"My name is Quirinus Quirrell. By the time you read this letter, I will already be dead..."
The very first sentence made Zhang Xiao's hair stand on end. He almost threw the scrap of parchment away. Forcing down his fear and unease, he continued reading:
"If anyone has found the diary I wrote, then my plan must have failed in the end...
What follows will lay bare my pain and despair. I only want to prove that I did not give in..."
A plan? What plan?
Zhang Xiao instinctively slowed his breathing and read on with rapt attention.
"My thanks to my friend, Richard Bentall. It was his advice that allowed me to hold on until now.
September 26, 1990. Overcast.
Wonderful! Headmaster Dumbledore approved of my paper. He thought my research into the theory of Defence Against the Dark Arts was outstanding!
Unbelievable! I have earned the recognition of the greatest white wizard of our age!
Today, he also gave me some tremendous news.
I am going to teach Dark Magic Defense Class! Merlin! This... this is everything I have ever dreamed of!
No, theory alone will not satisfy the students. I need to gain some practical experience... You can do it, Quirrell! This is your first step toward making a name for yourself in the wizarding world!"
Who was Richard Bentall? Zhang Xiao tried to recall the famous wizards of modern times, but drew a complete blank.
The first sheet offered little useful information, so he picked up the second.
"For the first stop on my journey, I must visit some friends. I have to say, these Muggles' imaginations far exceeded my expectations. They are neither ignorant nor inferior.
I am grateful for Muggle Studies. It was teaching that subject that made me set aside my arrogance and