Ding!
Greetings, Host. Every grand adventure begins with the smallest of sparks, or an ordinary-seeming soul. Here, in the bustling Leaky Cauldron, you have spotted Quirinus Quirrell, a man with a hidden identity. Please make your choice—
[Option One] Expose Quirrell's secret. Reward: Five consecutive S-rank treasure chest draws.
[Option Two] Leave Quirrell's secret untouched. Reward: Ten consecutive S-rank treasure chest draws!
This was the choice that suddenly flashed before Qin Yu the moment he entered the Leaky Cauldron and noticed Professor Quirrell.
He wasn't surprised. This was, after all, his first encounter with Professor Quirrell in this world—he knew full well that Voldemort was lurking, parasitic, on the back of that man's head.
If not for the system's intervention, Qin Yu wouldn't have hesitated over whether to expose Quirrell. His only concern would have been how—ideally with a powerful ally like Professor Dumbledore at his side.
But now, the system had given him two very different options.
Ding!
Special reminder: Life is like alchemy—nobility is not innate, nor is courage. Tender saplings will never become mighty trees if they're sheltered from every storm. You may shield them once, but you can never grow in their stead.
That so-called "special reminder" from the system was what truly made Qin Yu hesitate.
Because he heard the message between the lines.
If he exposed Quirrell's identity now, it would certainly make things much simpler. But it would also rob those "saplings" of the chance to weather their own storm.
And those saplings, beyond just Harry, surely included Hermione as well.
"I can shield them from one storm, but I cannot grow in their stead." Qin Yu repeated the words silently.
He could, of course, find some way to get rid of Quirrell. But Voldemort wouldn't be so easily destroyed.
If the Dark Lord ever returned, would the children he'd protected be ready to face that darkness on their own?
Qin Yu doubted it. How could someone who'd never faced adversity summon the courage and skill to confront such a threat?
Forget about shouldering everything alone. Qin Yu was nowhere near that arrogant. Even now, he was still carefully wrestling with the Obscurus Power, training hard to improve himself. He was nowhere close to Dumbledore's level—honestly, even Professor Snape could wipe the floor with him.
Would he really be able to bear it all, when the time came?
Should he shield them from this storm?
At that moment, Harry was nervously—yet excitedly—shaking hands with everyone in the pub. Each wanted to meet the boy who'd driven away Voldemort (or at least, made him vanish) and express their awe.
Qin Yu watched, torn by the weight of his decision.
Soon, almost everyone in the Leaky Cauldron had taken their turn shaking hands with the legendary Harry Potter, and the crowd began to thin.
In the corner, Professor Quirrell slowly rose, edging toward them with marked anxiety.
"H-h-Harry P-Potter! V-very pleased to meet you!" Professor Quirrell stammered.
"Oh, Harry, this is Professor Quirrell from Hogwarts. You'll be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts with him once term starts!" Hagrid introduced helpfully.
Harry, ever polite, responded, "Hello, Professor Quirrell! It's wonderful to meet you, too. I'm really looking forward to your classes…"
He half-expected Professor Quirrell to shake his hand like everyone else, but instead, the man simply fidgeted, rubbing his hands together, making no move to extend them.
"I—I think you probably won't need my class, Mr. P-Potter," Quirrell said, his mouth twitching in a nervous, almost manic smile.
Just then, a newcomer burst into the pub, breathless with excitement at the news that Harry Potter was there.
As the man hurried over, Qin Yu casually stuck out a foot, tripping him.
The stranger stumbled, crashing straight into Professor Quirrell, who pitched forward and bumped into Harry.
For a split second, Quirrell's hand brushed Harry's.
He jerked back as if he'd touched a hot stove.
"Sorry, sorry! I'm just so excited!" the newcomer apologized, then seized Harry's hand, gushing, "You're Harry Potter? I can't believe it! How long are you staying? I've got to fetch my friends—"
"I… I'll be leaving soon…" Harry replied, forcing a smile.
"Alright, friend, we've got important business to attend to. Can't linger here," Hagrid said, prying the man's hand away.
He turned to Qin Yu. "Qin, let's be off."
"Yeah, let's go." Qin Yu nodded.
But before leaving, Qin Yu glanced back at the ashen-faced Professor Quirrell.
Then he took Harry Potter by the arm and led him toward the courtyard behind the pub.
"Option Two," Qin Yu decided silently, the moment he stepped outside.
Ding!
You have made a prudent, well-considered choice. Your reward will be granted after the key character's death. Special reminder: Until this mission is complete, the Host will be unable to reveal Professor Quirrell's hidden identity to anyone.
A major reason for Qin Yu's decision was that, all things considered, the "difficulty level" of this particular challenge wasn't too high.
Let these "saplings" face the first trial themselves. If things get rough in the next round, he could always step in to help.
As the system said, if he shielded them from every storm, they might all end up falling to the Death Eaters' wands.
Compared to that, he'd rather see them endure hardship—at least a little.
Sometimes, you have to be ruthless, Qin Yu thought with a sigh.
Then, another "special reminder" from the system caught his attention: Until the mission ends, the Host will be unable to reveal Professor Quirrell's hidden identity to others.
The system used "unable," not "must not" or "forbidden." Did that mean, even if Qin Yu tried, he simply wouldn't be able to reveal it?
And if he tried, what would actually happen?
Lost in thought, Qin Yu followed Hagrid and Harry into Diagon Alley, heading straight for Gringotts.
They had gold to fetch for Harry, and Hagrid had an errand of his own to run in the vaults.
——Dimensional Wall——
Honestly, I'd planned this plot device before I even started writing. But now that I'm here, I realize just how tricky it is to handle.
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