Translated Chapter
364. The Unexpected and the Necessary
At the same moment the news broke, he only felt a strange, fluttering unease—like a sudden chill that swept through him from the moment he first stepped beyond the school gates, the kind of unease that had clung to him ever since he’d begun his own journey.
But what did it mean—
When he and Quirrell were only a single step apart, was it really still possible that there was only one little girl left?
Quirrell said nothing. He continued to stare, his expression unreadable.
"Many years ago," he began slowly, "when I was still young and barely more than a child myself, I once walked through the halls of this very school. I remember the way the shadows fell across the stone floors, the way the torchlight flickered on the ancient walls. I watched the students—so many of them, all so full of promise. I felt a kinship with them, a kind of shared purpose."
"Then I began to notice the ones who stood out—the ones who were always watching, always listening, always searching. They were like moths drawn to the flame. And I thought—if I could guide them, if I could help them understand..."
"Like you?" Quirrell asked softly.
"Exactly," said the voice. "You’ve always been aware of the ones who are different. You’ve always looked for them. And when they were caught off guard, when they showed fear, you were the one who stepped in to protect them."
"Are you... saying I'm one of them?"
"No," Quirrell replied. "But you are the one who notices. You’re the one who sees them before anyone else does."
"Then... you’re saying I’m like you?"
"No. I’m not saying that. I’m just saying that I noticed you. That I saw you early on."
"Did you ever tell anyone?"
Quirrell gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I didn’t need to. The moment I saw you, I knew. And I’ve watched you ever since."
Quirrell tilted his head slightly, studying him. "You still don’t understand, do you? It’s not about being chosen. It’s about being seen."
He paused, then added, "When I first saw you, I felt something—like a spark in the dark. Like a signal. And I knew that if anything ever went wrong, you’d be the first to notice."
Quirrell’s eyes flickered, as if searching for something in the air. "I’ve watched you. I’ve seen you grow. And in every moment—every time you’ve stood by someone, every time you’ve protected a fellow student—I’ve been there. Watching. Waiting."
Quirrell took a breath. "Even now, when the danger is real, when the shadows grow long, you’re still the one who steps forward."
Quirrell’s voice dropped, almost a whisper. "And if I ever needed a student to stand beside me... it would be you."
The silence stretched.
Quirrell looked at him, his gaze unwavering. "Do you understand now?"
The girl—her eyes wide, her breath shallow—could only nod.
Quirrell reached out, gently touching her shoulder. "It’s not just about being brave. It’s about seeing. Seeing what others don’t. And when you do... you become part of something greater."
She swallowed hard. "But... what if I’m not strong enough?"
Quirrell smiled. "Strength isn’t about power. It’s about choice. It’s about standing up when others fall. It’s about doing what’s right—even when it’s hard."
He stepped back. "And if you ever doubt yourself... remember this. You’re not alone. I’m here. And so are the ones who see you."
She looked down at her hands, then back up at him. "I… I don’t know what to say."
Quirrell’s expression softened. "You don’t have to say anything. Just know that you matter. That you’ve always mattered."
And then, as if the moment had passed, he turned and walked away—leaving her standing there, heart pounding, mind racing.
The air felt heavier now. The walls seemed darker.
She looked up at the ceiling, at the faint glimmer of stars beyond the glass.
Could it be true?
Could she really be the one?
But then—
No. It wasn’t about being chosen.
It was about being seen.
And if that was the case…
Then she wasn’t the only one who’d noticed.
Quirrell hadn’t just watched her.
He’d chosen her.
And that thought—quiet, terrifying, exhilarating—filled her chest like a flame.
She took a deep breath.
She wasn’t afraid anymore.
Not really.
She turned toward the door.
The path ahead was uncertain.
But for the first time, she wasn’t walking it alone.
(End of Chapter)
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