"..."
A few seconds later.
Quirrell slowly got up from the floor and obediently sat in the chair Ethan had pulled over with the Levitation Charm.
He gave Ethan a smile that looked more like a grimace.
He had been completely broken in.
Tragic.
The light shone down on Quirrell, making him look less like a professor and more like a prisoner facing an interrogator.
He looked utterly desolate, his whole person gray and lifeless.
"Ethan, you shouldn't be at Hogwarts.
You should be in Nurmengard, the prison for the worst criminals.
Living next door to the first Dark Lord!!!"
"'Their foreheads were flat, and they had almost no eyelids. Even though they were on land, their mouths hung wide open as they panted, as if they couldn't get enough oxygen.'
"'On either side of their necks, folds of flesh gathered together, forming ridges much like gills.'
"'Hmm, this information comes from the Innsmouth Diary Manuscript.'
"'They clearly exhibit traits of further human development, yet show signs of regression. Don't you find that fascinating, Professor Quirrell?'"
"..."
Professor Quirrell had heard so much that he was numb.
His eyes were dull, thin streaks of red spreading across the whites. His brain was buzzing.
This was mental contamination. Pure mental contamination!
Heaven only knew how this brat had found those horrifying books. Maybe evil forces were drawn to each other.
"Dong—dong—dong—"
Then.
A low, melodious bell sounded outside the window.
It was as if the sound had suddenly pierced an invisible membrane. Quirrell jolted and came back to his senses.
Ethan waved his wand, and golden dust formed the current time in midair:
12:01
"Goodness, it's already the middle of the night."
Ethan chuckled.
"It's getting late. I've learned a lot tonight, so let's call it here, Professor Quirrell."
"Y-yes...!"