The Horcrux Coordinates Emerge

Jumping onto the treetop, hands clasped behind his back, Harry was about to indulge in some emotional reflection when he directly spotted Quirrell's figure.

Neither Dobby nor Squid Cthulhu had sent any feedback.

His fists clenched.

The power of [Righteous Qi] and the [Killing Curse] converged in his fists.

The [Hide and Seek] skill erased the outline of his body and the aura leaking from him.

"It's not him."

His fist was already an inch from the back of Quirrell's head, stopping in an instant.

The wind of the punch and the sound of his voice were both nullified.

The righteous execution was aborted, following Harry's discovery.

--Good thing he hadn't loaded the [Crack-Ass Force].

"Quirrell" continued creeping forward furtively.

Harry circled around him openly to observe, but "Quirrell" didn't notice.

"No flaws, the magical aura is the same too. It's not just an external disguise. The only thing that could achieve this level of perfection is... [Polyjuice Potion]."

"Who could you be?"

A [Boggart], with its mere [Black Iron] rank [Fear Reading], became the bridge for Harry to invade the mind of this "Quirrell" before him.

"Lucius Malfoy, when did this happen?"

Harry no longer concealed his voice.

[Ding ding ding!...[Save the Pointy-Faced Finance Minister]...Reward: Bronze Magic Knowledge·1]

"Quirrell" turned his head, his eyes vacant, and the wand he whipped out in a flash emitted a green light, "Avada Kedavra!"

"Interesting."

A pale, broad hand blocked the green light that would kill on contact, producing only a series of sputtering explosions, and the next moment it was already at "Quirrell's" neck.

The wand was sent flying with a crack, and an arm with perfectly defined muscle lines held "Quirrell" aloft.

The power of [Finite Incantatem] and [Righteous Qi] gathered in his palm.

The magic of the [Polyjuice Potion] was treated as [Monsters and Demons] and directly erased.

"Quirrell's" face melted like wax, then reshaped into another visage as if time had reversed, platinum-blonde hair squeezing out from the turban.

A pointed face, pale gray eyes, a receding hairline—it was unmistakably Lucius Malfoy.

"When you see Draco again, you'd better advise him not to use hair wax anymore. Going bald young like you isn't a good look."

Just as his mind recovered, Lucius Malfoy heard these words.

The iron-clamp-like hand released his neck, and he landed on the muddy ground with a thud.

"It's a water quality issue. Harry Potter!" he answered instinctively, then startled himself. Forgetting his embarrassment, he patted his rear and stood up, "Where is this?"

"As far as I know, a victim of the [Imperius Curse] is like their soul leaving their body, watching themselves act according to the caster's commands, with a joy emanating from the heart that makes them sink into self-indulgence, abandon thought, and forget worry."

"You're quite right, but that person's [Imperius Curse] was more sophisticated. Before you acted, I genuinely believed I was Quirinus Quirrell. I was going to kill... I don't remember."

"A command that vanishes the moment you realize who you are, along with the memory. The only one capable of that and willing to target you is your old master. But... killing someone in the Forbidden Forest..."

"The Dark Lord!" Lucius Malfoy stumbled.

"You just need to go find Dumbledore immediately."

Harry wanted to ask more, but his name had already been mentioned by Dobby, and he felt the connection.

Under Lucius Malfoy's astonished gaze, Harry lifted his right foot as if stepping onto an invisible staircase, and the next moment, he vanished into thin air.

"What's wrong, Dobby?"

Harry landed in the posture of descending stairs, looking around. He and Dobby were in an empty classroom.

Even here, he could smell the pumpkin aroma wafting everywhere because of Halloween.

A Hufflepuff dressed as a mummy walked past the classroom.

"Professor Quirrell left the castle through the Floo Network. Now he's back." Dobby said hurriedly.

"I see."

Harry tapped the table.

Voldemort's plan was simple and crude—have the traitor Old Malfoy create chaos while he himself found an opportunity to seize the [Philosopher's Stone].

And punish Old Malfoy in the process.

Harry had also considered the possibility that Voldemort might use the Floo Network to go to an unknown location, then set out from that unknown location to the Forbidden Forest.

The Forbidden Forest bordered Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.

And in the village of Hogsmeade, there was another Dumbledore—Aberforth Dumbledore.

In his student days, he was a Dou King who used his wand instead of words and defended everything through duels—one who could go toe-to-toe with Grindelwald, the master of the gray forces in the magical world at the Hog's Head Inn.

Aberforth only seemed to have fallen out with his brother Albus. When Voldemort once came to Hogwarts seeking a position, the information about the Death Eaters accompanying him was leaked by Aberforth.

In fact, Aberforth was also one of the founders of the Order of the Phoenix.

Even Voldemort, having lost his physical body, plus Quirrell, was no match for Aberforth.

But Harry hadn't expected Voldemort to strike directly at Old Malfoy.

—Who was the real target? Hagrid? Me?

—If the target is me, then he must have other plans to create chaos.

"I can only counter his moves as they come?" A flicker of displeasure passed through Harry's eyes.

Knock knock—

A Snowy Owl pecking at the glass window fluttered its wings and appeared.

Harry waved his hand, and as the window opened, the Snowy Owl flew in front of him, extending its furry little leg.

"A letter from Hagrid?" Harry took the note and unfolded it.

[Dear Harry: This little one is your belated birthday gift. It's a pity our first meeting wasn't on your birthday.]

[I was wondering if you'd be free to come have tea with me here.]

[-----Hagrid]

[Ding ding ding! A loyal bird has arrived by the Savior Lord's side. How can we let a loyal bird shed blood and tears again? Please use your magical knowledge to transform it. Rewards will be given based on completion.]

"So, you're Hedwig?"

The furrow between Harry's brows finally relaxed.

He extended his finger, and Hedwig affectionately touched it with her forehead.

This loyal Snowy Owl, in the original timeline, had taken a fatal Killing Curse for him.

The Guardian of Childhood (the meaning of the name Hedwig) died on the day Harry ceased to be a child.

He wouldn't use [Bird Language] to grant her intelligence; he hoped Hedwig's true self would come from the bond between the two of them.

Well, having a pet that talks would be too weird anyway.

Hedwig probably wouldn't be as gluttonous and quiet as Arbok.

"Thank you for the gift."

After parting with Dobby, Harry went straight to Hagrid's Cabin with Hedwig.

"You're always this fast." Hagrid forced a smile.

"What's wrong?" Harry patted Fang's dog head. "Is it Aragog again?"

"Yeah." Hagrid slumped his shoulders. "Ever since school started, his descendants have been—"

"You mean since school started?" Harry was surprised.

He remembered that it was only after subduing Arbok that he devoted himself to craftsmanship and tirelessly went into the Forbidden Forest to maintain the ecological balance.

"Yeah, since the Sorting Ceremony." Hagrid nodded.

"Hedwig, stay here with you for now. I just remembered something." Harry quickly [took the stairs].

Deep in the sunless Forbidden Forest.

Above a wide, misty depression covered in cobwebs.

Harry appeared out of thin air.

A dense clattering sound instantly erupted.

It was a swarm of Acromantulae, each the size of a calf, brandishing their pincers at the prey that had appeared in their web.

Harry said nothing. His emerald eyes shifted into amber vertical pupils.

"Everyone, stop!" An aged voice rang out with a hint of panic. "It's that one!"

The clattering ceased, and the entire depression was left with only tense breathing.

"Where did your descendants die when school first started?"