Charlotte had no idea that he had already caught Dumbledore’s attention.
At that very moment, he was happily engrossed in a thick book.
It was a textbook on charms.
Charlotte found the subject fascinating, especially since tomorrow’s first lesson would be Charms with Ravenclaw’s Head of House, Professor Filius Flitwick.
Evenings at Hogwarts were fairly uneventful.
Students weren’t allowed to wander the castle at will.
If caught, the lightest punishment was the loss of House points.
More serious offences earned detention.
The Ravenclaws, however, didn’t seem particularly interested in sneaking around.
Some gathered in groups to discuss difficult problems.
Others quietly sat in corners with their noses buried in books.
Charlotte loved the atmosphere.
The following morning, Charlotte was once again the first student to successfully cast the Levitation Charm.
The spell itself wasn’t particularly difficult.
The only challenge was pronouncing the incantation correctly.
The second lesson of the day, however, instantly sharpened Charlotte’s focus.
Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Their teacher was Professor Quirinus Quirrell.
And hidden beneath Quirrell’s turban…
Lurked none other than the Dark Lord himself.
Voldemort.
For a brief moment, Charlotte even considered reporting Quirrell to Dumbledore.
If he revealed that Voldemort was hiding on the back of Quirrell’s head…
The entire course of wizarding history would change.
But after thinking it through, he quickly dismissed the idea.
For one thing, he had only been involved in the magical world for a few days.
More importantly…
Voldemort wasn’t someone who could simply be killed.
Until every Horcrux had been destroyed…
He was effectively immortal.
There was no reason to expose himself to such a dangerous risk.
“Expelliarmus!” Charlotte spoke the incantation.
A flash of light burst from his wand.
The practice dummy opposite him was instantly knocked backwards, and the wand in its hand flew across the room.
“Excellent.” “A flawless cast.” Professor Quirrell, his purple turban wrapped tightly around his head, applauded as he walked over.
Looking at Charlotte with unmistakable admiration, he said, “If you ever encounter a Dark Wizard or a magical creature outside Hogwarts…” “I hope you won’t panic.” “Fear only slows your spellcasting…” “…or causes your spells to fail.” “And that can have very serious consequences.” Afterwards, Quirrell introduced another defensive spell.
The Impediment Jinx.
Once again…
Charlotte mastered it on his very first attempt.
Quirrell’s eyes immediately lit up.
As a Ravenclaw graduate himself, he had once been regarded as a gifted wizard, which was why he had been hired to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Yet throughout all his years of teaching…
He had never encountered a student with talent like Charlotte’s.
“Excellent.” “Charlotte Elvis has performed exceptionally well.” “Ten points to Ravenclaw.” Ding!
Congratulations!
The host has earned House points from professors in four consecutive classes.
Reward: Skill Points ×5.
Charlotte couldn’t help smiling.
Five skill points at once.
Professor Quirrell really is a generous man.
“Thank you, Professor Quirrell.” “You’re quite welcome.” “You’ve earned it.” Quirrell smiled warmly.
“Oh, by the way…” “When this lesson ends…” “Please come to my office.” His office?
Charlotte froze.
If it had been any other professor, he would have agreed without hesitation.
But Quirrell…
Had Voldemort attached to him.
This was the Dark Lord who had once terrified the entire wizarding world.
If Voldemort decided to make a move…
Charlotte would almost certainly be finished.
Seeing Charlotte hesitate, Quirrell smiled.
“Is there a problem?” “N-No.” “There isn’t.” Charlotte nodded.
Refusing the invitation would only make him seem suspicious.
Besides…
He was the one who knew Voldemort’s secret.
Voldemort didn’t know that.
That alone gave Charlotte a considerable advantage.
Satisfied, Quirrell smiled and left the classroom.
The instant he turned around…
Charlotte suddenly felt a cold, sinister gaze settle upon him.
His expression changed.
He immediately looked away, deliberately avoiding Quirrell’s turban.
Did Voldemort really notice me?
That can’t be right…
Harry Potter is standing right beside me.
Shouldn’t he be paying far more attention to Harry?
Charlotte took a slow breath.
Just to be safe…
I’d better make some preparations.
He opened his status screen.
Name: Charlotte Elvis Age: 11 Race: Human Occupation: Wizard (Animagus) Talent: Thunderstorm Strength: 8 Intelligence: 9 Magic Power: 8 Spells: Occlumency (Level 2)Killing Curse (Level 0)Lumos (Level 0)Disarming Charm (Level 0)Impediment Jinx (Level 0) Transfiguration Mastery (Level 0) Potions Mastery (Level 0) Skill Points: 11 He quickly calculated his gains.
Three points yesterday.
One from Charms.
Two from Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Five from the system reward.
A total of eleven Skill Points.
Among everything he currently possessed, his strongest abilities were undoubtedly the Killing Curse and his Thunderbird Form.
The former killed with a single hit.
The latter possessed devastating destructive power over a wide area.
Unfortunately…
Neither could be used openly.
Especially the Thunderbird Form.
It attracted far too much attention.
After weighing the pros and cons, Charlotte made his decision.
Upgrade the Killing Curse first.
After all…
He was about to face the Dark Lord himself.
Even if it was only a fragment of Voldemort’s soul…
He couldn’t afford to lower his guard.
The Killing Curse reached Level 9, at which point it could no longer be upgraded.
Charlotte then spent his remaining two Skill Points upgrading the Disarming Charm and the Impediment Jinx.
His updated spell list became: Killing Curse (Level 9)Occlumency (Level 2)Disarming Charm (Level 1)Impediment Jinx (Level 1)Lumos (Level 0) Charlotte let out a slow breath.
“At least now…” “I have a little means of protecting myself.” “Hey, Charlotte!” Ron’s voice pulled him back to reality.
Charlotte looked over.
“What is it?” Ron sighed dramatically.
“How are you at flying?” Charlotte shrugged.
“I’ve never flown before.” Ron looked utterly dejected.
“I’ve just heard some terrible news.” “Our flying lesson with Madam Hooch is going to be shared with Slytherin.” “That idiot Malfoy is going to spend the whole lesson showing off again.” “Just thinking about it makes me sick.” Yesterday’s Potions lesson had already been bad enough.
Now they had to share Flying with Slytherin as well.
The worst part was that ever since arriving at Hogwarts, Malfoy had constantly bragged about how skilled he was on a broomstick.
According to him, his father regularly took him to watch Quidditch matches.
He also complained that if first-years had been allowed to join House teams…
He would have become the youngest Seeker in Hogwarts history.
Ron had grown thoroughly tired of hearing it.
Unfortunately…
No one in Gryffindor seemed particularly skilled at flying.
Even Neville Longbottom, despite growing up in a wizarding family, had barely touched a broom before.
Ron could already picture the smug expression Malfoy would be wearing.
Charlotte, however, merely smiled.
“Ron.” “Trust me.” “That’s nothing worth worrying about.” “Right now…” “I’ve got to go and see Professor Quirrell.”