Secret Agent

Just as the Golden Trio was having a conflict, Vaughn stopped Professor Snape.

"Professor, do you have time this weekend? I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."

Snape glanced at him from the corner of his eye and said bluntly, "No ti—"

But Vaughn acted as though he hadn't heard him, maintaining a respectful attitude as he said, "There are many Potions whose recipes can't be found on the market, while I've already mastered all the basic ones. You have no idea how happy I was when I received my Hogwarts letter."

"Ever since I brewed my first Blood Replenishing Potion at the age of eight, I've dreamed of becoming your student someday."

"..."

Snape swallowed the words that were about to leave his mouth. The corner of his lips twitched a few times, as though he were struggling to hide the shift in his expression.

"Sunday," he said. "Evening. Don't be late!"

"Thank you very much, Professor. I'll be there on time!"

Snape strode away. Even the sharp clacking of his leather shoes against the floor seemed far lighter than usual.

Vaughn was happy as well.

He needed Reputation Points to improve his strength, and for now, Potions had done the most to spread his name. At the very least, he had spent years working in this field and had a solid theoretical foundation.

As long as he could learn advanced Potions and broaden his knowledge, he would not only greatly deepen his understanding of Potions and ingredients, optimize recipes, and verify his theories, but could also consider developing new Potions.

The "Vaughn's Beauty" line was only suitable for making money. Its potential to boost his reputation had already been thoroughly exhausted.

Having secured Snape's promise, Vaughn happily went to the Ravenclaw Common Room that evening to hang out—the logic-riddle password posed by that bronze door was not difficult in his eyes.

After he and Guoguo Tea had mooched a pile of snacks from the older girls, they were preparing to take a walk by the Black Lake to settle their stomachs when he spotted Hermione sitting by the shore.

A wind had risen after nightfall, sending ripples across the Black Lake beneath the night sky. A huge squid swam through the water, while several Gryffindors in the distance appeared to be feeding it.

"I heard Fred and George say that giant squid was transformed from Gryffindor."

Hermione had been staring blankly at the Black Lake when the sudden voice startled her.

She hurriedly wiped her face. When she looked up, Vaughn had already sat down beside her and was offering her a piece of Chocolate. "Have some. It'll make you feel a little better."

Vaughn's pockets were stuffed full of candy.

Guoguo Tea held a piece of jerky in its mouth, shaking its head as it played around their feet.

Hermione knew he must have just come from Ravenclaw. He and Guoguo Tea were very popular with the girls there.

"Thank you..."

She thanked him quietly, then looked at the giant squid in the lake and could not help retorting, "Gryffindor died a thousand years ago. How could something he transformed into still be alive? They must be talking nonsense."

The moment the words left her mouth, Hermione felt regretful.

Why couldn't she control her mouth? Did she really have to argue over such things at a time like this?

Was her personality really that awful?

Vaughn Noticed something was off about her. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Did you have a fight with Harry and Ron?"

"Uh... how did you know?"

"You don't usually come here to stare into space. You're either in the library or on your way there." Vaughn smiled. "So far, it seems you're only close to us. Other than those two making you angry, I can't think of anyone else who could make you hide out here."

Hermione froze. She had never noticed before, but now that she thought about it carefully, she really did not seem to have any friends.

Apart from Vaughn, the only other two had, today...

The girl's mood sank even further, and she pressed her lips together.

After a moment of silence, she finally repeated what Ron had said about her behind her back.

After finishing, she asked softly, "Vaughn, am I really that annoying? I just... I just want everyone to follow the rules."

She had expected comfort. After all, Vaughn was always humorous, warm, and a little mischievous.

Yet she saw Vaughn nod. "A little!"

"..."

Vaughn patted her thin shoulder and gazed into the distance through the night wind.

"There's a country far from England with a proverb that means honest advice always sounds harsh."

"Of course, it isn't your fault, or anyone else's. It's human nature. People always like to avoid their own mistakes, and when someone keeps pointing them out, they instinctively resist."

At that moment, Hermione looked up at him and suddenly found that he possessed an indescribable air about him.

Words like that would normally sound strange coming from someone so young.

They would make him seem as though he were forcing himself to act mature.

But at that moment, he seemed so natural, as though time itself had settled around him, making it difficult to notice anything unusual.

She said blankly, "But why have you never found me... annoying?"

"Because I like that kind of honesty!"

Under Vaughn's smiling gaze, Hermione's cheeks instantly flushed scarlet. Then she heard him say, "The more losses you've suffered, the more you understand how precious it is to have a friend like you by your side. Ron is still very immature. He doesn't understand that."

Hermione suddenly wanted to ask, Why do you understand?

But for some reason, she felt she might not receive an answer.

There were always things people did not wish to tell others.

For a moment, she did not know what to say.

The two sat quietly by the lake, letting the wind wash over them as they watched the giant squid stretch out a tentacle and overturn a small boat. The Gryffindor students aboard shrieked as they fell into the water, then burst into laughter.

"Hermione, no matter what, forgive Ron for my sake. And while you're at it, help me keep an eye on them."

Hermione heard Vaughn say.

She did not understand. "What do you mean?"

Vaughn smiled at first, then looked somewhat helpless. "Harry's situation is rather complicated. Dumbledore seems to be testing him. Ron following him around makes me uneasy, but I have no reason to break up their friendship."

"So, I hope you'll help me watch them. If anything happens, make sure I know about it!"

Hermione was a little surprised. She caught the hidden meaning in his words and lowered her voice. "You mean Harry could be in danger at school?"

"Not danger. A test, but..." Vaughn spread his hands. "No one can make sure everything remains under control. Not even Dumbledore."

Hermione's thoughts were in a mess. She desperately wanted to ask exactly what Vaughn knew.

But Vaughn had already risen and left with Guoguo Tea. Before going, he gave her several more pieces of Chocolate.

"That's it. Go back and get some rest early, Hermione."

Finally, he turned back with a smile. "Keep it secret, my Secret Agent."

Hermione blushed again, completely forgetting what she had wanted to ask.

Vaughn's expression was calm as he left. He had never considered following the Savior's actions.

The goals he had set for his Hogwarts years were, first, to study Potions and spread his reputation; second, to learn profound Magic and accumulate strength.

With goals like those, he had no energy to spare for keeping track of the Savior's every move.