"I swear, Hagrid is definitely hiding something," Harry declared as they left Hagrid's hut. After John had set down the dog food, they had departed with a sense of unease. Both Hermione and Ron agreed that Hagrid seemed to be concealing something. Their only clue at the moment was Nicolas Flamel. Harry, eager to unveil Snape's true intentions, mentioned, "The name sounds familiar, but I can't place it."
He was haunted by the feeling that he had encountered the name before, yet he couldn't recall where or when. The package Hagrid had retrieved from Gringotts, which Snape seemed so interested in, was somehow connected to Nicolas Flamel. Turning to John, who had proven to be exceptionally insightful, Harry asked, "John, does the name ring any bells for you?"
After a moment of contemplation, John shook his head apologetically. "Sorry, it doesn't ring a bell. But we could check the library. If there's no record of him there, then perhaps he doesn't exist."
The suggestion sparked a glimmer of hope in Harry's eyes. Hermione, who had been about to propose the same idea, quickly added, "Let's hurry then. It would be best if we could find something before Christmas." With plans to return home for the holidays, she and Ron were pressed for time, hoping to uncover the mystery within the next twenty days.
The mention of Christmas cast a shadow over Harry's mood. The thought of returning to the Dursleys' and enduring the cramped cupboard under the stairs, not to mention Dudley's bullying, was disheartening. Hearing his friends discuss their holiday plans, Harry couldn't help but express his dread, "I don't want to go back there. It's awful."
Ron and Hermione offered their sympathy, finding it hard to imagine having such dreadful relatives. The conversation then turned to John, "Are you going home for Christmas?" Hermione inquired, knowing John also came from a Muggle family.
John had no intention of returning home. "No, I plan to use the time to consolidate my knowledge. I won't be able to practice magic at home," he explained. His dedication made Harry and Ron reconsider their own plans, while Hermione felt a competitive urge, though she knew her father would worry if she didn't return home.
Eventually, the group split up on the fifth floor, with John opting not to visit the library. Despite his familiarity with the name Nicolas Flamel, he prioritized practicing Occlumency and headed to the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor. After a day's training, he emerged in the evening, contemplating a visit to the kitchen for dinner. On his way, he encountered someone he'd rather avoid.
"Good evening, John Wick," greeted Professor Quirrell, his voice tinged with a stutter. It seemed like a chance meeting, but John was cautious, discreetly readying his wand and fortifying his mind with Occlumency.
"Good evening, Professor Quirrell," John replied with a polite smile. After witnessing John's prowess during the troll incident, Voldemort had expressed interest in recruiting John as a Death Eater. Despite his obsession with pure-blood supremacy, Voldemort, a half-blood himself, valued power over lineage. He saw the indoctrination of young wizards like John as a means to extend his influence within Hogwarts, akin to Snape's role.
Quirrell, aware of John's studious nature, attempted to engage him, "You seem very dedicated to your studies."
John, prepared with excuses, responded, "I've been so engrossed that I've forgotten to eat. If you'll excuse me, I need to have dinner." He was eager to distance himself from Quirrell, wary of Voldemort's potential presence.
However, Quirrell persisted, smiling, "Your dedication is admirable. Perhaps you might be interested in some advanced knowledge..." In the restricted section, John's sudden departure, marked by a visible longing for the forbidden knowledge contained within, did not go unnoticed. Professor Quirrell observed this with a mix of disdain and opportunity in his eyes. He mused on the predictability of wizards drawn to the allure of forbidden knowledge, reflecting on his own journey to becoming a servant under Voldemort's command. Voldemort, he knew, understood the magnetic pull of the restricted section all too well, having been a frequent visitor in his youth. The section housed numerous tomes on dark magic, a seductive force with the power to corrupt.
Quirrell, masking his contempt with a stuttering benevolence, offered John a pass to the restricted section. "You are a good boy, I... I can give you a pass to the restricted area," he stammered, a smile playing on his lips. John, feigning the innocence of a knowledge-thirsty child, accepted with apparent eagerness. This was precisely the reaction Quirrell had hoped for. He instructed John to visit his office the following Monday to collect the pass, thus sparing John the need to sneak into the restricted section under the cover of night.
John, however, was not as naive as Quirrell had assumed. He had a hunch about Quirrell's underlying intentions but chose to disregard them. After all, he reasoned, Quirrell's tenure as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was limited to just a year, given the position's notorious turnover rate.
On Monday, John collected the pass from Quirrell, who also subtly suggested several dark tomes for him to peruse, such as "Black Magic of the Sixteenth Century" and "Curse of Magic." Quirrell claimed that understanding dark magic was foundational to mastering Defense Against the Dark Arts. John, however, saw through the ruse, maintaining a facade of interest only until he reached the library.
Upon entering the library, John encountered Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were engrossed in their search for information on Nicolas Flamel. Opting not to disturb them, John presented the professor's note to Madam Pince and made his way to the restricted section.
The books he found there were complex and challenging, even for someone of his capabilities. "There is still insufficient accumulation, and the foundation is too weak," John mused, acknowledging his need for further study. It was then that he stumbled upon "Fairy Casting," a book that sparked an idea. Remembering the legendary sword of Gryffindor, crafted by goblins, John envisioned crafting a weapon of his own to match his combat style.
Determined, John immersed himself in "Fairy Casting," a book originally penned by an Egyptian wizard. Despite the initial struggle with the translation, John's resolve remained unshaken. He supplemented his studies with a "Basic Magic Text Guide" from the library, gradually mastering the art of goblin-made weaponry.
As days passed, John's nightly duties led him to the Forbidden Forest, where he patrolled alongside Hagrid as part of his punishment. Upon arriving at Hagrid's hut, Fang, Hagrid's boisterous dog, greeted John with affection. Hagrid chuckled, "Yaya likes you very much."
John, momentarily distracted from his scholarly pursuits, couldn't help but smile at the simple joy of the moment, a stark contrast to the dark corridors of knowledge he had been navigating. Fang sniffed at his sandwich pocket. "Are you sure it's not hungry?"
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge