Hogwarts' Golden Glory

In the third week after the start of the third year of school, the Owl Shack at Hogwarts was unusually quiet during lunchtime.

Most of the owls were resting, with only a few still preening their feathers or taking a nap.

Kane stood alone at the window of the shed, holding a letter written on gray parchment. There were fine scratches along the edges of the letter—marks left by werewolf fingernails, suggesting the messenger had been in a hurry.

The letter was from Lupin. The handwriting was messy but clear:

Kane: First, the important thing—the Moonshadow Alliance recently received a message from our network of contacts across Europe (do you remember the French Werewolf Brotherhood I mentioned before?).

Suspicious dark magical fluctuations have been witnessed near Durmstrang School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Not ordinary dark magic, but the kind that… you know. And the timing coincides with your earlier warning that “Voldemort might be possessing someone.”

I'm not sure if he's in the Durmstrang delegation, but you'd better keep an eye on anyone at that school. Especially the headmaster. He's been acting too "normal" lately? And he used to be a Death Eater! Maybe I'm being paranoid, but it's never bad to be cautious.

Meanwhile, everything is stable in the Alliance. Tobias and Ella are doing a great job with daily management, and Sauron's potion-making is already achieving 90% of the effects of your recipes. Lina is teaching the young werewolves basic runes, and she says several of the children are very talented.

However, there's one thing—some of the young werewolves have been getting restless lately. You know, they've spent their whole lives holed up in the valley, and now that they have power and clear minds, they're thinking about "going out and seeing the world." A few have even mentioned wanting to go to Hogsmeade for a drink.

I told them the time wasn't right, but you know how young people are—they don't listen to the word "wait."

Do you have any suggestions?

P.S.: The new batch of raw materials Lucius Malfoy sent through that channel has arrived, enough for two months. Please give him my thanks (though I doubt he'd want to hear a werewolf thank you).

— Remus

After reading the letter, Kane flicked the parchment lightly between his fingertips.

The paper automatically folded into a paper crane and flew into the inner pocket on his chest—where he had a specially made fireproof, waterproof, and spyproof interlayer.

"Demstrand..." he repeated softly, his gray eyes gazing at the sky outside the shed.

Voldemort would be much more difficult to deal with in Durmstrang than in the Albanian forest.

There is a complete teaching system, a tradition of black magic, and a group of students and professors who yearn for "great power." It's easier to hide and recruit followers.

Then it's the werewolves' business. They want to go out and see the world—that's perfectly normal.

Anyone who's been locked in the valley for too long will want to come out. But he can't let them expose themselves now.

The Ministry of Magic is still watching, and the new Minister Scrimgeour will never let go of the "werewolf encampment" as an excuse.

Kane pulled a specially made quill pen with a silver nib from his inner pocket—it was one he had crafted himself, its ink changing color according to the writer's magic, and only magic of a specific frequency could read it. He quickly replied on a blank parchment:

Lupin:

I'll handle Durmstrang's matter. Remind everyone to stay away from the Durmstrang delegation, especially around the full moon. You know Voldemort's "interest" in werewolves.

Regarding the young people who want to leave—tell them it won't be long. I have some plans at Hogwarts that may require the League's help. Tell them to be patient, practice their self-control, and learn the basics of magic. When the time is right, I will arrange for them to leave the valley legally and safely, instead of sneaking out like rats.

The specific time... I will go to the valley before Christmas to discuss it in person.

—K.

He folded the letter and summoned a greyish-brown barn owl—not the snowy owl that the Malfoys kept, but the kind that was casually found in the shed and didn't attract attention.

He tied the letter up and patted the owl's head.

"Go to Misty Valley. Be careful."

The owl hooted once, spread its wings and flew out the window, quickly disappearing into the afternoon clouds.

Kane stood by the window, looking into the distance at the Durmstrang delegation's temporary quarters—they were on a large ship beside the Black Lake. The cabin windows reflected a cold light in the sunlight.

"Voldemort," Kane said softly, "you've chosen a good hiding place."

Igor flew down from the beam of the shed and landed on his shoulder, his silver eyes also looking at the ship.

The phoenix did not cry out, but quietly nuzzled his cheek.

Meanwhile, in the common room of Gryffindor Tower, Harry also received a letter.

It was delivered by a large barn owl with somewhat mottled feathers—not the one he usually used, but Harry recognized the handwriting.

Harry:

I heard the Triwizard Tournament is going to be held at Hogwarts. I know you're definitely excited, but I'm telling you—you're not allowed to ask an older student to register you.

I'm not kidding, Harry. People really do die. Historically, the mortality rate for participants is twenty-five percent, and that's with "safety measures" in place. Dumbledore is crazy enough to revive this competition; don't go any crazier with him.

If you encounter danger at school, your first instinct should be to find Dumbledore. He's the most powerful wizard of this century.

If you can't find Dumbledore—though I think that's unlikely—then look for Kane Malfoy.

I don't like that kid. He's too much like his father, and he always seems to be scheming. But he's really strong. I heard some things from Lupin about what happened during the summer. The work that kid did was crazier than most adult Aurors.

In short, remember this: don't try to be a hero. If your scars hurt, go find Dumbledore.

Finally—eat well and sleep well. Don't be like Hermione, staying up all night to read; you won't grow tall.

Sirius Black

P.S.: I also wrote to Ron, telling him not to get involved with Fred and George. Although I know they definitely won't listen.

Harry couldn't help but smile after reading the letter.

Sirius Black speaks as if he were standing right in front of you—rough and gruff, but every word is full of concern.

"Whose letter?" Ron leaned closer.

"Sirius," Harry handed him the letter, "to tell you not to get involved with Fred and George."

Ron read it once, then pouted, "I never intended to sign up. I'm only thirteen; I don't even meet the age requirement."

"Didn't you drink the aging potion?" Hermione said without looking up from the side.

"That was my buddy's terrible idea," Ron muttered. "And it failed, and he even grew a beard."

"Didn't you spend ages shaving with a razor afterwards?" Harry suppressed a laugh.

"Don't even mention it. That patch of skin is still red."

Hermione looked up at Harry: "Sirius is right, you shouldn't sign up. It's too dangerous."

"I definitely won't sign up," Harry said. "But it's a real shame Kane can't participate."