Hogwarts : Max Level Unforgivable Curse

"Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, Dylan. Do you have any plans?" 

"Yes, I'll probably spend some time further researching how to use Spirit Summoning more effectively."

As the Great Hall was nearly finished being decorated, Professor McGonagall leaned down to speak with Dylan.

Just then, Hagrid walked in through the entrance, carrying a large Christmas tree. 

Professor Flitwick glanced over and said, "Put it over there," pointing to a corner of the hall.

Dylan waved his wand, conjuring several red and gold Christmas ornaments that floated onto the tree. 

"Hey, Dylan, aren't you going home for Christmas?" 

Harry and Ron, who had followed Hagrid in, spotted Dylan and excitedly walked over. 

"No," Dylan shook his head. With a flick of his wrist, a shower of pink sparkles appeared, and a piece of chocolate candy materialized in each of their hands. 

"Avocado chocolate? Hey, I love this flavor!" Ron unwrapped his and popped it into his mouth, his eyes lighting up. 

Seeing this, Dylan conjured a few more pieces and handed them to Ron, who stuffed them into his pocket. 

"Isn't this the first time you've been away from home for so long? Don't you want to go back and see your parents?" Hermione asked. 

"Well…" 

At the mention of this, Dylan took a deep breath. 

When he first started school, he had kept in regular contact with his parents through letters. But as time went on, and with his financial support and various ideas, his parents had started earning more money. Without him around, they seemed to have embraced their "empty nest" life wholeheartedly. 

On two occasions, he had sent letters home with Luna, but days passed without a reply. It seemed that without him around, his parents were thriving more than ever. 

In fact, he hadn't even told them whether he planned to go home for Christmas. But before he could, they sent him a letter. 

The letter started with a lot of sentimental words, and Dylan had almost decided to put his spell research on hold and go home to spend Christmas with them. But by the end of the letter, they abruptly changed tone, telling him not to bother coming home because they were planning to go on a vacation during the holiday… 

"Wow, that's cool! So, we can spend Christmas together in the dorm!" Harry's glasses gleamed with excitement. He wasn't exactly eager to go back to his aunt's house. 

"My parents are going on a trip too, so I'll be staying in the dorm," Ron added, stuffing another piece of chocolate into his mouth. 

Harry was even more thrilled. As long as he didn't have to spend Christmas at his aunt's, he was happy. 

Dylan blinked. "Well, once I get back from the library, we can spend the evening together for Christmas." 

Just then, Ron swallowed his chocolate and suddenly said, "Dylan, are you planning to head to the library soon?" 

Dylan nodded slightly. 

Ron continued, "Then let's go together." 

"Oh?" Dylan raised an eyebrow. "You're going to the library too?" 

Had Ron been possessed or something? Not only was he voluntarily going to the library, but he was doing it right before the holidays? 

After Professor McGonagall and the Weasley twins left, Ron lowered his voice and said, "Remember what Hagrid said about Nicolas? We're going to the library to find out who he is." 

Dylan suddenly understood. 

Just as Hagrid was about to leave, he overheard Ron's words and his eyes widened. 

"You're still trying to figure that out? Oh, no! You don't need to know what Fluffy is guarding." 

Hermione lifted her chin. "Well, if you won't tell us, we'll just have to find out for ourselves." 

Hagrid's face tightened. "You know I can't tell you that." 

"Then at least tell us who this Nicolas is," Harry pressed. 

Hagrid remained silent. 

"It's fine. The Hogwarts library is huge. We'll find out on our own!" Hermione turned and walked out. 

Harry and Ron quickly followed. 

Hagrid watched them go, looking exasperated. 

Those Gryffindor lions were always so stubborn! 

Turning to Dylan, who was still there, Hagrid nervously glanced around and whispered, "Tell me you've kept that secret, right?" 

Dylan smiled. "Of course." 

Hagrid sighed in relief. 

Dylan reassured him, "Don't worry, their curiosity will fade soon." 

"Oh, I hope so," Hagrid muttered.

Dylan followed Harry and the others to the library but quietly immersed himself in his own book. Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione, and Ron huddled together, having gathered a large stack of books, meticulously searching for any information about Nicolas Flamel. Unsurprisingly, they found nothing.

By the time the evening feast rolled around, they still hadn't made any progress. After dinner, Hermione left to go home for Christmas. Harry and Ron, along with the other young witches and wizards, were having a great time, completely forgetting Hermione's earlier reminders. Not a single one of them seemed interested in figuring out who Nicolas Flamel really was.

Dylan, however, didn't join in the games and festivities in the common room. Instead, after returning to his dormitory to put his things away and feed Coal (his pet), he grabbed his notebook and headed to Professor Flitwick's office. Although the students were on break for Christmas, most of the professors had stayed at Hogwarts, which made it easier for Dylan to seek extra lessons.

"Ah, Dylan! Come in and warm yourself by the fire," Professor Flitwick greeted him warmly. The fireplace in the office was crackling with bright orange flames, filling the room with a cozy heat. As Dylan stepped inside, he immediately felt the temperature rise.

"What brings you here?" Professor Flitwick asked, looking up from the book he was reading.

"Well, Professor, do you remember what I mentioned during our tutoring session earlier today?" Dylan asked as he approached.

Professor Flitwick thought for a moment. "You mean… the matter regarding counter-curses?"

"Exactly," Dylan nodded slightly. "I was hoping you could teach me Defense Against the Dark Arts, starting with the counter-curse for Fiendfyre."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts…" Professor Flitwick paused, then frowned slightly as he looked at Dylan. "If I recall correctly, Professor Quirrell hasn't covered Fiendfyre in class, has he?"

Dylan smiled. "No, he hasn't. You know how poor the quality of his teaching is. I've had to try teaching myself Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the textbooks don't cover much. That's why I came to ask you for help."

(End of Chapter)