First Clash with Voldemort!

Meanwhile, Leon hurried toward the Third Floor. The Philosopher's Stone was there—he should still make it in time.

He had no idea what Dumbledore was plotting. From the original story, he could tell that Dumbledore knew Voldemort existed, and that this was all meant to test Harry.

But now, Harry and Ron were no different from two pieces of trash. Faced with such a low-level creature, they had not even been able to cast a single spell.

Harry had nearly been killed, yet Dumbledore still had not shown up.

At this rate, Dumbledore could not be relied on either.

If Voldemort obtained the Philosopher's Stone, he might not be resurrected, but his magical power would surely increase dramatically.

Leon only wanted to spend a few peaceful years at Hogwarts learning different kinds of magic. Then, everyone in the Razor Gang would know magic, and they could rule the Wizarding Society.

But if Voldemort returned at this time, not only would Leon's studies be delayed, but the expansion of his forces would slow as well.

He could not possibly count on those two idiots, Harry and Ron, to defeat Voldemort, could he?

In the end, the task of defeating Voldemort would still fall on him...

His thoughts drifting, Leon soon arrived at the Third Floor Corridor. Seeing no one around, he lifted both feet off the ground and flew toward the left.

The moment he reached the corridor on the left, his body suddenly stiffened and he landed.

All the other doors around him were closed. Only a large door in the distance on the left stood open.

Leon frowned, tightened his grip on his wand, and ran straight toward the open door.

"Mr. Shelby."

Suddenly, a voice from nowhere in the empty corridor called out to Leon.

Leon halted.

The only person who could appear here at this time... seemed to be Voldemort.

He slowly turned around.

Behind him stood a shadowy figure.

Quirrell!

"Professor Quirrell." As his mind raced, Leon did not intend to make a move.

Voldemort still did not know Leon's true capabilities. For now, it was best for Leon to pretend he knew nothing.

Quirrell's eyes were cold, and the timid air he had carried before was gone. An invisible aura radiated from his body.

Leon's gaze swiftly swept across the surroundings. He was unsure whether he could defeat Voldemort.

A well-behaved student's expression quickly appeared on his face as he looked at Quirrell with innocent confusion.

"Professor Quirrell, why are you here?"

A sharp glint flashed in Quirrell's eyes as he looked at Leon, a faint curve lifting at the corner of his mouth.

"That is what I should be asking you."

Quirrell no longer stuttered. He looked Leon up and down. "Leon, what are you doing here?"

"Professor, I heard a student got lost here, so I came to rescue them."

Leon made up a lie he did not even believe himself. He could clearly feel that Quirrell was no longer even pretending.

Leon had to make Voldemort believe that the eleven-year-old boy before him was merely an innocent, ignorant student who had not seen through Voldemort's disguise. Only then might he avoid a fight.

"Let's see, our genius student. If I recall correctly, you have not attended any of my classes yet, have you? Do not lie to me."

Quirrell's gaze made Leon feel pressured, but his expression did not change. "Professor, I am not lying. Neville is missing. I came to find him."

Quirrell suddenly smiled at that. He stared at Leon gloomily as his hand slowly reached into his pocket.

He was about to make a move.

Yet at this moment, Leon was strangely calm. His hand imperceptibly used the Wandless Nonverbal Summoning Charm, and the wand in his pocket flew into his hand...

"Quirrell, Leon, why are you here?"

The tense atmosphere was suddenly broken by a voice. Accompanied by footsteps, a figure appeared around the corner of the corridor.

"Headmaster Dumbledore."

Dumbledore had arrived at the corner!

Snape, Neville, Hermione, Harry, and the others followed behind Dumbledore.

"Professor Quirrell, I just discovered that the Centaurs' tribe in the Forbidden Forest had broken into unrest. Why did you not go over there?"

Snape was the first to speak, directing his accusation straight at Quirrell.

"And Leon, why are you here? You should be managing the other Slytherin students."

Leon paused at that, glanced at Quirrell, then looked toward Dumbledore as Dumbledore spoke.

"Professor Quirrell, why are you here?"

Quirrell's face had already returned to its pale color. He stammered, "Headmaster Dumbledore... I saw Leon... come up to the Third Floor. It is dangerous here, so I... wanted to protect him."

Leon watched the two of them perform to their hearts' content, then glanced at Harry.

According to Dumbledore's original plan, Harry should have subdued the Troll this time, but Harry had nearly been stabbed to death by it.

And Quirrell should have retreated immediately after discovering that the Philosopher's Stone was guarded by many traps, but instead, he had run into Leon.

Dumbledore probably had a headache now.

"Mr. Shelby, do you know that entering the Third Floor Corridor without permission is against the rules?"

Dumbledore looked calmly at Leon, something flickering in his eyes.

"Headmaster, Leon just saved Harry and Ron, and he killed that Troll. He only came here to find me. I was in the corridor on the other side of the Third Floor just now. Leon may have taken a wrong turn."

Seeing this, Hermione spoke up to defend Leon. The professors exchanged looks, and Dumbledore's pupils contracted behind his glasses.

"You mean Mr. Shelby killed that Troll?"

"Yes, Headmaster."

"For Mr. Shelby's brave actions, Slytherin will receive twenty points."

Dumbledore's tone was calm, but waves had already risen in his heart.

Leon was an unknown variable.

There had been no part in his plan where Leon killed the Troll.

And now, he seriously doubted Harry's abilities.

He had thought that, as the so-called Savior, Harry would shine brightly in the Wizarding Society. At the very least, he should have been capable of dealing with a Troll.

Instead, Harry had nearly been stabbed to death by the Troll's club.

If not for Leon, he truly suspected Harry would have died there...

"Enough. Everyone else, disperse. Mr. Shelby, please come with me to the Headmaster's Office."

Dumbledore spoke. Snape gave Leon a deep look before leading Hermione and the others away.

Leon and Dumbledore then passed through corridor after corridor until they arrived outside the Headmaster's Office.

"Cockroach Cluster."

After giving the password, Dumbledore entered the Headmaster's Office.

Leon looked over the rows of books around them. To one side stood a rack holding various magical items, and Leon even spotted the Sorting Hat.

Dumbledore walked to his desk and sat beneath the portraits of former headmasters covering the wall.

"Is this the Leon you once mentioned to me? Another Slytherin student. Very good."

Phineas Black spoke from the wall, his gaze toward Leon filled with appreciation.

"Whenever I see a student with such outstanding bearing, I know he must be a Slytherin."

Dumbledore sat down and looked calmly at Leon. The portraits on the wall also fell silent.

"Leon Shelby, Britain's youngest godfather. In fact, I began watching you a long time ago."