Chapter 489: Manipulated
Chapter 489: Manipulated
"It seems that things aren't going well for you, Tom." Dumbledore murmured, his eyes fixed on the silverware in front of him.
"Since you already know that there's something wrong with Professor Quirrell, why don't you get rid of him?" asked the portrait of the large, red-nosed wizard hanging on the wall of the headmaster's office. "I believe he has gone mad, intending to prolong his life with the blood of a unicorn."
"I don't understand what you're trying to do at all," continued the portrait of the old wizard with a goat beard. "This so-called savior is just an eleven-year-old boy in my opinion, and he's too young. Don't you think you're taking a huge risk?"
"There are some things that Harry needs to face alone," Dumbledore replied calmly. "All he needs right now is the courage to stand up and face Voldemort like a true man. It's enough that I've been lucky enough for Voldemort to be in a weakened state when we encountered each other, and it was under my control."
"Albus, I must remind you that the more intricate the plan, the more likely it is to have flaws. And a single mistake could lead to the failure of the entire plan," said Armando, who looked frail.
"Thank you for the reminder, Armando," Dumbledore nodded. "I am well aware of where the flaw in this plan lies, and even more so of the importance of ensuring its success. I will not let that flaw ruin everything we've worked for."
"What is the flaw?" asked Phineas curiously, his goat beard twitching.
"Don't ask, now you've added another flaw to the plan by asking that question!" The red-nosed wizard rushed into Phineas' portrait, trying to silence him with his wand.
"I wasn't going to ask again, but you don't have to hit me." Phineas dodged the swinging wand and continued, "Are you certain that Potter can be the savior you speak of?"
"He will be."
"Are you questioning Dumbledore's judgment?"
"While I don't doubt his judgment, I do question Harry Potter's abilities. We all know how he got the title of 'the boy who lived.' Perhaps it would be more suitable for you to stop Voldemort yourself."
"I am not suitable," said Dumbledore. "Harry is the most suitable candidate."
"I can't see how he is more suitable than you."
"I don't expect you to understand, Phineas."
...
Voldemort was completely unaware that he had already been manipulated.
At that moment, Voldemort was pressuring Quirrell to submit to his will.
The last time, he had forced Quirrell to hunt for a unicorn in the Forbidden Forest, wanting to restore his strength with its blood. Quirrell's incompetence had reached a level that Voldemort could no longer tolerate, and he was eager to rid himself of his weakened body.
But what had this man been doing? Although there was no concrete evidence, Voldemort suspected that Quirrell had deliberately lost track of the unicorn at the last moment. He didn't seem to want to prolong his life with the unicorn's blood, or perhaps Quirrell was afraid and was delaying the inevitable.
However, this was something Voldemort could not tolerate. He would not stand for anyone disobeying his orders! Quirrell's will was as fragile as a biscuit, and with just a slight punishment, he submitted to Voldemort's will once more, the dark magic squeezing out what little life force Quirrell had left.
He had no other choice but to succeed; otherwise, death awaited him.
On Friday evening, Quirrell sneaked into the Forbidden Forest.
After a long search, he finally found a unicorn again.
Using the curse taught to him by Voldemort, Quirrell ambushed his prey. However, the unicorn managed to escape, and it took Quirrell a long time to injure it. He knew that he wouldn't be able to kill the unicorn quickly.
He had no choice but to let the unicorn run wild, draining its last bit of strength before making his move.
This was the most effective method he knew.
To prevent himself from being exposed, Quirrell wrapped himself tightly in his cloak.
He spent an entire day in the Forbidden Forest, searching for the injured unicorn and driving it into a corner.
During this time, he encountered the centaurs, who chased him with their bows and arrows, and Hagrid, who had noticed the disturbance and was tracking the injured unicorn.
Quirrell was exhausted, having gone a long time without food, and he could barely stand.
But he didn't want to die, so he persevered with the help of magic.
Finally, not long after the unicorn fell, Quirrell knew he had won.
Late into the night, an exhausted Quirrell, with the help of Voldemort's magic, roamed the Forbidden Forest like a wild animal. He slowly approached the unicorn, crouching down to drink the silver-white blood flowing from its wound.
As his lips touched the unicorn's blood, Quirrell felt his soul tremble. His body didn't change, but he could sense that he had become something slightly different than before.
Was this what it felt like to have a cursed life?
Suddenly, he heard a scream, and he knew someone had discovered him and was running away in fear.
Quirrell lifted his head, letting the silver-white blood drip from his lips onto his cloak. He looked deeply into Harry's eyes, feeling surprised.
Quirrell never imagined that he would encounter the famous Harry Potter here.
This savior was a nuisance, and perhaps he should take care of him now.
Yes, now was a good opportunity.
There was no better place than this.
Quirrell struggled to his feet and slowly approached Harry, taking pleasure in the fact that the savior was trembling in fear.
The renowned Harry Potter was about to die by his hand, something even the Dark Lord hadn't achieved. How would he reward Quirrell for removing this thorn in his side?
As Quirrell raised his wand, the sound of hoofbeats echoed in the distance, and a centaur stood between him and Potter, its front leg raised, ready to stomp Quirrell into a bloody mess.
Quirrell scrambled to escape the centaur's hoof, knowing all too well how these creatures operated. More centaurs would be arriving soon.
Although Quirrell wanted nothing more than to kill this centaur and Harry Potter instantly, he was too weak to fight, especially against multiple centaurs. He might get injured, and that would not be worth it.
Using the cover of the night, Quirrell retreated, content that he had achieved his goal.
He would let Harry Potter live for now and find another opportunity to take his life later.
(End of Chapter) As for the "flaw" mentioned by Dumbledore, it could be the reliance on Harry's courage and ability to face Voldemort alone, or it might be something yet to be revealed in the following chapters.
Chapter end
Report
