Encounter in the Library

Folks, I had a complete blockage regarding this work, I really almost abandoned it. Here's a short chapter, but I'll try to motivate myself to get back to writing the book.

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Chapter 36 – Encounter in the Library

"Simon?"

Daphne looked surprised at the person in front of her as she tried to figure out what he was doing there. She took care to leave the common room unnoticed, or at least she tried.

The fact that Simon was standing in front of her with a smile on his face made her realize that her departure had been noticed, and that made her start blushing with embarrassment, like a child caught doing something wrong... well, she was a child and was doing something wrong, but that's beside the point.

After calming down a bit, Daphne began to wonder what Simon wanted. She was the future heir of the Greengrass family, so she didn't believe for a second that Simon had helped her out of kindness.

Throughout the school year, many people had their eyes on Simon, and Daphne was no exception. After all, it's not every day that a Muggle-born enters the most elitist house at Hogwarts and becomes one of the most prominent students in the first year. In her view, Simon was everything a Slytherin should be.

Great talent in different subjects, especially in Potions and Transfiguration classes. A good combat wizard capable of killing a troll on his own. Besides, he wore good clothes and behaved correctly in social occasions, which indicated that he had some knowledge of etiquette. There were also rumors about the huge amount of money he had thanks to a huge inheritance, which allowed him to live a good life.

Perhaps his only weakness was his contacts with figures in the wizarding world. He was very close to Heloise, a Hufflepuff student who had a good relationship with Amelia Bones, but apart from that, he didn't seem to be connected to other important figures. Of course, this was something that could change over the years.

With that, Simon was already seen as a good match for many girls, even some pure-blood Slytherins whose families had been weakened during Voldemort's reign. After all, who wouldn't want a talented, rich, handsome, and kind young man as a partner?

Of course, there was the possible involvement of Simon in the Stargrove family case, but she wouldn't be fooled by news that could be easily manipulated. Instead of serving as a pawn, Daphne preferred to check certain matters for herself and only then give her opinion.

"What do you want?" While looking at Simon guardedly, Daphne saw him just smile slightly as if mocking her defensive posture.

Daphne felt Simon's eyes wandering over her and then around the surrounding area as if looking for anyone else. She tightened her wand grip, but at no time did Simon show any sign of nervousness or fear; it was as if, in his view, Daphne wasn't worth his vigilance.

And that was true. Simon really didn't feel afraid when stared at by the girl in front of him. In fact, although Simon could still be considered weak against the wizards of this world, if he decided to use his alchemy, he could get out of several battles without much effort.

Currently, he could already create small oxygen-free zones, causing hydrogen intoxication to those around him. Unfortunately, there were still ways to defend against it; however, inexperienced wizards or caught off guard would still die. He could also surprise them by causing explosions when they thought they were safe. Over time, Simon was confident he could create perfect vacuum zones that would cause quick and efficient deaths.

Looking at Daphne, Simon didn't answer and instead went directly into the forbidden section, completely ignoring the curses that made his emotions go out of control.

As he passed some books, he felt extreme repulsion, but managed to remain calm. After a while, he returned holding a book that seemed to emanate negative feelings to whoever held it and handed it directly to Daphne.

"Blood curses... really a very fun subject to study, don't you think?" he said before smiling and leaving the library.

Hearing these words, Daphne was paralyzed. In addition to the surprise, the curse that incited fear and anxiety to everyone near the forbidden section was still in effect on her, so Simon's words carried extra weight.

"How..." she wanted to ask, but Simon had already left, leaving Daphne alone in the large library with the book in her hands.

Simon walked through the corridors of Hogwarts with a slight smile on his face as he thought about Daphne. He wouldn't lie; the girl had a lot of potential to become a beautiful woman, and that kind of ignited Simon's sadistic and possessive side. Of course, for now, he saw her as nothing more than great material to help him understand blood curses, but no one knows what tomorrow holds.

Simon was a little upset that everything was developing so slowly, which made his mind a bit confused lately. As a saying goes: an empty mind is the devil's workshop. Simon knew that everything he did was wrong, but damn it. That was him, or at least that's what he told himself.

Simon was... strange. He didn't kill for pleasure or fun; it was more because he could. He liked to feel like a god, with the power to decide who lives and who dies. At the same time, he wished to have children and raise them for a common and safe life.

In the end, he settled for the brief definition that he was a sociopath with a sick desire for a family.

"I should go see Hermione tomorrow; out of sight, out of mind. I've kept her and Neville away long enough; besides, I can use this to speed up this damn plot." Simon returned to the common room and then went to sleep while thinking about Hermione. He really liked the character and didn't want to leave her for another.

As for Daphne, well, no one ever said he couldn't have a lover or a pet.