Volume 1 Chapter 38: Disappearing without a trace
In fact, it is not difficult to associate the boots with goblins and house-elves.
McGonagall didn't think about it at first, because under Voldemort's rule, even Muggle wizards had a very difficult life, not to mention these humanoid magical creatures who had always suffered discrimination in the wizarding world.
Although the goblins in Gringotts were forced to obey his rule under the power of force, and most of these vengeful goblins were secretly disobedient , there would always be some outliers in a group with different ideas who would truly be loyal to Voldemort wholeheartedly.
Not to mention creatures like house-elves. They have always been the most oppressed magical creatures by pure-blood wizards in the magical world since ancient times, but they are also the poor creatures who most support the rule of pure-blood wizards.
Voldemort's subordinates must indirectly control a large number of house-elves who are willing to obey his orders.
Allowing such a magical creature to sneak into the carriage is undoubtedly much safer than a normal wizard. After all, even if an accident occurs, there will be no harm to Voldemort's side.
But at the same time, this also involves an extremely critical issue.
Jon looked at Mag, who had suddenly stood up from her chair, and asked cautiously.
"I also read in the book that whether it is goblins or house-elves, their magic is different from that of wizards, so if the people in the carriage are really them, then can they bring more people in?"
Mag understood what Jon meant, and she shook her head decisively.
"That's impossible. When Dumbledore first set up the magic on the carriage, he had already considered the issue of house-elves and goblins. He sealed this loophole. Only Dumbledore's phoenix can enter and exit the carriage at will using magic."
Jon continued to ask hesitantly.
"Then the purpose of this infiltrator coming to the carriage is..."
Mag didn't reply to his question, but ruffled Jon's hair.
"You have done well today, child. Leave the rest to the adults."
Jon was tactful enough not to ask any more questions. Even if Mag didn't say it, he could roughly guess the key.
He knows very clearly what he can participate in and what he cannot participate in. He says what he needs to say, and then he doesn't need to ask too much about the rest.
After getting important information from John, Mag immediately left the restaurant again and conveyed to Moody and the others that the intruder was most likely a goblin or a house-elf.
But strangely, Moody and his team found nothing after their search.
The eight of them divided into four groups and quickly searched all the rooms marked by Magg, but did not see any trace of elves or goblins.
Even Slughorn, whose face was still a little pale, was alarmed and walked out of the infirmary. His injuries had been simply treated, and although his movements were still a little inconvenient, he was able to get out of bed.
"what happened?"
Moody naturally knew him, and after he told him what happened in the carriage, the old walrus's face, which had turned pale due to blood loss, became more transparent.
"I did hear the sound of a door opening and closing while I was lying on the bed." His voice was much weaker than usual. "At that time, I thought it was Minerva outside."
Moody frowned when he heard his words.
"McGonagall said she saw him close the door, and you heard the noise. Some students even saw the boots he was wearing, but why wasn't there this man in the carriage?"
No one could answer his question because no one else knew the answer.
It wasn't just the rooms that Mag had pointed out, Moody and the others had even searched almost every room in the carriage that could be searched, but they still couldn't find any clues.
Normally, no matter whether it was a wizard, a goblin, or a house-elf, as long as it was a creature lurking on the carriage, it would definitely leave traces. However, not only did they not find any people, they didn't even find any traces of such life.
This makes things weird and strange.
The anti-Apparition magic on the carriage has already covered the magic of goblins and elves, and it is impossible for them to use magic to leave immediately after the accident.
If Voldemort's men really had such ability, they could use this sneaking creature as a coordinate, take advantage of the fact that Hogwarts' defense is weak, and bring a large number of Death Eaters or even Voldemort himself over. Then everyone on the carriage would have no room for resistance at all!
The fact that such a thing has not happened yet means that things have not yet reached the worst situation, but where could the intruder be hiding?
After the search was fruitless, the Order of the Phoenix left only Moody and the dark-skinned wizard Kingsley to help McGonagall and Slughorn look after the situation in the carriage. The others returned to the square. They had a lot of things to do every day and couldn't spend the whole night here.
It was not until the sun was about to rise that Dumbledore, Flitwick and Lily returned to the carriage under the guidance of Fawkes.
With Dumbledore's care, they were not injured in the process of getting rid of the Death Eaters, but they were still mentally exhausted.
As soon as he returned to the carriage, Dumbledore listened to McGonagall's account in the office about everything that had happened during the time he was away from school.
"This matter must be investigated thoroughly, Albus. It is definitely not a coincidence that we were discovered again. The people who sneaked into the carriage are constantly looking for opportunities to reveal the whereabouts of the carriage. Then we will always be in danger!"
Magg said with a grim face, she was frightened by what happened today, they had experienced countless dangerous situations in the seven years of exile, many wizards including Neville's mother had sacrificed their lives for this school, but the danger it faced now was enough to destroy all their previous efforts.
Compared to her, Dumbledore's expression was still relatively calm. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, and there was an obvious hint of fatigue in his voice.
"His ultimate goal is not to destroy us, or he certainly won't do that before I die. You should be able to guess what he wants, Minerva."
Mag pursed her pale lips and spoke in a trembling voice.
"Even so, we can't just do nothing! We have to find the person who sneaked into the carriage! We have to find him!"
Dumbledore laced his fingers together, but he did not answer or look at McGonagall.
Instead, he stared deeply at the school emblem of a lion, eagle, badger and snake, which had become a taboo in the wizarding world, above the wall covered with portraits opposite the office.