They walked out of the Ransom Room, once again following the confusing path Itachi had devised, and headed towards the Great Hall.
As they walked, Theodore couldn't help but ask the question that had been plaguing him since the beginning of training.
"Itachi," he began, looking at his friend with slight suspicion, "you know so many advanced spells. How do you know them? We're only in our first year, and you already know spells that are taught in second and third year, or even older. And yet you explain it in a way that even I can understand."
He watched Itachi's reaction carefully, waiting for his response. "It's... it's kind of weird, to be honest."
Itachi, hearing Theodore's question, froze for a moment. He had been expecting this question, but he still didn't know how to answer it. He couldn't tell Theodore about his past, about the other world where he was born and raised. He couldn't tell him about his clan and his special abilities. It was too difficult to understand.
He thought for a second, choosing his words carefully, and finally spoke:
"Well, it's... it's a long story, Theodore. To be honest, I got most of these spells from... my parents." He paused, trying to speak as casually as possible. "They were both very powerful wizards, and they taught me a lot."
He didn't go into detail, trying to hide his confusion. He knew it wasn't entirely true, but it was better than trying to explain to Theodore that he came from another world where magic worked differently.
He continued: "Some of the spells I developed on my own. Most were the result of experimentation and long hours of practice. And some I simply learned from books. I've always loved to read, and I've had a lot of time to study magical treatises."
Itachi tried to make his voice calm and confident so Theodore wouldn't notice his embarrassment. He added: "I've always loved magic, and I've tried to study it as deeply as possible. I've always had a great hunger for knowledge, and I wasn't afraid to experiment."
He looked at Theodore, trying to catch his reaction. He realized that this explanation wasn't entirely true, but it was all he could say at the moment. He hoped that Theodore would believe him, and that he wouldn't ask too many questions.
"So your parents were just as talented, too?" - Theodore asked, a sense of curiosity in his voice.
Itachi nodded, with a slight smile. "Yes, they were very talented. They taught me everything I know. I'm grateful for everything they've done for me." He paused, and added: "I guess that's why I'm so eager to learn more about magic and our world."
Itachi tried to turn the conversation to another topic. He didn't want to lie to Theodore, but he knew it wasn't time to tell him the truth yet. He hoped that someday he would be able to tell him everything, but for now he had to keep his secrets.
They continued walking towards the Great Hall, and Itachi felt that Theodore seemed to believe his words. But he also knew that Theodore was a very intelligent and observant man, and that sooner or later he might suspect something wrong. But for now, he needed to focus on the present.
They entered the Great Hall, and the noise that came from inside deafened them for a moment. The hall was crowded with students who were already thoroughly enjoying a late lunch. Conversations, laughter, and the clanging of cutlery could be heard at the tables. The aromas of food tickled their nostrils, reminding both of them how hungry they were.
Itachi and Theodore took their seats at the Slytherin table, and immediately began to eat. They silently pounced on plates filled with various viands, trying to satisfy their hunger. They ate as eagerly as if they hadn't eaten in ages.
But despite their focus on their food, Theodore couldn't help but notice what was going on around them. He noticed again that Itachi was being paid close attention to. And it wasn't the usual curiosity that was common in the Great Hall.
The girls who sat at the neighboring tables were constantly casting glances at Itachi. They were whispering amongst themselves, blushing, and some were even trying to catch his gaze. The guys, in turn, looked at him with some envy and even bewilderment. Some of them, like the girls, gave Itachi interested glances and even started muttering to themselves, and some of them looked away awkwardly, as if he were some mysterious creature.
Theodore watched the scene with a slight chuckle. He realized that Itachi, without wanting to, had become the center of attention of the entire Great Hall. And just like in the morning, Itachi seemed to be completely oblivious to what was going on around him. He continued to eat quietly, as if nothing special was happening.
Theodore decided to tease his friend, unable to resist the temptation.
"Listen, Itachi," he said, with feigned indifference, "haven't you noticed that everyone's looking at you again?"
Itachi, without taking his eyes off his plate, replied, "I've noticed. They always stare like that." He didn't show the slightest interest in the matter.
In fact, he understood perfectly well. He knew that they were looking at him. He knew the girls were whispering behind his back and the guys were casting envious glances. He could feel it in his gut.
But unlike many, Itachi wasn't surprised by this attention. In his past life, in the world he came from, he was used to such things. Back when he was just a child, the young genius of the Uchiha clan, he had been looked at the same way. Girls would blush at the sight of him, and guys would try to emulate him. Back then, as a child, he had felt embarrassed, and he himself often blushed at the attention.
But years of training and battles had hardened his character. He learned to control his emotions, and he stopped paying attention to other people's stares. He had learned to focus on his goals, not to be distracted by nonsense. And now, at Hogwarts, he was doing the same.
Itachi knew that his appearance and his demeanor attracted attention. He knew that his unusual beauty, his mysterious appearance, and his restraint attracted women and men alike. He could have used this to win the favor of others, or to manipulate them. But he didn't want to do that. He wasn't interested in being popular, or being praised.
Itachi heard Theodore's words, and he realized that Theodore was teasing him. He realized that Theodore was amused to see how others reacted to him. But he wasn't going to play along with his jokes. He was too busy analyzing the situation and thinking about his plans.
He heard Theodore say:
"You're quite the heartbreaker at Hogwarts." Itachi dismissed the thought as unnecessary and shifted his gaze to his plate, continuing to eat. He didn't want to think about how others perceived him. He didn't want to think about the fact that he might be sympathetic to someone. He was busy with his thoughts, and he didn't want to be distracted.
Itachi sank back into his thoughts, and his mind stopped registering what was going on around him. He thought about Quirrell, about Dumbledore, and about how they would be able to accomplish their mission. He knew that they had to be very careful, and that they had no margin for error. He realized that there was a lot at stake, and that they had to do everything they could to achieve their goal. He was so used to this kind of thing that it had become something commonplace.
Theodore, watching Itachi sink back into his musings, couldn't resist bringing him back to reality. He knew that Itachi was capable of going into himself for long periods of time, and sometimes he needed to be brought back.
"Hey, Itachi," Theodore said, raising his voice slightly, "are you here?" He snapped his fingers in front of his friend's face, trying to get his attention.
Itachi, as if snapping out of a deep sleep, blinked a few times and looked at Theodore. "What?" - He asked, his voice sounding slightly distracted.
Theodore grinned. "You flew off somewhere else again. I was already thinking you'd been abducted by aliens."
Itachi shook his head slightly. "Just wondering," he replied, trying to put his voice at ease.
"All right," Theodore said. "Just don't get lost. Otherwise I'll start looking all over the galaxy for you." He swallowed the last bite of his lunch and leaned back on the bench. "Listen, why don't we do something more interesting after lunch? Like discuss our next moves?"
Itachi nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, that's a good idea. We should keep planning. Maybe we can practice some more later."
Theodore thought for a moment. "Listen, you know what? Let's have our next training session closer to dinner, but not for practicing spells. But to practice using them against the enemy." He lowered his voice so the others wouldn't hear them. "I think we need to learn how to use our new skills in real combat. And we need to be prepared for any situation."
Itachi looked at Theodore carefully. "You're right. We can't just study spells, we need to know how to use them. We need practice in a real situation. We have to learn how to think fast and make good decisions." He lowered his voice as well. "When are we going to practice?"
Theodore looked around, making sure no one could hear them. "I think closer to dinner would be a good time. Then most of the students will be busy with their own things, and we can practice in the Ransom Room without drawing too much attention to ourselves."
Theodore turned to Itachi with a sly smile playing on his lips before leaving the Great Hall.
"Listen, Itachi," he whispered, his voice sounding slightly ironic, "about our training tonight. Please be gentle. It's my first time, after all." He winked, with an innocent expression on his face.
Then, after being quiet for a bit and enjoying Itachi's reaction, Theodore straightened up and his face took on a serious expression. "And seriously," he said, already in a normal voice, "I hope I can hold out long enough. I'm certainly under no illusions about my abilities, but I want to see what I'm capable of, and what still needs to be tightened up."
He shrugged and added with a slight challenge in his voice: "I'm not going to just stand there and take the punches. I'm going to fight, and I'm going to show you that I'm not so useless." He smiled again, but this time his smile was more genuine and confident. "Yeah, and don't worry, I won't take offense if you beat me. It's practice, right?"
Theodore looked at Itachi, waiting for his reaction. He wondered what Itachi thought about all of this. He knew that Itachi was very strong, and that he could easily defeat him. But he also knew that Itachi wouldn't have looked down on him.
Theodore then nodded Itachi goodbye and turned around and left the Great Hall, leaving Itachi alone with his thoughts. He knew that Itachi understood, and that their training tonight would not just be a formal practice, but a real test for both of them.
Itachi, after giving Theodore a glance as he walked away, chuckled faintly. He had heard all the meaningless chatter, the ironic tone, and the joking 'be nice', and it all brought up only one thought: Idiot.
But that thought was more like a slight, condescending chuckle than actual annoyance. Itachi was used to Theodore's antics, to his constant attempts to tease him, and, to some extent, had even learned to appreciate them. There was something about them that diluted the gray routine of his life a little.
When Theodore whispered about the 'first time', the corner of Itachi's lips quivered faintly. He realized that Theodore was purposely trying to throw him off balance, but his attempts were so clumsy and amusing that they only elicited a condescending smile.
Then, when Theodore shifted to a serious tone and started talking about his expectations from the training, Itachi listened to him intently. He knew that underneath the mask of a joker and funny man lurked an intelligent and capable man. He knew that Theodore wasn't as simple as he seemed at first glance, and that he was capable of many things.
When Theodore finished, Itachi glanced again in the direction where his friend had just stood. There was no annoyance or surprise on his face. There was only a slight chuckle that said he understood. He realized that Theodore wasn't as useless as he was trying to show himself, that he was willing to fight, and that he wasn't going to back down.
Itachi sank back into his thoughts, but now there was a touch of amusement in them. He knew that Theodore would be looking forward to the evening, and so would he himself. He knew that this training session would not just be a formal sparring session, but a true test of their abilities. He knew that they would both fight hard, and that they would learn from each other. And that thought, for some reason, warmed his soul.
He remained seated at the table, finishing his lunch, a slight grin still playing on his face. He thought of Theodore, of his jokes, and how serious he could be. And he, for some reason, felt a little more interested in life.
After lunch, Itachi stayed in the Great Hall, pretending to be busy reading a book, but in reality, his thoughts were far from the text. He was mentally going over his upcoming training session with Theodore in his head, imagining different scenarios and tactical moves. He didn't just want to have a formal sparring session, but to really assess Theodore's progress, to see how much better he was than he had been at the beginning of the year, and what else he needed to tighten up.
He closed his eyes, and a simulation of their future fight unfolded in his imagination. He saw Theodore attacking him using the Petrificus Totalus spell he had practiced so hard. Itachi saw him dodge his attack with ease and Theodore try to switch to another spell, Reducto.
Itachi has seen Theodore move, he has seen him react to his attacks, he has seen him try to anticipate his actions. He saw Theodore use Protego to defend himself against his counterattacks, and how he tried to dodge his Expelliarmus.
In his mental battle, Itachi analyzed each of Theodore's actions, trying to figure out what mistakes he was making and what he was succeeding at. He remembered their first training session, when Theodore could barely create a small stone figure, and how he had gradually, step by step, mastered more and more spells.
Itachi remembered that Theodore was very good at analyzing situations and tactical planning. He was able to quickly adapt to changing conditions and find the enemy's weaknesses. But he also remembered that Theodore was too cautious and indecisive, and that he lacked self-confidence.
He also realized that Theodore had become more persistent and persistent in his training. He no longer gave up after the first failure, but kept practicing until he got the results he wanted. It was an important change that spoke to his growth as a mage.
Itachi mentally replayed the moment when Theodore had stated that he wasn't going to just stand there and take the blows, that he was going to fight. He realized that those weren't just words. He saw that Theodore was truly determined and ready to challenge him.
Itachi went over all of their training in his head, and he realized that Theodore had taken a big step forward from what he had been at the beginning of the year. He had become more confident, more determined, and his skills in magic had improved greatly. But he also realized that he still had a lot to learn, and that he still had a lot of work to do on himself.
Itachi opened his eyes and sighed. He was satisfied with what he had realized. He now knew what to expect from Theodore, and what he needed to do to help him become even stronger. And he was ready for it, looking forward to their upcoming training session.
He closed the book and stood up from the table, heading towards the exit of the Great Hall. He was ready for a fight, and he was ready to help Theodore get stronger.
Exiting the Great Hall, Itachi headed out into the courtyard, where a cool breeze pleasantly refreshed his face. He walked at a leisurely pace, letting his thoughts wander freely. His mind, like a kaleidoscope, was going through various fragments of information, trying to put them into a single picture. But at the center of his thoughts, like a beacon, stood one particular image - that of a young Gryffindor named Harry Potter.
Immersed in his thoughts about Harry Potter and Quirrell, Itachi didn't immediately notice as he approached one of the secluded corners of the courtyard. He was suddenly snapped out of his reverie by voices that sounded very close by. The voices were animated, full of emotion, and Itachi immediately realized that this was no ordinary conversation.
Instinct, honed by years of training, instantly kicked in. Itachi lurked like a shadow behind the thick trunk of an old tree, trying to remain undetected. He listened, and soon he heard scraps of phrases that immediately caught his attention.
Itachi, lurking behind the tree, continued to listen intently to the Gryffindor's conversation. He realized that their suspicions of Snape had not diminished in the slightest; on the contrary, they had only grown stronger. He heard scraps of their phrases, and soon words came to him that made him frown.
"...I'm sure it's Snape! He wanted to kill me at that match!" - Harry exclaimed, his voice full of indignation. - "And I know he was the one who tried to get past Pusk!"
Itachi inwardly chuckled. They call Fluff a three-headed dog? He listened for a moment.
Hermione shifted her gaze to Hagrid, who had been silently listening to their reasoning all this time, and asked: "Hagrid, what do you think about this? You know Snape, don't you? Do you think he's capable of something like this?"
Hagrid sighed, and his voice sounded hesitant. "I don't know, guys. Snape is certainly strange, but I don't think he's bad. I don't believe he wanted to kill you."
Harry rolled his eyes. "But Hagrid! It was him! We saw his eyes, we saw him try to spell the broom !"
Hagrid shook his head. "No guys, stay out of things that don't concern you. Dumbledore and NicholasFlamer know what they're doing." He looked around, and lowered his voice, "He's guarding the stone... it's none of your business to pry."
Itachi was inwardly wary. A rock? Nicholas Flamel? What was this all about?
The Gryffindors froze. They exchanged puzzled glances, and looked at Hagrid. "Nicholas Flamel? Who's that?" - Ron asked.
Hagrid immediately realized that he had said too much. He frowned and shook his head. "Ah, no... no, it's... just an old name... Dumbledore, he has everything under control..."
He faltered, and changed the subject, "Okay guys, I'm off... Just... trust Dumbledore, and everything will be fine." Hagrid quickly turned around and walked away, leaving the Gryffindors completely bewildered.
Itachi remained standing behind the tree. He was stunned by what he had heard. Nicholas Flamel, some kind of stone, Dumbledore, Fluffy, Snape. It was all connected, and he knew he had to figure it all out.
Itachi cautiously stepped out of his hiding place. He looked in the direction Hagrid had gone and then to where the Gryffindors were standing. They were arguing animatedly about something. Itachi realized that he had learned something very important. He now knew that Dumbledore had something to do with Nicholas Flamel. And he needed to figure out what it all meant.
He must share this information with Theodore as soon as possible.
He took a quick step towards the castle, looking around for his friend. He knew Theodore was probably busy doing something in the library or one of the corridors right now, so he decided to check those places first.
He walked past several groups of students chatting and laughing merrily, but he didn't see Theodore anywhere. He kept walking, and soon noticed his silhouette looming in one of the distant corridors. He quickened his step, and soon caught up with his friend.
"Theodore!" - He called out, trying not to draw too much attention to himself.
Theodore, hearing Itachi's voice, turned around and saw him rushing towards him. Curiosity was reflected on his face.
"What is it?" - He asked as Itachi approached him. "Is something wrong?"
Itachi, trying to contain his excitement, lowered his voice. "I have some very important information. We need to talk. And preferably in private."
Theodore frowned. "What kind of information? "
"Very important," Itachi replied. " But I don't want to talk about it here. We need to find a quiet place."
Theodore nodded, agreeing. "Alright, then let's go to the Vyruchai Room. No one will hear us there."
They both headed towards the correct hallway, trying not to attract the attention of the other students. They passed several groups of students, whispering and speculating about what they were going to do.
Once they reached the right wall, Itachi focused on the image of the Ransom Room, envisioning it as a safe place where they could talk in private. And as soon as they both walked inside, the wall behind them immediately disappeared and they were left in a spacious room filled with old books, comfortable chairs, and dusty artifacts.
Itachi looked around, making sure they were indeed alone. He closed the door behind him, and turned to Theodore. "Now we can talk," he said, his voice sounding serious. "I have something we need to discuss."
Theodore looked at Itachi carefully, his eyes expressing impatience and curiosity. "Well, spill it out, what did you find out?" - He asked. "What's the important information?"
Itachi, making sure they were completely safe, began to tell Theodore everything he had heard in the courtyard. He detailed the conversation between the Gryffindors, their suspicions of Snape, their certainty that he had tried to enchant Harry's broom and infiltrate the three-headed dog. He also mentioned how Hagrid had spouted off about Nicholas Flamel and some stone that Dumbledore was guarding.
Theodore listened very attentively, not interrupting and trying to memorize every detail. His eyes burned with curiosity, and he nodded occasionally, as if confirming his thoughts. When Itachi finished his story, Theodore was silent for a while, immersed in his own thoughts.
"That... that changes a lot," he finally said, his voice sounding thoughtful. " this Nicholas Flamel... it seems to be a lot more complicated than we thought."
Itachi nodded, agreeing. "Exactly. And that 'stone' they were so interested in may play an important role. Something tells me these events are all interconnected."
Theodore walked over to one of the old armchairs and sank into it, as if pondering their next steps. "I think," he said, looking at Itachi, "that we need to use this information to our advantage. We need to be one step ahead of the others."
"Agreed," Itachi replied. " But what do you suggest?"
Theodore smiled, a sly gleam in his eyes. "I think we should follow the Gryffindors."
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Keep an eye on them? Why?"
"Think for yourself," Theodore replied. "They're obviously not going to sit idly by. They suspect something too, and they'll obviously be digging for information. We can just keep an eye on them and get first-hand information. We can use their curiosity and their connections to our advantage."
Itachi thought for a moment. "Do you think that would work?"
"Why wouldn't it?" - Theodore shrugged. "Harry Potter is a pretty prominent figure, and he's likely to be discussed by anyone who's interested. We'll just have to stay in the shadows and wait for the right time. We can use them to get answers to our questions without drawing too much attention to ourselves."
"Hmm," Itachi uttered, his gaze becoming more thoughtful, "that makes sense. We can kill two birds with one stone. We'll be able to learn more about Nicholas Flamel, and at the same time stay out of the way ourselves."
Theodore nodded, confirming his words. "Exactly. And most importantly, it will help us not expose ourselves prematurely. We can stay in the shadows until we're sure of what we're doing."
Itachi agreed. "Then that's what we'll do.
After agreeing to the plan of tracking the Gryffindors, Itachi and Theodore moved on to their planned training session. They decided not to procrastinate and use the time left before dinner to hone their skills.
Itachi, as always, was collected and focused. He stood in the center of the room, his eyes fixed on Theodore, who stood across from him, preparing for battle. He did a short warm-up, kneading his muscles and preparing his body for the exertion.
"So," Itachi said, his voice sounding calm and confident, "we won't waste time with idle talk. We're going to work as if this is a real fight. Show me what you've learned."
Theodore nodded, and his eyes lit up with determination. He drew his wand and assumed a fighting stance, ready to answer Itachi's challenge at any moment.
The spacious Ransom Room, usually full of old books and dusty artifacts, had temporarily turned into an impromptu arena. Itachi and Theodore stood across from each other, their gazes focused and their faces expressing determination. The air seemed electrified, ready to explode from the clash of magic.
Itachi, composed and collected, ducked slightly, his arms hanging loosely at his sides. He watched Theodore carefully, trying to read his intentions. Theodore, for his part, held his wand tightly, ready for a lightning-fast attack. His eyes burned with excitement, and he could feel a mixture of excitement and anticipation in his posture.
"Let's begin," Itachi said, his voice steady and calm. Those words sounded like the signal for the battle to begin.