"I'm sorry, child, but I can't help you. Although I am skilled in the Patronus Charm, I've never encountered a situation like this."
Dumbledore looked at Cro apologetically.
"But don't worry, I will look into some ancient texts and consult with other wizards who specialize in the Patronus Charm. Surely they will have some answers."
In reality, Dumbledore himself was an expert in the Patronus Charm and he could already guess why Cro's Patronus was a basilisk.
After all, anyone who could scare the Sorting Hat into revealing extra features...having a dark creature as a Patronus seemed reasonable, right?
Dumbledore's lips twitched slightly.
[Detected intense feeling of speechlessness!]
[Reward: Gold Chest!]
Cro pouted slightly, feeling it was a bit of a waste.
Three chances, and he only managed to get one diamond chest.
Even though he hadn't used his trump card yet he still felt like it wasn't a good deal.
This was Dumbledore, after all.
If he had just said that sentence,
Dumbledore would surely have given him a Royal Chest!
Unfortunately, only three chests could be collected per person per day.
Otherwise, he definitely would've gotten a Royal Chest out of this.
But it didn't matter.
The trump card could be used at any time.
If there wasn't an opportunity today he could use it tomorrow!
If not tomorrow, then the day after!
Whenever he did use it, it would mean a Royal Chest for sure.
With that thought Cro's mood lightened somewhat.
"Professor Dumbledore, it's alright. As you said, no matter what kind of Patronus it is, it's still my partner! I need to learn to accept its existence."
Before Dumbledore could speak again,
Cro continued,
"It's getting late, and I still have another class to catch. It was an honor to receive your help, Professor Dumbledore."
Cro politely bid farewell to Dumbledore.
Hearing this Dumbledore could only nod in agreement allowing Cro to leave the office.
He had no other choice unless he wanted to keep Cro in the office and make him miss his next class.
With Dumbledore's permission Cro didn't hesitate, immediately turning to leave the office leaving Dumbledore standing alone frowning as he stared at Cro's departing figure lost in thought.
"What an intimidating presence, even though he's so kind. Just being near him makes me feel such pressure!"
Cro patted his chest.
It wasn't his fault he was nervous.
The buffs the system gave him were just too ridiculous.
Who knew when one might get triggered?
Once he became stronger, it wouldn't be a problem anymore.
Who cares about hostile Light wizards?
He'd just swat them all down.
But with his current strength,
it was more likely that he would be the one getting swatted.
"I imagine you're still in Charms class, Mr. Cro? You should know that skipping classes is absolutely forbidden at Hogwarts."
The cold voice that suddenly rang out made Cro shiver instinctively.
Turning around, he saw Snape's impassive face staring at him.
"If I told you Professor Flitwick let me out, would you believe me? And if I said that he also awarded Slytherin fifteen points, would you believe that?"
Cro scratched his nose and tried to explain.
"Flitwick let you out? It seems you performed exceptionally well in Charms class. However, that's no excuse for wandering around Hogwarts aimlessly."
Snape raised an eyebrow a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Though Flitwick seemed small and harmless he was a strict and powerful wizard.
For him to grant such a privilege it meant Cro's performance had been flawless,
earning Flitwick's utmost satisfaction!
"Well... I just came from the headmaster's office, actually. I had a few questions for Professor Dumbledore. You may not know this, but I was just on my way to see you."
Cro smiled warmly.
"I have a few questions regarding Potions and was hoping Professor Snape could help me out. Would you have some time?"
If not, it didn't matter.
The next class was Potions anyway.
Cro muttered to himself.
Although he wasn't ready to use his trump card against Snape just yet he could still use Potions to surprise the Potions Master.
Snape looked at Cro deeply then with a dramatic sweep of his robes, turned and walked away.
Just as Cro thought Snape wasn't going to respond,
that cold voice rang out again.
"I don't think you'll ever become a Potions Master if you keep dawdling like this. If you have questions, come along."
[Detected intense feeling of surprise!]
[Reward: Gold Chest!]
Cro raised an eyebrow a bit surprised by Snape's reaction.
If he wasn't mistaken Snape should harbor a bit of dislike for him.
After all, he could cast Dark Magic and was in the same year as Harry Potter!
Anyone would think that he must have some sort of ulterior motive regarding Harry Potter.
Plus, after provoking Snape last night by casting Dark Magic right in front of him,
Snape had generously awarded him a Gold Chest.
Based on that logic,
Snape should dislike him even more.
Cro's eyes flickered with thought.
His opinion of Snape began to change.
Maybe he had been too quick to judge.
After all, this was Snape.
Someone whom Dumbledore trusted implicitly.
How could he dislike a student just over a small matter?
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T/N:
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