In the end, Neville accepted reality.
No matter how overwhelming his despair felt, it could not change the fact that he would soon be receiving Professor Snape's "private tutoring."
So he decided to drown his sorrow at dinner, devouring several steaks with remarkable determination.
Just as Harry finished eating, a paper crane fluttered down in front of him.
It was a letter from Gemma.
"Harry,
There is something I would like to discuss with you in person. I'll be waiting for you in the empty classroom on the second floor.
Yours sincerely,
G. A. Farley"
Harry folded the letter and slipped it into his robe before glancing toward the Slytherin table.
Gemma seemed to sense his gaze. As their eyes met, she brushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, gave him a polite nod, offered a courteous smile, and quietly left the Great Hall.
"I've got something to take care of, Ron," Harry said. "You all can head back to the dormitory without me."
"All right."
Ron didn't ask where Harry was going.
At that moment, his entire focus was on the chicken leg sitting on his plate.
Following the direction Gemma had gone, Harry climbed the stairs to the second floor of the castle.
He discreetly drew his wand from the lining of his robes and concealed it inside his sleeve.
It was a habit Cassandra had taught him.
Being prepared never hurt.
When he arrived outside the same empty classroom where he had previously met Gemma, he quietly cast Revelio to confirm that she was the only person inside.
Only then did he push open the door.
Gemma was seated on a chair, her expression filled with concern.
"Harry."
"What's wrong, Gemma?"
Harry took the seat opposite her.
"Harry, something very strange has been happening in Slytherin."
She lowered her voice and instinctively glanced toward the doorway to make sure no one was listening.
Harry remained silent, allowing her to continue.
"A mysterious notebook has appeared in the Slytherin common room."
She took a breath before going on.
"Draco Malfoy was the one who brought it. According to the students who've used it, the notebook possesses its own consciousness. It helps them finish their homework quickly and even corrects mistakes in their spellcasting."
"But in return..."
"It asks for a small 'price.'"
Gemma frowned.
"I reported it to Professor Snape, but he didn't seem particularly concerned. He appeared to have more pressing matters occupying his attention."
Harry immediately understood why so many Slytherin students had been constantly exhausted lately.
So that was it.
The notebook had been draining their spiritual energy.
"A notebook?" Harry frowned. "What kind of notebook? Are you certain Draco was the one who brought it?"
His heart skipped a beat.
Could it possibly...
...be something Cassandra had left behind?
"Yes."
Gemma nodded.
"I've heard it's an enchanted heirloom that's been passed down through the Malfoy family for generations."
She continued,
"People also say there's an incredibly beautiful young woman inside the notebook. She's exceptionally skilled at magic."
"A young woman..."
Harry's heart pounded violently.
Even so, he suppressed his emotions and calmly asked,
"Could she be one of the Malfoy family's ancestors?"
"I honestly don't know."
Gemma answered truthfully.
Curiously, no one seemed willing to describe the girl's appearance in any detail.
"Thank you, Gemma. This information is extremely helpful."
Harry spoke sincerely.
Part of him desperately hoped the girl was Cassandra.
But another part hoped she wasn't.
For one thing, the notebook was obviously a Dark Magic artifact.
And for another...
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, he simply didn't like the thought of Cassandra interacting with other boys.
A century ago, Cassandra had always seemed like an untouchable flower growing atop a snowy peak.
Aside from Harry, she had never shown the slightest interest in any other boy. Most of the time, she barely even acknowledged their existence.
Although...
She hadn't exactly treated Harry warmly either.
"I hope you'll help me, Harry."
Gemma rubbed her temples.
"My instincts tell me that notebook is definitely dangerous."
She hesitated before continuing.
"I've heard Lucius Malfoy was one of You-Know-Who's most trusted followers. Perhaps that notebook is one of his Dark Magic artifacts."
She sighed softly.
"I don't want to see Slytherin dragged into something like this again."
"So why ask me for help?"
Harry asked calmly.
He genuinely wanted to know.
"Because it's Dark Magic."
Gemma answered without hesitation.
"Terribly evil Dark Magic."
She clasped her hands tightly together.
"Besides Dark Wizards... who else would bargain using the power of souls?"
Then she added,
"I'm also Slytherin's Prefect."
"It's one thing to report it to Professor Snape. But if I go directly to Headmaster Dumbledore, my family will almost certainly be ostracized by the pure-blood families of Slytherin."
Harry nodded.
That certainly sounded like Slytherin.
"As payment..."
Gemma drew a slow breath.
"I'm willing to pledge my loyalty to you, Mr. Potter."
Slytherins understood how negotiations worked.
If you asked someone for help, you offered something of equal value in return.
At the same time, they were practical.
Gemma intended to seize this opportunity to place her faith in the wizard many believed represented the future of the magical world: the Boy Who Lived.
Harry neither accepted nor rejected her offer.
He simply smiled.
"I'll do what I can to help you, Gemma."
Even without a definite answer, Gemma looked visibly relieved.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Potter."
"You don't have to be so formal."
Harry stood up.
"You can just call me Harry."
"If that's everything, I'll be going now."
After saying goodbye to Gemma, Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room.
The mysterious notebook had thoroughly captured his attention.
Even so, he had no intention of informing Dumbledore just yet.
Before doing anything else, he wanted to determine whether the notebook truly had anything to do with Cassandra.
He would need to proceed carefully.
After all, the notebook was inside the Slytherin common room, and a Gryffindor student couldn't simply walk in without attracting suspicion.
The rest of the week passed peacefully.
Every afternoon at lunchtime, Harry brought food to Poppy in the Forbidden Forest.
Every evening, he trained dueling with his friends in the Dueling Room.
Life felt surprisingly fulfilling.
When the next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson arrived, Harry and the other Gryffindors entered the classroom expecting another round of Professor Snape's trademark sarcastic remarks.
To his surprise, however, Professor Quirrell had returned.
At some point, he had come back to Hogwarts.
His complexion looked even paler than before.
Concerned, Seamus stepped forward.
"Professor, are you feeling any better?"
Quirrell answered in his usual trembling voice.
"M... my vampire curse has flared up again."
But Harry immediately sensed that something wasn't right.
In an instant, he uncovered Quirrell's little secret.
He had to admit it.
Vivi truly was an extraordinary witch.
Professor Fig had been absolutely right to describe her as "one of a kind."
Thanks to the modifications she had developed, spells such as the Cruciatus Curse and the Imperius Curse left behind an incredibly subtle cursed mark on their victims.
One so faint that it was almost impossible to detect.
And at that very moment...
Harry recognized the tiny mark on Professor Quirrell.
It was unmistakably one left behind by his own spell.
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