HP North Star's Radiance

“But to accomplish our great work—” Voldemort added, “it’s not enough to just talk a good game.”

Praris, head bowed as he received the instruction, breathed softly once more, seemingly anxiously awaiting Voldemort's inspection.

Voldemort flicked his wand slightly, causing the report to flip automatically in the air. He lowered his red eyes and calmly read Praris's ornate round handwriting, skimming through ten lines at a time.

Everyone has their own area of ​​expertise. Voldemort's talent and skill in potions were not as high as Snape's or Pramanix's, but his ability to create Horcruxes demonstrated that his research into the soul had reached a level beyond that of ordinary people. Therefore, Voldemort couldn't possibly be unaware of the true value of Pramanix's report.

It was for this reason that Praris pretended to be casual and started by expressing his dislike, trying his best to lower Voldemort's expectations.

Voldemort knew he was making things difficult for Snape. Even if Snape worked without sleep for two or three days, he might not be able to meet his demands, but he insisted on forcing it.

On one hand, this was due to Voldemort's eagerness to improve his own safety. On the other hand, it was due to his management of Praris's psychological expectations.

If one is too lenient at the beginning, any subsequent urging will seem abrupt and easily expose his desire to compensate for his spiritual deficiencies. If one oppresses people to the point of exhaustion from the start, any subsequent leniency will be seen as a rare blessing, making his subordinates grateful.

Once the most terrifying expectations are established, Voldemort won't need to put in much effort; his servants will urge themselves to complete their work, living in constant fear and never daring to slack off in the slightest.

Voldemort quickly finished reading the report, which was filled with a large number of obscure theoretical terms and ancient potion research recorded in runes... He had never found potion-related knowledge so difficult to understand, and even suspected that the report was not intended for him to understand at all.

—But it was just suspicion.

Voldemort didn't believe that a Death Eater whose life was under his control would dare to make any underhanded moves in this place. He shifted his gaze to the end of the report, where Praris had drawn conclusions from a vast amount of data…

Praris kindly explained in an extremely objective manner: "Master, a wizard's magic increases with physical growth, reaching its peak upon adulthood. Any progress thereafter is merely the development of skill or temporary assistance from external forces."

Just like height, once the sutures close, you can either appear taller by wearing clothes and platform shoes, or by undergoing a dangerous bone-lengthening surgery.

"The soul, the vessel that holds magic, develops in sync with age, reaching its peak and solidifying upon reaching adulthood. We can reduce it, like the kiss of a Dementor, but we cannot increase it."

Actually, the best example is Horcruxes, but Prarese couldn't use Horcruxes as an example. Fortunately, she had been researching treatments for Dementor-related trauma.

“In my past research, I have always focused on wizards who have been harmed by Dementors, but I have never considered the Dementor’s Kiss. ​​This is because the soul has absolute uniqueness and irreplaceability.”

"Adding a soul from the outside is like trying to add another liquid into a completely sealed container. Regardless of whether the container itself can accept this behavior, the two different liquids will repel each other and even contaminate each other because of their different natures."

According to Prarese, the soul itself is highly unlikely to accept arbitrary additions. There are no objects in the world that are identical to the soul; other substitutes may be rejected by the soul, or even pollute it, having the opposite effect.

Ruthless individuals like Voldemort, who dared to manipulate their own souls, were ultimately few and far between. But even he only cut out a portion of it, rather than mixing other things into it.

Adding to the soul isn't as simple as sewing a piece together at the bottom like lengthening a pair of trousers. Completely different elements won't "add" anything; high similarity can lead to fusion and mixing. As long as a non-soul element is added to the soul, even if the two are highly similar, that's called "contamination."

If Prareas hadn't explained in detail the reasons for rejecting the options, Voldemort would have definitely asked, "Why can't we add them?" But now, hearing her list of excluded options, Voldemort felt quite displeased: This won't work, that won't work—did I issue this mission just to hear you say it's impossible?

“A brilliant deduction,” Voldemort said. “Since we cannot replenish it, how do you think we can make the soul stronger?”

For Voldemort, there was no "can or cannot," only "how to do it." His goal was clear: his subordinates had to think about how to achieve it, not how to negotiate.

Prarese claimed she was dissatisfied with the report. But when Voldemort questioned her, she remained calm and answered fluently.

“Master, I dare to consider two approaches.” Praris raised a middle finger and said calmly, “First, to strengthen the soul, either by putting a protective shield around it or by increasing the density and resilience of the existing soul. Just like you said—as strong as a diamond.”

After saying that, she calmly raised her index finger: "Second, unleash the potential of the soul itself. If strengthening is defense, then unleashing potential is offense. We need to make the original soul stronger and increase its strength."

After presenting two options, Praris tried to justify his earlier "dissatisfaction": "Master, there is a chance to try these two directions, but due to time constraints and my own limitations, they have not yet been rigorously tested and may still have flaws."

Prarese meant that she was just saying it, it was all hypothetical and speculative, and there was no guarantee that it would come to fruition.

If this is "incompetence", then what is Lucius?

Even Voldemort couldn't help but admire how useful Snape and his student were! If all the other Death Eaters were as capable as them...

So, was Praris truly loyal to Voldemort, risking his life for him? Not entirely.

If Voldemort had remained calm enough in the face of mending the flaws in his soul, he would have found that Prareas's report was so complex that even a genius like himself couldn't easily understand it. Therefore, all the interpretation rights would have rested with Prareas.

Throughout the presentation, Prarese used numerous definitions and analogies, omitting many substantive explanations, leaving Voldemort with no choice but to follow her line of thought.

Of course, Praris was giving a brief report; what report is more complicated than a formal document? A detailed explanation? The most detailed, academic version is already in Voldemort's hands! If you can't understand it, it's because Voldemort didn't give you enough time—she's already said she's not satisfied!

Voldemort wouldn't admit that he didn't understand, so he could only follow Praris's explanation and eventually accept Praris's solution.

As for whether it can actually "supplement" the soul?

Who knows? It doesn't matter anymore!

Anyway, Voldemort had already accepted the fact that he couldn't "replenish" souls—that was enough.

“Good, very good.” A terrifying smile twisted across his almost smooth face. “You haven’t disappointed me…”

Having weathered the most stressful part, the subsequent questioning was much easier and more relaxed. Voldemort even cracked a small joke, playfully inquiring about her relationship with Draco.

Prarees said calmly and frankly, "Master, I think Gryffindor is stupid, Ravenclaw is crazy, Hufflepuff is bland and tasteless, and Slytherin is more to my liking."

"As for Draco... I must admit he can occasionally surprise or frighten me, but it's better than nothing."

Voldemort was extremely controlling, using Legilimency more frequently than the Killing Curse, and even scrutinizing his subordinates' romantic relationships. He regretfully discovered that Draco, in Praris's eyes, primarily served as a tool, merely a toy for amusement.

It seems that blackmailing Praderes Prince with research resources and her own life is less effective than blackmailing her boyfriend. After all, it's always the same—Draco has never been able to beat Praderes's work.

Praris finally stepped out of that magnificent door for the second time, as if she had crawled out of hell once again. In the future, she would probably go in and out like this countless times, her soul flickering between light and darkness.

Voldemort was managing her expectations, but wasn't she also managing Voldemort's expectations in reverse?

She hovered just short of completion, designing a "rise and fall" process so that Voldemort would think she hadn't done a good job, then hear her excellent report, and finally have to face the incomprehensible report alone.

If Voldemort intends to continue to squeeze out her mission time, he must anticipate flaws like the "Heavenly Book Report."

As Prarese thought this, she stopped and nodded politely: "Mrs. Malfoy, it's been a long time."

For Narcissa, it had been quite a long time; the last time they met was in Diagon Alley. Now, the girl stood here alone, indicating that her identity had changed, and she had become one of these black-cloaked figures.

"Does Draco know?" Narcissa asked.

Praris said calmly, "He didn't ask."

Narcissa almost instinctively thought, he doesn't know how to ask! But she immediately realized what Praris meant—this girl planned to confess after being discovered.

“Madam,” Praris said with a gentle smile, “if there is an inevitable storm in life, I hope it comes later, much later.”

Arriving late enough for Draco to avoid the downpour, at most he would see the ruins after the storm.

Narcissa didn't know much about Praris Prince, only that Severus admired her greatly and was a trustworthy friend.

Not everyone has such a good memory. Draco paid attention to Prader, so he remembered her relationship with Winnie.

Lucius did see Winnie and Praris shopping together, but he had long forgotten about it—Voldemort wouldn't delve into his memories.

Narcissa has good judgment, decision-making ability, and memory, but she is unaware of the relationship between Praris and Winnie.

During Draco's most difficult period, Narcissa thought, "Prince isn't so bad after all. At least she's capable, and Severus trusts her."

When Prince appeared, Narcissa realized she had made a mistake; Prince wouldn't do—he would hurt Draco. But after Prarese said that, Narcissa thought Prarese wasn't so bad after all.

Chapter 278 Sleeping Soundly

In an instant, Narcissa's thoughts raced through her mind.

Praris Prince's abilities are beyond question; Death Eaters such as Alecto Caro and Dolly Burst have all experienced her skills firsthand. Her talent in potions has also been highly recognized by Severus, and now she has been summoned alone by the Dark Lord and given a new identity.

After the Dark Lord's resurrection, Lucius made many mistakes and lost his master's favor. Therefore, protecting Draco became a difficult task for the couple, as they were too far away to do so effectively.

Now that Dumbledore is dead, Hogwarts is hardly a safe place anymore, and Severus is constantly suppressing rebellious students... But if it were Prince... Draco likes her enough... Under any other circumstances, Narcissa would not have given such a witch a friendly look—and she certainly hadn't respected Prince before.

But now? Circumstances dictate the course of events!

“Prince, are you going back to Hogwarts now?” Narcissa still held her chin high, but lowered her voice, barely managing to send a friendly signal. “Could you take a package for Draco?”

Narcissa's reaction was within Praris's expectations. After all, the love for someone is always similar; people may make many different choices, but ultimately they all arrive at the same destination.

Prarese could see that Mrs. Narcissa still looked down on her, believing she was unworthy of her son. But a wise person's emotions wouldn't influence their final choice, and Prarese would be the best choice—she was in love with Draco and powerful enough.

Look, Professor Snape is half-blood, yet he still maintains a long-standing relationship with the Malfoy family. Only a naive young Draco would see "pure-bloodism" as an unshakeable principle. Now, he, like other adults, can view slogans flexibly.

“I’m sorry, madam. I have to refuse you,” Praris said softly. “Otherwise, I would have to explain to Draco where the package came from.”

Narcissa's words, while seemingly an acceptance of Praris, were actually a test. If Praris wasn't clever enough, or if she valued "being with Draco" more than Draco himself, she would be overwhelmed by the joy of being "accepted" and forget what she had said before.

Of course, Narcissa hadn't considered the possibility that Prader didn't love Draco. Emotionally, she believed Draco deserved to be loved. Rationally, the only reason she was still with Draco was because of love.

Praris took out his pocket watch, glanced at the time, and said in a gentle tone, "Madam, I should go back now."

Rejected by Praris, Narcissa, unusually, did not display arrogance or displeasure, but instead nodded slightly to indicate her understanding. Praris, in turn, smiled and nodded politely, then stepped past Narcissa and continued walking out of the house.

After Praris left, Narcissa immediately hurried towards the stairs. She climbed the intricately carved walnut staircase, effortlessly pushed open the door to a room, and stood by the window with its vertical bars and vaulted ceiling. Holding onto the curtains on the wall, she looked down—a young witch in a black cloak walked steadily through the door guarded by Dementors, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Narcissa slowly withdrew her gaze and turned slightly to look at the bookshelf by the window. On the shelf at her eye level, there was a whole row of thick alchemical tomes and a pure silver shell-patterned standing photo frame with a picture of Draco feeding peacocks.

As a former Slytherin student, Narcissa foresaw the potential contrast Draco might experience between school and Slytherin after his family suffered misfortune and Lucius's release from prison failed to regain the Dark Lord's favor.

It may sound harsh, but it's the truth. Slytherin is actually very snobbish. Equality and human touch often only come after conquest.

Since the couple had lost the ability to stand up for Draco, they had to ask Severus to take good care of him at school and also asked Draco to keep a low profile.

Narcissa didn't really care what kind of person Praris Prince was. What she cared about was the witch's attitude towards Draco and whether she could bring him enough benefits.

The latter goes without saying, but as for the former... Praris gave Narcissa a satisfactory answer: after refusing to carry the package, she used Draco's pocket watch to check the time—the girl was hinting at her concern for Draco.

Narcissa couldn't sleep at night thinking that Draco might have been wronged at Hogwarts but dared not say so for fear of worrying her! Now, she could finally relax.

Praris had no idea what Narcissa was thinking when she was alone. If Praris could hear her thoughts, he would surely be thinking to himself: "Don't worry, Madam, your son won't suffer! He's very perceptive!"

In this sudden power struggle, Voldemort and Prareas each got the results they wanted, but also suffered losses.

Through her combined efforts of reporting and presentations, Prasri managed to steer Voldemort's demands away from the dangerous and unattainable realm of "replenishing the soul," but she also faced the insecurity of being summoned by Voldemort at any time in the future.

Unlike the other Death Eaters, Prareth did not show enough fear in front of Voldemort, which was intolerable to him.

Therefore, Voldemort, though eager for Pralis to produce results, didn't give her a fixed work location, requiring her to shuttle between Hogwarts and Malfoy Manor, and demanding that she report directly to him alone. Now, he has extended the reporting time to any time of day, keeping Pralis in a state of constant instability and making it difficult for her to lower her guard.

Praris knew all along that her composure would only fuel the volcano's desire for conquest, causing him to torment her repeatedly, but she had no choice but to do so.

If Praris had shown fear and obedience from the beginning, the current turmoil could have been avoided, but he would have also lost the room for negotiation and become extremely passive.

Weighing the pros and cons, she preferred that Voldemort torment her a few more times.

Game theory is a complex contest; no decision can be made in isolation. The player must anticipate the opponent's actions and be aware that the opponent is also anticipating their own. Simultaneously, the player must weigh the gains and losses, making trade-offs.

With a whooshing sound, Prasris Apparated and landed in front of the cast-iron gates. She glanced coldly at the Death Eaters guarding the school, took two steps back, and turned to enter Hogwarts.

What kind of look was that on her face?

"What kind of look is that? You're looking down on us!"

There's a hierarchy among Death Eaters, and Snape, appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts, is clearly not on the same level as these unqualified students. But Snape aside, this girl dares to treat them like this before even graduating!

One of the Death Eaters shouted, "Bitch! Next time she comes out, I'll teach her a lesson!"