I am Cassandra Voley, a second-year Slytherin student.
On Halloween night, I followed the Dark Lord into the Ravenclaw common room, witnessed the departure of Ms. Helena Ravenclaw and Ms. Rowena Ravenclaw, and inexplicably received the so-called Ravenclaw's Gift.
Under the torment of the three riddlers—the Dark Lord, Professor Lockhart, and Headmaster Dumbledore—I suffered from insomnia for two full days. Today, hearing Pansy's identical conversation from yesterday, I finally understood what the so-called gift truly was.
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Today is the first loop.
I found the Dark Lord and informed him of this matter. He merely let out a soft "Hmm" and then told me to follow him. Clearly, he knew what was happening to me. What an annoying riddler, I really want to draw a circle and curse him.
When the Dark Lord led me to the Headmaster's Office door and I watched him pull out a long list of dessert names from his pocket, reciting them one by one to the gargoyle statue, I was stunned. What was the Dark Lord planning to do?
When the Dark Lord tried the 21st name, the Headmaster's Office door opened just like that. So, Headmaster Dumbledore likes sweets.
"Is it really okay for us to just walk in like this?"
This was my first time entering the Headmaster's Office, and in such a manner. I asked the Dark Lord, a little afraid.
The Dark Lord, however, waved his hand dismissively, as if nothing was amiss, completely unconcerned.
"It's fine, Dumbledore and I have a great relationship. In fact, it was thanks to me that he and his old flame were able to rekindle their romance."
What did I just hear? Dumbledore actually has an old flame? This is big news in the magic world.
Lord Dark Lord, don't just say half and then stop! You'll face divine retribution for dangling such a carrot in front of people!
Also, if you and Dumbledore have such a good relationship, then what was the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters fighting to the death for back then?
As I was led into the Headmaster's Office by the Dark Lord, I noticed that besides Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor Lockhart was there again. Are their relations really that good?
I don't know if it's my imagination, but I always feel like there's something between them. But Dumbledore and Lockhart... perhaps I've been influenced by the Dark Lord and my mind has gone bad.
After the Dark Lord whispered a few words to them, Headmaster Dumbledore kindly invited me to sit down. This affability truly showed the vast difference between the greatest white Wizard of the 20th century and a certain Dark Lord.
However, the moment I sat down, I found myself completely unable to move. Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor Lockhart, and the Dark Lord all pulled out their wands and aimed them at me. At that moment, I was terrified.
I am just a poor, weak, and helpless second-year Slytherin little Wizard. To use this lineup against me, it's too much, truly too much!
Watching them whisper to each other while casting various magic spells I had never heard of onto me, my heart was crumbling at that moment. At least give me a chance to say my last words!
But after a while, I noticed something was wrong. Their treatment of me was more like... more like... right, it was more like how the Muggles the Dark Lord once mentioned treated the mice in their laboratories. This means I can at least survive.
It turned out my guess was correct. Not long after, I could move freely again. Headmaster Dumbledore, as if nothing had happened, kindly told me, "It's alright now, Miss Warre. Cherish this gift."
When I asked Professor Dumbledore how long this loop would last, he chuckled and replied, "It will end naturally when it's time. Don't worry, Miss Warre, the remaining power of Ravenclaw doesn't support you being stuck in the loop indefinitely."
Wasn't that like saying nothing at all? Another day of hating riddlers.
After leaving the Headmaster's Office, Lord Dark Lord took me to the library and gave me a book list, telling me to study hard in the loop.
How annoying! Why do I have to compete here after getting the gift? Isn't there a way to get the gift one second and then be on par with the Dark Lord the next?
And normally, in a loop, wouldn't the Dark Lord forget what happened in the previous loop in the next one? Does that mean I can slack off?
But the next second, the Dark Lord coldly told me, "Don't even think about slacking off. I have my own methods to keep an eye on you."
Damn it, the Dark Lord must have used Legilimency, it must be!
But no matter how abstract the Dark Lord is, one cannot doubt his strength, so I dared not gamble.
So, today is the first day of my internal struggle? Are my good days over just like that?
Annoying Ravenclaw, annoying Dark Lord.
I had insomnia again that night.
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Today is the second loop.
Because I was afraid of retaliation from the petty Dark Lord, I still chose to proactively report my study progress from yesterday to him.
After answering a few questions he casually posed, he nodded in satisfaction and even said that he would personally instruct me in spells and Potions today.
I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed I had passed today. Another day of survival.
To my surprise, the Dark Lord didn't teach Dark Arts today, but rather the Disillusionment Charm. Unexpectedly normal!
However, the faint expectation in his eyes made me uneasy. I always felt like a pot would inexplicably fall on my head.
As for the Potion, the Dark Lord said it was his exclusive invention, currently still being improved. He only taught it to me and told me to record it daily, then inform him of the situation in the next loop to help him improve it.
It is said that Professor Snape has never had such treatment, so should I feel honored?
As for when I asked the Dark Lord what the Potion's effect was, he mysteriously told me, "It's for improving digestion."
The Dark Lord researching Potions to improve digestion? Even Ron Weasley from Gryffindor next door wouldn't believe such an absurd thing. There must be a deeper conspiracy here.
In fact, I didn't even know I had a talent for prophecy.
Before dinner that night, the Dark Lord led me to the kitchen and, holding his wand to me, made me add the freshly brewed Potion to the ingredients. I was completely bewildered. My first thought was whether I should consider enrolling in Divination elective in third year. I must have gone mad.
After I had added the Potion, the Dark Lord looked at me with relief and said, "Don't worry, this Potion won't kill anyone. I haven't gone mad enough to wipe out all the Hogwarts students and teachers in one go. Besides, you're in a loop now; next time, they'll forget all about it, so it won't implicate you."
Alas, reluctantly, I chose to believe the Dark Lord.
The Dark Lord indeed didn't lie to me, as long as one ignored the long line outside the lavatories after the feast and the strange smell lingering in the Castle.
That night, I lay on my bed in the dormitory, my rumbling, hungry stomach keeping me awake once again.