After bidding farewell to the Weasley twins, Evan returned alone to the Gryffindor common room.
On his way, Evan noticed a new entry in the system's magic item category about the Marauder's Map.
[Magic Item: Marauder's Map
Magic Power: Strong
Description: This is a map of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that displays all living beings within the magical institution. Unless special measures are taken, no one can escape its detection.]
Evan was surprised by the strong magical rating, but considering the map could even monitor Dumbledore's movements, it seemed justifiable.
He wondered how James Potter, Sirius Black, and Lupin had managed to create such a powerful magical artifact over a decade ago. Peter Pettigrew, who was close at hand, might also know something.
Now that he had the Marauder's Map, Evan theoretically had the means to expose Pettigrew. However, he had no intention of doing so. Firstly, it was because Sirius had only spotted Pettigrew on the paper, and secondly, he had yet to clear his own name of suspicion; Evan wasn't keen on facing Dumbledore again anytime soon.
With the Marauder's Map in hand, Evan felt more confident about his plan to sneak out and purchase the necessary potion ingredients. All he needed was the right opportunity.
Inside the Gryffindor common room, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were gathered by the roaring fireplace, but their expressions were far from the relaxed and joyful ones Evan had expected.
"Hey, Evan, where did you go just now?" Ron pulled Evan aside as soon as he walked in.
"That's something you'll have to ask your two brothers," Evan replied briefly, then deftly changed the subject. "Are you guys celebrating Harry catching the Snitch?"
"Forget it, we were just discussing why my broom suddenly went out of control during the match," Harry shook his head.
"It had to be Snape!" Ron said angrily.
"Indeed, I saw Snape jinxing him with my own eyes, right when Harry's broom started acting up. And when Harry's broom stabilized, Snape stopped." Hermione, for once, did not stand up for Snape. She had seen it with her own eyes, and Harry was one of her best friends.
Since Evan had "dealt" with the problem in time, Hermione had not yet taken action, and Harry had already regained safety, so the incident with the fire in the stands had not occurred.
Evan listened to the trio's speculation about Snape's possible malice towards Harry, and after some thought, he objected.
"Harry, it was Professor Quirrell who tampered with your broom. I was sitting right next to him and interrupted his spellcasting."
Evan briefly explained how he had caught Quirrell pretending to sleep and secretly casting spells. Harry found it hard to believe.
"Professor Quirrell? How is that possible?"
"Then, Hermione... why did you see Snape casting spells too?" Ron said skeptically.
"Clearly one of them was casting a counter-curse to save you. If it was Quirrell trying to save you, he wouldn't have needed to be so sneaky about it!" Evan explained to them.
"Maybe Professor Quirrell was afraid of Snape's revenge," Harry stuttered, somewhat convinced by Evan's explanation, though deep down, he still found it hard to accept that Snape might have saved him.
Ron and Hermione were still dubious. After all, Snape's glares and behavior in class seemed to suggest he'd be happier if Harry were dead.
Evan sighed, not defending Snape too much. The entanglements of gratitude and grudges were too complicated; it was better left for the parties involved to resolve.
All he could say was that Snape had garnered a lot of animosity within Gryffindor...
"Just stay away from them this term," Evan finally warned.
"I've been far enough away from them already! But someone among them still seems intent on killing me!" Harry was indignant. Ever since he had arrived at Hogwarts, Snape had targeted him, and now Quirrell might be out to get him too. He couldn't understand why so many people were against him.
The group comforted Harry until he calmed down. Then they shared with Evan the information they had gathered from Hagrid after the match. Hermione concluded,
"So, either Snape or Quirrell is trying to sneak past Fluffy to get to whatever Dumbledore has hidden behind that trap door."
"Oh, Evan, do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?" Hermione suddenly recalled the question they had been pondering all afternoon.
Evan hesitated, unsure if he should reveal the truth about the Philosopher's Stone at this moment. He eventually shook his head.
For one thing, he preferred stability while he brewed his potions, and for another, rashly disrupting Dumbledore's savior training plan could have severe consequences. Evan certainly didn't want to be called in for a second discussion.
Even though his Occlumency had improved to level two, it was still far from sufficient against Dumbledore's Legilimency.
As for Quirrell obtaining the Philosopher's Stone during this time, Evan wasn't worried.
Dumbledore, the old fox, hadn't even placed the Mirror of Erised there yet. He would only do so once he was sure Harry could pass the test it presented.
If Quirrell found the Philosopher's Stone now, it would be a miracle...
Seeing that Evan didn't know who Nicolas Flamel was, Hermione, Harry, and the others were slightly disappointed, but they quickly began to speculate wildly.
Evan, on the other hand, had no interest in the Philosopher's Stone he couldn't acquire. He was only concerned about whether Hagrid's dragon egg had... ahem, hatched yet.
But judging from the timeline, Hagrid might not even have received it yet. Evan decided to prepare his potion ingredients during this time.
Two days later, Evan found his chance. After an uneventful Defense Against the Dark Arts class, he had a free afternoon ahead of him.
That was enough time for a trip to Hogsmeade...
After repeatedly confirming on the Marauder's Map that no one was near the secret passage to Hogsmeade, Evan tapped the humpbacked statue of the one-eyed witch with his wand and whispered, "Dissendium."
A soft noise followed, and the statue's hump split from the main body, revealing an irregular passage entrance. Evan waved his wand to cast Lumos and slipped into the narrow, cramped secret passage.
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