Harry Potter and the Candy Factory

To be honest, Charlie didn't quite understand... who exactly gave Voldemort such confidence? Clearly, he had already turned into a being that was neither human nor ghost, yet he still couldn't have a moment of peace.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Google search reading

What, did he still think it was like a dozen years ago?

After Russell left the office, Charlie sat alone in silence behind his desk, his eyes fixed on the three unfolded letters, reading the words on them over and over again. His mind was filled with thoughts, reviewing everything that had happened over the years, as well as his future plans.

"Huff..."

After a long time, he slowly closed his eyes, deeply exhaling a breath of stale air, clearing his original apprehension and complex thoughts from his mind.

When Charlie opened his eyes again, the coldness in his gaze had completely disappeared, solidified, and transformed into indifference.

He didn't know where Voldemort's fearlessness came from: Horcruxes? Or some other things. But it didn't matter anymore... because Charlie had no interest at this moment, nor did he want to know.

Next, he thought, he needed to tell the other party what could be done and what shouldn't be touched at all.

Slowly standing up from his seat, Charlie didn't hesitate any longer.

With a wave of his hand, he swept all three letters on the table into the space of his ring. He strode straight to the office door and opened it...

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

After several days of fermentation and dissemination, this explosive news quickly became a well-known story throughout Hogwarts, and in word-of-mouth transmission, it gradually became draped in a highly legendary coat, causing it to slowly deviate uncontrollably from the original truth, and finally, it became completely different.

In the version heard by all the young wizards today, Dabu's key role was missing. Instead, Harry, Ron, and Draco were portrayed as exceptionally brave!

They worked together, bravely fighting to the death with a dangerous giant, and finally, under a profound and mysterious magic, they completely crushed it, winning the victory in this battle against the giant.

Inside the Gryffindor common room, Ron sat casually on the table in the common room, his legs suspended in the air, swinging freely.

And around him, at this moment, were already crowded with little lions who had come to admire him.

As students of Gryffindor, they undoubtedly valued courage and honor the most, and at this time, Ron had successfully added both of these things to himself because of this incident, and also won the sincere respect of all the little lions.

"Ron! Tell us how you, Malfoy, and Potter defeated the giant!"

In the crowd, a same-grade child with an excited expression and longing eyes took the lead in requesting, and then, several voices of approval followed and echoed.

"Yeah!"

"Tell us! Ron"

"You are the pride of Gryffindor!"

… … … …

… … … …

Ron, who had never enjoyed such treatment, became a little overwhelmed for a moment. In the cheers and boasts, he gradually lost himself.

It seemed that deep in his heart, he also began to subtly accept this rumored version, completely forgetting the miserable state he was in when he was in the toilet, crying and screaming while avoiding the giant's pursuit.

Ron straightened his back, with a hint of pride and flush on his face. After looking around at the admirers around him, he coughed reservedly twice, pondered for a moment, and then said loudly:

"Yes... yes, the giant. To be honest, it's just a small matter for me. So many days have passed, and I've almost forgotten about it... But, since you want to hear it, then I'll reluctantly recall it and tell you about the battle that happened back then..."

"It was a... deep night!..."

It must be said that, at least in terms of storytelling, Ron can be considered very talented.

Even if it was just made up on the spot, he could still make the story quite real, and even make a group of little wizards widen their eyes, listening intently, and changing their minds with the rhythm of his tone. Sometimes soothing, sometimes tense, sometimes holding their breath, sometimes filled with righteous indignation... Even the Weasley twins and their friends were absorbed in it with relish.

"Look..."

George glanced at Jordan and Fred over here, lowered his voice, and said proudly:

"I knew our little brother would be promising! See, he's only in the first grade, and he can already tear giants apart with his bare hands!"

"Hehe..." Fred laughed twice, took out a few Christmas special candies from his pocket, first distributed one to each of his friends, and then poured the rest into his mouth. Then he said unhurriedly:

"It's really impressive... I guess even Percy will be envious and jealous of Ron now. After all, he has never received such exaggerated attention at school."

Speaking of this, the two paused at the same time, then looked at each other, seeing the familiar understanding in each other's eyes.

In the next second, the two said in unison, "Yes! Send Ron some more candy!"

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

And on the outermost edge of the bustling crowd, Hermione stood on tiptoe, looking at Ron, who was sitting at the highest point, gesticulating and enjoying himself, and couldn't help but sigh helplessly.

As the person who arrived at the scene the fastest besides the firsthand experience, she naturally knew that what Ron was saying at the moment, except for the part where he was chased by the giant, was all bullshit.

But because of being watched by so many people, she didn't have any intention of exposing him.

After all, after suffering such a great crime and almost dying in the hands of the giant, it was not unacceptable to let him brag at this time.

So, shaking her head, Hermione had to hold the book in her hand, without waiting for Ron any longer, but left the Gryffindor common room alone to find Harry and Draco.

… … …

"So... Ron is still telling others about his glorious deeds?"

In the school cafeteria, the three were sitting and chatting around a long table.

Draco picked up a french fry and put it in his mouth, asking with interest:

"Probably..." Hermione shrugged and replied casually, then seemed to think of something, raised her head, and looked at the two.

"What about you? I guess you should be about the same... After all, this matter is already spreading like wildfire now."

"No, the Slytherin students don't seem to be as enthusiastic as the Gryffindors. Some students even went to Draco to provoke him..."

Harry shook his head, said, turned his head, and subconsciously glanced at Draco, who was expressionless and eating french fries calmly, and then continued

“In the end, I was lectured,” Hermione said after listening. She didn't say anything more, but her brows furrowed slightly, and she drooped her head in frustration, burying it in her arms and asking in a muffled voice,

“What should we do next?”

Hearing this, Draco stopped stuffing his face with fries and looked at Hermione. After a moment of pondering, he said,

“I plan to strike first… Based on my guess, at least in the near future, to avoid arousing too much suspicion, Quirrell shouldn't attack us again.”

His expression became serious, and he interlocked his fingers, slowly narrating,

“Let's take advantage of this time! We'll strike first, investigate what he's trying to do, find out his conspiracy, and then go to Headmaster Dumbledore and bring him down in one fell swoop!”

“Where do you plan to start?”

Listening to Draco's idea, Harry and Hermione couldn't help but nod. Then Hermione raised her head again and asked,

“Start with that corridor on the third floor!”

Draco answered decisively. Without a doubt, he had already made corresponding plans before proposing this plan to Harry and Hermione.

Hearing Draco's words, the two exchanged glances, and immediately perked up.

“So, tonight?”

“Tonight! We'll go and see what kind of things are hidden in that so-called forbidden area—”

As he spoke, a hint of a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and a light flashed in his eyes, seemingly indicating the determination in his heart at this moment.

However, the next second, Draco's tone suddenly changed, and he said,

“However, before that, I still have a very important thing to do…”

… … … … … … … … … … … … …

In the afternoon, not acting with the others, Draco went alone with the notebook that Charlie had given him to a wooden door.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally made up his mind, slowly raised his hand, and knocked on the door.

“Knock, knock, knock… knock, knock, knock”

The light and rhythmic knocking sounded, appearing particularly clear in the quiet corridor.

However, even as he knocked again and again, on the other side of the door, there was still no response as Draco had expected.

At the same time, it also temporarily eased his slightly nervous mood.

Just as he was hesitating, about to give up… suddenly, accompanied by the sound of “creak, creak” as the rusted door hinges turned, the door slowly opened inward.

Severus Snape's figure appeared before Draco.

At this time, he was still wearing that black robe, his greasy long hair hanging down, his expression carrying familiar gloom and indifference.

“Draco, what are you here to see me for?”

Severus looked at the person in front of him, obviously somewhat surprised. That stiff face also rarely revealed a hint of unexpected expression.

Then, the next second, before Draco could say anything, he first noticed the large notebook that the other party was holding tightly in his arms.

As Charlie Black's best friend at Hogwarts, Severus undoubtedly recognized it at once. Immediately, the look of surprise on his face was even greater.

“Charlie's notebook?”

Hearing Severus's words, Draco's eyes immediately lit up. The expression on his small face also changed from nervousness and hesitation to joy.

“Professor, you recognize this notebook!? As expected! I knew it, no wonder Uncle told me to come and find you!”

“Charlie told you to come and find me?”

Immediately, Severus narrowed his eyes. After staring at Draco for a while, he then turned his head and began to look around the left and right sides of the corridor.

Seeing that there was no one around, he then took a step back, leaving a gap wide enough for the other party to pass through, and then motioned for him to come in.

… … …

With a muffled sound of "bang," the door to Severus's room was closed again, and the entire corridor returned to its initial quietness and emptiness.

Entering Professor Snape's room for the first time, Draco couldn't help but look around curiously, seemingly wanting to see what the room of this Slytherin Head of House, who was infamous, would be decorated like.

However, unfortunately, he was disappointed. Severus's dormitory didn't have any so-called decorations, and the things were very simple.

A wooden desk, with stacks of homework that had just been received not long ago and a candlestick placed on it. Besides that, there was only the most ordinary hard wooden bed, and a bookshelf full of various books. Apart from that, there was nothing else.

The door closed, and Severus returned to the back of the desk, gazing at Draco, and asked seriously.

“What did Charlie ask you to come and see me for?”

These words made Draco remember the purpose of his trip.

He quickly took two steps forward, came to the other party's side, and placed the thick notebook on the desk.

Then, with a flick of his finger, he skillfully opened it. Accompanied by the light sound of "whoosh" of the paper, he quickly flipped to the page he had seen before.

“This—”

Draco turned his body to the side, reached out his hand, pointed to the incomplete spell on it, and carefully indicated.

“Uncle Black said… if I come to you, you will tell me what this spell is.”

“This is…”

Following the direction Draco was pointing, Severus cast his gaze. The next second, Severus couldn't help but be stunned.

His gaze lingered on the spell that only had a few affixes and symbols written on it. Suddenly, a complex expression appeared on that dim and lifeless face, remembrance, regret, joy… Many emotions were mixed on his originally expressionless face, and finally turned into a sigh, which quietly surged from his mouth.

Subconsciously shaking his head, he dispelled the extra sighs in his heart.

Without nonsense, Severus directly picked up the quill pen placed on the table, and under that paragraph, he wrote a complete line of spells in a flamboyant manner.

When the quill pen was put down by him, Draco instantly noticed that the spell written by Severus at this time was exactly the same as the original line of writing in this notebook from more than ten years ago…

“Professor Snape, this spell…”

With the surprise in his heart, after quickly scanning the content written by the other party, Draco couldn't help but ask.

However, before he could finish speaking, he was directly interrupted by Severus raising his hand. Then, his cold voice夹杂着几分平时所没有的感情, said:

“*Umbra Telum*… The name of this spell is *Umbra Telum*.”