The Prisoners of Hogwarts

Chapter 183 Main Purpose

Chapter 183 Main Purpose

Kragg blinked his only eye, trying to understand the still somewhat novel concept of "buying things with money" for a house-elves.

Because it was the executioner's order, and it was for "adapting to a new life" and "preparing for more important work," he put all his doubts aside and prepared to go back and convey the latest orders from Lord Lynch to all his companions.

"Yes, sir! Krag understands! We will learn...how to spend money!" He nodded vigorously, as if accepting a glorious and arduous new task. "We will be fully prepared for this new job!"

"I look forward to your work," Lynch nodded slightly. "Now, I have something I need you to do."

"Give me your orders! I will do anything, even die for you!" Krag's one eye immediately lit up, and he looked energetic.

"I need you to find out about a house-elf," Lynch said in a low voice, "his name is Dobby. I need to know which wizard he's with now."

He paused briefly, his tone becoming unusually serious: "Be discreet, don't attract anyone's attention!"

"Dobby..." Krag repeated the name, a thoughtful look flashing in his single eye.

"Krag has taken note. Don't worry, sir, the house-elves have their own intelligence network. As long as he's still in England, Krag will definitely find him! Even if he hides in a crack in the ground, Krag will find him!"

"Very good." Lynch patted Cragg on the shoulder. "Once you find it, just give the information to Reggie."

"Yes, sir!" Krag nodded vigorously.

After the conversation ended, Krag's figure disappeared into the air with a slight pop, eagerly beginning his intelligence gathering work.

Lynch did not linger in the same spot.

He turned and walked out of the factory. He hadn't gone far when he saw the guard captain, Thomas, standing respectfully.

"Your Excellency." Thomas bowed slightly, his right fist lightly touching the badge on his chest as a sign of respect.

"Give me a brief update," Lynch's voice came from behind the mask, his gaze sweeping over the quiet factory perimeter behind Thomas. "Are there still people spying on the factory?"

Thomas maintained a slight bow and reported in a calm tone, "Your Excellency, since you personally dealt with those invading wizards last time, blatant spying has disappeared. Patrols rotate three shifts daily, and a network of warning spells covers all key areas."

He paused slightly, lowering his voice: "However, the spyglass occasionally captures extremely faint, fleeting sensations, as if someone is using sophisticated methods to observe from a distance, but we cannot pinpoint the exact location or source. We have increased vigilance in the surrounding area, but so far we have not discovered anything further."

Lynch listened quietly.

"Stay vigilant," he finally said, his voice still steady. "The key isn't whether they're watching, but that we can't let them see clearly, and even more importantly, we can't let them get close."

"Understood!" Thomas nodded vigorously.

Lin Qi then changed the subject: "Also, through the Chamber of Commerce, obtain a complete list of goods from within the Chamber, excluding clothing items. The list should include internal settlement prices and exchange procedures. Once you have it, deliver it to the factory."

Thomas immediately understood the intention: "Is it to procure supplies for the factory workers?" He carefully chose his words.

"Your escort team will record their needs, then collect payment and place orders, then receive and inspect the goods, and finally distribute them according to the list," Lin Qi clearly instructed. "The accounts will be kept separately, not following the regular transaction process."

"Understood. The guards will handle the handover and distribution." Thomas nodded solemnly, then confirmed, "Do you need us—?"

Should we assist them in making their selections? After all, they might be unfamiliar with these procedures.

"No need," Lin Qi raised his hand to stop them. "Let them decide for themselves. You just need to ensure a smooth handover of supplies and clear accounting."

"Understood," Thomas replied crisply. "The list will be sent to you as soon as possible via encrypted channels."

After giving his instructions, Lin Qi glanced one last time at the factory buildings, their outlines clearly visible in the night, and without saying another word, he stepped back slightly and silently disappeared into the shadows, as if he had never been there.

The crows returned to Hogwarts Castle silently, as if they had never left.

Lynch dispelled the chilling aura he had brought back from the factory, returning to the slow, magical rhythm of the ancient castle of Hogwarts.

He continued to wait patiently.

Every two days, he would check the tracking potions he had placed within the castle's piping system.

Unfortunately, neither the tracking potion nor the warning magic placed at each conduit showed any sign of being activated. The basilisk seemed to have completely gone into hibernation, blending into the castle's bricks and stones, and remained completely silent.

Daily life at Hogwarts continues, but a subtle tension always hangs in the air.

Although students no longer strictly adhered to the "five-person group" rule, there were noticeably fewer people walking alone in secluded corridors, especially at night. The whispers about the secret room never truly ceased; they simply transformed from open fear into deeper suspicion, like an undercurrent flowing through the college.

Filch was more irritable than before, patrolling more frequently, and the paranoia in his eyes had only grown stronger. Many students had run into him and were punished by him to clean the public washrooms because Professor McGonagall had issued an order requiring all students to concentrate in specific public washrooms to relieve themselves, as they got dirty particularly quickly.

Professors in each subject also strengthened prevention measures in their own ways.

Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class was more demanding, Professor Flitwick's Spells class added more practical defensive spells, and even Professor Sprout specifically explained several plants with warning or exorcising effects in his Herbalism class.

In this seemingly calm but inwardly tense atmosphere, Gilderoy Lockhart, the professor who prides himself on being an expert in Defense Against the Dark Arts, finally found a perfect stage to showcase his so-called "professionalism" and "leadership skills."

One morning in the auditorium, after the owl had finished delivering the mail, Lockhart suddenly stood up, banged his wine glass loudly, and signaled everyone in the auditorium to be quiet.

He had his signature smile on his face.

"Look over here! Everyone, look over here, classmates, colleagues!" His voice was loud and dramatic. "Can everyone see me? Can everyone hear me?"

"Yes! We can see and hear you!" replied a Hufflepuff girl—presumably a Lockhart fan.

"That's good." Lockhart nodded in satisfaction. "Because I have something very important to announce!"