The schemes of the city run deep… I want to go back to the countryside…
That was the only thought in Allen's mind at the moment, everyone here was too good at playing their own games, and at this rate, he was definitely going to lose.
At the beginning of the school year, Dumbledore had specifically warned every student: do not approach that door.
Then, on Halloween, Professor Quirrell, assisted by Tom Riddle, went as far as releasing a fully-grown mountain troll into Hogwarts just so they could create chaos and slip toward that very door. Although the troll had been handled by Annie Lissor, that didn't stop Quirrell from sneaking into the room during the commotion.
Meanwhile, Professor Snape, determined to protect Harry no matter the cost, personally broke into the same forbidden area. Cerberus, Fluffy, happily got himself an extra meal because of it.
However, no one knew the truth,
Behind that door… there was nothing.
Whoever managed to fight through all the obstacles, dangers, puzzles, and traps, prepared themselves to face the final boss, only to be met with a gentle system prompt:
Dear player, we're terribly sorry, but you have arrived too early.
The final boss is still in the growth stage.
Please wait patiently…
It was the same feeling as completing your graduation gear, ready to march into the final dungeon, right before a blue system notification pops up:
Network connection lost.
There are only two options left:
Either you strangle your dog, or you beat the scarf-wearing mascot yelling "Do you want to recharge your coins?"
But Allen wasn't planning to act just yet, knowing the main storyline, he fully intended to let Voldemort take responsibility for this mess.
That didn't stop him from being afraid, though, because when Dumbledore starts scheming, even his own allies suffer.
Think about it: the man trusted Snape enough to place his life in Snape's hands. How many people in the world ever receive that kind of trust?
And yet, even someone trusted to that degree still was not given full confidence regarding the Philosopher's Stone. If Allen's guess was right, the stone was most likely on Dumbledore's person right now.
Play what, exactly…
And Allen also needed the Philosopher's Stone.
Maybe they could make a deal?
Dear Headmaster… how about you give me the stone… and I'll save the world?
…No. Never mind.
You can keep your grand plan.
I will respectfully run away now.
Allen suddenly remembered that Dumbledore had even sacrificed himself for his plans. Joining that man's script was utterly life-threatening.
No more pointless thinking.
While Allen was mentally spiraling, Harry, who had noticed nothing at all, once again stood before the mirror.
"Allen, come here! Look, this is my family!" Harry's face was filled with happiness, as if he wanted to announce it to the world.
Unfortunately… it was false.
When Harry tried to pull Allen closer, he realized he could no longer see his parents, and at the same moment, Allen saw his own family and friends from his past life, instead of the scene he expected, himself holding the Philosopher's Stone and getting rich.
It was an incredibly warm scene.
But… it was fake.
After one last lingering look, Allen turned away. Getting lost in illusions was never a good thing.
Harry, however, leaned back in eagerly, ready to sink into those warm memories again.
Allen had originally wanted to stop him, but after thinking for a moment, he gave up. Dumbledore would remove this mirror soon anyway. Let Harry enjoy this fragile happiness a bit longer.
After a long time, Harry finally remembered that someone else was in the room. Embarrassed, he scratched his head:
"Sorry, Allen… I just couldn't help wanting to stay with them a little longer. Did you see them? My parents?"
"No." Allen shook his head. "I didn't see your family. I only saw something that… interests me."
"Oh? What was it?" Harry asked curiously.
But Allen didn't respond.
Instead, he quickly drew his wand.
"Stupefy!"
With the shout, a red spell shot out from the tip.
But it didn't hit anyone, it only smashed an old chair stacked in the corner into splinters.
"Allen, what are you doing?!" Harry whispered in panic. A noise like that could bring a teacher, or Filch. Harry didn't care about house points right now, he was terrified that the mirror would be locked away somewhere he could never find it again.
"Get down. Stay behind me." Allen's voice carried the tone of an order.
He had just realized something was wrong.
After all, Quirrell was somewhere in this castle.
"Fiendfyre!"
A massive burst of flame roared from Allen's wand. With a crisp snap of his fingers, the flames exploded outward.
Harry, crouching, felt his hair burning, as if the heat had singed it.
But still, nothing appeared.
So, under Harry's stunned gaze, Allen flung out a handful of seeds. As the seeds scattered, countless plants burst from the ground, weaving themselves into a massive net that wrapped around the entire room, and then snapped tight.
The instant the net tightened, the plants bloomed and produced fruit, which exploded, spraying thousands of needle-like seeds into every corner of the room, sealing every possible hiding place.
Even a mouse couldn't have escaped that trap.
Only after finishing all of that did Allen exhale, finally turning back to Harry:
"This place is no longer safe.
We're leaving. Now."
Harry wanted to complain that nothing had happened, Allen had just cast a storm of magic for no reason, but the walls covered in deep, honeycomb-like crater marks left him speechless.
This was the first time Harry had seen such overwhelming offensive magic.
"Listen carefully, Harry," Allen said quietly. "You need to stay away from that mirror. I know being with your family felt wonderful, but it's an illusion. We have to live in the real world. And tonight… there was someone else here. I don't know if they were coming for you."
"You're joking. This is Hogwarts, Hagrid told me the two safest places in all of Europe are Gringotts and Hogwarts!"
Harry tried to argue, but suddenly remembered…
Gringotts was broken into.
The very reason he wanted to grow stronger.
Then, another thought struck him, someone who was powerful, cunning… and very possibly had intentions toward him.
Meanwhile, in the staff lounge,
Professor Snape let out an enormous sneeze, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
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