Chapter 24
"Good evening, Professor Snape." A voice came from behind Devero. It was Filch, the Hogwarts caretaker, holding an oil lamp. He was probably on patrol, checking for students out past curfew, and now he was eyeing Devero suspiciously.
"Professor, is some little wizard causing trouble, running around instead of sleeping?" Clearly, he thought Devero had been caught by Snape for staying out late.
Snape glanced at him and shook his head slightly. "He's helping me."
Filch obviously trusted Snape; after all, Snape didn't seem like the type to cover for students. They had probably caught many students together before. Filch grabbed his lamp, ready to leave.
"Wait." Snape suddenly turned and called out.
Filch stopped, surprised. "What's wrong, Professor?"
"This student, Devero Alexander, will often assist me. He may be out late in the school sometimes. If you see him, don't trouble him."
"Professor, this…" Filch looked hesitant. This clearly went against his usual approach.
Snape said nothing; he just stared at him. Filch felt the weight of that gaze and swallowed hard.
"Alright, but try not to stay out past eleven." He reluctantly agreed.
"Eleven-thirty." Snape's voice was low.
"Very well, Professor. I'll continue my rounds." Filch agreed immediately and hurriedly left.
Late-night permission? Wow!
Devero's lips curled into a grin. This was a game-changer. In the original story, Harry was punished multiple times for being out late. Devero, determined to explore every corner of Hogwarts, couldn't avoid late nights. This privilege from Snape was perfect timing! Working for Snape was definitely paying off!
Watching Filch scurry off, Snape glanced back at Devero. Devero felt like Snape had something to say, but he couldn't guess what Snape might be hiding. He didn't know Legilimency, after all, and couldn't read Snape's mind. In the end, Snape said nothing. He just led Devero to the common room entrance, gave him the password, and left. Devero finally let out a sigh of relief.
Nice! Today was a close call but rewarding! He'd gained countless valuable spells and loaded a red entry from Harry. Though it didn't seem too useful, he'd study it later in bed, Devero thought as he slipped into the common room passage.
Meanwhile, in Snape's office, Snape sat in his large chair, his eyes fixed on a piece of parchment on his desk. His fingers anxiously tapped the armrest as he muttered to himself.
"Forget it. I'll give him a year. No need to tell him so soon. Yes, that's it…"
---
The entrance to the Slytherin common room was behind a stone wall in the Hogwarts dungeons. Devero recited the password and smoothly entered. Honestly, seeing the place he'd spend the next seven years made him a bit frantic.
The Slytherin common room was a long, low dungeon. Round, greenish lamps hung from chains on the ceiling, and ornate carved chairs were scattered for students to rest. Skulls decorated the space, and part of the dungeon extended under the lake, giving the room a green tint.
The walls and ceiling were rough stone, and a finely carved fireplace burned, but the room still felt dim and cold. Honestly, Devero thought living at Snape's house wasn't so bad by comparison. At least there was sunlight! This place felt like a sunken ship! Did anyone actually like this?
Devero felt like his gout was acting up. Oh well. No use complaining now. He'd just have to convince himself, like Dumbledore said, that he was a natural Slytherin.
Crossing the common room, he even saw the giant squid swimming past the window in the lake, along with some strange, indistinct creatures. Though he didn't love the underwater vibe, the sound of waves hitting the shore was oddly relaxing. Devero dragged his tired body up the boys' dormitory stairs.
Today was too eventful. He'd done so much. First, at midnight, he took Polyjuice Potion to sneak into Knockturn Alley and nearly got into a fight with dark wizards. Then he successfully upgraded his Potions Genius entry. After that, he battled Snape at the Leaky Cauldron. It was his first time facing an adult wizard, and he nearly drained his magic. It made him realize the importance of magical reserves.
After being outsmarted and defeated by the professor, he shocked Snape with his homemade potion recipe. But before he could bask in the glory, he packed up and rushed to the station for school.
At the station, he met the famous Boy Who Lived, loaded a third golden entry, and his first red entry, and became the Boy Who Lived himself (sort of). Then he befriended the Weasley kids and explored all of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, earning his first Sage's Wisdom! That Zen meditation technique was incredibly useful! It helped him immensely.
He hadn't practiced it long, but his magic had already grown. If not for the technique running constantly, restoring his magic during spellcasting breaks, he wouldn't have lasted through the test.
Oh, right—Devero suddenly remembered. He still had an unused entry upgrade card! No rush, though. He wanted to load Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration Prodigy entry first, then upgrade it. He aimed to make himself an absolute genius in Potions, Charms, and Transfiguration!
After exploring the station, he bonded with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. By pummeling Malfoy, he built a solid friendship with them. He'd likely have a shot at the main storyline later. After arriving at Hogwarts and enduring a less-than-ideal Sorting, he ate a ton. Then Snape called him away. He showed off his Potions skills, shocking Snape again, and revealed he was a prodigy, stunning Dumbledore and Flitwick too.
The results were impressive. He got permission to take advanced classes and stay out late. What a haul! Devero struggled to open the dormitory door, groping in the dark for his bed.
He wanted to cast *Lumos* for light, but he was too exhausted. He collapsed onto the bed someone had made for him, forgetting all about practicing the Zen meditation before sleep. He just wanted to embrace his excitement for magic school life and drift into dreams.