Chapter 246: Into the Forbidden Forest

A bolt of lightning streaked across the darkened sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. Moments later, countless raindrops began to fall from above.

Seeing this, Quirrell had no time to reprimand Cassandra. He hurriedly attempted to wrap Voldemort in his turban once more, only to be met with firm resistance.

"There's no need! I am not so weak!"

Perhaps Cassandra's words had provoked him, but Voldemort resolutely refused Quirrell's offer.

Then, turning his gaze toward Cassandra, his voice icy and filled with menace, he said:

"You will regret this, little girl!"

At that very moment, as the thunder roared over Hogwarts Castle, Wentworth suddenly stood up and declared:

"It's time. Let's go."

Hearing Wentworth's words, Kirk and Cedric rose without hesitation to follow. Harry, on the other hand, turned to Ron and the others, saying:

"You all stay here. I'll go alone."

But his suggestion was met with immediate and unanimous rejection. Both Ron and Draco insisted on going with him.

A warmth spread through Harry's heart at their determination, but before he could speak, Hermione stepped forward and stated firmly:

"No, we can't all go. I'll go with Harry. Draco and Ron, you two stay behind."

Draco immediately protested.

"Why?! At least I'd be an extra pair of hands! No way—I'm going!"

Seeing Draco's fierce reaction, Hermione hesitated for a moment. Then, glancing briefly at Wentworth, who was preparing to leave, she leaned in and whispered into Draco's ear:

"Draco, you have a more important task. I have a feeling that Wentworth suddenly calling Harry here and offering to help him get revenge—there's something else going on. Wentworth is hiding something from us."

Draco looked at Hermione in shock, about to speak, but she silenced him with a look before continuing:

"Stay at Hogwarts. If we don't return safely by dawn, you must tell Headmaster Dumbledore everything that happened tonight. I just hope… by then… it won't be too late."

Draco hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded in agreement.

On the other side, Ron watched Hermione whispering to Draco and, for some reason, felt a twinge of discomfort.

As soon as Hermione finished speaking with Draco, Ron deliberately interjected:

"Hermione, you don't get to order me around! Harry is my best mate—no matter what danger lies ahead, I won't let him face it alone!"

Hermione sighed and leaned in to whisper to Ron:

"I left Draco behind on purpose. Don't forget, Voldemort came from Slytherin. And Draco—he's a Slytherin too. Many of the Death Eaters in the past were from Slytherin as well."

"I don't want to believe Draco is involved, but we can't take any chances. You need to stay behind—not just to keep an eye on him, but in case something happens to us. If we don't return, you must tell Headmaster Dumbledore everything that happened tonight."

As Hermione spoke, Ron caught the faint scent of her hair. He thought about it for a moment, then reluctantly agreed.

And so, in the end, it was only Harry and Hermione who stepped forward to stand behind Wentworth.

Seeing that their roles had been decided, Wentworth wasted no time and took the lead, striding toward the Forbidden Forest.

They had barely taken a few steps when the rain began to pour. Without hesitation, Cedric raised his wand. A translucent stream of air shot forth, gradually expanding into a dome-like shield above them.

Holding his wand aloft, Cedric walked slightly behind Wentworth, sheltering them both from the rain as if he were holding an invisible umbrella.

Back at the castle, Draco and Ron stood still, watching as Wentworth and the others disappeared into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Wentworth suddenly spoke:

"Kirk, take the rear. Stay alert for any attacks from behind."

Without hesitation, Kirk moved to the back of the group. Their formation shifted—Wentworth and Cedric led from the front, Kirk guarded the rear, while Harry and Hermione remained in the center, protected on all sides.

Seeing this arrangement, the tension in Harry's expression eased slightly.

But Hermione, glancing at their surroundings, only grew more uneasy.

To her, Wentworth's formation could be seen as an act of protection… but wasn't it just as much a way to trap her and Harry?

From the very beginning, Hermione had been suspicious of Wentworth's motives.

From his words, she knew that he had been aware of Professor Quirrell's secrets for a long time. Yet he had never reported it to Dumbledore, nor had he taken any action—until tonight.

Why now? Why had he suddenly summoned Harry and revealed the truth about Quirrell?

Hermione was convinced—Wentworth was hiding something from Harry.

Tightening her grip on her wand, she resolved to stay on guard.

As they pressed deeper into the forest, Wentworth kept scanning for any sign of Quirrell or Voldemort. Suddenly, a venomous serpent dropped from the branches ahead.

Wentworth halted immediately.

The snake flicked its tongue in his direction before slithering away, winding toward another path.

Without hesitation, Wentworth followed.

Moments later, the trees thinned out, revealing an open space—where Quirrell stood, waiting for them.

Wentworth barely spared Quirrell a glance before his eyes shifted beyond him.

There, bound against a tree by an invisible force, was Cassandra. A spell had sealed her mouth shut, leaving her unable to speak or move.

At that moment, Quirrell finally broke the silence.

"So, you came after all, Wentworth Grindelwald."

It wasn't Wentworth who reacted first—it was Hermione.

Eyes widening in shock, she gasped, clasping both hands over her mouth to stifle a scream.

Meanwhile, Wentworth remained utterly composed, his voice calm as he replied:

"Quirrell, within Hogwarts, I'll grant you the title of professor. But here, you are nothing more than Tom Riddle's dog."

"I am Wentworth Grindelwald, heir to the Grindelwald family, leader of the Alliance—who are you to stand before me and speak?"

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