บท 52: Voldemort Conspiracy

---

Two months had flown by.

Dyroth lived an incredibly fulfilling life. Each day, after class, he would head to the library for more study and later visit Snape's office, where he endured the professor's relentless criticism. Saturdays were reserved for visiting Quirrell's office to learn dark magic from Voldemort, after which Dyroth would stroll through Diagon Alley.

During this period, Dyroth had made significant strides in his magical abilities.

His max-level talents, combined with sleepless nights of hard work, resulted in major advancements in both Potions and Transfiguration. A vast number of spells had progressed to levels four and five.

In terms of dark magic, especially the three Unforgivable Curses, Dyroth had mastered their essence.

Meanwhile, the shops Dyroth had opened in Diagon Alley, with Dumbledore serving as the strong bodyguard and Fudge as a protective umbrella, quickly accounted for nearly half of the alley's business. The pure-blood families whose businesses had been impacted were furious but powerless.

Another Saturday arrived, and Dyroth made his usual visit to Quirrell's office.

Over time, Dyroth had observed Quirrell's health was getting worse. At first, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor could speak for an entire afternoon and demonstrate spells, but now, he could barely utter a few words without struggling to breathe. However, Dyroth remained indifferent, focusing solely on what he could learn. After all, Quirrell's fate was not his concern.

After his lesson, as usual, Dyroth reported the information and intelligence he had gathered on Harry to Voldemort. But today, Voldemort did not respond with the usual notes. Instead, he lifted his head and fixed his cold, hollow gaze on Dyroth.

"You will no longer be gathering intelligence, Dyroth," Voldemort said, his thin, pale face appearing even more terrifying than usual. "I have tasks for you that require your direct cooperation."

Dyroth felt a chill run through him. His mind raced as he pieced together the timing and Voldemort's intentions. *The Sorcerer's Stone!* Halloween was only a few days away. Dyroth remembered that, in the original story, Voldemort unleashed a troll during the Halloween feast, causing chaos at Hogwarts. However, this time around, things could be different.

Voldemort's next words confirmed his suspicions.

"On Halloween night, I will create a diversion. While everyone is distracted, you will go to the third floor and retrieve what is hidden there. Do you understand?"

"Deal with a three-headed dog by myself?" Dyroth thought. He frowned and addressed Voldemort, "Teacher, there's a three-headed dog guarding the area. Are you expecting me to handle it alone?"

"Are you questioning my orders?" Voldemort's tone grew dangerously cold.

"Of course not, but there are logistical problems to consider. A disturbance at Hogwarts will put every professor on high alert. Even if I manage to get past the three-headed dog, retrieving the item without Dumbledore noticing will be nearly impossible. If Dumbledore discovers it, everything you've planned will be ruined."

Dyroth hoped his reasoning would sway Voldemort, but instead, the Dark Lord's lips curled into a sinister smile.

"My dear student, I have already thought of everything." Voldemort's voice was laced with malice. "How about a missing friend? Under the guise of searching for your friend, you could roam the castle freely. That little Ravenclaw girl who trails you is a perfect choice, is she not? A Mudblood—no one will miss her."

"Before you leave, tell the other prefects. I'm sure those professors won't make things difficult for you."

"Voldemort, you're insane!" " Will it be easy for me to deceive all these people?" Dyroth thought bitterly.

He had been playing both sides, deceiving everyone, but now he was caught in a deadly game. Voldemort wasn't negotiating—he was issuing an order.

Even if Dyroth refused, Voldemort would go through with the plan anyway, forcing him to save Hermione from danger. And even worse, this could be the very trap Dumbledore had set for Voldemort, a trap involving the false bait of the Sorcerer's Stone.

Dyroth realized that once he stepped foot on the third floor, he'd be guilty by association, regardless of what actually transpired. The only way out would be if someone else could vouch for his whereabouts during the chaos.

Voldemort's voice broke through his thoughts. "Do you have any more objections?"

"No, teacher," Dyroth replied evenly, knowing he had no choice but to comply for now.

"Do not disappoint me, Dyroth," Voldemort said. "You will get everything you desire."

As Dyroth turned away, the forced smile fell from his face. With only three days until Halloween, he had to act quickly to set his own plan in motion.

On his way to Snape's office, Dyroth's mind whirled with strategies. He needed to protect Hermione, but Voldemort could just as easily target Draco, Pansy, or Daphne if Hermione wasn't available. A long-term gathering point needed to be established for Halloween night, one that had no connection to him, but would draw students to a safe area. And whoever followed him needed to be strong enough to hold their own.

After considering all his options, an image of Ron Weasley floated to the forefront of his mind. The red-haired Gryffindor would be the perfect candidate to follow him, and his stupidity made him easy to manipulate. Now, he just had to find a way to ensure the students were gathered safely in the hall without raising Voldemort's suspicions.

Arriving at Snape's office, Dyroth pushed his plotting aside. He couldn't afford to lose focus—Snape would certainly tear into him if he did.

As always, it was time to endure another round of Snape's merciless criticisms.