The 225th Cycle
After meeting with the Dark Lord, I once again prevented him from playing cards.
Today, I, Cassandra Voley, once again upheld the peace of the magic world. If I weren't in a cycle, I feel like I could have earned a Merlin First Class Order of Merlin.
Thinking about it, I instantly felt like I was losing out big time. Sigh, when will these frustrating days end?
Perhaps the Dark Lord sensed my annoyance and suddenly, kindly offered to help me earn some pocket money.
This time, I was truly enraged. I, Cassandra Voley, the eldest daughter of the Warre family, am I someone who lacks pocket money?
Unfortunately, the Dark Lord wouldn't allow me to refuse and, without explanation, directly shoved a stack of papers into my hand.
Hmm? "Dog and Wolf: Sweet Cohabitation Life." What is this? After a closer look, it's actually about Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. It's just that the familiar writing style is very much like that of the recently best-selling author, Harley Evans.
Could it be that the Dark Lord is Harley Evans? Is that not too absurd? It shouldn't be, right?
Unfortunately, the Dark Lord's next words personally shattered my filter for him.
"I'm planning to start a new book recently, tentatively titled 'The GGAD Chronicles.' This magnum opus holds profound significance for the study of 20th-century magic world history, and this time I intend to use the pen name Ariana Grindelwald."
"So, this unfinished novel is for you. You can think carefully about the next plot developments during the cycle. After you break free from the cycle, I'll allow you to continue publishing under the pen name Harley Evans. Don't worry, I have connections at both The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler, so your manuscript won't be held up."
At this moment, the hand holding the manuscript trembled slightly.
So, Harley Evans really is the Dark Lord.
What happened to the Dark Lord who was supposed to be a ruthless killer, casting fear over the magic world? Now he's reduced to writing fanfiction?
Although what he wrote is very good, and I love reading it, you are the Dark Lord! What about your image, your prestige? If your identity is exposed, how will the Death Eater and the Order of the Phoenix look at you?
Wait, didn't the Dark Lord just say he wanted me to inherit the pen name Harley Evans? Please, I'm just a poor, young, and helpless Slytherin second-year Wizard! Facing Professor Snape, Sirius, and Lupin, I'll really be beaten to death!
As for the Dark Lord daring to provoke Dumbledore and Grindelwald, he does that by relying on his strength. I, a mere girl, really cannot do it.
What's with this sudden urge to feel grateful that James Potter died early?
Harry, I'm sorry.
...
The 285th Cycle
After yet another meeting with the Dark Lord, he started acting crazy again.
"Cassandra, tell me, now that Headmaster Dumbledore and his old lover are rekindling their romance, living in daily revelry, but look at the other Professors at Hogwarts, excluding Grindelwald, every single one of them is single. Don't you think the Headmaster is being too much?!"
"Huh?!"
I have to say, the Dark Lord's thought process is indeed peculiar. I didn't realize it before, but now that I think about it carefully, it really is like that.
"So what do you plan to do?"
After I asked this question, the Dark Lord answered without hesitation, clearly having premeditated this matter.
"Of course, after the cycle ends, I'll help the Professors organize a grand matchmaking event! Everything for the Professors' happy lives!"
When the Dark Lord finished speaking, I felt like another huge pot was about to fall on me. Sure enough, the Dark Lord's next sentence was: "As someone stuck in the cycle, you are the most suitable person to be the organizer. Alright, while you're still in the cycle, hurry up and find out their preferences so you can help them find suitable partners later."
So, under the threat of the Dark Lord's wand, I knocked on Professor Snape's office door. As expected, I was greeted by a barrage of venomous words from Professor Snape. Fortunately, the Dark Lord had a backup plan for me. Only after sacrificing two limited-edition cards of Lily and Harley was I able to escape smoothly.
However, after that, I no longer had the courage to knock on the door of another Professor's office. After all, I'm a Slytherin, not a Gryffindor. Even if the Dark Lord gave me a Killing Curse, I wouldn't do it.
Perhaps the Dark Lord saw my attitude and sighed: "Never mind, this is too difficult for you. Remember this: after we break free from the cycle, remind me, and I'll find Dumbledore to organize this matchmaking event. After all, he shouldn't be the only one enjoying himself; it's truly good when everyone is happy."
At this, I let out a long breath. It seemed I had passed this hurdle.
Suddenly, I had an urge to break into Azkaban to free someone. Bella, I really can't handle the Dark Lord. Only a madman can defeat a psychopath. Please come back!
...
The 365th Cycle
Counting the time, I've already spent a year in the cycle. When will these frustrating days end?
After meeting with the Dark Lord, this time he wasn't acting crazy. Instead, he said he would give me a small surprise.
However, I wasn't happy about the Dark Lord's small surprise. After all, facing the Dark Lord's bizarre thought processes every day, it's truly not easy for me to have survived until today. Who knows if the Dark Lord's so-called small surprise is truly a surprise or a scare?
That evening, I arrived at the Black Lake, where I had agreed to meet the Dark Lord. He handed me a small Potion bottle.
My first reaction upon receiving the Potion was that I knew too many of the Dark Lord's secrets, and he was finally going to kill me to silence me?
So I begged the Dark Lord for a chance, to allow me to leave a will for my parents.
As a result, the Dark Lord flicked me hard on the forehead: "What are you thinking? Do I use Potions to kill people? Isn't it something that can be solved with a Killing Curse? Drink it quickly, it's good for you."
That makes sense. Hearing the Dark Lord say that, I could only brace myself and drink the Potion.
As the Potion entered my stomach, I felt my magic boiling, and at that moment, Dumbledore and Grindelwald, who had been secretly observing for who knows how long, appeared again.
And, as expected, I became their guinea pig once more, letting them point their wands at me.
As my magic burst forth, I felt my magical strength increase by a large margin. I couldn't help but ask the three people in front of me, "What exactly is going on?"
Finally, Headmaster Dumbledore stepped forward to answer my question: "Through repeated cycles, Miss Warre's magic has reached a critical point. Everything we just did was to help guide Miss Warre to successfully complete this magical outburst. Now the time has come; it's time to end it."
Good, good. For a small fry like me, these bigshots still have a conscience, and in the end, the Dark Lord didn't break his word; he really did give me a small surprise.
The fireworks blooming brilliantly in the night sky were indeed beautiful, but looking at Dumbledore and Grindelwald nearby, and the few couples in the distance, Lord Dark Lord, don't you think the two of us here are a bit out of place?
...
The Next Day
After waking up, just as I mechanically tried to answer Pansy's question, I suddenly heard her say: "I heard that the Seeker for the Quidditch match against Gryffindor in a few days is Tom. Cassandra, do you know what's going on?"
At that moment, I knew: the cycle was over!