Chapter 90. Holiday Ends
Adrian Wesson spent a quiet Christmas in New York with his family.
During that time, he kept a constant eye on his sister Ariana's condition, but disappointingly, she seemed no different from usual.
Meanwhile, Hogwarts's Christmas holiday was the same as ever.
For Harry, this might have been the most enjoyable holiday he had ever experienced—every day was either feasting or having fun.
However, holidays are short, and soon it was time for term to begin.
As students returned one after another, Hogwarts gradually grew lively again.
On the first day of term, Wesson arrived on time; he even made it in time for breakfast.
In the Great Hall.
"Professor Wesson," Professor Flitwick, dressed in brand-new robes, sat down beside Wesson. "How was your holiday?"
"The same as in previous years," Wesson said casually as he ate a pumpkin pie. "I went back to New York and spent Christmas there…"
Mid-sentence, Wesson's gaze suddenly shifted to the entrance of the Hall.
Quirrell was strolling in at an unhurried pace, his purple turban wrapped even tighter than last term, almost covering half his face. He crossed the students' tables expressionlessly, reached the staff table, and sat down at the far end.
As Quirrell passed by, Wesson was surprised to find that the lingering smell of garlic on him had disappeared.
Professor Flitwick had noticed Quirrell as well and murmured to Wesson, "I heard Quirrell spent some time recuperating at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Er… he looks in pretty good shape now."
"Indeed… like a different person," Wesson replied softly.
A man's state of mind can be read in his bearing.
Although the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor looked much improved, there was a peculiar wrongness in his every movement.
His motions were too smooth—nothing like the twitchy, stammering Quirrell of last term. "Eldra."
[Name: Quirinus Quirrell]
[Occupation: Wizard]
Hm. Still only Quirrell's information.
Perhaps because Lord Voldemort had separated from him, Quirrell's colour had improved considerably.
Watching Quirrell cut his steak with calm, unhurried movements, Professor Flitwick asked Wesson, "I recall you covered Defence Against the Dark Arts for a while in Quirrell's place, didn't you, Professor Wesson?"
"Ah, yes." Wesson nodded, his eyes never leaving Quirrell. "But now that Quirrell's back today, my task is over."
"What a pity." Professor Flitwick shook his head. "The students say you teach brilliantly."
Wesson shrugged to show there was nothing he could do—that was Dumbledore's arrangement.
Just then, perhaps noticing the looks from this side, Quirrell glanced over.
Wesson even saw Quirrell give him a smile.
That smile made Wesson feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
But then again—where had Lord Voldemort gone?
At the Gryffindor table.
Hermione, who had come back a day early, was eating breakfast with Harry and Ron.
Harry was fiddling with the amulet Wesson had given him.
From any angle, it was just an ordinary little block of wood.
"A present from Professor Wesson?" Hermione said, a touch enviously. "May I have a look?"
"Go on." Harry handed Hermione the lightning-struck wood amulet.
Hermione glanced over it and showed a look of sudden understanding.
Seeing this, Harry hurriedly asked, "You know what it does?"
"No," Hermione shook her head, then said, "But it's definitely enchanted. Look at what's carved on it—those are runes. We'll learn them in Ancient Runes when we're in third year."
"Ancient Runes?" Harry was taken aback, then pressed on, "So what do the runes on it mean?"
Hermione returned the amulet to Harry, shook her bushy hair, and said, "You can go look it up in the library yourself. I can't remember that much."
"I thought she knew everything, the way she always acts so high and mighty…" Ron muttered under his breath beside Harry.
"What was that?"
Hermione's sharp gaze swept over at once.
"N-nothing," Ron shook his head quickly. "I was just…"
"Just?" Hermione pressed.
"Er…" Ron seemed to remember something and steered the topic elsewhere. "Right! Do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?"
"Nicolas Flamel?" Hermione frowned. The name was so familiar.
Hearing the name Nicolas Flamel, Harry realised they had not shared this bit of news with Hermione yet.
"We learned a few things from Hagrid," Harry said in a low voice to Hermione. "While you were away, Hagrid told us that Fluffy on the fourth floor is guarding something, and that thing has to do with someone called Nicolas Flamel—oh, Fluffy is the name of that three-headed dog."
Hermione folded her arms, thinking, then said, "Looks like you picked up quite a lot while I was gone." Next, Harry told Hermione his guess—that the fourth floor was a course of trials specially designed by Hogwarts for students.
However, after hearing this, Hermione slowly sighed and said to Harry, "Even if that room on the fourth floor is meant for students, it would be aimed at the upper years, not us."
"Having a go won't hurt," Ron sniffed. "We're Gryffindor, Hermione—we've got courage, and we've got guts!"
"What you need is a brain," Hermione shot Ron a look. "Courage and guts mean the same thing, Ron. And I don't think this is that simple."
"So," Harry cut off Hermione and Ron's bickering and brought the topic back on track, "Hermione, do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?"
Hermione's brow furrowed. She thought in silence for a moment, then suddenly looked up.
"Ahem…"
Ron jumped at her sudden movement, and the sausage he was chewing stuck in his throat.
Patting his back, Harry asked Hermione, "Well? Do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?"
"I know where I've seen that name!" Hermione said, enlightened.
Harry and Ron instantly focused their eyes on Hermione.
"In Professor Wesson's office," Hermione said with certainty. "When I went to ask him something, I saw a book on his shelf—the name was on the title."
Harry hopped off the bench at once and said eagerly to the two of them, "Come on, let's go have a look."
"Don't rush," Hermione went on calmly sipping her pumpkin juice. "Our first class this morning is Potions. You don't want to be late for Professor Snape's lesson."
?
Harry quietly sat back down.
Like this story Leave a review ; it would really help me out a lot.
Want to Read Ahead in Advance?
Join my Patreon!
+75 Chapters
Support me in
Patreon.com/BestElysium