture.
"No need for that, Ron. Mr. Weasley is a good man, and he has been very kind to me." So she was very willing and glad she had saved him.
Pursing her lips as she looked at Professor McGonagall, Amanda's tone was flat. "Mr. Weasley is currently at St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. If Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George want to see him, they can go via the Floo Network."
"Professor McGonagall." Ron quickly turned his head to look at the stern Witch beside him.
Professor McGonagall nodded without hesitation. "Of course you should go. You go wake up Fred and George, I'll go call Ginny, and then I'll take you—along with Miss Lin, Mr. Potter, and Miss Granger—to St Mungos together."
With those words, Professor McGonagall turned and left the Dormitory. Ron also hurried off to call his twin brothers.
Watching the figures of Professor McGonagall and Ron leave, Hermione leaned gently against Amanda's shoulder.
"See, I told you that you're very important and have helped us a lot."
"If it weren't for you, Mr. Weasley's situation might have been dangerous."
"I only did what I wanted to do, what I could do, and what I should do."
Amanda wrapped her arm around Hermione's waist and patted it gently. Her voice instantly turned from indifferent to gentle, as warm and pleasant as a spring breeze.
Harry, who had just finished wiping his sweat on the bed, felt like he was going to start sweating again. Taking a deep breath, he tactfully shrank back into bed and pulled the curtains shut. They were going to St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries in a bit; he had to change his clothes first!
It was, after all, a tense moment. Amanda and Hermione merely leaned against each other and did nothing else, waiting until Professor McGonagall and Ron returned with Ginny and The Twins respectively, and Harry had finished changing his clothes.
"Alright, to my office first. You can communicate the details of the matter on the way."
"The foolish Ministry of Magic has sealed off all the fireplaces in the Hogwarts common rooms, and even had the gall to call it a safety measure."
Professor McGonagall turned and led the group of Young Wizards out of the Gryffindor Common Room. "If it weren't for the opposition from us Professors, I'm afraid the fireplaces in our offices would have been sealed by them too. A bunch of idiots, just like Fudge."
Listening to Professor McGonagall's harsh scolding, the seven Young Wizards, including Amanda, looked at each other. This was the first time they had seen Professor McGonagall curse like this.
Wait, no, for Amanda and Hermione, it was the second time.
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