The entire conversation went off the rails.
It started with asking Hermione if she knew about "Grand Wizards," and ended up trying to prove that Grand Wizards actually exist.
But even by curfew, when Hermione left their dormitory, she still didn't believe in the existence of the "Grand Wizard" concept Basil described.
Basil had racked his brains, pulling the wave-particle duality of light from his past life's memories as an analogy.
He argued that magic power might be like light—both a wave and a particle.
It exists, and yet it doesn't exist.
With the wizard as the observer.
Magic power manifests because a Grand Wizard is a "Strong Observer," causing it to collapse from a state of non-existence into reality—specifically, into the wizard's body.
But even after going this far...
Hermione only nodded occasionally or said "Right, right" out of respect for Basil.
However, Harry, Ron, and Neville/Seamus (who returned later) all thought Basil's theory was plausible.
Because "wave-particle duality" sounded incredibly profound and sophisticated to them.
Complex and profound things are usually right.
Plus, they were actually getting a bit annoyed with Hermione.
She occupied Basil all day.
Giving them no chance to copy homework—cough—ask questions.
She barged into their dorm as if no one else was there.
She was arrogant and loved to snitch.
Take Seamus, for example. When he caused an explosion in Transfiguration for the thirtieth time...
He had actually learned to suppress the sound and power of the explosion on his own.
His face was no longer blackened, and his hair no longer stood on end.
Sometimes, Professor McGonagall wouldn't even notice Seamus's explosion.
But Hermione would always point it out mercilessly: "Professor, Seamus blew up X again."
In short, they had suffered under Hermione for too long.
However, in the days that followed...
Everything exceeded their expectations.
The meddlesome know-it-all, Hermione Granger, actually stopped snitching.
When others made mistakes or broke rules, she no longer spoke up.
Of course, "others" didn't include Ron, Harry, and Basil.
But in everyone else's eyes, this version of Hermione was much cuter.
Her roommates started talking to her.
After all, who doesn't love a roommate who gets good grades, is cute, doesn't talk too much, earns House points, and lets you copy homework?
But in Ron's eyes...
Hermione's face became even uglier.
"She's targeting us!" Ron complained after being refused when he tried to "borrow" homework.
Harry nodded repeatedly.
Because of this, even receiving the state-of-the-art Nimbus 2000 at breakfast this morning didn't taste as sweet.
They felt they were being treated differently.
Ron didn't even mock Malfoy when he saw Malfoy only received a Cleansweep Seven.
This surprised Basil greatly.
First, he was surprised Ron was so obsessed with copying homework.
Second, he was surprised the Malfoys couldn't afford a Nimbus 2000.
But Basil was actually mistaken.
The Malfoy family was currently financially tight.
But that was relative to their usual wealth.
No one would guess that Draco Malfoy chose the Cleansweep Seven himself.
Recently, Lucius Malfoy had spent a large amount of Galleons through a middleman to commission a wizard highly skilled in White Magic to create a book cover made of precious Unicorn tail hairs.
Consequently, Draco's allowance for snacks was reduced.
He guessed from this that his family was relatively short on cash.
But even so, when Lucius learned his son had become a Seeker on his own merit...
He was prepared to spend another large sum to buy the best broom available.
But Draco predicted this move. He wrote home in advance, asking for a Cleansweep Seven—a broom that was good enough and considered excellent among current models.
He persuaded his father in the letter: "The Cleansweep Broom Company is the pioneer of racing brooms, the oldest company. The Cleansweep Seven is their new release this year. It is excellent enough. Its handling is slightly better than the Nimbus 2000. Although the top speed is relatively slower, it can perform 360-degree sharp turns anywhere in the air."
Lucius Malfoy was deeply moved by this.
But what he didn't know was that Basil was also preparing a "surprise" for him that would make him truly "moved."
...
Voldemort often felt he was getting old lately.
Besides Dumbledore, three other people had discovered him.
He was prepared for Dumbledore discovering his traces.
After all, that fool Quirrell wasn't honest.
He was still wavering.
Often trying to hint at his existence to Dumbledore.
Heh heh heh! What a fool! As stupid as the trolls he's best at dealing with!
Did he really think Dumbledore didn't know?
He has already merged with me, the greatest wizard, the Dark Lord who has gone furthest on the path to conquering death.
And he still hopes to turn back?
However, this laughable, naive wavering stopped completely after the Opening Feast.
Because that damned so-called Savior, who survived purely on luck and his lowly mother's sacrifice—Harry Potter—actually pointed out his existence directly!
Harry Potter was one of the people who knew his location!
Does this brat really have powers I don't understand?
That useless Snape! Why didn't he listen to the full prophecy back then!!
Quirrell was too useless.
Snape was very likely still his spy, but because of Quirrell's weakness...
He, the King of Wizards who almost ruled Britain, didn't dare to reveal himself to his subordinate!
Snape loved that Mudblood deeply but didn't love her son, targeting him all day.
What did this prove?
It proved that Snape—no, Severus—was still loyal to him!
Severus must have gone to the Potter house afterward and discovered that Voldemort had actually planned to spare the Mudblood.
Ahem! Can't be careless!
What if Snape is Dumbledore's man?
Speaking of people who discovered his traces.
That hateful Basil Granger, who killed his dog, was definitely one of them.
Even more hateful was that this Granger mocked him to his face about having no nose!
Wait until I resurrect... hold on, this Granger looks quite friendly.
Hmm, maybe he's very talented.
And a pure-blood too!
Maybe I should torture him a bit with the Cruciatus Curse and then turn him into a Death Eater?
However, there was one guy he absolutely could not forgive!
Dumbledore's die-hard loyalist, the youngest son of the Weasley family—Ron Weasley!
This Weasley claimed Quirrell wasn't a bad person, but resonating with the power Voldemort left behind.
Hmph! Does he think I'm a fool like Quirrell?
He is trying to lull me into a false sense of security!
This Weasley is pretending to be stupid!
Voldemort had done his research.
Arthur Weasley's sons were all excellent!
How could Ron Weasley be an exception!
But these were minor issues.
Today's discovery was the big one!
Today, he actually discovered his Diary on that Granger boy—his future Death Eater!
His most precious Horcrux!
"Lucius Malfoy, you have chosen death!"
"Is this how you guard my Horcrux?"
"Letting my Death Eater be possessed by my younger self ahead of schedule!"
"Abraxas... for your sake, I will spare little Draco's life. Hmm, for Bella's sake... I'll spare Narcissa too."
In Defense Against the Dark Arts class, on the back of Quirrell's head, Voldemort howled internally as he sensed the Horcrux at such close range.
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(Note: "Abraxas" refers to Abraxas Malfoy, Lucius's father. He was Voldemort's senior/contemporary and one of the first Death Eaters. Many fanfics portray them as close friends. Canon info is limited to:
1. In 1968, Nobby Leach (first Muggle-born Minister) resigned due to a mysterious illness; Abraxas was suspected of involvement but never proven.
2. Sometime before Sept 1996, Abraxas died of Dragon Pox, a common elderly disease. Slughorn expressed regret upon hearing this.)
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