Chapter 133: An Invitation
Chapter 133: An Invitation
A message came through the Wizarding Wireless Network, and Theo opened the Vanishing Cabinet to reveal a sweaty Victor, his hair sticking to his forehead, looking exceptionally exhausted.
"What happened?" Theo reached out to support him. "You look like you've been wrestling with a dragon."
"Honestly, I'd rather face a dragon," Victor said.
Legilimency seemed like a magic related to consciousness or the mind, but while resisting it, Victor felt every muscle in his body straining.
By the time the practice was over, every part of him was sore.
Theo asked in astonishment, "Can you already take on a dragon?"
"No, I mean...if it were a dragon, I'd definitely run away as fast as I could."
Victor sighed, "But this crime...I brought it upon myself."
The two boys packed up their things to leave, and Victor happened to glance at the parchment Theo used for recording.
Now that the Vanishing Cabinet had been thoroughly improved, they had, of course, conducted experiments, and each one had been successful.
Even though this time, the experimental results didn't need to be compared and analyzed, Theo still recorded them in detail and didn't seem ready to throw them away.
It was just like how he performed in Potions class.
Even though Theo was not skilled in Potions, his carefulness and seriousness were unmatched.
After over a year, Victor had come to know his friends quite well.
Michael was quick-witted and considerate. He seemed frivolous, but he was actually shrewd and far-sighted.
Many times, Victor felt that Michael was actually very intelligent; he just rarely showed it.
Ryan didn't talk much, but he always paid attention to everyone and quietly solved problems without boasting.
For example, whenever the targets in the Umbrella Stand were broken or when the little crab malfunctioned, it was always Ryan who quietly fixed them.
Michael's words echoed in Victor's mind.
"Theo."
As they were leaving, Victor said, "Starting tomorrow, let's learn the Stunning Spell."
"Okay." Theo smiled. "Finally, we're learning a new spell. Everyone has already learned the Ironskin and Disarming Charms, and we've been looking forward to learning some more powerful spells."
"Knowing a spell is not the same as being proficient in it. However, mastering these three spells is enough to be considered a combat-ready wizard."
Victor hesitated for a moment and said, "If we can successfully learn the Stunning Spell by next Friday, then you and I, along with Michael and Ryan, the four of us will hold a...well, a club activity on Saturday."
Theo asked in surprise, "Just the four of us?"
"Yes, only the four of us."
Victor affirmed, then added, "The activity may not be considered a good thing...If you don't want to participate, you can opt-out."
"...I understand."
Theo's expression turned serious as he sensed Victor's hesitation.
—He wanted them to accompany him, but at the same time, he wanted to keep them out of it.
Theo laughed lightly, "No matter what those two say, I'm definitely going...Will there be danger?"
"The danger isn't now," Victor said. "It's in the future...and it's related to that guy whose name must not be mentioned."
Theo was startled, "The mystery man...has he infiltrated the school again?"
"Not exactly," Victor said. "If things go well, maybe we won't have to do anything."
"You've really piqued my curiosity...Can't you give me more details?"
"Some secrets can't be spoken aloud, neither now...nor in the future..."
...
When Victor returned to his dormitory, he saw a whole coconut on the table and couldn't help but laugh.
Coconut water was sweet and refreshing, and it was packed with nutrients. Zoe and the others probably thought he needed a quick nutritional boost.
After drinking, washing up, and getting some rest, exhaustion pulled him into a deep slumber.
In the following days, the SSC began learning the Stunning Spell. Theo and the others worked especially hard, and Harry always stayed until the very last moment before leaving.
However, the reason he lingered was to ensure he wouldn't bump into Gilderoy Lockhart and Colin Creevey.
The new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, always unilaterally assumed that Harry craved attention just like him, and every word he uttered made Harry cringe with embarrassment.
As for Colin Creevey, he "coincidentally" ran into Harry several times a day and always wanted to take his picture. This kind of adulation verged on stalking and made Harry extremely uncomfortable.
As a result, Harry spent most of his time in the umbrella stand, seeking some peace and quiet.
Michael asked privately, "Aren't you going to call Harry? You know, he...well...reduced the Dark Lord to ashes with ease."
"No need," Victor replied. "Even if he is the boy who lived, frequent contact with that guy isn't a good thing."
Victor skirted around the issue and then suggested, "If you're afraid to say that name, how about giving him a code name?"
"A code name?"
"How about Tom?" Victor asked.
"Tom? As in Tom the owner of the Leaky Cauldron?"
Michael's eyes lit up as he said, "You mean the Muggle cartoon, Tom and Jerry? I've secretly watched some of it..."
He further elaborated on his train of thought.
"That guy is like Tom; although he's strong, he always gets outwitted by the little mouse. And we're like Jerry...or rather, Jerry?"
Michael hesitated slightly.
As a Ravenclaw, he didn't quite identify with being a little mouse.
But then he thought of Voldemort, who was essentially a failed blue-skinned cat, and Michael felt that the comparison to Jerry the mouse wasn't so bad after all.
He superimposed the terrifying image of the Dark Lord onto Tom the cat and chuckled as he imagined the scenario.
Victor also smiled.
From the beginning, he had excluded Harry from this plan.
After all, this time, they were dealing with a Horcrux and not Voldemort himself.
It was something that could be quietly taken care of.
If Harry were involved, a resurrected Voldemort might glean this information from Harry's mind, unnecessarily endangering everyone.
He just wanted his friends to know what he was up to and provide some help if needed, not lead them into danger.
...
A week passed in a flash. On Monday and Wednesday, Victor was once again confined by Professor Sprout, this time for two hours each day.
The confinement was actually a punishment for breaking school rules, not a reward.
So, for the latter confinements, Professor Sprout spent one hour imparting knowledge and the other hour assigning menial tasks.
Fertilizing, transplanting, pest control, pollination...
By the end of each confinement, Victor was both enriched and exhausted, his back sore and his arms aching.
On his way back to the castle, he overheard Malfoy's voice: "I'm not a servant! If my father finds out you dared to make me do this, he'll have you kicked out of school!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
