"John!"
Hermione stormed over, with Harry and Ron beside her, and John was somewhat confused.
Hermione, visibly angry, raised her voice, "Did you know about Nicolas Flamel?"
"Yeah," John replied with a straightforwardness that took the trio by surprise.
Harry asked in bewilderment, "If you knew, why didn't you tell us? We've been searching for so long."
John seemed surprised, "I told you. You didn't just discover the wizard card, did you?"
Harry scratched his head awkwardly, the trio's initial plan to question John crumbling quickly.
Ron, still trying to hold his ground, muttered, "You could have been clearer from the start and just told us the answer."
Hearing this, John's expression turned serious, making Ron feel guilty and lower his head.
John spoke earnestly, "Ron, answers given to you are never as meaningful as those you find yourself. In the process of searching, you not only find the answer but also learn a lot more."
The trio realized he was right, especially Harry, who now could answer questions in magical history class better than before.
Feeling they had wronged John, Hermione apologized, "Sorry, John, we shouldn't have doubted you."
"No problem. But now that you know about Nicolas Flamel, what's next?"
John glanced at Harry's hesitant expression and said, "You don't suspect Professor Snape of trying to steal the Philosopher's Stone, do you?"
Harry, caught off guard, gave a sheepish smile.
After all, accusing the head of Slytherin in front of a Slytherin student wasn't ideal.
John sighed, "The Philosopher's Stone isn't what you think it is. While it's the pinnacle of alchemy and can theoretically produce the Elixir of Life, it's only that— theoretical."
"The body's wear and emotional drain still occur over time."
"Professor Snape is a Potions Master. He knows these flaws and certainly doesn't lack money."
"What reason would he have to steal the Philosopher's Stone?"
John's points left Harry speechless.
Ron thought for a moment and said, "Maybe he's doing it for You-Know-Who."
Whoa.
John's body stiffened as he looked at Ron incredulously.
How does he know Voldemort isn't dead? Could he be a time traveler too?
Ron, feeling awkward under John's gaze, whispered, "I heard that many of You-Know-Who's followers were Slytherins."
After Voldemort's fall, many Death Eaters claimed they were under the Imperius Curse.
Snape being a Death Eater wasn't a secret to some wizards, having been released by Dumbledore.
John was speechless. Ron's guess was partially correct. If Voldemort hadn't attacked Harry's family, Snape might still be a Death Eater. But not now.
"Impossible. Ron, be careful what you say, especially about the head of Slytherin."
John finally managed to pacify the trio.
Time seemed to calm down.
John spent more time learning from Quirrell.
He also didn't forget his Forbidden Forest patrol duties.
Since the attack by the Acromantula, Hagrid had been wary of Aragog's offspring.
He warned John to be careful of spiders, and John took precautions.
From the library, he found a spell to deal with spiders, useful for self-defense.
John made the most of his time, studying during the day, training and patrolling at night, and learning from Quirrell.
This tight schedule was only manageable thanks to his sleepless state, otherwise, he would have been exhausted.
Even so, he felt pressed for time.
One day, he prepared to go to the Quidditch pitch.
Gryffindor was playing Hufflepuff, something John wouldn't have known if Hermione hadn't reminded him.
Taking a rare moment to relax, John was heading down the corridor when he heard the sound of things being smashed.
A first-year Slytherin and a Hufflepuff were being pelted with stones by Peeves.
"Peeves, stop it."
"Little wizard, little wizard."
Peeves only feared Hogwarts professors and the Bloody Baron, ignoring everyone else.
Seeing Daphne Greengrass getting hit by Peeves' stones, John intervened.
"Peeves, you've gone too far."
Peeves heard the voice, thinking it was a professor, but saw a Slytherin student instead.
"It's you, John Wick."
Peeves laughed, making faces, showing no intention of stopping.
John frowned, helping Daphne up.
The golden-haired girl was surprised John stood up for her, given his not-so-great reputation in Slytherin.
"Thank you." The proud pureblood heiress blushed at John's perfect face.
John blocked Peeves, his eyes flashing with danger, and said sternly, "Peeves, you should be punished for this."
"Punished?"
Peeves laughed and threw a stone at John.
Seeing Daphne flinch, John calmly took out his wand, wielding it like a conductor's baton.
"Waddiwasi!"
The stone seemed to hit an invisible net and flew back at Peeves, knocking him down.
John didn't stop, continuing to cast spells.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
"Waddiwasi!"
With the combination of spells, the stones on the ground chased Peeves, hitting him.
Peeves yelped and fled, covered in bumps.
The students cheered, and John, seeing Daphne still hiding behind him, smiled, "It's okay now. Do you need to go to the hospital wing?"
John's act of dealing with Peeves made him a hero.
Even Slytherin students began to see him differently, as someone who stood up for his peers.
Daphne, a usually haughty girl, had a newfound respect for John.
"Thank you."
Her voice soft, almost shy, she sneaked glances at John.
Seeing it was getting dark, John realized he'd miss the Quidditch match.
Taking the injured students to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey had her hands full.
Students had long suffered from Peeves' antics, and it was rare to see one stand up to him. The news quickly spread throughout the school.
...
The Quidditch match ended.
Ron clutched his nose, and Neville was carried to the hospital wing.
Malfoy, with his goons Goyle and Crabbe, sported black eyes, glaring at Gryffindor across the Hufflepuff table.
"Damn Weasley, he ambushed me."
Malfoy fumed, having fought with Ron during the match, leading to a brawl that included Neville and Goyle.
As for Harry, he disappeared after the celebration.
But this didn't stop Malfoy from hating Gryffindor.
John shook his head, "Malfoy, you three couldn't even win a two-on-three fight."
Malfoy blushed, angrily retorting, "If we used wands, I could beat twelve Weasleys and Longbottoms!"
Believing that would make John a fool.
Closing his book, John saw it was completely dark outside.
He needed to head to the Room of Requirement for training, and then patrol the Forbidden Forest.
The Gryffindors had also moved their celebration, knowing the Slytherins would love another fight, so they went back to Gryffindor Tower.
Fred and George were sneaking to the kitchen for cakes, but John didn't expose them.
After all, asking nicely, the house-elves would gladly give cakes to great wizards.
At the Room of Requirement entrance, John encountered Harry.
Harry firmly said, "John, it's Snape. I saw him in the Forbidden Forest threatening Professor Quirrell."