A Bold Idea

At that moment, Tom Riddle's mind raced with countless ways to torment Lockhart. However, he quickly realized that his soul was not strong enough, still bound to the diary, and utterly powerless against Lockhart.

Tom Riddle's mood worsened.

Albert is the complete opposite of Tom in the diary. Using Lockhart's name, he not only successfully confronted Voldemort but also completed the panel task smoothly.

Tom Riddle is truly Treasure Boy; he casually tried it out and actually managed to get a mission from the other party.

You've found Tom Riddle's Diary through Eloquent Deception and are trying to communicate with him, but Tom Riddle seems to have ill intentions and is trying to bewitch you with words. Expose his Eloquent Deception and make Tom Riddle realize that he has chosen the wrong target.

Reward: 1000 experience points, gain the skill "Verbal Persuasion".

What exactly do you want?!

The words seeping from the paper seemed to contain Tom's anger.

I didn't intend anything. I've said it from the beginning: I'm just curious about what you really are.

Tom Riddle fell silent again in his diary. After a long while, a passage finally appeared on the paper once more.

I am merely a memory stored in my diary.

[You're lying. A mere memory can have its own thoughts? What exactly are you? What secrets does your diary hold? Is it some kind of unspeakable magic, or does it record some important information?]

Under Albert's control, the Quill swiftly wrote down a passage on the page that would guide Tom Riddle's thoughts.

Actually, I'm very curious, besides that monster, what else is in Chamber of Secrets?

After receiving the reward for the Eloquent Deception" task, Albert became much more adept at persuading others than before, easily guiding Voldemort's thoughts in a certain direction.

He wanted Tom Riddle to realize that Lockhart was a Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, very interested in breaking and mastering the Dark Magic Dark Magic, and that he should lure him with powerful spells and use his power to get him hooked.

Lockhart will become addicted to it and become easy to control.

See you another day, and I hope you'll be willing to tell me then.

Albert didn't give Tom a chance to answer. He wrote that sentence in the diary and then used the Dragonhide Gloves to put Tom Riddle's Diary back into the box. After sealing it up with multiple layers, he hid the box again.

Recently, Albert has decided to stop reading Tom Riddle's Diary to minimize the potential impact of the Horcrux on him.

After all, Horcrux are such sinister things that even with the best precautions, who knows if you might be affected by Horcrux like Ginny Weasley was?

Patience and caution are essential; Albert cannot allow himself to fail halfway through.

Since coming into contact with Tom Riddle's diary, Albert has developed the habit of keeping a diary, through which he observes changes in his mindset.

Fortunately, everything is alright.

Voldemort's Horcrux had no effect on Albert.

Well, if there's any impact, it's that Albert will be tempted to take out his diary to farm more rewards, as the experience and rewards from the missions are quite tempting for him.

Finally, Albert decided to let Tom Riddle get out for some fresh air every month.

If Tom Riddle in the diary knew about Albert's decision, he would surely be very moved!

Since his outburst against Tom Riddle, Albert has been in high spirits for a long time, and his life has returned to its previous tranquility.

Besides attending classes, going on dates, and doing homework every day, he focuses on improving the Detection Orb and Shielding Badge, and also creates a number of magical items to target the Basilisk.

For example, you can throw Elf Ball that summons a rooster (with a rooster inside). If you really need to, you can summon the rooster immediately.

The improved Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles, which uses a barrage of arrows, directs the thrown needles towards the Basilisk's eyes. The only problem is that someone needs to guide the needles with a wand.

The improved Sticky Ball, once thrown, quickly forms a sticky area, causing anyone passing through it to get stuck to the ground. The question is whether it can stick to the Basilisk Basilisk, given its enormous size and considerable strength.

He also wrote to Mundungus Fletcher, asking him to help find yellowstone (realgar) to make Snake Repellent Powder. He didn't know if it would work on Basilisk Basilisk, but it couldn't hurt to have some on hand.

Just as Albert and Isobel were working together on how to prevent the Basilisk, Harry came to Albert's door, asking about the Bicorn Horn and the skin of the African Tree Snake.

Harry seemed to prefer spending a fortune in Galleon to buy the ingredients for the two Polyjuice Potion rather than getting caught by Snape while stealing from Snape's office.

"Well... you'd better not get your hopes up too high. Even if it's sold on the black market, it'll cost several times more," Albert kindly reminded him. "You might even end up with a fake."

Seeing Harry frown, Albert continued, "Of course, you can write to Mundungus Fletcher and say that I was a past client of his. When dealing with him, you need to be careful not to get ripped off; that guy always likes to inflate prices."

"Dad said Mundungus Fletcher is a thief," Ron muttered beside him. "He's no good, always doing sneaky things."

"Ron." Hermione glared at Ron.

"Feel sorry."

"That's how the black market works. If you really want to buy things there, you'll have to deal with them. I occasionally have Mundungus Fletcher help me gather some materials." Albert didn't seem to care about Ron's words; he knew Mundungus Fletcher all too well what kind of person he was.

"Thank you, Albert. We'll write to Mundungus Fletcher to inquire about the price." After saying this, Harry went back to the Common Room with Ron to prepare a letter to Mundungus Fletcher.

"I thought you were going to break into Snape's office," Albert called out to Hermione.

"You know, this isn't a good idea," Hermione said quietly, glancing at Harry and Ron who were waiting for her. "I've thought about these things, but..."

Hermione's meaning was clear; Harry and Ron were obviously hesitant.

"Actually, Harry's approach is correct. There's no need to take risks if Galleon can solve the problem," Albert said with a smile. "However, you'd better not have too high expectations for Mundungus Fletcher."

"Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even know what to do," Hermione said gratefully.

No, you know.

What did he say to you?

"He said Harry was right, but it was best not to have too high hopes for Mundungus Fletcher. If we can't get the raw materials, we'll probably have to break into Snape's office."

"Actually, I think Albert might have other channels," Ron whispered. "Fred and George always say that Albert knows many famous wizards. If he wants, maybe he can get them from other places..."

"Ron," Hermione interrupted sternly.

"Sorry." Ron knew his idea was unrealistic, so he immediately apologized, "I was just saying it offhand."

Harry was preoccupied with figuring out how to write to Mundungus Fletcher and didn't notice what Hermione and Ron were saying.

"If we really can't get the Bicorn Horn and the skin of the African Tree Snake from anywhere else, then we'll use a diversionary tactic. I'll sneak into Snape's office, get what we want, and all you need to do is create chaos in the classroom and keep Snape occupied for five minutes."

"But what should we do?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"Make the crucible explode," Hermione said without hesitation.

Harry and Ron exchanged glances, forcing smiles. Deliberately causing trouble in Snape's Potions Class was like poking the eyes of a sleeping dragon—it was far too dangerous.