The Return to Hogwarts

Golden Viper took the bag, glanced inside, weighed it in his hand, and questioned it with dissatisfaction.

To be honest, Thanatos was quite wealthy, but compared to the precious Titan skeleton, it was nothing. Thanatos clearly knew this himself; he was afraid that Golden Viper might suddenly change his mind and refuse to sell the skeleton to him, so he dared not make any excuses, and simply gritted his teeth and said...

“I’m willing to do anything for you, Golden Viper, whatever it may be, as long as you’re willing to give me this skeleton.”

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Golden Viper's eyes as he gave a disdainful sneer.

“You should be aware of the difference in strength between us, Thanatos. You can’t offer me any help.”

Upon hearing Golden Viper's words, Thanatos's tall frame shrank like a deflated balloon. Golden Viper was right. Having witnessed Golden Viper's power, he knew the difference in strength between the two. What he could do, Golden Viper could certainly do as well, it would just be a bit more troublesome.

"How much do you want, Golden Viper? Name your price. I have some friends who can offer me some support!"

Even in the world under the sun, transactions and personal relationships cannot be confused, let alone in the underworld, a place where only profit matters. Viper's attitude was within his expectations.

"It seems you really want the remains of this Titan."

Thanatos, who was already prepared to accept the Golden Viper's exorbitant demands, suddenly heard such a strange question.

Does he even need to ask whether he wants to possess this unique undead creature?

"Hmm—you just said you were willing to do things for me?"

Golden Viper stroked his chin, giving the stunned Thanatos a subtle look.

"Consider it your luck. Thanatos, I have indeed encountered a few things recently. Well, it's not that I can't handle them, but they're rather troublesome—"

"I'm willing to share your burdens, Golden Viper!"

Thanatos jumped up and said with great enthusiasm,

It's my honor to help you solve your problem!

“There are three things in total, Thanatos. If you agree, then this skeleton is yours, and you won’t need to borrow money from your friends anymore—”

Gazing at the breathless Thanatos, the Golden Viper pondered for a moment, its eyes becoming unfathomable.

"The first thing is relatively simple: the Time-Turner. You must know this wonderful little gadget, right? It can help wizards travel back in time, but ordinary Time-Turners can only go back a short period of time. I need some kind of technology that can significantly extend the time it can go back in time. Just a few months won't meet my requirements. It needs to be able to send someone back several years. Do you have any way to get this kind of technology, Thanatos?"

Chapter 352 Three Things

2023-06-27

As soon as Golden Viper finished speaking, a subtle change occurred in the expression behind Thanatos's mask.

Time-Turners—of course he knew about such things. As everyone knew, all existing time-turners in the magical world were under the strict control of the Ministry of Magic, and the Time Hall, where the time-turners were housed, was managed by his department, the Department of Mysteries.

Is this just a coincidence, or is it a deliberate scheme?

No wizard who could survive in the chaos of the underworld was a fool, Thanatos immediately realized something was wrong.

Could it be that Golden Viper has already figured out his identity in the outside world?!

Thanatos's eyes widened in fear as he gazed at the unfathomable golden viper before him.

"What's wrong? Are you having trouble?"

Golden Viper remained unmoved and said...

Thanatos, who had just vowed to give everything for this precious Titan skeleton, was now much more cautious. His voice was muffled.

"Let's talk about the next two things first, Golden Viper—"

“Okay—” Amosta nodded slightly.

"The second thing, I think you are well aware of how much this skeleton can help your strength. When you can successfully control it, I believe that in the contemporary magic world, apart from a limited number of people, no one will be your match. Thanatos, I don't want you to use my things against me one day, or for my people to have to swear an oath that they will never become my enemies in the future, and that they will join my camp when I need them."

"You're planning to unify the underworld?"

Thanatos asked in astonishment,

"If you have this idea, I advise you to give it up as soon as possible. Golden Viper, you know those guys won't obey anyone, it has nothing to do with strength, and besides, you're not from the Mystic School."

“I do not wish to rule anyone, Thanatos—” the Golden Viper said calmly.

"As for what I'm planning to do, that's not something you can ask about."

Thanatos remained silent, his mind struggling with a difficult decision. This matter was more troublesome than the first one because the uncertainty was far too high. What if Golden Viper suddenly had a whim to try his hand at being the Dark Lord and decided to attack the Ministry of Magic, and then demanded that he join his team?

Golden Viper ignored Thanatos's complex inner struggle. He paused, then continued,

"The third thing I need is for you to kill someone."

"Kill a person?"

Thanatos immediately cleared his mind of the jumbled thoughts and asked, puzzled,

"What's so complicated about this? You can do it yourself, unless Golden Viper..."

Looking at Hogwarts, which was faintly visible in the clouds in the distance, Thanatos was startled.

"Who are you going to kill? It's not Albus Dumbledore, is it?"

"Hmph, kill Dumbledore? You think you can?"

Amid Thanatos's sneer, Golden Viper scoffed disdainfully. After a brief silence, he softly uttered a name.

Thanatos fell silent. He stared at the golden viper so close to him, his mouth opening as if to ask something, but his good 'professionalism' made him suppress his curiosity and confusion and remain silent.

"Three things. If you agree, this skeleton is yours. If you disagree, I will erase the memory of our meeting today. Make a choice, Thanatos."

"Golden Viper said calmly."

Each of the three things Golden Viper mentioned carries significant risk. If placed individually in the underworld commission market, the commission fee would not be cheap, especially the third one. If possible, Thanatos would absolutely not want to do it at this time.

However, Thanatos gazed at the Titan skeleton standing in the lake, examining the powerful force contained within each snow-white, translucent bone, and staring fascinated at the two terrifying necromantic powers within the giant's eye skull. If he missed it this time, his teacher would probably jump out of his grave and skin him alive!

Thanatos glanced at the golden viper, who was leisurely enjoying the scenery around it, looking like it had him cornered. Thanatos gritted his teeth in hatred.

Clang, clang! Whoosh!

Thanatos hesitated for a long time, and even after the Hogwarts Express, which had previously crossed the nearby iron bridge, arrived at Hogsmeade Station and then turned back, he still couldn't make up his mind.

Since you're unwilling—

Golden Viper had lost his patience; a wand emerged from beneath his black cloak.

"Then let's end our deal here, Thanatos. I need to erase your memory."

"Wait, Golden Viper!"

Thanatos jumped up, panting heavily.

"I didn't say I wouldn't accept it, I just need some time to assess the risks!"

"Rewards are always directly proportional to risk, Thanatos,"

"I can't stand it," Golden Viper said impatiently.

"If you don't even have this much awareness, I suggest you leave the underworld as soon as possible and set up a stall in Diagon Alley selling crucibles!"

Whether Thanatos will choose to make the deal is a question that doesn't need much thought. Since Amosta has invited him out, he is confident that Thanatos will agree.

The crimson glow of the contract gradually dissipated into the dim air. After agreeing on the time for the handover of the enhanced magic of the time-changing device, Amosta and his group left directly, while Thanatos stayed in the suburbs, gazing at the towering giant skeleton with a dazed smile. He would probably need to stay in the wilderness for a few more days to familiarize himself with the skeleton's 'performance'.

Overall, Amosta is very satisfied with the deal.

This not only made his already bulging wallet even fuller, but also solved two rather thorny issues and made some preparations for the future.

The underworld, the trading market.

"Besides that notebook, did you really gain nothing?"

Amostah returned to the stall where he had bought the Blood Curse, coldly staring at the Greek wizard whose face was as rough and calloused as African tree snakeskin.

“Excuse me, Mr. Golden Viper—”

The stall owner shook his head regretfully.

"It was a very ancient ruin, and there wasn't much of value inside. We basically made a wasted trip. That magic notebook was our only find."

After saying that, the stall owner's eyes darted around in their sockets a few times, then he cautiously craned his neck and asked in a low voice,

"Is that really 'Despicable Helbo's' magical research manuscript?"

Golden Viper glanced coldly at the scheming stall owner, said nothing, and turned to leave.

A considerable amount of time has passed since he obtained that stack of manuscripts. Since he first came into contact with magic, Amosta has never spent so much time researching spells. However, the Blood Spell is of extraordinary importance and is a spell he must master.

Given his current level of magical skill, there are not many people who can guide him. Does this mean he really has to ask Dumbledore for guidance on this evil and cruel magic that is no less than that of Horcruxes?

Amosta shook his head. This was his own plan, and he didn't want to see Dumbledore get too involved.

With a heavy heart, Amosta strolled toward the exit of the underground world. Just as he had one foot on the bus, a commotion suddenly broke out in the pet market. Amosta glanced over with an indifferent look and, after a few moments, roughly understood what had happened.

A fool named Wagadu brought a few African Evil Witches to sell. These birds are known for their brightly colored feathers and high-pitched, mind-numbing cries. Generally, when selling these birds, they need to be treated with a silence spell before they can be brought to the market.

It seems the spell cast by that fool who sold the Wicked Birds has failed. Now, the chirping of a cage full of Wicked Birds has startled many magical creatures in the vicinity, and a bunch of hapless fools with their brains all scrambled out are attacking each other with their wands!

After glancing at it a few times, Amosta shook his head, losing interest.

He stepped onto the cart, turned the control lever, and with a click, the brake calipers released, propelling the cart forward and gradually accelerating.

But just as the car was about to leave the flat section of road and prepare to climb the hill, Amosta frowned, jumped out of the car with a whoosh, and looked at the magical creatures in the trading market who had been stripped of their dignity with a hint of surprise in his eyes.