Inside one of the professors' private quarters, Quirrell lowered his head nervously. His voice trembled as he spoke. "Master, I don't understand why you're interested in Grindelwald. You know his father is—"
"What I choose to do is none of your concern!"
A freezing voice exploded inside Quirrell's mind like shattered ice. In the next second, unbearable agony swept through his body. He collapsed onto the floor with a heavy thud, letting out miserable screams that echoed through the room.
His fingers clawed desperately against the stone floor until the skin split open and blood smeared across the ground. The pain twisted his body violently as he writhed like a dying animal.
"Master—I was wrong! Please forgive your loyal servant!"
"I hope today is the last time you question me."
The hoarse warning sounded directly behind him, cold enough to suffocate the air itself. Several minutes later, Quirrell finally managed to drag himself upright using the wall for support. His robes were drenched in sweat, and his face looked deathly pale.
"When is his next Defence Against the Dark Arts class?"
"Who?" Quirrell asked instinctively, his mind still dazed from the torture.
The moment the words left his mouth, the same terrifying pain surged through him again. He nearly collapsed a second time.
"I understand, Master!" Quirrell cried out hurriedly. "Grindelwald's next class is the day after tomorrow!"
"The day after tomorrow..." Voldemort seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking again. "Prepare the potion in advance. I will personally test his talent during that class. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master!"
Quirrell nodded frantically, not daring to hesitate for even a second.
"He and the followers behind him could become very useful tools for me. Handle this properly, and you will have done a great service."
The dark voice softened slightly, though it only made the atmosphere more horrifying.
"When the time comes, I shall grant you all the magical knowledge you desire."
"Thank you for your generosity, Master!"
Back in the dormitory, Lucien lay quietly in bed when the familiar system notification suddenly rang in his mind.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing a nighttime exploration.]
[Achievement Unlocked: Night Walker]
[Reward: 50 Achievement Points]
"Thank Merlin there was an achievement reward," Lucien muttered inwardly. "Otherwise tonight would've been a complete disaster."
He carefully reviewed everything that had happened. Voldemort had used Legilimency on Quirrell earlier that evening. The fact that he could already perform advanced magic proved his condition wasn't nearly as terrible as Lucien had expected.
Compared to the pitiful state Voldemort had been in while trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone years ago, this version was far more dangerous. If Voldemort had possessed this level of power back then, he would never have failed to discover the stone hidden inside Harry's pocket.
Although Lucien hadn't directly confronted him tonight, he had still attracted Voldemort's attention.
That alone was enough to make the situation extremely dangerous.
"I'll have to be much more careful during Defence Against the Dark Arts class," he thought silently. "And not just there. Every move I make at Hogwarts needs to be planned."
A deep sense of urgency settled in his chest.
"Strength… I'm still far too weak."
Lucien let out a quiet sigh. His current situation was incredibly awkward. He was simply too young, and that meant his magical reserves were still limited. While he possessed a huge number of spells and theoretical knowledge, his actual combat experience was lacking badly.
Against ordinary students, he could easily dominate.
Against truly dangerous enemies, however, that advantage meant very little.
"I need to speed things up."
After only two days at Hogwarts, he already felt an overwhelming sense of crisis pressing down on him. As countless plans for improving his strength flashed through his mind, exhaustion finally overtook him, and he slowly drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Lucien entered the Great Hall looking slightly tired. He had barely sat down when the latest bit of news spread through the student tables.
Because so many Gryffindor and Slytherin students had been injured during yesterday's Potions lesson, today's Herbology class would be shared by all four houses together.
That news immediately made Hermione incredibly excited.
This would be her first class with Lucien since arriving at Hogwarts.
She practically skipped beside him the entire way to the greenhouses, clutching his sleeve with obvious enthusiasm. The damp air around the Herbology classroom carried the rich smell of soil and fertiliser, mixed with the faint scent of wet leaves.
Professor Sprout stood near the front of the greenhouse wearing an earthy yellow robe. Her patched hat was crooked as always, but the warm smile on her face made the atmosphere feel lively.
"Quiet down, little wizards," she said cheerfully. "I know everyone's excited to share class together for the first time, but you'll all have plenty of chances to socialise later."
She gestured toward a large wooden crate in the corner.
"Now then, let's take a look at today's first plant. Everyone step back a little."
Professor Sprout pulled open the lid. Inside the crate sat a dark green plant with dozens of twisting tendrils that swayed constantly like living snakes.
"Can anyone tell me what this is?"
Hermione immediately shot her hand into the air. Before anyone else could react, she was practically bouncing in place.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"It's a Christmas cactus, Professor!"
"Schlumbergera truncata," Professor Sprout corrected with an approving nod. "Very good. Any other answers?"
The greenhouse fell silent.
Professor Sprout looked mildly disappointed before her eyes shifted toward Lucien. There was obvious anticipation in her expression.
"Mr Grindelwald, what do you think?"
Lucien studied the plant carefully for several seconds.
"Long clustered tendrils. Dark green vines. At first glance, it does resemble a Christmas cactus."
Professor Sprout smiled slightly. "So you agree with Miss Granger?"
"No."
Lucien calmly walked toward the nearby window and suddenly yanked the curtains open. Brilliant sunlight poured into the greenhouse, directly illuminating the crate.
The effect was immediate.
The wildly moving tendrils suddenly shrank back violently as though burned. The entire plant curled itself into the darkest corner of the crate, trembling continuously.
"Christmas cacti don't fear sunlight," Lucien said calmly. "Which means this isn't one at all. It's Devil's Snare disguised as one."
Professor Sprout's smile widened instantly.
"Excellent, Mr Grindelwald!"
She looked genuinely delighted.
"For your sharp observation and excellent botanical knowledge, Slytherin earns five points!"
Hermione puffed out her cheeks unhappily at the announcement. Although Ravenclaw still gained points for her answer, she clearly hated losing to Lucien.
"Miss Granger also demonstrated excellent textbook knowledge. Ravenclaw receives three points."
Hermione crossed her arms and leaned against Lucien stubbornly.
"Hmph. Just wait. Next time I definitely won't lose to you."
Professor Sprout waved her wand, drawing the curtains shut once more. Without the harsh sunlight, the Devil's Snare slowly relaxed again, its vines cautiously stretching outward.
"Devil's Snare is a very dangerous magical vine," Professor Sprout explained seriously. "Under certain conditions, it can disguise itself as a harmless Christmas cactus. Mature Devil's Snare can quickly wrap around anything that approaches it."
Her expression grew much more solemn.
"Many people have been injured because they failed to recognise it in time. Some have even died."
The students immediately became far quieter.
"The easiest way to deal with it," she continued, "is exactly what Mr Grindelwald demonstrated earlier. Devil's Snare prefers dark, damp environments. Strong light and fire are both effective counters."
Professor Sprout spent quite a while carefully explaining the plant's characteristics, natural enemies, and methods for handling it safely.
While listening, Lucien noticed Harry staring blankly into space nearby. Judging from his expression, he clearly hadn't absorbed a single word.
Lucien shook his head inwardly.
"They're literally feeding you the answers directly."
Without Hermione helping him in the future, Harry would probably struggle badly in Herbology.
Because Devil's Snare was considered highly dangerous, Professor Sprout personally demonstrated how to restrain it before finally putting the crate away. She then brought out another plant for the class.
Hermione immediately became energetic again. Before Professor Sprout could even finish asking the question, Hermione's hand was already raised so high it nearly touched the ceiling.
Thankfully, this wasn't Snape's classroom.
Otherwise, he would've definitely mocked her enthusiasm with several cold remarks by now.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"That's a Bubotuber, Professor! The pus is excellent for treating acne!"
"Very good answer, Miss Granger!"
Professor Sprout nodded approvingly before immediately turning toward Lucien again.
"And what about this one, Mr Grindelwald?"
"Leaping Toadstool Root, Professor."
"And this one, Miss Granger?"
"White liquorice!"
For the rest of the lesson, the entire greenhouse practically turned into a two-person competition between Hermione and Lucien.
Plant after plant appeared before the class, many of which the other first-years had never even heard of before. Yet both of them answered almost every question smoothly and confidently.
Whenever Professor Sprout called on Hermione, the next question would almost certainly go to Lucien.
Back and forth.
Neither willing to lose.
By the time most of the lesson had passed, even Professor Sprout herself couldn't help laughing warmly.
"If today's lesson had been an exam," she said with a sigh, "I would've happily given both of you Outstanding marks."
....
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