While tensions were rising among the Golden Trio, Vaughn had other priorities, like intercepting Professor Snape in the corridor.
"Professor, do you have ti this weekend? I've got a few questions I'd love to ask you," he said with respectful sincerity.
Snape shot him a cold glance from the corner of his eye and imdiately replied, "I do not have ti--"
But Vaughn carried on as if he hadn't heard a word, his tone still courteous and full of eager admiration.
"There are so many potions whose recipes aren't publicly available, and I've already mastered the basics. You can't imagine how thrilled I was when I received my Hogwarts letter."
"I brewed my first blood-replenishing potion when I was eight. Ever since then, I've dreamt of being your student."
"…"
Snape swallowed the retort that had almost escaped his lips. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if he were trying to suppress so flicker of emotion.
"Sunday," he said, a touch too sharply. "Evening. Don't be late."
"Thank you, Professor! I'll be there right on ti!"
Snape briskly walked off. His footsteps echoed crisply against the stone floor, sounding, oddly enough, lighter than usual.
Vaughn, for his part, was just as pleased.
He needed prestige to boost his influence, and right now, potions were his best bet. He'd spent years building a foundation in this field, and it was finally paying off.
If he could learn advanced potions and expand his knowledge of magical ingredients, he could refine formulas, test his own theories, and maybe even develop new ones. The "Vaughn's Beautifying Line" had already run its course for fa, it was great for making money, but it wouldn't elevate his na much further.
With Snape's agreent in hand, Vaughn strolled happily back to the Ravenclaw common room. The bronze door's logic riddle barely slowed him down. He and Fruity, who currently had a beef jerky strip dangling from his mouth, ended up lounging with a group of older girls and scoring a small treasure trove of snacks.
Later that night, while digesting their loot, Vaughn and the puffball beast wandered out for a walk around the Black Lake. That's when he spotted Hermione sitting alone by the water.
A chilly breeze swept over the lake, sending ripples glimring across its inky surface. A massive squid drifted lazily near the surface. In the distance, a few Gryffindors seed to be tossing it food.
"I heard from Fred and George that the giant squid is actually Godric Gryffindor in disguise," Vaughn said casually.
Hermione, startled out of her daze, jumped slightly. She quickly wiped her face and looked up, Vaughn was already beside her, offering a piece of chocolate.
"Here. It helps. Magically proven," he added with a wink.
His pockets were bulging with candy like a walking Honeydukes sampler.
Fruity, still chewing his at, waddled around their feet, humming with contentnt.
Hermione accepted the chocolate with a quiet, "Thanks…"
Then she glanced at the squid and couldn't help herself. "Gryffindor lived over a thousand years ago. There's no way anything he transfigured would still be alive. They're clearly making it up."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she looked annoyed at herself.
Why did she always have to correct people? Even now?
Was there sothing wrong with her?
Vaughn noticed the flicker of self-doubt in her expression. He thought for a second, then asked gently, "Did you have a fight with Harry and Ron?"
"Er… how did you know?"
"You're never out here. You're either in the library or on your way to the library. Besides, you only really talk to us. If you're avoiding soone, it's probably them."
Hermione blinked. She'd never quite realized it before, but Vaughn was right. She didn't really have any other friends.
Besides Vaughn, there had only ever been Harry and Ron. And today…
She bit her lip, her shoulders slumping. After a mont, she told him exactly what Ron had said behind her back.
Then, in a much smaller voice, she asked, "Vaughn… am I really that unbearable? I'm just trying to make sure everyone follows the rules."
She expected comfort. Vaughn was always warm, funny, and slightly mischievous, surely he'd say sothing reassuring.
But instead, he nodded. "A little, yeah."
"…"
He patted her lightly on the shoulder, his gaze drifting toward the lake, voice calm.
"There's a saying, far from here. Sothing like: 'Honest advice often stings the most.'"
"It's not your fault, really. It's just human nature. People hate being reminded of their mistakes. When soone does it often, they push back without even realizing it."
Hermione stared at him. That kind of insight so clear, so mature, should've sounded out of place coming from soone their age. But Vaughn had a strange gravity about him, as though the world moved slower when he spoke.
He made it seem natural.
She asked quietly, "Then why don't you ever find annoying?"
"Because I like that you're genuine."
The words landed softly, and Hermione's face turned a brilliant shade of red.
Vaughn smiled. "The more life knocks you around, the more you learn how rare soone like you is. Ron's still immature. He doesn't get it yet."
Hermione suddenly wanted to ask how he understood it so well. What had he been through?
But sothing in her told her she wouldn't get an answer. So truths, people just don't say out loud.
So instead, they sat in silence, watching the lake.
The giant squid casually flipped a boat over. The Gryffindor students shrieked, flailing into the water and then started laughing hysterically.
Then Vaughn spoke again.
"Hermione, no matter what, please forgive Ron for my sake. And… keep an eye on them, will you?"
She looked over, confused. "What do you an?"
Vaughn sighed. "Harry's situation is more complicated than it seems. I think Dumbledore's testing him. And Ron… well, I don't trust him tagging along blindly. But I can't just pull them apart."
"That's where I need your help. If anything happens, anything strange, you have to let know."
Hermione blinked. There was a deeper layer beneath those words. She could sense it. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Are you saying Harry might be in danger?"
"Not danger. A trial," Vaughn said with a shrug. "But still… no one can control everything, not even Dumbledore."
Her mind reeled. She wanted to ask what he knew, how he knew, but Vaughn had already stood up, calling Fruity to follow.
He handed her a few more chocolates.
"That's it. Get so rest, Hermione."
Then he turned, glanced back over his shoulder, and grinned.
"And rember… it's a secret. My spy."
Hermione flushed crimson again and completely forgot what she'd ant to ask.
As Vaughn walked away, his expression cooled. He had never planned to follow the so-called "Chosen One."
His goals at Hogwarts were clear: master potions, build a reputation, and learn powerful magic. That was more than enough.
He didn't have ti to play sidekick in soone else's legend.
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