Chapter 18: The Dark Lord’s Gaze

Although Roger disliked lies, he still understood the basic art of concealment. This was not deception, merely speaking half the truth.

When one was still weak, it was best to keep one’s strengths hidden. The fewer people who knew the specific details of one’s path, the better.

Roger only mentioned to Professor McG that he intended to use his prophetic ability to foresee crises, combined with transfiguration for self-modification, to extend his lifespan.

He did not elaborate on the fact that his crisis premonition was a permanent skill he could activate at will, rather than a prophecy that worked only sporadically or under special conditions.

Even so, this was enough to astonish Professor McG immensely.

How long had it been since he borrowed books from her? He had only just begun his studies, yet he had already advanced so far on the magical path!

Although Roger’s repertoire of spells was still lacking, just from the goal of longevity, his reasoning was sound.

However...

“If you only want to extend your life, given your abilities, this path might work. But I recall you said you sought immortality?” Professor McG had not forgotten a single word Roger had spoken.

“Yes,” Roger nodded.

“Longevity and immortality may seem similar, but they are entirely different levels—like a paramecium and a wizard, both carbon-based lifeforms according to Muggle science.” As a master of transfiguration and a former Ministry official, Professor McG was not deeply versed in Muggle science but was by no means unfamiliar.

“Transfiguration alters matter, but life is composed of more than just matter.”

Roger understood the implication: in the magical world, the soul was also part of life, not to mention the ‘mind,’ as mysterious as, if not more so than, magic itself.

Even if Roger could achieve physical immortality, what if his soul faltered under the passage of time?

“I understand your point, Professor. But no one becomes immortal overnight. Although immortality is my ultimate goal, the path must be taken step by step.”

“Among all components of life, the most fragile is our body. First, I will solve the problem of its lifespan; other problems will be tackled one by one, slowly.” Roger spoke with great rationality.

As Roger finished speaking, Professor McG, who had been very serious moments before, allowed a faint smile to touch her lips. Within her previous words was a subtle test—one that Roger had passed perfectly.

When it comes to prolonging life, impatience and haste are the greatest taboos.

The fear of death is a thought all wizards share at some point.

In her teaching career and years working at the Ministry’s Department of Magical Law Enforcement, she had witnessed too many impatient individuals go astray. They sought to prolong life but ended up not even living a normal lifespan.

It was like many Muggles who, in pursuit of happiness, forgot their original purpose and lost their way.

Now, Professor McG believed Roger was someone who could master his desires and thus deserved her greater trust.

She knew Roger was a decent person, but being good did not guarantee resistance to temptation.

Much like the saying that wealth corrupts; many seem good simply because they have not yet had the opportunity to falter.

There is a difference between merely being a good person and choosing to be one.

Only now did she decide to entrust that item to Roger Virgil.

“I hope you always remember the sincerity you have at this moment,” she said, handing a piece of paper to Roger.

Seeing the paper, Roger’s eyes brightened instantly.

He had come merely to verify his ideas and see if anything was missing.

Unexpectedly, he gained a valuable windfall!

This slip of paper was like a timely rain for Roger.

It was a borrowing slip for the restricted section of the Hogwarts library—blank, with no book titles specified, granting him free access to borrow any book!

Within the Hogwarts library, beyond the general books and regularly updated external academic journals, there was a restricted section forbidden to students.

The books there did not necessarily possess greater academic value, but contained dangerous and advanced spells unsuitable for students.

Many of the materials Roger needed on bodily transformation were housed in that restricted section.

Not to mention the inherent dangers—early wizard experiments on bodily modification were bloody, absurd, and morally questionable, with incalculable psychological impact on young wizards.

Professor McG made this decision only because Roger had a unique background, a firm will, and the ability to stay true to himself.

Still, she left a safeguard: “No borrowing of Dark Magic books is permitted. The titles of the books you borrow will be recorded with Madam Pince, and I occasionally check.”

“Rest assured,” Roger smiled. He understood her concerns.

He knew the dangers of Dark Magic and had no interest in emotional manipulation spells; those were not the true path to transcendence he pursued.

...

“Harry, don’t you think those two are a bit strange?” After class, walking back to the dormitories, Ron glanced at his friend.

“Who?” Harry Potter knew that Ron found it difficult to stay quiet; whenever bored, he would find ways to vent, usually by complaining about his day’s troubles.

“Of course, I mean the two ‘Ravenclaws’ in our first year!”

“One is arrogant, always acting superior and showing off her knowledge every class... ugh,” Ron sneered.

“The other always seems lost in thought, yet almost always succeeds on the first try in any magical practical class.”

“But he never gets close to anyone, and no one can ever get him to hang out.”

Ron hesitated, then added, “And both of them spend all their free time holed up in the library.”

“I heard from his roommate that even when he’s back in the dorm, he never takes his eyes off his book until lights out... Merlin’s beard!” Ron simply couldn’t understand such people, or why such a person would be in Gryffindor rather than Ravenclaw.

...

“Ron!” Harry frowned. “Don’t talk badly about others behind their backs... Actually, they’re both good people.”

Though he didn’t name them, Harry knew exactly whom Ron meant.

Hermione Granger and Roger Virgil.

Harry pushed up his glasses and said, “Did you see it?”

“See what?” Ron was confused.

“My glasses—they were cracked. Hermione noticed it the day before yesterday and fixed them for me with a repair charm.”

“And,” Harry turned to Ron, his tone serious, “during Potions class, Roger helped Neville and prevented an accident, protecting everyone nearby. They’re good people. You shouldn’t judge them just because they’re different in some ways.”

Harry Potter had grown up in relatives’ homes, friendless and bullied.

Now that he had a friend, he cherished him deeply.

He did not want his only close friend to become like his cousin Dudley Dursley.

In any group, calling others strange often marks the beginning of isolation and bullying, and Harry was sensitive to this.

“I...” Seeing Harry’s serious expression, Ron was at a loss.

But someone came to his rescue.

“C-classmates, we should be kind to one another...” a stammering voice interrupted their mood.

Without turning, the pungent smell of garlic revealed the newcomer’s identity.

The infamous Professor Quirrell, lecturer of Defense Against the Dark Arts, who was currently hiding from vampires!

“Professor Quirrell,” Harry and Ron greeted.

Quirrell approached Harry, not to promote harmony among students, but for another purpose.

“I heard you were talking about our classmate Roger.”

“I’m a bit curious about him. Can you tell me what you think of him as his fellow students?” Quirrell’s eyes gleamed with meaning.

Ten years ago, a dark lord who had temporarily vanished from history, deeply interested in divination during his time at Hogwarts, even crafting seven Horcruxes rich in occult significance.

How could such a dark lord not be intrigued by a legendary, powerful prophet?