The wheelchair-bound warrior is speedrunning Hogwarts.

Harley's eyes lit up immediately: "Great! I bet Hagrid knows some clues about that thing!"

Hermione shook her head helplessly upon hearing this, but did not object.

After returning to their dormitory, the three of them washed up and prepared to go to bed.

Vera sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the moonlight outside the window, but her thoughts drifted to a more distant place.

Today's experience confirmed her suspicions—the plot might indeed change because of her actions, but key moments would still occur in some form.

The troll event was brought forward, and the location changed from the women's restroom to the dungeon, but it still essentially happened.

Then, Quirrell's interference with Harley's broom in the Quidditch match, and the Forbidden Forest incident, should also occur as expected.

She needs to prepare in advance.

She sighed softly, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the astrolabe model on the bedside table.

"Vera?" Harley's voice pulled her back to reality. "You're daydreaming again. Are you too tired?"

Vera snapped out of her daze and found that Harley had changed into her pajamas and was squatting by her bedside, looking at her with concern.

“I’m fine,” Vera said softly. “I was just thinking about some things.”

Harley tilted her head, her green eyes shining brightly in the moonlight: "Are you worried about the person who wants to steal something?"

Vera didn't deny it: "A little."

Harley suddenly grabbed her hand: "Speaking of which, I haven't thanked you for coming to see me today. If it weren't for you—"

“I just did what friends should do.” Vera shook her head.

Harley's eyes sparkled in the moonlight. She suddenly leaned forward and gave Vera a tight hug: "Thank you, Vera, thank you for always protecting me."

Vera was slightly taken aback. Before she could react, Harley let go of her and walked briskly to find Hermione.

She watched Harley's retreating figure, unconsciously pursing her lips, until a piece of information converging on her retina drew her attention back—

[Hogwarts' approval rating: 10%]

[Current approval rating: 10%]

[Effect: Within the Hogwarts area, mana regeneration speed is increased by 10%, casting speed is increased by 10%, and mana bonus is increased by 10%]

[Tip: Continuing to increase your approval rating will unlock more privileges]

Vera raised an eyebrow, not too surprised that her previous idea had been confirmed.

After all, Hogwarts is an ancient magical creation, so nothing is surprising.

She gained recognition for successfully preventing the chaos caused by the trolls and protecting the castle.

In other words, every crisis that occurs within the school afterward, as long as you can resolve it, will increase your approval rating?

That's good news.

Her hands rested on the brick wall, feeling the magic flowing within her, which was indeed more active than usual, as if the entire castle was providing her with energy.

This feeling... is truly amazing.

Vera gently closed her eyes, feeling the flow of magic within her body.

If she continues to increase her popularity, will she one day be able to control the power of this castle to some extent, just like Dumbledore?

For example, could one Apparate at Hogwarts, or find the secret chamber beneath the castle?

Even... to become the true ruler of Hogwarts.

Thinking of this, Vera's lips unconsciously curled up into a smile.

She was so looking forward to that day.

Author's Note: Ten chapters complete! Please check the bounty, and subscribe and tip as much as you can!

Chapter Seventy Hagrid's Hut

The next day at breakfast, the entire auditorium was discussing the troll incident from the previous night.

When Dumbledore stood in the center of the teachers' table, looked around for a moment, and gently tapped his wine glass, the Great Hall immediately fell silent.

"Last night, a giant accidentally broke into the castle, causing some commotion."

His gentle voice echoed throughout the room, “The troll has been subdued and no one was injured. The school is investigating the matter, so please don’t worry.”

As he spoke, Vera was also subtly observing the teachers' section—Quillo's large scarf was wrapped tighter than usual, and he looked rather haggard.

Professor McGonagall was speaking in hushed tones with Professor Flitwick, her expression serious.

Snape sat at the very edge of the teachers' table, his face more somber than usual.

His gaze would occasionally sweep over the Gryffindor table, lingering particularly long on Harley.

"Is he still angry?" Harley asked softly, stuffing a piece of bacon into her mouth.

Hermione blinked hesitantly. "Why do I look more like...worried?"

"Speaking of which, have you noticed that Professor Snape seems to have injured his leg?" Vera stirred her oatmeal, casually mentioning it.

Harry paused, then met Snape's gaze with some concern: "Could it be an injury sustained while subduing the troll?"

Then, Vera saw Snape's expression stiffen for a moment, and he quickly turned his face away, as if he had been burned by Harry's gaze.

Vera turned her face away, raised her lips, and casually replied, "Who knows?"

Harley noticed her expression and blinked, somewhat confused. "Vera, what are you laughing at?"

“I just think,” Vera said, her smile fading as she took a sip of her porridge, “Professor Snape is really cold on the outside but kind on the inside.”

Yes, that's true.

I just don't know if Snape himself would like this assessment.

After the morning classes ended, the three of them headed to Hagrid's cabin as planned.

It was already quite chilly at Hogwarts in November, and the trees on the edge of the Forbidden Forest were beginning to shed their leaves, making a crisp sound underfoot.

Crossing the damp meadow, you can see Hagrid's little cabin on the edge of the Forbidden Forest in the distance, with wisps of smoke rising from its chimney and the sweet aroma of baking biscuits filling the air.

Harley ran ahead excitedly and banged on the wooden door: "Hagrid! It's us!"

Immediately, a barking dog and heavy footsteps came from inside the door, which was then yanked open, revealing Hagrid's large, hairy face.

“Harley!” he exclaimed in surprise, then noticed the two girls behind him, “And Hermione and… Vera?”

When Hagrid saw Vera in the wheelchair, his expression froze for a moment, but he quickly regained his enthusiasm: "Come in quickly! I just baked some rock crust bread!"

Vera pushed her wheelchair and followed Harley and Hermione into the cabin.

Hagrid's cabin, just like in the movie, has only one room, but it's more spacious than I imagined.

Hams and pheasants hung from the ceiling, a copper kettle boiled water in a brazier, a huge wooden table was filled with all sorts of strange and wonderful objects, and the flames in the fireplace crackled.

There was a large bed in the corner, with bedding pieced together from scraps of cloth.

Tooth, the big black hound, immediately pounced on Harley with great enthusiasm, almost knocking her over.

"Get down, Tooth!" Hagrid snapped, then turned to Vera with a somewhat awkward smile. "Uh...would you like some tea?"

Vera nodded gently: "Thank you."

Hagrid hurriedly poured a few cups of tea and then brought out a plate of cookies that looked as hard as rocks: "Try my rock-skin cookies!"

Harley and Hermione each took a piece, and Vera also politely accepted one, but did not eat it immediately.

“So,” Hagrid rubbed his hands together and sat down opposite them, “what made you decide to come see me?”

Harley took a bite of the rock-skinned bread, almost breaking her teeth, but forced herself to swallow it: "Do you know about the troll that appeared at school last night?"

Hagrid's hand trembled slightly, spilling some tea on the table. "Oh, that... I heard about it. It's strange, isn't it?"

“Yes,” Vera said calmly, taking a sip of hot tea. “Fortunately, there were no casualties. At most, it was just the three of us who accidentally encountered the giant and managed to escape.”

Hagrid froze, his expression instantly turning to terror: "What?! You've encountered a troll?"

Harley nodded: "Yes! But we trapped it! Professor McGonagall even gave us extra points!"

"I can't believe this happened," Hagrid said, his large hand trembling as he put down his teacup, his face turning deathly pale. "...Are you all alright? Are you hurt?"

“We’re alright,” Hermione quickly reassured her, “thanks to the protective gear Vera prepared in advance.”

Hagrid's gaze shifted to Vera, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "Is...is that so...that's wonderful..."

Vera gently set down her teacup, her dark eyes fixed on Hagrid: "Speaking of which, Mr. Rupert, how do you think the trolls got into the school?"

Hagrid visibly panicked, unconsciously rubbing his beard with his large hand: "Uh... this... could it have sneaked in from the Forbidden Forest? Yes! That must be it!"

"The trolls of the Forbidden Forest can open the gates of Hogwarts themselves, bypass all the professors, and pinpoint the location of the dungeons?"

Hermione said bluntly, "Besides, you're the gamekeeper, how could you make such a mistake?"

Hagrid's expression grew increasingly conflicted, and he stammered, unable to speak.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Rupert, we’re not here to interrogate you.”

Vera gently put down her teacup, looking directly at Hagrid. "We're just worried that if someone can actually bypass the school's security and release the giant, then the students' safety will be in question."

“Dumbledore will handle it, you don’t need to worry.” Hagrid’s expression immediately hardened at the mention of Dumbledore. “He is the greatest wizard, he will definitely protect everyone’s safety.”

Vera nodded thoughtfully: "I hope so."

In fact, Vera was well aware that the underlying theme of the first book was that Dumbledore intentionally designed a series of events to observe and cultivate Harry's abilities and qualities.

These challenges will ultimately be presented in the form of concrete level-based challenges.

The first few rounds of the test were questions jointly set by the teachers of the main subjects, with the aim of testing Harley's abilities.

The troll was originally intended to be part of the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam and was placed in the underground room beforehand, but Quirrell has secretly released it.

Even if Dumbledore didn't realize Voldemort had infiltrated the school at first, he should have noticed by now.

It was only because almost everything was under control that they didn't eliminate the risk directly, but instead chose to give Harley another new test.

So, apart from the sudden troll incident and the subsequent Forbidden Forest unicorn incident, Vera was basically not worried about Harley and the others' safety for the rest of the year.

Chapter 71 Vera's Hint

The conversation seemed to have stalled.

Inside the cabin, the firelight from the fireplace cast long shadows on everyone's faces.

Harley's gaze swept back and forth between Hagrid and Vera for a moment, then she suddenly leaned closer to Hagrid: "Hagrid, do you remember that little package you took from Gringotts when we first met?"

Hagrid's eyes widened suddenly: "W-why are you suddenly asking this?"

“Just curious,” Harley shrugged, looking completely innocent. “Where is that package now?”

“I can’t say!” Hagrid shook his head violently. “It’s top secret!”

"Is he hiding in that forbidden corridor?" Hermione suddenly interjected, "and being guarded by a Cerberus?"

Hagrid jumped to his feet, knocking his chair to the ground: "How do you know—I mean, you shouldn't know this!"

Vera gently pressed down on Harley's hand, which was about to press further: "Mr. Rupert, we're just worried that someone might release the troll to create chaos and then steal that thing..."

“Impossible!” Hagrid shook his head excitedly. “Louwei is extremely reliable! No one can get through it!”

"Lu Wei?"

“Yes, it’s mine… I bought it from a Greek guy I met at the hotel last year, and I lent it to Dumbledore to keep watch over—”

Hagrid realized he had let something slip and slapped his forehead in annoyance: "Listen, all I can tell you is that the thing is safe. With Luwei and other protective measures in place, no one can steal it."

He abruptly changed the subject, stuffing each person with another rock-hard biscuit: "Now, have some rock-skin biscuits, I just baked them!"

Seeing that Harley and Hermione were taking a few bites with troubled expressions, Vera couldn't refuse, so she also tentatively took a small bite, and then put it down with some helplessness.

Eating this stuff is somewhat abusive to her, a disabled person.

She placed the biscuit on the napkin on her lap: "Mr. Rupert—"

"Just call me Hagrid," Hagrid said somewhat awkwardly.

Although he had been a little awkward with the child because of Vera's surname, Harry and Hermione were able to escape thanks to Vera.

The simple-minded mixed-race giant naturally wouldn't harbor any ill will towards an 11-year-old girl.

Vera nodded and readily changed her tune: "Hagrid, I've often heard Harley mention you. She said you seem to be very good at things related to magical creatures."

At the mention of magical creatures, Hagrid's eyes lit up immediately. He straightened his back, wiped his beard which was covered in cookie crumbs, and said, "That's right! Those little guys are all adorable!"