Adrian spent a peaceful Christmas with his family in New York.
During this time, he continued to monitor his sister Ariana's condition, but disappointingly, her state seemed no different from before.
Meanwhile, the Christmas holiday at Hogwarts was the same as usual.
For Harry, this was perhaps the most enjoyable holiday he had ever experienced—each day was filled with delicious food and playing.
However, holidays are fleeting, and soon it was time to return to school.
As students gradually returned, Hogwarts became lively again.
On the first day of school, Adrian arrived on time, even making it to breakfast.
In the Great Hall.
"Professor Adrian," Professor Flitwick who was wearing a brand-new robe probably his Christmas gift, sat down next to Adrian, "How was your holiday?"
"Same as previous years," Adrian replied casually while eating a pumpkin pastry, "I went back to New York and spent Christmas there..."
Before he could finish, Adrian's gaze suddenly turned toward the entrance of the hall.
Quirrell was leisurely walking into the Great Hall. His purple turban was wrapped tighter than last term, almost covering half his face. With an expressionless face, he walked through the student dining area and reached the professors' table, sitting down in the corner.
As Quirrell passed by Adrian, Adrian was surprised to find that the persistent garlic smell that had clung to him had disappeared.
Professor Flitwick also noticed Quirrell and whispered to Adrian, "I heard Quirrell went to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for a while... hmm, he looks in good condition now."
"Indeed... he's like a completely different person," Adrian replied softly.
One's mental state can be discerned from their behavior and demeanor.
Though the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor appeared to be in better spirits, there was a strange, conflicting quality to his movements.
His motions were too fluid, completely unlike the nervous, stuttering Quirrell from last semester.
'Eldra.'
[Name: Quirinus Quirrell]
[Occupation: Wizard]
'Hmm, still only information about Quirrell himself.'
Perhaps because Voldemort had separated from Quirrell, Quirrell's complexion had improved considerably.
Professor Flitwick watched Quirrell unhurriedly eating his steak and asked Adrian, "I recall you substituted for Quirrell's Defense Against the Dark Arts class for a while, isn't that right, Professor Westeros?"
"Ah, yes," Adrian nodded, his gaze still fixed on Quirrell, "But Professor Quirrell has returned today, so my task is complete."
"What a pity," Professor Flitwick shook his head, "The students all said you taught wonderfully."
Adrian shrugged, indicating there was nothing he could do; it was all Dumbledore's arrangement.
Just then, perhaps noticing the gaze from this direction, Quirrell turned his eyes toward them. Adrian even saw Quirrell smile at him.
That smile made Adrian feel inexplicably uncomfortable. But then again, where had Voldemort gone?
Meanwhile, at the Gryffindor table, Hermione had returned a day early and was eating breakfast with Harry and Ron.
Harry was fidgeting with the charmed token Adrian had given him.
From any angle, it appeared to be just an ordinary small piece of wood.
"Is that a gift from Professor Westeros?" Hermione expressed some envy, saying, "Can I see it?"
"Sure." Harry handed the lightning-struck wood token to Hermione.
Hermione glanced at it and suddenly had a look of realization.
Seeing this, Harry quickly asked, "Have you figured out what it does?"
"No," Hermione shook her head, then said, "But it definitely has magic cast on it. Look at what's carved on it—those are some runic symbols. We'll learn about them in Ancient Runes class in our third year."
"Ancient Runes?" Harry was taken aback, then continued asking, "So, what do the symbols represent?"
Hermione returned the amulet to Harry, tossing her bushy hair, and said, "You can look it up in the library yourself. I can't remember so many things."
"I thought she knew everything, the way she usually acts so high and mighty..." Ron muttered quietly beside Harry.
"What did you say?" Hermione's sharp gaze immediately swept over Ron.
"N-nothing," Ron quickly shook his head, "I just..."
"Just what?" Hermione continued pressing.
"Um..." Ron seemed to remember something and directed the conversation elsewhere, "Oh right! Do you know about a person named Nicolas Flamel?"
"Nicolas Flamel?" Hermione frowned; the name sounded familiar.
Hearing Nicolas Flamel's name, Harry realized they hadn't shared this information with Hermione yet.
"We learned some news from Hagrid," Harry lowered his voice and added to Hermione, "Shortly after you left school, Hagrid told us that Fluffy, on the fourth floor of the castle, is guarding something related to a person called Nicolas Flamel—oh, Fluffy is the name of that three-headed dog."
Hermione folded her arms in thought, then said, "It seems you obtained a lot of information while I was away."
Harry then shared his theory with Hermione—about the fourth floor being a special obstacle course designed by Hogwarts for students.
However, after hearing this, Hermione slowly sighed and said to Harry, "Even if that room on the fourth floor is prepared for students, it's probably meant for upper-year students, not us."
"Trying won't hurt," Ron pouted, "We're Gryffindors! Hermione, we have courage and bravery!"
"What you need is a brain," Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron, "Courage and bravery mean the same thing, Ron. And I don't think this matter is so simple."
"So," Harry stopped Hermione and Ron's argument, bringing the topic back: "Hermione, do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?"
Hermione furrowed her brow, silently pondering for a moment, then suddenly looked up.
"Ahem..."
Ron was startled by her movement, and the sausage he was chewing got stuck in his throat.
Harry patted his back while asking Hermione, "What is it? Do you know who Nicolas Flamel is?"
Hermione said with sudden realization, "I know where I've seen that name before!"
Harry and Ron immediately turned their attention to Hermione.
"In Professor Westeros's office," Hermione said confidently, "When I went to ask him questions before, I saw a book on his shelf with that name in the title."
Harry quickly jumped off his bench, eagerly saying to the two, "Let's go check it out."
"Don't rush," Hermione continued calmly drinking her pumpkin juice, "Our first class this morning is Potions. You wouldn't want to be late for Snape's class, would you?"
Hearing this, Harry muttered something unclear like "Bad-Luck" and silently returned to his seat.
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