The moment Will saw the diary, understanding flashed through his silver-gray eyes. He immediately realized why Lucius had been acting so strangely: it was because of this diary.
This was almost certainly one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, holding his memories from when he was sixteen. It was supposed to be the true mastermind behind the chaos at Hogwarts Castle during Second Year. Ginny was meant to bring it to Hogwarts, yet it had fallen into Will's hands before term even began?
Voldemort had actually told Lucius to give him a Horcrux? Did he want Will to safeguard it, or did he intend for it to control him?
A dozen possibilities flashed through Will's mind.
But he showed nothing. Feigning curiosity, he asked, "Oh? What's this? Why did the professor ask you to give it to me?"
Hearing Will call the Dark Lord "professor" sent a chill through Lucius. If Will truly knew who "that lord" was, the boy's reaction was terrifying.
A child who could call the Dark Lord his professor?
Lucius studied Will again. The boy had pale skin, delicate features, and cool silver-gray eyes. He was slipping the diary into the Book Trunk he carried with him, a faint smile on his lips.
Despite the summer heat, Lucius felt a chill.
Could this boy really be the Dark Lord's disciple?
No, he had to be. Why else would the Dark Lord have me give him that dangerous diary?
He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Yes. That lord asked me to give this to you."
"Did the professor have any other instructions?"
Will wanted to learn more about Voldemort so he could judge what the man planned to do next.
"No. Those were his only instructions."
Lucius grew even more deferential. He would not dare put on airs with