20demayo Chapter 415 Investigation
Chapter 415 Investigation
Chapter 415 Investigation
The water was serene, and the noise on the shore and everything that had just happened seemed irrelevant here. As Harry immersed himself in the water, his thoughts gradually calmed down.
I must avenge Professor Hamilton—I must find the real culprit—no matter what, there must be some trace underwater, absolutely—
"Which direction should we start looking?" Cedric asked slowly in the dark lake. "If I remember correctly—Professor Hamilton followed Durmstrang's men in that direction."
His finger pointed into the deep lake, but no one could see anything in that direction.
Even so, it is still necessary to investigate potential crime scenes.
Harry nodded and followed Cedric as they swam into the deep water.
Throughout the journey, Harry pondered who would have the motive to kill Professor Hamilton—did Snape have that motive?
Although their relationship doesn't seem to be very good, it shouldn't be to the point of killing someone, right?
Could it be someone else?
For example—Sirius?
A suspicious figure flashed through Harry's mind. Sirius Black certainly had the motive, after all, Professor Hamilton had ruined his plans last time—and if he wanted to kill him—Professor Hamilton would undoubtedly be his greatest adversary.
It really was him?
But how did he get into Black Lake?
According to Mr. Crouch, there are Aurors patrolling around Black Lake—and they would never allow Sirius or any suspicious fellows to enter.
But—the thought of the Forbidden Forest suddenly eroded Harry's trust in that statement.
After all, that's what they said back then—but Sirius and his companions still went into the game anyway—
Harry was still deep in thought when he suddenly heard Cedric's voice: "Here, Harry!"
He waved, as if he had spotted something in the water.
The underwater world of Black Lake is not barren; it is covered with a large number of tree-like aquatic plants, and among them, Cedric spotted a small black flag.
Without a doubt, this should be where Durmstrang's heroes began their operation—in other words, this should be the last time Professor Hamilton appeared in people's sight before he was murdered by the killer.
"There doesn't seem to be anything special here—" Cedric muttered. The seaweed here was quite dense, which meant that if something had happened, there would be some trace left here.
However, it's obvious that there's nothing here.
Harry and Cedric looked around a few times, and after confirming that there was nothing there, they exchanged a glance.
"It shouldn't be here—" Cedric nodded and said, "We should follow the direction Professor Hamilton is moving in."
"But where did she leave from?" Harry asked immediately.
“I’ve already asked Krum about this,” Cedric said, pointing in a direction. “Krum told me that Professor Hamilton left from the right side of the flag.”
Cedric is really clever—Harry was so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he didn't even consider asking Krum and the others for evidence.
Come to think of it, Krum and the others, being the last to see Professor Hamilton, would definitely have the most clues—and I hadn't even considered that at all—
Harry followed Cedric with a bit of annoyance, his mind a little confused.
The dark lake was desolate and cold, seemingly devoid of anything except for its profound darkness that seemed capable of swallowing everything. To search for clues in such a highly fluid place was, frankly, like finding a needle in a haystack.
However, as they ventured deeper into this direction, the surrounding seaweed gradually became denser, and Harry soon made a strange discovery.
"Here—Cedric!" He swam to a seaweed, where there was a stick-shaped object.
Upon closer inspection—it's a magic wand.
"Is that Professor Hamilton's wand?" Cedric asked immediately, swimming over to observe it for a few seconds before saying, "It looks like it?"
"Hmm." Harry pursed his lips, his fingers trembling slightly as he picked up the wand. He gripped it tightly—since Professor Hamilton's wand was here—it meant this was very likely the crime scene, wasn't it?
"So this is the crime scene?" Cedric realized this too. He swam around the area and then his eyes lit up.
"There seems to be some kind of mark here—" Hearing his voice, Harry quickly swam to his side.
The aquatic plants here do seem a bit strange—they are much shorter than the surrounding aquatic plants.
Harry looked closely at the top of the seaweed and was surprised to find that it wasn't growing naturally—it was unusually flat.
"This place is ruined by a curse—" Harry muttered, frowning. "Professor Hamilton is here with that murderer—"
The battle has begun!
This place isn't far from Durmstrang's hero—isn't he worried about being seen?
"Did Professor Hamilton injure that person?" Cedric guessed. "If she did—we might be able to investigate who has any wounds on them."
"It's difficult to heal wounds in water." Cedric's analysis made Harry nod slightly.
In other words, we've already obtained a few clues.
Are there any more?
Harry looked at the wand in his hand, pursed his lips, and then looked down into the water.
There might be some clues underwater.
He swam slightly deeper into the water, his eyes carefully searching the roots of the aquatic plants—and then, amidst this lush greenery, he unexpectedly spotted a patch of black.
It was a black unlike darkness; it was a very obvious black, the black of fabric!
He widened his eyes slightly as he looked at the fabric, and as he swam closer, he was almost certain it was torn from clothing.
Moreover, this wasn't the color of Professor Hamilton's robe—although it was also black, it was a darker shade of black—
Harry picked up the piece of cloth and handed it to Cedric, who had followed him. "This might be—left behind by the murderer?"
"Hmm—" Cedric stared at the piece of cloth for a few seconds in silence, then said with some suspicion, "Harry—don't you feel something's a little strange?"
"Um?
"
Harry paused for a moment and looked at Cedric.
"Look here—" Cedric muttered, "This fabric was clearly torn off forcefully."
"Instead of being harmed by a curse—"
"Because the tear isn't clean, is it?" Cedric's words surprised Harry as well.
He frowned slightly as he looked at the piece of fabric—that's right—if it's a curse—shouldn't it be very—neat and tidy?
Did Professor Hamilton tear it off?
"No way—Professor Hamilton doesn't look very strong—" Harry was filled with confusion.
Things seem a bit strange.