HP: The Dangerous Azkaban Professor

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"I really regret it now… all I ever wanted was to learn some powerful magic from him… then expose him… but I never imagined things would turn out like this…"

Quirrell's voice was faint, barely more than a whisper, as his dying words drifted into the chamber. "Sargeras… I truly envy you… your incredible strength… your huge fame… the respect others have for you… any one of those things is something I've chased after all my life… but could never get… ha… truly envy you…"

Quirrell's voice grew quieter and quieter… until it finally vanished altogether.

Just like that, he died!

His eyes were still wide open, staring blankly at the ceiling above, as the last traces of life quietly slipped away from his frail body.

"Was he… a Death Eater?" Harry finally spoke, his voice low and uncertain.

Sargeras did not turn around. He waved his wand with a casual motion, causing Quirrell's body to sink gently into the earth, and replied in a calm, steady voice, "Not exactly… he was just an ordinary man, blinded for a time by his own greed."

The young wizards fell silent all at once after hearing those words. Yet deep down, they understood… it was the truth.

Most Death Eaters came from pure-blood families. The reason they followed Voldemort… well, for the most part, it was because they believed in his pure-blood ideology, convinced it would bring them even greater power and privilege.

After all, in the wizarding world, the size of the cake was fixed. And with the pure-blood families being so few in number, it was easy for them to hoard most of society's wealth and influence. Yet even then… they still weren't satisfied… because long, long ago… that entire cake had belonged solely to them.

"But… didn't he try to kill me once?" Harry pressed his lips together and spoke quietly, "Even though… he failed…"

"That's true," Sargeras nodded in agreement, his voice steady. "If you are asking whether he made the attempt… then yes, he did. But because he was fighting himself on the inside… his actions ended up clumsy and unconvincing."

With a gentle flick of his wand, the shattered fragments of the Mirror of Erised rose into the air, fitting themselves back together until the mirror stood once more, flawless as before. His voice remained calm, like the surface of a still lake stirred only by the faintest breeze, "Not everyone has the courage to resist the Dark Lord to the very end… so Quirrell gave in. But perhaps… from the very beginning… he never truly wanted to kill you."

"Professor… I still don't really understand…"

Seeing the puzzled expressions on the young wizards' faces, Sargeras, for once, took the time to explain patiently, "If he truly wanted to kill you, why bother choosing to do it during the Quidditch match? Wouldn't it have been far easier to act in private? In front of the entire school, with every professor and student watching… even if you had fallen from your broom… your life would not have been in real danger, Mr. Potter."

Noticing the trio looking like they still wanted to argue but were struggling to find the words, Sargeras lifted his wand and pointed to a nearby rock. "For a truly powerful wizard… taking the life of someone who's only just stepped into the magical world… couldn't be easier. So easy… all it takes is a wave of the wand!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the rock instantly crumbled into fine powder, drifting away on the breeze.

"But Professor… just like Professor Quirrell said… not everyone is as powerful as you," Hermione still seemed unwilling to fully accept it. Her voice carried a quiet trace of defiance beneath the uncertainty.

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Granger…" Sargeras gave a slight bow, smiling as he replied softly, "But you mustn't underestimate your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. After all… anyone who can break into Gringotts alone and walk out in one piece is hardly what you would call ordinary."

"But he…" Ron pointed toward the small mound of earth in the distance, his words trailing off.

"Yes… in the end, he still died…" Sargeras followed Ron's gaze, his eyes lingering on the mound of earth. For a brief moment, a faint flicker of emotion crossed his face. "Abandoned… cast aside without a second thought… by Voldemort himself."

As he spoke, his voice lowered into a quiet murmur, like a sigh floating on the wind, "It seems Voldemort is exactly as the stories say… ruthless to his enemies… and just as cold and heartless toward his own followers."

The young wizards all nodded firmly, their expressions solemn as they followed Sargeras along the path, slowly making their way back. Their pace wasn't fast, and along the way, Sargeras even took the time to repair the damaged surroundings, quietly restoring everything to how it had been.

"Ah… by the way, Professor… what about Headmaster Dumbledore?" Harry suddenly asked, "Does he not know what happened here tonight?"

The other two young wizards also turned their eyes toward Sargeras, waiting for an answer.

"He received a message from the Ministry of Magic on short notice… he had to go to London," Sargeras replied casually, showing no intention whatsoever of keeping secrets on the old headmaster's behalf.

"I see…" Harry nodded slowly, then after a moment's hesitation, spoke again, this time sounding a little tentative. "Professor Greengrass…"

"Yes, Potter?" Sargeras looked at him with mild curiosity.

"Can I… ask you a few questions?"

"Of course," Sargeras smiled faintly, his voice patient and relaxed. "I've told you before, answering your questions is part of a professor's duties."

"Well… Voldemort said… that he killed my mother… because she tried everything to protect me from him. But then… why did he want to kill me in the first place? And how… did I survive? Why does he say… that I was the one who ruined him… made him end up like that?"

Harry's words tumbled out one after another, his expression full of confusion. Beside him, Hermione and Ron pricked up their ears, listening just as intently.

"I'm afraid… I don't know much about that, Potter…" Sargeras shook his head gently, speaking as they walked, his tone honest and calm. "Back then, I was just a ten-year-old kid myself… hadn't even set foot in Hogwarts yet… I only know bits and pieces. But perhaps… you could try asking Dumbledore. He always seems to know… far more secrets than anyone else."

"Alright…" Harry nodded, thinking for a moment before speaking again, his voice filled with cautious curiosity, "In that case… what about that Invisibility cloak? Do you know… who gave that to me?"

"Ah… I still don't know about that one either, Mr. Potter…" Sargeras's expression turned a little awkward, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But if I had to guess… I'd say it was probably from Dumbledore. I've seen… an identical cloak hanging in his office before."

"Really, Professor? You think it was Dumbledore who gave Harry the invisibility cloak?" Ron suddenly cut in, sounding both surprised and intrigued.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley…" Sargeras paused for a moment, sifting through his memory, then continued with a slight smile, "That's a rather rare kind of Invisibility cloak… perfect in every way… Of course, it's also possible that this is all just a coincidence… Maybe… they just happened to own two exactly the same. After all… as I said from the beginning… that's only my guess, isn't it?"

"Then… do you think Dumbledore planned for all this to happen?" Ron suddenly turned toward Harry, his voice carrying both uncertainty and quiet suspicion. "Everything that's happened… all of it?"

"No way!" Hermione couldn't hold back, her words bursting out before she could stop herself. "If that's really the case… I mean… that would be terrifying… because Harry could've been killed…"

The two of them turned at the same time, their eyes falling on Harry, who suddenly looked a little unsure, clearly struggling with his thoughts.

"I believe in Dumbledore… I trust him… There must be a reason for everything he's done…" Harry muttered softly, almost like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else. "Just like Professor Greengrass said… we've only just stepped into the magical world… And Dumbledore… as the greatest wizard alive… if he really wanted to do something to us… all it would take is a flick of his wand. There'd be no need… for such a roundabout way!"

"What do you think, Professor?" Hermione turned to Sargeras, asking gently after hearing Harry's words.

The black-robed professor smiled faintly at first, then fell quiet for a moment, as if pondering something deeply. At last, he spoke with a slow, thoughtful tone. "Dumbledore… is a very interesting man… I believe he more or less knows everything that's happening here — and I'm sure… he's well aware of what you're planning to do… The reason he hasn't stopped you… perhaps… is because he believes… you have the right to face Voldemort."

In Sargeras's eyes, Dumbledore was undoubtedly a good man… but that didn't mean he was a saint.

The old professor was complex… multifaceted… and undeniably human. To say he was a good person… was beyond question. He was kind, gentle, and possessed a rare insight into people's hearts. He was without a doubt… the greatest headmaster Hogwarts had ever seen… a man who had poured enormous effort into protecting the wizarding world.

But he was no saint… because he, too… was not without the flaws of human nature.

For instance… his hunger for power had once led him astray in his youth. His decisions were sometimes overly idealistic… even tinged with a certain arrogance. His lofty sense of the 'greater good'… could, at times… blind him to the feelings of individuals… making him appear cold and detached.

And that was precisely the reason Sargeras had never truly liked the old headmaster. Because he understood that feeling all too well… If you were weak enough, Dumbledore would be endlessly tolerant… even if you had made mistakes. But if you were strong enough, then even if you did nothing at all… the old professor would still, instinctively… doubt you… scrutinize you… hold you at arm's length.

That being said, Sargeras still held great respect for this towering figure of the wizarding world… even if the two of them… were not the same kind of people.

"No wonder… all those obstacles, they really did feel like some sort of test… a trial…" Hermione muttered under her breath, her eyes shining with dawning understanding. "But in the end, Vold— I mean… You-Know-Who… still managed to escape…"

"You can say his name directly, Miss Granger…" Sargeras's voice pulled them all back from their thoughts. His tone was calm, steady as ever, his dark eyes looking at her without the slightest ripple of emotion. "Fearing a name only deepens the fear of the thing itself. And with Voldemort's current strength… the idea that he could cast Taboo magic is nothing more than wishful thinking. So… you can call him by his name. Voldemort."

The three of them exchanged a glance, then nodded quietly, the tension in their faces easing ever so slightly.

Seeing the three of them nod quietly, he finally moved on. "Alright then… as for the punishment for your little rule-breaking adventure…"

"Professor…" Ron's eyes widened, his voice full of disbelief. "But we… we successfully stopped Quirrell… we stopped Voldemort from getting the Philosopher's Stone, and you… you're still going to deduct points off for that?"

"Mr. Weasley, and the two of you as well…" Sargeras's dark eyes drifted to all three of them, his voice still carrying that steady, unhurried rhythm. "Strictly speaking… it was you lot… who helped Voldemort get his hands on the Philosopher's Stone… and nearly led to it being stolen."

He raised his hand lightly, silencing their protests before they could speak, his expression unreadable beneath the dim corridor light. Then, meeting their stunned gazes, he explained plainly:

"The final enchantment on that mirror… was placed there by Dumbledore himself. It's a very ingenious piece of magic… combining the power of the Mirror of Erised with a subtle spell that reveals the desires hidden in a person's heart."

His gaze settled on Harry, growing more serious. "Under the effect of that magic, only someone who truly wanted to find the Stone… yet had no intention of using it… could actually take it out of the mirror. So, if Quirrell had gone in alone… no matter how hard he racked his brains… he would never have been able to lay a finger on that Stone. And the same goes for Voldemort."

The three young wizards stood there, utterly dumbfounded, their mouths half open in shock.

"That said… some of your actions during the whole ordeal were indeed… commendable…" Sargeras's voice shifted, the faintest trace of approval weaving into his words. "For instance, Mr. Weasley…"

Ron immediately straightened up, his freckled face full of nervous anticipation.

"Your performance on the chessboard was… very impressive. Especially those final few moves… the courage and decisiveness you showed there… that… is worthy of admiration…"

Ron's face flushed a deep shade of red, but it was impossible to miss the pride shimmering in his eyes.

"However, when I weigh that against your blatant disregard for school rules… I'm afraid I still have to deduct… one point from you. Believe me, the other professors would've deducted far more. I've already been… exceedingly merciful."

"One point? Just one?" Ron was so surprised it took him a second to react.

"Do you think that's not enough, Mr. Weasley?"

"No, no, Professor! Your decision is absolutely wise and fair!" Ron blurted out, his earlier anxiety vanishing completely. In fact, he looked rather pleased with himself now.

"Miss Granger…"

"Yes, Professor." Hermione perked up immediately, hanging on his every word.

"Your reasoning skills are quite impressive, and I see you've already mastered several advanced spells beyond your year. Though… I did notice that you still tend to panic a little in dangerous situations. But I've also seen your progress. For example… when you faced the troll… the timing of your spell casting was executed exceptionally well."

The young witch pressed her lips together, looking slightly embarrassed.

"However… factoring in your violation of school rules, I'll need to deduct two points from you. But… I'll also approve your participation in my practical lessons next term. Of course… that is entirely your choice."

"Really, Professor?" Hermione's eyes lit up with excitement. Until now, she'd only been allowed to sit in on the theoretical classes. Sargeras's decision was like granting her the greatest prize imaginable.

"Of course it's real. Are you planning to refuse?"

"Of course not, Professor…" Hermione quickly waved her hands, her face bright with anticipation. "What I meant is, I'd love to take part. It's an honor."

"That's good…" Sargeras nodded in satisfaction before turning his attention to the last person. "Mr. Potter…"

"Here, Professor," Harry answered immediately.

"Hmm… Potter." Sargeras paused for a moment, his expression shifting slightly, as if carefully weighing his words. There was something subtle in his eyes, a flicker of amusement hidden beneath the calm. "To be honest… I think the most impressive thing you did… was that string of lies you came up with when you were facing Voldemort."

Harry's face stiffened with complete embarrassment. For a moment, he wondered if Sargeras was teasing him, especially since among those made-up lies… he had even dragged the professor's own name into the mix.

"Please don't misunderstand me, Potter… I meant exactly what I said." Noticing the boy's uneasy expression, Sargeras chuckled softly as he explained, "That takes a rather quick, flexible mind… and courage too, to stay calm in the face of danger. I was genuinely impressed you managed it. Although… you didn't really fool Voldemort. But that was only because he's skilled in Legilimency."

"Legi… what?" Harry looked thoroughly confused.

"Legilimency," Sargeras repeated patiently. "You'll probably learn about it properly in the future."

In truth, Harry's performance back then could only be described as quick-witted. Being able to come up with a plan to disguise himself and stall for time in front of Quirrell… that was already impressive enough. After all, at that moment… Quirrell essentially represented death itself.

Sargeras even privately thought Harry carried a few traits reminiscent of Slytherin. But of course, that… he did not say out loud.

"Therefore, Mr. Potter, setting aside the points I have to deduct for your rule-breaking… I suppose you've earned Gryffindor… three points."

"So that means…" Ron couldn't hold back from jumping in.

"No gain, no loss!" Hermione blurted out.

"Alright then. It's still not daylight yet… the three of you, hurry back to bed."

With a wave of his wand, Sargeras gently levitated the young wizards out of the underground chamber and set them down in the corridor. Along the way, he even took the time to lull Fluffy, the three-headed dog, back to sleep as well.

"Just a few more days and your final grades will be out," he said with a smile. "I hope you all have a wonderful holiday."

Escorting them all the way to the entrance of the Gryffindor common room, Sargeras finally spoke his farewell.

"Oh, Professor…" Hermione suddenly called after him just as he was about to turn and leave. She reached into her pocket and carefully pulled out a small, crimson-red stone. "I almost forgot… the Philosopher's Stone."

Sargeras paused for a few moment, his eyes thoughtful. "Keep it with you for now, Miss Granger…"

"What? But…" Hermione and her two companions were clearly taken aback by this.

"Dumbledore will be back tomorrow," Sargeras explained calmly. "You can return it to him then…" His eyes twinkled with quiet amusement, and a playful note crept into his voice. "Besides… don't you three still have a lot of questions for him? This gives you a perfect excuse."

"But… it's the Philosopher's Stone!" Hermione repeated, still unable to believe it.

"Oh, I know very well what it is, Miss Granger. Of course I know… it's the Philosopher's Stone." Sargeras chuckled softly, his tone light but carrying undeniable certainty. "It does not only turn ordinary stone into gold… it also grants immortality… perhaps even possesses a few other incredible properties."

His smile lingered, though there was something deeper in his eyes now as he continued, "But if you stop and really think about it, you'll realize… it's not quite as wonderful as it sounds. At least… in certain ways, it's not wonderful at all."

Seeing the disbelief still written plainly across their young faces, Sargeras went on, his voice slow and steady, as if guiding them through the thought, "With it, no matter how much wealth you desire… or how many years you wish to live… you can have it all. Endless riches… unending life… the two things that mankind has always craved above all else." He paused for a moment, his dark gaze calm yet sharp as a blade. "But human desire… when has that ever known a limit? Own one mountain of gold… and soon you will hunger for another. Live a thousand years… and you will still beg the world for a thousand more."

His eyes grew a shade colder as he spoke, "It forcibly breaks the natural cycle of life and death… endlessly magnifying the greed buried within the human heart. It is a defiance of the very laws of existence."

The young wizards fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in, their eyes lowered in quiet reflection.

At last, Sargeras spoke again, his voice soft but certain. "So you see… it's not quite as beautiful as you imagined."

With that, he turned and walked away, his dark silhouette disappearing slowly down the long corridor, leaving the three of them standing there, lost in their thoughts.

"I get the feeling… Professor Greengrass is always trying every possible way to cause trouble for Professor Dumbledore…" Ron muttered at last, scratching his head, still struggling to understand it all.

"I feel exactly the same," Harry agreed at once, nodding earnestly.

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