The commotion in the Great Hall gradually subsided, with only the candles flickering slightly in the air.
The students had all left, returning to their respective common rooms and dormitories. Most of the professors had also departed. Finally, only Adrian and Professor McGonagall remained in the empty hall.
"Is there anything else, Professor Westeros?" Professor McGonagall looked at Adrian with confusion. "It's getting late."
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to wait a moment," Adrian turned his head and spoke. "He said it was urgent."
Just earlier, Adrian had received notification from Dumbledore, asking him to linger a bit after the feast.
Adrian cast his gaze toward the main seat. At some point, Dumbledore had disappeared from there, his whereabouts were unknown.
"Ah, very well."
Professor McGonagall nodded, sat down across from Adrian, and asked in a low voice, "About that matter... is it true?"
"Which matter?" Adrian showed a puzzled expression.
Professor McGonagall looked around, ensuring no one was present, then spoke almost inaudibly, "About... You-Know-Who. Dumbledore told me that you confronted him in that room on the fourth floor."
It seemed that Dumbledore had told Professor McGonagall about this matter.
However, this was normal. After all, Professor McGonagall was the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, and Dumbledore trusted her greatly.
"If he told you, then I suppose it's alright," Adrian nodded, saying casually, "It wasn't that big of a deal—You-Know-Who had possessed Quirrell's body, and he was in terrible condition, crumbling at a touch."
"Merlin's beard!" Professor McGonagall, hearing Adrian's answer, had slightly trembling lips and said reproachfully, "That was You-Know-Who! You should have immediately notified Professor Dumbledore, not faced him alone!"
"Don't worry, Professor McGonagall," Adrian gave McGonagall a reassuring expression. "A fragmented life can't cause much trouble, even if it's You-Know-Who."
In fact, even without the "Energy Amplification" empowerment from the Tree of Wisdom, Adrian had ways to wear down Voldemort; it would just have been a bit more troublesome.
"But still—"
Just then, footsteps sounded. Dumbledore had returned.
Dumbledore, seeing the two chatting, asked with some surprise, "What are you discussing? Ah, I hope you're not complaining about tonight's dinner... the house-elves were a bit confused tonight, they forgot to add sugar to my pumpkin juice."
Adrian thought that adding sugar to pumpkin juice was the confusing approach.
Professor McGonagall furrowed her brow, apparently thinking the same.
"It's about Voldemort, Professor," Adrian answered casually.
Dumbledore paused for a moment, then nodded to both of them, saying, "I don't think discussing that person is a mistake, but I would prefer if you referred to him as You-Know-Who, rather than using his name."
"I'll be mindful of that," Adrian nodded.
He only then realized that he had spoken Voldemort's name.
Indeed, one shouldn't speak Voldemort's name, as Voldemort had placed a spell on his own name—whenever someone said "Voldemort," he could sense it.
It was truly a domineering spell.
Dumbledore gave McGonagall a look, after which she slightly bowed and left the Great Hall.
"So... what's the matter?" Adrian asked puzzledly.
Dumbledore took out a white envelope from his pocket and said, "I spoke with Nicolas about the Philosopher's Stone. Just now, he replied to me. He says he wants to meet you."
"No problem," Adrian nodded. "When?"
"Three days from now."
Hearing this time, Adrian frowned slightly—that was the day when students would be taking the Hogwarts Express back home.
Seeing this, Dumbledore asked, "Do you have other matters to attend to?"
"Actually," Adrian shrugged and said, "I need to take Harry home. I'm guessing his aunt and uncle won't come to pick him up."
Upon receiving Adrian's reply, Dumbledore showed a surprised expression.
"You really do like Harry," he said. "We can depart in the evening."
"That's fine then."
Finally, the day to return home arrived.
Harry received a notice warning them not to use magic during the holidays.
However, Harry knew this wasn't absolute; someone had told him there were ways to circumvent this restriction.
Later, until he boarded the train and sat in a compartment with Hermione and Ron, Harry realized he'd apparently forgotten to send a letter to his aunt and uncle.
This meant they wouldn't come to pick him up—and he didn't know the way home.
Fortunately, when Harry realized this, Adrian walked into their compartment from outside the door.
Seeing the three's surprised expressions, Adrian smiled and said, "Good evening, you three. May I sit here?"
"Of course," Harry said with delight.
He knew he no longer needed to worry about getting home.
During the train journey, the three chatted enthusiastically. Despite Adrian's presence, they talked about almost everything, from the brand of shampoo Snape might use to their holiday plans.
As for Adrian, he remained focused on writing and sketching on a piece of parchment, occasionally pausing to think.
Finally, this behavior aroused Hermione's curiosity.
"Professor Westeros, what are you writing?" Hermione couldn't help asking, her eyes glancing toward the parchment filled with writing.
"Some plans regarding summer arrangements," Adrian said with a smile.
"Cool," Ron leaned forward from the opposite side. "Can I take a look?"
Adrian pushed the plan sheet to the center of the table—this wasn't something that needed to be kept secret.
The three immediately leaned forward; the parchment was densely covered with neat handwriting, with some traces of corrections.
"Maintain transfiguration spell practice... Learn simple defensive spells... Preliminary learning of shield charm casting..."
Hermione frowned as she read.
Finally, she looked up, "Professor Westeros, these aren't prepared for yourself, are they? This looks like some sort of... teaching plan."
Harry and Ron also noticed something was amiss.
Adrian gently retrieved the parchment, smiled slightly, and then placed his gaze on Harry.
"Wait—" Harry was taken aback, with an ominous feeling, then pointed at himself, "Is this summer plan arranged for me?"
Adrian nodded and said, "You can't relax your studies during summer vacation."
"You seem like you'll be very busy, Harry," Ron comfortably leaned back in his chair and said, "I hope you still have time to come play at my house."
Meanwhile, Hermione's eyes were shining: "I'm so envious of you, Harry. To receive a study plan personally designed by the professor!"
Harry had just glanced at it, but he already noticed the densely packed schedule on the plan sheet.
It seemed that this summer he wouldn't have any idle time.
But that was alright. Harry knew this was a sign of Adrian's favor for him.
________________
You can read more chapters on:
patreon.com/IamLuis