Walton Travers's arrival was like a boulder cast into a still lake, stirring ripples through Hogwarts that refused to settle. His Dark Magic Defense classes were indeed refreshingly different, abandoning Professor Avery's rigid, textbook-based theories in favor of practical application and an analysis of darkness's true nature.
Yet his seemingly gentle light-brown eyes occasionally revealed an unnervingly precise scrutiny, especially whenever they rested on Ares Phoenix.
"Exceptional spell control, Mr. Phoenix." After a practical lesson on breaking minor curses, Professor Travers stopped Ares as he was about to leave.
Tom Riddle halted almost immediately and silently positioned himself beside Ares like a mute shadow.
Travers seemed not to notice Tom's wariness. He smiled elegantly, his gaze falling upon Ares's face—or, more precisely, upon the golden chain-like mark. "Your method of handling curse residue... is highly unusual.
"It is not simply expulsion or purification. It is more like... acceptance and transformation. Such a delicate balance between light and dark magic is truly astonishing." Once again, his words had strayed dangerously close to the edge.
Ares could feel a faint resonance from Eternal Cycle, the wand hidden in his sleeve, as though it had been stirred by the presence of its own kind. "I merely followed the textbook's guidance, Professor." He lowered his eyes, his tone humble yet distant, his mismatched eyes concealed beneath thick lashes.
"Textbooks cannot teach such skill." Travers gave a soft laugh, lowering his voice with a seductive undertone. "Some talents are inborn. Only under the guidance of a true master can they bloom in all their glory.
"To remain trapped in shallow waters would, in the end, be a waste." His words carried another meaning. Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he took a small, exquisite wax-sealed envelope from an inner pocket of his robe.
"Oh, right,