The Interpretation of Dreams

"What does that make you think of?" Berenice Connell repeated Tierra's words, his voice tightening.

"Yes, Mr. Berenice Connell." Tierra smiled. "An orphan, talented, possessing an evil charm and an influence beyond ordinary people. Does that make you think of anyone?"

"N-no, sir," Berenice Connell replied nervously.

"Me." Tierra pointed a finger at himself.

"I'm an orphan. I achieved success young without becoming insecure. I'm talented, and I understand people's hearts." Tierra smiled as he moved away from in front of Berenice Connell's seat. "Did none of you think of me?"

"S-sir, I... I don't understand. I don't understand what you mean," Berenice Connell asked in some alarm.

"Rewrite these assignments." With his hands behind his back, Tierra walked to the front of the classroom and snapped his fingers lightly—

Apart from the few assignments Tierra had just handed out, another thirty or forty assignments lifted themselves from the pile on the lectern and flew back to their respective owners' desks.

"This is your last chance." Tierra smiled. "If this assignment is still unsatisfactory, I will forbid you from entering the Dark Arts classroom again."

"However, not all of you possess Hermione's command of language—or rather, her breadth of reading. If I truly expected you to analyze someone from nothing but a single memory, especially a complex Dark Lord, it would indeed be very difficult. So I'll relax the requirements a little—"

Tierra said mysteriously.

"Based on the memories I showed you, and what you know of me, compare the similarities and differences between Voldemort and me." Tierra smiled.

"This is merely your Dark Magic assignment for this school year. If you wish to continue receiving an education in Dark Magic, then at the same time next school year, you will receive a similar assignment. Only this time, you will