"Lucien Grafton."
Seeing the figure in the mirror, Lord Voldemort softly spoke his name.
To be honest, he had not expected to see this face tonight.
His thoughts racing, Lord Voldemort quickly composed his words.
"Lucien, this is our official meeting."
"I am You-Know-Who, the Dark Lord, as people call me. I trust you have long heard my name."
A trace of self-satisfaction and arrogance twisted across Lord Voldemort's terrifying face, as though he were anticipating Lucien's shock and submission.
Yet Lucien remained calm. He casually placed the crystal vial containing the potion onto the stand, causing a faint flicker to pass through Lord Voldemort's gaze.
A potion can be made using the Philosopher's Stone. Was that not precisely why he sought the Stone, an elixir of immortality with which to reshape his body?
Lord Voldemort felt that his year-long pursuit might finally be realized tonight.
His thoughts shifted again, and he realized that Lucien was, in fact, quite easy to deal with.
A gifted child, a child unrepelled by the Dark Arts, a child hungry for knowledge—such a person clearly needed a knowledgeable and powerful mentor like him.
"Lucien, after me, you are the most outstanding student at Hogwarts."
"Your talent is extraordinary, but how much knowledge can you truly learn at Hogwarts? Have you been to the Restricted Section? That is the real treasure trove."
Hearing this, Lucien's eyes flickered.
Indeed, there were far too many valuable books in the Restricted Section, and it was impossible to read them all in a single year.
He wondered whether he might still be able to borrow books during the summer holidays. Hmm, he should ask old Dumbledore before the break.
Keenly catching Lucien's reaction, Lord Voldemort believed he had won him over.
As long as knowledge was mentioned, Lucien would surely take the bait. After a year of observation, Lord Voldemort had confirmed that Lucien was a true Ravenclaw, a sharp-eyed eagle devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
"What a pity that Dumbledore, that old fuddy-duddy, strictly forbids students from accessing such knowledge, from even attempting truly powerful Dark Arts!"
"Do you think he is protecting you? No. He is merely afraid that a genius like you will surpass him in the future, just as he guarded against me back then!"
Lord Voldemort's tone grew impassioned, laced with a seductive undertone, both to dismantle Lucien's inner defenses and to vent the 'injustices' he had suffered in years past.
Listening to Lord Voldemort's fervent speech, Lucien almost felt like applauding.
No wonder he had gathered a large following even as a student, and later rallied countless believers to act on his behalf.
Tsk, tsk. Even if Tom could not use magic, he could still do quite well with just that mouth. Becoming a businessman or a politician would suit him perfectly. Hmm, the next step in persuasion should be making grand promises.
"But I am willing to share all the knowledge of my life with you!"
"Give me the Philosopher's Stone. Let me resurrect first, and once I obtain the secret of eternal life, I will bring you along into immortality!"
"We will share knowledge and glory together!"
Hearing these words, Quirrell could not help but sigh. He had once believed Lord Voldemort's enticements in the Forbidden Forest.
Knowledge. Glory.
How could a Ravenclaw, a wizard not lacking in talent, refuse such an offer?
Yet upon hearing this, the corner of Lucien's mouth twitched slightly.
What kind of "benefits later" promise was this?
Lucien finally could not hold back his laughter.
"Haha. Someone who was defeated by a one-year-old infant isn't exactly convincing when making promises."
Lucien's words echoed from the mirror, instantly darkening Lord Voldemort's expression.
Defeated by an infant!
How could the great Lord Voldemort have lost to Harry Potter?
The extremism and brutality within his fragmented soul were stirred, and Lord Voldemort seized control of Quirrell's body, snapping his wand forward with force.
Whoosh!
A dark arrow wreathed in mist shot straight toward Harry on the ground, its tip aimed directly at his heart.
However, the scream he expected never came.
"Master!"
Quirrell gasped as he saw a creature suddenly appear in front of Harry.
It had pale golden scales, white jade horns, and eyes as clear as glass.
It was the very creature that had protected the unicorn in the Forbidden Forest and burned away one of Quirrell's arms.
Quirrell's head twisted, and Lord Voldemort's face turned forward, his gaze fixed on the strange creature blocking Harry.
"Hahahahahahaha…"
"Good. Very good!"
"So that's how it is, Lucien. You truly surprise me!"
Lord Voldemort had not expected the creature he encountered in the Forbidden Forest to appear here. Its astonishing vitality had left a deep impression on him, and he had never imagined that tonight's harvest would be so abundant.
"Lucien, with your talent, don't waste your time at Hogwarts. Come with me—"
Lord Voldemort twisted his neck, speaking with absolute confidence. But when he looked back at the mirror, his words came to an abrupt halt.
The scene within the mirror was blank. Lucien was gone. The stand was gone. And the potion that had been on the stand was gone as well.
In the next instant, the mirror itself vanished.
What filled Lord Voldemort's vision was a flash of red.
But Lord Voldemort was not Quirrell; their combat experience and reaction speed were worlds apart.
A blue-violet arc of lightning shot from the tip of his wand, colliding violently with the red spell.
Sizzle, crackle—!!
A harsh, piercing sound erupted from the point where the magic clashed.
"Nonverbal magic!"
Lord Voldemort's crimson eyes shifted, fixing on Lucien as he exchanged spells with him.
"Heh heh. To be able to cast nonverbally in your first year—that's quite impressive."
"Your talent truly is exceptional!"
As he fully took control of Quirrell's body, a sinister and overwhelming magic surged forth.
Breaking the deadlock of the clashing spells, Lord Voldemort casually unleashed arcs of lightning, frost, and poisonous mist… yet Lucien neutralized them one after another.
Lord Voldemort showed no irritation at this. Instead, he gave a slight nod, an approving smile appearing on his face.
"Not bad. Your year of Defense Against the Dark Arts was not wasted."
"In battle, one must remain calm and respond with composure."
Most of Lord Voldemort's attention was focused on the strange creature. Their previous encounter in the Forbidden Forest had left a deep impression on him, especially its ability to prevent Apparition.
However, they were now inside Hogwarts Castle, where Apparition was already impossible.
Lord Voldemort merely guarded against a potential sneak attack from the creature, while continuing to influence Lucien with his words as the battle went on.
"Lucien, of all the magic and knowledge you have learned, how much do you think Quirrell taught you, and how much came from me?"
"You should properly thank me for your progress and growth."
Lucien, who had cast dozens, even hundreds, of spells in a short span of time, let out a quiet breath. His warm-up was complete.
With a soft click, he pressed the brass pocket watch in his left hand. A shimmering light of transformation flashed, and a delicate revolver appeared in Lucien's grasp, bullets automatically loading into the cylinder.
He raised the muzzle and aimed it at Lord Voldemort.
"Evil Dark Wizard, how dare you impersonate my respected professor!"
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