Hogwarts : Max Level Unforgivable Curse

"Hey, Dylan, how are you feeling?"

After lunch on a rare Sunday afternoon, Neville was surprised to see Dylan in the dormitory.

He watched as Dylan walked in, his hair a disheveled mess, his expression dazed and blank.

It seemed like he had just returned from the library, carrying a thick stack of books in his arms.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Dylan's posture was slightly hunched, his shoulders slumped as he clutched the books. His eyes were dull, and his lips were dry and cracked, with an unhealthy pallor.

Neville blinked. "I mean... you look like you're in pretty bad shape."

Seamus was also in the dorm.

He nodded vigorously.

Even Coal, the cat, jumped down from the bed and padded over to Dylan, sitting down obediently beside him and tilting its little head.

"Moo?"

"I..."

Dylan first placed the stack of books on the table, then rubbed his temples, which were throbbing with pain.

"Do I really look that bad?"

Both Neville and Seamus nodded like mad.

"Moo!" Coal also bobbed its little head.

Dylan gave an embarrassed smile.

"This morning, I was discussing charms with Professor Flitwick. You know how much he knows. During our private session, he was teaching me things that are completely different from what we learn in class."

Dylan sighed. "I seriously suspect that the knowledge he's sharing with me is way beyond what seventh-years are supposed to learn."

"In just twenty minutes this morning, he referenced three books I've never even heard of, along with two extremely obscure journals I didn't even know existed."

"So, well..."

Dylan pointed to the books on the table.

"To make sure I don't struggle as much next time, I went to the library and borrowed all these books."

Dylan began muttering almost neurotically.

"I feel like I still know too little. Compared to the professors, my knowledge is way too limited. I need to read more books as soon as possible!"

"Like this one, *Ancient Rune Charms Deciphered*—I haven't really delved into it yet. And then there's *The Secrets of Non-Verbal Spells*, *Elemental Charms and Natural Forces*, *Dream Charm Analysis*... I need to study all of these as soon as possible!"

Neville and Seamus stared at him, dumbfounded.

The two exchanged a glance, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

Was seventh-year material not enough for Dylan anymore?

Seventh-years weren't even considered young wizards anymore!

Was their roommate planning to cram the entire library's worth of knowledge into his brain in just one year?

Merlin's beard!

You're only a first-year!

And you already want your knowledge to surpass that of Hogwarts' professors??

Both of them gulped.

They glanced at Dylan, who seemed to be teetering on the edge of sanity.

Neville took a deep breath and finally spoke up. "Dylan, you're already working so hard, and you know way more than any of us in our entire year!"

Seamus nodded vigorously. "Yeah! You're doing great, Dylan!"

Neville continued, "I think you should take a break. You've been studying at this insane pace for way too long."

Seamus nodded again. "Yeah, way too long!"

Neville: "..."

Wait, aren't you supposed to help me convince him?

Seamus blinked.

I *am* helping you convince him!

Dylan let out a heavy sigh.

Truthfully, he was starting to realize that his body was still growing, and the intense studying was taking a toll. Even if his mind could handle it, his body and spirit were beginning to wear down.

But...

Take a break?

The moment that thought crossed his mind, Quirrell's face suddenly appeared in his thoughts.

"If I don't use the six major dark spells, my current magical abilities definitely aren't enough to take him on."

And if he wanted to face Quirrell, he couldn't just duel him one-on-one, say, by sneaking up on him and hitting him with an Avada Kedavra to finish him off.

Because...

The guy had two faces!

One in the front, one in the back.

Sneak attacks weren't exactly easy.

Plus, even though others couldn't indirectly trace his use of magic, this was still Hogwarts. Who knew if Dumbledore might be lurking somewhere, secretly observing Quirrell, and just happen to catch him in the act of launching a sneak attack?

Wouldn't that be a disaster?

So Dylan's plan was to solidify his magical foundation as much as possible.

At the very least, he wanted to be able to hold his own in a face-to-face fight without relying on dark magic.

That way, with the wand-coloring charm at his disposal, he could sneak in a few subtle, high-level dark spells amidst a flurry of regular magic.

After all, if he changed the color and didn't show any negative emotions, even if someone saw him casting a spell, it would be hard for them to notice anything unusual.

"Take a break? As long as I don't study myself to death, I'll keep studying!"

Even though he didn't think Quirrell would really pose a threat to him, it was always better to be prepared.

Even if he didn't want to get involved in the main plot, what if he got dragged into it at some critical moment?

So, the more prepared he was, the better!

Dylan plopped down on a chair and picked up a book, ready to dive back in.

Seeing this, Neville pursed his lips, then reached out with his chubby hand and snatched the book away.

"Hey, Dylan! I need your help with something!"

"Huh?" Dylan was taken aback.

Neville closed the book. "Um... remember that Flame Thorn plant? The seedling Professor Sprout asked me to take care of?"

"Yesterday, I ran out of the special nutrients it needs. I have to ask Hagrid for more, but I'm kind of scared of him. Could you come with me?"

Dylan blinked. "Isn't Seamus here? You two don't seem to have anything else to do. Why don't you go together?"

Lately, Harry and Ron had been spending more and more time together, and Neville, who used to hang out with Dylan, found himself increasingly alone.

Since Dylan was always busy studying, Neville had ended up bonding with Seamus after melting his cauldron in Potions class.

Neville's face turned red.

Seamus quickly shook his head. "Oh, I promised to cheer Harry on today. He's got a practice match, and Ron and his brothers are going too!"

Dylan gave the two boys a suspicious look.

The match wasn't for a while yet—wasn't that excuse a bit too flimsy?

But Dylan understood what they were trying to do and smiled wryly.

"Alright then, I'll take you to see Hagrid. We can grab some snacks while we're at it."

Neville looked puzzled. "What snacks?"

Dylan grinned. "Hagrid's famous rock cakes. They're absolutely delicious!"

(End of Chapter)