Chapter 69: Gray Eyes
Chapter 69: Gray Eyes
Michael had left.
Vidar turned his head to look at the window pane.
The figure reflected in the glass had a pair of gray eyes. They were neither as deep as black eyes nor as bright as blue ones; they resembled a tranquil lake during autumn and winter, devoid of intense emotions.
Sometimes, those who gazed into those gray eyes would feel an extraordinary chill, prompting them to wonder if the owner's heart was equally cold.
Through the reflection on the glass, one could see a group of students outside the castle, carrying brooms and trudging through the grass back to the castle in the dreary rain. They were covered in mud, their faces unrecognizable, but the smallest figure among them remained particularly conspicuous.
Soon after, a man with a headscarf scurried by, shrinking from the cold.
Not long after, a bat-like figure strode into the castle. The wind billowed the sides of his robe, and even the rain seemed to part around him. His expression was gloomier than the cloudy sky, and students scurried out of his way in fear.
A slight smile curved Vidar's lips.
Harry Potter.
Lord Voldemort.
Severus Snape.
The savior, the Dark Lord, and the former Death Eater, all with conflicting identities and murderous intentions towards each other, coexisted peacefully within the same castle, now as teacher and student, awaiting the moment when the truth would be revealed.
Recalling Michael's expression, as if he had undergone a spiritual baptism, Vidar's lips curled slightly.
He tidied up the desk, organized his recent assignments and notes, and put on his bag to head towards the Astronomy Tower.
"Of course, we should include Harry Potter and even try to help him improve his strength. Otherwise, who will stand against Lord Voldemort if he resurrects—or gains even greater power due to some butterfly effect?"
"Will it be me, still weak and inexperienced? Michael, who spends his days with the girls? Or will it be Dumbledore, cursed and fallen from the tower in the original storyline?"
"Harry Potter, despite his flaws—his recklessness, impulsiveness, and lack of self-discipline, despite his limited repertoire of spells and lack of excellence in subjects other than Defense Against the Dark Arts... he is undeniably the bane of Lord Voldemort's existence."
"Putting aside his infancy, since starting school, Voldemort has suffered defeat at Harry's hands year after year. In their final year, Harry, as if divinely aided, swiftly located all of Voldemort's Horcruxes and ultimately vanquished the Dark Lord, emerging from it virtually unscathed."
"Whether it's the protagonist's halo or the blessings of fate..."
"I currently don't possess the strength to defeat Voldemort, so I won't refuse such an ally."
"Even if one day my power surpasses his, I won't turn Harry Potter away. The world is unpredictable, and he remains a powerful trump card."
Outside the castle, the dreary rain continued, with lightning flashing across the sky, casting erratic shadows through the windows.
...
"What dreadful weather, isn't it?" Professor Mori poured herself a cup of hot tea, then added some milk and sugar before sitting back in her chair contentedly.
"Yes." Vidar held his cup of tea as well, a smile on his face. "But I must admit, this kind of weather makes me want to sleep in. Muggles refer to this consistent, steady sound as 'white noise,' believing that it can block out other frequencies and improve sleep quality."
As Vidar grew closer to Professor Mori, he learned more about the professor's views on Muggles and felt increasingly comfortable discussing Muggle theories and technologies with him.
"White noise..." Professor Mori mused, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "They always come up with such intriguing and bizarre research topics, don't they? I recently came across a research report studying the correlation between the length of one's ring finger and their intelligence."
"But there are also fascinating studies on topics like the interaction between dreams and reality, time travel, and the forms of extraterrestrial life," Vidar added thoughtfully, a hint of longing in his voice. "They are even exploring beyond our planet, and if interstellar travel ever becomes a reality, I would love to be one of the passengers on those journeys."
"I share that wish, but at my age, I doubt I will live to see that day. You, on the other hand, have a good chance if you live long enough—or perhaps you could become another Nicolas Flamel and create a Philosopher's Stone." Professor Mori chuckled.
Vidar smiled at the mention of the famous alchemist. "I read in a book that the Philosopher's Stone can create an elixir of life, granting eternal youth. So, is Mr. Flamel still in his youthful form?"
He recalled the movie depiction of Nicolas Flamel, a walking pale ghost with brittle bones that broke at the slightest touch, and wondered if the man's appearance was any different in this world.
"Well..." Professor Mori hesitated for a moment before answering. "All I can say is that the elixir of life does indeed grant its drinker immunity from death, but the accumulation of six centuries is a formidable force that even magic potions cannot completely counteract."
"In that case, such longevity doesn't seem very appealing," Vidar remarked, tilting his head in thought.
Professor Mori couldn't help but laugh. "Only a vibrant youth like yourself would say that without hesitation. When you're my age, you'll understand. As we approach the end of our lives, the fear of death and the longing for continued existence become very real and powerful emotions."
"Do you feel that way too, Professor Mori?" Vidar asked curiously.
"I am but a mortal, so of course, I do," Professor Mori admitted, cradling her teacup in her hands. "But Albus once said something thought-provoking: 'Death is a great adventure.' No one knows what lies beyond this life. It could be as terrible as the legends claim, or it could be wonderfully beautiful, or perhaps it's just nothingness."
Professor Mori paused, as if lost in her thoughts, then murmured, "So, I fear death, yet I yearn for that day to come. I will continue on my path, curious to discover what lies ahead."
Vidar remained silent, his gaze fixed on the professor.
Professor Mori snapped out of her reverie and smiled at Vidar. "These thoughts are too weighty for someone your age—but speaking of our previous conversation, have you found the answer to my question?"
"Yes." Vidar took a small box out of his pocket and placed it on the table, his tone disapproving. "But Professor, this is too valuable."
"The value of a gift lies not in its monetary worth but in how you choose to use it," Professor Mori said gently, her voice encouraging. "Tell me your thoughts."
Vidar opened the box. "This is a piece of bird-snake skin. Steven told me about these creatures; they can change their size at will, growing as large as a dragon or shrinking small enough to fit into a teapot. They usually feed on insects and rats."
Professor Mori nodded, listening intently. "And?"
Vidar took a deep breath. "It's the perfect material for the Traceless Expansion Charm."
(End of Chapter)
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