Chapter 89 The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back
Lord Voldemort was silent for a while, then silently shifted Quirrell's face forward, using his few remaining life and stamina to completely control the body.
He stretched his limbs, and the joints of his body made a 'clack' sound, then he took out Quirrell's wand.
It was a nine-inch long alder wand with a Unicorn tail-hair core.
Although it didn't quite fit the Dark Lord's status and wasn't very comfortable to use, it would have to do for now.
Aaron took advantage of this time to hide behind the two Professors, reuniting with Harry and the others.
"Aaron, I truly appreciate you more and more.
Dumbledore returning early was something I never anticipated," Lord Voldemort sneered, "However, for me, things haven't reached a dead end yet.
I just need to get the Philosopher's Stone before he returns; with the limits of this body, I can at most reach the strength of a Grand Magister.
Facing two Professors is a bit strenuous, but it's not necessarily impossible."
"Then good luck.
As long as you can defeat the two Hogwarts Professors, we will hand over the Philosopher's Stone with both hands."
"I hope you keep your word." Lord Voldemort grinned and then launched an attack.
Although his physical condition was extremely poor and his strength was a mere fraction of what it once was, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse; even fighting two opponents, he didn't fall into a disadvantage.
Green magic and two crimson magic spells continuously collided, erupting in deafening roars, and the shattered chess pieces on the board scattered outwards under the impact of the magic.
Aaron watched the battle, which at least a Archmage could participate in, with great interest.
There was no need for him to learn from it; he was confident that he could reach this level in not too long, he simply wanted to broaden his horizons.
"Aaron." Harry had no mood to watch the battle, he just said anxiously, "What nonsense were you spouting just now? How could you give the Philosopher's Stone to Lord Voldemort?"
"I said that for our safety.
Given Lord Voldemort's arrogance, he probably won't attack us before dealing with the two Professors, but it's still better to be safe than sorry.
Besides, if even two Professors combined can't defeat him, we alone can't protect the Philosopher's Stone.
Either we hand it over to save our lives, or he kills us and then finds the Philosopher's Stone on our bodies.
One option is a break-even, the other is a total loss; which do you choose?"
"I would rather die than surrender." Harry said indignantly.
"Well said." Aaron gave a thumbs-up, then lightly tapped his wand, and the Philosopher's Stone in Harry's hand flew into his own.
Before Harry could react, he continued, "I greatly admire your courage; not valuing your own life is not ordinary bravery.
However, just because you don't care about your life doesn't mean I don't care about mine.
Lord Voldemort might not spare you, but the three of us are different from you; we have a chance to live."
Hearing this, Harry's expression was a bit conflicted.
He and Lord Voldemort were sworn enemies; only one of them could live, but he didn't want to implicate others because of himself.
"Feeling particularly conflicted, aren't you?" Aaron teased, seeing his complex expression, "I admit you have a strong sense of justice and are a true Gryffindor.
But I must remind you, not valuing your own life isn't bravery, it's just pure recklessness.
Only by being alive do you have a chance to turn things around; if you're dead, nothing is left.
I'm not like you; unless absolutely necessary, I won't risk my life, let alone throw eggs at a rock.
If you want to die to prove your point, then go by yourself, and whatever you do, don't drag me into it."
"How about we run now?" Hermione suggested.
"Agreed, we should have left here a long time ago." Ronadded, "As long as we hold out until Dumbledore returns, all problems will be no problem."
"Huh?
That's a great idea.
But a friendly reminder, be extra careful when you leave, and you must be fast.
However, this is a bit difficult for us, after all, there's still an injured person here."
"You mean Lord Voldemort might not let us leave?" Hermione said with a troubled expression.
"Not 'might', but 'definitely'.
Although he is still fighting the two Professors, he has also diverted some attention to us.
At the slightest movement, he'll likely risk injury to keep us here.
Because as long as he gets the Philosopher's Stone, he can reshape his body; Quirrell's body doesn't matter to him at all."
The three looked at each other, and Harry also lowered his head in resignation, but his tightly clenched fists still showed his unwillingness, "Can we really just watch like this?
We are also Wizards, we can also help the Professor."
"Forget it!" Aaron mercilessly poured a bucket of cold water on him.
Harry's expression froze, "Am I wrong?"
"It seems... not quite right." Hermione shook her head.
"Why?"
Hermione hesitated, saying nothing.
Ron also opened his mouth, his expression awkward, and silently turned his face away.
Aaron smiled playfully, then patted his shoulder, turning his head, "Take a good look, is this a battle you can join?
Tell me, what level are you at right now?"
"I should be close to an Intermediate Wizard now!" Harryalso realized, saying a bit sheepishly.
"Then please have some self-awareness, okay?
At your level, even a sneak attack from behind probably wouldn't do anything, let alone now when there's no chance for a sneak attack.
In their battle, the three of you, Wizards who haven't even really mastered offensive magic spells, are just cannon fodder; the aftershocks of the magic spells alone could knock you flying."
"What about you?" Harry asked with some hope.
"Me?" Aaron gave a self-deprecating smile, "I'm a little better than you all, just a slightly bigger piece of cannon fodder."
"So that means we can only watch from here?" Hermioneasked unwillingly.
"Not necessarily." Aaron said meaningfully, "You can also pray, pray that Dumbledore returns as soon as possible."
After speaking, Aaron casually found a place to sit, continuing to watch the Wizard duel on the chessboard.
At this point, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snapewere already struggling to keep up.
Their opponent was, after all, the notorious Dark Lord; although his strength was greatly diminished now, if he disregarded all consequences and squeezed his life force, fighting desperately, then his opponents would have to fight desperately to have a chance to win.
But the problem was that neither Professor McGonagall nor Professor Snape dared to fight desperately at this moment; if it were just them, they might have the courage to risk it all, to sacrifice their lives.
But behind them were four young Wizards, and the two had to retain some strength for some plans, at least enough strength to protect these students.
Lord Voldemort laughed triumphantly, chanting obscure incantations, and with a wave of his wand, he unleashed a deadly dark green light.
The two Professors instinctively raised their wands, hastily releasing one red and one white magic spell, barely managing to contend with the green light.
The three magic spells collided violently in mid-air, advancing and retreating like a tug-of-war, deadlocked for a time.
"Cough cough!"
Lord Voldemort suddenly looked ferocious, coughing up a mouthful of black blood, and the green light was immediately suppressed by the red and white beams.
He immediately adjusted his state, suppressed his injuries, and increased the force of magic channeled into his wand, pushing the magic spell back to its previous position.
The stalemate continued, and the green magic gradually gained the upper hand, at the cost of Quirrell's body aging at a visible rate.
The two Professors were also not well; their faces were pale, and their foreheads were covered in cold sweat.
"Almost there." Aaron murmured, standing up.
"What's almost there?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"The time is almost right; we can be the straw that breaks the camel's back." Aaron said.
Hearing this, Lord Voldemort couldn't help but laugh, "You can try."
"Don't mess around." Professor McGonagall warned, "You are too weak; this is not something you can interfere with."
"That's right." Snape said expressionlessly.
"Don't worry, I have a certain degree of confidence."
"No." Snape immediately said, "Don't think that just because you have some talent, you can be arrogant; Lord Voldemort's power is beyond your imagination.
He can easily spare a hand to kill you all."
"I know, that's why I waited until now." Aaron tossed the red gem in his hand, and under everyone's astonished gaze, threw it towards Lord Voldemort.
The Philosopher's Stone cut through the air, hurtling towards Lord Voldemort's head at an extremely fast speed.
The opponent was also a bit stunned by this sudden surprise, but quickly reacted, and while a smile spread across his lips, he controlled his wand with one hand to ward off the two Professors, and rapidly opened his other hand.
The Philosopher's Stone's speed instantly slowed down and flew into Lord Voldemort's palm.
"This is your plan." Harry's mouth twitched, "That's terrible."
"Is it still not too late for us to run?" Ron asked nervously.
"Don't rush, let the Philosopher's Stone fly for a bit."
As soon as the words fell, a roar came from the ceiling.
A white shadow swooped down, and just as Lord Voldemortwas about to grasp the Philosopher's Stone, it slammed a claw fiercely onto his back.