Ministry of Magic (Part 1)

In the Headmaster's office, the atmosphere was somewhat delicate. Professor Quirrell (or rather, his body) was bound tightly by the Sekern Red Belt, lying in the corner like a mummy. The face of Voldemort on the back of his head had completely lost its luster, and he was barely breathing. Fawkes tilted his head curiously from his perch.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, hands clasped on the surface, calmly looking at Silas, who stood before him. At this moment, Silas's light brown hair, having just cast the Sekern Red Belt (a relatively powerful Vishanti magic), had turned a vibrant red, like a red-hot iron. This made him look a bit sharper and... conspicuous.

(Silas's hair turning iron-red when he casts powerful offensive Vishanti magic is my own invention; it doesn't appear this way in Marvel.)

After a moment of silence, Silas spoke first, pointing to the unconscious Quirrell in the corner, then looking at Dumbledore:

"Professor, I know what you want to ask. It's about... training Harry Potter, right?"

Dumbledore nodded slightly, a hint of understanding and inquiry flashing in his blue eyes. "Yes. I had some... arrangements. But now it seems the situation has changed." His gaze swept over Silas's dazzling red hair, then returned to his face. "You seem to know a lot, Silas."

Silas shrugged and casually proposed an alternative: "Isn't this simple? Just have Professor Snape be Harry's imaginary enemy. You just need to guide him a little, make Harry firmly believe that Professor Snape wants to steal the Philosopher's Stone, is targeting him everywhere, and wants to harm him. With Professor Snape's... well... unique style, and his past grievances with Harry's father, Harry will absolutely believe it and do his best to stop him, to become stronger. Wouldn't this be as effective as facing that half-dead guy on the back of Quirrell's head?"

Dumbledore listened to this simple, direct, and even somewhat crude plan, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had to admit that while Silas's suggestion disrupted his original, more elaborate plan focused on "love and courage," in the current situation where Voldemort was out of the picture early, it was indeed an effective method to quickly stimulate Harry's potential and help him grow rapidly. Moreover, Severus... he was indeed the best candidate, capable of creating enough pressure and animosity while ensuring Harry's safety from the shadows.

"It'll do?" Dumbledore said softly, acknowledging the plan. But he immediately asked the most crucial question, his gaze sharpening: "However, Silas, how do you know about the Philosopher's Stone? And how do you know that in my original plan, Quirrell and Voldemort were the trials Harry needed to face?"

This question struck at the core, concerning the biggest secret Silas held.

Facing Dumbledore's gaze, which seemed to penetrate the soul, Silas didn't panic. Instead, he wore a slightly roguish smile, pointed to his own head, and then towards the office door:

"Professor, you don't think there's any part of Hogwarts I haven't explored, do you? I went to see the fun with the three-headed dog on the fourth floor not long after school started. I'm not blind; I saw the trapdoor under Fluffy's butt."

His answer skirted the issue, attributing everything to his own "curiosity" and "spirit of exploration," implying that he had learned about the Philosopher's Stone and the challenges through his own observation and "illegal" investigation, and thus deduced some of Dumbledore's intentions.

Dumbledore looked at Silas deeply, not pressing further. He knew this child held too many secrets, and forcing the truth might not yield results. He chose to accept the explanation for now, as everything Silas had done so far, though astonishing in method, seemed to have benefited Hogwarts.

"I understand," Dumbledore finally nodded. "Then, regarding the handling of Professor Quirrell and... 'the one' on him, as well as the subsequent guidance for Harry, I will make the arrangements. As for you, Silas..."

His gaze fell on Silas's still vibrant red hair. "Your power is great and unique. I hope you will use it wisely."

"Don't worry, Professor," Silas patted his chest. "I always help justice, not relatives... uh, I mean, I help good people, not bad people!" He spoke prettily, but thought to himself: As long as they don't mess with me, I'm too lazy to get involved.

This conversation, concerning the direction of Harry's destiny, reached a peculiar understanding. Silas, with his unexpected methods and power, had forcefully rewritten the script, and Dumbledore, the master strategist, began to adjust his strategy, incorporating Silas, the biggest "variable," into the new game.

Dumbledore looked at Quirrell, tightly bound by the red belt in the corner and barely breathing (along with the almost imperceptible remnant soul of Voldemort on the back of his head). He sighed softly, a hint of expected helplessness in his tone:

"Voldemort's remnant soul... has escaped. Before Quirrell's body completely collapsed, he abandoned this shell in a way we don't know and fled."

Silas heard this and wore an expression of "Isn't it obvious?" He shrugged. "Of course he'd run. Would he stay to be beaten to death by me, or captured by you for research? He's not stupid."

Dumbledore nodded, seemingly agreeing with this simple logic. He changed the subject, pointing at Quirrell. "Then, Professor Quirrell himself... he committed serious crimes, including bringing in the Dark Lord, attempting to steal the Philosopher's Stone, and endangering student safety. Silas, could I trouble you to personally escort him to the Ministry of Magic? On charges of a Dark Wizard infiltrating Hogwarts and attacking students. After all, even I cannot undo your unique red binding magic, so you are the most reliable escort."

Silas raised an eyebrow, looking at Dumbledore with "disbelief" written all over his face. "Professor, you can't undo it? I don't believe it. You are the greatest White Wizard of this century."

Dumbledore smiled slightly, a cunning smile like an elder coaxing a child to do a task. "Having you go to the Ministry is also a way for you to broaden your horizons and familiarize yourself with the wizarding world's judicial procedures. Go, child, this is also contributing to the school."

Quirrell, his mouth blocked by the red belt, heard "Ministry of Magic" and "Azkaban" and immediately struggled violently, letting out muffled "Mmmph mmmph!" sounds of terror and despair. He would rather die here than go to that prison guarded by Dementors!

Silas glanced at Quirrell and noticed that due to the previous beating and the impact of Voldemort's soul leaving his body, his life force was rapidly draining, and he was on the verge of death.

"Tsk, what a hassle," Silas muttered. He didn't want to escort a dead person to the Ministry. He raised his hand and cast a spell on Quirrell.

A soft, vibrant emerald green light flowed from his palm, forming a hemispherical shield that enveloped Quirrell. Complex life runes flowed across the shield, emitting a warm aura. This was the third tier of Vishanti magic, focused on healing and protection – the Life Barrier.

Nourished by the Life Barrier, Quirrell's previously pale complexion regained a hint of color at a visible rate, and his weak breathing became steady and strong. Although his injuries were still severe, at least his life was saved.

Dumbledore looked at the barrier full of life energy, a hint of surprise and admiration flashing in his eyes. "This seems to be a very advanced restorative magic, targeting the source of life and soul damage. Is this also part of your... Vishanti magic?"

"Yes," Silas nodded, admitting it simply. On his skill tree interface, the icon for the Life Barrier had a mysterious connection with the most basic Portal, both involving the manipulation of space and the essence of energy, just in different forms. "This barrier will maintain his basic life, allowing him to live a few more years even in a place like Azkaban, enough for his trial and sentence."

He didn't want Quirrell to die on the way; that would make the errand pointless.

"Alright," Silas clapped his hands and, like picking up trash, magically controlled the red belt to lift Quirrell, who was wrapped in the Life Barrier. "I'll be heading to the Ministry to 'broaden my horizons' now, Professor."

With that, he raised his hand and drew a circle, and a portal leading to the vicinity of the London Ministry of Magic entrance instantly opened. He dragged Quirrell, who continued to whimper, and stepped through.

Dumbledore watched Silas and Quirrell disappear into the golden light, sighing softly with a complex expression. This child, Silas Kirill, the power, knowledge, and style he displayed, increasingly resembled a great mystery. But at least for now, his heart was on the side of light. As for Voldemort's escaped remnant soul... he would take it one step at a time.