After breakfast, Ethan headed straight for Quirrell's office.
The garlic smell hit him before he even opened the door.
Stronger than ever.
Voldemort's influence over Quirrell's body was clearly deepening rapidly.
[Soul Strength: 5 (Incomplete) / 25]
[Soul Strength: 40 + 10]
Voldemort had already drained twenty points from Quirrell's soul.
Yet the Dark Lord himself only temporarily gained around ten.
Once Voldemort eventually left Quirrell's body, that extra strength would disappear anyway.
Honestly, Ethan was not very worried.
"Mr Norton—come in, come in…"
Quirrell hurried Ethan inside while nervously checking the corridor repeatedly before shutting the door.
Then came the usual locking charms and soundproofing spells.
"Ethan…" Quirrell whispered pale-faced. "The Dark Lord urgently requires the Philosopher's Stone now. We must accelerate the plan…"
Teammates spectating after dying first always pressured surviving players aggressively.
Completely understandable.
"Then go steal it already," Ethan replied lazily. "You've been talking about this for half a year."
"The three-headed dog from Halloween—"
"It belongs to Hagrid," Quirrell interrupted quickly. "A protective measure. But I already know how to deal with it."
Naturally.
Cerberus-like creatures were almost impossible to kill directly through ordinary magic, which was why ancient wizards considered them guardians from hell itself.
And their only real weakness—
Was music.
Ethan already knew that.
Before he could say anything further, however, Quirrell reached beneath the desk and produced a massive black egg.
"…You told me dragons weren't allowed inside Hogwarts," Ethan said flatly. "Yet somehow you brought one into the castle yourself."
"This is bait for Hagrid," Quirrell explained hurriedly. "Dragon eggs can still be purchased through the black market. Adult dragons are… more difficult to transport."
"Can you get me some too?"
Quirrell blinked.
"What?"
"Dragon eggs."
Ethan sounded completely serious.
"I want to test some magical theories. Capturing live humans attracts Dumbledore's attention too easily, but magical creatures are different."
His eyes brightened slightly.
"I've been considering chained Killing Curse combinations recently. Dragons are naturally resistant to magic, so they'd make excellent test subjects."
Quirrell stared at him in horror.
"Dragon eggs are expensive," he said weakly. "I already spent nearly all my savings. Smugglers charge insane prices…"
"…Fine."
Ethan looked genuinely disappointed.
"Then hurry things along. I'd prefer finishing this operation before final exams start. I don't want my grades affected."
"The Dark Lord assumed," Quirrell said slowly, "that after succeeding… you would continue studying Dark Magic under him…"
"Knowledge and qualifications are different things," Ethan explained patiently.
"You're still trapped in purely academic thinking."
He leaned back casually in his chair.
"What I need isn't just knowledge. It's influence."
Quirrell frowned uncertainly.
Ethan continued calmly.
"You need proper educational records to enter the Ministry of Magic legitimately."
"Then you slowly climb upward using selective Imperius manipulation, strategic assassinations, and political influence."
"A peaceful coup."
Quirrell's expression froze.
"I already studied both generations of Dark Lords," Ethan continued thoughtfully. "Their biggest mistake was excessive brutality."
"People prefer gentler change."
"Once I control the Ministry, I'll spend several years escalating tensions between Muggles and wizards gradually until society destabilises naturally—"
Quirrell looked completely stunned.
Even Voldemort himself remained silent briefly beneath the turban.
Finally, the Dark Lord's cold voice slithered into the room.
"…An interesting plan."
Voldemort sounded thoughtful now rather than dismissive.
"Though your strategy still contains flaws. Detecting dark wizards involves more than behavioural observation alone…"
"Oh?"
Ethan raised one eyebrow.
Then calmly pulled out his wand.
"Expecto Patronum."
Silver-white smoke erupted violently from the wand tip.
Quirrell physically recoiled.
"How is that possible?!"
His voice rose several octaves instantly.
The Patronus lacked form.
But it undeniably existed.
And that made no sense.
Ethan had cast Dark Magic repeatedly over the past six months.
The amount of dead animals sacrificed inside this office alone could probably carpet the entire Great Hall.
Yet he could still cast a Patronus?
"Magic's fascinating, isn't it?" Ethan replied pleasantly.
"But you… you aren't…"
Quirrell suddenly remembered Burke Manor.
The experiment.
The fusion project.
"I visited the manor recently," Ethan explained calmly. "There were complications, but I mostly figured out what happened there."
"Apparently certain unusual creatures were involved."
Quirrell immediately began mentally recalculating Ethan's entire political plan under one terrifying assumption:
What if Ethan genuinely could disguise himself perfectly as an ordinary wizard?
How exactly would the Ministry ever expose him?
How could they prove Ethan Norton was secretly an experimental Dark creature?
What kind of insane Dementor could cast a Patronus Charm?
Most Ministry employees could not even manage basic Patronuses themselves.
The office fell silent.
Finally Ethan lowered his wand slightly.
"So if either of you eventually interferes with my plans," he said mildly, "I won't hesitate to fake betrayal to protect my identity."
Then he smiled.
"But we're allies right now. We share the same goals."
Naturally, Ethan referred mainly to social chaos and political power.
"Of course…" Voldemort hissed softly. "There will be many opportunities for future cooperation…"
For now, the Dark Lord clearly accepted Ethan's conditions.
Good.
"So," Ethan continued casually, "how exactly are you planning to approach Hagrid?"
"You obviously can't wander up to him personally selling illegal dragon eggs in your current appearance."
"Perhaps the Three Broomsticks?" Quirrell suggested uncertainly. "He drinks there frequently…"
Ethan stared at him.
"You're planning illegal black market dragon dealing in the Three Broomsticks."
"…Yes?"
"…Why?"
Quirrell looked confused.
"At least use the Hog's Head," Ethan sighed. "Nobody asks questions there."
Then his eyes brightened slightly.
"Actually, I have a better idea."
Quirrell listened carefully.
"I'll tell Hagrid I want Butterbeer from the Hog's Head Inn."
"You wait there."
"When Hagrid arrives, challenge him to cards or something similarly stupid."
"And conveniently wager a dragon egg."
Quirrell blinked slowly.
"…That might actually work."
"Of course it'll work," Ethan replied confidently. "Hagrid physically cannot resist dangerous magical creatures."
Then Quirrell frowned again.
"But why would Hagrid buy Butterbeer for you specifically?"
"Because relationships matter."
Ethan waved dismissively.
"I didn't spend half the year wandering around Hogwarts for exercise."
"These are social connections."
"The future of wizarding Britain begins at Hogwarts."
Besides—
Ethan genuinely possessed something Hagrid could never resist seeing.
A creature unlike anything else in the world.
A black Nightmare Unicorn.
As far as Ethan knew, Hagrid was probably the only person in Hogwarts who would react with fascination instead of terror upon seeing Ali.
And once Hagrid saw her—
There was absolutely no chance he would refuse even the smallest request.
For example—
Buying Butterbeer for a mysterious magical creature at the Hog's Head Inn.
....
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