The storm outside Hogwarts had ended by nightfall.
Even so, a damp chill still hung in the air and clung to the ancient stone walls.
After attending Gryffindor’s victory celebration, Harry did not return to bed.
He slipped beneath his Invisibility Cloak and quietly made his way through the castle until he reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts office.
Leon Cromwell opened the door after Harry knocked.
“Well, if it isn’t Gryffindor’s star Seeker.
What brings you here so late?” Leon was already dressed in pajamas.
When Harry removed the cloak, he stepped aside and motioned for him to enter.
A warm fire burned inside the office fireplace.
Its light drove away the cold and filled the room with a comfortable orange glow.
“I have a few questions, Professor,” Harry said awkwardly.
He had appeared distracted throughout the celebration.
His thoughts kept returning to the strange spell he had cast during the match.
Leon gestured toward a high-backed chair near the desk.
“Sit down.” Harry settled into the chair while Leon took the seat across from him.
“During the match, that rogue Bludger kept chasing me,” Harry began.
“I tried to use [Magic Missile] to destroy it.
The spell worked, but it didn’t look anything like the version Hermione cast.” He hesitated before continuing.
“The light was dark green.
My scar also hurt before and after I used it.” The color and the pain had reminded Harry of magic he would rather forget.
“I saw the spell,” Leon replied with a calm smile.
“First, you should understand that it was not evil magic.
The color may have looked disturbing, but you did not use a dark curse.” Harry’s tense shoulders relaxed.
“However, you are correct about one thing.
That was not [Magic Missile].” “But I was thinking about [Magic Missile],” Harry said.
“I even used the same incantation.
Did I cast it incorrectly?” Leon did not answer at once.
He adjusted his enchanted glasses and activated their analytical magic.
[Name: Harry Potter] [Race: Human] [Class: Warlock] [Level: 1—0.5%] Harry’s attributes and traits had not changed.
His class was now clearly displayed as Warlock.
Leon’s expression remained calm, though his thoughts became far less certain.
“Have you learned any other spells recently?” Harry thought for a moment.
“[Mage Hand], [Minor Illusion], and [Disguise Self].” Aside from the mysterious girl who had appeared at his mansion, Harry was the first person in this world to leave Leon genuinely confused.
Every spell Harry had learned could be used by a Warlock.
The panel also confirmed his new class.
The question was how he had awakened it without receiving instruction or knowingly forming a pact.
“Tell me exactly what you felt when you cast the spell,” Leon said.
“Was there anything unusual?” Harry raised one hand and touched the scar on his forehead.
“I was angry.
I wanted to destroy the Bludger before it hit me.” He paused.
“There was also a strange urge to tear it apart.
Then my scar became very hot.
It had already been hurting since morning, but the pain became much worse when I used the spell.” “Has the scar reacted like that before?” “Yes.” Fear entered Harry’s eyes.
“It happened last year when Professor Quirrell grabbed me.
When Voldemort was inside him.” Voldemort.
The scar.
A possibility formed in Leon’s mind.
Voldemort existed as a fragmented soul and had been identified by the D&D Panel as a [Demigod Lich].
Harry’s scar created a direct connection between their souls.
Warlocks received power through supernatural pacts with beings such as fiends, archfey, celestials, or Great Old Ones.
Harry had never willingly made such an agreement, but the soul fragment inside his scar might function as an unwilling bond with a patron.
In other words, Voldemort could be acting as Harry’s source of Warlock power.
“Professor?” Harry became more nervous when Leon did not speak.
“Was I wrong to use that magic?” “No, Harry.” Leon rose and walked around the desk.
He rested one hand on Harry’s shoulder.
“Your method was not wrong.
In fact, you possess a rare and powerful talent.
There is no need to suppress it simply because you do not yet understand it.” Relief appeared on Harry’s face.
“Still, I need to give you one warning.” Leon’s voice became serious.
“This power comes from a connection deep within your soul.
It may carry violent emotions and destructive impulses with it.” He looked directly into Harry’s eyes.
“Never allow yourself to become addicted to the feeling of destruction.
Stay calm and remember that magic belongs to you.
You must control it instead of allowing it to control you.” “I understand, Professor.” Harry nodded.
He did not fully grasp Leon’s explanation, but he felt much better than before.
A faint disturbance suddenly passed through the office.
Leon immediately became alert.
The magical fluctuation did not resemble his arcane spells.
It also felt different from ordinary wizarding magic.
Someone else was inside the room.
Leon cast [See Invisibility].
His vision sharpened and revealed a small creature hiding in the shadows behind Harry’s chair.
It had enormous bat-like ears and bulging eyes the size of tennis balls.
Leon reacted without hesitation.
“[Hold Monster].” Pale blue light appeared beneath the creature.
The spell struck just as it attempted to vanish.
Its body became rigid and the teleportation magic collapsed.
Leon had survived Albania by treating every unknown intrusion as a possible attack.
He immediately used [Misty Step] and reappeared in another corner of the office.
Dark green energy gathered at the tip of his wand as he prepared [Disintegrate].
“Dobby?” Harry spun around in shock.
The creature wore a filthy pillowcase.
Its body remained frozen in place, though its frightened eyes moved wildly.
“You know this creature?” Leon asked.
“Yes.
His name is Dobby.
He’s a house-elf.” Leon remembered house-elves from the movies he had watched in his previous life.
The real creature was not quite how he remembered.
Dobby was noticeably uglier.
More importantly, his magic was remarkable.
House-elves required no wands and produced almost no detectable magical fluctuations.
Even Leon had failed to notice him until he moved.
Leon lowered his wand but did not release the spell.
He approached Dobby and looked down at him.
“Why is a house-elf hiding inside my office?” “Dobby did not mean to offend Professor Cromwell!” Dobby cried.
Although the spell prevented him from moving, it did not stop him from speaking.
“Dobby only came to warn Harry Potter!
Harry Potter must leave Hogwarts!
The school is too dangerous!” “Leave Hogwarts?” Leon’s gaze hardened.
“The Bludger that attacked Harry during the Quidditch match was your work, wasn’t it?
Is that what you consider a warning?” Harry stared at Dobby in disbelief.
“Dobby only wanted Harry Potter to be injured!” the house-elf wailed.
“If Harry Potter was badly hurt, he would be sent home!” Tears and mucus ran down his face.
He tried to punish himself by smashing his head against a nearby cabinet, but [Hold Monster] prevented even the smallest movement.
Leon raised one hand.
[Mage Hand] lifted Dobby from the floor until their eyes were level.
“Answer one question.” Leon’s voice turned cold.
“Is the danger you are trying to warn Harry about connected to a black diary?” Dobby’s eyes widened.
His body trembled against the restraining spell.
Strange choking sounds came from his throat as he desperately tried to harm himself.
“That reaction is enough.
I no longer need an answer.” Leon released both spells.
Dobby dropped onto the carpet and scrambled upright.
“Harry is under my protection,” Leon said.
“Do not attempt to save my student by trying to kill him.” His expression became icy.
“Return to your master and deliver a message to Lucius Malfoy.
If he reaches into Hogwarts again, he should be prepared to lose the hand.” Dobby stared at Leon with terror.
He looked toward Harry one last time before vanishing with a loud crack.
Harry remained frozen in place.
“Dobby belongs to Malfoy’s father?” he asked.
“Does that mean the attack and the diary are connected to—” Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
Urgent pounding interrupted him.
Leon waved one hand and the office door opened.
Professor McGonagall stood outside.
Her face was pale and her normally rigid composure had disappeared.
“I apologize for disturbing you at this hour, Professor Cromwell,” she said in a low voice.
“Professor Dumbledore has ordered every member of the staff to report to the Great Hall.” She paused before delivering the reason.
“A student has been murdered.”