Spy

Just as conflict broke out within the Golden Trio, Vaughan stopped Professor Snape.

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

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

But Vaughan acted as though he had not heard him and continued respectfully, "The formulas for many potions can't be found on the market, and I've already mastered the basics. 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 one day."

"..."

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

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

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

Snape left in quick strides. Even the crisp clack of his leather shoes against the floor seemed far lighter than usual.

Vaughan was happy as well.

He needed reputation points to increase his strength, and at present, potions contributed the most to spreading his name. At the very least, he had spent years working in this field and possessed a 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, refine formulas, and verify his own theories, but perhaps even develop new potions.

The "Vaughan Beauty" line was only suitable for making money. Its potential for increasing his reputation had already been exhausted.

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

After he and Fruit Tea had scrounged a pile of snacks from the older girls, they prepared to take a walk by the Black Lake to help digest their food. That was when he spotted Hermione sitting by the shore.

A wind rose 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 seemed to be feeding it.

"I heard Fred and George say that giant squid is actually Gryffindor transformed."

Hermione, who had been staring blankly at the Black Lake, jumped at the sudden voice.

She hurriedly wiped her face. When she looked up, Vaughan had already sat down beside her and was offering her a piece of chocolate. "Eat it. It'll make you feel a little better."

Vaughan's pockets were stuffed full of candy.

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

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

"Thank you..."

She thanked him softly, then looked at the giant squid in the lake and could not help rebutting, "Gryffindor lived a thousand years ago. How could something he transformed into still be alive? They must be making it up."

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

Why couldn't she keep her mouth shut? Did she have to be so pedantic even at a time like this?

Was her personality really that unpleasant?

Vaughan noticed something was wrong with her. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Did you have a fight with Harry and Ron?"

"Uh... how did you know?"

"You normally wouldn't come here to stare into space. You're either in the library or on your way to the library." Vaughan smiled. "So far, it seems you're only close to us. Other than those two upsetting you, 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.

Aside from Vaughan, the only other two were... today, they had even...

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

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

When she finished, she asked quietly, "Vaughan, am I really that annoying? I just... I just want everyone to follow the rules."

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

But Vaughan nodded. "A little!"

"..."

Vaughan patted her thin shoulder and gazed into the distance against the night wind.

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

"Of course, this isn't your problem, 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 realized that he possessed an indescribable air about him.

Words like that would have sounded strange coming from someone as young as he was.

They would have seemed like he was forcing himself to act mature.

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

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

"Because I like that kind of honesty!"

Under Vaughan's smiling gaze, Hermione's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Then she heard him say, "The more losses you suffer, 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 yet."

Hermione suddenly wanted to ask, Why do you understand?

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

There were always things people were unwilling to share with others.

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

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

"Hermione, no matter what, forgive Ron for my sake—and keep an eye on them for me."

Hermione heard Vaughn say.

She did not quite 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 keep an eye on them for me. If anything happens, make sure I know about it!"

Hermione was somewhat surprised. She caught the hidden meaning in his words and lowered her voice. "Are you saying Harry could be in danger at school?"

"Not danger—a test. But..."

Vaughn spread his hands. "No one can guarantee that everything will stay under control. Not even Dumbledore."

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

But Vaughn had already risen and left with Fruit Tea. Before going, he gave her a few more pieces of chocolate.

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

At last, he turned back with a smile. "Keep it secret, my spy."

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

Vaughn's expression was calm as he walked away. He had never considered following the Chosen One around.

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

With such goals in mind, he had no energy to spare for every move the Chosen One made.