This seems to suggest that the energy consumed in dreams is far less than he imagined.
That's true. Every night, ordinary people have several dreams after falling asleep. They remember some and forget some, but their brains still get a good rest.
Magical dreams simply make this process more organized and conscious; essentially, they still utilize sleep time and do not consume extra energy during the day.
Having figured this out, Herman felt much more at ease. At least he wouldn't have to go to class with dark circles under his eyes during the day while he was having fun with Gori in his dreams at night.
Moreover, I seem to have more time to study, but it seems I can only use it to consolidate what I've already read, just like a book I see in a dream—I can only read the parts I've already read, and I can't create anything out of thin air.
However, if it could truly be fabricated out of thin air, then one should be afraid, as it might indicate the encounter with some strange entity.
Finally, he began to think about the outcome of the negotiations in his dream last night.
He reached an agreement with the Gori.
Strictly speaking, neither side of the agreement achieved their best interests; the Gori didn't imprison him or put him in a nurturing game.
I couldn't banish the Gori from my dream, and to prevent being harassed by an old man every night, I reluctantly agreed.
However, Herman was still quite satisfied with the contents of the agreement, which mainly focused on the benefits he gained.
The Gori teaches him a kind of magic similar to Occlumency, as well as methods for creating and controlling dreams.
In exchange, Herman must study hard and begin researching the Bloodline Curse of Vampire as soon as possible, perhaps starting with dissecting Vampire Monster.
But as Herman lay in bed, his mind was already preoccupied with something else.
Dissecting Vampire Monster? How could Hogwarts possibly allow students to dissect a monster's corpse?
Putting aside whether the school rules allow it or not, even if they did, Gori is currently being watched by Quirrell, attending classes with Quirrell during the day and being locked in the dungeon at night. There is always someone around her, so she will never have a chance to have private contact with him.
The part of that agreement regarding "compensation" was just an empty promise in practice. As long as I pretended to be stupid and denied it, it wouldn't matter how anxious I was in the Gori or in my dreams.
Once I mastered the magic of dreams, the first thing I did was weld the door shut.
When the Gori comes around again, there won't even be a crack in the wall. Let's see how he tries to harass me then.
That's right, Herman intends to renege on his debt.
What's the point of reasoning with a Vampire? This agreement wasn't even notarized. If you're so capable, go find Dumbledore to uphold justice!
By then, I'll have mastered the Occlumency, and I'll just turn myself in! Anyway, Dumbledore can't access my memories!
Besides, the Gori mentions that he was almost kidnapped on the train back then, and that debt hasn't been settled yet. Now, teaching him some magic is just compensation for emotional distress, which is perfectly reasonable.
After figuring all this out, Herman sat up in bed, stretched, and his whole body crackled and popped as if his bones had been rearranged. He felt so comfortable that he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
With clear thoughts, one feels refreshed and invigorated.
After he finished washing up and changed into his school uniform, he opened the door to find people already walking in the corridor. In the distance, he could hear muffled voices and footsteps, probably some grade rushing to breakfast.
Herman walked up to Draco's door and knocked twice. A muffled voice immediately came from inside, "Alright, come in." Herman pushed open the door, and Draco was sitting in front of the dressing mirror, struggling with her hair. The left half was tied up, but the right half was still loose. She was holding a hairband in her hand and looked impatient.
"Stop pricking me, let's eat first, we'll deal with it when we get back," Herman said, leaning against the doorframe.
Draco glared at him in the mirror. "What do you know? What will you look like if you go out with your hair unkempt?"
"Looks like you just woke up, that's perfectly normal."
"Normal? What do you mean 'normal'? How could I let anyone see me with my hair not properly combed?"
Herman didn't bother arguing with her, so he simply walked over, pulled her up from the chair, and shoved the hairband into her hand. "Tie it as you walk, or the cafeteria bread will get cold."
Draco was dragged out by him, muttering under her breath, but she didn't break free. As she walked, she haphazardly tied up the right half of her hair, and it was surprisingly neat when they left the common room. The young lady did have some hands-on skills, she just didn't like to do things herself usually.
Herman was in an exceptionally good mood at breakfast, so much so that Draco noticed.
"Did you find Galleon today?" Draco asked, her mouth full of bacon, her words muffled.
"I'm even happier than if I found Galleon." Herman spread jam on the bread, meticulously covering the entire slice, even the edges. "I slept well last night, and I feel refreshed this morning."
Draco looked at him suspiciously, then at Harry sitting opposite her.
Harry was drinking Pumpkin Juice when her gaze swept over Herman's face from above the rim of her glass, lingering for a moment before she said nothing and continued drinking her Pumpkin Juice.
Herman ignored Harry's scrutinizing gaze, broke off a piece of bread and stuffed it into his mouth. He then casually took the plate of scrambled eggs that Draco didn't like and poured it into his own plate. Draco glared at him, but didn't stop him, since she really didn't like scrambled eggs.
They enjoyed breakfast immensely, and Herman even had the energy to play with Draco.
"How are you? Has the curse been lifted?" Herman asked in a low voice with concern.
Draco's ears immediately perked up, and she said nervously, "How do I look? Have I become uglier or older? I chanted that spell for a long time last night, I don't even know if I chanted it enough. Later I was so sleepy that I didn't dare to lie in bed, I chanted it sitting on a stool."
Hearing Draco's words, Herman almost spat out the bread in his mouth. He managed to swallow it with great difficulty, then looked at Draco seriously for a while before saying:
"It doesn't look like anything's changed, but just to be on the safe side, let's recite it again today. Right, Harry?" Herman didn't forget to drag Harry into it.
Draco looked at Harry intently, wanting to seek her professional advice.
Harry put down her cup and looked at Draco seriously, saying, "Yes, recite it a few more times. I have a few more spells here; you can try them too."
Draco, flustered by their persuasion, exclaimed nervously, "Yes, they have all sorts of spells, I want to try them all! I don't want to lose all my hair!"
"Okay, good luck." Herman stuffed the last bite of bread into his mouth, stood up, clapped his hands, and said, "Let's go, time for class."
Herman paid extra attention in his morning classes.
In Professor Flitwick's Charms, he taught advanced applications of the Levitation Charm. Herman tried it a few times with his left hand holding the wand. Although it was still not as smooth as with his right hand, it was much better than a few days ago. At least he wouldn't fling the wand away with a single movement.
When Flitwick passed by his desk, he glanced at his left hand and didn't notice anything amiss. Clearly, his left hand was already at a classroom standard, or even an excellent level, which fit Herman's character.