I made my way across the castle, seeking out Hagrid. The half-giant was a surprisingly reliable source of knowledge, particularly regarding magical creatures, and I had started to consider him a good friend — not part of my inner circle yet, but someone whose loyalty I could gradually earn.
Despite his clumsiness, Hagrid had a keen instinct for magical life, and as we walked together, I engaged him in light conversation about magical animals, breeding, and control. I subtly gauged his opinions, teasing out his values, likes, and potential interests. By the end of our walk, I could see that he was warming to me, his natural trust and affection for me growing, as I had anticipated.
Once our talk ended, I left Hagrid to his duties and made my way to the second-floor girls' bathroom. The reason was simple: I had an experiment in mind, one that required absolute privacy and control. It was a place few dared to enter, and its isolation made it perfect for testing spells, practicing advanced magic, or perfecting my techniques without interruption.
I arrived at the familiar, dimly lit bathroom, my thoughts already analyzing the parameters of my experiment. Every spell, potion, and magical application I tested here could eventually give me an edge over anyone who might oppose me — even Dumbledore himself.
As I began setting up, I felt the familiar hum of anticipation, the excitement of possibility and discovery. Hogwarts was more than a school; it was my laboratory, my training ground, and the place where I would forge the tools, the allies, and the spells to bend the world to my vision.
And the year was still young.