Roger didn't like lying, but he understood the importance of keeping a low profile.
This wasn't deception—just withholding some information.
When one was still weak, it was best not to show off.
The fewer people who knew about the specifics of his path, the better.
Roger only told Professor McGonagall that he planned to use his foresight ability to predict crises, combined with Transfiguration-based life modification, to extend his lifespan.
As for the fact that his crisis perception was a permanent ability he could use at will—rather than an unreliable, conditional prophecy—there was no need to elaborate on that.
Even so, Professor McGonagall was already shocked!
It hadn't been long since he borrowed books from her. He had only been at Hogwarts for a few days, yet he had already progressed so far in magic?!
From what Roger revealed, his mastery of spells was still lacking, but in terms of pursuing longevity, his approach wasn't unreasonable.
However…
"If you only want to extend your lifespan, given your ability, this path is feasible. But I remember—you want immortality, don't you?" McGonagall never forgot what Roger had told her.
"Yes," Roger nodded.
"Longevity and immortality may seem similar, but they are entirely different concepts—like comparing a paramecium to a wizard just because they're both carbon-based lifeforms," McGonagall explained. As a master of Transfiguration and a former Ministry official, she wasn't deeply versed in Muggle sciences, but she wasn't ignorant of them either.
"Transfiguration alters matter, but life isn't just made of matter."
Roger understood the implication. In the magical world, the soul was also part of life. Not to mention the 'mind,' which was just as mysterious—if not more so—than magic itself.
Even if Roger made his body eternal, what if his soul eroded under the passage of time?
"I understand, Professor. But no one can achieve everything at once. My ultimate goal is immortality, but I must take it step by step."
"The most fragile aspect of life is our physical body. I will solve the issue of bodily longevity first and then handle the rest gradually," Roger replied calmly.
McGonagall's serious expression softened slightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
She had actually been testing him just now, and Roger had passed perfectly.
The worst mistake in pursuing longevity was impatience.
Not wanting to die was a common desire among wizards.
Throughout her teaching career and her years in the Ministry's Department of Magical Law Enforcement, McGonagall had seen many impatient individuals take the wrong path. Many sought to prolong their lives but ended up dying younger than an average person.
It was just like how many Muggles worked hard for happiness but lost sight of their original goal along the way.
Now, McGonagall believed Roger was someone who could control his desires—someone worthy of trust.
She knew Roger was a good person, but being good wasn't the same as resisting temptation.
Like the saying that money changes people—many seemed decent, but only because they never had the opportunity to be otherwise.
Being forced to be good and choosing to be good were two different things.
And so, at this moment, she finally decided to give Roger Virgil something important.
"I hope you never forget your original intentions," she said as she handed him a piece of paper.
Roger's eyes lit up as he saw it.
He had only come to McGonagall to confirm whether his ideas had any flaws, but now—he had an unexpected reward!
For Roger, this was a gift at the perfect time.
[Hogwarts Library – Restricted Section Book Loan Permit]
And not just any permit—this was a blank one, meaning he could borrow any book he wanted!
In the Hogwarts Library, aside from standard books and regularly updated academic journals, there was the Restricted Section—a place students weren't allowed to access freely.
The books there weren't necessarily more scholarly, but they contained dangerous curses and advanced magic unsuitable for students.
The research materials Roger needed for body modification were largely in that section.
…Not to mention, early wizarding experiments on body modification were often gruesome, unethical, and mentally scarring for young witches and wizards.
McGonagall only made this exception because of Roger's unique background, strong will, and ability to stay true to himself.
Still, she imposed a restriction: "No borrowing Dark Magic books. The titles of what you borrow will be recorded with Madam Pince, and I will check from time to time."
"Of course." Roger smiled, knowing exactly what McGonagall was concerned about.
He understood the dangers of Dark Magic and had no interest in emotional magic. That wasn't the path he sought—the true path to transcendence!
. . .
"Harry, don't you think they're a bit weird?"
After class, on the way back to their dorm, Ron turned to his friend.
"Who?"
Harry Potter knew Ron couldn't stay quiet for long. Whenever he was bored, he'd start complaining about his day.
"Obviously, our two 'Ravenclaws' in Gryffindor!"
"One acts all high and mighty, always showing off how much she knows in every class…" Ron scoffed.
"The other always looks like he's thinking about something, yet he can cast every spell perfectly on the first try."
"But he never gets close to anyone. No one has ever gotten him to hang out."
Ron paused for a moment. "And both of them spend all their free time in the library."
"I heard from his roommates that even when he's in the dormitory, he never takes his eyes off his books until lights out… Oh, Merlin's beard." Ron just couldn't understand people like that. More importantly, how did they end up in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw?
"Ron!" Harry frowned. "Don't talk about people like that behind their backs… They're actually good people."
Though Ron hadn't named them, Harry knew exactly who he meant—Hermione Granger and Roger Virgil.
Harry pushed up his glasses and said, "Did you notice?"
"Notice what?" Ron was confused.
"My glasses."
"They were cracked, but a few days ago, Hermione noticed and used a repair spell to fix them."
"And," Harry continued seriously, "in Potions class, Roger helped Neville and prevented an accident that could have hurt everyone nearby. They're good people. Just because they're different from us in some ways doesn't mean you should talk about them like that."
Harry Potter had spent his childhood living in his relatives' home, constantly bullied and friendless.
Now that he finally had a friend, he cherished it.
And he didn't want Ron—the only friend he was close to—to become like his cousin, Dudley Dursley.
In any group, calling someone "weird" was often the first step toward isolating and bullying them. Harry knew this all too well.
"I…" Seeing Harry's serious expression, Ron didn't know what to say.
But someone else interrupted.
"T-Two classmates… students should be kind to each other…"
A nervous, stammering voice spoke from beside them, breaking the tension.
Even without turning around, the musty garlic scent revealed the person's identity.
Professor Quirrell.
"The Dark Arts professor," Harry and Ron greeted respectfully.
But Quirrell wasn't here to talk about student harmony—he had another reason for approaching them.
"I heard… you were discussing… Roger…"
"I'm curious about him. Can you tell me what students think of him?"
There was a strange look in Quirrell's eyes.
Ten years ago, the Dark Lord had temporarily vanished due to a prophecy.
During his time at Hogwarts, he had been fascinated by Arithmancy and Divination—so much so that he even chose to split his soul into precisely seven pieces, a number rich with mystical significance.
How could the Dark Lord not be interested in someone rumored to be a powerful Seer?
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