Chapter 140, Section 137: People's Joys and Sorrows Are Not the Same
Quirrell kicked open the guest room door.
As soon as he entered, without a word, he raised his wand and aimed it at the person lying on the bed.
The hunchbacked old man was startled awake the instant Quirrell kicked the door open. He was always on guard in this kind of place and slept very lightly.
However, Quirrell, whether provoked by the bounty or finally losing his temper after suppressing it for so many days,
used a spell incredibly fast. Almost the instant the door opened, a dazzling red light appeared from the tip of his wand, and the next moment, the silent stun spell struck the hunchbacked old man who had just been jolted awake from bed.
Having taken a Stunning Curse, the old man didn't immediately collapse. He forced his eyes open, looking at Quirrell, and was about to extend his finger when another Stunning Curse landed on him!
After being hit by two Stunning Curses, the hunchbacked old man could no longer hold on and collapsed completely onto the bed.
Remembering Professor McGonagall's words, Quirrell didn't rush forward but instead cast another Stunning Curse. Three Stunning Curses would be enough to kill any creature with high magic resistance, except perhaps giants, trolls, dragons, or unicorns.
Once he was sure the hunchbacked old man was completely incapacitated, Quirrell breathed a sigh of relief, a relaxed smile on his face, and stepped forward to turn the hunchbacked old man over.
The moonlight from the window shone on the hunchbacked old man's face, and Quirrell suddenly jumped back in terror!
This person!
Why does he look so familiar!
Quirrell pressed his back and limbs against the wall, his eyes wide like pigeon eggs, staring intently at the hunchbacked old man's face.
Yes, he couldn't be mistaken, it was him—this was the wizard he had arranged to trade with the day after tomorrow!
But what was wrong with him?
Why was he lying on the bed?
Did he do this?
Quirrell's face was deathly pale, terrified to the point of delirium!
He never imagined that a wanted criminal he'd come to catch just to make a quick buck would be the very person the Dark Lord had designated for the deal!
Quirrell was terrified!
He didn't dare think about the consequences if the Dark Lord found out. He had to undo everything. The hunchbacked old man was unconscious now; maybe the vial of blood was on him.
Yes, it was on him. If he took it now, no one would notice, the Dark Lord wouldn't blame him, and he wouldn't have to spend the huge loan he'd taken out. A bright future seemed to be beckoning him!
Quirrell, his eyes glazed, walked step by step toward the hunched old man lying on the bed, looking like a pervert about to assault a young girl.
But just as he reached the bedside, someone suddenly spoke from the doorway.
"What do you want, Quirrell?"
Quirrell froze instantly, his neck stiffening as he turned to look at the door.
It was Professor Aurora Sinesta, an astronomy professor, a slender woman with dark skin, who was now looking at Quirrell with disdain as she asked.
"I...I wasn't planning on doing anything..."
Quirrell was weighing his options, considering the chances of gaining Professor McGonagall's trust if he released Aurora Sinesta now and later explained to Professor McGonagall that she had been accidentally injured in battle.
Before he could even make up his mind, Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Sprout—the three headmasters—appeared at the door.
Quirrell knew he was doomed.
"Hurry up, Quirrell! We've already notified the Aurors at the Ministry of Magic; they'll be here soon."
Quirrell could only drag the hunchbacked old man out, frantically groping him, hoping to find something he wanted.
Unfortunately, he found nothing, and his actions were seen by Aurora Sinestadt. The astronomy professor looked at him with increasing disdain, keeping a distance as if afraid he would soil her.
None of the four—the hunchbacked old man and his companions—escaped; they were all captured by the Hogwarts professors.
At this moment, the four dark wizards, who had been stunned by a spell, were placed side by side on the ground floor of the Pighead Bar.
Professor McGonagall cast the Revealing Charm on them one by one.
The four lying on the ground revealed their true forms. Leaving aside the other three, just seeing the goblin-like figure transformed from the hunchbacked old man was enough for the professors to know they hadn't arrested the wrong people.
The three professors, except for Quirrell, all wore expressions of joy.
Only Quirrell looked ashen-faced, leaning dejectedly against the wall, as if he were about to be buried the next day.
The Aurors from the Ministry of Magic arrived quickly; it was Kingsley. He chatted amiably with Professor McGonagall for a few moments, assuring them that after communicating with the French Ministry of Magic, the bounty would be delivered to them soon.
The Aurors swiftly led the four dark wizards away. Professor McGonagall seemed to be in a good mood; she wasn't interested in the money, but rather in the fact that no professor had been injured in the operation.
"The bounty is 15,000 Galleons. Subtract 5,000 for the informant, 2,000 for the Pighead Tavern owner, and the remaining 8,000 will be split equally among the four of you, exactly 2,000 Galleons each."
On the way back to Hogwarts, the professors were laughing and chatting, while Quirrell trailed behind, alone and forlorn.
People's joys and sorrows are not shared; I only found their noise bothersome.
Quirrell didn't know this saying, but at that moment, it truly resonated with him.
He looked up at the night sky. A crow fluttered its wings and flew overhead. He felt the day had been utterly terrible.
It was another dark and cold night.
After returning to his quarters in the castle, Quirrell silently lay down on his bed, staring blankly at the wall.
After an unknown amount of time, his body suddenly trembled. An angry voice, not his own, echoed behind him.
"Quirok! How dare you betray me!"
Quirrell trembled uncontrollably, pleading and crying.
"No, Master! I am your most loyal servant, I... how could I betray you... I don't know... I didn't know the person they were after was the trading partner... I really didn't know... Please forgive my master... please... ah!!!"
Quirrell suddenly clutched his head, opened his mouth wide, and let out a silent wail.
He looked to be in extreme pain, but no matter how much he twisted, trembled, or tormented himself, he couldn't utter a sound!
How long it lasted, perhaps only a minute, felt like an entire year to Quirrell.
The inhuman torture finally ended.
Quirrell curled up in a ball, looking as pitiful as a boiled shrimp.
"If we can't buy unicorn blood, we'll use the blood from the Forbidden Forest! Don't disappoint me this time, Quirrell! Otherwise, next time the punishment won't be so simple!"
"I...I know...Master...I will succeed..."
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(End of Chapter)