Chapter 310: There's Always a Troublemaker Trying to Harm Me
Chapter 310: There's Always a Troublemaker Trying to Harm Me
Albert rubbed his cheeks, feigning that nothing had happened earlier, and continued towards the Gryffindor common room. He planned to return to his dormitory to prepare, sensing that something significant was about to happen.
"I thought you went on a date. Didn't expect you back so soon. Did she dump you already?" George heard the commotion at the entrance of the common room and turned to see Albert crawling in. He couldn't resist teasing him.
"Just came back to get something," Albert replied casually.
"Want some toffee? Fred offered, popping a piece into his mouth and holding out the open Easter egg, which belonged to Percy, towards Albert.
"No, see you later," Albert said as he started towards the stairs but suddenly stopped and turned to his roommates. "Can I borrow someone's wand?"
"Don't you have your own wand?" Fred asked, puzzled. Although he didn't know what Albert needed it for, he pulled out his wand and handed it to Albert.
"I temporarily lent my wand to some unlucky guy, but I'll get it back soon," Albert explained as he took Fred's wand and waved it gently, conjuring a flower out of thin air. He didn't feel very comfortable using it, so he turned to Lee Jordan beside him.
"Here, use mine!" Lee Jordan reluctantly handed over his wand.
"Don't be stingy. If I break it, I'll buy you a new one from Ollivanders," Albert said, waving the wand in his hand. It didn't feel as good as his own wand, but it was much better than Fred's.
"No, I quite like this wand," Lee Jordan muttered. "What do you need a wand for anyway?"
"Didn't George just say it? I'm going on a date!" Albert smiled and pocketed the wand as he turned back towards the stairs leading to the dormitory.
"His smile is kind of creepy," Lee Jordan muttered. "Whenever I see Albert with that smile, I know someone's in for some bad luck."
"I feel like he's up to something. Should we follow him secretly?" George felt an urge to stir up some trouble.
"If you want to go, go by yourself. If he's really on a date, you'll just get beaten up," Fred shook his head.
"And you believe that crap?" George rolled his eyes.
"Who knows?" Lee Jordan recalled Albert's smile and immediately shook his head. "Anyway, I'm not going."
At that moment, Albert had already removed the curse from the cabinet and taken out the treasure map of the Gryffindor secret treasure that he had obtained last semester from the drawer.
Then, he took out the remaining Felix Felicis from his chamameleon-skin bag and sipped a tiny bit, measuring it carefully.
This was Albert's third time using Felix Felicis. There was only enough left in the bottle for one more drink.
However, as long as he could get this matter settled, it wouldn't matter if he drank the rest of the potion.
Albert closed his eyes to feel the changes the potion brought to his body and began to organize the items he might need while checking for new tasks on the task panel.
Unforgivable.
A wizard has secretly used the Unforgivable Curse, the Imperius Curse, on you. You must make them understand why these dark arts are called Unforgivable Curses.
Reward: 1500 experience, learn the Imperius Curse skill.
As Firm as a Rock.
Rowena Smith, a profound wizard, attempted to control you with the Imperius Curse. Break free from their control and let them know that your will is as firm as a rock and cannot be manipulated by such a curse.
Reward: 1000 experience, +1 resistance to the Imperius Curse.
Comrades in Adversity.
Your friend has also fallen under the control of the Imperius Curse. Since you've managed to break free first, lend them a helping hand and help them escape their predicament.
Reward: 500 experience, Katrina Favor +20, Isabelle Favor +20.
A Misguided Decision.
Rowena Smith has secretly used the Cruciatus Curse on you, baring her fangs. As someone who holds a grudge, you should thwart her plans, break her fangs, and let her know that targeting you was a misguided decision.
Reward: 3000 experience, randomly obtain one of Rowena Smith's skills.
Together with the previous "Ulterior Motives" quest, there are now a total of five quests related to Smith.
"This is definitely going to be a lucrative endeavor," Albert muttered as he casually claimed the reward for the 'As Firm as a Rock' task. He then took out the contents of his chameleon-skin bag once more, rearranged them, and placed them within easy reach. He also cast an 'Undetectable Extension Charm' on his robe pockets to avoid any telltale bulges that Rowena Smith might notice.
After all, carrying a wand in his pocket was a bit too obvious.
"Right, and there's also the big gun I prepared earlier."
Albert took out the 'Hag's Scream' potion, a surefire way to take down Rowena Smith if she was caught off guard.
Taking people by surprise was always the most effective strategy. Just like earlier when he had entered the Dark Magic Defense office, he had been caught off guard and controlled by the Cruciatus Curse.
Albert held the Gryffindor secret treasure map in his hand and was about to head to the Dark Magic Defense office when he suddenly paused and scratched the back of his head. His gaze fell on Fred's cabinet, and after a moment, he took out the Live-Action Map and scanned it, looking for two familiar names. Spotting them near the edge of the forest, he muttered, "So it wasn't my imagination earlier. This is going according to plan."
"Now, let's play a little game and see who comes out on top!" Albert tucked the map back into his pocket and made his way to the Dark Magic Defense office.
Upon entering, Albert noticed that Katrina was nowhere to be seen, and only Smith remained, sitting alone at the desk, seemingly preoccupied with something.
Albert approached and handed the treasure map to Smith. However, the man cast the Cruciatus Curse on him again, seemingly worried that Albert might break free from his control.
This time, however, Albert was prepared. The task reward he had just received proved invaluable, and his resistance to the Cruciatus Curse was now far stronger than it had been before.
The curse only caused a momentary daze before his mind cleared once more.
When Smith instructed Albert to hand over his magical items, he promptly removed the protective bracelet from his wrist and placed it on the table.
"Indeed, you are the favored candidate they've chosen," Rowena Smith remarked as he picked up the bracelet and examined it. "But it ends here."
As he spoke, he picked up a letter from the desk and handed it to Albert, instructing him to deliver it to Isabelle.
There was no doubt that Rowena Smith intended to take them both out.
"So it really is because of the candidate position?"
Albert muttered to himself as he left the Dark Magic Defense office.
He decided to head to the library, figuring that Isabelle would likely be there, just like poor Percy, burdened with loads of homework.
As for what Rowena Smith was up to, Albert thought he had figured it out: he intended to have them die in the Forbidden Forest and had even prepared an excuse.
The plan, as Albert understood it, was to have them venture into the forest in search of the Gryffindor secret treasure, only to meet an unfortunate end.
As for the secret treasure of Gryffindor, Rowena Smith might very well be interested in getting his hands on it, just like he had with the Ravenclaw secret treasure. (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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