Hogwarts: Starting as a Serpent Demon

Chapter 82 Albus Gets the Philosopher's Stone Core for Free

"Is this invitation for me?"

Witt has been so busy these days that he hasn't had time to write to Slughorn. Judging from how scared Slughorn was back then, it's clear that he couldn't have come to his senses so quickly.

This invitation was clearly Narcissa's doing.

"Thank you," Witt said before taking his leave.

"Mrs. Malfoy, I've been nagging for a while now, it's time for me to go home tomorrow."

Narcissa's expression froze. She was secretly glad that she had acted quickly enough. If she had waited until Victor left before sending the letter to him, its significance would have been two levels lower.

The former is that you took the initiative to share Werther's burdens, while the latter is that you felt anxious after Werther left, and that's why you wanted to make amends.

The same thing can have completely different values ​​at different times.

"Witt, are you leaving?"

Draco looked up in surprise and urged, "Stay here and play for a few more days. I still have many interesting things to share with you."

"It's been long enough."

Witt shook his head and said, "If I don't go back, my grandfather will write to nag me again."

“Moreover,” Witt said speechlessly, turning his head, “I don’t find it interesting to observe that white peacock that you’ve made bald with your hair-grow-fast spell.”

He now knows why Slughorn said the Malfoy peacocks were throwing feathers at him.

The story goes that Draco used the poor white peacock to practice his spells, which caused the peacock's feathers to loosen and fall out whenever it ran.

Over the past few days, the poor peacock has completely turned into a bald chicken.

Draco even dragged Vittor over to see him make a fool of himself.

That's a hellish joke, it's not funny at all.

“But,” Draco retorted softly, “that was the first time I successfully improved a spell.”

"I know, I know," Witt said impatiently. "This is the tenth time you've bragged about this to me."

When Draco first approached him about this, Witt would offer a few token compliments.

Having tasted the benefits, Draco began to repeatedly bring up the matter. He had no ability to improve any more spells, but his desire to gain more praise was obvious to everyone.

After this happened repeatedly, Witt got fed up and his attitude naturally cooled down.

"I'm stuffed."

Draco threw down his bowl and ran upstairs looking dejected.

Narcissa could only give Witte an apologetic look, hoping he wouldn't take it to heart.

With Draco approaching, it became easier for Witt to say certain things.

"Regarding the previous visit to Azkaban, let Lucius return first. I have other plans. You handled Professor Slughorn's matter well; this is a reward."

Witt took out a bottle of longevity potion and handed it over: "This longevity potion is made from Philosopher's Stone powder. It can heal most magical injuries and prolong life."

"Philosopher's Stone?"

Narcissa was taken aback. She believed that what Witt had produced was genuine, but that was precisely why she felt suspicious.

Wasn't the Philosopher's Stone in Dumbledore's possession? How did Witt get his hands on these potions of immortality? Did he steal them from Nicolas Flamel?

That's not right either. Nicolas Flamel died a few months ago, and the newspapers dedicated a large cover to it.

Could it be that Dumbledore even gave the Philosopher's Stone to Victor?

Narcissa held the potion in her hand, her mind in turmoil.

“Don’t overthink it. It has nothing to do with Professor Dumbledore. I have my own way of doing things.” Witt saw through Narcissa’s thoughts at a glance and said with a smile, “I’m not that heartless person. I’m willing to share power and benefits with my loyal subordinates.”

"Provided that you are worth it."

Subordinates forcibly recruited through Voldemort's intimidation are not necessarily highly loyal.

Witt was originally thinking about how to build a good relationship before leaving, but since Lucius had just messed things up, it was already a favor not to punish him, and he was even rewarded.

Witt isn't some kind of scoundrel.

Narcissa gave him a good way out.

Of course, it's impossible to expect the Malfoys to be completely loyal; those words simply don't exist in their blood. However, a clear system of rewards and punishments can make them more dedicated to their work.

In this world, only self-interest can drive people's hearts.

Witt can't just rely on empty promises to attract people; he has to offer something real.

After Narcissa accepted the potion of immortality, Witt gave a new order: "Have Lucius go to the Ministry of Magic and ask for a position. No amount of favors can compare to having power in your hands."

“I don’t want a repeat of the Azkaban incident,” Witt said coldly. “I can tolerate mistakes, but not consecutive mistakes.”

"If you disappoint me again, I'm afraid I'll have to question the very existence of the Malfoy family."

Use both kindness and severity; offer benefits while also issuing threats.

“I think you should have noticed that Fudge’s attitude toward Dumbledore has changed from respect to worry and fear.”

"Let Lucius exploit and reinforce this impression, and seize more power through this incompetent Minister of Magic."

Narcissa nodded obediently. Since Witt had put it this way, if Lucius failed again, he would truly be incompetent.

The kind that can't be washed.

However, looking at Victor's young appearance, she really felt sorry for him. At the age of eleven or twelve, what had he gone through to be so insightful about people's hearts?

Above him was a heartless and ungrateful man who, in order to escape, actually asked him to stop Dumbledore's father.

They owe us nothing for raising them, yet all they ask for is repayment.

Witt was forced to be busy with this or that every day, which was heartbreaking to see.

Draco must not end up like Witt, having to face the hardships of life at such a young age.

It was time to give Lucius a push, Narcissa thought to herself, setting even higher goals for him.

Completely unaware that Narcissa pitied his Witte, he returned to his room after finishing his meal.

He had to look into those infamous wizards recorded in the history of magic and find a powerful enough helper for Mr. Rozier.

It's best to avoid going to a hellish place like Azkaban if you can avoid it.

***

Three days later.

Witt arrived at Slughorn's ancestral home as agreed. It was nothing like Malfoy Manor, but sometimes being smaller made it more cozy.

The Malfoy house was so big that it was almost frighteningly empty.

After a polite knock, a person opened the door to Victor's surprise.

Dumbledore.

The white wizard, dressed in his favorite purple robe and carrying a pineapple candy, gently pulled Victor into the house upon seeing him.

“Witt, you’ve come at just the right time.”

"Slughorn baked his best apple pie, and it's still warm, which is when it tastes the best."

Witt walked in and saw Slughorn carrying a plate of apple pie, which he magically cut into small pieces and beckoned to Dumbledore and Witt to taste it.

“Professor Dumbledore,” Witt asked curiously, “what are you doing here?”

Slughorn might still be afraid of him, so he asked Dumbledore to come and help him out, Witt thought with some unease.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore was examining the wand in Witt's hand, and he whispered something.

"You've got a new wand? Exceptional quality. Ollivander's wand-making skills have improved quite a bit."

How are you feeling?

Although Ollivander had told Dumbledore everything, Dumbledore still wanted to know more about the wand's connection to Witt.

“Feels good.” Victor drew his wand and waved it, drawing a rainbow in the room.

“The wand I had before had a problem, and Mr. Ollivander said it couldn’t be repaired, so I had no choice but to replace it.”

"It's fairly easy to use, much better than the previous wand."

"Exquisite magic."

Dumbledore lowered his head and praised gently, "Your magic has improved quite a bit."

It's too fast. Even Dumbledore felt that Wirt's magic was growing too quickly.

This talent is astonishing.

No wonder Slughorn was terrified.

Because Witt was beyond his comprehension, he lost his sense of security.

A person would not feel safe in the presence of a ferocious beast like a dragon, a fact Dumbledore knew all too well.

Dumbledore witnessed this fear when he chose to travel the world in order to move on from Ariana's death.

Many people, including some Aurors from the Ministry of Magic, looked at him with this fear in their eyes.

No one likes a dangerous presence that is completely out of their control, not even if that person is Dumbledore.

This stems from an instinctive need for safety.

Witt picked up an apple pie from the table, took a bite, and mumbled, "Just a tiny bit of progress. To be honest, I think it's a bit too slow."

“Professor Dumbledore, I have recently made a new friend who says he is a phoenix.”

Witt summoned Albus and placed him on the table for Dumbledore to see: "I'd like to name him Albus. I wonder if you would mind?"

"Phoenix?"

Upon hearing Witt's words, Dumbledore lowered his head and carefully examined the chubby little chicken in front of him.

After looking at it carefully for a long time, he was astonished to find that it really was a phoenix, but it had not yet grown up.

"I heard you're planning to destroy the Philosopher's Stone. What a waste! Why don't you do me a favor and feed it to Albus?" Witt asked tentatively about the Philosopher's Stone in a joking tone.