Volume 1 Chapter 43: The Ghost Who Helped the Infiltrator
"You've been in the dormitory for almost two weeks. We have to tell you this, Jon! It's a matter of life and death for Hogwarts !"
Ron had a solemn expression on his face and spoke in a very serious tone, as if he was trying to attract John's attention, who was drawing on a piece of parchment filled with spells.
When Jon heard his sensational words, the movement of holding the pen in his hand paused for a moment, then he stared at Ron, and did not follow his words to ask what kind of big deal could be so serious, and said.
"If something like this really happened, you should go find the professor. Why are you rushing to find me?"
Ron and Justin looked at each other. Before they came, they had not expected that Jon's reaction would be so calm.
"Because the professor should have known about this. I only found out what happened in the school when I overheard my father chatting with the guests who came to visit us at home!"
Ron lowered his voice and looked around cautiously, but was startled by Neville who suddenly pushed the door open and walked in with a pile of books.
"Why didn't you knock before you came in!" Ron gasped.
Neville looked innocent.
"This is my own dormitory. Do I need to knock before I come in?"
Because he had burned his holiday homework due to the inappropriate use of the levitation spell a few days ago, Neville had been catching up on his homework in the library these days, so he and John, who was verifying the spell combination in the dormitory, did not disturb each other.
However, because of this, he didn't have much chance to interact with Ron and the others, so obviously he didn't know what Ron was talking about, that important matter concerning the life and death of Hogwarts.
"The person who came to my house during the holidays was Kingsley Shacklebolt. He was an elite Auror in the Ministry of Magic before that man came to power, and he is now a top player in the Order of the Phoenix. He and my father were talking in the study about the two attacks on Hogwarts last term, and I overheard some top-secret information outside the door..."
Neville interrupted, frowning.
"Any conversation within the Order of the Phoenix is strictly confidential. You shouldn't eavesdrop or tell us about it back at school."
Ron waved his hand in dissatisfaction.
"The problem is that they were talking about school-related things. Don't you want to know why the school was attacked twice in a row?"
"Professor McGonagall said last time that someone had sneaked into the carriage..."
"Then do you know who this person is?"
No matter how mature Neville was, he was only 11 years old after all, and Ron's words gradually aroused his curiosity.
"who is it?"
"Goblins or house-elfs!" Ron said excitedly, "Kingsley said that on the night we were attacked on Christmas, a student saw the intruder's shoes. I can't believe it! Why didn't the professors tell us about this, and didn't they say who the student was?"
Jon just listened silently at the side. In fact, he almost guessed what the "shocking secret" that Ron overheard was from the beginning. These things were not publicized by Professor McGonagall and others in order to protect him, but as a result, Ron heard some inside information at home.
"But Kingsley and many people in the Order of the Phoenix failed to find the intruder in the carriage that night. Even now, this creature, who is not sure whether it is a goblin or a house-elf, is still hiding in the school!"
Neville's face showed complete shock, which really satisfied Ron's desire to show off. It was a pity that John still looked calm, which made him feel not that great.
"Don't you think this is dangerous, Jon? There is a magical creature that has surrendered to the Ministry of Magic hiding among us!" Ron thought that Jon had not yet realized the seriousness of the problem, so he said anxiously.
"No matter how dangerous it is, aren't there still the professors? They must know about this, but they haven't gathered us together yet, which means that things haven't reached the point you said where it might concern the life and death of Hogwarts." Jon spread his hands and said.
Seeing him like this, Ron could only grit his teeth and choose to use his trump card. He lowered his voice and moved closer.
"The professors didn't realize the danger. It's very likely that they subconsciously chose to trust everyone in the castle. Even if the intruder was very good at hiding, the whole carriage is only this big. Where can he hide to ensure that he won't be discovered?"
Jon frowned slightly.
"What do you want to say?"
Seeing that he finally seemed to be paying attention, Ron immediately showed a smug smile on his face.
"Someone in the school must be helping him hide! This is the only way to explain why so many Aurors couldn't find him at the time!"
Honestly, Ron's analysis made sense and was completely well-founded. Jon couldn't help but look serious.
"Do you know who this person is who helps him in school?"
"Of course I can guess who this person is." His expression became even more smug. He kept Jon and the others in suspense, "It's just that the professors have always believed that the adults in the carriage are reliable ."
"Come on, Ron, tell us, who is this person?" Justin pleaded impatiently.
Ron said decisively: "This person must be Filch!"
Jon: “…”
Well, he was already stupid enough when he first thought that maybe Ron could really detect some key clues.
This guy simply puts the blame on whoever he hates.
Looking at the dead eyes that Jon showed when he gave the answer, Ron obviously sensed his distrust and continued anxiously.
"Don't disbelieve me, haven't you noticed that Filch has been behaving very strangely?"
Jon still looked at him blankly.
"What's weird about that?"
"We've already encountered two attacks, but we haven't seen him fight alongside the professors! I've also heard from George and Fred that they've been at Hogwarts for so long and haven't even seen Filch take out his wand!"
"What does this mean?"
"It means that he doesn't want to go against the Ministry of Magic or that man's men at all! He must have always wanted to get rid of the wanted warrant and return to the castle as the castle manager, instead of living under Dumbledore's hands. Helping a mole who sneaked into the carriage is undoubtedly a great opportunity for him to redeem himself for the Ministry of Magic!"
Ron's analysis was indeed very reasonable and had sufficient evidence, and even Neville was somewhat convinced by him.
Only Jon was holding his forehead with his hands in pain.
You say he is stupid, but he can still find so many details. You say he is smart, but after reasoning to this point, why can't he think that the reason why Filch can't fight without a wand is actually because he is a Squib who can't cast spells?
