At this time, Quirrell looked at Ciel. Cold light flickered in his eyes' depths. He felt that since coming to Hogwarts, after encountering Ciel, he had become particularly unlucky. This academic year, he had had few peaceful days, living quite miserably.
Though during this process, Ciel hadn't directly done anything to him. But one incident after another had accumulated his malice. After being transformed into a Quintaped by Voldemort, the last traces of humanity in Quirrell's heart had long vanished, completely becoming a bloodthirsty, man-eating monster.
Even toward those strangers who cried and begged him for mercy, Quirrell could show no compassion, devouring them completely. Much less toward this little badger he despised.
Looking at Ciel, even though Voldemort in his mind reminded him: "Quirrell. Now isn't the time."
Quirrell's heart still seethed with rising malice. Beneath his black cloak, something was slowly being pushed up, as if something was beginning to unfurl.
At this time, Ciel immediately felt the intense threat emanating from Quirrell. Like a monster ready to tear through its human skin disguise and reveal its ferocious face. He slowly gripped his wand.
[Legendary Life (Active)]
[Legendary Strength (Active)]
On the system panel, Legendary Life and Legendary Strength, two abilities, slowly began glowing. Terrifying strength capable of wrestling with the North Sea Kraken surged within his body, ready to strike at Quirrell at any moment.
But unless absolutely necessary, he really didn't want to battle this monster. Quirrell's magical level was already extremely high. In the original story's final trial for the Philosopher's Stone, even weakened Quirrell could snap his fingers and directly use Transfiguration to create ropes.
This wandless, wordless Transfiguration, effortlessly executed, contained magical mastery he currently couldn't match. Much less now, after Quirrell's Quintaped transformation; who knew what level his strength had reached?
From previous news of elite Aurors being silently killed, Quirrell's current strength had probably distanced him considerably from the magical world's most formidable wizards. Maybe even Moody, Snape and others were completely no match for Quirrell. He didn't want to risk such danger.
Just then, Quirrell slowly grinned, showing a strange smile: "Ciel. You seem not to have seen Professor me for a long time. Seeing me again, you look rather unhappy. Is there something about your professor that you find objectionable?"
While speaking, Quirrell slowly approached him. In his mind, a thought flashed like lightning. He said: "Professor. I feel sorry for you."
Quirrell's eyes narrowed slightly. Feel sorry for himself? This foolish little badger, had he discovered something? Beneath his cloak, something seemed restless. Quirrell was certain that in just an instant, he could make this little badger disappear without a trace, becoming one of the prisoners in his caged collection. No one would trace his whereabouts.
But just then, words from his mouth made Quirrell pause. Even the coldness and bestial nature brewing in his eyes was temporarily interrupted. Because he said:
"Professor, I saw your troll thesis submission in the library. This is absolutely a genius-level idea. Those reviewers were utterly stupid; they had no vision to appreciate your epoch-making discovery. Such suppression of genius creativity is truly tragic."
These words were completely unexpected to Quirrell. Ciel had actually seen his old troll thesis in the library? He even highly recognised this approach, calling it genius thinking?
Quirrell truly hadn't expected that the paper which had gnawed at him, even arguably changing his worldview and life trajectory, would now gain recognition from a little wizard he despised. Instantly, the malice surging in his mind faded somewhat. Beneath his cloak, the restless thing also settled down.
A thought crossed Quirrell's mind: this little badger actually had quite good judgement? And in this moment's hesitation, a figure strode from the corridor. Hair and beard snow white, but tall in stature. It was Dumbledore.
Dumbledore looked at Quirrell, sharpness flashing briefly in his blue pupils. But immediately after, he greeted warmly: "Quirinus. Why didn't you give us advance notice? If the Ministry hadn't sent word, I wouldn't have known you'd resolved the disappearance incident and returned to Hogwarts. We should have prepared a grand welcome banquet for you!"
Dumbledore's approaching enthusiasm made Quirrell struggle to force his mouth corners into a smile. He completely abandoned thoughts of attacking Ciel. Facing Dumbledore, he had to be extremely careful.
While Quirrell dealt with Dumbledore, that feeling of thorns in his back finally receded from him. Dumbledore then turned to him: "Ciel. Final exam season is approaching. Now isn't the time for you to wander around the castle casually. I think you should spend more time, temporarily set aside Herbology research, stay in the common room, and prepare for your final exams."
He nodded obediently, then walked away. Until he had passed the corridor corner and Dumbledore and Quirrell's conversation grew distant, his tense nerves finally relaxed. Unconsciously, his palms had broken out in cold sweat. This encounter with Quirrell had truly caught him off guard.
But soon after, his mood gradually calmed. Even if Dumbledore hadn't arrived in time, or if he hadn't thought to mention that thesis to delay, if it really came to fighting, he wouldn't fear. This period's various preparations gave him confidence to delay Quirrell for a long time. At Hogwarts, nothing would happen to him.
But having confidence to handle danger didn't mean he had to face it directly. Sometimes, the best way to deal with danger was avoiding it. Just as Dumbledore had reminded him, he wouldn't act alone in the short term. He would even avoid the small greenhouse as much as possible.
Anyway, the Patron Trees, Devil's Snare and others in the small greenhouse had reached their final maturation stage. They no longer needed the careful attention of initial planting. During this period, he could focus on organising his magic.
After magical perception improved, many of his spells hadn't yet stabilised. After adapting to these changes, his previously accumulated foundation could gradually be released, letting his magical mastery improve again in a short time.
Additionally, to learn how to cultivate the newly obtained Blue Star Flower seed, he could use this time to read literature and organise preliminary thoughts. In short, temporarily staying away from the small greenhouse would benefit him.
Then he used Quirrell's inability to break away to quickly visit the small greenhouse one last time. Important items inside, like Demeter's Chalice and Herpo's manuscript, he took with him. After finishing these preparations, he locked the small greenhouse door. Carrying his case, he headed to the library again.
After borrowing a large stack of needed books, he carried his now heavy, clanking case through corridors toward the Hufflepuff common room. At this time, Hogwarts' young wizards had also learnt of Quirrell's return. This meant the terrifying disappearance incident plaguing the magical world had been successfully resolved.
The castle echoed with joyful laughter. The gloom hanging over hearts for so long instantly dissipated. Many young wizards rushed through staircases like star chasers, wanting to see Quirrell immediately. Some even carried autograph books and Quirrell photos cut from the Daily Prophet, wanting his signature.
The Golden Trio was currently in this crowd. Quirrell's return made them feel like they had a backbone. As if Quirrell's return made Hogwarts safe. As if Quirrell's return meant evil conspiracies would fail.
At an intersecting staircase, they passed him on another staircase in mid-air. Ron saw him carrying his heavy case and showed a gloating smile. He shouted loudly: "Professor Quirrell has returned. Some people are already scared stiff. Your dirty deeds will soon be thoroughly investigated. Packing now is smart!"
Hermione signalled Ron to shut up, but Ron's gaze remained provocative. He didn't mind this particularly. Just looking at Ron, his brow suddenly furrowed. From Ron's body, he faintly sensed a familiar smell. Very weak, but definitely related to Quintapeds. More precisely, Ron carried the temple's scent.
Had he been contaminated by the temple when breaking into his greenhouse that day? Thoughts flashed through his mind, then fell silent. His staircase diverged from the Golden Trio's. His gaze showed no ripples.
He had no intention of warning Ron. First, with Ron's personality, would he believe him if told he had been contaminated by the temple? He might think he was trying to scare him. Second, were he and Ron close? How Ron fared was none of his business. He wasn't the Golden Trio's babysitter. He even preferred the trio stay as far from him as possible. Troublesome!
Then the staircase brought him to his destination. The long-missed Hufflepuff common room appeared before him. Little badgers were lounging lazily in the common room, enjoying tea and sweets. Why hadn't they gone out to join the excitement? Simple reason: too crowded, too troublesome. Rather than join that commotion, it's better to drink tea and eat cake in the common room.
Seeing him arrive, the little badgers showed surprised and delighted expressions. Especially hearing him say he would stay in the common room for the coming period, the room erupted in cheers.
Cedric led the shouting: "You escaped the previous celebrations. This time you can't escape; you must come dance!"
He looked at the common room's joyful scene. His previous bad mood from encountering Quirrell instantly vanished. Unprecedented belonging flowed through his heart. Hufflepuff was truly a magical house. His face showed more smiles.
His spirit, always tightly wound in planting and magical research, never getting relaxation, is completely relaxed now amid tea and cake aromas.
[Occlumency (Gold, stabilising)]
On the system panel, Occlumency's lustre suddenly brightened.