Hogwarts: Don't call me Wandmaker

Chapter 244 The Curse of Premature Tracking

Ron spent the whole night grieving over losing his pet.

“Scabbers must not have wanted to make me sad, that’s why he left alone,” he told Harry.

Harry just nodded perfunctorily and continued to stare at the Marauder's Map, occasionally frowning slightly.

The Easter holiday officially ended the next day.

Siron arrived at the Transfiguration office early in the morning and handed his completed paper to Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall would then send it to Transfiguration Today, but whether it would be published was not up to Siron.

It would be best if it were possible, but it wouldn't matter too much if it weren't, because we just need to wait a while longer, until the next school year when Hogwarts will host a grand tournament. At that time, almost all the wizarding world in Europe will be focused on this place, which will be the perfect opportunity for him to advertise.

After leaving the Transfiguration classroom, Siron had a quick breakfast in the Great Hall before heading to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom with the others.

The first class after the start of the semester was Defense Against the Dark Arts. As usual, Professor Lupin walked into the classroom wearing a robe full of patches, with obvious dark circles under his eyes.

After the holiday, he looked even more haggard, and he was swaying as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

Professor Lu Ping said he hadn't slept all night because he was preparing for today's lesson.

Most people believed it.

But Siren knew very well that Lupin hadn't slept yesterday, not to prepare for new lessons, but because he was busy observing someone else.

"Professor, are we going to learn about some kind of ferocious dark creature today?" someone asked excitedly.

This year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class has a clear focus: from the Boggarts at the beginning, to Grindelwald, Kaba, and Red Hat, all of them are related to dark creatures, so they felt that this class would be no exception.

“No, not dark creatures. We’re here to learn something new today.” Lupin stepped to the front and looked at everyone, saying, “Now turn to page 217.”

There was an uproar below, and many people subconsciously thought of Snape.

That's what happened when Snape came to substitute teach last time; he just made them flip to the very back of the book without any regard for their safety.

Could it be that Professor Lupin is Snape in disguise?

Someone muttered to themselves.

However, Hermione was already the first to turn to the designated page.

“Tracing Charm?” She frowned as she looked at the book. “But Professor, we have to learn the Witch Bird, Rune Snake, and Groundbat before we can get to that point.”

“Thank you for reminding me, Miss Granger.” Lupin shrugged helplessly. “But unfortunately, I can’t get my hands on the Wicked Bird, Runeboding Serpent, or Groundbat. And if I were to explain it directly, it would be difficult for you to understand the specifics of those creatures.”

"But don't worry, I've already applied to Professor McGonagall, and you'll soon be able to meet the Witch Bird and the Rune Serpent... But before that, learning the later content is also a good option."

Lupin's explanation was reasonable and completely different from Snape's unreasonable and domineering manner. Everyone quickly accepted this explanation, and Hermione sat back down.

“Tracing Charm.” Lupin looked around and said, “It’s a very useful spell. Aurors usually use it to find dark wizards hiding in the shadows… In addition, this spell can also be combined with name magic to create a completely new spell.”

"However, this involves rather complex knowledge such as magical combinations, which you may not learn until fifth grade..."

Professor Lupin explained it in great detail, covering everything from the incantation and hand gestures of the Tracking Charm to its applicable scenarios. It felt just like taking Professor Flitwick's class.

Xiren felt that he should have no problem teaching Charms.

During this process, Professor Lupin hinted more than once that the Tracking Charm might be part of the exam, so everyone listened very attentively.

"Today's homework..." Professor Lupin announced loudly before the end of get out of class, "Please read the chapter on the Tracking Charm carefully, and explain its function in detail... It's due Monday, that's all."

The students chatted amongst themselves as they left the classroom. "Harry, could Professor Lupin's Tracking Charm combined with Name Magic be the same kind of magic shown on the Marauder's Map?" Ron whispered to Harry.

"Huh?" Harry seemed to be lost in thought and didn't hear what Ron was saying at all.

Just as Ron was about to ask again, Professor Lupin's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Harry, please wait a moment."

The group stopped and saw Professor Lupin walking quickly over and pulling Harry aside.

"What are they saying?" Ron tilted his ear, trying to hear what they were saying.

“I don’t know,” Siron said. “If you want to know, just ask Harry. He’ll definitely tell you.”

"That's true."

"You'd better hurry up," Hermione urged from the front. "The next class is about to start, and Professor Lupin didn't tell us to wait."

"Oh, why didn't you say so sooner?"

The group hurriedly ran up the stairs and headed towards the Spells class classroom.

Harry finally pushed open the classroom door about ten minutes after class started.

“You’re late, Mr. Potter,” said Professor Flitwick. “Go back now, and be more mindful of your time next time.”

Harry quickly walked over and sat down in the empty seat next to Ron.

"What does Professor Lu Ping want with you?"

“It’s nothing.” Harry’s eyes flickered. “He said Sirius Black has been spotted near Hogsmeade again, and he told me to keep an eye on the map, especially the Quidditch pitch and the edges of the pitch, and to keep an eye out for any unfamiliar names.”

“I see.” Ron immediately lost interest. “Isn’t Professor Lupin being too anxious? Hogsmeade is practically surrounded by Dementors right now. How dare Black come?”

Harry didn't speak; he was thinking about something else.

Actually, during Defense Against the Dark Arts class earlier, he had glanced at the Marauder's Map out of habit and saw that name again at the edge of the map that shouldn't have appeared... Peter Pettigrew.

However, the name appeared only briefly, disappearing from the map again after a few seconds, leading Harry to believe he was seeing things.

It's possible this time, but what about last time?

Everyone saw this name in his dorm room; surely not everyone was seeing things.

However, according to the information he currently has, Peter Pettigrew should already be dead... He was brutally murdered by Voldemort twelve years ago in an attempt to capture Sirius Black, who had sided with Voldemort.

Now that his name has appeared on the Marauder's Map, could it mean that Peter Pettigrew didn't actually die, but survived the curse that destroyed a street?

But if he's not dead, why is he hiding? As a recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class, if he were to "come back to life," he would surely become a hero.

Could it be fear...? No, that's absolutely impossible. Twelve years ago, he risked his life to stop Blake. How could such a heroic figure be afraid of a shameful traitor?

Harry shook his head and glanced once more at the Marauder's Map tucked inside the spellbook.

He took a deep breath, and a bold idea suddenly popped into his head.

He wanted to go find Peter the Pettigrew.

If Peter Pettigrew is really still alive, then finding him will solve all the mysteries!
……

(End of this chapter)