Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 554, Part 552: A Special Halloween (4k)

The treasure vault was not dark.

Sparkling jewels were everywhere, piled up like small mountains.

At the very center of the treasure trove stood a bookshelf made of gold, with tiny, glowing beads illuminating the closed drawers.

Verne walked to the innermost shelf, his withered knuckles reaching forward.

With a loud clang, the bookshelf underwent a huge deformation.

All the drawers were pushed out by an invisible force, and as Verne scanned them with his shrewd eyes, most of the bookshelves retracted, leaving only one drawer marked "Top Security Level: Seven" still in place.

Sheen could see the ancient scrolls that were bound together.

"This is it, my esteemed friend, the great Mr. Hermes."

Verne bowed.
“You can take it out.”

Sheen stood there, watching as Verne handed him a pair of gloves, guessing that this was the method to isolate the "Copy Charm" from the "Fire Charm".

But...

Sheen did not use gloves; he simply watched the scroll silently. Soon, the scroll seemed to be grasped by an invisible hand and floated steadily to Sheen's side.

"Not many wizards can do this; it was originally a talent of fairies."

Verne's shrewd eyes revealed surprise and joy, and he lowered his posture even further.

"The fairy's talent..."

Sheen gazed at the scroll and repeated it softly.

"The fairy's talent, if traced back to its origin, is probably an extension of magical bloodline."

Just as all creatures in the magical world possess unique magical talents—the phoenix's rebirth ability, the invisible beast's vanishing ability, the fire dragon's power to breathe fire…

Professor Quirrell was reading from the "Chronicles of Wizarding Magic."

"Fairies, or the house-elves of the past, are born with bloodlines that are naturally suited for forging, can cast spells without a wand, and even... develop certain contractual characteristics. As a result, they exhibit a behavior of obeying contracts and give birth to unique contract magic."

"A wizard with exceptional insight..."

Verne did not refute, but looked Quirrell up and down, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

"You have studied us very deeply, but what about you? Wizards, have you studied yourselves so thoroughly?"

"Maybe it wasn't before, but it is now."

Quirrell looked at the young wizard with utmost respect.

Sheen was still examining the scroll, sensing a rich magical power within it, much like those powerful alchemical creations that always possessed extraordinary magical efficacy.

"The contracted master cannot be spoken of, cannot be betrayed, and cannot be harmed in the slightest by his servants... The servants' lives are controlled by him, and even resisting death is a fantasy."

A passage entered Sheen's mind, and he roughly understood the powerful contract magic attached to the scroll.

This is exactly what he needs.

"Now... what is it?"

The old fairy, unable to understand Quiro's words, asked a question.

"The Wizarding Chronicles, from the ancient times of magic to even more ancient times."

Quirrell made no attempt to hide it.

"That book... This kind of knowledge is everywhere?!"

The fairy lost her composure.

"Perhaps you already know this. The difference between wizards and fairies is that in the history of wizards, both the great and the insignificant exist. Powerful wizards are unstoppable, while the weak cannot even cast spells."

Seeing that the young wizard was still examining the contract, Professor Quirrell casually dragged the old goblin along.

“You knew this, so you made the choice, didn’t you?”

A seemingly powerful yet utterly mediocre fairy, attached to a destined legend among wizards…

But I must remind you once again, clever fairies, that you must perfectly fulfill your duties to reap rich rewards… I will suggest that you assess your contributions.”

After Quirrell finished speaking, he took another step forward, shielding the little wizard behind him.

Just like a loyal butler.

Verne remained silent, his humble expression lasting until Sheen left Gringotts.

After obtaining the contract, Sheen's plan smoothly progressed to its final stage.

"Go to room 10 at the Leaky Cauldron and tell Bigfoot and Moonface: It's tomorrow."

He then informed Mr. Will that his task was complete and that he had done an excellent job.

On the streets of Diagon Alley, Sheen released Bai Yi.

A silvery owl spreads its wings in the sky, occasionally transforming into a flying fire dragon, drawing graceful arcs between the clouds.

"At least try not to breathe fire, Bai Yi—"

The empty talisman floated up, and Sheen gave a helpless remark.

"Then I beg you to take me back to Hogsmeade, Professor."

Sheehan said to Quirrell.

"As you wish."

Quirrell nodded, pretending not to see the flying fire dragon.

……

Diagon Alley, Leaky Cauldron, Room 10.

A green-skinned Pukchi is the owner of this room.

It kept a special pet, a big black dog, and occasionally it would talk to the dog. People generally thought that the man and the dog were both strange creatures.

Room number ten was not small, and it contained a very comfortable-looking bed and several pieces of gleaming oak furniture.

A crackling, joyful fire burned in the fireplace, and on top of the wardrobe—

"It is the gentleman's messenger."

Will happily accepted Bai Yi.

Suddenly, a black claw swept past like the wind, about to tear the letter away.

Bai Yi suddenly made a "coo-coo" sound, and Will was terrified:

"Close your eyes! Foolish wizard!"

At the same time, the floor trembled violently, and the slippery scales clung tightly to Pukchi and the black dog's bodies.

Both the man and the dog could sense the sheer size and danger of the scales. The black dog barely dared to breathe, while Will kept his eyes tightly shut as he explained:

"He is Sirius Black, and he has transformed into his Animagus form, a black dog."

They could feel the gaze disappear, and then, after hearing a cooing sound, Will dared to open his eyes.

It looked around furiously at the cracked walls, the petrified rats in the corners, and the silent creature that had turned into a wizard.

"You are not allowed to seek death before you complete the task assigned to you by your master!"

Will was furious.

"I……"

Sirius Black was not yet fully able to comprehend what was happening before his eyes.

"That is the master's messenger, who has been granted powerful abilities by the master, and can control the power of various magical creatures."

Will snorted and gave Sirius another fierce glare.

The wizard, no longer looking so haggard, didn't dare to speak, but his eyes clearly showed a question.

“If you weren’t so ignorant, you would know that was a basilisk.”

Will explained it again impatiently.
“You’d better remember this, wizard: you are not allowed to die without permission. I’ll be watching you until you finish my master’s task.”

Sirius fell silent for a moment.

"Thanks……"

After a long silence, he finally uttered a few words.

It was only then, still shaken, that he was able to examine the letter.

But before he could even open it, Will from next door had already happily pushed open the door and come out.

"Oh, I didn't do that well either..."

Sirius could faintly hear his shy whispers.

Where are you going?

Sirius asked, puzzled.

“Stupid wizard, my mission is complete. If I don’t go back to Mr. Green, do you expect me to stay here with you…” Will looked Sirius up and down, pursed his lips, and disappeared.

Sirius fell silent once again.

He could only try to find joy in the letters.

【Dear Sirius, time has flowed to the right shore. Please come to the Screaming Shed tomorrow…】

Sirius heard his throat bobbing, his breathing becoming heavy and labored in his daze. He could barely hear anything else except the pounding of his heart. He looked down.

By the way, just a reminder that Mr. Lupin will be arriving soon and he will assist you in entering Hogwarts.

One last thing: please prepare your appropriate attire and get some rest early. Tomorrow, we will reconstruct the truth for the magical world.

—Sheen Green

"Bigfoot..."

There was a knock on the door.

Sirius, suppressing his trembling, opened the door.

"Did you receive the letter?"

Lupin strode in excitedly.

"The same to you?"

Sirius grinned.

"Get ready, we should go back to Hogwarts."

Lupin patted him on the shoulder.

"As an innocent person."

Sirius paused, forcing himself not to so easily indulge in fantasies of that future.

He understood that their struggle might have only just begun.

I'm happy for you.

Lupin added, smiling gently.

"Oh……"

Sirius couldn't help but laugh.

"But there is one more thing before we return to Hogwarts."

Lupin's expression slowly shifted from joy to worry; he seemed unsure whether he should speak.

"Hesitating, you're still the same old you, buddy."

Sirius said.

"About Sheen..."

Lupin looked around, closed the door, and lowered his voice.

"What's wrong with Mr. Green?"

Sirius was breathing rapidly and reacting violently.

"Snape."

Lupin said, emphasizing each word.

"Snape discovered our plan?"

Sirius frowned.

"Do not."

Lupin said.

Sirius visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's about someone we never expected, Sheehan Snape."

Lupin repeated it.

Sirius's heart was in his throat.

He relaxed too soon.

Without much effort, he found that he understood what Lupin meant.

But he preferred to know nothing at all.

"What do you mean?"

He swallowed hard and asked with a glimmer of hope.

"Although it's hard to admit, it's true. Mr. Green's background is more complicated than we imagined. He grew up in an orphanage, and Snape is..."

Lupin was also aware of how sensational his words were, and he tried to speak as calmly as possible.

“We must eliminate all risks, Bigfoot. Professor Dumbledore testified for Snape, but what about you? Do you trust him? I force myself to trust Professor Dumbledore, but what if? Bigfoot, we cannot afford to fail. You know that better than I do.”

Lupin looked out the window.

The sky outside the window was changing rapidly, from a velvety deep blue to a cold gray, and then slowly to a grayish-white mixed with lamplight.

“You know what kind of person he is. Dumbledore trusts him, but I don’t,”

Sirius's voice was terribly hoarse.
“I don’t know what methods he used, but there can’t be any hidden dangers around Mr. Green. What do you want to ask, Moonface? If you tell me this, you must have something to ask me.”

"You can't fool me, Bigfoot."

Lupin sighed.
“We all know how deeply he had infiltrated that group, how much he pursued evil forces, and we know what he had done.”

What caused his change? Why did he turn against Dumbledore? I need to know more, especially… that prophecy. You, as the Keeper of the Secret, probably know more than I do.”

"Dumbledore did tell me...something about that prophecy..."

Sirius Black looked nostalgic.

"He told me it was because I needed to know how serious the situation was..."

Sirius signaled to Lupin with his eyes, and Lupin immediately cast a soundproofing spell.

"Children born at the end of July will be formidable enemies of the Dark Lord, which is why he hunts them down so relentlessly."

After Sirius finished speaking, he suddenly seemed to understand something, and his speech quickened.
What could possibly change him, Moon Face!

This is it, it can only be this! How could I forget? How could I not have thought of that!
He knows, he must know!

Lupin's expression suddenly turned serious.

He looked at the excited Sirius:

"This is troublesome..."

"what?"

Sirius asked.

"How many people know about this prophecy? Who can communicate between Dumbledore and Voldemort? If Voldemort knew about it first, would he let it spread? He would kill everyone who knew. Dumbledore, too, would try to keep it a secret, but inevitably, there was a traitor among us. Maybe it was Peter, but I don't think it was him; I'm more inclined to believe he didn't know. But someone else did know."

Lu Ping said with a grim expression.

Night fell completely upon their extremely unpleasant faces.

"We must remind Mr. Green that he should stay away from any risks."

Sirius Black had a hoarse voice.

"The matter is still undecided."

Lupin shook his head stiffly again.

"Dumbledore will know that we must go to the headmaster's office."

In the Leaky Cauldron bar, room number ten, only one sentence echoed faintly.

……

Hogwarts.

Pumpkins were everywhere at the Halloween dinner.

The young wizards were all looking forward to this night.

The ghosts began their performance. They sprang out from the walls and tables, forming various formations and performing gliding acts.

Nick the nearly headless Gryffindor reenacted his decapitation experience and was a great success.

Sheehan sat in the main seat, with Professor Snape beside him, frequently pretending to glance at him occasionally;
Professor McGonagall was on his right, watching him eat heartily with a smile.

Sheehan only remembered that the Hogwarts dinner was as delicious as ever, completely unaware that Professor Lupin was looking at him with a sorrowful expression.

(End of this chapter)