A Ninja Calamity is a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts

Chapter 21: 21: Saving the day...somewhat



The chamber was dimly lit, the soft glow from the fake Philosopher's Stone casting long shadows against the ancient walls. 

Kouchi crouched silently in a hidden alcove, his Sharingan active and observing everything with keen precision. His breathing was shallow, his presence masked by his chakra, making him virtually undetectable to anyone in the room.

From his vantage point, Kouchi watched Harry Potter enter the chamber, his movements cautious but purposeful. 

Harry's wand was clutched tightly in his hand, and his face was a mix of determination and fear. Kouchi had no intention of revealing himself, not yet. His mission was simple: observe and protect if necessary, but avoid being seen.

Harry approached the pedestal where the fake Philosopher's Stone rested. His eyes flickered to the glowing object, a mixture of curiosity and doubt crossing his face. Kouchi could sense the internal struggle within Harry, the uncertainty about what he should do next.

Suddenly, a second figure stepped into the chamber, causing Kouchi's eyes to narrow. It was Professor Quirrell, his presence immediately setting Kouchi on high alert. There was something off about Quirrell, something dark that made Kouchi's instincts flare.

Quirrell's voice echoed in the chamber, cold and menacing. "Well, well, Harry Potter. I knew you would come."

Harry turned to face the professor, his wand raised, his body tense. "What are you doing here, Professor?" Harry demanded, his voice steady despite the fear that lingered in his eyes.

Quirrell's expression twisted into a sinister smile. "You are a curious boy, Harry. Always in the wrong place at the wrong time. But this time, it will cost you."

Kouchi's eyes sharpened, his Sharingan tracking every movement. He could sense the dark energy emanating from Quirrell, a malevolent force that wasn't entirely his own. There was another presence, something sinister and powerful, lurking beneath Quirrell's skin.

As Quirrell raised his wand, Kouchi tensed, ready to spring into action if necessary. Harry stood his ground, his wand aimed directly at the professor. The tension in the chamber was palpable, the air thick with impending conflict.

"I won't let you take the stone," Harry declared, his voice filled with resolve. "Whatever you're planning, it won't work."

Quirrell laughed, a harsh, grating sound that sent chills down Kouchi's spine. "You foolish boy. You don't understand the forces at play here."

Before Harry could react, Quirrell flicked his wand, sending a blast of dark energy toward him. Harry dodged just in time, the spell crashing into the wall behind him and leaving a scorch mark.

The battle had begun.

Kouchi's mind raced. He could see Harry was outmatched, his inexperience showing in the face of Quirrell's dark magic. Kouchi had hoped to avoid interfering, but the situation was spiraling quickly. If he didn't act, Harry might not survive.

As Quirrell prepared to launch another attack, Kouchi made his decision. Channeling his chakra, he activated a powerful genjutsu, casting a large-scale illusion over the entire chamber. The air shimmered faintly as the genjutsu took hold, distorting reality and confusing Quirrell's senses.

Quirrell stumbled, his vision blurring as the illusion enveloped him. "What… what is this?" he stammered, trying to break free from the genjutsu's grip.

Harry looked around, bewildered by the sudden change in the room. The walls seemed to shift and warp, and shadows danced unnaturally in the corners. Kouchi remained hidden, manipulating the genjutsu to keep Quirrell off balance.

Seizing the moment of confusion, Harry gathered his courage and fired a stunning spell at Quirrell, hitting him squarely in the chest. Quirrell staggered backward, disoriented and weakened by the combined effects of the genjutsu and Harry's spell.

Kouchi watched intently, ensuring the illusion held strong. But his attention was soon drawn to the entrance of the chamber. The heavy door creaked open once more, and a new presence entered—Dumbledore.

The headmaster's eyes swept the room, taking in the chaotic scene with a calm yet piercing gaze. Kouchi felt a sharp pang of realization—Dumbledore was no ordinary wizard. His senses were keen, and Kouchi had the unsettling feeling that the headmaster could sense his presence, despite the genjutsu.

Dumbledore's voice cut through the chaos, firm and commanding. "Enough."

Quirrell froze, his eyes wide with fear as he turned to face Dumbledore. Harry lowered his wand slightly, relief washing over him at the sight of the headmaster.

Kouchi knew this was his cue to leave. Dumbledore's arrival meant the situation was under control, and staying any longer risked exposing himself.

With a final pulse of chakra, Kouchi dispelled the genjutsu, returning the chamber to its normal state. He moved swiftly and silently, retreating through a hidden passage he had discovered earlier. 

The last thing he saw was Dumbledore's gaze sweeping the room, lingering for a brief moment where Kouchi had been concealed.

As he navigated the secret corridors, Kouchi's mind raced. Quirrell had been more dangerous than he anticipated, and the dark presence within him was concerning. But what troubled Kouchi more was Dumbledore. 

The headmaster had a way of seeing through the veil, and Kouchi was almost certain that his presence had been noticed.

Reaching the safety of his dormitory, Kouchi slipped back into his bed, his thoughts swirling. He had managed to protect Harry and keep the stone safe, but the cost had been higher than he expected. The events of the night would not go unnoticed, and Kouchi would need to be even more careful moving forward.

The castle was a place of secrets and shadows, and Kouchi was determined to navigate them all. But for now, he needed rest, for tomorrow would bring new challenges, and the web of intrigue at Hogwarts was far from unraveling.

It was not until next morning that Kouchi fregreted his decision.

Kouchi awoke with a sense of satisfaction, convinced he had committed the perfect crime. 

The fake Philosopher's Stone sat in the chamber, and no one seemed any the wiser. He had returned to the dormitory unseen, and the castle had been quiet throughout the night. The mission, in his eyes, was a success.

As the first rays of dawn filtered through the windows, Kouchi stretched and prepared for another day. But just as he began to relax, a sharp knock on the dormitory door jolted him. A fellow Hufflepuff poked their head in, eyes wide with urgency.

"Kouchi, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you. Now."

Kouchi's heart skipped a beat. Dumbledore knew. Or at least suspected something. His mind raced with possibilities, but he maintained a calm exterior, nodding to his housemate. "Thanks. I'll head there right away."

As he dressed and prepared to leave, unease crept into his mind. Dumbledore's request was unexpected but not entirely surprising. Kouchi knew the headmaster was astute, perhaps even aware of the true nature of the events from the night before. But he couldn't back down now. He needed to face Dumbledore and clarify things—on his terms.

Walking through the quiet corridors, Kouchi kept his senses alert. The castle felt different in the early morning, a stillness hanging in the air that wasn't there during the day. It was in this silence that Kouchi encountered Professor Snape.

Snape emerged from a side corridor, his black robes billowing around him like dark clouds. His eyes met Kouchi's, cold and calculating, filled with an acidic disdain that seemed to bore into Kouchi's very soul. The professor didn't say a word, but the look spoke volumes—Snape knew something, or at least suspected Kouchi of wrongdoing.

Kouchi held Snape's gaze, unflinching, until the professor turned and swept past him, disappearing down the corridor. The encounter left Kouchi with a bitter taste in his mouth, but he shook it off, focusing on the task ahead.

As he approached Dumbledore's office, Kouchi steeled himself. The perfect crime was beginning to unravel, and he needed to ensure he stayed one step ahead.

______

Please go to my profile and add 'Last Wizard King's SSS-Level Magic system in Modern World' to your collectios. You don't have to read it, but I want the collections to go up and get some Power Stones

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.