Compromises
The curiosity emanating from their fellow Gryffindors was palpable, even outweighing their reservations against their group after they lost so many points. Being the only Gryffindors who had already experienced the new lesson with Professor Ward, they found themselves encircled by eager classmates, hungering for details. Amidst the bustling crowd, Daphne seemed to blend into the background, her presence fading into insignificance. It was Ron who took the lead, relishing the opportunity to boast to their Gryffindor peers with a vivid account of their triumph over Malfoy and his squad. With animated gestures and descriptive details, he ensured that no one missed a single moment.
Meanwhile, Atlas yearned for the lunch period to pass swiftly. Seeking a moment of respite from the clamor, he discreetly excused himself, hoping to find some quiet in the restroom until the initial wave of inquiries subsided. However, his plans took an unexpected turn when he noticed Daphne trailing behind him.
Caught off guard, Atlas realized that Daphne had misinterpreted the situation, assuming that they were required to stick together at all times. With a mix of amusement and exasperation, he gently reassured her that Professor Ward's instructions were unlikely to extend to such trivial matters. It took some persuasive words and a touch of humor to convince Daphne to let go of her inclination to accompany him on this particular journey.
As Atlas stepped into the bathroom, he immediately reached for the Marauder's Map, his curiosity driving him to seek answers about Quirrell's whereabouts. With a flick of his wand, the parchment revealed the map of Hogwarts. To his surprise, Quirrell's name appeared not in his bedroom but rather in his office.
This revelation suggested that Quirrell possessed enough vigor to engage in some sort of work. He contemplated the possible reasons behind Quirrell's actions, but he thought he might have too little information.
A sudden realization struck Atlas like a bolt of lightning. Quirrels' behavior might be his responsibility. It all started to make sense. He had blackmailed Voldemort to compile all his knowledge regarding black magic, souls, and horcruxes. Voldemort was renowned as the most accomplished dark wizard of all time, surpassing even the infamous Grindelwald. Compiling such vast knowledge would undoubtedly require time, and perhaps the mere ten days he was given proved insufficient to compile everything while also holding lectures. Alternatively, the strain of Voldemort's power on his host might have weakened Quirrell, necessitating a replenishment of his strength. Yet this theory failed to explain why Quirrell was in his office instead of venturing into the forbidden forest to hunt unicorns.
A jolt of fear shot through Atlas as he suddenly remembered the pending detention they owed Malfoy. If Quirrell indeed ventured into the forest early, their group might be coerced into searching for Voldemort, potentially leading to a disastrous outcome. Just as panic began to settle in, his attention was diverted by the unexpected appearance of Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Quidditch team captain, entering Quirrell's office. This unforeseen development shattered his previous assumptions and raised a host of new questions.
His mind raced, desperately searching for plausible explanations, until the next lesson with Professor Ward arrived and he reunited with his group. As the class settled in, Professor Ward began his explanation about house-elf magic and kobold magic, delving into the reasons behind their remarkable proficiency in spellcasting without the need for a wand. Atlas tried to listen, but his thoughts always returned to Voldemort.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, Atlas remembered the decision to stay behind and seek Professor Ward's insight regarding the elusive research on the wizard genome.
Approaching Professor Ward with the question about the research papers, he noticed a rare smile grace the professor's lips as he stroked his graying beard. Professor Ward's eyes twinkled with a blend of wisdom and amusement as he responded, "It seemed that someone finally dared to ask questions. Admirable indeed. I will give you the research papers tomorrow after our Warmagic lesson, but I have to warn you that there are some people who go to great lengths to make this research disappear. So you shouldn't distribute the papers to others, or you might get targeted too."
Atlas didn't really care about some pureblood supremists trying to silence him. As long as he was in Hogwarts, Dumbledore would protect him from outside forces, or there would have been far more deaths in Hogwarts than just Myrthle, who died 50 years ago, when Dumbledore hadn't even been the headmaster. It might be a bit naive, but after seeing Voldemort's power firsthand and knowing that Dumbledore was able to protect all his students even when Voldemort was at his peak in the first war, it caused him to think that nothing bad would happen to him. At least not in the short time he planned to stay in this universe.
Thinking about it for a moment led him to another question, "If it's so perilous, Professor, why did you mention it in our first lesson? Did you not endanger all the students and yourself as well?"
The question evoked a boisterous laughter from Professor Ward, leaving Atlas bewildered, his brows furrowing in confusion. The professor composed himself before responding, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Listen closely, boy. Knowing about this research won't make you a target. Otherwise, half of the high society would be in danger. As long as you refrain from distributing the papers, you are safe. And as for myself, well, let's just say no one would dare to target me. You see, while Voldemort rightfully feared Dumbledore, if you were to ask a Death Eater to choose between battling me and challenging Dumbledore, ninety-nine percent would opt to face Dumbledore. Do you know why?"
Atlas pondered the question, his mind working through the possibilities. It was almost certain that fighting Dumbledore would end in defeat unless Voldemort himself was present. So, why would anyone willingly choose to face Dumbledore over Professor Ward? Atlas had a hunch, but the implications of his realization prevented him from speaking his thoughts aloud. Accusing his professor of being a ruthless killer wouldn't bode well.
"No, sir, I don't know," Atlas finally replied, noticing a tinge of disappointment flicker across Professor Ward's face.
With a cold, serious expression, the professor continued, "It's because Dumbledore is too soft. While he would capture you, perhaps with a touch of roughness, he would ensure your survival. Morals in a fight are a luxury reserved for the unbeatable. Although I may lack the same level of skill as your esteemed headmaster, I'm not too much behind and I do not hesitate to annihilate my enemies. You see, in my years of experience, I have learned that people don't fear power; they fear death. So, rest assured, the last individuals who attempted to silence me perished decades before your birth."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, he ended the discussion, and his back started to magically pack itself. Atlas's squad patiently waited for him outside, though Ron couldn't help but voice his impatience, pestering his teammates about the delay.
An hour later, they found themselves on the training field once again with Professor Ward. Each group received detailed notes highlighting their shortcomings from the previous mock battles, which they were expected to study before engaging in further combat. Atlas felt a tinge of frustration as he read through the professor's criticisms. The first point addressed his tendency to take on too much responsibility as a defender, neglecting to share the burden equally with Neville. While it may have worked in short bursts, the note cautioned that it would drain his stamina and render him ineffective in prolonged battles. Professor Ward also highlighted Daphne's tactic of sidestepping, dubbing it a double-edged sword and a risky maneuver against more skilled opponents. The only commendation given was for their attentiveness to their leader's command and Harry's precise timing in taking down Crabbe and Goyle.
Reading about their failures in such detail proved to be a humbling experience. They had felt a sense of accomplishment after their swift victory against Malfoy's squad, but it was evident that Professor Ward intended to prepare them for adversaries who would not be easily defeated. Glancing at the other groups, Atlas noticed similar expressions of disappointment as they too received pages of criticism detailing their mistakes. However, Professor Ward wasted no time in allowing them to wallow in their shortcomings, swiftly moving on to the next set of battles.
Although they managed to overcome another Slytherin squad, the fight proved to be more challenging and prolonged. They knew all too well that another essay would be awaiting them, highlighting a fresh set of failures. Each error was glaringly apparent, such as failing to warn squad members behind them of an approaching breaker spell and other similar lapses in coordination, which almost cost them a member or two.
Before the last battle finished, the third-year Slytherins and Hufflepuffs were already gathering at the training field.
As the lesson finally came to an end, a new predicament unfolded among the students. The question loomed before them: what should they do with their free time? Atlas and Hermione naturally gravitated toward the library, with Neville, under Hermione's persuasive influence, agreeing to join them. Ron, on the other hand, vehemently protested the idea, while Harry had Quidditch training that demanded his attention. To complicate matters further, Daphne announced that she needed to visit Madam Pomfrey for her medication.
The group's bickering came to a halt as their focus shifted to Daphne, concern etching their faces. She quickly reassured them, explaining that it was merely a hereditary condition, requiring regular potions intake. Madam Pomfrey supplied her with a weekly provision every Monday. After this explanation, they reached a compromise. They decided to make a quick visit to the library to borrow some books before heading to the infirmary. Finally, they would go to Harry's Quidditch practice.
It would be an understatement to say that Wood was unamused by the presence of a Slytherin in their training. However, when the squad confronted him, suggesting they could practice without Harry or he could work out a deal with Professor Ward, he reluctantly accepted Daphne's presence. Working on their homework from the stands proved to be a tiresome task. Atlas felt as if they were only accomplishing half the work in double the time, secretly cursing Professor Ward for their forced togetherness. What was the purpose behind it all? Was it to foster a better understanding among them, enabling them to fight as a more unified team? Or was there some other reason, one that eluded him entirely?
The following day brought some reprieve as the entire Quidditch team was now involved in Warmagic lessons at different times, necessitating the cancellation of training. Atlas and Hermione seized this opportunity to convince the group to spend their time in the library. Meanwhile, Ethan's group had also expanded, welcoming three additional Ravenclaw girls to their table. After a brief discussion, they agreed to study together as one large group.
Beside the research regarding the Wizard genome Atlas received from Professor Ward, the knowledge that the heroes' buff didn't weaken even after twelve people studied together was the most important thing he learned that day.
However, the research paper on the Wizard genome, provided by Professor Ward, presented a whole new challenge. It detailed the specific chromosome responsible for magical abilities and the stark differences between a wizard's genome and that of a non-magical human. Yet, Atlas soon realized that simply knowing such a difference existed wasn't enough to be useful in another universe. He needed precise information on the exact sequences of base pairs and their locations. With each chromosome boasting 140 million base pairs, and his requirement to remember a mere 400 thousand, the task seemed overwhelmingly unrealistic. Even considering encapsulating the memories using occlumency, the endeavor would likely take months of unwavering dedication.
The uncertainty of whether future universes would possess the technological means to modify his genes made the prospect of investing so much time and effort in such research considerably less appealing.
After a grueling week of compromises, they were finally granted a reprieve from their task of staying together until the weekend concluded. The week had been a test of patience for everyone involved, and although Daphne bore the brunt of the restrictions, Atlas couldn't deny that he himself had been particularly annoyed by the arrangement. He was not accustomed to constantly having someone around, let alone people he barely knew like Daphne. It hindered his ability to closely observe Voldemort and slowed down his studies. Throughout the week, the only notable observation he made was that Voldemort seemed to spend most of his time in his office. Atlas was unsure if Flint had paid him another visit, but his monitoring of Flint on the Marauder's Map proved equally fruitless.
The entire situation left Atlas in a state of inner conflict. Should he be happy about the arrival of the researchers this weekend or should he cancel the meeting to dedicate his time to observing Voldemort and Flint on the Marauder's Map? The thought of gathering valuable information about Voldemort's activities was enticing, but he also knew that feigning illness to avoid the meeting would result in Hermione doting on him for the entire weekend. It was an appealing prospect, as her care and attention had their own undeniable charm.
After carefully weighing his options, Atlas came to a pragmatic and sensible decision. He realized that trading a guaranteed and potentially fruitful meeting with the researchers for the uncertain outcome of observing Voldemort and Flint on the map would be a foolish choice, without even weighing in the possibility of not being able to observe them because of Hermione.
Author Note:
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
It's somewhat disheartening that I can't delve too deeply into the squad and their warmagic lessons. While it would be enjoyable to explore the perspectives of other characters, it wouldn't significantly progress the plot. Therefore, I will refrain from delving into those aspects too much.