While Theodore secluded himself to study the Wuzhuang Temple Grand Array and Voldemort sank into slumber to research Hogwarts' protective magic, Hogwarts finally enjoyed a rare week of peace.
But on this day, in a hidden corner of the Forbidden Forest, wild laughter suddenly rang out.
"I did it!"
"I, Quirrell, succeeded!"
"I really am a genius!"
The one laughing madly was, of course, Quirrell.
After obtaining several powerful spells from Voldemort, including Dark Magic Transformation, Quirrell immediately began researching them with fanatical obsession.
And he was indeed worthy of being a former Ravenclaw academic genius, a brilliant wizard who had achieved Outstanding in every O.W.L. subject.
Combined with his increasingly twisted soul, he was like a fish in water when it came to dark magic.
In just one short week, Quirrell had mastered all the dark spells Voldemort had given him.
Even the riskiest Dark Magic Transformation had been completed today.
He had successfully transformed his own body through dark magic.
Although he looked unchanged on the outside, still appearing to be an ordinary wizard, the bloodline concentration in Quirrell's body had actually increased greatly under the effects of Dark Magic Transformation.
This raised the strength of his magic to a level he had never dared imagine before.
Quirrell gasped heavily, gradually calming down from the ecstasy of his sudden increase in strength.
At this moment, he even felt a little inflated.
"I, Quirrell, am no longer what I used to be. Even if I meet Theodore again, victory or defeat will…"
A moment later, the image of Theodore beating Voldemort up in the Forbidden Forest surfaced in his mind, and Quirrell's swelling confidence instantly deflated by more than half.
"Forget it. A monster like Theodore shouldn't even exist in this era."
"Even Master can't do anything to him, let alone me."
"But…"
Thinking of Voldemort's orders, and also driven by his own desire to teach Theodore a painful lesson, Quirrell narrowed his eyes.
"Hermione Granger. I'll start with you first."
"With my current dark magic ability, using the Imperius Curse should be enough to completely control that little witch."
"When the time comes, maybe I'll have her try to ambush Theodore?"
A malicious smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, and Quirrell hurried back to Hogwarts Castle.
Attack Hermione Granger inside the castle?
The thought only flashed through his mind for an instant before he rejected it.
That would be far too stupid. The possibility of something going wrong was too high. Even if he was walking deeper and deeper down the path of dark magic, he was not so deranged as to lose all reason.
Besides, what was his identity?
Defense Against the Dark Arts professor!
With this identity, and with so many incidents happening at Hogwarts recently, wasn't it perfectly normal for him to propose giving individual guidance to some students?
A private one-on-one lesson in an empty classroom—who would know if he used the Imperius Curse or some curse magic?
This was the reasonable and logical way to tamper with someone Theodore cared about.
Thinking of this, Quirrell's smile became even stranger.
Even his usual timid aura now turned gloomy.
Harry noticed this during Defense Against the Dark Arts class that day.
He looked suspicious and whispered to Ron and Hermione.
"Don't you think Professor Quirrell is acting strange today?"
"Why does he look kind of gloomy, like a bad guy?"
Ron hesitated.
"Maybe…"
"A little?"
"But that's normal, isn't it? Maybe he's just in a bad mood today."
"And Professor Quirrell really has been unlucky lately."
At this, although Harry was still suspicious, he could not help feeling a little sympathy.
That was true. Just this year alone, Professor Quirrell had been struck by lightning who knew how many times.
There had also been the Quidditch match, where Bludgers inexplicably attacked him nonstop.
He really was too unlucky.
Hermione, however, did not think too much about it. She focused entirely on taking notes.
Now that she had begun learning the path of immortality from Theodore, and Theodore had also taught them the Celestial Master Method he obtained from Filch, Harry, Hermione, and the others could all use rituals to temporarily obtain magical power far beyond their own.
In terms of strength, Hermione's power from cultivation had long surpassed ordinary magic.
Let alone a Defense Against the Dark Arts class aimed at first-year students—the things taught here were basically useless to Hermione now.
But Hermione's long-standing habit was to focus completely during class and strive to achieve full marks in every exam she took.
Therefore, even after beginning cultivation, she did not fall behind in her magic lessons at all.
Fortunately, ever since she could sense spiritual energy, her stamina and energy had grown much stronger. Even fighting on two fronts, she remained full of spirit.
Time passed by, and soon, the Defense Against the Dark Arts class was about to end.
At that moment, Quirrell raised the corners of his mouth and announced something.
"Students, since the school will soon host an unprecedented Quidditch friendly match, many outsiders will enter the school then."
"To help you better protect yourselves and avoid accidents, I have decided that starting today, I will provide private Defense Against the Dark Arts guidance after class."
"Always remember: knowledge learned from textbooks is only useful during exams. If you want it to be useful in reality, you must undergo special practical training."
Hearing Quirrell's words, the young wizards' eyes lit up.
Compared with boring textbook knowledge, they were obviously much more interested in practical combat.
Quirrell's proposal hit exactly the point they cared about.
The young wizards, who should have been rushing out the moment the bell rang, now looked at Quirrell with longing.
A hidden smugness flashed through Quirrell's eyes.
He had also been a Hogwarts student. How could he not understand first-years' interests?
Especially Gryffindors. They were even easier to understand. They would definitely be interested.
Now he could use this chance to pick Hermione Granger first, and no one would suspect anything.
Quirrell took out a sign-up sheet.
"All right. Students who want private guidance can sign here. I will arrange time for you individually."
"But my time is limited, so there will not be many spots. Those interested had better seize the chance."
As he spoke, Quirrell walked slowly through the classroom with the sign-up sheet. Finally, as though nothing were unusual, he stopped beside Hermione and placed it on her desk.
"Pass it down one by one. If you're interested, sign up. If not, pass it to the person behind you."
According to Quirrell's understanding of Hermione, this little witch was practically a Ravenclaw who had been sorted into Gryffindor by mistake.
How could she possibly refuse something like this?
And as for Harry and Ron beside her, there was no need to mention them.
When had Gryffindor students ever refused a chance for practical combat?
But the next moment, something happened that froze Quirrell's expression.
After thinking for a moment, Hermione decisively passed the sign-up sheet to Ron and Harry.
They also looked uninterested and passed it backward.
Instead, the young wizards behind them eagerly began signing their names.
Quirrell froze.
No?
Why was the plan different from what he imagined?
Why didn't Hermione Granger sign?!
Are you even a real top student?!
In truth, Hermione did feel a little regretful. She was not against practical training.
But now, she had homework and cultivation. Although her body could handle it, there were only twenty-four hours in a day. She really could not fit in practical lessons.
As for Harry and Ron, before they came into contact with cultivation, they might have been very interested.
But now?
Their interest was limited.
With that time, they might as well absorb a bit more spiritual energy. That feeling was much better.
Moreover, Filch was now chasing from behind them.
Thinking of the extreme diligence Filch showed when cultivating, which they had personally witnessed, the two of them felt a sense of urgency.
They had begun cultivating with Theodore earlier, and they were younger than Filch. If Filch surpassed them, that would be far too embarrassing.
Therefore, they respectfully declined Quirrell's practical guidance.
Soon, Quirrell looked at the packed sign-up sheet in his hand, but he was not happy at all.
Hermione and the others' names were not on it!
But very quickly, Quirrell squeezed out a smile.
"Good. Very good. Everyone is very enthusiastic."
"In that case, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, how can I disappoint you?"
Then, he tore the sign-up sheet apart.
"We don't need a sign-up sheet."
"I announce that everyone can receive my private guidance, starting today."
"Oh, and this year, your Defense Against the Dark Arts grade will also include a practical combat score. So if you want a good grade, you must practice seriously."
"Of course, if someone's performance during private guidance satisfies me, I can give them full marks for the final exam directly. They may even be excused from attending Defense Against the Dark Arts classes for the rest of the term."
The moment he said this, Hermione suddenly raised her head.
Harry and Ron's eyes also lit up.
Quirrell keenly caught this and smiled.
"Miss Granger, you have the best theoretical results in class. Today, let me test your practical ability."
This time, Hermione nodded.
After class, she and Quirrell went alone to an empty classroom.
Quirrell rubbed his hands, looking rather excited.
So far, everything had gone very smoothly.
Next, as long as he used the Imperius Curse during practical combat—or some other method that could be used to control Hermione Granger—it would be done!
Was this difficult?
Even his previous self could easily handle a first-year young wizard who was not Theodore Snow.
And now he had become even stronger!
Quirrell could hardly wait to begin.
Hermione, meanwhile, sighed inwardly.
Professor Quirrell really is a good professor. His enthusiasm for teaching is too high.
If she remembered correctly, this sort of thing did not count as overtime, and there was no overtime pay.
And Professor Quirrell had been injured many times before, so the teaching salary he could normally receive probably was not much either.
Thinking of this, Hermione felt a little sympathy for him and silently made up her mind.
She must not accidentally injure Professor Quirrell later.
Of course, with her current strength, even after cultivation had greatly enhanced her, it would still be difficult to hurt Professor Quirrell.
But the fire crab Huhu was another matter.
This was something Theodore had left behind to protect her. If Huhu judged that Quirrell might threaten her, then it was hard to say how powerful it would be.
Therefore, before they began, Hermione hurriedly said,
"Professor, please be careful later. Don't use magic that is too powerful."
"And…"
She pointed at the fire crab Huhu pendant hanging around her neck.
"If you see my pendant light up, please dodge immediately."
Hearing this, Quirrell agreed on the surface, but inwardly he sneered.
It seemed Hermione Granger was afraid of getting hurt.
Afraid he would use magic that was too powerful?
Unfortunately, what he was about to use on her was magic at the level of the Unforgivable Curses!
Did such a young wizard even know the reputation of the Unforgivable Curses? Did she know about Azkaban?
If she knew, she would probably be frightened silly.
As for the fire crab pendant Hermione emphasized, Quirrell merely glanced at it.
After discovering that it was not some alchemical item, only a lifelike miniature fire crab, he dismissed it.
A decoration, nothing more. At most, it might have some insignificant protective magic.
Forget a fire crab pendant—even if it were a real fire crab, so what?
It was only a plaything of noble wizards, nothing terrifying.
Hermione Granger cared so much about this pendant. Perhaps it was a gift from Theodore?
Heh. That only strengthened Quirrell's decision to target Hermione.
He would let Theodore know what pain was!
"All right, rest assured, Miss Granger. I know what I'm doing."
"You may attack first."
Quirrell put on a gentlemanly, polite expression and gestured for Hermione to move first.
Hermione asked again,
"Professor, you said that if my performance satisfies you, I can get full marks, and even stop attending the rest of the classes, correct?"
Quirrell grinned.
"Yes, if you can do it."
Hermione nodded, and a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes.
She needed that promise too badly.
Right now, time was not enough. Not enough at all!
The next moment, Hermione gave a soft shout and stepped on the Seven Stars, walking the Dipper.
At the same time, from the little bag enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, the Celestial Master robe Theodore had refined for her, Ron, and Harry appeared on her body, and a peachwood sword entered her hand.
"Professor, be careful."
Then, Hermione pierced three Blazing Fire Talismans on the tip of her peachwood sword.
"Heaven and Earth are boundless; Qian and Kun lend me their law."
"Celestial Master Method—"
"Fire God Opens the Way!"
The next moment, raging flames condensed and opened a path forward.
From its appearance, it really did carry a hint of the Fire God opening the way.
Quirrell stared blankly at this scene, only one thought left in his mind.
No…
Isn't she a first-year young wizard?
Isn't she Muggle-born?
What the hell is Fire God Opens the Way?!
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/StrawHatStudios