Hogwarts: What wicked thoughts could a little wizard possibly have?

Chapter 24 The Spy

Just as the trio was having a conflict, Vaughn was stopping Professor Snape.

"Professor, do you have time this weekend? I have some questions I'd like to ask you."

Snape glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and said curtly, "No..."

But Vaughn seemed not to hear him and continued to speak respectfully, "Many potion recipes cannot be found on the market, and I have already mastered the basics. You have no idea how happy I was when I received my Hogwarts acceptance letter."

"Ever since I was 8 years old and brewed my first blood-tonifying medicine, I have hoped that one day I could become your student."

"..."

Snape swallowed back the words he was about to say, his lips twitching as if he were trying to hide his emotional fluctuations.

"Sunday," he said, "evening. No exceptions!"

"Thank you very much, Professor. I will keep my appointment on time!"

Snape strode away, the loud sound of his leather shoes hitting the floor seeming much lighter than usual.

Vaughn was also very happy.

He needs reputation points to improve his strength, and currently, potions are the most effective way to spread his reputation, since he has been deeply involved in this field for several years and has a theoretical foundation.

Next, if he can learn advanced potion-making techniques and broaden his knowledge, he will not only greatly improve his understanding of potions and materials, optimize formulas, and verify his theories, but he can also consider developing new potions.

The "Warne Beauty" series is only good for making money; its potential for enhancing reputation has already been exhausted.

Having received Snape's promise, Vaughn went to the Ravenclaw common room that evening in high spirits—the logical riddle posed by the bronze door seemed easy to him.

After he and Guoguocha had mixed a bunch of snacks from the upperclassmen and were about to take a walk in the Black Lake to digest their food, he saw Hermione sitting by the lake.

As night fell, a breeze picked up, and the Black Lake rippled against the night sky. A giant octopus swam in the lake, and in the distance, several Gryffindors seemed to be feeding it.

"I heard Fred and George say that the giant octopus was a Gryffindor shapeshifter."

Hermione, who was staring blankly at the Black Lake, was startled when she suddenly heard someone speaking.

She hurriedly wiped her face, and when she looked up, she saw that Vaughn had already sat down next to her and handed her a piece of chocolate: "Eat this, it'll make you feel better."

Vaughn's pockets were bulging with candy.

Guoguocha, with a piece of dried meat in its mouth, shook its head and played around the two people's feet.

Hermione knew he must have just come from Ravenclaw; he and Fruit Tea were very popular with the girls there.

"Thanks……"

She thanked him softly, then looked at the giant octopus in the lake and couldn't help but retort, "Gryffindor is from a thousand years ago. How could the things he transformed into still be alive? They must be talking nonsense."

Hermione immediately regretted her words.

Why can't I control my mouth? Should I be so serious about this?

Do I really have a bad personality?

Vaughn noticed her unusual behavior, thought for a moment, and asked, "Did you have a falling out with Harry or Ron?"

"Uh... how did you know?"

"You don't usually come here to daydream. You're either in the library or on your way to the library," Vaughn chuckled. "So far, it seems you're only on good terms with us. Apart from those two messing with you, I can't think of anyone else who would make you hide here."

Hermione paused, realizing she hadn't noticed before, but upon reflection, she did indeed seem to have no friends.

Besides Vaughn, the only two others are still...

The girl, feeling increasingly down, pursed her lips.

After a moment of silence, she repeated what Ron had said behind her back.

After she finished speaking, she asked in a low voice, "Vaughn, am I really that annoying? I just... I just want everyone to follow the rules."

She had expected to hear words of comfort, after all, Vaughn was always humorous, warm, and mischievous.

But she saw Vaughn nod: "A little!"

"..."

Vaughn patted her thin shoulder, facing the night wind, and gazed into the distance:

"There is a country far from England where there is a proverb that means honest advice is hard to hear."

"Of course, this is not your or anyone else's problem, but human nature. People always like to avoid their own mistakes, and when someone keeps reminding them, they will subconsciously resist."

At that moment, Hermione, who was looking up at him, suddenly realized that he was filled with an indescribable aura.

This would seem very strange coming from someone so young.

It will make you seem like you're trying too hard to appear mature.

But at this moment he was so natural, as if time itself had stood still around him, making it difficult for anyone to notice anything unusual.

She said blankly, "But why have you never thought I... dislike you?"

"Because I like this kind of frankness!"

Under Vaughn's smiling gaze, Hermione's cheeks flushed red, and then she heard him say, "The more mistakes you make, the more you realize how precious it is to have a friend like you. Ron is still very naive; he doesn't understand these things."

Hermione suddenly wanted to ask, "How do you know that?"

But for some reason, she felt she might not get an answer.

There are always some things that people are unwilling to talk about.

She was at a loss for words.

The two sat quietly by the lake, enjoying the breeze, watching a giant swimming squid extend its tentacles, capsize a small boat, and cause the Gryffindor students on board to scream and fall into the water, before bursting into laughter.

"Hermione, please forgive Ron for my sake, and keep an eye on them for me."

Hermione heard Vaughn say that.

She was a little confused: "What do you mean?"

Vaughn smiled at first, then said with a hint of helplessness, "Harry's situation is more complicated. Dumbledore seems to be testing him, and I'm very worried about Ron following him, but I have no reason to break up their friendship."

"So, I hope you can keep an eye on them for me. If anything happens, make sure I know!"

Hermione was somewhat surprised. She sensed the underlying meaning and lowered her voice, "You mean, Harry will be in danger at school?"

"It's not danger, it's a test, but..."

Vaughn shrugged and said, "No one can guarantee that everything is under control, not even Dumbledore."

Hermione's mind was a little confused; she really wanted to know what Vaughn knew.

But Vaughn had already gotten up and left with the fruit tea, giving her a few chocolates as he left.

"That's all, Hermione, go back and get some rest."

Finally, he turned back, smiled, and said, "Keep this a secret, my spy."

Hermione blushed again, completely forgetting what she wanted to ask.

Vaughn left with a calm expression; he had never considered following the savior's lead.

His goals for his Hogwarts studies were first to learn potions and spread his fame, and second to learn advanced magic and accumulate power.

With such a goal set, he had no energy to pay attention to the savior's every move.