During Herbology that morning, Professor Sprout introduced the class to dittany.
The greenhouse quickly filled with the sharp medicinal scent of its vibrant green leaves, creating an atmosphere that felt both mysterious and comforting.
When class ended, Leo deliberately lingered behind.
"Professor," he asked curiously, "I've heard dittany is considered one of the greatest healing plants in the wizarding world. What exactly can it do?"
He was careful not to mention Kuroshi.
Professor Sprout smiled warmly.
"Dittany is indeed a very valuable magical plant."
She gently stroked one of the leaves as she spoke.
"It can rapidly heal cuts, scrapes, and even serious wounds. It's especially effective against certain forms of magical damage."
Leo nodded thoughtfully.
"Are there any precautions when using it?"
Professor Sprout seemed pleased by the question.
"The dosage must be adjusted depending on the injury, and the application method is important as well."
She pointed toward a nearby tray.
"Used incorrectly, even beneficial remedies can cause problems."
"I see."
Leo smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, Professor. I'll remember that."
Now that he knew more about dittany, Leo immediately began considering possible ways to treat the troublesome old crow hidden inside his spatial pouch.
As they walked back toward the castle, Draco gave him a suspicious look.
"You stayed behind all that time just to ask about dittany?"
Leo paused briefly before offering a casual smile.
"Well, Herbology is pretty interesting."
He adjusted his glasses.
"And besides, Professor Snape is one of the greatest Potions Masters in Britain."
Internally, however, a completely different thought crossed his mind.
Right.
Time to fool Draco again.
Draco gave him a look of complete disbelief.
"Leo."
"That wasn't very convincing."
He hesitated before continuing.
"I wanted to ask this morning, but you looked worried, so I didn't push it."
Leo sighed inwardly.
Looks like Draco really had noticed something.
"...Fine."
He lowered his voice.
"When my magic erupted before—"
Draco immediately stared at him with an expression that clearly said:
Do you honestly think I'm that gullible?
Leo coughed awkwardly.
"...Hogwarts allows pets, right?"
"So besides Radish..."
Slowly, he pulled the black raven from his pouch.
"I also have Kuroshi."
The raven hung limply in his hands.
"This morning, I found him like this."
"I think he may have been caught in my magical outburst."
Draco's eyes widened slightly.
"So that's what happened."
Leo nodded.
Honestly, he suspected something even stranger.
Kuroshi might have been affected because of his connection to the cave manor itself.
After all, the raven was more than just a bird.
It was one of the keys linked to the cave.
At that moment, a strong smell of garlic drifted through the corridor.
Both boys instinctively frowned.
Professor Quirrell appeared around the corner.
The overwhelming odor seemed almost capable of attacking people on its own.
Quirrell's eyes immediately locked onto the raven.
"What... what happened here?"
Leo's heart tightened instantly.
Without hesitation, he lowered Kuroshi beneath his robes.
"It's nothing, Professor."
"Just an injured bird."
"I can handle it myself."
At the same time, he subtly took a step backward.
Honestly, standing close to Quirrell felt like standing next to a giant walking garlic bulb.
Quirrell frowned.
"That's... a raven, isn't it?"
"It looks... badly injured."
"I-I might be able to help."
Before Leo could answer, Draco suddenly stepped forward.
His chin lifted proudly.
"Professor Quirrell."
"Leo already said it's fine."
"Slytherins can handle small matters ourselves."
"And even if we can't, we can always ask Professor Snape."
"We won't trouble you."
Leo blinked.
Draco...
Actually stepped in to protect him.
Quirrell hesitated.
After seeing Draco's firm attitude, he eventually forced out an awkward smile.
"...Very well."
"But if you need anything..."
"You may come find me."
As he turned away, however, his gaze lingered briefly on the spot where Kuroshi was hidden.
Leo quietly watched him leave.
An uncomfortable feeling settled in his chest.
No.
That definitely hadn't been ordinary concern.
Had Voldemort noticed something about Kuroshi?
But why?
Draco looked disgusted.
"How did Dumbledore even hire someone like him to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts?"
Leo glanced sideways at him before giving a thumbs-up.
"Well done, Little Dragon."
Draco immediately raised his chin proudly.
"Of course."
Then he remembered the raven.
"...Still."
"Shouldn't we ask Professor Snape for help?"
Leo considered it.
"That's not a bad idea."
"We have Potions tomorrow anyway."
As he spoke, he raised the unconscious raven slightly.
Kuroshi's breathing remained weak but steady.
Leo narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Tonight...
He was definitely going to interrogate this troublesome old bird.
Since there was no immediate solution available, the two boys continued walking while discussing Rose's recent disappearance.
Draco suddenly remembered something he had heard from Goyle.
"She apparently became friends with a girl from another house before Astronomy yesterday."
Leo and Draco exchanged glances.
Honestly...
That was probably a good thing.
At least Rose had finally found some female friends instead of constantly spending time with two boys.
Meanwhile—
Far away, around a deserted corner of the castle—
Quirrell stood motionless within the shadows.
Beneath the flickering torchlight, his pale face looked especially unsettling.
Then suddenly—
A hoarse voice exploded inside his mind.
"Why didn't you take the raven from that child?!"
The voice was filled with fury.
"Have you forgotten?"
"Everything you possess now was given to you by me!"
Quirrell immediately began trembling.
"N-no..."
"M-Master..."
"It simply wasn't possible."
At that moment, his stutter had vanished completely.
Anyone who saw him now would have been shocked.
"But I still need to obtain the Philosopher's Stone..."
His voice grew increasingly nervous.
The hoarse voice interrupted coldly.
"I want both."
"The Philosopher's Stone."
"And that raven."
The voice became lower.
"I can feel it."
"There is something inside that creature that I need."
"My instincts are never wrong."
An invisible pressure filled the corridor.
Quirrell's face turned deathly pale.
"You will find a way."
"Otherwise..."
"The consequences will be dreadful."
Cold sweat immediately soaked his forehead.
"I understand, Master!"
"I'll bring you both the raven and the Philosopher's Stone!"
Silence followed.
Several seconds later, Quirrell cautiously spoke again.
"...Master?"
No answer came.
Then suddenly—
SMACK.
A hand landed heavily on his shoulder.
Quirrell nearly screamed.
He spun around in terror—
Only to find Severus Snape standing behind him.
His black robes billowed slightly as his sharp gaze swept across Quirrell and the empty corridor.
"Professor Quirrell."
His voice was cold.
"Who exactly were you speaking to?"
Quirrell's expression froze.
"N-no one."
"You must have misheard."
Snape continued staring at him suspiciously.
Quirrell hurriedly adjusted his robes before quickly retreating down the corridor.
Then, just before disappearing around the corner, he stopped.
Without turning around, he spoke quietly.
"Snape."
"Don't forget who you are."
Then he vanished.
Snape remained standing beneath the torchlight.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then slowly—
He looked toward the tallest tower in Hogwarts.
A complicated expression appeared in his dark eyes.
"...I hope you can truly protect me this time, Albus."
His voice sounded tired.
Weary.
Burdened by memories no one else could see.
Then Severus Snape turned and disappeared into another corridor.
....
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