Lykos was very satisfied.
Other things might be uncertain, but when it came to money, there were probably very few students at Hogwarts whose allowance surpassed Draco Malfoy's.
Just like that, his financial problem was solved.
At least for the foreseeable future at Hogwarts, Lykos wouldn't have to live so frugally.
But now another problem had appeared.
"So… what do we do about this black mark?"
Resting his chin on his index finger, Lykos stared helplessly at the wall beside the dormitory door.
When the Killing Curse struck a living creature, it attacked on the level of the soul, instantly tearing the soul from the body and causing a painless death.
A body struck by the Killing Curse would show no external injury, nor any visible trace of violence.
However, when the Killing Curse hit something that wasn't alive, the soul-targeting effect transformed into something closer to physical destruction. The extreme heat and force of the spell could cause burning—or even explosions.
Now, the wall struck by the spell had been scorched black.
The elegant green-patterned wallpaper had burned away, leaving behind a wide patch of charred wall and scattered ash.
Anyone who saw it would immediately realize that a spell had been cast inside the dormitory.
That would be extremely bad for Lykos's attempt to keep his secret hidden.
"Maybe we could use a Repair Charm to fix it," Draco suggested from the side.
"Good idea," Lykos said, turning toward him. "So… do you know the Repair Charm?"
"Uh… no," Draco admitted awkwardly.
Lykos shrugged and raised his wand, trying it out.
"Reparo."
Nothing happened.
"Looks like I don't know it either," he said, spreading his hands.
Draco stared at him with wide eyes, feeling like his entire worldview had been shattered.
A wizard capable of casting an Unforgivable Curse…
Couldn't perform a Repair Charm?
"Wow, that huge black mark was made by Hayden?" Crabbe finally squeezed himself out of the doorway and walked over to the wall, staring in amazement. "That's so cool! We should keep it!"
"Show some respect. That's our boss," Goyle added as he walked over as well.
In the span of just a few minutes, he seemed to have fully accepted the fact that he now had a new boss.
He was already acting like a loyal follower.
Lykos pressed a hand against his forehead.
To think that a single Slytherin dormitory could produce such a legendary pair of fools… it was truly remarkable.
"Forget it. I can't rely on you two."
He shook his head and decided to solve the problem himself.
"Goyle, if the prefect is still in the common room, ask him to use a Copying Charm to duplicate the class schedule from the notice board."
"Make sure it's on a large piece of parchment—big enough to cover that black mark."
Lykos felt that his instructions were already very clear.
But when he turned around, he saw Goyle still standing there blankly.
"Boss… what's a class schedule?" Goyle asked seriously.
"…Never mind. Draco, you go instead."
Lykos tilted his head toward the ceiling.
"I don't trust those two with this."
Draco, on the other hand, was already completely used to the slowness of his two followers.
He wasn't surprised at all.
"As expected of our boss. How did I not think of such a brilliant idea?"
Ignoring Goyle entirely, Draco gave Lykos an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Then he dashed out of the dormitory, hoping to catch the prefect in the common room before he went to bed.
…
Five minutes later, Lykos clapped his hands and looked around the dormitory with satisfaction.
Crabbe and Goyle had clumsily swept the black ashes from the floor into the fireplace, where green flames burned steadily.
Everything looked neat again.
A large class schedule now hung on the wall beside the door, completely covering the charred mark.
For a moment, their dormitory even had the appearance of a model room for diligent students.
"Alright, job done," Lykos said, waving to his roommates. "Let's get some sleep. We've got Charms class tomorrow morning."
With that, he extinguished the candles and climbed into his bed near the window.
Crabbe and Goyle were extremely obedient.
They collapsed onto their beds.
Within two seconds, thunderous snoring filled the dormitory.
"AAAAH—are you two pigs?!"
From his bed, Lykos heard Draco scream in frustration as he jumped down and began shaking his two followers awake.
"Remember this! From now on, you two only go to sleep after me and the boss are asleep!"
Lykos rolled onto his side, glanced at the miserable Crabbe and Goyle standing guard beside the door, and chuckled softly.
Then he turned his gaze toward the dark window.
Outside the Slytherin dormitory windows wasn't fresh night air.
It was the deep waters of the Black Lake.
Occasionally glowing underwater creatures swam past the glass, casting rippling light across the water.
Watching the silent underwater world, Lykos slowly closed his dark golden eyes.
…
"Little one, I find that you resemble me greatly when I was young… not only in your ambition, but even your appearance… you were almost as handsome as I once was…"
In his hazy sleep, Lykos heard a hoarse voice.
That line sounded familiar…
Right.
He had heard it in Quirrell's office.
Was Voldemort's impression really so deep that he was dreaming about him now?
Still half-asleep, Lykos vaguely realized he must be dreaming.
"You've helped me greatly, little one. Tell me—what do you want?" the hoarse voice spoke again.
Lykos froze.
That line was new.
Voldemort definitely hadn't said that in Quirrell's office.
Curious, he opened his eyes.
Rustle… rustle…
The first thing he heard was the sound of wind brushing through leaves.
Then he saw green everywhere.
An endless primitive forest stretched before him. The sounds of insects and birds filled the air, and the forest's damp atmosphere carried a fresh scent.
"What is this…" Lykos murmured in confusion.
Before he could examine the surroundings further, he suddenly felt his lips moving on their own.
Several words came out of his mouth without his control.
"Oh… so you want to learn magic," the hoarse voice said again from the side.
Instinctively, Lykos turned his head.
There stood a gaunt wild wolf.
On the side of the wolf's neck was a grotesque tumor.
Three cracks split across the tumor, forming a crude human face.
"I must first test your aptitude," the hoarse voice continued from the tumor. "Only those with exceptional talent have the chance to become wizards."