Chapter 53: Analysis and Reflection
"Potter! What did he do?" Malfoy's eyes lit up as he urgently asked. After days of being bombarded with trivial bits of information, he had finally heard the news he cared about most. Whether it was Voldemort or Dumbledore, neither of them could possibly ignore Harry Potter's unique identity.
Noticing that Malfoy was no longer as indifferent as he had been a few days ago, Goyle's expression shifted from contempt to interest. His voice softened.
"Potter defeated Voldemort again and protected the Philosopher's Stone."
Goyle stumbled through the story, recounting what he had heard from others. Fortunately for him, the events surrounding the Philosopher's Stone had caused an uproar. The entire school was discussing it. He hadn't even needed to investigate deliberately—just by wandering around, he had overheard countless details, many of them described vividly by other students. Under Malfoy's questioning, the story gradually became clearer.
"Were these rumors spread only among students?" Malfoy asked immediately. The shocking nature of the news—and the precise details—made him suspicious.
"Not just students. Even teachers are interested in it. They've mentioned the protective measures around the Stone," Goyle scratched his head and replied after thinking for a moment.
"If even the teachers are talking about it, then someone must be pushing this from behind the scenes. Someone is building momentum. Are they all talking about Potter? Is anyone talking about George?" Malfoy did not believe Potter had truly protected the Stone—let alone defeated Voldemort. Voldemort must have been stopped with George's help.
"It was clearly the four of them guarding the Stone, but everyone's talking about Potter. Hardly anyone mentions the others," Goyle said, now noticing the oddity after Malfoy pointed it out.
"Exactly. The school deliberately released this information. Otherwise the details wouldn't be so clear, and even the teachers wouldn't be spreading it. Of course they're only praising Potter—they're building up our so-called Savior. I don't believe he played the decisive role in this at all," Malfoy said bitterly, gripping the bedsheets tightly.
Potter had taken another significant step toward solidifying his status as the Savior, while he himself lay confined to a hospital bed, unable even to witness it firsthand.
"I'm tired. You can leave," Malfoy waved dismissively.
"I'll bring more information tomorrow," Goyle said, feeling the pressure from Malfoy's constant questioning, though relieved that he had completed today's task.
"No. There won't be any new developments for a few days. I'm being discharged tomorrow," Malfoy said quietly, his voice low and weak.
"Ah!" Goyle looked startled and glanced up at him. Seeing Malfoy deep in thought, he hesitated but didn't dare say more. He turned and left the hospital wing.
Only after Goyle had gone did Malfoy begin carefully sorting through the day's revelations. He had no intention of sharing his thoughts with Goyle or Crabbe—that would be foolish.
"The bad news is that Potter's reputation is growing, and so is his strength. Even if he didn't play a major role in protecting the Stone, he did face the Dark Lord." Malfoy had always treated Harry as a rival; he knew almost everything about him. Losing to Harry in terms of ability only deepened his resentment.
"The good news is that the Dark Lord's resurrection plan has temporarily failed. Dumbledore won't be in a hurry to target me. For now, I'm safe."
This was the greatest relief—and the reason he had decided to leave the hospital. Voldemort's resurrection had failed. Without the Dark Lord's immediate return, the threat hanging over him was reduced.
"But how did they defeat him? Even if he was weak, it was still the Dark Lord possessing Quirrell. If I could do that…"
A flame ignited in Malfoy's heart.
His father was an exceptional politician who had taught him many ways to manipulate others. But what Malfoy truly desired was power—overwhelming power. He understood that when the Dark Lord wielded such strength, even someone as cunning as his father submitted without hesitation.
That was why, at the very beginning of the school year, he had sought out Harry. The boy who had defeated Voldemort as an infant must harbor a tremendous secret—one powerful enough to elevate him to the pinnacle of authority.
The troubling part was that Harry had now protected the Stone and defeated Voldemort again, steadily climbing toward becoming a true Savior. Yet Malfoy suspected Harry was merely a pawn—used by Voldemort and Dumbledore alike to deal with his father. He was too weak. Worse still, Malfoy had lost to him in both strength and performance. That was intolerable.
"The situation must change. I need allies. I can't fight alone."
Harry had Hermione and Weasley. Meanwhile, he was left with only the two fools, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Perhaps I should find a way to win George over—or at least keep him neutral," Malfoy thought, moved by the idea. In his mind, it was George—not Harry—who had truly protected the Philosopher's Stone and defeated Voldemort. Harry might deceive others, but not him. He knew exactly what Harry was capable of.
The more he thought about it, the more brilliant the idea seemed. The reason he had been at a disadvantage was precisely because Harry had George's support.
Malfoy did not underestimate Ron or Hermione, nor did he fear Harry. But he knew he could not defeat George. Just like George's imposing height and build, his academic excellence and strength were enough to inspire despair.
The key now was how to leave a deep impression on a student from Ravenclaw.
Harry sat beneath a tree, leaning against the trunk, a thick book resting on his knees. Soft sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns across his face, his body, and the pages. A gentle breeze brushed past his ears, lifting a strand of hair and revealing the scar on his forehead. Unlike the roaring wind he experienced while flying, this breeze was cool and soothing, wrapping around him like a gentle embrace.
From a distance, Hermione noticed Harry sitting alone and felt curious. She walked over and sat beside him under the tree.
"Harry, what are you reading?"
"Look—this is my mum. She was beautiful," Harry said softly, bending over the booklet and pointing at a photograph.
Hermione leaned closer and followed his finger. She saw a beautiful woman with deep red hair and the same green eyes as Harry, smiling and waving.
"She's truly beautiful," Hermione said sincerely.
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