Staying up until 3 AM always brought bad luck!
Otherwise, how had he suddenly run into this guy?
Argus's blood pressure spiked, and his body tensed instantly.
He knew who it was without even turning around!
Quirrell!
Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts!
More importantly, the novel's ultimate boss—Voldemort—was parasitic on the back of his head!
He had caused quite a stir by entering Hogwarts!
Especially his surname—Grindelwald! It was impossible for him not to attract Voldemort's attention!
"Calm down, Argus!"
"With Dumbledore around, he won't act rashly unless you show any unusual behavior."
After silently comforting himself for a few moments, Argus's familiar smile returned.
"Professor Quirrell, good evening."
"Good evening... good evening, Mr. Grindelwald! Why... why aren't you sleeping in the lounge? What are you doing here?"
Quirrell's tone carried a hint of doubt, and even a touch of nervousness.
"Sorry, Professor, I just went to the kitchen for a late-night snack."
"Night snack?"
"That's right. I got so engrossed in reading last night that I didn't wake up until midnight."
"Is... really? It's rare to see a little wizard as eager to learn as you."
Quirrell stammered, his gaze sweeping back and forth over Argus.
Suddenly, his expression changed, and his previously rosy face turned deathly pale.
The look in his eyes as he stared at Argus became hesitant and reluctant.
Something was not right!
His eyes looked off!
Argus keenly sensed Quirrell's change and quietly retreated a step.
"Professor, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to the lounge. If Mr. Filch catches me, I'll be in big trouble."
Sweet dreams!
"Wait... wait a minute!"
Quirrell's forehead was covered in cold sweat, as if he were enduring great pain.
He managed a weak smile.
"Mr. Grindelwald, if you would like, why don't you bring your book to my office and I can give you a look?"
"It's too late, Professor, I won't trouble you any further."
"I'll visit you another day!" Argus said without stopping.
He spoke while backing away.
"Mr. Grindelwald, refusing a teacher's invitation is not the behavior of a good student."
Just as Argus was about to make a run for it, Quirrell's expression suddenly changed.
He exuded a unique and indescribable aura.
His eyes were full of confidence!
Argus was momentarily stunned, but the next second, his Occlumency went into overdrive!
Legilimency? Damn it!
They had really provoked Voldemort!
He shouldn't have agreed to go out for a late-night snack with the Weasley twins today!
They had been living peacefully for too long, and they hadn't even taken this much precaution!
It looked like he really needed to start exercising!
Argus thought to himself.
But now was not the time to think about these things.
Whether he could even get away was a question!
Fearing that a sudden action would alert Voldemort, he maintained his composure and continued to respond with a faint smile.
"Professor, it's not that I want to refuse, it's just that it's too late and I have class tomorrow."
"Professor McGonagall will be unhappy if I doze off in class."
When Quirrell realized that Argus had been merely momentarily distracted, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
He looked at Argus with great interest.
"Mr. Grindelwald is afraid of the professor?"
"I'm a student, it would be abnormal if I wasn't afraid, right?"
"Click-clack!"
Just then, faint footsteps came from afar!
Argus raised an eyebrow, as if afraid the newcomer wouldn't notice him.
The sound grew even louder.
"Professor Quirrell, I'm so sorry, I'm really quite tired tonight. Thank you for the invitation, I will definitely visit you another day to apologize!"
Sure enough, the footsteps paused for a moment!
Then they quickly moved in his direction!
"Mr. Grindelwald, if I remember correctly, you should be lying in bed right now, instead of wandering around the castle like a silly Gryffindor lion!"
This was the first time Argus had ever found Snape's voice so beautiful!
Quirrell looked up in the direction Snape had come from, then his interest in Argus grew even stronger.
"Mr. Grindelwald, we will meet again."
"I hope you won't refuse my invitation next time."
"Of course, Professor!"
Snape's arrival instantly gave Argus confidence.
Turning around, he was met with Snape's gloomy face.
"Mr. Grindelwald, do you need to explain to your hardworking headmaster why you broke the school rules on the second day of the semester?"
"Professor Snape, I just came out for a late-night snack."
"A midnight snack?" Snape sneered. "Perhaps Madam Pomfrey's calming potion would be more suitable for you."
"Congratulations, Mr. Grindelwald, for your 'brave' actions you have successfully earned yourself a week of confinement."
Slytherin, deduct five points!
"Remember to report to Mr. Filch tomorrow night."
"Also, go back to sleep right now!"
"Yes, Headmaster!" Argus simply nodded and smiled. His expression was unreadable.
He turned and walked toward the Slytherin common room.
Snape's questioning came from behind.
"Professor Quirrell, I think you know very well…"
...
Inside the headmaster's office.
Dumbledore lay on the chaise longue, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
Ever since he learned of what Ron had done today, his furrowed brow hadn't relaxed.
He was too old; dealing with the resurrected Voldemort was virtually an impossible task.
Harry was his hope for the future!
From Harry's birth, to his acceptance into Hogwarts, and then to his enrollment.
Every step had been meticulously planned by him.
Ron Weasley was the partner he had prepared for Harry!
Dumbledore originally thought that with the Weasley family's talent and influence in the wizarding world, they could become Harry's best help in the future.
He had never imagined that despite all his careful planning, he still overlooked one thing!
That was... what if Ron couldn't shoulder the responsibility of being a savior's partner?
It was important to understand that his requirements for Harry's companions went far beyond simply eating, drinking, and playing together.
Ron needed to be able to help Harry at crucial moments and help him quickly grow into a pillar in the fight against Voldemort.
But what had Ron done now?
What happened in Potions class could be explained as a mistake, but what about Flying class?
This was no longer a question of whether or not he could help Harry; it was about leading Harry astray!
Once Harry was influenced by him and became a jealous and attention-seeking person, how could he fight Voldemort?
He had thought about this all night.
Just as he was deep in thought, the stone statue outside the door suddenly opened.
Snape walked in with a long face.
"Severus, you've come."
Dumbledore's weathered voice carried a hint of weariness.
Snape strode into the headmaster's office, his long black robes billowing as he looked like a giant bat.
"Quirrell met with Mr. Grindelwald tonight."
Dumbledore's eyes snapped open, and his relaxed back gradually straightened.
"What happened?"
"It must be a coincidence!"
Why did he say that?
Snape thought for a moment and replied, "I can sense that Argus isn't too keen on talking to Quirrell."
"Or rather, disgust is a more accurate word!"
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly: "It seems he has sensed something."
"He can sense... that person?"
"Mr. Grindelwald's Occlumency is quite remarkable; even I cannot fathom his true thoughts." Dumbledore rubbed his temples.
"Given Voldemort's current state, it wouldn't be surprising if he noticed if I rashly used Legilimency."
"Severus!"
Dumbledore's expression suddenly turned serious.
"I want to ask you a favor!"
"Does our headmaster even need to monitor an eleven-year-old child?"
Snape's ability to become a double agent was due to his top-notch intellect and skills.
He could see right through Dumbledore's thoughts.
The tone was very sarcastic.
"It's not surveillance; you just need to keep a closer eye on that child."
"He's so much like my old friend, and he's very close to Harry."
"I'm worried..."
Snape sneered: "What's there to worry about? Mr. Grindelwald isn't going to do as many stupid things as Potter and Weasley, who have heads full of weeds!"
Dumbledore looked Snape straight in the eye: "You know what I mean; we have no chance of failing."
"Harry's upbringing cannot go wrong."
Snape didn't even glance at him before turning to leave.
Dumbledore spoke again: "He is Lily's only child, and like Lily, he has emerald green eyes!"
Snape stopped.
His body trembled slightly.
"We must do everything within our power to create a perfect environment for Harry to grow up in."
"We can't let him affect our plans!"
"Severus!"
Snape remained silent for a long time before walking straight out of the headmaster's office.
"Understood!"
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