My Associate Professor

"This isn't the whole mission. You also need to watch out for someone. I'm not sure he'll show up, but if he does, don't be surprised. He's after the item in the warehouse."

"Do you want me to help him, Master?" Lucius asked.

"No. You're going to put on an act," the electronic voice said. "Make it look as if you're the one trying to rob the place, not him. At the same time, don't let him succeed."

"..." Lucius was at a loss for words after hearing his master's instructions.

"Anything Dumbledore pays close attention to is a ticking time bomb, no matter who holds it. So stop him. I know it'll be difficult, but you're the one I trust most, aren't you?"

"Yes, Master. Could you tell me more about this person?" Lucius wanted to ask if they could simply stop the man from going in the first place, since they didn't want him to succeed, but he didn't dare.

"He's skilled in Dark Magic, especially the Unforgivable Curses. But he has one obvious weakness: he can't Apparate. That's your key to victory."

"But be wary of him. If he starts radiating a sufficiently dark aura, leave. The mission is over."

"The mission is over?" Lucius asked in surprise. "You mean I can leave, no matter what, if that happens?"

"Yes. Leave immediately, at once, without hesitation. Don't worry about anything else," the electronic voice said firmly.

"I understand, Master. Is there anything else?"

"No. Just one final reminder."

The electronic voice continued, "Don't let Dobby see any more secrets. His fate seems to be leading him toward freedom.

"Don't try to stop it, or arrogantly assume you can change things. Look at what happened to me, and you'll understand."

Lucius had just thought, Impossible, but the electronic voice's final words instantly extinguished the thought.

That was true. Even his powerful master had been defeated by fate, let alone him.

"I understand, Master. Then let me repeat the mission and see if I missed anything. What you said was..."

Lucius was indeed Voldemort's second-in-command. He knew the proper procedure for receiving a mission: the recipient had to repeat the instructions to ensure they had been communicated correctly.

"Very clear, Lucius. I must say, I'll remember your help this time. I look forward to the day we meet," the electronic voice said sincerely.

"I await your return, my Master."

After hanging up, Lucius let out a long breath.

His feelings were complicated at that moment. How could he put it?

He felt the pressure of facing a difficult mission, but also joy at seeing his master change. If only his master had been like this ten years ago...

After straightening his clothes, Lucius clenched his fist, then turned and Apparated away.

The Leaky Cauldron, Room 11.

"Bang."

Voldemort returned and immediately took a silver bottle out of the box. He emptied all the liquid inside, then carefully placed some freshly collected hairs into it. This was his new identity.

He poured in Polyjuice Potion, shook the bottle, and drank it again.

Using this identity, he went into Ollivander's once more and got a new wand. It was already his third visit there recently.

Only after finishing all this did he feel at ease. He waited until his appearance returned to normal, then headed for Hogwarts at noon.

Hogwarts, Hagrid's Hut.

"Hey, Hagrid, you look a little down."

As he entered Hagrid's Hut, Voldemort saw the giant man looking dispirited.

"I went to see Dumbledore to apologize for the mistakes we made, but he wasn't there."

Hagrid frowned. "I thought about sending him an owl, but with a mistake like this, it's best to apologize in person."

"You don't have to do that," Voldemort said. "Dumbledore has more important things to deal with. We can't bother him with our mistake."

"Maybe no one's after the Philosopher's Stone, but..." Hagrid's face was full of worry.

"And there's me," Voldemort said confidently. "I've trained in the Forbidden Forest. I'll protect you from the shadows. We're only going to get a few things that day, aren't we?"

Hagrid nodded, but he still looked troubled.

Voldemort stepped forward and took a long, narrow box from his waist, handing it to him. "This is a gift for you, to celebrate your becoming my associate professor."

"Thank you."

Hagrid took the box and opened it without much enthusiasm. But the next moment, his eyes widened in surprise. "A wand? Good heavens, Quirrell, you... My goodness... I don't know what to say..."

Hagrid's eyes grew moist, as if tears were about to fall at any moment.

"Hey, Hagrid, you're a grown man. Don't be like that," Voldemort said, patting him reassuringly on the back. He liked the big fellow.

"I can't." After hugging him, Hagrid calmed down and said, "I really like it, but if the Ministry of Magic finds out, they'll give you trouble."

Voldemort nodded. "That's true. When I bought the wand, Ollivander warned me to be careful with it. He probably guessed it was for you."

"Sixteen inches, oak. Who wouldn't guess it was for me?" Hagrid said with a simple grin. Then he grew serious. "But I really can't take it. Dumbledore already repaired my wand. I can use magic, as long as no one finds out."

"But your magic doesn't flow smoothly, does it?" Voldemort said with a pout. "You need a new wand. You know how important that is to a wizard."

"But..."

"There's no 'but.' This is a gift from the professor you assist to his associate professor. If anyone has a problem with it, they can come talk to me." Voldemort puffed out his chest and spoke with firm, domineering conviction.

"Oh, goodness. You're too good to me."

As he spoke, Hagrid hugged Quirrell again, crushing his thin, tall frame against his chest. Voldemort was sure he heard his bones groan.

Once Hagrid calmed down, he noticed that Voldemort's face had turned bright red. He carefully set Quirrell down on the bed, then stood to one side like a child who had done something wrong, scratching his head.

"Ahem... Don't be like that, Hagrid. You're a big boy now."

After recovering, Voldemort decided he would refuse to hug Hagrid ever again—even if he had no choice in the matter. He also invited him to help choose a location.

Yes, besides bringing a gift, he had come to build a practical training ground. He had fought to get the chance, so there was no reason not to make the most of it.

There were only so many wizards in the English Wizarding World. If he didn't cherish them and make them stronger, then even if he truly ruled the Wizarding World again one day, who would he have to rely on?

He would never stop making himself stronger, of course. But for the sake of a much more distant future, he had to focus on education.

Voldemort felt there was little hope for the future if they relied on the adults in the Wizarding World as it was now. Their entrenched way of thinking could no longer be changed.

Only by starting with the children could he truly build a different world.

Voldemort had once thought the same way, but Dumbledore hadn't given him the chance.

Now, however, he had his chance, and he had to seize it.

He would use the time he had to create an unlimited future. That was the goal he had set for himself.