Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
Viktor finished singing, and a thunderous laugh echoed through the Great Hall. Dumbledore, with a satisfied smile, began to clap, and the other students, finally recovering from their shock, followed his lead. Viktor, his face cold, walked down and took his seat.
— Damn, I'm never playing that old man for a wish again.
Daphne, hearing him mutter, leaned in and asked quietly, "You lost to the Headmaster, and he wished for you to sing?"
— Yeah, — Viktor replied with annoyance. — Next time I get the urge to play him, stop me. That old man doesn't play fair.
— You have a very good relationship with the Headmaster, that's a good thing, — Daphne noted. — It might protect you from attempts on your life. Few in England would dare to harm the Headmaster.
Viktor gave her a strange look.
— Hey, what are you hinting at? We just play chess and eat sweets... — His eyes widened. — Wait a minute, a grown bearded man invites a little boy over, gives him sweets, and plays games with him... — His body shivered. — My god, Daphne, I'm scared!
Daphne stared at him for a long time, then sighed. — Can we please not continue this conversation?
— Well, you're right, — Viktor nodded. — Why would he need me when he's got Harry Potter?
Daphne looked like she was about to cry. She tiredly put her head down on the table and hit her forehead with a loud thud.
— That's not what I said, — she mumbled.
— Does it hurt? — Viktor asked.
— Yes, — Daphne replied, still with her head down.
— Then why did you do that? — Viktor asked, a judgmental tone in his voice. He leaned back on the bench and sighed. — My god, what kind of people am I surrounded by? You wizards are so weird.
Daphne sighed, got up, and reminded him, — Don't forget tomorrow is Saturday, and you have to be with the Head of House.
Viktor looked at her as if she were an idiot.
— Daphne, there's a whole day until tomorrow. Am I supposed to think about that the entire time? Remind me tomorrow, — he shook his head. — You know, you've gotten so lazy lately.
Daphne hit her head on the table again. Viktor slowly stroked her head and said, — Don't do that, it hurts.
After breakfast, Viktor and Daphne stood up and were about to leave when Dumbledore called out to them.
— Viktor, you sang beautifully! — he said with a smile. — I'll be waiting for you today for another game of chess. I've come up with a new wish.
Viktor turned to him sharply.
— SHOVE YOUR WISH UP YOUR ARSE, YOU OLD CHEAT! — he yelled, walking toward him.
Daphne grabbed his arm, trying to hold him back.
— WHAT KIND OF STUPID RULE SAYS YOU CAN'T SET THE BOARD ON FIRE?! FINE, YOU THINK I CAN'T BEAT YOU WITHOUT IT?! GET ME A CHESS SET, I'M GOING TO DESTROY HIM RIGHT NOW!
Daphne, who was being dragged by Viktor, yelled to the Slytherins, — Help me! I can't hold him!
They stood up, lifted Viktor into their arms, and began to carry him out of the hall.
— A-A-A-A! LET ME GO! I'M GOING TO PULL OUT HIS BEARD! — he screamed as they dragged him into the corridor.
As he was carried out, he yelled one last time, — WAIT FOR ME TONIGHT! I WILL ANNIHILATE YOU!
Everyone who was still there watched the scene in shock.
All day, Viktor was sulking and didn't utter a word. Right after classes, he went to the Room of Requirement. He sat down at the table and took out his diary. In the "Important Notes" section, he wrote: "In the summer, learn martial arts, study various styles, and, of course, learn how to use a sword." He thought for a moment and crossed out "sword," replacing it with "katana." Nodding in satisfaction, he closed the diary.
Then he started planning his next steps. He had promised Dumbledore not to interfere with Harry when he met Quirrell. Although Dumbledore hadn't revealed his full plan, he said that Harry had to defeat Quirrell. Viktor didn't need to know his plan; he already understood how everything would unfold.
The problem was that Dumbledore had refused to lend him the Philosopher's Stone, saying he had promised his friend he wouldn't give it to anyone. That's why Viktor had suggested playing chess for a wish. Although the chances were slim that Dumbledore would give him the Stone if he lost, there was still a chance.
After thinking it over, he decided to set that issue aside and focus on the main thing. After his fight with Quirrell, Viktor understood his weakness: if not for his unusual physical strength, he would have lost. He had less experience and knowledge of combat spells. Viktor knew how to solve this problem. He smiled and said, — It seems it's time to visit the Restricted Section.
He decided that at night, he would go there and learn more offensive and defensive spells.
Since there was still a lot of time until night, he closed his eyes, imagined his alchemy workshop, and the room transformed. Looking around, he saw that his ingredient supplies were almost depleted. They would last until the end of the year, but he would have to come up with something for the next one.
As usual, he spent the entire day on alchemy, experimenting and taking notes. He only finished late at night and realized he had missed dinner, but he didn't care. A smile bloomed on his face. He clapped his hands and said, — Time for a rematch. Now I'll show him what a true genius looks like.
He looked up, closed his eyes, and whispered, — Majestic God of Games, give me the strength to punish that annoying old man and forever wipe that silly smile from his wrinkled face.
Filled with a fighting spirit, he walked out into the corridor.
The next morning, Viktor stood at the entrance to the Great Hall, greeting every student who came for breakfast. A creepy smile was on his face, and his teeth were clenched.
— Good morning! Enjoy your meal, — he hissed to one girl through his teeth.
The girl shivered, — Th-thanks... — and quickly slipped past him into the hall.
Viktor looked at Dumbledore, who was watching him with a satisfied smile. Looking up at the ceiling, he quietly said, — God of Games, you #@!?&#