In the Harry Potter Without Harry Potter

Chapter 38: Without a Trace

In fact, it is not difficult to associate the boots with goblins and house elves (even though they don't wear one normally).

The reason why McGonagall didn't think about it in the first place was that, under Voldemort's rule, even muggle wizards had a very difficult time surviving, not to mention those humanoid magical creatures that had always been subject to discrimination even in the previous wizarding world.

Although the Gringotts goblins were forced to submit to his rule under his strong might, and the majority of the vengeful goblins acted as if they would never defy him, nevertheless, there will always be some outliers in a community who will think differently and will truly serve Voldemort wholeheartedly.

Not to mention creatures like house elves, who from ancient times have always been the most oppressed magical creatures in the wizarding world by pureblood wizards, and also the most pathetic creatures who adore the rule of pureblood wizards.

Voldemort's men naturally have a large number of house elves who are willing to listen to their orders obediently.

After all, it is undoubtedly more cost-effective and safer to let such magical creatures infiltrate the wagon than normal wizards, even if there is an accident, there is no real damage for Voldemort's side.

But likewise, this also involves an incredibly critical matter.

Jon looked at McGonagall, who had abruptly risen from her chair at this point, and asked cautiously.

"I also read in the book that the magic system of both goblins and house elves are different from that of wizards, so if they are really the one in the wagon, will they be able to bring in more people?"

McGonagall understood what Jon was implying, and she shook her head firmly.

"There will be no such possibility, in the beginning when we laid down the enchantment on this wagon, Dumbledore has taken the magic of house elves and goblins into account, he blocked this loophole, the only one who can enter and exit the whole wagon using magic at will is Dumbledore's phoenix."

Jon hesitantly continued to ask his concern.

"Then the purpose of this infiltrator coming to the wagon is ..."

McGonagall didn't answer his question and simply rubbed Jon's hair.

"You've done enough for today, son, leave the rest over to the grown-ups."

Jon sensibly did not continue to ask more questions, even if McGonagall didn't answer him, he still could probably guess the crux of it.

He knows very well about what things he can participate in and what things he can not participate in. He said everything he had to say, so now he didn't have to bother too much about the rest.

After obtaining the important information from Jon here, McGonagall left the great hall once again and conveyed the information to Moody about the intruder most likely being a goblin or house elf.

But strangely enough, Moody and their search did not yield any gains.

The eight people were divided into four groups and quickly searched all the rooms that McGonagall had marked out, but they did not see even the shadow of a goblin or elf.

Even Slughorn, who looked a little pale, walked out of the hospital room, his injuries had been treated briefly, so he was able to get out of bed, although he still had some trouble walking.

"What's going on?"

Moody naturally knew him, after hearing about what happened on the wagon, the old walrus' face, which was white because of blood loss, became even more pale.

"I did hear the sound of a door opening and closing while I was lying in the sick bed as well." His voice was much fainter than usual, "At that time I thought it was Minerva who was outside."

At his words, Moody frowned.

"McGonagall said she saw the door closing, and you heard the sound of movement, and a student even saw the boots that person wearing, but why was this person not present in the wagon?"

No one was able to answer his question, because no one else knew the answer at all.

Not only the rooms that McGonagall pointed out, Moody and the others have even searched almost all the rooms in the whole wagon, but they still failed to find any clues.

According to common sense, whether it is a wizard or a goblin or a house elf, as long as a creature has been lurking in the wagon, there is bound to be traces left behind, but not only they did not find the person, they did not even find a trace of such a being.

This made things weird and bizarre.

The anti-apparition charm on the wagon has already included the magic of goblins and elves, so they could not have left immediately after the mishap using magic.

If Voldemort's men really have such ability, then they directly would have used the infiltrated creature as a coordinate and brought a large number of Death Eaters or maybe Voldemort personally would've come over while Hogwarts was defenceless, then everyone on the wagon simply wouldn't have any chance of resistance!

Now such a thing did not happen mean, that the matter has not reached the worst situation, but where exactly the infiltrator is hiding?

Without any fruitful search, only Moody and the dark-skinned wizard Kingsley from the Order of the Phoenix were left behind to help McGonagall and Slughorn to look after the situation on the wagon, while the others returned to the plaza, they had a lot of things to do every day, and could not be held up here all night.

Dumbledore, Flitwick and Lily returned to the wagon with Fawkes near the time of sunrise.

With Dumbledore's watchful eye, they were able to get rid of the Death Eaters without any injuries, although they were mentally exhausted.

As soon as they returned to the wagon, Dumbledore went to his office and listened to McGonagall's recounting all the events that had happened during his absence from the school.

"This matter must have to be investigated, Albus, we have once again found that this is absolutely not a coincidence, the person who infiltrated the wagon constantly looking for opportunities to reveal information about the wagon's whereabouts, we will always be in danger due to this!"

McGonagall said with a stern face, she was alarmed by today's incident, they have experienced numerous dangerous situations during their seven years in exile, many wizards, including Neville's mother, sacrificed for this school, but now they are facing a danger that is sufficient to wipe out all their previous efforts.

Compared to her, Dumbledore's face can still be described as calm, his fingers tapping the table, a hint of fatigue evident in his voice.

"His ultimate goal is not to destroy us, and he certainly will not bother to do so before I die. What he really wants, you should be able to figure it out, Minerva."

McGonagall pursed her ghastly white lips as her voice trembled softly.

"Even so, we shouldn't leave anything to chance! We have to find the person who infiltrated the wagon! We must find him/her!"

Dumbledore interlocked his fingers together, he did not answer nor did he look at McGonagall.

Instead, his gaze stared deep at the wall full of portraits on the opposite side office wall and the emblem of the lion, the eagle, the badger and the snake that had become taboo in the wizarding world.

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