Chapter 257 Seed Germ
Regardless of recognition, Evan was the most renowned among all Hogwarts students.
He founded a highly successful newspaper, was much more influential than his peers, defeated the dreadful Basilisk, proved Professor Lupin's innocence, rescued Sirius Black, vanquished the wicked Peter Pettigrew, accomplished many renowned deeds, and even managed to alter the views of the wizarding world...
In less than two years, Evan achieved so much that a wizard could not achieve in a lifetime.
Considering his age and muggle origins, it was truly incredible.
Though envy filled everyone towards Evan, they all had to admire his endeavors.
Both he and Hermione spent most of their days in the library, more so than all other young wizards and even more than students preparing for their Mastery-level exams.
Often, a scene could be witnessed: Evan and Hermione seated at the long black table in the library's farthest corner, encompassed by thick magic books or other materials, silently reading and taking notes under the candlelight, occasionally exchanging soft words.
In the tranquil ambiance, a touch of warmth lingered.
The long table was their spot; they usually arrived an hour after dinner and stayed until around ten at night.
When she arrived early, Hermione prepared two cups of unsweetened hot chocolate. Evan would furrow his brow and consume it each time under Hermione's smiling gaze, finding it invigorating.
After leaving the library, they strolled through the dark castle, then returned to Gryffindor Common Room to converse with others, engage in wizardry games, or assist Harry, Ron, and Colin with their tasks.
Evan and Hermione had a distinctive routine, and everyone had grown accustomed to it with them.
However, since the beginning of the new semester, everything had unconsciously changed.
Firstly, due to her heavy course load, Hermione was compelled to rush between different classes every day, leaving no free time. Every night, she started on her assignments in a corner of the Common Room instead of reading in the library.
Evan spent more and more time in the library. He was hardly involved in House activities anymore. Whenever there was no class, he sat alone in the library.
Near his spot, a pungent potion scent sometimes lingered.
Any wizard well-versed in Potions would recognize that the substances Evan took were stimulants, enhancing focus, improving attention, and prolonging alertness.
The materials needed for such a potion were highly valued, and young wizards generally refrained from using them.
Yet Evan was compelled to do so. What he lacked most was time.
He had hit a complete standstill in his study of the dark magic collections obtained from 12 Grimmauld Place and needed to incorporate more theoretical knowledge as a foundation.
Since all of it was the most sophisticated dark magic, the theoretical knowledge Evan needed to supplement was equally profound and complex. He could only read and study in the library during the day.
While everyone slept at night, he would clandestinely retrieve taboo dark magic books and study them to test some of his theories.
With the advancement of his research, Evan's magical repertoire expanded swiftly.
The side effects were becoming increasingly apparent. In the long term, his body would not have been able to withstand them without the aid of magical potions.
Indeed, Evan's recent abnormal behavior had also caught the attention of some individuals.
For instance, the librarian, Madam Pince, displayed a growing concern on her countenance, hinting at her thoughts regarding Evan.
If someone were to take the time to speak with her, Mrs. Pince would be very willing to express her opinions about Evan.
In her view, Evan would likely evolve into a malevolent dark wizard.
Many of the magic books he borrowed were taboo, filled with theoretical knowledge about dark magic or sinister creatures. Although there were no direct books on dark magic after school scrutiny, the frequent borrowing of such books did not bode well in itself.
Nevertheless, Evan had Sirius' approval in his hand. Dumbledore also acquiesced to his behavior, and Mrs. Pince, though concerned, could not say anything.
Besides her, Ron also paid special attention to Evan's behavior and areas of research.
Ever since she had inadvertently discussed Evan with Harry that night, seeds of distrust had sprouted in her heart.
Despite reminding herself deeply that Evan had saved her from the Basilisk and Peter Pettigrew many times before, and that she should unconditionally believe in him; the idea that Evan might be conducting malevolent dark magic research made Ron's strange feelings grow stronger.
It was undeniable that she felt a lot of envy towards Evan, envying him for everything he had.
Ron was accustomed to this feeling. Since childhood, he had envied his siblings, their new magical gadgets, their accomplishments, and so on.
After entering Hogwarts, he envied Harry.
But overall, he was willing to believe in them. Ron's deepest feelings were not so much of envy as they were desires for what they had, power, accomplishments, fame, etc.
But with Evan, he currently felt envy and was filled with suspicions and distrust. Over time, Ron became increasingly suspicious of what Evan was doing, wondering what he was studying, what he had done, even his purpose in saving him, and so on.
Ron knew that his thoughts might be a bit abnormal or even awful.
He was sure he wasn't being affected by any confusing curse. This was his most genuine thought, and the seeds of distrust had sprouted.
Ron doubted for a long time and finally found the answer.
He wasn't doubting Evan, he was helping him. If he was truly studying dark magic, he needed to stop him as soon as possible.
When Evan understood this, he should be grateful to him.
Unlike Mrs. Pince, the librarian who discovered the clues but was unwilling to take any action, Ron decided to investigate the content of Evan's research.
He had discussed this topic with Harry many times, but to no avail. Although Harry was a bit worried, he still believed in Evan. He repeatedly warned Ron that perhaps he was overcomplicating things.
Even if Evan was indeed studying dark magic, he must have legitimate reasons.
In Ron's opinion, it wasn't the complexity of his thoughts, but Harry's naivety. Like everyone else, he was baffled by Evan's appearance.
Since Harry was not willing to help, Ron was ready to act alone.
He would start with a notebook he had glimpsed the other day with a dreadful design to find out what Evan was up to.
Aware of Evan's influence at school, Ron had no intention of speaking or commenting on this with anyone else before investigating everything. This was his own secret.
After several discussions with Ron, he never mentioned it again, and Harry gradually left it behind, focusing entirely on Quidditch training.
He didn't even notice that Evan was deeply impressed with his dark magic studies.
Unlike Ron, who was ready to act, Harry simply did not wish to contemplate and refused to believe it.
However, the seeds of mistrust had been planted, quietly awaiting the day they would sprout.