Dumbledore didn't even have time to straighten his beard before he hurried towards the school hospital.

A few minutes earlier, he had met Professor McGonagall's Patronus, a silver tabby.

"Minerva, Felius, how's it going?"

In the distance, he saw a worried McGonagall and Flitwick, equally worried, standing in the doorway. Flitwick was about half as tall as McGonagall. Lockhart was also joining in the fun, and he couldn't get out of focus for a second.

"It's the same as before, petrified." When McGonagall saw Dumbledore coming, it was as if she had seen the backbone.

The one who was attacked was Penelo Creval, a Ravenclaw student, a good student of character and academics. Or a Ravenclaw prefect.

"Percy Weasley found her in the empty classroom on the fourth floor this morning." McGonagall said.

Dumbledore immediately walked into the school infirmary, and several other professors hurriedly followed, and Madam Pomfrey was bending over and taking something out of Penelo's hand.

- A small mirror.

Dumbledore immediately guessed how Penelope had escaped from the basilisk.

But he didn't know about the attack.

After discovering that the portrait inside the castle was Dumbledore's eyeliner, Cyrus naturally refused to repeat the same mistake. He no longer let the basilisk move in the hallway, but kept it inside the pipe, only letting it out at the moment of the attack. And Sellers himself, it is better hidden.

"It's already the fourth attack Albus, and three students have been injured." McGonagall's face was full of concern, "I'm afraid this matter can't be suppressed, what does the school board say?" ”

"Nothing has happened yet." Dumbledore shook his head, he had thought that the school board might be planning to shut down Hogwarts, but it hadn't. Maybe there hasn't been a real murder yet, or maybe someone thinks it's not the right time?

"That's great, but we have to find the killer."

"Will find it, Minerva." Dumbledore whispered. There was little expression on his face, making it difficult to see through his true thoughts.

"Yes, it will be found! Just let me do it myself! Lockhart jumped out at the right time, revealing his signature smile.

McGonagall immediately looked disgusted.

Truth be told, if there were other times, even if she didn't like Lockhart, she would definitely not be so rude. But now that the situation is so grim, Lockhart still thinks it's child's play, and it can't help but annoy people.

After all, he is still the same Gilderoy Lockhart as before.

Or the same Lockhart who reformed the "bones of the Death Eaters" during the war years in order to attract attention, and launched his name into the air to create panic!

"If I'm right, you seem to have been touting the heir since you drove him out two weeks ago?" Snape didn't know when he appeared behind Lockhart, sneering.

Then, ignoring Lockhart's reaction, he went straight to Dumbledore's side and whispered, "Ginny Weasley didn't go anywhere this morning. I've been with them. But—there's one thing I have to tell you—"

His voice was lowered. In the end, he barely spoke, instead looking directly at Dumbledore.

'Ginny Weasley lost something?' ’

This information immediately brightened Dumbledore's mind.

Before, after he noticed that Ginny had a problem, he asked Snape to pay more attention to the other party, but now it seems that it is likely that Voldemort was aware of this surveillance, so he voluntarily left Ginny Weasley's side and took control of the other young wizards.

And that missing thing - it must be the Horcrux left behind by Voldemort!

'You've left too many flaws, Tom. ’

Dumbledore couldn't help but think.

The question is, though, what exactly is that missing thing.

Snape just shook his head, the Dementor is not the kind of omniscient spell, Ginny's memories have been modified by Cyrus, and he can't remember what he lost in his head, and Snape naturally can't know the answer.

Now it seems that the other party is still very cautious.

Dumbledore groaned as he pinched the mirror he had taken from Penelope.

Fifty years ago, Tom Riddle didn't hesitate to take Myrtle's life—it was actually an accident—and now, from Lady Loris to Penelope, no life has died at the hands of that monster.

Stagnant water in the bathroom, cameras, ghosts, and mirrors......

Everything seemed to be just a coincidence, but he knew that there could be no such coincidence in this world. The only possibility is that Tom doesn't want anyone to die.

Naturally, Dumbledore would not think that Tom Riddle was repentant and compassionate. The only explanation is that he doesn't want the school to close. Fifty years ago, he understandably didn't want the school to close Dumbledore. But now, what did he desire?

What was there about this school that attracted him?

Dumbledore had the answer after a little thought.

- Harry Potter!

That's right!

If there is anything that interests Tom Riddle, I'm afraid it's only Harry Potter!

When he, the Horcrux, somehow learned from Ginny Weasley that Harry Potter had eliminated the Mystery.

The soul in the Horcruxes, who knew nothing about this, must have wondered what kind of magic a baby could have to defeat Lord Voldemort?

He'll find the kid.

The thought crossed Dumbledore's mind. And as he thought about it, he became more and more sure that this would happen.

From the first attack, the other party has been blaming Harry for the suspicion of the attacker. On Halloween night, Harry, who had just not attended the dinner party, was attacked for the first time; The second person to be attacked was Colin Creevey, who had taken a lot of pictures of Harry going out of trouble; The third man was Justin, and Harry had just been caught by Filch.

All the evidence points to Harry, and Tom Riddle must be trying to get Harry into trouble and try to lead him to take the initiative to investigate the secret room and the heir.

Only then can they finally meet alone.

And this is exactly what Dumbledore wants.

He knew what I wanted. ’

Dumbledore quickly understood that it was a game. Tom Riddle threatens himself with the life of his student, to eliminate himself as a threat and confront the little boy.

If I'm not mistaken, I'm afraid that it won't be long before I have to leave Hogwarts because of something.

But Dumbledore wasn't too worried.

Tom thinks he can win because his opponent is just a second-year wizard.

But Dumbledore thought he was underestimating Harry.