"For example, Harry Potter would be a good choice. The Boy Who Lived is very valuable, isn't he? I think targeting him will be beneficial for our plan."
This time, Lockhart did not reply immediately. After a long pause, Tom saw his response appear.
"But Harry Potter… from what I've seen, he's just a boy with a bit of personality. He's not as extraordinary as the legends make him out to be…"
Reading the appearing words, Tom immediately understood Lockhart's thoughts. His gaze grew colder.
"A coward's softness? Kindness? Foolishness."
But Tom still continued to persuade him.
"But the world only knows the Boy Who Lived. They know Harry Potter, not Harry. I believe you understand what I mean."
"Just imagine, my friend. When the Basilisk is about to devour the Savior, you make a grand entrance and repel the monster with powerful magic. Then the entire wizarding world will praise your name, Gilderoy Lockhart, the one who saved the future of the wizarding world and protected its hope."
"And you would only need to control the Basilisk to Petrify Harry first. There is no risk in that, is there?"
Tom set down the quill and patiently waited for Lockhart's reply.
Indeed, Harry Potter was the perfect target.
However, Tom had no intention of merely having the Basilisk Petrify him.
He intended for the Basilisk to kill him outright.
Over the past few days, Tom had calmed down and reconsidered. Was it really necessary to meet Harry Potter?
Not really.
Logically speaking, Tom Riddle, no, Lord Voldemort in the future, possessed immense magical power and unparalleled mastery of the Dark Arts. How could he have been defeated by a mere infant?
"Protective magic? A vow? Some kind of binding?"
"It doesn't matter what it was. I don't need to act personally."
Having put aside his earlier anger and reluctance, the young Tom quickly reached a conclusion. Harry Potter, still a baby at the time, had most likely been protected by powerful magic cast by someone else, which had been used to ambush and defeat the future Lord Voldemort.
So Tom quickly came to a conclusion. Could he, sharing the same soul, truly kill Harry Potter himself?
Wouldn't he end up being killed in return, just like that foolish Lord Voldemort decades later?
In that case, it would be better to have the Basilisk kill Harry Potter directly.
Moreover, if the Savior died at Hogwarts, Dumbledore, as Headmaster, would bear great responsibility.
At that point, it would not be something that could be resolved by simply stepping down.
"Old hypocrite, the world would be delighted to have a reason to condemn you."
So Tom was no longer fixated on meeting Harry. He would simply have him killed.
He even found it hard to understand why his future self had insisted on personally killing a baby. Was it really that satisfying?
After a long while, Tom saw Lockhart's handwriting appear in the diary.
"If it's only Petrification, the risk is acceptable, and I can control the Basilisk, but as for profound magic…"
"I'm afraid if I use magic that is too advanced, others won't understand its intricacies or power. Perhaps something more flashy and eye-catching would be better?"
Lockhart's words left Tom speechless. After thinking for a moment, he picked up the quill and wrote,
"I've come across some charms in books before. These should meet your needs. For example….."
"And a few practical tricks that will certainly make you appear heroic and extraordinary…"
Tom casually taught Lockhart some flashy but impractical techniques, knowing they would not be needed anyway.
Outside the diary.
Following the instructions, Lockhart waved his wand. Sparks of varying sizes shot out, and ribbons of multicoloured light swirled around him, making him look radiant and dazzling.
"What useful charms. Perhaps I can demonstrate some of them in advance to build up my grand finale. Yes, just like in a novel."
"It would be best if more people saw it. What reason could I use to gather the students together…?"
...
Quidditch pitch.
Dark clouds covered the sky, and low thunder rumbled within them.
The absence of rain was a relief for both the spectators and the players, but the oppressive heat and humidity still made everyone uncomfortable.
Although Lucien's waterproof wristbands prevented them from getting soaked, rain would still affect visibility, limiting both play and viewing.
At this moment, in the Gryffindor team's changing room.
Wood was delivering his final pep talk.
"There's no denying that Slytherin's brooms are better than ours, but our team is stronger."
"Believe me, money can never compare to effort and sweat…"
Listening to Wood's passionate speech, Harry simply tightened his grip on the broom in his hand.
It was not a Nimbus 2000, but a newly designed flying broom.
The core pulsed with arcs of electricity and flowing air, while the dark walnut and mithril handle was engraved with lightning patterns.
The broom Harry held had been designed by Lucien, and in both top speed and acceleration, it surpassed the current Nimbus 2001.
After trying it, Harry had immediately fallen in love with it.
His old Nimbus 2000 had been excellent, but compared to this broom, it was clearly inferior.
In terms of speed, acceleration, agility, stability, and more, the overall difference in performance was significant.
Harry looked at the engraving on the handle.
Eurus.
Named after the greek god of wind.
Lucien had said that "Eurus" was the name of the series.
Harry had a feeling that the Eurus brand would surpass Nimbus, Comet, Cleansweep, and all other brands, becoming the top choice for Quidditch.
He was currently using an Eurus, while his original Nimbus 2000 had been lent to one of the team's Chasers to reduce their equipment disadvantage.
"At least now, we won't be at a speed disadvantage against Slytherin," Harry murmured.
In truth, the Eurus was definitely superior to the Nimbus 2001. However, Malfoy also had one.
These brooms had only been lent to them by Lucien, who had made it clear that they were not final versions and still needed testing in real matches for further refinement.
Of course, safety was not a concern. They would not suddenly break apart or throw the rider off.
Harry would never think of asking Lucien not to give Malfoy an Eurus. Even though he and Malfoy did not get along, Lucien had no such conflict.
As a friend, Harry had to respect Lucien's position. A Gryffindor would not use friendship to pressure someone into taking sides.
Stepping onto the Quidditch pitch with his teammates, Harry let out a breath. Since both sides had the same brooms, it would come down to whose Seeker was better.
________
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