Harry Potter: Shadow Eminence

Chapter 33

In the following days, the trio of Malfoy went wild, and he was too lazy to trouble Potter anymore.

Daphne returned to her usual calmness from her volatile state, feeling quite embarrassed about her condition before the exam, as if she had become a different person, even doubting whether she had a split personality.

She furrowed her brow in distress, and Brian's comfort didn't help much. But by the next day, she had put the matter behind her and happily went out with her friends to enjoy the spring.

Hermione's letter was filled with exam content; she seemed eager to compare answers with Brian and was worried about her Transfiguration exam, feeling that her snuffbox transformation was a bit too large and not symmetrical enough.

At the same time, she thanked Brian for his previous help and mentioned that Ron had received a letter from Charlie.

"Ron received a letter from his brother Charlie; he successfully transported the dragon back to Romania. He said Norbert has lost a lot of weight; he has never seen such a skinny dragon, and it has become a bit fearful, trembling at the sight of wizards."

"I think the upside is that it has become obedient; Charlie and the others should have fewer troubles."

"Really, thank you for your help that time; otherwise, Hagrid might have been sent to Azkaban." Hermione expressed her gratitude once more at the end.

Brian looked at the content of the letter and smiled slightly.

To ensure nothing went wrong, he decided to give a hint in the letter, so as not to interfere with the plot.

"... I think I messed up the History of Magic exam; I can't remember many of the key points clearly. You know, I didn't specifically try to memorize those trivial bits of knowledge..."

"It's good that the dragon matter is over; I wouldn't want my actions to land someone in prison. Of course, you should remind Mr. Hagrid not to break the law again knowingly. Not every time will luck be on his side."

"Of course, there is one thing I still find a bit strange. Where did Hagrid get the dragon egg?"

"Dragon eggs are very rare and strictly regulated items; they can't be obtained through ordinary means. Perhaps this could help the Ministry of Magic bust an illegal dragon trafficking operation."

Brian folded the letter and handed it to Becca, the owl, who was drinking water from a small bowl.

Becca affectionately pecked his finger and flew off with the letter.

"Brian, do you want to go out and play?" Malfoy called to him.

"Sure." Brian smiled, feeling unusually relaxed.

Indeed, after not having to think about interfering with those troublesome plots, life at Hogwarts became particularly easy and pleasant.

The group walked out of the castle and into the sunny area outside. Malfoy walked with an air of pride, like a proud lion surveying its territory.

Watching Malfoy's haughty stride, Brian almost burst out laughing.

They slowly made their way down the slope to the lakeside, where the surface of the lake sparkled, and many young wizards were joyfully playing around the water.

Brian saw the Weasley twin brothers teasing a large squid basking in the shallow water. They looked up and winked at him.

Brian sat under a tree while Malfoy disdainfully watched the young wizards playing by the lake: "What a bunch of immature kids; why can't they be a bit more mature like me?"

Brian glanced at him, his gaze slightly dazed.

"Care for a game of wizard chess?" Malfoy lifted his chin.

"Sure." Brian replied noncommittally.

"This time I want to redeem myself."

"Then you'll have to put in some effort."

They played several rounds of wizard chess, and Brian won them all. Crabbe and Goyle watched idly from the side.

Malfoy angrily said, "I'm not playing with you anymore. Crabbe, let's have a game."

Crabbe nodded slowly.

"Aren't you just bullying him?" Brian said teasingly, "I don't think Crabbe understands wizard chess."

Crabbe nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"You've been playing for a year, and you still don't get it?" Malfoy huffed, his nostrils flaring.

"It's too complicated," Crabbe said, while Goyle continuously nodded in agreement.

"Sometimes I really doubt whether you two have brains," Malfoy said irritably, "Alright, Brian, let's continue."

"Um, wait a minute, I can teach you a simpler game," Brian said, observing the two large fellows looking bored, pondering.

He took out a roll of parchment, drew a simple chessboard on it, and picked up some stones, using transfiguration to turn them into smooth black and white pieces.

"It's called Gomoku. You win as long as five pieces are in a line, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally," Brian demonstrated briefly.

"Such a simple game that even a child wouldn't want to play," Malfoy scoffed slowly.

Under Brian's guidance, Crabbe and Goyle played a game, while Malfoy looked bored, tilting his head back, yet his eyes couldn't help but glance at the chessboard.

Soon, the atmosphere changed.

"Crabbe, place it here, here, you're as dumb as a donkey..."

"Goyle, you made the wrong move; now he wins!"

"Crabbe, here, here..."

"Goyle, haven't you already won? Why are you still playing?"

Brian watched Malfoy shouting commands, seeing that Goyle was completely oblivious to his victory, and couldn't help but cover his forehead.

Could it be that this game was... too difficult for these two big guys?

Well, he was out of ideas.

...

On the other side, Harry and the others were by the lake, and Hermione received a letter from Brian.

"By the way, where did Hagrid get the dragon egg?" Hermione pondered this question seriously for the first time.

"Hermione, why are you bringing this up again?" Ron complained, recalling some unpleasant memories.

"No, I just thought of it suddenly. You know, dragon eggs are quite rare..."

Suddenly, Harry jumped up.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Ron was confused.

"That's right, the dragon egg!" Harry paced back and forth. He had been having nightmares lately, his scar burning painfully, worrying every day that Voldemort would kick down his dormitory door and kill him.

"What a coincidence, Hagrid has always wanted a dragon egg, and he just happened to see a stranger carrying one at the Leaky Cauldron, just like how Walker happened to have a bottle of the draught of the living death with him!"

"Can we stop using Brian as a reference..." Hermione said discontentedly.

But Harry ignored her and ran towards Hagrid's hut. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances and followed him.

...

As dusk fell, the young wizards gradually returned.

Malfoy, having spent the afternoon directing the Gomoku game, now looked weary.

After they had dinner in the hall, they headed back to the common room together.

In the hall, Brian noticed Harry and the others, who looked worried and tense. They were huddled together, whispering.

As Brian walked past them, he faintly heard some phrases:

"Dumbledore isn't here... what to do... tonight... right side of the fourth floor..."

Ron looked up and saw Brian eavesdropping, while Malfoy was also listening intently. He glared at them fiercely, and Hermione looked a bit awkwardly at Brian.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," Brian said softly, "you can continue."

"Potter, don't tell me you're going out for another night adventure tonight?" Malfoy stared at them with a mix of excitement and malice.

Brian pulled Malfoy away.

"Harry Potter..." Before leaving, Brian looked at Harry with a deep, dark gaze and said softly, "When you're at your wit's end, you can embrace your enemy."

Harry looked at him in confusion, thinking that Brian had finally lost his mind.

"I think you'll understand when the time comes," Brian said with a mysterious smile.

Then he ignored Harry, who seemed to be pondering, and left with Malfoy.

Using the psychological knowledge learned in his past life, combined with a little magic for enhancement, he could create a small psychological suggestion. It wouldn't last long, but it would be enough for Harry to remember it when facing a life-and-death crisis tonight.

Just a little precaution.

Of course, he had to keep an eye on Malfoy tonight to prevent him from causing trouble.

They crossed the hall and quickly walked back down the corridor.

"I think I've caught a whiff of Potter and the others! As long as we tell Professor Snape, they won't have a good outcome," Malfoy said eagerly, "No, we can't do it now; it's best to wait until they go out for their night adventure before catching them. Maybe we can find Filch..."

Brian watched Malfoy with enthusiasm and shook his head helplessly.

Let him be; after all, he couldn't accomplish much. Harry and the others had an invisibility cloak, and if that couldn't be cracked, Filch wouldn't be able to catch them.

"Walker?" Quirrell's figure appeared before them. He looked somewhat gloomy.

"Professor Quirrell." Brian nodded politely.

Malfoy raised his head proudly; he had always looked down on this weak and incompetent professor.

"I've been looking for you, Walker." Quirrell ignored Malfoy and squinted, "Come with me, I need you tonight."

Brian pressed his lips together and hesitated, "Okay, please wait a moment."

"No, right now." Quirrell's voice was very stern.

"Alright, Professor."

****

Tl/N: If you want to read more [upto 20+ chapters] while supporting me ☺️, you can join me on patreon.com/EmptyThoughts ;Thanks.

*****

Note : Guys, some power stones will be really helpful