Perhaps he had gotten out of bed on the wrong side that day, because Roger almost subconsciously activated the Bio-computer's observation mode.
In the Bio-computer's field of vision, the magic threads on the back of Professor Quirrell's head were terrifyingly dense. They were more complex and concentrated than anything Roger had ever seen, even surpassing the magical patterns on a unicorn.
But in that instant, that cluster of magical patterns seemed to come alive, twisting and writhing violently, like an eye. Roger instantly felt as though something was staring straight at him.
Startled, he immediately shut off observation mode.
Like a student who had caused trouble, he quickly sped up and hid beside the Old Wizard, as if that felt safer.
The Old Wizard was clearly displeased. "What's with all this panic? I only asked you to help me tie up a wizard, not capture You-Know-Who. Just follow instructions obediently, and you'll naturally be safe."
At the same moment, Quirrell froze completely.
In his mind, he whispered submissively, Master, do… do you have any commands?
"Follow… those two who just passed…" A cold, rasping voice sounded in his head.
"B-but… b-but… G-Gringotts…" Quirrell stammered, hesitating.
Because of that slight hesitation, the punishment came instantly. Quirrell stifled a groan, his body trembling violently like a sieve, not daring to utter another word.
"Professor Quirrell? Are you all right?" Tom, the barman, noticed his strange behavior and walked over with concern.
"Ah… I'm… I'm fine!" Quirrell jumped in surprise, waving his hands frantically. "I… I… just remembered! I need to… need to buy… buy a new… newly released… book about vampires!" His voice trembled violently, as if the very thought of vampires filled him with terror.
With that, he practically shoved Tom aside and hurried toward the back courtyard. Roger stood behind the Old Wizard, watching him tap a specific brick in the wall with his wand, his brow deeply furrowed.
Now he knew exactly what time period this was.
Professor Quirrell was the main antagonist of the first Harry Potter book.
This man had originally been a Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts, who resigned and went to Albania, where he encountered the lingering soul of Lord Voldemort and became possessed. He then returned to Hogwarts wearing that garlic-scented turban to serve as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
In other words, this was Harry Potter's first year at school.
According to the original plot, Quirrell should be at the Leaky Cauldron right now, meeting Harry Potter, who was being led by Hagrid.
This meant that he, Roger, might also run into Harry and Hagrid.
An idea immediately sprang to mind. If he really met Hagrid, he would rush up and scream for help, claiming he was a child kidnapped by a Dark Wizard. Given Hagrid's overwhelming sense of justice and formidable strength, he would definitely be able to help him.
This was a perfect chance to escape that old monster.
But just then, Roger caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye and nearly lost his mind.
Quirrell had followed them out.
Terrified, his hair stood on end. How could he dare to linger? He hurried after the Old Wizard through the newly opened gap, rushing into Diagon Alley and even running ahead of him.
Only when the bricks in the wall behind them sealed shut and the opening vanished did he dare to take a deep breath.
Perhaps because they were on the main street, the Old Wizard did not scold him, merely quickening his pace toward a fork in Diagon Alley.
The fork led to Knockturn Alley, Dark Wizard territory. The Old Wizard walked in without hesitation.
"Stay close. We've picked up a tail." The Old Wizard's voice was unusually calm, clearly accustomed to such situations. Roger could not tell whether he was more often the one who followed others or the one being followed.
Seeing Roger's confused expression, the Old Wizard gave his wand a slight flick.
"Invertere frontem et tergum (Invert Front and Back)!"
Roger felt a strange sensation at the back of his head. With a buzz in his mind, it was as if an eye had grown there, allowing him to see what was behind him.
But this new perspective almost made him jump. Quirrell was following far behind, pretending to buy ice cream outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, yet constantly glancing in their direction.
"Do you… know that person?" The Old Wizard's voice instantly turned as cold as an ice cellar.
Roger's heart skipped a beat. Damn it. He had almost forgotten about the old monster beside him.
His mind raced as he said, his throat dry, "T-Teacher, I think I saw him just now in the pub. He looks strange… could we be targeted by a Dark Wizard?" He tried hard to make his voice sound both frightened and innocent.
The Old Wizard narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Roger suspiciously as he carefully recalled the scene inside the Leaky Cauldron. It did seem that there had been an eccentric man wearing a turban.
This was not the Old Wizard's fault. Quirrell's appearance was striking even in the wizarding world.
However, the Old Wizard did not recognize this Hogwarts professor. After watching him for a while, he actually found the man quite suitable and decided to make him his target.
As for why they were being followed, the Old Wizard could not be bothered to think about it.
In the world of Dark Wizards, tracking, kidnapping, and murder were as common as eating and drinking. They required no reason at all. Perhaps it was for Galleons, perhaps they needed a test subject, or perhaps it was simply a whim.
"He's the one. Follow closely…"
"What?" Roger was stunned.
The Old Wizard immediately led Roger deeper into Knockturn Alley.
The moment they entered the alley, the atmosphere changed completely.
The buildings on both sides were more dilapidated, and everywhere exuded a thick, suffocating aura of Dark Arts, mixed with a sense of decay that made it hard to breathe.
Though it was the height of summer, it felt bitterly cold here, like late autumn, and even the sky looked gray.
Seeing that Quirrell had indeed followed them into Knockturn Alley, the Old Wizard let out a few sinister, smug chuckles and continued leading Roger toward the deepest part of the alley.
At this moment, Roger's mood was like an overturned cauldron. He desperately wanted to tell the Old Wizard that the man was Lord Voldemort.
But his rationality firmly suppressed the thought. Setting aside whether the Old Wizard would even believe him, even if he did, Roger would definitely be torn limb from limb.
The Old Wizard would surely use Legilimency or Veritaserum to extract every secret from his mind.
But if he said nothing… he would soon have to follow this old monster to "capture Lord Voldemort alive"!
Capture Lord Voldemort alive?!
Roger believed he might be able to accomplish that someday, but right now, just thinking those words felt utterly absurd.
In the original story, even Dumbledore, acknowledged as the strongest wizard, had never dared to think this way, let alone do it… Wait. Dumbledore had captured the first Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald, alive. So in theory, he did have the ability to capture Lord Voldemort alive.
And at present, Lord Voldemort was in a half-life, half-death state, far from his peak strength.
But did the old man beside him possess that kind of power?
If he truly did, then Roger could forget about escaping his clutches in this lifetime.
After much deliberation, Roger concluded that there was a ninety-nine percent chance the Old Wizard would crash and burn, dying a spectacularly ugly death.
All he could hope for now was not to be caught in the crossfire. He needed to find an opportunity to run once the fighting started.
As they went deeper, the dilapidated houses on both sides became fewer, replaced by wide open spaces, tangled woods, scattered boulders, and a few lonely tents, stretching toward the distant hills.
It was not until they reached the shadow of several enormous rocks that the Old Wizard finally stopped.
"Hide here," he instructed, pointing to a gap between the boulders. "When you see me give the signal, immediately throw these two briefcases at that man. Remember, be quick. Don't hesitate."
Roger looked at him calmly. "Teacher, can these shoddy bags really capture that man?"
"My dear student, these are creations of geomancy magic. No one in this world can break them," the Old Wizard explained, a rare concession, before adding in an unquestionable tone, "Now hurry. Hide at once."
With that, he quickly darted away and concealed himself behind a few tall, withered trees across from them.
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Interesting right? Add to your Library~~!