- Hello, dad.
"Are you okay?" Gerald asked.
- I'm alive and well, but there's one caveat.
- Did something happen?
Gerald's voice became agitated.
"There was an assassination attempt on me, disguised as an accident. Or maybe it really was an accident, but there were too many coincidences..."
Richard recounted the entire story of the troll attack to his father in detail and shared his thoughts. He also spoke about the strangeness of the forbidden corridor and the possible presence of the Philosopher's Stone at Hogwarts.
"I already regret that you had to go to that school," the Duke's voice was thick with steel, barely contained anger. "Richie, try not to get into trouble. Remember-your goal is simply to stay alive and well for five years at this crazy school! You don't even have to do well in school; it's enough if you don't get expelled. Although that's acceptable, we can live without magic, but... The Queen hinted to me in a private conversation that the Windsors need their own wizards.
"Of course, we shouldn't look for adventure, but Dad has the Philosopher's Stone! With such an object, we can live a very long time."
"Stay out of this, Richie!" Gerald said firmly, commandingly.
- Okay. What about Dumbledore?
"I'm afraid we have no way to counter him," the Duke said sadly. "According to intelligence, Dumbledore is constantly in the castle and wields enormous authority and power among British wizards. It's easier for us to remove the Minister of Magic than to do anything to the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Our special forces have no access to the castle. The only option left is to bomb Hogwarts, but that won't work either. Consider yourself hostages, as was the fashion among medieval aristocrats, who supposedly gave their children to other lords for education."
- It's clear.
"Besides," Gerald continued, "this whole story with the forbidden corridor is like a big performance. Even if the castle holds the Philosopher's Stone, there's a ninety-nine percent chance it's a trap set by the headmaster. It's even possible the stone is real, designed to lure the right wizard."
"I thought about it. I just don't understand who such a trap could be set for?"
"That's what I don't understand either," the Duke sighed loudly. "Regarding the assassination attempt, I think your meeting could have been a coincidence."
- By chance?
"Yes, Richie," Gerald said. "The way I see it, someone with knowledge of the Philosopher's Stone, perhaps even the one being trapped, infiltrated the castle; they brought a troll onto the school grounds to distract them from entering the forbidden corridor. And the trick worked."
"Dad, that sounds logical, but there's one caveat. We were told that only students, teachers, and invited guests are allowed on the castle grounds. The walls are so high, it's unlikely anyone could sneak in unnoticed. And apparently there are some spells there."
"The castle is old, there could be secret passages," Gerald replied. "Besides, it's possible the culprit could be one of the teachers. Richie, describe all the teachers to me."
Richard spent half an hour describing all the teachers in detail to his father.
"Hm," the Duke said thoughtfully. "From your profile, I can pinpoint two suspects. Severus Snape-he used to be a member of a far-right wizarding terrorist group led by Tom Riddle. But he was released on Dumbledore's guarantee, who claimed Snape was his spy."
- Awesome! So we have a former terrorist teaching potions?!
"Yes, Richie. So be very careful around this man. And I'm also suspicious of Quirinus Quirrell. His behavior is so out of sync with how things should be. A powerful wizard, capable of powerful magic, ran through the castle to make a show of fainting in front of a crowd of witnesses. And what happened to him after everyone left the Great Hall?"
- I don't know. They probably forgot about him.
"That's it!" said Gerald. "We forgot, and at that moment he could have slipped out and tried to enter the forbidden corridor. Although, it's a poor plan, in my opinion. And Snape could have done the same thing under the pretext of looking for a troll. But Quirrell... What worries me is that he's a grown man who hasn't suffered a single injury. He ran through the castle corridors before, so he must have had some strength left. And then he's not afraid of losing his reputation, and instead of quietly asking one of the teachers to escort him to the hospital wing, he faints in front of everyone. If he's such a powerful wizard, why doesn't he cast a spell on himself to bring himself back to his senses? Surely there is such a thing?"
"Yes. It's a spell called Enervation. By the way, Dad, this spell should be taught in the senior year Defense Against the Dark Arts classes that Quirrell teaches."
"Even more suspicious," the Duke stated. "It looks very much like your Headmaster is playing cat and mouse with someone. He might have delusions of grandeur."
- Dad, I asked Detective Potter to collect all the information on Albus Dumbledore.
"Excellent! I'll contact Scott and pass the information on to MI6. Let them create a more detailed psychological profile of your Headmaster. And remember, Richie, don't get involved in anything! Do you understand?"
- Understood.
"And call me every day!" Gerald said sternly. "I need to be sure you're okay."
- Okay. Bye, Dad.