As time flowed, the deep chill of autumn settled in.
The spires of Hogwarts were wrapped in golden, fallen leaves, and the air was filled with the faint scent of pumpkin and spice.
In the blink of an eye, Halloween had arrived.
Linus had noticed early on that the castle’s timeline was still proceeding along its original trajectory— Harry joining the Quidditch team, Neville falling and breaking a bone during Flying Class, Malfoy’s provocative midnight duel, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville accidentally wandering into the forbidden corridor and encountering the three-headed dog, Fluffy.
None of this differed from his memories.
But tonight would be different.
He knew very well that tonight was the day the troll would break in.
Initially, he had not planned to interfere.
After all, that “bathroom incident” was the critical turning point that forged the trio’s friendship.
However, he ultimately changed his mind.
Hermione Granger—intelligent, brave, and exceptionally logical.
In Linus’s plans, she would be a key member of his future Elite Wizard Unit.
He needed to give her an unforgettable beginning.
*** The Great Hall was brilliantly lit for the evening feast.
Jack-o’-lanterns hovered in midair, and the tables were laden with sweets and roasted meats.
The students laughed and chatted merrily, the festive atmosphere of Halloween almost entirely masking the danger lurking in the shadows.
Linus sat at the staff table, his expression serene, the wine in his silver goblet shimmering with golden light.
At that exact moment, with a subtle flick of his wrist, a folded piece of parchment unfolded in his palm.
It was a modified Marauder’s Map.
Under the corrections of his alchemy, it could clearly display the magic coordinates of every living being in the entire castle.
On the map, countless points of light flickered like stars.
One of those red dots—Hermione—was stationary in the girls’ bathroom.
Another dim, blurry dot was slowly moving from the direction of the dungeons.
Linus arched an eyebrow.
“It seems the play is beginning.” He took a sip of his wine and stood up.
“Pardon me, I need to use the restroom.” No one suspected a thing.
A professor leaving the table was as ordinary as could be.
He stepped into the dim corridor.
At the same time, that dark red dot had already entered the second floor.
*** Inside the girls’ bathroom, Hermione covered her face with her hands, crying in a low voice.
The white marble floor reflected her silhouette—lonely and stubborn.
From outside the door came a dull, heavy vibration.
*Thud—Thud—* Thick, heavy footsteps drew closer and closer.
Hermione looked up, tears trembling in her eyes.
In the next instant, the door was slammed open.
A twelve-foot-tall mountain troll squeezed its way inside, dragging a thick wooden club that made a grating screech against the floor.
A foul stench mixed with a bloody odor instantly filled the entire bathroom.
Hermione retreated in terror, her back pressed hard against the cold wall.
She pulled out her wand, but she couldn’t remember a single spell.
The troll raised its club, its muscles bulging.
The air seemed to tear apart under the force.
At that exact moment— A layer of invisible light shield appeared in front of her, accompanied by the clear chime of metal clashing.
The massive club was rebounded by the force, crashing heavily to the ground.
“Professor!” Hermione gasped.
Linus walked in through the doorway, his expression perfectly calm.
His robes stirred slightly in the breeze, his eyes reflecting the shadow of the troll.
“Wandering off alone is hardly wise, Miss Granger.” His tone was flat, yet it made the young girl’s heart tighten.
“I…
I’m sorry, Professor,” she said, lowering her head.
“It is fine.
As long as you are safe.” Linus raised his eyes to look at the troll before him.
The creature was slamming its blunt fists against the shield, but they only produced dull, muffled thuds.
“A fascinating organism,” he murmured.
“You mean…
the troll?” Hermione asked blankly.
“Yes.
Most people only see their violence, yet they overlook their value.” Linus pointed at the magic shield, which was rippling from the impact of the blows.
“Look—its skin can resist spells, and even reflect a portion of magic.
That is an ancient defensive structure, sharing similar principles with ‘Ancient Magic.'” “Ancient Magic?” Hermione was stunned.
“Do you mean…
like the protection Mrs.
Lily Potter left on Harry?” Linus nodded, his tone dropping to a low, contemplative register.
“Yes.
That was a sacrifice of love, the power of pure will.
But Ancient Magic is not limited to that— Some creatures are born carrying it naturally, such as a dragon’s scales, a troll’s thick hide, or a phoenix’s tears.” He paused, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
“Imagine, if we could use alchemy to parse this essence and graft that resistance and strength onto humans, what would happen?” Hermione listened in a daze, her mind already beginning to trace the logical pathways of the concept.
“But didn’t you say that Ancient Magic cannot be directly controlled by humans?” “Indeed, it cannot be ‘controlled,’ but it can be ‘parsed,'” Linus said softly.
“Science cannot manufacture a soul, yet it can parse the structure of life.
Magic is the same.
We do not need to become gods; we only need to understand the language of the gods.” Hermione looked up, her eyes gradually growing bright.
For the first time, she discovered that magic could be so rational, so full of logic and order.
Linus smiled slightly.
“It seems you understand quite well, Miss Granger.” Having said that, he turned back to the troll.
The club was raised high once more, but before it could fall, the air suddenly tightened.
Linus gave his wand a light flick and chanted in a low voice.
The club instantly transformed into silver chains, rapidly coiling around the troll’s limbs.
The creature roared and struggled, but the chains only bound tighter.
“Let us end this.” With a flick of his finger, his wand vibrated subtly.
Silent ripples diffused through the air, causing it to tremble.
Hermione felt a brief distortion in her hearing, and immediately after, the troll’s body stiffened, its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed to the ground with a resounding crash.
“Was that—?” “A variation of the Sonorous Charm,” Linus replied.
“It is originally used to magnify sound, but I adjusted the frequency so that it resonates solely within the target’s brain.
It does not leak out, nor does it leave any traces.” Hermione stared blankly at the fallen troll, utter shock filling her heart.
“Magic…
can actually be used like this.” “The limit of magic has never been the length of a spell,” Linus said calmly.
“But the depth of one’s understanding.” He slid his wand back into his sleeve and turned to look at the entrance.
Two figures rushed in frantically—Harry and Ron.
“Hermione!
Are you alright!” Harry rushed forward, his face full of anxiety.
“I’m fine…
the Professor saved me.” Linus smiled, taking a step back.
“It seems you have friends who are willing to take risks for you.
That is something to be cherished.” Harry nodded while catching his breath, and Ron repeatedly voiced his thanks.
A few minutes later, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, and other professors arrived on the scene.
Seeing the troll already defeated on the ground, everyone was profoundly shocked.
Hermione took a step forward, voluntarily taking the blame.
“I came in here on my own.
The Professor only stepped in to save me.” Dumbledore gazed at her, then looked at Linus.
The latter merely offered a faint smile, saying nothing.
“Since that is the case, let us leave it at that,” the Headmaster said, nodding meaningfully.
*** The night grew deeper.
The students were escorted back to their dormitories.
In the Great Hall, the candlelight flickered.
Linus walked alone down the long corridor, his footsteps echoing against the stone floor.
He murmured in a low voice, “Hermione Granger—the first chess piece is now in position.” Outside the window, the moonlight fell silently, reflecting in his calm eyes.
Like a silent mirror, reflecting the ripples of the future.