Standing outside Professor Quirrell’s office, Charlotte took a deep breath before knocking on the wooden door.
Creaaak…
The old oak door swung open by itself.
Quirrell was sitting behind his desk, smiling warmly.
“Come in.” As he spoke, he rose and walked over to a low table in the office.
Picking up a silver-and-black teapot, he smiled.
“I brewed this black tea myself.” “Would you like a cup?” “A good friend gave it to me while I was travelling in Romania last year.” “It’s absolutely wonderful.” “Especially with a few waffles.” Charlotte had no intention whatsoever of drinking anything Quirrell offered.
He politely declined.
“No thank you, Professor.” “I just had a large serving of chicken curry with rice in the Great Hall.” “And a whole glass of pumpkin juice.” “What a pity.” Quirrell looked genuinely disappointed.
He poured himself a cup, took a slow sip, and continued.
“You know…” “I was something of a Ravenclaw prodigy myself.” “After graduating, Professor Dumbledore invited me back to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts.” He looked at Charlotte with admiration.
“But after all these years of teaching…” “I’ve never met a student with your level of talent.” “So…” “I’ve decided to give you special instruction.” “From now on, you won’t need to progress through the curriculum alongside everyone else.” “I’ll teach you personally.” Anyone else would probably have been overwhelmed by such an unexpected opportunity.
Charlotte, however, knew better.
Whenever something seemed too good to be true…
It usually was.
He had already demonstrated extraordinary magical talent before Professor McGonagall…
Professor Snape…
And Professor Flitwick.
Yet none of them had offered him special treatment.
Although warning bells were ringing in his mind, Charlotte allowed delight to appear on his face.
“Professor Quirrell…” “Can I really?” “Of course.” Quirrell smiled.
“Your talent deserves special guidance.” “And we’re Ravenclaws.” “There’s no need to be bound by rigid rules.” With that, he handed Charlotte a black-covered notebook.
“I wrote these while I was studying at Hogwarts.” “They contain my personal insights into Defence Against the Dark Arts…” “As well as several more advanced defensive spells.” “Take them back and study them.” “If you encounter any difficulties, you’re always welcome to come and ask me.” Charlotte carefully accepted the notebook.
Instead of opening it immediately, he looked sincerely grateful.
“Thank you, Professor.” “I won’t disappoint you.” “I look forward to seeing your progress.” Quirrell smiled warmly.
“And I hope you’ll bring great glory to Ravenclaw.” After watching Charlotte leave…
Quirrell slowly bent forward.
In an extremely humble voice, he whispered, “My Lord…” “I have done exactly as you instructed.” “I will certainly turn this child into your most loyal servant.” The next moment, a hoarse, chilling voice echoed through the office.
“No.” “You won’t.” “He never trusted you.” “His right hand remained tightly wrapped around his wand the entire time.” “The magic within him was constantly surging.” “He looked ready to cast Avada Kedavra at you at any moment…” A sinister laugh followed.
“But…” “What an interesting child.” “He is a born Dark Wizard.” “You needn’t concern yourself with him any longer.” “I have my own plans.” A pause.
“And what of the Philosopher’s Stone?” “How goes the task I assigned you?” Cold sweat streamed down Quirrell’s face.
His entire body trembled with fear.
“My Lord…” “I’ve confirmed that Dumbledore has hidden the Philosopher’s Stone inside Hogwarts.” “It’s guarded by a three-headed dog.” “But I’ve already discovered how to deal with it.” “As long as the opportunity presents itself…” “I’ll obtain the Stone.” “I hope…” “You live up to your words.” The hoarse voice slowly faded.
Yet Quirrell remained kneeling long after it disappeared, too terrified to straighten his back.
Meanwhile…
Charlotte returned directly to his dormitory.
He simply didn’t believe Quirrell would generously hand over a notebook containing years of Defence Against the Dark Arts experience.
As for what was actually inside…
Charlotte had a pretty good guess.
Most likely…
Advanced Dark Magic designed to tempt him onto the path of a Dark Wizard.
Unfortunately for Voldemort…
He had chosen the wrong target.
After moving several metres away from the notebook, Charlotte raised his wand and magically flipped it open.
The instant it opened— A blinding light erupted from the pages.
Charlotte felt as though he were falling endlessly into a bottomless abyss.
Moments later…
His vision cleared.
He found himself standing in a dark cemetery.
Ancient gravestones stretched endlessly into the distance.
Twisted, misshapen trees surrounded the area.
Then…
A figure dressed in black robes appeared.
He carried a wand resembling polished bone.
Upon seeing Charlotte, he spoke in a strange, chilling voice.
“Welcome…” “Charlotte Elvis.” “You may call me…” “Tom Marvolo Riddle.” “Or…” “Lord Voldemort.” “Congratulations.” “You have been chosen.” “You shall have the honour of becoming the servant of the greatest wizard in the world.” “Come.” “I shall grant you glory.” As Voldemort spoke…
Charlotte felt his body gradually slipping beyond his control.
The sensation was eerily similar to being placed under the Imperius Curse.
Fortunately…
His mind steadied almost instantly.
Without the slightest hesitation, he raised his wand.
“Avada Kedavra!” A brilliant jet of emerald light shot across the graveyard.
Voldemort’s figure shattered instantly.
Yet only a heartbeat later…
He reformed before Charlotte once again.
Furious, he roared, “You ignorant little worm!” “You dare cast the Killing Curse upon your master?” “Lord Voldemort is immortal!” “You shall soon pay dearly for your foolishness—” A terrifying pressure surged towards Charlotte.
“You’re noisy.” Charlotte spoke calmly.
The next instant— His body transformed into a gigantic bird with six magnificent wings.
The Thunderbird soared into the heavens.
Within moments, violent hurricanes swept across the entire cemetery.
The clouds overhead twisted into a colossal vortex.
Silver-white lightning danced wildly through the storm.
BOOM!!
A deafening clap of thunder shook the sky.
An enormous bolt of lightning illuminated the entire graveyard.
Voldemort was instantly reduced to ashes.
The ground beneath him split apart.
Only then did Charlotte realise…
The earth below was actually made of wooden floorboards.
His vision blurred.
When he came to himself again…
He was standing safely inside his dormitory.
Everything that had just happened seemed almost like a dream.
“So…” “That’s the famous Dark Lord?” “That’s it?” Ding!
Congratulations!
The host has defeated a fragment of Voldemort’s will.
Reward: Skill Points ×20 Additional Reward: Imperius Curse Charlotte’s eyes widened.
Only a fragment of Voldemort’s will…
And it rewarded twenty Skill Points.
If I were to destroy Voldemort completely…
Wouldn’t that be worth thousands…
perhaps tens of thousands of Skill Points?
While Charlotte was still delighted by his unexpected reward…
Elsewhere in Hogwarts…
Quirrell knelt trembling on the floor.
His purple turban had disappeared.
On the back of his head…
A hideous face twisted with murderous rage.
“I’ll kill you…” “I swear…” “I’ll kill you!”