Chapter 87

Avada Kedavra?

Chapter 87 Avada Kedavra?

Harry never imagined in his life that there could be someone he hated a thousand times more than ten Snapes and a hundred Malfoys combined—if he could still move, he would definitely punch that guy in the face until he couldn't swing anymore!

Unfortunately, he was now under a petrification curse, unable to move any part of his body except his eyes. He could only see with his eyes and hear the conversations that made him shudder and nauseous:

"Oh?"

Quirrell was quite surprised by this turn of events: "You are... Baron Shafik?"

"Yes, Professor Quirrell, Professor Dark Lord."

Baron said softly in an elegant tone, "I have been entrusted by Ken to bring you this great gift, so that you may personally slay the culprit who caused you to lose your body, and witness your glory return."

"Did they allow you to come?"

Quirrell suddenly turned around, untied his headscarf, and revealed a sight that sent chills down Harry's spine—where should have been the back of Quirrell's head, was a face, a face Harry had never seen before so grotesque and terrifying. The face was as white as chalk, with glowing red eyes and two long, thin nostrils like snakes.

The face moved its lips slightly, speaking softly as it looked at Baron with interest, without even glancing at Harry.

"Yes, Professor."

Baron's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but his smile remained unchanged: "Ken, through consulting some materials and piecing together clues, has deduced that what you need is Nicolas Flamel's Philosopher's Stone. Back then, he was running around trying to help you, getting close to Hagrid and finding out Cerberus's weakness, only to discover that you had already beaten him to it..."

"So, he decided to give you an extra surprise—and what could be more fitting for this school than Harry Potter?"

"So he entered the passage ahead of time, explored the mechanisms, and after discovering that they posed no threat to you, he threw all sorts of clues at Potter, making him think he was the savior, that only he could stop you from obtaining the Philosopher's Stone. Then, guided by me, he passed through the mechanisms unimpeded, charging in like a warthog with its head down, until he stood before you..."

"..."

Harry's eyes were bloodshot, a surge of anger trapped in his throat, making his throat feel like it was about to split open. But he was so enraged that he couldn't feel any pain at all.

"Hahahaha..."

Voldemort let out a piercing laugh, followed by Quirrell's low chuckle: "Interesting, very interesting. He actually managed to give me such a generous gift..."

Where is he now?

Baron looked directly into his bloodshot eyes and smiled slightly. "He's a little hesitant to come see you now—after all, he inquired about the Philosopher's Stone in private, and you didn't allow him to participate. It was all his own decision, and he's afraid of displeasing you..."

"Hahaha... dissatisfied? How could I be dissatisfied... With this one achievement alone, he surpasses all my Death Eaters..."

"Undo Potter's spell, Baron, I need to speak to him."

"Yes, Professor."

Baron conjured several ropes and bound Harry securely, then waved his wand to break the petrification spell on Harry.

"Baron Shafik!! You..."

"Listen to me, Harry Potter..."

Voldemort's soft whispers seemed to possess a magical power, rendering Harry, who had intended to unleash the most offensive words he knew to berate Baron, utterly speechless. At the same time, Harry seemed to gradually forget the despicable Baron, leaving only those scarlet eyes in his mind...

"Look at what I've become! All that's left is a shadow and steam... I can only have a physical form when I share a body with someone else... and only unicorn blood can restore some of my strength... That day in the Forbidden Forest you saw Quirrell drink my blood..."

"Quirk..."

Harry repeated the name absentmindedly for a long while before raising his head in disbelief: "From beginning to end, besides Snape, Ken, Baron, and Quirrell were all your subordinates too?!"

"Snape? Hmph, he didn't know I existed, nor did he know my intentions. He even went to great lengths to prevent Quirrell from obtaining the Philosopher's Stone, all so he could explain himself to Dumbledore. When Quirrell tried to kill you, he even cast a counterspell to protect you..."

"Snape is protecting me?! But..."

"Alright, Harry Potter, savior... stop asking questions. I'll give you a chance to live. Do you want it?"

Voldemort impatiently interrupted Harry's question, then asked with a sinister smile.

"You want me to reveal the secrets of the Philosopher's Stone and Dumbledore? Don't dream about it!!"

Harry was pale and his voice trembled, but he still mustered his strength and roared at Voldemort.

"No, no, I know you won't do that... I only ask that you come to this mirror and tell me what you see in it. If you do just that one simple thing, merciful Voldemort might spare your life..."

"Baron, move him in front of the mirror."

"Yes, Professor."

Baron said respectfully, then waved his wand and moved the bound and immobile Harry in front of the mirror.

Why did he make me do this?

Harry stared at his reflection in the mirror, his mind racing: 'He wouldn't do something pointless, and he certainly won't let me off easily… Could the Philosopher's Stone be hidden in the mirror, and he can't get it out?'

"I can't tell the truth; I have to find a way to lie to him..."

He was horrified to see his reflection in the mirror wearing a smile that was absolutely not on his own face—then, the mirror image reached into its pocket, pulled out a bright red stone, blinked, and put the stone back in its pocket—just then, Harry felt something heavy really fall into his pocket.

"I... got the Philosopher's Stone? It's in my pocket?!"

"Great! Voldemort didn't see it at all. I've fooled him..."

"Alright, just as I expected, you took out the Philosopher's Stone, it was in your pocket..."

Voldemort chuckled as he watched Harry, who looked as if struck by lightning, turn deathly pale. "Ken has truly done me a great favor. He's delivered not only Harry Potter to me, but also a key that can unlock the obstacles Dumbledore has set up... Hahaha..."

"No."

Harry shook his head in horror: He had become the key that helped Voldemort?

"No, this shouldn't be, it shouldn't be like this..."

It's all too late...

"Quirk, give me your body."

He vaguely heard Voldemort say that, then saw Quirrell turn around with a sinister grin and raise his wand at him…