As Hermione made her way out of the room, she unexpectedly encountered Ron, who seemed to be in a rush. Startled by his sudden appearance, Hermione couldn’t help but blurt out, “Ron, what brings you here?”

Pausing to catch his breath, Ron responded, “I heard from Ginny that you dashed out in a hurry, so I got worried and came to check on you. Is everything alright?”

Thinking quickly, Hermione shook her head and fabricated an excuse, “Don’t worry, Ron. I just remembered a spell I wanted to try out, so I found a quiet spot to practice. You didn’t have to rush over like this.”

Although Ron appeared to accept her explanation, Hermione noticed a hint of unease in his demeanor as he replied, “Alright then if you say so, let’s head back. It’s dangerous to be wandering around these times. Seems like there are other dangers lurking around Hogwarts right now.”

“One of the reasons why I checked on Ginny earlier… You need to pay more attention to her, Ron! She looks exhausted and could barely do anything else but sleep,” Hermione commented while slapping Ron’s shoulder.

Ron brushed her hand off, “How can I even go inside the girls’ dorm? By the way thanks for your concern on Ginny, I appreciate it,” He said his gratitude with a slight smile on the edge of his lips.

Deciding not to divulge anything about the Secret Hallows, Hermione remained silent. She understood that revealing such information could potentially endanger her friends, especially considering their limited understanding of the organization.

Thus, she resolved to keep her involvement in the Secret Hallows to herself for the time being.

As they pondered their next move, a piercing scream echoed through the corridors, causing Hermione and Ron to freeze in their tracks.

“You heard that too, right?” Ron tried to confirm what he just heard, doubting whether it was another voice from the one that attacked his psyche.

Exchanging a brief glance, Hermione dashed towards the source of the scream without hesitation, with Ron trailing closely behind her.

Arriving at a nearby bathroom, Hermione discovered a Gryffindor student collapsed at the entrance, pointing frantically ahead. Following the student’s gaze, Hermione’s heart sank as she spotted Cassandra lying motionless on the floor.

An expletive escaped Hermione’s lips as she realized the gravity of the situation. Knowing Wentworth’s true identity, she feared the repercussions his wrath would bring upon Hogwarts.

“Cassandra! Please tell me you are doing fine!” Wentworth’s concerned voice could be heard from afar, followed by rushing footsteps to the scene.

Soon, Wentworth arrived with Green and Cedric in tow.

“No… No, no, no! Argh! How could this happen?! I’m sorry… Ah!” Wentworth’s sudden outbursts of emotion could be seen clearly on his face.

Witnessing Cassandra’s condition, his frustration boiled over, prompting him to strike the bathroom wall angrily.

“Wentworth, there is nothing you can do at this point. Calm down and focus instead on how we should catch this perpetrator instead of causing further harm to yourself and the ones around you,” Cedric stood between, trying to calm Wentworth down while pushing him away gently.

“He is right, Wentworth. Save your energy when we catch the bastard that’s responsible for Cassandra turning like this! This is making me mad as well!” Green chimed in, holding Wentworth from the back.

Quick to intervene, Green and Cedric restrained Wentworth, preventing further destruction.

“Let me go. I am calm now…” Wentworth turned his head to see the first witness of the crime scene, a terrified first-year Gryffindor girl, “Tell me wh—“

“Wentworth, it’s not her fault!” Hermione interrupted.

Turning to address the Gryffindor student who had found Cassandra, Wentworth prepared to interrogate her, but Hermione intervened, halting his inquiries.

Observing the deepening gloom on Wentworth’s face, Hermione hastened to speak, “Wentworth, please calm down. Let me explain. I heard the screams and rushed here first. I’ve already asked her; she was merely coming to tidy up her clothes. As soon as she entered, she found Cassandra on the ground. She’s not involved in this.”

Impatiently, Wentworth responded, “Of course, I know she’s not involved. I just had a question for her.”

Hermione stepped aside as Wentworth advanced towards the Gryffindor girl, acknowledging his irritation.

Wentworth’s inquiry was direct: “Did you encounter anyone else on your way here?”

Gradually regaining her composure under the reassurance of her classmates, the Gryffindor girl recalled her journey and shook her head, “No, as far as I remember… There is only this senior here already on this…”

Wentworth took a deep breath to contain his frustration and urged her to reconsider.

After a moment’s reflection, the girl hesitantly recounted, “I… I was urgently seeking a bathroom. My usual spots were too far, so I headed in this direction. I didn’t notice anyone unusual on the way. When I entered, I found this senior on the ground, screaming. Shortly after, Hermione and Ron arrived, followed by others.”

Upon hearing the girl’s testimony, Wentworth nodded, signaling to Green to discreetly depart.

Turning his attention to Hermione and Ron, Wentworth posed a pointed question: “Why are you two here?”

Hermione, on the verge of speaking, suddenly realized the predicament. It would be challenging to justify their presence without divulging their prior activities.

Under Wentworth’s penetrating gaze, Hermione’s voice faltered as she weakly defended herself: “Wentworth, I have my reasons for being here, but I couldn’t have done this! You… you have to believe me!”

Despite feeling her defense was feeble, Hermione was taken aback when Wentworth nodded in affirmation: “I believe you didn’t do it.”

Moved by Wentworth’s trust, Hermione was momentarily speechless. Still, her relief was short-lived as Wentworth continued: “It’s inconceivable for Salazar Slytherin to designate you as his heir and for you to employ the contingency he left behind.”

Hermione’s response froze as she processed Wentworth’s words.

Nonetheless, relieved that Wentworth didn’t doubt her, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

But before she could fully calm down, Wentworth turned to Ron and pressed, “Ron, what about you? Why are you here?”

Upon hearing Wentworth’s inquiry, Ron hastened to explain, “I’m here to find Hermione!”

However, noting Wentworth’s lingering suspicion, Ron’s nerves spiked, prompting him to add, “My sister Ginny informed me that Hermione dashed out in distress. Fearing for her safety, I swiftly followed suit. We were on our way back when we heard a scream leading us here.”

Wentworth absorbed Ron’s account with a nod of understanding.

Considering Cassandra’s ploy to impersonate Hermione using the compound decoction, and piecing together Ron and Hermione’s narratives, Wentworth gleaned the sequence of events: Cassandra, masquerading as Hermione, was uncovered by the genuine Hermione, prompting her pursuit. Ginny subsequently alerted Ron, who trailed after Hermione.

Yet, despite the clarity, Wentworth sensed an unresolved discrepancy.

As the Hogwarts students gradually dispersed, Dumbledore and Professor Snape approached, with others in tow.

Observing the unfolding scene, Dumbledore organized the evacuation of students and arranged for Cassandra’s transfer to the infirmary.

Amidst the dispersing crowd, Dumbledore directed his attention to Wentworth, who remained rooted in place. With a sigh, Dumbledore extended an invitation, “If you have matters to discuss, join me in my office.”