In the span of just one class, Karl went from being a student who lost points to a model student who earned them.
And with a five-point buffer, he wouldn't be afraid of losing points next time.
Huh? Why would I think that?
It must be the influence of the Hufflepuffs!
After class, Karl headed straight for the eighth floor, ready to go back to the Room of Requirement to play with something spicy.
Unexpectedly, just as he exited the staircase and entered the corridor, he saw a figure in the distance.
Professor Heller was standing in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by a Troll, seemingly admiring something.
Hearing footsteps, he turned his head, his expression calm and his gaze profound.
"I believe I have seen you in class."
"That is correct, Professor. Karl OLaughlin, a first-year Hufflepuff."
Karl greeted him with a smile, his tone respectful yet slightly reserved, pretending to be a harmless Hufflepuff.
"I remember now, Mr. Orolin. But why have you come to the eighth floor? Divination Class is only for third years."
"Actually, it is nothing. I just wanted to find Headmaster Dumbledore to offer some suggestions regarding our school uniforms."
Saying this, Karl began to show his Wizard robes to Professor Heller.
"Professor, don't you think our school uniforms are too monotonous and outdated? There is no way to distinguish students from each house."
"And how can we just have robes? We should add shirts, knitted vests, ties, scarves, and so on."
"Among them, the ties and scarves could use different colors. Oh, that's right! The school crest on the Wizard robes could too!"
"This way, the students of each house would be clear at a glance, and they would look much more spirited. What do you think?"
Professor Heller was silent for a few seconds, then sighed softly.
"Mr. Orolin, I just asked why you came to the eighth floor. You only needed to answer the first sentence; there was no need to be so detailed. I am not the Principal."
"Ahahaha, sorry about that, Professor. I got a bit carried away."
Karl scratched his head with a smile. "By the way, did you just come from the Headmasters Office? Is Headmaster Dumbledore inside?"
"Not at all. I came here to look for a magical room."
"What kind of magical room?"
"A friend who graduated from Hogwarts told me that there is a room here for hiding things. Inside, there are many precious items hidden by students, such as Galleons, jewelry, and even broomsticks."
Professor Heller finished saying this seemingly casually, then gave Karl a stiff smile.
"It might just be a joke. I haven't found it anyway. If you are interested, you can try. I won't take up any more of your time, Mr. Orolin. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Professor."
Karl and Heller passed each other with smiles, but as soon as their backs were turned, both of their faces went cold, their expressions indifferent.
Damn it! This bastard wants to hurt me!
Is he trying to lure me into the Room of Requirement to find Lord Voldemort's Horcrux?
Could this guy really be a Death Eater?
But that shouldn't be right. Given Tom's personality, how could he let others know such important information?
Could it be that after escaping capture, Heller risked everything and spent nine years searching, only to finally find Lord Voldemort's soul fragment, and then came to Hogwarts to cause trouble under his instructions?
But besides exposing the existence of the Horcrux and alerting Dumbledore, what would be the point of that?
Karl stopped in front of the gargoyle and thought of Professor Quirrell.
Could Heller have had an influence on the incident where Quirrell became the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor?
Considering Heller's suspected status as a Death Eater and the relationship between the two, it is hard not to be suspicious.
Karl guessed whether it was Heller who led Quirrell to the forests of Albania.
Tricking a Professor into becoming a vessel?
But that doesn't make sense either.
If Lord Voldemort, who had waited for nine years, had encountered a subordinate, he would definitely have left the Albanian forest immediately.
In the uninhabited forest, he was nothing but a lonely ghost.
But in wizarding society, Lord Voldemort had plenty of ways to bewitch others.
There was no need to trick Quirrell to Albania. As long as the person was not at Hogwarts, Lord Voldemort could act.
And if Heller failed, wouldn't he have to wait in that forest for the next person to come along?
Could it be... that at this moment, Lord Voldemort has already left Albania, or is even at Hogwarts?
Argh! So annoying!
Where the hell did this Elvis Heller pop out from?
At this moment, anger rose in Karl's heart, and he decided that once he found a way to learn the Fiendfyre Curse, he would first take this guy out.
He's a Dark Wizard anyway; who cares if he dies.
And Tom's Horcrux won't be spared either; a full Fiendfyre Curse package for all of them.
As for Harry, let Dumbledore deal with that headache.
Just as Karl was gnashing his teeth, the gargoyle, having waited for a long time, couldn't help but lean its big head over.
"Hmm?"
Gargoyle: (._.)
Karl felt like he understood what it meant: Little brother, what's wrong with you? If you want to go in, say the password. If you don't want to go in, get out of here. No urinating here.
"Illusion! It must be an illusion!"
Putting the strange thoughts in his head aside, Karl began to try and guess the password.
Since his original plan to play with fire had been disrupted by Heller, he might as well go find old Albus... Dumbledore for a chat.
The suggestion about school uniforms he mentioned earlier wasn't just nonsense; he had already worked out a plan with the Hufflepuffs.
"Cockroach Cluster? Lemon Sherbet? Fizzing Whizzbees..."
Ten minutes passed, and Karl gave up.
"You are not only a fish that is hard to catch, but also a stubborn donkey."
"Big brother, just let me in! Why are you even more stubborn than the bronze knocker at Ravenclaw?"
Gargoyle: (._.)
"How about you pass on a message for me?"
Facing Karl's request, the gargoyle remained silent, just looking at him blankly.
"Fine! You win. I give up. I'll just go back and find Nina... Hmm?"
Just as he was about to leave, Karl noticed the stubborn gargoyle suddenly move.
"What does that mean? Could the password be Nina Goldstein?"
After he said Nina's name, the gargoyle jumped aside, and the wall behind it cracked open to reveal a spiral staircase.
Karl:...
He walked up the slowly moving spiral staircase in silence, the stone stairs rising higher and higher until they reached the top.
There, he could see a gleaming oak door with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin.
Karl stepped off the staircase and knocked gently on the door. The oak door opened quietly, allowing him to enter.
It was a spacious and beautiful circular room, with portraits covering the walls.
Behind a huge desk, Karl saw Headmaster Dumbledore, who was sitting in a high-backed chair, looking at him with a smile.
"The strongest White Wizard Maia of Middle-earth, the first Guardian Mage of Azeroth, the Chief Summoner of Runeterra."
"Mr. Karl Orolin, you are most welcome."
Karl: (￣﹏￣;)
Very good! I'm already cringing so hard my toes are curling!