The Silent Bookstore Manager at Hogwarts

Professor Quirrell looked away as if he'd been electrocuted. Red didn't know what had happened to the professor, but judging from his reaction, it couldn't be anything good.

However, Professor Quirrell at least doesn't deduct points from everyone's scores. In fact, he sometimes adds points to the lucky students from each college by asking questions. So, everyone's opinion of Professor Quirrell is limited to the fact that his teaching level is really mediocre and his style is particularly strange.

"I'm going to ask Professor Quirrell a few questions. See you later."

After class, Red said to Harry that he wanted to see what secret Quirrell was hiding, but it would be too reckless to do nothing. Even if Dumbledore was strong enough, he might not be able to protect Red's body in this situation. So Red decided to try a more roundabout and gentler approach.

"Professor Quirrell, I have a few questions I'd like to ask."

Red silently adjusted his breathing. The garlic smell emanating from Professor Quirrell was clearly an attempt to mask the odor of something else. Red wasn't quite sure what it was, but it was likely a result of some change that had occurred within him. As for that thing residing in Professor Quirrell's soul...

"Oh... Oh! Of course, eager little wizard, what would you like to ask?" Quirrell's slightly confused expression instantly vanished a few seconds after Red finished speaking, as if he had just woken up from a dream. He looked at Red with a kind smile on his face. Perhaps as a former Rakvenlaw, Quirrell had engraved the pursuit and thirst for knowledge into his very bones, and he had not forgotten it in the slightest even after graduating.

"I have some questions about how to deal with dark magic. I don't think this is a very suitable place, Professor."

Professor Quirrell belatedly nodded, mainly because the "great" Voldemort behind him had finally spoken up and urged him to take action. For some reason, Voldemort seemed to have an unusual enthusiasm for teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, so much so that when this little wizard named Red walked up to him, Voldemort did not immediately tell him to send him away.

Red was satisfied with the answers he wanted. It had to be said that it was completely different from when he was in the classroom. Quirrell's answers in his office were not only accurate but also detailed and concise, as if he were a completely different person.

"But it seems like they're targeting me?"

Red shook his neck. Professor Quirrell's gaze didn't seem unusual, but it was clear that there was another strange gaze fixed on him from inside the office. Unlike the one Dumbledore had given them when he was doing their morning exercise, this gaze was full of malice. This confirmed Red's suspicion that there was something wrong with Professor Quirrell.

Inside Professor Quirrell's office, Voldemort finally couldn't suppress his excited voice.

"What...what a pure and immense soul, Quirrell, listen to me!"

Voldemort's voice made Quirrell look terrified. He suppressed the intense pain that was starting to rise from Voldemort's change in mood and spoke respectfully.

"Your humble servant will always obey your commands."

"Get that kid, no matter the cost... Isn't he eager to learn? Let him learn more dark magic, make him a Death Eater, and make him my subordinate!"

Upon hearing this, Quirrell instinctively wanted to retort: ​​Teaching dark magic at Hogwarts? Did he think he'd lived too long and should go sit in Azkaban?

I still want to test whether Dumbledore's magic is still as powerful as before.

Quirrell isn't really stupid. Why would he teach a first-year wizard dark magic and then try to turn him into a Death Eater? Wouldn't that be treating Dumbledore like he's not human?

"Understood, great master, but I need a little time..."

Voldemort let out a disgruntled snort. He was aware of the matter, of course, but Quirrell's competence did make him look down on him. At the very least, he felt that the instructor of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class should not be like this, and he would rather let him teach the class.

But no matter what, if he wanted to become stronger and be resurrected, that brat named Red would definitely be the best sacrifice, a stepping stone for Voldemort's voice to once again resound throughout the wizarding world, Voldemort thought to himself.

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"Um, Reid... I have a question."

Harry, holding the book in his hands, asked, he really didn't understand why Red seemed to have never given up on repairing the huge castle. Logically speaking, this matter should not have been Red's responsibility at all; calling someone from outside to help would have been the best option.

Or should we wait until they've grown up a bit before starting this kind of work? Harry thinks that putting two eleven-year-olds in charge of this would get them arrested and questioned by Scotland Yard.

"Harry, you need to understand that as the manager of the Silent Bookstore, it has always been my responsibility to repair rooms that were damaged or closed due to the mistakes of the previous manager. Moreover, the person who put me here doesn't want to see a manager who does nothing but sleep and eat all day, just sitting here doing nothing."

"Secondly, Harry... the various treasures stored in the different rooms of the bookstore might be priceless outside, but that's not really relevant to us right now. This room is perfect for you to practice... practice how to deal with spirits."

Harry shivered. They were back at a spot almost at the castle gate, in what was known as the Tower of the Long-lived, above the room called Solomon's Study. The cold enveloped Harry's senses; he had never imagined there could be such a cold place inside the castle.

[Tower of the Long-lived: Solomon's Bedroom]: Cold air—even the wisps of mist—slowly seeps from the room at the top of the tower. I must seek help from someone who knows how to deal with restless spirits. (Repair required: 4 [Lights] or 4 [Winter])

"How are you feeling? This isn't like dealing with those friendly spirits at Hogwarts. You'd better be prepared."

Red rubbed his arm. In reality, if he simply used [Soul Matter] and [Memory] to strengthen Harry, the spirits in the room would automatically stay away from Harry, who was filled with the power of the [Lamp] criterion. However, Red still wanted to cultivate Harry's various coping abilities, since spirits were likely one of the key targets they would have to deal with later.

"I'm ready..." Harry pushed up his glasses and stepped into the cold mist.