He looked around.
Argus discovered that this was a room with a strong wizarding style.
It contained not only puppets needed for practicing magic, but also all sorts of strange things he had never seen before.
This piqued his curiosity, and he began to examine the various objects that appeared.
He had followed Grindelwald for many years and had seen many amazing objects.
But all he could tell about this Room of Requirement was that it was imbued with a spell that allowed it to expand without leaving a trace.
Moreover, it was far more profound than the kind commonly used by modern wizards.
"Interesting!"
In the past, he didn't think much of ancient magic.
In his understanding, if ancient magic was truly so powerful, it wouldn't have been replaced by modern magic.
Now, it seemed that ancient magic was not as simple as he had imagined.
However, he didn't dwell on it too much.
Argus knew his own limitations; to wizards of Dumbledore's or Voldemort's caliber, he was like a novice under a master's thumb.
They could manipulate him however they wanted.
What Dumbledore couldn't understand even after spending decades at Hogwarts, he understood after just a couple of glances?
That was seriously underestimating the previous generation of legends in the wizarding world.
He didn't know how long he had been in the Room of Requirement, but when he came out, torches were lit everywhere in the castle.
Back in the Slytherin common room, Draco was talking to Goyle and Crabbe.
Draco's eyes lit up the moment he saw Argus return.
"Argus, where did you go today? I've been looking for you in the library and dorm for ages but I can't find you."
During this period, Argus's life was extremely regular, basically consisting of going between the classroom, the lobby, and the library.
Draco couldn't help but feel a little strange that he hadn't found him in these places.
"I found a place outside to practice some spells. Oh, and I forgot to congratulate you on becoming Slytherin's youngest Seeker."
Upon hearing this, Draco immediately became smug.
"Just wait and see, I'm going to lead Slytherin to the Quidditch Championship this year!"
"Why are you here with Goyle and Crabbe instead of sleeping at night?"
Argus sat on the sofa and poured himself a cup of tea.
The Room of Requirement was great in every way, except it couldn't provide any food or drink.
"It's that Weasley again!"
"Weasley? You mean Ron?"
During these few days of peaceful life, Argus had almost forgotten about him.
"That's him!"
Draco looked furious: "You don't know, but this afternoon, my dad gave me a Nimbus 2000 as a reward for getting into the Slytherin team."
"Weasley was discharged from the hospital just then, and when he saw my flying broom, he kept saying that the Slytherin team only took me in because they liked my broom!"
Argus became interested: "So you guys started fighting?"
If he remembered correctly, Harry should have been the one to obtain the Nimbus 2000 in the original story.
It was a gift from Professor McGonagall after she recommended him to the Gryffindor team.
But during the last flying lesson, since Neville wasn't there, Ron became the troublemaker, and Harry didn't have much room to maneuver.
Although he still ended up in the Gryffindor team, it was thanks to Draco that he got in.
Draco's book-stealing spree caught the eye of the Slytherin captain, making him the house's youngest Seeker.
Given Draco's precedent and Harry's exceptional talent, Oliver Wood reluctantly agreed to let him join the Gryffindor team.
As a substitute Seeker!
Compared to the splendor of the original work, it was far inferior!
Draco shook his head when Argus asked him.
"No, I'm not stupid enough to make a move in public!"
"I challenged Weasley to a duel tonight! I originally wanted you to be my second, but I haven't been able to find one, so I'm planning to have Goyle come with me."
"Now that you're here, let's see how Weasley can fight me!"
With Argus backing him up, Draco was brimming with confidence.
It was no exaggeration to say that, given Ron and Harry's abilities, the two of them combined wouldn't be able to touch a hair on Argus's head.
"What time did you agree to meet?"
To be honest, Argus wasn't really into Draco's wizard dueling games.
He didn't want to agree, but then he thought of Draco's selfless help during flight class, and the fact that Draco hadn't asked him for help that many times.
If he refused, it might hurt Draco's feelings.
In addition, he should also put on a show of making a pact with Voldemort
If he didn't take any action himself and just relayed the information to Voldemort, what would the Dark Lord think?
Goodness, something he had pondered for ages but never dared to attempt, Argus had done in the blink of an eye?
At that point, Argus wouldn't receive praise, but fear!
This was extremely detrimental to his ability to remain hidden.
He should at least put on a show, so that even if Voldemort asked later where he got the information, he'd have a way to respond.
Draco was extremely excited to receive a positive reply, constantly rubbing his hands together as if he was already imagining how he would teach the despicable Weasley a lesson.
"Tonight at 11:30! In the trophy room!"
"It's 11:30, there's still some time."
Argus sighed.
It was the middle of the night again, and his carefully regulated sleep schedule was about to be disrupted once more.
For an eleven-year-old boy, sleep quality was still very important.
Time flew by, and it was 11:30, the agreed time.
For pure-blooded nobles, dueling was a noble affair.
Especially when it came to someone as talkative as Draco, it was touted as an extremely sacred act.
What should have been done secretly had now become common knowledge in Slytherin.
Even when Argus accompanied Draco out, a large group of young wizards cheered them on.
"Draco, if your head weren't stuffed with feathers, you should know what the consequences are of getting caught while out at night!"
When Argus saw this, he was so angry that he wanted to slap Draco twice.
He had just finished his confinement and hadn't even had a chance to catch his breath.
Was Draco going to send him in again?
Did he really want to drag him into the woods with a burly prefect like that?
Draco knew he was in the wrong, glanced at Argus with a resentful look, and didn't dare to say a word.
Argus didn't say anything more.
Draco had changed a lot under his influence, but he just couldn't shake his ego and his tendency to show off.
There was still plenty of time; they could fix it gradually later.
...
"I knew it, that evil Malfoy only knows how to put on a show."
"You talk tough, but you're probably already scared enough to wet your pants!"
Inside the trophy room, Ron chattered on and on.
"Malfoy and that Grindelwald, one a Death Eater and the other an acolyte, are both Dark Arts wizards!"
"Don't worry, Ron, I'll help you!"
In just a few days, Harry had been thoroughly influenced by Ron and embodied Gryffindor's recklessness perfectly.
"Mr. Weasley, talking behind people's backs is not a good habit."
"It seems you've forgotten about Madam Hooch bringing you to the Slytherin common room to apologize a few days ago!"
Before Argus and Malfoy even entered, they heard Ron gossiping behind their backs.
Although he had expected it, Argus still felt nauseous when he saw Harry standing next to Ron.
If his two friends were arguing and fighting, instead of trying to mediate, Harry took the other's side!
As expected of the Holy Mother Harry!
He would help whoever seemed weaker!
Argus did have ulterior motives for approaching Harry, and he could understand if Harry was a bit cold toward him.
No, Draco wasn't!
From the moment he met Harry, Draco had truly considered him his best friend.
Now, the other boy was actually willing to fight against them for the sake of someone else!
And this was under circumstances of provocation from the other party!
Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine!
Noticing Draco's disappointed and questioning gaze, Harry lowered his head guiltily.
"Draco, let me explain, Ron he…"
"Mr. Potter, your actions have shown us your choice."
Argus's expression was indescribably cold, and his sky-blue eyes revealed a sense of detachment.
"You should know that when you stand here, you have chosen to oppose Draco."
Harry stammered, wanting to say something but unsure how to begin.
Ron, however, couldn't contain himself any longer!
Since his discharge from the hospital, he had suffered countless instances of rejection and emotional abuse from Argus's circle.
Now that he had seen Argus, he was even more furious and would not tolerate the other boy continuing to spout nonsense in front of him.
He pulled out his wand, not even bothering to observe the etiquette of a duel.
A spell shot out.
"Densaugeo!"