Chapter 21: Foreseeing the Future
Hogwarts' Quidditch pitch was bathed in the warm morning sunlight.
The green lawn swayed gently in the breeze, as if softly chanting for the upcoming match.
Moon sat in the front row of the Gryffindor stands, but his gaze swept back and forth between the teachers' stand and Harry.
Dressed in his red Quidditch robes and holding his newly acquired Nimbus 2000, Harry was talking to his teammates with confidence, though he looked a little nervous.
Meanwhile, up on the teachers' stand, Professor Quirrellwatched the pitch with a barely perceptible sinister expression, occasionally licking the corners of his mouth. While it looked like anticipation to others, it gave Moon a creepy, spine-chilling feeling.
Moon knew that the plot had begun.
He gripped his wand tightly, while his other hand slowly stroked his wrist as his mind raced to figure out how to minimize the damage.
Madam Hooch from the Flying Lessons blew her whistle, signaling the official start of the match.
The seven players instantly shot into the sky like arrows off a bowstring, crisscrossing above the pitch amidst the cheers of the crowd as the fierce battle began.
As soon as the match started, players from both teams became tangled together, their figures constantly shifting in the air at a dizzying speed.
The air was thick with a tense and exciting atmosphere.
Suddenly,
Moon felt his brain jolt! Immediately after, a vision appeared before his eyes.
The vision was like a black-and-white film.
He saw Quirrell fixing his gaze on Harry, and noticed Quirrell's lips moving slightly. He could even faintly hear an incantation and sense the subtle shifts in the flow of magic around him!
At the same time, as Quirrell launched his attack, Snapebeside him immediately began muttering at the exact same frequency. The moment both of them acted, Harry's broom instantly went out of control, violently shaking up and down, looking as if it were about to plunge toward the ground.
At the critical moment, the spell Snape cast took effect!
Harry's broom stabilized.
However, the broom's continuous swaying from side to side still affected Harry's control.
Caught in the tug-of-war between the two forces of magic, Harry was in extreme peril, in constant danger of falling from the sky.
The vision lasted for only a split second before quickly vanishing.
When he came to his senses, everything was completely calm. Harry was riding his Nimbus 2000 in perfect condition, still carrying a trace of confidence and pride on his face as he attentively observed his surroundings.
Moon let out a long breath, sensing that he was mastering this ability step by step.
"Has Time Perception upgraded again?" he whispered.
It seemed that through his previous usage, he was subtly enhancing the strength of his ability.
Moon suppressed the unease in his heart and quickly looked beside him. In a calm voice, he said to Hermione, who was holding binoculars, "Hermione, watch Professor Snape and Professor Quirrell in the teachers' stand carefully!" His voice was unusually steady yet full of strength.
Hermione was originally watching Harry's match through the binoculars. Though she was completely baffled by Moon's words, she still listened to him.
Raising her head, she looked carefully at the staff area, searching for the targets Moon wanted her to observe.
She quickly focused her gaze on the two vastly different Professors.
Just as she began watching, she faintly caught Professor Quirrell muttering an incantation under his breath!
At the same time, Ron's terrified voice came from the middle of the stands: "Blimey, look! Something's wrong with Harry's broom again!" He had clearly noticed something was off.
He clearly saw Harry's predicament and noticed Harry's broom bucking uncontrollably, his heart leaping into his throat!
Hermione scanned Harry for a few seconds and saw him desperately trying to balance himself. Almost instantaneously, she turned to see Professor Snape nearby, looking anxious while subtly moving his arm and barely moving his lips as well.
Right then, Harry's broom seemed to regain some stability, ceasing its violent shaking, and she could tell Harry had calmed down slightly.
All of this had happened in the span of just a few seconds.
She knew something was definitely wrong!
She snapped back to reality and looked at Moon beside her. "Is Quirrell trying to harm Harry?" She finally grasped the key point of the incident, her brow furrowing as her eyes flickered with intelligence.
"You knew all along?" Her voice grew urgent, eager for an answer.
She had always trusted Moon's abilities and judgment.
"Yes! Quirrell is the one harming Harry." Moon didn't elaborate further, his tone resolute and firm. His eyes stared straight ahead as his thoughts raced.
"But Snape is trying to help Harry!" Moon added.
He didn't use complicated ways to explain the whole process.
He knew that the clever Hermione would instantly understand the cause and effect behind it all.
His fingers pressed against his wand.
"Hermione, it's up to you next! All you need to do is cause a distraction. As for the rest, leave it to me."
He was also worried whether the turn of events would go completely beyond his expectations.
"Me?" Hermione's eyes widened. Before she could react, her body was shrouded in a faint light.
In the next moment, her figure vanished completely, as if dissolving into thin air.
"What on earth is this?" Hermione fully felt this marvelous sensation, but before she could savor this new ability, she pulled herself together and immediately sprang into action.
While invisible, she quickly left the stands and used a spell to reinforce the magical protective charm on her clothes.
Ron watched all of this in total bewilderment. He didn't know a thing. He asked in confusion, "Moon, where's Hermione? What did she just say?"
Moon had no time to explain so much to Ron; he focused all his energy on Harry.
He used Time Perception to predict Harry's upcoming flight path, while also paying attention to Snape's anxious expression. Snape truly cared about Harry.
If a butterfly effect caused by his actions led to an accident for Harry, he would never allow it! Because he had truly come to see Harry as a close friend.
Hermione predictably did not disappoint him.
Moving swiftly into action, she wove quickly through the crowd of spectators until she stopped right beneath where Quirrell was sitting. She flicked her wand gently, and several faint beams of light landed precisely on Quirrell.
Soon, the light turned into small clusters of flames, which ruthlessly began scorching Quirrell's robes.
It all happened so suddenly! Thanks to Hermione's skillful execution, it didn't pose the slightest danger to anyone nearby, proving just how capable she was.
"Ah!" Quirrell let out a painful wail.
The people around him instantly realized Quirrell's clothes were on fire, and the scene descended into chaos once more.
Spectators scrambled to dodge the flying sparks, staring in horror toward the fire, completely clueless as to what had happened.
Quirrell used his wand to extinguish the flames.
Under the circumstances, it was difficult for him to attack Harry in the distance, as everyone's eyes were now on him.
Finding his broom stabilized, Harry quickly locked onto the Golden Snitch and immediately urged his broom forward in pursuit!
During the chase, his handling became even more precise, successfully dodging several threats from Bludgers behind him. His broom felt like an extension of his body, responding effortlessly to his every command!
With a sudden burst of speed, he charged toward the Golden Snitch at a breathtaking pace.
His left hand successfully caught the Snitch.
He opened his hand to display the Golden Snitch.
After a moment of complete silence, the entire crowd erupted into massive cheers!
Everyone in Gryffindor was cheering and leaping for joy, shouting Harry's name at the top of their lungs.
At this moment, Harry had won! He conquered the crowd and claimed the highest honor.
Up in the stands, a faint smile touched the corner of Moon's lips as he finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Chapter 22 Horcrux Showdown
Noisy cheers echoed through the Hogwarts Great Hall, red banners waved in mid-air, accompanied by bursts of enthusiastic applause.
The atmosphere of the feast was unprecedentedly high, with students cheering for Gryffindor's victory, and Harryundoubtedly became the most dazzling person of the night.
The tables were laden with various delicacies, the aroma of pumpkin juice intertwined with the scent of roasted meat, and everyone immersed themselves in the joy of victory, fully enjoying the food and the fruits of their triumph.
Only Moon, sitting among the crowd, seemed a bit out of place; his expression was as calm as water, forming a stark contrast with the boisterous environment around him.
After a few bites of dinner, seeing that Dumbledore was not present, he got up and left the lively banquet hall, heading towards the Headmaster's office.
Time was pressing, and he couldn't afford to waste it.
His figure passed through the empty corridor and arrived at the door of the Headmaster's office.
He pushed the door open and walked straight in.
Dumbledore was waiting for him in the office, his eyes peaceful and wise, and a kind smile appeared on his face when he saw Moon, radiating a charming glow in the faint light.
The Phoenix Fawkes was standing at the windowsill, preening its feathers, its fiery plumage gently swaying in the evening breeze.
"Moon, I knew you would come." Dumbledore pointed to the seat in front of him, "Would you like some dessert? Or candy? I have some delicious treats from various countries!"
Dumbledore showed no displeasure at Moon's abrupt behavior, as if he had been expecting his arrival all along.
He waved his magic wand, and a plate full of colorful candies appeared on the table.
However, upon closer inspection, the candies were not of normal colors, but mostly black, and their appearance resembled swimming black tadpoles, which was a bit unsettling.
Moon gently shook his head: "No, I don't like these." There was no emotion in his tone, and his gaze had already settled on a magic wand casually placed on the desk.
Open System Scan:
[[Target Name]: Elder Wand (Elder Wand)
[Talent Characteristics]
1. Infinite Magic Power: Source of magic, greatly amplifies output, accelerates magic recovery.
2. Spell Enhancement: Ultimate spell power, can elevate ordinary spells.
3. magic Wand Control: Perfect control over magic wands, arbitrary manipulation of all magic wand magic.
4. magic Backlash: Reflects enemy magic power, returning their methods against them.
[Target Name]: Pensieve
[Talent Characteristics]
1. Memory Recall: Recalls the past, experiencing the truth of history.
2. Emotional Stability: Calms the mind, unaffected by external interference.
3. Mental Connection: Connects consciousness, transmits inner thoughts.
[Target Name]: Fawkes (Phoenix)
[Talent Characteristics]
1. Phoenix Nirvana: Rebirth from ashes, greatly restores, life is immortal.
2. Tears of Healing: Brings back from the dead, heals all, brings back from the dead.
3. Flame Control: Controls flames, immune to fire damage, turns flames into weapons.
4. magic Amplification: Increases intensity and output, infinitely strengthens magic.]
Infinite Magic Power!!!
As expected of one of the three Deathly Hallows, the "strongest" magic wand certified by two Dark Lords and one White Lord.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart, and slowly sat opposite Dumbledore.
"My purpose in coming is not for candy, but for the Philosopher's Stone." Moon decided to break the facade and lay his cards on the table.
"But before that, I want you to know that I can see more things, and I also know many hidden secrets about you and this world." A mysterious smile appeared on his face, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
The smile on Dumbledore's face disappeared; he pushed up his glasses and did not speak immediately, his gaze seemingly traversing the long river of time, returning to a certain moment in the past.
A moment later, he turned his gaze back to Moon, with an inquiring look.
He nodded, signaling Moon to continue.
"I saw the figure parasitic on the back of Quirrell's head; I can feel his twisted and mad power." Moon directly stated his purpose.
"You want me to help Harry, don't you? Or rather, you want me to act as a chess piece in this game, don't you?" Moon's tone was very calm; he had long seen through Dumbledore's calculations hidden beneath his facade, so he wasn't going to be polite now.
This time, a look of surprise finally appeared on Dumbledore's face; he seemed not to have expected that his so secretly hidden secret would be exposed so directly.
He sighed softly, but immediately adjusted his mindset. "You are very clever, child, but even so, you cannot fully understand everything."
"Not only did I see Voldemort possessing Quirrell, but I can also see further into the future." Moon continued, slowly clenching his fist: "He made seven Horcruxes that can bring him back to life! That's why he is immortal." Moon wanted to see what kind of expression Dumbledore would have when he heard the words Horcrux.
Dumbledore's eyes suddenly became solemn, and his expression became incredibly serious.
He took off his glasses, gently wiped them, and then turned his gaze back to Moon's face; this time, his eyes were full of questions, caution, and a hint of surprise.
After a long while, he spoke again in a slightly hoarse voice: "Child, is what you said all true? Are you sure everything you saw is really happening?"
Moon didn't say much, but directly used the power of time; a faint silver light gathered in his hand, and his gaze locked onto the Phoenix Fawkes resting by the window.
He concentrated his mind and whispered: "Time pause."
As soon as Moon finished speaking, the air in the room seemed to twist slightly; time around Fawkes seemed to be frozen at a certain point; its movements solidified in mid-air, and even the falling feathers seemed to stop in the void.
However, this control only lasted for about five seconds; Fawkes immediately returned to normal, continuing to preen its feathers.
"Perhaps, you believe me now?" Moon slightly raised the corner of his mouth, looking at Dumbledore, whose eyes had changed somewhat, and continued. "The power of time is very magical; it will give me more fragments of the future."
Dumbledore stared at Moon with a complex gaze, his eyes seemingly flickering with flames.
"It seems I still underestimated you, child." He didn't question anything, but instead accepted the fact that Moonhad precognitive abilities. "But it's still too dangerous; I need to confirm some things. Can you see the locations of those Horcruxes? Can you confirm whether Voldemort also placed a Horcrux on Quirrell?" Dumbledore's tone was full of urgency; for the first time, his heart wavered, and he wanted to understand more deeply the power Moonpossessed.
Just then, the "infinite talent system" prompt sounded in Moon's mind again.
[Changing the plot, triggering a high-difficulty mission: Personally defeat Quirrell and prevent Voldemort's resurrection. Reward: Blue Copy Count x1.]
Upon hearing the prompt, a smile appeared on his face; he finally knew how to trigger system missions.
Moon looked at the pensive Dumbledore, but did not directly respond.
"Headmaster, you should know my current strength; I don't yet have a way to see everything." Moon decided not to reveal everything at once, but to use it to trigger more system missions.
Chapter 23 Dumbledore's Concerns
The air in the Headmaster's office seemed to solidify, filled with a suffocating silence.
Dumbledore's figure was shrouded in the dim light behind his desk, his expression deep and complex, as if he was recalling some distant past.
Moon sat quietly opposite him. He knew that his confession had stirred some deep memories within Dumbledore, and he was in no hurry to interrupt Dumbledore's thoughts.
Instead, he waited silently for Dumbledore's reaction, having already anticipated what would happen next through 'Time Perception'.
He wanted to use this conversation to get the answers he wanted and to further demonstrate his abilities and value.
A moment later, Dumbledore emerged from his memories.
His face had regained its previous calm and wisdom.
Beneath that calm, however, lay a worry and vigilance that Moon could not detect. His tone became slow and deep, seemingly with a hint of warning: "Those who can foresee the future are indeed rare." His eyes revealed a rare complex emotion.
His heart began to worry about Moon's current situation.
Can such power truly be wielded by humans?
He paused, as if pondering how to express his thoughts, his gaze seemingly piercing through time and space, recalling past years: "Among all the Wizards I know, there is only one person with similar abilities..."
Moon's brow furrowed slightly, and his heart immediately became vigilant.
In his mind, he quickly went through all the records of past events. He knew very well that the person Dumbledorewas thinking of was his 'old flame' and the first Dark Lord, Grindelwald.
"Grindelwald."
Moon suddenly whispered the name, interrupting Dumbledore's thoughts.
"Child, remember what I am about to tell you."
Dumbledore did not respond to Moon's words. His tone became serious, and his face showed an unprecedented earnestness: "You possess the ability to foresee the future. This must never be told to anyone, not a single person. You need to be constantly wary of greedy people, and also careful of those with ulterior motives."
Moon chuckled. He had anticipated Dumbledore saying this, which proved that Dumbledore was genuinely worried about him.
"Why? Aren't there many Wizards who have the ability to foresee the future? I've even seen older students taking Divination?" he asked curiously, trying to glean more information.
Dumbledore shook his head slightly after hearing this. He gently waved his wand,
and several light images immediately appeared in the air. Each light image showed a Wizard using a crystal ball or tea leaves for divination.
Their bodies seemed to be fixed, merely observing an unknown location unilaterally.
"They are only observing time and space, merely obtaining some insignificant fragments from a certain point in the future. They cannot influence the future at all."
"Do you really think they are the same as you? Is merely being able to see the future considered being able to control time? They cannot touch it, nor do they have the ability to control time." Dumbledore's voice was filled with emotion.
Moon nodded, agreeing with Dumbledore's words. He had also met Professor Trelawney, and the power she displayed was different from his own.
Dumbledore's finger moved slightly, and the light images in the air immediately vanished. Immediately after, he waved his wand again, displaying one exquisite and ancient scene after another in the void,
scenes of Hogwarts Castle experiencing the changes of the four seasons: spring returning to the land, trees lush with green; summer arriving, the scorching sun like fire; autumn winds rustling, leaves falling in profusion; and when winter came, Hogwarts was also covered in a layer of pristine white snow. Time seemed to revolve endlessly, changing different scenes.
Dumbledore's voice slowly echoed in the silent office, as if telling a distant and ancient story: "Wizards cannot truly control the power of time. The time they can access is merely through special magic tools created through Alchemy.
"Hogwarts has been established for a millennium. Even the four founders back then could only glimpse a corner of time by borrowing the power of alchemical items."
Dumbledore's tone became low, his gaze deep and distant, as if recalling distant past events. "Those who explored the river of time were only constantly sacrificing and constantly trying, but no one has ever truly mastered the mystery of time! They all paid a huge price for it, yet throughout their lives, they could only touch an insignificant corner of time."
His finger gently tapped the desk, as if every note contained reverence for the power of time:
"Time-Space Power is extremely special. Even utilizing just a small part of it requires enduring immense risks, and the ability you have displayed is something I have never seen."
He looked up, his gaze once again fixed on Moon, his eyes filled with worry and vigilance: "Your body seems to automatically convert power into Time-Space Power."
"Your ability... is unique. The power you display transcends time and space," he said word by word. His tone was slow, but every word he spoke was like a heavy hammer, striking heavily at Moon's heart.
It reminded Moon again, making him realize his extraordinary nature.
"It comes from your magic, and you seem to have been born with this power. I have never felt such a powerful fluctuation of Time magic in any Wizard."
Dumbledore paused, his brows tightly furrowed, his mind filled with thoughts: "Your appearance may have broken some rules, or perhaps..." His tone became somewhat bewildered.
He looked at Moon, seeing the infinite possibilities in Moonand sensing Moon's strong desire for power. His heart was worried about whether such power could be controlled.
A trace of emotion finally appeared on Moon's face.
Dumbledore's words gave him a completely new understanding of Time-Space Power.
He finally understood why he had read countless books and found no magic that could control time, because the magical power of time was beyond the reach of mortals.
Yet, he could easily turn Time-Space Power into his own ability through the system's rewards.
As long as he had enough time, becoming a god was not impossible.
He took a deep breath, calming himself down again.
His eyes were as calm as water, looking at Dumbledoreopposite him, and he calmly accepted Dumbledore's concerns about his power.
"I know what you are worried about, Headmaster." He responded to Dumbledore, his eyes filled with calmness. "I will use it cautiously."
Moon's words made Dumbledore's expression change slightly.
His gaze was fixed on Moon, his eyes as deep as a bottomless pit.
And from Moon's firm gaze, he felt an unprecedented confidence, and also sensed that another era was about to arrive!
He wanted to use Legilimency, but in the end, he gave up.
He sighed softly.
The child in front of him could not be treated as before; he needed to be guided slowly.
Moon said nothing more to Dumbledore.
Now that Dumbledore knew about his power and the existence of the Horcrux.
Then it was his turn to act!
His figure flashed in the darkness, disappearing from the Headmaster's office.
Leaving Dumbledore alone, gazing at the bright full moon outside the window, speechless for a long time.
Chapter 24 Christmas
Hogwarts castle, on Christmas Eve, was adorned in festive splendor.
A massive Christmas tree stood in the center of the Great Hall, hung with sparkling lights and exquisite magicdecorations.
The entire Great Hall was enveloped in a warm glow, and the walls were covered with shimmering ribbons, while notes of Christmas carols floated in the air, making everyone present feel the festive spirit.
As the holidays approached, all the students became more excited and relaxed.
Most of them were carrying their suitcases, some chatting and laughing, others tidying their textbooks.
They were immersed in the excitement of seeing their families soon.
Harry and Ron were sitting at a long table in the Great Hall, with a finely carved Wizard's Chess set in front of them, the pieces clanking and colliding on the board.
"Checkmate!"
Harry suddenly looked up, staring in disbelief at Ron, who was smiling opposite him.
Ron, with a hint of triumph in his voice, loudly commanded Harry's king: "Surrender! You are completely surrounded."
Harry looked at the losing game on the board with annoyance, letting out a sigh: "Damn it! Lost again!" He was clearly very unwilling to accept defeat.
He could feel Ron's perfect control over the game and his talent in this area.
Ron calmly put away the Wizard's Chess, a satisfied smile on his face.
He knew Harry's talent in Quidditch was incredibly strong, but he wasn't useless either.
At least in Wizard's Chess, almost no one could compare to him.
"Hey, Harry, you still need more practice! In the realm of Wizard's Chess, you still have a long way to go!" Ronshowed a slightly exaggerated smile, but it fully conveyed his confidence in Wizard's Chess.
No sooner had he finished speaking than he felt a pain in the back of his head.
It was Hermione, walking over with a bag of books, and she hit him hard on the head.
Her gaze swept around, and when she saw Ron holding the chessboard, her expression immediately filled with helplessness, even a trace of imperceptible annoyance: "Ron, you haven't packed yet! And you're still playing here! We're about to leave! Are you going to waste your holiday time here too?"
Her complaining tone was like a nagging old woman, full of helplessness, but also mixed with a hint of concern.
Ron looked up in dissatisfaction, rolling his eyes at Hermione, "My mom and dad went to Romania to see Charlie, and they won't be back for a few days! So I don't have to go home." His tone carried excitement; finally, no one would be supervising him this holiday.
"You're still the same!"
Hermione didn't seem to buy it; her tone became helpless, and then she pulled out a thick copy of "Advanced magicTheory" from her pocket.
She turned to the section they had argued about before, pointed to the content, and continued, "It seems this holiday, you need to catch up on the lessons you missed last week, and review the herbology classification I taught you yesterday!" Hermione finished, tossing the textbook into Ron's arms.
Ron held the thick textbook, seemingly feeling its weight, which made him want to go back to his room and sleep immediately.
A bitter smile appeared on his face, and he made an exaggerated grimace at Hermione: "Alright, I surrender, I'll review it later." In his tone, a hint of helplessness was undeniable.
Moon looked up from his notebook, glanced at Hermione, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
He got up from his seat and placed his packed luggage beside him: "Ron will know, you don't need to be angry." He tried to persuade Hermione in a friendly tone.
He also liked this atmosphere.
Hermione's expression softened; she nodded gently: "Mm! I know!"
Moon's gaze fell upon Harry and Ron: "Harry, train your Quidditch well during the holidays! I look forward to seeing your prowess on the field, Ron, you need to work harder."
Harry and Ron nodded repeatedly.
Moon smiled softly, put his suitcase into his "Extensible Pocket," then waved to Hermione, and the two of them walked out of the common room together.
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron continued to immerse themselves in Wizard's Chess.
The Hogwarts Express smoothly pulled into Londonstation, and after Moon and Hermione parted ways, he returned to the orphanage.
The familiar old wooden door creaked open, and everything was still familiar.
Although several months had passed, the scene before him still vaguely retained the appearance from his memory: a slightly messy desk, a wooden floor covered with toys, and the somewhat faded children's drawings hanging on the wall.
In some imperceptible details, it was vastly different from the past.
New curtains had replaced the old ragged ones, the children had new clothes and no longer huddled from the cold, and more smiles appeared on their faces.
The originally slightly gloomy orphanage also began to radiate vitality and hope.
All these changes were thanks to the Galleons Moon had left with the Head of House when he departed.
The Head of House heard the door open and walked out of her office.
The wrinkles on her face were somewhat noticeable, but her overall demeanor was spirited; she saw Moon standing at the door, and her surprise was evident: "Moon, you're back! Come in quickly! I've prepared something delicious for you!"
Moon's heart warmed, and he walked forward.
He could feel that the Head of House's concern for him was heartfelt.
"Head of House, you look much better," Moon said happily, looking at the Head of House.
The Head of House was amused by Moon's words; she smiled and patted Moon's shoulder, "This is all thanks to you, child! Those Galleons really helped us a lot." Her eyes were full of gratitude, "I thought the children would have to live in hardship forever!"
Moon did not respond, but instead pulled out an even larger bag from his "Extensible Pocket" and handed it to the Head of House; the bag was full of Galleons.
When the Head of House saw another large bag of Galleons, she became somewhat flustered: "These… where did you get them from! Put them back quickly, I think the money we have now is enough for us to live on for quite some time!" She immediately tried to dissuade him.
"Just take these!" Moon smiled slightly, without much explanation: "I can earn these now. The magic world is vast, and I am excellent. You don't have to worry about me at all." He also had Alchemy, so he could have it whenever he wanted.
The Head of House looked at the heavy bag in her hand, then at Moon, who was smiling warmly, and finally stopped insisting.
"Good, good child! You are truly so sensible. How are you doing at the magic school? Are you eating well? Are you getting along well with the students there?" She asked a series of questions.
She was genuinely very worried; she felt that this child of hers was too brilliant, and perhaps he was not quite suited for the magic world.
She was truly afraid, afraid that everything in the magicworld would harm her innocent child.
"Everything is fine! Please don't worry! I'm eating well and I've made many friends!" Moon comforted the Head of House.
They chatted for a few more moments.
Moon distributed the candies and toys he bought at London station to the children, and the previously quiet orphanage became lively again, filled with the joyful laughter of children.
At night,
He sat on the bed, quietly observing everything. The children's laughter seemed to heal all his pain, and he could finally calm down and relax, enjoying all this tranquility.
He was about to fall asleep,
A scene suddenly appeared in his mind:
In the dark, eerie, cramped Head of House's office, two masked men, holding cold firearms,
They violently kicked open the door, firing several shots at the unsuspecting Head of House. He clearly saw the moment the Head of House fell to the ground, her face still filled with astonishment and disbelief.
The bright red blood was shocking!
That was what he didn't want to see! And what he least hoped would happen in his heart!
In the scene, the two men roughly rummaged through the drawers of the Head of House's desk, and finally, in a secret compartment in the wardrobe, they found the money the Head of House had hidden. He recognized the bag full of Galleons; it was the exact one he had given the Head of House today!
In his mind, the unbridled mocking voices of the two thugs still echoed: "I wasn't wrong! She's a big fat sheep, I saw her exchange it at the gold shop with my own eyes!" Immediately after, the scene vanished into thin air!
Moon suddenly sat up in bed, his eyes filled with gloom, his heart overflowing with an indescribable rage.
"Damn it!" Moon gritted his teeth, squeezing out these two words.
Chapter 25 Robbers
The bitter winter wind, like the roar of a beast, howled through the cracks of the orphanage's dilapidated wooden windows.
The night, which had been relatively peaceful, was now shattered by a sudden turn of events.
A rusty old car screeched to a halt at the orphanage's entrance, letting out an ear-splitting brake sound.
The wheels squealed as they scraped against the ground, tearing through the silent night.
Two men, one tall and thin, the other short and stout, dressed in various outfits, stepped out of the car, carrying an ominous aura about them.
The one in front was a gaunt, blonde-haired white man, wearing a dirty leather jacket.
A cunning glint flickered in his sinister blue eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards, forming a chilling smile that appeared exceptionally twisted and ferocious under the moonlight.
His lips were chapped, and he constantly licked his teeth, his gaze wandering like a hungry wolf ready to pounce on its prey, greedy and lecherous.
Following behind him was a short, stout black man, his skin as dark as charcoal, wearing a loose black coat that almost completely covered his obese body, with a fierce expression on his face.
He lifted his head, revealing a ferocious skull tattooed on his thick neck.
He grumbled as he clumsily slung a long rifle, wrapped in black cloth, over his back.
His eyes were filled with brutality.
As the two men exited the car, they cautiously scanned their surroundings, yet both overlooked a tiny presence.
That small figure was already standing before them, watching their movements, as if awaiting their arrival.
The two men then noticed that, under the dim streetlight, standing in front of the orphanage, was a boy who looked very young, yet exceptionally delicate.
His skin was as white as the moon, and under the faint light of the streetlamp at night, his silver-white pupils seemed to emit a glow, like stars in the night sky, deep and serene.
In his hand, he held an inconspicuous black branch.
"Hey, buddy, just give me two minutes!"
The white man looked at the young boy standing before him, his originally ill-intentioned smile instantly twisted, as if transforming into a repulsive maggot.
His voice sounded greasy and evil, like a whisper from hell.
"Such a delicate little boy! I can't seem to wait any longer, let me have a good time!"
His gaze swept over Moon's body, his tone filled with lust.
The black man standing beside him sighed wordlessly, leaning his back against the broken car door, as if he had no interest in dealing with his lust-filled companion.
He glanced at his partner's lower body, not bothering to hide his disgusted expression: "Hurry up, don't make me wait too long, don't delay my work."
After speaking, he skillfully lit a cigarette, taking a greedy puff.
Wisps of smoke slowly curled around his fierce face.
The white man laughed lewdly, a disgusting glint flickering in his eyes.
Like a hungry wolf, he walked towards Moon, who stood at the entrance holding the "branch."
His steps grew faster and faster, and his gaze became increasingly ferocious.
"Little friend, Uncle has a game he wants to play with you! Come here quickly! Shall Uncle take you flying, alright?"
His voice also became exceptionally hoarse, and with every breath, his yellow teeth could be seen from his mouth.
He raised his greasy hands and reached out towards Moon.
The smile on his face grew uglier, and his hands waved incessantly, as if swatting away mosquitoes circling Moon.
Just then, a slightly worried voice sounded behind Moon: "Who are you! What do you want to do?"
It was a weathered voice, one that made people feel very kind.
The Head of House ran over, shielding Moon behind her.
Her frail body, like a steadfast rock, blocked the white man's evil gaze.
She looked at the two tall men, anger burning in her eyes, unwilling for anyone to act presumptuously in her "home"!
She wanted to protect her children.
"Head of House, please go back inside, I'm fine."
Moon said to the Head of House in front of him in a slightly childish tone.
His tone was calm as usual, yet it released a reassuring power, gradually calming the Head of House's anxious heart, as if with him, all crises could be resolved.
"Moon, come back quickly! These people look very dangerous!"
Although the Head of House was curious about Moon's superhuman strength and knew she couldn't comprehend the existence of such mysterious powers, she instinctively felt uneasy.
At this moment, she was still very worried about Moon's safety, after all, the child in her eyes was still so young.
"Don't worry! I'm really fine!"
Moon smiled gently at the Head of House, as if comforting an anxious mother.
Just as the Head of House was about to stop Moon again, she suddenly saw the "branch" Moon was holding in his hand.
On that originally unremarkable wooden stick, a faint silver light was shining.
That familiar silver light, she had seen it before.
That night, when Moon drove away those pesky rats for the children, she had witnessed it, and she would never forget it!
At this moment, she finally recalled that this child in front of her was no ordinary person.
He was a Wizard with mysterious powers, capable of controlling forces that ordinary people could not.
He was even more powerful than herself, and more powerful than these bad people in front of her!
Her constant worry about Moon's safety was completely unnecessary; it was they who were truly weak.
Her inner worries vanished, she let go of Moon, and swallowed the worries she was about to voice.
She took a deep breath and said with a firm expression: "Understood, be careful. Just don't hurt any innocents."
Her tone was full of trust, and it also showed the responsibility and expectation of a great mother.
Since she had chosen to trust her child, she would trust him unconditionally!
Moon nodded to the Head of House after hearing this, as if agreeing to an elder's request.
He turned his gaze back to the two uninvited guests in front of him and performed a standard gentleman's bow. "Mm-hm! You can rest assured."
After receiving Moon's assurance, the Head of Houseturned and returned to the orphanage, leaving everything outside to her immensely trusted "child" to handle.
And at this moment, all she could do was wait!
"Damn it! What are you doing? Why did that old woman go back inside!?"
The white man frowned as he watched the Head of Houseturn and re-enter the orphanage, his face growing even more ferocious, as if sensing something unusual.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and an inner vigilance towards the unknown began to grow.
His eyes shifted warily back and forth over Moon, trying to find something unusual in him.
He pulled out the pistol from his waist; the dark gun body appeared especially chilling under the streetlights.
His expression turned frantic: "Why did the old woman go back by herself? Speak quickly! What did she say to you! Don't make me angry! Otherwise, I'll kill you first! Then I'll go inside and slowly search for the paltry money."
The white man pressed the barrel of his gun firmly against Moon's chest, intending to use this method to completely shatter the young boy's self-respect and pretense.
His heart also grew increasingly irritable.
The little boy, who should have been afraid of them, had not shown any fear or timidity from beginning to end.
He seemed to be watching a play, scrutinizing him with a calm gaze.
This filled the white man with unease!
He knew that if he delayed any longer, an accident might occur!
So, he approached Moon even more quickly, his finger already on the trigger.
He had already made up his mind.
If this little guy in front of him didn't listen to him, he would pull the trigger immediately.
Chapter 26: Time and Space Exile
The white robber's gun was still pressed coldly against Moon's chest.
His face was filled with impatience and bloodthirsty cruelty.
He had originally wanted to see fear on the boy's face, but in the end, he saw nothing.
Only the deep, calm chill in Moon's eyes filled him with unease.
He had initially thought he could control everything, but for some reason, an inexplicable fear welled up inside him.
The only thing that brought him a little comfort was the gun he clutched tightly in his hand.
Seeing that Moon didn't answer his question, his previously fake smile instantly froze, replaced by madness and cruelty.
"So you don't want to talk, huh? Then you'll never speak again!" he snarled, his finger pulling the trigger, his eyes filled with a pathological distortion.
"Bang!"
A piercing gunshot exploded in the quiet orphanage doorway.
The bullet, flying out, cut a blurry trajectory through the night.
The Head of House, who had just hung up the emergency call and was about to open the door to find weapons and face the enemy with Moon, felt her heart clutched tightly by a large hand when she heard the gunfire from outside.
She used all her strength to steady her trembling body.
The fear in that instant almost consumed her entire will.
"He's still a child! How can he handle bullets!"
Her vision blurred, her legs trembled slightly from extreme tension, and her face was as pale as paper.
She regretted not letting Moon face it alone, after all, he was just a child who had never seen real weapons. What good was magic against bullets?
She gritted her teeth, grabbed the gun she had previously placed under her desk, stood up abruptly, and rushed out the door again.
She was going to save Moon, even if it meant her death.
However, the moment the bullet struck Moon, his slender figure suddenly vanished like air.
The bullet, losing its target, slammed heavily onto the flagstone path behind Moon, scattering tiny fragments, yet it couldn't affect the black wooden gate in the slightest.
The white robber's expression instantly froze.
His pupils contracted sharply as he stared incredulously at the empty road ahead.
He had clearly aimed at the other party's leg, and his index finger had fully pulled the trigger.
But why!
Why had the person he wanted to kill mysteriously disappeared like that?!
He let out a hysterical roar: "Damn it! This must be a ghost! Damn it! This is impossible!" He cursed, as if falling into a frenzy, raising his gun to spray bullets.
But his raised hand could no longer fall.
Behind him, a familiar yet chilling voice clearly emerged, seemingly from the farthest reaches of the void: "You're disturbing me."
He slowly lowered his head, and what he saw was Moonstanding before him, still holding that inconspicuous "wooden stick" with a half-smile on his face.
He saw his finger was less than five centimeters from Moon's forehead, and even the desire to pull the trigger had been completely stifled by Moon.
He raised his hand, as if wanting to do something, but he couldn't do anything!
He clearly understood that he no longer had any chance of killing the boy in front of him.
His mind was completely consumed by fear.
He remembered all the rumors about ghost stories.
He knew!
This time, he had provoked a being he shouldn't have!
"Ah! Impossible! You're a demon, you're a ghost!!"
He let out a terrified wail, attempting to mask his inner panic with screams.
His response was Moon's icy gaze, and the magic released from the wooden stick in his hand.
"Time-Space Shock!" Moon whispered coldly, giving his wand a gentle flick.
An invisible force instantly sent the white robber flying, like a broken rag doll, slamming violently into a distant tree, the powerful impact causing the tree trunk to sway slightly.
After he landed, his body directly curled into a ball, and the joints in various places made horrifying cracking sounds as his body deformed.
After the white man's body twitched violently a few times, it stopped moving.
All he could do was retain the last vestiges of his terror and distortion on his already twisted face.
Moon's mutated "Stunning Spell" was already enough to inflict a fatal blow on these ordinary people with no magicresistance.
"What?! How could this be!"
The black man, who had been lazily smoking, saw the bizarre scene before him, and the ferocity on his face vanished, completely replaced by shock and fear.
He subconsciously threw the cigarette in his hand to the ground, trembling as he gripped the black pistol tightly in his hand.
He even clearly felt the chill emanating from behind him, seemingly death from hell, which completely ignited his fear!
Trembling, he aimed the gun at Moon and continuously pulled the trigger.
Bullet casings clattered to the ground, making "ding-dong" sounds.
Almost instantly, he fired all the bullets from the magazine at Moon.
The bullets sliced through the air, raining down on Moon, but each time they hit Moon's body, that seemingly frail figure would mysteriously disappear, then reappear at a nearby location.
That kind of movement was less like walking and more like a flicker, like a ghost.
This series of bizarre events completely shattered the black man's already fragile psychological defenses.
He stared with wide, terrified eyes, his face extremely contorted.
His pupils also continuously constricted; he saw the bullets fired at the other party seemed to have lost their effect.
He also realized that he seemed to be fighting a "devil" that simply didn't exist in this world.
His hands trembled, and the pistol fell weakly to the ground with a crisp sound; he had completely lost the ability to fight.
The next moment, his legs completely gave out.
That warm sensation soaked his black pants.
He had long since lost control of his body.
His eyes, unfocused, stared ahead, his lips trembling incessantly.
The smell of incontinence permeated the surroundings; the air began to mix with an indescribably foul and terrifying odor.
Moon watched all of this coldly.
He didn't care about their inner collapse.
Pity was meaningless for these people.
He simply moved his magic wand, and another silver light struck the black man who was paralyzed on the ground.
At this point, the black man no longer struggled or resisted.
To avoid anyone discovering what had happened here, Moon piled the white robber, whose body was completely twisted, and the black robber, who was completely paralyzed on the ground, together.
Using the "Time-Space Power" he had recently mastered, he whispered to the two bodies: "Time-Space Banishment."
A distorted vortex slowly appeared at his fingertip, mercilessly sucking the two bodies into it.
That was power from the depths of time and space.
Everything happened in a flash.
The surroundings once again fell into dead silence.
The smell of gunpowder, lingering after the gunshots, still seemed to permeate the air.
They vanished into the night, as if they had never existed in this world, leaving not a single trace.
"Moon!!"
At this moment, the wooden door was suddenly flung open again, and the Head of House, gun in hand, stood resolutely at the entrance.
In that moment, the Head of House truly felt as if she was about to lose this "family member" who had finally come into her life with such difficulty.
But soon she discovered that the person standing before her was an unharmed Moon, as calm and gentle as ever, and her previously despairing expression completely froze.
The fear and unease that had always existed within her gradually disintegrated upon seeing Moon perfectly fine.
It was replaced by shock.
Those gunshots just now seemed like a dream.
"Head of House, please rest assured, I've handled everything!"
Moon saw the Head of House rush out, knowing she must be extremely worried about his safety, and he smiled gently again.
He made an "OK" gesture to her, seemingly wanting to convey that he was completely unharmed, and also to tell the Head of House that she was safe.
He wouldn't let her suffer any harm under his protection.
His calmness at this moment, however, only further highlighted his mysteriousness.
It finally made the Head of House feel the true power of magic and Moon's real strength deep within her heart!
And Moon's true strength.
Chapter 27: Magical Crisis
Outside the orphanage, a faint smell of blood lingered in the air, as if everything had just happened.
The Head of House approached Moon with trembling steps, looking at the young man she considered her own with eyes full of worry and concern.
Her heart was enveloped by a strong emotion, a mix of relief from surviving a disaster and a deep sense of panic and unease about the unknown.
She tremblingly reached out and stroked Moon's head, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
"Moon, Moon! Are you hurt? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
She carefully checked him, afraid of leaving even the slightest scar on his body.
She tried to suppress the panic in her heart, but the tears in the corners of her eyes still betrayed her true emotions.
The moment the Head of House's hand touched Moon, Moon, who had been supporting his body, finally lost the strength to stand.
His body went limp, and he fell straight forward, completely losing his balance.
"Moon!"
The Head of House exclaimed, quickly extending her hands and steadily pulling Moon into her embrace.
She felt how weak the young man in her arms was, which deepened her self-blame.
It should have been her facing it, but instead, her "child" had to bear everything for her.
She cursed herself in her heart.
"I'm fine, Head of House."
Moon's voice was still calm, though a little breathless.
He tried to raise his hand to comfort the anxious Head of House.
"I just used too much magic. I just need to rest a bit, and I'll be fine."
"Yes, magic! All of this is truly incredible," the Head of House murmured in shock.
Her eyes were filled with both surprise and an even deeper worry, and she held him even tighter.
"This... you're so exhausted now! I shouldn't have let you handle all of this alone!"
The Head of House's tears could no longer be held back.
Moon felt the warmth from her body, the Head of House's loving care.
"I need to become stronger! And I must become even more powerful!" he whispered internally, vowing to ensure that such a tragedy would never happen again.
He looked up and smiled at the remorseful Head of House.
"Please help me up. I'm fine, this is just temporary exhaustion. My body will recover very quickly."
He urgently needed a good rest now.
The Head of House, with her slender shoulders, helped Moon up.
And step by step, she supported him back to his room.
Moon could clearly feel the Head of House's small body trembling slightly, and tears on her aged face.
She was constantly worrying about him, yet he couldn't provide her with enough protection!
In this cruel world, one must possess true power!
Moon sat leaning against the soft headboard, regulating his breathing, as waves of warm power slowly resonated within his body.
He could feel his magic recovering, but the speed was too slow.
Once in battle, it would be far from enough to support him in casting several similar spells.
Feeling his dwindling magic, his anxiety deepened.
This time, using two "Time-Space Shocks," one "Invisibility Charm," and one Time Banishment, had completely drained his magic reserves.
He clearly recognized his current shortcomings; his power was still far from enough.
"My mutated spells are powerful, but the consumption is too great; they can only support four spells!"
Feeling the faint residual power within his body, his heart tightened sharply.
If not for this battle, he wouldn't have known his magicwas so critically scarce.
He clenched his fists, his sense of crisis growing stronger.
The current mission objective was to defeat Rocky, and if he didn't quickly increase his strength, he probably wouldn't be able to complete it.
"For me to defeat Rocky now is still too risky. One Avada Kedavra from him, and I'll probably be finished!"
Relying on his current magic and pitiful combat experience, a direct confrontation was absolutely out of the question.
He urgently needed more powerful and insidious skills to carry out his "decapitation operation" against Rocky.
Being cunning when possible was the way to survive.
He could feel time growing more pressing; he needed to find more information and more time to understand the knowledge he had acquired.
Before that crazy future arrived!
"And I can't put all my hope on other powerful spells!"
He pulled out the book "Advanced Time-Space Magic" from his spatial pouch and began to study it.
After all, magic cultivation was the orthodox path, and he couldn't rely solely on the "system's" rewards!
He just wanted to become a stronger person!
An existence capable of mastering everything and protecting everything.
Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Magic in London, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Barty Crouch, was wearily processing the documents on his desk.
He had an exceptionally busy day, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"These guys, each one only thinks about their pathetic power!"
He angrily slammed his quill onto the desk with a dull thud, roaring in frustration, venting his inner resentment.
"His power was being eroded little by little."
Just then, his office door was abruptly opened, and a young Wizard rushed in, looking flustered.
The Wizard clearly did not work for Crouch.
He urgently said, "Barty, there's a situation in the Department of Magical Detection, regarding the Comprehensive Trace System!"
Crouch's face darkened.
He took off his glasses and slammed them onto the table, his tone exceptionally cold, as if it could freeze everything: "Didn't I tell you! Don't disturb me if it's not an emergency! Why didn't you knock! And what did you call me! I am the Head! Have you just joined the Ministry of Magic?"
"Yes, yes. I'm very sorry, sir, I really couldn't help it."
The young Wizard quickly bowed and apologized, afraid of angering the "Living Yama" who was on the verge of fury.
His attitude became even more humble.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he anxiously reported: "You know! The Comprehensive Trace System has always operated normally; its function is to detect whether underage Wizards are illegally using magic!"
He swallowed, his voice filled with awe, "But! Its detection seems to have a problem! A young Wizard has been detected with an issue, so, I…"
He placed the document in front of Crouch.
"First year? I can't even be bothered to look."
Crouch said with disdain.
"You know this is a small matter, so don't bother me!"
His tone became more irritable.
"No, Head, please look closely! This person is very special! He is from Hogwarts! He is a half-blood Wizard, and his name is Moon White!" His voice grew more anxious.
He knew this was absolutely not a small matter, because they needed to use the Trace to find criminals.
Now the Trace system had a problem.
Crouch put his glasses back on, picked up the document from the table, and glanced at the records, his expression instantly becoming serious: "Invisibility Charm? And Stunning Spell? Both used in the Muggle world?"
He mumbled as he continued to browse the report in his hand: "No! It was a few months before going to Hogwarts?"
Crouch seemed to realize something, scanning the documents on the table with a shocked expression, the recorded time seeming exceptionally bizarre.
He slowly looked up, his eyes dark as he stared at the reporting personnel: "Are you sure this is true? A few months before then! Then this child hadn't even started school yet?"
"The record shows that his archived information at the time indicated he... hadn't even applied for his wand yet!!" the reporting person said in a low voice, very cautiously, afraid of saying anything wrong to anger his superior.
Crouch's brows immediately furrowed into a "river" shape.
All fatigue vanished from his face, replaced by extreme clarity and vigilance.
"Not even enrolled? Not even received a wand, how could he use magic in the Muggle world? Idiot!" he roared.
"Someone must have embezzled the funds for the Trace materials. I want to see who is so bold!"
He looked up, his cold and penetrating gaze directly fixed on his subordinate.
"Get me the name of the person in charge of the Trace! I want to see who has the guts!"
Crouch's roar echoed in the office, and the subordinate Wizard, already trembling, said nothing, turned, and ran out.
Chapter 28 Back to School Night Talk
The Hogwarts Express.
The temperature inside the compartment was pleasant, filled with the aroma of baked goods and hot tea, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside.
Moon White sat alone by the window, opening his system panel.
[Host Information
• Name: Moon White
• System Level: 1
• Age: 11 years old
• magic Power: 156
• Talents: Alchemy, Space-time Manipulation
• Talent Duplication Count: 0
Spells Mastered
• Levitation Charm (Time-Space Variation)
• Alohomora (Time-Space Variation)
• Lumos (Time-Space Variation)
• Repairing Charm (Time-Space Variation)
• Stunning Spell (Time-Space Variation)
• Petrificus Totalus (Time-Space Variation)
• Invisibility Charm (Time-Space Variation)
• Accio (Time-Space Variation)
Wealth
• Account Balance: 4581 Galleons.
Quest List
• Current Quest: Defeat Quirrell personally and prevent Voldemort's resurrection (High Difficulty Quest)
• Reward: Blue Duplication Count x1
Skill List
• Time Perception (Level 6)]
[Skill Name: Time Perception
Skill Level: 6 (Future 10 minutes from now)
Skill Effect: Has a faint perception of the flow of time, can predict impending events in a short time, effect strengthens with skill level increase.
]
The information on the system interface was clearly presented before Moon.
After fighting the bandits, his strength had significantly improved, and as his Time Perception skill leveled up, the faint Time-Space Power remaining in his body slowly transformed into powerful magic.
Just as Moon was deep in thought, Hermione Granger sat across from him with an excited smile.
She had clearly enjoyed a relaxing holiday, which put her in a great mood.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and her bright eyes sparkled with joy.
In her hands, she held various exquisite gift bags with a strong holiday feel, from which sweet scents wafted, all gifts from her parents.
"Moon, this holiday, my mum and dad and I went to so many places! I even went to an amusement park!" Hermione's tone was light and excited.
"They gave me so many fun candies! I can barely eat them all!"
She picked up a few candies and showed them off to Moon, shaking them in front of him.
The candies were all exquisitely packaged.
Moon looked up, and seeing her excited expression, he couldn't help but offer a faint smile.
"That sounds great. It seems you had a good holiday."
"Mm! It was really great this time!" Hermione nodded in agreement.
Night quietly fell.
The scenery outside the window gradually turned into a hazy starlight.
Hogwarts was getting closer and closer to them.
By the time the train arrived at the Hogwarts station, it was nearly eight in the evening.
The Great Hall was still as lively and relaxed as it had been during the Christmas holiday.
The long tables were laden with all sorts of delicacies, and the air echoed with the laughter and chatter of students.
Moon, Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat on a sofa in a corner of the Gryffindor common room, chatting about their holiday experiences.
Among them, the most heated topic of discussion was the Mirror of Erised.
"It was incredible, I actually saw my parents in the Mirror of Erised!!" Harry recounted what he saw, his voice full of excitement and a hint of sadness, filled with longing.
"They were smiling at me there, and waving hello."
His eyes still sparkled with nostalgia and yearning, clearly recalling the moment he saw his parents again.
Ron nodded vigorously beside him, his eyes also shining with excitement.
He eagerly interjected, "I also saw myself become Head Boy in the mirror! I was holding the gleaming QuidditchCup in my hand, it was so cool!"
His eyebrows danced excitedly with his emotions.
Hermione looked at Ron with dissatisfaction, and said with a hint of exasperation, "I think Moon is much more likely to become Head Boy than you."
She seemed always impressed by Moon's abilities and diligence, and was displeased with Ron's usual casualness.
Ron scratched his head, looking a bit awkward, but a smile still appeared on his face.
He remembered the scene in the mirror and laughed happily, his thoughts already jumping to that scene full of future and honor: "Oh, you don't know what it was like then, I was wearing such magnificent robes, it felt amazing!" His voice held a trace of longing again.
Hermione shook her head helplessly and turned to Harry.
"It's so nice to be able to see your parents! This magic is truly amazing!"
Upon hearing this, Harry said in a low, somewhat melancholic voice, "But! Professor Dumbledore still put away the Mirror of Erised, saying it was to prevent everyone from continuing to indulge in those unrealistic dreams."
Harry's tone was slightly disappointed, after all, no one could resist the desire to see their closest relatives.
Moon looked at his companions, shaking his head with a smile.
He didn't take everything too heavily.
He also yearned to see his own family; perhaps there would be a chance?
"But the most important thing now is to improve my strength!" he mused inwardly.
"Right now, the most urgent thing is to deal with Snape." The powerful magic of Sectumsempra appeared in his mind, which was also his next objective.
He looked up at Harry, his tone unusually serious: "Harry, perhaps you need to apologize to Professor Snape and thank him for his protection."
Harry's joyful smile instantly froze upon hearing Moon's words.
His usually green eyes also became very confused.
Ron, who was beside him, heard this and his face instantly filled with questions.
His brain began to stop working.
He asked, utterly perplexed, "What did you say?"
He looked at Moon, seemingly trying to read something from his face. "Why should we apologize to that old bat who always targets us?"
Hermione's expression froze slightly.
She tried hard to recall the scene at the time and, after a long while, exclaimed, "Oh, you're right! When Quirrellattacked Harry! Professor Snape seemed to be casting a spell to save Harry. If it hadn't been for that… I had completely forgotten. It was Professor Snape who secretly protected Harry."
Hermione's words carried a tone of disbelief, as she tried to piece together her fragmented memories.
"That's impossible!" Ron still didn't believe Snape would protect Harry, he vehemently retorted, his voice very loud.
"Absolutely impossible, it must be that Snape fellow secretly trying to harm Harry! And it's possible ProfessorQuirrell was protecting Harry. Don't forget Snape has always been targeting Harry." His brows furrowed tightly; he couldn't believe that Snape, whom he had always detested, would turn into a good person.
Harry looked at Moon with some confusion after hearing this: "I also feel that Professor Snape has always disliked me and targeted me." Harry tightly gripped the teacup in his hand.
Moon looked at the somewhat bewildered Harry and said seriously, "I'm not lying to you, Harry. Although Professor Snape has always targeted you, he was indeed silently protecting you during that match. I saw it. When you lost control, it was Professor Snape who broke the forces affecting the broom's flight."
Hermione also nodded, confirming Moon's words.
She also calmly affirmed, "Moon is telling the truth. I did see Snape protecting Harry at the scene. It was not Professor Quirrell."
Ron's expression also began to subtly change.
His thoughts gradually became clearer as he recalled.
His gaze was a bit unfocused. He murmured, "At the time, didn't Moon point in that direction and shout something to Hermione? Something from… I can't quite remember."
He also vaguely recalled the scene he had witnessed.
Although he was often a bit slow to react, he was by no means an idiot!
"What did I tell you!" Hermione said to Ron, annoyed, but her tone was noticeably softer.
"You, you just need to focus more sometimes! All you know is eating!" She shook her head helplessly.
Harry carefully analyzed everything and understood that there really seemed to be an unknown force that had saved him from losing control.
He also understood that even if Snape's attitude in class was very harsh towards him, he genuinely needed to thank him now.
He seemed to have accepted the fact that Snape had silently protected him.
Harry sighed, saying with a hint of confusion, "I understand, thank you all. I will go and apologize to him, but… why would Professor Quirrell do that? Or why would he attack me?"
He looked at Moon, hoping for more useful information.
Moon heard Harry's question and slowly drew his thoughts back.
He looked at him with a meaningful gaze and said seriously, "This may require us to investigate together to reach a final conclusion."
Chapter 29 Half-Blood Prince
The first ray of morning sunlight streamed into the Hogwarts campus, casting a soft golden glow over the ancient castle.
Moon opened his eyes on his dormitory bed.
The scenes he had foreseen in his mind were gradually becoming reality.
He quietly got out of bed, but did not immediately head to the Great Hall.
To not waste any time, he planned to complete his top priority for the day.
That was to find the "Half-Blood Prince's Notes"; he had to get his hands on it today!
Only by acquiring stronger magic could he ensure his survival in the storm of events to come!
Harry and Ron arrived at the Great Hall early.
They were intensely discussing what kind of attitude they should adopt to greet Professor Snape later, and mentally rehearsing various apology scenarios.
Especially Harry, his knuckles were white from clenching his fists, and his body was slightly stiff.
He wanted to apologize, but it felt incredibly awkward, because he had always been wary of Professor Snape, and now he had to say "thank you" to him!
This strange feeling left him somewhat at a loss.
On the other side, Hermione was sitting at a long table piled high with books and papers.
She didn't even lift her head, engrossed in the book in her hands.
She was analyzing all the information available in the Hogwarts library to find more knowledge from various angles to support her strength and better face the true identity of Professor Rocky with her companions!
"Morning!"
When Moon entered the Great Hall, Harry and Ron waved to him.
His gaze then fell upon Hermione, who was focused on her books, and he smiled knowingly.
Harry and Ron were very curious why Moon remained so calm and composed.
It seemed no predicament could disrupt his progress, and he always maintained a confident attitude.
"Morning!"
Moon responded to them, a kind smile on his face, though his eyes held a hint of seriousness and decisiveness.
His time was very limited, and he absolutely could not waste it.
After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways.
To avoid lingering in everyone's sight for too long, Moondid not return to the common room after the first class.
Instead, he headed directly to the Potions Class classroom in the dungeons.
Inside the empty Potions Class classroom, various herbal mixtures created an eerie scent, and a chill permeated the air.
Light streamed through the narrow windows, illuminating the colorful bottles and jars displayed on the counters.
He used "Time Perception" to advance the timeline to the period when he had already searched the Potions Classclassroom, and then began to meticulously explore every corner of the classroom.
Soon, his steps stopped before a locked cabinet.
According to the information he knew, the old textbook of the "Half-Blood Prince" was inside.
Moon knew that the best way to quickly learn the Sectumsempra magic was under the direct guidance of its creator, to master it as soon as possible, and even learn how to deal with the backlash damage.
He activated the Alohomora charm after "Spatial-Temporal Mutation," gently touching the lock.
The magic wand in his hand emitted a faint silver light, and the lock instantly deformed, completely releasing its restraint.
The cabinet was gently opened, and the various textbooks scattered on the top shelf caught Moon's attention.
A very old and dilapidated textbook lay conspicuously at the bottom of the stack.
The cover had "Advanced Potion-Making" written in elegant script.
The heading on the first page clearly stated: "This book belongs to the Half-Blood Prince!"
"Finally found it!"
Moon whispered.
Finding Sectumsempra in the book, he felt a unique magic.
The pages also sparkled with strings of characters from upper-year textbooks, which further confirmed his suspicion: this was the old textbook Professor Snape had used back then!
His heart was filled with excitement.
He carefully put the other textbooks back.
After all, a Professor might come to check here, and he didn't want to be discovered so quickly.
In the following classes, Moon listened to the Professor's explanations with unusual attentiveness.
During the break, Moon began to read the "Half-Blood Prince's" notes, trying to learn them in his mind.
Much of the content was knowledge points he had never seen or even heard of before.
These unfamiliar words, however, were filled with a power that made him want to understand them!
During the learning process, he increasingly realized the benefits of "Time Perception."
It could accurately predict the backlash of magic, allowing him to find safer ways to cast spells.
However, much of the knowledge on the pages was beyond his capabilities.
In the short learning time, he could only master some of the incantations for "Sectumsempra."
And there was still a considerable distance before he could truly use "Sectumsempra" and achieve the desired effect without backlash, which made him realize the urgent need for the creator of "Sectumsempra" to be his mentor.
The hour hand gradually pointed to four o'clock in the afternoon.
After rushing through the last class of the day, Moonhurried to the Great Hall.
Harry and Ron were already waiting there.
When Moon walked into the Great Hall, their eyes all fell on him.
Harry took a deep breath, clearly very nervous, his hands trembling slightly.
His fingertips constantly scratched at the fabric of his trousers, showing how anxious and somewhat worried he was.
"Let's go!"
Harry finally broke the silence.
His face looked much calmer, but his slightly furrowed brows still betrayed his true feelings.
Moon gently patted Harry's shoulder, giving him an encouraging look, without saying much.
At the same time, he hummed in agreement, expressing that he would bear everything with him.
Moon could feel Harry's apprehension and unease, and even more, his courage in facing his true feelings.
He could do it because he had foreseen the outcome.
But what Harry displayed was his sense of responsibility.
As if receiving Moon's encouragement, Harry took another deep breath and took a small step forward.
His expression was much more relaxed than before.
Ron, with a hint of admiration, said to Harry and Moon, "Good luck, I'll wait for you in the common room."
Moon smiled gently, looking at Harry.
He didn't know if Professor Snape's fate would change, but he didn't want Harry and Professor Snape to have too many regrets.
"Alright! Let's go."
Moon finally broke the silence.
He led Harry towards Snape's office.
Moon had already inquired and knew that Professor Snapehad no classes now and was in his office.
Chapter 30 Hidden Guardian
Moon and Harry stood outside the Potions ClassProfessor's office.
Harry's shoulders were still tense; he was trying to regulate his breathing.
His heart rate was accelerating, seemingly more nervous and anxious than during the last Quidditch match.
Perhaps it was because he was about to face the person Harry had always disliked the most.
This dislike stemmed from repeated targeting during Potions Class.
Although Harry possessed extraordinary courage and talent, he couldn't help but feel a shiver of apprehension when facing Snape.
He seemed to have an innate dislike for this perpetually unhappy-looking man in black robes.
Moon didn't say much.
He simply patted Harry's shoulder quietly, then raised his hand.
He gently knocked three times on the mottled wooden door of Snape's office.
A moment later,
A hoarse and indifferent voice from inside the room responded, "Come in."
This was the Professor Snape—who had tormented them in countless classes and openly favored his own house without reservation.
After Moon nodded to Harry,
He gently pushed open the office door.
The door hinges groaned with a slightly grating 'creak,'
Behind that heavy wooden door,
It was as if a beast lay hidden, ready to devour someone at any moment.
The scene inside the door was as dim as ever.
The air was filled with a strong scent of herbs.
The table was piled high with thick textbooks and bottles of strange Potions.
Snape was sitting behind his desk,
Organizing the herbs he would need for tomorrow's class.
When they entered the office, he looked up, his gaze quickly sweeping back and forth across both their faces.
He especially focused more attention on Harry's bright, clear, emerald green eyes.
He tilted his head, his voice gloomy and cold: "Mr. Potterand Mr. White! Is there something you need from me?"
Every word he spoke was full of power, as if the air itself had stilled under the pressure, instinctively filling people with fear.
Harry's body suddenly trembled.
Under Snape's cold gaze, he couldn't help but retreat half a step backward.
That aversion had deeply integrated into Harry's soul.
It was as if just hearing Snape's name immediately brought back Snape's sarcastic remarks and the discrimination he had experienced.
His tongue rolled in his mouth several times, and he found that under such an oppressive aura,
He couldn't utter a single word, only biting his lip tightly, trying his best to control his desire to turn and flee.
Moon glanced at Harry, who was clearly flustered again.
He met Harry's gaze and slowly nodded, offering an encouraging look.
Signaling to Harry that he could face what was to come with peace of mind.
After receiving Moon's affirmation, Harry nodded forcefully.
As if having made up his mind, he closed his eyes tightly, took a deep breath,
And immediately bowed deeply to Snape in front of him.
His body was almost completely bent at a ninety-degree angle, his head lowered as far as possible.
"Thank you, Professor Snape! Thank you for protecting me during the Quidditch match."
His tone was very earnest and filled with gratitude.
After Harry made this gesture, his previously restless heart gradually began to settle.
He believed this was the best conclusion to all past mistakes,
And the best response after recognizing Snape.
He wanted to break his past perception of Snape,
And from now on, truly choose reconciliation.
Harry's actions exceeded Snape's expectations.
His brow furrowed slightly; the icy demeanor he had just forced himself to maintain completely shattered under Harry's sudden yet sincere bow.
A hint of astonishment and complexity flashed in his eyes.
His body even recoiled half a step due to the surprise.
This was the first time a student had thanked him so formally.
And that student was Harry.
That word of thanks touched the softest part of his heart.
Like a key, it unlocked Snape's tightly closed defenses.
He seemed to see James,
And he also saw Lily!
His long-sealed memories seemed to be opened by this thank you.
Those long-absent thoughts rushed like a flood,
Impacting his numb heart.
He suppressed the turmoil within him and quickly adjusted his demeanor.
And resealed his complex emotions,
Putting on his usual stern expression, he said in a slightly hoarse voice: "How do you know it was I who protected you, and not someone else?"
His tone was calm, but it subtly carried a hint of expectation.
And complex thoughts churned within him.
The emotions that had been suppressed for years, almost burned out, seemed to be reawakening, gradually welling up in his heart.
All of this was precisely where Snape was conflicted,
And it was the source of his constant pain, and Harry's "thank you" had greatly softened his heart.
He could only hide these things to mask his inferiority and longing, and to protect the deeply buried secret.
Harry looked at the calm and collected Moon beside him, his heart filled with trust for his friend.
He also knew that all of this stemmed from Moon's prior reminder.
He believed everything Moon had seen.
Moon glanced at Snape, who was in a state of strong emotional fluctuation, and slowly said: "When I was in the stands, I saw everything that happened."
"I could clearly feel it. When Harry lost control, two different magical forces impacted his broom, and Hermionealso saw what happened... Combining all the signs that occurred on site, it was determined that the person protecting Harry at that time was you."
Although his tone was very calm, every word Moon spoke deeply pierced Snape's already battered heart.
Especially when the words "the person protecting Harrywas you" appeared, his emotions completely lost control, and the feelings hidden deep within him finally erupted!
He could clearly feel a call from the depths of his soul, wanting to embrace Harry.
Snape suppressed his emotions, a sarcastic arch appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"So what! Is that why you chose to thank me?" His eyes, like those of a beast, stared intently at Moon, as if trying to conceal his true intentions.
"Yes, after all, you saved Harry, didn't you?" Moon was also speechless at Snape's level of tsundere. "We also saw the person who cast the spell on Harry."
"Who?" Snape's eyes sharpened again, staring intently at Moon.
"Professor Quirrell, we saw him cast the spell, and Harry's broom lost control," Moon said without holding back.
Snape's heart jolted; no wonder Dumbledore had specifically instructed him a few days ago to keep a close eye on Quirrell's every move.