The next morning, nearly everyone had heard the news: Lockhart had been attacked and was lying in the entrance hall, barely alive.
Rumor spread quickly that he had been in a foul mood and was attacked while drinking in Hogsmeade. Madam Rosmerta, the owner of the Three Broomsticks, was able to confirm this, mentioning that Lockhart had started drinking at the Three Broomsticks before heading to the Hog's Head Inn. After that, there was no word on his whereabouts until he mysteriously appeared in the castle entrance hall, covered in blood.
The bloodstains on his body quickly caused panic among the students, and his status as a Professor added a chilling element to the event. Rumors circulated throughout the school, with everyone eager to uncover the meaning behind the cryptic messages.
For several days, students speculated about who the person spreading strength was, and who the "Prophet who shouldn't appear" was. Some wondered whether it was one person or two, and whether they were already at Hogwarts. They also wondered what the meaning behind the phrase "the one holding a wand, be vigilant" could be. Did it mean that carrying a wand would lead to an attack?
Many first-year students were so frightened that they dared not bring their wands to class. It wasn't until the professors gave them stern reprimands that they reluctantly put their wands in their pockets.
As the last weekend before Christmas approached, a theory began to spread throughout the school like wildfire. Someone had combined two of the cryptic messages and reached a startling conclusion. The person spreading strength, the one holding a wand… could it be referring to a wandmaker?
Everyone knew that the Ministry of Magic's symbol consisted of a wand and a capital 'M', where the wand represented the authority of magic and strength. So, the one who sold wands to every wizard was, in essence, the person spreading strength.
What about the third sentence—did it mean that the one holding a wand needed to be vigilant, or that people connected to wands should be cautious? This theory quickly gained traction, especially because there was an Ollivander at the school.
Coincidentally, Siron Ollivander had been the first person attacked, which, when combined with the phrase "The beginning and end of all disasters," seemed to fit perfectly. After all, being the first to be attacked could easily be seen as the start of a disaster.
For a time, rumors flooded the school, all fingers pointed at Siron Ollivander, a Gryffindor.
In the Gryffindor Common Room, Fred and George approached Robert, slapping him on the back with a gesture of reassurance.
"Robert, don't worry. We all believe you!" Fred said, his voice firm.
"We know you're not involved in whatever's happening with the Chamber of Secrets," George added.
"And there might not even be a Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts," Fred muttered under his breath.
"It has nothing to do with me anyway," Robert responded. "The Chamber of Secrets is just a legend. Slytherin supposedly left it here. How could I possibly open it, especially being a Gryffindor?"
"But they all say the attack is meant to drive you out of the school," Harry said quietly from the side.
"Then that doesn't make sense," Robert said, setting down the book he'd been holding. "If I'm the target, why attack Lockhart first? Do we look alike?"
"No, of course not," Harry shook his head. "I'm not saying you have anything to do with it, but I'm worried about how the others might treat you."
"What do you mean?" Robert asked, confused.
"Hasn't anyone told you?" Harry looked at him in surprise.
"About what?"
"People are saying that if you leave the school, the attacks will stop," Harry said, hesitating. "Some are even calling for your expulsion."
Robert blinked, clearly shocked. "I haven't heard anything about that."
"No way!" Ron exclaimed. "I've heard that more than once. Didn't anyone come to speak with you?"
"Honestly, no one has," Robert said calmly. "I have no reason to lie to you."
"But why is that?" Ron asked, perplexed.
"Maybe because they don't dare," Robert said with a cool expression.
"They don't dare?" Ron still didn't understand. "But Robert, you're just a second-year student. Why would anyone be afraid of you?"
"It's not about me being some great wizard," Robert replied. "It's about the fact that nobody can guarantee they'll only use one wand in their lifetime."
Fred suddenly spoke, his eyes lighting up with understanding. "In Britain, Ollivander wands are the best."
"Exactly," George continued. "If Robert refuses to sell a wand to someone, they'll have to go abroad to buy a Gregorovitch wand."
"And that could be a problem for anyone who wants an Ollivander wand in the future," Fred added, his expression turning serious.
"Most likely, it's the Slytherins behind all this," George said. "But they're too shrewd to make a move themselves. They'd rather stir up trouble and have others do their dirty work."
Ron's eyes widened as the realization hit him. "So that's why you're untouchable! You're the one holding the wands that everyone wants."
"But Robert, we have to say," Fred began, "this method you're thinking of won't work on everyone."
"Some people don't even realize the importance of wands," George added.
Robert raised an eyebrow. "Really? Well, maybe I'll just raise the prices when I take over the shop."
"Raise prices?" Everyone seemed shocked.
"But wands have always been that price," Dean Thomas, who had been sitting nearby, said in confusion.
"Exactly, it's been the same price for years," Robert said, his voice laced with annoyance. "Seven Galleons for a wand made from Unicorn tail hair—does that seem fair to you?"
"But... the Ministry of Magic compensates for it, right?" someone ventured.
"Five Galleons," Robert retorted, his tone scornful. "That's the exact cost of the materials for one wand. And they take forever to process it. It could take a year to get your wand from them."
He went on, "Or you can try looking elsewhere. A Gregorovitch wand costs at least twenty-five Galleons. And if you're not a new student, you have to pay even more."
"A twelve-Galleon wand was the price three centuries ago," Robert continued. "And now, wands from Accioyol in France are the same price."
There was a moment of silence. Everyone was starting to realize the situation.
Fred licked his lips, his voice taking on a serious tone. "Robert, I don't mind you raising the price of wands, but you have to think carefully. This could cause a massive uproar."
"And not just at Hogwarts," George added. "This could affect the entire wizarding world."
Robert smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm just saying it as a possibility, not an immediate plan. After all, I'm only in my second year. I've got plenty of time before I take over the shop."
The twins sighed in relief. They didn't mind Robert raising prices, but they knew the kind of backlash it could cause if handled recklessly.
"Don't worry, Robert. We'll make sure the message gets across," Fred said with a wink.
"We'll get the word out in the most obvious places," George added.
"Perfect," Robert said, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Just make sure people understand. No one is allowed to underestimate the Ollivander name."
The Weasley twins dashed off, eager to spread the word, while Robert went upstairs to his dormitory.
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