In the time that followed, Malfoy and the other young Wizards began to repeatedly 'die'.
Grindelwald also found his joy; as soon as someone fainted from fright, he would gently wake them with a whip, allowing them to fully witness various cruel tortures like the iron tree and copper pillar, and the mountain of knives and stone mill.
Finally, just before it was the young Wizards' turn to be judged, Grindelwald stopped, still not fully satisfied.
After this round of whipping, he felt his previous annoyance had completely dissipated.
Honestly, it was quite stress-relieving.
Grindelwald no longer felt tired; instead, he began to regret that the time was a bit short.
Commander! That was too fast! I haven't had enough fun yet! Please, let's do it a few more times!
Karl waved his hand, signaling the school's ghosts to retreat first, then collected the vengeful spirits still in the oil pot, steamer, and other torture devices.
Finally, he walked with arrogant, unconcerned steps towards the young Wizards he had coaxed to sleep, examining each one and nodding with satisfaction.
With their pale faces and streaming tears, they must have really enjoyed this wonderful Halloween experience, right?
"I hope they learn their lesson, correct their bad habits, and become as full of positive energy as I am, with hearts full of truth, goodness, and beauty."
Grindelwald: (°－°)
For some reason, hearing Karl's words suddenly made him feel nauseous.
Karl: (-_-)
"Old man! What's with that expression?"
"Cough! Nothing!"
Even Grindelwald felt immense pressure being stared at by Karl in this form.
What on earth is wrong with this little bastard? Why is he so dangerous after changing forms?
Although he had always been confident in his own strength, now—it seemed he was a bit outmatched.
"I'm just worried you'll be disappointed!"
"Disappointed?"
Karl showed a twisted, evil smile, raising the lantern in his hand and shaking it gently.
Immediately, Tom, who was enjoying life inside, cried out happily and contentedly.
"Only Albus and Minerva will be disappointed, and I will be very happy!"
Grindelwald:
Does this little bastard's condition really not need treatment? This must be his true self, right?
"What do we do next?"
"You go to the next set first; I'll wait here for Albus and Minerva, and then I'll be right there."
"Alright, I'm leaving then."
After watching Grindelwald leave, Karl nodded towards a corner deep in the dungeon, and a fiery red shadow flashed and disappeared.
After continuous screams echoed through the Castle, Headmaster Dumbledore immediately led the Professors out of the staff common room.
They quickly moved through the corridor and arrived at the Entrance Hall.
"Principal! Something has happened to the students! We must go rescue them quickly!"
Professor Flitwick's words were met with agreement from all the Professors, who all pulled out their wands, ready to act.
"Everyone, don't worry, it's just an exercise. We just need to wait here."
Headmaster Dumbledore calmly reassured everyone, then looked expectantly towards the corridor to the right of the marble staircase, where the Hufflepuff common room, closest to the Entrance Hall, was located.
As for Slytherin—although they weren't far either, they were definitely not coming.
Ah? An exercise?
The Professors exchanged glances. What kind of exercise could scare the young Wizards so much? The screams hadn't stopped from the beginning until now.
Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and Snape all looked at Professor McGonagall, and seeing the Deputy Principal's calm expression, a flicker of understanding passed through their eyes.
Is it like the last Acromantula attack on the Castle?
No, it shouldn't be a real attack, and there's no danger, otherwise they would have definitely been informed.
Time often feels incredibly long when waiting anxiously, but in reality, it is not.
Accompanied by panicked, chaotic footsteps, a sweating Gabriel rushed into the Entrance Hall with the young students, delighted to see the Professors.
"Principal! Dean! Professor! Hurry to the common room! So many terrifying ghosts! The seventh-years are staying behind to cover our retreat! Quick! Go save them!"
As he spoke, the older students had already escorted the younger students into the Entrance Hall, each with an expression of relief after surviving a disaster, and many simply sank to the ground, their legs weak.
"Don't worry, child, they are fine."
Headmaster Dumbledore patted Gabriel's shoulder, then looked towards the corridor again.
At this moment, the Hufflepuff seventh-year students who had stayed behind to cover the retreat also arrived at the Entrance Hall, with Judy, the Prefect, being the last one.
Noticing that the ghosts had no intention of pursuing them, she immediately approached the Professors.
"Mr. Principal! We were attacked by a large number of terrifying ghosts in our dormitory and common room! But it was a bit strange."
Judy's face showed a puzzled expression, "They didn't seem to have attacking capabilities, at least they didn't initiate an attack while confronting us."
Headmaster Dumbledore smiled with relief, "Miss Flitwick, the calmness, courage, and rationality you displayed in the face of danger are truly admirable, and the spirit of selfless sacrifice shown by all of you moves me beyond measure."
"Thank you for your praise, but I think it's not just us who would do this."
Before Judy could finish speaking, the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw young Wizards also rushed into the Entrance Hall.
And like Hufflepuff, both houses had older students protecting younger students, with the graduating students staying at the very end.
Headmaster Dumbledore winked at Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout, "I believe such a beautiful scene must make you very happy and satisfied; our students have all grown into qualified Wizards."
The three Deans, with wildly upturned lips, looked at him simultaneously, "It's clearly you who is happier."
"Of course! After all, I am the Principal, and now I have three times the happiness!"
While the four of them were in a bright mood, Snape, who had remained silent, was not.
Where are the Slytherin students? Where did they go? Did they get lost during the evacuation?
He subtly glanced at Harry in the Gryffindor crowd, then walked forward with a gloomy expression.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, there's still one house's students who haven't appeared yet."
Snape suspected that Slytherin was being targeted; although he had no evidence, his intuition told him so.
"Don't rush, Severus, they really need to wait a bit longer."
Looking at Headmaster Dumbledore's meaningful gaze, Snape knew that the little snakes were probably in for some trouble.
"Mr. Principal! Some of our young Wizards are missing! They might be in danger!"
After counting the numbers, Judy immediately came forward to report, along with the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Prefects who had also noticed the problem.
"Don't worry, they are with the Slytherin students now."
Headmaster Dumbledore led everyone to the Great Hall, gently waved his wand, and the long tables and chairs flew to the corner, revealing a large number of colorful, soft sleeping bags on the open space.
"Now everyone can sleep and rest. Don't be afraid, the Professors will protect you."
Headmaster Dumbledore had Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and other Professors stay in the Great Hall, while he himself returned to the Entrance Hall with Professor McGonagall and Snape.
"Headmaster Dumbledore! May I ask how much longer we have to wait?"
Just as Snape couldn't help but ask, the Phoenix Fawkes appeared out of thin air before them.
Headmaster Dumbledore smiled slightly at Snape, "It is now."
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