While a conflict was brewing within the Golden Trio, Vaughn was stopping Professor Snape.
“Professor, do you have any free time this weekend?
There are a few things I’d like to ask you about.” Snape shot him a sideways glance and answered bluntly, “I don’t have any ti—” But Vaughn acted as though he hadn’t heard him and continued respectfully, “Many potion formulas can’t be found anywhere on the market, and I’ve already mastered the basics.
You have no idea how happy I was when I received my Hogwarts acceptance letter.” “Ever since I brewed my first Blood-Replenishing Potion at the age of eight, I’ve dreamed of becoming your student one day.” “…” Snape swallowed the words that were about to leave his mouth.
The corners of his lips twitched a few times as though he were struggling to hide a change in expression.
“Sunday,” he said.
“In the evening.
If you’re late, don’t bother coming.” “Thank you very much, Professor.
I’ll be there on time!” Snape strode away quickly.
Even the sharp sound of his leather shoes striking the floor seemed lighter than usual.
Vaughn was happy as well.
He needed Fame Points to increase his strength, and at present, potions were still the field that contributed most to spreading his reputation.
After all, he had spent years studying them and already possessed a solid theoretical foundation.
As long as he could learn advanced potion-making techniques and broaden his horizons, he would not only greatly improve his understanding of potions and ingredients, optimize formulas, and verify his own theories, but also begin considering the development of entirely new potions.
The “Vaughn Beauty” series was only suitable for making money.
As far as boosting his reputation went, it had already reached its limit.
After securing Snape’s promise, Vaughn headed to the Ravenclaw common room that evening in an excellent mood.
The logical riddle asked by the bronze door was hardly difficult in his eyes.
By the time he and Guoguocha had managed to scam a pile of snacks from a group of older Ravenclaw girls and were preparing to take a walk around the Black Lake to digest, he spotted Hermione sitting by the shore.
The wind had picked up after nightfall.
Ripples spread across the dark waters beneath the starry sky.
A gigantic squid swam through the lake, while several Gryffindors in the distance seemed to be feeding it.
“I heard Fred and George say that giant squid is actually Godric Gryffindor transformed.” Hermione, who had been staring blankly at the lake, jumped in surprise when she suddenly heard a voice.
She hurriedly wiped her face.
Looking up, she saw Vaughn sitting down beside her and holding out a piece of chocolate.
“Here.
It’ll make you feel better.” Vaughn’s pockets were stuffed with candy, bulging noticeably.
Guoguocha trotted around their feet with a strip of jerky hanging from its mouth, shaking its head happily.
Hermione knew he must have just come from Ravenclaw Tower.
He and Guoguocha were extremely popular among the girls there.
“Thank you…” She accepted it softly, then looked at the giant squid again and couldn’t help arguing, “Gryffindor lived a thousand years ago.
How could something he transformed into still be alive?
They’re obviously making things up.” The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
Why couldn’t she keep herself from saying things like that?
Did she really have such an unpleasant personality?
Noticing her mood, Vaughn thought for a moment before asking, “Did you have a fight with Harry and Ron?” “Uh…
how did you know?” “You don’t usually come here just to daydream,” Vaughn said with a smile.
“You’re either in the library or on your way to the library.
As far as I can tell, we’re the only people you’re even remotely close to.
Besides those two, I can’t think of anyone who’d make you hide out here.” Hermione froze.
She had never really noticed before, but thinking about it now, she truly didn’t have any friends.
Other than Vaughn, the only two she had…
And today, even they…
The girl’s mood sank further.
She pressed her lips together.
After a long silence, she finally repeated the things Ron had said about her behind her back.
When she finished, she lowered her voice.
“Vaughn…
am I really that annoying?
I just…
I just want everyone to follow the rules.” She had expected comforting words.
After all, Vaughn was always warm, funny, and just a little mischievous.
Instead, he nodded.
“A little.” “…” Vaughn patted her thin shoulder and gazed into the distance as the night wind blew around them.
“There’s a saying in a country far from England.
It means that honest advice is unpleasant to hear.” “Of course, that’s not your fault or anyone else’s.
It’s simply human nature.
People always want to avoid confronting their own mistakes.
When someone keeps pointing those mistakes out, they instinctively resist.” As she looked up at him, Hermione suddenly realized that he carried an indescribable air about him.
Words like those should have sounded strange coming from someone so young.
Like a child trying too hard to sound mature.
Yet when he said them, they felt completely natural, as though time itself had settled around him, making the oddity impossible to notice.
She stared blankly.
“Then…
why have you never found me annoying?” “Because I like that kind of honesty.” Hermione’s face instantly turned crimson under Vaughn’s smiling gaze.
Then she heard him continue.
“The more setbacks you’ve experienced, the more you realize how valuable a friend like you is.
Ron is still immature.
He doesn’t understand that yet.” For some reason, Hermione suddenly wanted to ask: Then why do you understand?
But she didn’t.
Perhaps because she felt she wouldn’t get an answer.
Some things simply weren’t meant to be shared.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
They sat quietly beside the lake, feeling the breeze and watching the giant squid stretch out a tentacle to flip over a small boat.
The Gryffindor students aboard shrieked as they splashed into the water, then burst into laughter.
“Hermione, no matter what, please forgive Ron for my sake.
And while you’re at it, help me keep an eye on them.” Hermione blinked.
“What do you mean?” Vaughn smiled at first, then sighed helplessly.
“Harry’s situation is a little complicated.
Dumbledore seems to be testing him.
Ron being with him makes me uneasy, but I have no reason to interfere with their friendship.” “So I’d like you to watch them.
If anything happens, make sure I know about it.” Hermione looked surprised.
She immediately caught the implication hidden in his words and lowered her voice.
“You mean Harry could be in danger at school?” “Not danger.
A test.
But…” Vaughn spread his hands.
“No one can guarantee that everything will remain under control.
Not even Dumbledore.” Hermione’s mind was in a mess.
She desperately wanted to ask what exactly Vaughn knew.
But Vaughn had already stood up and started walking away with Guoguocha.
Before leaving, he handed her several more pieces of chocolate.
“That’s all.
Head back and get some rest, Hermione.” Then he turned around and smiled.
“And remember, keep it secret, my informant.” Hermione flushed again, and she completely forgot what she had wanted to ask.
As Vaughn walked away, his expression grew calm.
He had never considered following the Chosen One around.
He had already set clear goals for his years at Hogwarts.
First, study potions and spread his reputation.
Second, learn profound magic and accumulate power.
With goals like those, he had no spare energy to pay attention to every move the Boy Who Lived made.