Chapter 144, 141. Tom's Capture Plan (Part Two)
"So we went through all this trouble just to catch a blue cat?"
Ian, who had watched the cartoon as a child, couldn't help but complain.
Cedric had never watched Tom and Jerry; he'd never even watched TV. His only memory was of a person named Tom.
"Could it be the owner of the Leaky Cauldron?"
Lynn immediately felt the atmosphere was ruined.
He sat back down listlessly: "Let's put aside the question of who Tom is for now. Let's talk about other parts of the plan, like who our target is."
Cedric and Ian had practiced the modified Soul Seal Spell for so long, of course they knew its effects. They had always assumed Lynn was preparing to deal with a powerful ghost.
However, Lynn's answer surprised them greatly.
"Professor Quirrell!"
"That's right, Professor Quirrell, someone you wouldn't think of as a bad person at all."
Cedric hesitated for a moment before asking the question that both he and Ian had.
"But the Imperius Charm is for ghosts, and Professor Quirrell doesn't look like a ghost at all."
"To be precise, it's a spirit." Lynn explained to them, "We're going to deal with Quirrell, that's all. Quirrell is just a side effect. What we really need to control is the spirit attached to him."
"That spirit is called Tom?" Ian guessed the answer.
Lynn stated his full name with certainty.
"Tom Riddle."
Cedric and Ian were both unfamiliar with the name, but Lynn then said his other name.
"His name in the wizarding world is—Voldemort."
Cedric suddenly shuddered and jumped to his feet.
"You mean the Man of Darkness!"
Ian had never heard of Tom Riddle or Voldemort, but having been in the wizarding world for almost two years, he had heard of the Man of Darkness.
"The terrorist who's been dead for ten years?"
Cedric's strong reaction was expected by Lynn. His parents were both pure-bloods, and his father was a high-ranking official in the British Ministry of Magic, so he naturally knew about Voldemort's past.
Ian's description was particularly interesting. Lynn nodded with a smile, "That's right, the former terrorist of the wizarding world, Tom Riddle, Voldemort, the Man of Darkness."
Ian immediately understood Lynn's meaning.
"You mean, he hasn't died after ten years, or rather, he's not completely dead, but has become a ghost-like spirit, currently possessing Professor Quirrell, and the reason we're practicing the modified Imperius Charm is to capture him?"
Lynn snapped his fingers.
"That's right, exactly right."
Cedric finally recovered from his shock.
"The mysterious man has become a ghost!"
"You can't call him a ghost," Lynn explained. "From what I know, he's probably in a remnant soul state, but he should also be considered a kind of spirit."
"Unbelievable!"
"It is indeed unbelievable, but after learning that he sided with Voldemort, there are many details that show Professor Quirrell's abnormality, such as the large scarf he wears on his head; he always looks listless, like he hasn't slept well; and he used to teach Muggle Studies, but after being away for a year, he suddenly wants to come back to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He's been a Hogwarts professor, so he must know what's wrong with the Defense Against the Dark Arts professorship, but he still taught it. Why?"
"Why?" Cedric asked.
"Because it wasn't him who wanted to teach, but Voldemort. I once heard a secret from Professor Snape: after graduating from Hogwarts, Voldemort wanted to stay and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but for some reason, Professor Dumbledore refused him."
"Then why didn't you tell the professor and let them handle it? After all, we're still lower-years." Cedric asked, puzzled.
Lynn had already prepared answers to these questions before revealing who they were after.
He never intended to hide Voldemort's identity from Cedric and Ian, because even if Voldemort was in poor condition and they were well-prepared, it was undeniably a dangerous situation.
Even if Voldemort hadn't recovered his strength and couldn't do anything to them now, what if they failed?
Voldemort would surely rise again, and at that time, he would desperately try to find out the true identities of Lynn and the others, then launch a frenzied attack and retaliation against them.
Therefore, Lynn had to make it clear to them, because it involved their own safety, and the final choice of whether to join was in their own hands.
Now, he needed to answer Cedric's questions first.
"First, I can't explain to the professor why I know these things. Only by revealing the facts can I prove that what I'm saying is true. Second, the Imperishable Charm was invented by Professor Fawkes, and the process of improving it was something Professor Fawkes and I discussed and researched together. In other words, in the entire wizarding world, only Professor Fawkes, myself, and the two of you know this charm, which is also the key to capturing Voldemort. Finally, I want Professor Dumbledore to approve a reform plan of mine. For some reasons, I must state my position, or rather, offer a pledge of allegiance."
"A reform plan?" Cedric clearly understood that the last point was the key.
Lynn smiled and said, "That's right, a reform plan, a reform plan for Hogwarts, but it's only in its initial stages right now."
Cedric and Ian fell silent. Lynn didn't interrupt their thoughts.
He truly considered Cedric and Ian friends, and even if they eventually became timid about his plan and wanted to withdraw, their friendship would not waver.
One was a notorious terrorist in the wizarding world, the other a student who had just finished his second year at Hogwarts. No one else would have agreed to join Lynn's insane plan.
Moreover, Cedric and his friends were different from Lynn. Although they seemed more mature than others, they were ultimately just two genuine thirteen or fourteen-year-old teenagers.
Or rather, just two children.
Cedric struggled for a long time, but finally seemed to have made up his mind.
"Let's do it!"
Ian had only been in the wizarding world for two years and didn't have a deep impression of Voldemort. Since Lynn and Cedric had agreed, he wouldn't raise any objections and nodded slightly.
Lynn looked at them seriously: "Think carefully. Once you're on my pirate ship, there's no getting off."
After making his decision, Cedric became surprisingly carefree.
"Aren't we all in the same boat to begin with?"
"I was practically dragged onto this ship," Ian complained.
Lynn looked at them and laughed happily.
"Those who were forced onto the boat are still on board, that's right, we're all in the same boat!"
Whew~~~ I was completely unprepared for the sudden notification of the book's release. These five chapters today were all typed on the spot; I wrote over 10,000 words in one day.
First of all, the initial sales figures for today are already quite good, making this struggling writer feel like I'm dreaming. Thank you again to all the angels for your support.
After the release, updates should be more frequent, but I'm really busy in January. For example, I have an exam tomorrow, so I can only update twice a day for now. I'll definitely add more updates after January is over.
If you want to read this book gradually, please turn on auto-subscription; your support is my motivation.
Finally, regarding the bonus update rules: one extra chapter for every 10,000 points of reward, and two extra chapters for every 500 monthly votes (which is almost there...).
Going to sleep now, I have to get up at 7 am tomorrow to take my company law exam.
Goodnight.
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(End of Chapter)